Following on the heels of Hyundai's gas promotion, Suzuki has announced its own promotion that will run for three months on the 2009 SX4 sedan and crossover models.

The program that runs from July 1st - Aug 31st provides free gas by giving buyers a prepaid gas card that should provide enough money to buy gas for up to three months. Of course this all depends on how much you drive, and the price of gas. The SX4 sedan comes with a $270 gas card and the SX4 Crossover includes a $290 card. The promotion is in addition to other rebates available.

Continue reading "Suzuki Announces Free Gas For Summer on the SX4 Sedan and Crossover" »

VW has released its sales totals for the month of June 2009 and although VW sales were down 18 percent compared to the same month in 2008, VW has announced strong sales of its diesel powered models. Diesel powered versions of the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and Touareg totaled 5,072 units, which accounted for 26 percent of VW's total sales last month.

Clean diesel TDI's accounted for 81 percent of SportWagen sales, 40 percent of Jetta sedan sales, and 29 percent of Touareg sales.

Continue reading "Diesels Account for 40 Percent of VW Jetta and 81 percent of SportWagen Sales" »

After all the photo leaks yesterday, BMW has officially released more photos of the X1 and released a brief press release which states that the X1 will be offered in the US, sometime in 2011.

The X1 will debut this fall in Europe with a choice of either three diesel engines or a gas engine. It will also be available in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations.

BMW hasn't officially announced which configurations the US will receive in 2011.

Continue reading "BMW Confirms the X1 for the US in 2011" »

June 2009 auto sales are just being reported and it looks like the revived Chevy Camaro outsold the also new Ford Mustang. According to GM, the automaker sold 9,320 Camaros, which compares to the 7,632 Mustangs that Ford sold.

GM still has a backlog of 10,000 Camaro orders to fill, so it remains to be seen if the Camaro will continue to outsell the Mustang once all the pre-orders are filled. Just in case you're wondering, Chrysler only managed to sell 1,369 Dodge Challengers last month.

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Today is officially the start of July and with that comes the sales numbers for the month of June. While we wait for all the official numbers, here are the top ten best-selling vehicles last month:

* Ford F-Series: 35,915
* Toyota Camry: 26,394
* Chevy Silverado: 24,766
* Honda Accord: 23,995
* Honda Civic: 20,954
* Toyota Corolla: 19,935
* Ford Fusion: 18,561
* Nissan Altima: 16,350
* Ford Escape: 15,385
* Chevy Impala: 14,931

Of course the Ford F-Series continues to dominate the list. Ford as a whole also had the most top models with the F-Series, Fusion and Escape all making the list. Missing from the list is the recently redesigned Dodge Ram.

Continue reading "Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in June 2009 Were...." »

BMW has announced that the 2010 BMW 7 Series will be offered with the xDrive AWD system for the first time ever.

The 2010 BMW 750i and 750Li will be offered with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In addition the 2010 model year also sees the introduction of the V12 powered 760Li model, which brings the total to five variants of the 7 Series.

A new M Sport package is also available on the 2010 7 Series. The package includes an M steering wheel, lift-reducing aerodynamic kit, Active Roll Stabilization (RWD only), Shadowline trim, Anthracite headliner and 19″ wheels with ultra-high performance tires. 20" wheels are also available.

Continue reading "2010 BMW 7 Series to Offer xDrive AWD This Fall" »

GM has announced the start of a 72-hour sale that includes zero percent financing for up to 72 months on all Pontiacs and large Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs.

The soon to be dead Pontiac Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8 are all included in the sale, which starts today and funny enough runs through July 6th. Too bad that is a little longer than 72 hours... In addition to all the Pontiac models, GM is also including the Chevy Impala, Silverado and Tahoe in addition to the GMC Yukon and Sierra models in the sale.

Other GM models will also have zero percent financing, but for only 60 months.

Continue reading "GM Announces 72-Hour Sale with Zero Percent Financing for 72 Months" »

Subaru has released the fuel economy figures for the all-new 2010 Outback and even with standard AWD the wagon manages to get 29 mpg on the highway.

The Outback 2.5i CVT with its 170-hp 2.5L engine that is mated to the new Lineartronic CVT gets a combined 24 mpg and 29 mpg on the highway, which is better than many of its competitors, including the Toyota Venza and VW Passat.

Continue reading "2010 Subaru Outback Gets 29 MPG....Even with AWD" »

After many spy photos and teasers, BMW has finally released the official photos of the 2010 X1.

In Europe the X1 will be offered mainly offered with diesel engine choices with the most powerful model being the xDrive23d with 201-hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The most powerful gas powered engine will be the xDrive28i with 258-hp and 228 lb-ft. of torque.

The X1 is expected to be launched by the end of this year with sales starting in the US early next year. Expect more details once the official US press release is available.

Continue reading "2010 BMW X1 Officially Revealed" »

Just like Chrysler did when gas prices were out of control, Hyundai has announced a new incentive called Assurance Gas Lock, which locks in gas prices for buyers of new Hyundai vehicles at $1.49 per gallon for up to a year. With gas prices expected to be over $3 a gallon this summer, Hyundai is hoping this new incentive will bring in more buyers.

"Our research shows that nearly 40 percent of potential new car buyers are staying out of the market specifically due to uncertainty around future gas prices," said John Krafcik, CEO and president of Hyundai Motor America. "With Assurance Gas Lock, we're empowering consumers with gas price stability so they can make a confident vehicle choice. And for those buyers out there driving older gas-guzzlers that qualify for the new government CARS program, we think our fuel-efficient lineup of award-winning vehicles, combined with Assurance Gas Lock, makes Hyundai an unbeatable combination."

The program compliments Hyundai Assurance and its 10-year warranty. In addition it is available with special rebate and financing options on individual models.

Assurance Gas Lock is available on Accent (excluding base model), Tiburon, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Entourage, Sonata, Azera, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veracruz models purchased or leased between July 1 and August 31, 2009 . The program reduces any available rebates by $1,000.

Continue reading "Hyundai Announces Assurance Gas Lock... $1.49/Gal for a Year" »

Consumer Reports' recently tested the 2010 Honda Insight and after completing its series of tests, claims that the new Honda hybrid "is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time."

The publication gave the Insight poor scores due to ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility.

"The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version."

In terms of its raking with other small hatchbacks and wagons, the Insight came in at the 21st spot out of 22. The only thing worse than the Insight according to CR is the Dodge Caliber..ouch!

Continue reading "Consumer Reports' Labels the Honda Insight as the Most Disappointing Honda" »

Jaguar has announced the introduction of the 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged, which brings the total XF models to four.

The XF Supercharged is powered by a 470 hp version of the 5.0-liter supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine and reaches 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It slots in below the 510-hp XFR in the lineup and will start at $68,000 when it hits showrooms this October.

Continue reading "Jaguar Announces the 2010 XF Supercharged with 470HP" »

GM has announced plans to end its 25 year New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) joint venture with Toyota.

The plant currently produces the Pontiac Vibe and has produced other GM vehicles such as the Geo/Chevrolet Prizm in the past. Production of the Vibe will end at the plant in August. GM and Toyota could not come to an agreement on a product plan that made sense for both parties.

It's not known what this announcement will mean for the Fremont, CA plant that also produces the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma.

Continue reading "GM Ends NUMMI Partnership with Toyota After 25 Years of Production" »

Hyundai is determined to move up market with the introduction of the Genesis and now the automaker is currently evaluating its Equus luxury sedan that is expected to be introduced here next summer.

The rear-wheel-drive Equus is based on the Genesis platform, but is 7.2 inches longer at 203.1 inches. In Korea it is powered by the same 3.8L and 4.6L engines as the Genesis, but according to sources the US will only get receive the V8 powered Equus.

Hyundai is aiming the Equus squarely at the Lexus LS 460, which starts at 64,700.

"We plan to keep the price under $60,000," said the Hyundai insider.

Continue reading "Hyundai Equus Will Take on the Lexus LS 460 Next Summer" »

GM has announced the pricing for the 2010 GMC Terrain that will be available in dealerships this September.

The 2010 GMC Terrain starts at $24,995 for the front-wheel-drive model and $26,745 for the all-wheel-drive version (including a $745 destination charge). The Terrain is powered by a 182-hp 2.4L direct-injection engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and gets an estimated 32 mpg on the highway. A 264-hp 3.0L direct injected V6 is also available.

The Terrain comes standard with such features as a rear-view camera, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with USB connectivity and XM satellite radio, six airbags and StabiliTrak vehicle stability control.

Continue reading "2010 GMC Terrain Starts at $24,995" »

Kia is going to offer a special edition version of its recently introduced Soul for the 2010 model year. The Soul Denim Special Edition will be offered in a special "denim" exterior color and production will be limited to only 1,200 units.

In addition to the denim paint scheme, the exterior will also feature white side view mirrors and 18" alloy wheels. There is also a white racing stripe across the top of the car. A wing-type rear spoiler, fog lights and front fender mounted turn signals are also included. The interior of the Special Edition Soul is all black with Soul logo inserts on the seats.

The Kia Soul Denim Special Edition with the five-speed transmission starts at $17,300 and the automatic starts at $18,250.

Continue reading "2010 Kia Soul Denim Special Edition to Start at $17,300" »

Just as the CLK has officially been renamed the E-Class coupe, Mercedes is also going to rename the revised CL the S-Class coupe when it launches for the 2011 model year.

The S-Class coupe will feature a facelifted front fascia with a more upright grille and LED headlights. Outback there will be new LED taillights and a new bumper design.
(2009 model pictured above)

Continue reading "Mercedes-Benz CL to be Renamed S-Class Coupe in 2011" »

The all-new Opel Astra is set to be officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this September and now comes word that a two-seat convertible variant is in the works.

The new Astra convertible will replace the Astra TwinTop in the lineup and will only seat two. It will feature a retractable hardtop and will be sportier than the old TwinTop. The interior will be similar to the hatchback, but with sportier seats and more luxury appointments.

The two-seater is expected to go head to head with the Mini and VW's upcoming roadster.

Continue reading "Opel Astra Two-Seater Convertible in the Works" »

How sad this 2010 Ford Taurus SHO apparently left the Ford dealership only to return on a flatbed. It's not even on sale yet and apparently it ended up in a three car pile up.

Continue reading "2010 Ford Taurus SHO Returns to Dealership on a Flatbed" »

More bad news for Detroit's automakers, a new study from Grant Thornton LLP's Corporate Advisory and Restructuring Service estimates that by 2012 they will produce less vehicles on US soil than their Asian and European competitors.

Although domestic automakers are expected to return to profitability by 2012, their production will be outpaced by import automakers like Toyota, VW, Hyundai and Honda. The estimated projection is that domestic automakers will reduce production in the US by 35 percent, while import automakers will increase US production by 20 percent. The final total from Chrysler, Ford and GM is estimated at 7.5 million with all other automakers coming in at a combined 8 million units.

Grant Thornton Principal Kimberly Rodriguez stated "Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming."

Continue reading "Asian and European Automakers Expected to Outpace Big 3 Production in the US by 2012" »