Jaguar has announced they will introduce a limited-edition, high-performance Jaguar called the XKR 175. The super car, whose name, 175, indicates how many models will be produced in the U.S., will arrive at Pebble Beach later this summer in celebration of  he historic brand’s 75th anniversary. This car complements another 75th-anniversary model, called the XKR 75, which will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July in England. There are slight differences between the U.S. and Europe versions. Most notably, the car to be sold in Western European markets will be a touch more powerful, with outputs of 530 hp and 483 lb-ft of torque.

The North American version will make 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque from the 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The electronically limited top speed is raised to 174 mph. The XKR 175 also gets a unique wheel design similar to those worn on the XJ supercharged model. There is also a special interior and enhanced aero packaging that includes a taller rear spoiler.

The New York International Car Show has arrived, it officially opens today, April 2nd. the show is open to the public until April 11. For any car enthusiast, this is a great way to see the latest models, premiers, and new technology. The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City and is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. World debuts include the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, the Chevrolet Cruze RS Package, and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, all and much anticipated models. For further details about this year’s show, visit the official New York Int’l Car Show website.

The 80th International Motor show is coming up March 4-14 in Geneva. Among the premiers of the show will be the 2011 Mazda 5 microvan. The new Mazda  5 isn’t a huge departure from the current model, but it may be the most literal implementation of Mazda’s “nagare” (flow) design language yet. The large headlamps and large grille apertures copy those on the Mazda 3, but the 5 sports unique wave-like character lines around its beltline. Designers also incorporated the taillights — previously mounted in the D-pillars –into the rear fenders, allowing the 5 to bear some resemblance to other Mazda products.
Thus far, Mazda’s only released specifications for the European-spec model, which also receives a new direct-injection 2.0-liter I-4. We’ve yet to see the final specifications for the North American 5, but we hope something a little more powerful than the current 2.3-liter I-4 — perhaps the 2.5-liter mill from the Mazda 3 — makes its way underhood. Inside, the Mazda 5 is treated an updated dashboard that borrows heavily from the current 3. The twin-gauge instrument cluster, along with the upper half of the instrument panel, is patterned (if not borrowed) from its little sibling. The 5 will continue to be offered in both 6- and 7-passenger forms, but as was the case with the last model, it’s unlikely the latter will be sold in North America.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of some 24,177 late-model Chrysler Group vehicles over potentially faulty brakes. The problem effects the model year 2010 Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, and the 2009-2010 Dodge Ram.

The problem in question involves a retaining clip for the brake booster input rod – part of the brake hydraulics – which could be either be deformed or missing entirely. In such cases, the brakes could fail entirely and, suffice it to say, cause a crash. If you own one of these 24,000 vehicles, the government agency advises that you contact your local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer for servicing post-haste. Details in recall notice after the jump.

Here is the NHTSA’s Report

Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy:
CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. J37. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Last year the NAIAS 2009 featured more than 50 vehicle debuts; with over 30 of those being worldwide introductions. Nearly 5,500 journalists attended NAIAS 2009 from nearly 50 countries. More than 650,000 visitors passed through the doors during public days. NAIAS is uniquely positioned to be four shows in one – a media preview, an industry preview, a charity preview and a public show with a 9-day run. Here are the dates for the events:
Press Preview – January 11-12, 2010

The North American International Auto Show 2010 is where the global automotive community comes together to catch up on the latest.  Join more of your peers from around the world at the industry’s most substantive annual event.  In addition to 60 new vehicle premieres – including some of the automotive world’s most eagerly anticipated – you’ll gain unprecedented access to more of the industry’s top leaders and thinkers in one place than anywhere else in the hemisphere.

Industry Preview – January 13-14, 2010

Connect with automotive professionals representing almost 1,000 companies and share insights with over 14,000 of your peers.  Make new connections.  Forge new alliances.  Give yourself new inspiration to lead and succeed.  This unique networking opportunity brings together the latest automotive products and services with the key minds behind them all under one roof.
Charity Preview – January 15, 2010

Enjoy the first views of the spectacular North American International Auto Show 2010. Charity Preview is your opportunity to be a part of one of the most exclusive, high profile events in the nation.  Proceeds directly benefit a wide range of children’s charities.  Funds raised will support services for children of all ages from birth to 18.  Since 1989, the Charity Preview has raised more than $79 million for southeastern Michigan children’s charities – over $35 million of which was raised in the last six years alone.
Public Show – January 16-24, 2010

Experience the next generation of transportation at the North American International Auto Show 2010.  See more than 700 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world and experience North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase.

Good news for the auto industry has finally come in the last month of 2009. December is the U.S.’s industry’s strongest year-over-year sales increase of what’s been a dismal 2009. A 15 percent spike in new vehicle sales has been predicted in December. December would be just the third month of 2009 with a sales increase. The others, in August and in November, had tiny gains. The August advance stemmed from the U.S. cash-for-clunkers incentive program. November and December benefited from comparisons to a market that collapsed at the end of 2008. Total December sales are projected at 1.03 million vehicles, up from 895,152 a year earlier. J.D. Power expects December retail sales to jump 20 percent to 839,600. Fleet sales should drop by 2.5 percent, or 5,000 vehicles. That is higher than November’s rate of 10.5 million and it would be third highest of the year, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Total light-vehicle sales in November were 747,086. J.D. Power based its forecast on sales activity during the first 17 days of the month. During the first 11 months of the year, U.S. light vehicle sales plunged 24 percent to 9.4 million. Subaru, Hyundai and Kia are the only brands to advance this year.

The all new 2010 Ram HD has earned a great achievement by being name the Motor Trend Truck of the Year. Motor Trend Truck of the Year® contenders are evaluated using six criteria, which includes design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value. To be eligible, a vehicle must have been substantially changed from the previous model.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups.

For 2010, the all-new Ram Heavy Duty is available in five distinct trim models-ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie. Each has a unique appearance and offers various equipment options. Ram Heavy Duty delivers the performance and amenities customers demand. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness. A coil-spring suspension setup is used up front, while the multi-leaf spring design is maintained in the rear for heavy-duty capability. Front and rear shocks and springs are tuned for optimum ride quality and capability.

Improved suspension tuning and new C-pillar hydra mounts were added to the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty models to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake, which means an improved ride for the customer.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups offer the only standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) increase brake life and braking stability. The Dodge Columbia Ram provides the latest in safety technology for truck owners.

An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control in towing situations. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which is standard on all Ram heavy duty models equipped with a diesel engine and available on gas SLT, TRX and Laramie models.

The ‘Clunker’ program is officially over. The Transportation Department extended the deadline Monday for auto dealers to submit their Cash for Clunkers deals, giving them more time to make sure they get repaid under the popular $3 billion government rebate program. Dealers were given until noon Tuesday to submit the necessary paperwork, after the deadline was pushed back from 8 p.m. EDT Monday. All sales under the program ended Monday evening. The change came after government computers set up to handle the filings buckled under a flood of dealers trying to send in their sales agreements at the last minute. The big rush of filings on Monday shut down the filing system temporarily, prompting auto dealers to push for an extension. Many car dealerships have worked overnight in recent days to submit the 13-page application to be reimbursed for the trade-in vehicle, including the title, proof of registration and proof of insurance.

The good news was the program was far more popular than expected; the bad news was the government computer system that handles the filings was not quite ready for so any transactions.  However, about half way through transportation officials expanded its computer network capacity and tripled the number of staffers working on the program. Transportation officials claim the program was an unprecedented success and a boost for car dealers, automakers, scrap yards and financial institutions.

Cash for Clunkers, which is officially known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) — is a federal program passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on June 24. The program is meant to encourage consumers to trade in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles for new vehicles that get better fuel economy by providing a credit worth up to $4,500. Modeled after several programs that have already been successfully implemented in Europe, the program is expected to begin on this month and end on November 1, 2009. There are many who favor this program, and are hoping for results in stimulating the auto industry and improving vehicle emmissions. however, there are many who feel as thought it is a worthless program, as vehicles must be worth less then $4500 and have an average EPA of 18 mpg or less.  Considering the standards, opponents say, there are very few vehicles that will qualify.  To get the whole story check out this article on the Cash for Clunkers program, the pros, the cons, and what it will mean for car owners and dealers alike.

The latest news for Chevy is that General Motors will keep its new subcompact car production in the US.  GM originally planned to make the new car in China, basing it on the Chevrolet Spark set for sale next year in Europe. But in May, GM agreed to make the car in the United States in exchange for UAW concessions in advance of the automaker’s June 1 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in New York. Although two of GM’s factories will still close, the automaker’s Orion Township, Mich. Factory will be retooled and will make as many as 160,000 small and compact vehicles a year on two shifts. The Spring Hill and Janesville plants, which had been candidates for the small car, now face the prospect of indefinite idling.  Stamping for the new car will take place in Pontiac, Mich., GM said in a statement. The small car, which GM said it plans to start producing in 2011, will save about 1,200 jobs in Orion and 200 in Pontiac.

The Orion Township plant currently makes the Chevy Malibu and the Pontiac G6 sedans and was scheduled for standby idling in September. GM is phasing out its Pontiac brand by the end of 2010, and the automaker also builds the Malibu in Kansas, City, Kan.

GM’s plant location for the car became politicized because the U.S. government is slated to own 60 percent of GM once the company emerges from bankruptcy protection. Last week, the Michigan congressional delegation launched an all-out lobbying effort to land the plant.