Hyderabad: Embedded technology solutions provider for automotive industry KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd is working on on-board bi-fuel management systems for hybrid cars and unmanned tractors, the latter that could be operated through satellite info systems.
For hybrid cars, the focus is now on cars run by hydrogen fuel cells.
With the automotive industry slowly but surely drifting to hybrid cars aimed at both conservation and improved fuel efficiency, the embedded software in... more

With concept vehicles introducing a wide-range of futuristic ideas this year, the Nissan Forum, set to make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show, goes one step farther and includes a microwave.

The vehicle, reminiscent of a minivan with room for seven, was displayed for journalists at the company's Farmington Hills, Michigan technical center on December 19.

With a stated goal of making family trips more comfortable and appealing, the... more

Toyota has created a concept for a hybrid pickup, the A-BAT, aimed at suburban drivers with moderate hauling needs, which will be displayed at the Detroit auto show later this month.

Smaller in size than the Toyota Tacoma, the A-BAT features a four-foot bed, a sliding roof panel, and a folding mid-gate. The innovations are intended to make the vehicle capable of handling tall items or the ever unwieldy sheet of plywood at four feet by eight.

In the walls of the bed... more

Three German cities, including the capital Berlin, began implementing a new air pollution system on Tuesday that bans the dirtiest vehicles from their centres.

Drivers in Berlin, Cologne and Hanover are now required to display a coloured badge showing the level of pollution caused by their vehicle, with a scale of red, yellow and green.

Some vehicles, notably an estimated 1.7 million old diesel cars and vans, will not qualify for even the most polluting red badge and... more

The successor to classic Chevrolets such as the 1957 Bel Air, 1967 Camaro and 1973 Monte Carlo, the 2008 Malibu is a car you'll be proud to be seen in at a price you can afford.
Each time I walk up to the new Malibu, I'm amazed by its graceful and sophisticated looks, but every time I read the window sticker, I'm stunned at what a great value Chevy's new midsize sedan is.

The car's styling gets your attention, but comfort and affordability close the deal. A base price of... more

One of the largest single-day sporting events worldwide, the Indy 500 has announced its pick for the 2008 pace car and driver. Two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi will keep the pace with two distinctly different Corvettes. This will mark a record 19th time that a Chevrolet has served as the official pace vehicle for the race and the 10th time that Corvette has paced the race.

(See video from General Motors at: http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=34268 )

... more

State-owned OEM Changan Automobile group has begun production of China's first hybrid car, according to Xinhua, the Beijing government-controlled news agency.

State-owned OEM Changan Automobile group has begun production of China's first hybrid car, according to Xinhua, the Beijing government-controlled news agency.

Changan, which unveiled the Jiexun Hybrid as a prototype with a 2.0-litre gasoline engine at the Shanghai motor show in April 2007, said at the time that the... more

Two legal proceedings on the same days stack the odds in favor of cleaner cars, at least for developed nations. Yesterday a federal judge in Sacramento upheld a California law that sets higher emissions standards for new cars and trucks than the EPA allows. On the same day German newspapers widely reported that a draft proposal from the European Commission could result in billions of euros in penalties for automakers that fail to meet EU emissions standards.

Both proceedings can be... more

Cars.com has sifted through sales, incentives and various offers from car companies to let consumers know about some top deals for the holiday season. At this time of year, consumers are bombarded by sales offers and year-end incentives. Sifting through all the offers can be almost a full-time job for shoppers. Fortunately, the staff at Cars.com has done the work for you.

"While we continuously maintain a list of the Top 10 Cash-Back Offers on Cars.com and a list of all available... more

Suzuki Motor Corp., the maker of half the cars sold in India, said it will not lose market share to competitors even with the introduction of cars that cost 50 percent less than its cheapest model.

``We will maintain our 50 percent share forever,'' Chairman Osamu Suzuki told journalists in Tokyo today. ``Our products will be key.''

Automakers are rushing into India to tap surging demand in the country where only seven in 1,000 people own a car. Tata Motors Ltd. will... more

Ford Motor Company carries plenty of hometown momentum into the 51st Annual New England Auto Show by winning an award from New England journalists and debuting a race truck for Boston-based Roush Fenway Racing. On the product front, Ford showcases two all-new innovative models – the 2009 Ford Flex people mover and 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan – helping it sustain the turnaround momentum at the company, in addition to a top technical innovation with the Ford SYNC system. Taurus earned Ford... more

The simple addition of Speed to the name tells you everything you need to know about what this Bentley is all about. In a world that has gone overboard on political correctness, speed has almost become an ugly word, instead of something to be savoured. The simple fact is that motorists have had a love affair with speed throughout the history of the automobile. Indeed this most modern of Bentley’s takes its inspiration from the 1920’s Speed models, that laid the foundation for... more

What does B-U-I-C-K stand for? Big-Ugly-Imitation-Chrome-King. For the better part of two decades, the venerable brand has been stigmatized as a retiree’s ride. But since the Lacrosse and Lucerne sedans launched in 2004 and 2005, respectively, Buick has been engaged in a race to become relevant. The carefully executed cars have helped raise the bar. But the ’08 Enclave cross/utility vehicle completes Buick’s journey from running gag to checkered flag. Elegant without pretentiousness,... more

When Buick grows up, it wants to be Lexus. Or at least the "American Lexus," according to Bob Casparian, product manager for the Buick LaCrosse sedan. To achieve this, Buick is focusing on a premium image. It also helps that only a few weeks ago J.D. Power and Associates reported that Buick tied with Lexus for first in its annual dependability study among car owners. For 2005, LaCrosse replaced the Buick Century and Regal as the midsize, front-wheel-drive sedan offering. For 2006,... more

2007 has marked the launch of Continental GT Speed, an exciting addition to the Continental Family, building on the Continental GT the Continental GT Speed boasts a top speed of 202 mph (326 km/h) making it the fastest production engine ever produced by Bentley. Bentley’s ‘traditional launch’ is to organise unique driving events which aim to show case a new model in their natural state, set against some of worlds most picturesque back drops and various locations around... more

June 2007 saw the Brooklands race track celebrate it’s centenary. To help mark this prestigious occasion two of the most successful vintage Bentley racers Speed Six models, ‘Old Number 2’ and ‘Old Number 3’, were reunited at the circuit, along with the Bentley Brooklands. Bentley was the single, most successful marque at the Brooklands race track, winning a staggering 172 out of 672 races entered, including 73 outright wins. It is this proud sporting pedigree... more

A Bentley is about the drive and experience and this is something that we recognise as unique to Bentley. We arrange a number of driving events with the main aim to allow customers the opportunity see and feel the cars for themselves. Each of our dedicated offices develop a full itinerary of activities throughout the year to give customers a full insight into Bentley, its models and its successes. The UK Team, for example, have been busy facilitating a ‘Team Bentley Speed 8 Racing... more

Aston Martin's Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, has been named as the German national responsible for making the most positive contribution to Anglo-German dialogue in 2007. Dr Bez received the honour at the German-British Forum's Annual Awards ceremony in London on 11 October. Every year the German-British Forum rewards two individuals, a British national based in Germany and a German based in the UK, as part of its objective to increase the common ground between the two countries.... more

Not in the showrooms yet, but already an award-winner: the German newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” has voted the new midsize saloon with the four-ring badge the best vehicle in its class and presented it with its “Golden Steering Wheel”. The Audi A4 won through against strong competition in the midsize class. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, took receipt of the prize – one of the most important awards in the automotive industry –... more

The team Renault, suspected of having been in possession of the technical elements from McLaren, was convened by the Federation Internationale Automobile (FIA). Hearing scheduled on December 6 in Monaco. In a statement, the FIA said that question would be about the size of the car McLaren, as well as details of the system of supply, assembly gearboxes, control and hydraulic suspensions. The threat of a second scandal espionage case after Ferrari / McLaren, is real. Remember, on... more