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Automotive Industry Press Releases
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) has announced that it has reached agreements with the U.S. Treasury and the governments of Canada and Ontario to accelerate its reinvention and create a leaner, stronger "New GM." Pending approvals, the New GM is expected to launch in 60 to 90 days as a separate and independent company from the current GM ("GM"), with two distinct advantages:
Chrysler invented the minivan 25 years ago. More than 12 million minivan sales later, Chrysler has debuted four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivan concepts to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as part of the USPS Earth Day celebration. Chrysler LLC, in conjunction with the USPS and select energy service providers, also announced that the company intends to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DoE) Transportation Electrification stimulus program for a federal grant, which would enable Chrysler to establish a nationwide demonstration fleet of zero-emission electric minivans that could be used by the U.S. Postal Service for mail delivery.
Mitsubishi Motors North America will debut the new five-door Lancer Sportback in U.S. dealerships this summer for the 2010 model year. The Sportback will meld high performance and progressive design with an extra dose of utility to feed the most active lifestyles. The newest member of the multiple award-winning Lancer family is part of Mitsubishi's refocused efforts to introduce new models designed to meet evolving consumer demands. MSRP will be announced nearer to its summer on-sale date.
General Motors Corp., may be fighting for its survival and now it has another problem. It's recalling nearly 1.5 million vehicles because of potential engine fires. The recall includes: 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2003 Pontiac
Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina,
Monte Carlo and Impala. According to a report in Automotive News, engine oil could leak past a
heat shield and drip on the exhaust manifold, causing. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the lead could
start a small fire that could spread to a plastic sparkplug wire guide
and further into the engines.
The Honda FCX Clarity has named the 2009 World Green Car at New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Centre in Manhattan, New York. The Honda FCX Clarity was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-two (22) contenders nominated by fifty-nine (59) World Car jurors from twenty-five (25) countries. The 59-member jury chose the Honda FCX Clarity, the Mitsubishi iMiEV,
and the Toyota iQ as the top-three finalists for the 2009 World Green
Car award.
The Volkswagen Golf has been selected as 2009 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show by a panel of international automotive journalists from 25 countries. The Golf, a perennial favorite in the Volkswagen line-up, has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. The new sixth generation Golf first debuted at the Paris Motor show last fall, and made its U.S. debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show. 
Hyundai's future will be on display when the Nuvis concept makes its world debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. The Nuvis is the 11th concept designed at Hyundai's California Design Center in Irvine, Calif. Consistent with Hyundai's pledge to lead all brands in U.S. fuel economy by 2015, Nuvis is powered by Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive architecture, which uses breakthrough lithium polymer battery technology. 
The New York
International Automobile Show will feature hybrid and electric
vehicles, fast cars and frugal cars, showroom cars and concept vehicles
during its five-day run beginning April 10 at the Jacob K. Javits
Convention Center in Manhattan. "Many of this year's models have
combined futuristic design with technologically advanced drive-trains
to produce vehicles that are totally unique in the way they look and
drive," said show president, Mark Schienberg. "Others use today's most
fuel efficient engines in vehicle designs that don't conform to any
vehicle style known today, creating new segments that will be the
vehicles of tomorrow.” Here's a six-page look at the cars on display at this year's show:
Acura has become the first automobile manufacturer to simultaneously earn top government and IIHS safety ratings for every vehicle in its line-up. In late March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing, awarded the 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan a 5-Star rating — its top rating — for side impact crash safety for both front and rear passenger seating positions. In November 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan its top safety rating of "GOOD" for Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Crashworthiness Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Evaluation.
Ferrari will debut its redesigned website, www.ferrari.com on Sunday, March 29 in conjunction with the celebration of the first Grand Prix of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship season. The new portal is the gateway to the world of the “Prancing Horse.” It offers users a new look and a vast array of content, resulting in the ultimate behind-the-scenes Ferrari experience. As one of the first companies to build a presence on the 'net in the early 1990s, Ferrari’s goal now is to ensure the millions of tifosi and enthusiasts who log on to the Ferrari website each day will live the Ferrari experience online.
Copyright 2009 The Weekly Driver. All rights reserved.
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