Industry news
Toyota recalls 2010 Prius and Lexus HS250h for ABS Software update
Things are not looking good for Toyota. They are recalling millions of cars because of the accelerator pedal issues around the world. Now they are announcing voluntary recall on 2010 Model-Year Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h Vehicles to Update ABS Software.
Approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles are on the list, that should get their anti-lock brake system (ABS) software updated.
VW intends to overtake Toyota - 10 million sales by 2018 is new goal
Toyota is in a big safety issue fiasco with their accelerator pedal recall. Different automakers like GM and Ford see it as an opportunity to increase their sales, while Toyota’s biggest competitor Volkswagen is setting long-term goals to overtake Toyota as the world’s largest automaker.
Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, said it plans to increase sales to more than 10 million vehicles by 2018 as it seeks to dethrone Japan’s Toyota.
Top Ten World Car and World Performance Car finalists announced
Finalists for the 2010 World Car of the Year and the 2010 World Performance Car have been announced and the lists look very interesting.
A jury of 59 international automotive journalists selected the following top ten finalists in both categories by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work.
NASA and GM team up to build robots
It makes sense that NASA is interested building robots, but GM? Aren’t they having hard time building cars? Apparently not and if you think about it, then robots do have a big part already in the production of cars. Its just that todays robots do very simple tasks.
Now together with NASA they will accelerate the development of the next generation of robots and related technologies for use in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Toyota accelerator pedal recall also announced in Europe
We reported yesterday that Toyota has suspended sales of selected vehicles in US and is recalling already effected sold models because of sticking accelerator pedals.
Now Toyota has also confirmed that recall is expanded outside US and includes Europe. There are no details yet how many Toyota models are affected in Europe by that recall.
Toyota US temporarily suspends sales of selected vehicles
Toyota US has announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales of eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedal, announced on January 21, 2010.
“Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company,” said Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter. “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”
Finally! GM reaches agreement to sell Saab to Spyker
GM has finally has reached and agreement with Dutch automaker Spyker Cars NV regarding the future of this great Swedish brand.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.
Asian auto makers are getting close to a 50% share of U.S. vehicle market
Asian auto makers are on a roll. Back in 1999 Toyota, Nissan Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki collectively held a 25.8% market share in the U.S.
Last year their market share was 47.9% up by 2.7 points from 2008 and all signs are showing they will pass the 50% mark this year.
Ford sweeps North American car and truck of the year awards
At this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Ford won the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for the
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect.
It is the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both awards. “Winning both of these prestigious awards is confirmation that the ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products for our customers,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.
Bernie Ecclestone and Genii Capital make a bid for Saab
Saab is not quite dead yet! In addition to Spyker, another bidder has emerged. This new bidder is closely associated with the Formula One world and should be taken as a serious bidder for this Swedish brand.
The duo behind this bid is a Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and Genii Capital, the Luxembourg based investment company that recently bought a major stake in the Renault F1 team.
Playboy magazine announces its hottest cars for 2010
Playboy magazine is not just about half naked girls, even though that might be the overall impression when you look at their magazines.
Looks like all the magazines are announcing their favorite cars, so why not Playboy. In Playboy’s January/February double issue you can read about the new years’ most innovative and stylistic automotive achievements according to a selected team of automotive experts and writers.
Update: Saab brand not dead yet, Spyker extends its offer
Looks like Saab still has some chance to survive, even though GM already talked about how the brand will wound down soon.
One of the bids that did not go through came from a Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker, which now has extended the deadline of its final-final offer for the brand “until further notice.”
Saab brand can not be sold, brand to be wound down
This come as a surprise. It looked like Saab had plenty of parties who were interested buying it from GM. Looks like the negotiations did not go well as last month Koenigsegg Group AP withrdaw and now GM believes the discussion with Spyker Cars won’t lead anywhere.
As a result, GM will start an orderly wind-down of Saab operations. According to GM, Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world.
Ward’s 10 Best Engines Awards for 2010
There are tons of automotive awards that are given out every year around the world. Ward’s Automotive award is surely different as they are not picking another car or SUV, they are picking the best engine.
This year is quite different as the top 10 list has never been this fuel efficient. There are two hybrids, two diesels, one supercharged and three turbocharged and one naturally aspirated unit in the list.
Volkswagen and Suzuki establishing a long-term partnership
It is no secret that Volkswagen is doing the best to become the world’s biggest automaker. Just yesterday we reported about a big stake they bough in Porsche AG.
Now Volkswagen has announced about a new partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation. Two companies have reached a common understanding to establish a close longterm strategic partnership.
First video of the Danish supercar Zenvo ST1
World's ugliest Mercedes McLaren SLR found!
Bugatti reveals Veyron Centenaire Edition at Concorso d'Eléganza
2009 300 SL Panamericana replica - rebirth of an icon
Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS, based on Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Picture update: MINI Cooper S Clubman Airstream concept
VW could become biggest-selling carmaker in the world
Live from Shanghai: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo
Stile Bertone and Jason Castriota present one-off Mantide
Another Lamborghini Murcielago smashed, third car in four weeks
Novitec TuLesto with 777 horsepower - only 11 will be built!
Tuning World Bodensee 2009 - Miss Tuning finalists announced
2010MY Nissan GT-R laps the famous Nürburgring in 7:27.56
Fab Design SLR Desire- redesigned carbon fiber body and 750 hp
MTM Audi R8 in GT3 RS Porsche green and 560 horsepower
Another Lamborghini Murcielago smashed, third car in four weeks