Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mini blows up over women applying makeup in cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/mini-airbag-surprise-women-applying-makeup-in-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/mini-airbag-surprise-women-applying-makeup-in-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/mini-airbag-surprise-women-applying-makeup-in-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Applying makeup while driving

Distracted driving is a very real problem. From drivers with phones dangling from their ears to those constantly adjusting the stereo or dealing with rowdy children in the back seat, anything that diverts attention away from the act of driving is a potential danger. And yes, that would indeed include applying makeup while driving.

Publicis, the advertising agency used by Mini in Mexico, came up with an inventive (or offensive, depending on your point of view) way of reminding female drivers "that there's a time and place for everything." And while we're not quite sure of the veracity of the statistics cited in the video below, or even the necessity of its production in general, perhaps we'll just take it as a reminder to pay attention while driving... no matter what else happens to be on our minds. Or faces, as it were.

Scroll down below for the explosive demonstration.

Continue reading Mini blows up over women applying makeup in cars

Mini blows up over women applying makeup in cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagdistracted drivingmakeupmakeup while drivingmexicominipubliciswomen driversWed, 05 Jun 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20601010/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/05/mini-airbag-surprise-women-applying-makeup-in-cars/20601010/article-detail.xml 20601010 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/makeup-driving_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/makeup-driving.png <![CDATA['Worldwide, every third Audi will be an SUV by 2020']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/worldwide-every-third-audi-will-be-an-suv-by-2020/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/worldwide-every-third-audi-will-be-an-suv-by-2020/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/worldwide-every-third-audi-will-be-an-suv-by-2020/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 Audi Q5

Automotive News Europe reports the new Audi manufacturing facility in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico will increase the automaker's production capacity for the Q5 SUV by 150,000 units per year. While the plant will supply every market with the exception of China, most of the production is slated to head to the US.

While speaking with ANE, Audi CEO Rupert Stradler said, "Worldwide, every third Audi will be an SUV by 2020." So far this year, 40 percent of Audi vehicles sold in the US have been light trucks, with the company's sales in that segment jumping by 53 percent. By comparison, Audi passenger car sales have increased by just one percent.

The first Q5 vehicles from the San Hose Chiapa plant will show up on dealer lots in 2016. Audi of America recently received a larger 9,000-unit allocation of Q5 models after seeing sales increase 36 percent through April compared to the same period in 2012.

'Worldwide, every third Audi will be an SUV by 2020' originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi crossoveraudi q5audi suvmexicosuvTue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20558422/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/worldwide-every-third-audi-will-be-an-suv-by-2020/20558422/article-detail.xml 20558422 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-q5-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-q5-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda invests $470 million for new transmission plant in Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/honda-invests-470-million-for-new-transmission-plant-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/honda-invests-470-million-for-new-transmission-plant-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/honda-invests-470-million-for-new-transmission-plant-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under: ,



Honda has announced that it has made an initial investment of $470 million to build a brand new transmission plant in Celaya, Mexico. For those keeping track, this is the same city that will also house Honda's new automobile manufacturing facility, which will begin production of the Fit compact beginning in the spring of 2014.

This new transmission plant is expected to come online in the second half of 2015, with an annual production capacity of 350,000 units, though that number is expected to double in the years following the plant's opening. With a 700,000-unit production capacity, Honda says a full 1,500 new associates will be hired at the Mexican plant.

Honda will specifically use this new transmission plant for the production of CVTs for automobiles built in Mexico, as well as for cars produced in facilities around the world. It stands to reason, then, that since the next-generation Honda Fit will be built right around the corner from these new CVTs, the small hatchback - which is expected to grow into a full family of vehicles - could be fitted with continuously variable units in the future.

Scroll down for Honda's full press release.

Continue reading Honda invests $470 million for new transmission plant in Mexico

Honda invests $470 million for new transmission plant in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceyalacontinuously variable transmissioncvthondamexicotransmission plantFri, 03 May 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20557405/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/honda-invests-470-million-for-new-transmission-plant-in-mexico/20557405/article-detail.xml 20557405 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/11-2013-honda-civic-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/11-2013-honda-civic-review.jpg <![CDATA[Renault A-110 revival also planned in... Mexico?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Bulgaria, Brazil and Mexico were three of the countries licensed to build the Alpine A110 under license in the sixties and seventies. With the revival of the former Renault rally racing brand, Mexico, whose Dinalpin sold the earlier iteration, wants to do it again - but this time with no connection to the parent company. It's called Project SST-77 and it is being headed by Miguel Jimenez, with the aims of developing a "low capacity, low weight, agile, high performance" sports car.

The ultimate plan is to put a new fiberglass body designed by Alejandro Castañeda on top of a chassis being laid out by Mexican Auto Design, headquartered in the same city where Dinalpin fabricated Alpines decades ago. There's no timeline and no other details about what's going into the project, but we'll keep an eye out for any updates.

Renault A-110 revival also planned in... Mexico? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alejandro castanedaalpinealpine 110dinalpinmexican auto designmexicomiguel jimenezproject sst-77renaultsst-77Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532275/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/renault-a-110-revival-also-planned-in-mexico/20532275/article-detail.xml 20532275 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dinalpin-sst-77-project_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/dinalpin-sst-77-project.jpg <![CDATA[Mexico set to get second automaker, and it's a sports car company, too]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/#commentsFiled under: ,



With Mastretta and its home-cooked MXT-R already softening the beachhead for Mexican-made sports cars, a new company called VŪHL - an acronym that stands for "Vehicles of Ultra-lightweight and High-performance"­ - is coming to the scene.

The teaser image that you see above shows the VŪHL 05, which is tantalizingly described as a "road-legal lightweight supercar." The details are pretty scarce beyond that, save that we will witness the launch of the 05 at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

VŪHL itself was started by brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, who claim to have picked up their love of high performance cars from their GT and formula car-racing father, Guillermo Echeverria Sr. It is the Echeverria brothers' design firm, Etxe, that has penned the lines for the 05, while the production (of the bodies, at least) will take place in Canada and final assembly will happen in Mexico City. A report by Skiddmark.com indicates that big name suppliers like Magna Steyr, Mutimatic and Ford have a hand in the car, and some funding has come from the Mexican Government, as well. Consider our interest piqued.

Mexico set to get second automaker, and it's a sports car company, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>05echevarriamexican carmexican sports carmexicosupercarteaservuhlvuhl 05Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20505633/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/18/mexico-set-to-get-second-automaker-and-its-a-sports-car-compan/20505633/article-detail.xml 20505633 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vuhl-05-teaser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vuhl-05-teaser-628.jpg <![CDATA[North America's automakers ran at 97% of their production capacity last year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/north-americas-automakers-ran-at-97-of-their-production-capaci/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/north-americas-automakers-ran-at-97-of-their-production-capaci/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/north-americas-automakers-ran-at-97-of-their-production-capaci/#commentsFiled under:



Wards Auto began tracking North American light-vehicle production capacity utilization in 2005, and last year produced the highest amount on record: 97.8 percent of available production was utilized, an improvement of 9.3 percent versus the year before. The number represents straight-time capacity plus things like the addition of a third shift or a third crew and worker overtime due to less vacations. Production with straight-time capacity utilizing two shifts still came out to 97.1 percent in 2012, an improvement of 13.7 percent versus 2011.

In the US, capacity use was 91 percent, a rise of 12.2 percent year-on-year; the only plants to show a decline were the Ford/Mazda facility in Flat Rock that ceased production of the Mazda6 last year and where the Ford Fusion is now built, and the Subaru plant in Indiana that produces the Toyota Camry alongside Subaru vehicles. In Canada, the capacity-use numbers jumped 19.4 percent to 99.6 percent, and in Mexico overutilization was the theme, their plants running at 124 percent. The Mexican situation isn't new, that country exceeding 100 percent of capacity utilization in 2010 and 2011 as well. In total, 15.6 million vehicles were produced last year in North America, 842,000 more than in 2011.

North America's automakers ran at 97% of their production capacity last year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacapacitycapacity utilizationfactorymexiconorth americaplantsunited statesSat, 16 Feb 2013 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20461547/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/16/north-americas-automakers-ran-at-97-of-their-production-capaci/20461547/article-detail.xml 20461547 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ford-plant-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/ford-plant-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear USA</i> returns tonight [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/top-gear-usa-returns-tonight-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/top-gear-usa-returns-tonight-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/top-gear-usa-returns-tonight-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear USA Season 3

Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrara and Rutledge Wood are set to return to our television screens. The trio are back in action for the third season of Top Gear USA, and this time around, they'll be exploring even farther flung destinations. From testing the best college car for a road trip to Mexico to building a machine capable of taking on the apocalypse, the guys have plenty of entertaining stunts planned for the new season. You can check out the first episode of the season tonight at 9:00 PM EST on the History Channel.

Can't wait that long? We've got a teaser from the crew's jaunt to Mexico below. You can watch the guys play an automotive cross between pin the tail on the donkey, pinata and tag in a massive mud pit with a trio of hoopties. Our money was on Foust and his Eagle Talon, but we've been wrong before. As always, it's not any fun unless someone's life is in danger.

Continue reading Top Gear USA returns tonight [w/video]

Top Gear USA returns tonight [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam ferraramexicorutledge woodtanner fousttop geartop gear usatop gear usa season 3videoTue, 29 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20442324/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/29/top-gear-usa-returns-tonight-w-video/20442324/article-detail.xml 20442324 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tgusaseries3-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tgusaseries3-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda's new Mexican plant capacity rises to 230,000]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/mazdas-new-mexican-plant-capacity-rises-to-230-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/mazdas-new-mexican-plant-capacity-rises-to-230-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/05/mazdas-new-mexican-plant-capacity-rises-to-230-000/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



After the turmoil of last year, 2013 is getting off to a much better start for Mazda. The company has issued a release indicating that the forthcoming plant in Salamanca, Mexico has had its production capacity raised even though it isn't scheduled to go online until March 2014. The original plans called for a 140,000-unit capacity, 90,000 of that allotted for the Mazda2 and Mazda3, the remaining 50,000 for a small car Mazda would build for Toyota that would be based on the Mazda2. The new plans call for raising that by 90,000 units to a total of 230,000 units within two years, by the end of March 2016, and it looks like it will all go toward Mazda production to satisfy growing demand for Skyactiv vehciles. The Mexican plant's opening will be the return of Mazda manufacturing to North America, after Mazda6 production was moved back to Japan last year.

More good news for the company is that it projects 10 billion yen ($114 million) in net income for the financial year that will end in March. That would be a welcome turnaround from the 100-billion-yen loss in the previous financial year, part of a series of three annual losses in a four-year span.

You'll find the press release with the factory update below.

Continue reading Mazda's new Mexican plant capacity rises to 230,000

Mazda's new Mexican plant capacity rises to 230,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamazda2mazda3mexicoplantsproductionsalamancatoyotaSat, 05 Jan 2013 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20416902/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/05/mazdas-new-mexican-plant-capacity-rises-to-230-000/20416902/article-detail.xml 20416902 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mazdamexicocapacity_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mazdamexicocapacity.jpg <![CDATA[Japanese automakers ramping production for renewed American sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/japanese-automakers-ramping-production-for-renewed-american-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/japanese-automakers-ramping-production-for-renewed-american-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/japanese-automakers-ramping-production-for-renewed-american-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan took quite the toll on the automotive industry in that nation. Not content to lean on that tragedy as excuse for slagging sales, the Japanese automakers are planning on a major production expansion in North America. The aim is to reclaim the market share lost from the Tsunami-based dip, and overcome a dollar/yen exchange rate that makes exporting to America unprofitable.

Following the Tsunami, Japanese automakers ramped up production in their North American facilities to compensate, but according to Automotive News, Nissan, Honda and others have all reported plans for still-further increased production in the year ahead. As part of this ramp-up, Mazda will open a facility in Salamnca, Mexico before March of 2014. Part of that increase in output is 50,000 units of a Toyota-badged compact car, which Mazda will produce.

Other Mexican production facilities opening include a Honda plant, which will open in Spring 2014 in Celaya, and a Nissan plant, set to open later this year in Aguascalientes. Nissan also said that it will need another plant in North America within the next five years. According to Nissan Boss Carlos Ghosn, the company aims to raise its stake in the US market from 8 percent to 10, and adding production will help achieve that goal. Even Mitsubishi is aiming to boost production at its Normal, Illinois plant. Production of the Outlander Sport is currently at 50,000, which Mitsubishi wants to raise to 70,000.

All of these moves come in reaction to growing demand for Japanese cars, as well as the yen's growing value versus the American dollar. Such a disparity hurts Japanese automakers' ability to make a profit from exporting vehicles. As a result, moving production to the US and Mexico have become the best viable option.

Japanese automakers ramping production for renewed American sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factorieshondajapanmazdamexicomitsiubishinissantoyotayenWed, 21 Nov 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20383806/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/21/japanese-automakers-ramping-production-for-renewed-american-sale/20383806/article-detail.xml 20383806 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/honda-civic-plant-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/honda-civic-plant-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda to build small Toyota in Mexico for US consumption]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/mazda-to-build-small-toyota-in-mexico-for-us-consumption/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/mazda-to-build-small-toyota-in-mexico-for-us-consumption/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/mazda-to-build-small-toyota-in-mexico-for-us-consumption/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mazda2 - White - front three-quarter view

Mazda and Toyota have announced a partnership to produce a new vehicle for our market. Mazda will build a subcompact economy car for North America based on its own Mazda2 at its soon-to-be-finished facility in Mexico for sale under the Toyota banner. The plant will build around 50,000 units per year once production begins in during the summer of 2015, leaving a further 90,000-unit capacity for Mazda vehicles.

Toyota has invested a proportional amount of funds in the plant's production equipment to offset the cost, and hopes to have a more competitive North American lineup as a result of the collaboration. Mazda, meanwhile gains the benefit of spreading production costs over a greater number of vehicles per year.

The move certainly makes sense as Japanese manufacturers look to send more manufacturing out of Japan in the face of the stronger yen. In addition, last year's earthquake and tsunami disasters underscored the need for a production network capable of flexibly responding to localized disasters, leaving many Japanese automakers with production delays and thin supply.

Mazda, meanwhile, has increasingly sought outside assistance with its manufacturing and engineering efforts as it looks to turn a profit again. The company recently courted Italian automaker Fiat in a tie-up that will see Mazda develop the platform for the next-generation MX-5 Miata and an Alfa Romeo roadster. As for the new partnership, while Toyota isn't saying what this subcompact model will be called, we have to wonder if it's a next-generation Yaris. Last we heard, the subcompact was slated to be built in France and imported into the US. Check the brief press releases from both automakers below for more information.

Continue reading Mazda to build small Toyota in Mexico for US consumption

Mazda to build small Toyota in Mexico for US consumption originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamazda 2mazda mazda2mazda toyotamazda toyota partnershipmexicotoyotatoyota yarisyarisFri, 09 Nov 2012 10:17:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20375541/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/09/mazda-to-build-small-toyota-in-mexico-for-us-consumption/20375541/article-detail.xml 20375541 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mazda2-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mazda2-628.jpg <![CDATA[Jeep Cherokee left teetering on border fence after failed crossing attempt [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/jeep-cherokee-left-teetering-on-border-fence-after-failed-crossi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/jeep-cherokee-left-teetering-on-border-fence-after-failed-crossi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/jeep-cherokee-left-teetering-on-border-fence-after-failed-crossi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The XJ Jeep Cherokee is a remarkably capable off-roader. With good approach and departure angles, decent suspension flex from the factory and stout running gear, it will get you where you need to go within reason.

Unfortunately for some would-be immigrants, even that talented machine doesn't have the break-over angle necessary to drive over the border fence between the US and Mexico. Border Patrol agents came across this scene recently while on patrol, wherein a few innovative minds came up with a set of ramps to carry their XJ up and over the 14-foot-tall fence.

The Boarder Patrol has since seized the XJ, which means it will likely languish on a government lot until it goes to auction. While we imagine the vehicle's occupants simply set out on foot after the high-center incident, next time they might have a bit more luck with a Wrangler. You can check out a video of the SUV on the fence below.

Continue reading Jeep Cherokee left teetering on border fence after failed crossing attempt [w/video]

Jeep Cherokee left teetering on border fence after failed crossing attempt [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>border crossingborder fenceborder patrolcherokeejeepjeep border fencejeep cherokeejeep cherokee border fencemexicousvideoThu, 01 Nov 2012 14:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20367560/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/01/jeep-cherokee-left-teetering-on-border-fence-after-failed-crossi/20367560/article-detail.xml 20367560 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/euumexiconarcotraficantesspanazmy202-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/euumexiconarcotraficantesspanazmy202-opt.jpg <![CDATA[OnStar expands service to Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/onstar-expands-service-to-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/onstar-expands-service-to-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/onstar-expands-service-to-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



"Bienvenidos a OnStar."

General Motors Co. announced this afternoon that it's taking its OnStar services south of the border and will begin offering them in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles sold in Mexico in 2013. Services included: automatic crash response, 24/7 emergency services, stolen vehicle assistance, vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation, remote door unlock and the RemoteLink mobile app.

While OnStar does come with a monthly subscription fee, GM believes the having a human being on the other end of the line makes its service special.

The company may have a point. Extensive testing has shown there are some advantages to the service and humans generally have much better voice recognition abilities than Siri, Sync or even HAL. But individual customers must decide if it's worth the price.

The expansion of services means all of North America will now be covered by OnStar. GM also offers OnStar in China. Currently there are 6 million subscribers to OnStar. Scroll down to see the press release.

Continue reading OnStar expands service to Mexico

OnStar expands service to Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinagminfotainmentmexicoonstartelematicsThu, 06 Sep 2012 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20316596/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/06/onstar-expands-service-to-mexico/20316596/article-detail.xml 20316596 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gm-onstar-mexico_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gm-onstar-mexico.jpg <![CDATA[Audi chooses San José Chiapa, Mexico for new North American plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/04/audi-chooses-san-jose-chiapa-mexico-for-new-north-american-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/04/audi-chooses-san-jose-chiapa-mexico-for-new-north-american-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/04/audi-chooses-san-jose-chiapa-mexico-for-new-north-american-plan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Audi Q5 - dynamic front three-quarter view

Audi has announced that it has settled on San José Chiapa, Mexico for its newest production facility in North America.

The new plant will house production for the successor to the current Audi Q5 after the facility is up and running in 2016. Expected annual output capacity is projected to be 150,000 units. Construction work on the plant buildings is slated to begin in mid 2013.

After declaring its intention to build a new factory in North America earlier this year, the German automaker reviewed more than a dozen locations before settling on the municipality in the Mexican state of Puebla. Overall site conditions, logistic links and infrastructure and a good supply of well-qualified employees were chief amongst the reasons for the selection of San José Chiapa. It also probably doesn't hurt that parent company Volkswagen already has a plant in the area.

Audi maintains that the Mexican plant will help it meet "key requirements" of its overall growth strategy through 2020, including steady product supply to the North American market.

Said Audi General Works Council Chairman, Peter Mosch, "The new location in Mexico will unlock further growth for us, and also protect capacity at the main plants." Mosch continued, "The latter will increasingly step into the role of lead plants for our technologies in developing modern production methods, using new materials and joining techniques, and with regard to electric mobility."

The San José Chiapa plant will bring VW's total facilities in Mexico to three - the automaker also maintains a plant in Silao. Scroll down to read the official press release.

Continue reading Audi chooses San José Chiapa, Mexico for new North American plant

Audi chooses San José Chiapa, Mexico for new North American plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi q52014 audi q5audiaudi plantaudi plant in mexicomexicopueblaq5san josé chiapaTue, 04 Sep 2012 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315624/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/04/audi-chooses-san-jose-chiapa-mexico-for-new-north-american-plan/20315624/article-detail.xml 20315624 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2013-audi-q526_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2013-audi-q526.jpg <![CDATA[BMW pondering 3 Series assembly in Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmw-pondering-3-series-assembly-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmw-pondering-3-series-assembly-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/bmw-pondering-3-series-assembly-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 BMW 3 Series - red - front three-quarter view

BMW is strongly considering adding a North American production facility in Mexico. That's according to an Automotive News report, which says the German automaker is looking at four potential locations for a new assembly plant to produce the 3 Series.

BMW officials say that tax breaks and incentives have made areas like the north-central Mexican state of Queretaro a top contender for the home of the 3 Series sedan and the next generation front-wheel drive 1 Series.

BMW's first North American plant, its Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, started with 40,000 to 50,000 units annually and has increased as the years went on. According to the report, the proposed Mexico plant would start similarly and eventually grow to 100,000 to 150,000 units annually.

For comparison's sake, while Mercedes-Benz will bring production of the C-Class to to Vance, Alabama in 2014, Audi has opted for Mexico for its first North American plant. According to the report, Audi admits Mexico's lower wages were a draw compared to the U.S.

U.S. production of BMW is still significant, and there's no reason to think that if a new Mexico plant were to come online that any production would be taken away from the German automaker's stateside operations. BMW built over 275,000 vehicles in the United States in 2011. That's a jump of 75 percent from 2010, and it's only set to grow. BMW says that the plant is set to produce over 300,000 this year.

BMW pondering 3 Series assembly in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw 3 series3 series3-series328i335ibmwbmw mexicomexicoqueretaroMon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20294295/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/bmw-pondering-3-series-assembly-in-mexico/20294295/article-detail.xml 20294295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2012-bmw-3-series-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2012-bmw-3-series-628.jpg <![CDATA[Canadian railroad strike could pinch U.S. car supply]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Canadian Railway strike - locomotives in yard

TheDetroitBureau.com reports 5,000 Canadian Teamster union members moved to strike against the Canadian Pacific Railroad after last-minute negotiations failed to reach a fruitful agreement. As a result Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Honda and Toyota have all seen their vehicle shipments bottlenecked. The railroad company has closed a full 15,000 miles of track across both Canada and the U.S., and the Canadian government has already threatened take action to put an end to the standoff. Those tracks typically handle a large portion of vehicle commerce, including moving both complete cars and components to and from manufacturing facilities.

According to TDB, Canadian Pacific Railroad serves auto manufacturing facilities across Ontario and the U.S. Midwest, helping to link those plants with sister locations in Mexico. Chrysler says the company is currently investigating alternative shipping methods in the event the strike continues much longer. Honda, meanwhile, has said CR-V shipments have already been impacted by the issue.

Canadian railroad strike could pinch U.S. car supply originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadian pacificcanadian pacific railroadcanadian pacific railroad strikechryslerfordgeneral motorsgmhondamexicoontariorailroad strikestriketeamstertoyotaMon, 28 May 2012 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20245854/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/20245854/article-detail.xml 20245854 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/canada-rail-strike_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/canada-rail-strike.jpg <![CDATA[Audi headed south of the border, down Mexico way, for new SUV plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/audi-headed-south-of-the-border-down-mexico-way-for-new-suv-pl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/audi-headed-south-of-the-border-down-mexico-way-for-new-suv-pl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/audi-headed-south-of-the-border-down-mexico-way-for-new-suv-pl/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi rings

No surprises here. On a day in which Audi has dominated the news - by buying Ducati and unveiling a new concept for the Beijing auto show - it completes the hat trick by announcing that its new factory will be built in Mexico. Production is slated to begin in 2016, but Audi only announced that the plant would be building "an SUV model." Speculating on which that might be, we imagine it would make sense for one of the brand's high-volume nameplates to be built here in North America, which would point to the Q5.

Audi parent Volkswagen already operates facilities in the Mexican cities of Puebla and Silao, so the company is intimately familiar with the nuances of building cars in the country. That should help in getting the facility up to speed quickly, although Audi board members emphasized finding the right location in Mexico in their statement announcing the decision.

Audi also said it could supply vehicles from Mexico worldwide, and reiterated its goal of selling two million vehicles each year by 2020. That, of course, is part of Volkswagen's stated intent of becoming the world's largest carmaker by the end of this decade.

Continue reading Audi headed south of the border, down Mexico way, for new SUV plant

Audi headed south of the border, down Mexico way, for new SUV plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi mexicomexicopueblasilaovolkswagenvwWed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20218722/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/18/audi-headed-south-of-the-border-down-mexico-way-for-new-suv-pl/20218722/article-detail.xml 20218722 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-rings_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-rings.jpg <![CDATA[Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/honda-announces-fit-production-moving-to-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/honda-announces-fit-production-moving-to-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/honda-announces-fit-production-moving-to-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Honda Fit Sport

The strength of the Yen is forcing many Japanese automakers to consider building cars for export markets outside their home country. Honda is no different, and has confirmed that it will build the Fit hatchback at its new plant in Mexico starting in the spring of 2014.

The plant in Mexico is not the only location where Honda will build the Fit, but it will be used to supply the small hatchback to the large United States, Mexican and Canadian markets. Honda expects to build up to 200,000 subcompact vehicles per year at its plant near Celaya, Guanajuato.

Honda already builds a huge number of vehicles in North America. In fact, as pointed out in the press release after the break, more than 85 percent of the Honda and Acura models sold in America were built in the United States, Canada or Mexico. What's more, the addition of the Fit to the Accord, Civic, and CR-V means that all four of Honda's global nameplates will be produced in North America.

Continue reading Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico

Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 honda fitfithondahonda mexicojapanmexicoyenFri, 30 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20204399/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/30/honda-announces-fit-production-moving-to-mexico/20204399/article-detail.xml 20204399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-honda-fit-sport_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-honda-fit-sport.jpg <![CDATA[Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/mexico-finally-stomping-out-its-fleet-of-vw-bug-taxis/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/mexico-finally-stomping-out-its-fleet-of-vw-bug-taxis/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/mexico-finally-stomping-out-its-fleet-of-vw-bug-taxis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

VW Beetle taxis in Mexico City

If you've ever wanted to flag down one of Mexico City's classic Volkswagen Bug taxis, you'd better book your travel now. The last of the iconic cabs will be decommissioned by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press.

VW hasn't built the classic Beetle since 2003, the same year that Mexico City began requiring that taxi operators switch to four-door vehicles. The last Bugs that entered service as cabs back in 2002 have already been given two extra years of service compared to most taxis, according to the report.

The cabs are considered particularly dangerous, not just because they are essentially 74-year-old cars, but also because cab drivers generally remove the front passenger seat to facilitate access to the cramped rear quarters of the Beetle. But the cars are cheap to operate and according to one former Mexico City cabbie, help make the streets safer.

"Today the cars are bigger, and they drive faster," Vera Perez told the AP, "Before, they drove more cautiously, because any accident would destroy them."

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beetle taxibugmexicomexico citymexico city taxitaxitaxi cabvolkswagenvolkswagen beetlevolkswagen bugvwvw beetlevw bugTue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20191128/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/13/mexico-finally-stomping-out-its-fleet-of-vw-bug-taxis/20191128/article-detail.xml 20191128 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mexico-city-taxis-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/mexico-city-taxis-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Arizona police upset over viral video of high-speed Bugatti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/arizona-police-upset-over-viral-video-of-high-speed-bugatti/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/arizona-police-upset-over-viral-video-of-high-speed-bugatti/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/arizona-police-upset-over-viral-video-of-high-speed-bugatti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A video surfaced on YouTube last week that purported to show a Bugatti Veyron being driven at near top speed on public roads. Mind you, "near top speed" for a Veyron still means well above 200 miles per hour. The YouTube account owner who uploaded the video claims that the car made seven runs and reached speeds in the range of 215-225 mph. That's well short of 253 mph, the Bug's terminal velocity in Top Speed mode, but the Veyron was reportedly left in Handling Mode to accommodate the public road's uneven surface.

The video has attracted over 1,200,000 views after just one week on YouTube, and at least one of those views was the authorities in Arizona. Despite text in the video claiming that the high speed runs were shot "south of the border," police in Arizona were still none too thrilled with what Arizona Department of Public Spokesman Bart Graves called "a criminal act." The act in question is said to have occurred in late 2009, and since the driver's identity is never fully revealed, there's not much the authorities are likely going to do about it now. There's also no know way to know for certain where the video was shot, though Arizona police say the driver would be thrown in jail if he were caught trying to repeat the act in their jurisdiction.

The ironic thing is that the police did apparently have an opportunity to bust the driver, though they didn't know it at the time. The end of the video shows the Veyron pulled over on the side of the road by the Arizona Highway Patrol, but the video's description claims the driver wasn't cited because he was only going 80 mph at the time and the "officer stopped the car to take a look at it."

Follow the jump to get a look at the Bugatti going all out on public roads for yourself.

Continue reading Arizona police upset over viral video of high-speed Bugatti

Arizona police upset over viral video of high-speed Bugatti originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arizonabugattimexicosouth of the borderveyronyoutubeMon, 13 Feb 2012 17:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20170825/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/13/arizona-police-upset-over-viral-video-of-high-speed-bugatti/20170825/article-detail.xml 20170825 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bugatti-veyron-top-speed-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bugatti-veyron-top-speed-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan has a North American quality problem: suppliers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/nissan-has-a-north-american-quality-problem-suppliers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/nissan-has-a-north-american-quality-problem-suppliers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/nissan-has-a-north-american-quality-problem-suppliers/#commentsFiled under: ,



During the automaker's Quality Forum, reporters were told that Nissan had reduced "nonconforming deliveries," a euphemism for bad batches of parts from vendors, by 85 percent from 2007 to 2011. Yet problems remain, according to a report in Automotive News, with suppliers in North America - both the U.S. and Mexico - who account for 70 percent of Nissan's global nonconforming deliveries.

That statistic presents another challenge to Nissan's North American expansion plans. The company built a quarter of its global production here last year and it just announced a new complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Additionally, it has already confirmed a deal to build engines for Daimler and it has already suggested that it and Daimler will do more than just cooperate on small cars.

Nissan hasn't named suppliers, nor did it get into the kinds of issues it was having. It also isn't immediately clear what - if any - of these "nonconforming" parts are being assembled into vehicles that are shipped to dealers without getting flagged at a quality checkpoint somewhere along the assembly process. Even if all of the bad parts are caught ahead of delivery to customers, remedying the problem is likely to be costly and time-consuming.

Even so, Nissan is on the case, with AN reporting that the Japanese automaker has already cut the rate of nonconfirming deliveries by 85 percent globally since 2007.

Nissan has a North American quality problem: suppliers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mexiconissan suppliersnissan vendorsnorth americasuppliersvendorsWed, 01 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20160648/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/01/nissan-has-a-north-american-quality-problem-suppliers/20160648/article-detail.xml 20160648 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nissanlogoquality_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/nissanlogoquality.jpg -1 2