Michael Harley

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REPORT: Volkswagen confirms Karmann purchase, plans to build new car at factory in 2011

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 9:32AM



Volkswagen AG has announced it will be establishing a new manufacturing unit in Osnabrueck, located in VW's home state of Lower Saxony, Germany. Interestingly enough, VW will be purchasing the land, equipment, and machinery formerly owned by Karmann -- the coachbuilder and convertible roof specialists who manufactured the classic Beetle-based Karmann Ghia coupe (Karmann filed for bankruptcy protection in April, and has been struggling since).

Production of a new vehicle at the plant is slated to start in 2011. In the meantime, 200 people will be needed to open the plant next year, and VW is estimating more than 1,000 new jobs will be created by 2014. Volkswagen AG has not disclosed which model will be built at the plant, or any financial details.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

First official shots of new BMW 5 Series leaked online

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 8:49AM Breaking

2010 BMW F10 5-Series - Click above for image gallery

BMW's official unveiling ceremony isn't until Monday, but a few authentic shots of the all-new "F10" BMW 5 Series are floating around cyberspace. These three low resolution images only give us a frontal glimpse of the upcoming 5 Series sedan, apparently as it does a dress rehearsal for its big show at the beginning of the week.

Our first sans-camouflage observation says it looks much like the 5 Series GT, its close sibling (nobody was expecting any radical styling departure anyway). Thanks to its "sport sedan" role, the new 5 Series four-door sports a slightly more aggressive flair to its front facade and side styling. In case you were wondering, the little black buttons just ahead of the front wheels are side view cameras, just like those found on the 7 Series. We'll reserve further judgment until Monday, when they pull the rest of the tarp off. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!


Gallery: 2010 BMW 5 Series F10 Official Pics


[Source: 5post.com]

Jeep recalling over 161k 2007-2008 Wrangler AT models due to tranny temp. sensor absence

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 8:57AM



Owners of model year 2007-2008 Jeep Wranglers with automatic transmissions may have to visit their local dealers as Chrysler is recalling 161,450 of the SUVs over potential transmission overheating problems. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Wrangler models manufactured between June 2006 and July 2008 with automatic transmissions were not fitted with a transmission fluid temperature warning system. If the AT fluid in the affected vehicles overheats, it may boil over and come in contact with hot engine or exhaust components – possibly leading to a fire.

To help alert drivers that their Jeep's transmission is overheating, dealers will inspect and install a visual "Hot Oil" message in the instrument cluster accompanied by an audible chime to indicate the elevated fluid temperature. The service will be performed free of charge starting in December. For more information, owners of the affected models may call Chrysler at 1-800-835-1403, NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236, or visit www.safercar.gov. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

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Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 4:29PM


Mitsubishi Evo X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Potential corrosion of the front impact airbag sensor has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall up to 29,353 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution models. NHTSA is concerned that long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt thrown up by other vehicles on the road may cause the wintery mixture to adhere to the front impact sensor and lead to corrosion over time. In the event of an accident or collision, a damaged sensor may short-circuit and delay airbag deployment possibly causing driver or passenger injury. The recall is currently limited to states where heavy road salt is used in the winter (i.e., Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, etc...).

Mitsubishi dealers have been instructed to replace the airbag sensors with a redesigned model with improved corrosion resistance. Of course, the service will be performed at no charge. While the safety recall isn't scheduled to begin until November 27, 2009, owners may contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations at 888-648-7820, contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit NHTSA on the Internet at www.safercar.gov. Full press release after the jump.


Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X


[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

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REPORT: Saab dealers 'running out of cars'

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 10:28AM


2010 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

With new vehicle production at a trickle, and its dealer network slashed by a third, retailers of the Saab brand are finding inventory shrinking to drought levels. Some of the remaining dealers may even run out of new vehicles before replacements arrive.

Point the blame towards the pending sale of Saab to Koenigsegg Automotive AB, and the fact that an all-new Saab 9-5 model is still sitting on the horizon. With the transaction still not complete, financial limitations have kept new vehicle production low. In addition, the Swedish assembly plant tasked to build the new 9-5 sedan is in the process of retooling. "When we close the deal and change owners we can start producing again for real as we then will have financing," Eric Geers, a Saab spokesman told Bloomberg.

Even if the deal with Koenigsegg closes as planned, the 2010 Saab 9-5 (the company's first all-new car in seven years) won't hit European showrooms until early next year. U.S. dealers will likely have to wait even longer, starving as the last of their dwindling inventory rolls away.


Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5


[Source: Bloomberg]

Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 six-speed reveals its true character

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 16th, 2009 at 11:57AM FeaturedReview

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6-Speed – Click above for high-res image gallery

This isn't our first sampling of the reborn Dodge Challenger. We've driven the SE, R/T and SRT8 variants before. However, this time it's different. We've secured a Challenger SRT-8 with a six-speed manual transmission – and it's a whole different breed of bull.

The six-speed-equipped Dodge Challenger SRT8 drives exactly as it looks. Unlike the countless poseurs promising handling with oversize tires, performance with monstrous exhaust pipes, or luxury with overstuffed cabins, the Challenger SRT8 delivers only what its exterior suggests – a mountain of machismo-infused muscle-car entertainment.

We had a week with Dodge's tribute to testosterone, and it's one we won't soon forget. Contrary to its automatic-equipped siblings, the manual gearbox transforms the SRT8 from merely entertaining to positively supernatural. Make the jump to find out why this husky red coupe had us shaving twice daily.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6-Speed


Photos copyright ©2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

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STUDY: Cash for Clunkers helped Japanese way more than Detroit 3

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 13th, 2009 at 7:30PM



While there is no question that Obama's Cash-for-Clunkers program accelerated vehicle sales this summer, a new report by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute shows the big winners were from Japan, not Detroit.

According to the study, nearly 85 percent of the trade-ins were from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, yet they only sold 39 percent of the new cars moved off the lots. On the other hand, 8 percent of the trade-ins came from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, manufacturers who accounted for 41 percent of new car purchases.

While these numbers may be justified by the large quantity of inefficient domestic trucks and SUVs that were deemed clunkers, customer loyalty also seems to have taken a big shift. About 68 percent of owners who traded in Toyota, Honda, or Nissan vehicles replaced them with another from one of those Japanese brands, while only 43 percent of consumers who traded in Detroit steel purchased another General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler product. The program cost the U.S. taxpayers about $3 billion.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Koenigsegg reportedly rejects 81 out of 218 U.S. Saab dealers

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 13th, 2009 at 2:28PM

2010 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Automotive News, Federal Express letters arrived at 81 of Saab's 218 dealers on Thursday stating that their franchises had not been selected to move forward and become a dealer for the post-sale entity, Saab Cars North America. The package from General Motors said that Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, Saab's buyer, had selected only certain stores based on its business plan requiring strong, well-located dealers showing profits and high volume.

All Saab dealers signed termination agreements in June when GM entered bankruptcy. The dealers who received reject letters today will follow the terms of those agreements. Meanwhile, the remaining 137 U.S. Saab dealers will have to wait patiently until the end of November when the sale is scheduled to close (although those close to the deal say it may take longer). Current Saab dealer contracts with GM will not expire until October 2010, at which point the remaining dealers will sign new franchise agreements with Saab Cars North America.


Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5


[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

REPORT: Volkswagen Touareg successor headed for Detroit

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 12th, 2009 at 2:32PM

2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Click above for high-res image gallery

January's North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) is expected to host the debut of Volkswagen's all-new third-generation Touareg SUV (the facelifted "second-gen" arrived in the States as a 2008 model). While details are few, rumor has it that VW will introduce its new Touareg with a variety of powerplant choices during its first model year, including a hybrid variant.

As previously reported, the hybrid is expected to combine the supercharged 3.0-liter TSI V6 from the Audi S4 mated to a 38 kW electric motor. An all-new eight-speed automatic transmission wraps up the package. Total combined power is 374 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. With an all-wheel drive powertrain, the Touareg Hybrid should sprint to 60 mph in less than seven seconds and return a combined EPA fuel economy figure of about 26 mpg. While it debuts in just two months, the new Volkswagen Touareg isn't expected in showrooms until the second half of 2010.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg


[Source: Autocar]

eBay Motors begins offering free vehicle history reports from Experian

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Nov 11th, 2009 at 5:29PM



Consumers wary of purchasing vehicles off eBay may take a bit of comfort in the online auction site's announcement that all vehicles built since 1981 will now include free vehicle history reports effective today. The "AutoCheck" information, supplied by Experian Automotive, will detail whether vehicles have been involved in major accidents, have salvage titles, have been stolen or repossessed, have had their odometers tampered with, or have seen special duty as a taxi or police vehicle. Of course, the service is only able to detail information which has been reported, a common complaint about vehicle history reports. Nicolas Franchet, senior director of U.S. vehicles at eBay Motors, says the free reports will help build the level of trust between the buyers and sellers. "We're interested in being the best place to buy and sell your car online," Franchet said.

Those familiar with eBay Motors will recall that the site has offered vehicle history reports from CarFax, Inc., when supplied by dealers. Those reports are still be available via a link, but the new AutoCheck data supplied without charge is now automatically displayed in a shaded area below the vehicle image in the body of the listing. For more details, check out the official press release after the jump or eBay Motors.

[Source: Experian Automotive | Image: Sean Gallup/Getty]

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