TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota Motor Sales USA said Thursday it is recalling roughly 1.13 million Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles in the U.S. for a potential problem with the Engine Control Modules that can lead to "harsh shifting" or an inability to start the engine. General Motors, meanwhile, revealed that Toyota is also recalling 200,163 Pontiac […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford officials happily shared this week that the 2011 Fiesta was named a 2010 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The automaker now has had eight vehicles receive this designation, the most for any manufacturer, according to officials. Before this week's announcement, Ford had been tied with Toyota for […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Chevrolet officials boasted this week that the Suburban is their first vehicle to reach 75 years of production. To commemorate what they believe to be the industry's longest-running model, brand executives plan to launch a special 2010 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition model of the Chevrolet Suburban. Back in 1935 when General Motor started rolling […] [Read More]

DETROIT — The GMC Terrain — one of the vehicles General Motors launched last fall after laying out its post-bankruptcy plans — has been on the market for less than a year, but it has already been a major bright spot for the brand.  In fact, dealers have enjoyed a turn rate on these models during 2010 that is more than four times […] [Read More]

HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen executives as well as local officials were on hand this week to celebrate the opening of a new, state-of-the-art VW dealership in California. Located in Alhambra, Calif., this new store boasts the first white frame facility in the Western region.  The new visual framework of the dealership is designed to enhance the customer experience […] [Read More]

BELDEN, Miss. — Gov. Haley Barbour and officials from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi declared they have overcome significant economic obstacles to share some positive developments about the plant rising in the northern part of the state. After recessionary conditions stalled the process, the company recently resumed the hiring of more workers at its Blue Springs, Miss., […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — A Kia model officials from Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com said once was an industry "punch line" now is dominating positive growth, according to the site's most recent Hot Car Report. KBB determined that weekly shopping growth among all vehicles as well as newly introduced and redesigned models was led by the 2011 Kia Sportage. […] [Read More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sonic Automotive has beefed up its existing presence in two markets. The dealership group revealed Friday that it was granted Buick and GMC franchises in Montgomery, Ala., as well as a new Kia franchise in Colma, Calif. "We are pleased to be associated with these brands in these particular markets and appreciate the […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Though they have subsided from a rather robust July, there has still been "relative strength" in new-vehicle sales during August, according to J.D. Power and Associates. The company pointed out that the month's seasonally adjusted selling rate for retail sales will likely be stronger than the pace during the first half of 2010. […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors revealed Thursday afternoon that it has a new vice president for Chevrolet marketing to replace Jim Campbell, who is moving to the position of vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. Taking the Chevrolet marketing post is Christopher Perry, who most recently was vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America.  The […] [Read More]