Tag: comeback

Report: Auto leasing making a strong comeback

Filed under: Car Buying

Back in 1999, about one in four new vehicles purchased were leases. That number dropped throughout the last decade until the Great Recession put leasing on the endangered species list. Automakers were losing money due to poorer-than-expected residual rates. At the same time, customers weren’t in the mood to spend money on a new car or truck. As a result, Chrysler stopped leasing altogether in 2008, and General Motors limited leasing to its most popular models.

Wards Automotive reports that while leasing has taken a considerable beating, the two- and three-year vehicle rental is now on the comeback trail. GM and Chrysler are back in the leasing business, and according to Wards, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia are pushing hard to increase lease transactions. Are automakers rolling the dice in an effort to move more metal? Maybe not.

With vehicle inventories in check, there’s less chance residuals will take a dive, and at the same time the certified used car programs get a shot in the arm with low-mile, warranty-equipped cars and trucks. We probably won’t see 25-percent lease rates anytime soon, but Automotive Lease Guide Inc sees the practice jumping to a 20-percent take rate by 2015.

[Source: Wards Automotive sub. req. | Image: Caitlin Regan / Flickr via CC BY 2.0 ]

Report: Auto leasing making a strong comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Buick, Toyota, Volkswagen

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Episode #210 of the Autoblog Podcast is hosted by Dan this time around, though Chris Shunk calls in, and Zach Bowman takes up his role as number three. It starts with the Autoblog Garage and then heads for the Camaro outselling the Mustang for the first time since 1985. Staying with neo-ponycars, we talk about the ‘Cuda making a comeback (possibly), and our podcasters discuss why the Hyundai Sonata may just be their car of the year. BYD’s 2011 Detroit appearance and Toyota’s recall woes in 2010 being cited as the second biggest blunder of the year finish us up before we hit a couple of your questions before we end it at 58 minutes. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, Sonata is our COTY, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Toyota 4 Runner
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
2011 Buick Regal Turbo

News Topics:

  • Toyota recalls named blunder of 2010
  • BYD coming to Detroit show with two cars
  • Hyundai Sonata is our informal COTY
  • Camaro outsells Mustang
  • Cuda comeback?


    Hosts:     Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman,
    Runtime: 58:26

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Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G8 redux? Chevy comeback rumored for Holden Commodore

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia, Rumormill

Holden VE Series II Commodore – Click above for high-res image gallery

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedans bit the dust along with their parent brand. The Poncho-fied Holden Commodore was one of our favorite rides – particularly in its delicious, LS3-powered GXP guise with a six-speed stick. As you know, Holden is once again ready to export Zeta-based sedans to the U.S. in the form of the new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police cruisers, but civilian variants are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest scuttlebutt published by Drive.com.au, which reports that a new export agreement to send standard-wheelbase Holden VE Commodores back stateside as Chevrolets may be on the horizon.

Drive quotes General Motors engineer Al Oppenheiser as confirming that negotiations are indeed underway, while a second unnamed GM source told the website that it’s a done deal. A Holden spokesman told Drive that in terms of exports, the focus is presently on the Caprice PPV, but added that other deals are being pursued. There’s good reason to be hopeful. GM North America President Mark Reuss was the boss at Holden in 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows just how good the product is.

The G8 won widespread praise during its brief tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring hole in Chevy’s otherwise comprehensive lineup. It’s also important to remember that thanks to the Pontiac G8, most of the development to federalize the Aussie four-door has already been done. It would likely not take much to get the current VE Series II sedan ready for a U.S. encore. Hell, if it actually happens, maybe this time GM could even go through with the ute introduction, too. Naming the Chevy version would be a snap, after all.

Fingers crossed, everybody. Thanks to TriShield for the heads-up!

Gallery: 2011 Holden Series II Family

[Source: Drive.com.au]

G8 redux? Chevy comeback rumored for Holden Commodore originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, UK

1989 TVR Tasmin 400SE

Nikolai Smolenski’s tenure as owner of TVR, the formerly revered maker of hairy-chested British sports cars, is nothing if not quizzical. He bought the company from late founder Peter Wheeler when it was in trouble, didn’t do much with it, declared it bankrupt to clear its debts, then bought the company out of bankruptcy. Since then there’s been little news save for a legal battle with a TVR remanufacturer and a couple of hints about using an American V8 to power the firm’s next car.

The V8 issue has finally been decided: the Corvette’s 638-horsepower LS9. The car it will go in is to be called the MD-1. A new question that has arisen, however, based on Smolenski’s comment that he wants to “draw a line under the Wheeler era once and for all.” Will the car be at all British? The MD-1 is being developed by a UK firm, but Smolenski says production could go to the Continent or South Africa just as easily.

Would a German-built, American-engined TVR still be a TVR like the Griffith and Chimera (or the Tasmin shown above)? Smolenski thinks TVR fans wouldn’t think so, but he doesn’t much care. He says, “What’s important is to remain faithful to your brand values” no matter where you are. The MD-1 is expected to arrive in 2012, with just 250 made annually.

[Source: Pistonheads]

TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MotoGP 2010: Aragon adds fuel to the comeback fire [SPOILERS]

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Motorcycle, Racing

Dani Pedrosa MotoGP

With racing action returning to Spain and the top two contenders being Spanish natives, MotoGP Aragon certainly became a highly competitive forum not only for the championship race, but also for bragging rights at stake in front of the home-country fans. For Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa, added pressure came in the form of also being caught in a late season battle for the overall championship points lead. However, as the checkered flag waved, neither of the Spanish shoe-ins would emerge victorious.

Coming from pole position for the first time this season, Ducati-mounted Casey Stoner, rode quickly and consistently as he maintained control of the lead from start to finish, earning his first victory this season. The win also neatly advanced him into third place in the overall points standing. Giving chase, Dani Pedrosa struggled from the outset to find good grip, eventually making his way just behind Stoner. Unable to match his pace, Pedrosa would have to settle for second, which is exactly where things got interesting.

Click on the jump to see who was able to knock Lorenzo off the podium for the first time this year, in the process adding fuel to Pedrosa and Repsol Honda’s comeback fire.

[Source: MotoGP.com | Image: Mirco Lazzari/Getty]

Continue reading MotoGP 2010: Aragon adds fuel to the comeback fire [SPOILERS]

MotoGP 2010: Aragon adds fuel to the comeback fire [SPOILERS] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MotoGP 2010: Don’t call it a comeback at Misano… just yet [SPOILER]

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Celebrities, Racing

When Dani Pedrosa left Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week, there’s little doubt he was the envy of his fellow MotoGP contenders. The Spaniard clinched victory, proving that he possessed not only the speed, but also the fortitude to truly challenge Jorge Lorenzo. The question on everyone’s mind was this: Could Pedrosa and Repsol Honda really mount a solid comeback? Make the jump to find out.

[Source: MotoGP.com | Image: Mirco Lazzari GP/Getty Images]

Continue reading MotoGP 2010: Don’t call it a comeback at Misano… just yet [SPOILER]

MotoGP 2010: Don’t call it a comeback at Misano… just yet [SPOILER] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill

The internets are abuzz with word that the recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Renault may allow the the long dead Smart Roadster to be revived. The folks at Autocar report that a source within Smart says the company has had its eyes on bringing the roadster back to market for awhile now. Evidently, the purveyor of pint-sized transportation is interested in branching out from its city car roots – something that the recent partnership with Renault just might facilitate. Renault has a host of experience producing inexpensive small cars that Smart just might be able to capitalize on.

Autocar doesn’t say exactly which Renault model Smart would use as the basis for the reborn Roadster, but there is some indication that other products may be part of the company’s plans as well. The article even made mention of a potential Mini Countryman competitor, meaning that Smart is eying jumping into the CUV fray. Either way, any new blood in the Smart portfolio is bound to help. With fuel prices down, American buyers aren’t interested in making the kind of sacrifices that the ForTwo requires, but an ultra-compact convertible? That has some potential.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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