 |
|
The Weekly Driver News Service
One month after the Cash For Clunkers program gave the auto industry a boost, the monthly statistics for U.S. sales for September showed an enhanced return to traditional sales figures. The Ford F-150 dominating sales across the country. Toyota (Camry, Corolla/Matrix), Honda (Accord, CR-V) and Chevrolet (Silverado, Impala) all have two vehicles among the top 10. And the Toyota Prius continued its popularity increase and was the 11th country's 11th best-selling car in September.
David Letterman, the comedian and late-night talk show host, is currently embattled in a sex scandal involving former employees. But like his former late-night counterpart Jay Leno, Letterman's celebrity has catapulted his interest away from entertainment and into the automobile industry. Letterman isn't an avid car collector like Leno. Rather, with his close friend Bobby Rahal, the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Letterman is co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is based in Hilliard, Ohio, and competes part-time in the IndyCar Series and in variety of other of auto racing disciplines.
General Motors Co. will stop manufacturing Saturn after an agreement with Penske Automotive Group Inc. to purchase the maligned brand collapsed. Unsure if it could continue to supply vehicles after a manufacturing contract with GM ran out, Penske withdrew its interest in the brand.
Toyota Motor Corp will recall 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured in the last six years because of the risk that a loose floormat could prompt a stuck accelerator. The problem is suspected of causing crashes that killed five as well as 17 crashes and 100 related incidents. The recall will cover recent versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans, the Prius hybrid, the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks and luxury Lexus models, the IS250 and the IS350 as well as the ES350. The U.S. safety recall would be the largest in Toyota's history.
Ferrari red is an automotive industry icon. But even one of the world’s most prestigious vehicles, all available for view on ferrari.com, will soon also be green. The Italian manufacturer’s president said in a recent newspaper interview that Ferrari plans to cut its vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half by 2012.
Nice cars are nothing new to George Hincapie. He’s partial to Audi and Infiniti. He had one-of-a-kind sound system installed in his Infiniti SUV. But now a Ferrari F430 is apparently what’s making the cyclist smile. And now that it’s the off-season, the southern country roads may soon be visited by a tall, dark-haired, lean guy blasting across the countryside.
It's nothing new that cars in demand can command substantial premiums. But it's hard to equate a Ferrari or even a Corvette with a Tata Nano. But it now appears the world's cheapest car is in such demand, secondhand buyers are paying as much as a 30 percent premium to own one of the vehicles Tata Motors, the manufacturer, describes at the "people's car." Several top-of-the-industry publications' web sites, including Motor Trend and Drive are reporting the alarming statistics.
Car washes featuring pretty women wearing bikinis isn't a new concept. But there's no doubt it's a smart business concept. And in Orlando, Fla., it's expanding. The business is called Orlando Baywash. It's currently in two locations and soon will double in size. Prices are reasonable, $10 for cars, $15 for sport utility vehicles. The women who work at the Baywash location at the corners at Primrose and East Colonial say they make their money on tips. Which means they likely do well.
General Motors (GM) will restore an estimated 3,000 jobs in United States facilities and will increase its North American production by as much as 45 percent in 2010. GM expects to increase North American production to about 2.8 million vehicles in 2010 and thus will add shifts and restore about 2,400 jobs at three U.S. assembly plants next year. Another 600 jobs are expected to be restored at affiliated locations across the United States.
The redesigned Chevrolet Malibu has been marketed more heavily than any other car in the United States in the past two years in its manufacturer's desire to infiltrate sales of the two best-selling midsize sedans, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. But the Malibu still can't find its true identity. It's been selected as among the country's most improved vehicles. But it's also now near the top the list for biggest depreciation.
Copyright 2009 The Weekly Driver. All rights reserved.
TheWeeklyDriver
