Orange County District Attorney to Sue Toyota
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 5:37 pm)
More bad news for Toyota!
From AutoGuide.com:
The Orange County, California, District Attorney has announced plans to file a civil lawsuit against Toyota. The suit is over safety concerns with Toyota vehicles, and comes as Toyota has recalled over eight million vehicles worldwide due to several different safety issues. The suit aims to stop Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. from “continuing to endanger the public through the sale of defective vehicles and deceptive business practices.”
Read the full article here.
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Ford’s Police Interceptor more durable than Crown Vic?
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 5:31 pm)
The highly anticipated (in jails and FOP lodges around the country) “Police Interceptor” from Ford has finally been uncovered! That is one tough looking Cruiser and it comes with an optional AWD with 365 horsepower.
From the Detroit Free Press:
 Ford introduced its all-new Police Interceptor to a crowd of law enforcement officials today at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas and said it is developing a new sport utility-based police vehicle that it will unveil later this year.
The new Police Interceptor that Ford introduced today will replace the company’s iconic Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which has dominated police car sales for years.
Ford said the new vehicle is more durable and performs better than the outgoing Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The new car is based on the same structure as the Ford Taurus full-size sedan and will be built at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant.
Read the full article here.
GM dealers remain in limbo
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 5:06 pm)
Confusion with dealers at GM is not a good start to reinstatement. What has changed in the last year that GM now needs another 661 dealers? Why did they get rid of them in the first place? Who made the final call to ax these dealers last year?
From CNN.com:
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The 661 axed auto dealers General Motors is offering to reinstate aren’t ready to pop the champagne just yet. They’re still waiting to find out about the terms they’ll have to meet to regain their franchises.
“Initially, we were excited,” said Howard Braunstein, CEO of M&M Auto Group in Liberty, N.Y. “However, I am concerned that GM’s offer for reinstatement will mandate requirements that will be difficult or impossible for many dealers to meet, especially in the 60-day timeframe we were given.”
Read the full article here.
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Need help with recalls? Here’s a helpful list.
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 2:16 am)
With all of the high profile safety recalls out there we need a what to do list on recalls. Here it is from Yahoo and it’s a good read if you have any concerns about your vehicle.
If you own a car, you’ve probably received a safety recall notice in the mail at some point. Manufacturers are required to attempt to notify owners of recalled products and to provide a free remedy. You may be inclined to ignore a recall notification letter – especially if it contains confusing jargon or seems like it concerns something minor.
But here’s a newsflash: In the realm of safety recalls, nothing is minor. According to Rae Tyson, spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that issues automotive recalls, every recall has a serious safety implication. “A defect exists that is a safety issue and it needs to be corrected,” Tyson says. “There are some worse than others, yes, but in some way they all have potential to lead to injury or death.”
Read the full article here.
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No business plan for GMAC?
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 2:13 am)
GMAC is on the ropes? That’s right, after over $17 billion in US taxpayer bailout funds this is the new headline ” Congressional panel says GMAC has no business plan; suggests break up” We need some answers fast! Maybe Alan Mulally could right this ship?
From Automotive News.com:
WASHINGTON — GMAC Inc. still has no business plan even after receiving a $17.2 billion investment from the government, and the Treasury Department has been lax in making sure that the bank repays taxpayers, a congressional panel said today.
“The panel is deeply concerned that Treasury has not required GMAC to lay out a clear path to viability or a strategy for fully repaying taxpayers,” said the Congressional Oversight Panel, which was created to oversee Treasury’s spending of Troubled Asset Relief Program funds.
Treasury should consider the possibility of breaking up GMAC and merging its auto-finance unit back into General Motors Co., the panel said in a statement.
Read the full article here.
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Toyota sales to rise 30%?
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 1:26 am)
Will consumers stick with the problematic Toyota? According to this report Toyota sales for March are forecasted to rise 30% compared to March 2009. Looks like the heavy incentives are doing the trick for now but time will tell how much damage Toyota will suffer from this mess.
From Automotive News.com:
DETROIT — New incentives are boosting Toyota’s U.S. sales big time in early March, and analysts forecast a 30 percent bounce for the full month.
After Toyota brand sales fell 10 percent in February as it struggled with safety recalls, on March 1 Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. introduced 0 percent financing, subsidized leases and free maintenance incentives.
Toyota Senior Vice President Don Esmond told suppliers today that North American sales surged about 50 percent in the first eight days this month, The Associated Press reported.
Read the full article here.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
Revised Chrysler 2011 Models Hitting Production This Year?
Posted by Staff (03/09/2010 @ 3:16 pm)
Looks like some leaks have made their way regarding the future product line up for Chrysler/Fiat. If the 200C resembles the photo above then we as consumers are in for a real treat.(that is one beautiful car) Fiat seems to planning an all out assault in just about every segment of the market. Their main opponent is time but Marchionne seems up to the challenge!
From AutoGuide.com:
The folks at AllPar seem to have gotten hold of a list of production dates for all Chrysler products this year, including everything from a revised Chrysler 300 to the Fiat 500. The AllPar team is also claiming to have some pretty big news on future Chrysler engines, including the elimination of the HEMI 6.1-liter V8 (in favor of a 6.4) and new versions of the Pentastar V6. Plus, the 200C (pictured above) has also reportedly been approved for production – but with a gasoline engine.
The first model set to hit production is the Viper, followed by the Ram Chassis Cab models and then the 2011 Grand Cherokee in May. In November, production for a significantly revised Avenger and renamed Sebring will begin, as well as new Dodge/Chrysler minivans and full-sized models (Charger, Challenger, 300) followed in December by the North American production of the Fiat 500.
Read the full article here.
Posted in: Cars, New Cars, News
Tags: auto news, CHallenger, Charger, Chrysler, Chrysler 2011 models leaked, Chrysler Fiat, Crysler 2011 models, Dodge/Chrysler, Headlines
Alfa Romeo Giulietta continues the Italian dream
Posted by Staff (03/08/2010 @ 12:28 am)
Will the Alfa Romeo Giulietta make it to the US after it’s global launch in May? At this point there is no word of it’s arrival in the US but the Giulietta being shown in Geneva is garnering rave reviews!
 Casting a red glow in the middle of the Geneva auto show, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta marked 100 years of the iconic Italian brand in fitting fashion.
The silky five-door hatch was revealed this week at the show and comes in five versions, topped by 235-hp variant. It goes on sale around the world (but unfortunately not in the United States) in May.
The Giulietta is the spiritual successor to a model bearing the same name from the 1950s. That car is often described as an image-maker for Alfa, and it instilled lust in the hearts of enthusiasts the world over.
Read the full article here.
Citroën teams up with GQ
Posted by Staff (03/08/2010 @ 12:24 am)
Our friends over at GQ now have their own concept car! There is no doubt the car has style.
From AutoBlog.com:
GQ, the UK’s leading monthly men’s magazine, certainly knows a thing or two about the fashionable gentleman. And judging by the GQbyCITROËN concept, the fashionable fellas know a few things about svelte car design, as well. The GQbyCITROËN concept is a collaboration between Dylan Jones, GQ’s editor, and Mark Lloyd, a British designer who is most recently credited for the new Citroën DS3. We must say, we’re very attracted to it. Makes sense, then, that GQ and Citroën are branding this concept as “the ultimate gentleman’s drive.”
Read the full article here.
Acura back on track with 2010 MDX
Posted by Staff (03/08/2010 @ 12:16 am)
The Detroit News takes a hard look at the Acura MDX and declares Acura back in the mix for upscale SUV shoppers. I still get the feeling the reviewer isn’t totally sold on this vehicle with a high price tag when other mass appeal brands offer many of the same options for thousands less.
 I’ve been tough on recent reviews of Acura — Honda Motor Co.’s luxury brand that seems to have lost it way with recent vehicles.
But then I got into the 2010 Acura MDX — a slightly oversized crossover that reminds me how good this brand can be.
This seven-passenger crossover is a blast to drive with its super-handling all-wheel drive and comfortable and well-designed interior. My only question is: Where have you been Acura?
Read the full article here.
Posted in: Car Reviews, Cars, New Cars, News, Sports Cars
Tags: 2010 Acura MDX, 2010 Acura MDX reviews, Acura, Acura MDX, Acura MDX review, Headlines, SUV, SUV reviews
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