Archive for December, 2009
Ford will announce another innovative feature on its SYNC in car infotainment system. The system will allow users to “tag” a song while driving. What is tagging exactly? Well, say you’re driving and you hear a song you really like, and want to know what it is. You press the “tag” button and SYNC will store the song name and artist. Once you plug in your iPod it will download the list and then when you connect to your computer, iTunes will automatically bring up the songs you tagged, allowing you to preview them and then purchase if you’d like. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
Toyota Motor Company has been awarded with a record for 2009 that I’m sure it would rather have not won. Toyota had more vehicles recalled than any other automaker in 2009 with more than 4.87 million recalls. The issue mainly surrounded its unintended acceleration issues but also focuses on Tundra truck frames rusting through. For more details head on over to the Detroit Free Press.
On a similar note, Toyota is said to be investigating claims from 2010 Prius owners who say their vehicles lost braking ability while driving. Looks like when it rains on Toyota’s rice paddies, it pours. For more details, head on over to MSNBC.
(Image source: Toyota)
Ford adding three-blink feature to complete lineup going forward
Have you ever been stuck behind someone who left their blinker on for miles and miles? Do you find yourself getting annoyed with the person, not sure if they are changing lanes or just forgetful? Well it bothers me, so I’m glad to hear that someone is doing something about it. Ford, using data from a driver survey, is adding a three-blink feature to its turn signals. When the turn signal is tapped either up or down, the signal will blink in the chosen direction three times, and then turn off. This feature is useful when changing lanes, and will prevent drivers from leaving their signal on and allow drivers to concentrate on the lane change instead of turning the signal on and then off again. The feature will debut in the 2011 Ford Fiesta, then on the 2011 Super Duty, before migrating across the brand. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
Buick hopes to lower its average buyer age from 70 to…anything lower
The average age of a new car buyer today is 52. The average age of a Buick buyer? 70! Buick is hoping to lower that number, and it needs to in order to compete with rivals Lexus and Acura. The first step in a younger direction was the 2010 LaCrosse. The average age for the sharp looking new sedan is 55, 15 years below Buick’s average but still older than Brian Sweeney likes. Sweeney is Buick/GMC’s new division manager, and he’s hoping to lower the age even more with the new 2011 Buick Regal. Their hope is that by using “experimental marketing” they will be able to attract an even younger crowd to Buick. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: GM)
GM increases incentives to help dealers move out leftover Saturns and Pontiacs
General Motors is pushing close to $7,000 at dealers in order to move the remaining Saturn and Pontiac models sitting on dealer lots. The move comes as GM was forced to close down 4 brands (Hummer, Saab, Saturn and Pontiac) leaving only GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet left. Sales of the Saturn and Pontiac brands were down sharply this year, which is to be expected, I mean, who would really want to buy a brand that will no longer be around come spring of 2010? For more details, head on over to MSNBC.
(Image source: GM)
Jay Leno’s Garage checks out the 2011 Chevrolet Volt!
Check out Jay Leno’s fairly in-depth review of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt on this week’s episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
According to reports coming from Dagens Industri in Sweden, GM has some ideas for Saab even as it closes the brand down. Rumor has it that General Motors is considering bringing the completed 9-5 here and badging it a Buick. This would make complete sense to me, as the 9-5 has been finished and is (according to insiders) a very impressive looking sedan. Only time will tell however, so stay tuned for more news. Until then, head on over to Autoblog for more details.
(Image source: GM)
Ford has decided to produce a run of 50 2011 Boss 302R’s for track ready duty. These cars come with a full roll cage, special tires, Brembo brakes and a whole bunch more stuff that make these cars kings of the road when it comes to racing. For the full details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford via Autoblog)
GM facing first recall on its 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and its GMC sibling, the Terrain, have been selling like hotcakes (whatever that means!) General Motors has moved over 59,000 units this year alone, making this recall all the more painful. The issue facing the cute-utes is a faulty defroster control module. Customers will be notified by GM about the issue. For more details, head on over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(Image source: GM)
Autoblog brings two very lengthy posts on the 2011 Mustang GT and its 5.0L!
One of the cars I have been most looking forward to for the past year or so, the rumored 5.0L is finally official! Autoblog has put together two separate posts based on Ford’s official press releases. The first is on the car itself, discussing the changes made to accommodate the all-new 5.0L aluminum V8. The second article takes us through the 5.0, explaining all of the high-performance pieces that went into this engine to make it durable and powerful enough to compete with the Challenger and Camaro. Both articles are well worth a read and also provide some great shots of the new car and its powerful new engine. Makes me yearn for warmer weather even more than the 20 degree days here in Michigan…
(Image source: Ford)
