year Archives | Page 5 of 11

Ferrari 458 Italia named 2011 Robb Report Car of the Year

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ferrari, Luxury

Robb Report 2011 Car of the Year issue Motor Trend may prefer the Chevrolet Volt, but the well-heeled readers of the Robb Report have a considerably different set of priorities when it comes to picking the best of the best. That’s why the luxury magazine has decided to name the Ferrari 458 Italia as its Car of the Year.

The 458 scores high marks for its exterior design, interior materials and overall performance, and the Prancing Horse beat out thirteen other vehicles for the award. Says the magazine:

The stunning Italian sports car topped (in order of finish) the Audi R8 V10 Spyder, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, Bentley Mulsanne, Maserati GranTurismo Convertible, Audi A8L, Aston Martin Rapide, BMW Alpina B7, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Jaguar XJ Supersport, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, and Lotus Evora.

Click past the break for the complete press release.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Robb Report]

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Italia named 2011 Robb Report Car of the Year

Ferrari 458 Italia named 2011 Robb Report Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari 458 Italia named 2011 Robb Report Car of the Year”

Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Pagani Huayra

Pagani Huayra – Click above for high-res image gallery

Pagani will bring its new Huayra supercar to the United States later this year, marking the first time the Italian car maker has officially sold vehicles in the country. Pagani’s first vehicle, the Zonda, was never retailed in the U.S. throughout its decade-long production run, although a handful of examples exist in private collections.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to represent the Pagani brand in the United States and we look forward to the successful launch of the Huayra,” said Horacio Pagani regarding the announcement.

The Huayra, named after an ancient god of wind, is a stylistic departure from the Zonda with a much more curvacous shape and gullwing doors, but performance should be even more impressive with a twin-turbo V12 putting out 700 horsepower and a curb weight of under 3,000 pounds.

Pagani will announce plans to unveil the Huayra in the United States as well as more information regarding its dealer network and availability at a later date. Hit the jump for the press release from Pagani and be sure to browse through the high-res gallery of images below.

Gallery: Pagani Huayra

[Source: Pagani Automobili]

Continue reading Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year”

Report: Saab looking for 15-20k sales this year

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Crossover, Saab

Saab 9-4x

2012 Saab 9-4X – Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab Cars North America (barely) lived through a horrible 2010, with sales of only 5,445 units. For perspective, Toyota makes that many Camry sedans by Thursday of most weeks. Part of the problem, no doubt, was Saab’s flirtation with oblivion and the resultant crippled supplier base and a lack of consumer awareness, but a lack of new product also played a big role.

Automotive News reports that Saab execs are assuring dealers that 2011 should turn out a lot better, with projected U.S. sales of between 15,000 and 20,000 units. That’s a significant sales recovery, and at least part of the increased volume should come courtesy of a strengthening auto market. But increased sales alone won’t enable 400 percent growth. Luckily, Saab has some new product in the pipeline, with the 9-4X crossover scheduled to arrive in May, while continued sales of the 9-5 sedan and the upcoming wagon variant (scheduled for Fall, 2011) should further boost the bottom line.

Will the 9-4X prove popular enough to move Saab over the sales hump? We don’t doubt it, if only because the company’s sales bogey is so low. And it helps that the 9-4X is attractive and poised to hit the market at a time when customers are clamoring over high-end CUVs.

Gallery: 2012 Saab 9-4X

2012 Saab 9-4X

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Saab looking for 15-20k sales this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Saab looking for 15-20k sales this year”

Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year

Filed under: Etc.

It’s that time of the year again, kiddies, to name the best car in the world. The selections for the World Car Awards awarded granted by an international panel of 66 automotive journalists, who have now announced their ten finalists.

Included on the shortlist are the Audi A1 and A8, the BMW 5 Series and X3, Jaguar XJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo S60/V70. The selections were made based on the jurists’ experience with each car through the course of their professional work, and each will be tasked with reevaluating the ten finalists before casting their final ballots to be tabulated by KPMG.

Intriguingly, although the Leaf EV was short-listed, the Chevrolet Volt didn’t make the cut. For an idea of the jurists’ tastes, consider the winners from years past: the Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf in (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006), and the Audi A6 in 2005, the first time the prize was awarded.

The shortlist will be whittled down to three finalists to be announced at the Geneva Motor Show next month, followed by the awards to be given out at the New York Auto Show in April. Follow the jump for the official announcement, and check out our image gallery of the ten finalists below.

Gallery: 2011 World Car finalists

Audi A1 Audi A8 BMW 5 Series BMW X3 Jaguar XJ

[Source: World Car Awards]

Continue reading Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year

Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year”

Chevy leads this year’s pack of Super Bowl car commercials

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Camaro Super Bowl commercial

You don’t mess with the Bumblebee – Click above to watch the video after the break

General Motors is back and back big in this year’s Super Bowl. The automaker will have eight 30-second ads in and around the game, including the pre-game show.

“We’re looking to win the day,” says Chevy marketing director Chris Perry

GM marketing chief Joel Ewanick, who came to GM in April 2010 from Hyundai, with a short six-week stint at Nissan in between, is big on big media venues. He likes the Super Bowl, Academy Awards, Olympics, Presidential debates and the like.

Don’t look for big yucks, though, which is a mainstay of Super Bowl ad themes. All of the ads will be for Chevrolet, with ads by San Francisco ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, which launched the “Chevy Runs Deep” campaign last fall.

Ewanick told the agency to focus on telling stories that convey information and product benefits about Chevy’s newest and most important vehicles – the Volt, Cruze and Silverado pickup. There are two ads running in pre-game, five within the game and one during the post game show.

“We’re looking to win the day,” said Chevy marketing director Chris Perry. Among auto marketers, Chevy will be competing against Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, BMW, Kia and Chrysler. Toyota, Honda and Ford, which have bought time in the past, are sitting this year out.

Continue reading Chevy leads this year’s pack of Super Bowl car commercials

Chevy leads this year’s pack of Super Bowl car commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Chevy leads this year’s pack of Super Bowl car commercials”

By the Numbers – January 2011: Happy New Year Indeed Edition

Filed under: By the Numbers

Automakers Start New Year Off With Big Gains

Who can argue with a January sales performance like that? Even Smart posted a sales gain! And Saab! Way to go, guys. You’d have to feel pretty bad about yourself right now if you’re one of the five brands that failed to post positive sales numbers last month (really four brands, since Mercury is a dead brand selling).

We’ll let the numbers do most of the talking this month, though we will point out the stellar performance of General Motors and its brands. GM, up 23 percent in January, used more incentives during the month than its competition, which helped gives brands like Cadillac, up an astonishing 49%, healthy bumps.

Check out the table below to see how the rest of the industry performed and draw your own conclusions in the comments.

Brand/Company	Vol. %	January 2011	January 2010	DSR%*	January 2011	January 2010
Cadillac	49.05	12,580	8,440	49.05	524	352
Jaguar	48.18	935	631	48.18	39	26
Jeep	46.86	23,079	15,715	46.86	962	655
Mitsubishi	37.03	5,714	4,170	37.03	238	174
Buick	31.89	13,269	10,061	31.89	553	419
GMC	29.83	27,658	21,303	29.83	1,152	888
Smart	28.78	358	278	28.78	15	12
Saab	28.77	658	511	28.77	27	21
Kia	25.61	27,789	22,123	25.61	1,158	922
Suzuki	25.59	2,562	2,040	25.59	107	85
Toyota	23.68	102,996	83,279	23.68	4,292	3,470
Mini	22.43	2,751	2,247	22.43	115	94
Hyundai	22.00	37,214	30,503	22.00	1,551	1,271
Dodge	21.86	24,314	19,953	21.86	1,013	831
Ford	21.65	121,511	99,888	21.65	5,063	4,162
BMW	20.83	15,905	13,163	20.83	663	548
Subaru	20.80	18,858	15,611	20.80	786	650
Porsche	20.38	2,150	1,786	20.38	90	74
Audi	20.00	7,812	6,510	20.00	326	271
Chevrolet	19.08	125,389	105,294	19.08	5,225	4,387
Ram	18.02	13,020	11,032	18.02	543	460
Land Rover	15.99	2,271	1,958	15.99	95	82
Nissan	15.36	64,442	55,861	15.36	2,685	2,328
Mercedes-Benz	13.95	17,273	15,158	13.95	720	632
Honda	13.19	68,308	60,347	13.19	2,846	2,514
Acura	11.62	7,961	7,132	11.62	332	297
Infiniti	10.34	7,405	6,711	10.34	309	280
Volvo	3.59	4,276	4,128	3.59	178	172
Volkswagen	2.12	18,401	18,019	2.12	767	751
Chrysler	-7.07	9,705	10,443	-7.07	404	435
Mazda	-9.09	14,267	15,694	-9.09	594	654
Lexus	-17.12	12,860	15,517	-17.12	536	647
Lincoln	-21.01	5,558	7,036	-21.01	232	293
Mercury	-95.48	248	5,482	-95.48	10	228
COMPANIES
Jaguar Land Rover	23.83	3,206	2,589	23.83	134	108
GM	23.29	178,896	145,098	23.29	7,454	6,046
Chrysler Group	22.71	70,118	57,143	22.71	2,922	2,381
BMW Group	21.06	18,656	15,410	21.06	777	642
Toyota Mo Co	17.27	115,856	98,796	17.27	4,827	4,117
Nissan N America	14.82	71,847	62,572	14.82	2,994	2,607
Ford Motor Company	13.27	127,317	112,406	13.27	5,305	4,684
American Honda	13.03	76,269	67,479	13.03	3,178	2,812

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 24 selling days in January 2011 versus 24 selling days in January 2010, so the change in monthly sales volume will be the same as 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 – January 2011: Happy New Year Indeed Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “By the Numbers – January 2011: Happy New Year Indeed Edition”

World, Green and Performance Car of the Year finalists announced

Filed under: New York Auto Show

The minds behind the 2011 World Car of the Year Award have managed to slim down the contenders in all three of the accolade’s main categories – World Green Car, World Performance Car and World Car of the Year. A total of six contenders are fighting out in the green car category, including eco warriors like the Chevrolet Volt, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Nissan Leaf and Smart ForTwo Electric Drive. Those entries are also joined by the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell.

Meanwhile, the performance car lot is littered with 10 potential winners ranging from the Aston Martin Rapide to the Renault Megane III. Both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz managed to snag two spots each on the list, and the Cadillac CTS-V sedan is the only American-made product to make the cut.

And what about the coveted World Car of the Year? Judges have managed to thin that herd to just 10 picks ranging from the Audi A1 to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Audi and BMW were the only two automakers to take home two nominations each.

We can expect a final decision in each of the three categories when the winners are announced at this year’s New York Auto Show on April 21st. If you can’t wait that long for your award news, the top three finalists in each category will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Hit the jump for the press releases.

[Source: World Car of the Year]

Continue reading World, Green and Performance Car of the Year finalists announced

World, Green and Performance Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “World, Green and Performance Car of the Year finalists announced”

Come and get it: Chevy Volt available nationwide by end of the year

Map of Chevy Volt roll out plan for U.S.

If you’ve been craving a Chevy Volt, but it isn’t available in your area, take heart: The plug-in sedan is coming to you by the end of the year. Because of strong customer demand, the rollout is being sped up by six months, making those rumors of huge increases in production far more plausible. Speaking at the DC Auto Show, GM’s Ed Welburn said, “This accelerated plan, which had stretched into 2012, is the right thing to do for our customers. Demand was that strong.”

Apparently, GM’s 40 35-mile plug-in hybrid has so piqued the car-buying public’s interest that the company says it bringing people to showrooms who might not have previously considered a GM purchase. According to Chevy dealer Harry Criswell III:

The Volt is clearly bringing new customers to Chevrolet. We are seeing 10 to 15 customers a week who are seriously considering buying a Volt. Many of them own competitive brands and now have a Chevy on their shopping list because of the Volt.

Looks like all that investment just might pay itself off sooner than later. To see when your state goes Volt, check out the color-coded map above. Official press release after the break.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Come and get it: Chevy Volt available nationwide by end of the year

Come and get it: Chevy Volt available nationwide by end of the year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Come and get it: Chevy Volt available nationwide by end of the year”

Nissan Leaf wins 2011 European Car of the Year

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

nissan leaf europe car of the year

2011 Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Nissan Leaf is a technological leap in that it is a mass-produced electric vehicle with a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. Unfortunately for Nissan, its quirky EV hit the market at the same time as the prize-hungry Chevy Volt, which has already taken home the North American Car of the Year and Motor Trend COTY awards.

But while the Volt has taken the hardware here in the United States, the Leaf can now sport its own prestigious award: the 2011 European Car Of The Year. The 58 voters gave the Leaf the nod over more conventional offerings like the Volvo S60 and the Opel Meriva. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is quick to point out the fact that the Leaf is the first EV to win the Europe COTY award, but he also stresses that the Leaf “is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling.” Hit the jump to read over Nissan’s brag-tastic press release.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan Leaf wins 2011 European Car of the Year

Nissan Leaf wins 2011 European Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Nissan Leaf wins 2011 European Car of the Year”

Mazda to lease EVs in Japan next year

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Mazda, Electric

2011 Mazda2

2011 Mazda2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda is preparing a fleet of electric vehicles that will be available for lease in Japan. Based on the Demio/Mazda2, these EVs will utilize the automaker’s new SKYACTIV powertrain technology. Mazda is shooting for a 200-kilometer driving range (about 124 miles) and plans to begin the leasing program in the spring of 2012.

The target audience for the vehicle will be local government groups and fleet customers. Mazda’s ultimate goal of the program is to refine its knowledge of electric vehicles by collecting data on EV requirements and powertrain technology. For the full details, follow the jump for the automaker’s brief press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda2: Review

2011 Mazda2

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Mazda to lease EVs in Japan next year

Mazda to lease EVs in Japan next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Mazda to lease EVs in Japan next year”