Video: Jay Leno Drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG In Hollywood
Jay leno test drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG on Hollywood’s secret race track.
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Geely Maintaining Low Profile as Volvo’s New Owner
Ford Motor is finalizing its sale of Volvo to Geely International, one of China’s premier car manufacturers. The sale was long expected, but it still comes as an uneasy pill to swallow for Volvo’s following. Geely execs privately assured both Ford and Volvo management that they would not interfere with the Swedish brand’s operations…yet.
Geely’s strategy is to take a hands-off approach and finance projects underway. Geely and Volvo are expecting the new S60, the brand’s midsize saloon, to attract new buyers and bring steady revenue. If all goes well there, Volvo should receive further funding for its extended-range electric powertrain development and a likely revival and expansion of the hi-po “R” line. Expect a lot to be made of the C30 in the near-future in both cases.
Toyota Reeling from Record Number of Safety Recalls
So much for Toyota dependability: the Japanese automaker had the most recalled vehicles in 2009.
Of the approximately 4,870,000 vehicles pulled from the road, the vast majority were related to “unintended acceleration.” The exact cause is unknown, but it was initially claimed to be from poorly designed floor mats, though Toyota did push ahead with gas pedal replacements. About 110,000 Toyota trucks were also recalled due to prematurely rusting frames, resulting in Toyota extending its warranty coverage to fifteen years. Before that, Toyota had to settle a case against it over charges of oil sludge buildup within its engines.
Consumer Reports, a longtime supporter of Toyota, was forced to concede its practice of automatically recommending the company’s vehicles would have to cease. Both the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have placed Toyota vehicles under review.
Kia Borrego Goes Bye-Bye
Kia Motors will be retiring the young Borrego SUV for 2011. Though the model may return thereafter, high fuel prices and a sharp shift away from sport-utes have forced the Korean automaker to pull out of the SUV wars in America. The Borrego was released for ‘09 as a luxury SUV, offering a spiffy interior, four-wheel-drive, a 6-spd. AT, and a 337 hp 4.6 L V-8. The Borrego’s starting price was nearly $27,000, with full-spec models hitting up to $42,000. High fuel prices have contributed to the Borrego’s poor sales performance: it was intended to sell 20,000 units in the US, but has failed to hit half that number.
RX-8 is Out, RX-7 is Back in
Mazda will finally retire the RX-8 and resurrect the RX-7 nameplate. This has been speculated on for at least three years, but the move can now be verified. Not only is the moniker moving downward, but so is the target price. The RX-8 currently runs around thirty grand and starts at $27,200 (minus fees). Mazda will be seeking to move the new rotary coupe to a starting price around $24,000, along with a spec boost to better compete with America’s resurgent sport coupes. Expect more developments in the next quarter.
Inside Line’s Wacky Predictions for 2010
We don’t consider Inside Line as the highpoint for automotive journalism–any site that runs a comparo between an old Ferrari 308 GTB and a Korean minivan is likely a waste. But the refreshed (and overdone) Edmunds spin-off has run an oddball list of ten events it sees happening in 2010.
The article was done by someone going under the creative name of “the Mechanic.” Rumor has it he was a former Detroit exotic dancer, sometime salesman, and later editor for The Advocate. Actually, we’re not really sure. Nor do we care.
So here is a summary of Inside Line’s predictions:
The BMW 5 Series GT and Honda Accord Crosstour will be colossal failures.
The Chevy Volt will be a sales flop. Read more
Video: Ford’s 2011 Mustang 5.0
“The End of Saab…” by Richard Johnson
If this truly is the end of Saab, maybe it’s just as well Bob Sinclair isn’t around to see it.
Sinclair, who died in May at age 77, made Saab a success in the United States. As head of U.S. operations in the 1980s, he pushed his reluctant Swedish bosses to add content and luxury to their cars.
We forget just how well Saab was doing in this country a couple of decades ago, nearly hitting sales of 50,000 units before the October 1987 stock market crash. Saab was quirky, but also cool.
Video: The Birth of a Polyfiat
Video: Chrysler’s Turbo Power and Eighties Luxury
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