Women History Spotlight: GM Joins FCA, Having The First Black Woman On The Board Of Directors

Linda Gooden

Linda Gooden is the first black woman to serve on the board of General Motors. The former executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation joined the board in February. Ironically, Gooden began her 40-year career at the former Packard Electric Division of GM. In 2010, she was appointed to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee by President Obama. With the addition of Gooden, she now becomes the thirteen board member and the second black to currently sit on GM's board. Five women serves on GM's board, including the CEO, Mary Barra, the industry's first female to run a major automaker.

2015 Nissan Versa Note SR: Humming A New Tune With Comfort Features

Highlights:  This is the second model year for the Versa Note, which is a hatchback. A sedan model is also available.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $19,180 (base price $15,005)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features (SR model) airbags; ABS; traction control; electronic brake distribution; a vehicle stability control system; fog lights; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (SR model): 16-inch wheels; a CVT automatic transmission; manual suede-like (front) seats; 6-way adjustable driver’s seat;  a leather wrapped sport-steering wheel; active grille shutters for fuel efficiency measures; remote keyless entry; cruise control; power windows; automatic rolling door locks; keyless entry system; a rear spoiler; and a USB port

Segment Exclusive: The Evoque Goes Topless In 2016

The 2016 Range Rover Evoque

Tata Motors, which owns Land Rover and Jaguar, is creating a segment buster in 2016, going topless with its stylish premium compact utility, the Evoque in 2016.

Recall Mondays: Cadillac, Chrysler, Hyundai And Kia Are In The Hot Seat

1. AUTOMAKER: Cadillac

NO. OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 58,698

SUMMARY:

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to February 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the power-operated roof panels auto-close when the non-recessed "Slide" or "Tilt" switches are pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

CONSEQUENCE:

Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

2015 Lexus RC 350: The Coupe We’ve Been Waiting for The Luxury Automaker to Build

 Highlight: The last two door coupe in the brand’s line up was the SC which faded away in 2000, after being replaced by a mature looking hardtop convertible.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $53,880 (Base Price $43,715)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; daytime running lights; LED headlights; ABS: electronic brake distribution; a brake assist system; a traction control system; heated outside rear mirrors; and Lexus’ Enform Safety Connect Automatic Collision System

Tweet Of The Day: Inside A Car Design Studio

Walking about design office it often strikes me that as professional designers that there are so many… http://t.co/c5UeHt060J
— Ralph Gilles (@RalphGilles) February 20, 2015

Ed Welburn: One Of The Most Influential Car Designers Named Black Engineer Of The Year

Earlier this month General Motors vice president of global design Ed Welburn received the Black Engineer of the Year Award at this year’s Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM conference.

Some 6,500 conference attendees – students, educators and industry representatives –watched as GM Board of Directors member Errol Davis and executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain Mark Reuss, presented the top award to Welburn. He is the first African American to lead a global automotive design organization.

Throwback Thursday Auto Rewind

Make: Toyota

Model: 1967 2000 GT Coupe

Engine: 2.0-liter
            2.3-liter

Horsepower: 150-hp

Info From Wikpedia:  a limited-production, front-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat, hardtop coupé grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha. First displayed to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965, the 2000GT was manufactured under contract by Yamaha between 1967 and 1970. 

Cadillac Debuted New Flagship At The Oscars

Cadillac took a page from Nissan with their recent Super Bowl ad, revealing their much-anticipated flagship, the Maxima.  Cadillac did the same with their new flagship, the CT6, which is slated to go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series. Like the Nissan Maxima, the CT6 will make its first auto show appearance at the New York Auto Show. This is fitting for Cadillac since they are relocating the luxury brand to the Big Apple.