Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[They still make that? VW Golf Mk1 ends production after 25 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/they-still-make-that-vw-golf-mk1-ends-production-after-25-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/they-still-make-that-vw-golf-mk1-ends-production-after-25-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/they-still-make-that-vw-golf-mk1-ends-production-after-25-years/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen CitiGolf - Click above for high-res image gallery

The original Volkswagen Golf Mk1 arrived as a replacement to the Volkswagen Beetle way back in 1974. Sold in the States as the Volkswagen Rabbit, the early front-wheel-drive hatchback had a transverse-mounted (water-cooled) 1.5-liter four-cylinder rated at just 70 horsepower. It was good for a 93 mph top speed and nearly 38 miles per gallon. While the standard Rabbit was rather ho-hum, the late-to-arrive Mk1 "GTI" ushered in the hot-hatch movement with its 90-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder, slick manual transmission, and upgraded suspension. It was a seriously cool car.

In 1984, Volkswagen introduced the Golf Mk2. As the successor was bigger, wider, and more expensive than the original - and customers may have been turned-off by the "improvements" - VW chose to continue the Mk1 production and sell it as the low-cost Econo Golf, or CitiGolf.

Over the past 25 years, more than 500,000 units of the venerable Mk1 have rolled out of a South African assembly plant for sale in markets abroad. Variants have been fitted with a wide range of engine choices (both gasoline and diesel), from 1.1-liters up to 1.8-liters of displacement. Transmissions have included 4- and 5-speed manuals, plus the (obviously outdated) 3-speed automatic. Lacking nearly all of today's necessary safety equipment (a driver's airbag was eventually fitted), time finally caught up with the CitiGolf this summer and the South African plant was closed in late August.

Interesting side note: the tooling used to build the CitiGolf all these years in South Africa was reportedly originally used to make the Rabbit at Volkswagen's Westmoreland plant in Pennsylvania. Thanks for the tip, Doug!


Gallery: Volkswagen CitiGolf


[Source: in4ride]

They still make that? VW Golf Mk1 ends production after 25 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closeEndingFirst-genGolfJettaMk1ProductionRabbitSouth AfricaSouthAfricaVolkswagen GolfVolkswagen Mk1Volkswagen RabbitVolkswagenGolfVolkswagenMk1VolkswagenRabbitVW Mk1VwMk1Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19221006/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/04/they-still-make-that-vw-golf-mk1-ends-production-after-25-years/19221006/article-detail.xml 19221006 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/citi-mk1-002_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/citi-mk1-002_opt.jpg <![CDATA[New Oakland Toyota/Scion megadealer closes after two months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/01/new-oakland-toyota-scion-megadealer-closes-after-two-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/01/new-oakland-toyota-scion-megadealer-closes-after-two-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/01/new-oakland-toyota-scion-megadealer-closes-after-two-months/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Just two months after opening the doors to its brand-new, 200,000-square-foot dealership, Superior Toyota/Scion of Oakland is no more. The giant automotive retailer, with more than 40 service bays and as many as 1,200 cars on the lot at a time, closed last week after Nissan pointed at the economy and then pulled Superior's financing (although the dealer sold Toyota and Scion products, Nissan provided the loan for the new $36 million building). Without credit, the Superior Auto Group dealership was unable to do business. "I can't buy any more cars. Can't sell anything. The cars are still on the lot, but Nissan owns them now," said owner Michael Kahn. The megastore in Oakland wasn't the only one to go dark. All told, Superior Auto Group closed nearly a dozen sister dealerships throughout California last week. Thanks for the tip CPT!

[Source: Contra Costa Times]

New Oakland Toyota/Scion megadealer closes after two months originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CloseClosedNissan CreditNissanCreditout of businessOutOfBusinessSuperior ScionSuperior ToyotaSuperiorScionSuperiorToyotaSun, 01 Mar 2009 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1474848/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/01/new-oakland-toyota-scion-megadealer-closes-after-two-months/1474848/article-detail.xml 1474848 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/superior_ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/superior_ad.jpg <![CDATA[GM cuts shifts, output at three plants]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/gm-cuts-shifts-output-at-three-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/gm-cuts-shifts-output-at-three-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/gm-cuts-shifts-output-at-three-plants/#commentsFiled under:

It's hardly unexpected given recent gloomy sales numbers, but General Motors announced today that they will be cutting shifts at several North American plants. Unfortunately, nearly 2,000 workers will lose their jobs in the process as GM eliminates its third shift to slow production and ease the backlog of vehicles sitting on dealer lots. The affected plants are Orion, Michigan; Oshawa, Ontario; and Lordstown, Ohio (these plants manufacture the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Cobalt, and Pontiac G5). The news comes on top of the previously announced idling of the Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City mid-January. That plant makes the Saturn Aura and also the Chevrolet Malibu.

[Source: Reuters]

GM cuts shifts, output at three plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assembly plantAssemblyPlantCloseFairfaxGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMIdlelayoffLordstownOrionOshawaout of jobsOutOfJobsShutdownFri, 05 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1392528/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/05/gm-cuts-shifts-output-at-three-plants/1392528/article-detail.xml 1392528 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/gm_logo_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/gm_logo_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy to temporarily halt Vette production due to economy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chevy-to-temporarily-halt-vette-production-due-to-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chevy-to-temporarily-halt-vette-production-due-to-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chevy-to-temporarily-halt-vette-production-due-to-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Corvette ZR1

It's been more than a decade since the "recession-proof" Chevrolet Corvette had to endure a production cut due to excess dealer inventory, but that's apparently the case once again. Citing slow sales related to the ongoing automotive recession, GM will turn off the Corvette's factory lights during the week of October 6th. When Vette assembly resumes the following week, production will be scaled back to 15 cars per hour (normal speed is 18.5 cars per hour). Unfortunately, GM says layoffs will accompany the new schedule at the Bowling Green facility, with up to 75 workers losing their jobs. While surprising, the news isn't entirely unexpected. Corvette sales were down 8.5 percent for the year through August of 2008. They only rebounded after GM included the model in its employee pricing sale... and we all know a shot in the arm like that won't hold out over time.

Gallery: 2009 Chevy Corvette Z06


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1


[Source: Automotive News]

Chevy to temporarily halt Vette production due to economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bowling GreenBowlingGreenbreakingCancelChevroletCloseCorvetteLayoffShutSlowdownZ06ZR1Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1313935/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/15/chevy-to-temporarily-halt-vette-production-due-to-economy/1313935/article-detail.xml 1313935 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/zr1-1st-drive-1280-46_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/zr1-1st-drive-1280-46_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Last Mercury stand-alone dealership closes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/last-mercury-stand-alone-dealership-closes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/last-mercury-stand-alone-dealership-closes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/last-mercury-stand-alone-dealership-closes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A paucity of hot product, and an unintentional buyer boycott has claimed the last Mercury-only dealership. Dealerships trading singularly in Mercury products were always few and far between; the brand was usually paired with Lincoln, but Community Motor Company in Canonsburg, PA has sold only new Mercurys for 57 years. The small family run dealership will continue to sell used vehicles, which have seen the franchise through even as yearly sales of new Mercurys have dropped to one third of their 1989 high point of 300 cars. The only salesperson, Joe Mastrangioli Jr., didn't feel any pressure from the Blue Oval to hang it up, but Ford does need to trim its retail network. Elevated age, health concerns, as well as a tough sales climate have made it feel like the right time for Community Motor to bow out.

Mercury appears to be gasping for breath like a porgy washed ashore. They are nice enough cars; the Milan is handsome and nicely trimmed, the Sable got a more distinctive face this year, and the Mountaineer is what every Explorer should be. Initial quality is better than most, according to JD Power, and the brand knocked it out of the park on Power's 2007 Dependability ratings, too. Despite that, nobody seems to be paying any attention to Mercury (sales are down 6.7% through November). It could be that the brand has nothing unique to offer other than tarted up Fords. The fleet-only status of the Crown Victoria makes the Mercury store the only place to get the Panther platform without the Town Car drag, but the Grand Marquis long ago had its day in the sun. Every time we lament the fortunes of Mercury like this, we get an email from Ford letting us know it has product in the pipeline for its Roman god of Commerce and Speed (how ironic is that?). We'll have just have to wait and see.

[Source: Auto News - sub req., Photo: Larry Rippell]

Last Mercury stand-alone dealership closes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closeclosingdealerfordfranchisemercuryTue, 18 Dec 2007 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1064433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/18/last-mercury-stand-alone-dealership-closes/1064433/article-detail.xml 1064433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/mercury_dealer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/mercury_dealer.jpg <![CDATA[Mercury ever closer to getting the axe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/mercury-ever-closer-to-getting-the-axe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/mercury-ever-closer-to-getting-the-axe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/mercury-ever-closer-to-getting-the-axe/#commentsFiled under:

The writing's on the wall for Ford's pseudo luxury brand Mercury, which is now tipped to face extinction within the next couple of years. Flagging sales and no major new products in the pipeline mean Ford execs are likely to close the book on Mercury for good, and it could happen as early as 2012. Both industry experts and Mercury's own dealers are predicting the brand won't be around much longer. In fact, a recent survey of 125 dealers found that nearly four out of every five dealers were concerned that Ford is planning to dump Mercury.

Sales for Mercury last year totaled 180,848 units in the U.S., less than eight vehicles a month per franchise and the lowest total for the label since 1960. Remember, Chrysler killed the Plymouth brand because its sales dropped to 246,000 units per year and GM said goodbye to Oldsmobile when its annual tally dropped to 289,000 vehicles. So where does that leave Mercury? According to one expert, it leaves Mercury on life support. Of course, we've heard similar reports before, and yet Ford brass continue to pledge support for Mercury with their words. Too bad they refuse to do so with decent products.

[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]

Mercury ever closer to getting the axe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axecloseclosingkillkill mercuryKillMercurymercurymercury axedmercury killedMercuryAxedMercuryKilledMon, 03 Sep 2007 17:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/979872/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/09/03/mercury-ever-closer-to-getting-the-axe/979872/article-detail.xml 979872 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/mercury_logo2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/mercury_logo2.jpg -1 2