I think it’s what people call irony: Just a week or so before Toyota became synonymous with unintended acceleration, it was focusing on the intended kind at the Tokyo Auto Salon. That’s where it gave five of its JDM models the “G Sports” treatment, introducing a new series of products that are “designed for customers who strongly desire to own a unique vehicle, offering them a personalized interior and exterior design along with sports-driving performance.”
Continue reading ‘Toyota, Volkswagen Prepping Performance Divisions’
One might not understand the true grasp for technology based on the automotive industry. But, it has become more apparent that the automotive world is dependent on technology. As technology evolved, the automotive industry began to incorporate new technologies into their new vehicles. Some of the first technologies to take effect in vehicles were power steering, power windows, antilock brakes, and all-wheel drive.
Continue reading ‘The Role of Technology in Cars’
While the 2010 Detroit Auto Show will be known for hybrids, electric cars and “going green”, the auto show also featured military vehicles. That is right, the auto show in Detroit for 2010 featured fuel-efficient military vehicles! Two vehicles in particular were big hits at this year’s auto show: the CERV (Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle) and the APD (Autonomous Platform Demonstrator). Continue reading ‘Not Just Camouflage Green’
The winter months can wreak not only the appearance of your vehicle, but also the way it performs on the roads. One of the most important things a person can learn when taking Driver’s Ed or being taught how to drive by a family member is how to drive in the snow. Now, not every person who gets their driver’s license will need to learn how to drive in the snow because of their geographic location. However, for those who live in the Central part of the country and the Northeast, learning how to drive in the snow is crucial to their survival.
Continue reading ‘How to Drive in the Snow’
Although the industry was shocked to hear that an offer from Spyker to by Saab was back on the table again, it appears that General Motors has not ceased the process of winding down the Swedish automaker.
No new announcements regarding Saab are ready to be made according to GM spokesman Chris Preuss. Clearly the determination of Spyker Cars is not convincing enough for GM to halt the end of this loss-generating brand. Continue reading ‘New Saab Offers Fail to Deter GM’
The 2010 Toyota Prius is a technological marvel to some extent. With a base price of $23K, drivers can expect extreme miles per gallon and will also enjoy riding in a vehicle known for eco-friendliness. But while most accounts of the Toyota Prius seem to be positive overall, some admit that real-world driving puts it in a different light than many mainstream reviews.
For starters the design will either excite or sicken potential buyers. The space-aged styling does make the Prius very aerodynamic which is important for reducing fuel consumption, but the problem is that the design also places instruments out of reach for the driver. In addition, controls take a bit of getting used to as they’re not placed where drivers would expect to find them. Continue reading ‘2010 Toyota Prius Isn’t Always a Perfect Choice’
General Motors has announced that its restructuring efforts are already paying off. The automaker has said that it expects to pay back the money it was loaned by to the U.S. government, as well as the Canadian and Ontario governments, earlier than expected.
GM received a total of $6.7 billion in loans from the U.S. Treasury as part of bankruptcy restructuring. As a result of this restructuring, the U.S. Government is still the single largest stake holder in the Detroit automaker. Although GM was eager to announce that progress has been made, CEO Fritz Henderson was quick to downplay the announcement and identified that the automaker still has plenty of work ahead.
Between the emergence of post-bankruptcy GM and the end of the quarter, GM has already lost $651 million. Although the loss is substantial, Wichita Chevrolet Service stresses that it’s still lower than what was originally predicted. According to Oshkosh Buick dealers, success in Asia and in emerging markets has helped the automaker overall. Cash for Clunkers was also beneficial.
As early as June 2010, GM could repay its debt to the U.S. government. While GM is currently a privately owned company, it also expects to begin selling stock again in 2010. All these developments show positive signs that GM is on its way to profitability again says Car Smart Auto Sales, but GM still has plenty of challenges ahead. Continue reading ‘General Motors Expects Early Loan Repayment’
The Volkswagen Passat has seen its fair share of ups and downs. But as new car demand waned, the demand for the Passat plummeted. Instead, buyers were either more interested in sportier looking CC, or in other foreign luxury brands. This has led VW to consider dropping the Passat when a new mid-sized sedan is expected to go on sale in 2011.
The all-new sedan, which is to be built in the U.S., has yet to be named according to a Hamilton car dealership. Although it will be larger than the current Passat, it will also be priced lower, which Saint Louis Used Volkswagen dealers say may help it become more competitive next to lower priced options from Japanese and domestic automakers.
Since it will be built in Tennessee, Volkswagen will be able to offer the new sedan with a lower price tag than the Passat. The 2010 Passat starts at just under $28K. This year VW will also be dropping the V6 model says one Wausau used Volkswagen dealer and will only offer the sedan with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Although a name and specific details of the new sedan are not yet available, VW is expecting to sell about 100,000 units per year when it finally arrives – far more than the goals set for the Passat. Last year Passat sales totaled 30,034 units. Despite being based on the Passat, the CC sedan will remain in the lineup. Continue reading ‘Volkswagen to Drop the Passat’
Cash for Clunkers proved to be beneficial to everyone, especially considering that everyone had been hurting before the program’s start. But it was the foreign automakers that benefited even more as their market share actually increased.
Critics of the Cash for Clunkers program warned that it could fuel the sales of foreign brands says Philadelphia Chevrolet dealers, thereby funneling U.S. tax payer dollars away from American companies and into the pockets of other brands. Illustrating the advantageous position of foreign brands is the statistics from J.D Power which suggest that normally U.S. car buyers purchase domestic brands 47% of the time. However, during the Cash for Clunkers program, that percentage fell to 38.5%, indicating a growing preference among American consumers for foreign makes, which has come to no surprise to Tampa Honda.
One of the factors contributing to the interest in foreign automakers is the concern over fuel efficiency point out Toyota Quick Lube. Under the program, most buyers were fixated on improved fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, most consumers also associate foreign brands with improved fuel economy.
With the goal of the Cash for Clunkers program to improve the environment and get more gas-guzzling vehicles off the road, consumer perceptions played a larger role than anticipated notes Car Loans Macon.
Since American buyers still regard Japanese and Korean brands in particular as the leaders in providing fuel efficient vehicles, it was not too surprising to dealers such as Longview Honda Service that consumers flocked to these showrooms more often than domestic brand showrooms. Perhaps this is yet another warning to domestic brands that changes need to happen fast. Continue reading ‘Cash for Clunkers Successful for Foreign Automakers’
The Cube is the Nissan answer to Scion’s xB or Honda’s Element. All are compact, bold in their design, and affordable. While affordability and fuel efficiency is enough to excite plenty of car buyers these days, the Nissan Cube and its closest competitors also feature a love-it-or-hate-it design that certainly won’t resonate with every car buyer.
Powering the Nissan Cube is a 1.8-liter four cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission. The engine produces 122 horsepower and 127 lb ft of torque which doesn’t sound like much to consumers at a Nissan dealer in Seattle but once under way it’s certainly enough to easily move this 2864 pound vehicle. The Cube gets 28 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the CVT. Those numbers are enough to make it more fuel efficient than many other vehicles in its class.
The exterior of the Cube is the Nissan’s most distinctive quality according to test drivers among Nissan dealers Boston. However, its boxy appearance will likely appeal to younger car buyers and the exotic exterior styling is continued throughout the interior as well. The headliner even features ripples around the overhead dome light, mimicking the effect of a pebble dropped into a pond. One Providence used Nissan dealer says the Cube has a wide range of unique and fun available features including 16 inch alloy wheels, six speaker audio with Rockford-Fosgate amplifier and subwoofer, and even a USB input for your iPod.
Priced from $13,990, the Nissan Cube is certainly an affordable compact vehicle that offers ample versatility for passengers and cargo. With competitive fuel efficiency, the Cube should appeal to plenty of buyers, but thanks to its unique style the Cube will certainly not be confused with just any compact vehicle. Continue reading ‘Nissan Cube Delivers Style For Less’
