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PSA: New Year’s Day still worst for car thefts

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

car thief Christmas day is not just for giving, it’s also for not stealing. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, December 25th is the day many thieves take a break from stealing cars. Very kind of them, no? But here’s the bad news: those thieves are just postponing their nefarious ways for a week. That’s right, New Year’s Day is the worst holiday for car thefts.

Here’s some raw data: 2,760 vehicles were reported stolen in the United States on January 1st, 2009, and 2,189 were stolen on New Year’s Eve. Naturally, this year is expected to pretty much follow suit, though the actual number of stolen vehicles is expected to fall for the seventh straight year.

What can you do to combat the problem? Mostly just exercise some common sense. The NCIB recommends the following: parking in well-lit areas, keeping packages in the trunk or out of sight, and making sure your vehicle is locked while it’s parked. Or you could just drive an unstealable car… Check out the complete press release after the break.

[Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau | Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty]

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PSA: New Year’s Day still worst for car thefts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 GMC Sierra

2011 GMC Sierra – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is recalling a handful light-duty GMT900 pickups from the 2011 model year due to faulty rear axle cross pins. Both the Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500 are effected, as are the Cadillac Escalade EXT and GMC Sierra 1500 – a total of 1,262 vehicles in all.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites that these rear axle cross pins were not manufactured up to proper specification and that the pin could “fracture and become displaced within the rear axle.” NHTSA further details the consequences of a displaced pin, saying:

“The driver may hear a banging noise coming from the axle. If the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.”

GM will begin notifying owners about this problem in January, and dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin without any cost to the customer. NHTSA’s official statement is available after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra

2011 GMC Sierra

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears

GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford: Yes, Camaro will outsell Mustang this year

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Ford, GM

Chevy Camaro - Ford Mustang split view

It’s true. For the first time since 1985, the Chevrolet Camaro will outsell the Ford Mustang in 2010. Besides giving the Bowtie Boys something to crow about, it also makes us genuinely intrigued to watch how 2011 unfolds, considering that Chevy plans to unleash its convertible and Z28 Camaro editions.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ford doesn’t seem too bothered. According to Ford sales analyst George Pipas, “If that was important, we wouldn’t have taken a shift off at Flat Rock,” which is where the plant that assembles the Mustang is located. That’s a somewhat dubious statement, since building too many vehicles in one model year only leads to problems for the next… In any case, this is a trend worth monitoring.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req’d]

Ford: Yes, Camaro will outsell Mustang this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai Sonata edges Volt in Autoblog’s informal Car of the Year poll

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

The finalists for this year’s North American Car and Truck of the Year awards may have been no big surprise, but the vehicle that our readers think will win Car of the Year honors came as something of a shock.

The NACTOY judges have picked the Chevrolet Volt, Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Leaf as finalists for Car of the Year. While the Leaf saw a little bit of love with 2,820 votes in our unofficial poll, as well as being named European Car of the Year, the final tally came down to a bare-knuckled fight between the Volt and Sonata. Surprisingly, the Hyundai eked out a win with 8,058 votes and 42.7-percent of the total votes cast, which just barely bested the 7,985 votes cast for the Volt and its 42.3 percent of the total vote.

That’s not a huge margin of victory by any means (a statistical dead heat, as they say), but considering that the Volt has whirred away with honors like the Green Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine‘s Automobile of the Year and Motor Trend‘s Car of the Year awards, we fully expected the Bowtiie to handily walk away with our impromptu poll.

We were pretty smitten with both the 2.0T and the hybrid variants of the Sonata when we hopped behind their wheels earlier this year, and buyers have been no less taken with the base model. The 2011 Sonata has enjoyed a huge year in terms of sales with 183,102 units sold by early December, a year-over-year increase of 65 percent.

Meanwhile, the 2011 Ford Explorer handily beat the 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in our informal North American Truck of the Year poll. You can check out the results from both surveys here, and the stay tuned for when the real winners are announced at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in early January.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T: First Drive

Hyundai Sonata edges Volt in Autoblog’s informal Car of the Year poll originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin DB9 Carbon Black and Morning Frost editions – Click above for high-res image gallery

It doesn’t take much to crank out a new special edition every once in a while, but Aston Martin has proven itself particularly adept at it. Over the course of the 2010 calendar year, the British automaker has offered up the V12 Vantage and DBS Carbon Black, V8 Vantage N420 and DBS UB2010 (commemorating Dr. Ulrich Bez’s ten years at the head of the company). But before the year draws to a close, Gaydon has not one, not two, but three new special editions.

The latest special Astons are based on the DB9 – packing the usual 470-hp 6.0-liter V12 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox – and are available around the world in either coupe or Volante convertible body-styles. All three feature unique paint jobs, special 19-inch wheels, piano black veneers in the cabin and custom door-sill plates announcing the edition’s name.

The DB9 Morning Frost differentiates itself with pearlescent white paint, silver brake calipers, and metallic bronze leather interior, while the DB9 Carbon Black (like the Vantage and DBS editions of the same) and the Quantum Silver editions – the former in black and the latter in the same shade of silver portrayed in the latest Bond movies – also get a sports exhaust, leather roof lining and glass switchgear. You can read more about ’em in the press release after the jump, accompanied by the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Aston Martin DB9 Morning Frost, Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials

Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 136 recall campaigns in 2010 have covered 17.2M autos, and it’s still not a record year

Filed under: Recalls, Safety

Toyota recall pedal fix parts

It’s been a banner year for big recalls, or at least it feels that way. What with high profile recalls from Toyota for everything from runaway vehicles to brake issues and a host of smaller problems from nearly every automaker in the market, it certainly felt like 2010 was at the top of the recall heap. Only it wasn’t. According to Ward’s Auto, a total of 136 recalls sent 17.2 million vehicles back to the dealer this year, and while that’s an impressive sum, it still falls short of the record. Way back in 2000, manufactures recalled 24.3 million vehicles due in part to the now infamous Ford Explorer/Firestone tire scandal.

Still, while this number’s figure falls short of the big double-oh, recalls crept up by 800,000 units compared to 2009. Not surprisingly, Toyota led the way with 17 recalls covering around 6.6 million vehicles in 2010, but according to Ward’s, the automaker still has plenty of work to do on some of the recalls from last year. Toyota is still only 65 percent of the way through repairing the 5.6 million vehicles that were recalled this year for faulty floor mats. That figure includes 80 percent of the trapped-pedal cars that were recalled in 2009.

And what of other automakers, you ask? Ward’s reports that combined, the Big Three brought back around 4.6 million vehicles. Head over to Ward’s Auto to see the full breakdown for yourself.

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Report: 136 recall campaigns in 2010 have covered 17.2M autos, and it’s still not a record year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Acura releasing something ‘unconventional’ next year?

Filed under: Acura, Rumormill

Acura ZDX

Acura has been toying with us for some time. We’ve been waiting patiently for an NSX replacement soon after the original Japanese supercar disappeared, and while we’ve been waiting around Acura told Car and Driver that something “unconventional” is coming in the very near future. The only hint we have is the use of the word “sporty.” Unfortunately, that tag can apply to nearly anything these days, with exhibit A being the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

Car and Driver was able to confirm that the car will not be the front-engined camo-clad car we saw from time to time. However, they got a very confident “probably” from Acura regarding the resurrection of the NSX nameplate.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Acura releasing something ‘unconventional’ next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playboy‘s 2011 Cars of the Year hit the casting couch

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Playboy Car of the Year - Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

Are the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG’s gullwing doors just giant bunny ears? – Click above for high-res image gallery

We all know the story, and we’ve all used the line: we read Playboy for the articles. Somehow no one ever takes us seriously, but the fact of the matter is that Playboy is a men’s magazine with a wide readership and articles focusing on everything guys want to read about: sex, sports, politics and yes, even cars.

While you might think that with so many Bunnies hopping around the Mansion, the Volkswagen Rabbit would be the car of choice for Heff and company, they’ve actually put together their own comprehensive best-of selections again for 2011. The winner of the coveted Playboy Car of the Year? None other than the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG seen above. You can check out the other award winners by clicking through the perfectly-safe-for-work gallery below. Think they’ve chosen wisely? Share your thoughts in our Comments section.

Gallery: Playboy’s 2011 Cars of the Year

Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Best Hybrid: Honda CR-Z Best Convertible: Porsche Boxster Spyder Best Sports Coupe: Cadillac CTS-V Best Bang for the Buck: Mazda 2

[Source: Playboy]

Playboy‘s 2011 Cars of the Year hit the casting couch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:58:00 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

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

2011 Chevrolet Volt 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Nissan Leaf 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel 2011 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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Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Silverado HD named 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

GM CEO Dan Akerson being presented Motor Trend’s 2011 Truck of the Year award

Motor Trend is following up its somewhat controversial decision to crown the Chevrolet Volt as its 2011 Car of the Year with a safer call for its 2011 Truck of the Year award. The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD was announced as the magazine’s TOTY during a ceremony before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia‘s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, giving General Motors’ volume brand a pair of golden calipers to crow about all next year.

Chevy’s heavy-duty version of its Silverado pickup truck was significantly upgraded this year, though it faced a tough pair of competitors in the equally improved 2011 GMC Sierra HD and the also-upgraded 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. The Sierra HD looks almost identical on the outside compared to the 2010 model, but Chevy engineers worked magic on all the mechanicals beneath the surface. A significantly more powerful Duramax turbodiesel, excellent six-speed transmissions, reworked suspension and fully boxed frame were enough to put the Silverado HD ahead of its corporate cousin and crosstown rival in the minds of Motor Trend editors.

Curiously, the magazine claims it doesn’t often have an apples-to-apples fight for its Truck of the Year award, but this year just happened to line up a trio of new-enough heavy duty pickups. The only truck missing was the Ram Heavy Duty, which was new for 2010. Chevy should probably be glad the Ram HD missed the cut off mark, as Dodge’s heavy hauler holds the crown as Motor Trend‘s 2010 Truck of the Year.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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