Sogenannte Concept Cars sind auf allen Automessen der Hingucker. Sie sollen zeigen, was die Autobauer für die Mobilität der Zukunft entwickeln. Oft wird aus dem Blick in die Zukunft aber auch nichts. Die Studien wären für eine Serienproduktion dann doch zu teuer gewesen, oder zu praxisfern, oder es wäre einfach nicht mehr die Akzeptanz bei den Käufern vorhanden. Dann wandern die Konzepte nach ihrem glorreichen Messeauftritten still und leise ins Museum oder die Schrottpresse. VW hat mit einem ambitionierten Projekt bewiesen, dass es auch anders geht. Das 1-Liter-Auto erschien zu Beginn vielen Skeptikern noch als reine Utopie. Als VW in Doha den Prototyp des XL1 durch die Straßen fahren ließ, war aber klar, dass es sich nicht nur ein imageträchtiges Marketingprojekt handelt. Spätestens als in Genf die Kleinserie des XL1 ins Scheinwerferlicht rollte, mussten Zweifler erkennen, dass VW es ernst meint.
Volvo Cars has chosen the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit to launch its new signature premium sedan, the S90, underscoring its long term commitment to the U.S. market and providing a clear sign of its confidence in continued sales growth in the coming year.
Volvo sales in the U.S. increased 24.3 per cent in 2015, with an especially strong performance at the end of the year with sales rising 87 per cent in October, 90 per cent in November and 89.9 per cent in December, driven by continued strong sales of the XC60 crossover and the new XC90 SUV.
“There are strong indications that Volvo is back on track in the U.S.,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President of the Americas at Volvo Car Group. “We expect this strong sales momentum to continue in 2016, helped by the new S90.”
The launch of the S90 highlights the ambition of the Swedish car maker, following an $11bn investment and the recent breaking of ground in Charleston, South Carolina, where Volvo Cars will build its first American production facility, employing around 2,000 workers.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709951-kbb-naias-2016-detroit/
The 2014 model-year vehicles and brands (in both non-luxury and luxury categories) with the lowest projected ownership costs were announced today by Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information. These awards are based on Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period.
While depreciation (or loss of value) and fuel costs may be the greatest expense incurred in owning a vehicle, there are other factors that can have a significant impact on a consumer’s pocketbook. Available on Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, 5-Year Cost to Own information takes into consideration depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/65344-kelley-blue-book-kbb-announces-2014-5-cost-to-own-award-winners
The Lincoln Continental, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Toyota Avalon come out at the top of a group of six large cars recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The three cars qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+, the Institute’s highest award. The Tesla Model S, the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Taurus fall short of any award because they each earn only an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.
Vehicles qualify for either the TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award if they have good ratings from IIHS in five crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — and an available front crash prevention system that earns a superior or advanced rating. To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle also must come with good or acceptable headlights
What if there were a way to prevent a leading cause of childhood death, but three out of four of us were doing it wrong? The startling truth is that a car seat can dramatically reduce childhood death and injury from motor vehicle crashes, but 75 percent are installed incorrectly.1
With Child Passenger Safety Week upon us, the good news is that community-based programs are making a difference. Buckle Up for Life is a national education program, created in 2004 by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Toyota, to save children's lives. Over the last ten years, it has grown to include a network of more than a dozen of the nation's leading children's hospitals and has educated more than 17,000 people about the proper use of car seats and seat belts. Toyota's sponsorship has provided funding for over 40,000 car seats for families in need.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7318951-toyota-cincinnati-children-s-hospital-child-passenger-safety-buckle-up-for-life/
Months of speculation ended today after Volvo Cars unveiled its all-new Volvo XC90, delivering on its promise to introduce a visually striking, premium quality seven seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7276259-volvo-XC90-world-premiere/
When IIHS began its booster seat ratings in 2008, most models failed to consistently provide good belt fit — the main purpose of a booster. This year, all new models evaluated by the Institute provide good or acceptable fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in most cars, minivans or SUVs.
Out of 23 new models evaluated, 20 earn the highest rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good fit for a 4- to 8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Another three models are rated GOOD BETs, meaning they provide acceptable fit in most vehicles. There are no new models in the Not Recommended category, nor are there any with the Check Fit designation, which identifies seats that may work for some children in some vehicles.
Volvo Cars is teaming up with footballing icon Zlatan Ibrahimović again for the European launch campaign of the V90 premium estate in advance of the European Championships football tournament. The campaign will go live tonight on national TV stations and on Social Media platforms.
The new campaign shows the former Paris Saint-Germain striker, a long-time Volvo driver and fan, looking back at his rise from humble beginnings in one of Sweden’s toughest neighbourhoods in Malmö to international sporting stardom.
Zlatan, who is currently preparing for the European Championships feels a close affinity with the Swedish car brand.
“I’m happy to be working with Volvo Cars again. I’ve seen the new cars, I’ve driven and tested them. And I think they’re fantastic. Just like me, Volvo has gone their own way and dared to think differently. The previous campaign we did was good, but this time it’s Made by Zlatan,” said Zlatan Ibrahimović.
“The campaign is a celebration of the independent mind, of the power that lies in the ability to think differently. There are many similarities between Zlatan’s and Volvo’s journeys. We haven’t gotten to where we are now by doing the same as everyone else,” said Anders Gustafsson, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Volvo Car Group.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7848551-volvo-cars-v90-campaign-zlatan-ibrahimovic/
Rare examples of classic cars can attract enormous interest from buyers, regularly breaking sales price records. Lauritz Lauritzen is the owner of one such car, Mercedes-Benz, cabriolet type B, model 320 from 1938 is the only one in the world produced at Mannheim Mercedes-Benz. Lauritz is excited about what price the car might fetch when it goes under the hammer in Denmark on June 26. The Mercedes represents the pinnacle of the German marque and only thirty-four cars were ever built.
This 1938c car is even more special as it is a top of the range ”Mannheim”-car further equipped with everything Mercedes could think of. In its time, it was probably one of the world's best cars. Today it presents itself accordingly - but only because the enthusiastic owner has put thousands of hours into it. Lauritz Lauritzen found the car in a barn in 1980 as a complete wreck, and the skilled Mercedes mechanic took on the challenge of restoring it to its former glory. Eleven years later the car was running again.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7861151-mercedes-resurrected-after-bomb-attack/
America’s traffic congestion recession is over. Just as the U.S. economy has regained nearly all of the 9 million jobs lost during the downturn, a new report produced by INRIX and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) shows that traffic congestion has returned to pre-recession levels.
According to the 2015 Urban Mobility Scorecard, travel delays due to traffic congestion caused drivers to waste more than 3 billion gallons of fuel and kept travelers stuck in their cars for nearly 7 billion extra hours – 42 hours per rush-hour commuter. The total nationwide price tag: $160 billion, or $960 per commuter.
Washington, D.C. tops the list of gridlock-plagued cities, with 82 hours of delay per commuter, followed by Los Angeles (80 hours), San Francisco (78 hours), New York (74 hours), and San Jose (67 hours).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430751-inrix-2015-urban-mobility-scorecard/
Nissan will become the first car manufacturer to create a smartwatch designed specifically for drivers of Nissan Nismo cars. The Nissan Nismo Concept Watch will be the first smartwatch to connect a driver to the car and will provide drivers with real-time biometric data.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62417-nissan-nismo-smartwatch-concept
