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[Buick to invest in LaCrosse, let Lucerne dodder toward oblivion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/buick-to-invest-in-lacrosse-let-lucerne-dodder-toward-oblivion/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/buick-to-invest-in-lacrosse-let-lucerne-dodder-toward-oblivion/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/buick-to-invest-in-lacrosse-let-lucerne-dodder-toward-oblivion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 LaCrosse spy shots

Small(er) is the new big as far as Buick's concerned. With the precipitous sales falloff of full-sized cars, Buick's putting its chips on the mid-sized 2010 LaCrosse, which will go on sale in the U.S. and in China. That leaves the full-size Lucerne in terminal orbit; built on GM's G Platform, Buick has no plans to redesign it, and no plans to replace it with the Park Avenue, which goes straight from its Holden assembly line in Australia to a port in China.

The LaCrosse will aim at the U.S. premium mid-size buyers and be the first domestic entrant on GM's new global mid-size platform. While it can fit both four- and six-cylinder engines, the pick of the litter will probably be the all-new 3.0-liter direct-injection V6. To give it a serious chance as an import fighter, the LaCrosse will also receive features like a heads-up display and all-wheel-drive. We'll be bringing you the full story on the car that will be Buick's spearhead from next month's Detroit Auto Show, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - spy shots II


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Buick to invest in LaCrosse, let Lucerne dodder toward oblivion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickbuick lacrossebuick lucerneBuickLacrosseBuickLucernedetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowfull sizeFullSizegmlacrosselucernemarketingmid size sedanMidSizeSedanspy shotsSpyShotsMon, 22 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/vantastic-2009-e-series-upgrades/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Just as Ford's F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford's adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.

Ford's Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with -- bar the door -- four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the "I'm lost, so I'm going to lunch" calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn't want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump

Gallery: 2009 Ford E-Series


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcargocargo vanCargoVane 150e 250e 350e seriesE150E250E350econolineESeriesfordfull sizeFullSizevanworkwork solutionswork vanWorkSolutionsWorkVanTue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST<![CDATA[In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/17/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-toyota-tundra-limited/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/17/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-toyota-tundra-limited/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/17/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-toyota-tundra-limited/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click photo above to view a gallery of Tundra shots

I wanted to hate this thing. Toyota? Taking on the last bastion of red blooded American pickups? Yeah, right! The domestic manufacturers have kept cranking up quality, capability and refinement levels - who's this upstart think it is, anyway? Not only has the Tundra garnered a metric crapload of commentary, it's ugly. Okay, not to everyone, but it reminds me of that time I got sand in my eyelids. When a Tundra Limited Double Cab unexpectedly arrived wearing a rather appropriate shade of Herman Melville white, I was primed to register severe intestinal discomfort. Dang.

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2007 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20074 wheel drive4wd4WheelDriveautoblogboxedc channelCChannelchevyfeaturedfordfour wheel driveFourWheelDriveframefull sizeFullSizegaragegmiforcein the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGarageoff roadOffRoadpickuppickup]reviewtowingtoyotatrdtrucktundraunboxedv8Thu, 17 May 2007 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Large cars continue to rack up sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/large-cars-continue-to-rack-up-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/large-cars-continue-to-rack-up-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/02/large-cars-continue-to-rack-up-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Despite rising gas prices (or perhaps "because of" - we'll get to that in a moment), large passenger cars continue to grab an increasing chunk of the automotive market in the United States. So far in 2006, big four-doors are on a tear, making up some 9.6 percent of car sales - up substantially from 8.4 percent in 2005 and 6.3 percent in 2004. The Buick Lucerne and Dodge Charger are making the largest contribution to the growth of this market segment, and Chrysler's 300 continues its record of strong sales.

While it may seem a bit counter-intuitive that large sedans sales would rise in an era of ever-increasing fuel prices, we suspect that many of the new buyers are coming from mid-size SUVs, particularly body-on-frame models - a market segment that most certainly is not doing well. For those coming from the world of Explorers and TrailBlazers, the improvement in fuel economy and performance is likely quite significant, and yet few sacrifices have to be made by drivers making the move. Indeed, many drivers would view the move from a SUV to a large sedan as a significant upgrade, and let's not forget price - a comparably-equipped sedan is often far less expensive than the same trim level in an SUV.

[Source: SEMA]

Large cars continue to rack up sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>full sizefull-sizelarge carssedansFri, 02 Jun 2006 15:03:00 EST