Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/sync-ftw-ford-adding-mobile-internet-compatibility-to-usb-ports/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/sync-ftw-ford-adding-mobile-internet-compatibility-to-usb-ports/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/sync-ftw-ford-adding-mobile-internet-compatibility-to-usb-ports/#commentsFiled under: ,

The SYNC system offered by Ford in most of its models just got a lot more interesting. In addition to giving vehicle owners super simple connectivity with virtually any phone or music player and the best voice recognition in the biz, the next generation of SYNC will add mobile internet compatibility to its USB ports. What does this mean? It means that if you've got one of those fancy 3G modems for your laptop, you can plug it into the USB port of your SYNC-equipped Ford and voilà! Your entire vehicle is a WiFi hotspot. Imagine the effect of adding easy in-car WiFi to a family of five's cross-country trip in a Ford Flex and you get the idea.

In-car WiFi has been around for a couple of years already, but all instances have required extra dealer-installed hardware (a receiver and router, specifically) and an additional monthly fee. General Motors announced just last week that it's adding optional in-car WiFi to seven Chevy models, but like most systems, you'll have to pay $500 up front ($199 after mail-in rebate through December 31st) for the hardware and $29/month for the service. With a simple software upgrade of SYNC next year, Ford customers will be able to use the 3G modem they may already have and get the same effect, without having to pay extra for new equipment and, most importantly, another monthly fee for internet. It's also an easy way for Ford to get WiFi in the car for SYNC's upcoming mobile apps.

SYNC was already a big reason for infotainment-obsessed car shoppers to consider a Ford, but at least when it comes to browsing the internet in your car, SYNC 2.0 with in-car WiFi just leap frogged the entire auto industry. Not only is the technology impressive, but this new feature actually saves the customer money rather than asking for more. Ford's official word on the matter, plus a video of SYNC 2.0 broadcasting its pirate signal, can be found after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports

SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford syncFordSyncsyncsync 2.0sync 3gsync evdosync mobile internetsync mobile wifisync second generationsync wifiSync2.0Sync3gSyncEvdoSyncMobileInternetSyncMobileWifiSyncSecondGenerationSyncWifiMon, 21 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge redesigns caught nearly naked]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/spy-shots-ford-edge-and-lincoln-mkx-redesigns-caught-nearly-nak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/spy-shots-ford-edge-and-lincoln-mkx-redesigns-caught-nearly-nak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/spy-shots-ford-edge-and-lincoln-mkx-redesigns-caught-nearly-nak/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge spy shots - Click above or below for high-res image galleries

Ford and Lincoln's crossover offerings are plentiful, but all attention is being paid nowadays to the boxy-yet-practical Flex and hit-by-the-ugly-stick MKT. What about the Edge and MKX? This duo was launched years before the automaker's polarizing pair of three-row CUVs arrived.

Well, their due for redesigns. Or at least, according to these spy shots, refreshenings of their front and rear ends. In the Edge's case, that means making the already handsome people mover look a bit more windswept, though it appears things will stay largely the same between the A- and D-pillars.

The changes look more substantial for the MKX, which launched before Lincoln debuted its increasingly ubiquitous doubled-winged grille design. That punum looks pretty okay on the MKS sedan and like a baleen whale on the oversized MKT. It looks just right on the MKX to us.

Ford and Lincoln may have other news about the Edge and MKX for us - powertrain and infotainment upgrades most likely - at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in early January, which is when we expect to see these new looks formally trotted out on stage.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Lincoln MKX


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Edge


[Images: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge redesigns caught nearly naked originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edgefordford edgeFordEdgelincolnlincoln mkxLincolnMkxmkxspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsWed, 16 Dec 2009 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta revealed, second from Special Projects program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/ferrari-p540-superfast-aperta-revealed-second-from-special-proj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/ferrari-p540-superfast-aperta-revealed-second-from-special-proj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/ferrari-p540-superfast-aperta-revealed-second-from-special-proj/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta - Click above for high-res image gallery

We all remember the hoopla a few years ago when kajillionaire James Glickenhaus revealed he had been working with Ferrari on an updated version of the famous P3/4 race car from the sixties. What resulted was the Ferrari P4/5 one-off. Glickenhaus was $4 million lighter, but that seems like money well spent judging by all the attention he received, not to mention the fact he owns a 1-of-1 Ferrari.

That whole endeavor was part of the Ferrari Special Projects program (turns out that the P4/5 preceded the Ferrari Special Projects program, the first vehicle of which was the SP1), which is fancy Italian talk for "We will build anything you want for the right price." Another kajillionaire was apparently waiting in line behind Glickenhaus, and after 14 months of development, his car is ready too. Called the P540 Superfast Aperta, this entirely unique Ferrari was commissioned and partly developed by Edward Walson, whose claim to fame is that his dad invented cable TV. The new money mogul had reportedly always dreamed of designing cars, and approached Ferrari in 2008 to develop a car based on the gold Ferrari in the 1968 short film Toby Dammit.

If you can't tell, the donor car is a Ferrari 599 and much of the development work went into strengthening the car after the roof was removed. It's pretty, it's road legal and it's the only in existence. Follow the jump for the official word from Ferrari.


Gallery: Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta

Continue reading Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta revealed, second from Special Projects program

Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta revealed, second from Special Projects program originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edward walsonEdwardWalsonferrariferrari p540ferrari p540 superfast apertaFerrariP540FerrariP540SuperfastApertajames glickenhausJamesGlickenhausp540p540 superfast apertaP540SuperfastApertasuperfast apertaSuperfastApertaFri, 11 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Mulally and Whitacre gab on phone, what was said?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/mulally-and-whitacre-gab-on-phone-what-was-said/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/mulally-and-whitacre-gab-on-phone-what-was-said/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/mulally-and-whitacre-gab-on-phone-what-was-said/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Word has it that Ford CEO Alan Mulally and the new interim CEO of General Motors, Ed Whitacre, had a phone conversation this week. This type of across-the-aisle conversation is not unusual, as Mulally himself placed a call to each of his competitors when he arrived in D-town from Boeing three years ago.

We weren't on the call ourselves and neither CEO has divulged any details of their conversation, so we're left to just guess at what was said. Considering Mulally's success at Ford so far and the quagmire into which Whitacre is stepping at GM, we think it may have went something like this.

Whitacre: Hi Alan, nice to finally talk. I feel like you and I have something in common, being that we both come from companies outside the auto industry.

Mulally: I'm a busy guy, do we have to do this every time General Motors fires a CEO?

Whitacre: I'm very excited about taking GM forward into a bright future.

Mullally: The only thing bright around here is the glare off our Motor Trend Car of the Year award. You might want to draw a shade. Fusion FTW!

Whitacre: Congratulations on that. We're hoping to have a good showing for SUV of the Year.

Mulally: Good luck, I'm sure the Chevy Terrain SRX will do great. Lincoln MKT FTW!

Whitacre: Anyway, congrats on all your success at Ford and I look forward to working together on our shared interests.

Mulally: Just have the next CEO send me an email. The address is KingofKansaz321@ford.com.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Source Image: Bill Pugliano, Getty]

Mulally and Whitacre gab on phone, what was said? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyAlanMulallyed whitacreEdWhitacrefordgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmFri, 11 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named <i>Motor Trend</i> Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/2010-dodge-ram-heavy-duty-named-motor-trend-truck-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motor Trend magazine's 2010 Truck of the Year competition was an odd one this year. Only four models met MT's criteria of being new or substantially changed from the previous model year. Of those, only two were actual work trucks: the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty and Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter work truck. The other two contenders, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and Transit Connect, likely won't ever do much of the work that we normally associate with trucks (hauling, towing, etc.). Perhaps that hindered their chances at winning the coveted Golden Calipers, because the truck that did win was the purest pickup of them all.

If you hadn't guessed yet, the Motor Trend 2010 Truck of the Year is the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, which was substantially redesigned for the 2010 model year. We'll let the MT editors explain why the Ram HD was their unanimous choice, but the gist is that it arrives to market a full year ahead of substantially new versions of Ford and General Motors' heavy-duty trucks. As such, it will be the reigning HD truck in nearly every category that matters to heavy-duty pickup buyers, at least for a model year or two.

Not to take away from the Dodge's victory, but we would've chosen the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor if it were our award to give. While the Ram HD no doubt beats it in every measure as a work truck, the Raptor is extra special if for no other reason than that it shows this industry of ours still has a little spark of life left. Ford deserves credit for not only driving out on a limb with the Raptor but also handing its development over to SVT, which guaranteed the final product offer legitimate high performance.

What about you? Did Motor Trend get it right or is there a more deserving Truck of the Year? Sound off in the comments. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD


[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named Motor Trend Truck of the Year

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty named Motor Trend Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 dodge ram hd2010 dodge ram heavy duty2010 truck of the year2010DodgeRamHd2010DodgeRamHeavyDuty2010TruckOfTheYeardodgedodge ramdodge ram hddodge ram heavy dutyDodgeRamDodgeRamHdDodgeRamHeavyDutymotor trendmotor trend truck of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendTruckOfTheYearramram hdram heavy dutyRamHdRamHeavyDutyThu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS is up for the Challenge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/2010-suzuki-kizashi-gts-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/2010-suzuki-kizashi-gts-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/2010-suzuki-kizashi-gts-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2010 Kizashi will change the way you look at Suzuki. To put it bluntly, the Kizashi is the strongest evidence yet that Suzuki's automotive division is no longer operating on autopilot in the States. And what's more, the brand is showing serious confidence. Consider the vehicles against which the automaker wants you to cross shop its Kizashi: the Acura TSX and Audi A4.

Suzuki has launched a promotion called the Kizashi Test Drive Challenge that will pay $100 to anyone who test drives a Kizashi and still decides to buy the more expensive TSX or A4. After spending some quality time with the model, we don't envy those potential Acura and Audi customers who are unprepared for how difficult their decision is going to be.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS


Photos copyright (C)2009 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS is up for the Challenge

Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS is up for the Challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Suzuki Kizashi2010 suzuki kizashi cts2010SuzukiKizashi2010SuzukiKizashiCtsfeaturedkizashikizashi gtsKizashiGtsreviewreviewssuzukisuzuki kizashisuzuki kizashi gtsSuzukiKizashiSuzukiKizashiGtsMon, 07 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 LA Auto Show Wrap Up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/2009-la-auto-show-wrap-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/2009-la-auto-show-wrap-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/2009-la-auto-show-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under:

Did you miss our coverage of the 2009 LA Auto Show? Don't know where to look to find it? No worries. We've assembled the best parts for you below, and you can visit our LA Auto Show page to view every last piece of coverage we did.

THE CARS
Allard J2X MkII
Gallery | Post		 Audi e-tron
Gallery | Post		 Audi R8 Spyder
Gallery | Post
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Chevrolet Volt
 Gallery | Post
2011 Dodge Viper
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Ford Fiesta
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Ford Mustang V6
 Gallery | Post
Honda P-NUT Concept
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Hyundai Sonata
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Hyundai Tucson
 Gallery | Post
2011 Infiniti G
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Infiniti M
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Kia Sorento
 Gallery | Post
2011 Mazda2
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
 Gallery | Post		 2010 Range Rover Sport Autobiography
 Gallery | Post
2010 Scion xB Release Series 7.0
 Gallery | Post		 2010 Spyker Aileron C8 Spyder
 Gallery | Post		 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition
 Gallery | Post
Toyota Prius Plug-In
 Gallery | Post		 2011 Toyota Sienna
 Gallery | Post		 Toyota Billabong Venza
 Gallery | Post
2011 VW Final Edition New Beetle
 Gallery | Post		 VW Up! Lite Concept
 Gallery | Post

THE NEWS
LA 2009: Maximum Bob, Maximum Live Blog
We're here in the City of Angels to watch Fritz Henderson deliver GM's keynote address to all us media types here at LA Auto Show. Only thing is, Fritz resigned yesterday, and for some reason interim CEO Ed Whitacre will not be delivering the keynote. Which can only mean one thing -- GM's Vice Chairman of Marketing and Communications Bob Lutz will be delivering the opening address.
LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year
Hold onto your hats folks, because while magazine award ceremonies appear to be just about finished, the auto show trophies are just starting to be handed out. This time, it's the International Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, and we've got two winners from within the Ford empire. The Ford ...
LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat
At the LA Auto Show this morning, the Audi A3 TDI was crowned the 2010 Green Car of the Year, wresting the title away from last year's winner, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Even though three hybrids made this year's list of finalists, the A3's win marks the second year in a row that a TDI diesel car ...
LA 2009: Lexus LFA wireframe cutaway wows us
Wow. Lexus brought their new LFA supercar to the LA Auto Show this year. That might not seem particularly wow-worthy, but it definitely becomes more surprising when you hear that they actually brought an LFA and a half. While a white LFA was happily humming along, spinning slowly on a rotating ...
"Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest
The votes have been cast, the tallies tallied and the winner determined: Viridian Joule will be the official name of the silvery-green hue as seen on a slew of Chevrolet Volt marketing material for what seems like the last decade or so. So, um, what does Viridian Joule mean? We'll let the winner ...

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

2009 LA Auto Show Wrap Up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 la auto show2009LaAutoShowlala 2009la auto showla auto show wrap upla showLa2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShowWrapUpLaShowFri, 04 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.01.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/#comments

BREAKING: GM CEO Fritz Henderson steps down

Well, that was quick. Fritz Henderson, the recently appointed CEO of General Motors, is stepping down. Company chairman of the board Ed Whitacre (remember the "Satisfaction Guaranteed"...

"Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest

2011 Chevrolet Volt in Viridian Joule - Click above for high-res image gallery The votes have been cast, the tallies tallied and the winner determined: Viridian Joule will be the official name of...

By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition

Hyundai up 46%, Nissan up 30% and all GM core brands positive It's pretty easy to stage a comeback when a prior year's monthly sales are so dismal, but that still doesn't dull the sheen off what...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.01.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnTue, 01 Dec 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/#commentsFiled under:

Hyundai up 46%, Nissan up 30% and all GM core brands positive

It's pretty easy to stage a comeback when a prior year's monthly sales are so dismal, but that still doesn't dull the sheen off what happened last month for auto sales in the U.S.

Not surprisingly, Hyundai continues its winning ways with the largest increase in sales by volume at 45.91 percent. Newcomers to the I Know How To Sell Cars In A Down Market list include Nissan, up 19.94 percent, and Mercedes-Benz, up 19.11 percent. Subaru and Kia again perform flawlessly, posting gains of 23.95 and 18.27 percent, respectively.

Perhaps more interesting is the fact that all four core brands of General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC) posted positive sales numbers last month, and in the case of Buick rose 14.78 percent. Ford also continued to stay positive, but just barely posting 2.02 percent gain for the brand against a 0.04 decrease for the motor company. You can blame that on Lincoln and Mercury, both of which were down.

As the U.S. auto industry continues to claw its way out of this recession, the Chrysler Group is seemingly being left behind. Of the multi-brand companies we follow, the Pentastar performed the worst (-25.45 percent). The next worst performer, BMW Group, was down only 7.54 percent. With sales down only 8.09 percent, the Dodge brand was the company's best performer.

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 23 selling days in November 2009 and 25 selling days in November 2008, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in the average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.

Brand Volume% Nov-13 Nov-12 DSR*% DSR Nov-09 DSR Nov-08
Hyundai 45.91 28,045 19,221 58.60 1,219 769
Nissan 29.94 50,644 38,974 41.24 2,202 1,559
Subaru 23.95 16,988 13,706 34.72 739 548
Mercedes-Benz 19.11 16,797 14,102 29.47 730 564
Kia 18.27 17,955 15,182 28.55 781 607
Porsche 18.00 1,626 1,378 28.26 71 55
Buick 14.78 8,627 7,516 24.76 375 301
Lexus 14.04 18,500 16,223 23.95 804 649
Volkswagen 13.68 16,250 14,295 23.56 707 572
Acura 11.17 8,769 7,888 20.84 381 316
Cadillac 10.28 9,721 8,815 19.87 423 353
GMC 5.38 21,301 20,214 14.54 926 809
Volvo 5.15 4,631 4,404 14.30 201 176
Chevrolet 4.46 100,023 95,756 13.54 4,349 3,830
BMW 3.23 15,708 15,217 12.20 683 609
Ford 2.02 105,133 103,055 10.89 4,571 4,122
Toyota 0.98 115,200 114,084 9.76 5,009 4,563
Mazda 0.86 14,255 14,134 9.63 620 565
Audi 0.32 6,810 6,788 9.05 296 272
Honda -4.55 65,234 68,345 3.75 2,836 2,734
Dodge -8.09 24,268 26,404 -0.10 1,055 1,056
Mercury -9.68 6,994 7,744 -1.83 304 310
Lincoln -20.08 6,409 8,019 -13.13 279 321
Jeep -24.45 15,339 20,302 -17.88 667 812
Infiniti -26.04 5,644 7,631 -19.61 245 305
Chrysler -37.33 12,544 20,017 -31.88 545 801
Pontiac -38.83 7,426 12,140 -33.51 323 486
Mitsubishi -42.60 2,925 5,096 -37.61 127 204
Mini -43.59 2,564 4,545 -38.68 111 182
Suzuki -52.11 1,540 3,216 -47.95 67 129
Saturn -54.03 3,737 8,130 -50.04 162 325
Saab -56.46 371 852 -52.67 16 34
Smart -70.44 661 2,236 -67.87 29 89
Hummer -84.80 221 1,454 -83.48 10 58
COMPANIES
Nissan NA 20.78 56,288 46,605 31.28 2,447 1,864
Toyota Mo Co 2.60 133,700 130,307 11.53 5,813 5,212
Ford Mo Co -0.04 123,167 123,222 8.65 5,355 4,929
General Motors -2.23 151,427 154,877 6.27 6,584 6,195
American Honda -2.93 74,003 76,233 5.52 3,218 3,049
BMW Group -7.54 18,272 19,762 0.50 794 790
Chrysler Group -25.45 63,560 85,260 -18.97 2,763 3,410

By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>by the numbersByTheNumbersfeaturednovember 2009 auto salesNovember2009AutoSalesTue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/#commentsFiled under:



DuPont has released its annual Color Popularity Report, and for the first time has converged data from across the globe to create a worldwide report on how we, as a species, prefer our cars to be colored. OK, maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but the new worldwide report confirms that Black, Silver and White reign supreme regardless of borders. The three colors are tightly packed in North America, where White is most popular at 17.8 percent with Black (17 percent) and Silver (16.8 percent) not far behind. Europeans, however, like the sleek look of Black at 27 percent compared to Silver at 19.9 percent and White falling pretty far behind at 10.2 percent. Different regions like different colors, but these three remain at or near the top across the board.

Who knows why car buyers the world over seem averse to all the colors of the rainbow. Not us. While we dig a nice metallic Silver, other colors like Red, Blue and even shades of Green have a way of teasing out a car's personality better than the grayscale stuff. If you were shopping for a new car (or are), what colors are at the top of your list? We've included a poll below to see if our audience thinks anything like a DuPont customer.

View Poll



[Source: DuPont]

Continue reading Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report

Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackblack popular colorBlackPopularColorcar color popularityCarColorPopularitycolor popularityColorPopularitydupontsilversilver popular colorSilverPopularColorwhitewhite popular colorWhitePopularColorTue, 01 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.30.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/#comments

Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt charges toward production

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery Three years ago this December we first walked into a Manhattan conference room for a background briefing on a new concept being...

New Buick Excelle debuts in China, sedan coming to America soon

2011 Buick Excelle XT - Click above for high-res image gallery Back in August, when General Motors gave the media a tour of its design studios to show off pieces of its upcoming lineup, one of...

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery The Fiesta Movement, Ford's campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.30.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnMon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy Thanksgiving! Autoblog is grateful for...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/#comments
Click above to find out what the Autoblog team is thankful for

After reading our list, tell us what you're thankful for in the comments.

[Source Image: Road Fun | CC 2.0]

Happy Thanksgiving! Autoblog is grateful for... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloghappy thanksgivingHappyThanksgivingthanksgivingThu, 26 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Texas unveils new vanity plates to raise money for state]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/#commentsFiled under: ,

Texas' new vanity license plates - Click above for high-res image gallery


Every state in the union is facing huge budget deficits and a number have turned to license plates as a way to raise some fast cash. First was New York, which recently unveiled a new "Empire Gold" license plate. The catch? Any citizen who wants to legally drive is required to buy one when his or her current plates expire. And they're more expensive than the old ones to boot.

Speaking of boots, Texas is also planning to raise funds with license plates, but in this case it's totally optional. The Lone Star state recently unveiled a spate of new vanity plates on MyPlates.com that cost between $55 and $195 smackaroos. The selection is as large as the state itself (and its hats) including standard Lone Star plates in crazy colors like hot pink and orange (Texas calls them Lone Star Pink and Lone Star Orange), as well as an Old West-themed plate and other Texassy designs.

Sure, $195 for a vanity plate is a lot, but the money's divided between the state and its two partners in this joint venture: Pinnacle Technical Resources of Dallas and Etech Inc. of Nacogdoches. Regardless of the three-way split, the state is reportedly guaranteed $25 million over five years. Hey, if it'll help keep a few extra public school teachers employed and essential services in tact, then its worth living down the fact that your state now offers a hot pink license plate.



[Source: USA Today via Star-Telegram]

Texas unveils new vanity plates to raise money for state originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>license platesLicensePlatestexastexas vanity platesTexasVanityPlatesvanityvanity platesVanityPlatesThu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Next-gen Buick Excelle for China - Click above for high-res image gallery

Soon Buick will have an entire lineup of competitive vehicles with the Enclave, all-new LaCrosse and soon-to-arrive-from-Europe Regal. Since the latter model is basically a direct port of the Opel Insignia, its success may help General Motors decide whether or not to snag a fourth model from another overseas market. The likely candidate is this car, the next-gen Buick Excelle that is currently sold only in China.

Recently snapped by spy photographers while undergoing testing with very little camouflage, the next-gen Excelle will adopt GM's Delta II small car platform that also underpins the new Chevy Cruze and Opel Astra. It's more closely related to later, however, as previous generations have been not much more than rebadged Astras. Just because Buick could sell the Excelle in the U.S., however, doesn't mean it should. Would the market really accept a Buick this small, especially when the Cruze is on sale across the street? Time will tell but you can let GM know what you think now in the comments.


Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China


[Photos: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickbuick chinabuick excelleBuickChinaBuickExcellechevroletchevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechinacruzeexcellespy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Today the wraps were officially removed from the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, the first two-door from Caddy since 2002. The coupe is the latest model to join the burgeoning CTS lineup, which also includes the sedan that started it all, the 556-hp CTS-V super sedan and the more recent CTS Sport Wagon. The coupe, however, is by far the most visually distinct CTS, sharing only its instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the sedan. Though its wheelbase is the same as the four-door's, the coupe sits two inches lower and stretches two inches less from tip to tail. The best touches are the hidden B-pillar, flush door handles, center-mounted dual exhaust, and a windshield and back glass that are raked at impossibly steep angles.

While the exterior screams excitement, the coupe's mechanicals are what we've come to expect from the CTS, which ain't a bad thing. The standard engine at launch will be General Motors' direct inject 3.6-liter V6 producing 304 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. Expect 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway when paired with GM's optional Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic and 17/25 with the standard Aisin six-speed manual. Both rear- and all-wheel-drive are available, as are two handling packages: a Performance package with 18-inch wheels and a Summer Tire Performance package with 19-inch wheels, summer tires and larger brakes. Cadillac also confirmed that a V-Series variant will be sold sometime 2010.

The 2010 CTS Coupe is being referred to by GM as the focal point of Cadillac going forward, and it certainly anchors an incredibly strong and varied CTS lineup. There are plenty of competitors out there, however, just waiting for the CTS Coupe to throw its first punch, including the incredibly competent BMW 3-Series coupe and Audi A5. From this first look at things, they should brace themselves.


Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe


[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts

Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 cadillac cts coupe2010CadillacCtsCoupecadillaccadillac cts coupeCadillacCtsCoupects coupeCtsCoupelala 2009la auto showLa2009LaAutoShowMon, 23 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Fusion wins <i>Motor Trend</i> Car of the Year award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time ever, Motor Trend announced the winner of its annual Car of the Year award this afternoon live via webcast. Though the field of 23 contenders was highly competitive this year (follow the jump for a complete list), we guessed immediately that the winner was a Ford as soon as the webcast came online. How'd we know? The fact they were broadcasting the announcement from Ford World Headquarters in Detroit was a not-so-subtle clue. The Fusion, Taurus and Mustang were all in the running, but it was Ford's redesigned mid-size sedan, the Fusion, that took home the coveted Golden Calipers.

In retrospect, the choice is a solid one and not all that surprising. The Fusion was extensively reworked for the 2010 model year and features a new exterior design, new models and new powertrains. Ford offers a four-cylinder model, two strong V6 options and a full-on parallel hybrid variant, which means buyers should have no trouble finding a Fusion that fits their needs. And indeed they have, as the Fusion has already broken its own yearly sales record - with two months left to go.

Like MT, we're big fans of the Fusion here at Autoblog, and even have high hopes that one day it could be the domestic car that knocks the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord from atop their perches as the best selling cars in the States. That said, this Ford still has a long way to go. Toyota has sold nearly twice as many Camry models as the Fusion so far this year, and the Accord and Nissan Altima are still flashing their taillights at Ford's CoTY winner. It's not just demand, as Ford doesn't even have the production capacity at the moment to match Camry sales, and it doesn't help that the Mercury Milan siphons off a few potential Fusion customers, as well.

Nevertheless, this is less about what the Fusion could be in the future than what it is today: the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Congrats to Ford and the Fusion team.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion SE 6MT


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2010fordfusionhybrid_review0002010fordfusionhybrid_review0012010fordfusionhybrid_review0022010fordfusionhybrid_review0032010fordfusionhybrid_review004

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford fusion2010FordFusionbreakingcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyfordford fusionford fusion cotyFordFusionFordFusionCotyfusionfusion car of the yearfusion cotyfusion hybridfusion sportFusionCarOfTheYearFusionCotyFusionHybridFusionSportmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendCarOfTheYearTue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.16.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/#comments

Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 six-speed reveals its true character

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6-Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery This isn't our first sampling of the reborn Dodge Challenger. We've driven the SE, R/T and SRT8 variants before....

GM loses $�1.2B last quarter, ready to start repaying loans

This is one of the trickier press releases we've ever had to parse, but here goes. Despite losing $�1.15 billion in the third quarter of 2009, General Motors sees this as a "solid foundation." GM...

REPORT: C/D says Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Between the Buick Regal GS, front-wheel drive (and possible hybrid) Chevrolet Impala and the rumored Caprice SS, Bob Lutz has managed to release a scad officially unofficial details on General...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.16.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnMon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Return of the R for Volvo?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Swedespeed has asked the question that anyone who follows Volvo is thinking: Will R cars return? After a tumultuous last couple of years that saw the Swedish brand suffer falling sales amidst parent company Ford's effort to sell the brand to the highest bidder (it's looking like Chinese automaker Geely at the moment), Volvo has gotten as far away from producing performance automobiles as a brand can. All the while, its competition from Germany, Japan and the U.S. have augmented their luxury lines with mid-level or super high-performance cars like the BMW 335i/M3, Audi S4/RS4 and Cadillac CTS-V. Volvo, meanwhile, put all its egg into a basket that touted refined design and safety. Unfortunately, every player in these segments has upped the ante with their designs and superior safety is no longer an island on which Volvo finds itself alone.

So back to the R cars. Volvo had some success with the 850R in the mid-Nineties, which was a mildly hotter version than the standard box sedan on which it was based. After that, the P2-gen S60R and V70R were downright scorchers with a complex Haldex all-wheel-drive system, 300-hp motor, adjustable 4C suspension and Brembo brakes. But then the R cars disappeared and were replaced by "R Design" packages that offered all of the visual potential for high performance but little else.

Swedespeed decided that proper R cars should return with the arrival of the all-new S60, and rather than being blow-the-doors-off quick, should offer mid-level performance like the original 850R did. What you see above is their rendered speculation of a reborn S60R. Click here to read more about it and catch an extra view. We think they're spot on and would love to see Volvo return to building R cars that make us think of more than safety and design when we're behind the wheel.

[Source: Swedespeed]

Rendered Speculation: Return of the R for Volvo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>s60s60rvolvovolvo s60volvo s60rVolvoS60VolvoS60rMon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.12.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/#comments

First Drive: SMS 570X makes 700 hp, gobs more joy

SMS 570X - Click above for high-res image gallery During the course of a wide-ranging, more than two-hour long conversation, we asked racing legend, aftermarket impresario and SMS namesake...

Rumormill: Mercedes considering more affordable "baby" SLS AMG gullwing?

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery The folks over at Mercedes appear to be pretty excited about their newest supercar. For starters, the SLS AMG gullwing is...

VIDEO: Low-flying pelican results in Bugatti Veyron Hydro Edition

Click above to watch the video after the jump This is one of the saddest, yet most amusing sights we've ever seen. A $�1.6 million Bugatti Veyron sitting in a salt water lagoon, door open, in two...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.12.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnThu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.11.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/#comments

First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is technologically impressive... but to what end?

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery BMW's pitch on how great the X6 ActiveHybrid is goes like this: it's the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle, fuel...

REPORT: BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S.

BMW X5 xDrive35d - click above for high-res image gallery To mechanics of the Seventies, the phrase "Oldmobile 350 Diesel" is enough to cause heart palpitations. For many Americans, that...

While Supplies Last: Pontiac says only 16 G8 GXPs left at U.S. dealers (among other things)

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery If you're looking to get your hands on a Pontiac before the General Motors division shuts its doors for good, you'd better act...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.11.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST