Car Blog

Audiovox Corporation announced the introduction of the industry’s first automotive Blu-ray Disc player that plays any Blu-ray Discs as well as traditional DVDs and CD Audio Discs.

“We developed the AVDBR1 in response to the consumer preference for Blu-ray Discs in their home entertainment systems.  This mobile solution will allow them to maintain a single video collection that works both in the vehicle and at home,” said Tom Malone, President of Audiovox Electronics Corporation.

The AVDBR1 is installed under the seat or in a storage compartment in the vehicle and connects to any monitor by using either the HDMI, composite or component output.

The unit has been road tested to tolerate the vehicle’s environment and its small size allows for multiple horizontal and vertical mounting options in the vehicle. A blue accent light is used to illuminate the slot load disc area and button array. The unit is powered from a 2-pin, 12-volt connector to the vehicle’s accessory power source and comes with a full function wireless IR remote control. An 18 foot long IR extension is also included to allow for operation of the system via remote control, while the unit is concealed, under a seat, storage compartment, trunk, or cargo area. The infrared sensor will accept the IR commands from a remote and relay it back to the unit. Note: WiFi capable – for wireless media streaming (firmware upgrade available 2011). Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $349.99.  This unit will be available in the spring of 2011.

“There are more than 1,600 Blu-ray titles and over 190 BD-Live content titles available in the United States today and Blu-ray content will continue to grow every year. Once again we believe we will lead the way in mobile entertainment by providing consumers with a product that connects their home lifestyle to their mobile environment,” Malone concluded

The trouble at Toyota was chosen as the top news story of 2010 in the annual Automotive News staff poll.  Here’s a recap of the staff’s choices for the year’s top 10 stories:

1)  How the mighty fall: Toyota’s nightmare year

Allegations that several popular Toyota models were prone to accelerate dangerously out of control led to a string of recalls — and a year of misery for the company.  Eight vehicles were temporarily pulled off the market in January, touching off a media frenzy about unintended acceleration. The result? A massive hit to the company’s sterling reputation for safety and reliability.

Initially, Toyota was accused of minimizing the problem and delaying effective repairs while people died in car crashes. Top executives, including President Akio Toyoda, testified before Congress.

2)  GM floats successful IPO, sheds ‘Government Motors’ tag

Thanks to growing revenues and profits, General Motors Co. had an attractive story line for Wall Street. That created strong demand for shares in GM’s initial public offering in November.  The IPO allowed the Obama administration to cast its federal bailout and majority stake in GM in 2009 as a success. More important, the IPO helped GM start shedding the stigma of Government Motors, which kept some customers away from showrooms, according to GM research. Read the rest of this entry »

Strong demand for Ford Motor Company products in China and India led to a 37 percent increase in August sales compared to a year ago in the world’s fastest growing automotive markets.

Ford India tripled sales in August with 7,925 vehicles sold, a 220 percent increase compared to August 2009. In China, Ford and its joint ventures reported sales of 44,047 units in August, a 24 percent increase from August 2009. Combined, Ford sold 51,972 units in August, up 37 percent from the same month last year.

“We are gratified that consumers in two of the fastest growing markets in the world are choosing the high quality, fuel efficient, fun-to-drive vehicles Ford offers,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “We are working hard to expand sales and production here, and to offer more of the stellar vehicles from our vast global portfolio to markets in this region.”

So far this year, Ford has sold 422,779 vehicles in the two countries combined, a 52 percent increase compared to January – August 2009.

In China, Ford and its partners have sold 368,103 vehicles, an increase of 42 percent compared to January – August in 2009. Ford has sold 54,676 vehicles in India so far this year, a 195 percent increase compared to January – August in 2009. Ford has sold more than 30,000 Ford Figos in the 25 weeks since its introduction.

Ford expects 70 percent of its growth in the next ten years to come from its Asia Pacific and Africa region. Last week, Hinrichs announced that Ford would bring eight new vehicles to India by mid-decade. Read the rest of this entry »

On Display for the First Time in North America at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show – New 4.6-Liter Engine and 301-hp V8 with Six Speed Transmission – New Standard Power Fold-Flat Third Row and 10 Airbags

Lexus announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the all-new, second generation 2010 GX 460 luxury utility vehicle which will arrive at dealerships beginning in late December. For the first time, the GX will be offered in two grades, base, which will carry an MSRP of $51,970, and Premium which will be priced at $56,765. The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875. The all-new GX 460 will be on display for the first time in North America at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

The second generation GX 460 that is more powerful, more efficient and more luxurious will be powered with an all-new 4.6-liter V8 engine. The engine will produce 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of peak torque. It is teamed with an efficient six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift that helps provide the best-in-class V8 fuel economy. Combined city/highway fuel economy is improved by 13 percent to an EPA-estimated 17 mpg. The GX 460 has an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

In addition to the powerful engine, the GX 460 brings more versatile interior. The second row seat slides 4.1 inches fore/aft to maximize passenger and cargo carrying ability. The foldable and reclining second row seats feature a 60/40 walk-in function to access the standard power fold-flat third row seats. A new center console design offers the driver more storage and functionality.

Luxury is enhanced in the GX 460 with a quieter cabin, as well as new additional standard features and options. Heated and ventilated front seats, class leading 10 airbags, rear back-up camera (without Navigation), Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and full-time four-wheel drive are all standard on the GX 460. Safety features available include the Pre-Collision System, wide-view front and side cameras, Lane Departure Alert and Intelligent High Beam. Among the new luxury options are semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel and heated outer second-row seats.

The exterior of the GX 460 demonstrates new convenience and styling features such as the rear glass hatch for easier access to the cargo area, integrated rear door handle and rear spoiler with integrated wiper. The GX color palette is also revised and includes two all-new colors: Knight’s Armor and Claret Mica.

Lexus Enform(TM) with Safety Connect(TM) is an all-new telematics system available by subscription. Lexus Safety Connect is standard on all GX 460, while Lexus Enform is only available with navigation-equipped vehicles. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform with Safety Connect are included. The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – every day of the year.

Lexus Insider(TM), a complimentary, opt-in service available without a subscription, is also standard on Lexus Enform equipped GX 460 vehicles. The service offers in-vehicle audio casts with useful vehicle tips and event information, as well as insights into exclusive owners’ benefits. As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeather(TM) are available via individual XM® subscriptions. All XM services include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.

Source: Lexus

Company Supplying Component from Recycled Materials for 2010 Ford Vehicles

Dana Holding Corporation announced that it is supplying cylinder-head covers made of recycled material on Ford Motor Company’s 3.0-liter Duratec engine, used in the 2010 Fusion and Escape vehicles – providing significant cost and environmental benefits.

Manufactured using EcoLon® nylon, the cover is the first automotive product of its kind manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) nylon. Dana partnered with Wellman Engineering Resins – a leading compounder and supplier of high-quality nylon resins – to test, develop, and supply the material.

To repurpose nylon, Wellman grinds used nylon carpeting into fiber and recaptures the material through a proprietary process. The resulting product is a high-quality nylon resin, which Dana then uses to mold into cylinder-head covers through its injection-molding process.

“The push to go green in the automotive arena has never been greater; the challenge is to deliver solutions that also are economical,” said Marty Bryant, president of Light Vehicle Products for Dana. “Dana successfully met that challenge for Ford by providing an innovative cover made from recycled material and, thanks to EcoLon’s fixed raw material cost, we’re passing on substantial cost savings to the customer.”

Greener engines and cost savings aren’t the only customer benefits. The robust, highly durable nylon covers also provide greater fuel economy due to weight savings of nearly 20 percent when compared with aluminum die-cast cylinder-head covers.

“Dana’s state-of-the-art testing capabilities, coupled with its advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise, provided us with the resources needed to develop a highly-engineered, sustainable product that works well for the automotive industry. We’re pleased to have partnered with Dana on this program for Ford Motor Company,” said Bob Dastou, Southeast Regional Account Manager, Wellman Engineering Resins.

The cylinder-head covers are part of a module-based sealing system Dana supplies for the Ford Fusion and Escape programs, which also includes the engine cover, gaskets, fasteners, baffle/air-oil separator, and isolators.

Dana developed, tested, and is manufacturing the cylinder head covers at its Composite Sealing Center in Paris, Tenn.

Source: Dana Holding Corporation

The winner of the 6th Annual Design Challenge will be announced Dec. 3rd at the LA Auto Show

As timeless as hanging out at the mall, automobiles have played an important role in young people’s social lives, have acted as a means of self-expression and more importantly a necessary tool for interacting with friends. Today, communication technology is changing how we connect and perhaps even the role the car plays in young people’s lives.

Southern California design studios will envision what a new generation of drivers, raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams will demand from their vehicles in the year 2030.

The design studios for Audi, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota reached 21 years into the future and designed their interpretation of Youthmobile 2030. Designs range from vehicles that incorporate human DNA allowing changes in the shape, color and materials to vehicles that link into a mass transit system where drivers not only share the commute but trade music and compare class schedules.

Entries will be judged by Tom Matano, Director of Industrial Design at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University; Imre Molner, Dean of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies; Stewart Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design and Jason Hill, Principal of Eleven, LLC and Designer of the Aptera electric and plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle.

“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with the next generation of drivers and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talents to revisit the concept of ‘the car’ with new eyes, using the hottest technologies to both explore and fulfill the needs of young people,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc.

Entries in this year’s Youthmobile 2030 Design Challenge include:

Volkswagen/Audi of America Design Center California – The Audi eOra and eSpira are an accessible representation of freedom and coming of age. Like a downhill skier, the eOra carves the roadscape with precision by constantly adapting to the driver’s movements and intentions. Using next generation vehicle control logic, the eSpira takes even the smallest body movements and gestures of the driver into consideration and synchronizes them with the vehicle to result in unmatched agility and responsiveness.

General Motors Advanced Design – The Car Hero turns driving into gaming and challenges the driver’s skills against the car’s autonomous system. Once you enter your destination into the navi app on your smart phone, you can play against the vehicle to “win” complete control over the system and gain access to increasingly outrageous driving scenarios.

Honda Research and Development, North America – Using insight gained from the human genome, the Honda Helix redefines individuality and how a driver connects to his or her vehicle over time. The Helix incorporates human DNA with adaptive polymers that allow changes in the car’s shape, color and materials. Tri-axis movement allows adaptation and reaction to specific environments and traffic patterns.

Mazda R & D of North America – The Mazda Souga is the epitome of personal branding. Young entrepreneurs can create their own vehicles on VMazda, a virtual reality Web site that acts as a design playground. With the help of a virtual design mentor, each car is guaranteed to be affordable, eco-friendly and purely driver-focused.

Nissan Design America - The V2G is Nissan’s eco-neutral commuter car for 2030. Its combination of dynamic styling and quality construction creates a top-of-the-line electric machine that can be modified to fit the needs and desires of its owner.

Toyota’s Calty Design Research – The Toyota LINK is a customizable, mass transit vehicle for students that seamlessly links onto a transportation social network. “LINK SKINZ” can be downloaded to digitally transform the vehicle’s shape into a personalized exterior design while “LINK SPHERES,” wheels made of an electro-conductive material, convert friction into energy that recharges the batteries.

The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that is held every year during the Los Angeles Auto Show press days, Dec. 2 & 3, 2009. For the last six years a new Design Challenge theme is chosen and the major Southern California Automotive Design Studios battle against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design. The Design Los Angeles Conference also gives designers access to design industry leaders and provides the opportunity to address common industry issues.

Source: Los Angeles Auto Show