The Fruit of Knowledge
Posts tagged american car
Where does the Volt go from here?
Nov 3rd
Filed under: At Witz End
I wrote last time that I had done two recent stories for popularmechanics.com having to do with the Chevrolet Volt. The first was on Volt (and Nissan Leaf) sales – both still limited by supply, not demand, as production and distribution ramps up. For the second, I was asked to clean my crystal ball and predict the future for Volt, and extended range EVs in general.
There are good reasons why the Volt was 2011 North American Car of the Year and has earned numerous other awards. An arguably attractive 5-door, 4-seat hatchback with appeal to environmental and technology enthusiasts alike, it runs on exhaust-free grid power for 30-40 miles, then seamlessly switches to gasoline when more miles are needed.
But to do that, it needs to tote around both a gas engine and an electric propulsion system, including a 435-lb lithium-ion battery pack, plus a multi-clutch planetary gearset and 10 million lines of sophisticated software to efficiently and transparently marry the two. That makes it both heavy and pricey for its size, with a $39,995 base sticker price for 2012.
Continue reading Where does the Volt go from here?
Where does the Volt go from here? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Made In America group files complaint against Ford, Chrysler for misleading ads
Oct 11th
Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Ford, Canada
Ford and Chrysler have come under fire from the Made in the USA Foundation over certain advertisements. The foundation has filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission for misleading ads, claiming that both automakers have advertised vehicles as made in America that were actually imported from foreign countries.
The filing points out that Ford advertises the Fusion as an American car, when the vehicle is actually assembled in the automaker’s facility in Sonora, Mexico. The complaint goes on to say that the advertisement is misleading and gives consumers the wrong impression about the sedan’s origins.
Chrysler fared no better. The Made in the USA Foundation specifically took issue with the company’s new commercials for the Chrysler 300. The spots carry the popular “Imported from Detroit” tagline, which the foundation says leads buyers to believe that the sedan is American built. In fact, the 300 is assembled in Ontario, Canada using an engine built in Mexico.
So far, there’s no word on how the FTC will proceed with the complaints, though we can imagine the automakers’ defense. While both vehicles may be assembled elsewhere, the bulk of their engineering took place right here in the States. Plus, both Mexico and Canada are indeed both in North America, just not the United States of America. Hit the jump for the Made in the USA Foundation press release.
Continue reading Made In America group files complaint against Ford, Chrysler for misleading ads
Made In America group files complaint against Ford, Chrysler for misleading ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: BMW X1 won’t be here before 2013 midcycle updo
Aug 29th
The BMW X1 is coming to the United States…. eventually. We saw the compact crossover way back at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we expected it to arrive Stateside not much longer after that. However, it appears a number of factors are keeping it across the pond, which include strong European sales and a weak Euro-Dollar exchange rate.
Constantly postponed, BMW has now decided to put the U.S. launch of the X1 on indefinite hold. It appears we won’t see see a U.S.-market X1 until the crossover receives a mid-cycle refresh in 2013. BMW isn’t worried about having American car shoppers waiting for their X1 since the automaker believes the X3 will remain its top-selling crossover.
BMW X1 won’t be here before 2013 midcycle updo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Toyota Ukraine reveals new Camry for other parts of the world
Aug 25th
Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Toyota, Russia
Toyota Ukraine has released the skinny on what some other parts of the world can expect to see from the 2012 Toyota Camry. It’s impossible for us to say who, besides Russia, will be getting this Camry variant, but we do clearly spot a front fascia that’s a good bit different than what’s available here in the land of the free. The lower air intake boasts a slimmer profile for less of an open-jaw look. Likewise, the rear valance has gone under the knife with additional detailing that abandons the rounded profile of the American car.
The final package may be a bit more refined in style, though mechanically the two sedans remain more or less identical. Buyers in the old country can lay their hands on the same engine options as their American counterparts. Those include a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder good for 18 horsepower and a 3.5-liter V6 with a snappy 268 horsepower. Toyota calls the vehicle a “business sedan,” and according to our Google translator, prices start at $33,050.
Toyota Ukraine reveals new Camry for other parts of the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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eBay Find of the Day: Last Rover 827SLi sold in America?
Aug 5th
Filed under: Car Buying, Auctions, Hatchback, MISC
Is the Acura Legend a bit too “Asian” for your late-80′s tastes? Perhaps you’re attracted to its 2.7-liter V6, but not the packaging surrounding it. Your love for Fawlty Towers, Manchester United and Winston Churchill push you towards an automobile that lets everyone know you prefer the Union Jack to the Stars and Stripes. Well, we’ve found your next car, and you can Buy It Now for a mere pence under four grand.
A former unidentified automotive journalist has decided to part with his Sterling 827SLi (sadly, he’s not an Autoblog scribe, or we’d have smacked him until he came to his senses). The rare five-door in question was a former member of Sterling’s press fleet here in the States, and it’s claimed to be the last one ever sold in the States. 150,000 miles or so later, it can be a proud part of your fleet.
In case you don’t remember, Sterling was a U.S. automobile company produced by Austin Rover Cars North America, the U.S. arm of British carmaker Rover. Engines (and in truth, most of the car beneath the skin) was supplied through a partnership with Honda, with the 827SLi you see here benefited from the same mill stuck under the hood as the Acura Legend. Unlike the Legend, which was arguably a paragon of precision and reliability in its day, Sterling’s reputation for build quality stood in opposition to its Japanese roots. Leave it to the British to make a Japanese car unreliable.
The Sterling legacy in America only lasted from 1987 to 1992, and most of the cars that were produced were the more conventional 825 sedan, not this comparatively rare 827SLi liftback. Toward the end of its run, Sterling products actually began to improve a bit, but it was too late in the minds of American car buyers. It’s not too late for you though, so head over to eBay Motors to check out what is probably the finest example of this dying breed while it lasts.
eBay Find of the Day: Last Rover 827SLi sold in America? originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Chevrolet Spark minicar confirmed for U.S.
Aug 4th
Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, GM
General Motors wants to take on all segments of the automotive industry. With the all-new Sonic making its way to dealerships later this year, GM will have a new player in the C-segment, and now, a tweet from the automaker has confirmed that the Chevrolet Spark minicar is officially arriving Stateside.
The diminutive Spark will allow GM to have a hand in all areas of the automotive cookie jar. As American car buyers begin to embrace smaller, more efficient modes of transportation, the Spark could be arriving at the perfect time. We got our first glimpse of the automaker’s mini at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, and we were intrigued by the idea of a Chevrolet achieving a combined 47 miles per gallon. Now, it seems we’ll get to experience this green machine for ourselves on U.S. soil, starting sometime in 2012.
[Source: Green Car Reports, General Motors via Twitter]
Chevrolet Spark minicar confirmed for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Chevrolet Spark minicar confirmed for U.S.
Aug 4th
General Motors wants to take on all segments of the automotive industry. With the all-new Sonic making its way to dealerships later this year, GM will have a new player in the C-segment, and now, a tweet from the automaker has confirmed that the Chevrolet Spark minicar is officially arriving Stateside.
The diminutive Spark will allow GM to have a hand in all areas of the automotive cookie jar. As American car buyers begin to embrace smaller, more efficient modes of transportation, the Spark could be arriving at the perfect time. We got our first glimpse of the automaker’s mini at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, and we were intrigued by the idea of a Chevrolet achieving a combined 47 miles per gallon. Now, it seems we’ll get to experience green machine for ourselves on U.S. soil, starting sometime in 2012.
Chevrolet Spark minicar confirmed for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Optima beats Camry, Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted
May 10th
Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Ford, Honda, Kia
2011 Kia Optima 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery
The mid-size sedan battle rages on year after year. Perennial kings are dethroned while new challengers emerge boasting fresh styling and a bountiful list of standard features. Consumer Reports launches its June issue today, and the institute’s testers have put a host of family-minded four-doors powered by four-cylinder engines through a workout to determine which is the top dog. Ten vehicles were tested but, as Christopher Lambert will tell you, there can be only one.
As it has here at Autoblog Towers, Kia’s 2011 Optima draws big praise from the Consumer Reports crew. In fact, the Korean squeezes out a higher rating than the Honda Accord. It may have only beat the Honda by one point, but this represents a significant win for Kia. The opinions of Consumer Reports are highly valued by a large number of car shoppers, and this victory ought to push the Optima further onto radar of the American car buying public. Interestingly, while the Optima earned a “Very Good” rating, it wasn’t the comparison’s overall winner, however, as the Nissan Altima (a perennial CR favorite) claimed the test’s top spot, neatly trumping the Honda and the best-selling Toyota Camry in the process.
One vehicle not fairing so well in the June issue of Consumer Reports? The 2011 Ford Explorer. Nineteen mid-size sport utility vehicles were rounded up for testing, and the Explorer wound up in 17th place – well behind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid – a dismal showing for the Blue Oval brand. If you don’t have an issue of CR in your mailbox, check out the official press release after the jump for more details.
Continue reading Optima beats Camry, Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted
Optima beats Camry, Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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R.L. Polk: Toyota top brand considered among African-Americans
May 1st
Filed under: Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota
African-Americans purchased 641,090 new vehicles in 2010, accounting for 7.4 percent of all new vehicle sales. That’s a significant portion of overall sales, and a population segment that Toyota appears to be winning over.
R.L. Polk released a study showing that Toyota accounted for 15 percent of all new car sales to African-American car buyers last year. Ford came in second at 11.7 percent, followed by Chevrolet, Honda and Nissan. The top five automakers accounted for nearly 60 percent off all new vehicle sales to African-Americans.
The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the African-American population will grow by 25 percent by the year 2030. In 2010 alone, auto sales among African Americans rose by 11.5 percent versus 2009. That’s 68.6 percent faster than the non-ethnic market increase of 6.8 percent, meaning that automakers would do well to reach out to this burgeoning customer segment.
“With the U.S. population growing faster in the African-American segment than others, there’s a significant opportunity for automotive manufacturers and dealers to begin to align marketing initiatives toward this specific audience,” said Marc Bland, product strategist at Polk. “Those companies that are ahead of the curve, like Toyota, are already reaping the rewards.”
While it appears that Toyota has already gotten the message that African-Americans represent a fast-growing market segment, others are beginning to get the picture. Buick sales, for example, are up 72 percent, while Hyundai and Kia area second and third at 53 percent and 34.2 percent, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, R.L. Polk says that Acura, Land Rover, Mercedes and BMW are not making inroads with African-American buyers. Hit the jump to read over the R.L. Polk press release.
[Source: R.L. Polk]
Continue reading R.L. Polk: Toyota top brand considered among African-Americans
R.L. Polk: Toyota top brand considered among African-Americans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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2011 Nissan Leaf named World Car of the Year, Volt wins World Green COTY
Apr 21st
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Nissan, New York Auto Show
2011 World Car of the Year winners – Click above for high-res image gallery
Big congratulations go to the 2011 Nissan Leaf this morning, as it has just been named the 2011 World Car of the Year. The Leaf garnered more votes than the 2011 Audi A8 and 2011 BMW 5 Series, the other two finalists for the World Car title. In 2010, the Volkswagen Polo took home this award.
The Leaf was not the only super-efficient car to be awarded today, as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt was named Green Car of the Year. Oddly, the Volt was named 2011 North American Car of the Year, while the Leaf was merely a runner-up.
In the less-efficient realm of the industry, the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia was named World Performance Car of the Year, and the sleek 2011 Aston Martin Rapide was given the World Design of the Year crown.
Photos copyright (C)2011 AOL
2011 Nissan Leaf named World Car of the Year, Volt wins World Green COTY originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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