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CODA Automotive, a privately held American company that designs, manufactures and sells all-electric vehicles and battery systems for transportation and utility related applications, today announced its intent to distribute the CODA Sedan to consumer and fleet customers in Hawai'i in the third quarter of 2011. The CODA Sedan will be one of the first affordably priced, all-electric vehicles on the road in the U.S. when CODA begins limited deliveries at the end of 2010. The CODA Sedan is a four-door, five-passenger car, powered by an all-electric drive system, including a CODA-designed 33.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery system with 40 percent more usable energy that any electric vehicle in its class. CODA's proprietary battery management and thermal management systems keep the battery within a specified temperature range which enhances safety and durability, and allows for a consistent and dependable range of up to 120 miles across all U.S. weather conditions.

“Innovation For All” comes to life November 17th when Nissan rolls out four major product introductions – including three world debuts – at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Leading the way will be the dramatic Nissan Ellure concept, which adds a new dimension to traditional sedan design – a dimension named innovation. The show also marks the return of the Nissan Quest minivan, with its innovative styling and functionality. Breaking new ground in family adventure vehicles is the dramatic Murano CrossCabriolet, a design that shows Nissan’s leadership in design, technology and innovation and truly blows the roof off traditional crossovers. The new Quest and Murano CrossCabriolet are set to go on sale in early 2011. Topping it all off is the first appearance of the production version of the Nissan LEAF™ electric vehicle, which goes on sale in December in select markets.

Ford Motor revealed its newest pursuit-rated vehicle – Ford’s first-ever specially designed Police Interceptor utility built for the rigors of police work. The new vehicle is designed to complement Ford’s all-new Police Interceptor sedan, which was introduced earlier this year. Combined, the two vehicles provide law enforcement agencies the ultimate in versatility and choice, something no other police vehicle on the road today can match. The purpose-built sedan and utility Police Interceptors will deliver at least 20 percent better fuel economy than the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.Ford’s utility and sedan Police Interceptors will debut simultaneously when production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ceases in late 2011.

Chrysler Group today hosted about 400 Chrysler Group dealers to outline the requirements to become a Fiat dealer in the United States. The dealers met with the Chrysler Group team responsible for establishing a Fiat retail network by the end of this year. The company wants Fiat dealerships in about 165 locations, in metropolitan areas chosen for their high concentration of small-car registrations. Dealers left today's meeting armed with the information needed to submit a competitive proposal for a Fiat franchise. Dealers have been asked to submit their proposals by Sept. 22. Chrysler Group expects to name its Fiat dealers in the fourth quarter. Chrysler Group dealers located in the targeted markets were invited to attend today's meeting where they learned about the rich history of the Fiat brand, the U.S. product plans, volume expectations, competitors, and dealership facility and training requirements. The new Fiat retail network will begin selling the U.S. version of the Fiat 500 late this year, and the Fiat 500 Cabrio model in 2011. The Fiat 500 will be built in Toluca, Mexico.

Hyundai Introduces Concept RB

 

Auctions America by RM has generated tremendous momentum in the final days leading up its inaugural Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction scheduled for September 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 2010. The sale, to be held at the recently acquired and upgraded 235-acre Auburn Auction Park, has an incredible 1,000 motor cars currently scheduled to cross the auction podium. The range of vehicles spans brass era cars, American classics, Detroit muscle, hot rods and late model exotics. The auction action kicks off at 10:00 am daily, beginning with memorabilia and followed closely by the quality selection of collector cars and motorcycles. On both Friday and Saturday, the arena will be hopping with two simultaneous auction rings. In addition, the swap meet, with its 700 reserved spaces, and the car corral, with over 250 vehicles on offer, will be buzzing with activity. A selection of more than 60 food vendors is also available for the thousands of participants expected at the highly anticipated Auctions America debut in Auburn over the Labor Day weekend.

Toyota announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 1.13 million 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles sold in the United States to address some Engine Control Modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall. On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM’s circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.
There are three unconfirmed accidents alleged to be related to this condition, one of which reported a minor injury.

The long wait is over: starting tomorrow, the Audi A1 will be available at dealers in Germany for a test drive. Deliveries will simultaneously begin in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, followed by most other European markets from mid-September. With a starting price of €15,800, the A1 impresses with its progressive design, superb workmanship and state-of-the-art infotainment technologies. The new Audi offers a vast number of possibilities for customization and can be ordered in over 800 different exterior versions.

The Honda CR-Z has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, following on from the success of the Honda Insight, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP. Euro NCAP’s rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. The Honda CR-Z has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first mini-car to earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the introduction of a new roof strength test. The award applies to vehicles built after July 2010. The Fiesta is the eighth Ford Motor Company vehicle to earn the Institute's top designation – breaking a tie with Toyota for the most “Top Safety Picks” of any automaker. Fiesta’s extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture® and advanced airbag technologies helped the car perform well in IIHS testing. Fiesta’s energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. Plus, it features the most standard airbags in its segment, as well as standard electronic stability control – a must-have feature for Top Safety Pick eligibility..

Ford Racing has announced the availability of a new, 2.3L twin-screw supercharger for the 2011 Mustang. When mated to the all-new 5.0L 4V TiVCT V8 engine, this 50-state-legal powertrain, can produce 624 hp SAE @ 6900 rpm and 536 lb-ft SAE @ 4700 rpm. This is the first Twin-screw unit available to consumers. The new supercharger is Ford Racing’s first power upgrade component for the new 5.0 engine. It was developed by Ford Racing engineers, in close collaboration with Ford Motor Company’s powertrain engineers, Team Mustang, and key partners in Roush and Whipple. The supercharger is being seen for the first time at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise in the Ford Mustang Alley display. Units cost between $6,500.00 and $8,000.00.

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