Autoblog

MINI Cooper S recalled for protruding tailpipes, inadvertent tattoos

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Hatchback, BMW, Mini

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 MINI Cooper S

Let's set the scene: You've just returned from a jaunt to pick up Grandma and parked your 2007-2008 MINI Cooper S in the driveway. After leading the sweet lady up your steps and into the house, you return to the car to unload the assorted goodies and gifts that she's brought for you and the fam. You pop open the hatch, reach over to grab a foil-wrapped plate of her legendary baklava and start to feel a burning sensation on your shin. It's official. You've been indoctrinated into the Club of Cooper S owners who now sport a circular prison tat on their legs.

According to the NHTSA, the problem affects some 28,450 2007-08 MINI Cooper S models due to the dual tailpipes that protrude too far from the center of the Cooper's rear bumper. The problem has been documented on several MINI-specific forums, and BMW is stepping up to address the issue and offering Cooper customers a new, shorter exhaust, free of charge. The recall begins in January and owners can contact BMW at 800.831.1117 to schedule a replacement of the offending exhaust.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S

[Source: InsideLine | Image: Findude]

MINI Cooper S recalled for protruding tailpipes, inadvertent tattoos originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin offers power upgrades to last-gen V8 Vantages

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Aston Martin

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

If you're a 2005-2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner, you may have wished you'd held out for the 2009 model which benefits from an extra 0.4-liters of displacement (up from 4.3- to 4.7-liters) and gains an extra 40 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque, along with some revised suspension tuning. The crew at Gaydon feels your pain and has begun offering a new performance package for the 4.3-liter model.

The kit includes a new induction system originally developed for the DBS that features a pair of toggling airbox valves that open at 5,500 rpm to bring more air into the engine. With the help of a revised ECU that optimizes ignition timing and recognizes higher octane fuels, output increases to 400 hp (20 extra ponies) and torque grows to 307 lb-ft.

The sports package developed for the 2009 model can also be retrofitted to the last generation Vantage and includes forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, upgraded springs and Bilstein dampers. Aston hasn't released pricing for the new performance pack, but we're sure it's less than trading in your old Vantage for the updated model.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Continue reading Aston Martin offers power upgrades to last-gen V8 Vantages

Aston Martin offers power upgrades to last-gen V8 Vantages originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA investigating GM SUV fires

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, GM, GMC

You might remember a bout of fires consuming a handful of Ford trucks, SUVs and cars that was due to a faulty cruise control switch that could ignite even if the vehicles were parked. General Motors is apparently having a similar issue, and although it doesn't involve the same cruise control system, the potential outcome - a car fire - is the same.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into the 2007 GMC Yukon after two of the SUVs caught fire while parked in the owners' garages with the ignition turned off. The issue could affect some 423,000 vehicles, but according to a GM spokesperson, the automaker doesn't think it's a widespread pattern or trend. The NHTSA will have the final word on that, we suppose.

[Source: Detroit News]

NHTSA investigating GM SUV fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By the Numbers: 2007

John Neff — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, By the Numbers

Toyota passes Ford as second largest automaker in the U.S.; Mazda grows the most in 2007

The final sales numbers for 2007 are in, and to be honest, they're better than we expected. Of the 34 brands we track sales, 19 showed an improvement in their daily average sales rate last year. The majority of those that didn't, we're sad to say, are either domestic U.S. brands or brands that are owned by a domestic U.S. automaker.

Big ups to Mazda, though, which won our coveted Biggest Winner of the Year honor by growing its daily average sales rate 9.8% and selling nearly 300,000 vehicles. We can't say we're surprised that Jaguar is our Biggest Loser of the Year after posting daily average sales rate that fell 24.4% last year. We'd also like to call out Jeep for posting a 3.0% improvement thanks to the hot-selling Wrangler Unlimited, as well as Lincoln, which, despite all odds, increased its daily average sales rate by 8.8% and sold an additional 11,000 vehicles last year. There are other plenty of other proud automakers in the list below we don't have room (or time) to mention.

Of course, the biggest news in auto sales for 2007 is that Ford Motor Company was supplanted by Toyota Motor Company as the second largest automaker in the U.S. Toyota sold 2,620,825 units in 2007 compared to Ford's 2,572,599. We weren't all that impressed with ToMoCo's final tally of a 2.7% daily average sales rate increase, but that's all it needed after Ford posted a 12.7% decrease. General Motors, of course, is still well ahead of both with 3,866,620 units sold, while Chrysler could be breathing down Ford's neck with 2,076,650 sales if we expected that number would increase in 2008, which we don't.

Note that there were 307 selling days last year compared to 306 selling days in 2006, so the figures below represent the change in daily average sales rate (average number of vehicles sold per day) and not the change in raw number of units sold.

Biggest Winner of the Year
Mazda 9.8% at 296,110 (2006: 268,786)

Biggest Loser of the Year
Jaguar -24.4% at 15,683 (2006: 20,683)

BRANDS
Acura-10.8% at 180,104 (2006: 201,223)
Audi 3.4% at 93,506 (2006: 90,116)
BMW 6.7% at 293,795 (2006: 274,432)
Buick -23% at 185,791 (2006: 240,657)
Cadillac -5.7% at 214,726 (2006: 227,014)
Chevrolet -6.5% at 2,265,641 (2006: 2,415,428)
Chrysler -10.5% at 543,011 (2006: 604,874)
Dodge -2.1% at 1,058,402 (2006: 1,077,579)
Ford -13.9% at 2,101,244 (2006: 2,433,086)
GMC 4.8% at 505,746 (12/06: 481,222)
Honda 4.5% at 1,371,438 (2006: 1,308,135)
HUMMER -22% at 55,986 (2006: 71,524)
Hyundai 2.2% at 467,009 (2006: 455,520)
Infiniti 4.5% at 127,038 (2006: 121,146)
Jaguar -24.4% at 15,683 (2006: 20,683)
Jeep 3.0% at 475,237 (2006: 460,052)
Kia 3.5% at 305,473 (2006: 294,302)
Land Rover 3.4% at 49,550 (2006: 47,774)
Lexus 1.8% at 329,177 (2006: 322,434)
Lincoln 8.8% at 131,487 (2006: 120,476)
Mazda 9.8% at 296,110 (2006: 268,786)
Mercedes 1.8% at 253,433 (2006: 248,080)
Mercury -7.2% at 168,422 (2006: 180,848)
MINI 7.0% at 42,045 (2006: 39,171)
Nissan 4.5% at 941,200 (2006: 898,103)
Pontiac -13% at 358,022 (2006: 410,229)
Porsche 1.0% at 34,693 (2006: 34,227)
Saab -10.3% at 32,711 (2006: 36,349)
Saturn 5.7% at 240,091 (2006: 226,375)
Subaru -7.0% at 187,208 (2006: 200,703)
Suzuki 0.6% at 101,884 (2006: 100,990)
Toyota 2.9% at 2,291,648 (2006: 2,220,090)
Volkswagen -2.3 at 230,572 (2006: 235,140)
Volvo -8.6% at 106,213 (2006: 115,807)

NA: Mitsubishi

COMPANIES
BMW Group 6.7% at 335,840 (2006: 313,603)
Chrysler Group -3.4% at 2,076,650 (2006: 2,142,505)
Ford Motor Co -12.1% at 2,572,599 (2006: 2,918,674)
General Motors -6.5% at 3,866,620 (2006: 4,124,645)
Honda America 2.5% at 1,551,542 (2006: 1,509,358)
Nissan North America 4.5% at 1,068,238 (2006: 1,019,249)
Toyota Motor Co. 2.7% at 2,620,825 (2006: 2,542,524)

By the Numbers: 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech

Dan Roth — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Performance, Etc., Technology, Audi, GM

click above for more high-res images of the gorgeous Audi R8

It's that time of year where everyone's prognosticating like Nostradamus about what the coming year will hold. The authoritative ink slingers at Automobile magazine have decided that Audi's R8 deserves the dual honors of 2008 Automobile Of The Year and Design Of The Year, as well. While infused with the generous spirit, Automobile named General Motor's Two-Mode Hybrid rig Technology Of The Year.

The R8 is Audi's sports/GT that looks like a supercar and radiates a glow across the entire Audi model line. Not only does it have neck-snapping visual presence, with a 420 horsepower V8 between the axles, there's a deep well of accelerative force to go along with a finely-tuned AWD chassis that doesn't scramble the occupants. Park the R8 next to some rosso italiano, and the lithe German with its metal side blades, straked vents front and rear, and muscular stance might just steal all the thunder.

Big trucks that return 20mpg in the city have been about as realistic as Tinkerbell, until now. General Motors partnered with BMW and the artist formerly known as DaimlerChrysler to develop a flexible hybrid architecture for a wide variety of applications. The second-generation system, with lots more transmission trickery added to the bag of fuel-saving techniques, is allowing the GMT900 platform to post city EPA mileage numbers not far behind four-cylinder midsizers. Because of the system's joint development, we should start seeing this hardware popping up in a variety of different vehicles soon. We're sure that not everyone will agree with Automobile's picks, so fire away with your own suggestions.

Press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

Continue reading Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech

Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 43,000 Acuras for power steering hose

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Acura, Honda

Those of you rolling in a 2005-2008 Acura RL take note: Honda has issued a recall for your power steering hose and being the educated consumer that you are, you won't have to wait by the mailbox to know about it.

The high temperatures created by the V6 under the RL's hood are apparently causing some cracks to form in the power steering hose that could lead to fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter, resulting in a fire, which is bad. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued the recall, but no injuries or fires have been reported as of yet.

Approximately 43,200 Acura RLs are affected by the recall and since it's likely that you're more informed than your local Acura service department, we'd suggest you print out this post and tell the folks at your dealer that you've got a friend in the industry.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda recalling 43,000 Acuras for power steering hose originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster in the flesh

Noah Joseph — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

It pains us to see a dead horse beaten so rigorously, but the folks at Mercedes have yet to stop. But then, they did paid a lot for that horse.

The SLR project that then-Daimler-Benz undertook in partnership with its F1 racing partner, McLaren, never went as well as hoped. Sales were disappointing, and although the car's performance put it into the upper echelons of autodom, it never succeeded at giving its competition a real run for their money. And at half a million bucks, it's a lot of money to run for.

Rather than cut their loses, Mercedes and McLaren have opted instead to turn out additional derivations. After the "standard" SLR coupe came the 722, which was widely derided for having ruined the ride with little additional benefit. A racing version, dubbed 722 GT, followed. Rumors circulated long ago that additional body-styles were under consideration - what are they talking about, a shooting brake? - but only the open-air version made it to production.

The SLR McLaren Roadster was revealed back in May, but this was our first chance to see one up close. Check out the gallery below for all the angles.

Gallery: LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster in the flesh originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Mercedes S400 Bluetec Hybrid - it's new, we think

Noah Joseph — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is confusing the blog out of us with its nomenclature. Sure, it's usually pretty straightforward: one letter for the class, three numbers for the (approximate) engine displacement. Tack on 4Matic for all-wheel-drive, chop off a zero and add AMG for the performance models. But they just about lost us on this one.

In Frankfurt Mercedes unveiled two new hybrid versions of the S-Class: the S300 Bluetec Hybrid with diesel-electric power, and the S400 Hybrid with gas-electric power. In Los Angeles, however, they took the wraps off the S400 Bluetec Hybrid. Still with us? Well, they lost us, too. This version packs a V6 diesel coupled with an electric motor to provide 265 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, resulting in what Mercedes calls V8 performance with four-cylinder economy: 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and 40.5 mpg on the highway.

While the previous S400 Hybrid unveiled in Frankfurt was gas-electric, the S300 Bluetec Hybrid unveiled with it was stated as producing 413 lb-ft of torque to this S400 Bluetec Hybrid's stated 465. Still, the press materials didn't specifically differentiate it from its Frankfurt-revealed stablemate, and nobody at the Mercedes booth here in LA could tell us if this was actually a different model. Think you can make sense of it? The press release is after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: LA 2007: Mercedes S400 Bluetec Hybrid

Continue reading LA 2007: Mercedes S400 Bluetec Hybrid - it's new, we think

LA 2007: Mercedes S400 Bluetec Hybrid - it's new, we think originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS wrecks new Scion xD. Rates average, good

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Hatchback, Scion

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did its worst to the new Scion xD, and after performing both the frontal offset test and a side impact test with the standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat torso airbags, the xD came away with ratings from "good" to "average."

On the frontal offset crash, the IIHS found that the dummy's movement was well controlled, although the rebound caused its head to strike the roof rail. The possibility of injury to the neck and chest garnered an "average" rating, while the safety cage, foot protection and restraint system were all rated as "good."

The side impact test rated the Scion xD as "good" all around, save an "average" rating for the structure/safety cage portion. Although there's no IIHS data for the Scion xA - the model the xD replaced - NHTSA gave the old model four out of five stars.

[Source: IIHS]

IIHS wrecks new Scion xD. Rates average, good originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Honda CR-X CR-Z Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:24:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda

Click the image above for live and press shots of the Honda CR-Z concept.

Honda's CR-Z concept has plenty of enthusiast potential. Small, lightweight, and packing a hybrid powertrain, it's all about striking a balance between performance and sustainability. While the first round of press shots sent warm tingles down our neck, seeing it in person did little to excite the senses. It's attractive, and the combination of a powerful stance and sloped profile is the business, but the CR-Z struck us as a bit anonymous.

There's plenty of pics in the gallery below and head on over to our original post for the full press release.

Gallery: Honda CR-Z Concept

Tokyo Motor Show: Honda ~~CR-X~~ CR-Z Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Hatchback, Mini

Click the image above for more high-res images.

MINI was kind enough to furnish a fully-stocked iPod in our 2007 Cooper S tester, and after a few days of enduring OPPs (other-people's-playlists), we swapped in our own to catch up on podcasts and to sample the Beastie Boys' second installment of instrumental stylings. We know our place in the world, so we're not going to pretend to be music critics, but after flogging the MCS over the course of a week, blaring The Mix-Up through the dual-zone moon roof, we found ourselves comparing both the old and new cars with the old and new albums. The verdict: both are superior in their own way, and only nostalgia tips the previous iteration into favor.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 MINI Cooper S originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8

John Neff — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden, Australia

click above image to view gallery of 20th Anniversary HSV Clubsport R8

Holden Special Vehicles, the performance arm of Holden in Australia, turned 20 years old this year. It was at the same Sydney Motor Show back in 1987 that HSV debuted its first vehicle, the VL Group A SS Commodore or "Walkinshaw" as it's commonly known. So it's fitting that HSV used the 2007 Sydney Motor Show to debut a special 20th Anniversary edition model of its Clubsport R8. The Clubsport R8 is a hot number on its own, so the anniversary edition adds exclusive cosmetic touches like special Sandstorm paint, 20th Anniversary sill plates, black accents on the body, leather seats with a 20th Anniversary logo and special chrome shadow wheels and brake calipers painted black and gold. That's certainly not a lot but should be enough to make the special edition Clubsport R8 a collectible. For those wishing to add one to their collection, the cost is $65,990 AU. We're sure we speak for most inhabitants of the island continent when we say here's to twenty more.

[Source: HSV]

Gallery: HSV Clubsport R8 20th Anniversary Edition

Continue reading Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8

Sydney 2007: HSV turns 20, celebrates with anniversary-edition Clubsport R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Huffenpuff Edition (Random, funny and cool stuff)

John Neff — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Etc.

click the above image to view more random, funny and cool stuff from Frankfurt

We're still not finished with our posts from Frankfurt, but thought we would end this weekend with a collection of our most random, funny and cool shots from the show floor. We call it the Huffenpuff Edition, named after Frankfurt's central train station, or Hauptbahnhof in German, past which we rode on our way to the show every day and whose name we could never pronounce.

We've got a nice sized gallery chock full of the back of Bob Lutz's head, a pewter Lexus LS460, the world's biggest Fiat 500, a Mercedes CLS Wagon, smart car rollerskates, and more. Check out all the Huffenpuff Edition pics in our gallery below, complete with captions to help explain the insanity.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2007: Funny, Cool and Misc. Stuff

Frankfurt 2007: Huffenpuff Edition (Random, funny and cool stuff) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By the Numbers: August 2007

John Neff — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: By the Numbers

You didn't think we forgot to report the numbers, did you? We imagine some automakers wish we had, for instance Jaguar and Mercury, which share our Biggest Loser honor this month by dropping an identical 20.2% in sales. Another of Ford's brands, Land Rover, was the Biggest Winner, jumping 32.2% in sales last month versus August 2006.

Kudos to General Motors for pulling out a 5.3% increase in sales thanks to a big effort by Chevrolet (up 8.6%) and GMC (up 21.2%) that offset losses at the automaker's other brands. FoMoCo, meanwhile, took a hit by dropping 14.4% in sales (thanks Biggest Losers!). Even Toyota felt the crunch, slipping 2.8% in sales last month despite Lexus being up 3.6%. The newly christened Chrysler LLC reported a 6.0% fall in sales, with Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler brands all reporting lower sales last month versus 2006.

Overall, August 2007 seemed like a mixed bag for automakers, with some pulling out a victory (GM, Honda, Nissan, BMW) and others taking it on the chin (Ford, Toyota, Chrysler). This makes it hard to label August 2007 a good or bad month for the industry, but at least it's in the bag.

Biggest Winner
Land Rover 32.2% at 4,853 (08/06: 3,671)

Biggest Loser
Jaguar -20.2% at 1,359 (08/06: 1,704)
Mercury -20.2% at 12,296 (08/06: 15,417)

BRANDS
Acura -10% at 16,436 (08/06: 18,263)
Audi 7.1% at 7,620 (08/06: 7,115)
BMW 18.5% at 26,562 (08/06:22,421)
Buick -15.4% at 19,324 (08/06: 22,853)
Cadillac -2.8 at 19,481 (08/06: 20,036)
Chevrolet 8.6% at 229,012 (08/06: 210,860)
Chrysler -7.0% at 43,650 (08/06: 47,132)
Dodge -8.0% at 82,841 (08/06: 89,790)
Ford -16.1% at 180,282 (08/06:214,759)
GMC 21.2% at 51,222 (08/06: 42,262)
Honda 6.7% at 141,906 (08/06: 132,990)
HUMMER -15.4% at 5,677 (08/06: 6,711)
Hyundai 1.0% at 45,087 (08/06: 44,635)
Infiniti 8.7% at 10,252 (08/06: 9,429)
Jaguar -20.2% at 1,359 (08/06: 1,704)
Jeep -1.0% at 41,712 (08/06: 42,243)
Kia 7.0% at 26,874 (08/06: 25,114)
Land Rover 32.2% at 4,853 (08/06: 3,671)
Lexus 3.6% at 32,199 (08/06: 31,074)
Lincoln 16.1% at 10,423 (08/06:8,979)
Mercedes 1.8% at 20,980 (08/06: 20,602)
Mercury -20.2% at 12,296 (08/06: 15,417)
MINI 25.4% at 4,077 (08/06: 3,252)
Mitsubishi 19% at 13,020 (08/06: 10,954)
Nissan 6.0% at 85,275 (08/06: 80,419)
Pontiac -1.0% at 39,324 (08/06: 39,711)
Porsche 6.0% at 2,548 (08/06: 2,397)
Saab -5.0% at 3,011 (08/06: 3,168)
Saturn -4.2% at 21,117 (08/06: 22,050)
Subaru -7.5% at 16,573 (08/06: 17,809)
Suzuki 6.0% at 8,916 (08/06: 8,399)
Toyota -3.7% at 201,272 (08/06: 209,104)
Volkswagen -7.5% at 21,655 (08/06: 23,420)
Volvo 13.8% at 9,119 (08/06: 10,582)

NA: Mazda

COMPANIES
BMW Group 19.3% at 30,639 (08/06: 25,673)
Chrysler Group -6.0% at 168,203 (08/06: 179,165)
Ford Motor Co -14.4% at 218,332 (08/06: 255,112)
General Motors 5.3% at 388,168 (08/06: 368,776)
Honda America 4.7% at 158,342 (08/06: 151,253)
Nissan North America 6.3% at 95,527 (08/06: 89,848)
Toyota Motor Co. -2.8% at 233,471 (08/06: 240,178)

By the Numbers: August 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What company has the most recalled 2007 models?

John Neff — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Volkswagen

BusinessWeek has trolled the NHTSA files to find out which automakers have had to recall their brand new 2007 models the most, and the winner is Volkswagen thanks to a recall of just over 1 milion 2007 New Beetles because of potentially faulty brake light switches. Of course, Ford announced a major recall of 3.6 million vehicles earlier this month for defective cruise control switches, but none of the vehicles affected were 2007 models and so don't count for this list.

We've complied the rest of the data for you in a handy list after the jump, because we hate having to click through BusinessWeek's 15-part slideshow, and we suspect you might, too.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Continue reading What company has the most recalled 2007 models?

What company has the most recalled 2007 models? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota calls it: Will sell 200,000 Tundras in 2007

John Neff — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

During the 1932 World Series at Wrigley Field, New York Yankee Babe Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers while at bat during the fifth inning. He then knocked one out of the park directly where his finger was pointing. The Babe's famous called shot reminds us of recent comments made by Jim Lentz, executive vice president of Toyota's U.S. sales, about the Toyota Tundra. Last Thursday Lentz said, "We're spending the incentives necessary, given the economics, given a down market, to sell that 200,000 vehicles."

While not as glamorous or direct as Babe Ruth's pointed index finger, in our eyes Lentz effectively pointed to the center field bleachers and called it: Toyota will reach its goal of selling 200,000 Tundra's in 2007, the new full-size pickup's first year of sales. About 97,290 2007 MY Tundras were sold in the first six months of 2007, so 200,000 certainly seems reachable, but by no means in the bag. Just like the Big 3, Toyota has been laying both dealer and customer incentives on the hood of 2007 Tundras to encourage sales, and marketing for the truck has been omnipresent on TV and the web. Toyota disputes, however, the Edmunds.com estimate that incentives for the Tundra amounted to $6,861 per truck last month when 23,150 units were sold.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Continue reading Toyota calls it: Will sell 200,000 Tundras in 2007

Toyota calls it: Will sell 200,000 Tundras in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mixed message: JD Power now reports hybrids will have record year

John Neff — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Earnings/Financials

A couple weeks ago, J.D. Power released its Alternative Powertrain Study, which found that hybrid consideration among new car buyers is slipping, while interest in diesels is growing. Today J.D. Power released its 2007 U.S. Hybrid Vehicle Forecast Second Quarter Update, which projects that hybrid sales for 2007 will increase up to 35% this year. Last year, 256,000 hybrids were sold in the U.S., while the report released today indicates that up to 345,000 may be sold by the end of 2007. That would give hybrids a 2.3% share of the total market in the U.S. Sure doesn't sound like interest is slipping to us.

And that number is only likely to grow as more hybrids enter the market like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, GM's stable of Two-Mode Hybrid SUVs and like models from Dodge and Chrysler. Toyota itself pledges to have a hybrid option for all of its vehicles by 2020.

Nevertheless, hybrids have become an increasingly tough sell based only on their green merits, as new procedures to estimate EPA mileage have driven down their city and highway mileage estimates to more realistic levels. Also consider a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that claims in the eight years that hybrids have been on the market in the U.S., they've saved 230 million gallons of fuel. Considering that we use about 385 million gallons of dead dino juice a day in the U.S., that means hybrids have saved us a total of 14 hours of fuel use in 8 years.

[Source: J.D. Power, AutoblogGreen]

Mixed message: JD Power now reports hybrids will have record year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In The Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Amanti

Dan Roth — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Kia

click on the picture above to see a gallery

This is your father's Oldsmobile. Well, not quite. My Dad's Olds was a '65 Starfire with a 425. A lead sled, sure, but not in the pejorative sense that the phrase "your father's Oldsmobile" is supposed to connote. Okay, so the Kia Amanti is more like the hyperbolic manifestation of your father's Oldsmobile, were that car to be exceptionally plush and fitted with a suspension made of marshmallow.

The Amanti is a very well appointed vehicle; you get a lot for your dollar. If your idea of a good car equates to the most stuff for the lowest expenditure, the Amanti's value proposition is difficult to top. The engine room is occupied by an amply torquey 3.8 liter V6, so you'll be to bingo on time, and with the Kia's capricious accommodations, you will end up being the chauffeur. We already knew that the Amanti was a well-fitted ride for a very reasonable price, so our time with it offered insight into how the package works as a whole.

Gallery: In The Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Amanti

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In The Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Amanti originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford extends end-of-year incentives almost two months

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Ford's June sales were down 8.2% vs. the same month in 2006, but retail sales were actually up slightly for the first time since last October. A key to the added dealer traffic was the 0% financing available on all 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, with an additional $2,007 going towards trucks and SUVs. The successful incentives, which were scheduled to end on July 9, have been extended all the way through the end of August.

Ford has been trying hard to keep away from fleet sales, and with the aid of some reasonable incentives it has managed to steer a bit of its sales back to customers. Lets see if the good news lasts through the end of August.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Ford extends end-of-year incentives almost two months originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford brings summer incentives to buyers

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:37:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

In a move that's as predictable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, automakers are beginning to offer more sales incentives to boost summer sales figures. Ford is no exception, and as of today, those willing to drive away in a new Blue Oval offering can benefit from zero-percent financing on all new 2007 models. Want to buy a pickup or SUV? Ford will cut you a check for $2,007 in addition to the no interest financing for 36 months. However, Ford and Mercury CUVs aren't benefiting from the cash back offer.

The sales push ends on July 7th; so expect to see the prerequisite ads flooding airwaves soon after you read this.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford brings summer incentives to buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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