Ford has dramatic sales increase, Toyota tumbles again

Ford announced sales rose to 137,644 vehicles for its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and it plans to build 595,000 in North America in the second quarter and increase of 32 percent from 2009. The industry’s sales were announced following one if them most turbulent months for the car industry, particularly for Toyota and other manufacturers facing recalls. Despite the tumultuous times, Ford sales in February rose for every brand when compared to the same month last year.  It was the first month since 1998 that Ford outsold General Motors, the biggest U.S. carmaker. General Motors reported its February U.S.

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GM recall: 1.3 million Pontiac and Chevy models with power steering issues (video)

As the buzz continues for one of the most anticipated auto gatherings of of the year, General Motors isn’t experiencing what it thought it would at the Geneva Auto Show. Usually, the industry’s annual gathering in Switzerland is when more manufacturers debut cars arguably than at any other show. But this year, it’s the just announced the need to repair 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles for from 2005 to 2010 models with potential power steering problems that’s got the attention of the industry at large. The recall covers the 2005-2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 in

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Gas mileage by the numbers: 15 most fuel-efficient 2010 cars

But EPA city and hwy mileage average are the most prominent numbers listed on an manufacturer’s monroney sticker. Someone purchasing a Hummer is as interested in the numbers as someone buying a Honda Insight, but odds are they’ll still look at the averages. All things considered, here are top 15 most fuel efficient cars, ranked in increasingly efficient order based on city mpg. 15. The Hyundai Elantra Blue (manual), MPG: 26 city, 35 highway Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $14,145; 14. Mini Cooper (manual) MPG: 28 city, 37 highway; MSRP: $19,500. 13. Toyota Yaris (manual), MPG: 29 city, 36 highway; MSRP:

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GM joins recall frenzy: 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models

The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico. The automaker said the vehicles are still safe to drive and never lose their steering. The affected cars may be harder to steer them when traveling under 15 mph. Alan Adler, GM spokesman, said the failures are rare and the cars can still be driven until motors can be replaced by dealers. Drivers will see a warning light and hear a chime if the power steering fails, but they could

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Toyota troubles again: Potential oil leak in more than 900,000 cars, Avalon to Camry

Toyota notified its dealers of the issue March 1, according to Reuters. The potential oil leak problem has not prompted a recall, the issue is not a major safety concern and has been described as a “limited service campaign.” The oil hose service campaign covers 2007-2010 model year Camry, 2005-2009 Avalon, 2006-2009 Rav4, 2007-2008 Lexus ES 350 and 2007-2009 RX 350 vehicles. The leak would likely be noticed by drivers as the condition may cause abnormal engine noise or cause the oil pressure light to illuminate. Toyota owners who need the oil hose replaced can do so without charge at

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Toyota incentive plan: lure back customers with five-year, zero percent financing on recalled models

The new incentives will start March 2 and continue through March. Toyota will offer zero-percent financing for 60 months on some 2010 model year vehicles, including its most popular Camry and Corolla sedans and other vehicles involved in the recalls that involved faulty accelerator pedals. Returning Toyota customers will also receive a complimentary two-year “Toyota Auto Care Premium Package” that includes oil changes and other maintenance services, in addition to cash rebates. Akio Toyoda, whose grandfather founded Toyota, spoke before the U.S. Congress last week in Washington. D.C., to address the recall of more than 8.5 million cars, including several

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Ferrari hybrid images leaked, but few other details before Geneva Auto Show

Ferrari has tried to keep its much-anticipated debut secret. But images are now appearing in various publications. The car has an unusual “green” green exterior and the interior features the high-voltage setup that stores braking energy for an extra boost of power via a push of the steering-wheel mounted button. It’s the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used in Ferrari‘s Formula 1 cars during the 2009 season. The Geneva Auto Show will be held March 4-14.

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Ford Mustang to Dodge Charger: America's top-10 muscle cars

WeirdWorm.com is a “weird” web site that likes lists as much as The Weekly Driver. It has lists of lists, best-looking cowgirls to wacky technology innovations. Here are 10 of WeirdWorm.com’s favorite muscle cars: 1969 Chevy Camaro, 1969 Dodge Challenger, 1969 Dodge Charger, 1969 Chevy Chevelle, 1970 Ford Torino, 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger, 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1969 Ford Thunderbird. Here’s what the site said about the 1969 Chevy Camaro: “With the meaner look of this car compared to the softer look of the years prior, this car was a high seller. You had

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Toyota recall: How fair was Congress to Akio Toyoda?

That’s the way it is with many well-published hearings in Washington, D.C. Some observers feel politicians use the public platform to “grandstand.” Some news networks believe politicians are indebted to special interest groups. Newsy.com videos analyze and synthesize news coverage from multiple sources.  Its unique method of showing how different media cover the news helps viewers better understand complex stories. In this instance, according to a Newsy.com representative, “The video shows a clip from his actual speech as well as a few different opinions on the speech, Toyoda, and Congress/reporters’ aggressiveness or appropriateness in interviewing him.” For new car reviews,

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Toyota offering nationwide free rentals for recall clients

The deal was initially scheduled only for New York, but when questioned about the free offer at the congressional hearings in Washington, a Toyota executive said the company was extending the same benefits across the country. New York Attorney General Mario Cuomo said services in his state will include pickup and return of the vehicle, driving the customer to the dealership or their work place, and rental and loaner cars or taxis during the time the customer’s recalled car is being repaired or upgraded. The system will likely work the same way in every state. Toyota has not announced what

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Tesla Roadster price slashed to $1,658 (per monthly lease payment)

The Tesla retails, depending upon options, for $104,000-$111.000. But a three-year, 30,000-mile lease is now available for as little as $1,158 per month, or about $55 per day. There’s small type, too: the leasing customer needs to provide $12,453 due at signing, which includes a $9,900 down payment and $895 acquisition fee but not taxes, title, license, registration, and “locally applied” fees. The Tesla Roadster has two seats, 248 horsepower and powers from 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. Such performance, of course, likely means expensive insurance premiums. They’re not included in the monthly lease payment. Like other leases,

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Rare 1937 BMW roadster set for London auction

The BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Büegelfalte’, chassis no. 85032, was part of the manufacturer’s early sports racing activity in the pre-war years. Chassis 85032 was manufactured in May 1937 as a standard-bodied car for Rudolf Schleicher´s Experimental Department at BMW. The car participated in the 1937 Le Mans with the well-known British driver of the period, A.F.P. Fane, as well as the 1937 Tourist Trophy in the hands of H.G. Dobbs. The following year it participated in the 1938 Mille Miglia and won a notable victory in the 2.0-litre class, again with Fane driving and William James as co-driver. The

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Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Reviews (videos)

The Tucson has received a lot praise with its all new design and estimated 31 mpg highway mileage (I got 23.5 mpg in mostly freeway mileage during my weekly test.) The Nissan Rogue is rated at 27 mpg on the highway and that’s closer to my average during my week with the car. The Nissan Rogue I tested had an exterior color of Venom Red; The Hyundai Tucson exterior I drove for a week had an exterior of color of Garnet Red. Put the SUVs side by side, and they’re the same color. Here’s what Car and Driver said about

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Chrysler will replace potentially faulty airbag sensor in Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler’s “safety improvement campaign,” which will begin in June, included 259,437 vehicles in the United States and 72,035 in Canada. The move comes after Chrysler found one of the front airbag crash sensors could crack under some environmental conditions and allow water to enter the sensor, potentially causing the sensor to become inoperative. The company, which is controlled by Fiat SpA, said it is not aware of any complaints, injuries or property damage related the sensor issue. Chrysler said the campaign is different from a recall because should problems occur, the vehicles would still meet crash standards outlined by U.S.

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Honda three-wheel concept vehicle will debut at Geneva Motor Show

According to Honda, the electrical powertrain consisting of a motor and a battery pack will be housed in a front storage cell ahead of the driver’s seat. The power cell will be provided with a lock in order to ensure enhanced safety of the battery pack. The enclosed capsule of the auto will make the Honda 3R-C an all-weather motor option. With the introduction of the third wheel, physically challenged persons will also be able to experience the thrill of biking using the Honda 3R-C. European designers created the concept at the Honda’s R&D facility in Milan, Italy; however, there

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Toyota? Toyoda? What's in a name? Try rice paddies and good fortune

The original name of the car was Toyoda. But in 1937, Toyoda had a public competition to design a new logo. The winning entry of 27,000 was the three Japanese katakana letters for Toyoda (トヨダ) in a circle. But family member Risaburo Toyoda (her married name is Toyoda) preferred the word Toyota (トヨタ). It took eight brush strokes, two less than Toyoda. Eight is also a number of good fortune in Japan. But there’s more. The literal translation of Toyoda is “fertile rice paddies.” Toyota was also adopted to distance the company from old-fashioned farming methods. It was trademarked and

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