|
'09 Detroit Auto Show, now with 100% less Nissan Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Nissan 
Visitors to the Detroit Auto Show will be able to eyeball a bunch of Chinese cars that have virtually no hope of ever being sold in the U.S., but they won't be able to scope out the Maxima... or 370Z... or Cube. You'll remember that Nissan formally announced that neither it nor its luxobrand Infiniti would participate in this year's exhibition, joining a parade of other no-shows. You'll also remember that local dealers had elected to supply their own vehicles to give the brand a floor presence in lieu of the spiked corporate display. That plan is now as dead as the Detroit Auto Show is shaping up to be, since the Tennessee mothership has pulled rank and told the dealers to back off asked dealers to "please respect their decision to not have a presence at the North American International Auto Show," according to auto show co-chair (and Nissan dealer) Doug Fox. Needless to say, the dealers have complied, and some primo floor space is once again available to interlopers from the basement level. Now, who's hungry for more Chinese?
[Source: Detroit Free Press]'09 Detroit Auto Show, now with 100% less Nissan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Toyota plans 11-day plant shutdown in Japan Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota 
Toyota execs must think they're living in the Bizarro World. Think about it: operating losses, plunging sales -- these were terms once reserved for its lowly competitors. Not anymore. Now, Toyota's feeling the sting of a down market along with everyone else and is taking steps to try and stop the bleeding. An already-planned 3-day production freeze this month at all of Toyota's Japanese manufacturing plants has now swelled to include 11 more days in February and March. Toyota's hoping to scale back inventories in the face of flagging car sales everywhere. Cue the R.E.M...
[Source: Reuters, AFP]Toyota plans 11-day plant shutdown in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Ssangyong gets bailout from SAIC Filed under: China, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials  It may not be the entire 320 billion won that its largest creditor was looking for, but Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp's recent announcement that it would prop Ssangyong up with an investment of 25.9 billion won ($19.89 million) should do the trick. SAIC says the money is to facilitate the development of new products, but we'd guess that paying the Korean automaker's employees for their services will probably take top priority. According to the unionized workers for Ssangyong, which is Korea's fifth-largest automaker, a total of 29 billion won is owed to employees.
The union and SAIC appear to be posturing back and forth on how to proceed from here. Ssangyong's Chinese owners want to cut a total of 2,000 jobs from the Korean automaker before investing any further money and the union is expected to vote on this new plan, which is widely expected to fail. After reporting a staggering sales drop of over 50% last year, though, something's got to give.
[Source: Gasgoo]Ssangyong gets bailout from SAIC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World's Richest Man invests in RVs Filed under: Earnings/Financials 
Everyone's broke. Gas prices keep rising and falling. America's three largest manufacturers of recreational vehicles are losing money like their pockets are full of holes. Perfect time to invest.
Well, it is if you're Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world, who has made an art out of "buy low, sell high." Through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, the Texas-based legendary Omaha investor has invested some $40 million in Middlebury, Indiana's Coachmen Industries, makers of the Viking line of motor homes. The move is diametrically opposed to that of fellow American investor Kirk Kerkorian, who is rapidly divesting from America's automakers. Prospects in the RV market hardly look any better than Detroit's - projections place sales next year at their lowest in 18 years - but sooner or later, they'll recuperate. You can bank on that...Warren Buffett certainly is.
[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer | Image: Alex Wong/Getty]World's Richest Man invests in RVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Big duh: Hyundai won't build Genesis convertible Filed under: Convertibles, Hyundai, Rendered Speculation 
While Hyundai's 2010 Genesis Coupe is going to square off against Ford's muscular selling Mustang, Dearborn's pony will still have the convertible corner of its segment all to itself. Despite early reports to the contrary, Hyundai is insistent that going alfresco was never part of the plan for the GenCoupe. Company spokesman Miles Johnson went on to tell Inside Line that there aren't any convertibles in the works for any of Hyundai's offerings, and that the U.S. market doesn't support the sales numbers Hyundai would require to de-roof the Genesis. At least everyone got to gawk at some nice PhotoChops for a while, and there's always the aftermarket...
[Source: Inside Line, Photo: Nick Wilcox]Big duh: Hyundai won't build Genesis convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Bentley 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bentley GTC Speed
The Bentley GTC has only been out for two years and a bit, but you might not know that; the car is so popular in some parts that it has become something like Ugg Boots for the monied-up automotive fashionista. Like its other Continental stablemates, Bentley has finally taken the drophead into their Speed garage for the transformation from really fast to "Egads!" fast.
It emerges from said garage with its twin-turbo W12 producing 553 lb-ft. of torque and 600 horsepower - 100 ponies more than the Azure T, making it the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made. The Speed treatment alters the front end, with a more upright, dark-tinted matrix grille flanked by chrome bezels around the headlights, and the face is framed by firmer lines sweeping up from the lower air dam.
While it is still not - and isn't mean to be - a sports car, the handling ante is upped by a lowered ride height, low-friction dampers, stiffer rear axle bushings, wider tires, and retuned steering. When it's time to stop, newly available carbon-ceramic brakes, at 16.5 inches up front and 14 inches in back, are the largest factory-fitted brakes on a passenger car today.
When it's time to get on it, you'll reach 60 in 4.5 seconds, and with the top up you'll find terminal velocity is 200 miles-per-hour with the lid up. Should you not wish to go easy on your follicles, the GTC will still reach 195 mph with the top down - just make sure to lather up your 'do with plenty of product.
There are two new official exterior paint choices from the factory: Aquamarine and Blue Crystal, and you can get the interior done in Aquamarine as well. However, since Bentley's bespoke department will make your GTC any color you want, that's probably of little concern to most buyers. Even so, we must ask: who's been requesting an Aquamarine interior? Check out the full GTC Speed press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below.
[Source: Bentley]Continue reading Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 01.06.09 Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green 
Ahh, the Internet. Source of many leaks and copious amounts of sales information. The tubes also bring us news of electric cars cruising for Obama while diesels do the Dakar Rally. Indeed, internet, what would we do all day without thee?
AutoblogGreen for 01.06.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
VIDEO: 2010 Cadillac SRX in detail Filed under: Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Cadillac 
The current Cadillac SRX is a competent vehicle, although it hasn't come close to selling as many units as the Lexus RX350, let alone the Acura MDX. GM is looking to change that with the thoroughly revised 2010 Cadillac SRX. Gone are the station wagon looks and rear wheel drive, and in its place is a new front drive platform and sheetmetal that looks the part of a true crossover contender. General Motors has ditched its larger powertrains for an efficient 3.0L, direct injected V6 and a 300 horsepower, 2.8L turbocharged unit that have the potential to quell fears that the new 2010 model will be lacking in the performance department. We had the chance to speak with Cadillac Marketing Director Steve Shannon to get an in-depth tour of the new SRX, and you can get the inside story in the video after the jump.
Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Cadillac SRX in detail VIDEO: 2010 Cadillac SRX in detail originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
By The Numbers - 2008: Phew! Glad That's Over Edition Filed under: By the Numbers  We didn't know sales for the U.S. auto industry in 2008 would be this bad when the year began, but it sure ended on a fitting note. Over the past six months or so we've seen the U.S. auto sales market nearly collapse and almost take our own domestic auto industry with it.
Nevertheless, there were a couple of standouts. Both MINI and Subaru somehow managed to post sales gains in 2008 compared to the previous year. The success of MINI is likely due to production capacity more than popularity, but we have no explanation for Subaru other than its sales staff is more persuasive than at your average car dealership.
As for the big dogs, despite the whole lot of them being hit equally hard over the past few months, Japanese automakers had a stronger first half of 2008. As such, their year-end sales data looks better than the domestics with Toyota being the worst performing Japanese automaker at -15.4% and Honda fairing the best with a drop of just 7.91%. In comparison, Ford Motor Company (-20.7%) and General Motors (-22.9%) were equally unimpressive while the Chrysler Group hemorrhaged sales and finished down a full 30%.
As for the rest of the auto industry, it's all their below and it isn't pretty.
| BY THE NUMBERS - 2008 |
| Brand | Vol. % Change | Total Sales 2008 | Total Sales 2007 | DSR % Change | Daily Avg. 2008 | Daily Avg. 2007 |
Acura
|
-19.8%
|
144,504
|
180,104
|
-20%
|
469
|
587
|
| Audi |
-6.1% |
87,760 |
93,506 |
-6.4% |
285 |
305 |
| BMW |
-15.2% |
249,113 |
293,795 |
-15.5% |
809 |
957 |
| Buick |
-26.2% |
137,197 |
185,791 |
-26.4% |
445 |
605 |
| Cadillac |
-24.9% |
161,159 |
214,726 |
-25.2% |
523 |
699 |
| Chevrolet |
-20.5% |
1,801,131 |
2,265,641 |
-20.8% |
5,848 |
7,380 |
| Chrysler |
-38.3% |
335,108 |
543,011 |
-38.5% |
1,088 |
1,769 |
| Dodge |
-25.9% |
784,113 |
1,058,402 |
-26.2% |
2,546 |
3,448 |
| Ford |
-19.7% |
1,687,731 |
2,101,244 |
-19.9% |
5,480 |
6,844 |
| GMC |
-25.5% |
376,996 |
505,746 |
-25.7% |
1,224 |
1,647 |
| Honda |
-6.4% |
1,284,261 |
1,371,438 |
-6.7% |
4,170 |
4,467 |
| HUMMER |
-50.9% |
27,485 |
55,986 |
-51% |
89 |
182 |
| Hyundai |
NA |
|
|
|
|
|
| Infiniti |
-11% |
112,989 |
127,038 |
-11.3% |
367 |
414 |
| Jeep |
-29.7% |
333,901 |
475,237 |
-30% |
1,084 |
1,548 |
| Kia |
-10.5% |
273,397 |
305,473 |
-10.8% |
888 |
995 |
| Lexus |
-21% |
260,087 |
329,177 |
-21.2% |
844 |
1,072 |
| Lincoln |
-18.4% |
107,295 |
131,487 |
-18.7% |
348 |
428 |
| Mazda |
-10.9% |
263,949 |
296,110 |
-11.2% |
857 |
965 |
| Mercedes-Benz |
-11.2% |
225,128 |
253,433 |
-11.5% |
731 |
826 |
| Mercury |
-28.6% |
120,248 |
168,422 |
-28.8% |
390 |
549 |
| MINI |
28.6% |
54,077 |
42,045 |
28.2% |
176 |
137 |
| Mitsubishi |
-24.6% |
97,257 |
128,993 |
-24.8% |
316 |
420 |
| Nissan |
-10.9% |
838,361 |
941,200 |
-11.2% |
2,722 |
3,066 |
| Pontiac |
-25.3% |
267,348 |
358,022 |
-25.6% |
868 |
1,166 |
| Porsche |
-25% |
26,035 |
34,693 |
-25.2% |
85 |
113 |
| Saab |
-34.7% |
21,368 |
32,711 |
-34.9% |
69 |
107 |
| Saturn |
-21.7% |
188,004 |
240,091 |
-21.9% |
610 |
782 |
| Subaru |
0.3% |
187,699 |
187,208 |
-0.06 |
609 |
610 |
| Suzuki |
NA |
|
|
|
|
|
| Toyota |
-14.6% |
1,957,575 |
2,291,648 |
-14.9% |
6,356 |
7,464 |
| Volkswagen |
-3.2% |
223,128 |
230,572 |
-3.5% |
724 |
751 |
| Volvo |
-31.2% |
73,102 |
106,213 |
-31.4% |
237 |
346 |
| COMPANIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BMW Group |
-9.7%
|
303,190
|
335,840
|
-10%
|
984
|
1,094
|
| Chrysler LLC |
-30% |
1,453,122 |
2,076,650 |
-30.3% |
4,717 |
6,764 |
| FoMoCo |
-20.7% |
1,988,376 |
2,507,366 |
-30% |
6,456 |
8,167 |
| General Motors |
-22.9% |
2,980,688 |
3,866,620 |
-23.2% |
9,678 |
12,594 |
| Honda America |
-7.91%
|
1,428,765
|
1,551,542
|
-8.21%
|
4,369
|
5,054
|
| Nissan NA |
-10.9% |
951,350 |
1,068,238 |
-11.2% |
3,081 |
3,480 |
| Toyota Mo Co |
-15.4%
|
2,217,662 |
2,620,825 |
-15.7% |
7,200 |
8,537 |
2008 had 308 selling days versus 307 selling days for 2007By The Numbers - 2008: Phew! Glad That's Over Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, Honda 
Click above for a gallery of the Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight
We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut.
The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version, but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel.
Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox.
Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000.
[Source: Carscoop]Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
1,000 hp, twin-supercharged Dodge Challenger by RDP Motorsport Filed under: Aftermarket, Sports/GTs, Dodge 
Click above to enlarge
Excessive power is just enough, right? If you abide by that rule of thumb, perhaps you'd be interested in RDP Motorsport's latest offering, which trumps the Challenger's SRT8's 6.1L Hemi and its 425 horsepower with a stroked version displacing a classic 440 cubic inches. That block is topped with a duo of superchargers that offer an astounding 1,000 horsepower. Oh yeah, it's also boosted with two nitrous kits. That's enough grunt to catapult the portly Challenger down the 1/4 mile in the nines, and if that's not fast enough for you, we suggest therapy.
This outrageous pony car was recently unveiled at the PRI Show in Florida and is definitely a bit overkill for most people's needs. So, while the Australian company will be happy to replicate this powertrain combination for you for a price, it's good to know that RDP will work with you to design pretty much whatever you need on a custom basis. Check out the video after the break for more.
[Source: RDP Motorsport via Challenger Blog via Motor Authority]Continue reading 1,000 hp, twin-supercharged Dodge Challenger by RDP Motorsport 1,000 hp, twin-supercharged Dodge Challenger by RDP Motorsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Detroit restaurant offers cheaper eats for domestic owners Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising, Humor 
We'll have to make sure to rent a Mopar when we're in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show next week. Tribute Restaurant in nearby Farmington Hills is running a special promotion to honor folks who buy American. Food is half off for anyone driving a Chrysler product or who works for Chrysler the week of the show, January 11-17. But don't think the folks at The Tribute are just fans of the Pentastar.
The promotion kicked off on January 4, with Ford being the honored marque through January 10, while GM owners will get their discount during the week of January 18-24. The final week of the month (Jan. 25-31), everybody can get in on the special deal. All American cars will be featured that week and the discount will even be extended to automotive suppliers and dealers. The discounts apply to just the food portion of your bill at dinner or Sunday brunch and reservations are recommended.
[Source: MSNBC]Detroit restaurant offers cheaper eats for domestic owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Alonso escapes Kenyan plane crash unhurt Filed under: Motorsports, Renault 
Perhaps Fernando Alonso should stick to the ground. After all, he's considered to be one of, if not the, best drivers in all of Formula 1, which many consider to be the pinnacle of motorsports. Sure, F1 racing isn't necessarily the safest career choice in the world, but it may seem like the more responsible play after Alonso's private plane suffered a mild crash in Kenya on Sunday. Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper says that Alonso's plane wing had a minor run-in with an airport terminal building as it was readying for takeoff, but there were no injuries reported.
According to reports, the Spanish driver was in Kenya to take part in a New Year's party that was hosted by Flavio Briatore, the managing director for Renault's Formula 1 efforts (sounds suspiciously like your New Year's too, eh?). It seems that while the accident wasn't particularly serious, Alonso, his wife and his brother-in-law needed to postpone their return home until Monday.
Side note: After commenting on this crash, Alonso's manager is again quoted as suggesting that his client has a longstanding interest in getting a shot at the driver's seat for Ferrari, yet Alonso is contracted with Renault through 2010. Hat tip to reader Dan!
[Source: Yahoo Eurosport UK - Photo: Mark McArdle CC 2.0]Alonso escapes Kenyan plane crash unhurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
By The Numbers - December 2008: I Want My Mommy Edition Filed under: By the Numbers The U.S. auto industry hasn't experienced a worse year of sales in recent memory, so it's fitting that 2008 should close with December sales data that's no better than the previous disappointing months.
The only green you'll see below is next to MINI, which beat out December 2007 sales by only four vehicles. Every other automaker and its brands sold fewer cars this past month than the year prior.
Santa apparently wasn't putting Accords and Camrys under anyone's tree, as Toyota and Honda sales fell sharply, off 36.7% and 34.7%, respectively. General Motors (-31.4%) and Ford Motor Company (-32.4%) fared about the same, but the Chrysler Group took an unprecedented hit on the chin for a full-line automaker. It's December 2008 sales were down a full 53% versus last year. Chrysler brand sales alone were down an incredible 59.8% compared to 12/07. This means that HUMMER, for the first time in a long time, was not this month's Biggest Loser, managing to unload enough H3s to see sales fall by "only" 59.3%.
Props are also awarded to Audi (-9.3%), Lincoln (-10%), Subaru (-7.7%) and Volkswagen (-14.4%) who finished the year strong... well, as strong as could be expected.
Stay tuned for later today when we publish the annual By the Numbers - 2008: Phew! Glad That's Over Edition.
| BY THE NUMBERS - December 2008 |
| Brand | Vol. % Change | Total Sales 12/08 | Total Sales 12/07 | DSR % Change | Daily Avg. 12/08 | Daily Avg. 12/07 |
Acura
|
-39.3% |
10,680 |
17,582 |
-39.3% |
411 |
676 |
| Audi |
-9.3% |
7,712 |
8,504 |
-9.3% |
297 |
327 |
| BMW |
-40.2% |
18,060 |
30,199 |
-40.2% |
695 |
1,162 |
| Buick |
-38.1% |
8,909 |
14,400 |
-38.1% |
343 |
554 |
| Cadillac |
-38.3% |
13,235 |
21,436 |
-38.3% |
509 |
824 |
| Chevrolet |
-25.8% |
137,691 |
185,626 |
-25.8% |
5,296 |
7,139 |
| Chrysler |
-59.8% |
19,453 |
48,384 |
-59.8% |
748 |
1,861 |
| Dodge |
-51.9% |
47,269 |
98,235 |
-51.9% |
1,818 |
3,778 |
| Ford |
-33% |
116,188 |
173,648 |
-33% |
4,469 |
6,679 |
| GMC |
-34.5% |
29,783 |
45,503 |
-34.5% |
1,146 |
1,750 |
| Honda |
-34% |
75,405 |
114,210 |
-34% |
2,900 |
4,393 |
| HUMMER |
-59.3% |
2,170 |
5,333 |
-59.3% |
83 |
205 |
| Hyundai |
NA |
|
|
|
|
|
| Infiniti |
-34.6% |
8,273 |
12,655 |
-34.6% |
318 |
487 |
| Jeep |
-48.5% |
23,091 |
44,804 |
-48.5% |
888 |
1,723 |
| Kia |
-39.2% |
14,644 |
24,068 |
-39.2% |
563 |
926 |
| Lexus |
-32.4% |
23,362 |
34,555 |
-32.4% |
899 |
1,329 |
| Lincoln |
-10% |
9,053 |
10,065 |
-10% |
348 |
387 |
| Mazda |
-27.9% |
17,965 |
24,933 |
-27.9% |
691 |
959 |
| Mercedes-Benz |
-32.1% |
18,507 |
27,269 |
-32.1% |
711 |
1,049 |
| Mercury |
-29.8% |
8,873 |
12,631 |
-29.8% |
341 |
486 |
| MINI |
0.1% |
3,566 |
3,562 |
0.1% |
137 |
137 |
| Mitsubishi |
-22.6% |
4,570 |
5,904 |
-22.6% |
176 |
227 |
| Nissan |
-30% |
53,829 |
76,900 |
-30% |
2,070 |
2,958 |
| Pontiac |
-45.5% |
16,466 |
30,211 |
-45.5% |
633 |
1,162 |
| Porsche |
-25.5% |
2,154 |
2,891 |
-25.5% |
82 |
111 |
| Saab |
-57% |
1,179 |
2,748 |
-57% |
45 |
106 |
| Saturn |
-30.9% |
12,570 |
18,196 |
-30.9% |
483 |
700 |
| Subaru |
-7.7% |
17,287 |
18,739 |
-7.7% |
664 |
721 |
| Suzuki |
NA |
|
|
|
|
|
| Toyota |
-37.5% |
118,587 |
189,844 |
-37.5% |
4,561 |
7,302 |
| Volkswagen |
-14.4% |
17,577 |
20,543 |
-14.4% |
676 |
790 |
| Volvo |
-47% |
4,953 |
9,341 |
-47% |
191 |
359 |
| COMPANIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BMW Group |
-35.9%
|
21,626
|
33,761
|
-35.9%
|
832
|
1,299
|
| Chrysler LLC |
-53% |
89,813 |
191,423 |
-53% |
3,454 |
7,362 |
| FoMoCo |
-32.4% |
139,067 |
205,685 |
-32.4% |
5,349 |
7,911 |
| General Motors |
-31.4% |
221,983 |
323,453 |
-31.4% |
8,538 |
12,441 |
| Honda America |
-34.7%
|
86,085
|
131,792
|
-34.7%
|
3,311
|
5,069
|
| Nissan NA |
-30.1% |
62,102 |
89,555 |
-30.1% |
2,389 |
3,444 |
| Toyota Mo Co |
-36.7%
|
141,949 |
224,399 |
-36.7% |
5,460 |
8,631 |
December 2008 had 26 selling days versus 26 selling days for December 2007.By The Numbers - December 2008: I Want My Mommy Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Brand new 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT on sale, just $35k! Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Etc., Pontiac  Click above for a gallery of the 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT that time forgot
So you're a Pontiac diehard, but you don't need the space of the G8 GT GXP and the Solstice GXP is just a bit too "me too." So what's a Big Chief enthusiast to do? Well, if you've got $35,000 kicking around in your automotive slush fund, how about a brand-new, never-titled 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT? The mid-engined, V6 Fiero that General Motors should have been building the whole time, but only got around to developing just before they sent they took the plastic-bodied model out back? Yes, that GT.
Evidently thinking ahead, some enterprising chap found a fire-engine red example and promptly mothballed it. Quite likely the only "brand new" Fiero on the planet (GT or otherwise), this time warp rear-driver has just 221 miles on it, and is still on MSO. Heck, we're willing to bet that the cassette player has never even seen a copy of White Snake's Greatest Hits!
If you're interested, the optimistically-priced but irreplacable Fiero can be found at Hinton Chevrolet-Buick in Lynden, Washington. Thanks for the tip, Farris!
[Source: Autotrader]Brand new 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT on sale, just $35k! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Opinion: What should happen to Saturn, Vauxhall and Opel during GM's reorganization? Filed under: Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Saturn, Opel, Vauxhall, UK 
Amidst all the recent bailout talk, one question being asked is what role GM's Opel division will serve in a new-and-hopefully-improved General Motors. More succinctly, will Vauxhall and Saturn soldier on unchanged or will they simply fade into automotive landscape? Automotive News seems to think the question of Opel and how it relates to Vauxhall and Saturn is so important that it's worth devoting three separate editorials to the issue, with varying levels of clarity.Continue reading Opinion: What should happen to Saturn, Vauxhall and Opel during GM's reorganization? Opinion: What should happen to Saturn, Vauxhall and Opel during GM's reorganization? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
REPORT: Dongfeng to launch coupe in 2009 Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, China  Dongfeng began as one of Chairman Mao's pet projects in 1968, but lately, the Chinese automaker has been feeling left behind, despite being one of the largest carmakers in the pentad of China's auto industry. According to reports, Dongfeng intends to change that by introducing a new sport coupe of its own, with sales beginning sometime in 2009. While the pignosed monstrosity on the right isn't necessarily the final design, it's an enduring tribute to the first-generation Hyundai Tiburon after ransacking the Pep Boys' "shiny crap" aisle. At least there will be rockin' tunes supplied by that bitchin' concertina built into the hatchback. To be fair, what we've seen so far is a concept, so we'd expect an actual production car -- rumored to be aimed at the premium buyer and powered by Mitsubishi -- to be toned down. Here's hoping.
[Source: China Car Times]REPORT: Dongfeng to launch coupe in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Burned Rubber: Kumho delays holiday bonuses indefinitely Filed under: Trends, Earnings/Financials 
Rubber factory workers in South Korea haven't had a very happy holiday season this year, and they can blame it on the negative traits of the trickle-down effect.
Because Hyundai/Kia has been hit as hard as any other automaker in this economic crisis, business has been down for the country's second-largest tire maker, Kumho, as well. Due to the resulting dearth in liquidity, Kumho Tire Co. has just announced that it is unable to pay its workers their annual bonus. At 2.5 million won ($1,883) per worker and 3000 workers waiting for their cash, that's a lot of money, and Kumho says they don't have it... and don't know when they will.
Looks like it's tire-swings all around for Junior next Christmas, too...
[Source: TradingMarkets.com]Burned Rubber: Kumho delays holiday bonuses indefinitely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time Filed under: Sports/GTs, Green, Safety, Tech, Supercars, Audi 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R8 V10
The Audi R8 claimed a number of world firsts - that is, walking away with magazine awards and journalists' hearts the world over. The Audi R8 V10 is about to claim a world first in technology: it will be the first car to offer high and low beam LED headlights as standard equipment. (Note: The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum was the first vehicle in the world to offer all-LED headlamps.) You can buy the package as an option on the regular R8, so it's only fitting that the bigger and more expensive beast gets more tricks.
Audi trumpets the inclusion as an energy-saving measure - LEDs use a quarter of the energy of halogen headlights, and that number will only get better as LEDs evolve. You probably never thought you could know so much about LEDs, but there's an exhaustive press release after the jump, and for dessert, a high-res gallery of photos below.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]Continue reading Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time Audi R8 V10 will be all LED, all the time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Isuzu to cease passenger vehicle sales in America at month's end Filed under: SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Isuzu 
Isuzu will cease selling passenger vehicles in America on January 31. In a news blurb that's about as abbreviated as the company's product lineup, Kelley Blue Book reports that the troubled Japanese automaker will stop selling its Ascender SUV and i-Series pickups at the end of the month, both badge-engineered versions of General Motors trucks. Isuzu sales have been winding down for some time now (it sold just over 7000 units last year), and the move had been expected as the plant that underpins the Ascender (shared with the Chevrolet Traiblazer, GMC Envoy, and Saab 9-7X) shuttered just before the holidays.
For all of you little Troopers, Hombres, and Amigos that remain brand loyalists, Isuzu has stated that it will continue to offer parts and service to owners, including honoring warranty claims.
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]
Isuzu to cease passenger vehicle sales in America at month's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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