BMW Group Presents New BMW 5 Series Sedan

gbmw_14060_170001_v2The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is the sixth generation of BMW’s executive vehicle. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is making its debut with one eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines as well as two six-cylinder diesels. The top model is the BMW 550i powered by a V8 with BMW TwinPower Turbo featuring High Precision Injection (300 kW/407 hp). Then there are the world’s first straight-six petrol engine with TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC (225 kW/306 hp) in the BMW 535i as well as two straight-six petrol engines with High Precision Injection and lean-burn technology in the BMW 528i (190 kW/258 hp) and the BMW 523i (150 kW/204 hp).

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Shanghai GM Introduces Chevrolet New Sail Small Car

gm_14051_169941_v2Shanghai GM recently introduced the Chevrolet New Sail sedan, the first passenger car created in China by a Sino-foreign joint venture. The new small car was developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), both GM-SAIC joint ventures. In addition to being sold in China, the New Sail will also be exported to other emerging markets. The base model will be priced around RMB 60,000 (US$8,800), which marks a breakthrough in the under-RMB 70,000 small car segment where Chinese brands have traditionally been dominant.

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Automakers Come Up with the Names that Define a Cars Image

gm_14056_169977_v2Every year dozens of new cars are unveiled at auto shows around the world and image can often make or break a debut. When creating a lasting impression, name recognition is key. With so many competing brands, finding a trademarkable name with global appeal can be challenging. One way to bring instant recognition and equity to a car is to bring back a popular name from the past. Buick brought back the Regal nameplate for 2011 and Chevrolet did the same with Camaro last year. Most mainstream brands use nouns for their cars monikers, like Equinox, Mustang and Corolla, while luxury brands utilize numbering like Mercedes E350 and Cadillac SRX.

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MINI Introduces MINI Countryman

gbmw_14059_1699881 MINI is adding a fourth model to its range with the MINI Countryman, which bridges the gap between the classic concept of the MINI and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle. As the first model in the MINI range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, the MINI Countryman, which comes as standard with four seats, provides more space versatility as well as a slightly elevated seating position. The MINI Countryman is entering the market with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. The power range extends from 66 kW/90 hp in the MINI One D Countryman to 135 kW/184 hp in the MINI Cooper S Countryman. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the top model comes for the first time not only with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, but also with fully variable valve management.

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Saab Automobile Produces its First Convertible in Sweden

gm_13994_169562_v2The first Saab Convertible to be built in Sweden rolled off the line at Saab Automobile’s production facility in Trollhättan. All previous Saab Convertibles have been built outside of Sweden, first at Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland and latterly at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. During 2009, the decision was made to concentrate all Saab car production in Sweden and as a result the Saab Convertible is now being built alongside the current 9-3 and 9-5 models, plus the next generation 9-5, at Saab’s state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Trollhättan.

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Bentley Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC Debut at Detroit Motor Show

bent_12284_159984_v4At this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Bentley Motors presented the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan and the ‘Series 51′ designer edition of the Continental GTC convertible, at the vehicles’ first motor show debut in the Americas. The Bentley Mulsanne, which goes on sale in the fall of this year, will offer customers a degree of choice unmatched in the industry. The Series 51 package provides for a virtually bespoke vehicle experience due to the thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.

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Cadillac Unveils XTS Platinum Concept and CTS-V Coupe at Detroit Auto Show

gm_13997_169569_v2Cadillac unveiled the XTS Platinum Concept and the CTS-V Coupe at the NAIAS 2010 in Detroit. The XTS Platinum Concept was designed from the inside out, re-imagining the luxury sedan as a personal headquarters, built for efficiency, luxury and connectivity. The CTS-V Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup, slated to arrive in showrooms in the spring of 2010.

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Detroit Flips the Switch on Electric Avenue at 2010 Detroit Auto Show

gm_13999_169578_v2This year’s theme at the 2010 NAIAS in Detroit was electric. As hybrids, electric cars and hybrid plug-ins continue to gain popularity and momentum, the show announced the debut of Electric Avenue. The 37,000-square-foot feature, on the main floor of the show, highlights nearly 20 high-tech cars from several automakers. Hyundai announced the gas-electric hybrid Blue-Will, while Toyota introduced the FT-CH hybrid. And Cadillac unveiled its XTS Platinum concept, which comes with a plug-in hybrid system that boosts the car’s electric-only driving capability. Some all-electric vehicles included the BMW ActiveE Concept, the MINI E, and Audi’s e-tron.

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CHEVROLET ANNOUNCES ANOTHER UTILITY PARTNERSHIP FOR VOLT

41Michigan joins California - announced last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show - as another initial retail market.

Chevrolet will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities beginning in 2010 - including DTE Energy - as part of an extended research and demonstration fleet program. As part of the program, 500 charging stations will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging, and to gain customer feedback.

“A key factor in the widespread success of electric vehicles will be the ability of utilities to supply ‘fuel’ on demand and at a reasonable cost,” said Steven E. Kurmas, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy’s electric utility, Detroit Edison. “Working with the auto industry, the Department of Energy and other stakeholders, DTE Energy and electric utilities nationwide are fully committed to developing a robust charging infrastructure that will support electric vehicles and make the transition to electric transportation a success.”

Chevrolet is also working with other Michigan entities outside of the Detroit area to begin making Michigan ready for plug-in vehicles. Utilities we are working with include the Lansing Board of Water & Light and Consumers Energy.

Chevy announced a similar partnership last month with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and California utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

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CHEVROLET CRUZE BRINGS MIDSIZE CAR PRESENCE TO THE COMPACT CAR SEGMENT

38The U.S. production version of the Chevrolet Cruze,  delivers many segment-leading features and details that challenge preconceived notions about what a compact car can be in North America.
 
The Cruze also affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles using new, small-displacement four-cylinder engines. It is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing - including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model.
 
“Cruze is already a hit across Europe and Asia and now, it’s coming to America to challenge the status quo,” said Jim Campbell, general manager, Chevrolet. “Along with the Volt electric vehicle, Cruze is the latest tangible example of how Chevrolet is working to bring new products to market that range from gas-friendly to gas-free.”

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