Yearly Archives: 2010
GM to Invest $890 Million in Next-Gen Small Block V8s
Last week GM announced that it paid off its government loans early and now GM has announced plans to invest $890 million a new generation of fuel efficient small block truck and car engines. "GM is investing in our plants, restoring and creating jobs and making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world's best vehicles," said...
Hyundai Sonata Coupe in the Works?
The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata has only been on the market for a few months and Hyundai recently revealed turbocharged and hybrid versions of the sedan that will go on sale this fall. Now Inside Line believes that the next Sonata model will be a coupe. The Sonata coupe would share the same 2.4L and possible 2.0L turbo engines...
Mercedes-Benz E-Class L Debuts in China
Like the long wheelbase BMW 5 Series that was unveiled last week, Mercedes has unveiled the long wheelbase E-Class L, which will only be sold in the Chinese market. Mercedes claims that the new E-Class L has an extra 14 centimeters of legroom in the rear compared to the standard E-Class. The E-Class L will launch with a choice of...
More than 6,600 People Have Already Reserved the Nissan Leaf
It's only been a few days since Nissan has started taking reservations for the all-electric Leaf, but already more than 6,600 people have given their $99 deposit to reserve the vehicle. The 2011 Leaf starts at $32,780 and after available tax credits the price drops as low as $25,280. You can also lease the Leaf for $349 a month. Nissan hopes...
BMW Concept Gran Coupé Previews a BMW Four-Door Coupe?
BMW has unveiled the Concept Gran Coupé at this year's Beijing Motor Show. The Concept Gran Coupé is BMW's take on the increasingly popular four-door coupe. The four-door concept features coupe-like proportions and a body height that is flatter than the BMW 5 Series or 7 Series sedans. The concept also features LED lights on the front and rear...
2011 VW Phaeton Tries to Move VW Up-Market…Again
VW is going to try it again. The original VW Phaeton was introduced in 2003 without that much success here in the US, but VW remains determined to take the brand up-market. For 2011 the Phaeton gets a new front end with LED lights and styling that brings it inline with the current VW design DNA. The rear end...
GM Unveils Chevy Volt MPV5 Crossover Concept
The patent drawings that surfaced earlier this week showing an MPV version of the Chevy Volt were real. GM has unveiled the Chevy Volt MPV5 concept that is going to be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show. The Chevy Volt MPV5 concept borrows styling cues from the Chevy Volt, such as the headlights, grille and taillights. The overall styling also...
Ford Start Concept Unveiled in Beijing with new Three-Cyl EcoBoost Engine
Ford has used the Beijing Motor Show to unveil the Start Concept. "In an era of constant visual noise, we have created a car that conveys visual purity and harmony, in which every line has meaning and purpose. The Ford Start delivers a dynamic, personality driven design that stays true to the global Ford brand," said J Mays, group vice...
GM Repays Remaining $5.8 Billion in Government Loans Ahead of Schedule
GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre announced this morning that the automaker has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, ahead of schedule. The announcement was made at a ceremony to highlight an investment of $257 million at GM's Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centers. "GM is able to repay the...
Toyota Reportedly Raises the Price of the FT-86
The much anticipated Toyota FT-86 hasn't even been released yet, but Autocar is reporting that Toyota is going to raise the price of the RWD coupe. Rising development costs are the reason for the price hike. According to a Toyota insider the original goal was to have the price start around £13,000 ($20,000 US) but the base price has...
