GM Certified includes Buick, Chevy, GMC and Pontiac used vehicles. The Saturn program is separate.

Source: autonews.com (subscription required)

While out-of-town, a few news items came across the news that I thought I’d share. Being that I happen to be in sunny Phoenix area this week, I found the news of convertibles yesterday, very fitting. First up is news is from Toyota, the Solara that was discontinued this month is now alive for another two years. The Camary based convertible is being extended because dealers and customers still want it, even if the Kentucky factory only builds about 28,500 vehicles in 2007.

Second in the news of convertibles come from VW. The new Golf VI will be launching a convertible in 2010.  The Golf will get similar roof system from the Audi A3 and should be priced between the New Beetle convertible and the Eos.

Source: Autonews.com/Toyota
Autonews.com/VW

Calling all truckers, your Olympics are coming up. Yes, that’s right, the American Trucking Association for the past 71 years has held the annual National Truck Driving Championships. Nearly 400 truckers compete for the gold in what sounds like a real world obstacles. They include alley docking, rear and front line stops, scales stop, driving through a diminishing clearance and my personal favorite, parallel parking. So, get your leg a pumped up, the event is August 19-23 in Houston, Texas.

Source: nextautos.com

HSBC will take about three years for most of its $12.5 billion auto loans to be paid off, as we make our monthly payment. Since March, HSBC, the consumer finance arm of English financial HSBC Holding PLS, has been reduction its auto loan business.

Source: autonews.com (Subscription required)

MG’s are being made again in Great Britain again. After 3 1/2 years since the bankruptcy, the MG TF roadster is coming off the assembly line in Longbridge, near central England.

China’s Nanjing Automotive Corp. bought the assets of the company and moved the TF’s production to China. The TF’s body and powertrain are made in China and shipped to England for paint and final assembly. MG’s 1.8-liter overhead-com engine has been overhauled since leaving England. The new car will have a few minor cosmetic and structural improvements too.

Source: Autonews.com (Subscription required)

Ford lost number 2 spot in 2003 to Toyota, whom moved ahead of GM as the worldwide sales leader during the first half of 2008. So from the top, Toyota, GM, VW and Ford.

Source: egmcartech.com

Source: Autonews.com

While we’re talking 2011, Chevrolet will be building a new subcompact for 2011. It will be based on one of the three minicar concepts from the 2007 New York auto show. Current rumor is the Beat is being build now for the overseas market, while we could get the Groove or Trax. I personally like the Beat the best, so of course that’s the one we’re not going to get (according to GM).

Source: Autoweek.com (M-B A/B-Class)

Autoweek.com GM Small Cars

In no particular order, here’s the drag racing card: Toyota Camry V-6 vs. Subaru WRX, Toyota Tundra vs. BMW 328i, Cadillac Escalade vs. Mini Cooper S, Infiniti FX50 vs. Ford Mustang Bullitt and for the heavy-weight sports car title, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon vs. Audi R8 (and yes I said wagon).

When looking at the numbers it’s fascinating. I can understand the numbers when looking at the WRX and the 328i, they’re not that fast off the line, both of those cars are more about handling and having fun. But the overweight Caddy vs. the little Cooper S or the FX50 vs. the ‘Stang, you’d think it would be a no contest. But looking at the 0-60 times and the 1/4 mile time, they don’t lie. But let’s face it, it’s the wagon vs. the Audi supercar R8. Yes, the M-B is the super-tuned by AMG and it’s your typical wagon. But still, it’s a wagon that’s keeping up and maybe faster than the R8! Check out the read and there is even video.

Source: caranddriver.com