Akio Toyoda, scion of Toyota Motor Corp.'s founding family, has words of encouragement for Scion dealers who have soured on the brand's shrinking sales: Hang in there.
Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne acknowledges a conflict over whether Maserati or Fiat dealers will sell Alfa Romeos in the United States, but said his plan is that 'the best performing Fiat dealers will be the ones that will be entitled to...
Kia will unveil its rear-wheel-drive K900 luxury sedan at the Los Angeles auto show this month. Dealer sources say U.S. sales will start early next year.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp., bolstered by rising profits and a weaker yen, predicts its U.S. sales will climb 23 percent in the current fiscal year as its global recovery strengthens.
While Ford Motor Co.'s sales and market share gains have outpaced those of competitors this year, its quality ratings keep tanking, in large part because of its balky My Touch infotainment system.
Automotive News sat down with key industry insiders and our own editors to talk about what it was like during this dark period for the automotive industry.
More than 100 Chevrolet dealership product trainers and field reps are tooling around in 2014 Silverados -- all with the 4.3-liter V-6 engine under the hood.
Lexus will unveil a near-production version of its long-awaited sports coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show, a four-seater dubbed the RC that fills a big void in the luxury brand's lineup.
The 2013 SEMA Show officially opens tomorrow, but we're so giddy about these hot Hyundai creations that we just couldn't wait to tell you about them. You've already heard about the 1,000-horsepower Genesis, so here are four others:
Hyundai Veloster Turbo by Fox Marketing
This yellow-coloured beast is the most powerful street-focused Veloster Turbo ever, with a 1.6L Gamma engine producing 370 horsepower thanks to a BorgWarner EFR turbocharger, front-mounted intercooler, AEM water/methanol injection system, VP Racing 101-octane performance fuel, and an ECU tune from SeoulfulRacing.
The Hyundai Veloster Turbo par Fox Marketing also features a set of fog lights from the Genesis Coupe, an ImportShark front lip spoiler, and Takata Street Pro LE reclining racing seats.
Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai Genesis Coupe by John Pangilinan
Sporting a custom-developed Atlantis Blue exterior colour, the Genesis Coupe by John Pangilinan boasts numerous engine modifications including an AEM cold air intake, ARK Performance exhaust, turbo downpipe, and friction-reducing Lucas Oil. It rides on 19'' MORR VS52 concave mono-forged wheels in mystic black. Behind them is a Brembo Gran Turismo brake kit with oversized 15'' calipers. Meanwhile, Alpine and Scosche Electronics took care of the audio system.
Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai Legato Concept by ARK Performance
Based on a Genesis Coupe, the Legato Concept develops 400 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque from a 4.0L V6 engine. Painted in grey, it features a complete ARK body treatment including front and rear bumpers, side skirts, deck lid and wide-body cues, as well as performance tires, a sport suspension, and upgraded brakes. The cockpit houses Takata Drift Pro LE seats, an AiM Sports Strada GT steering wheel, and a Rockford Fosgate premium sound system.
Photo: Hyundai
Photo: Hyundai
Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Yellowcake by EGR
The striking Veloster Yellowcake will definitely turn heads with a bright bodywork, roof-mounted Wurton LED light bar, and custom ONEighty-branded headlights. Bisimoto helped increase output to 250 horsepower, while supplying oversized Brembo brakes. Takata racing seats with harnesses highlight the interior.
Lexus will host the world premiere of the all-new RC coupe at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show, including the RC 350 (3.5L V6) and RC 300h (2.5L hybrid).
This two-door concept sports the widest and lowest application of the brand's signature spindle grille design, while the triangular headlights evoke the sporty characteristics of the LF-LC. At low beam, the lights adopt an L-shaped pattern as an expression of the Lexus identity. Same thing for the taillights, by the way.
The Lexus RC rides on either deeply sculpted, 10-spoke 19” wheels or muscular, five-spoke 18” wheels. Red is used for the body to emphasize the “sexy” attributes of the car, the company says.
Photo: Lexus
Inside, the Lexus RC loves contrast, both in terms of colours and materials. Genuine shimamoku wood accents, a 7” navigation display, and a new Remote Touch interface also catch the attention. What's more, the seats utilize an integrated foaming construction method -- much like the molding of racing seats -- to ensure optimum comfort and support.
Peter Sauber should return to the F1 paddock next year, following some minor health problems in 2013.
That is the news of the Swiss team's team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, who was asked by the Russian website f1news.ru to explain the recent absence of the Sauber founder.
"He's alright," Kaltenborn answered. "There have been a few small problems, he has some difficulty with walking, but generally he is fine."
"He is not planning any more visits to the races this year," added Kaltenborn, referring to Peter Sauber, who is 70. "But next year, I think he will definitely come back to the paddock."
Monisha Kaltenborn and Beat Zehnder. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)
LADA Sport LUKOIL and Rob Huff announced an initial two-year deal for the 2014 and 2015 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) seasons.
The team also confirms the current driver line-up (J.Thompson, M.Kozlovskiy) for the next season.
Huff has been competing at the pinnacle of international touring carracing since the WTCC's inception in 2005 and will spearhead an expanded three-car LADA Sport LUKOIL attack for at least the next two years.
Photo: LADA
The 33-year old Briton achieved no fewer than 23 race wins and 44 podium finishes during a seven-year term with the factory-backed Chevrolet outfit, as he inexorably rose to the ultimate prize - the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship crown.
World Champion Huff has continued to show pure class and determination during a character-building title-defence year with ALL-INKL.COM Munnich Motorsport, taking the German team to a race win and two podium finishes in2013, its maiden WTCC campaign.
The fledgling LADA Sport LUKOIL team, meanwhile, has made a debut appearance with a new LADA Granta in 2013 and hopes to utilise Huff's raw speed, consistency and painstaking attention to detail in his approach to car development to achieve its ambition of winning the World title.
In a move that demonstrates its commitment to the WTCC, the Russian manufacturer forged a precious technical collaboration with the French ORECA outfit in 2013 and will jointly develop a revised version of its Granta model to the championship's new technical regulations for 2014.
No fewer than 20 Mopar-modified vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT, and Fiat will be on display at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, along with hundreds of Mopar performance parts and accessories.
Here are some highlights:
Ram 1500 Sun Chaser
Specially designed for surfing enthusiasts, this Vibrance Orange Blast truck comes with a unique concept Mopar roof rack, dubbed the “surf rack,” and two adjustable support rails housed within the tracks of the truck's bed to accommodate a long surfboard. As an added bonus, hooks on the side of the rails can carry up to four boards. Meanwhile, the “Flip-Up” seatback tailgate converts into a bench by folding back toward the cab of the truck.
Ram 1500 Sun Chaser (Photo: RAM)
Fiat 500L Adventurer
The exterior of this 500L is enhanced with Bright White body paint, two-tone accent wheel flares and rockers painted in Satin Black, a roof panel in Vibrance Bright Orange, and a custom 500L graphic on the doors. Riding on 18” wheels, this five-seater offers black perforated suede Katzkin seats and pearl leather seatbacks with a Mopar coat hanger on the back of the driver's seat. Matching orange accents are featured inside as well.
Fiat 500L Adventurer (Photo: Fiat)
Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver
Trail driving enthusiasts looking for a killer off-roader will love the Cherokee Trail Carver, which uses the Trailhawk 4x4 package powered by a 3.2L V6 engine as a starting point. Auburn Pearl paint graces the exterior, with topographical graphics on the hood and roof. The interior features Katzkin Amaretto leather seats, plus leather wrapping on the centre console, storage door and armrest.
Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver (Photo: JEEP)
Chrysler 300S
Phantom Black Tri-coat colours this sinister-looking 300S, which also sports a 13-bar black “Gotham” grille surround, SRT rear spoiler, lowering kit, and 20” wheels finished in a Mopar bronze. Elsewhere, the Katzkin “Bisque” leather seatbacks are embossed with the “Imported From Detroit” logo.