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Detroit 3 to implement delayed unified towing standards for 2015

Car buyers have a responsibility to be well-informed consumers. That's not always a very simple task, but some guidelines are self-evident. If you live in a very snowy climate, you generally know a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro might not be as viable a vehicle choice as an all-wheel drive Explorer or Traverse, for example. If you want a fuel-efficient car, it's generally a good idea to know the difference between a diesel and a hybrid. But what if it's kind of tough to be an informed consumer? What if the information you need is more difficult to come by, or worse, based on different standards for each vehicle? Well, in that case, you might be a truck shopper.
For years, customers of light-duty pickups have had to suffer through different ratings of towing capacities for each brand. For 2015 model year trucks, though, that will no longer be a problem. According to Automotive News, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group have announced that starting with next year's models, a common standard will be used to measure towing capacity. The Detroit Three will join Toyota, which adopted the Society of Automotive Engineers' so-called SAE J2807 standards way back in 2011.
The standard was originally supposed to be in place for MY2013, but concerns that it would lower the overall stated capacity for trucks led Detroit automakers to pass. Ford originally passed, claiming it'd wait until its new F-150 was launched to adopt the new standards, leading GM and Ram to follow suit. Nissan, meanwhile, has said it will adopt the new standards as its vehicles are updated, meaning the company's next-generation Titan should adhere to the same tow ratings as its competitors.

Hyundai, BMW and Ford win Concept Vehicle of the Year awards

More than two dozen jurors started with a pool of 23 concept cars introduced at the most recent Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto and New York auto shows, then pared it down to three winners in three categories for the twelfth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. The trophy-bearers are said to be those "vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry," and lead their classes in the Concept Car, Concept Truck and Production Preview divisions.
Hyundai had two cars as finalists for the Concept Car category, the competition boiled down to the Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis concept, Veloster C3 Roll Top, Honda EV-STER and the Toyota Corolla Furia. It won with the HCD-14 Genesis that was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show, a sharp sedan that sharply divided opinion between those who thought it was too much, those who thought it was too much Audi A7, and those who thought it was perfect. The award panel's judges, however, thought so much of it that it's got two awards in one sitting, not only taking concept car honors, but because it earned the highest overall score in the competition it also takes the crown for Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2013.
The final selection in the Concept Truck category was down to the Ford Atlas, Kia Cross GT, Nissan Resonance and Volkswagen Cross Blue. The Ford Atlas took the silverware, after also winning the Eyes on Design award - shared with the Nissan Resonance - at the Detroit Auto Show where it was introduced.

Recharge Wrap-up: 1st Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell in Bay Area, Nikola Tesla rally

Enthusiasts in Croatia are celebrating Nikola Tesla with an EV rally. This June, drivers of a wide variety of electric cars will take part in the 2016 Nikola Tesla EV Rally Croatia. The rally takes place over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from June 1 to June 5, 2016. It is being billed as "the quietest and most beautiful rally ever." Nikola Tesla would have turned 160 on July 10 of 2016. Check out the invitation video above, and read more at the rally website or on Facebook. Mexico is fining Ford $1.05 million for selling vehicles without proper environmental certifications. Mexico's Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) says that the automaker sold some 4,690 vehicles without required compliance certificates related to emissions and noise level regulations. The offending vehicles include 2015 and 2016 models from both Ford and Lincoln. Read more from Automotive News. Hyundai has sold its first Tucson Fuel Cell in Northern California. The hydrogen powered crossover was sold by Capitol Hyundai of San Jose. "Capitol Hyundai is excited to be a qualified dealer for Hyundai's zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle," says Capitol Hyundai owner Shaun Del Grande. "Our location in the Bay Area region is Hyundai's first in Northern California, making it more convenient for local residents to conveniently acquire their new Tucson Fuel Cell CUV, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions where they work and live." Tucson Fuel Cell drivers have accumulated over 1 million emissions-free miles in California since the car went on sale in 2014, preventing over 400 tons of CO2 emissions. Read more in the press release below. CAPITOL HYUNDAI OF SAN JOSE CELEBRATES FIRST FUEL CELL CUSTOMER DELIVERY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA First Hyundai Fuel Cell Dealer in Northern California Proudly Delivers its First Fuel Cell amidst a Rapidly Growing Bay Area Hydrogen Infrastructure SAN JOSE, Calif., May 2, 2016 – Capitol Hyundai of San Jose, California, a proud member of the Del Grande Dealer Group, delivered the first zero-emissions Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle in the Northern California region today. Capitol Hyundai is the fifth qualified dealer for Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell, and the first Hyundai fuel cell dealer in Northern California. Hyundai was the first manufacturer in the U.S. to offer consumers the opportunity to lease a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, the zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell CUV.