10 Vehicles to Redefine the Auto Industry
There was an article in my local Sunday paper entitled “10 Vehicles: To redefine the auto industry in the next year.” This article was originally written by Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press. Phelan feels that these 10 cars from hybrids to pickup trucks, from expensive to cheap that are coming out in the next 12 months could “shape the future of automakers around the world.” According to Phelan, he feels that these vehicles will be the most interesting and important new cars to watch as the 2009 models start coming out and the 2010 models begin. Here is the list and a little synopsis of each car.
1. 2009 Audi A4 - this car is bigger, better and redesigned as well. It offers more room than the competitors and the base price is $32,700 for the sedan and $34,500 for the station wagon. This prices could make several other competitors like Acura and Lexus quite nervous.
2. 2009 Chevrolet Traverse - this is a new family car with seating for eight. The price is right too with a base price of $28,225, which is cheaper than the competitors. If it gets the same good reviews that the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook have, then the competitors better start worrying. The fuel economy of this car is 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.
3. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro - it has a 422-horsepower V8. Chevy predicts the gas mileage to be 26 mpg on the highway. The success of the V6 model will be a deciding factor on the success of the 2010 V8 model.
4. 2009 Ford F-150 - this will be a lighter pickup truck, but improve cargo and towing capability. The crew cab will have six inches more space as well. This truck will offer better fuel economy as well. The specs of the mpg have not come out yet.
5. 2009 Dodge Ram - offers better fuel economy. There will be more room in the crew cab and secured, lockable storage bins in the rear fenders. The base price is $21,270.
6. 2010 Honda Insight - this is a five-passenger gas-electric vehicle. The base price will be “significantly below” other hybrids when it goes on sale next spring.
7. 2009 Toyota Venza- this is a five-passenger crossover. Toyota hopes to combine the appeal of a sporty crossover with the practicality of a midsize station wagon. It will offer front or all-wheel drive and either a 3.5-liter V6 or 2.7-liter V4.
8. 2009 Mazda 6 - the price starts at $18,550 and comes with either a 2.5- liter V4 or a 3.7-liter V6 engine. Mazda wants to show this model as a sporty alternative for a midsize sedan than the competitors.
9. 2010 Toyota Prius - this is the most anticipated car that will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Showin Detroit in January. This car will replace the ”hybrid icon.” The fuel economy should top the current model’s 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Toyota is so excited about the sale prospects that it is going to build this Prius in the U.S.
10. 2010 MKT Lincoln - this will be an eight-person crossover. Lincoln has a new design theme, and this will be the first car to have this design. It will be sold in mid-2009.
Here is a list of the predictions for 2009/2010. It will be interesting to see if Mark Phelan is right, and these vehicles do ”shape the future.”