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[Subaru Impreza diesel delayed for the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/subaru-impreza-diesel-delayed-for-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/subaru-impreza-diesel-delayed-for-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/subaru-impreza-diesel-delayed-for-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In this installment of "As the Yen Skyrockets," Autocar is reporting that the introduction of the long-awaited Subaru Impreza diesel has been delayed indefinitely due to unfavorable exchange rates. A source inside International Motors, the firm that imports Subarus into the UK, told Autocar, "At the current rate we would have to charge vastly more than we can justify for the diesel Impreza if we were to make a profit. As a result we can't guarantee when the car will go on sale as we can't predict when the economy will change."

Both Toyota and Honda are facing the same problem, with Honda CEO Takeo Fukui going so far as to threaten moving Honda's headquarters outside of Japan. Analysts predict that the yen could begin to sink in the coming weeks, but if the market doesn't correct itself, the Japanese government might have to intervene and begin devaluing its currency.

[Source: Autocar]

Subaru Impreza diesel delayed for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaydelayeddieselimprezasubarusubaru impreza dieselSubaruImprezaDieselukTue, 23 Dec 2008 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevrolet Camaro convertible on hold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/chevrolet-camaro-convertible-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/chevrolet-camaro-convertible-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/chevrolet-camaro-convertible-on-hold/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept

We weren't surprised when Chrysler decided to nix plans for a Dodge Challenger convertible. The LX-based coupe wasn't developed with a drop-top variant in mind and it would've taken far too much cash to shore up the chassis with the roof removed. And if you hadn't heard, Chrysler isn't doing too well in the cash department.

Now, MotorTrend is reporting that General Motors is delaying the launch of the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible for the same reason, putting off the introduction for another year as the General attempts to keep its head above these financially troubled waters. Spending on such extravagances is hard to justify for both GM and consumers, and if the Federal bailout goes through, it's safe to assume that legislators and the public us would have hard time seeing our tax dollars being used to sell a niche vehicle.

Gallery: Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept


[Source: MotorTrend]

Chevrolet Camaro convertible on hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 chevrolet camaro2010ChevroletCamaro20112011 chevrolet camaro convertible2011ChevroletCamaroConvertiblecamarochevroletchevrolet camaro convertibleChevroletCamaroConvertibleconvertibledelayedon holdOnHoldThu, 13 Nov 2008 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[GM may delay Cruze and Malibu]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/gm-may-delay-cruze-and-malibu/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/gm-may-delay-cruze-and-malibu/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/gm-may-delay-cruze-and-malibu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

As General Motors burns through $1 billion in cash each month, the automaker's belt-tightening continues unabated, spanning the spectrum from lay-offs to shutting down the escalators at the RenCen. Naturally, its products aren't immune from the cash-strapped hatchet.

First came word that the CTS Coupe and Buick Lacrosse debuts have been delayed, and now BusinessWeek reports that the Cruze's launch has been put off by a year, now set to hit dealers in 2011. Additionally, the next generation Malibu won't be out until 2013 - six months after it was due to arrive.

GM spokesperson Dee Allen wouldn't get into specifics, only saying that new-car programs "are going to shift around a bit."

The General's decision to put off development of certain projects isn't surprising considering the automaker's current predicaments (that's putting it lightly), and it's more a move to limit costs as 2008 draws to a close, saving money for 2009, what will surely be GM's make-or-break year.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze


Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots


[Source: BusinessWeek via eGMCarTech]

GM may delay Cruze and Malibu originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 cruze2011Cruzechevroletchevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechevy cruzeChevyCruzecruzedelayedMon, 27 Oct 2008 07:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Cadillac places DTS/STS replacement on hold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/report-cadillac-places-dts-sts-replacement-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/report-cadillac-places-dts-sts-replacement-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/report-cadillac-places-dts-sts-replacement-on-hold/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the image above for our high-res 2008 Cadillac STS gallery

It may be the end of the Big Cadillac. Not only has General Motors put plans for a DTS/STS replacement on the back burner, but apparently the flame is close to being extinguished as consumers are demanding smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. Cadillac's banner year was 1954 (the year Elvis was driving a pink '54 model). Back then, the big Caddys represented wealth and success (and gas was only $.25 per gallon). Today, a 4,000-pound super-sized sedan averaging 15 mpg in the city cycle doesn't bode well with anyone. With plans for their replacement on hold, and the rumor that the DTS/STS my be combined into one new vehicle unconfirmed, GM is focusing on coupe and wagon versions of the CTS and smaller and more fuel efficient SUVs. For the record, we don't consider the just-announced $71,000 2009 Escalade Hybrid smaller and more efficient....

Gallery: 2008 Cadillac STS


[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Cadillac places DTS/STS replacement on hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cadillac DTSCadillac STSCadillacDtsCadillacStscanceledcancelledceasedelayedendedproduction stopProductionStopTue, 12 Aug 2008 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen up confirmed to be FWD, delayed five months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up! Space concept.

It was rumored last week and now it's been confirmed: Volkswagen's up! minicar will be switched from a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout to a front-engine, front-wheel-drive arrangement when it goes on sale in 2011. According to VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, "Our engineers favored a rear engine and fought until the end for that solution." Unfortunately, the rear-engine layout had to be nixed due to cost constraints and the limitations it imposed on passenger space.

Volkswagen originally planned to launch the up! in Europe sometime in 2010, but the architecture switch has bumped back its sale date by four- to five-months, meaning it will likely hit showrooms in early 2011. While a few months wouldn't normally be a big deal, the Toyota IQ is set to debut in dealers early next year and the Fiat Topolino will launch late in 2009, putting VW behind the eight ball by almost two years.

Volkswagen plans to launch the up! in three flavors: a hatchback, minivan and sedan. The automaker expects sales in Europe and emerging markets to hit approximately 500,000 units per year, although a decision has yet to be reached on whether the up! will make it to the U.S.

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept


Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Volkswagen up confirmed to be FWD, delayed five months originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkwagen up2011 vw up2011VolkwagenUp2011VwUpdelayedupvolkswagenvolkswagen upVolkswagenUpvwvw upVwUpMon, 21 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus LS Hybrid delayed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/lexus-ls-hybrid-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/lexus-ls-hybrid-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/lexus-ls-hybrid-delayed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It is only a 30-day delay -- for now -- but the Lexus LS 600h L launch has been pushed back. Meant to launch in June, the new date is late July or early August. A Lexus spokesman said the company was "firming up the scheduling," but the people in Japan behind the reschedule didn't give a reason for the development.

There are a great many folks waiting to see how this car does and a 30-day delay is not a huge deal -- at this point it's safe to think that this could be nothing more than extreme attention to detail. Only expecting to sell 2,000 of the cars annually, Lexus has already taken orders for 1,650 of them. That represents the kind of following that you don't want to abuse. Being Lexus's first foray into six-figure territory, the most technologically advanced car it has ever made, and the flagship product from the newly minted number one car company in the world, Lexus will want to be sure it does this right. The limited edition Neiman Marcus version is expected to arrive around the same time. Stay tuned.

[Source: Automotive News (sub req'd)]

Lexus LS Hybrid delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>600hdelayedhybridlexusMon, 30 Apr 2007 08:50:00 EST