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[Honda says it isn't pulling out of more auto shows ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/honda-not-following-nissan-and-pulling-out-of-more-auto-shows-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/honda-not-following-nissan-and-pulling-out-of-more-auto-shows-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/honda-not-following-nissan-and-pulling-out-of-more-auto-shows-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



On Monday, we reported that Honda Europe had decided to cancel its participation in this fall's Frankfurt Motor Show. In that report, we speculated that it wouldn't be a surprise to see Honda follow Nissan's path of only participating in one major auto show per continent. It turns out that at this scenario is unlikely to happen. According to spokesman Chuck Schifsky, Honda has six major operating regions around the world, each one operating largely autonomously. There are certain standards that all regions follow, such as manufacturing quality requirements. But when it comes to marketing and promotions, Honda of America makes its own decisions independently from Honda of Europe and other regions.

Honda of Europe's pullout from Frankfurt was a local decision made for financial reasons, and while the American branch is also facing cost pressures and looking to save money, Schifsky says the automaker still sees value in auto shows. With that in mind, Honda is experimenting with new approaches: Earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, there was no press conference for the Insight, it just appeared on the show floor. At other shows, the company will be trying other tactics to get its message out. For the time being though, Honda and Acura fans will still be able to see new machines both at the big shows, as well as at other regional shows like Cleveland, Miami and even Chicago.

Honda says it isn't pulling out of more auto shows originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showsAutoShowsHondahonda auto showsHondaAutoShowsSchifskyFri, 03 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New York 2008: 2009 Honda Fit gets in shape]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-2009-honda-fit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-2009-honda-fit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/19/new-york-2008-2009-honda-fit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more high-res pics of the 2009 Honda Fit

The 2009 Honda Fit has landed, and done so with everything the previous Honda fit was lacking. Judging by the sales numbers of that previous Fit -- over 2,000,000 globally in six years -- it wasn't lacking too much. The car gets Honda's voice-recognizing satellite-linked navi; 3-mode, single-motion dive-down Magic Seats in back (parents, it's not what you think); a revised suspension and more rigidity. And with the addition of a USB port for MP3 players and another storage bin -- because there simply wasn't room for all your stuff before -- the new Fit comes with even more fun. The lone engine is an updated version of the current Fit's 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Fit Sport model also includes paddle shifters on the steering wheel, though we doubt shifting will be as much fun as turning in this car. Check out the gallery of hi-res pics below, and you can read the official press release from Honda after the jump for more details.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit - Live Reveal


Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading New York 2008: 2009 Honda Fit gets in shape

New York 2008: 2009 Honda Fit gets in shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20092009 honda fit2009HondaFitauto showsAutoShowsfithondahonda fitHondaFitnew yorknew york 2008new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2008NewYorkAutoShowWed, 19 Mar 2008 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2007: the shiny, invisible Bugatti Pur Sang]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-the-shiny-invisible-bugatti-pur-sang/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-the-shiny-invisible-bugatti-pur-sang/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-the-shiny-invisible-bugatti-pur-sang/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There was an official release of the all-aluminum Bugatti Pur Sang somewhere in Frankfurt this week, but it wasn't at the official Frankfurt Auto Show. In fact, once it was shown -- presumably, once -- it wasn't seen again. Not much of a loss, really, because you won't be likely to see one either: Bugatti's only making five of them. That's even more exclusive than the edtion-of-twenty Lamborghini Reventon.

The Pur Sang is a standard-issue Bugatti stripped of all of its paint. That means raw aluminum and carbon fiber face the 200+ MPH elements in their naked states. We don't know how it looks in person, but in pics we'd have to say it's the prettiest Bugatti we've seen. Without the two-tone paint job, the car doesn't remind us of a giant Stacy Adams shoe. It's also a couple hundred pounds lighter, not that you were looking to shave weight or tenths off the car.

And heaven only knows how Bugatti will decide who gets the five examples. But of course, if you really wanted one you can always stop by Earl Scheib and have your Bugatti stripped. Since it only costs $99 to put paint on a car, it's probably not much more to take it off. Just an idea. In the mean time, be sure to check out the hi-res gallery of pics.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Frankfurt 2007: the shiny, invisible Bugatti Pur Sang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 frankfurt auto show2007FrankfurtAutoShowauto showsAutoShowsbreakingbugattibugatti pur sangBugattiPurSangfrankfurtfrankfurt auto showFrankfurtAutoShowpur sangPurSangWed, 12 Sep 2007 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2007: Aston Martin DBS is the new House of Lords]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-aston-martin-dbs-is-the-new-house-of-lords/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-aston-martin-dbs-is-the-new-house-of-lords/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/frankfurt-2007-aston-martin-dbs-is-the-new-house-of-lords/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above for more hi-res pics

Neither Daniel Craig nor his latest avatar made an appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but that's all right. If we had a choice of meeting Bond or his car in person, we'd have to go with the car. And there it was, the DBS, "the ultimate luxury sports car," lurking in Aston's area. Beneath the sculpted, vented snout are twelve cylinders that snarl out 510 HP and 420 lb-ft. Power gets from motor to road via two pairs of 20-inch wheels, and you'll get from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, all the way to a leisurely 191 mph. Which is just fast enough to enjoy a Vesper Lynd before you've really got to start concentrating on the road. The question with the DBS isn't "Are you man enough?", but rather "Are you gentleman enough?" All yours for $265,000. Plus tax, of course.

For full specs on the DBS go here. And be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics.

Gallery: 2008 Aston Martin DBS

Frankfurt 2007: Aston Martin DBS is the new House of Lords originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 frankfurt auto show2007FrankfurtAutoShowastonaston martinaston martin dbsAstonMartinAstonMartinDbsauto showsAutoShowsdbsfrankfurtfrankfurt auto showFrankfurtAutoShowWed, 12 Sep 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Detroit Auto Show takes on all challengers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/the-detroit-auto-show-takes-on-all-challengers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/the-detroit-auto-show-takes-on-all-challengers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/21/the-detroit-auto-show-takes-on-all-challengers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When the LA show moved from January to its current November date, people said that it was a harbinger of doom for the Detroit Auto Show. Car companies may be based in Detroit, they said, but car culture is being largely defined and driven by Southern California. More recently, Porsche pulled out of the Detroit Show, saying it doesn't move much metal in Michigan. Now, according to auto journalist William Jeanes, the Detroit Auto Show might not only have LA to worry about, but Chicago.

Jeanes penned a piece in Automotive News arguing for Chicago to be the home of the end-all-be-all US auto show. Windy City folks held that column up to the world, and now Detroit's airing its response. David Fischer, NAIAS board member, said "We get more press credentials at this show than the Super Bowl," and the show leads all others in coverage and important vehicle introductions. In fact, Detroit gets more than double the number of journalists of any other show.

Still, with people calling Detroit "a necessary evil," not happy about Cobo Hall or what the city itself has to offer, and miffed at the "amateur journalists" who get some of those numerous credentials -- not to mention the rising stature of other cities' shows, could it be just a matter of time before it becomes the NAIAS ... of Los Angeles?

[Source: Detroit News]

The Detroit Auto Show takes on all challengers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showsAutoShowsdetroitThu, 21 Jun 2007 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Cali gets another auto show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/cali-gets-another-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/cali-gets-another-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/28/cali-gets-another-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

Attention car-obsessed Californians, Motor Trend Auto Shows announced that it is launching the Central California International Auto Show in Fresno, Calif. The 100,000 square foot show will feature 31 manufacturers, vehicles ranging from concept cars to aftermarket tuners, and a ride and drive. This makes 19 car shows for Motor Trend around the country; other show sites include San Jose, San Diego, Anaheim, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Charleston and Orlando, among others. The Fresno show will be brought to you by the Fresno/Clovis New Car Dealers Association and will take place March 31 - April 2. If you're in the Central Valley, do let us know how it goes.

Cali gets another auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showsAutoShowsmotor trendMotorTrendTue, 28 Mar 2006 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show desktop wallpapers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/14/geneva-motor-show-desktop-wallpapers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/14/geneva-motor-show-desktop-wallpapers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/14/geneva-motor-show-desktop-wallpapers/#commentsFiled under:



Our foreign correspondent Alberto Ballestin proved to be quite the accomplished shutterbug during his coverage of the Geneva Motor Show last month. We told him he wasn't done with his assignment until he rounded up his best snaps and posted high-rez versions for all of you to enjoy.

Check out these separate posts for high-rez shots of the Asian, European and U.S. brands that displayed their wares at the Geneva Show. Enjoy.

P.S. - Alberto's well aware that Ford of Europe isn't technically an American brand, but he needed to fill the post with shots of something other than the Dodge Hornet.

Geneva Motor Show desktop wallpapers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto ShowsAutoShowsconcept carsConceptCarsGeneva Motor ShowGenevaMotorShowTue, 14 Mar 2006 10:30:00 EST