by Import Car Dealer News on December 23, 2009
Hampered by slowing car sales in the U.S., recalls, and concerns over quality, Toyota management is hoping to curb skyrocketing costs and become a leaner, more profitable automaker once again. One way Toyota plans to do that is to cut auto parts costs by 30 percent.
Toyota has already been in talks with suppliers in order to curb costs by as much as 40 percent on some vehicle components by 2013. Although this will no doubt help to boost profitability, this move also means Toyota will be resorting to lower quality materials as well. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on December 7, 2009
The all-new Forester is a little bigger and a litter better than its predecessor. It’s also a little more stylish, and it has a more mainstream appeal that has already translated into brisk sales. Inside and out the design is clean and simple. The interior also features excellent materials that give the Forester an upscale look and feel.
Behind the wheel, drivers will notice competent ride and handling. Handling is aided by the boxer engine which has a lower center of gravity than a typical V6 engine. The 2.5-liter engine offers plenty of power, but the available turbo-charged version is simply a blast. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 30, 2009
Toyota has been faced with a bevy of problems concerning safety and quality. Among the latest PR nightmares is Toyota’s recall of 110,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks from the years between 2000 and 2003 due to corrosion issues.
The Toyota trucks in question have a rear cross member that can potentially rust in cold weather. Corrosion on this cross member can cause the spare tire to come undone and increases the likeliness of an accident. In addition, this structural weakness can also interfere with the Tundra’s rear brake line says Toyota Parts Boston which can of course impair the truck’s stopping distance.
The recall will affect vehicles in colder states, including New York, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. These are areas where temperatures can normally become very low and/or include significant salt use on the road.
Hundreds of complaints concerning the issue have already reached the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although according to sources among Rochester NH Toyota dealers, no deaths have been reported. As a preventative measure, the NHTSA has encouraged Tundra owners to remove the spare tire immediately prior to getting their vehicles inspected or repaired at a Toyota dealership. A Colorado Toyota dealership reminds customers to contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 should they have any questions concerning any recall. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 13, 2009
Volvo has released official images of the all-new 2010 S60 mid-range sedan. In March the new S60 will officially make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, but photos show that the S60 is very similar to recent concepts.
Following a common trend in the premium segment, the new Volvo S60 appears to be far more coupe-like than its predecessor. The sleek roofline and broad shoulders give the latest S60 a much sportier look than previous generations.
Although images of the new car have been released, details about what resides under the hood are not yet known. One option according to Shreveport car dealers may be a compact gasoline engine with direct injection and turbocharging. Ultimately the base engine is designed to maximize fuel efficiency as demanded by customers at New Jersey Used Volvo dealers and the new engine is expected to be a class leader when it comes to miles per gallon. Power is expected to be delivered to the front wheels and the sedan will also feature Volvo’s latest six-speed dual clutch transmission.
Of course the 2010 S60 will deliver the latest and greatest safety technologies. A Volvo XC60 Maine dealer says that among these technologies will be Pedestrian Detection technology that senses pedestrians in front of the car and will automatically apply brakes the S60 if the driver doesn’t stop the vehicle in time. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 11, 2009
Infiniti has earned a steady footing in the premium car market, and this month the brand marks its 20 year anniversary. The brand came to life on November 8, 1989 and has succeeded in becoming a distinctive luxury moniker that is known for “inspired performance.”
Unlike the Infiniti of the early 1990s, which yielded only two models and few dealerships, today’s Infiniti has expanded globally and sells a full lineup of cars and SUVs and caters to a diverse range of buyers. The Infiniti brand had first taken shape in the mid 1980s when Nissan created the Horizon Task Force whose job it was to develop a performance oriented luxury brand. According to an Arizona Nissan dealer this task force had a tremendous impact on the Infiniti brand and even on the smallest details. From product packaging to vehicle design to showroom design, the Infiniti brand was meticulously researched.
Upon its launch, Infiniti offered only two products, the now extinct Q45 and the sporty M30 coupe. Today’s lineup offers a wide range of products and body styles, but one Boston Infiniti M35 dealer reminds us that even more exciting new vehicles still on the way. Future Infiniti models include a redesigned M sedan, a Hybrid M sedan, and a new full-size QX sport utility vehicle.
The balance of performance and technology remains the cornerstone of each new Infiniti and customers at Used Cars Massachusetts have quickly abandoned BMW and Mercedes to become Infiniti owners. As a result more automakers seem to be singling out Infiniti vehicles as vehicles to benchmark.
Read more about Infiniti over the past two decades via the press release below. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 6, 2009
Mazda’s MX-5 Miata is a renowned roadster for its sporty handling and reasonable price tag. But the MX-5 may be seeing big changes in the near future, including a lightweight chassis and even smaller dimensions.
For 2011, the next Mazda MX-5 will go “back to basics” and lose the hefty weight that it has earned over the years. Twenty years ago the Miata weighed in at about 2100 lbs says Newark Used Cars. Since then, the MX-5 has become substantially heavier, tipping the scales at about 2460 pounds.
Mazda’s goal of reducing weight while keeping this compact roadster roomy will be a tough challenger for engineers suggests Mazda Pittsburgh. But engineers at Mazda are determined to cut weight and make the MX-5 an even better performer. A new lightweight, compact engine is also said to be in the works according to a Waterbury Mazda dealer and is rumored to still have comparable power to the existing model, which produces 167 horsepower.
Less weight, smaller price tag, and same power will characterize the next generation Miata, which should appeal to plenty of consumers looking for something fun and affordable. Clearly the development of the new model will focus on the new engine, which is where considerable weight can be lost. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 3, 2009
Toyota recently issued its largest recall ever, which affected nearly four million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Complaints had developing concerning floor mats that could move forward and interfere with the accelerator. These floor mats have already been linked to several fatal accidents and numerous complaints, and the issue is far from over.
Consumers remain very concerned about the floors mats and Toyota remains confident that it is not entirely the fault of their own defect. One used car dealership Minnesota says that Toyota has issued letters to consumers revealing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently testing the floor mats in question, but has assured owners that no defect is the cause and that the recall is voluntary.
Toyota stresses that the issue involves how the floor mat fits and how they’re installed in the vehicle, not with the floor mats themselves. For example, one accident that was caused by the floor mats was the result of having the entirely wrong floor mats for that particular model, and therefore the mats used simply didn’t fit.
According to Toyota Service Laconia, under the voluntary recall floor mats will be inspected and replaced if they do not belong to that particular make and model. The inspection and optional replacement will be performed at no cost to the owner notes a Toyota dealer Santa Barbara. Toyota and Lexus models in question include the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-101 ES350, and 2006-2010 IS250 and IS350. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 3, 2009
Video games are increasingly embracing car culture. And with each new video game and each new gaming system, auto racing simulations are getting more real, and creating attractive advertising opportunities for auto makers.
One of the latest videos games is Forza Motorsport 3, which prominently features the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Reaching large volumes of potential car buyers, a used car dealer Boston recognizes that today’s video games can realistically put drivers behind the wheel of a new car before ever reaching the showroom.
Although a realistic driving experience is the goal of the game, it doesn’t exactly feature a stock Hyundai Genesis Coupe says one Hyundai dealer New Jersey. Instead, players can choose between the Rhys Millen Racing Red Bull Genesis Coupe, HKS Genesis Coupe, and another Genesis unique to the game. The game will also feature additional flexibility, such the ability for players to upload Genesis Coupe photos and more.
With millions of dollars being spent each year on video games, Hyundai is counting on using video games to reach the spending power of teens and their parents. If it doesn’t move the needle in terms of car sales, Hyundai Genesis Chicago dealers believe that it will help breed a new generation of car buyers that will see Hyundai as more than just a manufacturer of affordable economy cars. Look for the game in stores how for the Xbox360. [click to continue…]
by Import Car Dealer News on November 3, 2009
The economy and rapidly changing consumer demands have been shaping the direction of both Honda and its Acura brand. In recent months, both brands have announced changes, but Acura seems to be struggling as it faces a bit of an identity crisis.
Recent shifts include the demise of plans to introduce a high-performance model to the lineup, which was expected to be the successor to the NSX supercar. According to a Washington DC used Acura dealer, additional plans that were scrapped included a high-output V8 engine and the development of new rear-wheel drive platforms.
As Acura strives to compete more aggressively against its Japanese and German premium competitors, Acura is attempting to move upscale, while also managing to differentiate itself from tough competition. Regardless of changing product plans, Acura will remain committed to performance and technology, which both remain top priorities among premium car buyers. But even though performance remains crucial, Worcester Infiniti dealers note that premium buyers also demand efficiency, which is why not only Acura is looking to boost MPG.
Acura had wanted to add a bit of glamor to their product lineup, but focusing on environmental technology is just one of the niche areas that the brand is hoping to become synonymous with. One Acura dealer that focuses used cars Belleville admires the candor of Acura’s difficultly in reaching its ideal place within the market. Today’s car market is far different from just a year ago, it has caused the need to become a bit more agile, which is really what Acura appears to be.
Declining sales have hit the Acura brand hard, but clearly the executives at Honda are hoping to reposition the brand and slow the declines. Already, changes to Acura’s strategy are apparent in models, with bold new styling infused throughout the lineup. But hints show that Acura will remains committed to entry-luxury vehicles and even hybrids in the near future, ensuring that Acura will remains one of the best values in the luxury segment just as it always has been. [click to continue…]
