AP-GfK Poll: Americans say US cars top Asian autos


WASHINGTON - After a long romance with foreign rivals, America's love affair with the automobile is returning to its roots with a revived affection for U.S.-made cars.

Slightly more Americans now say the United States makes better-quality vehicles than Asia does, with 38 percent saying U.S. cars are best and 33 percent preferring autos made by Asian companies, according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll.

The survey suggests those numbers are largely fueled by a plunge in Toyota's reputation and an upsurge in Ford's. The poll was conducted in March, as Toyota was being roiled by nightmarish publicity over its recall of more than 8 million vehicles around the globe and allegations that it responded sluggishly to safety concerns.  More

U.S. OK's Toyota gas pedal fix

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to start sending parts to dealers in the coming days to fix a sticky gas pedal problem that has tarnished its image and led to the recall of 4.2 million cars and trucks on three continents, according to people briefed on the matter.

Toyota plans to reveal details of the fix on Monday morning, according to two dealers who asked not to be identified because the plan had not been announced. One dealer was told by a Toyota executive that the parts could arrive Thursday or Friday.

The automaker told the dealers about the plan Saturday after hearing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it did not object to the fix, the dealers said. A Department of Transportation official, who also requested anonymity because the announcement had not been made, confirmed that the government had no objections.  More

FORD, MICROSOFT TEAM UP TO HELP ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS RECHARGE MORE EFFECTIVELY, AFFORDABLY

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – Today, Ford Motor Company and Microsoft Corp. are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future by announcing a new solution that will make electric vehicle ownership easier and more affordable for consumers.

The two companies are teaming up to implement the Microsoft Hohm™ energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles. Ford is the first automaker announcing the use of Hohm, starting with the Focus Electric next year. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. It also should help utility companies manage the added demands of electric vehicles on the electric grid.  More

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe: New Sports Coupe Is Cadillac's Most Dramatic Design

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008.   More

The 2011 Regal: A Buick Bred On The Autobahn

The 2011 Buick Regal in Germany earlier this month. Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, the vehicle comes to the U.S. in the second quarter of 2010.

Sport Sedan Blends Sleek Design with European Road Manners for Great Driving

LOS ANGELES – On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.

“The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you’ve ever experienced from this brand,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. “The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan.” . More

IN-VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY REVS UP FOR THE 2010 INTERNATIONAL CES

LAS VEGAS - The 2010 International CES ® , the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, will showcase the latest in-vehicle technology, including an opening keynote by Ford president and chief executive officer, Alan Mulally, with the 2010 Ford Taurus as the show's official car. The International CES returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10.

The 2010 CES will prominently feature the latest products and trends in in-vehicle technology including the Location Based Services (LBS) Spotlight, advancements in portable GPS, in-car video, wireless technology and integrated products for combining entertainment with navigation and security. Sales of in-vehicle technology are expected to top $9.3 billion in 2009.  More

GM to assemble Volt battery packs in Brownstown

DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Co. has confirmed it will assemble battery packs for its new rechargeable electric car at a new factory in southeastern Michigan.

Company President and CEO Fritz Henderson has called a news conference for Thursday at the plant site in Brownstown Township, 20 miles southwest of Detroit.

GM says in a statement the factory "will produce the lithium ion battery packs for GM's future extended-range electrical vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt."

Ford posts $2.1 billion 1Q profit on strong sales


New Ford Star With Stripes ­ Faster Fiesta Continues Proud Heritage

DEARBORN - Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it earned $2.1 billion in the first quarter, another sign the economy is improving as people spend more on big-ticket items like cars. The automaker expects to be solidly profitable this year, a year earlier than its previous guidance.  More

GM sales up as incentives draw buyers


Sales of General Motors Co. cars and trucks rose 21 percent last month compared with a dismal March last year, a sign that U.S. auto sales are benefiting from an incentive war touched off by Toyota.

Sales at Hyundai and Subaru also increased.

While revamped models helped the three companies, it's also likely that incentives brought out more buyers for all automakers. Toyota raised its rebates and low-interest financing deals in early March to counter publicity about safety-related recalls, and other automakers were forced to respond. Toyota will report sales later Thursday, but a top company executive predicted that sales would rise 40 percent.

A CLOSER LOOK: EARL LUCAS, DESIGN MANAGER FOR 2010 FORD TAURUS

INSPIRED BY MUSIC, ELECTRONICS, THE URBAN CAR CULTURE

Earl Lucas, Ford Motor Company’s 2010 Ford Taurus Exterior Design Manager is winning praise and recognition as the trailblazer behind the revamped look of the Taurus known as company’s flagship full-size sedan.

Lucas the man, is a regular, easy going, team player who has taken his new-found fame in stride thanks to a family that offers perspective which keeps him grounded. He laughs when asked about family reaction to his accolades for the Taurus design. “My wife and daughter know the real me so they make sure my head doesn’t get too big”. Parental pride is another thing “My parents have been incredibly happy”.    More

Chevy and OnStar announce new Wireless Smartphone Application at 2010 CES


LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the auto industry’s first working smartphone application that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.

OnStar’s Mobile Application allows drivers to communicate with their Volt from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm smartphones. It uses a real-time data connection to perform tasks from setting the charge time to unlocking the doors.  More

GM says Volt to get 230 miles per gallon in city

WARREN, Mich. - The Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon, based on development testing using a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling for plug-in electric vehicles.

The Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and be able to extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator.

"From the data we've seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas," said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson. "EPA labels are a yardstick for customers to compare the fuel efficiency of vehicles. So, a vehicle like the Volt that achieves a composite triple-digit fuel economy is a game-changer."   More

Survey shows US automakers making improvements

All three U.S.-based automakers are doing a better job of satisfying their customers than they were a year ago, according to a recent survey.

General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC all posted significant gains in this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index released Tuesday by the University of Michigan.

"Although the future will obviously be challenging for Detroit, the rise in customer satisfaction provides a much needed improvement in competitive standing," Claes Fornell, the University of Michigan business professor who heads the annual survey, said in a statement.

Fornell said keeping customers happy is key for the automakers, especially at a time when less people are buying cars, because they will be more likely to come back the next time they need a new vehicle.   More

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