Too Many Cars

Spyker bought Saab from GM

Andy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:00:14 +0000

It’s official, I can update the Automotive Family Tree! GM has complete sale of Saab to Spyker Cars NV. Surprisingly this is the first successful sale of one of four GM brands. The transaction will combine 3,400 employees with Spker’s 110(ish) workforce.

Spyker is paying GM $74 million in cash and $326 million in redeemable preference shares.

Source:autonews.com (subscription required)

2011 Ford Fiesta Free SYNC by Text or Online Reservation

Andy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:38:35 +0000

I found this kind of interesting. Ford’s fancy partnership with Microsoft to bring you SYNC, will be a free upgrade on a 2011 Ford Fiesta if you make your reservation by online or by text. All you have to do is text the word “reserve” to 4Ford (43673) by April 2, 2010 and the $700 SYNC entertainment system upgrade is free.

Has the Millennial generation taken things too far?

Source:thecarconnection.com

Toyota Corolla Next on Recall List?

Andy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:33:56 +0000

What is going on with Toyota? It looks like the 2009-10 Toyota Corollas could be next on the recall list. Not for gas pedal, or for brakes, but for steering. Can Toyota make anything right? After recalling a few million cars for carpet getting stuck under the gas pedal only to find out they needed another recall for a sticking gas pedal that had nothing to do with the carpet. Yesterday Toyota recalls another 437,000 Prius for brake problems. This recall includes the Lexus HS250h in the U.S. and Japan.

According to Automotive News, Corolla has had 83 power-steering complaints since April 2008, which 76 reported that the vehicle unexpectedly veers to the left or right at 40 miles an hour and up. While a recall hasn’t happen yet, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a formal investigation.

Source:autonews.com (subscription maybe required)

Fiat 695 Tributo Ferrari

Andy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:28:12 +0000

At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Fiat’s performance division Abarth, will show a 695 Tributo Ferrari, or a supped up Fiat 500. This will be one hot hatch with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 180 HP, F1-style 6-speed transmission, tuned suspension, red (of course) Brembo brakes with 17-inch alloy wheels.

No word if this would be made for the American market or not.

Source:AutoExpress.com via jalopnik.com

(Sorry guys, I found a lost blog that should have been posted about 3 months ago!)

Ford Suspends China Transit because of Yotoya Recall

Andy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:17:58 +0000

If you’re looking for proof of globalization in the automotive manufacturing, here it is. Ford announced that it has suspended production of its full-sized commercial vehicle in China because it uses the same supplier that is involved in the Toyota recall. Jiangling Motors Co., Ford’s partner, reports there has been no issue of sticking pedals.

Source:Autonews.com (subscription maybe required)

$300,000 Yearly Maintenance for a Car!!

Andy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:50:42 +0000

So, you really, really, really want a Bugatti Veyron. You win the lotto and have $2 million to buy the $1.5 million Bugatti. But do you have enough for maintenance?

Bugatti recommends new tires every 4,000 k or 2,500 miles and new wheels and tires (yes wheels) every 10,000 miles. The Michelin Pilot Sport 2s cost $30,000 for a new set of 4, add on the cost of wheels and tires, you’ll spend over $50,000. Major annual service is close to $20,000. Some say the yearly cost is as high as $300,000! Some owners have been known to ship their cars to a particular destination and follow behind in their private jet because it’s more cost effective!

So here’s the math:
1 Bugatti Veyron = $1,500,000
Year maintenance = $300,000
Total cost for one year = $1,800,000

So if you won $2 m, you have $200,000 for gas, then you have to trade it!?

Source:autoblog.com

Updated Automotive Family Tree

Andy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:11 +0000

It took me awhile to update, but I’ve made some minor tweaks to the Automotive Family Tree for the end of 2009. We’re still waiting on GM to figure out what they are doing with SAAB and what Ford is doing with Volvo. I think for the most part, all the trading is done for awhile.

AutomotiveFamilyTree.com

HUMMER Production on Hold

Andy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:53:04 +0000

Hummer is on hold until GM seals the deal. By the end of the week, GM will stop producing Hummer as the brand is being sold to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company. GM will not comment on the state of negotiations, but the U.S. government has signed off on all related regulatory issues. But it’s yet to be establish that STHIMC has secured credit and wariness on the part of the Chinese government.

Source:thecarconnection.com

Sharon Stone Charity Car Auctions

Andy — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:29:07 +0000

For the next 5 days you have the opportunity to bid a car once owned by Sharon Stone. What car is CharityBuzz.com auctioning, you asking? Is it a Ferrari or a Porsche or a Rolls-Royce? Nope. It’s the classic 1972 Ford LTD convertible. Can we say, “Cleaning out your closets?” Granted, it’s a fully loaded LTD with a 400ci engine and power everything, but come on…a Ford LTD? This is a charity auction for The Brent Shapiro Foundation, couldn’t Sharon come up with something worth a little more?

At the time of writing, bidding was up to $10,000 from four bidders. It has an estimated value of $15,000. Good Luck!

Even Pirates seem to be switching to Hyundai

Andy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:44:14 +0000

Quote according to Hyundai PR man Dan Bedore. Pirates hijacked the ship some 600 miles off the coast of Somalia. The 2,300 small cars were en route from Korea to Saudi Arabia.

Nobody was injured, but makes you wonder what the pirates were thinking holding up a Hyundai ship? It’s expected that the pirates are holding the ship for ransom. Eleven other ships are also currently being help by Somali pirates.

Source: thecarconnection.com