Evander Klum

The Chevy Equinox was recently given the first Green Car Vision Award by the Green Car Journal. Said award was given to the vehicle at the Washington Auto Show.

Johnson Controls announced that they will be supplying Ni-MH battery packs to Chery for its hybrid car. Said car will be available in China later this year.

Honda and Nissan have led the Asian auto manufacturers in US sales gain in November. Honda’s sales increase by 4.7 percent after it has introduced the redesigned Accord last September. Meanwhile, the third biggest automaker in Japan, Nissan has gained a 6.1 percent sales growth attributed to the sale of its new Rogue small sport-utility vehicle.

Japanese automaker Subaru now releases the details of its new model that will enter the super mini segment in the European market. Equipped with a wide range of features, high performance and fuel efficient powertrain, the Subaru's super mini model called the Justy will roll out in European dealerships carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of only 8,495 British Pounds.

Honda is rising in the automotive success ladder slowly but surely. And with the introduction of the first ever hydrogen fuel cell car—the FCX Clarity-- to be made available to the market, the Japanese automaker was able to advance two steps on the ladder ahead of other automakers. The FCX Clarity is scheduled to go into production in 2008.

Acura is considering a makeover of its flagship sedan – the RL – for next year. It is part of the brand’s effort to rescue the RL, despite having desirable features and technology such as the Super-Handling All Wheel Drive - as it has never gained the interest of buyers for the past years since the model has been launched.

In a lawsuit filed at the start of November, an employee in a plant run by two giant automakers, General Motors and Toyota Motor Corp. complained that her supervisors allow serious defects in their produced vehicles. The defects the worker said includes faulty seat belts and braking which can jeopardize the safety of the driver and passengers.

Lexus introduces the LS 600hL, the world’s first V-8 all-wheel-drive hybrid, packed with impressive technology such as the intuitive park assist advanced pre-collision system, sophisticated Mark Levinson sound system and heated/cooled ventilated seat.

Saab created the XWD “Cross Wheel Drive” system to optimize vehicle handling and stability in all driving conditions. The system is sustained with pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels and an active rear limited-slip differential for efficient torque transfer.

The Saab XWD “Cross Wheel Drive” system was developed in Sweden with Haldex of Stockholm and designed to provide optimum vehicle handling and stability in any type of driving conditions. The same system is also equipped in the 2008 Saab Turbo X and Aero version of the 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi and offered in combination with an enhanced 280hp (206kW), 2.8 V6 turbo engine made 15 percent more powerful with maximum torque of 400Nm/295 lbs/ft.