Nov20
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.
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Ford Motor Co. plans to invest 2 billion reais ($1.15 billion) in Brazil through 2015, most of it on a plant in the northeastern Bahia state, to expand production and benefit from expected growth in Latin America's largest economy, the state governor said on today. As part of the investment plan, which will be officially unveiled in a ceremony with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later today, Brazil's government will extend state and federal tax breaks to Ford, Bahia state...
Nov19
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.
Forecaster J.D. Power & Associates said today that it expected U.S. auto industry sales to increase slightly on an adjusted basis in November from a year earlier due to stable retail sales and growth in fleet sales. U.S. auto sales are expected to grow by 0.4 percent in November when taking into account two fewer selling days this year than last year, J.D. Power said. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate of sales, a key measure for economists, is expected to rise to 10.2 million...
Nov18
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...
Nov17
Ford Motor Co. stock today reached a new two-year high after disclosures that billionaire investor George Soros' hedge fund bought a 7.3 million-share stake in the automaker. Ford shares briefly hit the $9 mark this morning for the first time since October 2007. Ford shares closed the day at $8.98, up 27 cents or 3.1 percent on heavy volume. According to a regulatory filing on Monday, Soros Fund Management took the 7.3 million stake in Ford during the third quarter. The stake...
Nov16
LeaseTrader.com estimates that more than 50 percent of car lease shoppers today are not qualifying for a tier-1 lease price at a dealer with many turning to the secondary lease swap market for the right deal. Failing to qualify for tier-1 pricing because of a confusing credit threshold can end up costing consumers thousands over the life of a new lease.
General Motors Co. posted a $1.15 billion loss during the third quarter following its exit from bankruptcy and said reduced costs and stabilizing sales would allow it to begin repaying $6.7 billion in U.S. loans. "We have significantly more work to do, but today's results provide evidence of the solid foundation we're building for the new GM," CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement. The "managerial net loss" was for the period from July 10, the day GM exited court protection, through...
Nov13
Two days after GM Chairman Ed Whitacre said the government should loosen its restrictions on executive pay for bailed-out companies, the White House pay czar signaled his willingness to raise salary caps for new hires. Kenneth Feinberg, the U.S. Treasury's special master for executive pay at the seven firms that have received taxpayer bailouts, last month ordered pay and bonuses cut in half on average for the top 25 earners at the companies. That included executives at General Motors...
Nov12
Porsche Automobile Holding SE's loss comes after the company failed in its bid to take over the much larger Volkswagen AG. A Porsche SE statement said the main factor in the loss was a write-down on cash settlement options to VW shares. The loss was also influenced by the "hidden reserves and liabilities" identified in the course of the purchase price allocation for the shareholding in VW, the company said.
Nov11
The new inflatable rear seat belt that debuts as an option on the 2011 Ford Explorer SUV is a collaboration between Ford Motor Co. and Key Safety Systems, a supplier of airbags, seat belts and other safety devices. Last week, when Ford announced the inflatable rear seat belts -- an industry first -- officials wouldn’t name the supplier. Ford engineers have been developing the system for eight years, trying several designs.
Nov10
GMAC Financial Services, which has received $12.5 billion in federal aid, is negotiating for a fresh infusion of taxpayer funds because it has not raised enough capital to survive a deepening recession, the Federal Reserve said. The auto lender is the only one of 10 large banks ordered in May to raise capital that had not met its goal, the Fed said Monday. "The one exception, GMAC, is expected to meet its remaining buffer need by accessing the TARP Automotive Industry Financing...
Texting while driving, which President Barack Obama banned for federal employees two weeks ago, is clearly hazardous. But other driving distractions -- such as putting on makeup -- are even more dangerous. At least that's the opinion of most of the 3,000 respondents to a survey by LeaseTrader.com, which manages auto lease transfers.
Nov05
Models On Their Way Out
* Jeep Patriot (end of 2012) * Jeep Compass (end of 2012) * Jeep Commander (end of 2010, may continue being sold internationally) * Chrysler PT Cruiser (end of 2010) * Dodge Dakota (mid 2011) * Dodge Caliber (mid 2012) * Dodge Viper (mid 2011, may return in 2012)
Nov04
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...
Nov03
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.
Nov02
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.
Ford Motor Co. posted a surprise net profit of $997 million in the third quarter and its cash position turned positive, reversing a long stretch of cash burn. Ford's pre-tax operating profit of $1.1 billion for the quarter marked its first quarter in the black on that basis since early 2008. The automaker ended the quarter with $23.8 billion in cash, up $2.8 billion from the end of the second quarter. Its North American unit posted a pre-tax operating profit of $357 million, for its...
Oct30
A total of 690,000 new vehicles were sold under the Cash for Clunkers program last summer, but only 125,000 of those were vehicles that would not have been sold anyway, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the automotive Web site Edmunds.com. Still, auto sales contributed heavily to the economy's expansion in the third quarter, adding 1.7 percentage points to the nation's gross domestic product growth.
Oct29
AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. dealership group, posted its biggest profit of the year and said it would boost spending by 65 percent next year to update and buy stores.The net income of $65 million compares with a $1.4 billion net loss in the previous third quarter. “We are optimistic for the long-term prospects of the auto industry based on the successful restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the move to a demand-pull system and the rationalization of the dealer network...
Oct28
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.
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.
New capital could range from $2.8 billion to $5.6 billion, according to report, GMAC, the former lending arm of General Motors Co., is in talks with the Treasury Department for a third injection of taxpayer aid, a further sign of the U.S. government's entrenchment in the U.S. auto industry. The Treasury Department mandated earlier this year that GMAC Financial Services raise an additional $11.5 billion in capital after undergoing a "stress test" along with 18 other banks. While...
Oct27
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.
Oct26
Former U.S. President George W. Bush urged the Obama administration to sell the government’s stakes in banks and carmakers “as quickly as possible,” arguing that only private companies can spark an economic rebound.Government “has got to get out of the private sector
What's in a name, you ask? A lot, especially when you're trying to increase market share against such storied brands as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, to name just a few. Maserati took the wraps off its first proper four-seat convertible at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. But while the open-air version of the GranTurismo coupe will be sold as the GranCabrio in
Oct23
it's tough sometimes shopping for car insurance when it seems like every auto insurance agent that tells you lies on how much auto insurance that you really need. You should go online and visit many auto insurance companies and fill out their application forms. This way you can guarantee yourself that you will get the best auto quote for your car.
Oct22
The National Automobile Dealers Association is trying to negotiate a deal between GMAC Financial Services and Chrysler Financial to help Chrysler dealers transfer their inventory credit lines to GMAC. Some Chrysler dealers are caught in a tug of war between the two finance companies over which lender should have priority over the dealership assets, said Forrest McConnell, chairman of the regulatory affairs committee for NADA, in a message to members. If the dispute isn't resolved...
Oct21
The first rule is to pay on time the minimum payment due (on or before due date) If you get in the mail new credit card offers that have: 0% APR for purchases for one year and 0% APR for balance transfers, take it. If not check online or go to any bank and ask about it. Transfer money from the credit cards that have smaller amounts (it will be ideal to result in 0 debts on one, two or even three credit cards). This will help you consolidate your credit cards and besides you will not...
Volkswagen AG said it would pay 3.9 billion euros ($5.8 billion) to take a bigger than planned 49.9 percent stake in Porsche AG as a first step to a full merger with Porsche Automobil Holding SE by 2011. Europe's largest auto maker said on Tuesday it was making better than expected progress on cooperation projects between the two automakers. VW supplies components for about a third of all Porsche cars, including bodies of the four-door Cayenne and Panamera models and has sought to...
Oct20
Until cars drive themselves and we absolutely can't get lost, automakers and sat nav companies are steadily enhancing the graphics of navigation systems to make it easier to find the next right turn. Navigation systems in Renaults, for instance, provide a graphic representation of buildings that you'll see as you drive along, and now Microsoft, working with researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany
When two Visalia, Calif., police officers swung their cruisers behind a sport utility vehicle that had been carjacked at gunpoint early Sunday, they prepared for a dangerous high-speed chase.
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe roared away with officers in pursuit, but shortly after the suspect made a right turn, operators at General Motors Co.'s OnStar service sent a command that electronically disabled the gas pedal and the SUV gradually came to a halt.
The terms “hard pull” and “soft pull” or “hard credit check” and “soft credit check” often pop up when people talk about credit report, credit history, or credit inquiries. So what exactly are they and how do they affect credit scores? The following are what I have found out. What they are
Delegates to the UAW Ford Council, representing workers in UAW Ford facilities across the United States, voted overwhelmingly to recommend ratification of modifications to the 2007 UAW Ford labor agreement. “We appreciate the support of the UAW Ford Council for the work accomplished by our negotiating team during these discussions with Ford,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “This agreement is another step in meeting the challenges of a very difficult time in the U.S. auto...
Oct19
Everyone is talking about the dangers of texting while driving and even President Obama recently signed an executive order prohibiting federal workers from sending text messages while driving government vehicles. But are there other distractions more dangerous than texting while driving that have plagued people for years? LeaseTrader.com polled more than 3,000 drivers to ask men and women if there are more dangerous driving distractions. Texting while driving is getting the attention...
Oct15
Rumors of a possible motorcycle brand for Volkswagen aren't anything new. It's a well-known fact that Ferdinand Piëch, Chairman of Volkswagen's Board, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati back in 1985 when the Italian bike manufacturer was in dire financial shape, As recently as last year, Piëch – himself a Ducati rider even at age 72 – commented that Volkswagen could still purchase an unnamed motorcycle manufacturer if the conditions were right. Strike up the...
In 2002 a Buick ad campaign evoked the image of Harley Earl to help sell a stable of uninspired vehicles. The late Mr. Earl, a celebrated General Motors design director, probably hasn't rested in peace since. Where his designs were exciting and hinted at the future, more recent Buicks were stodgy and dated. Adding to the indignity, few potential customers even remembered Mr. Earl, who died in 1969.
Oct14
Renault has created a new website that is dedicated to promoting its upcoming model range of battery powered cars. The site is actually about more than just the Fluence, Kangoo, Zoe and Twizzy. It also offers explanations of how Renault hopes to make these cars mainstream and affordable. It appears from the information provided that Renault plans to sell all of its EVs without a battery pack. The energy storage system will all be leased separately with payments going to a chosen...
Oct13
If sales of the Chevrolet Camaro are any indication, it takes more than a recession to suppress the midlife crisis. Buyers are snapping up Chevy's newly revived muscle car even though it lacks the kind of comfort, practicality and fuel economy many car shoppers increasingly seek. 2010 Camaro sales have grown to lead the "midsize sporty" segment since it came onto the market in the spring.
Ford Motor Co. has reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers union that would freeze entry-level wages, implement a no-strike clause and pay a bonus to workers for agreeing to new concessions, according to people familiar with the matter. The UAW confirmed that the agreement will be presented to the union's National Ford Council delegates for a recommendation Tuesday afternoon.
Oct12
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. said today it would cut back sharply on 2010 car rental purchases from Chrysler Group and had diversified its fleet in an effort to protect itself from future automaker difficulties.Chrysler, which had made up 76 percent of Dollar Thrifty's total U.S. fleet purchases in 2008, will make up about 30 percent of 2010 fleet purchases, said the company, which rents under the Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental brands.
Oct09
General Motors Co., working to cut its U.S. brand count in half as it recovers from bankruptcy, has completed a deal to sell the Hummer SUV brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.The companies did not disclose financial terms in announcing the deal today. News reports said Thursday that Sichuan Tengzhong would pay $150 million for the U.S. brand.
Oct08
From motorcycles to lawnmowers, life is full of noise, but new research shows that it presents a bigger danger for some people than others, A study of more than 5,000 people in the United States aged 20 to 69 found that males were three times as likely to have noise-related hearing loss as women. The research was recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery in San Diego, California.
Four years after they saw their vacation pay go up in smoke, more than 500 employees of a Washington auto dealership chain will get what's owed them. Announcing the $2.6 million award Wednesday, attorneys for the AutoNation employees said the dealership chain has exhausted its appeals and agreed to pay the ordered sum.
Average new tires used on cars typically start with 10/32" to 11/32" of original tread depth. Tires are considered "worn out" In most States when they reach 2/32" of remaining tread depth. U.S. coins can be substituted for a tire tread depth gauge as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of their remaining tread depth. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread...
Oct07
Once a crowded urban center, Detroit has become a large city with many buildings and too few people. By mid-2008, its population had dropped to 912,062, about half the number of residents in 1950, In the first installment of what it says will become an exhaustive look at the downfall of Detroit,Time magazine had plenty of blame to spread around when it comes to showing how what was once America's fourth-largest city took a series of wrong turns. The former mayor, Coleman Young, and...
Oct06
During the summer, he was shut out of the popular initiative, which allowed only new-car franchises to participate. Now, the inventory he normally buys at auction is sharply limited, a direct result of Clunkers sending close to 700,000 gas guzzlers to the junkyard. That's driven wholesale prices to new highs at a time when cost-conscious consumers, who sometimes rely on dated information from guide books, aren't paying more.
Mexico — Speed bumps are so common here that residents sometimes decorate them for the holidays, painting "Happy New Year" or "Happy Independence Day." One rock band, The Sam-Sam, even has dedicated a song to them. Yet concerns over the environment — and the utter annoyance of having to brake and accelerate frequently — have prompted one Mexican state government to embrace a "smart" speed bump that could make driving smoother, without sacrificing safety.
Oct05
Electric carmaker Tesla Motors is launching a maintenance plan where mechanics travel to owners' homes or offices to perform repairs and tuneups.Tesla, which makes the $109,000 Roadster electric car, said the plan is convenient for customers who won't have to bring their vehicle to a showroom, while cutting costs by making a large network of Tesla service locations unnecessary. "You know how there's a Chevy dealer on every block or strip mall? We don't intend to have a footprint like...
In the eleventh hour of Roger Penske's venture to acquire Saturn from General Motors Co. to keep the brand alive, Renault's executive committee in France concluded, “Ca fait deux.” Rough translation: “It's not going to come together.” Despite Penske's statements that his organization had been in discussions with automakers around the world, ultimately his hopes had been pinned on only one: Renault SA.
Oct01
Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales fell 5 percent in September following two straight months of year-over-year gains, as demand plunged after the U.S. cash-for-clunkers program. The decline matched the projection of analysts, who forecast drops at each of the Detroit 3 and the biggest Japanese automakers. After August's year-high seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 13.7 million units
General Motors Co. said it will begin to phase out Saturn -- the car company conceived more than 25 years ago to fend off imports -- after bidder Penske Automotive Inc. failed to secure a source of vehicles to keep the brand afloat. Penske had been negotiating with France's Renault SA to acquire autos for Saturn once a production agreement with GM had expired. Those talks collapsed, scuttling the Saturn acquisition by the dealership group and its CEO, Roger Penske.
Chrysler Financial said today that it is laying off about 12 percent of its 3,000-strong U.S. work force or about 360 employees. The layoffs will affect both the company's field offices and its Detroit headquarters. The move is part of a downsizing that has been going on since the U.S. Treasury Department appointed GMAC Financial Services as Chrysler Group's captive finance company on April 30, the day Chrysler's automotive operations filed for bankruptcy
Sep30
The program, which ends Wednesday, was one of the most high-profile efforts so far to bring new-car sales online. But the experience illustrates why car retailing, which involves peculiarities such as franchised dealers with exclusive territories and the tradition of haggling in person, makes an odd fit for the Web, where consumers expect to comparison shop for the lowest price.
Sep29
With final dealer payments being processed under the enormously successful CARS program, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today that the agency has crossed the finish line for paying back eligible and complete dealer submissions. “This is the final curtain call for a program that took the entire nation by storm and succeeded beyond expectations,” said Secretary LaHood. “There can be no doubt that this program drummed up more business, for more people, in more places...
Mazda Motor Corp., which lacks its own hybrid and electric drivetrains, today unveiled a new generation of fuel-efficient engines that it hopes will keep its models competitive in an age of high-tech green vehicles. Mazda will introduce the engines, to be known as the Sky series, in 2011 as part of a push to boost the average fuel economy of its fleet 30 percent by 2015 from 2008 levels. The engines will consume less fuel and deliver higher torque, as a result of Mazda's re...
Sep25
GMAC Financial Services is starting a new dealer rewards program after it canceled its benefits for “platinum” dealers a year earlier in an effort to stay in business. The program, called Ally Dealer Rewards, is more “holistic” than the Platinum offer, spokeswoman Sue Mallino said today. The program, similar to those offered by credit card companies and the travel industry, will give greater benefits to dealers as they reach different thresholds of participation with GMAC.
General Motors Co. could extend its offer of a 60-day, money-back guarantee for consumers when the marketing program expires at the end of November, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said today. "It's possibly renewable. We'll see what kind of experience we have," Lutz said in an interview on CNBC. Lutz said that GM expects "way under 1 percent," of consumers who buy new Cadillacs, Chevrolets, GMC or Buick vehicles will return them in the guarantee program. Two weeks ago GM launched an...
Sep23
Stimulus, indeed! Car dealers turned in 642,277 vouchers to the the Cash for Clunkers program, and they’ll get $2.7 billion from the government, according to the latest statistics. But the program, some consumer experts say, was poorly designed and executed, saddling dealers with risk; consumers with precious little protection; and taxpayers with the bills. For the $4,000-plus per car that taxpayers shelled out, “we could have gotten a lot more,” wrote Lisa Margonelli. a senior...
Sep22
Cash-For-Clunkers program Top 30 Sellers, Two pickups are among the top 10 new vehicles purchased under the cash-for-clunkers program, new government data show. That gives credence to claims that the incentive boosted truck sales as it promoted cars, which have better fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet Silverado ranked No. 8 among cash-for-clunkers purchases, and the Ford F-150 finished 10th.
CarMax Inc., the largest retailer of used cars in the United States, posted a higher quarterly profit, helped by improving customer traffic trends. "The government's CARS, or "cash for clunkers," program resulted in a spike in traffic in late July and August," CEO Tom Folliard said in a statement. CarMax, which saw traffic spike in late July and August, is an indirect beneficiary of the clunkers program that the government introduced earlier this year to boost new car sales.
Washington, DC -- Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced a $528.7 million conditional loan for Fisker Automotive for the development of two lines of plug-in hybrids that will save hundreds of millions gallons of gasoline and offset millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2016. The project will result in approximately 5,000 jobs created or saved for domestic parts suppliers and thousands more to manufacture a plug-in hybrid in the U.S. Investment will save or create at...
Sep21
The U.S. Transportation Department says it has paid or approved $2.6 billion in cash-for-clunkers transactions, or 90 percent of the $2.9 billion submitted, as accelerated payments to dealers continue. A total of 534,598 claims for $2.3 billion were paid as of Sept. 18, said a posting today on the federal cars.gov Web site. An additional 76,775 submissions for $322.3 million have been approved but not paid yet.
For the first time in decades, new-car dealers are pounding the pavement in search of used cars to sell. They're critically short of stock at a time when used-car customers have begun to stream onto their lots. With new-vehicle sales down so much, dealers will take in almost 4 million fewer used vehicles this year, says Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Sep17
Legislation to provide $2.9 billion over five years for research into advanced technology vehicles and medium- to heavy-duty commercial truck technologies passed the House on Wednesday. The authorization bill would increase U.S. Department of Energy funding by over 50 percent to $550 million for fiscal 2010, said Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who sponsored the bil. Funding would increase by $10 million a year, reaching $590 million by 2014, Peters said.
Sep16
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today said his department will make extra efforts to pay all cash-for-clunkers claims on time by Sept. 30 but revised downward the department's updated reimbursement figures. The Transportation Department has paid or approved 565,690 applications for $2.38 billion as of today, the agency said in a statement.
Sep15
* The information gathered for this post originated directly from GM’s website.
We know that your new vehicle purchase is an important one. And we're so certain you'll love your new Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle, we're proud to offer our 60-day Satisfaction Guarantee. How does it work? Simple:
* When you purchase a new Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac, keep it for 30 days.
China unveiled data today that showed tire exports to the United States actually fell in the first half of 2009, rebutting Washington's accusations it had breached its WTO agreements by flooding the U.S. market. Both countries moved to allay concerns of a trade war, but the row over Washington's decision to impose added duties on Chinese-made tires showed no signs of abating as Beijing said the U.S. move was sending the wrong message to the rest of the world.
Powering the Galibier concept will be a version of Bugatti's ridiculously powerful eight-liter W16 powerplant. Unlike the mill propelling the Veyron to ludicrous speed, this version is mounted up front and is capable of running on ethanol fuel, which may or may not allow the automaker to squeeze a few more ponies out of the engine... not that it needs it, of course Current reports peg the Galibier's top speed at 217 miles per hour (350 kilometers per hour)
Sep14
GM Launches 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee; Offer Bolsters Campaign to Earn Consumer Confidence
· ‘May the Best Car Win’ marketing effort demonstrates GM’s confidence in the quality, durability of its cars, trucks and crossovers
· 60-day Satisfaction Guarantee covers 2009 and 2010 Model Year vehicles
· Builds on 100,000-mile/five-year powertrain warranty
China on Monday called for talks over the China-U.S. trade dispute in a sign the disagreement may be containable, as evidence emerged that the economic value of the affected sectors is relatively small. China's Ministry of Commerce is referring the U.S. move to levy punitive import duties on Chinese tires to the World Trade Organization, ministry spokesman Yao Jian said. "China's move to seek consultations with the U.S. is a legitimate act in line with a WTO member's rights and a...
Based on the new 2010 Mercedes E-Class W 212, the E V12 features a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo bored out to 6.3-liters producing 800 hp and 1420 Nm of torque (it's electronically limited to 1,100 Nm). While details are limited, Brabus outfitted the engine with a ram-air system, a quad-exhaust, and revised engine electronics. To keep the beast under control, the company added a fully adjustable sports suspension, new stabilizers, a high performance braking system, and black 19-inch alloy...
Sep11
Just three months out of bankruptcy, Chrysler Group is preparing for a likely return to consumer leasing, say auto dealer sources briefed on the plan by the company. The leases, which will originate with GMAC Financial Services, will be offered only on select vehicles. Probable vehicles include the Dodge Journey crossover, Nitro SUV, Ram pickup and Grand Caravan minivan; Jeep Liberty SUV; and Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
Sep10
General Motors Co., seeking to win the trust of American consumers after its U.S.-funded bailout, will offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on its vehicles. The deal will be part of a new advertising campaign led by the automaker’s new chairman, Ed Whitacre. In an echo of Lee Iacocca’s “If you can find a better car, buy it” charge to Chrysler Corp. customers in the early 1980s, the GM commercials will say, “May the best car win.”
he Transportation Department has repaid dealers for more than a third of the vouchers they gave consumers under the cash-for-clunkers program, a federal spokeswoman said today. As of this morning, the government has paid dealers $1.22 billion for 289,000 vouchers, said Jill Zuckman, spokeswoman for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
OnStar is not for sale, and General Motors is working to fine-tune the well-known service and position it for the future, a top executive said today.Despite the recent jettisoning of several GM brands, OnStar is safe and officials are optimistic as it prepares to expand in December with a launch in China. “At this point, OnStar is firmly a part of the new GM and is an integral part of GM's future strategy,” said Chet Huber, the outgoing president of OnStar.
General Motors Co.'s board recommended selling its Adam Opel GmbH unit to a consortium led by Magna International Inc., German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. The board also recommended the sale of GM's U.K. Vauxhall operations to Magna, people familiar with the matter said. The Opel Trust said it will host a news conference at 4:15 p.m. in Germany, 10:15 a.m. in New York, to announce a decision on the chosen investor for Opel and Vauxhall. The trust controls 65% of Opel, while GM...
Sep09
One would think that U.S. tire makers are excited about getting rid of cheap Chinese imports. Not so. “Most major U.S. tire manufacturers have tire plants in China or import from there.,” writes the Washington Post. The increasingly popular budget end of the tire market has been nearly completely moved to low-cost producing countries. The 5000 union jobs were lost, because Americans want cheap tires. The tariff would hurt American companies who import them, and American buyers who...
Sep08
China sent back Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.’s application to acquire General Motors Corp.’s Hummer unit, Vice Minister of Commerce Chen Jian said today at a trade and investment forum.“I, based on the current situation, understand that” Tengzhong’s application has been sent back, Chen said at the forum in the city of Xiamen. “It’s not in coordination with our nation’s industrial policy,” he said of the acquisition, without elaborating.
Consumer groups are collecting data on cash-for-clunker deals that became clunkers for buyers and plan to bring the data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make sure buyers are treated fairly. Auto website Edmunds.com is looking for people who traded a clunker, took home a new car and later were dunned by the dealer to pay another $4,500 when the dealer's rebate application was rejected by the government. Edmunds is asking affected consumers to e-mail the site
Before the electric car became the transport of tomorrow, it was the horseless carriage of yesteryear. At the turn of the 20th century, electric-powered cars were more popular than their noisy, smelly, gasoline-fired cousins, which had to be started using a hand crank that had a tendency to backfire. Among the best selling, and most basic,
Sep04
Citing intensive restructuring that has boosted Ford Motor Co.'s viability, Moody's Investors Service on Thursday raised its rating on the automaker. Moody's also said it may raise the ratings on Ford's finance arm, Ford Motor Credit Co.The rating action affects about $25 billion of debt, Moody's said."The period of greatest risk in Ford's restructuring has passed," Moody's said in a statement. The rating service also said Ford should be able to fund its cash burn until the industry...
Two crossovers taking the Class by storm, There are so many small luxury crossovers on the market now, it's getting difficult to keep track of them all – and to distinguish one from another. At a glance, doesn't the new Mercedes-Benz GLK look much like a Land Rover LR2? And who can really tell the difference between a Mazda CX-7 and an Acura RDX? Thankfully, Audi and Volvo have added spice to the market -- both in style and function, if not in name. Indeed the Audi Q5 3.2 and Volvo...
Booming North American demand pushed cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles at Toyota Motor Corp. past the 2 million-unit mark last month as the Japanese automaker marched closer to its goal of selling 1 million gasoline-electric cars per year. As of Aug. 9, Toyota sold 2.017 million hybrids worldwide since their debut in 1997. North Americans snapped up nearly 1.15 million of those hybrids, more than half the global total, the company said on Thursday. Japan soaked up another 615,800....
Sep03
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration expects to take until the end of the month to pay properly completed claims under the cash-for-clunkers program, a government official said today. “We plan to pay all eligible and complete dealer submissions by September 30,” a Transportation Department official said. The agency didn't release an official figure of how many dealer submissions have been paid. A National Automobile Dealers Association survey released yesterday found that 5.7...
Sep02
Fueled by cash for clunkers, U.S. auto sales ended a 21-month skid in August, registering the first month-to-month increase since October 2007. But the increase was modest -- a mere 1.0 percent above August 2008. Industry sales totaled 1.3 million units, topping the 1 million mark for the first time since last August. Demand hit a 13.7-million-unit annual rate, the highest since August 2008. ...
Sep01
The federal government is starting to make random, unannounced visits to dealerships to audit their compliance with the cash-for-clunkers rules, dealer associations said. The Transportation Department auditors’ focus is on possible fraud in the disposal of trade-in vehicles, said National Automobile Dealers Association spokesman Bailey Wood.
Ford Motor Co.’s August U.S. sales rose 17.2 percent, buoyed by a government cash-for-clunkers program that lifted industry demand to its highest levels this year. The year-over-year monthly increase was Ford’s largest since July 2005. That was less than analysts’ predictions of about a 34 percent increase. Still, it was enough to sustain industry predictions that sales would pass the 1-million-unit mark for the first time since August 2008. Ford’s gain follows its 2.4 percent...
Ford, Toyota and American Honda posted August U.S. sales increases, while Chrysler Group's and General Motors' declines were worse than the previous month, as the government's cash-for-clunkers program lifted industry demand to its highest levels this year. Honda's light-vehicle sales increased 9.9 percent, their biggest year-over-year monthly lift since Mary 2008. Ford Motor Co.'s light-vehicle sales rose 17.2 percent, for their largest boost since July 2005. The gain follows Ford...
Aug31
The cash-for-clunkers program pushed Ford Motor Co.’s U.S. light-vehicle sales to the company’s second-straight year-over-year increase in August while lessening sales declines for Chrysler Group and General Motors Co., analysts say. Ford’s August sales were expected to grow 34.4 percent, according to an average of five analysts’ predictions gathered by Automotive News. That would be Ford's largest year-over-year monthly lift since October 2001. The company's 2.4 percent increase in...
Tata Motors reports a net loss of $67 million, Tata Motors Ltd. plunged into a consolidated net loss for the fiscal first quarter as a liquidity squeeze world-wide hurt demand for its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury cars. India's biggest auto maker by sales Monday posted a net loss of 3.29 billion rupees ($67 million) in the three months ended June 30, compared with a net profit of 7.2 billion rupees a year earlier. Consolidated net sales rose 13% to 162.9 billion rupees from 144.14...
Aug28
Chrysler Group LLC said on Thursday it is now confident enough about its business to accept product defect claims that arise on vehicles built before its sale process was completed in June. Chrysler's predecessor, Chrysler LLC, filed for bankruptcy protection on April 30 and the sale of substantially all of its assets was completed on June 10 to Chrysler Group LLC, which is managed by Italy's Fiat S.p.A.
Aug27
Volkswagen of America wasn’t among the automakers that benefited most from the federal “cash-for-clunkers” program, but the German automaker did sell out of its 2009 diesel models, most notably the Jetta TDI, as customers traded in gas guzzlers for federal rebates. That may be a small accomplishment, given the 700,000 cars sold overall, but CEO Stefan Jacoby says he’s now ready to tackle some bigger things. He said Wednesday that he plans to make VW’s U.S. operations profitable and...
Aug26
Chrysler Group, whose new Italian partner, Fiat S.p.A., is preparing to supply Chrysler dealers with European-designed small cars, today scrapped plans to share vehicles with Nissan Motor Co. The decision means:
The Detroit 3 accounted for only 38.6 percent of the 690,114 vehicles sold under the cash-for-clunkers program, far below their 45.3 percent share of the U.S. market through July, federal data show. The figures, as of yesterday’s 8 p.m. deadline for filing transactions, suggest that foreign manufacturers got a bigger boost than domestic automakers from the $3 billion government program.
Aug25
General Motors Co. is dropping the GM logo on its cars and trucks. The badge is a small silver square with the blue “GM” embossed on it. It’s usually on the lower edge of the front fenders.
Aug24
Used car group AutoStar is recruiting rejected dealers, Several former Chrysler executives and dealers are helping recruit rejected Chrysler and General Motors dealerships to establish a used-car chain called AutoStar Superstore. The plan is to open the first five stores Oct. 1 — one each in Albuquerque, N.M.; Portland, Ore.; Las Vegas; St. George, Utah; and Pittsburg, Texas — says George Lovato Jr., chairman of AutoStar Dealer Network in Albuquerque. Lovato is the founder of Rent...
Dealers have submitted 635,186 cash-for-clunkers claims for $2.65 billion in rebates as of 7:47 a.m. Eastern time today, the U.S. Transportation Department said, indicating that the program is rapidly approaching its $3 billion limit with only 12 hours to go. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood set a deadline of 8 p.m. Eastern time for all dealer claims to be filed. He has said all dealers who submit their deals by this deadline will get paid.
On the cash-for-clunker program’s last weekend, dealerships saw a flurry of last-minute shoppers -- and in some cases, turned them away. Meanwhile, there was no sign that the government would agree to calls for it to extend the deadline for filing clunkers paperwork. Consumer auto Web site Edmunds.com said its analysts estimate the nationwide annual sales rate for the weekend would reach about 15 million units, compared with an 11.1-million-unit rate for the month of July. The...
Aug21
General Motors effort to sell new cars on eBay in California is generating interest but recording few sales on the Internet auction site. In the first nine days of the program, GM dealers listed 16,228 vehicles on eBay and completed 45 sales, according to data available on the Web site. But GM said the eBay exposure is prompting customers to visit dealerships to complete sales that aren't recorded on eBay.
Aug20
National Automobile Dealers Association officials asked the government to suspend the cash-for-clunkers program because a survey by the group found that the $3 billion fund has been exhausted, NADA Chairman John McEleney said. "We asked them to put a halt to the program -- I think we said 'very soon' -- but a suspension at midnight tonight would make sense," McEleney said in an interview Wednesday. "Our survey opened the eyes of the Transportation Department."
General Motors Co. will help cash-strapped dealers waiting for cash-for-clunker rebates by advancing them a 30-day interest-free loan in the amount of rebates that are being processed. GM said it is providing the money so dealerships will have the liquidity to run their businesses and continue to deliver vehicles to GM customers. "Our sales performance in the past two months has exceeded our internal forecast by over 60,000 vehicles, largely driven by the CARS stimulus program...
The National Automobile Dealers Association warned members that they may not be reimbursed by the government for any more cash-for-clunkers deals, arguing that some transactions could take place after the program's $3 billion has been depleted. An informal NADA survey of its 18,000 members this week found that all the U.S. money had been committed, NADA Chairman John McEleney said earlier today.
Aug18
Cadillac joined Lexus as the brand with the most-pleased customers this year, as Detroit makes held three of the top five posts in an annual University of Michigan study of customer satisfaction. Cadillac rose from No. 2 last year to match Lexus with a score of 89 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, released today. The industrywide tally was 84, or 2.4 percent above last year's and an all-time high for the index, begun in 1994. Customer satisfaction for all Detroit brands...
Toyota Motor Corp. has developed a new technology that may dramatically boost the storage capacity of lithium ion batteries and thus open the door to more practical electric vehicles. The advance -- the fabrication of single crystals of lithium cobalt oxide -- grew out of joint research with Japan's Tohoku University, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said.
Aug17
Recession or not, British luxury icon Bentley Motors Ltd. pulled the wraps off of a new flagship sedan here Sunday that will retail for close to $300,000. The Mulsanne, replaces the soon-to-be discontinued Arnage as Bentley’s global halo car in what the Volkswagen AG unit calls “the pinnacle of the ultra-luxury segment.” “There’s a very difficult business case for this car,” admitted Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley’s CEO. “The hope here is not to create volume, but to create a...
Aug14
The U.S. government has agreed to allow dealers to submit cash-for-clunkers transactions for vehicles ordered from factories instead of just those purchased at a dealership. That decision came today from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in response to dealers' complaints about dwindling inventory on lots. The news came amid reports that the agency has rejected about 80 percent of cash-for-clunkers transactions.
Volkswagen AG agreed today to buy a 42 percent stake in the sports car unit of debt-ridden Porsche Automobil Holding SE in another step toward combining the two German carmakers into a European automotive giant. VW will pay up to 3.3 billion euros ($4.7 billion) this year for the initial stake in the unit, Porsche AG, paving the way for the creation of an integrated automotive group by the end of 2011, VW and Porsche said in statements after board meetings. Volkswagen CEO Martin...
Aug13
The U.S. Department of Transportation is advising consumers taking advantage of the “Cash for Clunkers” program not to sign contingency agreements promising to pay back up to $4,500 if dealers don’t receive payment from the government. No contingency agreement is required to participate in the $3 billion program, the Transportation Department said on its Web site.
Aug12
In apparent violation of the new cash-for-clunkers law, the Department of Transportation is more than 10 days late in paying rebates of at least hundreds of thousands of dollars on dealer claims, several dealers said. Brad Wood, a dealer in Salisbury, N.C., said he has 12 unpaid claims for $47,000 pending since Aug. 1. Altogether, he is waiting for $319,000 in rebates and has received only $26,000.
Aug11
General Motors said Tuesday its Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric car should get 230 miles per gallon of gasoline in city driving, more than four times the mileage of the current champion, the Toyota Prius. GM came up with the figure in early tests using draft guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for calculating the mileage of extended range electric vehicles, said Tony Posawatz, GM's vehicle line director for the Volt.
The house and senate have both approved the bill for Cash to Clunkers Rebates for American automobile consumers. This rebate is suppose to rid the road of those old gas guzzling beasts that some people are still driving and put more economically fuel efficient cars on the highway. This will not only help out the automobile industries by selling more cars, it will also help our environment by reducing carbon emissions. If you are thinking of buying a new car, and trading in that old...
Aug10
NEW Dodge Viper Powered by a Ferrari V10 800hp, Way back in 1987, Chrysler bought up a troubled Lamborghini, and within two years put it to work developing a V10 engine program that would eventually give birth to both the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo – two of the first ten-cylinder engines on the modern market. Two decades later, the tables have turned: instead of buying up struggling Italian automakers, it's Chrysler that's troubled and the Italians are coming to the...
They are at it again, and the Obama administration is doing nothing to stop it! Public outrage has boiled over as billions of dollars in bonuses have been handed out on Wall Street, the center of the 2008 financial storm that contributed to the worst recession in generations and left millions of people jobless. Even President Obama joined in, labeling the $18.4 billion in bonuses "shameful" and calling on Wall Street to "show some restraint." Seizing on the populist anger, lawmakers...
After settling a lawsuit last month with disgruntled owners of Michelin run-flat tires, Honda dropped the tires for the 2010 model year. It was another disappointment for Michelin and other makers of run-flat tires in a 17-year effort to win customers in the United States.
GMAC Inc. today said it will resume offering leases on select vehicles in most U.S. states, a year after curtailing the practice. The Detroit-based lender said improved funding flexibility, the restructuring of General Motors Co. and rising used car values have made leasing more viable.
Aug07
The Senate added $2 billion to “cash for clunkers,” ending a week of suspense about whether the popular new program would have to shut down for lack of funds. The bill, identical to the one that passed the House last week, now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The administration has pushed hard for the new funding.
Aug05
The E-Class Estate joins the thoroughly revised sedan and coupe variants of Merc's mid-sizer and will undoubtedly grow both longer and wider than the outgoing five-door. Although the majority of the interior has been ported over from its siblings, the Estate's party-pieces are its folding rear seats that can be laid flat, a new cargo area nestled within the trunk and a set of rear-facing jump seats bound to make the kiddies car-sick on the Autobahn.
Aug04
"Cash For Clunkers" has provided a much-needed jolt to the U.S. economy since bigger-than-expected sales will mean more car production from manufacturers and raw materials producers. Similar to what the car lease transfer industry has witnessed all along, an expedited sales cycle will do wonders for the auto industry.
Ford Motor Co. posted its first U.S. sales increase in 19 months in July and most rivals pared their declines as the federal cash-for-clunkers incentive helped lift industry demand to its highest rate this year. Subaru and Hyundai-Kia recorded their biggest monthly gains of the year as total industry sales fell 12.2 percent, the smallest drop since May 2008. Percentage declines at other automakers -- including General Motors, Toyota Motor Sales, Chrysler Group and American Honda...
Aug03
More than 6,000 U.S. hourly workers have left General Motors Co. under the automaker's latest buyout program intended to make it a leaner company after its emergence from bankruptcy. GM, which exited bankruptcy on July 10 by selling most of its assets to a group funded by the U.S. Treasury, said the latest round of buyouts has brought the total number of its U.S. factory workers to 48,000.
The Obama administration will fund the cash for clunkers program until the Senate decides whether to add $2 billion to the original $1 billion fund that is likely to be depleted this weekend, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. He said the administration would honor dealer rebate applications filed at least through Tuesday, Aug. 4. If the Senate doesn't expand funding next week, the program will be suspended, LaHood said.
Jul31
WASHINGTON -- The House passed legislation to inject $2 billion into cash for clunkers after the administration reported that the $1 billion federal program was running out of money shortly after it began. The bill, which goes to the Senate next week, would transfer the new money from a U.S. loan-guarantee program for renewable energy systems that was funded under the stimulus package earlier this year.
The federal cash-for-guzzlers program continues to operate this morning despite dealer reports that it was to be suspended at midnight last night because it was approaching its $1 billion limit. “It is not suspended,” a White House spokeswoman, who asked not to be named, said in an interview today. “We continue to assess the program and its budget.”
Jul30
The cash-for-guzzlers program will run out of its $1 billion funding “well before” its Nov. 1 expiration date, a spokesman for the National Automobile Dealers Association said today, after the government said dealers have already applied for 10 percent of the funds. “Accordingly, NADA is currently working with (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to ensure that every dealer is reimbursed by NHTSA for a valid deal and that the wind-down to this program is fair and...
Jul29
Demand for leases on a several GM models has increased over the past year, according to statistics from LeaseTrader.com, which tracks activity in the secondary lease market. "It has always been imperative for GM to reintroduce car leasing programs for the millions of people that see leasing as the best fit for their automotive needs," Sergio Stiberman, CEO of LeaseTrader.com, said in a statement.
Sliding sales in North America helped send operating profit at Nissan Motor Co. tumbling 86 percent, but the Japanese automaker avoided a loss through heavy cost cutting. North American revenue fell 37.1 percent to 570.9 billion yen, or $5.97 billion at current exchange rates, in fiscal first quarter ended June 30, compared with a year earlier.
General Motors and GMAC, the company’s lending division, may begin leasing vehicles again on August 1, according to a Tuesday report in The Wall Street Journal. GM is currently ironing out details of its leasing program, which would be limited to its more expensive car models including Cadillac. Breaking back into leasing in the luxury car market would allow GM to target customers with more cash on hand who are more likely to be buyers in future.
Penske Automotive Group Inc. today said it posted a 63 percent decline in quarterly profit as the recession hurt consumer demand for new vehicles. The second-largest U.S. car dealership group, which has agreed to buy General Motors' Saturn brand, said due diligence and negotiations are continuing.
Jul28
NEW 2010 Saab 9-5 Photo Images It didn't take long for the floodgates of official pictures to open after the first set of leaked images gave us an early glimpse at the new 2010 Saab 9-5 inside and out. Just as before, we're cautiously optimistic that this attractive sedan (though it's appearance is certainly polarizing to many)
“CARS” Cash-for-clunkers eligibility list changed again, As it prepared for its "cash-for-clunkers" program, the government rejiggered gas mileage figures on about 100 older vehicles last week in a way that changed whether they would be eligible for up to $4,500 in sales inducements.
U.S. incentives paid to dealers under the cash-for-guzzlers program won’t be treated as taxable income, a spokesman for the National Automobile Dealers Association said Monday. “There’s no net taxable income for the dealers,” said the NADA's Bailey Wood, citing a clarification by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Jul27
Last year, the story from many people getting rid of a lease was trying to save money to pay expensive mortgages, said John Sternal, the company's vice president of marketing and communications. This year, they hear that people are just trying to cut back on expenses.
WASHINGTON -- Despite the overwhelming rush to cash in on guzzlers, the Car Allowance Rebate System program could come back to bite dealers at tax time. The $3,500 and $4,500 rebates the federal government is paying to entice consumers to trade their old vehicles for more fuel-efficient new ones may be treated as federal and state taxable income for dealerships.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- The Porsche and Piech families were prepared to offer Porsche AG CEO Wendelin Wiedeking 140 million euros ($199 million) for his resignation, his lawyer told Reuters on Friday. The payout would have been easily the highest severance package in German corporate history.
Jul24
President Obama signed into law a program the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). This is a federal program that helps you purchase a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel-efficient vehicle. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Jul23
Although we haven't gotten the chance to drive it yet (we will be soon), Audi has plunked a price tag on its 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro – better known as the V-10 R8. The mid-engined ten-cylinder wundercar will start at $146,000 for manual gearbox models, while the R Tronic commands $155,100 (*both are subject to a $1,200 destination charge).
Infiniti is attempting to fan sales through August with 0 percent loans and lease deals across its lineup. The program, supported by an unusual TV ad approach, offers 0 percent financing on all models except the G37 convertible, which was introduced in June. Lease rates include a $379,
Jul22
Chrysler Group is offering consumers $4,500 on most of its 2009 models, doubling the cash-for-guzzlers incentive offered by the federal government. “Double Ca$h for Your Old Car,” offers up to $4,500 cash or 0 percent financing for 72 months on qualifying new vehicles, even if the consumer’s trade-in doesn’t qualify for the federal incentive.
Jul21
The Obama administration’s automotive task force, after successfully moving General Motors and Chrysler Group out of bankruptcy protection, is ending the government-financed warranty program for the two automakers. Ron Bloom, the new head of the task force, informed a House Judiciary subcommittee about the decision in testimony here today.
Jul20
Porsche Automobil Holding SE has wracked up 14 billion euros ($19.75 billion) in debt in its failed attempt to take full control of Volkswagen, Germany's Bilnewspaper reported on Monday, citing an informed source. Sources told Reuters recently that Porsche's debt was "clearly" higher than 10 billion euros.
The Iron Mountain Autoplex has been forced to shut down its sales department after the Colorado Department of Revenue suspended its licenses for not paying off liens on trade-in vehicles. Iron Mountain Autoplex includes lots under the Champion name selling Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Mazda, Kia and Mitsubishi automobiles.
Jul17
Auto Dealer offers AK-47 with each new truck purchase A Missouri truck dealer hopes to reverse a nationwide slide in sales with a catchy offer: An AK-47 with every new truck purchase.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a measure that tries to help automobile dealerships hit by the bankruptcies of Chrysler and General Motors. The House voted 219-208 for a $24.2 billion spending bill for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
Jul16
Porsche again ranked as the industry’s most appealing brand while Dodge and Ford scored big gains in a U.S. rating of vehicles’ ability to excite owners. Porsche’s victory was its fifth straight in the annual APEAL study, released today by J.D. Power and Associates. Dodge jumped 37 points and Ford 17 points to finish above average.
Ford Motor Co. is expected to gain U.S. market share in the next few years and rivals General Motors and Chrysler may see sharp declines following their bankruptcies, a report says. Ford’s share of the U.S. market could rise 3 percentage points over the next four years to about 18 percent
Jul15
Former General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, ousted in March by the Obama administration, will retire in August with a package worth $8.6 million in the first five years. Wagoner's retirement will take effect on August 1, and he will draw sharply reduced benefits after GM's federally financed bankruptcy, the company said on Tuesday.
Jul13
2010 Honda CR-Z confirmed production, Honda has confirmed what's been suspected for some time: the Honda CR-Z is coming next year and the Fit Hybrid will be released in late 2010.
J.L. French Automotive Castings Inc., which makes aluminum die-cast auto parts, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today, saying it was "over-leveraged with an unmanageable debt load." The company, which filed the petition in U.S. Banrkuptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., listed both estimated assets and estimated liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million.
Jul09
Most of the world has been knee deep in a wicked recession for quite a while, and auto sales have been hit especially hard. Here in the U.S., the numbers have been abysmal, as the first half of the year saw only 4.8 million sales through June. China, on the other hand, is running away with the overall sales lead,
Jaguar proudly revealed the all new 2010 Jaguar XJ today in London. The iconic XJ offers a seductive mix of striking design and robust performance made possible by Jaguar's aerospace-inspired light weight aluminum body technology. The all new Jaguar XJ will go on sale in December 2009, with a starting price of $72,500 MSRP. It is available to order today for delivery in early 2010.
Jul08
Nissan Motor Co. said today that while the economic crisis had hammered automakers, the company is in a perfect position to benefit from government loans thanks to its big push in the field of zero-emission cars. Many governments, including the United States, have set aside funding to help automakers survive tight credit markets on condition that the subsidies help the countries' own efforts to meet environmental goals.
General Motors said today it expected its vehicle sales in China to grow by a little more than 20 percent this year, as the fast-growing market remains unaffected by the company's U.S. bankruptcy.
Jul07
From the "You knew it was coming" file is word that Volvo is readying an R-Design variant of their new XC60 crossover. With the company's sporty trim designation finding its way into nearly every product in the fold (C30, S40, V50, S80, V70, and XC90), the move may be an expected one, but it is pleasant nonetheless.
Historically speaking, Canada has gotten the blunt end of the stick when it comes to new car pricing compared to its southern neighbors. Pricing on many vehicles versus an otherwise identical U.S. counterpart has long been comparatively inflated, and America's recently passed Cash-For-Clunkers bill has left many Canadian consumers feeling even more short-changed than normal.
A judge approved General Motors' bankruptcy sale late Sunday in a move that will allow the company's most profitable assets to exit court protection under government ownership.
Seating and electronics supplier Lear Corp. on Tuesday put its U.S. and Canadian operations into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Lear made its filing in the U.S. bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York, listing total assets of about $1.27 billion and total liabilities of about $4.54 billion.
Jul02
Yamaha files patents for hybrid motorcycle based on Gen-Ryu, LUXAIR concepts Yamaha is reportedly developing a hybrid motorcycle based on the Gen-Ryu concept that first debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show way back in 2005 and the LUXAIR followup two years later. That first concept machine mated up the 600cc inline-four engine from Yamaha's R6
Top 6 Automakers scraping diesels Mainstream carmakers have put the brakes on nine diesel-powered vehicles that had been scheduled for 2010. Honda, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, and Toyota have halted diesel programs because of spiraling costs and other problems.
2011 BMW X1 for sale in the US. As expected after this morning's initial leakage, BMW has released a staggering amount of images of the 2011 BMW X1 showing the brand's new soft-roader in every conceivable environment before it's officially revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
GMAC said on Wednesday that it has converted to a corporation from a limited liability company, a move that could allow the auto and mortgage lender to sell shares to the public. In a regulatory filing, the Detroit-based company said holders of common membership interests in the former GMAC LLC on Tuesday received an equal number of common shares in GMAC Inc.
Jul01
Ford Motor Co.’s U.S. sales in June fell 10.7 percent, their smallest decline in 16 months, as early results supported projections that the industry may post its best month of a dismal year. Sales at bankrupt General Motors
Jun29
Federal loans to automakers and suppliers for development of electric vehicles and other advanced-technology cars would be doubled to $50 billion under a bill passed by the House on Friday night. The climate-change legislation -- the centerpiece of which is a cap-and-trade system for power plants, oil refineries and factories -- now goes to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. The Senate rejected a similar bill last year.
General Motors and China's Tengzhong will begin talking with regulators this week in a bid to obtain government approval for Tengzhong to buy the Hummer brand by the end of September, a GM spokesman said today.
Volkswagen AG denied today that it had presented Porsche Automobil Holding SE with an ultimatum to accept its plan for a merger of the two carmakers. On Saturday, Porsche accused VW and the German state of Lower Saxony of extortion following a report that VW has demanded that Porsche accept a tie-up of the two carmakers with VW in charge. Lower Saxony is VW's second largest shareholder after Porsche.
Jun26
The fact that Jaguar Land Rover accounted for $504 million of that $520 million total loss means that more job cuts and plant shutdowns are in store for the ailing British duo. Says Tata Vice Chairman Ravi Kant:
China's top economic planning agency is likely to reject Sichuan Tengzhong's bid to buy the Hummer brand from bankrupt General Motors, state radio reported on Thursday. The planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is worriedChina's top economic planning agency is likely to reject Sichuan Tengzhong's bid to buy the Hummer brand from bankrupt General Motors, state radio reported on Thursday.
FORD attempts to Cash in on Cash for Clunkers
Do you need a new car? Do you have an old car to part with? Are you confused about how to participate in the "Cash for Clunkers" program you've heard so much about? Ford Motor Company would like to talk to you.
Jun25
How to Jump-Start a Car Battery A car battery. One of the most important car parts. And one that seems to die right when you need it the most: driving to your grandparent’s house for Christmas or some other inopportune time, usually in the winter (
Jun24
General Motors plans to complete a 20 percent cut in its white-collar work force by October, a spokesman said Tuesday. The plan, which was detailed in letters to the bankrupt automaker's employees sent earlier in the day, will eliminate an additional 4,000 jobs through a combination of layoffs and terminations.
Jun23
Obama to give $25 billion more in loans to the automakers Ford Motor Co. will receive a share of $25 billion in government loans designed to help automakers retool factories for making fuel-efficient cars, according to sources familiar with the decision by the Obama administration.
Ford's marketers and PR types have a tremendous task ahead of them: Educating the American consumer on what company's new Taurus is all about. It's a Herculean task that amounts to nothing more than rebuilding a brand that was once broadly considered an icon – not just of the auto industry – but of American business at large.
Jun19
General Motors has been tight-lipped about what it's planning to spend on advertising while in bankruptcy, but Automotive News sister publication, Advertising Age, has the answer: $40 million to $50 million per month, which comes out to about same dollars-per-unit rate as before it filed for Chapter 11.
That translates to between $80 million and $150 million, depending on how long it takes GM to dig itself out.
Jun17
FORD Seeks No-Strike Pledge from UAW Ford Motor Co., the only major U.S. automaker not in bankruptcy, will ask the United Auto Workers to match the no-strike pledge given to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC. Ford is talking to the union about gaining the concessions, Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally told reporters today at the
Obama denies auto suppliers request for $10 billion in aid The Wall Street Journal reported today that President Obama has taken a pass on granting auto parts suppliers' request for $10 billion in aid, leaving the financially-strapped companies to seek succor from Congress instead.
Jun16
Chrysler to restart the first assembly plant, to make Dodge Viper’s Chrysler Group announced Monday that it is restarting a factory, after shutting down all of its manufacturing for nearly seven weeks following the bankruptcy of Chrysler LLC. Chrysler Group is the new company that emerged last week with most of Chrysler's assets and a new ownership structure. The first plant to reopen is the one that makes the Dodge Viper sports car.
Jun15
Th!nk has been saying for some time that it wants to build some of its cars in in the United States. That announcement could come as soon as this week in Louisana. In a report published in Louisiana newspaper The News Star, factory owner Jim Davison will make an announcement on Wednesday of this week. Davison owns a factory that was formerly part of Guide, previously a General Motors lighting division.
Jun11
Aston Martin Rapide in parking lot Who needs spy photographers like Hans Lehmann when you have readers like Car Magazine's Simon Gregg that stumbled upon Aston Martin's all-new Rapide sport sedan sitting in a parking lot without a single trace of camouflage! From what we gather, the test car must be one of the final prototype models of the four-door Aston that is scheduled to be
Jun10
When you think off road, it doesn't get better than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen, Hummer H2 – have all gone luxed-out, the Defender soldiers on as the bare-bones option. Essentially the same body-on-frame design from 1948, the Defender is still hand-assembled. But what's Land Rover to do when the market demands luxury? Lux out the Defender, of course.
The Supreme Court cleared the way for the government-backed sale of Chrysler LLC to a group led by Italy’s Fiat S.p.A., a victory for the bankrupt U.S. automaker and the Obama administration. The high court rejected a request from Indiana pension funds and other opponents of the transaction to delay
Jun09
Dealers will receive the amended agreement by Federal Express tomorrow. In it, GM is changing some terms to address such issues as higher sales objectives and facility upgrades. GM also modified terms that waived dealers' rights to protest anything GM does outside a six-mile radius of their stores for two years.
Jun08
The Chinese heavy machinery maker that agreed to buy General Motors' Hummer brand may find the biggest roadblocks to the deal in its home country.Following last week's surprise announcement that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery and GM had reached an agreement, analysts and Chinese media were buzzing with talk that the two companies may have jumped the gun. The pitfalls range from regulatory to financing issues.
Jun05
Are you on Twitter? As of May 1st, 2009 LeaseTrader.com, a nationwide online marketplace for car lease transfers opened its Twitter account. this will allow customers to get information on the auto world including question and concerns people have with getting in or out of there car leases. This is a leading step in giving information to the general public says Even Snider PR Manger of LeaseTrader.com
A group of pension funds opposed to the sale of bankrupt Chrysler LLC is ready to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, their lawyer told a U.S. appeals court today. Glenn Kurtz, a lawyer at White & Case representing a group of Indiana pension funds opposing Chrysler's sale to a group led by Italy’s Fiat S.p.A., said his law firm is already working on papers for the appeal to the U.S. top court if necessary.
Penske Automotive Group agrees to buy Saturn from GM Auto entrepreneur Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group has signed an agreement to purchase Saturn from General Motors by the end of the third quarter. The deal will save nearly 350 dealerships and about 13,000 jobs related to Saturn, said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's general manager.
Jun04
Chrysler, Fiat Sale Put on Hold! At the same time Chrysler LLC was supposed to be proceeding with its sale to Fiat SpA on June 5th as approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, objecting creditors will be arguing their case yet again in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City
Jun03
Who is Tengzhong? Why does it want to buy Hummer? A question that all of the China is asking now! A little-known player in China's heavy machinery industry emerged from nowhere to agree to buy General Motors' Hummer brand, raising eyebrows among peers who question whether it can turn around the U.S. auto maker. The tentative deal with privately-held Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.
Danica Patrick's SI Swimsuit Shoot! “bad remarks about doping” In an interview with Dan Patrick published in Sports Illustrated, Danica Patrick was asked, if she could take a performance-enhancing drug and not get caught, would she do it if it allowed her to win the Indianapolis 500.
General Motors is offering some dealerships $100,000 to $1 million to wind down their businesses over the next 17 months, according to three sources familiar with the proposals For Pontiac-only franchises, GM is offering only $10,000 to $200,000, according to two sources. The offers are contained in so-called wind-down agreements that the bankrupt automaker has sent to dealerships that will not have their franchises renewed when they expire on Oct. 31, 2010.
Jun02
The Chinese, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company made an offer for Hummer today! The Chinese manufacturer planning to buy General Motors' Hummer will expand the brand's lineup -- including alternative powertrains -- and retain its U.S. dealers, Hummer CEO Jim Taylor said today.
MAY 2009 AUTOMOTIVE SALES BY THE NUMBERS Ford Motor Co. and General Motors in May reported their smallest monthly sales declines since last summer, while Honda and Toyota each dropped more than 40 percent from their totals a year earlier, when Americans flocked to small cars because of soaring gasoline prices.
GM finds a Buyer for the HUMMER Brand! General Motors Corp., just after yesterdays filing for bankruptcy protection, announced the they have a tentative agreement to sell off the Hummer brand, elements of the plan is to emerge as a leaner, more-competitive auto maker. GM has been trying to figure alternatives for the brand for over a year now, the new buyer could take possession of the Hummer brand in as little as three months by September 2009.
Jun01
General Motors filed for bankruptcy today, forcing the 100-year-old automaker once seen as a symbol of American economic might into a new and uncertain era of government ownership. The filing is the third-largest in U.S. history and the largest-ever U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. A huge gamble for the Obama presidency.
A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Sunday approved the sale of most of Chrysler LLC's assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat S.p.A. The OK came hours before an expected bankruptcy filing by General Motors. Judge Arthur Gonzalez approved the $2 billion sale of the assets to a new company that will be 68 percent controlled by a health care trust aligned with the United Auto Workers union.
May29
DETROIT -- General Motors plans to start telling more dealerships that they will be terminated when their franchise agreements expire in 17 months. Two sources familiar with GM's strategy said the automaker planned to shutter as many as 450 additional stores beyond the 1,124 announced on May 15. In an interview late Thursday, GM sales chief Mark LaNeve said the figure is "less than half" that many.
Volkswagen Eos White Night special-edition The new Volkswagen special-edition Eos White Night is big on contrast, with a Candy White body offset by a Deep Black Pearlescent roof, side mirrors, and radiator grille. The look is an interesting one,
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration plans to inject $30 billion into General Motors on top of the $19.4 billion it has already lent as part of a sweetened offer to bondholders, senior administration officials said today.
May26
Audi AG is the only German premium automaker that has committed to giving its workers a profit-sharing bonus for 2008. The German automaker will pay 157 million euros ( 219.6 Million Dollars) in bonuses by the end of this month. That works out to be an average of 3,600 euros per person. Faced with the need to cut labor costs, Daimler AG's management and union decided last month not to pay out a
Volkswagen unit loans Porsche $980 million dollars STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) -- Porsche confirmed on Monday it got a 700 million euro ($980 million) loan from its Volkswagen unit but insisted it could cope with its debt woes."Porsche is not on the verge of insolvency even if that is alleged over and over," a company spokesman said, referring to media reports about the German group whose takeover of VW has stalled, forcing it instead to seek a merger with VW.
May22
GM reaches deal with Canadian Auto Workers unionAfter two weeks of intense negotiations, General Motors Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union have reached a deal that will help the automaker cut costs, allowing it to meet the terms for additional government loans. Ken Lewenza, head of the CAW,
2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. The latest proof of this is the announcement of the
May21
General Manager & Dealer Principal Information The UAW says it has reached a tentative new contract with General Motors and the U.S. Treasury Department aimed at helping the automaker restructure. The terms include reworking $20 billion in debt owed to a UAW-administered retiree health care trust known as a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, the union said in a statement today.
May19
Government regulators will get their prize of higher fuel-economy standards, and automakers will get the certainty of a national emissions standard, under new rules to be proposed Tuesday by President Barack Obama. The fleet average fuel economy for automakers will rise to 35.5 mpg in 2016 under the president's proposal--10 mpg more than today's mandate. At the same time, the president's proposed rule will cut carbon emissions, thought to be a key factor in global warming.
Daimler takes 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of California electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc., During a press conference held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart this morning. Daimler said its stake in Tesla will allow the companies to collaborate even more closely
May18
The UAW expects a crucial round of restructuring talks with General Motors "to intensify this coming week" ahead of an end-of-May deadline set by the Obama administration.
In an e-mail message sent to rank-and-file workers, the union also repeated its opposition to GM's plans to close 16 U.S. manufacturing plants and cut about 21,000 jobs while also planning to increase vehicle imports from GM plants in lower-wage economies such as Mexico, South Korea and China.
May15
GM will be Closing 1,124 dealerships.
DETROIT -- General Motors has told 1,124 dealerships, most of them small and considered to be poor performers, that their GM franchise agreements likely won’t be extended past October 2010. But the letters, which are arriving today, say dealers can appeal the decision.
May14
Chrysler closings 789 of its U.S. dealerships by June 9 DETROIT -- Chrysler LLC’s plan to eliminate a quarter of its U.S. dealerships by June 9 means the vast majority of the surviving stores will sell the Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler brands under the same roof -- a longstanding
Porsche Panamera in production
It is here!! After years of anticipation and ramp-up, Porsche has finally begun production of the Panamera four-door model at its factory in Leipzig. But don't take our word for it, you can go and see for yourself as the German automaker has re-opened the factory to the public.
May12
Right now, cash is king in the automotive world, and Ford Motor Company is looking to raise some serious greenbacks with 300 million shares of common stock. The money will be used to fund automotive operations, with a portion of the payments Ford is required
May07
The small town of Tracy, CA is the place to buy a new car! The municipality is giving away 800 $500 gift certificates to any one of the city's car dealerships and the dealers apparently love the program. Auto Sales in the region are down 50% versus previous years, and a Volkswagen store has already closed, and a Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC store is set to follow suit at the end of this month.
May06
Chrysler offers up to $6,000 worth of incentives As of May 6 2009, Chrysler is offering $4,000 Consumer Cash on all 2009 model year Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. But that's not all, if you own a current vehicle from one of those three brands, you get an additional $1,000 off on most 2008 and 2009 models (Chrysler doesn't say which ones in its press release after the jump, though). But wait, th
May05
GIRLS OF THE AUTO SHOW
Within the past year we have seen some of the most beautiful automobiles on our blog site. From the Bugatti to the Rolls Royce but we neglected to show some you the hardest workers at the auto shows. The models of the auto show are some of the most exposed hard working people there. They are required to look pretty and work
Hyundai Nuvis The Hyundai Nuvis concept was revealed at this past 2009 New York Auto Show. The sweeping creases echo and expand upon Hyunadi's design direction that could be seen on the Genesis coupe and sedan and the Korean market Equus that stood on display nearby. Like so many other concepts at the show this year, this one featured doors that will almost certainly not be duplicated in production, extra-long gull-wings in this case.
May01
APRIL 2009 AUTOMOTIVE SALES BY THE NUMBERS Ford, Honda and General Motors posted their smallest sales declines of the year in April, while Nissan and Toyota had their largest, as the industry improved from depressed levels of February and March. Drops of 33 percent at Ford Motor Co. and GM were in line with ana
Apr30
Chrysler LLC filed for bankruptcy today in New York and charted its future by entering an alliance with Italy's Fiat S.p.A. Despite intense negotiations over the past few weeks, Chrysler failed to gain the full support from its lenders to avoid the first-ever bankruptcy filing by a major U.S. automaker.
Apr29
Swine influenza – U.S. Deaths & confirmed cases
As of April 29, 2009, 11:00 AM ET the United States has 91 confirmed cases and 1 Death
28 April 2009--The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases,
2009 Nissan 370Z - NISMO Z Not having an official presence at this year New York Auto Show didn’t keep Nissan away. The new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster and NISMO 370Z made its presence known with a smash it for Nissan. Take a look at the photo taken at the 2009 New York Auto Show
Apr28
Swine Influenza (Flu) Key Facts
First! At this time there is no vaccines to protect humans from swine flu!
The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is
Apr27
Mazda's new CEO Takashi Yamanouchi introduced the Brand new 2010 Mazda CX-9 at the New York Auto Show.
Mazda is continuing to use the international auto show circuit to roll out its revamped model lineup, bringing its updated 2010 Mazda CX-9 to the 2009 New York Auto Show along with the refreshed CX-7 and the new Mazdaspeed3, both of which are making their debuts on U.S. soil.
Mazda's new CEO Takashi Yamanouchi introduced the Brand new 2010 Mazda CX-9 at the New York Auto Show. Mazda is continuing to use the international auto show circuit to roll out its revamped model lineup, bringing its updated 2010 Mazda CX-9 to the 2009 New York Auto Show along with the refreshed CX-7 and the new Mazdaspeed3, both of which are making their debuts on U.S. soil.
Apr23
Hyundai Equus The new Hyundai Equus was released at the New York Auto Show , though it looks nice from the inside and out it still have a cheesy-ness about it! as written before it is meant to do battle with the likes of the Mercedes Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and BMW 7 Series, by the sticker price of $96,000.00? that right!
SMS 570 Challenger
The brand new name Saleen company, SMS Limited, showed off their very first production vehicle here at the 2009 New York Auto Show - the SMS 570 Challenger. Based on the Dodge Challenger R/T, the SMS 570 Challenger features an SMS Red Butterfly Induction hood and other SMS ultra-high performance
Apr21
2010 Kia Forte Koup
The New Kia Forte sedan was reveled at February’s Chicago auto show, and we knew a two-door variant was on the way. Today, the company unveiled that coupe, calling it the Forte Koup. We’re not sure why automakers feel the need to mess with the English language, but considering the trim levels
Apr20
2010 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Unconfirmed reports released yesterday state that the Fiat group will include the new 2010 Alfa Romeo Giulia in their plan with Chrysler LLC. Again, it is not confirmed but sources inside state that they are looking for the most marketable line of cars to bring to the US.
This is Alfa Romeo successor to the 159 and Alfa Romeo’s last attempt to revive the Giulia nameplate. The powertran has not
Apr16
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee The brand new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers 11 percent better fuel economy with 33 percent more hp and 11 percent more torque. The New 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been introduced at the New York International Auto Show. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be powered with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with Variable-Valve Timing (VVT), that develops 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm.
Apr15
BMW is releasing the new 2009 7 Series 6+ different models 1. 2009 BMW 730d Sedan 3.0L Straight Six Diesel engine 2. 2009 BMW 740i Sedan 3. 2009 BMW 740il Sedan Long wheelbase version 4. 2009 BMW 750i Sedan 5. 2009 BMW 750il Sedan Long wheelbase version 6. 2009 BMW 750il Hybrid Sedan
Apr13
BMW Diesel’s qualify for tax credit BMW states that that both of their new Advanced Diesel models with BluePerformance technology qualify for an IRS Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Tax Credit. Buyers of the new 2009 BMW 335d BluePerformance will qualify for a tax credit of up to $900 while those interested in the 2009 X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance will qualify for up to $1,800 tax credit.
General Motors ordered to prepare for bankruptcy! Treasury Department instructed GM to prepare for bankruptcy. Shares of General Motors stock tumbled more than 10 percent today as the Treasury Department instructed the auto maker to prepare for a bankruptcy filing by a June 1 deadline according to a report Sunday in the New York Times.
Mar31
2010 BMW Z4 The new 2010 BMW Z4, roadster offers a brand new folding hardtop, that replaces both the Z4 coupe and roadster. Everything is totally redesigned from the BMW Z4 is bigger in every way. At 166 inches long and 50 inches high, the new car is still 6 inches shorter and 5 inches lower than a 1-series convertible. So it's not a big car. Nevertheless, the interior is indeed bigger, with a quarter-inch more headroom and an inch and a half more shoulder room.
Mar24
2010 Chevy Camaro It been three years, the well awaited arrival of the 2010 Chevy Camaro rolled off the assembly line on March 16th, 2009 in Oshawa, Ontario. A lifetime of anticipation, It has taken way too long for GM to bring the this car to market. Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Motorsports
Mar23
Mercedes-Benz E63 Although we don’t like teasers at all, we had to show you this… Mercedes-Benz decided to tease us with their brand new E63 AMG, which looks amazing! But why this teaser? Well, Mercedes-Benz already won a price in Germany, as the 2009 Sports Car, although the vehicle was not released yet. As you can see from the photo, the 2010 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG
Mar12
Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire A new special edition Veyron will be offered to commemorate100 years of the Bugatti name, but its not cheap, for the not-so-low price of $1.69 million everyone can have one. The automaker did, however, indicate that 200 Veyrons have been delivered to date, with another 50 on order. Bugatti has long said it will only build 300 standard Veyron coupes befor
Feb13
We have received so many inquires about the Volvo C30 and Twilight the movie we wanted to give all the fans a little background on the Volvo C30 T5 and some OnSet Photos that our friend have sent to us. TWILIGHT is an action-packed, modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire. BELLA SWAN (Kristen Stewart) and EDWARD CULLEN (Robert Pattinson) 2009 Volvo C30