American-made Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Production Begins

Mitsubishi has begun production of the American-made Outlander Sport.

With a production goal of 50,000 annual units of the compact crossover initially, and up to 20,000 more possible, half of the Outlander units will be exported outside of North America.

The newly-revised-for-2013 Outlander will go on sale in early August at an MSRP of $19,170.

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U.S. Economy Benefiting From Foreign Automaker Success

Both Honda and Toyota have increased output significantly recently as they recover from the 2011 tsunami. And that improvement, with Honda up 75% and Toyota 66%, has had a ripple effect on local American economy.

Tupelo, Mississippi benefited when Toyota moved into nearby Blue Springs to begin manufacturing the Corolla with an unemployment reduction of 8%, Mayor Jack Reed, Jr. explained the relationship between Toyota’s success and the Subsequent Tupelo boon.

"Both unemployment and revenues have been affected by Toyota. It's a great thing when you get people back employed; when instead of using a food pantry now they volunteer at one."

Reed also explained that collections of sales tax have increased 6.4% in 2012.

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General Motors Supports Ride Sharing with OnStar

In a partnership with RelayRides, General Motors has plans to enable owners to rent out idle vehicles using the OnStar technology.

While primarily known as a way to report accidents or retrieve keys from a locked interior, would-be renters would also be able to locate a vehicle and unlock the doors via text message.

Nick Pudar, vice president of OnStar Strategy and New Business Development, explained, "General Motors, through OnStar, and RelayRides have joined forces to create an entirely new mobility solution for U.S. drivers interested in more affordable, sustainable and collaborative automobile options. Our exclusive relationship with RelayRides provides an exciting new choice: the first automobiles to run on collaborative consumption."

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