american cars
Opel Allegra “Junior” Spied: Could Buick Get a Micro-Car? [Spy Photos]
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In 1989, Rick Moranis played a nerdy dad who accidentally downsized his children to an insect scale in Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. He probably wouldn’t have believed it if someone told him that 23 years later automakers would be doing the same thing to their cars. For those of us living in the North…
Fiat/Chrysler Reveal Product Future, Dodge Avenger Lives
While past reports have suggested that the Dodge Avenger is dead, speculation has apparently been a bit premature. Chrysler/Fiat have plans for a number of new cars in the future including the introduction of new midsize sedans which will update the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger for 2013. The new Avenger and 200 will be…
2013 Ford Fusion Aims For Quality First, Sales Records Second
There`s an understanding in business that selling a lot means selling cheap. Unless you have a monopoly on the water supply, sales numbers don`t hit astronomical heights without stepping into volume pricing territory. Toyota spent the last decade worshiping that philosophy and consequently kept the Camry on top. Given the Japanese automaker’s decade of domination, it…
2013 Cadillac ATS “The Journey” Episode 4: The Big Reveal
One of the stand-out cars at this year’s North American International Auto Show, the Cadillac ATS looks extremely promising. In the 4th installment of Cadillac’s “The Journey” series, we witness GM’s commitment behind this product, from conception, to development, to its debut at the Detroit Auto Show. Tuned during Nurburgring shakedown testing, the ATS aims to…
Fisker Cuts Sales Goals Again
Citing complex certification processes, Fisker Automotive has cut its sales target for the plug-in hybrid electric Karma once again. Initially set at 15,000 units for 2012, in November the American start-up automaker headed by renowned automotive designer Henrik Fisker shopped the forecast to 12,000 units in November. Now Fisker has reduced that goal once again,…
NHTSA Closes Chevy Volt Fire Probe
After an extensive two-month investigation into the Chevrolet Volt’s fire related incidents, the U.S. safety regulators of the National Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the case is closed. The conclusion: the Volt’s plug-in hybrid battery pack does not pose a significant fire risk following a crash. According to NHTSA’s statement, the organization “does not…
Toyota Prius v Out-Sells Chevy Volt in Just 10 Weeks
Earlier this month a new reports noted that Chevrolet Volt sales were more successful in its first year than the sales numbers of the Toyota Prius hybrid on its first year back in 2000. What little optimism Chevrolet might have had on the Volt’s sales performance were quickly silenced when data revealed that Toyota dealt…
Tesla Model X to Debut February 9th
After every auto show there’s normally a lull in new product news as media and PR folks alike decompress. That won’t be the case with this year’s Chicago Auto Show, however, with the reveal of electric car maker Tesla’s new crossover the day after the Chi-town press day. The reveal won’t be anywhere near Chicago…
2013 Dodge Viper to Headline NY Auto Show
Numerous new cars will be unveiled at this year’s New York Auto Show, but we can already reveal the venue’s main attraction: the all-new Dodge Viper. Except it won’t be a Dodge at all. When it debuts, the Viper will be the flagship model for the new SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand, which has…
NHTSA To Take Crash-Assessment Testing High Tech
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering at length the changes that could be made to its 5-star crash-assessment testing. Rather than concentrate only on crash-worthiness, the NHTSA is looking into new technologies that put an emphasis on accident-avoidance. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says, “Crash-worthiness has been the guiding star for NHTSA. But…
Ohio and Missouri Governors Visit NAIAS to Talk Investment With Manufacturers
Ohio Governor John Kasich and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon made a visit to Detroit this week during the North American International Auto Show in an effort to bring U.S. automotive manufacturing to their respective states. John Kasich said, “Contrary to popular opinion, the auto industry is getting stronger.” Ohio currently possesses the second-largest automotive industry…
Consumers Do Not Find Hybrids Appealing
For the last number of years, automakers have been pushing gas-electric products at auto shows across the world. However, according to researcher LMC Automotive, hybrid sales in the United States have slowed last year to 2.2 percent compared to 2.4 percent in 2010. Mike Jackson, chief executive of auto retail chain AutoNation Inc., said that…
Cadillac Mulling Smaller Crossover to Rival BMW X3
With the 3 Series now directly in its sites with the ATS compact luxury sports sedan, Cadillac is looking to take on the BMW X3 as well. While the GM luxury brand does already offer the SRX (above), Caddy VP of sales Kurt McNeil has admitted that a new, smaller crossover is under consideration. It…
NADA Used Car Guide Expects Strong Sales In Both New And Used Car Market
Since the 2007-2009 economic recession, the automotive retail market displayed a drop in new car-sales and the increased demand for used vehicles. For 2012, data indicates that it will be more of the same. Jonathan Banks, Executive Auto Analyst for the NADA Used Car Guide, explained, “The average trade-in value of a 3-year-old used car…
U.S. Auto-safety Regulators Pleased By GM’s Cooperation in Volt Recall
Recently, Chevrolet Volt fire hazards resulting from compromised battery cells have been under particular scrutiny by the NHTSA. Addressing the issue, GM has been informing Volt owners to bring their vehicles back to dealerships where steel plates will be fitted to increase protection surrounding the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries. At an interview yesterday during the 2012 Detroit Auto…
2013 Dodge Dart Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
The compact car category continues to grow and is increasingly becoming the most important and highest volume segment in America. For years Chrysler hasn’t had a competitive offering, something it is looking to change with the all-new Dodge Dart. Sharing its underpinnings with an Alfa Romeo it’s the direct result of the tie-up between Chrysler…
2013 Buick Encore Pits Itself as a BMW X1 Rival: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Looking like a jacked-up hatchback, Buick has unveiled its newest model today at the Detroit Auto Show today. Called the Encore, it’s part of the GM premium brand’s plan to move further down-market in search of added sales – an area it’s actually been very strong in recently with two full years of gains. An…
Ford’s Detroit Auto Show Booth Will be “Auto Version of Disneyland”
Ford is pulling out all the stops for the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, creating an exhibition floor featuring a series of interactive displays that will help attract visitors at the show and bolster the image of both Ford and Lincoln. According to Ford’s president of the Americas Mark Fields, “A positive experience is a positive…
2013 Ford Fusion Accidentally Revealed in iPad App: Detroit Auto Show Preview
Ford intended to roll out a slow unveiling campaign for its important 2013 Ford Fusion sedan ahead of the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. However, a minor bug in its iPad teaser app revealed a complete front-three-quarter view of the new car. Acting quickly, the image has since been removed. The iPad app only launched earlier…
Camaro Tops Mustang in Sales Race for Second Straight Year
More than four decades ago, the Ford Mustang became America’s first “pony car” and has established itself as the segment leader ever since. However, in the last two years, Mustang’s closest rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, has incontestably dethroned the Mustang as the new sales leader. When the Chevy Camaro beat the Ford Mustang by 81,299-to-73,716…
GM’s Test Track Amusement Ride At Epcot Center To Get Chevrolet Design Center Update
The Epcot Center, Walt Disney World’s theme park dedicated to human achievement, has renewed its long-term business relationship with GM and are making plans to overhaul GM’s “Test Track” amusement ride this year to re-open as the new Chevrolet Design Center. GM will also be involved with Walt Disney Imagineering of the development of the…
Chevy Volt’s First Year of Sales Trump Those of Original Prius
The Chevrolet Volt ended the last month of 2011 with its best month of sales to date. Having sold 1,529 Volts in December, GM ended its full year of Volt sales at a total of 7,671 units for 2011. While this figure is significantly lower than its 10,000 sales goal, Fox News noted that the…
2013 Dodge Dart Debut Solidifies Fiat’s Ownership of Chrysler
Oh how compact cars have changed… Chrysler, or Fiat as it were, is taking a march through the elephant graveyard and bringing new life to some old bones. At least that’s what the badge might get you to think. Fiat now owns 58.5 percent of Chrysler, up from their initial 20 percent holding in 2009….
Massachusetts Politician Involved In High Speed Crash Did Not Wear Seatbelt, Survives Without Injury
A state police report revealed Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray was involved in a high speed car accident that sent his state-issued Ford Crown Victoria careening into a ledge and flipping over after it had struck a rock ledge at 108 mph, according to crash data found in the black box of Murray’s vehicle. The…
