Jun 102010
Jun 102010
The all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee is a symbol of the new Chrysler Group and the first all-new vehicle to come during the alliance with Fiat SpA. The first advertising spot for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scheduled to air Friday, June 11, takes viewers through a time when America was known for craftsmanship, quality and personal pride – something that has been missing in this country and the automotive industry, until now.
The new spot is the first phase of the marketing and advertising launch for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which arrives in showrooms later this month.
“With this new campaign, the Jeep brand celebrates the best of American manufacturing and engineering,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Grand Cherokee marketing and advertising campaign has been carefully designed to communicate the Jeep brand’s commitment to American craftsmanship, the return of personal pride and dedication to producing a vehicle that is truly well-made and beautifully designed.”
The creative campaign was developed by Portland, Ore.-based Wieden+Kennedy and delivers a new tagline for the Jeep brand – “The things we make, make us.”
The new tagline represents the return of American craftsmanship and quality as well as the energy, focus and commitment that goes in to each new Jeep-branded vehicle, especially the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Jun 102010
Maranello, 9 June – The Ferrari Driver Academy has taken on a new talent, this time coming from Canada. At just eleven years of age, Lance Stroll, born on 29 October 1998 in Montreal (Quebec), is the youngest driver to enter the Maranello program.
Although very young, Lance’s karting curriculum is already impressive enough to have attracted the attention of the Ferrari Driving Academy: already on his record are two wins in the Canadian national championship in the Rotax Mini Max category as well as Coupe de Montreal and Coupe du Quebec Micro Max Championship in 2008 and both Mini Max Championships in 2009. Last year, Lance finished sixth in the World Finals at Lonato in the Mini Roc category and second in the Rotax Micro Max Florida Winter Tour, a series he won this year in Mini Max along with the championships for the Tag/Cadet Florida Winter Tour. It is no surprise therefore that Lance was nominated by the Fedération Sport Automobile du Quebec as Rookie of the Year in 2008 and Driver of the Year the following year.
“We are pleased to welcome Lance to our group,” commented Luca Baldisserri, who runs the Ferrari Driving Academy. “He is very young, but he has already shown in karting that he is exceptionally talented. We will follow him step by step in his forthcoming events in North America and he will soon also take part in our courses at Maranello.”
Ferrari’s long and illustrious history in Formula One would never have happened if it didn’t have a slew of excellent drivers racing their cars: the Scuderia has, without question, fielded some of the sports’ best drivers. Now, the Italian supercar makers are taking their scouting and talent development to a new level as it formally launched the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Massa and Scuderia Ferrari together until the end of 2012
Maranello, 9 June 2010 – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has extended its contract with Felipe Massa, who will now drive for the team until the end of the 2012 racing season.
Felipe has been with the Scuderia since 2001. To date, he has competed in 69 Grands Prix for the team: he has taken eleven wins, 30 podium placings, 51 points finishes, fifteen pole positions and twelve fastest race laps, scoring a total of 360 championship points.
“I am happy to be given the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for a further two seasons,” said Felipe. “Throughout my entire Formula 1 career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family.”
“Felipe has been part of Ferrari for almost a decade and together with us, he has grown as a driver and as a man, going through some very difficult times as well as giving us moments of great happiness,” commented Stefano Domenicali. “We wanted to show proof of stability for the future, believing in the worth of a driver pairing that is without equal in terms of talent, speed and its ability to work together for the good of the team.”
Jun 102010
Suzuki announce the first images and preliminary information of the new, third generation Swift which goes on sale in the UK in the Autumn.
Suzuki held the world premiere line off ceremony today for mass production of the new car at its Magyar Suzuki Corporation production facility at Esztergom, in Hungary.
The all-new Swift is positioned as Suzuki’s latest world strategic model and makes strong developments in styling, impact safety, driving performance, handling, improved fuel consumption and significantly lower emissions.
Extensive use of higher strength steel makes the new bodyshell lighter and stiffer than before as well as offering refinement in underbody design. This latest body design has also helped improve impact safety for pedestrians as well as occupants.
Increased track and larger diameter wheels with lower profile tyres allow for even better handling than the already highly acclaimed outgoing Swift that first went on sale in 2005.
Jun 102010
Jun 102010
Jun 102010
PARIS, June 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Valeo announces that its second generation Stop-Start system will be launched by PSA Peugeot Citroen in the third quarter of 2010. The system, coupled with the HDi diesel engines of the Peugeot and Citroen brands, will be featured on both manual and automated manual transmission models and will equip a million vehicles by 2013.
This new generation micro-hybrid system, called i-StARS, differs from the previous generation in that the control electronics are integrated into the electrical machine.
The micro-hybrid system automatically cuts off the vehicle’s engine at a red light or in a traffic jam and restarts it when engine power is solicited. CO2 emissions are reduced by 5g per kilometer on average, and by up to 15% in congested urban traffic.
To optimize fuel savings and make driving in the Stop-Start mode smoother, i-StARS can cut off the engine even before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, that is, as soon as the vehicle’s speed falls below 8 km/h with an automated transmission and 20 km/h with a manual transmission. Engine re-start is immediate (400 msec), noiseless and with no vibrations, even if the driver suddenly changes his or her mind about stopping. In addition, since the engine cut-off phases are longer and more frequent than with other systems, fuel savings are higher.
Jun 102010
- Kia UVO, short for “Your Voice,” is a breakthrough user interface providing simple and quick access to vehicle’s multimedia and infotainment systems
- UVO is the first in-vehicle solution to integrate full Microsoft®1intelligent speech engine technology
IRVINE, Calif., June 9, 2010 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its proprietary, intelligent in-car communications and entertainment system, “UVO powered by Microsoft®,” was honored with the 2009-2010 Industry Newcomer Award at the annual Telematics Update Awards Conference, the world’s biggest forum for telematics industry leaders that recognizes achievement and innovation within the telematics market. Scheduled to roll out in select Kia models during the 2010 calendar year, UVO provides Kia drivers friendly voice- and touch-activated experiences for hands-free mobile phone and SMS text operation as well as simple, intuitive management of music files. The Industry Newcomer Award gives recognition to this year’s best new product and/or company in telematics and brings to the fore new ventures that have shown true potential and innovation in the telematics field. Kia Motors also was named a finalist for the Car Manufacturer Innovation Award.
“UVO powered by Microsoft® is a breakthrough for in-vehicle infotainment and another solid example of why Kia is a true tier-one automotive brand,” says Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. “With UVO, Kia is able to offer drivers a rich telematic experience and a clear competitive advantage, allowing Kia drivers to safely and easily use all of their personal technologies and create personalized in-car communications and entertainment experiences.”
Co-developed with Microsoft® and based on Windows Embedded Auto software, UVO is an easy-to-use, hands-free solution that allows drivers and passengers to answer and place phone calls, receive and respond to SMS text messages, access music from a variety of media sources and create custom music experiences. Understanding drivers want and need intuitive controls, Kia Motors and Microsoft® designed UVO to enable a new level of voice recognition through Microsoft® speech technology. Drivers of Kia vehicles equipped with UVO can access media content and connect with people through simple, quick voice commands without having to navigate through menus. By supporting complex grammar, UVO needs only short voice commands to connect drivers and passengers with their desired functions. An interactive system, UVO responds to inquiries such as “What’s playing?” and provides audible answers and related functions, helping to keep drivers’ eyes safely focused on the road ahead of them.
Jun 102010
YOKOHAMA (June 9, 2010) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announces the Japan launch of the all-new Nissan JUKE compact sports crossover, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide.
With the arrival of JUKE, Nissan ushers in a new genre of vehicles, the compact sports crossover. Developed for the global market, JUKE’s unique styling offers a new look in the compact category, combining the agility of a compact sports car with the security and toughness of an SUV. From its sporty front and rear lights to its large, imposing fenders, JUKE stands out with bold design and strong imagery.
The JUKE name is equally original. Derived from an American football term used to describe a quick or sudden move taken by a running back to avoid a defensive player’s tackle, the name was chosen to showcase JUKE’s ability to deftly negotiate the challenges of work and everyday life.
JUKE also breaks new ground in offering the world’s first mass-produced 1.5-liter engine (HR15DE) with dual injectors. Along with its standard new-generation Xtronic CVT™ transmission and rigid suspension, JUKE provides smooth acceleration, superior handling, improved driving stability and a comfortable ride.
All JUKE models have a low mileage consumption of 19.0km/L, a 15% improvement on 2010 mileage standards and 75% lower than 2005 emission standards (SU-LEV). This qualifies JUKE for the tax exemption for environmentally friendly vehicles*1, which provides for a 50% reduction of both new vehicle acquisition and weight taxes. In addition, functions like the combined mileage display and navigation system, Eco Drive mode with CVT, and low consumption cabin climate control all support a fun, eco-friendly driving experience.
Jun 102010
New brand claim underscores ambition to lead
16 new models by 2011
Perfection, fascination and responsibility as core brand values
International brand campaign begins on 11 June 2010
Mercedes-Benz is in the fast lane. Since the beginning of 2010 Mercedes-Benz has sold 16 percent more cars worldwide than in the same period last year. And the groundwork has already been laid for further growth thanks to the current model offensive. 16 new or upgraded models will be launched during 2010 and 2011, including two vehicles in a soon-to-be family of four in the compact segment. With the smart fortwo electric drive, the B-Class F-Cell and the A-Class E-Cell, the new model launches include three series production vehicles with alternative drives and zero local emissions. Autumn 2010 will see Mercedes-Benz once more set benchmarks in the efficiency of modern internal combustion engines. All-new V6 and V8 engines consume up to 24 percent less fuel than their predecessors. These BlueDIRECT powerplants are the perfect complement to the four-cylinder units already available on the market and turning in exceptionally low fuel consumption figures. Also in autumn, Mercedes-Benz will introduce its ECO start/stop function as standard throughout its model line-up.
Jun 102010
Chrysler Group LLC will invest $300 million into the Company’s existing transmission manufacturing facilities in Kokomo, Ind., to accommodate a new highly fuel-efficient eight-speed automatic transmission for future Chrysler Group vehicles.
The largest investment in the U.S. since the new Company was formed in June 2009 was aided by the approval of a tax abatement from the city of Kokomo. The investment will fund the installation of equipment and special tooling to modernize Indiana Transmission Plant I and the Kokomo Casting Plant. The project will extend the life of both manufacturing facilities and help retain nearly 1,200 jobs.
Chrysler Group has licensed the manufacturing rights from Friedrichshafen, Germany-based ZF Group to build the new eight-speed beginning in 2013. Included in this agreement is the purchase of transmissions manufactured by ZF.
”The new eight-speed transmission that we’ll be producing in Kokomo will transform our future product line, but equally important, ensures the future viability of our Kokomo facilities and our dedicated workforce,” said Scott Garberding, Senior Vice President and Head of Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “The support demonstrated by General Holiefield, Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department, and the entire UAW for World Class Manufacturing is one of the primary reasons we continue to make significant investments in our Indiana facilities.”
“In addition, the State of Indiana and Governor Mitch Daniels, the City of Kokomo and Mayor Greg Goodnight as well as Congressman Joe Donnelly, Congressman Dan Burton and the rest of the Indiana Congressional delegation have been valued partners as Chrysler Group works to bring the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient vehicles to market. This investment would not be possible without their continued support,” said Garberding.
Jun 102010