Auto News Review

Chrysler Expands Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Brand to Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Dealers

Auto Editor — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:40:11 +0000

Chrysler is expanding its Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) program eligibility to all qualifying Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealers in the United States. Before now, the Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) program was limited only to Chrysler’s Five Star(R) dealers.

Chrysler first launched its national Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle program as a Five Star Dealer exclusive program in the spring of 2002. It has been the fastest growing brand in the certified-used segment.

Reporting 14 consecutive years of industry growth, Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle industry sales figures through December 2007 were up 2 percent calendar-year-to-date, according to sales numbers provided by Autodata. At the same time, Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle sales were up 5 percent, which is the sixth consecutive year the CPOV brand sales growth rate has more than doubled the industry segment.

Chrysler markets this as “Brand Spankin’ Used(R)”. Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are sold only through Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships that have had their dealership’s facilities “validated”. This includes a dealership’s operational processes, salesperson and technician training. A dealership must receive accreditation before they are authorized to sell Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.

For a vehicle to be certified under Chrysler’s used-vehicle program, it must be a 2003 through 2008 model pre-owned vehicle with less than 65,000 miles and pass a stringent 125-point mechanical, safety and condition standard inspection. Chrysler CPO vehicles are backed by an eight-year/80,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 24-hour, 365-day full roadside assistance with a $35 per day rental car allowance and a three-month or 3,000-mile Maximum Care warranty that is additive to any remaining 3 year / 36,000 mile comprehensive new vehicle warranty.

New Car Shoppers: Diesel Not a Likely Mainstream Fuel Source

Auto Editor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:02:36 +0000

KBB Marketing Research is showing that new car shoppers’ have a negative view of Diesels. At the same time, hybrids continue to gain acceptance.

According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study, the vast majority of in-market new-vehicle shoppers do not see diesel as a likely mainstream fuel source in the future. The January 2008 results reveal that only six percent of shoppers think diesel is most likely to succeed in becoming a mainstream vehicle powertrain type, compared with 40 percent saying hybrids, 20 percent saying hydrogen fuel cell and 17 percent citing flexible-fuel systems.

Interest in diesels is steadily declining among in-market new-vehicle shoppers, while interest in hybrids continues to grow. The gap between shoppers’ interest in diesels versus hybrids has greatly widened particularly in the last month, with the nine-point gap in December 2007 jumping to a 17-point gap in January 2008. When asked about their perceptions of diesel engines, nearly half of in-market new-vehicle shoppers say they are dirty and noisy. In addition, the latest study shows that shoppers increasingly believe that diesel-powered vehicles get poorer fuel mileage than conventional gasoline engines, and fewer consumers are seeing diesels as fuel-efficient.

While diesel consideration and favorability are declining in the eyes of in-market new-vehicle shoppers, hybrids continue to gain favor. In addition to hybrids being seen as the most viable mainstream powertrain choice, interest in hybrids has steadily increased in recent months, with 61 percent of shoppers saying they are interested in hybrids in the latest study. When asked about the premium they are willing to pay for a gas/electric hybrid over a traditional gasoline-powered version of the same vehicle, this month shoppers are willing to pay an average premium of $3,135, up from an average premium of $2,645 a month ago in December 2007.

When asked about which hybrid vehicles they would consider for their next purchase or lease in the latest study, in-market new-vehicle shoppers cite the Honda Civic as most popular with 35 percent. The next most-popular models are the Ford Escape and Toyota Highlander, each garnering 23 percent. Toward the bottom of the consideration list is the vehicle that arguably put hybrids on the mainstream map — the Toyota Prius — which only garnered 12 percent of the consideration.

The latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study was conducted on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com among in-market new-vehicle shoppers during January 2008.

Top Ten Most Expensive and Top 10 Least Expensive 2008 Vehicles to Insure

Auto Editor — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:32:43 +0000

According to Insure.com, the Dodge Ram Pickup, the Chevrolet Silverado C/K Pickup, and the Toyota Prius top the list of the most expensive vehicles to insure. The Chrysler Town and Country is the least expensive to insure.

Here is the list of the top ten least expensive vehicles to insure:

1. Chrysler Town & Country
2. Ford Escape
3. GMC Sierra pickup
4. Chevrolet Impala
5. Ford Econoline Club Wagon
6. Ford Fusion
7. Ford F-series pickup
8. Honda Civic
9. Toyota Camry
10. Toyota RAV-4

Here is the list of the top ten most expensive vehicles to insure:

1. Dodge Ram pickup
2. Chevy Silverado C/K pickup
3. Toyota Prius
4. Honda Accord
5. Nissan Altima
6. Toyota Corolla
7. Ford Focus
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Honda CR-V
10. Dodge Caravan

There are many reasons why a vehicle will end up on the list of the most expensive vehicles to insure. For example, they may be theft targets–which will typically increase the comprehensive insurance premiums for anyone who owns that make and model. Or, passengers in that vehicle might typically suffer more injuries in crashes or accidents. That will increase the overall injury protection premiums.

Last year, Insure.com named the Chevy Cobalt, the Dodge Ram Pickup, and the Ford Focus as the most expensive vehicles to insure. And they named the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra Pickup, and Chrysler Town & Country as the least expensive cars to insure.

Based on a list of the 20 top-selling cars and trucks in the United States, Insure.com calculated average premiums across three states and multiple insurers to put together the 2008 Insure.com Car Insurance Ranking Report.

Best New Car Deals for January 2008

Auto Editor — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:26:58 +0000

IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, has recently announced their “Best Deals of the Month” for cars, trucks, and SUVs for January, the last ranking before IntelliChoice.com begins tracking 2008 model-year vehicles in February.

IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” identifies new cars, trucks, and SUVss with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. Selections are based on current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own and operate each new model-year trim line over a five-year basis.

The following “Best Deals” for January 2008 are ranked by vehicle type and size.

Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Civic Sedan
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
MINI Cooper Convertible
Audi A4 Convertible
BMW 3 Series Sedan
Lexus ES
Toyota Avalon
Honda Civic Si Coupe
Chevrolet Corvette
Lexus GS Hybrid
Mazda Mazda3 Mazdaspeed
Ford Escape Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Lexus RX 400h
Toyota Matrix
Subaru Outback Wagon
Hummer H3
GMC Yukon
Lexus GX
Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD
Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 4 WD
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD
Honda Odyssey Passenger Van
Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger Van
Chevrolet Uplander Cargo Van

IntelliChoice.com Helps You To Do Your Homework

IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring car rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers—giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.

IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals” designation enables consumers to identify how car rebates affect a vehicle’s value throughout ownership and not just at the time of purchase. Ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model. Additionally, IntelliChoice.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Vehicles designated as “IntelliChoice.com Best Deals of the Month” are typically cars and trucks that have good to great ownership cost values before any manufacturer rebate. A rebate can often turn a good ownership cost value into a great value, and a great value into an “IntelliChoice.com Best Deal of the Month.”

IntelliChoice.com, part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink (www.sourceinterlink.com) is one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music CDs, magazines, games, books and related items.

Hyundai Motor America Reports Strong November 2007 Car Sales

Auto Editor — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:45:53 +0000

Hyundai Motor America has reported a November 2007 sales increase of 12 percent over a year ago, led by Santa Fe and Sonata, both up 41 percent for the month. Additionally, the Accent, one of the company’s ultra low emission vehicles (ULEV) that delivers up to 37 miles per gallon, saw sales rise 19 percent. In total, the company sold 31,883 vehicles for the month, compared with 28,417 a year ago.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

The following is the sales breakdown for the month and the year:

  CARLINE               NOV/2007     NOV/2006       CY2007       CY2006

  ACCENT                   2,238        1,877       34,110       31,976
  SONATA                  11,831        8,371      120,696      139,364
  ELANTRA                  3,340        5,307       81,967       91,409
  TIBURON                    727          935       13,472       16,598
  SANTA FE                 7,374        5,217       83,319       55,649
  AZERA                    1,575        1,881       20,351       24,354
  TUCSON                   3,107        3,788       38,514       48,398
  ENTOURAGE                  466        1,041       16,726       10,407
  VERACRUZ                 1,225            0       11,367            0

    TOTAL                 31,883       28,417      420,522      418,155

Mazda Reports November Automotive Sales

Auto Editor — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:43:06 +0000

Following three consecutive months of double-digit sales increases, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported a 1.0 percent decrease in sales for November with 20,580 vehicles sold. Mazda’s year-to-date sales remain strong with 271,181 units sold, accounting for a 9.0 percent increase.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported sales of 1,468 units, accounting for a 74 percent increase over November 2006. On a year-to-date basis, MMdM reported 14,452 total sales, an increase of 132 percent.

Rounding out North America, Mazda Canada, Inc. (MCI) sales were down 9.9 percent with 4,715 units sold. On a year-to-date basis, MCI sales are up 7.1 percent with 81,848 units sold.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

             Mazda North American Operations -- November 2007

                      Month-To-Date                     Year-To-Date
                    November November  %        November   November      %
                     2007     2006   Change      2007       2006      Change

  Mazda3             7,461     6,673   11.8%    110,956    87,341    27.0%
  Mazda5               468     1,513  (69.1)%    12,089    15,978   (24.3)%
  Mazda6             4,566     3,930   16.2%     52,783    60,340   (12.5)%
  MX-5 Miata           679       995  (31.8)%    14,306    15,873    (9.9)%
  RX-8                 314       611  (48.6)%    5,451      8,791   (38.0)%
  Protege                -         -    N/A          -          1  (100.0)%
  CX-7               2,887     3,654  (21.0)%   38,172     18,904   101.9%
  CX-9               2,870         -    N/A     22,501          -     N/A
  Tribute            1,202     2,126  (43.5)%   12,304     26,284   (53.2)%
  B-Series Truck       133       203  (34.5)%    2,497      3,854   (35.2)%
  MPV                    -     1,087 (100.0)%      122     11,511   (98.9)%

  Total Vehicles

  CARS              13,488    13,722   (1.7)%   195,585   188,324     3.9%
  TRUCKS             7,092     7,070    0.3%     75,596    60,553    24.8%

  TOTAL             20,580    20,792   (1.0)%   271,181   248,877     9.0%

  MEMO:

  IMPORT CAR         8,922     9,792   (8.9)%   142,802   127,983    11.6%
  IMPORT TRUCK       5,757     4,741   21.4%     60,795    30,415    99.9%
  IMPORT TOTAL      14,679    14,533    1.0%    203,597   158,398    28.5%

  DOMESTIC CAR       4,566     3,930   16.2%     52,783    60,340   (12.5)%
  DOMESTIC TRUCK     1,335     2,329  (42.7)%    14,801    30,138   (50.9)%
  DOMESTIC TOTALS    5,901     6,259   (5.7)%    67,584    90,478   (25.3)%

Note: MPV & Protege are discontinued vehicles.

AutoWeek Editors Honor Best of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show

Auto Editor — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:10:03 +0000

AutoWeek Editors are recognizing the Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun from the 2007 Tokyo International Motor Show in its November 12 issue.

For more than a decade, the editors of the weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine have scoured show floors in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, selecting winners in four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun.

The 2007 AutoWeek Editors’ Choice Award winners for the Best of Tokyo are:

BEST IN SHOW: Nissan GT-R- “This is the super car everyone has been waiting for since Nissan officials announced in 2001 that they would re-create the icon,” said AutoWeek Editor and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel. “A twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V6 pushes this coupe to a top speed of 193 mph and from zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds. The great news for the U.S. is that Nissan will finally bring this flagship to our shores.”

BEST CONCEPT: Mazda Taiki- “This aero-efficient sports car blends the best of the last three Mazda show cars with the company’s next-generation Wankel rotary engine: a power plant that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It sets the way for the future front-engine, rear-drive sports car.”

MOST SIGNIFICANT: Honda CR-Z- “Here’s a car that finally reintroduces passion and emotion in a legendary vehicle that is also powered by alternative sources. The CR-Z is very much the spiritual successor to Honda’s beloved CRX, a subcompact rocket from the past.”

MOST FUN: Suzuki X-Head- “It’s every kid’s Tonka toy come to life. It’s boxy, it’s burly, it’s bright yellow and looks as though it wants to haul heavy loads through woods. It’s what happens when Suzuki builds a Hummer.”

The AutoWeek editorial staff will announce its 2008 Editors’ Choice Awards for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January during the magazine’s annual Design Forum. For more information on the event as well as past Editors’ Choice Award winners and auto show coverage, visit AutoWeek.com.

AutoWeek is the only weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine in North America, providing its passionate readers with up-to-date information like no other automotive news source. With nearly 50 years of unbiased editorial, it delivers the latest on vehicle reviews, motorsports, events and trends, personalities, auto show coverage and more.

AutoWeek.com delivers breaking news, vehicle specs, photo galleries and podcasts to viewers faster than any other source. With its online community, visitors have the opportunity to post their own reviews and register to win unique trips as well as receive the latest, tailored e-mail alerts and blogs to fuel their automotive lifestyle, proving why first means everything.

American Red Cross Recognizes Toyota USA for Lead Contribution to the California Wildfires

Auto Editor — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:07:55 +0000

Toyota will be donating $2 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts for the California wildfires. This is one of the largest financial gifts the Red Cross has received for the California wildfires. Toyota is also donating Toyota lift trucks and palette jacks that will be used to unload and distribute relief supplies.

Toyota’s contribution will assist Red Cross relief efforts throughout Southern California. As wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, the Red Cross is providing residents, firefighters and first responders with shelter, food, water, clean up and comfort kits, and medical and mental health services. The Red Cross has nearly 3,000 workers on site in Southern California, including volunteers from all 50 states. To date, the Red Cross has provided the following services:

– Opened 24 shelters providing displaced residents with a safe place to stay
– Mobilized tens of thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits, and clean-up supplies
– Volunteers are staffing 75 Emergency Response Vehicles, providing hot meals and snacks to residents, firefighters and first responders
– Red Cross mental health counselors are available to help residents and emergency workers in the affected areas manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters

Toyota has been a Red Cross partner in disaster relief for a number of years. Historically, Toyota has actively supported the Red Cross in its efforts to assist those impacted by disasters nationwide through financial and product contributions. During Hurricane Katrina, Toyota donated $2.6 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org/.

Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and will operate 15 manufacturing plants in North America by 2010. There are more than 1,700 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.8 million vehicles in 2006. Toyota directly employs over 42,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $19 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota’s annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $28.5 billion. According to a 2005 Center for Automotive Research study, Toyota, along with its dealers and suppliers, has generated nearly 400,000 U.S. jobs, including jobs created through spending by direct, dealer and suppliers employees. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com.

Study Says Male Drivers are Hitting, Killing Most Child Pedestrians

Auto Editor — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:23:07 +0000

According to a new study, male drivers are behind the wheel twice as often as female drivers in incidents where a child pedestrian is killed, with 18-year-olds most frequently doing the driving, a new study released by Safe Kids USA shows.

The rates are down forty percent for child pedestrian fatalities, but motor vehicle/pedestrian crashes are still the second leading injury-related killer of children ages 5-14.

The study showed that boys (60 percent) are more likely than girls (35 percent) to be killed in motor vehicle/ pedestrian crashes. Although there has been significant reduction in the death rate in each age category, children ages 0-4 are at the highest risk. Children aged 5-9 had the most significant decline (34 percent) in death rates from 1999-2004.

Male, American Indian and Alaskan native, and black children have disproportionately higher rates of pedestrian death and injury, while female, white and Asian children have the lowest rates of any demographic.

One reason why the numbers are down across all categories, Donahue said, could be that the percentage of children walking to school has plummeted, from 42 percent in 1969 to just 16 percent in 2001. Donahue cited the top reasons parents do not allow their children to walk to school as the distance from home to school, traffic-related concerns, weather, and crime. (more…)