As families get bigger most people decided to drop the cool factor of their vehicle and purchase a minivan. Minivans are hard to beat when you consider a minivan’s height and sliding doors, spacious interiors and the ability to fit six or seven people plus luggage.
As family-friendly as they are minivans are gas guzzlers and not exciting or cool to drive. Now you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for luxury because here is a list of vehicles that provide both.
1- Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2- VW Golf Wagon TDI
3- 2010 Acura MDX
4- Ford Flex
5- Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC
6- Volvo V70
7- Hyundai Veracruz
8- Mazda CX-9
9- Nissan Cube
10- Two Honda Fits
According to MSN Autos
from CNNMoney.com:
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — General Motors Corp. said Tuesday that it has signed a deal to sell its Hummer truck unit, just one day after filing for bankruptcy.
But GM (GMGMQ) would not identify the buyer nor name a price, saying only that the deal would close by the end of September.
GM had revealed in April that it was courting three serious offers for the Hummer brand. The automaker would not confirm Reuters’ report that offers ranged from $100 million to $200 million.
Read more HERE
GM vice president Bob Lutz was brought in to the company in 2001 to help turn things around. Since then, the company has only lost market shares and has continued to rely on gas-guzzlers for sales. In 2005, Lutz wrote a blog post explaining that GM was being all maverick-y with their SUV initiatives. And although we may have seen a small jump in SUV sales recently since gas prices lowered, it’s probably unlikely these gas-guzzlers will ever rule the market again. Read what Lutz had to say three years ago:
We began developing these trucks three years ago when fuel prices were stable and historically low in real-dollar terms. Nevertheless, we made fuel economy an extremely high priority item, even back then.
This is one reason why we are still very confident of their success. In addition, we have a huge owner body, it’s a segment we think will level off at about 750,000, and we’re going to have the newest and best products out there, with substantial improvements in fuel economy. If you’re using our Displacement on Demand technology and you carefully manage when and how often you go on four cylinders, you can do better than the EPA ratings!
Let me make this clear: I don’t think anything exemplifies the state of our art today like our all-new full-size sport-utilities. We’ve made significant strides forward in exterior styling, interior refinement, vehicle dynamics, safety, quality and reliability.
You think he’d agree now with his past self? Read more…
Looks like American’s forget very quickly!
“Workers at General Motor’s Arlington, Texas, SUV assembly plant began working overtime this month and are scheduled to remain on overtime for the rest of the year.
The plant, which employs 2,500 workers, is now the only GM factory building full-size sport utility vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.Although sales of the vehicles are still down overall, they have rebounded in recent weeks as gas prices have fallen and cash-strapped automakers have slashed prices. The vehicles have proven to be a solid source of revenue for GM.”
Sky-high gas prices this summer could have many drivers in the United States looking for a change, and most are well aware that buying a vehicle that gets better miles per gallon (mpg) will save them more dollars at the pump.
But not everyone looking for a switch wants to sacrifice passenger and cargo space by switching from a gas-guzzling SUV to a hyper-efficient compact. Read more…
According to Brian Handwerk
The junior hockey team in Oshawa, Ontario is called the Generals… no doubt, this is because General Motors has had many plants in the small city near Toronto.
Make that one less, GM is closing a plan there in 2009. Says the union:
CAW president Buzz Hargrove slammed GM for announcing the closure of the Oshawa truck plant just weeks after working out a new labour deal.
“This plant is General Motors’ best-quality, best-productivity, lowest-cost producer of half-ton trucks … and they’re closing it,” Hargrove said.
“This decision is unfair, it’s unjust, it’s unwarranted, it’s illegal, it violates our collective agreement, and we’re going to do everything in our power — and we have power,” he told reporters.
“We are not going to allow this to happen.”
Closure of the plant means GM will no longer produce trucks in Canada and will be reduced to one auto plant in Oshawa and a share of a joint-venture plant in Ingersoll, Ont.
Tuesday’s news comes just weeks after the closure of a GM transmission plant in Windsor, Ont., which affected 1,400 workers.
GM said that closure was due to a market shift from the four-speed automatic transmissions made in Windsor to more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions.
Detroit’s Big Three automakers have cut tens of thousands of jobs in the last few years as they try to turn around their struggling operations amid market gains by their Asia-based rivals.
North American automakers have been slower to adjust their product lineups to include more smaller vehicles and fewer gas-guzzling SUVs.
I don’t know… I see both sides of the argument…
Tweaks to the compact SUV include engines and transmissions to improve fuel use and performance
ANN ARBOR, MICH.–Well, I can honestly say I’ve been to Hell and back – the village in Michigan, that is. In fact, I drove through it three times, smack dab in the middle of the test route for the 2009 Ford Escape.
The Escape is the most popular compact SUV in Canada. Ford says it is adding a five-speed manual transmission option to its mid-line Escape XLT this year– but only for this country. Also added this year, to all models, is an Easy Fuel capless fuel filler, ambient interior lighting and standard cruise control.
Pricing for the new models has yet to be announced, but a Ford of Canada spokesperson suggested there should be no price increases over last year. The 2008 Escape starts at $23,999 and goes up to $34,499 for the Limited all-wheel drive version.
Set to hit dealer lots in July, the 2009 Escape wears the same skin as last year, and inside only the foam in the seats has really been altered (it’s now soy-based). Read more…
According to Howard J.Elmer
IRVINE, Calif., March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Coming off the heels of the prestigious 2008 North American Truck of the Year award, the 2008 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year award and a string of impressive sales numbers, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 continues to add to its impressive list of awards and accolades. Launched in 2007, the award-winning CX-9 recorded sales of 25,566 in just ten months. Combined with the awards and attention it has garnered, the CX-9 proves that it is truly best in class.
“In spite of a challenging industry this past year, the impressive sales numbers show that the CX-9 proved to be exactly what consumers wanted,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “In just a year’s time, this vehicle has accumulated numerous rave reviews; CX-9 is off to a great start and an even brighter future.”
Awards to date, through February 25, 2008:
— 2008 North American Truck of the Year
— 2008 SUV of the Year, Motor Trend Magazine
— Kelley Blue Book “Best New Family Vehicle”
— Cars.com “Best New Car for Large Families”
— Cars.com “Family Car of the Year”
— 2008 Automobile Magazine All-Stars
— “Best in Class” for large/mid-size crossovers in Kiplinger’s Personal
Finance annual Car Buying Issue
— Car and Driver 5 Best Trucks for 2008 - March 2008
— Consumer Guide - “Best Buy” midsize sport-utility vehicle
— 2007 Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Vehicles for SUV under $35,000
— Southeast Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO) “Family Car of the
Year.”
In addition to a long list of awards, CX-9 has also received the top rating of 5-stars in frontal and side impact crashes from the US government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vehicle safety tests and a top rating of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for front and side crash protection.
The three-row Mazda CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger sport-utility vehicle (SUV) practicality. CX-9 is powered by a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and features standard Roll Stability Control and an available advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, which helps see and prevent the unexpected. Also new to the CX-9 is the Mazda accessory Dockable DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System (DES) for Moonroof equipped vehicles, which provides endless enjoyment, truly enhancing the driving experience of the passengers and driver alike. Priced from $29,400, the CX-9 is available in three trim levels — Sport, Touring and Grand Touring — and offers cutting-edge safety technology.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts, accessories and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
DETROIT, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the all-new, third-generation 2009 Forester, a total re-design of the award-winning crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that has built a strong reputation as an icon of safety, dependability and versatility. The 2009 Subaru Forester, which arrives in Subaru dealerships this spring, builds upon that reputation while projecting a bolder, more SUV-like design and making a major leap in safety technology, comfort, refinement and driving dynamics.
As with all Subaru models, the 2009 Forester comes equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. An all-new platform featuring a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase (now 103.0 inches) and double-wishbone rear suspension improves crash-worthiness and at the same time provides crisper handling, a quieter ride and increased interior space and cargo room. The 2009 Forester once again blends positive SUV attributes including a high seating point and interior versatility with passenger car comfort, handling and fuel efficiency.
All Forester models for 2009 feature standard side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, and the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system is standard on all models for the first time. With the Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept (Subaru DC3), Subaru optimized all elements of the Forester’s chassis to deliver a better balance of ride, handling response, quietness and overall traction performance than offered by competitive vehicles. A comprehensive array of elements contributes to that goal, including the new, high-strength body structure, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, VDC and four-wheel disc ABS brakes with the Brake Assist safety system. Manual-transmission models also feature Incline Start Assist, which can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.
Even with its bolder exterior and roomier interior, the new 2009 Forester is only about three inches longer than its predecessor, thus retaining the trim exterior packaging cited by Forester owners as one of this model’s most essential features. A robust body structure, heavy-duty raised four-wheel independent suspension system and up to 8.9 inches of ground clearance help make Forester equally adept at negotiating twisty roads and absorbing ruts and bumps.
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE WITH GREATER COMFORT AND VERSATILITY
The 2009 Forester offers naturally aspirated and turbocharged/intercooled 2.5-liter Boxer engines, both revised to provide better low-end and mid-range torque for more responsive everyday performance. The 2.5-liter normally aspirated Boxer engine delivers 170 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft. of peak torque @ 4,400 rpm, still among the highest ratings for a standard engine in the segment. The revised 2.5-liter turbo Boxer engine produces 224 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and 226 lb.-ft. of peak torque @ 2,800 rpm.
New interior materials, including double-stitched fabrics and high-grade plastics, impart a feeling of higher quality. As before, Forester is offered in a wide array of models. The 2009 Forester 2.5 X is one of the best values in the crossover SUV segment. The Forester L.L.Bean Edition model offers more luxury without compromising the vehicle’s sporty nature. Traditional Subaru amenities, including heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer, are available as optional features.
The 2009 Forester offers more user technology then ever, including a navigation system for the first time as well as advanced audio system upgrade options. The 2009 Forester comes pre-wired for XM® or SIRIUS® Satellite Radio. An auxiliary audio input jack enables connection of an iPod® or MP3 player.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only car company that offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its model line.
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