Breaking: Buick Asking for new Riviera

For those that remember back in 2007 at the Shanghai Motor Show, GM-China showed the Buick Riviera Coupe' Concept.  The car wowed the public but GM wasn't in the position to bring the coupe' to market. Fast forward to Tuesday's meeting  this week with GMC-Buick dealerships in Detroit and it was revealed to GMI that Buick management has requested that Buick add the Riviera  to further the brands revitalization.  This of course would be Buick's halo car and more than likely would use either the 3.6L direct injection V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generating 280hp and 261-lb.ft of torque, or GM's 3.6L direct injection VVT engine delivering 300hp and 270 lb.ft of torque that is used in Cadillac's CTS.
If GM continues its consistent move towards turning concepts into production with designs intact, the Riviera will more than likely have lens that will closely mimic the 2011 Regal with LED applications. Interior  format  will more than likely follow the theme that began in the La Crosse, with ambient lighting, intelligent technologies, quite tuning for a silent interior, and enhanced suite of safety features that is designed to meet the criteria for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 20 Star Safety Rating.
). If the Riviera goes into production, it would ride on the Episilon II platform.  Perfect timing. GM is losing their last midsize coupe' (Pontiac G6 ).  The Riviera would compete directly with Lexus IS Coupe and Infiniti's G-37.


Addtional footnote:  notice the simular Lexus RX/HS Navigational interface controller (Remote Touch) type design that was used in the 2007 Riviera Coupe' concept. 

 Source:www.gminsidenews.com

Regal to Have Sport Model, Potentially Named GS

Information from GM Inside News reports possible sport variant for Buick Regal Sedan.

News from Tuesday's GMC-Buick dealership meeting in Detroit is now starting to trickle out in full-force. One of the highlights of the event was the showing of the 2011 Buick Regal to Buick dealerships. For months now GMI has confirmed that the Regal was coming, however yesterday GM made it official. GMI has since obtained further details about the car including the sport variant.

The Regal will be launching with two four-cylinder ECOTEC engines upon launch. The base engine is going to be the 180 HP direct injected 2.4L ECOTEC that debuted this year in the 2010 Equinox and Terrain. The up-level four-cylinder is reportedly the direct injected, turbocharged 2.0L ECOTEC with roughly 220 HP. All Regal's will come with six speed automatics standard and have optional all-wheel drive. No word on if a manual will be available on the four-cylinders.

Possibly the most exciting news about the Regal is that there will be a "sport" model. The sport trim has not yet been named, however GMI is told that "GS" is one of the names on the consideration list. This sport trim will be fitted with the 280 HP 3.6L SIDI V6 from the LaCrosse, 19" wheels and Brembo performance brakes. Like the rest of the Regal's, it will have optional AWD. Another interesting point: we're told the Regal sport trim will have an optional six-speed manual, likely the same unit from the Opel Insignia OPC.

Initial orders of the 2011 Regal will start in about six months, with full production starting in summer 2010. Although no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the car will be produced at the Oshawa, Ontario facility.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Kia Amanti Debuts In Korea

Hyundai's sister company Kia is about to get additional products and from this standpoint, the 2010 Amanti is a looker.   A far more modern design than the previous model, the 2010 rendition comes with a taunt, curvaceous form with LED tail-lamps and a more advanced suspension set-up.  The Amanti shares the same underpinnings with Hyundai's next generation Azera (Grandeur in the home market) which should debute in the same time period.  The VG and CH models will carry the new 2.4L Theta four- cylinder, 2.7 L Mu V6 and 3.3L and 3.8L Lamba V6.  Domestically, the U.S. should receive the 3.8L engine with 280 hp.

Revealed: BMW 6 Series Coupé

                                      
             Sharp Elegance: The proposed new precious sports car has space for four 

BMW continues to explore different concepts and  this new 4 door coupe is of a large 6 Series hatchback layout with hybrid drive possibly slated for introduction in 2012.  This design language and theme follows the X6 and 5 Series  Grand Turismo models in extending product lines.  The car has been well received  by BMW's board and feels that "its very sporty and unique."  The model will use the 6 Series upgraded version of the V8 direct-Twin turbos going from an output of 407 hp to 420 hp with electric power added to the powertrain.

Source: AutoZeitung

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

The Japanese sport car lives on with Nissan's Z "the affordable sports car for the commoner", and to celebrate, Nissan is releasing a limited edition model.  Has it been 40 years all ready? Can you remember the first Z model you saw on the street? 

Nissan Celebrates Four Decades of Sports Car Leadership With New, Limited Edition 370Z "40th Anniversary" Model 

Forty Years After the Debut of the Original Datsun 240Z, the Iconic Z Continues to Capture the Imagination and Passion of Sports Car Enthusiasts Worldwide

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Oct. 15, 2009) – The 25th anniversary is silver, the 50th is gold. And the 40th? Another precious metal, or more correctly metal, rubber and glass – the Nissan Z. Forty years ago, on October 22, 1969, the Datsun 240Z arrived in North America, heralding a new era in sports car design.

Where previous sports cars were primarily a.) imported from England or Germany b.) expensive c.) fragile or unreliable or d.) all of the above, the new import from Japan offered the performance of a Porsche, the looks of a Jaguar and the price and reliability of, well, a Nissan. The 240Z was a revelation to the automotive world – an affordable sports car that could be driven every day and was accessible to anyone with the $3,626 base price.

And though the price of a new Z might have changed a little in the past 40 years, its unmatched value, style, performance and segment leadership remains stronger than ever. To celebrate, Nissan has created a special, limited production version of the current 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. It will be available at select Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in spring 2010.

"Throughout the history of the automobile, a rare handful of cars stand apart as vehicles that not only capture the imagination of the world but also embody the essence of the automaker's brand, engineering and ideals. The Z is just such a vehicle," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

Changing Times – Literally When the original Datsun 240Z debuted as a 1970 model, its design and performance were considered state-of-the-art: a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter single overhead cam inline 6-cylinder engine, 4-wheel independent suspension, 14-inch wheels, choice of a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, and a quarter-mile acceleration time of 17.1 seconds at 84.5 miles per hour. The 240Z was conceived as a closed coupe body, rather than the typical open-top sports cars of the age, to enhance body rigidity and, therefore, improve handling and durability.

Needless to say, a lot has changed. Today's definition of state-of-the-art, as expressed in the sixth generation Nissan 370Z, includes a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension with extensive use of aluminum components, available 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels, choice of 6-speed manual transmission with innovative SynchroRev Match or refined 7-speed automatic and independent quarter-mile acceleration times of 13.5 seconds at 106.6 miles per hour. And today, the recently introduced 370Z Roadster – with its automatic-operation fully lined cloth top, offers nearly the same body rigidity and performance as the rock-solid 370Z Coupe.

Also, where the 240Z offered what many considered "luxuries" in a sports car – including roll-up windows and radio, today's 370Z is offered with items such as Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, XM Satellite Radio and an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately), Zagat restaurant guide, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and a USB fort for iPod connectivity.

About the Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition starts out as a 370Z Coupe Touring model equipped with manual transmission and Sport Package (including SynchroRev Match, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential) and adds a premium "40th Quartz" exterior color and red leather-appointed interior.

Additional exclusive equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside, along with the red leather-appointed seats are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Z also comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.

Pricing of the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be announced closer to its on-sale date next spring. A Brief History: Six Generations of Z The journey from the original 240Z to the current 370Z, of course, made a number of interesting stops along the past 40 years. Interestingly, the 240Z might not have made the journey to America in the first place, if not for the efforts of one man.

Though many, many people were responsible for the design and engineering of the first generation 240Z, its success in North America can be attributed to Yutaka Katayama, who was president of Nissan's U.S. operations at the time. Known affectionately as "Mr. K," he was convinced that the company's new sports car design would be a hit in the U.S. There was just one problem – the vehicle's name: the Fairlady Z (which is still used in the Japanese market today).

With a name change for this market to "240Z" and some aggressive marketing, including early motorsports success, the Z became an instant hit – bringing attention and buyers not just to Z, but also to the entire brand.

After overseeing Nissan's growth in the U.S. in the '70s, Katayama returned to Japan and remains, to this day, linked to the Z's success here and around the world. On September 15th, 2009, Mr. K celebrated his 100th birthday and received cards and birthday greetings from Z lovers everywhere.

In 1974, as the engine displacement climbed to 2.6 liters the name changed to 260Z. The 2+2 model with an extended roofline and tiny back seat also appeared. In 1975, engine size increased again to 2.8 liters and the name changed to 280Z. Z cars continued to dominate on the racetrack, with Pete Brock, John Morton, Bob Sharp and P.L. (Paul) Newman among the many talented drivers.

Z sales continued to climb with the introduction in 1979 of the new second generation 280ZX. Now priced at just under $10,000, the 280ZX was named Motor Trend "Import Car of the Year" and sales passed 86,000 units. T-tops and a turbocharged engine followed in the early '80s.

In 1984, Z engine displacement increased again, with a 3.0-liter V6 replacing the classic Z inline-6, and the 300ZX was born. Also, a specially equipped model celebrating the company's 50th anniversary and priced at $25,999 was introduced. The 1984 Z was the best selling sports car in America.

The next breakthrough in Z history came in 1990 with the arrival of the totally redesigned, fourth generation 300ZX. Offered in two-seat and four-seat 2+2 models, it offered an unheard of 222 horsepower and a top speed of 150 mph. A few months later, the 300ZX Turbo followed – with 300 horsepower, a 160-mph top speed and a $33,000 price tag.

The 1990 300ZX captured the Z's second Motor Trend "Import Car of the Year" award, along with a spot on Car and Driver and Road & Track "10 Best" lists. The 300ZX also captured Automobile's "Design of the Year" and the first of four "All-Stars" awards.

By the mid-'90s, however, sports car sales in general were slowing and the Z had lost its "affordable" sports car positioning. With Z sales declining sharply and the core "value" positioning no longer part of the "Z DNA," sales of the Z in the U.S. slumped and sales were stopped following the 1996 model year. The last 300ZX imported into the U.S. was inducted into the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The next chapter of the Z history came just before the end of the century. In 1999, Nissan and Renault formed what has become the highly successful Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Mr. Carlos Ghosn was assigned by Renault to head the new management team. Among his first tasks was not just to look at the business aspects, but to find the "soul" of the company. In interview after interview, people inside and outside the company brought up one model to him, one letter: Z.

Development of the new Z began later that year, with the return to the values of the original 240Z – a car that sports car enthusiasts would look forward to driving everyday; quick, inspiring and affordable.

In summer 2002, the Z was reborn with the introduction of the 2003 350Z. It was delivered, as promised, with an MSRP of under $30,000.

Following the 350Z's unprecedented success, the sixth generation Z, the 2009 370Z was launched last December. Now the little sports car that could comes full circle with the announcement of the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition.

Source: Nissan

Ford hybrid vehicles becoming more popular

Ford hybrids recorded a 73% sales increase in the US in 2009 compared to the previous year. We’re guessing that a primary factor to this result is that in 2008, the Ford hybrid offering was much poorer.

A very important thing to be taken from these figures is the fact that more than 60% of the buyers of Ford’s hybrids are new to the brand. Consider too that other hybrid makers have to contend with a 14% drop. In a release, David Finnegan, Ford hybrid marketing manager, said that more than 50% of these previously non-Ford owners also own import brands, mostly from Toyota and Honda. Ford’s hybrid offerings include the Fusion and Escape, as well as the Mercury Milan and Mariner. September is a highly successful month for Ford in all of its markets and segments. Last month, Ford sold 26,016 vehicles. In Europe , its success mostly comes from its Fiesta model. Ford topped the 10 percent market share threshold, selling 152,600 new vehicles. In China , it also wasn’t the hybrids that were the most popular. Ford reported a 79% increase in sales (119,338 units) in China.

Source: 4wheelsnews.Hybrid cars

Drive-In Automobile Museum | 3GATTI

This is a project winner of the international invitation competition for the construction of the Automobile Museum in Nanjing, designed by Italy-based architecture studio 3GATTIto explore the relationship between car and museum. The competition was organized last year by the government of Nanjing and Jiangsu Head Investment Group.

 A building to be dedicated to the automobile, where the automobile is also the vehicle to visit the space. You visit the first external ramp of the museum with your own private car, like a SAFARI, you park your car on the roof and visit by foot the internal ramp going down. The building could seem to appear as an urban car exhibitor, with its corners and angles filled with tempting shining exposed automobiles.

Francesco Gatti

Chief architect of 3GATTI

Source: + MOOD

GM Announces Buick Regal for US

We all knew it was coming, now its official!

From GM: As part of Buick GMC’s strategy to engage and listen to its dealers, more than 1,000 dealers this week will be the first to learn the name of Buick’s next mid-size sport sedan will be the Buick Regal. The announcement was made at the Buick GMC dealer business meeting.

“The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan,” said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. “We’re thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family.”

The Regal name has played a very important role in Buick’s history for many years and continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers even though it’s been out of the market for the past six years.

Buick is emerging as a modern, premium marquee with vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers will continue to expand Buick's portfolio both in North America and China. More information can be found at www.buick.com.

Source: www.gminsidenews.com

Audi Mini R8 is raring to go!

New R4 is coming – and zero-emissions model based on e-tron concept is set to top the range

Here are the pictures that show Audi is on a real charge when it comes to electric sports cars. 

This is the preview of the new R4 – a production version of the stunning electric e-tron concept car, revealed at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. 

The R4 is also likely to spawn petrol-engined versions, giving the R8 a much anticipated smaller brother coupé that sits above the TT in the range.  

Wowing crowds with its zero emissions electric powertrain, the e-tron was a big hit at Frankfurt. But only now has Audi of America’s president Johan de Nysschen confirmed the Tesla Roadster rival will reach showrooms.  

The project is likely to be helped by Audi’s joint venture with fellow VW Group firm, Porsche, which will see the R4 share a new chassis with the next-generation Boxster and Cayman.

 This new sports car range will feature an electric version at the very top of the line-up, with petrol versions underneath.

As you can see from our illustrations, it will look striking. It mixes the compact, squat proportions of the e-tron concept car with amazing design cues such as those LED C-shaped headlights, along with a trademark Audi grille and scalloped sides. Seen here in targa-topped roadster trim, it will also be available as a coupé and a drop-top. 

The new flagship will be powered by a development of the e-tron’s electric powertrain. There’s a lithium-ion battery pack with four electric motors, two on each axle, giving it a fresh take on Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive theme. 

These give an output of around 300bhp, as well as an incredible 4,500Nm of torque, delivering instant acceleration with 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is likely to jump from the concept’s 124mph to a more supercar-like 140mph – all with no tailpipe emissions. 

As in the concept, the 470kg lithium-ion battery is placed in the middle of the car, where the engine would be. Once fully charged, it promises to deliver a range of about 155 miles. 

Drive is biased towards the rear – just like the R8 – and the chassis is a new aluminium spaceframe set-up with plastic body panels to keep weight down to around 1,500kg. 

De Nysschen said he expects to see prototypes on the road within two years, so showroom-ready versions could arrive in 2012. That gives Audi time to refine the electric powertrain and decide whether it wants to lease batteries to customers – as Renault is planning – or include them in the price of the car. 

Further down the range, the R4 will feature several engines from the current TT line-up, including a 335bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo. It’s likely to arrive within the next two years. 

Source: www.autoexpress.co.uk/

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept coming to the Tokyo Motor Show

The “ideal combination of an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid vehicle (HV)” is how Toyota Motor Corporation describes the Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV). Toyota is positioning this PHV as the ultimate vehicle that’s environmentally friendly and has many uses due to its capability to utilize a diverse range of energy sources.

Toyota said that this Prius plug-in hybrid concept is its first brand to use a lithium-ion battery as the drive battery. It is a PHV concept model that can be charged from an external power source such as household electricity. Because it has a lithium-ion drive battery rather than a nickel-metal hydride battery, the car can be charged many times higher. In other words, the cruising range in electric vehicle mode is longer than that of a Prius with a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Source:4wheelsnews.com2009 tokyo motor show

Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

As much as we enjoy piloting modern machinery, there's something special about vintage vehicles, and that something is the pure, unvarnished connection between man and machine. But it's not always good. Things get dicey when the driving experience is a little too vintage. Despite our supreme adoration of the racing greats of yesteryear, clawing at the wheel, pulverizing the brake pedal, dumping buckets of sweat onto the leather seat and having our sphincter perform kegels isn't always our preferred flavor of fun. Some days, we're just not that hardcore. So the vintage vehicles we've come to love most aren't genuinely vintage at all – they're classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals.

 The Rizk RA is a prime example, and now there's this: the Superformance GT40 MkI, a car so raw that if it were edible, they'd slap "organic" on it and sell it at Whole Foods.Superformance says it builds the GT40 so close to the original specifications that "over two thirds of the rolling chassis's parts are interchangeable with that of an original car, including the monocoque style chassis." That steel monocoque chassis is covered in a steel body, and then fitted with either a small block or big block engine, depending on customer preference.

Features tying our tester to the original are everywhere, while others variants have been upgraded to bring the standards into the new century. Seats with silver rivets make you feel like Gurney, but the specially designed air-conditioning unit up front means you don't sweat like the F1 legend. The replica also sports an aluminum crossflow radiator and oil cooler with dual electric fans, braided lines, and a shifter and handbrake moved to the center tunnel instead of the door sill. And Superformance does its tuning homework, dialing in the suspension based on the engine mounted behind your back.

The best way to describe driving a GT40 is to imagine one of those car adverts where people are suspended in air, driving a few seats and an engine, but no body. Now put those people's butts about seven millimeters off the ground and make them go really, really fast. Then add a lot of noise. That's driving a Superformance GT40... only better.

In keeping with its name, the GT40 only spans 40 inches from the ground to the roof, but it's surprisingly easy to enter (running starts at races like Le Mans meant easy ingress and egress had to be engineered). Open the door and step over the transom, then lower yourself under the large, round wheel. Doing the math, if your head is less than four feet above the ground, then your rumpus is just inches off the tarmac. When you get settled in, the seat feels like you're about to pilot a skateboard – only a little lower. Your view of the hood falls away through the windshield, with the fenders providing the sole frame of reference out front. Thankfully, they're about as far away as your calves.

Source: Autoblog Ford GT40

Bob Luts Officially Challenges Anyone to Race Against the CTS-V!

Last month, during a discussion with journalists about our “May the Best Car Win” marketing campaign, I was trying to get across just exactly what that theme means. And what it means is, of course, just what it says.

We have a lineup of vehicles that we think, if given a chance, can stack up with the best the rest of the automotive manufacturing world has to offer. One of the examples I cited was the Cadillac CTS-V, and I went so far as to challenge the journalists to find a stock production sedan on the planet that could outperform the CTS-V on the track. I proposed a track duel, “run what ya brung,” at a time and place to be determined.

Well, that time and place has been determined. The guys at Jalopnik.com were the first ones to respond to the challenge, quickly and most enthusiastically, but I suspect there will be more. We’ll be having a full racetrack challenge October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y., not far from the New York City area.

And I put the challenge out to you. If you own a car comparable to the Cadillac CTS-V (a 4-door production stock sport sedan) and you want to match up against me and the Cadillac, you can join us at Monticello. Follow the link to fill out an application. From the list of applicants we’ll select several challengers to join us for the V-Series Challenge.

As I said in the previous chat, we’re going to take away every last excuse people have not to consider our products. We know that some consumers still think Cadillac cars do not have the top-end performance they believe the German luxury cars have. The development objective of the 556-hp Cadillac CTS- V was to create the world’s best high-performance sedan. In final testing, the car lapped the legendary Nurburgring in 7:59.32, fastest ever for a production sedan (recently eclipsed, reportedly, by Porsche Panamera). In other words, we believe we have achieved our goal of building the world’s fastest sedan, but I look forward to putting that theory to the test …  and may the best car win.

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/

Rendered Speculation: Subaru's 250-hp FT-86 coupe in STI trim

While the regular Subaru 086A is expected to be exactly the same as the Toyota version albeit with subtle exterior/interior styling differences, it’s the high performance STi version that’s getting the most attention now that the FT-86 Concept has broken cover ahead of this month’s Tokyo Motor Show. The standard 086A of course utilizes Subaru’s EJ20 flat-four boxer engine with D4-S direct injection, an Aisin 6-speed gearbox and a rear differential as used on the Lexus IS250/350. The rumored output of 200PS has been quoted once again as to be “almost certain” but a conflicting rumor from another source sets the output as being low as 160PS. Nevertheless, the STi Version should answer people’s prayers for more power.

Holiday Auto (HA) reports that the STi Version will use the EJ25 2.5L engine that’s expected to produce between 240 – 250PS which is enough, HA say, to turn the 086A into a true performance car. An EJ25 turbo also hasn’t been ruled out, it seems that the Toyota/Subaru partnership have gone to great lengths to listen to what customers want and if the voices are loud enough, may come through with a boosted 086A Sti. In keeping with the Impreza WRX STi, the 086A STi Version will apparently get wider front and rear guards to accommodate a wider track with wider wheels and tires. The know-how gathered from tuning the suspension for the WRX STi will be used to improve the 086A’s handling characteristics, although HA stop short of saying the parts will be directly carried over. We should also expect some additional STi only aero parts such as a unique front bumper and rear trunk spoiler to give the STi Version a more motorsports inspired look.

Although it’s not confirmed yet, there’s a strong possibility the Subaru 086A STi Version will be shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show or not long after at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon and will hit showrooms shortly thereafter.

Words: Justin Karow
Image: Holiday Auto

[Source: Holiday Auto via 7Tune]

BMW Working On A 3D Color Head-Up Display

Back in 2004, BMW introduced its first head-up display on the 5-Series sedan, but it appears that the Bavarian manufacturer is preparing a big surprise for its customers. According to our sources, BMW is currently working on a 3D color head-up display (or the so-called HUD).

The system, which is used on the planes since the 1940s will replace the “old” display capable to offer information in red, yellow, orange and green. The manufacturer will offer on the new display information regarding the speed, navigation, calls and other functions. The new system is expected to make its debut on the brand new BMW 5-Series which is set to make its official debut next year. More details to be revealed!

Source: 4wheelnews.com bmw 3d color headup display

Ford grabs more than 10 percent of sales in European market

Ford Motor Co.'s share of the European market broke 10 percent for the first time in eight years last month after the Dearborn automaker posted its fourth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.

Sales in the 19 largest European markets totaled 152,600 new vehicles, 12.3 percentage points more than a year before and well ahead of the industry's 2.9 percent gain. That pushed Ford's share in Europe to 10.1 percent -- a level it has not seen since September of 2001.

"Traditionally we expect Ford to have a good month in September given the surge of new car sales in the UK due to the registration plate change, but September 2009 has surpassed expectations," said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's vice president for marketing, sales and service.

"Our continuing success in gaining market share despite the difficult economic situation shows that customers are willing to place their faith in Ford because we are providing them with the exciting and innovative new vehicles that they want to buy," he said. "This is particularly true of the new Ford Fiesta, which achieved its highest September sales volume since 1994."

Sviggum acknowledged that the end of scrappage programs in several key European nations makes the coming months uncertain ones for all players in European.

"We remain concerned about the continuing fragility of the underlying market," he said. "With the sudden ending of some scrappage schemes and the more-controlled phasing out of others, the industry faces an uncertain future in terms of market demand as 2010 approaches. It is clear that there is still a need for government intervention in Europe.

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
[Source: The Detroit News]

Study: Younger Generation Seems To Care Less About Cars

During the first 8 months of 2009, J.D. Power and Associates analyzed hundreds of thousands of “conversations” on auto-related sites and social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. The goal was to gauge the perceptions of Generation Y towards the automotive industry, as well as toward specific brands.

“Online discussions by teens indicate shifts in perceptions regarding the necessity of and desire to have cars,” J.D. Power Associates said (yes, we’re completely surprised as well).

Part of the reason could be economic difficulties causing teens to be less interested in costs involved with maintaining and fueling a vehicle. Another reason could be that teens are spending too much time on social media forms to connect with their friends, resulting in a decrease for the need to “physically congregate” (aka hang out).

“The negative perceptions of the automotive industry that teens and early careerists hold could have implications on future vehicle sales,” said Parker. “Generation Y could have the greatest spending power of any generation-even surpassing that of the Baby Boomers. It will be essential for automakers to earn the trust and loyalty of Gen Y consumers, who are particularly critical of brands and products.”

Source: egmcartech/ INDUSTRY NEWS

Mercedes -Benz Taking The New SLS AMG Gullwing Downsize

With the new Mecedes Gullwing design language, Mecedes will more than likely  began to filter some down the line to bring design integrity.  Photoshop expert Theophilus Chin has came up with what possibly will be the new design will look like for the 2011 model year.  While the SLK is still early in it design gestation, it might be safe to assume that the strong lines of the SLS will make it to the SLK.

Source: Autoblog.nl  Via: Autoblog.nl