Auto Racing

DEARBORN, MI – Ford, the most fuel-efficient full-line manufacturer, introduces the first seven-passenger people mover expected to break the 30 mpg-plus highway barrier with the all-new Transit Connect Wagon, which drives like a car, has the flexibility of a utility and can haul the payload of a full-size pickup.

“Transit Connect Wagon gives young families and people on the go the fun-to-drive and efficient vehicle they’ve been looking for,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas. “It’s an all-new, smaller seven-seater that has better mileage than larger vans and creates a segment of its own. Customers also will love the unique combination of style, adaptability and affordability this wagon brings.”

Transit Connect Wagon is offered in five- and seven-passenger configurations, and in XL, XLT and Titanium series levels. No other wagon in the market today offers the convenience of fold-flat seating, at least a 1,200-pound (540 kilograms) payload and more than 100 cubic feet (2800 litres) of cargo space.

When properly equipped, this versatile wagon is approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds (908 kilograms), 500 pounds (227 kilograms) more than a four-cylinder Toyota Highlander SUV.

Have it your way

Transit Connect Wagon offers customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an optional 1.6-litre EcoBoost® that is estimated to deliver 30 mpg-plus on the highway. This powertrain makes Transit Connect Wagon the gas mileage leader among seven-passenger vehicles.

Both engines come mated to a convenient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising.

Transit Connect Wagon is available in a wide variety of configurations and series levels, offering unexpected features in a high-value package with low operating costs.

This stylish, contemporary design is offered with a choice of five- or seven-passenger seating arrangements, and offers meaningful options like a full-glass panoramic roof, rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC® with MyFord Touch® – Ford’s highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system.

Transit Connect Wagon’s global design includes premium cues throughout such as available full body-color exterior accents with jewel-like chrome trim and high-gloss interior trim pieces. A range of seating surfaces, from luxurious leather, comfortable cloth and heavy-duty vinyl, is available to suit the specific needs of a wide variety of potential customers.

Commercial-strength DNA in a family versatility vehicle

Transit Connect Wagon’s work-hard/play-hard nature is reflected in cargo-carrying capacity and room for up to seven comfortably seated passengers, wrapped in a high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards.

The all-new Transit Connect Wagon builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the current Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors, thanks to its unmatched combination of payload and cargo capacities, adaptability, fuel efficiency, maneuverability and overall ease of driving.

Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative “white space” vehicle – literally carving out a new category in the market – by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show.

Transit Connect has become a favorite of small businesses, corporate fleets, taxi operators and a few individualistic owners who find its combination of a car-like ride and the cargo capacity of a van just right for their personal use.

“The all-new Transit Connect Wagon will expand the personal-use audience for this versatile nameplate by offering up to seven-passenger capacity across three rows of seating in a fully trimmed interior,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford vice president of Global Engineering, Global Product Development. “It has an extensive selection of comfort, convenience and connectivity options, and a full complement of safety features – making it a modern, family-friendly alternative to oversized minivans.”

All Transit Connect Wagon models feature first-row frontal, pelvis and side airbags, with first-, second- and third-row side curtain airbags.

Ford’s award-winning MyKey® programmable ignition key enables restricting maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, bringing additional peace of mind to both parents and fleet administrators alike.

Transit Connect Wagon even offers a child observation mirror so parents can keep track of children safely belted in second- and third-row seats.

Infinite adaptability

Inside, the Transit Connect Wagon package is a rolling showcase for adaptability in hauling both people and cargo.

From its 60/40 three-passenger second-row bench seat through fold-flat second- and third-row seating with third-row independent fore-and-aft sliding capability, Transit Connect Wagon quickly adapts to accommodate multiple combinations of people and cargo.

Also available is an electric windshield defroster, making short work of icy windshields in winter conditions.

The versatile Transit Connect Wagon offers far better fuel efficiency than traditional minivans, compact-car-like maneuverability and handling, combined with unprecedented payload and cargo capabilities.

Look for Transit Connect Wagon to appear in North American Ford dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2013. Consumers can get more information and learn more about the Transit Connect Wagon at http://ford.com/transitconnectwagon.

DETROIT, MI - Chrysler is recalling more than 919,000 older-model Jeep SUVs worldwide, including more than 49,000 in Canada, because the air bags can inflate while people are driving.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday that the recall affects Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 2002 through 2004 model years. Also covered are Jeep Libertys from model years 2002 and 2003.

Chrysler Canada says the 49,430 vehicles involved in the recall in Canada are evenly divided between the two models.

In addition to Canada, the recall involves 745,000 SUVs in the U.S. and 22,000 in Mexico. The rest are outside North America.

A part can fail in the air bag control computer, and the front and side air bags can inflate while the SUVs are being driven. An investigation by the safety agency found that the air bags went off 215 times, causing 81 minor injuries.

No crashes were reported.

Chrysler says dashboard warning lights normally come on before the air bags are inflated. If that happens, the driver should contact a Jeep dealer.

Chrysler, which makes Jeeps, will install an electrical harness to fix the problem. The company will begin notifying owners of the recall in January.

In a separate statement on the recall, Chrysler said the fix is aimed at addressing the potential for both inadvertent air bag and pretensioner deployment. Pretensioners tighten seatbelts before an impact.

"Affected vehicles will be fitted with a filter that restores the control module’s intended function — to accommodate proper deployment of air bags and pretensioners," Chrysler said.

The repair will be made at no cost to customers.

TORONTO, ON - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) announced that Mazda's plant in Mexico, currently under construction, will produce a Toyota-brand vehicle for sale mainly in North America. The sub-compact Toyota-brand vehicle, to be based on the Mazda2, is to start production around the summer of 2015 at a pace of 50,000 units per year and will be sold through Toyota dealerships.

Mazda's plant in Mexico is scheduled to start production within the fiscal year ending March 2014, with Toyota investing an appropriate portion of production equipment costs and development costs related to the Toyota vehicle and also an appropriate portion of costs related to the plant's production-capacity increase.

Through the agreement, TMC aims to strengthen its North American vehicle lineup, while Mazda aims to increase production efficiency and contribute to its profitability.

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Mazda Mexico Plant Outline (as of June 17, 2011 Mazda announcement)

Company nameMazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

LocationSalamanca city, Guanajuato state, Mexico

ProductsMazda2, Mazda3

Annual production capacity140,000 units

EmployeesApprox. 3,000

Richmond Hill, ON – Suzuki Canada Inc. announced today that, despite the announcement earlier today by its affiliate, American Suzuki Motor Corp., of its decision to focus its operations on the long-term growth of its motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and marine divisions by winding down and discontinuing new automobile sales in the continental U.S., Suzuki Canada has no current plans to discontinue new automobile sales in Canada. 

While American Suzuki’s realignment of its operations will be achieved through a restructuring of its operations under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Suzuki Canada is not contemplating any form of court-supervised restructuring in Canada.

“Suzuki’s customers can confidently continue to purchase new vehicles, obtain service, parts and accessories and take full advantage of Suzuki Canada’s warranty program,” said Bill Porter, Senior Vice President, Automobile Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Canada.  “Suzuki Canada, including its Automotive Division, remains fully open for business in Canada, and will be honouring all customer commitments.”

“While Suzuki Canada will continue to monitor market conditions in light of the U.S. filing, we have no current plans to change Suzuki Canada’s operations as a result of the events in the U.S.,” Mr. Porter said.  “Suzuki Canada remains proud of the upcoming 2013 model year for new automobiles, which will continue uninterrupted as planned”. 

Suzuki Canada’s customer service, distribution and supply chain will continue with no disruption:

·         Suzuki Canada Customers – The Company’s warranties and other service commitments remain in full effect.

·         Suzuki Canada Employees – Employees will continue to report to work as scheduled.  Wages and benefits will continue without interruption.

·         Suzuki Distribution – Suzuki Canada expects to continue to distribute high quality Suzuki vehicles, parts and accessories into the foreseeable future. 

·         Suzuki Suppliers – Suzuki Canada’s suppliers will continue to be paid for the delivery of products and services, and supply will continue without interruption.  

·         Suzuki Dealers – Suzuki Canada expects that its dealers will continue to sell and service Suzuki’s valued customers.