DCX hybrids head for the hills

Like many European automakers, DaimlerChrysler prefers diesel technology and now the German-American automaker has offered up a merger of not-quite-equals: Diesel-electric hybrids.

Last week, DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America delivered the first of 56 Orion VII hybrid buses it is selling to San Francisco's transit system.

Detriot Free Press

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All-New 2007 Hyundai Entourage Earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK Award

"We are thrilled that Entourage is the gold standard for safety among minivans," said John Krafcik, Hyundai's vice-president of product development and strategic planning. "This award demonstrates our growing leadership in occupant protection, and complements our industry-leading position in the standard application of the industry's most effective life-saving technologies, such as Electronic Stability Control."

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Tahoe puts rush on GM's SUVs

Some declared the SUV market dead when gas prices topped $3 a gallon last year, and said General Motors Corp. was foolish to invest billions in a lineup of new large SUVs. But sales of the new Chevrolet Tahoe are so strong that GM is now trying to speed up the launch of several other SUVs and ship them to dealerships two to four weeks ahead of schedule. Mary Sipes, GM's vehicle line director for large trucks. the surprising surge comes without a cent of incentives on the new model, which is selling for more than the vehicle it replaced. GM is offering incentives of as much as $7,500 on the older Tahoe.

MICHAEL ELLIS
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Can NASCAR accelerate Fusion sales?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- One of Ford Motor Co.'s hottest cars, the Ford Fusion, debuted on NASCAR's biggest stage Sunday. And the Dearborn-based automaker is hoping that the old motor sports marketing adage -- win on Sunday, sell on Monday -- pays off after eight Fusions debuted in the Daytona 500. The vehicle has already been a success since it went on sale last fall, with solid reviews on its bold design, quality and drivability -- crucial for an automaker needing a hit car as consumers shy away from trucks.

BY SARAH A. WEBSTER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

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