Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Jeep® Introduces New Limited-edition Wrangler Unlimited Altitude

"On the heels of the popular Jeep® Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 and Arctic models – and in response to Wrangler enthusiasts’ continued desire for limited-edition vehicles – Jeep is introducing its new, 2012 Wrangler Unlimited Altitude edition. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude is the latest Altitude model in the Jeep lineup, following the introduction of the Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot Altitude models last month.

Based on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara model, the Altitude edition offers Jeep enthusiasts a Wrangler with a unique appearance that includes a body-color hardtop combined with a variety of black-gloss exterior appointments, and a distinctive black-and-red interior theme.

“With sales up more than 30 percent year over year, Jeep Wrangler continues to show the special place it has in the hearts and minds of the American public,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “One of the many things Jeep enthusiasts love is the series of limited-volume, special-edition Wrangler models we produce. The new Wrangler Unlimited Altitude builds on the previous models and delivers consumers yet another fun and distinctive Jeep vehicle straight from the factory.

“With a production run of only 4,500 units, we expect the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude to sell out very quickly,” Manley added." [Read more]

Friday, April 20, 2012

Honda Earns Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Award for the Second Consecutive Year

"Honda has captured the 2012 Best Retained Value Award for the second consecutive year from Edmunds.com. Honda was named the top non-luxury brand in the Best Retained Value Awards for maintaining the highest projected residual value after five years of ownership as a percentage of value when new.

"Honda's focus on retail sales has always benefitted our most important client: Honda customers," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "This valuable award from Edmunds.com is recognition of Honda's unending mission of providing true value to customers - one that extends well beyond the showroom."

"Honda has long had a reputation for dependable used vehicles, and that is reflected in today's booming used car market," said Joe Spina, director of remarketing at Edmunds.com. "Honda's family of vehicles continues to expand the company's status as one of the best values available to car buyers today." [Read more]

Monday, April 9, 2012

New Ford Taurus SHO Set to Make Appearance in Screen Gems’ “Think Like a Man” based on Steve Harvey’s Best-Selling Book

 
"The new 2013 Ford Taurus SHO will hit movie screens across the country as part of its integration into Screen Gems’ highly anticipated film “Think Like a Man,” based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, which opens in theaters April 20.

The new 2013 Taurus, arriving in dealers now, will be part of a scene that features Meagan Good’s character Mya and Romany Malco’s character Zeke as they get ready to head out for an evening on the town. Moviegoers will be able to watch Zeke use the upgraded MyFord Touch® entertainment system to set the mood for the date in addition to showing off the Taurus SHO’s powerful 365-horsepower, 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine.

“This marks not only the first time the new Taurus SHO will appear in a major motion picture, but also a first when it comes to the MyFord Touch entertainment system being spotlighted in a film,” said Crystal Worthem, Ford manager, Brand Content & Alliances. “This movie integration is a great opportunity for us to showcase the new 2013 Ford Taurus SHO to an audience that has traditionally been a purchaser and enthusiast of the Ford Taurus brand.”

The film, based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book “Think Like a Man,” follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart. When the band of brothers realizes they have been betrayed by one of their own, they conspire using the book’s insider information to turn the tables and teach the women a lesson of their own.

“The Taurus SHO was an ideal match for us because our film showcases progressive and professional guys showing their smarts and savvy while attempting to navigate the dating world,” said Will Packer, producer of “Think Like a Man.” “The 2013 Taurus and its features were an organic fit for these characters.”

The film is directed by Tim Story and executive-produced by Steve Harvey, Rushion McDonald, Rob Hardy and Glenn S. Gainor. For more information, visit www.thinklikeaman-movie.com.

As part of promotional efforts tied to the film, Ford launched a co-branded 30-second promotional spot that will air on TNT and TBS in addition to co-branded radio spots that will run on the “Michael Baisden Show.” In addition to the TV and radio efforts, Ford kicked off its social media activities tied to the film, which will include the chance for Facebook fans to check out exclusive video clips and images from the film online." [Read more]

Friday, April 6, 2012

Volkswagen Up! Named 2012 World Car of the Year in New York

Volkswagen up! concepts, 2012 Geneva Motor Show 
"The jurors presiding over the annual World Car of the Year awards at the 2012 New York Auto Show have awarded the top honor to a car that is not offered in the U.S.

In fact, it’s not even offered in all of North America.

Nevertheless, Volkswagen’s tiny up! hatchback has beaten worthy rivals including the BMW 3-Series and Porsche 911 to be voted 2012 World Car of the Year.

The jury, consisting of 66 journalists and auto industry representatives from 25 countries, voted by a majority to name the up! the winner.

They noted that the up! has altered what consumers--outside the U.S.--have come to expect from the city car segment. Of note were its responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, efficient engines and high-quality materials and finish.

On a minimal footprint (11.6 feet long) the up! also provides space for four people, plus extremely efficient drive technologies including three-cylinder units for gasoline and diesel fans. The vehicle also comes in three- or five-door bodystyles and in the near future a sporty GT model is expected.

The reason the up! was eligible was because of the competition's rules, which state that to be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates had to have been available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012.

One of the runners up in the competition didn’t go home empty-handed. The 2012 Porsche 911 was voted the winner in the 2012 Performance Car of the Year category, beating out the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and McLaren MP4-12C supercars." [Read more]

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Best-in-class Fuel Efficiency, New Technology and New Features Without Sacrificing Capability

"Ram 1500 – the most recognizable pickup on the road – delivers best-in-class fuel economy with a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems including a more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine and first-in-segment technologies: eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.

“The new 2013 Ram 1500 is the most capable, best-looking half-ton pickup in the world and delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency, new technology and new features while upgrading the interior and exterior,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico — Chrysler Group LLC. “We changed every area of the truck – from a newly designed frame with air suspension, to a new eight-speed transmission to a new interior with the next-generation Uconnect® system.

“With best-in-class towing and payload, best-in-class ride and handling and best-in-class aerodynamics, the 2013 Ram 1500 delivers unmatched content, performance and capability to our customers,” Diaz added.

POWERTRAIN
The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine (Ward’s 10 Best Engines Award two years in a row) with variable-valve timing (VVT) offers best-in-class standard 305 horsepower, with 269 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class fuel economy for V-6 trucks. New V-6 features 42 percent more horsepower, 13 percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain.

The legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with fuel-saving cylinder shut-off and VVT provides 395 horsepower, 407 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class fuel economy for V-8 trucks (at least 10 percent better fuel economy when compared to 2012 V-8 powertrain). Also, the HEMI delivers best-in-class towing and payload – 11,500 pounds and 3,125 pounds respectively, with Ram 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty.

The class-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8), standard equipment with 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar, doubles the amount of gears compared to previously available four-speed automatic transmission, which improves drivability and enhances fuel efficiency. The new eight-speed also is available with the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI – the Company’s first application with a V-8 (TorqueFlite 8 with V-8 is late availability). The exclusive new transmission is operated by an innovative, dash-mounted rotary e-shift dial, which enables quick blind-shift transitions from “Reverse” to “Drive” when towing or navigating out of mud, snow or busy parking lots.

Owners will appreciate an innovative rotary e-shift dial for trucks equipped with the new TorqueFlite 8-speed transmission that replaces both column and floor shifters. The exclusive rotary e-shift enables intuitive operation with a direct and confident feel, even with gloves on. The convenient, dash-mounted, easy-to-understand and operate system provides total control of the sophisticated eight-speed transmission and is Ram Truck's innovative approach to electronic shifters, already used in Class 6-8 trucks. This new design allows quick blind-shift transitions from “Reverse” to “Drive” when towing or navigating out of mud, snow or busy parking lots and crowded worksites. The new rotary e-shift dial also yields space for more functional and usable storage in the console." [Read more]