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Report: Toyota plans budget sports car line

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:52:57 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Akio Toyoda may want to bring driving excitement back to Toyota, but he and his team have two major hurdles to overcome: The brands's limited enthusiast base and the fact that Japan's youth have very little interest in cars.

To combat both fronts, Toyota plans to launch a new line of budget-oriented vehicles that offer a modicum of sport. But so far, things don't look too promising.

Despite debuting an FT-86-based concept at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota's G Sports line of products have mainly focused on the Voxy and Noah minivans, while a "sports" version of the Prius is apparently in the works.

More interestingly, the Mainichi Daily News reports that a version of the GRMN sports car concept has been given the greenlight, meaning a mid-engined hybrid successor to the MR2 is in the works.

All these developments come after Toyota established a sports vehicle management division in January, which now has a hand in the brand's overall product planning. We should get a look at the fruits of their labors during next year's auto show season and could see this new breed of budget sports vehicles on the market - at least in Japan - within the next few years.

Gallery: Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid

[Source: Mainchi Daily News]

Report: Toyota plans budget sports car line originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:32:27 +0000

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

After seeing a handful of spy shots of the next-generation Euro-spec Honda Civic, the North American car is finally starting to show up out roaming the heat-soaked roads of Death Valley. When the new Civic arrives next year, it won't be that much larger than the current car, and the overall shape looks to have stayed the same, though substantial changes to the front and rear fascias are definitely on deck.

Our spies were able to get a peek inside the Civic's cabin, showing that the two-tiered dash theme from the current car will likely be carried over to the new Civic. This means we can expect a digital speedometer on the top shelf with an analog tach below, and while we've never been big fans of this arrangement, it has its adherents among Civic fans.

We're not expecting to see the Civic debut until sometime in 2011, possibly at the Detroit or New York auto shows. For now, check out Honda's latest prototype from all angles in our gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota’s Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over… fading taillamps?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:46:47 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota, Daihatsu

Daihatsu has announced plans to recalling over 500,000 vehicles in Japan due to taillight lenses that can fade over time. The lenses, originally orange, will bleach white with exposure to the sun, leading to a potential safety risk. As a result, Daihatsu is recalling a total of 435,423 Move hatchbacks built between 1995 and 2000, as well as 145,769 Mira models manufactured from 1998 to 2000. Both vehicles fall into Japans micro-car category and are powered by fuel-thrifty .66-liter engines.

The company plans to fix the issue by installing orange bulbs in the vehicles instead of the white ones that came from the factory.

Daihatsu is owned by Toyota, and the company produces a number of small vehicles for the manufacturing giant. While not as crippling as some of the other issues Toyota has had this year, the Daihatsu does add to the 11 million recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled since fall of last year.

[Source: Automotive News]

Report: Toyota's Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over... fading taillamps? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cities under consideration for Fiat 500 sales outlets listed?

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:09:33 +0000

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500 receives a model introduction - click above for high-res image gallery

We've been anxiously awaiting the availability of Fiat's 500 bubble bauble in the States for so long that we're beginning to feel like we're waiting for Godot and that the four-wheeled confection will never actually arrive at all.

But there appears to be hope on the horizon.

Earlier this week, Chrysler hosted hundreds of potential dealers at its Auburn Hills, MI headquarters as it is working to pull together a network, and it's understood that the automaker wants to sell 50,000 units per year through 165 dealers. While we think the Cinquecento is small and cuddly enough to pop out of a few strategically placed vending machines, Fiat will definitely need a cohesive countrywide network to sell its planned full lineup of vehicles. So where are they thinking about planting their flags? Fan site 500Freaks.com thinks they know, as they indicate they've gotten hold of a Chrysler-provided list of the best minicar markets in America.

Predictably, certain states like California and New York have an abundance of cities listed, while some states only have one, and others aren't represented at all. Click on the link below to see if your city of choice is on Chrysler's preliminary list. Appreciate the lead, Mike G!

Gallery: Fiat 500C UK launch

[Source: 500Freaks]

Cities under consideration for Fiat 500 sales outlets listed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:53:16 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Reviews

Can This Aging Sedan Hold Out Until Help Arrives?

2010 Chevrolet Malibu - Click above for high-res image gallery

The year was 2007. The top-selling mid-size sedan, the Toyota Camry, was garnering a lot of praise from its most recent refresh, and automakers were furiously scribbling on notepads trying to get their next round of competitive vehicles out the door. General Motors had been going through a long string of bad press due to lackluster quality on the vast majority of its vehicles, and a big change needed to take place.

Enter the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. When it launched, GM was proud not only of its design and engineering, but of the improved quality and higher-grade craftsmanship that had been put into its new mid-sizer. The new Malibu made a big splash - so much so that it was named the 2008 North American Car of the Year, and the well-to-do sedan started selling in droves.

But now it's 2010, and since the Malibu's launch we've seen new versions of the Mazda6, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy, not to mention first-time entries into the segment like the Suzuki Kizashi. The initial praise that the Camry enjoyed in 2007 is now fading fast, and the Malibu has two more years left until an all-new model arrives. So with all the stiff new competition on the block, does the Malibu still lead the pack, simply keep up or something worse?

Continue reading...

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Continue reading Review: 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler shows off Fiat 500 Sport for North America

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:44:40 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

2011 Fiat 500 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has officially pulled back the covers on the American version of the Fiat 500 Sport. The pint-sized hatchback will be dueling with the Mini Cooper on our shores in short order, powered by none-other than the Fiat 1.4-liter turbocharged Multiair four-cylinder engine. The Pentastar hasn't released power figures for the American version of the powerplant, nor do we know official fuel economy numbers.

Chrysler says the Fiat 500 will be available starting later this year. Buyers should be able to opt for one of three models initially - Sport, Pop or Lounge - though the company hasn't mentioned what kind of differentiation we'll see between the three. We do know that Sport trim will feature a nifty sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and painted brake calipers.

Starting next year, a convertible version of the adorable Italian will make its way to our shores as well. You can find the full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Fiat 500 Sport

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler shows off Fiat 500 Sport for North America

Chrysler shows off Fiat 500 Sport for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:41:59 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

First Chevrolet Cruze commercials - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

The first production copies of the 2011 Cruze are likely heading to a nearby Chevrolet dealer as you're reading this, and that means that General Motors' advertising blitz can't be far behind. Actually, it starts after the jump. From where we sit, it appears that the Bowtie's new C-segment sedan is ready to do war with the competition, and Chevy clearly has its eyes trained on the segment's sales leader. The first 30-second spot with actor Tim Allen's voiceover is aptly titled "Dear Corolla," and it chides the Toyota mainstay for not offering as standard equipment keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation.

The second spot doesn't aim directly at any one competitor, choosing instead to play off of the Cruze's role as the new kid in the C-sized segment. Chevy's ad gurus chose to pull out a pair of brief quotes made by auto news outlets that liken some of the Cruze's best attributes to that of distinctly pricier competition, and we're betting that at least one of those publications will sound familiar.

Both spots strike us as a bit paint-by-numbers marketing for such an important launch, though it's good to see that GM isn't shrinking away from one of its biggest competitors. Hit the jump to view both videos and judge for yourself. The Corolla commercial comes first, followed by the "New Kid" spot.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up

Video: Chevrolet Cruze ads ramp up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai previews ix20 subcompact ahead of Paris rollout

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:32:39 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Hyundai

Hyundai ix20 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language may be doing wonders on North American-spec Sonatas and Tucsons, but this same design language will make its way across the automaker's entire worldwide lineup over the next few years. We've seen it previewed in the next-generation Elantra and Accent, and now Hyundai has released some preview images of its new ix20 small MPV, set to debut at this year's Paris Motor Show. At first glance, it looks like a teeny-tiny ground-bound Tucson. It's cute, if a bit angry-looking.

We'll have to wait until the Paris show opens up before we get the full details on the ix20. For now, Hyundai is only saying that its new MPV will offer class-leading fuel economy, low C02 emissions and the latest in active and passive safety technologies. Follow the jump for the full details in the press release.

Gallery: Hyundai ix20

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai previews ix20 subcompact ahead of Paris rollout

Hyundai previews ix20 subcompact ahead of Paris rollout originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Fiat dealers to be chosen next month, have until February to finish showrooms

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:21:18 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

By September 22 the 600 Chrysler dealers given the chance to snag a Fiat dealership will need to have submitted their applications. A group of dealers are in Florida now and have been shown the U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Sport, and next month 165 of those dealers will find out that they've been chosen to sell the car. Once they get the letter, they better get to work: Chrysler expects them to have their standalone dealerships completed by next February for sales to begin in March.

That's just 90 days or so for dealers to either revamp or build from scratch, and a fair number of them will need to deal with freezing winter weather while they do it. The prize that Fiat's offering is 50,000 little cars, which would average 303 per dealer each year, and brisk aftermarket trade. Fiat's told dealers to work on the expectation of clearing a $1,500 margin on each car, so an outlet that came in at the median number is looking at $454,500 in cream. Of course, these are all imaginary numbers at this point - for now, there remain the selection process and winter and construction to get through.

Gallery: 2011 Fiat 500 Sport

[Source: BusinessWeek]

U.S. Fiat dealers to be chosen next month, have until February to finish showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mahindra intentionally voided contract with U.S. distributor

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:53:41 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Government/Legal

Formerly just a suspicion that had been whispered about, Global Vehicles USA CEO John Perez has uttered it out loud: Mahindra is thought to have delayed the EPA certification of its Pik-Up so that it could break its contract with GV USA. For four years now, GV has had a contract be the exclusive distributor of the Pik-Up in the United States. However, now that the trucklet has finally received EPA approval, Mahindra voided its contract with GV and hasn't announced any alternative.

Perez says the issue goes back to a sunset clause that Mahindra requested be inserted into the original contract. The belief at the time was that this was for Mahindra to protect itself: if the trucks weren't ready for the U.S. within three years then everyone could walk away and Mahindra wouldn't be open to lawsuits.

According to Perez, the Pik-Up was ready for certification late last year - before the end of the sunset clause - and that the delay from then to now was engineered by Mahindra to break its contract. Reportedly, Mahindra wanted to alter some of the dealer arrangements with GV, and when GV declined, Mahindra put up a wall and refused to communicate. GV felt compelled to sue, but Mahindra went ahead with voiding the contract based on exceeding the time frame. What a mess.

We're no attorneys, but we'd be surprised if this didn't hold up Pik-Up sales for quite some time while the U.S. court system - and arbitration in London - gums things up further. Who knew such a little truck could haul so much subterfuge and skullduggery?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Mahindra intentionally voided contract with U.S. distributor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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