Tesla Motors has cut the ribbon for its 100th Supercharger station, located at a shopping center in Hamilton, New Jersey.

The company invited New Jersey state legislators, Tesla executives, owners and other supporters to help celebrate the milestone, which represents the 86th Supercharger location in North America.

“We’re building a network that will ultimately mean drivers will never be more than 100 miles from a Supercharger,” the company said in a statement. “By the end of next year, we’ll have 98 percent of the U.S. population covered.”

The broad network enables drivers to pass up and down the West Coast and East Coast, or take a curved route across the entire country, without requiring drivers to find alternative charging sources.

The proprietary chargers provide a free 120 kW connection, enabling the Model S with an 85 kWh battery to add 170 miles of range in a half hour. Current is reduced as the battery fills, however, requiring 75 minutes to top off a completely drained battery of the same capacity.

The 100th station is located a stone’s throw from the New Jersey capitol of Trenton, perhaps not coincidentally. The Garden State has become one of the primary battlegrounds in Tesla’s fight against dealer franchise laws.

Governor Chris Christie’s administration recently pushed forward with a backroom deal to prevent the company from renewing its retail licenses, prompting political rivals in the state legislature to draft a bill that would explicitly approve the startup’s direct-sales model.

“We are zealots for electric cars, and we welcome and thank you for being here,” New Jersey Assemblyman Timothy Eustace told the crowd at the event.

If the location and VIP list was not enough of a hint, Tesla’s vice president of regulatory affairs, James Chen, was the only company executive quoted in the announcement.

“What we are really doing here today is getting to our core mission of catalyzing the electric vehicle industry,” Chen said.

Chevrolet has announced two new packages for its Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible for the 2015 model year. Both models will go on sale later this year.

2015 Corvette Stingray Atlantic Design Package

The first of the two new models is the 2015 Corvette Stingray Atlantic Design Package. Inspired by the “luxury and performance of private jets seen at European vacation destinations,” the Atlantic trim will be available for Stingray convertibles fitted with Chevy’s Z51 performance package.

In order to emulate that jet set theme, the Atlantic comes fitted with a Z06-style front splitter; Shark Gray accents on its vents, hood “stinger” and tonneau inserts; Chrome Torque wheels and, of course, custom luggage.

The Atlantic Design Package can be ordered in any color offered for the standard Stingray convertible.

2015 Corvette Stingray Pacific Design Package

Aimed at the track crowd, the Corvette Stingray Pacific Design Package can be added to any 2LT or 3LT coupe fitted with the Z51 performance package.

Farther reaching than the Atlantic package, the Pacific trim adds satin black racing stripes, satin black wheels, carbon fiber accents both inside and out, red brake calipers and competition sport seats. The Pacific is limited to Torch Red, Black, Arctic White, Blade Silver and Shark Gray exterior colors.

“We plan to make news with the Corvette Stingray every year, in part by offering special-edition models that offer a unique, personal ownership experience,” said Todd Christensen, Corvette marketing manager. “Our customers have told us they appreciate these limited-edition models, which have become an important part of the Corvette’s legacy.”

Chevrolet will announce pricing at a later date. Both Corvette models were previewed by concepts at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Audi’s chief executive has all but confirmed that the larger Q9 SUV is still under development, while dismissing the possibility of introducing a model below the A1.

Talking at the Beijing Motor Show, Rupert Stadler reportedly suggested a new flagship SUV takes precedence over a range-topping addition to the company’s A-series car lineup. Full details remain unclear, though it promises to be offered with an optional e-tron hybrid drivetrain.

“We want to expand the SUV side of the business,” Stadler said, as quoted by Car Magazine. “By 2020, our Q-models will account for over 45 percent of sales.”

The company first hinted at the project early last year, acknowledging room to “go bigger” than the Q7 and offer the largest SUV in the segment. Trademark filings submitted late last year pointed to Q9 as the likely name.

The executive suggests Audi will not make a larger SUV in reaction to “what our rivals are doing.” The company faces fresh competition in the space, however, namely the all-new BMW X7.

Despite feeling pressure in the market for bigger SUVs, Stadler argues that there is “no need” to add a car smaller than the A1. The hatchback is said to have reached annual sales of 120,000 units with “quite good” profit margins.

Previous reports place the Q9′s arrival sometime in 2017.

A letter sent by Volkswagen to Tennessee officials reportedly contains a thinly veiled threat to build a new SUV mode in an alternative location.

Corresponding in late January with the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, VW attorney Alex Leath claimed the company had already established incentive deals in locations outside of Tennessee, according to excerpts published by The Tennessean and the AP.

“While we understand there are some ‘non-deal’ issues that are causing a delay in the TN solution, VW has been successful in reaching agreement on terms at the alternative locations,” the letter reads.

The vote was not held until two weeks after the letter was reportedly sent, however outside lobbyist groups had already launched anti-union campaigns and Republican state officials were speaking out against the UAW. Later reports suggested the state made a $300 million incentive offer contingent on the vote outcome.

The company has not publicly announced which facility will get the work, keeping the information officially confidential ahead of the United Auto Workers’ failed unionization vote. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker in February claimed to have inside information that the Chattanooga plant would be chosen if workers rejected the organization attempt, however the comments appear to have been unsubstantiated.

Volkswagen has argued that the unionization vote would have no impact on its decision surrounding the SUV site, though the company voiced preference for establishing a German-style works council — with or without the UAW. The position has continued to draw fire from Republican state officials, suggesting the incentives may be withheld despite the UAW’s loss.

Incentive packages typically play a significant role in the site selection process. The Chattanooga facility has only been open for three years, established with the promise of more than $500 million in government incentives.

The new SUV is expected to be built in Mexico if the company decides against expanding its Chattanooga plant.

Honda has maintained revenue growth in its fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, despite declining sales in the North American market.

Operating profit reached 165 billion yen (~$1.6 billion USD) for the recent quarter, a 21.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2013. The company tallied 574 billion yen (~$5.6 billion USD) in net profit for the fiscal year overall, jumping by 56.4 percent.

Vehicle shipments were up by approximately 20 percent in the quarter, reaching 1.2 million. Growth was driven by increased demand for the Fit, Odyssey and Vezel in Japan, along with a gain in motorcycles sold in Asia.

Vehicle shipments to North American fell by nearly ten percent compared to the same quarter last year. The company suggests the cold wave is to blame, and the slide was not large enough to erase an overall sales gain in the region for the year.

The company expects its net income to maintain modest growth through the fiscal year ending in March 2015, though its 595 million yen (~$5.8 billion USD) profit forecast is approximately 14 percent below average analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Nissan has doused cold water on hopes that its 2015 Micra would continue its global expansion with a US debut.

The company earlier this year announced plans to bring the mini car back into the Canadian market, where its $9,998 CAD (~$9070 USD) price tag is claimed to be the lowest MSRP in the country. The move fueled speculation that the model would make its way south of the border and compete among entry-level compacts in the US.

“Yes there would be space for the Micra, but my view is it’s not worth it,” Nissan America product planning head Pierre Loing told AutoGuide.

Although the Micra could easily be sold as the next cheapest car in the US, Loing suggests American buyers may not be as receptive to the tiny hatchback form that is more popular in Europe.

The Nissan Versa — also available in Canada — already competes among the least expensive cars in the US, with a starting price of $11,990. The executive suggests both the Versa and Versa Note are already “doing very well” at the slightly higher prices.

General Motors has confirmed that it is currently under scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Commission and several other federal and state agencies, while the number of lawsuits filed against the company has continued to grow.

The company already acknowledged an inquiry spearheaded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which itself faces an investigation into the ignition-switch recall handling, however GM’s latest financial disclosures shed light on a wider range of interest.

A form 8-K filed with the SEC notes that GM is the “subject of various inquiries, investigations, subpoenas and requests for information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the southern district of New York, Congress, NHTSA, the SEC, and a state attorney general in connection with our recent recall.”

The company highlights its ongoing internal investigation and belief that it is cooperating fully with all investigations, aside from the fines levied by the NHTSA for failure to respond, though it acknowledges that some of the investigations and lawsuits could lead to “damages, fines or civil and criminal penalties.”

“Through April 22, 2014 we are aware of 55 putative class actions have been filed against GM in various U.S. District Courts since the recall announcement alleging that consumers have been economically harmed by the recall and/or the underlying vehicle condition,” the disclosure adds. “In the aggregate, these cases seek recovery for compensatory damages, including for alleged diminution in value of the vehicles, punitive damages and injunctive and other relief.”

The company posted a $1.3 billion charge in the first quarter to cover recall costs, slashing profit down to just $125 million, however the funds do not include any provision for lawsuit settlements or government penalties.

“We are currently unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for the lawsuits and investigations because these matters involve significant uncertainties at these early stages,” the filing concludes.

Aside from direct payouts related to the ignition-switch debacle, GM also acknowledges that the lawsuits and government investigations could negatively impact its reputation and sales. Executives have separately claimed that no such effects have been observed, however the company’s first-quarter shipments grew by two percent as sales from rivals Toyota and Volkswagen climbed by six percent.

Preliminary data shows that this month could mark the highest level of April retail sales since 2005.

Thanks in part to warmer weather, a forecast jointly developed by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive predicts that retail sales with hit 1.1 million units in April, or 5 percent higher than the same month a year prior. April’s seasonally adjusted annualized selling rate (SAAR) is expected to hit 13.3 million units, which would be more than 700,000 units higher than last year’s mark.

Moreover, April 2014 will likely represent the highest level of consumer spending ever recorded for the month. New car shoppers are predicted to spend $33.5 billion this month, representing a healthy increase over the previous high of $30.5 billion set in April 2005.

“The April 2014 consumer spending reflects a combination of record average transaction prices–which, at nearly $29,800, surpasses the previous April high of $28,754 in 2013–and strong retail sales volume,” said John Humphrey, senior vice president of the global automotive practice at J.D. Power.

An interesting trend is also unfolding in April. More than 25 percent of new car buyers are expected to be 35-years-old or younger this month, matching pre-crash levels. Of those 35 and under, nearly half are taking advantage of longer-term loans that allow for lower monthly payments.

“Among buyers who are 35-years old and younger, 44 percent opt for 72-month or longer loans, while only 25 percent of those who are 55 years and older use an extended loan term,” said Humphrey.

Total light vehicles sales, which include fleet sales, are expect to hit 1.4 million units this month, up 4 percent from the same period last year.

Chevrolet’s 2014 Camaro Z/28 apparently sells just as quickly as it accelerates. The Z/28′s chief engineer has revealed that the 505 horsepower muscle car is completely sold out for the current model year.

Speaking with Auto Guide, Al Oppenheiser, the Camaro Z/28′s head engineer, revealed that all 500 units of the Z/28 planned for the 2014 model year have been spoken for. The $75,000 Camaro Z/28 officially went on sale at the end of January.

However, if you didn’t manage to snag one of the first 500 examples of the Z/28, you’re not completely out of luck. Chevy is planning to produce about 2,500 Z/28s for the 2015 model year run, but that number could inch higher depending on demand, Oppenheiser notes.

General Motors will open its order book for the 2015 Z/28 sometime in the next four to six weeks.

Intended as a track-day car, the Z/28 is one of the most focused Camaros ever built. Air conditioning is an optional extra on the Z/28, and the coupe comes standard with just one audio speaker. However, performance goodies like a 7.0L V8 and carbon ceramic disc brakes are all included as standard. You know, the important stuff.