October 9, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Chrysler Annoyed at Grand Cherokee Recall Chatter
The Center for Auto Safety is requesting an immediate government recall of 2.3 million 1993 -'04 Jeep Grand Cherokees, claiming that faulty fuel tank design puts occupants at high risk of dying in fire after a crash. On its ironically named corporate blog, thefirehouse.biz, Chrysler called the Center's research findings "unsubstantiated" and "flawed."
Auto Observer: Chevy is General Motors
In an exclusive interview, Chevy's global vice president Brent Dewar told AutoObserver.com how he plans to take his brand from 52.3 to 70 percent of GM's global sales: Hit 'em young, hit 'em green, and make 'em swoon.
Green Car Advisor: Electric Smart on Schedule for 2012 Launch
Large-scale production of the Smart Fortwo EV will begin in 2012, with a limited production series of 1,000 test cars beginning next month. The two-seater model will be sold in the U.S. and Europe, has a 62 mph top speed, a 70-mile range, and can be recharged from a standard 220-volt outlet.
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- Joanne Helperin October 9, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Chrysler, Edmunds Roundup, Smart
June 5, 2009
It's heartening to hear that Ford will bring its excellent Euro-spec Fiesta and Focus compacts to the US market by early next year. Too often, though, Europeans get the good stuff while we're stuck with the dregs (e.g., the current Focus). Here are the three Euro-only models I miss the most.
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- Josh Sadlier June 5, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Ford, Smart, Weekly Top 3
June 2, 2009
Sifting through countless insurance premiums for almost 300 vehicle models, Insure.com
has released a list of the most expensive and least expensive cars to insure. Factors that contribute to high premiums are the frequency and high cost of claims, and it should also be noted that newer models may be adjusted to lower premiums when more data is gathered. Also noteworthy is the absence of exotic car brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti -- then again, if you could afford one, insurance is probably not that much of a concern.
Topping the list as the most expensive car to insure is the Nissan GT-R -- adding to the high cost of maintenance, as we've seen firsthand. On the other side of the spectrum is the Smart ForTwo, another vehicle in our long-term stable, which registered as one of the least expensive to insure.
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- Mark Takahashi June 2, 2009, 9:41 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Insurance, Nissan, Smart
- Technorati Tags:
- Insurance, Nissan GTR, Smart ForTwo
April 20, 2009
Ever seen a big guy picking on a small guy? Part of you is saying, "Hey, that's not fair!"
That's the feeling I had when I read the report this week from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) saying that small cars are unsafe. I know it was much more specific than just unsafe but that's the impression most people will be left with.
Small cars are unsafe. Let's face it. Cars are unsafe. When it comes right down to it, life is unsafe because no one makes it out alive. I had to do several interviews about this report and my resentment about it grew each time. Finally, I reached this conclusion.
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- Philip Reed April 20, 2009, 2:39 AM
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Smart
- Technorati Tags:
- Honda, IIHS, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Mercedes, Smart Car, Toyota
