Category Archives: marketing

Ford Shelby GT500 to Offer 650 Horsepower Production V8

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is boasting that the ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – will offer the highest horsepower production V8 when the new 2013 model goes on sale next year. The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block supercharged engine is claimed to be rated at 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also will be exempt from the gas-guzzler tax, a claim that awaits EPA certification. Continue reading →

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50 MPG Predicted for Toyota Prius c Hybrid

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

While not priced yet, expect the Prius c to sell for around $22,000, which is likely how Toyota will define entry level or an affordable price. In spite of fuel economy benefits, hybrids remain a tiny portion of the U.S. auto market – a little over 2% of sales YTD – because mainstream buyers refuse to pay a premium amounting to several thousand dollars over a comparable gasoline-fueled car. Continue reading →

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Camaro ZL1 Coupe Priced at $54,995 for 2012 Model

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Camaro pony car is capable of speeds up to 184 mph and can traverse the pavement from a rolling start to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. As such, the Camaro ZL1 coupe presents strong competition not only for the performance versions of the Shelby Mustang, GT 500, but also the Cadillac CTS-V coupe (rated at 556 horsepower or 415 kW), which makes the coupe just as fast, arguably roomier and starts at $64,090. For the record, Camaro has consistently outsold the Mustang since its introduction Continue reading →

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Milestones: Ford EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Startup in Cologne

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally today launched volume production in Cologne of Ford’s smallest gasoline engine – a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will debut in Europe in early 2012. Eventually variants of the three-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection gasoline engine … Continue reading →

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The Film – Chevy 100, An American Story – Debuts in Detroit

Posted on 4 November 2011 by AutoCrat

Do not confuse this Chevy 100 infomercial with other serious documentaries sponsored by GM and produced by Ken Burns during his long association with the largest automaker in the U.S. Chevy 100 lacks an organizing theme – other than it’s time to sell more Chevrolets. Instead, Chevy 100 is comprised of sporadic observations along with snapshots of the history of the brand, supplemented with large amounts of quick-cut contemporary footage from collectors clubs and fawning owners. Be forewarned, you will not see the history of Chevrolet, or the history of the automobile in U.S.A. that Chevrolet is such a significant part of, given justice in this treatment. Continue reading →

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Build Your Own LS7, LS9 Chevrolet V8 Crate Engine

Posted on 4 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet Performance is now offering customers the chance to build your own LS7 V8 or LS9 V8 crate engine – a unique program that combines a factory-engineered aftermarket engine with hands on experience for custom car builders and hot rodders. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Chevrolet Officially Celebrates 100 Years

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet is officially recognizing its 100th birthday today by offering deals across the United States. The latest birthday or rather marketing activity ends a year-long Chevy Centennial celebration that began last January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Chevrolet’s history is tangled, and its beginnings were subject to Wall Street maneuverings that are wearily similar to recent financial history. Continue reading →

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Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

No lease is available, so a typical payment to buy – with $4,000 down for 48 months – is almost $800 per month at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline Focus starts at just over $17,000. This means that the sales volume of the EV will likely be limited to a few enthusiasts. And Focus Electric also faces tough competition from the Nissan Leaf, which can be leased for about $400 a month. Continue reading →

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Mixed U.S. October Sales Results for Japanese Three. Toyota Sales Down 8%. Honda Sales +3%. Nissan October Sales +18%

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Acura, Honda’s luxury label, posted sales of 11,115, an increase of 4.8% versus October 2010, with year-to-date sales of 100,261, compared to Infiniti’s 79,000. This means that natural disaster battered Lexus with ytd sales of 153,739 of cars and light trucks – virtually all of which are made in Japan – easily retains the Japanese luxury vehicle sales crown, but it will displaced from luxury sales leadership for the first time in more than a decade by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company October Sales up 6% from Trucks, SUVs

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is now emphasizing truck sales and adding crossover sales with them. This is because Ford Motor Company car and retail sales are down in October compared to last year, hurt by bad results at Lincoln (-11% at 6,100 units), and the absence of 7,500 units from now defunct Mercury. With the strength of trucks, though, overall Ford Motor sales of 1,771,801 units is up 10.9%. Fleet sales are 33% of the total, which based on early numbers, appears to be leading the industry, ahead of GM’s 23% of October sales. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group October Sales Up 27%. Comeback Continues

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 114,512, a 27% increase compared with sales in October 2010. It was the Number Three Detroit automaker’s best October since 2007. This wasn’t good enough to defend its recent Number Three U.S. sales position, as Toyota’s return to the market with better inventories moved it back into the Number Three spot by 20,000 units. Continue reading →

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GM October Sales Up 2%. Three of Four Brands Down

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet was actually the only GM brand to increase sales year-over-year. Buick at -7%, Cadillac at -12% and GMC at -5% all posted sales declines during the model year changeover, which also saw Japanese makers return post earthquake with rebuilt inventories of news cars and trucks. Continue reading →

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Saab Saved from Liquidation by Two Chinese Companies?

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This latest episode in the ongoing Saab story (NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: SWAN) is likely not the final one in a long running thriller over the future of the former General Motors subsidiary. The proposed Chinese ownership agreement is subject to a final share purchase agreement between Swan, Pang Da and Youngman. In a statement, Swan said it will contain “certain conditions including the approval of the relevant authorities, Swan’s shareholders and certain other parties.”

Furthermore, the €100 million will be paid in installments. An important consideration for Swan to enter into the transaction is the commitment of Pang Da and Youngman to provide long term funding to Saab Automobile. Continue reading →

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Updated Buick Book – David Buick’s Marvelous Motor Car

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

It is Gustin’s contention that “Buick sets pattern for Chevrolet.” The award winning author discusses the reasons why Billy Durant created Chevrolet Motor and summarizes the complex set of events that led Durant to develop the Chevrolet automobile. Continue reading →

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Pontiac Owners Show Loyalty to Remaining GM Brands

Posted on 26 October 2011 by Ken Zino

One year after Pontiac dealers permanently closed on 31 October 2010, General Motors has managed to maintain or increase the loyalty rate of Pontiac owners, according to by Edmunds.com. Edmunds found that 39.9% of Pontiac owners who traded in for … Continue reading →

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