News

The Latest Automotive News from Around the World

• Price Hike: 2009 Nissan GT-R Now Starts at $76,480
  Citing an increase in the cost of raw materials, Nissan raises the price of its GT-R 10 percent.
• 2011 Chevrolet Volt To Break Cover in Time for GM Anniversary Celebration
  The production version of the Chevrolet Volt will be unveiled as part of GM's 100-year anniversary celebration this month, says Automotive News Europe.
• Violence Against Prius Hybrids Hit All-Time High
  Prius haters are exercising their disdain for the popular Toyota hybrid in growing numbers.
• Knight Rider and My Own Worst Enemy Hit Internet Before TV
  NBC will premiere the two new shows on the Internet a week before they hit the TV airwaves.
• Feds Look Into Complaints of Exhaust Pipe Burns From Mini Cooper S
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an engineering analysis to look into complaints about leg burns from contact with the exhaust pipe in the 2007-08 Mini Cooper S.
• Tuner Special: Wald International Nissan GT-R
  Wald International has unveiled its exterior treatment for the GT-R.
• Unveiled: Daewoo Veritas
  GM's Korean subsidiary launches its answer to the Hyundai Genesis, based on the Australian Holden Caprice.
• The Return of the Detroit Electric?
  The venerable 19^th-century brand may be coming back with the new generation of electric cars.
• Tech Watch: Nissan Touts a Step Forward for Alternative-Fuel Vehicles
  The Japanese automaker says it has developed a high-tech inverter using silicon carbide diodes for use in fuel cell vehicles, as well as electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
• Russia: TagAZ Clones a Chery for the Vortex Estina
  Russian automaker issues a revamped clone of the China-made Chery Fora.
• GM Partners on Diesels with Russia's GAZ
  Each company will hold a 50 percent stake in VM Motori, the Italian diesel manufacturer.
• Tuner Special: RENNtech C63 AMG
  Former AMG heavyweight coaxes 548 horsepower from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.
• Renault Updates Safrane — for the Middle East Only
  New premium sedan is based on Korea-built Samsung SM5.

• 2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Lithium-Ion Smart Fortwo Stalling Over Battery Supplier Issues?
  Lithium-ion supplier Cobasys in trouble and battery development on hold.
• 2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Citroën Fires Back at BMW X6 With Hypnos Concept
  The French automaker issues images of its over-the-top hybrid crossover that's named for the Greek god of sleep.
• 2008 Paris Auto Show: Toyota Prius-Fighting Honda Insight Concept
  The Insight name is revived by Honda as it launches a major offensive against the Toyota Prius at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.
• Nissan Launches X-Trail 20GT
  The new clean diesel version of the X-Trail goes on sale later this month in Japan only.
• Australia: Holden Special Vehicles Rolls Out ClubSport R8 Tourer Wagon
  GM's Holden launches a sporty wagon model through its Holden Special Vehicles subsidiary.
• Tech Watch: Honda Rolls Out Driving Stability Technology
  The new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering will debut on the Honda Legend in Japan.
• Dodge Caliber Reportedly To Be Built in Russia in GAZ/Chrysler Deal
  Chrysler and Russia's number-two auto company is reportedly planning to use idle capacity to build the popular compact in Russia.
• 2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Mazda Kiyora Concept
  Lightweight compact concept is said to portend the future Mazda 1 minicar.
• Taxi Driver and Student Win Video Game Contest, Join Nissan Racing
  After proving their skills with a video game controller and behind the wheel, two regular guys will compete at the Dubai 24-hour endurance race in 2009.

• General Motors Extends Employee Discount Program Through September
  The Detroit automaker expands its discount program to include many 2009 model-year vehicles, including all Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. One notable exception: the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette.
• Dealers Will Start Taking Orders in October for 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
  Chevy turns its attention to "traditionalists" with the quiet release of an official image of the 2010 Camaro SS and says dealers will start taking orders in October.
• Tata Motors Shuts Down Nano Factory
  Situation is worsening at the new Nano factory.
• Hyundai Pledges To Meet U.S. Fuel Economy Rule Early
  Bucking arguments from many automakers that new proposed U.S. fuel economy standards are too harsh, the Korean automaker confirmed it plans to reach America's new fuel economy standard of 35 mpg by 2015 — five years ahead of time.
• Deposed Founder Reports on the True Cost of Driving the Tesla Roadster
  Martin Eberhard posts an elaborate Excel spreadsheet on his blog to calculate the cost of driving the $100K-plus electric car. The bottom line: "Something between two cents a mile and six cents a mile."
• Women Purr for Maserati Engine Sound. VW Polo? Not so Much
  British insurer inexplicably figures out what engine sounds cause peak pheromone response in women.
• 2008 SEMA Show Preview: HKS Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  Japanese-based tuner turns attention to a Korean sports car.
• BMW May Bring North America a Four-Cylinder 3 Series
  BMW needs a bold, knockout move, and a four-cylinder gasoline engine for the 3 Series could be it.
• Jerry Reed: Smokey and the Bandit Star Dies at Home
  Smokey's Snowman passes.
• 2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Hyundai Targets Ford Fiesta With New i20
  The Korean automaker gives a sneak peek at its Paris show arsenal, with emphasis on the new i20. The spunky hatchback is set to take on the Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa and Volkswagen Polo.
• Brazil: Volkswagen Introduces All-New Version of Its Market Champ, the Gol
  New Gol is all new, bumper-to-bumper.