TORONTO, ON, - Toyota Canada Inc. filed a Voluntary Safety Campaign with Transport Canada to recall 2010 model year Lexus HS 250h vehicles to address a compliance issue with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 301.

As part of its annual compliance testing program, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently conducted a test of the 2010 model year HS 250h. The test involved striking the vehicle with a deformable barrier from the rear at approximately 80 km/h. The vehicle is struck by a moving deformable barrier with a 70 per cent overlap. As part of the test, the vehicle was then rotated on its longitudinal axis incrementally to each successive increment of 90 degrees. During the rotation, the vehicle exhibited fuel spillage that exceeded the requirement in the standard.

During vehicle development, Lexus tested the HS 250h using the same protocol and found the vehicles to comply fully with CMVSS 301. Lexus is currently working to identify the reason for the different test results and the cause of this noncompliance.

At the present time, Lexus has not identified a remedy to address this issue, but it is working hard to do so promptly and will notify owners as soon as one is developed. Until then, dealers will not deliver any new vehicles in their inventory that are included in this campaign until remedied.

Source: http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/whatsnew/whatsnew_news.jsp#GX4607

Milan, - The chairman of the Pirelli Group, Marco Tronchetti Provera, and Pirelli Tyre’s managing director, Francesco Gori, presented to the media the company’s plans for supplying tyres to Formula One for the three-year period between 2011-2013.

The company’s programme includes the creation of a dedicated team for the development and production of Formula One tyres. The Team of internal Pirelli human resources, will be made up of engineers and researchers who have accumulated experience at the highest levels of motorsport: creating winning products for rallying, Superbike, the Rolex Sports Car Series in North America and GT racing, as well as various one-make series. This ensures that the other divisions of the company remain focused on the ongoing business.

In order to meet the Formula One teams’ requirements in terms of reliability, safety and performance, Pirelli’s engineers are already working on simulation models and tyre compounds that will be most suited to the rigours of Grand Prix racing.

The Pirelli Formula One team will be an international group of people based in Milan, the home of Pirelli Tyre’s research and development department. This division has traditionally been at the heart of Pirelli’s cutting-edge technology and is formed of 1000 research engineers, working in five development centres all over the world. Pirelli Tyre allocates each year between 3 and 4% of its revenues, the highest level in the tyre industry worldwide, to research. Motorsport activities have benefited for many years from the innovations introduced to high-performance tyres by Pirelli’s Research and Development.

The Formula One tyres will be produced in the motorsport department of Pirelli’s Izmit factory in Turkey, which is entirely dedicated to competition tyres.

As established by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the Pirelli Formula 1 supply agreement includes development of six different types of tyre for the whole season. Four of these will be slick tyres – with different compounds to suit various dry asphalt surfaces – and one will be a rain tyre, for heavy precipitation. Finally there will be an intermediate tyre, for damp conditions and light rain.

In co-operation with the teams, Pirelli is also ready to develop technical evolutions to the current tyres for the future, regarding in particular the wheel size.

Today’s economic climate has enforced a realistic and collaborative approach to share out the production and logistical costs associated with supplying tyres to Formula One teams fairly. Pirelli will also invest in communications activities to leverage the technological and production values associated with Formula One, utilising resources and budget that have already been set aside for this specific purpose. Formula One will become an important showcase for the Pirelli brand along with its commercial and industrial growth, without impacting on the company’s existing financial strategy in any way.

In the coming years, Formula One is expected to attract around two billion television viewers per season, with important media coverage in emerging markets as well. Pirelli’s business development and growth strategy, which is concentrated in these areas, will benefit hugely from the global visibility offered by Formula One, helping to promote the brand and maximise return on the marketing investment.

Source: http://www.pirelli.com/press/2010/06/24/pirelli%E2%80%99s-creates-%E2%80%98formula-one-team%E2%80%99/

Japan - The Renault-Nissan Alliance (the Alliance), Yulon-Nissan Motor (YNM) and Taiwan’s Taichung City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote electric cars. The signatories for the MOU were Jason Hu, Mayor of Taichung City, Yasuaki Hashimoto, President of Nissan China Investment Co., Ltd and Jack Wu, the president of Yulon-Nissan Motor (YNM). Nissan, YNM and the city will work together to study the Electronic Vehicles (EV) Connection Program in Taichung City to make the city EV-friendly.

“Signing the MOU with YNM and Nissan means that Taichung City will take the lead to be the first ‘Low-Emission’ City in Taiwan,” said Mayor.

Studying how to make Taichung City more EV-ready is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to build a sustainable infrastructure that would include supporting a high speed railway and encouraging the use of electric bicycles and motorcycles. The city is planning to promote the popular use of EVs while developing supporting policies and structures, which will include using EVs as official vehicles, creating an EV promotional team, educating the public about EVS, creating purchase incentives, building charging stations.

The Alliance has formed partnerships with more than 60 governments, cities and other organizations around the world, including Japan, U.S.A., Europe, Asia and Australia, to advance the deployment of EVs worldwide. Many governments supporting EV technology are offering tax incentives and subsidies for those purchasing EVs and investing in building an EV charging infrastructure. As more public charging stations become available, the general acceptance of EVs will grow.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100624-01-e.html

SA - Nissan International SA has joined Renault SA’s partnership with German electric utility RWE Efficiency GmbH to promote electric mobility in Germany.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to become the world’s leading manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles and Germany is expected to become a major market for such products.

RWE plans to set up an extensive charging network in Germany with about 1,000 stations to be set up across Germany by the end of 2010 focused mainly on the Berlin and Ruhr areas. Together with other partners, RWE plans to extend the charging infrastructure to other major cities and regions in Germany shortly thereafter.

RWE’s charging technology stands out for its ability to allow customers to simply, comfortably and quickly charge their electric vehicles with electricity derived from renewable energy sources.

Under Nissan’s agreement with RWE, Nissan will supply electric vehicles to Germany in autumn 2011, starting with the Nissan LEAF compact family car. Renault has already said it will supply electric vehicles to Germany in the second half of 2011 starting with the Fluence Z.E. sedan and Kangoo Z.E. light commercial vehicle.

Renault and Nissan customers will be offered an affordable RWE e-mobility package, which will include a safe solution for charging vehicles at home and easy access to the public charging infrastructure.

“With Nissan, we have gained another significant partner who will contribute to the success of electric mobility in Germany,” said Carolin Reichert, Manager E-Mobility, RWE Efficiency GmbH.

“We look forward to developing the market for electric vehicles in Germany together with RWE and our alliance partner Renault, who helped lay the foundations for us to join this partnership,” said Pierre Loing, vice president of product strategy and planning at Nissan International SA and head of the company’s zero emission business unit in Europe.

“The Nissan LEAF is the world’s first affordable mass-marketed pure electric car. We are confident German customers will be impressed by its smoothness, acceleration and handling - not to mention its zero-emission transport footprint,” he added.

The Nissan LEAF goes on sale in Japan, the US and selected markets in Europe in December 2010. Global mass-marketing activities will begin in 2012.

RWE and Renault Deutschland AG are active members of the “E-mobility in commuter traffic” development project for the Rhine-Ruhr Model Region which is closely studying the application of electric mobility in this area. The dedicated project fleet consists of 150 electric vehicles, including 40 pre-production Renault Kangoo Z.E.s and Renault Fluence Z.E.s.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100621-02-e.html

U.S. - Set to go on sale in mid-August, the 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe receive significant updates including improved fuel economy, enhanced exterior and interior styling and the addition of a new leather-equipped Special Edition (SE) trim level. Available as either a sedan or a coupe in 4-cylinder and V-6 variations, the Accord offers a unique balance of style, performance, efficiency and value specific to each individual model.

“For 2011, the Accord evolves again with sharpened styling inside and out, fuel economy gains and a broader application of popular features,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Accord is designed to deliver a consistently rewarding ownership experience in the areas that matter most to sedan and coupe drivers.”

Improvements to vehicle aerodynamics, engine friction and transmission gear ratios all contribute to fuel economy improvements. The EPA fuel-economy ratings1 for Accord 4-cylinder sedan models equipped with an automatic transmission improve by 2 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 3 mpg on the highway, for a city/highway rating of 23/34 mpg.

The 2011 Accord Sedan’s exterior expresses a more upscale and powerful presence with a new style for the front grille, front bumper and rear deck lid, along with a new wheel design.

Building on the sedan’s design character, the Accord Coupe’s unique muscular stance is enhanced with a bolder front grille design, new front bumper shape, enhanced brakelight appearance and a new wheel design for V-6 models.

Striking a balance between value and luxury, the Accord SE Sedan offers the additional features from the popular Accord LX-P with the added luxury of leather-trimmed seating, heated seats, driver’s power-lumbar support and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

New features on certain models include steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe, a USB Audio Interface on all coupe models and Accord EX and EX-L Sedans, and a rear view camera on sedans equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation2 System™. Additionally, Accord EX-L V-6 models receive a two-position memory system for the driver’s seat. Additional interior updates on all models include new seat fabrics on models with cloth seats, an updated instrument panel design and more-refined accent points throughout the interior.

Interior styling on all models provides attainable luxury with generous standard equipment, world-class ergonomics and intuitive vehicle controls. The front seats are designed to provide generous lateral support and to complement the Accord’s sporty side. The fold-down, rear seatback offers cargo-carrying versatility and also includes a lockable pass-through for long items like snow skis.

New for 2011, the most frequently used climate-control buttons are now positioned on the left side of the control stack, closer to the driver for ease-of-use, and less-frequently used buttons are now positioned on the right side. Vehicle clock adjustment is also made easier by more prominent control lettering.

A 190-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine is standard in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedans and Accord LX-S, EX and EX-L Coupes. The 2.4-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine in the Accord LX, LX-P and SE Sedans produces 177 horsepower.

The available 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6 engine produces 271-horsepower and takes advantage of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology that can deactivate up to half of the cylinders while cruising to improve fuel economy. Preliminary EPA fuel-economy ratings3 for the 2011 Accord V-6 Sedan are 19 city/30 highway mpg, an improvement of 1 mpg in highway driving.

The performance-oriented Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission has a unique 3.5-liter V-6 VTEC engine (without VCM) that provides a performance-tuned valvetrain, intake and exhaust system to broaden the torque curve in the low- to mid-rpm range for enthusiast-level performance.

A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on 4-cylinder models and a 5-speed automatic is available. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on V-6-powered models. A 6-speed manual transmission is available exclusively on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe.

For safety, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE®) is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment.

The double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension inspire confident handling performance while also providing a comfortable ride. The 2011 Accord Sedan comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, or 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the model.

Three audio systems are available ““ all with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability and an auxiliary input jack. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating FM radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord EX Sedan and LX-S Coupe add a 6-disc in-dash changer.

A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models, and includes a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Radio® is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (available on Accord EX-L) uses an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. Features include the Zagat Survey® guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions. Accord EX and EX-L Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® as standard equipment for connecting wirelessly with compatible mobile phones.

The Accord Coupe (4-cylinder) has 17-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment, with 18-inch alloys standard on the Accord V-6 Coupe. All Accords feature four-wheel disc brakes.

Currently more than 95 percent of the Accords sold in the United States are produced4 at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.’s Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio, and at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, in Lincoln, Alabama. The Marysville plant is the sole global source of the Accord Coupe.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5498

U.S. - The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe is set to debut at dealers on August 24, 2010, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $19,200, plus a destination and handling charge1 of $750, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced.

Developed as a stylish, driver-focused vehicle with an emphasis on efficient performance, the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z introduces a sleek two-passenger coupe design with quick, sporty handling to the gasoline-electric hybrid segment. A 1.5-liter i”‘VTEC 4-cylinder engine works with Honda’s unique, compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to supply both power and efficiency to the CR-Z. A sport-focused, six-speed manual transmission is a first for any mass-produced hybrid. An automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available and includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual-like gear-ratio control.

A new, exclusive 3-mode drive system allows the driver to configure the vehicle’s responsiveness for Sport, Normal or Econ (Economy) driving modes. Driver efficiency tools include Eco Assistâ„¢ and Eco Scoring, which together can help drivers find improvements to efficient driving styles, while also comparing economy achievements to previous trips as well as the life of the vehicle.

The CR-Z is available in two equipment grades ““ the well-equipped CR-Z (base) and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. Standard features on the CR-Z include an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more.

The CR-Z EX adds a 360-watt AM/FM/CD high-power audio system with seven speakers ““ including a subwoofer ““ Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation Systemâ„¢ with Voice Recognition2.

The CR-Z demonstrates the Honda commitment to safety in the vehicle’s design and construction. The Advanced Compatibility Engineeringâ„¢ (ACEâ„¢) body structure is designed to help protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include Vehicle Stability Assistâ„¢ (VSA®); standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags; active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5495

DETROIT – General Motors announced it is creating a new regional organization to meet rising customer demand in South America.

GM South America will be headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil and will be led by Jaime Ardila, currently president and general manager GM Mercosur. Ardila becomes president, GM South America and will report to GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre. As a member of the Executive Committee and regional president, Ardila becomes the highest ranking Hispanic in the company.

“Jaime’s number one priority will be to ensure the very best for our customers in this important and growing region,” Whitacre said.

GM South America includes GM’s existing sales and manufacturing operations in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela as well as sales activities in those countries and Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. GM South America currently has 29,000 employees. As part of GM’s global product operations organization, GM South America has product design and engineering capabilities, which will allow it to continue creating local cars and trucks that complement GM’s global product architectures. In the first five months of the year, GM sold 394,000 vehicles in South America and its market share was 20.2 percent.

“The GM International Operations team is doing a great job expanding our global presence,” said Whitacre. “However, with the rapidly growing markets in Asia, the Middle East and Russia, we need the GMIO team focused exclusively on those countries that are critical to our growth.”

In related moves, Denise C. Johnson, vice president, Labor Relations, will become president and managing director, GM do Brazil, effective July 1, 2010. She will report to Ardila.

Catherine L. Clegg, GM North America manufacturing manager, succeeds Johnson as vice president, Labor Relations, effective July 1, 2010. She will report to Diana Tremblay, GM vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Relations. A successor for Clegg will be announced in the near future.

“This is an exciting development for our team in South America,” said Ardila. “I’m honored to lead the effort in the new South America region, and even more inspired to collaborate with our colleagues around the world to bring the best cars and trucks to our customers in the region.”

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jun/0622_southafrica

GRAND BLANC, Mich. – GM Performance Parts (GMPP) groundbreaking E-ROD, a ’55 Chevy powered by the innovative, new E-ROD crate engine package, will highlight GMPP participation in the Barrett-Jackson Orange County auction June 25-27.

The E-ROD crate engine package includes a complete LS3 engine, emissions equipment and supporting components that enable classic cars to pass California’s stringent emissions tests.

No other original equipment or aftermarket manufacturer offers a comparable, emissions-compliant system.

“The E-ROD was introduced at the ‘09 SEMA Show with industry-wide approval,” said Jamie Meyer, product marketing manager for GM Performance Parts. “Since then, we’ve traveled to every speed shop, cruise night and car show in California, spreading the word about our California emissions-compliant 430-horse crate engine package. We’re looking forward to meeting the bidders at Barrett-Jackson and giving them some ideas about how they can have this same level of technology in their next project car build.”

The core of the E-ROD package is the LS3 6.2L V-8 engine, rated at 430 horsepower. Emissions equipment with the package includes catalytic converters, a fuel tank evaporative emissions canister and more.

GMPP worked closely with California Air Resources Board (CARB), California’s Bureau of Auto Repair (BAR) and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) to develop the kit for “specially constructed vehicles” in California. The E-ROD package is also emissions-compliant for OBD-1 (1995) and earlier model vehicles.

GM Performance Parts will introduce more E-ROD packages in the near future.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jun/0623_barrett

Shanghai – Only six months after being launched, General Motors’ OnStar has become the largest in-vehicle communications provider in China with more than 29,000 subscribers.

OnStar President Chris Preuss made the announcement Wednesday as part of the second “Drive to 2030” Sustainable Urban Mobility Forum at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at Expo 2010. General Motors hosted the “Mobility Internet - Connecting the Virtual Superhighway Forum” at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at Expo 2010.

With the promise of connecting automobiles to each other and to the transportation infrastructure, the Mobility Internet built on technologies like GM’s OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service could revolutionize urban mobility and the global automotive industry.

The Mobility Internet is GM’s vision for a future of connected cars. It refers to the technologies that allow vehicles to collect process and share enormous amounts of data by linking them to each other and to an urban network, much as the Internet links computers today. The Mobility Internet will enable vehicle users to connect to their social networks, creating social interaction while on the road.

Building on the success of The Pathway to Sustainable Mobility Forum in May, the Mobility Internet forum attracted leading experts from the global business and academic community.

“The Mobility Internet will fundamentally change the way people move in the cities of the future,” said Kevin Wale, GM China President and Managing Director. “By redefining the automobile DNA through connectivity technologies, it will help eliminate the growing problems of congestion, traffic accidents and finding parking. At the same time, it will enable autonomous driving so that drivers can fully enjoy the wireless social network as they travel.

At World Expo 2010 Shanghai, GM is showcasing its vision of urban mobility in 2030, a vision in which driving is free from emissions and petroleum, free from congestion and accidents, and more fun and fashionable than ever before. Mobility Internet technologies will play an important role in making this vision a reality.

“Telephones and computers have evolved from desktop fixtures tethered by landlines to pocket-size devices that can go anywhere, anytime, connecting us wirelessly to the world via the Internet,” said John Du, director of GM’s China Science Lab. “Now it’s the automobile’s turn.”

Like laptop computers and cell phones, the connected car will offer a variety of convenience features while being able to sense what is around them, and communicate with other vehicles and the road system, Du said. This will optimize traffic while shortening travel times and make travel more predictable. Many of the technologies that will enable connected vehicles like GM’s EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) concept exist today. The next step toward entering the Mobility Internet era is moving from concept to commercialization.”

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jun/0623_onstar

Chile - It is learnt that during the first half year of 2010, JAC has achieved very excellent marketing performance in Chile.

At the very beginning of 2010, the end sales of JAC in Chile declined sharply because of the earthquake, which showed the signs of upturn until March. But now a lot of storage cars have been successfully sold, besides, the newly introduced products-B-class car and A0-class car have won the reorganization of the local consumers.

As the recovery and development of the production and economy in Chile, the auto industry has also been gradually reactivated; JAC Chilean distributor believed that through the joint efforts, JAC products will achieve much better sales in the near future!

Source:http://jacen.jac.com.cn/jac/showDocumentAction.do?method=print&documentid=ff808081288be3e9012963c85a503b90