Archive for December, 2009
2010 Infiniti G: First Look
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
- Competes with: Acura TL, Lexus ES, Audi A4
- Looks like: Infiniti is making all of its cars a bit more obese
- Drivetrain: 328-hp 3.7-liter V-6 with six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission
- Hits dealerships: Dec. 17
There aren’t a lot of revolutionary changes to the 2010 G sedan, but the new look up front — the back remains unchanged — is beefier than before and looks more like the new M sedan and even the FX crossover. We’re not sure why it needed the change and aren’t sure it’s a real improvement either.
What is a welcome change is the G getting Infiniti’s upgraded navigation system which has better graphics and maps and more in-depth entertainment options. The company also says the interior gets “refinements” but we’re not sure what those are exactly.
The 2010 G coupe and convertible will get similar refinements but won’t see any changes to the exterior.
The new sedan goes on sale Dec. 17 with the coupe also going on sale this month. The convertible will go on sale in February. More photos of the sedan below.
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The 10 Best-Selling Cars: November 2009
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
November was another positive month for most automakers as companies like Hyundai, Subaru, and Nissan saw impressive gains of 46%, 24% and 21% respectively. Ford and GM remained relatively flat but Chrysler was one of the few companies still seeing a huge decline compared to November of last year. Sales slid again by 25%. It’s down 38% for the year to date.
Chrysler’s woes hit the top ten as its venerable Dodge Ram pickup is still bumped from the list selling fewer than 10,000 units in November despite an expensive advertising blitz. See which trucks, sedans and crossovers still rule the list below.
1. Ford F-Series: 30,494
2. Toyota Camry 27,385
3. Chevy Silverado: 22,101
4. Toyota Corolla: 21,899
5. Honda Accord: 17,239
6. Nissan Altima: 15,490
7. Ford Escape: 15,149
8. Honda CR-V: 13,955
9. Honda Civic: 13,652
10. Ford Fusion: 13,774
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GM CEO Henderson Resigns
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
On the eve of the L.A. Auto Show, GM announced that its CEO Fritz Henderson will resign from his post. He will be replaced by company chairman Ed Whitacre Jr. on an interim basis.
GM plans to conduct a global search for a new chief executive. Henderson was elevated to the top spot after former GM chief Rick Wagoner was asked to leave by the Obama administration in April. The Treasury Department installed Whitacre as the company’s chairman following GM’s bankruptcy.
No reason was given for the sudden shakeup in management, but the Detroit News reports that Henderson clashed with GM’s board over the future of its European unit, Opel and Vauxhall. The board apparently dismissed Henderson’s proposal to unload the unit.
Henderson joined GM in 1984 and held a number of positions within the company during that time, including the head of GM Asia Pacific and GM Europe as well as chief financial officer.
Henderson Resigns as Chief of General Motors (New York Times)
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November 2009 Top 10 Year-to-Date Pickup Truck Sales
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
Top 10 Pickup Truck Sales, Year-to-Date, November 2009
No. 1: Ford F-Series
365,416 -22.9% YTD
November 2009: 30,494
November 2008: 37,911
No. 2: Chevrolet Silverado
283,243 -34.4% YTD
November 2009: 22,101
November 2008: 29,534
No. 3: Dodge Ram
165,254 -28.0% YTD
November 2009: 9,787
November 2008: 15,538
No. 4: Toyota Tacoma
102,327 -24.2% YTD
November 2009: 7,633
November 2008: 8,648
No. 5: GMC Sierra
99,698 -35.9% YTD
November 2009: 8,371
November 2008: 10,497
No. 6: Toyota Tundra
70,515 -44.5% YTD
November 2009: 6,379
November 2008: 6,607
No. 7: Ford Ranger
51,097 -17.6% YTD
November 2009: 3,271
November 2008: 3,311
No. 8: Chevrolet Colorado
30,614 -38.6% YTD
November 2009: 1,316
November 2008: 2,503
No. 9: Nissan Frontier
25,427 -41.7% YTD
November 2009: 2,007
November 2008: 1,171
No. 10: Nissan Titan
16,894 -47.1% YTD
November 2009: 1,501
November 2008: 1,022
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Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Porsche Cayenne
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
As Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek points out in his review of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne, if you’re buying a Porsche then value isn’t exactly your top priority. The luxury SUV in question has a number of different variants, and Bruzek tested the GTS model that sits right in the middle. Does the Cayenne manage to live up to its $90,000-plus price tag? Read Bruzek’s full review to learn about his doubts.
2009 Porsche Cayenne Expert Review
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Eko Stoplight Counts Down Your Wait
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
How many times have you been sitting at a stoplight wondering when — if ever — it will turn green? This typically occurs when you’re running late and seem to hit every stoplight just as it turns red for an interminable amount of time, and yes, you’re pretty sure some omnipotent force is making them stay red longer than normal.
If nothing else, the Eko Stoplight can relieve some of this stress. With its circular progress bar counting down the time left before you see green, the Eko gives you an idea of when traffic will move again.
The Eko’s creator claims his stoplight will allow motorists to conserve gas by shutting their engines off while they wait for a green signal, but this seems like an absurd way to conserve fuel.
A Better Understanding of Stoplights (Yanko via Gizmodo)
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2009 Toyota Highlander Video
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
With the 2009 model, Toyota offers a four-cylinder version of the Highlander, which gives up some horsepower in favor of fuel efficiency. Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek likes that Toyota gives you this option. He explains what happened when he drove the four-cylinder in poor weather conditions. To find out if the Highlander is a good value, check out his video.
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Buffett Says All Vehicles Will Be Electric in 20 Years
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has had enough success in life that when he says something — even if it seems improbable to impossible — people’s ears perk up. He recently caused ripples when he told business students from Rice University in Texas that all cars on the road will be electric in just 20 years.
Buffett was responding to a question from Jan Goetgeluk, the president of Rice business school’s Finance Club, regarding peak oil theory and the possible decline of oil production.
He cited Berkshire Hathaway’s 10% stake in the Chinese automaker BYD. He said his investment company had lined up behind the automaker because the technology to make such a massive transformation possible is in the works.
While Buffett certainly has earned some leeway to make bold predictions, it’s highly unlikely—if not outright impossible—that U.S. cars will make the complete transition to electric power in just 20 years. After all, there are plenty of gasoline-powered cars being sold right now that will still be on the road in 20 years.
Buffett’s Advice on Life: Priceless (The Houston Chronicle)
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First Official Pictures of the Volkswagen Amarok
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
The first pictures and several key details of the midsize Volkswagen Amarok have hit the interwebs ahead of its Dec. 15 world debut.
Unlike the Volkswagen Pickup Concept shown last year, which featured an integrated body like the Honda Ridgeline, the production version of the Amarok follows a conventional body-on-frame layout with the cargo box separate from the passenger cabin. The Amarok's spartan interior styling stays close to the concept's simple cockpit.
The Amarok will initially be available with a 2.0-liter common rail injection diesel engine rated at 163 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. That oil burner will be followed later by a second diesel rated at 122 hp and 250 pounds-feet of torque. A 21-gallon fuel tank is expected to provide more than 600 miles of driving range. A direct-injection gasoline engine will also be offered.
Depending on configuration and powertrain, the Amarok will be able to haul up to 2,300 pounds (1.15 tons) and tow up to 5,600 pounds (2.8 tons). The only passenger configurations that will be offered will be a four-door double cab and a two-door regular cab. There are no plans for an extended cab version.
Three trim packages will be available: Basic, Trendline and Highline. The entry-level Basic trim features manually operated windows, door locks and mirrors. The middle-of-the-road Trendline adds a painted front bumper and mirror skull caps that match the body color, plus electric door locks and mirrors. It will also include a radio and CD player, air conditioning and fog lamps. Both the Basic and Trendline Amaroks will roll on 16-inch wheels. The upscale Highline includes chromed mirrors, painted wheel arches, higher quality interior components and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Volkswagen hopes to sell up to 100,000 trucks annually in the competitive global market for small pickups. The Amarok will be produced at a VW plant in Pacheco, Argentina and sold in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. There are no plans to sell it in the U.S.
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Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Ford F-150
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by admin.
“Native Texan” from—where else—Dallas has a ringing endorsement of America’s best-selling vehicle, the 2010 Ford F-150. Still, a ringing endorsement can always come with caveats, and Native Texan has a few. Read his full review to find out what doesn’t work for him on the F-150, and then go to our Reader Review site to post your own car review.
“This is an excellent truck and very quiet. One of my only complaints about this truck is that the steering wheel is too far forward and doesn't adjust fore and aft. It is hard to comfortably steer with an elbow on the arm rest or console.
“Another complaint is that the cooled seats don't cool the seatback, only the cushion. Also, the stereo amplifier quit after only one week of ownership which also knocked the Sync out. I had to wait days for Ford’s ‘radio person’ to show up to check it out and then another week for them to get the part.
“I guess if I was going to complain about anything else it would be the backseat’s headrest size. They are large and block the view of other cars when passing.
“Other than that, it is a great truck and a pleasure to drive. I really like the backup camera! Everyone is impressed with how much room there is in the back seat of the SuperCrew.”
