Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Dacia could sell in UK after all... if Cash For Clunkers legislation passes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/dacia-could-sell-in-uk-after-all-if-cash-for-clunkers-legisla/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/dacia-could-sell-in-uk-after-all-if-cash-for-clunkers-legisla/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/dacia-could-sell-in-uk-after-all-if-cash-for-clunkers-legisla/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



If Britain follows Germany's lead and adopts a scrap-your-old-car incentive, it looks like the first company to pounce will could be Romania's Dacia. Renault, which owns Dacia, had planned to launch its brand in the U.K. last summer, but then backtracked.

Thankfully, the bargain brand's fortunes improved when Germany's car scrapping incentive took effect yielding an industry-wide 21 percent jump in February sales. But Dacia didn't just manage to achieve that increase, their sales mushroomed by something like 900 percent, going from less than 100 Logans per week to more than 1000.

According to Autocar, the company thinks it may be able to realize similar results if Britain, making outsized returns on its plucky, cheap-as-chips Sandero - but only if Britain's politicians green-light the initiative.

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Dacia could sell in UK after all... if Cash For Clunkers legislation passes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingcar scrappingCarBuyingCarScrappingcash for clunkersCashForClunkersdaciadacia sanderoDaciaSanderoeconomy carEconomyCareuroeuropehatchbackrenaultsanderoukThu, 26 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Cruze could be priced higher than rivals]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze

Remember when we told you that GM plans to make more money off of its small cars by upping its prices? Well, as far as the Cruze is concerned, not only do they plan to charging substantially more than the outgoing Cobalt, they might demand more cash than a comparably equipped Corolla, Civic, or Focus. According to GM, that's because it needs to make more per car than Honda or Toyota.

With the average Civic rolling away for $19,184, GM doesn't have a lot of room to play before hitting the $20,000 ceiling. And if GM was to get an average price of $19,500 for the Cruze, that would be a $3,000 premium over the current (average) price for the Cobalt. That still gives no indication of how much money GM would actually be making on the car, though.

Design honcho Ed Welburn feels the car's styling and interior will justify the extra dosh, and said he believes "we have some very unique content and materials that are in the vehicle." Conviction is a good start, and if they can back it up the verdict might go their way. For that, we have to wait for the jury of consumers to decide.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze


[Source: IHT]

Chevy Cruze could be priced higher than rivals originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingcar pricecar pricesCarBuyingCarPriceCarPriceschevroletchevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechevy cruzeChevyCruzeeconomy careconomy carsEconomyCarEconomyCarsTue, 16 Sep 2008 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Lutz: Saturn Astra too expensive, not profitable]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/lutz-saturn-astra-too-expensive-not-profitable/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/lutz-saturn-astra-too-expensive-not-profitable/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/lutz-saturn-astra-too-expensive-not-profitable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Saturn Astra XR

Car buyers here in the States are clamoring for fuel efficient transportation, but so far the Saturn Astra hasn't been on the top of buyers lists. The Astra is a smash hit in Europe and we liked it during its short stay in the Autoblog Garage, but it may just be too expensive compared to the competition with a starting price of $16,495. General Motors isn't keeping the price high to make a profit on the small volume import, either. GM vice chairman and quote master Bob Lutz told Automotive News that the Belgian-made Astra isn't profitable in the U.S. at all anymore due to the weak value of the Dollar vs. the Euro. The Astra has gone up in price by $500 since its introduction to reflect the broadening gap between the two currencies, and the price hike was implemented only to lessen the hit from the currency exchange. The Astra is not just a financial burden for the General - it isn't exactly a sales success, either. GM has sold only 7,914 so far this year, which is far below the projected pace of 25,000 annual units. Part of the problem is that few people actually know the Astra exists, and those who do may not want to pay the relatively high price of entry. If you've driven or own an Astra, let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Saturn Astra XR


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

Lutz: Saturn Astra too expensive, not profitable originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bob LutzBobLutzeconomy carEconomyCarOpelSaturn AstraSaturnAstraMon, 08 Sep 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VW up! could be switched to FWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/vw-up-could-be-switched-to-fwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/vw-up-could-be-switched-to-fwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/vw-up-could-be-switched-to-fwd/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Volkswagen is working hard to make the up! a reality, but the technological challenges of a rear engine, RWD car are proving to be more daunting than expected. The VW engineering team is reportedly having trouble conjuring up a low cost rear-engine layout. The problem has been trying to accommodate a radiator in the up!'s nose and transferring coolant through the car. Early up! prototypes are also having a difficult time with cross-wind stability due to the unbalanced heft of its rear drive/rear engine layout. To correct these issues, some styling changes may be necessary, but if the basic shape of the up! is compromised, the German automaker may have to look at front wheel drive as an option. In spite of any problems engineers are having, VW executives are confident any difficulties will be overcome.

We're hoping that means we can still expect the inexpensive hatch to be pushed via the rear wheels just like the original Bug. Then again, the Mini has proved that small cars can be fun and driven by the front wheels, and as long as the up! is cheap, efficient, and adorable, there will be plenty of buyers.

[Source: Autocar]

VW up! could be switched to FWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economy carEconomyCarRWDVW upVwUpFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevrolet's 'Vette celebrates 30 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/24/chevrolets-vette-celebrates-30-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/24/chevrolets-vette-celebrates-30-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/24/chevrolets-vette-celebrates-30-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, not that one ... think Chevette, General Motors' thrifty little import fighter known for being long on mileage yet somewhat short on charisma. Pre-production examples of the General Motors hatchback started rolling off the line at GM's Flint, Mich. plant back in May 1975. And for those thinking that the only things the Chevette and Corvette share are a suffix and a bowtie badge, take note: The former was actually assembled at the same plant that originally birthed the latter more than 20 years earlier. Want more? Both were available as two-door, two-seaters (one for the sport of it, the other for cost-saving reasons).

Interestingly, the Sloan Museum in Flint has retained Chevette No. 00001, which has accrued a grand total of 14.4 miles on its odometer -- and the historic hatch is available for viewing.

Click on the link for more details on the history of Chevrolet's other 'Vette.

[Sources: The Flint Journal; McLellansautomotive.com]

Chevrolet's 'Vette celebrates 30 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BowtieChevetteChevroletChevyCorvetteEconoboxEconomy CarEconomyCarFlint MichiganFlintMichiganGeneral motorsGeneralMotorsGMImport FighterImportFighterSloanSloan MuseumSloanMuseumVetteMon, 24 Apr 2006 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevrolet Cobalt second only to best-selling Impala]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/chevrolet-cobalt-only-second-to-best-selling-impala/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/chevrolet-cobalt-only-second-to-best-selling-impala/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/chevrolet-cobalt-only-second-to-best-selling-impala/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Tribune-Chronicle reports that sales for the Chevrolet Cobalt through the first quarter of 2006 were nearly double that of the same period last year. The increase was seen on a month-to-month comparison as well. So far, over 52,000 Cobalts have been delivered this year.

The Impala still remains the General's best-selling vehicle, delivering slightly over 24,000 vehicles last month. But unlike the Cobalt, the figure represented a 4-percent drop compared to March 2005.

Sales for the GMC Yukon, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Pontiac Pursuit (sold only in Canada) can be found in the Tribune-Chronicle's report. Overall, GM saw deliveries down from last year as reported earlier on Autoblog.

[Source: Tribune-Chronicle]

Chevrolet Cobalt second only to best-selling Impala originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletChevyCobalteconomy carEconomyCarfirst quarter salesFirstQuarterSalesGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMPursuitsalessmall carSmallCarWed, 05 Apr 2006 18:03:00 EST