Best Auto Trend

Toyota introduced an all-new, sixth-generation Camry for 2007, and this model has retained its position of best-selling car in America. Camry is available in four-cylinder and V6 models, and as the Camry Hybrid equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive.

The Camry stands out in a competitive segment with its distinctive, athletic exterior design. It is built on a 109.3 in. wheelbase to provide outstanding interior room: 101.4 cubic feet of passenger space, including 38.3 inches of rear legroom. Changes for 2008 include new darker wood trim in the XLE grade. Classic Silver Metallic was added to the array of exterior colors, while Titanium Metallic was discontinued.
Read the rest of this entry »

announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 Camry and Camry Hybrid.

America’s best-selling car, and winner of Motor Trend’s 2007 Car of the Year Award, continues to set global standards for comfort, performance and — with the Camry Hybrid — ultra-efficient fuel economy.

The gas version carries over unchanged for the 2008 model year with a price increase of $100 for each grade. The weighted average of the increase represents 0.4 percent across all grades. The base MSRP for the 2008 Camry sedan ranges from $18,570 for the four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,120 for the premium XLE grade with a V6 engine and sixspeed automatic transmission.
Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota announced today the nationwide launch*1 in Japan of the completely redesigned Alphard as two different vehicle series, the “Alphard” and the “Vellfire” *2.

Taking as their theme “stately presence—the ultimate minivan”, the new models represent a further decisive evolution in all aspects of product performance. The exterior of the Alphard emphasizes “elegance” and “refinement”, while that of the Vellfire accentuates “power” and “innovation,” thus creating two vehicles with individual identities.

A new platform allows for an innovative package, providing further expansion of the interior space and improved ingress and egress. Additionally, an extensive range of equipment—including Executive Power Seats for the second row and indirect LED interior lighting—is aimed at creating a supremely welcoming environment.  A revamped powertrain, along with enhanced aerodynamics and lightweight technology, allows the new models to achieve ample dynamic performance together with high levels of environmental performance, including, in particular, substantially improved fuel efficiency.  The new models also offer outstanding handling and cruising stability, as well as class-leading*² levels of safety performance, contributing to their status as Toyota flagship minivans.

*1 4WD models with a 2.4-liter engine are scheduled for an August 1 sales launch.
*2 Coined from “velvet” and “fire” to emphasize the vehicle’s “cool” and “passionate” characteristics.
*3 Compared to vehicles of similar engine displacement
Read the rest of this entry »

Ford of Europe’s business momentum continued with another strong sales month in April.

“Our sales volume grew in 14 of the Euro 19 markets, while our market share increased in 16 of those 19,” said Ingvar Sviggum, vice-president marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

“These increases were achieved even after we had taken the strategic decision in some countries, particularly the UK and Germany, to limit our short-cycle business. In the UK, for example, this switch in emphasis has led to an increase in the number of vehicles sold to private retail buyers.
Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota announced today that it plans to provide, for the third year in a row, home-use fuel cell cogeneration units as part of a government project to verify the practical use of CO2-reducing stationary fuel cells.

The municipal-gas-fueled 1-kW home-use fuel cell cogeneration units—which generate electricity and capture waste heat for household heating—are to play a role in the continuing Large-Scale Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration Project of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Twenty-four of the units will be provided to project participant Toho Gas Co., Ltd. (Toho), which will install them in homes in three central-Japan prefectures (Aichi, Gifu and Mie) to collect data toward commercialization. The government project, which was originally scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2008, is now expected to run until the end of March 2009.

TMC’s home-use fuel cell cogeneration units run on a system—jointly developed with Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.—consisting of a stationary fuel cell and a hot water storage tank. Recent improvements, such as a modified heat-recovery circuit, have boosted heat-recovery efficiency by roughly 20% (as measured by TMC) without any loss in power-generation efficiency. The result is a marked reduction in household primary-energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Read the rest of this entry »

• “Let’s Refuel America” available throughout the U.S. exclusively at Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008
• Three-year price protection from volatile gas prices available on compact, mid-size and full-size models, minivans, crossovers and pickup truck models
• Seventy-six percent of customers cite rising gas prices as “top concern”

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 5, 2008 - In response to direct customer feedback citing the prospect of rising gas prices as a top concern, Chrysler LLC today announces its own economic stimulus package: an exclusive gas price protection policy that eliminates the risk of further spikes in fuel prices. With the U.S. purchase of eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, customers can enroll in the “Let’s Refuel America” program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to $2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,511 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.

“Today we are proud to introduce an unprecedented program to help put customers’ minds at ease and do something to help working people who are worried about the volatility of fuel prices and vehicle cost of ownership,” said Jim Press, Vice-Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. “The Let’s Refuel America Price Guarantee puts money in your pocket today, and allows our customers to better manage their fuel expenses. And you can’t get it anywhere else besides a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership.”

Read the rest of this entry »

General Motors Corporation and Isuzu Motors Limited announced their new joint venture, GM-Isuzu Camiones Andinos de Colombia Ltda., today. The purpose of which is to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand their truck and bus sales in Colombia.

The joint venture builds on the long-standing partnership that GM and Isuzu have enjoyed in the region by establishing a company that is dedicated to the marketing, sales, service and after-sales of commercial vehicles. The new partnership is the successful result of a 2007 agreement that studied the potential of a JV and will focus on strengthening the leadership that GM and Isuzu have built in this segment.
Read the rest of this entry »

In testing this morning at Germany’s Nurburgring, Cadillac’s upcoming new 2009 CTS-V completed a lap of the legendary Nordschleife in 7:59.32. This blistering time appears to be the fastest ever publicly documented for a production sedan.

Cadillac is nearing the completion of testing of the highly anticipated CTS-V, the limited-edition high-performance model based on the award-winning CTS sport sedan. John Heinricy, GM Performance Division executive and an acclaimed racing driver, piloted the CTS-V through its sub-8 minute lap today. The car itself was equipped exactly as planned for consumer production, which is scheduled to begin this fall.

Estimated at 550-hp, the CTS-V is at the moment going through the final stages of intensive testing and development. One of the realistic objectives of the Cadillac team is to make the CTS-V the world’s fastest production sedan, as a part of the overall goal to make the V-Series Cadillac’s ultimate expression of performance and technology. More updates will be released in the coming weeks as testing is finalized, including the car’s certified SAE power ratings, acceleration specifications and U.S.-market pricing.

Video documentation of the car’s breakthrough Nordschleife performance will be posted online in the coming days at www.Cadillac.gmblogs.com. The eight-minute mark has long been recognized as a major Nurburgring milestone, reserved for race cars and the fastest exotic sports cars. While there’s no single official repository for Nurburgring data from private test sessions, numerous reputable websites and publications report lap times from race teams, automakers and independent sources.

The new 2009 CTS-V includes a suite of advanced performance technologies, including a new version of Cadillac’s acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control suspension and a LSA 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 engine. For the first time, CTS-V will include the choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, with the new automatic sporting steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.

If the existing auto loan is problematic with high payments, refinance auto loan can be a way out. In such cases, advanced auto loan can be availed of. Refinancing of an existing auto loan is paying the remaining balance of the loan and avail a new loan from the same lender or another lender.

Auto loan refinancing should be according to one’s specifications. When given these specifications, advanced auto loan helps to locate the deal, which has the expertise in arranging auto loan according to specifications. Therefore advanced auto loan helps to refinance with a low rate of interest.

Fixed rate of interest is for people who want to play it safe and flexible rate of interest that change based on the changes in the market is suited for those who can undertake risks. The lender of the new auto loan fixes the interest rate by taking into account some of the factors like financing amount, the rates that prevail in the market, the credit score and the financial status. The lender offers competitive rates to all bad credit scorers. Even in refinancing auto loan, there are two types, secured auto loan and unsecured auto loan. The amount saved from refinancing can be utilized to buy accessories for the automobile. While availing refinance, the borrower has to provide certain details of the old loan, pay the entire pending installments of old auto loan and then avail the new loan of refinance at a lower interest rate.
Read the rest of this entry »