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June 30, 2009

2010 Lexus IS Convertible: Top Down Cruising

IS C Exterior.jpgIn the battle for attention from car lovers, Lexus always seems to get beat up in the discussion of performance. Regardless of the numbers, Lexus' do not feel like BMWs. And they shouldn't. Certainly, Lexus' newest addition to the IS line will not get any better treatment from "true enthusiasts", but the folks at Lexus has thought this through. The new IS convertible delivers what the segment demands, and beats the competition on key metrics. Aren't those core Lexus Values?

Continue reading "2010 Lexus IS Convertible: Top Down Cruising"

Posted by Dan Hall at 8:00 AM | | Comments (0)


June 29, 2009

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

ChvTraverse_IVA.jpg"The all-new Chevrolet Traverse delivers what its owners want, evidenced by the Large Crossover SUV winning AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for its class," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Owners rate the Traverse best in class in five of fifteen rating categories and very competitively in the others. Clearly Chevrolet understands what the Crossover SUV buyer wants and has designed the Traverse to hit that target." Leading Traverse attributes include: * Power and acceleration * Interior storage * Safety features and * Appropriate level of technology

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:02 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Ford F-150 Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"The all new Ford F-150 wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Full-Size Pickups. F-150 owners are also most likely to recommend their truck to friends or relatives -- an indication of how confident they are with their truck," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Ford has been perfecting the half-ton pickup for decades and the latest generation of F-150 shows that Ford has not slipped. They understand the pickup buyer more than anyone and they deliver." Leading characteristics include:
* Exterior styling
* Passenger room
* Technology level
* Handling09F150_KR_78FrtPs_IVA.jpg

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:55 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Ford Explorer Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_FordExplorer_IVA.jpg"Ford Explorer's win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award shows that Ford has designed a Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle that is ideal for its buyers. Explorer also won AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award. The Explorer has been a top competitor in this class for almost twenty years and Ford has become a master in SUV design. Ford clearly understands what these buyers want and have delivered," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value ease of use, generous passenger and cargo space in a good-looking vehicle, owners rate the Explorer above all the rest." Top-scoring Explorer attributes include: * Exterior styling * Ride and handling * Cargo space

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:51 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"The Ford Explorer Sport Trac -- a four-door sport-utility truck -- wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Compact Pickup category. Sport Trac owners give their truck especially high marks exterior size and interior roominess," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "With the second-generation Sport Truck, Ford shows they clearly understand what this buyer wants -- the ratings prove it." Leading Sport Trac attributes include:
* Power and acceleration
* Exterior size
* Visibility
* Ease of entry/egress
2009_FordExplorerSportTrac_IVA.jpg

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:47 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Honda Odyssey Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_Odyssey_205_IVA.jpg"The Honda Odyssey wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award achieving the highest IVA score of any vehicle measured. Odyssey not only is the highest rated minivan, but also the highest rated vehicle!" said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Owners rate the Odyssey best-in-class in seven of fifteen rating categories and very competitive in the others. Clearly Honda understands what the Minivan buyer wants and have designed the Odyssey to hit that target." Top-scoring Odyssey characteristics include: * Exterior size * Passenger room * Cargo room * Both ride and handing * Power and acceleration * Safety features

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:41 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Jeep Liberty Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_JeepLiberty_a_IVA.jpg"The Jeep Liberty wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicles. Liberty owners also rated the Liberty tops in AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award research this year. This is an outstanding achievement," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Jeep has been in the SUV business longer than most everybody. They know how to design a great Jeep." Among the Liberty's leading attributes are: * Handling * Safety features * Technology level * Interior lighting * Wheels and tires

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:36 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Kia Sportage Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_KiaSportage_IVA.jpg"The Kia Sportage delivers what its owners want, winning AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Compact Crossover SUV segment. While winning the Ideal Vehicle Award is a big deal, Sportage also won AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award. Since both awards are based on owner ratings, this is definitely an outstanding achievement," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. The Sportage scored particularly well in the following areas: * Exterior styling * Handling * Visibility * Interior lighting

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:32 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Lincoln Navigator Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

09Navi_L_7-8Frnt_HR_IVA.jpg"Lincoln started the Luxury Sport Utility category in 1997 with the launch of the first-generation Navigator. The current Navigator's 2009 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Award win shows that Lincoln has continued to learn what their buyers want and are delivering it," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value size, glitz and function, Navigator excels." Areas in which the Navigator scored particularly well include: * Ease of entry/egress * Handling * Exterior styling

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:27 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Nissan Armada Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

NisArmada_IVA.jpg"The win of the Nissan Armada of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award shows that Nissan learned what Large SUV buyers want and delivered on their product requirements. Armada owners gave their SUV best-in-class wins in six of fifteen rating categories," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value ease of use, generous space, good ride and handling combined with power and acceleration, the Armada excels." Top-scoring Armada attributes include: * Power and acceleration * Exterior styling * Visibility * Ride and handling * Ease of entry/egress

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:23 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Subaru Forester Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"The all-new Subaru Forester delivers what its owners want, proven by winning AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Mid-Size Crossover SUV class. Helping Forester's ratings is that all Subarus have standard all-wheel-drive, making them ideal for the snow belt," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Owners rate the Forester best in class in five of fifteen rating categories and very competitive in the others. Clearly Subaru understands what the Crossover SUV buyer wants and have designed the Forester to hit that target." Among the Forester's leading characteristics:
Sub_09_Forester_IVA.jpg* Safety features
* Ride and handling
* Passenger room
* Visibility

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:17 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Toyota Venza Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_Toyota_Venza_IVA.jpg"The all-new Toyota Venza delivers what its owners want, earning AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUVs. In fact, Venza owners give Venza eight of fifteen possible best-in-class ratings, the highest of any vehicle in this research," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Toyota designed a very different vehicle with the Venza. It is a large, five-passenger Crossover targeted at maturing Baby Boomers. Clearly Toyota identified a lucrative target and hit it in the bulls-eye." Leading Venza attributes include: * Exterior size * Passenger room * Ease of entry/egress * Cargo space * Exterior styling * Handling * Power and acceleration * Safety features

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:13 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 BMW X5 Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"BMW X5's win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award shows that BMW understands what an American Luxury Crossover SUV buyer wants, and has delivered it. X5 owners rated the X5 best in class in five of fifteen categories and competitive in the remainder," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value image, luxury features, great ride and handling in an efficient package, X5 delivers the goods." Top-rated X5 attributes include:
BMW_X5_IVA.jpg* Handling
* Ride
* Exterior size
* Cargo room

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:07 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 BMW X5 Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"BMW X5's win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award shows that BMW understands what an American Luxury Crossover SUV buyer wants, and has delivered it. X5 owners rated the X5 best in class in five of fifteen categories and competitive in the remainder," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value image, luxury features, great ride and handling in an efficient package, X5 delivers the goods." Top-rated X5 attributes include:
BMW_X5_IVA.jpg* Handling
* Ride
* Exterior size
* Cargo room

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:07 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

"Volkswagen Jetta wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award, which demonstrates that Volkswagen has designed its Mid-Size Car to be ideal for its buyers. Volkswagen clearly understands what these buyers want and have delivered," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where owners value an efficient size with good cargo space and good ride, Volkswagen understands the buyer and knows how to provide a car that fits the bill - the Jetta. Jetta owners are also most likely to recommend their car to a friend or relative than any other vehicle in its class." Some of those leading characteristics include:
* Exterior Size
* Cargo Space
* Ride
* Safety Features
* Ingress/Egress
09JettaTDI_01_hr_IVA.jpg

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:01 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Saturn Aura Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

SatAura_IVA.jpgThe Saturn Aura wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for the Premium Mid-Size Car segment with a solid showing across the board. "The Aura owners' ratings show that Aura has been designed to meet and exceed their needs," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In one of the largest and most important product segments, Aura's win shows that Saturn targeted the right buyers when developing this car." Attributes where owners of the Aura concluded it is a clear leader include: * Exterior Styling * Ride and Handling * Exterior Size

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:42 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Porsche 911 Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_Porsche911_IVA.jpg"Porsche 911's winning AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Sports Car class shows that Porsche clearly understands what the 911 owner wants. Porsche has been evolving the 911 for decades and understands the category better than any other," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where image often trumps function, the 911 excels with a great combination of function and flash. And we can't forget that the 911 also won AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award. Winning both awards in a year is an outstanding achievement." Some of the ideal attributes contributing to the win include: * Exterior Size * Visibility * Handling * Power and Acceleration * Ingress/Egress

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:37 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 MINI Cooper Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

MINICooper_IVA.jpg"The MINI Cooper wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for the Image Compact Car class. An Image Compact Car isn't about pure functionality, but owners of the new MINI clearly value the design excellence of the car," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Mini provides the cute head-turning styling, crisp handling and fun-to-drive power that its owners value highly. Mini clearly understood what their owners wanted when they designed the new Cooper." Areas in which the MINI Cooper led the segment include: * Exterior Styling * Handling * Power and Acceleration * Safety Features

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:33 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Lexus LS Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_LexusLS460L_IVA.jpg"Lexus LS' win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Premium Luxury Cars, combined with its win of the 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award, put the LS in a class of its own," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Lexus LS owners are very satisfied with their vehicles and it is clear that Lexus designed and built a vehicle finely tuned to its target buyers." In a third measure of excellence, the Lexus LS was most highly recommended by its owners in the Premium Luxury Car class. Owners consider the LS as having near ideal: * Exterior Size * Level of Technology * Interior Storage

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:27 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Lexus ES Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_Lexus_ES350_IVA.jpg"Lexus ES' win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award, combined with its win of the 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award, put the Lexus atop the Luxury Mid-Size Car class," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "Lexus has designed a car with a clearly defined target that they hit squarely. That the ES has won both AutoPacific's owner awards shows that Lexus ES buyers have purchased a car that is ideal for them." Idyllic qualities include: * Passenger roominess and ride quality * Level of technology * Power and acceleration

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:23 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Hyundai Genesis Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_Hyundai_Genesis_IVA.jpgThe Hyundai Genesis wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Aspirational Luxury Car segment. In its first year on the market, the Hyundai Genesis swept AutoPacific's owner awards. "The most recent win by Genesis is of AutoPacific's Ideal Vehicle Award shows that Hyundai expertly targeted its owners when designing this luxury sedan," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "That Genesis won both Vehicle Satisfaction and Ideal Vehicle Awards is testament to the Hyundai product-development process and fine-tuning the marketing message to attract the right buyers to the car." Categories in which the Genesis excel include: * Passenger room * Cargo space * Power and acceleration * Ease of getting in and out

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:09 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Hyundai Elantra Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

Hyu_09_Elantra_IVA.jpg"The Hyundai Elantra wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award. Being the Ideal Compact Car is tough to achieve. There are so many important qualities that it is difficult to score well in all of our rating categories, but the owners of the Hyundai Elantra rated their car above all others in the class," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers are often not very passionate about their cars, Elantra owners feel strongly positive about their cars." Attributes for which the Elantra most strongly scored include: * Exterior size and styling * Handling * Safety features * Ingress/egress

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:01 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Honda Fit Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

2009_HondaFitSportIVA.jpg"Honda Fit wins AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award for Economy Cars with an extraordinary eight category-leading ratings by their owners. Adding the IVA to its win of AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award and being the top car in owner recommendations in its class is an impressive achievement - an absolute homerun," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. Some of the class-leading attributes that make the Fit ideal include: * Exterior size * Cargo space * Interior storage * Visibility * Level of fechnology * Handling * Safety features * Ingress/egress

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:56 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Ford Taurus Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

08Taurus_6307_HR.jpg"Ford Taurus' win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award shows that Ford has designed a Large Car that is ideal for its buyers. Ford clearly understands what these buyers want and have delivered," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value ease of use, generous passenger size and great visibility, Taurus excels." Those areas in which the Taurus comes closest to ideal include:

* Visibility
* Ease of getting in and out
* Handling

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:51 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 Dodge Challenger Wins AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award

DodgeChallenger.jpg"Dodge Challenger's win of AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award demonstrates that Dodge has solid contender in the Sporty Car segment. A muscle car in the old style, Challenger has the presence that its owners appreciate," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, Inc. "In a product segment where buyers value styling, image and performance, Challenger delivers." The Challenger earned class-leading scores in such critical categories as:

* Exterior styling
* Ride
* Safety features
* Interior storage
* Cargo space

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:45 AM | | Comments (0)


2009 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards Announced

AutoPacificIVA_vv.jpgU.S. Auto Makers Score Most Wins In Meeting Consumer Expectations According To Autopacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards Survey of 32,000 Consumers Reveals Vehicles that Meet or Exceed Expectations TUSTIN, Calif. (June 29, 2009) -- Porsche and Ford Motor Company earned top honors in the 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), announced today by automotive research firm AutoPacific. The IVAs are based on owners' ratings of their new 2009 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes. The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal.

"In today's economy, car buyers take many factors into consideration -- styling, safety features, fuel economy and more," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "IVA winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles."

"While some measurements barely differentiate between the highest and lowest-ranked vehicles, the Ideal Vehicle Awards clearly show which carmakers are providing the attributes car buyers want," says Peterson. "Looking at segment wins and top overall honors, shoppers can use the IVAs as a benchmark for vehicles that are designed and built with customers just like them in mind. In fact, AutoPacific owner research also shows that IVA-winning vehicles achieve higher overall satisfaction from their owners."

Continue reading "2009 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards Announced"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:55 AM | | Comments (0)


June 24, 2009

Luca trumps Max: New Era in Formula One Announced

Thumbnail image for fia-chef_max-mosley_ferrari-boss_luca-di-montezemolo.jpgIf you read our F1 post from several days ago, the world known as Formula One was on the brink of becoming CART Wars, PART II. A majority of the teams who race in the international F1 Championship were prepared (so they said), to launch a breakaway series, due in large part to their dissatisfaction with the requirements set forth by the governing body and its president, Max Mosely.

Continue reading "Luca trumps Max: New Era in Formula One Announced"

Posted by dbarrett at 2:25 PM | | Comments (1)


June 23, 2009

Taurus SHO - Super High Output - and More

Taurus SHO Engine Cover.jpg

The Ford Taurus SHO returns after a decade's absence from the American auto scene. Formerly Yamaha engines provided the power for the SHO, but today Ford's new EcoBoost powertrain technology provides the power. EcoBoost in Taurus form includes twin turbochargers and gasoline direct injection. Still with a heavily beefed up 3.5L V6, EcoBoost bumps up power from 263-horsepower to 365-horsepower in the SHO. Torque grows from 249 lb-ft to 350 lb-ft. And rated fuel economy stays the same.

I guarantee that EcoBoost will never meet its rated fuel economy. It's just too much fun to stay on the throttle.

Continue reading "Taurus SHO - Super High Output - and More"

Posted by George Peterson at 8:00 AM | | Comments (1)


June 22, 2009

Taurus Breaks Back into Big Leagues

Taurus 2010 SV2 Blog.jpg

Resurrecting Ford's Tarnished Taurus Name Ford's front wheel drive large and mid-size entries have been in disarray since 1996 when Ford introduced the third generation Taurus. The "monocle" Taurus with its round backlite violated the truisms it established itself ten years earlier.

Listening to the criticisms of journalists at the evolutionary change from the 1st generation to the 2nd generation Taurus, Ford decided to break the mold and go bold with the DN101 - its 3rd Generation car. Even if the styling had been accepted, Ford reduced the size of its rear seat and trunk. These were characteristics Taurus had excelled in when it was the top selling car in America for a few years.

With retail buyers rejecting Taurus, Ford relegated it to rental and commercial fleet service where it languished. Taurus' sales volume and image deteriorated as Japanese automakers kept their Accords, Camrys, Altimas fresh and more exciting. By the middle of the first decade of the 21st Century, Ford had decided to drop the Taurus and throw the nameplate in the trash bin.

Continue reading "Taurus Breaks Back into Big Leagues"

Posted by George Peterson at 12:00 AM | | Comments (0)


June 20, 2009

Silverstone: The Beginning and End of Formula One

silverstone-F1.jpgOn May 13, 1950, the first ever (modern era) Formula One Championship Grand Prix was won by Giuseppe Farina in an Alfa Romeo-dominated event in which the Italian manufacturer cruised to a 1-2-3 finish. Luigi Fagioli and British driver Reg Parnell filled the remaining podium positions. The circuit was a WWII bomber airfield called Silverstone. The circuit has been a part of Formula One since that time, although races have, on occasion been run at other Britich tracks. This weekend, Silverstone hosted its last Grand Prix, and in addition to the race, manufacturers and the governing body announced they are going their separate ways as well. And so, Silverstone may go down in history marking the beginning and in some respects, the end of an era in modern motorsport.

Continue reading "Silverstone: The Beginning and End of Formula One "

Posted by dbarrett at 10:53 AM | | Comments (0)


June 17, 2009

Survey Indicates Ford Benefits From Troubles Of Others And Not Taking Bailout

07AnnualMtg_9387_HR.jpgPublic Responds Positively to Ford's Actions, but Some Still Have Reservations TUSTIN, Calif. (June 17, 2009) -- American consumers' opinions about Ford Motor Company have been positively influenced by the company's decision not to accept government bailout funds, and by the bankruptcy filings of rivals General Motors and Chrysler. Automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacfic conducted an online survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers regarding their purchase intent and opinions of individual car companies. Highlights include:

* Asian and European manufacturers scored highest when the survey asked "How concerned are you about buying/leasing a vehicle from" a particular maker, with an average of 61% "Not concerned at all." Ford scored 48%, far ahead of GM's 15% and Chrysler's 14%.

Continue reading "Survey Indicates Ford Benefits From Troubles Of Others And Not Taking Bailout"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 2:27 PM | | Comments (0)


June 16, 2009

2010 Honda Insight: This Year's Hot New Hybrid...Or is it Just Really Hot Inside?

Honda_2010_Insight_rear34.JPGTo me, it's actually amazing that it's taken this long for someone to come up with another "dedicated" hybrid considering the runaway success of Prius. Much of Prius' success is directly linked to the fact that it is immediately recognizable as a hybrid. The car's looks make a huge statement; simply driving one makes a statement about your priorities and values.

So, enter the similarly distinct new Insight, which once it's common enough, will also be immediately recognizable as a hybrid. Not to be confused with the dinky two-seater of the same name (which was actually the first hybrid sold in America), this new Insight invites inevitable comparisons to Prius. They both have five doors and have similar proportions. And of course, both are dedicated hybrids. However, both Toyota and Honda are quick to point out that their hybrids are different types of cars that have different missions in life. It's easy to dismiss that as marketing-speak, but having now spent considerable time behind the wheel of both the Insight and the brand-new third generation Prius, I can definitely say that these are in fact apples and oranges we're talking about here.

Continue reading "2010 Honda Insight: This Year's Hot New Hybrid...Or is it Just Really Hot Inside?"

Posted by Ed Kim at 8:00 AM | | Comments (0)


June 11, 2009

Ford Benefits from GM/Chrysler Bankruptcies

AutoPacific Survey Results Image.jpg

The Detroit Big Three soon will consist of the New General Motors, New Chrysler and Old Ford, or better... the New Old Ford. Ford has benefited from a major restructuring begun with the arrival of Alan Mulally in 2006. Like most other automakers today, their sales are way down and they are hemorrhaging cash at an alarming rate. But they seem to have a plan. They have a viable short term product plan, have aggressively rightsized their organization and have not taken federal bailout money and have not undergone bankruptcy, It's a wonder that all sounds like good news.

A VehicleVoice Internet survey of over 900 respondents in the field from June 3 through June 8 asked several questions concerning Ford's position in the market while General Motors and Chrysler are in bankruptcy...

Continue reading "Ford Benefits from GM/Chrysler Bankruptcies"

Posted by George Peterson at 6:00 AM | | Comments (1)


June 9, 2009

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Another Really Competent Hyundai

Hyundai_2009_ElantraTouring_rear34.JPGWanna know why the Elantra Touring looks absolutely nothing like the sedan that it shares its name with?

This wagon addition to the Elantra lineup was really sort of a last minute add to Hyundai's US product portfolio. You might recall that the previous Elantra was available as a SAAB-esque hatchback, and the one before that was available as a station wagon. However, because Hyundai's Korean management knew that Americans seemed to overwhelmingly prefer sedans over hatchbacks or wagons, they made the decision pretty early on to offer the current Elantra as a sedan only.

Continue reading "2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Another Really Competent Hyundai"

Posted by Ed Kim at 10:33 AM | | Comments (0)


Bankruptcy Makes Americans Skeptical of GM and Chrysler

AutoPacific Survey Results Image.jpg

A just-completed national survey shows American consumers are skeptical of the U.S. government's involvement in the auto industry, with 81 percent of respondents agreeing that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.

Following General Motors' Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement last week, automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacific conducted an online survey regarding government involvement in the auto industry. Highlights from this survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers include:

• Eighty-one percent of the respondents AGREE that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.

Continue reading "Bankruptcy Makes Americans Skeptical of GM and Chrysler"

Posted by George Peterson at 8:58 AM | | Comments (0)


June 5, 2009

GM's Chips Begin to Fall - HUMMER and Saturn Sold

SaturnStackSigBlk Blog.jpg

General Motors' June 1 bankruptcy declaration was quickly followed by the announced sale of HUMMER to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company (June 2) and Saturn to Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group (June 5). Having the futures of both of these brands out from under the General Motors umbrella can give many American dealerships and their communities cause for celebration.

Hummer Logo VehicleVoice.jpg

Continue reading "GM's Chips Begin to Fall - HUMMER and Saturn Sold"

Posted by George Peterson at 9:39 AM | | Comments (1)


June 3, 2009

Lexus IS-F: Diagnosis - Split Personality...And All the Better For It

Lexus_2009_IS-F_side_hiding.JPGThe idea of the small supersedan is nothing new, but as of late we've been seeing lots of contenders throwing their hats into the ring. It is generally accepted that BMW started it all with the M3 back in the 1980s, quickly followed by the Mercedes-Benz with the 190E 2.3-16. Audi played too with its own unique twist in the form of the AWD rally-inspired S2 (or, some might argue, some of the hotter Ur-Quattro models that preceded it). For quite some time, this space was the domain of the Germans, and each successive generation of Teutonic supersedan kept getting faster, better handling, and more desirable.

Continue reading "Lexus IS-F: Diagnosis - Split Personality...And All the Better For It"

Posted by Ed Kim at 8:48 AM | | Comments (0)


June 2, 2009

2009 Dodge Challenger: Giving Respect to the 70s Like It's No One's Business

Dodge_2009_Challenger_badge.JPGOver the last decade or so, we've seen quite a few retro-styled vehicles come into the marketplace. Most of them have been inspired by icons from the 50s and 60s. And why not? These were happy times for many, and the cultural icons from those days are still looked upon with great fondness.

There seems to be far less nostalgia for the 1970s, though. It was a time that represented challenges for many Americans. Unstable energy costs, mass unemployment, and economic turmoil meant tough times for many. Chrysler needed a bailout from the government to survive. Um, wait a minute, am I talking about the 70s or right now?

Continue reading "2009 Dodge Challenger: Giving Respect to the 70s Like It's No One's Business"

Posted by Ed Kim at 8:53 AM | | Comments (0)


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