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Chrysler bucking the trend in sales

September 2, 2010 / Staff

Despite sales drops for most major automakers, Chrysler bucks the trend by posting a year over year increase for August of 7%. Jeep posted big numbers with the Patriot jumping 57% and the Liberty climbing 56%. The most glaring number was the Dodge Challenger muscle car shooting up a whopping 190%. For most companies it would be a solid month but for the rebuilding Fiat/Chrysler it bodes exceptionally well for their prospects once the new models hit showrooms in 2011.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Chrysler defied the industry trend with a 7% increase in new vehicle sales in August from a year earlier when Cash for Clunkers inflated most of its competitors’ sales.

Once again, the Jeep brand led the way with a 17% year-over-year jump, helped by a 57% sales improvement for the Patriot and 56% increase for the Liberty.

But Chrysler’s year-over-year comparison benefited from the fact that it did not capitalize on last summer’s Cash for Clunker incentives because it had very little inventory of its smaller models.

“We will continue to build in this momentum as we begin production on a stream of new product through the end of this year,” said Fred Diaz, Chrysler lead executive for U.S. sales.

Read the full article here.

Chevrolet, News

Dodge Challenger Liberty major automakers muscle car new models Patriot showrooms

Carpooling Will Reduce Your Auto Costs

September 1, 2010 / Staff

Carpooling is one of the best ways to transport yourself and a co-worker to the office. Pooling your regular transport habits saves precious natural resources. Both you and your carpooling pal will individually save on gas, oil changes, tire purchases, brakes, and other repair jobs such as mufflers. Consequently, while your other co-workers are struggling to keep up with their car repair bills as they drive to work on New York’s roads, you can get a step ahead in the money saving game. Your repair bills might not be reduced in sum total, but they will be spread out over a much greater number of years, reducing your annual costs substantially. That’ll pay for a few meals at a nice restaurant! Plus, in the event that your car needs a few days in the shop while a repair job is completed, it’s handy to have a regular transportation alternative already set up.

Another way that carpooling can save you money is by reducing the total number of miles you drive each year. Since insurance is calculated based on numerous variables, including mileage driven per week, it is possible to drop your rate by making a call to your agent and informing them that you now drive half as many work miles as you used to drive. Get in touch with your preferred auto insurance Albany agent and see what policy reductions they can offer you for your environmentally and pocketbook-friendly choice.

So go ahead, start carpooling as soon as you can find a suitably located work buddy, and be sure to call your insurance agent. If they can’t save you money for the fewer miles traveled, you will at least have the original savings in your pocket in the form of reduced auto repair bills. And that’s something anyone can enjoy, whether they’re driving to work regularly or commuting to a friend’s house in Syracuse.

News

Chevrolet Orlando set to go on sale in Europe

August 29, 2010 / Staff

Soon the Chevrolet Orlando will go on sale in Europe but not in the U.S. as reported again by our friends at CarandDriver.com. We posted on this vehicle a few months back hoping the folks making the calls at GM would wisely reconsider selling the 3 row and hyper fuel efficient Orlando in the U.S., Canada and anywhere they can ship this vehicle. The Orlando is exactly the type of vehicle that GM should be designing for all the North American market regardless of what other current offering they have. Nothing, I repeat nothing in their stable is a direct competitor with this product. The Traverse offers 3 rows but is much larger and consumes way more fuel than the Orlando and the Equinox only offers 2 rows. A current design with 3 rows and great fuel economy is what many consumers are looking for in this market.

Precisely two years after its debut at the 2008 Paris show in concept form, the production-ready Chevrolet Orlando will bow at this year’s Paris auto show. It will go on sale across Europe early next year. Despite earlier confirmation that the Orlando was destined for the U.S., GM has since decided the Orlando will not be sold here.

The Orlando is a seven-seat mini-minivan based on an elongated version of the Chevrolet Cruze’s platform. It’s easy to see similarities to the Cruze in the bold front grille with massive Chevy bowtie, although the rest of the vehicle diverges, especially the upswept beltline and subtly sloped roof. Wheel sizes will range from 16 to 18 inches.

It will be sold with a choice of three engines: a 141-hp, 1.8-liter gasoline four-cylinder; a 131-hp, 2.0-liter diesel; and a 163-hp, 2.0-liter diesel. Standard equipment includes stability control, six airbags, air conditioning, power mirrors, and a USB audio input.

Read the full article here.

Car Reviews, Chevrolet, News

Chevrolet Orlando Equinox fuel efficient Orlando North American market on sale in Europe Traverse

Ford Transit Connect and E-Series Vans join Best Buy Geek Squad fleet

August 27, 2010 / Staff

Check out what’s new to Best Buy’s Geek Squad fleet:

– The Ford Transit Connect and Ford E-Series vans are joining Geek Squad as part of Best Buy’s ongoing efforts to build a more fuel-efficient fleet

– 290 Ford Transit Connect compact utility vans will be used instead of larger cargo vans by Geek Squad technicians who service home appliances

– Best Buy also is taking delivery of 738 Ford E-Series vans, which will be used by Geek Squad technicians who install and service home theater equipment; the E-Series vans have smaller displacement engines, which provide better fuel economy than their current vans with larger engines

Ford, New Cars, News

Best Buy Best Buy Geek Squad

2011 Ford Edge Review

August 27, 2010 / Staff

The Bullz-Eye.com car staff recently reviewed the 2011 Ford Edge and this is what they had to say:

The crossover market continues to grow rapidly, and Ford will be poised to capitalize on that trend with the 2011 Ford Edge. The original Edge was a hit for Ford partly due to its aggressive and distinctive styling, and the new 2011 model features a larger and bolder front grille that suits the vehicle nicely. Plus, a new Sport edition will give the guys something to get excited about with the Tuxedo Black grille and the 22-inch wheels that you won’t find anywhere else in this class. The new Edge is also the first Ford model to feature Ford’s new MyFord Touch system, which highlights Ford’s aggressive strategy to leverage technology and the Internet to make the driving experience safer and more integrated with the gadgets you use in everyday life.

We were invited to drive the new Edge in and around Nashville, and the route selected by Ford offered a nice opportunity to test the handling and performance of the vehicle with winding roads through the beautiful hills and woods of Tennessee. We were impressed with both the Limited version and the new Edge Sport . Both offered impressive handling and acceptable acceleration. Each version offers a very comfortable ride that will appeal to buyers in this category, and the ride on the Sport was tighter with a noticeable improvement in performance. The Edge Sport in particular handled curves and turns very well, so this model should appeal to guys looking for more performance that complements the more aggressive styling.

Read the full review here.

Car Reviews, Ford, New Cars

Ford Edge