Subaru to stop building Camry for Toyota in the US

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru, Toyota

It was back in 2007 that Subaru of Indiana Automotive, under contract from Subaru minority shareholder Toyota, built the first Toyota Camry at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Rumblings of the end of that contract work have been around for a while, as Subaru talked of expanding capacity to build more units and add a line for the Impreza, and Toyota talked of moving Camry production to its Georgetown, KY plant. The news was official internally last November when SIA Executive Vice President Tom Easterday told the Louisville Courier-Journal that Camry production would end. Now, Automotive News reports that both automakers have admitted publicly that the end will come in 2016.

SIA currently has a 170,000-unit capacity devoted to the home-brand Legacy and Outback models, while a $400-million expansion increases that to 300,000 units to prepare the facility for Impreza production in two years. Freeing up the 100,000 units of production devoted to the Camry means a 400,000-unit capability, which is far more than Subaru needs at the moment, but the Toyota exit will allow it to expand any way it sees fit. Subaru has said it will absorb the workers on the Camry line and no jobs will be lost, the mayor of Lafayette saying the development could change the timetable for the expansion.

Subaru to stop building Camry for Toyota in the US originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2014 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/05/09/subaru-stop-building-toyota-camry-indiana/

Maurнcio Gugelmin Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood

We Visit the World?s Greatest Sports Coupes Exhibit at the Petersen Museum!

Ask a dozen car enthusiasts what they believe to be the world?s greatest sports coupe and you?ll probably get a dozen different answers. But twelve different answers is exactly what the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles wanted to hear when it asked car-guy celebrities from the worlds of music, movies, and more to help […]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/9rTRLC3J-QA/

Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glцckler Paco Godia

Mercedes to Overhaul G-Wagen for First Time in More Than 35 Years

After 35 years of doing as little as possible, Mercedes is planning to give the enduring Gel�ndewagen its first major overhaul in 2017. According to Autoweek, Mercedes wants to widen the G-wagen by up to four inches, shave 400 pounds from the curb weight using more aluminum and high-strength steel, and install all-new powertrains and […]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/rAlbUA4bekg/

Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

What we think we know about Chrysler's plug-in hybrid minivan, CUV

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chrysler, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

When the 2016 Town & Country comes to Chrysler dealerships, it will sport something no production minivan has ever had: a plug. That was on bit of news hidden in the massive Fiat Chrysler (FCA) product preview held in Detroit on Tuesday. All FCA would say about the minivan was that the Town & Country PHEV would get 75 MPGe.

We know from the product preview slide (click to enlarge) that there are actually two plug-in hybrids coming from FCA. The minivan and a "full-size crossover," due in 2017. While that could describe the next-gen Dodge Journey, it could also be a brand new peoplemover. All FCA said officially was that it will be a "new vehicle or renewal of existing nameplate," which seems like an awful broad definition. We were curious to know more about these products, so we asked FCA spokesman Eric Mayne. Sadly, he was less than forthcoming, telling AutoblogGreen, "I can only refer you back to the presentations in which the PHEV is mentioned. If the answers aren't there, you'll have to wait."

There are actually two plug-in hybrids coming from FCA.

Well, sure, for actual facts we'll have to wait, but we can still speculate and look into the archives to see what plug-in vehicle technology FCA has offered in the past. Chrysler had an electric vehicle working group called ENVI that created products like an all-electric minivan for the US Postal Service (pictured). ENVI was disbanded in 2009. At the time, the company said plug-in vehicle work would continue, and since then we saw PHEV minivan and PHEV truck test programs from Chrysler and Ram. In early 2012, Chrysler started testing a small, 25-unit fleet of plug-in hybrid-electric Town & Country minivans with the city of Auburn Hills, MI, where the company is located. The $26-million demonstration project was funded in part by the US Department of Energy, which covered $10 million. The stated plan was for those minivans to each hit at least 16,800 miles over two years, but there were hiccups. In September 2012, for example, the liquid-cooled 12.1-kWh batteries from were found to overheat. Those batteries came from Electrovaya and were mated to a 3.6-liter Pentastar engine that could burn E85. Will any of this make it into the production Town & Country PHEV? No idea, but now we know where the company's coming from. FCA also has some EV experience with the Fiat 500e.

Continue reading What we think we know about Chrysler's plug-in hybrid minivan, CUV

What we think we know about Chrysler's plug-in hybrid minivan, CUV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 07 May 2014 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://green.autoblog.com/2014/05/07/chrysler-plug-in-hybrid-minivan-cuv-details/

Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

2014 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Interview With Scion FR-S #3 Phil Keoghan

Phil Keoghan relates the many different situations where he was exposed to driving experiences that would have prepared him for this challenge ... including driving an IndyCar as well as the international driving situations presented to him during his many years at being the host of "Amazing Race."

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/04/2014_toyota_pro-celebrity.php

Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr

Jeff Gordon's daughter strapped in to a quarter-midget on Tuesday

Jeff Gordon said his daughter's start in racing was coming soon. Apparently soon meant Tuesday.

Gordon tweeted a photo of his six-year-old daughter Ella in a quarter-midget race car for the first time.

Ella driving a quarter midget for the first time today. The smile says it all. pic.twitter.com/T0ajPbFQTS

? Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) April 15, 2014

In an interview with Larry King before the race at Auto Club Speedway in March, Gordon said he wasn't sure how much his daughter would take to driving.�

"I don't know how much she's really going to take to it because she doesn't seem to have that passion for racing, but we'll see, and I think she should definitely get the opportunity to get behind the wheel." Gordon said at the time.�

Judging by the look on her face Tuesday, Ella Gordon might be hooked. Chase Elliott may have to watch his back soon, there could be an even younger hotshot offspring of a Sprint Cup champion making waves.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/jeff-gordon-s-daughter-strapped-into-a-quarter-midget-on-tuesday-155516385.html

Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison

Hamlin finds victory lane as Aarons 499 ends under caution

By: Roger Holtsclaw (Talladega, AL)-� Each time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Talladega Superspeedway, the conversation is the same ? ?The big one?. This weekend?s Aarons 499 did end under yellow, fortunately, it wasn?t the big one. The yellow was thrown for a bumper!
As the field made their way through the tri-oval headed towards the white flag, Ryan Newman got into the rear of rookie driver, Alex Bowman. Bowman then bounced of Jimmie Johnson and shot back across the track into the outside retaining wall. As drivers checked up, Justin Allgaier and Cole Whitt got together. As Allgaier?s front end hit the grass, debris from his car littered the track. A large piece of a bumper cover came to rest in the middle of the track, just before the start/finish line. NASCAR, at first, did not throw the yellow, leading everyone, including the television announcers, to believe the field would race back to the line.
As the leaders worked their way down the backstretch, however, the yellow was thrown

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nascar/article_external/hamlin_finds_victory_lane_as_aarons_499_ends_under_caution/16399837

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

Krafcik lands new role as president of TrueCar

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

John Krafcik, who stepped down at the beginning of this year from his role as president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, has just been announced as the new president of online car shopping website TrueCar. The news comes on the heels of an announcement, less than a month ago, that Krafcik was joining the board of directors at TrueCar.

"John Krafcik not only has a deep understanding of the automotive industry, but he also knows how to run an organization at scale - and the timing is right for him to join our team," says Scott Painter, founder and CEO of TrueCar. "John brings additional credibility to our commitment to making automotive retailers our partners, and he's here to ensure we do just that." While at Hyundai for the past five years, Krafcik led the Korean automaker to increasing its US market share by more than 50 percent.

After spending the past several months consulting, it appears that Krafcik will find himself very busy in this new role. TrueCar is reportedly on the verge of an Initial Public Offering, according to a recent report by Automotive News. The company has filed its intentions with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, with the IPO to be managed by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. TrueCar is expecting to raise as much as $125 million from the offering. The arrival of John Krafcik, considered by many to be one of the industry's top executives, should help sweeten the deal. Scroll down below for the official press release.

Continue reading Krafcik lands new role as president of TrueCar

Krafcik lands new role as president of TrueCar originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 May 2014 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/05/03/john-krafcik-truecar-ceo/

Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin

WATCH: Dale Earnhardt Jr. catches on fire at Texas

The Duck Commander 500 was postponed until Monday. The first ten laps of the race were run under caution and once the race went green it took only a few laps before one car found it?s way off the track. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in a interview that he made a mistake and drove his No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet into the grass on the front-stretch at Texas Motor Speedway. The results was a blown tire and a fireball erupting and following his car around the track. Earnhardt Jr. parked his car and evacuated safely. Damaged in the incident was the windshield and front end of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson. and that windshield als looks second hand #Johnson pic.twitter.com/B2bkbD8Aa7 ? Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) April 7, 2014 Johnson was able to return to the track and Earnhardt?s crew has attempted to repair his car.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nascar/article_external/dale_earnhardt_jr_catches_on_fire_after_running_though_grass_at_texas_video/16205639

Marc Genй Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini