Tag: american

American International Automobile Dealers launches ‘What Is An American Car’ website

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing

AIADA

The American International Automobile Dealers Association has gone through the trouble of working up an informative website to break down which foreign automakers have a presence here in the land of the free. Even after decades of manufacturing products in the United States, automakers from Europe and Asia are still occasionally confronted with protectionist sentiments. Just look at the spate of vandalism toward Toyota vehicles at this year’s Chicago Auto Show as evidence. As the American economy continues to stumble along and unemployment stays high, it’s possible that the AIADA is attempting to educate the public about exactly what it means to “buy American.”

The site allows you to click through the foreign automakers with American manufacturing facilities to see exactly how many employees each have on the payroll and how long they’ve been on U.S. soil. According to the AIADA’s information, there are 21 “import” vehicle manufacturing plants in U.S. that employ a combined 86,507 workers.

That’s not to say that there aren’t some issues with the data. For example, Suzuki is allowed to claim the same Tennessee manufacturing facility as Nissan since the plant cranks out the Equator pickup alongside the Nissan Frontier. You can check out the full site here. Hat tip to Aiden!

[Source: WhatIsAnAmericanCar]

American International Automobile Dealers launches ‘What Is An American Car’ website originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Ford

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford Fusion Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the second year running, the Ford Fusion has not only come out as the top family sedan pick in Consumer Reports‘ list of the 2011 American Top Picks, once again eclipsing the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in reliability.

Topping the list in the budget car segment is the Ford Fiesta, though CR admits they aren’t sure how reliable the car will be, given that it’s a clean-sheet design. The Chevrolet Cruze takes the small car category.

Ford captures CR’s small SUV category with the Escape, and Chevrolet has nailed down the family SUV category with its Equinox 2LT. The funky Ford Flex takes the family hauler category, and the Mustang is the top pick among sporty cars.

The only non-Ford or Chevrolet product on the list is the Buick Regal, which takes top honors for CR’s sports sedan category. The Ford Fusion Hybrid (above) garners the American green car pick for 2011, and the Chevrolet Avalanche rounds out the list in the pickup truck category.

It should be noted that some categories in CR’s list only have a top-scoring American vehicle, not a top pick. In the budget car segment, the sports sedan segment and the small car segment, CR passes on picking a favorite because there are models in the segment that are too new to have reliability data yet.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2010fordfusionhybrid_review0002010fordfusionhybrid_review0012010fordfusionhybrid_review0022010fordfusionhybrid_review0032010fordfusionhybrid_review004

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW Super Bowl commercials champion diesel and… American roots?

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

BMW Super Bowl Ad

BMW Super Bowl Ad – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

BMW was one of the few companies to keep its Super Bowl advertising plans to itself until kick off time, but the Roundel came to the game packing two 30-second spots. The company said it wanted to get two messages across to Americans: that its diesels are cleaner and more powerful than ever and that the German manufacturer is continuing to invest in America even as the economy struggles to recover. In order to make that happen, BMW enlisted the vocal talents of actor Chris Pine (of Star Trek fame) for the two spots. Pine is now the official voice of BMW advertising here in the States.

The first ad is clearly aimed at distinguishing the 335d from the American perception of diesel – sluggish old Volvo wagons, rough-idling Mercedes-Benz sedans and soot-spewing trucks and busses. The second ad focuses on the company’s efforts in Spartanburg, South Carolina, including producing every X3 on the planet. Hit the jump to check out both spots as well as the full press release.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Video: BMW Super Bowl commercials champion diesel and… American roots?

Video: BMW Super Bowl commercials champion diesel and… American roots? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smithsonian asks public to vote on cars for American History display

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal

Smithsonian

The recently renovated National Museum of American History – Click above to cast your vote

The Smithsonian Institution’s collection of treasures extends far beyond what’s actually on display in its D.C. museums. Ranging from ancient artifacts to modern marvels, this bit is likely to interest automotive enthusiasts more than any other:

The National Museum of American History is preparing to put two of the most historically significant American automobiles on display from its archives. But instead of letting the curators pick the cars, they’re asking the public to vote in a campaign it paradoxically calls “Race to the Museum.”

The candidates include a 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout (the first car built on an assembly line in the U.S., well before the Ford Model T); an 1880 steam-powered trike built in Massachusetts; an 1894 Blazer (the first American-made automobile to hit New York City, built by a Tiffany-trained watchmaker); a 1948 Tucker (pioneering many advanced safety features and the subject of the 1988 Jeff Bridges film); a 1929 Miller supercharged Indy race car, which set a 143 mph speed record and prompted Detroit to press race organizers to ban superchargers; a 1953 Glasspar fiberglass sports car and two modern examples of green propulsion from General Motors: the EV1 and the 1987 Sunraycer solar-powered prototype.

So far the Tucker is in the lead, with the Miller and the Olds in a close race for the second slot. Follow the link to get your vote in before January 11, 2011.

[Source: Smithsonian via The Detroit News]

Smithsonian asks public to vote on cars for American History display originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Electric

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists – Click above for high-res image gallery

Predictable, yet worthy. That’s how we’re feeling about this year’s crop of choices for the 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists. Without further ado, here they are (in alphabetical order, all 2011 models):

Car:

  • Chevrolet Volt
  • Hyundai Sonata
  • Nissan Leaf

Truck:

  • Dodge Durango
  • Ford Explorer
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee

See? Predictable, yet worthy. There was little doubt that the 2011 Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf would make the list, and the Hyundai Sonata has done an admirable job of shaking up the established midsize sedan hierarchy. On the truck side of the equation, it’s none too surprising to see a trio of people-moving ‘utes, seeing as though the category has just be reinvigorated by a number of substantially reworked and worthy players. Click past the break for the official press release.

But, as usual, it’s your opinions we’re most interested in. While our completely unscientific polls will have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the actual results of the official voting, we urge you to make your voice heard anyway. Now, get to voting!

View Poll

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Hyundai Sonata2011 Nissan Leaf2011 Dodge Durango Citadel2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: North American Car and Truck of the Year]

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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rasmussen Reports: More Car Buyers Looking For “American”

Filed under: Car Buying, By the Numbers

A Rasmussen Reports poll fielded in November – before General Motors’ IPO – finds a rise in the preference of “American-built” vehicles, as well as a willingness to accept U.S.-built Toyota and BMW products as the same as buying an “American” product.

Forty-one percent of respondents said they look for an “American-built” car first when they’re in the market for a vehicle. That sentiment is attributed by many analysts and researchers to a sense that people are showing more and more sentiment for “buying local.” That’s just a few points below the 44 percent who said they look for “the best possible deal regardless of where it was manufactured” while just 12 percent said they look first for a foreign-built car.

The sentiment favoring American-built car brands has risen quite a bit since Rasmussen conducted a similar poll in June 2008 when just 32 percent said they looked for an American brand first.

Good news for foreign owned automakers building vehicles in the U.S. Forty-one percent of respondents said they viewed buying a foreign brand of car that’s manufactured in the U.S. as “the same as buying an ‘American’ product” meaning those people believe a Mexican-built Ford Fusion is just as American as an Ohio-built Honda Civic. Forty-two percent, however, dissented from that notion while the rest were unsure.

The poll also found 59 percent saying they “consider just the Detroit Big Three – Ford, General Motors and Chrysler – to be American car companies.”

Fifty-four percent of Americans said they are less likely to buy a GM car because the federal government is/was the automaker’s majority owner. Still, in a separate survey in early June, 48 percent of those who planned to buy a new or used car in the next year said they are at least somewhat likely to buy either a Ford or a vehicle made by GM. Those findings included 20 percent who were ‘Very Likely’ to buy a Ford and 26 percent ‘Very Likely’ to buy a GM product instead.

[Source: Rasmussen | Image: Paul Sancya/AP Photo]

Rasmussen Reports: More Car Buyers Looking For “American” originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Mazda Shinari Concept makes North American debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Mazda

2010 Mazda Shinari Concept

2010 Mazda Shinari Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda’s current Nagare design language starts with smiling faces and moves back into wavy body panels. It’s hit and miss on the automaker’s existing lineup of cars. The Mazda Shinari Concept, which we previously saw in Milan and now makes its North American Debut here at the 2010 LA Auto Show, aims to change that.

The flowing lines are present, but they appear to be more organic, almost as if they were shaped by the wind itself flowing over the body of the car. The Shinari is the brainchild of Mazda’s Global Head of Design, Ikuo Maeda and it represents an entire new design philosophy known as KODO.

Described by Mazda with terms such as speed, tension and alluring, the KODO design language shows us a future filled with much more stoically aggressive vehicles. Gone is the O HAI THERE! happy face, and in it’s place is a visage that appears ready to tackle the road while the wind flows over the swoops, creases and curves.

Unfortunately, as you might expect, we will never see the Shinari enter production. However, if Mazda can glean some new designs from Maeda’s gorgeous styling exercise, then we could be in for some very good looking vehicles from the Japanese automaker.

Gallery: LA 2010: Mazda Shinari Concept

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

LA 2010: Mazda Shinari Concept makes North American debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

We’re back for Episode #201 of the Autoblog Podcast. Hosting this week are Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman. Topics include the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Hyundai’s claim to soon be building the most American cars on the U.S. market, Lincoln’s spat with its dealers, the new Mercedes B-Cass and the Green Car of the Year nominees. The Autoblog Garage at the beginning and feedback/questions at the end provide the full experience. It’s an hour and twenty minutes this week, thanks for listening and we’ll see you soon!

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

In the Autoblog Garage:

Ford Fiesta Hatch
Nissan Sentra

News Topics:
Lincoln fighting with its dealers

    Hyundai wants to be the most American automaker in the U.S.
    Green Car of the Year finalists announced
    Mercedes B-Class coming to the U.S.?


Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 1:17:46

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[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: James May pits American RV vs. British camper van

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

James May

James May explores RVs, U.S. and UK style – Click above to watch video after the jump

On the subject of recreational vehicles, James May comes alive. Taking a video tour of a U.S. RV and a campervan, or what suffices for an RV in the UK, May brings a severe wit along as his helper. According to Captain Slow, the Boogie Nights-like interior of the U.S behemoth lets you know how you’re supposed to treat its interior, while the oven in the British equivalent “is barely big enough for one of my pies.” It’s a toss-up as to who wins that round… Follow the jump for all of May’s motorhome feelings.

[Source: BBC America]

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Video: James May pits American RV vs. British camper van originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai to be most American automaker by next year?

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Hyundai

One millionth Hyundai built in Alabama

Which automaker do you think is the most “American”? Some might say Chevrolet, since they’re the self-proclaimed Heartbeat of America. Others might say Ford since the Mustang is as iconic an American image as baseball and apple pie. What if we told you the answer might just be Hyundai? As of next year, 80 percent of the vehicles that Hyundai sells in the United States will be made here as well.

That number puts Hyundai above all other automakers in the United States. Ford and Chrysler don’t have exact figures, but estimates for the two manufacturers puts them both below 80 percent as those two automakers assemble many of their popular vehicles in Canada and Mexico. General Motors says between 60 and 70 percent of vehicles sold in the United States are built here.

The numbers may be quite interesting, but of course they don’t tell the whole story. The Big Three domestic automakers produce a much greater volume of vehicles in the United States when compared to Hyundai. For example, if GM built 66 percent of the vehicles it sold here in the states in 2009, it would triple Hyundai’s projected U.S. output for next year.

These figures are also based solely on final assembly. This is important to note because the U.S.-based automakers routinely manufacturer portions of the car in the United States, but the final product might be assembled outside the country. Hyundai, on the other hand, does final assembly on 80 percent of its models, like the millionth vehicle built at its plant in Alabama seen above, right here in the U. S. of A.

[Source: CNN Money]

Hyundai to be most American automaker by next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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