Archive for June, 2010
New Tranny Propels Malibu Past Accord Camry
I mentioned previously that the 2009 Ford Fusion would see some important midcycle updates including the addition of a new fuelsaving 2.5L engine. Ford like General Motors and to a lesser extent Chrysler have the products to compete in the ultracompetitive midsize car category. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long led in sales but Ford and GM have been fighting back hard.
The Malibu’s Six Speed Automatic Transmission
GM isnt waiting for a new model year to unveil a new sixspeed manual transmission which will immediately be available for the LTZ version of the Chevrolet Malibu. Pairing its 2.4L Ecotec engine with a HydraMatic 6T40 transmission the Malibu is expected to see an increase in highway fuel mileage from 30 mpg to 32 mpg besting the Accord and Camry by 1mpg 33 mpg for 2009.
Perhaps most importantly GM is throwing the gauntlet down in front of its competitors the Malibu is the only car in this segment with a sixspeed automatic transmission. Later this year the remaining Malibu models will also get the transmission further securing GMs technological leadership in this category.
The Money Making Cars
Midsize models are the bread and butter vehicles for most automakers as this is the segment where the most sales are realized. For GM the allnew for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu represented a watershed moment for the company the car frequently tops quality and consumer appeal surveys something the previous model could not achieve.
The sticker price for the LTZ the top of the line Malibu model is 26545. The LS is the Malibus value model while the LT offers additional amenities and is situated between the LS and LTZ. A hybrid Malibu is also available. Interestingly the Malibu with the new transmission returns 22/32 mpg while the hybrid achieves just 24/32 mpg.
Source: GM Media
About the writer: Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary North Carolina. Matt provides magazine web content and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive human interest and business communities. The Auto Writer is his automotive weblog.
New Car Models For 2009
When it comes to buying a used car the best time of year to do so is just after people have updated to this year’s models. That way you get a car that is virtually new and has had all its little teething problems ironed out in the first year. You also get it at a drastically reduced price to what the original owners would have paid given that new cars loose a great deal of their value the minute they are driven off the forecourt.
For those looking for a used BMW I suggest you hang on a few months. BMW have released details of their 2009 model to give all those who want an update a little taster. This means that between now and the actual release date their appetite would have been whetted and you will have a whole new range of used BMW’s opened up to you.
New BMW owners will be treated to the new BMW 3 Series with 414 horsepower and V8 engine with all the performance of a race car. Available in coupe convertible or sedan models this new car has some elegantly understated styling with just a few visible quirks such as red and blue stitching on the steering wheel. To be fair though it certainly looks a beast from the outside. With its extra big wheels and bulging vented hood you just know it’s going to be a bit of an animal.
With this on the market shortly it will free up plenty of last years BMW’s to the second hand car market. Used BMW’s that are only one year old will flood the market and be available for anyone touched by the credit crunch or indeed for anyone not wishing to pay the extortionate prices of a new car.
If BMW is not your thing try an Audi. New or used Audi are renowned for their reliability comfort smooth ride and luxury status. The new Audi RS6 sedan looks pretty compact but hides a twin turbo five litre V10 engine with 580 horsepower and 479lb ft of torque. The release of this vehicle first in the US but bound to make its way across Europe and onto our streets will free up a plethora of used Audi onto the used car dealer forecourts so be ready to bag yourself a bargain if Audi is to your taste.
If you are more concerned than ever about the environment you could always opt for a Honda. Their 2009 release was recently spotted out in the desert being tested. Looking more like something from the ‘Back to the Future’ movies the Honda Civic is the latest is a line of much improved hybrids. It is expected to undercut both its own Civic Hybrid and also the Prius in the price wars so should prove popular to many. Due to hit showrooms in late 2009 Honda expect to sell 200000 of their new cars straight off. In theory this then puts 200000 used cars out on the market.
As much as we would all love a brand spanking new car reality hits home with the majority of us. There are a select group of salary owners that can really afford their own fully paid up new car. The rest of us will get by on company cars or used cars. But this isn’t such a bad thing. We get from A to B and we do it without the expense of a car that has just lost several thousands of pounds by driving one mile down the road. Picking up a used car just after the 2009 models have been released will be a wise investment for many.
About the writer: Vehicle expert Catherine Harvey looks at how those looking for a used BMW or any other used vehicle can get a good deal by waiting for new releases.
More Big Cars To Come From Volvo
Volvo has always been known for producing quality and safe vehicles to the extent that they have defined what car safety is all about. Most notable for their safety features are their line of wagons and sports utility vehicles such segments have made their biggest sales last year for the company.
Volvo has made it their top priority to pack their cars with safety features. But the company seems to be moving away from this tradition and with the recent unveiling of their Volvo C30 which is a compact luxury car seems to point out that they are focusing their attention to smaller cars.
While the company is successful in their wagons in terms of sales they are grooming a new lineup of cars aimed for the younger generation. The taste of the younger generation is characterized by stylish exterior and interior design which the Volvo C30 brings to the table. But the demand for wagons and big cars are still there many growing families are still going for the bigger vehicles to accommodate their growing number of passengers and their increasing amount of luggage. This is known to Volvo and the Swedenbased company is now planning to develop larger vehicles to put in the market.
Steven Armstrong the COO of Volvo Car Corporation stated in a recent press release that the company sees plenty of wagon and crossovertype market gaps that needs filling. While the companys senior vice president of brand business and product strategy said that if the company is to fill those gaps they would do so with the V or XC models. This is a welcome piece of news on the part of those Volvo wagon loyalists for this means that they can look forward to much better improved versions of the current V and XC models in the near future. This is not to say that the current lineup needs improvement because the current models have received a very good welcome from the companys buyer base.
There are a lot of possibilities as to what the company will come up with. Would the company release an ultra luxury version of the Volvo V90? Or would they upgrade their engines to provide more power to the vehicles? Would they consider further reinforcing the vehicles frame for higher towing capacity? There is only one thing for sure whatever vehicle the company may come up with it will surely be packed with the latest and the best technology in safety. After all this is Volvo that we are talking about and their name has become synonymous with car safety a legacy they will continue to live up to.
With the companys desire to produce more wagons and crossover vehicles they would be taking advantage of the US market where few automobile manufacturers are competing. They just have to release their new products before the Asian car manufacturers like Toyota and Honda take the same step. They have to make their dominance felt in that segment to further increase their sales and profit. With a Ford Motor backing the company will no doubt be rolling smoothly like a Volvo wheel bearing into the heart of the wagon market.
About the writer: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. She is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.