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Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, Kia 
2010 Kia Soul and 2011 Kia Sorento - Click on either image for high-res gallery
 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall on two Kia vehicles - the 2010 Soul and 2011 Sorento - to replace interior lighting wiring harnesses. These faulty units, supplied by JCI, can apparently cause an electrical short resulting in a fire. This recall affects 35,185 vehicles manufactured between September 7, 2009 and July 30, 2010.
In the Soul, the wiring harnesses in question are located in the front doors and control the funky accent illumination in the speakers. The Sorento has similar problems, but these wires power the lighting in both the front and rear door trim panels.
The full recall is expected to begin within the coming weeks and dealers will inspect and fix the faulty wiring harnesses free of charge. Hit the jump for the full information from NHTSA.
Photos Copyright (C)2010 John Neff and Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: NHTSA]Continue reading Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Windsor-area police looking to ID car involved in hit-and-run fatality. Can you help? Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Canada 
Police in Windsor, Ontario are attempting to determine the type of vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run recently. Kyle Peters, a 15-year-old, was struck while riding his bicycle on Country Road 34. After being admitted to the hospital in critical condition, Peters died from his injuries the following morning. According to The Toronto Star, Peters was hit somewhere between roads 21 and 37 and was struck at around 9 p.m. A single piece of fiberglass was recovered from the scene, measuring 11 inches by 16 inches.
So far, police have been unable to identify the vehicle that struck Peters. Law enforcement is welcoming any tips related to vehicles with missing pieces of fender in the area. Likewise, police are seeking help identifying the vehicle based on the piece of bodywork as well. Do you recognize the fiberglass piece above? Take your best guess in 'Comments' and be sure to note that anyone with information on the accident can contact the Leamington Police Department via their website. Thanks for the tip, Dan!
[Source: The Toronto Star]Windsor-area police looking to ID car involved in hit-and-run fatality. Can you help? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Videos, Off-Road, Racing 
Bad Habits takes a dive - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Few realms of motorsport live the "Go big or go home" mantra to the fullest quite as well as the monster truck world. Aside from one of the largest voiceovers in the industry ("Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!!"), the guys who wrangle the epic horsepower, rear-wheel steering beasts of the Monster Jam circuit also boast some of the biggest egos. You know, the kind of sheer will of character that it takes to look at Bigfoot's 202-foot, record-setting jump over a jetliner and think, "Nah, I can do better." Such is the case with Joe Sylvester, the 26-year-old driver of the Bad Habits truck.
Sylvester has got it into his mind that he can embarrass the Bigfoot record, and has set about building a truck and a ramp to do just that. Only thing is, things didn't go so swell during a practice session this week. After nailing his homemade ramp, the Bad Habits truck promptly began to turn its nose back toward terra firma, and it wasn't long before the machine evaporated into a cloud of giant tires and red clay. Sylvester was unharmed in the accident and plans to officially attempt to break the record at this weekend's Cornfield 500 at Columbus, PA's Miller Farm. If you can't make it, don't worry - the folks at DirtVision plan a live webcast of this Sunday's attempt.
Either way, we wish Sylvester the best of luck. You may want to do the same after hitting the jump and watching his failed practice attempt for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Shawn!
[Sources: YouTube, Cornfield500, DirtVision]Continue reading Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned Video: Bad Habits' monster truck world record practice session doesn't go as planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima Filed under: Sedan, Kia, First Drive You've Come a Long Way, Baby
2011 Kia Optima - Click above for high-res image gallery
We admit it - we're genetically preprogrammed to be shallow creatures. Despite our moms' best efforts, recognizing inner beauty is all well and good, but it's physical beauty that first puts both people and consumables on our radar.
Exhibit A? The 2011 Kia Optima. You see, while exactly nobody was paying attention, the outgoing Optima actually became a reasonably competitive mid-size sedan. But with the lackluster reputation of its predecessor compounded by styling so banal that it might as well have had "John Doe" as a model designation, the Optima was seemingly forgotten by everyone but fleet managers.
That's not going to be a problem any more.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOLContinue reading First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Next-gen 'smart' headlamps to automatically adjust beams around oncoming traffic? Filed under: Europe, Japan, Technology 
A French company may have come with the next big thing in vehicle lighting. Valeo SA has developed a system called Beamatic Premium that allows drivers to keep their high-beams on at all times while still protecting other drivers from being blinded while driving. The tech uses onboard cameras to track the location of vehicles on the road and automated dousers to shield other drivers from glare. Think of it as the ultimate evolution of adaptive headlamps.
The tech was good enough to win top honors at Equip Auto - an international automotive trade show - in 2009. Now Japan's Ichikoh Industries is looking to manufacture and sell the system to the world's vehicle manufacturers. The company plans to sell two versions, one with HID lamps and another with full LED lighting.
With most luxury vehicles these days packing more cameras than a paparazzi party, it probably wouldn't take too much to integrate the Valeo SA system into existing platforms. The question is, how much is Ichikoh going to charge for all of the extra complicated software and hardware? Thanks for the tip, Kevin.
[Source: Tech On]Next-gen 'smart' headlamps to automatically adjust beams around oncoming traffic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota 
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery
Even with the impending launch of the Volt later in the Fall, the Chevrolet Cruze may be the biggest vehicle General Motors will launch in the U.S. this year. The reason is money. The Cruze should make some of it, while the Volt and its pricey development and battery packs likely won't for a long time.
The Cruze looks pretty good to us, but we know that the new sedan will only be successful if it is properly launched and marketed. So how do you best show off a refined interior, 10 standard airbags and more hip- and shoulder-room than the top sellers in the class? Automotive News reports that The General will ask its 3,000 dealers to purchase a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Civic so Bowtie shoppers can compare and contrast the newest Chevrolet against the C-Segment stalwarts from Japan.
Since the Cruze is all-new in the U.S. market and both the Civic and Corolla are a bit long-in-the-tooth, we're thinking the Chevy will win more than its fair share of buyers, but we'd like to see Chevy stores step up to the challenge of the Mazda3, as well. Perhaps the bigger challenge, though, will be to get customers who would traditionally buy a Honda or Toyota to shop at a Chevy store in the first place. GM plans to officially launch the Cruze in late September.
Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.] Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Kia to upgrade 2011 Sorento shock absorbers to soften ride Filed under: Crossover, Kia 
2011 Kia Sorento SX - Click above for high-res image gallery
Back in March, Kia debuted a new top-shelf version of its most popular vehicle, the Sorento crossover, dubbed the 'SX.' The announcement included word of a redesigned front clip and more equipment, but we were most interested in the SX's lower ride height and Dual Flow Damper shocks, which Kia says deliver sporty handling without undue ride harshness.
As we would discover after spending a week traversing the Midwest's broken roads with a lesser Sorento EX model, that last bit about ride harshness is particularly important, because while the Sorento had a pleasant highway demeanor and tracked well, it was surprisingly stiff and brittle on potholed roads, acquitting itself more like a body-on-frame vehicle than the unibody CUV that it is. Fortunately, Kia noticed this ride quality issue and decided to take the costlier DFD dampers and employ them not just on the new SX model, but across the model's entire range beginning in the fourth quarter. While Kia officials we spoke with at an Atlanta press event this week stopped short of admitting that the Sorento's ride quality has been an issue, they did note that once engineers sampled the DFD setup on the SX, they liked the ride so much they decided to institute the new units on all Sorentos.
During the event, we had a chance to sample a pair of Sorento SX models, and over some of the city's choppy, unkept stretches of pavement, we noticed a markedly less flinty ride, despite the SX model's large and flashy 18-inch alloy wheels. While we'll wait to drive a DFD-equipped Sorento back on the Midwest's mean streets before we give it a clean bill of health, our backsides were encouraged by what they felt, and we're likewise pleased to see Kia taking quick action to address a sore spot on a new model.
How was the rest of the $32,195 SX? Rather accomplished, actually. We like the SX's new lower fascia and grille (though the standard Sorento's a good-looking proposition as well), and the 276-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 felt predictably more capable than the merely adequate 2.4-liter four-cylinder we drove recently. Other SX-specific alterations include LED taillamps and a healthy dollop of chrome inside-and-out. The added flash won't be to everyone's tastes, but it's quite tastefully done and we suspect Kia won't have trouble finding buyers.
That said, if you're merely in the market for a new Sorento LX or EX and you live in an area where the roads are less-than-perfect, might we suggest holding on to your current ride until the fourth quarter-builds trickle into your local dealer?
Kia to upgrade 2011 Sorento shock absorbers to soften ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
2011 Dodge Durango unveiled Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Dodge 
2011 Dodge Durango - Click above for high-res image gallery
Chrysler has just pulled back the curtain on the 2011 Dodge Durango, and the newest iteration of the Auburn Hills brawler looks to have all of the bones it needs to be competitive in one of the industry's most crowded segments. For next year, the vehicle will ride on a new unibody platform wrapped in freshly-minted sheetmetal. More importantly for those looking to ferry their brood about town, it will also boast a full three rows of seating. Under the hood, buyers can look forward to picking between the company's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 5.7-liter V8 with 6,200- and 7,800-pounds of towing capacity, respectively. All-wheel drive is available with both power plants.
Chrysler hasn't provided any fuel-economy estimates just yet.
The interior was worked over by the same gurus responsible for the superb, hide-lined cabins in the Dodge Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and judging by the one teaser photo the company released this morning, it looks like a fine place to whittle away the miles. There look to be a host of smaller, but equally important changes onboard the Durango as well, including an all-new Dodge emblem on the steering wheel. If you were waiting to see what the face of the new Chrysler would look like, search no more. It's here. Look for the Durango to hit dealer lots by late this year.
Hit the jump for the full press blast after checking out our high-res gallery below
[Source: Chrysler]Continue reading 2011 Dodge Durango unveiled 2011 Dodge Durango unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rumormill: Mini Countryman Coupe in the works Filed under: Coupe, Crossover, Mini, Rumormill 
2011 Mini Countryman - Click above for high-res image gallery
At first take, it's not easy to accept the 2011 Mini Countryman crossover. We understand. But after our first drive of the pint-sized CUV, it started to make more sense. We're hoping to have similar revelations about a coupe version of the Countryman, which is reportedly being considered within Mini's product development department. That's right - a Mini X6.
Mini is allegedly hot about the idea of doing a Countryman-based coupe after seeing Land Rover debut its Range Rover Evoque, which has a two-door configuration, small proportions and a coupe-like styling theme. Autocar reports that if this project gets the green light, we would more than likely see the Countryman Coupe around 2013 with a four-door layout that ditches conventional rear entryways for a set of suicide doors. On top of that, the coupe would have a shorter rear overhang than the CUV and much shallower side windows. Think lifted, rakish Clubman.
We'll already be seeing a production version of Mini's Coupe concept out on the streets in the near future, but expect the two-door Countryman to be vastly different, similar to the way that a BMW 3 Series coupe and an X6 are wholly opposite vehicles. As a crossover, we've grown to rather like the Countryman, but truth be told, there's a big part of us that's hoping this coupe project simply fades into the depths of the rumormill.
Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL
[Source: Autocar]Rumormill: Mini Countryman Coupe in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: McLaren planning five new models over five years Filed under: Coupe, Performance 
McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery
When we sat down with Antony Sheriff in Pebble Beach, we bombarded McLaren's managing director with a raft of questions about the MP4-12C. Properly geeked on the Ferrari 458-fighter, we asked what else McLaren had planned in its quest to become a sort of full-line sports car purveyor.
Naturally, Sheriff remained mum, but we know based on earlier reports that three core models are in the works, with the MP4-12C out first, followed by either a F1 supercar successor or a Porsche 911 competitor.
Now word comes that McLaren is planning to release one new product each year for the next five years, and it's likely to be a mix of MP4-12C variants and all-new models. It's safe to assume that wealthy privateers are champing at the bit for a club-racing version of the 12C and that would mean a dedicated racer (can you say long-tail?) couldn't be too far off.
[Source: AutoGuide]Report: McLaren planning five new models over five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Norster 600R is a Finnish designed, Chinese built, British Frogeye throwback Filed under: Convertible, Budget, China, Europe, Chery 
Norster 600R - Click above for high-res image gallery
There were plenty of reasons to love the Austin-Healey Sprite. Besides being super affordable when they debuted, the Sprite was light and capable of out-handling high-dollar sports cars of the era, not to mention the plucky British styling that was unlike anything else on the road. That combination has helped make the Sprite Mk 1 a sought after collectible, but it hasn't inspired anyone to come up with a recreation of the car. Until now. Feast your eyes on the Norster 600R.
This, um, unique creation isn't actually billed as an automobile, slipping instead into the heavy quad classification in the European Union to beat pesky hang ups like crash test and emissions standards. Penned by designers in Finland and built in China, the Norster 600R uses a 580cc two-cylinder engine with a whopping 20 horsepower and 36.8 pound-feet of torque. You aren't going to be taking the checkers at Le Mans with the Chery-sourced powerplant, especially considering the 1,150-pound unladen weight. Of course, the upswing of such a tiny engine is that the Norster can happily put along at around 50 mpg U.S.
At least there's that.
If you've suffered an aneurism recently and find yourself smitten with this multinational mid-engine creation, you can hop over to the Norster site for more information. Thanks for the tip, Tomi!
[Source: Nordian Commerce]Norster 600R is a Finnish designed, Chinese built, British Frogeye throwback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Volkswagen Amarok camper conversion ready for adventure Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Europe, Volkswagen 
Volkwagen Amarok with Bimobil camper - Click above for image gallery
If you had your heart set on a Volkswagen Amarok before the company made it clear that the truck wasn't heading to North America, prepare to have your wounds lightly salted. A company by the name of Bimobil has gone through the effort of creating a camper conversion for the handsome pickup. Instead of the drop-in style units that we're used to seeing here in the states, the Bimobil piece actually replaces the Amarok's bed altogether. From what we can tell, owners can easily detach the camper once they get to a suitable location in the event they have to go to town for important supplies. You know, like beer. Or a snake-bite kit.
Our Google Translator isn't much help in discerning exactly how much Bimobil is asking for the swank digs, nor what other special features the camper boasts. Even so, we're thinking that there are few better ways to vacation than from the back of a pickup. Besides, how awesome does this thing look? If you happen to speak German, you can head over to Bimobil's website and dream a little dream of mobile living. Otherwise, content yourself by having a look at our gallery below.
[Source: Bimobil via German Car Blog]Volkswagen Amarok camper conversion ready for adventure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 09.02.10 
AutoblogGreen for 09.02.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Subaru testing its version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" coupe in the Death Valley heat Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Subaru 
Subaru FT-86 RWD coupe spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've read many reports lately having to do with Toyota's FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but we mustn't forget that Subaru will be getting its own version of this new two-door - it is a joint venture, after all. Our spies have captured this obviously Subaru-bodied mule out testing in Death Valley, showing that things are still on track for the "Toyobaru" to come to market in the near future.
Details are still very slim on what Subaru's version of the FT-86 will offer, and contrary to the brand's image, the new coupe may not be available with all-wheel drive. If that's the case, Subaru will have to offer a lot more in the way of styling (and perhaps power) to differentiate it from its Toyota sister. This latest prototype has sprouted a hood scoop not seen on earlier test cars, suggesting that a top-mount intercooler could be underhood, though it's also possible that this is just the result of some WRX/STI parts being used for camouflage purposes.
Toyota is expected to launch its version of the FT-86 in November of 2011, so keep your fingers crossed for Subaru's version to drop around the same time. For now, see a glimpse of what's to come in our high-res gallery of spy shots below.
[Source: KGP Photography]Spy Shots: Subaru testing its version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" coupe in the Death Valley heat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
By The Numbers - August 2010: The C4C hangover continues Filed under: By the Numbers Luxury marques gain ground while volume brands suffer
 Just like any spending spree, there are consequences. And for the second straight month, the automakers that benefited most from Cash For Clunkers have seen their sales figures fall through the floor compared to August of last year. The program officially ended August 24, 2009, and if you take a look at the chart below, the brands with inexpensive, fuel efficient rides suffered the most last month.
On the upside, luxury marques like Cadillac, Jaguar, Porsche, Infiniti and Acura were going gangbusters compared to August of 2009, which could be further proof that America's high-rollers are either confident the recession is over or - more likely - were less affected by the downturn than us peons. No matter. When it's bust for some, it's boom for others, and this month's sales figures speak for themselves.
| Brand |
Vol. % |
August 2010 |
August 2009 |
DSR %* |
August 2010 |
August 2009 |
| Cadillac |
83.08 |
12,689 |
6,931 |
90.40 |
508 |
267 |
| Buick |
65.98 |
14,294 |
8,612 |
72.62 |
572 |
331 |
| Jaguar |
61.60 |
1,414 |
875 |
68.06 |
57 |
34 |
| Porsche |
33.16 |
2,032 |
1,526 |
38.48 |
81 |
59 |
| Infiniti |
21.93 |
9,428 |
7,732 |
26.81 |
377 |
297 |
| Acura |
19.83 |
11,534 |
9,625 |
24.63 |
461 |
370 |
| Jeep |
16.63 |
25,706 |
22,041 |
21.29 |
1,028 |
848 |
| Audi |
13.96 |
9,182 |
8,057 |
18.52 |
367 |
310 |
| GMC |
12.27 |
25,986 |
23,145 |
16.77 |
1,039 |
890 |
| Land Rover |
11.33 |
2,544 |
2,285 |
15.79 |
102 |
88 |
| Mercedes-Benz |
10.02 |
18,826 |
17,112 |
14.42 |
753 |
658 |
| Lincoln |
9.43 |
6,428 |
5,874 |
13.81 |
257 |
226 |
| Dodge |
7.56 |
35,364 |
32,878 |
11.86 |
1,415 |
1,265 |
| Ram |
4.67 |
20,604 |
19,684 |
8.86 |
824 |
757 |
| BMW |
1.60 |
19,540 |
19,232 |
5.67 |
782 |
740 |
| Chrysler |
-3.66 |
17,937 |
18,619 |
0.19 |
717 |
716 |
| Volkswagen |
-7.93 |
22,855 |
24,823 |
-4.25 |
914 |
955 |
| Ford |
-10.74 |
144,035 |
161,369 |
-7.17 |
5,761 |
6,207 |
| Hyundai |
-11.35 |
53,603 |
60,467 |
-7.81 |
2,144 |
2,326 |
| Mini |
-13.42 |
4,425 |
5,111 |
-9.96 |
177 |
197 |
| Lexus |
-14.97 |
19,465 |
22,892 |
-11.57 |
779 |
880 |
| Kia |
-19.24 |
32,465 |
40,198 |
-16.01 |
1,299 |
1,546 |
| Chevrolet |
-21.52 |
131,952 |
168,130 |
-18.38 |
5,278 |
6,467 |
| Mercury |
-22.47 |
7,040 |
9,080 |
-19.37 |
282 |
349 |
| Subaru |
-22.47 |
22,239 |
28,683 |
-19.36 |
890 |
1,103 |
| Mazda |
-25.63 |
19,739 |
26,542 |
-22.66 |
790 |
1,021 |
| Nissan |
-30.93 |
67,399 |
97,580 |
-28.17 |
2,696 |
3,753 |
| Honda |
-35.98 |
97,195 |
151,814 |
-33.42 |
3,888 |
5,839 |
| Toyota |
-36.24 |
128,923 |
202,196 |
-33.69 |
5,157 |
7,777 |
| Mitsubishi |
-36.99 |
4,293 |
6,813 |
-36.99 |
172 |
273 |
| Saab |
-40.08 |
290 |
484 |
-37.69 |
12 |
19 |
| Suzuki |
-68.18 |
1,830 |
5,751 |
-66.91 |
73 |
221 |
| Smart |
-72.38 |
448 |
1,622 |
-71.27 |
18 |
62 |
| (Hummer) |
-73.62 |
205 |
777 |
-72.56 |
8 |
30 |
| (Saturn) |
-99.49 |
43 |
8,479 |
-99.47 |
2 |
326 |
| (Pontiac) |
-99.98 |
7 |
29,921 |
-99.98 |
0 |
1,151 |
| Volvo |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| Companies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jaguar Land Rover |
25.25 |
3,958 |
3,160 |
30.26 |
158 |
122 |
| Chrysler Group |
6.85 |
99,611 |
93,222 |
11.13 |
3,984 |
3,585 |
| BMW Group |
-1.55 |
23,965 |
24,343 |
2.39 |
959 |
936 |
| General Motors (Core) |
-10.59 |
184,921 |
206,818 |
-7.01 |
7,397 |
7,955 |
| Ford Motor Company |
-10.67 |
157,503 |
176,323 |
-7.10 |
6,300 |
6,782 |
| General Motors |
-24.87 |
185,176 |
246,479 |
-21.87 |
7,407 |
9,480 |
| Nissan North America |
-27.05 |
76,827 |
105,312 |
-24.13 |
3,073 |
4,050 |
| American Honda |
-32.65 |
108,729 |
161,439 |
-29.96 |
4,349 |
6,209 |
| Toyota Mo Co |
-34.08 |
148,388 |
225,088 |
-31.44 |
5,936 |
8,657 |
Note: Volvo hasn't released monthly sales figures yet, so when the Swede's new owners at Geely get their act together and send out the numbers, we'll update the chart.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 25 selling days in August 2010 versus 26 selling days in August 2009, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.By The Numbers - August 2010: The C4C hangover continues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.1.10 
With 600 hp and a body made for sin(ema), the Firebreather more than another Hollywood hero car.
The 458 Italia is so hot it's on fire. Literally. And Ferrari is asking owners to come in for a fix before their prancing horse goes up in flames.
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.1.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet 
Chevrolet Vega Car & Track segment - Click above to view the video after the jump
"The goal is to be nifty." Quite a gem of a quote from Car & Track's look into the work behind bringing the Chevrolet Vega to market. C&T was among the first national television shows that covered both auto racing and road tested the cars of its day, and their videos remain fun to watch and offer a glimpse into the past to see cars that have become both famous and infamous in their original context.
Looking at the Vega's design, testing, engineering and construction, C&T calls it "the most precisely engineered car built in America." Uh-huh. Thankfully, 'precisely engineered' means something rather different today, and even if we don't lust after the Vega like other cars from its era, we can still enjoy a glimpse inside some of General Motors' vehicle development and testing methods from some forty years ago. Check out the video after the jump - and be sure to scroll down to see what C&T has to say about the one-and-only 1971 AMC Gremlin, too! Top tip, Tom!
[Source: Car & Track via YouTube]Continue reading Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover headed for the UK Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford, UK 
Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover mule - click above for high-res image gallery
Ford is enjoying early success with the Fiesta here in the United States, but in Europe, where the Fiesta has been on sale for years, it's time to start thinking about the future. Our friendly neighborhood snappers at CarPix have scored spy shots of what appears to be a high-riding Fiesta-based crossover designed to slot in below the Kuga crossover in the automaker's European lineup.
A Fiesta crossover might sound a little odd at first take, but when it comes to production, it should be roughly the same size as a Nissan Juke or Mini Countryman. That in mind, don't rule out the possibility of the Fiesta CUV making its way to the U.S. Expect to see a variety of powertrains offered for European customers including some EcoBoost options, and both front- and all-wheel drive configurations should be available. Check out our gallery of high-res pics before to get a closer look at the forthcoming Blue Oval tall boy.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover headed for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chevrolet Volt will not be eligible for HOV-lane access until mid-2012 Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Nissan, Electric 
Prospective owners of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf shouldn't get too excited about driving in California carpool lanes as soon as they take delivery. Late Tuesday night California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 535 into law, extending access to the high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes to certain very low and zero emissions vehicles. This new class of vehicles known as Enhanced Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (enh-ATPZEVs) and includes plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles like the Leaf and Toyota's Prius PHEV.
Unfortunately, there are some caveats. SB 535 doesn't take effect until January 1, 2012 and even then only 40,000 of the special stickers needed for HOV access will be made available. In order to qualify, the vehicle has to be rated as an enh-ATPZEV, which brings up the second problem for Volt drivers. A General Motors spokesperson confirmed that the 2011 and 2012 Volt will not be enh-ATPZEV certified. The requirements to earn the enh-ATPZEV label are significantly tougher than the standard ATPZEV. Given the escalated development of the Volt, GM didn't have enough time to calibrate and verify that the plug-in hybrid would meet the standard over a 10-year/150,000-mile period.
That's also why the Volt battery only has the eight-year/100,000-mile warranty required for the non-enhanced ATPZEV. GM spokesman Rob Peterson verified that the Volt will be updated to enh-ATPZEV in mid-2012 when the 2013 model is introduced. In the meantime, you'll just to make sure to bring a friend if you want to ride in the carpool lane.
UPDATE: We just got word from Nissan that the Leaf is eligible for the All Access stickers under a previous bill passed (AB 1500) earlier this year. That means if you take delivery of a Leaf today, you can be flying in the HOV lanes tomorrow.
[Source: General Motors]Chevrolet Volt will not be eligible for HOV-lane access until mid-2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Paris Motor Show, Event Alert 
September means the end of summer vacation, but the automotive festivities continue, including the Paris Motor Show at the very end of the month. We'll have a full team coverage in the City of Lights, but that's almost a month away. Between now and then there are hundreds of car-related events to keep all but the most rabid gearheads satisfied.
While our coverage of Monterey and the Woodward Dream Cruise last month gave us a year's worth of classic and collectible car memories, September has a lot more to offer for classic car fans. Here's some highlights:
If you'd like to buy your own classic, there are plenty of auctions in September as well: RM Auctions: Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction, Worldwide Auctioneers Auburn Auction, The Branson Auction, Vintage Toy Vehicle Auction, Mecum St. Charles Auction and the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction.
Racing fans can take in Formula 1 action during the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix. NASCAR has stops at Atlanta, Richmond, New Hampshire and Dover. IndyCar heads to Kentucky and Japan in September before wrapping up the 2010 season in Miami in October. The WRC hosts the Rally Japan this month, while the ALMS heads to Georgia for the Petit Le Mans at the end of the month. Grand-Am fanciers can catch the last race of the season at Miller Motorsports Park. Two-wheel fans can see the AMA Pro Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
If none of those events appeal to you, check out our Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. And please don't forget to use the comments section to add or modify listings.Continue reading Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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