Vehicle Research

LOS ANGELES - Chevrolet will debut the U.S. production version of the Cruze sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010.

Tags: Chevrolet, Cruze, LA Auto Show

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. is investing an additional $450 million in its aggressive electric vehicle plan, paving the way to build a next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle in Michigan beginning in 2012.

Tags: assembly plant, electric car, Ford

TOKYO - Effective February 1, Japanese truck manufacturer Nissan Diesel will change its name and brand image to "unify the company's current scattered identity under one global brand, while also increasing its visibility within its parent company, the Volvo group."

Tags: Nissan Diesel, UD Trucks

AUBURN HILLS, MI - Effectively immediately, all Chrysler Group employees are prohibited from texting while driving in company-owned vehicles and texting with company-provided communication devices while driving personal vehicles.

Tags: Chrysler Group LLC, company policy, driver safety, DWT, texting while driving

DALLAS - The deployment is part of a $565 million planned investment announced in March 2009 to replace more than 15,000 fleet vehicles with more fuel-efficient models through 2018.

Tags: alt-fuel vehicle, AT&T

NASHVILLE, TN - Infiniti announced U.S. pricing on the 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible, on sale now at Infiniti retailers nationwide. The G Convertible features a number of significant enhancements for its second model-year.

Tags: G37 Convertible, Infiniti, Pricing

MEMPHIS, TN - With 90 Ford Transit Connects on the road and another 50 on order, ThyssenKrupp Elevator may eventually replace its 1,500 current cargo vans with the Transit Connect models.

Tags: Ford, fuel, ThyssenKrupp Elevator , Transit Connect

HERNDON, VA - The Audi-commissioned documentary "Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team's Road to Vancouver" aired Jan. 30 on NBC in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympic games.

Tags: Audi, iTunes, Truth in Motion

WASHINGTON - Pepco Holdings, Inc. will add 10 Chevrolet Volts to its fleet as part of a two-year demonstration to assess the impact of these vehicles on the electric system and to evaluate their commercial application.

Tags: charging station, Pepco Holdings Inc, Volt

IRVINE, CA - Kelley Blue Book, a leading provider of new and used-car information, announced recent data revealed three automotive brands that are "bucking the trend" in the recent down economy: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Subaru.

Tags: Audi, KBB.com, Kelley Blue Book, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru

AUBURN HILLS, MI - The Jeep brand is broadening its vehicle lineup with the introduction of several new models for 2010.

Tags: 2010 models, Jeep, vehicle lineup

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ - There are about 600 pure electric versions of BMW's Mini running around. The German automaker is now about six months into its test of how the electrics will hold up in real-world consumer tests.

Tags: BMW, Electric Mini, Mini

TUSTIN, CA - In the most challenging auto sales market in years, AutoPacific announced its 13th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). For the second straight year, Cadillac ranks highest among new car owners, taking the Highest Satisfaction Brand honors even with the turmoil surrounding General Motors and the industry as a whole.

Tags: AutoPacific, Brand Study, Cadillac, Top 2009 News

ATLANTA - The 28.9 percent fuel economy improvement results in a 15 percent improvement in total cost per mile, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Tags: DOE, fuel, NREL, UPS

CHERRY HILL, NJ - Subaru of America, Inc. won Best Mainstream Brand, while the Subaru Forester won the Best Compact Utility Vehicle award, and the Subaru Outback won the Best Midsize Utility award.

Tags: Award, Forester , Subaru, Subaru Outback

MONTVALE, NJ - Mercedes-Benz will have no less than four debuts at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, including the all-new SLS AMG.

Tags: Mercedes-Benz, SLS AMG

DETROIT - For a limited time only, Ford is offering up to $300 in rebates for fleets that replace powertrain assemblies in-house.

Tags: Ford, powertrain, Rebate

WASHINGTON - Jaguar is recalling more than 2,000 MY 2010 Jaguar XF vehicles because the fuel transfer pipe in the fuel tank may be kinked.

Tags: Jaguar, NHTSA, Recall

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - Recently, citizens in Copenhagen had the opportunity for a sneak preview of the upcoming, sporty Volvo S60 - which won't be introduced to the world until next year.

Tags: Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestr, Volvo S60