Tag: models

Video: Audi launches 2014 TDI models with hilarious spot

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Humor, Diesel

Audi TDI gas station

Audi has unveiled a set of new television spots that seek to continue the company’s proselytizing of diesel-fueled luxury cars to the American pubic. With TDI versions of the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 available for its 2014 model year range, this is a subject that’s obviously near and dear to the hearts of Audi marketers.

The first commercial, The Station, makes a play on the fact that many car buyers in the US don’t associate luxury cars (in this case an A8) with those green-handled pumps at the “gas” station. The second commercial, Range, is a lot more informative (albeit less fraught with screaming and slowmo), discussing just how easy it should be to find a diesel fueling station in your long-range TDI before you need to fill up.

Continue on below for a look at both new commercials, or to have Audi explain them to you in great detail, via its press release.

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Audi launches 2014 TDI models with hilarious spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi launches 2014 TDI models with hilarious spot

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Humor, Diesel

Audi TDI gas station

Audi has unveiled a set of new television spots that seek to continue the company’s proselytizing of diesel-fueled luxury cars to the American pubic. With TDI versions of the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 available for its 2014 model year range, this is a subject that’s obviously near and dear to the hearts of Audi marketers.

The first commercial, The Station, makes a play on the fact that many car buyers in the US don’t associate luxury cars (in this case an A8) with those green-handled pumps at the “gas” station. The second commercial, Range, is a lot more informative (albeit less fraught with screaming and slowmo), discussing just how easy it should be to find a diesel fueling station in your long-range TDI before you need to fill up.

Continue on below for a look at both new commercials, or to have Audi explain them to you in great detail, via its press release.

Continue reading Audi launches 2014 TDI models with hilarious spot

Audi launches 2014 TDI models with hilarious spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford recalling 370,000 Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car models

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

2005 Ford Crown Victoria

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford will recall some 370,000 Crown Victoria (pictured), Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car vehicles from model years 2005 through 2011, for an issue regarding the lower intermediate steering shaft. 355,000 of the vehicles in question were sold in the US, with the other 15,000 sold in Canada.

The report indicates that corrosion of the lower intermediate steering shaft could cause a “loss of steering,” presumably because of a partial or complete failure of the part. The report points out the dealers will inspect and replace the offending steering component for recalled cars, and may also secure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft as needed. The company is unaware of any reports of the faulty part causing any accidents or injuries.

Ford helpfully lists states in which corrosion is more likely to have taken place, mostly in the Snow Belt, as you might guess. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia are listed.

The Detroit News also quotes a Ford spokeswoman saying, “Customers located in other states who routinely operate their vehicles in one of these areas, or customers who have concerns regarding their steering, will also be able to have their vehicles inspected and repaired if necessary.”

Ford recalling 370,000 Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Peugeot bringing 30 models to Frankfurt

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Crossover, Hatchback, Peugeot, Diesel

Peugeot will be bringing 30 models to the Frankfurt Motor Show to show off its successful products, new concepts and powertrains, and at least one concept we’ve seen before that will reaffirm its commitment to moving upmarket. Among the most important centerpiece will be the new, lighter 308 and its i-Cockpit, launched in May but getting its world premiere with a showcase of nine variants in Germany.

Elsewhere will be the refreshed 3008 and 5008 spearheading the use of the new BlueHDi diesel engines. A new hybrid powertrain that uses compressed air, slated for introduction in 2016, will be shown on the 2008 HYbrid Air Concept, and a Le Mans-derived hybrid powertrain developed with the aid of oil company Total is showcased by the 208 HYbrid FE demonstrator. Another newcomer in the concept corner will be the 270-horsepower 308 R concept, and while the Onyx concept isn’t new, we’ll have no complaints about getting another look at it.

The RCZ R will represent what’s coming, while the 208 T16 Pikes Peak and three special 208 GTi Peugeot Sport cars that ran the Nürburgring 24-hour race will represent the recent, and successful, past. There’s a press release below with more information, and an updated gallery of 308 shots with 85 new photos.

Continue reading Peugeot bringing 30 models to Frankfurt

Peugeot bringing 30 models to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Geely to release models developed with Volvo in 2015

Filed under: China, Volvo, Geely

The Geely logo is shown at the North American International Auto Show Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Geely and Volvo will finally team up for a jointly developed vehicle, more than three years after the safety-minded Swedish brand was gobbled up by Geely’s parent company, according to a report in Automotive News Europe. The story quotes Geely’s CEO, Gui Sheng Yue saying, “We have entered into actual research and development stage and I believe we can see the new product in the year after next.”

That means 2015, which is a mighty ambitious timetable to bring a vehicle to market. But as Geely’s CEO explains, life isn’t going to get any easier in the Chinese market, “Competitive pressure on domestic brands in the China market should increase considerably in the coming years as most major international brands are strengthening their presence,” he told ANE. Those statements also tell us that we shouldn’t expect to see Geely on American shores any time soon. The brand is simply too focused on topping the Chinese market, at least among CDM brands.

Geely to release models developed with Volvo in 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia recalls 9,700 new Sorento models for potential front axle failures

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Kia

2014 Kia Sorento

Kia has announced a recall on the 2014 Sorento due to an issue that could lead to a broken right front driveshaft on certain models. Only models equipped with the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive are affected by the campaign.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that Sorento models built between January 7 through March 12 of this year may experience broken axle shafts that could lead to loss of power or cause the vehicle to roll if parked. According to the Detroit Free Press, a total of close to 9,700 units are being recalled, but that number is closer to 9,300 for customers in the US.

Kia says that it has had one incident with an internal vehicle that experienced a separated axle shaft in addition to 10 related warranty claims, but it says no accidents or injuries have been reported. The recall campaign will begin next month. Scroll down for the NHTSA recall notice as well as an official statement from Kia.

Continue reading Kia recalls 9,700 new Sorento models for potential front axle failures

Kia recalls 9,700 new Sorento models for potential front axle failures originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus to move immediately forward with new variants rather than new models

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, Earnings/Financials, UK

It took 1.5 years, but a DRB-Hicom managing director told Malaysia’s Business Times that the company has “cleaned up” the situation at Lotus from its finances to its marketing and image. The clean-up job we’re most interested in, the product portfolio, will be demonstrated by financial investment in a three-year program of “variants based on existing products – variants with improved technology, improved performance.”

You’ll notice mention of the word “variants” three times but no mention of the phrase “new models.” We knew that with the death of the five-new-model turnaround plan dreamed up by ex-Lotus CEO Dany Bahar DRB-Hicom said there’d only be three distinct lines – which is the current number – but during Lotus’ trouble-plagued 2012 it sold just 80 cars all year, and for a tense spell it really wasn’t clear if DRB-Hicom would commit to even keeping Lotus alive, much less investing in it.

It’s not clear how much is being put into in the three-year program of offshoot models like the 345-horsepower Exige S Roadster (pictured), but it might be fair to say this is where Lotus’ revival really begins, and does so with baby steps. Autocar reports that DRB-Hicom has already put 100 million pounds into the English carmaker, and as its issues were worked through Lotus has sold almost as many cars in the first five months of this year as it did all of last. That has not only convinced the Malaysian minders to throw more money its way, but the UK’s business secretary has also approved a 10-million-pound investment into Lotus through the Regional Growth Facility program.

However, with the Evora and Elise the only other models to earn the “Definites” tag this could put us another three years away from the return of the Esprit. Last we heard it was ready save for a management sign-off, but it goes into reverse – again – to an underground garage called “nebulosity.”

Lotus to move immediately forward with new variants rather than new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Smart celebrates 1.5 million Fortwo models built, prepares to upgrade factory

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Smart, Specialty

Smart is celebrating 1.5 million Fortwos built since 1998 at its plant in Hambach, France, before it goes offline for an extended summer break. The 1.5 millionth Fortwo is a white Electric Drive Cabriolet, but it isn’t known which market it will be sold in.

The milestone is highlighted by the reason for the extended break, which starts in July and continues through August: The plant will be receiving a 200 million euro upgrade to prepare it for a next-generation Smart vehicle, a newly designed “four-seated urban mobility car” (aka, the 2015 Smart Forfour) that will be available in 2014. In addition, a new, environmentally friendly liquid-paint shop will be built at the plant, replacing the old powder-paint shop and representing the largest individual project in the upgrade, requiring a cool 50 million euro.

For more details on Smart’s immediate future, check out the press release below.

Continue reading Smart celebrates 1.5 million Fortwo models built, prepares to upgrade factory

Smart celebrates 1.5 million Fortwo models built, prepares to upgrade factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jul 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Lack of new midsize pickup models driving strong resale values for older models

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota

2012 Nissan Frontier

According to a new study by Black Book, the fact that there are fewer mid-sized pickup truck options on the market is driving up the retail cost of used models. During the month of June, used vehicles from model years 2007-2011 depreciated an average of 1.3 percent across the board, but midsize pickups of the same year saw their value decrease by just 0.7 percent on average. Look across the past year, and the market as a whole saw those cars depreciate by 13.7 percent while midsize pickups saw their value decline by a mere 5.1 percent.

Ricky Beggs, senior vice president and Managing Editor with Black Book, says midsize pickups are holding their value better than other products on the market due to the fact that there are so few brand-new options available. Currently, only Chevrolet, Nissan and Toyota offer midsize pickup trucks. Honda has a player in the game in the form of the Ridgeline, which is a sort of cross between a traditional pickup and a crossover, and the discontinued Ford Ranger falls into a smaller size class that no longer exists in the US.

What’s all this mean to you? If you happen to have a set of keys to midsize pickup in your pocket, you’ve made a good investment. Don’t expect to see the machine depreciate as quickly as other vehicles on the road. Conversely, if you’re in the market, expect to pay a bit more than you might have expected for a non-fullsize pickup truck. Scroll down for the press release from Black Book.

Continue reading Lack of new midsize pickup models driving strong resale values for older models

Lack of new midsize pickup models driving strong resale values for older models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 205k Suzuki models being investigated for airbag sensor issue

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, Suzuki

The Detroit News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation on the 2006-11 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-11 Suzuki SX4 due to issues with the airbag and seatbelt for the front passenger seat. So far, NHTSA has received 128 complaints on these vehicles for airbag warning lights, airbag off lights and seatbelt lights, on a vehicle set that totals around 205,000 units, but there is no indication as to how many, if any, injuries have reported.

Via technical service bulletins, Suzuki has already acknowledged two airbag-related issues with front passenger seats on both vehicles, including a programming error for the passenger seat load indicator on 2009 models and an open-circuit problem for the sensor mat that determines if an adult or child is sitting in the front seat. Since this latter issue would not shut off or lessen the impact of the passenger airbag, Suzuki has already extended the warranty for the seat cushion bottom to 10 years or 120,000 miles. After ceasing new-car sales in the US and Canada, potential recall repairs (which still may or may not happen) would be handled by remaining dealers as laid out in the recent court-approved bankruptcy plan.

205k Suzuki models being investigated for airbag sensor issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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