The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Toyota Showcases Eco-Sensitive Twins at 2009 SEMA Show Toyota showcased a pair of eco-friendly modified Priuses at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas. Both the exterior and interior of Aerius and Aemulus concepts were outfitted using environmentally friendly materials.
AutoObserver: Chrysler Outlines the Plan, Can it Work? Chrysler conducted a marathon eight-hour press conference Wednesday highlighting its all-encompassing, five-year business plan. This AutoObserver post includes a breakdown of that plan and analyzes the possibility of its feasibility and effectiveness.
Green Car Advisor: GM Gets Grant to Develop Prototype Exhaust-Heat Generator GM, which has been working on energy recovery from exhaust heat for decades, has just received a small federal grant to develop a prototype exhaust-heat generator using a material called Shape Memory Alloy. Green Car Advisor explains the significance of that.
Autonet Mobile and General Motors last week announced a deal to bring on-the-road Internet to the rest of the domestic automaker's brands: Chevrolet, Buick and GMC. The pair previously made the service available on Cadillac vehicles last spring.
Positioned as a tool for business people on the go who need to stay connected, the service also makes a great backseat babysitter for the connected-tech generation. If rear-seat entertainment system with a built-in DVD player kept kids quiet a decade ago, as teens they probably now prefer texting friends on their iPhones.
Say the three letters "GMC" and chances are folks are going to think of big, big trucks -- you know, Yukons and Sierras. For 2010, General Motor's truck division is looking to change that as it dips its toes...no make that does a cannonball into the compact crossover pond with the 2010 GMC Terrain.
Yes, the Terrain is a platform twin to the redesigned Chevy Equinox, so there's not a heck of a lot different under the skin, but it offers a more rugged presence. Just look at those massive fender flares and in-your-face grille. The Hummer H3 and your kids' Tonka trucks have nothing on this rig for attitude. We recently attended a press preview of the Terrain and our impressions follow the jump.
If you want to get your next General Motors vehicle on eBay, better act fast. The company is ending its eBay experiment this week, apparently because the initiative failed to generate sales. According to an Edmunds.com analysis, one significant problem was that GM's "Buy It Now" prices were too high -- 2% above our True Market Value, to be precise.
Edmunds AutoObserver has all the details on GM's eBay adventure.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Priced 2010 Lexus ES 350 The Lexus ES350 has received some significant changes for 2010. But these changes in sheet metal also come with a $330 increase in price. This now makes the ES 350 $1200 more than a Mercedes-Benz C300 and $3400 more than an Audi A4 2.0T.
Auto Observer: Consumers Wary of GM Money-Back Guarantee The internet is buzzing with talk over General Motor's new money-back guarantee. But is it really that easy to return a vehicle as advertised? Will you get all of your money back? Not quite. There are a number of scenarios in the fine print that can potentially reduce the amount you get back.
Green Car Advisor: BMW Learning Lessons from Mini E Test The Mini E was designed as a trial run for future BMW electric vehicles. Green Car Advisor has chronicled a few of the setbacks along the way, and what lessons BMW has learned from them. Chief among them is realization that the electric vehicle infrastructure isn't quite where it needs to be to sustain a fleet of EV vehicles.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Nissan Announces Pricing on 2010 Titan The Nissan Titan gets a slight bump in price for 2010. The Titan XE King Cab 4x2 starts at $27,100 and the top of the line Titan SE Long Wheelbase with crew cab starts at $34,630 for the 4X4 model. There are two new exterior colors for 2010 and an available SE Value Truck Package.
Green Car Advisor: Ford to Introduce 2-Cylinder Engine, and Smallest Turbocharged, Next Year Ford's EcoBoost and direct injection technologies has allowed them to create smaller engines without much of a sacrifice in power. They are planning to incorporate these EcoBoost engines into numerous models. In some cases the EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine will replace their 3.0 liter V6.
Karl on Cars: Talk Back Tuesday: Will a 60-Day Guarantee Get You to Buy a GM Product? Edmunds' Editor in Chief, Karl Brauer, examines General Motors recent ad campaign, and raises two key points: 1) Are GM's cars really as good or better than the competition? 2) Can GM convince a substantial amount of potential customers its cars are as good or better than the competition?
I'm not a fan of the way the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies went down. The case of GM is particularly vexing: billions of taxpayer dollars later, we've still got members of the old guard calling the shots. Maybe we should have saved our money and let 'em go bankrupt the hard way, eh?
Nonetheless, there are some signs that Detroit is finally getting it. Well, GM and Ford, at any rate; the most notable news out of Chrysler lately has been the removal of the hood strakes from the 2010 Sebring, a godsend for car-renting aesthetes across the country. Seriously, though, GM and Ford have been making moves. Here's three encouraging signs of life.
General Motors began experimenting with online sales through eBay on August 11th using California as a test market. This pilot program was set to expire on September 8th, but our associates at Auto Observer report that the program has been extended through September 30th and could possibly be offered nationwide. Buying anything online requires a little research and savvy, and as previously reported here at Edmunds.com, we suggest buyers select the "Make and Offer" rather than the "Buy it Now" option in order to secure the best price. We also urge buyers to make use of our list of Starting Offer Prices in order to place a realistic bid and expedite the process. The list, broken down by make and model, recommends an initial bid that is between 6% and 11% below MSRP depending on the model. Happy Bidding!
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Auto Observer: Toyota Closing NUMMI In March; Tacoma to Texas Toyota announced yesterday that it will be closing its NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, CA. This facility was a joint-venture operation with General Motors, which was responsible for producing the Toyota Tacoma, Corolla, and the Pontiac Vibe. Tacoma production will be moved to San Antonio, where it is expected to create 4,700 new jobs. Green Car Advisor: Think Exits Bankruptcy; First City EVs To Be Delivered by Year-End Norwegian electric vehicle maker Think has emerged from its bankruptcy proceedings with new investors and a $47 million capital infusion. A spokesperson for its North American division says that the company is on track to begin U.S. sales next year.
IL News: Ford Beefs Up Shifts at Two U.S. Truck Plants A surge in sales due to cash for clunkers has prompted Ford to add a third manufacturing shift and increase production of the Ford F-150, Escape, and Mercury Mariner. Although Cash for Clunkers ended on Monday, Ford expects demand to remain strong.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: GM Readies Break with Four Divisions, but Opel Intrigue Continues The dust has not yet settled from Cash for Clunkers, but General Motors now has to go back to the task of distancing itself from its former brands Saab, Saturn, Hummer and Opel. Meanwhile, tensions are mounting with the German government, who had given GM its blessing to sell Opel to Canadian supplier Magna International Inc.
IL News: 1994 Honda Accord Tops Most Stolen Vehicle List for 2008 The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its annual list of most stolen vehicles. The 1995 Honda Civic took second place. The report also noted that the amount of stolen vehicles showed a strong pattern of decrease in recent years. Green Car Advisor: China's BYD Plans to Sell Plug-in Electric Car in U.S. Never heard of BYD Auto? You will by next year, if their e6 Electric vehicle makes it to the U.S. According to BYC, the e6 is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles an hour in 8 seconds, has a top speed of 100 mph, and can travel up to 249 miles on a single charge.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: General Motors Offers Zero-Percent Financing on Top of Cash for Clunkers
The demand for the cash for clunkers
(C4C) program has been outstripping the supply, and now General Motors hopes to stoke the fires even further by offering zero percent financing on eligible C4C models. The special rate runs from now until August 31, 2009. Buyers not interested in the zero percent financing can instead get $1,000 in customer cash.
Auto Observer: California GM Dealers List Cars on eBay General Motors is beginning a trial run of its "virtual showroom" in conjunction with the online auction house eBay. So far, 90 percent of California Dealers have signed on, and are expected to list about 200,000 vehicles. These will be posted as "buy it now" listings, rather than traditional auctions. Buyers can also choose to submit a lower offer than the listed price.
Green Car Advisor: GM Unveils Volt Charging System Since a public infrastructure for charging the upcoming Chevrolet Volt is not yet in place, GM is equipping its plug-in hybrid to be charged at the owner's home. The charging system was debuted at a plug-in conference in Long Beach, Calif. GM is still debating between the 100 or 240-volt setup.
In an effort to draw more consumers to Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles, General Motors dealers in California will begin listing cars on eBay starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 11. It is the first time Ebay has entered into such a specific relationship with an automaker, creating a "virtual showroom online."
The program is designed to allow customers to comfortably shop online and even initiate the purchase process while at the same time including dealers. Thus far 90 percent of California's Buick, Chevy, GMC and Pontiac dealers have agreed to participate, while Cadillac is on a wait-and-see basis awaiting early results of the program.
GM has issued a recall on 185,904 trucks in its Chevrolet, GM and Isuzu lines. Some of these vehicles may have defective brake lamp switches. This defect could cause the brake lamps to either stay on continuously or fail to function.
The recall includes the following trucks: model year 2004-2009 Chevrolet Colorado; model year 2004-2009 GMC Canyon; model year 2006 Isuzu I-280 and I-350; and model year 2007-2008 Isuzu I-290 and I-370.
Dealers will inspect and replace the relevant parts free of charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 for more info; they may also visit GMOwnerCenter.com.
General Motors Co., which suspended leasing last year during the credit crunch, has today reinstated leasing on eight models in five states, though the 2010 Cadillac SRX will be available to lease nationally.
The leases are offered by U.S. Bank on the models sold in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio.
Leasing allows many consumers to drive a more expensive vehicle than they could afford to buy, so GM's pull-back from leasing hit sales of GM's high-end vehicles particularly hard. GM is waiting to see the response to its pilot program before deciding how extensively to approach leasing on a nationwide basis.
The federal government's automotive task force has declared that the new General Motors and Chrysler, which have emerged from bankruptcy, are ready to stand on their own. Yesterday, new task force head Ron Bloom announced that the feds are withdrawing the government-backed warranty guarantees on new vehicles sold by GM and Chrysler. Those guarantees were designed to make potential buyers feel secure about pulling the trigger while the two companies reorganized.
"With the successful emergence of the new companies, consumers can now feel assured that the companies have the financial wherewithal to meet their warranty commitments on a continuing basis," Bloom told a House Judiciary subcommittee.
The Obama administration invested $641 million in the warranty program, all of which has been returned to the Treasury -- with interest. GM says it never actually needed to use that money, and Chrysler doesn't comment on warranty figures, according to Automotive News.
OnStar has added another stolen vehicle service to its growing arsenal. Called Remote Engine Block, it allows OnStar to remotely send a a signal to a subscriber's vehicle to prevent it from restarting once the ignition is turned off.
The service will be available on select 2009 and 2010 GM vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, and adds another layer of protection to what OnStar calls its Stolen Vehicle Assistance suite of services, which also includes Stolen Vehicle Slowdown that allows law enforcement to request OnStar to remotely reduce a vehicle's speed to idle to avoid high-speed chases.
And it comes at a time when OnStar is being pursued by new competition.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Pricing Announced Nissan's newest convertible will retail for $100 more than the outgoing 350Z. The 370Z Roaster will be offered in four trim levels, and can reach upwards of $42,500 for the Touring model with the seven-speed automatic transmission.
Green Car Advisor: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Should Reach U.S. Shores Next Year Honda's newest hybrids will be making their way to Japanese showrooms in February 2010. In the U.S. however, only the sporty, three-door CR-Z hybrid will be sold later that year. Honda currently has no plans to bring a hybrid Fit to the U.S.
Auto Observer: GM's Lutz Already Making 'Em Nuts Bob Lutz's recent comments on the future of the Pontiac G8 have caused quite a stir at General Motors. But this comment may have deeper implications in terms of which direction the new GM is headed.
Independence Day weekend means dealers are trying to move older vehicle inventory off their lots to make room for new models. This year, dealers are doubly pressed to move inventory because of months of sluggish car sales. So this 4th of July is a great time to bargain hunt.
Expect to find specials everywhere you look, but here are three of note:
Hyundai has a new Gas Lock program on most models bought or leased through August 31st. It guaranties $1.49/gallon regular fuel for your next 12,000 miles.
Not to be outdone, Suzuki is offering Free Gas for Summer on the Suzuki SX4 sedan or crossover. Manual transmission customers get an extra $2,000.
GM's 72-hour sale is underway, with 0% for 72 months finanancing on many of their 2009 models and 60-month 0% financing on the rest. Must take delivery by July 6th.
Make sure to check our Incentives and Rebates page to find out all the incentives you qualify for. Often, you'll have to choose between the lowest financing, cash back, and/or the gas programs. Do the math to figure out what's best for you.
Holidays mean specials on new cars. And what could be more patriotic during Independence Day weekend than buying an American car? From today through July 6, GM is offering 0 percent financing for up to 72 months for qualified buyers on select 2009 and 2010 vehicles in dealer stock, including Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac models: Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8, Solstice and more.
Most other vehicles, such as the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, will have reduced rate financing of 0 percent for up to 60 months, instead. Note that you have to take delivery by July 6 according to the current offer. For details on all GM offers and models, see here.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Chrysler to Build Four Versions of Fiat 500 in U.S. Automotive News is reporting that the Italian automaker Fiat will bring its Fiat 500 subcompact vehicle to the United States under the Chrysler nameplate. Fiat, now a 20 percent owner of Chrysler, expects to have the car stateside in about 18 months. It will be offered in four styles plus a possible SUV configuration for the U.S. market.
Auto Observer: "Good" GM May Not Be All That Good As General Motors hurries through its bankruptcy proceedings, analysts have questioned the viability of the core brands that are left in the wake of their restructuring. The fate of GM will be largely dependent on the success of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. But are these remaining brands ready to provide a solid foundation on which to build a better company? Regardless of the where the company stands in its restructuring process, GM has pledged to honor any product-liability claims made prior to the bankruptcy filing.
Inside Line: 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged Makes Debut, Priced at $68,000 Jaguar XF buyers who are looking for more power, but feel that the XFR is a bit much, now have another option. The 2010 XF supercharged debuted Monday, and commands an $18,000 premium over the base XF. Follow the link for more details on the XF Supercharged and the XFR.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: Chevy's Malibu Hybrid Bites the Dust Chevy has pulled the plug on the struggling Malibu Hybrid, citing slow sales and high inventory levels. The Malibu Hybrid is what's called a "mild" hybrid -- its electric motor isn't used for much, other than to provide instant start-up for the gas engine in stop-and-go traffic, which helps cut smog-causing emissions, but doesn't do much for fuel economy. General Motors will continue to make the Malibu Hybrid for the government and fleet markets, but not for consumers. The car's demise won't affect the warranty coverage on existing models.
Green Car Advisor: Clunkers Vote Could Come Next Week It appears House and Senate negotiators have agreed to slip the House's version of the Cash for Clunkers bill into the $106 billion war spending measure expected to be voted on next week. Get the latest news on the this bill by visiting our recently updated Cash for Clunkers FAQ page, and check out our Editor in Chief's take on the heavily criticized program.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
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Green Car Advisor: GM's Lutz Defends Muscle Cars and Chevy Volt Bob Lutz, General Motor's vice chairman, was interviewed recently by the Washington post. Green Car advisor summed up the lengthy interview and highlighted many key points. Among the talking points is an admission that GM underestimated the importance of the Toyota Prius, which ultimately led to the creation of the Chevrolet Volt. Follow the link to see why Lutz believes Americans want "V8 engines and sexy styling."
Auto Observer: GM to End Medium-Duty Truck Production General Motors announced Monday that it will cease production of the GMC TopKick and the Chevrolet Kodiak medium duty trucks. GM once valued its commercial truck operations at $1 billion, but was unable to find a buyer as market conditions changed.
Straightline: Is "Enform" the Next OnStar? Lexus will debut its new vehicle-based telematics system on the upcoming HS250h. This OnStar-like service will offer many high-tech features such as: stolen vehicle locator, automatic crash notification, and the ability to speak with an operator to input a destination on your navigation system. Will Toyota's backing make it more successful than GM's OnStar? How does it compare to Ford's Sync? Follow the link to get all the details.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: Hummer Brand Finds Buyer, Says General Motors The Hummer brand has been teetering on the edge of elimination for some time now. But GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson has announced that they have found a potential buyer for Hummer. If this deal goes through, it could secure over 3,000 U.S. jobs.
Auto Observer: Chrysler Begins Emerging From Bankruptcy A New York City bankruptcy court has approved the sale of Chrysler's assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat. Judge Arthur Gonzalez was firm in his decision, and rejected any opposing argument on the grounds that it was the only alternative to "immediate liquidation" of Chrysler. However, the struggling automaker emerged from bankruptcy in record time and according to President Obama, has sold more cars in May than it did in April. Auto observer has a percentage breakdown of Chrysler's new stakeholders.
You will be hearing a lot of rumors this week that General Motors is expected to declare bankruptcy soon even though the exact timing of it is still a matter of speculation. GM's bankruptcy has become increasingly likely as poor sales continue and debts mount. Declaring Chapter 11 will allow GM to keep most of its dealerships open (some closings have been announced that will take place in a year) and allow sales on remaining inventories.
Over the weekend, President Barack Obama commented that GM and Chrysler, which is already in bankruptcy, will have to emerge as "leaner, meaner" companies from their restructuring. If they do, he added, a substantial market will await them.
When bankruptcy arrives for GM it is expected to be one of the most complex legal restructurings of our time. Because of the vast reach of GM, and its multinational status, the situation is expected to require the work of legions of attorneys.
As bankruptcy looms, the deal making continues on GM car lots with high incentives and deep discounts. Meanwhile, consumers who own GM vehicles, who are worried about what this will mean for them, can read "What if My Carmaker, Dealer or Warranty Company Goes Under?"
You may need the utility offered by a pickup, but that doesn't mean you have to completely forsake fuel-efficiency. These days, there are more compact and hybrid trucks available than ever before -- a development that spells good things for those seeking trucks that will help them mind their finances at the pump.
These 10 choices are the most fuel-efficient pickups on the market.
OnStar announced last week that it will use the 3D aerial imagery provided by Microsoft Virtual Earth to better guide first responders to the scene of accidents in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Most Chrysler dealerships that are being closed are in metropolitan areas where their coverage overlaps.
Chrysler today announced that it plans to close 789 of its car dealerships as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring plan. GM is expected to follow suit and shutter about 2,000 dealerships in its attempts to avoid bankruptcy. It's estimated that about 38,000 people will lose their jobs.
It appears that most of the cuts will be made in metro areas where several dealerships selling the same brand are currently competing. While competition is a good thing for consumers by holding down prices, this also means that a service department nearby you will likely remain open. It may require a longer drive to get there, but routine service can be continued along with repairs performed under warranty.
Here's more on the actual closings from Auto Observer.
As tragic as this is for those involved, you still need to keep your wheels rolling. What's the best way to do that?
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer GM Loses $6 Billion in the First Quarter General Motors posted a first quarter loss nearly double the amount of its losses in Q1 2008, but still less than analysts had predicted. GM executives remain confident that ther viability plan will help them become profitable again- something they haven't managed since 2004. With the June 1 restructuring plan deadline on the horizon, GM CEO Fritz Henderson is saying that bankruptcy is becoming a more probable scenario. Even if things do head south for GM, enthusiasts can breathe a collective sigh of relief in the fact that the Corvette is safe in GM's restructuring plans.
Edmunds.com Automaker vs. Aftermarket Tech: Which Offers Better Value? Many automakers these days are offering brand name stereo, navigation, and entertainment systems in their vehicles as "premium" upgrades over the factory equipment. But is it any good, and are you better served by buying an aftermarket system? Which is the better deal? Senior Technology Editor Doug Newcomb tests out a number of scenarios to answer all these questions.
Edmunds Daily Full-Size Truck Comparison: Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge vs. Toyota You may have read Inside Line's comparison test of the four best full size pickups, but we dug a little deeper into the results and looked at it from consumer's perspective. Which truck is best for the daily commute? Which is the best for the rugged outdoorsman? And which is the best for a wide range of activities? Check out our comparison test to see which truck fits your needs.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Auto Observer Saturn Blazed Ahead of its Time, Then Faded Into Oblivion It may come as a surprise to many that Saturn is on the verge of being sold off- as a part of General Motors restructuring process. But a closer look reveals that Saturn may have been doomed before the first car rolled off the assembly line. Auto Observer takes a True Hollywood Story-like retrospective on the rise and fall of the "no hassle, no haggle" car brand with the plastic body panels.
Green Car Advisor GM Says 2010 Equinox Crossover Will Win 32 MPG EPA Rating for Highway Driving Hoping to quiet critics that accuse domestic automakers of not building fuel efficient vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox will get 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This mid-sized crossover SUV will get better combined fuel economy its closest competitors- the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and even a few mid-size sedans.
Straightline Volkswagen Launches Blog To Tell You Why Diesel is Our Savior Europeans love diesels. But in the U.S., many people have a hard time forgetting the image of those old- noisy, smelly, dirty, engines. Volkswagen has launched a blog to redeem the diesel's image and show you how far clean diesel engines have come.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Straightline Ford Fiesta Outsells Volkswagen Golf in Europe Europe's having a Fiesta and it doesn't involve a mariachi band. Ford's completely redesigned Fiesta compact hatchback was the No. 1-selling car in Europe for March, with 52,805 units sold. It bumped off perennial favorite Volkswagen Golf. This means that the new Fiesta is not only a runaway critical success, but also a runaway sales success. You'd think this would be incentive for Ford to bring it over here as quickly as possible, but you'd be wrong. Don't expect our Fiesta until next year at the earliest. You'd better put away that sombrero.
Green Car Advisor Pack Up the Kids, Low Summer Gas Prices Predicted Domestic gasoline prices are forecast to stay relatively low during the summer months that typically are a high-demand season. The Energy Information Administration calls for regular-grade gasoline to peak $2.30 per gallon, with the summer average falling to $2.23. Last summer's per-gallon average of $3.81. Therefore, expect an increase in family road trips to the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore this summer in newly purchased Suburbans.
Edmunds Auto Observer Take My Pickup, Please Maybe those lower gas prices will help pickup sales, because as of today, they are plunging faster than a grand piano dumped off the Sears Tower. Full-size pickup sales for the Detroit Three in the first quarter plunged 45.2 percent for GM's Silverado/Sierra, 44.9 percent for Ford's F-Series and 32 percent for Chrysler's Dodge Ram. If this trend were to continue, Ford would sell only 326,000 units this year, compared to 888,818 in 2004 (its best year). Chevy would go to 269,132 from 705,951. The only commentary needed is "wow."
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Green Car Advisor American Honda Motor Says It Still Hopes To Close FuelMaker Deal FuelMaker Corp., the company that manufactures the Phill home refueling station for the Honda Civic GX, is facing a potential bankruptcy. This technology is important to the future of the GX, the only natural gas vehicle being sold in the U.S., and as such Honda is trying to facilitate the sale of FuelMaker to a company that has similar interests. Despite this potential setback, Honda remains committed to the GX, and will continue to promote the vehicle.
Edmunds Daily GM Recalls Mid-Size Cars Made Between '97 and '03 Chrysler Recalls 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Wrangler The last thing these companies need is more bad publicity, but with these recent recalls, General Motors and Chrysler hope to get ahead of a few critical safety issues. GM is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles equipped with its 3.8 liter V6. Chrysler is recalling 4,336 of its 2009 Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, and Commander models. Follow the links to get all the details and the list of models affected.
Inside Line 2010 Cadillac SRX First Drive The redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX is facing an uphill battle as it tries to compete with the class leader Lexus RX. Cadillac engineers say that the SRX has a different balance than the RX, and that it is more fun to drive. Inside Line's Daniel Pund drove the SRX at a press event and gave us his early impressions. Pricing for the Cadillac SRX has not been announced, but is estimated be in line with the RX's price- around $36,000 to start. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime this summer.
Look up the word "dowdy" in the dictionary, and you'll probably see a picture of a Honda Odyssey (or any one of its segment-mates). Happily, minivans aren't the only choice these days for drivers seeking safe family transportation that seats up to eight.
In a recent feature story, we detailed the latest advances in safety tech -- when they would be available and on which vehicles. But you don't always have to buy a new car to get the cutting-edge safety features found on the latest models, since some of the same suppliers also offer similar technology through the mobile-electronics aftermarket.
Southern California's iconic car audio chain Al & Ed's, for example, announced yesterday that it will offer Mobileye's AWS-4000 and AWS-2000 accident-avoidance systems. Mobileye supplies similar systems to automakers such as BMW, General Motors and Volvo, and the company's technology is behind Volvo's City Safety system in the new XC60.
Like City Safety, the Mobileye AWS-4000 and AWS-2000 are camera-based systems that detect and measure the distance between its host vehicle and vehicles in front as well as lane markers. If the system calculates that you're too close to either, it will issue a warning.
The AWS-4000 (which Al & Ed's sells for $1,299 and is pictured above) comes with a camera and integrated processor, a pair of speakers that provide audible/directional warnings and a display-control unit for visual/directional warnings. The AWS-2000 ($999) includes the camera/processor and a single speaker with a volume control.
As with the night-vision system from FLIR, a company that also supplies technology to both automakers and the aftermarket, the Mobileye systems aren't cheap. But they may be less expensive than an auto accident.
General Motors is recalling 1,497,516 vehicles equipped with its 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6. The problem involves drops of engine oil that may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. This recall effects the following vehicles equipped with the aforementioned engine.
Buick Regal (1997-2003) Chevrolet Impala (2000-2003) Chevrolet Lumina (1998-1999) Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1998-2003) Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-1999) Pontiac Grand Prix (1997-2003)
The fix involves dealers removing the spark plug wire retention channel at the front of the engine and install two new spark plug wire retainers. If you happen to own the Intrigue, call 1-800-630-6537 or visit www.gmownercenter.com.
Who says GM's thinking is behind the times? The struggling auto giant has teamed up with Segway Inc. to create a little transportation pod just big enough for two people to zip around in at speeds up to 35 mph.
It has been dubbed the PUMA - the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility vehicle and a prototype will be shown in New York today. It runs on two lithium-ion batteries and has a 35 mile range.
Now here's the part you hate to hear: no sales price or production schedule has been announced. And it's too early to determine what might happen to the PUMA concept should GM be forced into bankruptcy.
The rest of the world will hear about PUMA during a joint press conference on Tuesday morning in New York.
Today's Idle Chat Topic:At General Motors, CEO Rick Wagoner has been forced out and vice chairman Bob Lutz has stepped down to be just an advisor until he retires at the end of this year. So IC ponders: What should Rick Wagoner and Bob Lutz do now to fill the time?
Mr. Romans Says: Say what you want about the outspoken Bob Lutz, but you have to admit: he has really great hair. We men should all be so lucky as to have such thick and lustrous silver hair at age 77. So I'm thinking they should open a barber shop together. Yeah, OK, it might seem like it'd be a step down, seeing as how they used to run GM and all. But obviously Mr. Lutz knows hair, and Mr. Wagoner, well, I'm sure he could handle the books OK. Plus, they'd have plenty of interesting stories to tell. Bob's Motown Barber shop. Perfect.
Ms. MacKinnon: They should write, direct and star in an off-off-off-Broadway musical revue called "Maximum BOB!" a buddy cop-style romp through their careers, backed by a supporting cast of Avenue Q
-style puppets. Think I'm crazy? Mr. Lutz is already planning to dip his toe into the greasepaint world
this month, and Mr. Wagoner has plenty of time on his hands now for costume fittings, singing lessons and dance rehearsals. 5, 6, 7, 8!
Idle Chat is hosted by Bryn MacKinnon and Brent Romans, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: a spongy sofa at the local JC Penny), they pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
A writer at the tech blog Gear Live received a survey that indicates that OnStar could add Twitter feeds as a feature of the company's telematics service. The survey included the following:
"While in your vehicle, you can use OnStar to submit and retrieve tweets (messages) via your Twitter account. Using OnStar's Voice-Activated Hands-Free Calling system, and having your voice converted into text, you can provide updates which would appear in the "What are you doing?" section of your Twitter homepage. It is also possible to listen to a tweet that was sent to you by someone else after it has been converted into voice. You can send and receive tweets without having to type or read anything."
Does this mean that Twitter will soon come to the dashboard of GM cars? And is that a good thing? As Gear Live points out, maybe it would be if you're trying to find a pizza joint.
Or if you want to follow Edmunds EIC Karl Brauer's Tweets on Cars while behind the wheel.
This new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. Tom has been in the auto industry for over 35 years and receives numerous questions each week about car maintenance from his listeners. This makes him the perfect expert to show you how to save money while keeping your car in top running condition. His column will appear weekly on Edmunds Daily, but following this entry will move to Wednesday afternoon.
Dear Tom, I've owned four vehicles and rented three. The common denominator was the presence of a skunk odor, accompanied by facial numbing within 10-20 minutes of driving the vehicles. I have been told the problem is caused by antifreeze leaks. That is the million-dollar question. Give me your knowledge. I am about as far away from being a mechanic as you can get! -- Lisa from LA
Lisa, Although the information you provided is vague at best, I will try to "give you my knowledge." I will assume you are talking about a pungent odor inside the car when the HVAC system is activated. Odor from the HVAC system comes from a couple of different sources. Either the heater core is leaking engine coolant into the vehicle cabin when the HVAC system is operating, or there is a clogged condensation drain in the HVAC. A leaking heater core tends to leak a small amount in a fine mist. It gets caught up in the air stream created by the blower motor and blows into the car's cabin. This vapor usually smells sweet and condenses on the inside of the windshield, fogging it up.
On the other hand, a plugged condensation drain results when organic matter gets sucked into the air intake of the HVAC system at the base of the windshield. Leaves, pine needles and other debris get into the HVAC box, mix with condensation from the A/C system, and form an unholy, stenching paste that plugs the water drain. The water from condensation then pools inside the dark, warm box and mold and mildew grows. This results in a pungent smell every time the HVAC system is activated. Sometimes the evaporator core springs a leak and refrigerant oil soaks the outside of the core. When air is drawn across the core, dirt is filtered out and it sticks to the oil on the face of the core. This also results in mold and mildew causing the smell.
Check the condensation drain at the bottom of the HVAC box. If it's plugged then remove the debris and empty a full can of Lysol disinfectant into the air intake at the base of the windshield with the heater set on defrost and high blow. Once the can is emptied, let it sit for a half hour so that the disinfectant has time to kill the mold and mildew. However, if a refrigerant leak is found in the evaporator core, then the HVAC box will have to come apart and the core replaced. Finally, to check for a leaking heater core, have the cooling system pressure-tested. If coolant is leaking into the car from the passenger's side HVAC, then the core is leaking and must be replaced. Good luck. -- Tom
Plans to use clean-running diesel engines for U.S. passenger cars are being shredded almost daily as troubles in the auto industry deepen, with the latest backtracking said to be coming from Nissan. The Japanese company confirmed in early 2008 it would launch a sophisticated 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 for the Maxima later this year, but those plans appear to be cancelled, or at least on hold.
The Aptera 2e is a three-wheel electric vehicle that looks like the spawn of an unholy union between a Cessna and an Indy car. If it were any more futuristic, it would have warp nacelles and be driven by Chewbacca. The Aptera costs $25,000 and can travel 100 miles before needing a recharge. Our Green Car Advisor, John O'Dell, took it for a spin.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is now in production. According the GM, 14,000 have already rolled off the line in Oshawa, Ontario -- most of them SS models. GM also announced the official EPA mileage estimates. The base 304-hp V6 will return 18 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when paired with a six-speed automatic. By comparison, the 210-hp Mustang V6 with five-speed automatic returns 16/24. I don't know, do you think that's worth the extra $2,000 a base Camaro will cost?
Normally, a car maker doesn't put incentives on an all new model. They usually test the market waters first and see what kind of reaction the car gets from the buying masses. But in today's economy they don't have that "let's wait and see" time luxury and need to do whatever they can to scrape up some sales action, pronto. Hence incentives on all-new models such as the Hyundai Genesis coupe and Mercedes-Benz GLK compact crossover.
In these tough times, many normally upstanding consumers (financially speaking) have found themselves behind on their car payments. As such, car repossessions are at an all-time high. Here are some tips to consider if a repossession looks likely.
Although the 4.5-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 was fully developed, GM decided to shelve the program for a few reasons. One is that in the light-duty truck sector, the diesel would require expensive exhaust treatment technology to meet the latest emissions standards. The other chief reason is that diesel engine options tend to be pricey and GM wasn't certain that folks in these cash-strapped times would want to pony up the additional cost at purchase time. GM states that they do want to build this engine and would consider a joint-venture manufacturing of the baby Duramax.
It's not news to anyone that General Motors is in trouble. But today, when GM's internal auditors cast serious doubts upon the company's ability to restructure and recover from it's ailing financial health, the giant automaker got a thumping, as its stock price dropped almost 18%, to $1.80
GM's situation is an extraordinarily tangled web of suppliers, unions, creditors, the government, dealer networks, employees, etc. A failure of any part could, potentially, mean a failure for the whole. But is GM too big to let fail? Will the government step in (again) to help it, or might the company be able to accomplish most of the goals of bankruptcy without actually declaring such? AutoObserver has all the details here.
Meanwhile, if you're worried what this means for the GM car you already own, read Phil Reed's blog post here. We'll also have an article coming out soon about what bankruptcy of any automaker, brand, or dealership will mean for you.
