The auto sales in the U.S. was awful for August. Actually as a whole the auto industry sold 997,000 vehicles in August, down about 5% from July. This is the worst August sales figures since 1983 when the U.S. was at the end of a double dip recession.  Auto sales in August are typically one of the top months of the year.  The next year models are coming out in September, and people try to get all the deals they can in August.  Clearly, these numbers show that we still have economic troubles in this country and the automakers are really hurting. Some more than others…..Honda’s sales were down 33% from last August and 3% from July.  GM fell 7% from July and 25% from last August.  If you remember, last August we had the Cash for Clunkers government program which helped to sell about 700,000 new vehicles.

Another reason why the sales of autos are down is because the incentives are down.  Automakers are not willing to take a hit on the sale in order to move the vehicles off the lot.  They are buying less vehicles for their dealerships and then therefore only offering on average $2681 which is down 3% from July.  According to Edmunds.com, in July dealers offered about $1000 less in incentives than last July.

Things are really not good these days if you are in the auto industry. You would think that we should be able to get vehicles dirt cheap since the sales are down, but clearly that is not the case.  So my advice, unless you are a high roller who isn’t affected by the economy, try to ride out your vehicles until things get better if you can.  I don’t think we can get the deals we have in the past. May be worth waiting until those deals come back, which I’m sure they will….eventually.

-www.dieselstation.com

The 2011 Mazda2 is the entry level of all Mazdas.  Mazda wanted to get into the action and competing against the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit.  These three had succeeding in the past few years as a small, fuel efficient vehicle.  Mazda is hoping to take some of its competition’s customers and run with the new Mazda2. 

It isn’t the cheapest starting at $13,980. The Yaris starts at $12,605. It doesn’t have the best gas mileage at 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.  The Fiesta gets 29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.  The Mazda2 is a nice five-door, five-seater that is the most fuel efficient vehicle the Japanese have ever made. 

The Mazda2 has a 1.5-liter, 4 cylinder engine that according to the reviews has some pep in its step and gives you quite a ride for the small car.  It has front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission.  It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles in technology, but it does have steering wheel controls for the stereo and cruise control.  You can fold down the backseats to allow for more storage.  

The Mazda2 seems to overall be a nice vehicle that will be able to compete with its’ competitors.  More and more people are interested in these small vehicles, so there is no reason to think that the Mazda2 won’t be able to have success like the others.  According to the reviews, it may be worth looking at when it becomes available.

An article by U.S. News and World Report gives 5 2010 models that you might want to wait before you buy, because the 2011 models of the vehicles are probably better.  These 2011 models are going to have major changes and for the better, so if you were to buy the 2010 model, you might be kicking yourself for doing it when the newer models come out. Check out why the article suggests these 5 2010 models should be passed by.

1.  2010 Ford Mustang - the 2011 Mustang will have an additional 95 horsepower and 40 pound-feet of torque in the V6 engine and 87 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque in the GT, and the GT will have a 5.0-liter V8 engine.   The gas mileage will be the best in its class as well.

2.  2010 Hyundai Sonata - the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will have a different look, more like a coupe and it will have the best fuel economy in its class.  Lots of technology in the interior as well.

3.  2010 Infiniti M - the 2011 Infiniti M will have lots of technological advances like a Blind Spot Intervention system and a larger navigation screen.  It will have more horsepower and a four-wheel steering system.

4.  2010 Honda Odyssey - the 2011 Odyssey is completely redesigned with a more modern-looking design.  It will have gas mileage of 19 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, which tops the Toyota Sienna’s gas mileage of 18/24 mpg.  There will be more legroom and still availability for 8 passengers.

5.  2010 Ford Explorer - the 2011 Explorer will ride on a car-based platform instead of the truck-based platform of 2010.   The 2011 will have a completely different look.  You will have a choice of engine between more power and better fuel economy.

There may be other models out there with 2011 models coming out better, but for sure you might want to wait on the vehicles that I mentioned.  I hate buying a car only to have the next model be that much better.  Though on the flip side, you might be able to get really good deals on the 2010 models.  If you can live without, go after the 2010 ones!!!

How many of you have felt bad for Toyota in the past year with their recalls and pedal problems?  Maybe a few of us, but now Toyota’s problems have worsened…if that’s possible.  The latest recall are 1.33 million 2005-2008 Corolla sedans or Matrix hatchbacks.  Their engines may stall, just a minor detail.  Another quality issue for Toyota.  Up to date, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million vehicles for problems, whether it be floor mats, faulty pedals, problems with the Prius hybrid, or this latest problem with the engine.

Not good for Toyota.  It’s really a shame because they have always been known for their quality vehicles, and truthfully I know so many people that really like Toyotas.  Several people I know are completely unphased by these 10 million recalls and still love Toyota and are looking to buy them.  Overall though, I think that people are hesitant and it’s becoming more and more each time a new recall comes out….with good reason.  Get it together Toyota! People want to stick with you, but you aren’t making that very easy!!

Fiat has taken over Chrysler and is making their presence known. One way they are doing this is by completely remodeling the Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2011.  The Jeep Grand Cherokee made its debut 18 years ago.  It has been a success for the last 18 years, but Fiat needed to make some changes and try to improve Chrysler’s vehicles.  There have been some major changes made to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Currently, the Cherokee’s major competitors are the Land Rover Range Rover, BMW X5, and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

The Cherokee was updated with the grille, which is a trademark, still in tact.  If you look at pictures though, I really think that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee looks really different.  There are a couple of different models available.  There is the Overland and the Laredo.  The Overland comes with a 5.7-liter, 360 horsepower V8 with a multi-speed automatic transmission.  To help the Overland conserve fuel, the engine alternates between a  4 cylinder mode when less power is needed and the V8 mode when full power is needed.  Supposedly the switch between the 2 is very subtle.  This is a good feature, because the gas mileage stinks.  You get 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.  The Laredo has a 3.6 liter 290 horsepower V6 engine.

A special feature of the Overland is the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, which raises the ground clearance for off-roading.  This Quadra-Lift comes with five settings.  The normal ride setting has clearance of 8.1 inches.  Off-road 1 raises the suspension 1.3 inches, off-road 2 adds 2.6 inches.  There is a Park mode that drops the suspension 1.5 inches below the normal mode.  Then there is an Aero mode, which lowers the vehicle another .6 inch to reduce wind resistance on the highway and help improve fuel economy. How cool is that?

The base price of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is $41,120.  Not for the average Joe, but a fresh new look and improved exterior and interior to attract some new customers for Chrysler.  They desperately need it….

An interesting auction to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Children’s Center in Michigan that helps troubled children, youths, and families.  The auction happened this past weekend in Monterey, CA.  Ford auctioned off 225 vehicles from around the world, beginning Thursday night.  On Thursday, Ford auctioned off 18 concept cars raising about $1 million for charities.  Here’s the crazy part. These concept cars cannot be titled for use on the road.  You basically can look at this car in your driveway. Crazy!  Some of these concept cars have no drivetrains and had to be pushed onto the auction block.  The top concept car was sold for $110,000.  It was the Ford Mustang GT-R concept.  A Lincoln MK9 concept and a Lincoln Mark X concept sold for $101,750.

This auction preceded the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which is one of the most prestigious and expensive car shows in the world, which actually is today.  The Pebble Beach Concours happens on the third Sunday of August each year.  There are 175 collectors cars and motorcycles from around the world that meet at the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach golf course. These cars/motorcycles are judged for their “historical accuracy, their technical merit, and their style.”  I bet it’s fun to go and see these cars on a beautiful golf course nonetheless!

So, mark your calendars for next year. Maybe you could go to Monterey, CA, get yourself a concept car (if Ford has the auction again next year) and then go watch the Pebble Beach Concours. Sounds like a nice vacation to me.

Volkswagen is coming on strong as of late with numerous new models that are getting a lot of publicity.  Volkswagen is trying to show that they are definitely competing at all levels of cars from the small, sporty GTI, to the sedan, Jetta, to the crossover, Tiguan, to the larger SUV, the Touareg.  All of these models have gotten updates and people are talking about them…which is every automakers’ dream with free marketing! 

The Volkswagen Tiguan is considered a sporty crossover, one of the sportiest in its class.  The Tiguan has been built on the ”chassis of the Jetta, GTI, and the Golf.”  This is a nice family vehicle with potential for a third row of seating to make room for seven.  It is a little bit more expensive than its competitors, but definitely could be worth it. The 2010 model has the price range of $23,200-$33,500.  The Toyota RAV4 ranges from $21,675-$27,985, the Honda CR-V from $21,545-$29,745, and the Mitsubishi Outlander from $20,840-$29,250.  Sure, more but the reviews may persuade you that a couple $1000s isn’t that big of a deal for this great crossover.  Volkswagen says that the extra cost over its competitors is justified because “it’s intended to be more rugged and durable and to offer a more exciting driving experience.” That’s some strong words. Ha! The Tiguan 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which can be expanded to 56.1 cubic feet if you fold down the rear seat.  It has a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 200 horsepower.  That’s enough for now about the Tiguan.

Let’s move on to the new 2011 Jetta.  This new model Jetta will be introduced in North America this fall.  It is 3.54 inches longer and the wheelbase is 2.76 inches longer than its previous models.  The Jetta’s interior has 2.6 inches of additional rear legroom.  There will be four trimlines available (S, SE, SEL, diesel-powered TDI.)  Here’s a crazy fact.  The base price of the S model has dropped to $15,995 from $17,500.  When have you every heard of the price of a new car dropping???  I sure haven’t.  The base engine will be a 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain.  The TDI model will get about 34 miles per gallon with city/highway driving and 42 mpg on the highway.  A new Jetta hybrid will be available in 2012.  

The interior technology of both the Tiguan and the Jetta is awesome.  I think that VW is doing good things and will have success with these 2 new models.  VW makes quality cars and from the sounds of it, the Jetta and Tiguan will be the same.

Cars are getting more wireless everyday and this is making it easier for hackers to access your cars and mess with the signals. Some researchers from Rutgers University and the University of South Carolina found a way to hack into a car’s electronics wirelessly through the tire pressure monitoring system, which all cars made since 2008 have.  There will become more and more ways that our cars will be become more wireless therefore, we will have more problems with hackers. Scary to think that we could be driving down the road and things go haywire because someone has hacked into our cars.  Yuck!

Ford has announced the engines for its 2011 Ford F-150.  There will be a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8.  The 5.0-liter V8 will have a rating of 360 horsepower at 5500 rpm.  That’s quite a great deal of power.

It looks as though the auto industry will be adding 182,000 manufacturing jobs through 2012.  The auto industry has 50,000 more auto related jobs than they did a year ago.  Good news for the economy and the auto industry!  Things must be moving upward.

Note to self and U.S…..let’s not try to follow/copy Spain’s electric car marketing scheme. Not working out very well for them right now.  Spain has been publicizing their plan to have thousands of electric cars on the road in the coming years. That’s great news, but here’s the problem. Currently, Spain has only sold 16 electric cars so far.  The REVE electric car is up by 15 though. They only sold 1 last year. The government’s plan was to have 2000 on the road by the end of 2010 and 20,000 electric and hybrid cars on the road by the end of 2011.  Not looking so good. We in the U.S. need to find a better way to market I guess!!

Good news! Some auto advocacy groups have asked that Enterprise Holdings Inc, which owns Enterprise, Alamo, and National car rentals, to stop renting cars that have recalls that haven’t been fixed. I found it crazy that Enterprise was actually doing this, but the good news is that now that the advocacy groups are involved, they are no longer going to use these cars that have recalls that are potentially danger until they are fixed. Duh, but I guess we need auto advocacy groups in order to prevent morons from doing stuff like this.

This is all the exciting news I could find for you tonight. Good night!

The information that we have all been waiting for….well, maybe not all of us but some I’m sure.  The price of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is…..$41,000* (the asterisk is because there will be a $7500 federal tax credit that you will get for buying this car, but you need to finance $41,000 and then you get the tax credit on your next tax return.  The best deal is the leasing deal. You can lease the Volt for $350/mo. for 3 years with $2500 down. The price of the Volt leasing deal is alittle more than the Nissan Leaf, which is $2000 down $350/mo., 3 years. 

With this Chevy Volt you get standard navigation with a 7 in. screen, an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty, Bluetooth connectivity, Bose audio system, and 5 years of OnStar service included. OnStar normally costs $300 per year.  There are a few options for more; heated leather seats, chrome wheels, three premium paint colors, and a rear park assist.  You actually get quite a bit for the price. A lot more than many other cars. I know the price is higher, but the lease price isn’t bad at all.

There will be 7 U.S. markets selling the Volt in December, and the rest of us will have the Volt available to us in a year to a year and a half.  If you want to know the 600 dealers that will have the Volts available are, go to http://getmyvolt.com. 

This is exciting stuff, right?  I don’t know.  I’m really not totally sold on the Volt or Leaf for that matter. I’ve been reading a lot about them and I think I will be waiting for the price to lower and for customers to give reviews after driving these cars for a year or so.  By the way, sorry about the blog in bold, just got a new computer and pressed some button and could not get the bold off.  I pressed it about 10 times with nothing happening. I’ll figure it out for the next blog.

www.theweeklydriver.com

The new 2011 Ford Explorer that will be in showrooms starting next winter.  Ford is hoping to bring back the SUV, but in a car form instead of a truck one.  I really like the look of the new Explorer. In 2000 (the peak year for Explorers,) Ford sold 445,137. Last year, Ford sold 52,190.  Partly this is due to the new crossovers that are out there, even the Ford Edge and Flex are competitors.  So, Ford decided to revamp the Ford Explorer and hope that those with current Explorers and new buyers as well will be drawn in by the look, fuel efficiency SUV, what’s under the hood, and the technology updates.  Ford just unveiled the details of the new Explorer last week and it really seems to be a hit on the car websites already. 

The price of the Explorer will start at $28,000 and go up to $48,000 for one with every option.  The gas mileage will be about 18 mpg in the city and 25-26 mpg on the highway.  The Ford Explorer will be equipped with a new EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will be more powerful than a V6 and will have about 237 horsepower.  The EcoBoost will only be offered in front-wheel drive.  Another option will be a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower. 

I like the fact that Ford is trying something new with this SUV and I think it will be a hit.  It’s a nice looking car, and people like the Explorers and I think more will come next spring when these 2011 Ford Explorers are in full swing.