Geely, Ford announce final numbers in Volvo deal — $1.5 billion

The original price of $1.8 billion was agreed upon in March. The Chinese carmaker confirmed Stefan Jacoby, former head of Volkswagen AG’s U.S. operations, will be Volvo Cars’ chief executive, replacing Stephen Odell, who becomes chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe. Li Shufu, founder of Geely and new chairman of the board of Volvo Cars, and Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth signed the agreement in London. Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally expressed confidence in Volvo’s prospects, noting the carmaker had returned to profit after a restructuring. “The sale of Volvo will allow us to sharpen our focus on

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Concours on the Avenue in Carmel canceled for 2010

Concours on the Avenue, the free, hip and arguably most enjoyable component of Monterey Auto Week, has been canceled this year due to what owners call an “insurmountable financial gap.” “It’s suspended for 2010, but we have every hope that the momentum that we lose can somehow be regained,” said Doug Friedman who ran the show with his wife. “We’re eternally optimistic, even at this tough moment. We have to look to the future. I’ve never given up on anything, so we won’t give up on Concours on the Avenue and Carmel deserving its own signature moment.” Held for the

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Acura ZDX, 2010: Roman Mica Reports (Text and Video)

Roman Mica, contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com, compares the new offering to a BMW. But he also questions the vehicle’s practicality while simultaneously appreciating its performance. Here’s Mica’s text and video review: Perhaps the closest competitor to the ZDX is BMW‘s X6. BMW took the DNA of a SUV/Crossover and spliced it together with a 4-door coupe to create the X6 and a new kind of car. Acura has done basically the same thing, but the approach is much subtle. While the BMW engineers took a sledge hammer approach to performance, Acura takes a scalpel with its super handling all-wheel-drive. And

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Chevrolet announces Volt production increase for 2012 as President Barack Obama tours Detroit plant

The Volt has attracted vast attention since its introduction at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Touting a total range of 340 miles, the Volt can travel 40 miles on the power of its 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. When the battery’s power runs low, a gasoline-powered engine generates power that extends the range another 300 miles. The Nissan Leaf, which will make its debut late in tis year, has a larger battery with more than double the Volt’s pure-electric range. But it does not have a generator to extend its range. The expanded U.S. production capacity is the latest of several

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Nissan Leaf will offer same battery warranty as Chevy Volt

The pending battle between the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt has intensified with the announcement Nissan will match GM and offer an 8-year/100k miles warranty on the battery pack of its LEAF electric car. The MSRP for the LEAF starts at $32,780; the full Federal tax credit of $7,500 brings that down to $25,280. In California, the LEAF is eligible for an up to $5,000 CVRP rebate, bringing the price down to close to $20,000. The LEAF will debut in December in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee. In January 2011 , LEAF will debut in Texas and Hawaii. The

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Toyota recall: Frozen steering wheel in nearly half-million Avalon, Lexus models

The recall affects 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. — 373,000 Avalon sedans and 39,000 Lexus LX 470 SUVs. The recall is Toyota‘s largest since announcing last April it would fix 600,000 Sienna minivans because of rusting spare tire holders. Toyota’s massive quality control problems began last October when it announced a recall of 5.3 million cars and trucks to fix floor mats that can trap pedals and cause unintended acceleration. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Several additional recalls have followed — sticky gas pedals to braking

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Tata Motors named Commonwealth Games official vehicle

Tata plans to provide 1600 cars, including the Indica and Indigo, 100 Sumo Grandes, 50 Safar sport utility vehicles as well as 20 Wingers to transport delegates and their families. The company will also provide few CNG buses and well as disabled friendly vehicles. The 19th Commonwealth Games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and in India, which also hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. It will also be the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held

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Bugatti introduces new Veyron, will debut at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The new Veyron body was is also lighter and constructed with an all-carbon, monocoque frame. The new Veyron will make its debut at the Concours d’Elegance on August 15 in Pebble Beach. The event will also feature Alfa Romeo, Pierce-Arrow and Jaguar as well as  celebrate the designs of Ghia. And the event will also welcome Hot Rods, particularly lakesters and Bonneville racers, as well as Indy Cars. The second year for motorcycles at the famed show will focus on classic American bikes built prior to 1960. Bugatti is also the marquee for Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway

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Dan Gurney exhibit honors pioneer at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Gurney drove more 50 types of cars in 312 events worldwide, and his All American Racers (AAR) Team designed, built and campaigned 157 racing cars with 66 different drivers during 35 years of competition. Many of the cars are still in existence, owned by collectors or driven on the vintage circuits by racing enthusiasts. * The dark blue Eagle Gurney-Weslake V-12 number 36, known as one of the most beautiful Grand Prix cars ever built, is the inspiration for the 2010 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion event poster. Owned by The Collier Collection in Naples, Fla., it will be on display

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Chevrolet begins aggressive order campaign for electric Volt

Chevrolet dealers in six states and in Washington, D.C., have begun take orders taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the industry’s first electric vehicle with extended-range capability. Chevrolet is offering a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months at MSRP with $2,500 due at lease signing, including a varying security deposit based on current conditions The benefit of the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the tax credit going to the lessor. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans,

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Cars of the Tour de France, Skoda to Citroen to Fiat

The Czechoslovakian automaker provides approximately 250 Superb, Superb Combi, Octavia, Fabia and Roomster vehicles for race officials’ use and to transport teams, VIPs and the media. The cars are kept spotlessly clean and are presented at the start of each stage. Skoda’s vehicles are not available in the United States, but the brand is distributed in about 40 countries — and that’s reason enough to be part of the cycling biggest event. Despite its large presence at the Tour de France, Skoda (it has a contract with the even through 2013) represents a partially representation of vehicles at the Tour

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Rare Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa set for Monterey Auto Week auction

Delivered new to Brazilian Jean-Louis Lacerda Soares, 0738 TR was raced for several seasons in South America under the Esquardari Largatixa banner where it recorded a number of successful finishes. Continuing RM’s global leadership in the presentation of historic Ferraris at auction – holding seven of the top 10 all-time auction records for the marque – 0738 TR is joined by no less than 22 other exceptional vintage Ferraris in Monterey. Notable entries include: a highly-desirable, covered headlamp 1959 Ferrari LWB California Spyder, s/n 1489 GT, (Est. $2,750,000 – $3,250,000) delivered new to Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia; a rare

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GM recall: 1.5 million vehicles, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, have windshield wiper system fire risk

The recall affects several pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossovers and passenger car models from model years 2006-2009. General Motors had a similar recall in 2008, but new issues arose in fixed vehicles. General Motors said it will disable the heated washer fluid system module that could lead to fires. The Detroit automaker will pay owners and those leasing vehicles $100 each since the feature is being disabled. Five fires, but no injuries or crashes in GM vehicles have been reported. Nearly 1.4 million vehicles are in the U.S. and more than 100,000 vehicles are in Canada, Mexico and other

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Infiniti G37 Sedan Journey, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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For 2010, the G Sedan, Infiniti‘s top-selling model, features revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior treatment, upgraded technology features and remains a top player as a near-luxury sports sedan. Most of the enhancements, except for the exterior refinements, are also available on the 2010 G37 Coupe and G37 Convertible. Infiniti buyers have four choices — G37 Sedan, G37 Sedan Journey, G37S Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD. All 2010 G sedans are equipped with a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) V6. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models except the G37 Sport 6MT, comes

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Chrysler recalls 600,000 Jeep Wranglers, minivans

Chrysler is recalling nearly 600,000 minivans and Jeep Wranglers because of brake or wiring problems that could become safety issues, according to the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA website reported Chrysler is recalling 288,968 Jeep Wranglers from the 2006 through 2010 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak. Additionally, 284,831 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans from the 2008 and 2009 model years are being recalled because a wiring problem can cause a fire inside the sliding doors. Neither problem has caused any crashes or injuries, Chrysler reported. On

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Cadillac unveils 2011 CTS Coupe pricing, options

The ultimate expression of Cadillac’s new Coupe, the high-performance V-Series edition with 556 horsepower, Brembo brakes and Magnetic Ride Control also goes on sale later this summer at $62,990 including destination charge. “CTS Coupe is a compelling new alternative for luxury and performance-minded drivers,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “The addition of a Coupe, especially one this dramatic, provides an important entryway for new consumers to experience Cadillac Art and Science.” The Coupe expands the award-winning CTS line-up, which already includes the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon. CTS has been named to the Car and

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