Posted in Fuel Savings, SUV on Apr 29th, 2008
The plight of the large SUV is the focus on another Associated Press article, “Dealers see glut of gas guzzling SUVs”. Nobody loves ‘em anymore! Not the used car dealers, not the gas strapped public. According to CNW Marketing Research, used SUV sales in March were down 14% compared to last year following drops of […]
Posted in Fuel Savings, SUV, Sub Compacts on Apr 27th, 2008
SUV’s are on their way to the backburner, according to the Associated Press. In an article titled, “High Gas Prices Fuel Demand for Smaller Cars”, featured in many local newspapers this weekend, the numbers are pretty indicative of the big lumbering SUV going the way of the big lumbering brontosaurus, at least until gas drops […]
Posted in Ford on Apr 24th, 2008
Ford is back in the black! Henry’s Legacy, currently the No.2 US based automaker, reported its first profitable quarter since the second quarter of 2007. They handily beat the Street’s estimates, led by strong sales in Europe and a significantly narrower loss on this side of the Pond. Net income was $100 million, or 5 […]
Posted in Ford on Apr 23rd, 2008
Ford is adding a little oomph to the Fusion. Bryce G. Hoffman reports in The Detroit News that the popular mid size sedan will get a boost, replacing its 160 hp inline 4 cylinder with a 170 hp 4 with variable valve timing. Paired with a 6-speed transmission, the 2009 Fusion will be more responsive […]
Posted in Gas Prices on Apr 21st, 2008
Finally, we are starting to hear admissions of the speculation bubble that has hit all of us at the gas pump. Doug Newcomb’s MSN Autos article, “Gas Prices Demystified”, provides a realistic insight into this most recent of bubbles. The fear of a Y2K meltdown combined with recovery mode interest rates led to the Dot.com […]
Posted in Chrysler, Muscle Cars on Apr 16th, 2008
John Herlitz, 65, a noted designer of Chrysler Muscle Cars, died on March 24 secondary to a fall at his Naples, Florida home. James Cobb detailed his professional life in the NY Sunday Times. Mr. Hertz was sort of a 60’s version of Chip Foose. He began sending sketches to Chrysler at age thirteen. He […]
Posted in Fuel Savings, Safety on Apr 15th, 2008
I thought Christopher Jensen made a lot of sense in his Sunday NY Times article, “Tiny Saves Gas, but Big Can Save Lives”. Of course with gas way above $3.00 per gallon, the public will become more enthralled with fuel efficiency. However, Christopher rightfully asks, “But are they safe?” Despite the significant variances in crash […]
Posted in Auto Sales on Apr 14th, 2008
Or are they? The Commerce Department’s March Retail Sales Report, released this morning, indicate a 0.2 percent rise in vehicle and auto parts during March. However, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all reported double digit plunges in March sales compared with March 07. These numbers get tricky depending on what numbers are included and what […]
Posted in Nissan on Apr 8th, 2008
Nissan Trucks! Should Ford be worried? Sharon Terlep writes In The Detroit News that Nissan will spend $118 million to expand its Canton, Miss. plant to build vans and light trucks. Design work will be done at Framington Hills. Powertrains will come from Cummins Inc. with ZF Friedrichshafen AG providing transmissions. Former Ford commercial trucks […]
Posted in Green Cars on Apr 7th, 2008
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is a non-profit Green advocacy organization. Their yearly Green Book listing the top 12 environmentally friendly autos is out. They are ranked according to their “Green Score” which is a numeric value of the car’s environmental friendliness including fuel economy, tailpipe and other emissions that negatively affect […]