Author: Staff (Page 136 of 202)

Onto the Cruze!

August 2, 2010 /

This spanking new offering from GM appears to be the right car at the right time. This is the car that could put GM back in the minds and wallets of those looking for efficiency, fuel economy and some styling to go with a small car. There has been a lot of hype around the partially electric Volt but the Cruze is the car that can make or break GM with a new generation entering the market for vehicles.

Even though I’m not sold on the styling yet, at 40m.p.g. on the highway and more trunk space than it’s competitors the Cruze has a real chance to be a top seller for the new GM.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Chevrolet has built a better mousetrap. The 2011 Cruze sedan gets better fuel economy than most subcompacts and offers the passenger and luggage space of a midsize sedan.

Those achievements will mean nothing unless Chevrolet convinces customers to check out the Cruze before they buy a better-known model like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla. Years of reliability and fuel-efficiency give those models credibility with small-car buyers.

Chevy can’t match that history. The mousetrap needs cheese.

“Our job is to tell buyers why they have to look at the Cruze: fuel economy, safety, refinement and quality,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet director of small-car marketing.

Read the full article here.

News

Knowing Auto Finance Rates and Pennsylvania Refinance Rates Can Save Money

August 1, 2010 /

Purchasing an auto is a substantial investment and should be properly researched. Many people purchase cars with partial information after a smooth talking salesperson gives a rousing pep talk. Auto purchases that are made without full consideration can often end up being poor decisions.

Before purchasing a car, a person should determine why an automobile purchase is needed. This should be done away from the dealership because the lack of sales pressure. The auto buyer should also investigate models and brands of cars before meeting with the car dealer. There are several magazines and websites that can provide comparisons for the interested auto buyer. Websites like Edmunds.com and ConsumerReports.org offer ratings for almost all types of cars — including used cars — as well as user reviews. The environment is very informative and gives a prospective car buyer a sound foundation for selecting a vehicle.

Auto buyers should also determine their available budget before arriving at the car dealership to make the purchase. Shopping around for a car loan and getting different rate quotes beforehand can save money. A person would not refinance a home in Pennsylvania without knowing the Pennsylvania refinance rates and getting the best deal possible. The same should be true for buying a car.

Another important consideration is the negotiation. Obviously the car dealer has more experience in the art of the deal but even a novice auto buyer can bargain with a seasoned dealer by being prepared. Using the information on Edmunds and Consumer Reports and other sources, a person can list the necessary and optional car features and the standard manufacturers pricing for each. The buyer can establish a price that the car should be worth and use that as a basis for negotiation.

Treating an auto purchase like a business transaction instead of a frivolous purchase can save thousands of dollars over the life of the auto loan.

News

G.M.’s Electric Lemon

July 31, 2010 /
LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 08: A Chevrolet Volt electric hybrid vehicle is displayed at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 8, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology tradeshow, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 2,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 110,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

There has been a lot of fanfare surrounding the GM/Chevrolet/Chevy Volt recently and I must say the press has mostly been pretty darn good. I’ve been sitting back trying to learn as much as possible about the Volt while keeping an open mind. Then the NY Times has an opinion piece that doesn’t read to well for the new GM product. Matter of fact the piece pretty much rips the new car for the lackluster styling compared to the 2007 concept we were shown and the heavy price tag of $41,000! Must say that many valid points were made here and one has to wonder how well (profit wise and branding) this car will turn out to be for the New GM? If the price scares away customers and the competition gets stronger (ie..,Nissan Leaf) the Volt could turn into a blown circuit for The General.

From the New York Times:

GENERAL MOTORS introduced America to the Chevrolet Volt at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a low-slung concept car that would someday be the future of motorized transportation. It would go 40 miles on battery power alone, promised G.M., after which it would create its own electricity with a gas engine. Three and a half years — and one government-assisted bankruptcy later — G.M. is bringing a Volt to market that makes good on those two promises. The problem is, well, everything else.

For starters, G.M.’s vision turned into a car that costs $41,000 before relevant tax breaks … but after billions of dollars of government loans and grants for the Volt’s development and production. And instead of the sleek coupe of 2007, it looks suspiciously similar to a Toyota Prius. It also requires premium gasoline, seats only four people (the battery runs down the center of the car, preventing a rear bench) and has less head and leg room than the $17,000 Chevrolet Cruze, which is more or less the non-electric version of the Volt.

Read the full article here.

New Cars

Porsche’s $650,000 Spyder supercar is a go

July 29, 2010 /

Just when you thought a car couldn’t get any faster or sportier Porsche goes all out with the $650,000 Spyder supercar. It is being reported that Porsche’s Board has “approved production of the 918 Spyder hybrid sports car, a model that soars to 100 kilometers an hour in 3.2 seconds and may top the Carrera GT as the manufacturer’s costliest vehicle”. Translated to “this is one bad ass machine!!”

From AutoNews.com:

null(Bloomberg) — Porsche AG’s supervisory board approved production of the 918 Spyder hybrid sports car, a model that soars to 100 kilometers an hour in 3.2 seconds and may top the Carrera GT as the manufacturer’s costliest vehicle.

Porsche plans to develop the vehicle at a research facility near Stuttgart, Germany, where the carmaker is based, the company said today. The car will be built at the main plant in Zuffenhausen.

The 918 Spyder, one of three hybrid models Porsche presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March, has attracted at least 2,000 non-binding submissions of interest, people familiar with the matter said. Porsche needs at least 1,000 sales pledges to sign off on building the car, development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer said in April.

Read the full article here.

Porsche, Sports Cars

The 2011 Ford Explorer Unveiled

July 26, 2010 /

Ford finally unveiled the 2011 Ford Explorer and this one could be a game changer “Again”! From the sleek and well placed all new interior to the ecoboost engine that could produce upwards of 25mpg highway this vehicle has appeal. The 2011 Explorer is such a departure from the current offering that it is the same in name only. Since it’s based off the same platform as the Taurus and Flex, similarities are easy to see.

The 2011 Explorer is a departure from the old days in so many ways including styling, a car based platform and a new 4 cylinder with ecoboost that we predict will win over more and more buyers as time as sales move forward.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Before Ford unveiled its 2011 Explorer, I doubted the new SUV would be anything special. After all, Ford has been tweaking the truck for 20 years, so what new things could be left to try?

Turns out this could be one of those rare redesigns that is more like a rebirth, mainly because of what Ford has done with the interior. The Explorer’s cabin, from the smooth feel of the door handles to the attractive colors and sharp graphics on its central display screen, shows attention to detail found in some luxury cars, but never in a Ford truck.

Read the full article here.

(Photo from the Detroit Free Press)

Ford, New Cars, SUV

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2026 Dashboard News

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑