Featured Vehicles

Fast Lane Daily , New Ford M-Sport ,Fenix Automotive and New Lamborghini

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:07:12 GMT

New Ford M-Sport Fiesta S2000, Lee Noble Launches Fenix Automotive, New Lamborghini

M-Sport reveals their new Ford Fiesta S2000 Rally Car, Fenix Automotive -- a new company founded by Lee Noble, looks to be developing their first car. Also, some Lamborghini rumors in the Internet Rumor Mill, and Commenter of the Week. Hosted by Derek DeAngelis.

Porsche, Volkswagen & Toyota-Subaru's partnership “Fast Lane Daily”

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:13:02 GMT

Porsche, Volkswagen & Toyota-Subaru's partnership “Fast Lane Daily”

Another episode from our Friends at Fast Lane Daily

Porsche puts out another track-car, the 911 GT3 R. Volkswagen has closed a 3-week-long hiring period with great success. Also, the Internet Rumor Mill has a bunch of goodies. Toyota-Subaru's partnership has some more news info on the FT-86 Concept, and could Ferrari be working on a GTO version of the 599GTB? That's all today, plus Shakedown with Leo Parente. Hosted by Derek DeAngelis.

British Supercar, Volkswagen’s new Truch and Jay Leno on Fast Lane Daily

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:51:22 GMT

Chalk up another British supercar, a track-day toy hits the track and Volkswagen’s got a handyman special in the works. And stay tuned for our next installment of Jay Leno week later in the show. Hosted by Derek DeAngelis and Matt Farah.

FAIL – Most 2010 Vehicles Can’t Pass Tougher Safety Tests

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:21:41 GMT

FAIL – Most 2010 Vehicles Can’t Pass Tougher Safety Tests

Shoppers looking to buy the safest 2010-model cars will have 67 fewer choices this year than they did in 2009. That's because the test for safety ratings got a lot tougher.

A new roof-strength requirement aimed at protecting passengers in rollover crashes cut the number of top-rated vehicles to 27 for the 2010 model year, compared with 94 in 2009. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added the roof test to the already-rigorous tests it uses to address increasingly specific circumstances under which drivers and passengers are injured and killed in collisions.

The institute, an auto-safety research group funded by the insurance industry, named 19 cars and eight sport-utility vehicles as "top safety picks." Among them are the Audi A3, Honda Civic, Dodge Journey and Ford Taurus. Auto makers with the most top-rated models include Subaru, a unit of Fuji Heavy Industries, with five vehicles making the cut. Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit had six top-rated vehicles, and Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit combined for five vehicles. Four Chrysler LLC vehicles got the top rating. General Motors Corp.'s Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu are also on the list.

Video of front-impact crash tests used to determine which vehicles receive top safety ratings. Video courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Among major auto makers with no top picks is Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota's Camry came close with good front, side and rollover protection, but fell short in the rear-impact test. A Toyota spokesman called the institute's findings "extreme and misleading," considering that Toyota and its units make 38 different vehicles and that only three were tested for roof strength. BMW AG says none of its models were tested by the institute and that its cars must pass rigorous rollover tests conducted internally.

To become a top safety pick, a vehicle has to have the insurance group's top rating of "good" in front, side, rollover and rear-impact crash tests and also have electronic stability control, which helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles in situations that might otherwise result in crashes.

Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute, says his group tests about 50 to 55 vehicles during the model year, using its own funding. Additional cars are tested at the request of car makers, which in these cases pay for the test vehicle. Often these vehicles initially missed the top rating and were resubmitted for testing later in the model year. At the beginning of the 2009 model year, 72 vehicles received the group's top rating. By the end of the year, following additional tests, the list grew to 94.

Video of side-impact crash tests used to determine which vehicles receive top safety ratings. Video courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2010-model roof-strength requirement, however, pared the list considerably. In this test, a metal plate is pressed against one corner of the roof. To receive a top rating, the roof has to withstand a force equal to four times the vehicle's weight without crushing the roof five inches inward.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this year said it was making its roof-strength test more stringent as well. In this test, a force equal to 2.5 times a vehicle's weight will be applied separately to the right and left sides of the roof. The rule will limit how much the roof can buckle under the pressure. The previous standard was 1.5 times the vehicle's weight.

The main difference between the two safety groups' test programs is that the federal standard sets a requirement every vehicle must meet. The Insurance Institute tests are designed to show consumers the differences from one vehicle to another under more severe crash conditions.

Roof strength has long been a point of contention between the Insurance Institute and the auto industry, as well as among safety experts. Car makers have resisted tougher roof-strength standards, in part because they say their testing hasn't shown a conclusive relationship between roof strength and occupant safety. They also say that focusing on roof strength in isolation doesn't consider how well a vehicle's structure performs as a whole in a rollover crash.

Other safety experts point out that most people killed in rollovers weren't wearing seat belts and died after being partially or completely ejected from the vehicle. Some say this further clouds the role of roof strength in preventing fatalities.

The institute's Mr. Lund says that while seat belts and crash-avoidance technology like electronic stability control are critical in reducing rollover fatalities, a strong roof is better at maintaining the overall integrity of a vehicle's passenger compartment. Mr. Lund says his group's research, which looked specifically at rollover crashes, indicated occupants die more often in vehicles with weaker roofs.

Top Models

Vehicles that received a top rating of "good" in all four crash tests—front, side, rollover and rear impact—and have electronic stability control to help drivers avoid crashes.

Large Cars	Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80
Midsize	Audi A3, Chevrolet Malibu built after Oct. 2009, Chrysler Sebring, with optional ESC, Dodge Avenger with optional ESC, Mercedes C class, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Jetta 4-door, Volkswagen Passat 4-door, Volvo C30
Small Cars	Honda Civic 4-door, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Golf 4-door
Midsize SUVs	Dodge Journey, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90
Small SUVs	Honda Element, Jeep Patriot, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan

Source: [ Wall Street Journal ]

Chrysler reviles American on outside and Fiat inside

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:15:16 GMT

Chrysler reviles American on outside and Fiat inside

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group's new vehicles will be American on the outside with a lot of Fiat on the inside.

In a wide-ranging presentation today, Chrysler executives unveiled a two-pronged strategy for the next five years. The U.S. automaker will rework many current vehicles next year while working on new vehicles with Fiat powertrains and platforms for the following few years.

Chrysler's dismal U.S. sales in October -- down 30 percent, for a 22nd straight month of decline -- underscored the urgency to improve the group's vehicles.

"There is no 'business as usual' at Chrysler," said Chairman Bob Kidder. "There is an incredible commitment and energy for change."

Here are some product highlights unveiled so far in a scheduled seven-hour presentation that began this morning:

In 2012-2013, the Dodge car brand plans:

• A new vehicle for North America in the C segment, which encompasses cars such as the Ford Focus. The car would be based on a Fiat platform.

• A hatchback smaller than the C vehicle, imported from a Fiat factory.

• A new sedan on a Fiat platform to replace the Avenger sedan.

New Dodge crossover

In the meantime, Dodge plans a full-sized seven-passenger crossover for the fourth quarter of 2010. The brand also plans updates next year for the Avenger, Journey crossover, Caravan minivan and Charger muscle car.

In addition, production of the Dodge Viper will end next summer, and an unnamed sports car will be added in 2012.

The Dodge brand will pursue a new lifestyle mission, de-emphasizing its traditional pitch to performance-minded males.

This leaves the new Ram truck brand to build a brawny image for pickup and work-vehicle enthusiasts. The Ram might even produce a heavy-duty 18-wheeler, said Ram brand CEO Fred Diaz.

But the Chrysler Group's larger challenge in the coming years is to meet the federal fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg for the 2016 model year. That's where Fiat engines and powertrains come in.

Chrysler will use a Fiat diesel engine along with a 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder. The inline-four will appear first in the U.S. version of the Fiat 500 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Chrysler will align its engineering organization to Fiat Group, making the most of common platforms, systems and components between the two companies, said Scott Kunselman, senior vice president of Chrysler Group engineering.

Shared platforms

By 2014, Chrysler will share three platforms with Fiat, increasing Chrysler's average models per platform from about two in 2010 to three in 2014. During that period, average volume per platform will increase to 305,000 units from 125,000. In the process, four platforms will be consolidated, Kunselman said.

While Chrysler's task ahead is huge, CEO Sergio Marchionne tried to allay fears about the company's finances.

Chrysler has improved its cash position since Fiat S.p.A. took the company out of bankruptcy in June, said Marchionne, who also is CEO of Fiat.

"Some of you have been surmising we're burning through cash," he told the assembled analysts and reporters. "This is not true."

The company had $5.7 billion in cash on hand at the end of September, up from $4 billion when Fiat took over in June.

SOURCE : { Automotive News ]

New Chrysler logo filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:15:21 GMT

New Chrysler logo filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Tomorrow, we'll get the official skinny from Chrysler on what the automaker's product plans are over the next few years. As the Fiat-directed new (and new again) Chrysler looks to break free from the shackles of mediocrity and reinvent itself, a filing at the U.S. Patent and Trademark office appears to confirm an Allpar report published earlier this month, showing the new winged logo that will presumably adorn cars coming from the Chrysler division.

The look is sleeker and clearly more modern than the previous winged logo, which incorporated the old Chrysler seal. The new one has an almost Aston-esque vibe to it, featuring "Chrysler" embossed in a blue emblem centered between the outstretched wings. Allpar also reports that Dodge cars will ditch the Ram's-head logo for something all their own as well.

We've got a feeling everything will be revealed during Chrysler's marathon six-hour press briefing tomorrow, so stay tuned for more.

SOURCE: [ Autoblog.com & U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ]

OCTOBER 2009 AUTOMOTIVE SALES BY THE NUMBERS

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:21:16 GMT

OCTOBER 2009 AUTOMOTIVE SALES BY THE NUMBERS

U.S. light-vehicle sales

Automaker	Oct. 2009	Oct. 2008	Pct. chng.	10 month 2009	10 month 2008	Pct. chng.
BMW Group*	20,649	25,512	–19%	200,138	262,172	–24%
Chrysler Group LLC	65,803	94,530	–30%	781,319	1,278,049	–39%
Daimler AG**	18,869	17,250	9%	166,838	212,876	–22%
Ford Motor Co.***	136,583	132,248	3%	1,370,687	1,741,231	–21%
General Motors****	176,632	168,719	5%	1,713,535	2,581,385	–34%
Honda (American)†	85,502	85,864	0%	969,638	1,266,447	–23%
Hyundai Group††	53,495	36,303	47%	634,282	602,055	5%
Isuzu	–	251	–100%	165	4,440	–96%
Jaguar Land Rover†††	3,042	2,894	5%	30,101	16,842	79%
Maserati	111	157	–29%	1,059	2,085	–49%
Mazda	15,068	16,442	–8%	175,257	231,850	–24%
Mitsubishi	–	–	–%	–	–	–%
Nissan‡	60,115	56,945	6%	640,411	842,644	–24%
Porsche	1,642	1,427	15%	15,952	22,503	–29%
Subaru	18,169	12,917	41%	176,590	156,706	13%
Suzuki	1,745	3,482	–50%	35,270	77,999	–55%
Toyota‡‡	152,165	152,100	0%	1,448,587	1,945,404	–26%
VW‡‡‡	24,472	23,478	4%	244,764	266,849	–8%
Other (estimate)	304	444	–32%	3,043	4,433	–31%
TOTAL	809,894	807,485	0%	8,362,872	11,249,121	–26%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Includes Jaguar and Land Rover (through May 31, 2008) and Volvo
****Includes Saab
†Includes Honda Division and Acura
††Includes Hyundai and Kia
†††Tata Motors includes Jaguar and Land Rover as of June 1, 2008
‡Includes Nissan Division and Infiniti
‡‡Includes Toyota Division, Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes VW, Audi and Bentley

General Motor Co.'s U.S. sales rose for the first time in 21 months in October following analysts' forecasts of the strongest month this year not aided by government incentives.

GM advanced 5 percent and Ford Motor Co. was up 3 percent. Among the biggest Japanese automakers, Nissan North America climbed 6 percent and Toyota Motor Sales gained less than 1 percent. Subaru, Daimler AG, and Porsche were all also up.

Chrysler Group, meanwhile, plunged 30 percent as it continued to struggle after its bankruptcy. Audi and Mazda also declined. Suzuki was down 50 percent, and BMW Group trailed year-earlier sales by 19 percent.

Some automakers' percentage changes are benefiting from comparisons to October 2008, when U.S. sales fell 32 percent. As the U.S. economy plunged further into turmoil, the seasonally adjusted annual sales rate that month dropped below 11 million for the first time since 1983.

Still, last month's adjusted rate was projected to reach 10.3 million units, according to an average of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. That would put the industry above the 9.9 million mark for the first time this year except for July and August, when demand was lifted by the cash-for-clunkers program.

“People aren't all of the sudden popping champagne bottle corks, but they are feeling … more stable in what's going on,” Ken Czubay, Ford's vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service, told journalists last week.

Ford's report of a year-over-year sales gain, its third in the last four months, comes a day after the automaker posted a surprise $997 million net profit in the third quarter and its first operating profit in North America since the beginning of 2005.

Sales of the Ford Taurus sedan, freshly redesigned, more than doubled and deliveries to individual customers almost tripled from year-earlier levels. The Fusion climbed 24 percent, and the Lincoln MKZ sedan advanced 27 percent.

Czubay said last week that industry sales would improve gradually throughout the coming months. After the U.S. recession and global financial crisis sent sales rates plunging below 11 million units last October, industrywide sales stayed stuck at 27-year lows earlier this year.

The federal government's clunkers incentive this summer sent demand to rates of 11.1 million units in July and 13.7 million in August. Without the benefit of the clunker program, September's rate dropped to 9.5 million units.

Other automakers

Subaru gained 41 percent in October. Subaru's sales have now risen 13 percent from 2008 levels, the biggest increase among the few companies that have advanced this year.

Audi's sales slipped 1 percent from a year earlier, when the brand set a record for October sales. Its Q5 crossover, introduced in February, sold 1,238 units last month or 17 percent of the brand's total. Audi reported a 15-day supply of that model at the end of October.

General Motors Co.'s chief sales analyst, Mike DiGiovanni, said last week the automaker had a “good chance” of posting a year-over-year sales increase in October. GM's performance marks its first sales gain since January 2008.

Last month's gain comes in comparison to October 2008, when demand fell 45 percent, the most among the top six automakers.

Chrysler's 30 percent decline comes on the heels of a 35 percent drop the previous October.

Still ‘depression levels'

Despite their predicted improvements in October, U.S. sales still languish at “depression levels,” AutoNation Inc. CEO Mike Jackson said last week in reporting his dealership group's profit. He predicted sales would total just over 11 million in 2010.

“While much improved over 2009 sales level, it's still depression levels,” he said. “But we expect to welcome recession-level sales in 2011.”

U.S. sales had averaged a 10.2-million-unit rate through September. That's down from 13.2 million vehicles last year and 16.2 million in 2007.

SOURCE: [ Automotive News ]

Auto Sector Going Green?

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:57:40 GMT

Airtime: Wed. Oct. 28 2009 | 4:40 AM ET

The auto sector has had a rocky road this year with falling demand and increased pressure to make greener vehicles. CNBC's Steve Sedgwick investigates the latest environmentally-friendly cars and Alessandro Vitelli from IDEAcarbon has analysis.

SOURCE: [ CNBC ]

Dodge is dropping prices on heavy-duty pickup trucks

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:05:25 GMT

Dodge is dropping prices on heavy-duty pickup trucks

Chrysler's Dodge is slashing prices on its all-new heavy-duty Ram pickup trucks -- hacking almost $2,000 in the case of one model.

2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups will offer more features at a lower price, Chrysler says. Base prices will be $28,165 for regular cab models, $31,415 for crew cab models and $36,865 for Mega Cab models. All prices include $950 for destination.

The price of the regular cab alone is $1,970 less than the model it replaces. The new trucks arrive in dealerships by the end of the year. What a Dodge boss has to say about it:

“Our all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty trucks are purpose built to master any challenge and have it all: head-turning design, class-leading interior amenities, increased towing capability, proven durability, convenience features inside and out, craftsmanship and safety — all at a great value," says Fred Diaz, CEO of the Dodge Ram unit. "And with our new crew-size cab model, we’re now competing in the heart of the heavy-duty pickup segment.”

The trucks will be built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico. Their features include a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness, front coil-spring suspension setup and multi-leaf springs in back and shocks and springs tuned for optimum ride quality.

An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control in towing situations. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) -- or what the rest of us call the dashboard -- that is standard on diesel models and available on gas SLT, TRX and Laramie models.

SOURCE: [ USAToday.com ]

Chrysler ranks at the bottom of the industry for reliability

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:57:49 GMT

Chrysler ranks at the bottom of the industry for reliability

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Ford Motor Co. has made the most progress in improving vehicle quality among major automakers, while Chrysler ranks at the bottom of the industry for reliability, according to an annual Consumer Reports survey released today.

Asian automakers dominated the magazine's influential list of recommended vehicles, with Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion ranked the top brand followed by Honda Motor Co.'s flagship brand. Toyota's flagship brand placed third.

Ford ranks as the only U.S. automaker that is competing with Asian brands with "world-class reliability," Consumer Reports said. About 90 percent of Ford's vehicles achieved average or better reliability, the study showed.

Ford's Mercury brand ranked tenth for reliability -- the only U.S. brand to make the top 10 list. The Ford brand ranked 16th and Ford's luxury Lincoln brand ranked 20th.

In contrast, Chrysler's three brands all slipped further in the ratings. The Jeep SUV brand ranked 30th, with Dodge just behind and the Chrysler brand dead last in the reliability ranking.

Consumer Reports said more than a third of Chrysler models through the 2009 model year were "much worse than average."
Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy on June 10 by completing the sale of most of its assets to a new company led by Italy's Fiat. CEO Sergio Marchionne, who also heads Fiat, will announce a five-year business plan for turning around the No. 3 U.S. automaker on November 4.

General Motors Co's flagship Chevrolet brand, which accounts for more than 60 percent of its U.S. sales, ranked 25th on the list.

The No. 1 U.S. automaker emerged from bankruptcy in July backed by some $50 billion in U.S. taxpayer funding. GM is counting on sales gains at Chevy at a time when it is selling Saab, Hummer and winding down Pontiac and Saturn.

Brand rankings
Consumer Reports says it ranked 33 brands based on average predicted reliability scores, and which models by each make have the highest and lowest ratings.

RANK MAKE
1. Scion
2. Honda
3. Toyota
4. Infiniti
5. Acura
6. Mitsubishi
7. Lexus
8. Hyundai
9. Porsche
10. Mercury
11. Saab
12. Subaru
13. Suzuki
14. Kia
15. Mazda
16. Ford
17. Nissan
18. Volvo
19. Buick
20. Lincoln
21. Volkswagen
22. Pontiac
23. Mercedes-Benz
24. Audi
25. Chevrolet
26. BMW
27. Mini
28. GMC
29. Saturn
30. Jeep
31. Dodge
32. Cadillac
33. Chrysler
Source: Consumer Reports