The Car Exam News #34: Mercedes to distribute Smart Car in U.S., and President Obama wants more incentives for electric vehicles

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Mercedes will sell the Smart Car in the United States: Automotive News has reported that Mercedes-Benz will now distribute the Smart Car in the U.S., taking it over from the Penske Automotive Group. Daimler AG (which owns M.B. and the Smart Car) gave the rights to sell the car to Penske, who started distributing the Smart Car in 2008 in the U.S. with good results at first--but then sales of the tiny car hit rock-bottom after that. The switch to Mercedes-Benz, U.S.A. distribution of the Smart Car should be completed by July of this year.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110214/RETAIL01/110219937/1287) 2/14/11



President Obama wants grants for electric vehicles and U.S. infrastructure: Automotive News is also reporting that President Obama, as a part of his proposed fiscal year 2012 budget plan, is proposing $200 million dollars to provide grants to 30 U.S. communities to buy E.V.'s in fleet purchases, as well as providing them with money to invest in their infrastructure. The Obama Administration's goal is to have one million "advanced-technology" vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015 in a bid to reduce dependence on foreign oil, but everyone is not buying the idea, including the House of Representatives House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Republican Fred Upton (Michigan), who thinks government selection of companies for the plan is a bad idea, and takes the choice away (privately) from American Citizens.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110214/OEM05/110219936/1429) 2/14/11

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #16: The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster, BMW and Mercedes bests Lexus, & the 2012 Focus will be cheaper than the current model

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The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster


Electric cars aren’t perfect, either: Automotive News reports that over 400 Tesla Roadsters are being recalled due to the possibility that a power cable could short and catch on fire. Tesla apparently had one report in which a 12-volt cable inside of one of the Roadsters chafed a panel and caught on fire. Tesla has begun to notify owners of the potential problem and will send its service crews to customer’s homes or offices to repair the problem (during which they will install a protective sleeve over the cable to eliminate the shorting issue).

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/04/10




BMW and Mercedes-Benz bests Lexus
Lexus feels the sales effect of its recent woes: USA Today is reporting that BMW and Mercedes-Benz finally passed Lexus in total sales last month, easily upending the storied Toyota luxury brand.



Lexus sales dropped more than 5% percent last month, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz both saw their sales rise over 20% percent during the same month.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/index) 10/4/10








The 2012 Focus to be cheaper than the current model

In more news from USA Today, it is reporting that the 2012 Ford Focus (due next year) will start at a base price that is $20 dollars cheaper than the outgoing base 2011 Focus S model costs (which is $16, 270). Ford will also give $500 rebates to customers who order the brand new Focus early—before the end of February 2011. It looks like Ford is really going to promote the new Focus heavily, and it will be interesting to learn what else Ford has in the works for the launch of the 2012 Focus.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/ford-prices-new-focus-cheaper-than-current-model/1?loc=interstitialskip) 10/3/10

P. Scott