Car Blog

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) will unveil its 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The limited-run model features a black-only Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) – the first time a non-body-colored hard top is available in North America – as well as other exclusivities such as two new exterior colors, new 17-inch black gunmetal alloy wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior finishes.

The MX-5 Miata is the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster with more than 900,000 produced, and made its global debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989.  The MX-5 Special Edition continues the sports car’s history of being a dynamically-engineered, enthusiast-approved roadster whose price doesn’t discriminate and whose luxuries are not stripped.

Available with either the six-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or six-speed Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the Special Edition model is based off the Grand Touring model.  Both Premium and Suspension packages will be standard on the MX-5 Special Edition and include features such as a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, Bilstein shocks and a sport-tuned suspension. Read the rest of this entry »

After reaching all-time sales and market share highs in 2011, Kia Motors America’s (KMA) steep upward trajectory continued in the first month of 2012 with record January sales of 35,517 units, a 27.8-percent increase over the same period in 2011, and the brand’s 17th straight monthly sales record.

With popular vehicles such as the U.S.-built Optima midsize sedan and Soul urban passenger vehicle, which led January sales with 8,814 and 8,091 units sold, Kia continues to be one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.

“Following a year of impressive milestones and historic firsts, including the completion of the most aggressive new product launch cycle in the industry with nine vehicles in less than three years and the $100 million expansion of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), Kia is well positioned for future growth as we further our efforts to increase brand visibility and awareness,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG.  ”With several high-profile marketing initiatives on the horizon and the arrival of fuel efficient products such as the Rio 5-door and sedan that offer class-leading horsepower and deliver up to 40 miles per gallon[3], Kia will continue to attract new customers to our showrooms by offering high-quality cars and CUVs with world-class design, cutting edge technologies and fun-to-drive performance.” Read the rest of this entry »

Just 18 months following the start of production as the standard engine for the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the one millionth Pentastar V-6 engine was assembled at the Chrysler Group’s Trenton (Mich.) Engine Assembly Plant.

“The Pentastar engine is a cornerstone of Chrysler Group’s effort to reinvent its business model with world class quality products. This award-winning engine is proof that the Company is transforming its products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “To build one million of anything, and in an impressively short amount of time, is a significant achievement. But to do it with such a high degree of quality is a testament to our skilled and dedicated workforce at both Trenton South and Saltillo engine plants.”

The 60-degree, V-6 engine, the most advanced six-cylinder ever produced by Chrysler, is now available in 11 vehicles across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep lineup and available in front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive configurations. Depending on the vehicle, engines are tuned for specific applications with horsepower ranging from 283 on front-wheel-drive models and up to 305 horsepower on the sporty Dodge Challenger. The all-aluminum engine is standard or available on the Chrysler, 200, 300 and Town and Country; Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan. Read the rest of this entry »

Drivers of the all-new Ford Escape may be surprised to find out there is a plant inside the door.

As part of its overall effort to make vehicles more sustainable, Ford is making the material inside the door – known as the bolster – in part from kenaf.

Kenaf is a tropical plant that looks similar to bamboo and is related to cotton. The plant replaces oil-based materials inside the doors of the all-new Ford Escape.

The use of kenaf is anticipated to offset 300,000 pounds of oil-based resin per year in North America; use of this eco-friendly material reduces the weight of the door bolsters by 25 percent. Weight savings translate into fuel savings for drivers.

“Kenaf and the other renewable materials in the Escape have made the vehicle more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient,” said Laura Sinclair, materials engineer for Escape. Read the rest of this entry »

Carfax and Cars.com announced the integration of Carfax Vehicle History Reports into the Cars.com mobile app. Anyone searching for used cars using the Android or iPhone Cars.com app now gets free Carfax Vehicle History Reports from subscribing dealers. This valuable information helps smartphone shoppers pinpoint vehicles that fit their needs and make faster buying decisions.

“More than 80 percent of mobile car shoppers carry a smart phone, and that number is growing every year,” said Sharon Knitter, Cars.com Senior Director Mobile and New Car Strategies.  “Adding more functionality and value to our mobile apps is one more way to help car shoppers be more confident car buyers.”

Cars.com app users will find a ‘Free Carfax Report’ link on the vehicle details page for cars listed by Carfax-subscribing dealers. With a single screen tap, vital information such as ownership history, mileage readings, service details and more is instantly viewable.

“Getting a Carfax Report is a crucial step in the used car buying process,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “Carfax and Cars.com are meeting the demands of car buyers who prefer to shop using the Cars.com mobile app and need Carfax information right here, right now.”

Cars.com is one of the leaders in providing online shoppers with access to Carfax information for vehicle listings. Last year, Cars.com included access to Carfax Reports from its mobile website. Cars.com has automatically linked Carfax Reports purchased by dealers to its main website listings since 2005.

Beat the Traffic will exhibit the latest version of its highly acclaimed Beat the Traffic app for the iPhone at the Macworld | iWorld 2012 Conference & Expo being held January 26-28 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Featuring a new design and new tools for helping motorists reach their destinations quickly and safely, Beat the Traffic 2.0 will join other new iPhone, iPad and iPod innovations on display at the Mobile Apps Showcase.

Since launching in 2009, Beat the Traffic for mobile has become one of the most popular apps in history with over 1.8 million downloads. It is consistently among the top 10 traffic apps in the iPhone App Store and steadily averages 4.5 stars in user reviews. In addition to positive reviews on NBC’s Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal Online, Fox News Tapped-In, O’Reilly’s “Best iPad Apps,” Lifehacker and others, Beat the Traffic has also garnered multiple nominations as the best mobile traffic tool on the market.

“Macworld is always a fun and exciting event – but this year, it’s a special opportunity for us to thank our fans face-to-face for their amazing support,” said Andre Gueziec, CEO of Beat the Traffic. “Our development team is looking forward to meeting current and new Beat the Traffic users, answering all their questions and letting them ‘test drive’ our most powerful Beat the Traffic app yet.” Read the rest of this entry »