Consumer and Car Exam News #32: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro & Hyundai Genesis news from the Chicago Auto Show

Chevy means serious business with the Camaro in Chicago: According to Automotive News, Chevrolet unveiled a new, 6.2 Liter, 550 horsepower ZL1 at the Chicago Auto Show today. The new Camaro will reportedly debut on the market at the beginning of 2012. It will also have a six-speed, dual clutch transmission--and according to Chevrolet, it will be "the fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet." The Car Exam hopes to have an opportunity to drive it in the future--stay tuned!

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110209/OEM04/110209730/1156) 2/9/11



The Hyundai Genesis will get more muscle, as well: Automotive News is also reporting that Hyundai revealed at the Chicago Auto Show that it will pack more power under the hood of the Genesis for the 2012 model year. The 5.0 Liter V8 in the R-Spec model will produce 429 horsepower and 376 ft. pounds of torque, the most ever for a Hyundai-produced engine. It will also have an eight-speed automatic transmission, a sport-tuned suspension, redesigned front fascia, 19-inch wheels and much more.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110209/OEM04/110209720/1156) 2/9/11

P. Scott

Consumer and Car Exam News # 29: BMW & Mercedes outselling Lexus in 2011, and more new cars sold in January

The race against Lexus is getting tighter: Automotive News is reporting that BMW and Mercedes have gotten off to a better start in the sales race in 2011 than Lexus. Lexus has outsold BMW and Mercedes every year since 2000, but BMW and Mercedes have been closing the gap, especially in 2010. It is expected that the sales race between the three brands will be even tighter this year.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110202/COPY01/302029988/1292) 2/2/11



January 2011 auto sales better than January 2010: The Detroit Free Press is reporting that auto sales in January 2011 were up 17.3 % over January 2010. Consumer confidence rose in January; more new car sales went to individual buyers than fleets. Nevertheless, General Motors and Toyota are still offering sales incentives to attract more customers--if you're a consumer looking to find a good deal on a new vehicle, a G.M. or Toyota product just may look more appealing to you at the moment.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20110202/BUSINESS01/102020335/Auto-industry-sees-17-3-increase?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News) 2/1/11

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #28: Mercedes to sell smaller cars in U.S., Chrysler's lofty 4th Q expectations, & better U.S. sales helps Honda recover

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Smaller M.B.'s on the way to U.S. market?

Mercedes-Benz is getting serious about selling smaller cars in the United States: Automotive News is reporting that M.B. will sell smaller vehicles in the U.S.--an SUV targeted at the BMW X1, a small coupe, and maybe a FWD-based car if the demands calls for it here in the U.S. (a compact hatchback or small wagon) within the next three years.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/OEM01/301319941/1193) 1/31/11



How was Chrysler in the Fourth Quarter?

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Chrysler will report its 4th Quarter financial results today (we'll update this later after the results are revealed). U.S. sales where 23% higher than the year before, production rose 6%, and retail sales accounted for more profit than fleet sales did. Sergio Marchionne and his company would like investment banks to refinance its higher-cost government loans, and making a decent profit would go a long way of convincing them to do so.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20110131/BUSINESS01/101310413/Expectations-high-Chrysler-s-4Q-results-today?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News) 1/30/11



Honda Sales Recovering?

Automotive News is reporting that Honda has increased the expectations of its profits. Stronger earnings and growth in the United States and Asia, and model updates of the Civic and CRV models are just some of the reasons why Honda may have a brighter financial outlook moving forward.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/COPY01/301319876/1401) 1/31/11

P. Scott

The Car Exam News - Edition #2: August 9, 2010 - New vehicles from GM, and good news for Ford

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New Vehicles on the horizon from General Motors

According to the Automotive News (www.autonews.com), General Motors is getting ready to tackle the next round of $4.00 per gallon price hikes (whenever that happens) by preparing to sell a number of new, fuel efficient small cars across its product range during the next three to four years: Chevrolet (the Aveo in 2011; the Spark in 2012), GMC (the Granite- a small, car-based truck-possibly in 2014), Buick (the Verano, in 2012), as well as Cadillac (the ATS--possibly in 2013 04 2014). Don't forget about the Chevrolet Cobalt Replacement, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (see photo above), which should make its debut later this year. GM will also be designing) its larger models to produce better fuel economy, too.

Source: Automotive News 8/9/10



Good News for Ford

The Wall Street Journal (online.wsj.com) is reporting that Ford's profits may be moving higher. Ford has reshaped the company by streamlining its business. It cut costs, sold Land Rover, Volvo and Jaguar in recent years and vastly improved its product quality (which reduces warranty costs and helps resale values rise). However, Ford will losing some money in the second half of 2010 because it is discontinuing the Mercury brand. Nevertheless, Ford has introduced some successful vehicles (the 2010/2011 Mustang (insert photo), 2010 F-150, 2010 Taurus and the 2011 Fiesta, for example) and it has more new vehicles on the way (the Focus, as well as the Explorer, just to name a few). Ford will also be bringing new Lincoln models to the market soon, fortifying that lineup.

Source: The Wall Street Journal Online 8/8/10

Photos by P. Scott