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’
General Motors lost its top spot as the as the highest selling automaker in the world when Toyota took the reigns as GM sales plummeted. Despite continued sales slumps and bankruptcy restructuring, GM narrowly missed overtaking Toyota in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, Volkswagen remains very close behind in the number three spot.
In the first six months of 2009, GM trailed Toyota sales by a mere 11,000 units, which has not surprised Dayton car dealers since the Detroit automaker has introduced several all-new models in recent months, including the popular all-new Chevy Camaro. Volkswagen has also done well, closing the gap with Toyota significantly to solidify its third place stance. Toyota was able to sell 463,805 more vehicles than Volkswagen.
Ford is the only other American automaker in the top ten lists, holding steady in the number five spot. Although Ford was able to avoid bankruptcy restructuring, Toyota Service Woodbridge observes that like Toyota, Ford still battles the effects of a sluggish economy, with new car demand stagnate worldwide.
In total, the top ten list for highest auto sales includes three manufacturers from Europe, five from Asian, and two from the U.S. With GM loosing the added sales of Saturn, Pontiac, Saab, and Hummer brands one dealer specializing in used cars in Philadelphia expects GM’s position on this list to change dramatically in the coming months. After holding on to the top spot for nearly 80 years, Toyota became the world’s largest automaker in 2008. Continue reading ‘GM Closes Gap With Toyota for Global Sales’
General Motors has announced that it will be exiting its partnership with Toyota. After 25 years, GM will cut its stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc (NUMMI), which was a joint manufacturing venture between GM and Toyota. The partnership produced vehicles such as the Toyota Corolla and the Pontiac Vibe, as well as the Toyota Tacoma. The manufacturing facility is based in Fremont, CA and produces about 250,000 cars and 170,000 trucks per year.
Since GM has dissolved the Pontiac brand, the involvement in NUMMI was called into question as the Pontiac Vibe was the only GM vehicle currently coming out of the partnership. At first it appeared as though another GM brand would become a Toyota Matrix clone observed Newburgh Toyota, but with GM’s financial struggles it seems that simply walking away is the most feasible option at this time.
There’s been plenty of speculation about GM’s involvement in NUMMI following bankruptcy, but after trying to find solutions that made sense to all parties involved, NUMMI was labeled as part of the Old General Motors says Chicago Chevrolet dealers, and as such would be sold off through bankruptcy.
GM has expressed that the NUMMI partnership has been a positive relationship says one Poughkeepsie used cars dealer. While NUMMI will come to a close, GM is said to be open to future opportunities as well. As it stands, NUMMI employs about 4,500 workers and 890 salaried personnel. Continue reading ‘GM Leaves NUMMI Partnership’
While the auto industry struggles to counteract the effects of falling auto sales, a new study suggests that new car sales won’t necessarily be rebounding any time soon. According to market research firm AutoPacific, Americans are holding on to their cars for longer periods of time, and are there are continuing to stay clear of dealerships.
Research suggested that most would-be new car buyers intended to keep their cars for four years or longer rather than purchase a new car. This statistic, to the dismay of New York Hyundai Repair, is an increase from last year. Meanwhile, 72 percent of the general public intended to refrain from purchasing a new car for more than one year.
Needless to say, the economy is the largest factor in changing buying behavior admits Used Cars Yuma. Consumers that purchase a new vehicle every couple of years or less are becoming rarer in today’s economic environment. Despite the economy, one Nissan dealer in Tacoma points out that automakers are introducing attractive sales incentives and other programs to entice buyers to enter showrooms. Despite these initiatives, sales continue to be sluggish.
With over 32,000 respondents to the survey, the study likely indicates what the general public feels about car buying these days. Although recent signs suggest the worst may be behind us, the industry is still limping along and the rebound in new cars sales is clearly not going to happen overnight. Continue reading ‘Consumers are Holding onto Their Cars Longer’
General Motors is preparing to change the image of its lineup when it emerges from bankruptcy. While the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt is hoped to add to the automaker’s eco-friendly credentials, plenty of attention is also being placed on the Buick brand, particularly to compliment the expected demand for the attractive 2010 Buick Lacrosse.
Complimenting the release of the all-new Buck Lacrosse, Oklahoma City Car Loans say that GM is also planning a new hybrid model in the not too distant future. The stunning Lacrosse will be launched with two powerful V6 options to choose from, not to mention an ultra efficient 2.0-liter four cylinder engine with direct injection technology.
The announcement of a hybrid version of the new Buick Lacrosse comes on the heels of the cancellation of the Chevy Malibu hybrid, which will meet its demise next year according to Trenton Auto Service. The current Chevy Malibu and the Lacrosse hybrid already share similar a chassis and components and are built alongside each other. The cancellation of the Malibu hybrid stems from poor sales, but Salt Lake City used car loans specialists notes that GM seems to think the Lacrosse hybrid will have better luck in the tough mid-sized hybrid segment.
By 2012, General Motors hopes to offer 14 hybrids. The recent announcement of the Lacrosse hybrid appears to be one of those 14, but it remains to be seen whether it can achieve the sales momentum that the Malibu hybrid seemed incapable of attaining. Continue reading ‘GM Announces Buick LaCrosse Hybrid in the Works’
Toyota and General Motors have had a strong partnership via NUMMI. This seemingly odd relationship was responsible for the Pontiac Vibe, which was build alongside the similar Toyota Matrix in a joint manufacturing venture based in California. With the Pontiac Vibe now discontinued, the question now is what will come of the NUMMI partnership.
Rumors have suggested that another model will soon be shared by the two automakers, perhaps also based on the Toyota Matrix suggests Oklahoma City Used Cars. However, details on these discussions remain unconfirmed. Another possibility for NUMMI is that GM will license Toyota’s hybrid technology for GM cars and trucks. This rumor has since been denied from GM executives in the paged of their online blog, the GM Fastlane Blog.
Although GM would no doubt benefit from Toyota’s stellar Synergy Drive Hybrid System, the automaker has pointed out that they are very busy developing their own internal hybrid technology. Chevrolet Financing Peoria say this proprietary technology will be available soon enough in the upcoming Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. GM also has several other hybrid models under development, including a Buick hybrid crossover.
In discussing future hybrid technology plans, GM has singled out Buick as the main beneficiary of this new technology. A hybrid Enclave is currently in the works says Washington DC Buick, as well as a smaller hybrid crossover that will essentially fill the void in the GM lineup that will be left once the Vue Hybrid and the Saturn brand are sold. Continue reading ‘GM Dispels Rumors of Licensing Toyota Hybrid Technology’
