Edmunds Roundup: March 31, 2009

The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere .

Edmunds Daily

Ford and GM Offer New Incentives to Restore Buyer Confidence

Automakers these days are tossing ideas at the wall and hoping that something sticks to restore consumer confidence. Since buyers have been hesitant to make any large purchase in the event they lose their jobs, Ford and GM are taking a page from Hyundai and AutoNation's playbook by offering payment protection along with a host of new incentives.
 
To read the full article, click here.

U.S. Government Will Back New Car Warranties Despite Possible Bankruptcies

Another reason why consumers are afraid to purchase a domestic vehicle is that they are afraid the automaker will go bankrupt before their warranty is up. The federal government has stepped in and announced that it will honor a new car warranty in the event your car company goes under.

To read the full article, click here.

Government Raises Fuel Economy Standards For 2011

The government has raised its expectations of fuel economy standards for the 2011 model year. The corporate average fuel economy has gone up a few mpg and will be calculated differently, resulting in different numbers among the automakers.

To read the full article, click here.

Edmunds AutoObserver

GM's Rick Wagoner: Runs Out of Tomorrows

General Motor's CEO Rick Wagoner resigned Monday at the suggestion of the Obama administration. His inability to present the government with a viable restructuring plan for GM was the final gasp of his tumultuous tenure.

To read the full article, click here.

Obama Team Gives GM, Chrysler Viability Plans Failing Grades; Re-Do Is Ordered

Chrysler and General Motors turned in their homework on February 17 and got them back with a big "F." The Obama administration has asked them to rework their viability plans because they "are not sufficient to justify a substantial new investment of taxpayer resources." Bankruptcy has not been ruled out as a possibility for either automaker. Obama's task force sees potential in GM's viability plans, but noted that Chrysler cannot keep afloat on its own.

To read the full article, click here.

Karl on Cars

Talk Back Tuesday: Is the Government Preparing Us for a GM Bankruptcy?

Edmunds.com Editor in Chief, Karl Brauer seems to think so. "Every move made by the government in the last 48 hours suggests it. This is not a bad thing, and in fact it's the best thing that could happen to GM," he says. Follow the link to find out why.

To read the full article, click here.

Edmunds Inside Line

The $2,000 Tata Nano Cuts Costs, Not Corners

Inside Line Contributor Nick Kurczewski traveled to Mumbai, India to get an early drive of the 2009 Tata Nano. This $2,000 subcompact car is taking India by storm and has made a car affordable to the masses. Kurczewski gives a first-hand report on what it's like to drive a car that is two feet shorter than a Mini Cooper and what kind of quality one can expect from a $2,000 car.

To read the full article, click here.

Edmunds.com Tips & Advice

Orphaned Car Brands and Dead Dealerships

All this bankruptcy talk has raised the question of what would happen if your carmaker, dealer, or warranty company went under. Senior Features Editor Joanne Helperin has gathered a few frequently asked questions that will help you prepare for the worst.

To read the full article, click here.

Posted by

Ron Montoya March 31, 2009, 2:45 PM

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Automotive Consumer News, Edmunds Roundup, New on Edmunds

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Bankruptcy, Chrysler, fuel economy, General Motors, incentives and rebates, Obama Administration, Tata Nano, Tips and Advice, warranties