Monthly Archives: May 2010

Honda and Ford move to top of auto market in U.S.

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Posted in Ford, Honda - DO NOT USE

Once the premier automaker in the U.S. market, Toyota has recently dropped two spots and made room for Honda and Ford in the top two positions.

According to an April survey by the nonprofit publication Consumer Reports, 57 percent of current Toyota owners would “most likely” purchase a new Toyota vehicle, says Reuters. This figure is down dramatically from December, when 70 percent said they would buy another vehicle from the Japanese automaker.

More than half respondents said that the reputation of a brand was the most compelling factor in their choice of a new car, a factor which could have contributed to the negative approval rating because of Toyota’s recent negative publicity due to recall issues.

Though the brand’s reputation has suffered a blow, the sales of used Toyotas may not be as drastically affected.

In comparison to the opinions of Toyota owners, 68 percent of Honda owners and 61 percent of Ford owners said they would return to their brand.

As a result of dropping two spots in Consumer Reports’ ranking, Toyota may continue to extend sales incentives aimed at attracting more drivers in the U.S.

2009 Mazda6 built with more guts

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Posted in Mazda - DO NOT USE

Some critics were known to attack the size, power and quality of the midsized cars released by Mazda through much of the past decade – and the 2009 Mazda6 was the automaker’s answer.

Designed with all the comforts to please American sedan owners, the 2009 Mazda 6 unveiled in the U.S. contains only about 10 percent of the key-dimension components of the world-car platform version and has no common sheet metal or glass, according to MotorTrend.com.

Aside from being a pleasure to drive, the car boasts new eye-catching bodywork that consists of a blending of contours and edges. A stylized grille and jewel-like projector-beam headlamps lead into fenders with bold RX-8 and CX-9-type features. In addition, tighter gaps in the Mazda’s body panels and the addition of aero cleanups help to reduce the model’s drag coefficient by about 10 percent, compared to earlier versions.

When drivers climb into the 2009, the cockpit motif will make them feel like a pilot behind the wheel. The interior features an attractive blend of textured plastic surfaces with matte metal trimmings.

According to Edmunds.com the car also comes with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

Toyota prepares for hydrogen fuel-cell sedan

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Posted in Toyota

Toyota has announced that it is preparing to introduce a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan by 2015, with a retail price of about $50,000.

The automaker believes this sedan will have an advantage over electric cars, as it will have no emissions and the same range and refueling time of a gas-powered car, the Chicago Tribune reports.

While consumers might expect a higher price tag on the innovative vehicle, Toyota representatives have said that the cost of making fuel-cell cars has decreased by about 90 percent in the past 10 years – initially estimates for building a hydrogen fuel-cell car reached $1 million.

“Our target is, we don’t lose money with [the] introduction of the vehicle,” Toyotas managing director for advanced autos, Yoshihiko Masuda, told Bloomberg News. “Production costs should be covered within the price of the vehicle.”

As the technology emerges, some consumers have expressed hesitation in purchasing the new cars, as refueling options for the vehicles seem limited at present.

Drivers currently in the market for a Toyota may note the low expense of used cars. According to Automotive.com, a used four-wheel-drive 2009 Toyota Camry Sedan can sell for as little as $10,675.

Toyota predicts substantial sales increase

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Posted in Toyota

In a bright spot in an otherwise rough year for the troubled automaker, Toyota Motor Corp, the company recently released a report that predicted a 48 percent rise in profit this fiscal year.

The increase is expected to be the result of an anticpated recovery in Toyota’s large North American market, where sales recently suffered due to the notorious series of recalls, and a boost in sales the Asian market, outside of Japan, Bloomberg reports.

“North America is the only market that matters [for Toyota’s earnings],” said Gentoku Kiyokawa, a Tokyo-based fund manager for Fortis Investments, which bought shares from the automaker in February.

He added, “Based on the recent sales numbers, the recalls aren’t posing a problem.”

During April, Toyota’s sales in the U.S. rose 24 percent. The company anticipates selling 2.13 million vehicles in the U.S. by the end of the fiscal year, constituting a 1.5 percent rise.

The uptick would be a promising reprieve from 2009’s market trends, which were reflected in a 20 percent drop in Toyota’s U.S. sales.

Used cars lasting longer than ever

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Cars are lasting longer now than ever before, making used cars a sound investment for consumers planning for the future.

While many automotive experts once estimated that cars typically are spent when they hit about 100,000 miles, some are changing their tune, MSN Money reports. According to Edmunds.com, cars can now easily endure about 200,000 if their given regular maintenance.

Steven Lang, the owner of two used-car lots, told MSN, “A conservatively driven and well-maintained $5,000 car should last 10 years.”

He added, “Cars are engineered today so that you’ll get tired of them long before they tire you out.”

A study by CNW Market Research found that the average value of a new car in the U.S. is $30,266, and is financed for an average of 58 months with a monthly payment of $411.

Analysts suggest that by that the savings gained by purchasing a used car are compounded by poor interest rates on car payments.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, about 41 million used cars are sold each year, about half of which are purchased from new car dealers.

World’s most valuable car sold at auction

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Posted in General Auto News

Several media outlets are reporting that an undisclosed buyer has agreed to purchase a 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic for between $30 and $40 million, making it the most expensive car ever sold at auction.

The vehicle, which once belonged to late car collector Peter Williamson, has been declared the most valuable car in the world by Autoblog Magazine. The previous record sale for a car at auction occurred last year, when another undisclosed buyer paid $12.2 million for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.

“I am extremely pleased to have found the new buyer for the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the world’s most significant and valuable automobiles that has been in a private collection and rarely seen during the past four decades,” said David Gooding, founder of Gooding and Company, the automotive auction house that brokered the deal.

As with most high-end purchases, the auto auction refused to identify the new buyer. However, Gooding did indicate that he or she is “a devoted connoisseur” of automotive history. The only other 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic in existence today is owned by famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

2008 Mazda Miata receives prestigious ranking

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Posted in Mazda - DO NOT USE

With summer just around the corner, many northeastern car owners are surely looking forward to enjoying some leisurely weekend drives around the countryside. Those who are interested in an exciting, quick and flashy sports car may want to take a look at the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, which was ranked as the most fun to drive new vehicle on the road in 2008 by Consumer Reports.

The 2008 Mazda Miata is the most popular small convertible in production today. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine capable of creating 166 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. When paired with a manual transmission, the Miata can go from 0-60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, while still sporting a strong fuel economy.

However, the hallmark feature of the Mazda’s 2008 convertible is still its pinpoint steering and control.

“Although tuned for a smoother ride than before, the Miata still changes direction with the immediacy of a roller skate and speaks to you clearly through the steering wheel and driver seat,” says Edmunds.com.

In Consumer Reports test scoring, the Miata almost tied the Porsche Boxer, while costing almost half as much.

Economy continues to recover, auto industry on the mend

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Posted in General Auto News

In an effort to track the nation’s recovery from the recession, many experts look to the U.S. auto industry as a barometer for economic improvement. Over the last four months, new and used car sales have steadily risen, giving hope to many that the turbulent economic conditions of 2008 are now behind us.

Since the beginning of the year, U.S. auto sales have increased each month, resulting in 162,610 more vehicles being purchased compared to the same 4-month stretch in 2009, according to Auto Week.

Specifically, Nissan North America had the most impressive April, increasing their sales by 35 percent compared to March. Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai–Kia and Toyota also had excellent months. However, based simply on overall volume of sales, General Motors sported the number one ranking for April.

“We’re seeing the ebb and flow of the market recovery,” Joseph Phillippi, president of AutoTrends Consulting, told Business Week. “We’re still working our way off the bottom. A rising tide lifts all boats, but some are lighter than others.”

Michelle Krebs, a research analyst with Edmunds.com, noted that the car manufacturers that are having the most success are those that sell moderately priced vehicles.

Most teens ignoring new driving regulation

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Posted in General Auto News

Fewer than one in four teenage drivers in New Jersey are abiding by the state’s new law that requires them to purchase and display a red decal sticker that identifies them as a motorist who is under the age of 20.

The legislation, known as Kyleigh’s Law, is designed to help police enforce passenger limits, driving curfews and other provisional license restrictions, according to APP.com.

Teenagers who do not purchase the red decal stickers from one of the State Motor Vehicle Commission’s offices are subject to a $100 fine.
While some support the new measure, which went into effect on May 1, many believe that it may persuade criminals to prey on teenager motorists and will subject them to profiling by police.

“Kyleigh’s Law doesn’t prevent car crashes,” Hal Levy, a 20-year-old member of the board of the National Youth Rights Association, told WCBSTV.com. “It’s more of a feel-good law, at the expense of young people. We oppose the profiling by police and the stalking.”

Several members of the State Assembly are planning to introduce a piece of legislation that would force the governor’s office to rescind the bill.

2008 Hyundai Sonata offers great value

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Posted in Hyundai

With the economic recession still on the mind of many consumers, prospective car buyers are looking for value now more than ever. Those who are interested in a comfortable ride, plenty of standard features and a comprehensive warranty at a competitive price may want to check out the 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

The Hyundai Sonata was completely redesigned for 2008, and is much more attractive and roomier than its predecessor. While it continues to come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque, the 2008 version can also be purchased with a 3.3-liter V6 with 234 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque, according to Edmunds.

However, the most talked-about aspect of the Sonata is its average price point and industry-leading warranty. The ’08 sedan costs at least $1,000 less than its closest competitors and comes standard with a five-year/60,000 mile warranty as well as a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.

The Sonata also boasts a strong fuel efficiency rating, as its 2.4-liter/five-speed manual transmission model generates 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.