Daily Email Thursday

Honda Pilot sheds 300 pounds, boxy styling in major overhaul for 2016

10:45 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Honda is giving the Pilot a major makeover as part of a three-pronged bid to jump-start its lagging U.S. truck sales and cash in on one of the industry's hottest segments. The 2016 Pilot has shed some 300 pounds by adopting a new platform and wider use of high and ultrahigh strength body materials that also help reduce noise and vibration, improve handling and increase rigidity.... Read More »

U.S. Postal Service to seek bids on next delivery vehicle

6:00 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Faced with rising maintenance costs for its aging fleet and needing extra cargo space to satisfy the desires of online shoppers, the Postal Service is asking automakers to bid on a commercial van that would replace the boxy Long Life Vehicle and become the backbone of the service's delivery fleet starting in 2018. It could be one of the largest fleet purchases ever.... Read More »

Acura drops new V-6 in RDX, boosting fuel economy

11:45 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Acura is introducing several new technologies on one of its best-selling nameplates, the RDX compact crossover. The biggest change is under the hood: When the RDX arrives this spring as a 2016 model, it will come with a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine that features a cylinder deactivation system to improve fuel economy.... Read More »

Ford's new GT will be built by racing partner in Ontario

9:52 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

The Ford GT will be built in Ontario by Multimatic Motorsports, a longstanding partner in Ford's racing programs, the automaker said today.... Read More »

GM confirms plans for Chevy Bolt production in Michigan

9:30 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

General Motors confirmed today that it will make a production version of the Chevrolet Bolt concept that it unveiled last month, with plans to build the electric vehicle in Michigan.... Read More »

Nissan, amid sales gains, weighs options to boost car, truck supplies

4:04 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Nissan's US sales and market share gains will force it to squeeze more vehicles out of its North American plants -- or find factory space elsewhere.... Read More »

Takata sued by recyclers for lost airbag values

2:41 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

The Automotive Recyclers Association has filed a lawsuit against Takata, claiming that auto recyclers that wanted to salvage and resell Takata-made airbags will be unable to do so.... Read More »

Cars recalled in U.S. reached 64 million in 2014, NHTSA says

4:13 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Carmakers recalled about 64 million vehicles in the United States last year, more than double the previous record set in 2004, according to official government data.... Read More »

Toyota Avalon gets light freshening, suspension tuning for 2016

3:45 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Toyota is giving its biggest car, the Avalon sedan, a light freshening for the 2016 model year. The biggest changes are to the car's four-wheel independent suspension system, which will be available in two settings.... Read More »

JAMES B. TREECE

In Canada, celebrating the classics

3:29 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

This week at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, an exhibit called “Art and the Automobile” includes a number of classics and historically significant concepts.... Read More »

Vancouver couple leases first fuel cell Hyundai Tucson in Canada

3:18 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

At the Toronto auto show Thursday, Hyundai introduced its new Tucson fuel cell vehicle -- and the car's first Canadian buyers. Hyundai bills the crossover as the first fuel cell vehicle available for lease by average consumers in Canada. But there are a number of caveats.... Read More »

Ram revamps top-end Laramie Limited's styling

12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Ram is restyling the top end of its pickup lineup with more chrome and a distinct new grille. Designers reworked the Laramie Limited trim's tailgate, front fascia and crosshair grille that were left over from when Ram vehicles were part of Dodge.... Read More »

Ford F-150, Subaru Legacy capture top honors in Canada

2:20 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

The Ford F-150 claimed another major award today when it was named 2015 Canadian Truck of the Year at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Subaru captured the Canadian Car of the Year honor for the first time since the award started in 1987 with the redesigned Legacy sedan.... Read More »

GM seeks banks' advice on dealing with activist investor group

12:13 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

General Motors has turned to two investment banks to help it come up with a response to a shareholder group demanding $8 billion in stock buybacks and a seat on the board of the automaker, the company told Reuters.... Read More »

BorgWarner Q4 revenue rises as net income declines slightly

11:04 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

BorgWarner, the turbocharger and emissions systems supplier, reported today fourth-quarter gains in revenues and a slight decline in net income.... Read More »

LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE

This is no way to run a railroad

10:12 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

I had originally intended to write this piece about the Chicago Auto Show’s great untapped natural resource, it’s location near the travel hub of North America. Not going to happen today.... Read More »

Chevy Silverado Custom priced for core buyers, offers more chrome

9:00 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Chevrolet, fresh off recent gains at the pricey end of the pickup market, is refocusing its aim at the everyman buyer with a more affordable, chrome-laden truck.... Read More »

HANS GREIMEL

Japan automakers cut forecasts but enjoy slumping yen.

6:47 am U.S. ET | Feb. 12, 2015

Japan's earnings season wrapped up this week on what would have been a sour note in any other auto market. Yet, Japan's automakers largely laughed it off because of the slumping yen.... Read More »

Tesla meets Model S production goal, but losses widen

5:30 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2015

Tesla's fourth-quarter net losses widened to $108 million from $16 million as the EV maker approached the final stages of development for its Model X crossover. Fourth-quarter revenues were $957 million, up 55 percent from $615 million. Tesla said it manufactured 11,627 vehicles in the fourth quarter.... Read More »

Honda CEO Ito resists moves for his ouster, report says

6:37 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 11, 2015

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito, under fire for how he is dismantling the traditional way the Japanese car maker sources parts and technologies, has resisted moves for his ouster and will fight on for another two-year term, four people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.... Read More »