Autoblog

BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:04:00 GMT

Filed under: Etc. , Government/Legal , Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler, LLC. , GM Our heads are still reeling from one of the most tumultuous weeks on record, both for the financial world and the auto industry. But despite our best efforts to drown our concerns in Racer5 IPA, the hits keep coming and this time, it's courtesy of the New York Times . The Gray Lady is reporting that General Motors and Chrysler have been in talks about a possible merger for the past month and that two unnamed sources say that the chances of the deal going through are "50-50." With GM's stock prices ending the week below $5 a share and Cerberus - the private equity firm that owns Chrysler - grasping at straws any and all straws, including continued talks with Nissan/Renault, a merger of unequals is two parts disturbing and one part intriguing. Cerberus' people haven't been returning phone calls and the only comment offered to the NYT from the General's...(read more)

Audi R8 V10 and Spyder versions to be scarce and dear

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:59:00 GMT

Filed under: Car Buying , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Plants/Manufacturing , Supercars , Audi Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi R8 Word has it there is an eight-month waiting list for the Audi R8 in the car's home market of Germany. Here in the good ol' U.S. of A., the 50 units we get per month are not nearly enough for all of the interested buyers. Well, with V10 , convertible and possibly diesel versions in the works, we can't imagine that demand will subside anytime soon. You might think that Audi would be smart to amp up production to handle the high demand, especially with those new versions coming soon, but that isn't gonna happen according to Audi. Seems they can only make 27 R8s a month day and no more. That should keep the R8 variations very scarce and very dear. For those lucky enough to have the coinage and a place in line, there is more news. Car and Driver talked to Michael Dick, Audi's member of the board of management for technical development...(read more)

Rumormill: Could Lexus become a hybrid-only brand?

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:28:00 GMT

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Japan , Lexus , Toyota , Rumormill This could be Japanese-only news, or just a case of bad translation, but Toyota Managing Officer Toshio Furutani has apparently told Japan's Nikkei Business News that Toyota wants every vehicle in the Lexus product line to offer a hybrid option, and that "in the medium to long term, Toyota was considering making the Lexus lineup hybrid-only." That sounds like he could mean Lexus, period, all over the world. But our questions come from the fact that the same report said that the Nikkei listed only the LS and GS models as currently available with a hybrid option, neglecting to mention the RX. And the fact that for Lexus to offer only hybrids in the U.S. would be an eyebrow-arching brand decision. Not that there isn't anyone out there in the market for a hybrid IS-F, but would you really risk it? We'll wait for a follow-up from someone at Toyota, or we'll just assume Furutani's comments...(read more)

Gas prices pleasant as economy tanks

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:32:00 GMT

The US, and in fact the entire civilized world, is knee deep in a financial meltdown. However, crashing stock markets and crumbling banking institutions have led to one pleasant side effect. The price of gas is dropping faster than the NASDAQ. A quick trip through south-east Michigan shows that gas prices have dropped below the $3.00 threshold, and tumbling crude prices show that even cheaper petrol is on the way. A barrel of oil now costs $77.70, which is in stark contrast to the $147 per barrel crude in July that lead to $4.25 per gallon gasoline. That's a drop of nearly $9.00 today alone, and OPEC has scheduled an emergency meeting to try to halt the precipitous drop of black gold. And since we're paying under $3.00 per gallon for oil that was purchased last month, that means we won't bear the fruit of the recent drop in crude until November. While many of you were with us in praying for this drop, it's coming at a huge price. Gas is becoming more affordable because a...(read more)

Toyota releases pricing and spec info for European iQ

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:02:00 GMT

Filed under: Economy , Euro , Green , Hatchbacks , Toyota Click above for a high-res gallery of the production Toyota iQ IF you're in Europe and hoping to get your name on a list for a Toyota iQ , now's the time. Toyota has opened up the order banks for the cleverly packaged microcar prior to its January availability date, while also giving up the goods on available specs, options, and pricing. The iQ comes in only two trim levels, iQ and iQ2, and pricing starts at £9,495 for the manual, and £10,495 for the multidrive CVT transmission. All iQ models come with 15-inch alloys, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, air conditioning and six speaker audio system with auxiliary socket. Checking the box for the iQ2 adds another £1,000, but for the money you receive high-gloss wheels, fog lamps, auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, smart entry and start system and climate control. The iQ is pretty damn small, but Toyota is stuffing the tiny coupe with plenty...(read more)

2009 Impala recalled over faulty airbags

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Filed under: Recalls/TSBs , Safety , Chevrolet The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says passenger airbags in some 2009 Chevrolet Impalas may have a potentially deadly flaw. Not only could the devices fail to inflate in a crash, but the inflator tube could rupture and hurl pieces of it at passengers. Sounds pretty bad, but there is good news for most Impala owners. According to NHTSA, the recall will only affect 79 Impalas, and not all of them will need replacement. Airbags found to be faulty will be completely replaced under the recall campaign at GM service centers. Notices will be mailed out sometime this month to Impala owners who need to have their vehicles inspected. You can read the entire NHTSA description here . [Source: Inside Line ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments...(read more)

Toyota opens second facility in Michigan, adds 400 jobs

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Filed under: Toyota Michigan has been begging for good news from the auto industry lately, and the Great Lakes state got some from a company that was once considered public enemy number one. Toyota has officially opened a brand new $187 million technical center in York Township that will provide 400 more jobs to the beleaguered state while giving the Japanese automaker additional manpower to develop more new vehicles for North America. The York Township facility will compliment the 700-person Toyota research and development center in Ann Arbor that has been operational since 1997. The Ann Arbor facility has performed R&D duties for various vehicle including the Avalon, Tundra, Sienna and upcoming Venza . The added jobs at the new facility only represents a small portion of the thousands of jobs Michigan residents have lost over the past decade, but having an automotive force like Toyota investing in your state is a very good start, indeed. [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Toyota opens...(read more)

J.D. Power warns global auto market may "outright collapse" in 2009

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:31:00 GMT

Filed under: Trends , Plants/Manufacturing J.D. Power and Associates, the influential industry tracking firm, warned that the global auto market may "outright collapse" due to the lack of available credit and the general global economic conditions in 2009. According to the company, credit market restructuring, fewer leasing options, and declining owner equity are adding additional stress to an already burdened market. Don't turn to the automotive markets in China, Europe, or India either -- they are expected to slow next year as well. Much of the domestic sales decline is attributed to consumers delaying vehicle purchases (their studies indicate people are keeping their vehicles four months longer in 2008, compared to 2007). Other contributing factors are the drop in leasing activity, and the loss of fleet sales (down to 2.8 million from 3.3 million last year). While the automotive sales decline over the summer made this a buyer's market, willing consumers who venture...(read more)

Chrysler sues Getrag over U.S.-built dual-clutch trannies

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:58:00 GMT

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge Chrysler has managed to stay out of the doom and gloom news for a few weeks now, which goes to show that going private can have its benefits. But things couldn't stay quiet forever, and as if the company needed something else to deal with, it's now in row with German transmission supplier Getrag over a potentially failed joint venture. Chrysler uses Getrag double-clutch transmissions (DCT) in the Euro-version Dodge Journey (seen above), and is planning on adding the Euro Avenger and Sebring to the DCT lineup. Getrag signed an agreement with Chrysler to build a factory in the U.S. that would also supply Chrylser's American products with DCTs, and in return for Chrylser agreeing to get such transmissions only from Getrag, Getrag would get $300 million to finance and tool the factory. According to Getrag, it only intended to borrow the funds if said funds were guaranteed by the German government. According to the German...(read more)

Conflicting details: Volkswagen's LA-bound mid-engine coupe

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Filed under: Concept Cars , LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Volkswagen CAR and Autoweek have tapped their sources within Volkswagen to get the scoop on a rumored mid-engine Elise-fighter that may debut at next month's LA Auto Show . But when working with unnamed insiders, information tends to get jumbled in the process and differing reports emerge that suggest it's all more speculation than hard facts. Both reports confirm what we've heard before: Volkswagen will limit the cylinder count to four, but that's where the similarities end. Autoweek 's sources say that engine choices will be limited to either a 170-hp 1.4-liter Twincharger TSI gasoline engine or a new 125-hp 1.6-liter TDI sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. CAR pegs displacement of the gasoline engines at between 1.2- and 1.4-liters, with output ranging from 105 to 160 hp. A 1.2-liter TDI producing 75 hp is also being bandied around. According to Autoweek , the...(read more)

Automoblox unveils new model! The A9-S convertible

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:58:00 GMT

Filed under: Toys Click above for high-res gallery of the A9-S plus a bonus teaser pic ! Automoblox , maker of heirloom quality toy cars, is on an upward trajectory that hasn't slowed since we first encountered them a few years ago. In fact, while birthday shopping for my three-year-old nephew recently, I encountered Automoblox on the shelf of a local toy store for the first time, and then again at the little rug-rat's birthday party where a family friend bought him the X9 sport utility to go along with the S9 sedan I got him when he was born. Times are so good for Automoblox that it's bucking the trend by unveiling a brand new model, the A9-S convertible. Based on the A9 compact, the A9-S is the first open-air Automoblox model ever and the first to feature a new white color palette for its speedster windshield, rear wing and rubber tires. The wheels are jet black with three fat spokes each and the two plastic passengers even have their hair swept back. Like all Automoblox cars...(read more)

Ford CFO Don Leclair retiring, Ford Europe's Booth will replace him

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:28:00 GMT

Filed under: Ford Ford Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair has decided to hang up his spreadsheets after an illustrious career at the Blue Oval. Leclair worked at Ford for 32 years and has held the top financial post there since 2003. Succeeding Leclair will be Ford of Europe President Lewis Booth. Booth has helped lead Ford's positive transformation in Europe and grow Mazda's success around the world, which are probably Ford's two largest successes of the past decade. Excruciatingly tough times in North America await Booth upon his arrival Stateside, and team Ford needs some of that same magic he had in Europe to pull the 105-year-old automaker out of its current situation. Leclair and Booth will be working together over the next few weeks to ensure that no balls drop during the transfer of power. We're sure Mr. Leclair would have loved to leave the Blue Oval during happier times, and we hope his retirement is a long and enjoyable one. If stocks are part of his exit package...(read more)

VIDEO: Mazda releases unrevealing teaser vid of 2010 Mazda3

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:58:00 GMT

Filed under: LA Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Videos , Mazda Click above to view video after the jump Mazda has already given us a sneak-peak at its long-awaited 2010 Mazda3 , and while we like what we've seen so far, we want more. We know that team Zoom Zoom is adding a new 2.5L engine to replace the outgoing 2.3L engine, and that the full Monte will be shown at the LA Auto Show next month, but anything more would be great. We came across a short video clip of the Mazda3 in action, but it's 12 seconds long and shows the same three photos we've already seen with moving wheel animations. Needless to say, it's a little disappointing. Now is as good of a time as any to look at the high-resolution pics we do have in the gallery below, and if you need help imagining what Mazda's top-selling sedan looks like in motion, hit the jump . Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 [Source: eGMCarTech ] Continue reading VIDEO: Mazda releases unrevealing teaser vid of 2010 Mazda3 Read | Permalink | Email...(read more)

AMG boss confirms future hybrid and diesel plans

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:27:00 GMT

Filed under: Coupes , Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , Supercars , Mercedes-Benz , AMG Click above for more high-res shots of the SL65 AMG Black Series Saying that "only a fool would ignore" the emissions of a new vehicle and the current global economy, AMG head-man Volker Mornhinweg realizes that it can't keep building gas-guzzling supercars with reckless abandon. Not that the company will lose its performance edge, mind you. In fact, hybrids and diesels could offer a meaningful performance boost if tuned properly. How so? Torque. Diesel engines are known for their massive axle-shreading twist, and electric motors, an essential part of any hybrid powertrain, make maximum power right off idle, allowing for an internal combustion engine that's tuned for stratospheric revs. In a recent interview with CAR , the notion of fitting a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter oil-burning V6 inside the C class was kicked around. Mornhinweg suggests such a vehicle is a distinct...(read more)

FPV GT 5th Anniversary edition unveiled in Sydney

Autoblog — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:57:00 GMT

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons , Sports/GTs , Ford , Misc. Auto Shows , Australia , FPV , Special/Limited Editions Click above for high-res gallery of the FPV 5th Anniversary model Ford Performance Vehicles, otherwise known as FPV, is celebrating its fifth birthday as being the sharp end of Ford Australia's performance stick. FPV presented itself with a gift at this week's Australian International Motor Show in the form of a special edition FPV 5th Anniversary model. Only 200 units will be produced of the rear-wheel-drive Falcon-based birthday present, ensuring instant collector car status for the discerning Aussie buyer. The car features Alpine Silver 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, 6-piston Brembo brakes, sports seats upholstered in Nudo leather and special "5th Anniversary" decals on the trunk, ahead of the rear wheels, embossed on the front headrests and on the floormats. The FPV 5th Anniversary model will be available in Lightning Strike or Silhouette, both with striping...(read more)