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Vehicles
BMW Unveils Sixth-Generation 3 Series
By Michelle Krebs October 14, 2011For consumer-electronics techies, October 14, 2011 marked the long-awaited arrival of the Apple iPhone 4s, but in Munich, Germany, it was the day the BMW Group officially introduced the highly-anticipated sixth-generation of its all-important 3 Series sedan. Appropriate for the car that accounts for one of every three vehicles BMW sells, the unveiling was an extravaganza that was streamed live via social media outlet Facebook. The event opened with a tribute to the more than 10,000 workers who have assembled the car in the heart of Munich since the first 3 Series was introduced in 1975. A sampling of more
Chevy Colorado a "Go" for U.S.
By John O'Dell October 11, 2011General Motors made it official – the redesigned Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup will be sold in the United States, continuing the nameplate after the planned closure next year of the company’s present midsize pickup plant in Shreveport, La. The automaker didn’t say where the U.S. version of the new Colorado would be built or when it will begin appearing in dealers’ showrooms. Extension of the Colorado nameplate has been expected. AutoObserver previously reported that the United Auto Workers union’s recent summary of its new contract with GM says there will be a midsize pickup built at the General Motors more
Mazda Prices Skyactiv-Powered Mazda3
By Danny King October 11, 2011Mazda cut the price of the 2012 Mazda3, the first version of the Japanese automaker's best-selling model to be powered by the more fuel-efficient Skyactiv direct-injection engine. The 2012 Mazda3 will have a base price of $15,200, down $600 from 2011. Mazda is looking to continue its strong sales momentum by cutting the price while boosting the fuel economy for its most popular U.S. model. more
Buick Verano, VW Passat, Hyundai Veloster Generate Detroit Show Buzz, Edmunds.com Reports
By Michelle Krebs January 25, 2011By Mark Holthoff The doors to the 2011 North American International Auto Show closed Sunday night, after a record 735,370 visitors passed through them over its 10-day run. The large and enthusiastic crowd got to see vehicles ranging from a near production-ready Honda Civic Concept to a couple of eco-friendly supercars from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, and much in between. So when all was said and done, which vehicles generated the most buzz on Edmunds.com and which ones prompted Edmunds' visitors to dig deeper into the vehicle's details online? The results might surprise you. more
Prius Could Be Built in U.S. -- Someday
By Michelle Krebs January 11, 2011Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda attended his first-ever Detroit auto show - his first U.S auto show, for that matter - because he wanted to personally unveil the new variant of the Prius hybrid and announce the establishment of a safety research center in Michigan. Toyoda said hinted that the automaker would at some point resurrect its plan to build the Prius in the United States when sales grow. more
Volkswagen Unveils All-New Passat Sedan to Headline Detroit Auto Show
By Bill Visnic January 10, 2011At the Detroit auto show, opening to the media today, Volkswagen of America Inc. launches the first crucial new model to underpin an ambitious plan to triple U.S. sales and lead all automakers in global sales by 2018, the 2012 Passat midsize sedan. Built at the company's new $1-billion assembly plant in Chattanooga, TN, the Passat's chief calling card is "accessible German engineering for the midsize segment," that will start at a price "around $20,000" when the car goes on sale later this year. Volkswagen has identified its generally higher price points as a primary impediment to competitiveness in more
Price Pressure Coming for Makers Lacking Fresh Product
By Bill Visnic December 22, 2010For automakers without fresh products in many competitive segments, the early months of 2011 will bring more intense price pressures, according to new data from Edmunds.com. In their latest True Market Value (TMV) price alert, Edmunds.com analysts predict changes in the TMV - the proprietary metric that derives the average transaction price for any model - for each vehicle in every automaker's lineup. The most recent data indicate automakers without new or significantly refreshed product in the midsize sedan and SUV segments, in particular, will be faced with cutting prices as 2011 begins. more
Interest for Ford's All-New Explorer Cuts Broad Swath
By Bill Visnic December 13, 2010It's been a pretty decent year for Ford Motor Co., but things might really start looking up if the Dearborners can reinstate the former glory of one of its best-selling nameplates, the Explorer. Explorer sales sunk like a lead canoe during the past several years. Ford touched 450,000 Explorer sales in 2000 and was one of the market's best-sellers, but the numbers plummeted from there, to barely more than 50,000 sales last year. Now, early data from Edmunds.com indicates Ford has a shot at once again establishing the Explorer as a major player. Consumer consideration on Edmunds' car-shopping Web more
Volkswagen U.S. Boss Promises Experience Americans Want, Including Hot Golf R
By Bill Visnic December 9, 2010Jonathan Browning, the new president and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America told a media group today the company is going to bend over backwards to do a better job of connecting with U.S. buyers between now and 2018, when the VW Group intends to become the world's largest automaker. And that includes offering more models with the emotion Americans aren't accustomed to from competitors, he said. Volkswagen wants to triple U.S. sales by 2018, to 800,000 units annually. But Browning knows it won't be easy. "Now that we are no longer satisfied with being a marginal player, more