Category: Auto Industry

Followup: KISS-themed Mini Countryman one-offs rock on to eBay Motors for charity

Filed under: Car Buying, Auctions, Mini, Celebrities

kiss custom mini countryman

KISS and Mini create custom Countryman models for charity – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ready for your garage to rock and roll all night and party every day? Break out your checkbook. Mini has teamed up with legendary rock group KISS to create a quartet of customized Countryman crossovers for charity. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer have applied their trademark style to the exterior of four examples of the 2011 Mini Countryman.

The vehicles, which debuted at the New York Auto Show, each have their own auction listing on eBay Motors, and the proceeds from these auctions will be donated to UNICEF. The organization is working hard to raise money for children affected by the recent disasters in Japan.

These customized Countrymen Countrymans cars aren’t wearing decals. Each vehicle was hand painted by a group of BMW employees who provided the artwork while off the clock. The four vehicles have been named after the members of KISS they mimic; Starchild, The Demon, Spaceman and Catman.

The full press release is located after the jump, and you can check out all four Mini Countryman custom cars in the gallery below.

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KISS-themed Mini Countryman one-offs rock on to eBay Motors for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By The Numbers: May 2011 – As The Earth Quakes Edition

Filed under: By the Numbers

The Earth Quakes, Japanese Sales Fall

By The NumbersOverall, auto sales were down a bit in May, though there certainly were a few bright spots in the industry. For instance, the Chrysler Group, which consists of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, posted a 10-percent sales gain for the month when compared to the same period a year ago, led by strong sales of its Jeep brand. Grand Cherokee sales were up 192 percent, while the Compass (up 92 percent) and Patriot (up 80 percent) also made big gains.

The star of the Chrysler show, however, is undoubtedly the Dodge Durango. Sales of the reborn ‘ute shot up 217,800 percent… though that’s not terribly enlightening since Dodge only sold two Durangos in May of 2010.

Chrysler’s strong sales, combined with an extremely poor showing (albeit not entirely its own fault) from Toyota allowed the Pentastar brand to slip into the number three sales spot behind General Motors and Ford.

The Korean conglomerate of Hyundai and Kia similarly performed very well, knocking Honda out of the fourth spot. Projections that the Korean duo would outsell Toyota, however, fell short by less than a thousand units.

Volkswagen sales are hitting their stride as well, with the new 2011 Jetta (16,671) leading the way.

Japanese brands took the brunt of the sales hit in May, due in large part to fallout from the earthquake and tsunami that hit the island nation hard in March. Of the three major Japanese automakers, Toyota was hit the hardest, down over 30 percent. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, fared ever worse, down nearly 45 percent from May of last year.

Fuel efficiency continues to sell cars like the Ford Focus (22,303), Chevrolet Cruze (22,711) and Hyundai Elantra (20,006). What’s more, Eco editions accounted for about 15 percent of all Cruze sales, and Volkswagen reports that its TDI diesels managed to snag 22.2 percent of its share.

And finally, the Ford Explorer earned 13,318 sales, its highest tally in nearly four years, proving what a genuinely good redesign can do for a neglected nameplate.

Brand/Company Vol. % May-11 May-10 DSR %* May-11 May-10
Saab 121.26 385 174 139.70 16 7
Mitsubishi 59.76 7,568 4,737 73.08 315 182
Scion 59.63 5,710 3,577 72.93 238 138
Volvo 57.95 7,359 4,659 71.12 307 179
Jeep 55.02 35,573 22,948 67.93 1,482 883
Kia 53.39 48,212 31,431 66.17 2,009 1,209
Porsche 50.40 2,817 1,873 62.93 117 72
Mini 37.04 5,801 4,233 48.46 242 163
Jaguar 32.12 1,271 962 43.13 53 37
Volkswagen 27.85 30,100 23,543 38.51 1,254 906
Buick 23.82 15,579 12,582 34.14 649 484
Hyundai 20.73 59,214 49,045 30.80 2,467 1,886
Suzuki 20.34 2,290 1,903 30.36 95 73
BMW 15.63 20,651 17,859 25.27 860 687
Audi 13.60 10,457 9,205 23.07 436 354
Ram 13.40 21,467 18,930 22.85 894 728
Suzuki 9.33 2,132 1,950 18.44 89 75
GMC 8.05 32,589 30,160 17.06 1,358 1,160
Land Rover 6.72 2,891 2,709 15.61 120 104
Mercedes-Benz 5.89 20,306 19,176 14.72 846 738
Ford 5.32 184,703 175,370 14.10 7,696 6,745
Chevrolet -3.49 161,401 167,235 4.55 6,725 6,432
Lincoln -4.59 7,399 7,755 3.36 308 298
Dodge -4.83 40,200 42,242 3.10 1,675 1,625
Cadillac -5.72 11,623 12,328 2.14 484 474
Nissan -7.82 69,759 75,673 -0.13 2,907 2,911
Subaru -15.34 20,036 23,667 -8.29 835 910
Mazda -20.92 17,875 22,605 -14.33 745 869
Chrysler -20.94 16,364 20,699 -14.35 682 796
Infiniti -21.04 6,389 8,091 -14.46 266 311
Honda -22.42 81,773 105,407 -15.96 3,407 4,054
Acura -23.51 9,000 11,766 -17.13 375 453
Smart -29.21 492 695 -23.31 21 27
Toyota -31.66 96,082 140,597 -25.97 4,003 5,408
Lexus -44.61 12,305 22,216 -40.00 513 854
Fiat NA 1,759 0 NA 73 0
COMPANIES
BMW Group 19.74 26,452 22,092 29.71 1,102 850
Jaguar Land Rover NA 13.38 4,162 3,671 22.82 173 141
Chrysler Group 10.06 115,363 104,819 19.23 4,807 4,032
Ford Mo Co -0.08 192,102 192,253 8.25 8,004 7,394
GM -1.18 221,192 223,822 7.06 9,216 8,609
Nissan NA -9.09 76,148 83,764 -1.52 3,173 3,222
American Honda -22.53 90,773 117,173 -16.08 3,782 4,507
Toyota Mo Co -33.43 108,387 162,813 -27.88 4,516 6,262

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 24 selling days in May 2011 versus 26 selling days in May 2010, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.

By The Numbers: May 2011 – As The Earth Quakes Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mosler promises 650-hp Raptor weighing about 1,900 pounds

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Mosler MT900 GTR XX

Mosler MT900 GTR XX – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever since Steven Spielberg brought the fiercest of dinosaurs to the silver screen in Jurassic Park, the name Raptor has come to symbolize the most ferocious of creations, from fighter jets and birds of prey to steroid-pumped pickup trucks, and even an NBA basketball team. That last example might not exactly live up to the name, but the next supercar from Mosler looks like it very much will.

The niche automaking Floridian known for its racing cars detuned for road use is reportedly working on a new model that will pack a 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 650 horsepower, but less than 2,000 lbs to schlepp around. That stratospheric power-to-weight ratio promises blistering performance, particularly when you consider that its previous creations, like the MT900 GTR XX pictured above or the 550-hp Photon just tested by Automobile Magazine – are already faster than most everything else on the road. Couple that with fresh styling to upgrade on the existing model’s dated curves and Mosler (and its clients) could have a real winner on their hands.

Mosler promises 650-hp Raptor weighing about 1,900 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus in search of new buyers?

Filed under: Performance, Lotus, Earnings/Financials

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota president Akio Toyoda

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota president Akio Toyoda

There’s no question that Lotus needs to sell more cars if it is to survive in an industry rapidly centralizing into major groups. But when CEO Dany Bahar talks about looking for new buyers, he’s not talking about selling cars. He’s talking about selling the company itself.

Of course, Lotus is not Bahar’s to sell, strictly speaking. The company belongs to Proton. But the Malaysian state automaker may not have the necessary resources to provide Lotus with the synergies and shared development which Bahar identifies as crucial to Lotus’ future success.

A new report from Inside Line quotes Bahar as saying that Lotus may need to partner with a larger automaker in order to develop into a serious player in the sportscar business. All eyes are on Toyota, the Japanese automaker whose engines and other components Lotus currently uses.

The partnership could emerge as something akin to what Aston Martin is fostering with Daimler – that is to say, some sort of an alliance that does not involve selling the company – or could result in the brand being sold, lock stock and barrel, to the auto giant. One way or another, Lotus probably can’t go it alone.

Lotus in search of new buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Despite being big in Canada, Toyota Matrix future unsure

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Toyota, Canada

2011 Toyota Matrix

2011 Toyota Matrix – Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota may not invest in a next-generation version of the company’s Matrix when the 2013 Corolla arrives. According to Ward’s Auto, the hatchback’s sales have fallen off of a cliff, with just 14,592 deliveries last year. That’s down from a height of 66,836 units in 2002. But that’s just here in the typically hatch-averse United States. In Canada, the Matrix is still kicking in teeth, though the Corolla still outsells its long-roof twin by more than twice the volume.

While there’s been some speculation that the upcoming compact Prius variant will supplant the Matrix in the Toyota family tree, Bob Carter, Toyota’s Group Vice President and General Manager, says that the two vehicles are expected to appeal to vastly different audiences.

Still, we have to think that Toyota would be wise to invest a little coin in the aging Matrix when the Corolla gets a revamp in a few years. American buyers seem to be slowly warming to the idea of hatches and wagons, and competitors from Hyundai to Ford are all offering five-door variants. As Ward’s Auto points out, 43 percent of 2012 Focus sales have been hatchbacks to date.

Despite being big in Canada, Toyota Matrix future unsure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe commercial gets our pulses racing

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe – Click above to watch video after the jump

Mercedes-Benz has dropped a new ad for the 2012 C63 AMG Coupe onto the Interwebs. Rather than bombard viewers with a litany of boring horsepower figures, the marketing gurus at the Silver Arrow turned toward our emotional side. The spot focuses on a young couple who have taken a break from eating strawberries in bed to meditate on how best to spend their day. A quick frolic through the mountains, perhaps? How about a dash along the coast? Either would be perfectly acceptable to our pallet, but the young lass in the video has other ideas.

The whole spot is interspersed with images of the C63 AMG Coupe doing what it does best – consuming tarmac to the delight of all on board and looking like a stack of cold $100 bills while it does it. Hit the jump to check out the ad for yourself. Thanks for the tip, AMG!

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe commercial gets our pulses racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jaguar to ditch current nameplates for alphanumeric badges?

Filed under: Jaguar

2012 Jaguar XJ

2012 Jaguar XJ – Click above for high-res image gallery

An automaker can’t make it in the fringe anymore. Everything’s going either upmarket or mainstream, and Jaguar has opted primarily for the latter. The company that not so long ago offered essentially one sedan and one two-door is rapidly expanding to a full lineup. So what’s the next step? According to the rumormeisters over at Autocar, it’s ditching its current model naming strategy.

According to the UK publication, Jaguar is preparing to jettison nameplates like XJ and XF in favor of a more conventional alphanumeric system like those employed by its German and Japanese rivals. The thinking is that while the faithful know Coventry’s naming system, it’s not immediately evident to newcomers and outsiders where one model sits in the line-up vis-a-vis the next. Besides, it won’t be the first time Jag has slapped alphanumeric badges like XJ8 on the flanks of its cars.

One model could possibly hold out, though, as the C-X75 heads down the road to production. Filling the shoes of the iconic XJ220, the company is reportedly toying with the idea of naming the new supercar XJ330. The original was named for the 220 mph top speed it was aimed to reach (but never did), and the new model is targeted to hit a more realistic 205 mph – or 330 km/h on the metric scale.

Jaguar to ditch current nameplates for alphanumeric badges? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota USA gains increased design control

Filed under: Etc., Toyota

2011 toyota tundra

2011 Toyota Tundra – Click above for high-res image gallery

The product development cycle at Toyota can be frustrating. More specifically, the process can be frustrating for North American executives who don’t have total control over vehicles specifically marketed to their country. Engineers, developers and executives all have a say, but the final decisions have been made in Japan. Until now.

According to a report from Automotive News, Toyota has changed its product development process for North American vehicles. An example of such a vehicle is the Toyota Tundra. That pickup caters to the desires and needs of the U.S. car-buying public, and now Toyota USA will be given the leeway needed to make sure it meets those desires and needs.

The Japanese automaker says it has always listened to its U.S. counterparts. However, the process was stifled due to the requirement that decisions be finalized in Japan. Now, this process can flow more freely. Expect to see the effects of this change beginning with the next generation of the Tundra.

Toyota USA gains increased design control originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STI version of Subaru coupe unlikely to go turbocharged? Not so fast…

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Subaru, Rumormill

Subaru Coupe spy shots

Subaru Coupe spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Automotive News has dug up a few details on the Subaru sports coupe co-developed with Toyota. The production version of the two-door is set for an official unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show this December, and when it bows, AN expects it to show up without the company’s trademark all-wheel drive system or a turbocharger. That sound? It’s the lonesome wail of a sad trombone.

The good news is that Subaru is reportedly planning on a longer-than-average lifecycle for the coupe, with multiple packages popping up down the line to keep the car fresh. Those include an STI model, and while those three letters typically signify forced induction, Automotive News suggests that’s not the case for this vehicle. According to their sources at Subaru, the Subiyota was always intended to be all naturally aspirated, all the time. Curiously, Autoblog’s own well-placed sources assure us that isn’t the case, suggesting that turbo power is still very much in the car’s future.

Even with a 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder behind the headlights, the Subaru coupe should be a blast to fling. The company’s engineers have positioned the engine five inches lower in the chassis compared to the Impreza, which should translate into a better center of gravity and improved handling dynamics. Here’s hoping that all-wheel drive shows up before long.

STI version of Subaru coupe unlikely to go turbocharged? Not so fast… originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Lexus working on even hotter LFA II?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lexus, Rumormill

Lexus LFA Nurburgring package

Lexus LFA Nürburgring package – Click above for high-res image gallery

Even amidst the disastrous situation on their island nation, the Japanese are showing no signs of slowing down. At least, not when it comes to its supercars. Honda was recently reported to be forging ahead with on-again, off-again plans to resurrect its NSX supercar, Nissan is hard at work on the new GT-R and now Toyota is said to be working on a new version of the Lexus LFA.

While the handle being used in the interim might suggest a completely new successor, rumor has it that an LFA II is being developed as a variant of the existing model. Following in the footsteps of the above-pictured Nürburgring package, Japan’s Best Car says that the so-called LFA II is expected to push the performance envelope even further. Just what that will entail – or for that matter, if it will come to fruition at all – remains to be seen, but if there’s any truth to the reports, we certainly applaud the company’s spirit.

Lexus working on even hotter LFA II? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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