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Automakers are teasing their unveilings for the upcoming New York auto show , including Ford with its Transit Connection Family One concept. As demonstrated at other auto shows, the European-designed Transit Connect is ripe for customization. Ford has showcased a broad range of commercial applications, marketing to its key target audience. This time around, Ford takes aim at the modern family. At a time when RV sales are plummeting, a right-sized vehicle that could expand on the road-trip friendliness of minivans could have unique appeal. Testing those waters is the Transit Connection Family One concept. With a focus on family, the concept car boasting a variety of extras that enhance the spacious interior, such as a DVD entertainment system with a projector that displays on bulkhead-mounted sunshade screens. Side rear inner door panels are water-pen friendly and easily wipe clean for the next round of creative inspiration. Other extras include built-in hand sanitizer and sunscreen dispensers, family walkie-talkie radios that charge when docked, an integrated first-aid kit, and cargo door-mounted folding twin scooters. The storage area beneath the rear floor holds a folding stroller...
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The Ford Transit Connect pint-sized utility van has exceeded the original fuel economy estimates, delivering an EPA-rated 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. (Ford had previously estimated at least 20 city and 24 highway mpg.) The relatively high fuel efficiency is on target with the mission to provide reduced operating costs for commercial users. A European transplant, the Transit Connect features a versatile 135-cubic-foot cargo space that can be configured for a variety applications, including a second seating row. Designed to be durable and flexible, the Transit Connect should appeal to small business owners and delivery companies, though customizers and the ubiquitous active lifestylers will see potential in the van, as well. Read our full preview, “ Revealed: 2010 Ford Transit Connect .”
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With the rare success story in the automotive industry this year, Hyundai has hit a homerun with its Assurance Program. At a time when almost every brand has seen double-digit sales decreases , Hyundai posted a 14-percent increase last month, and Kia also showed an uptick. The secret: a program designed to build confidence in a consumer base shaken by the economy by promising to take back new vehicles should the buyer fall on tough times, without risk to their credit. Back that security with the knowledge that the latest Hyundai models are more than competitive and have shown to have better-than-average reliability in many cars, and the message is clearly compelling. Hyundai is looking to build upon its momentum with the Assurance Plus program, part of Hyundai's Spring Sales Event that runs from Feb. 23 to April 30. Hyundai Assurance Plus provides a one-time, 90-day payment relief benefit in the event of involuntary unemployment or physical disability. For qualifying consumers, this benefit helps them keep their vehicle for three months while attempting to replace their income. Hyundai Assurance Plus pays the lender a lump sum equal to 90 days of loan or lease payments. To qualify...
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Ford has released official photos of the production 2010 Transit Connect commercial van, along with specs and insight to its alternative-fuel future. First, the basics. The Transit Connect is a European transplant that promises a fuel-efficient alternative to the traditional bread-box-shaped commercial vans. It is configured for maximum space efficiency, with a compact cabin and a tall, deep cargo section that provides 135 cubic feet of space, with a 1,600 pound payload. The cargo doors open at 180 degrees, or optional 255 degrees, providing easy access to the 59.1 inch load height and 72.6-inch load length. While it is offered as a diesel in Europe, Stateside the Transit Connect will be powered by a Duratec 2.0-liter I-4. Ford expects the EPA fuel-economy rating to be at least 20 city and 24 highway mpg. A 14.7 gallon fuel tank enables a projected range of over 350 highway miles. Ford has announced that it will also offer an electric-powered version in 2010 with a 100-mile range. With the vehicle’s urban pedigree, it could be well suited to local duty, particularly for businesses with limited, predictable routes. Though the generous range opens up a wide range of applications. Ford...
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After teasing us last month (see “ Detroit Show Preview: Nissan NV2500 ”), Nissan has unveiled its commercial vehicle concept well ahead of its scheduled Detroit debut. Nissan also revealed the NV200 Concept at a recent media event, though that vehicle had been displayed previously at the Tokyo Motor Show. Built on a modified Nissan Titan full-size pickup fully boxed ladder frame, the NV2500 promises to be powerful, versatile utility vehicle. It has a 147.6-inch wheelbase and measures a full 19.5 feet bumper-to-bumper. A big machine, the NV2500 stands 8 feet tall and is 6.6 feet wide. Inside, from the front of the passenger compartment to rear door, there is room to carry objects up to 10.5 feet long with the passenger seat moved out of the way. The NV2500 Concept’s “wall-less” mobile office/workspace design includes a computer workstation, fold-down conference table, numerous storage compartments, cargo/tool tie-down racks, nearly six feet of interior height and an awning-style side panel that opens to create a standing outside workshop table. On the driver’s side, the Titan King Cab-style wide-opening doors offer easy access to the front of the vehicle, with integrated storage compartments...
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For 2009, Chrysler has improved the fuel economy of the Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models equipped with a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the 251-horsepower V-6 now delivers 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. Last year, the EPA rated these minivans at 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway. Minivan pioneer Chrysler still commands 40 percent of the market. This portion may grow as the Chrysler-engineered and manufactured Volkswagen Routan goes on sale. Pricing for the Town & Country LX starts at $26,500 (including $770 destination charges) and the Dodge Grand Caravan SE bases at $24,300. Read our Chrysler Town & Country review . Research minivans in the 2009 new car buyers guide.
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The findings from J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study identifies the models shown to be the most trouble-free based on a survey of 52,000 car owners. (Read New and Used Car Quality Continues to Improve for more details.) The standout models in each category are listed below: Sub-Compact Car: Hyundai Accent, Scion xA, Chevrolet Aveo Compact Car: Toyota Prius, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla Compact Sporty Car: Mazda Miata, Toyota Celica, Subaru Outback Sport Midsize Sporty Car: Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Toyota Camry Solara Coupe/Convertible, Mitsubishi Eclipse Midsize Car: Buick Century, Mercury Sable, Toyota Camry Sedan Large Car: Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Buick Park Avenue Compact Premium Sporty Car: Honda S2000, BMW Z4 (tie) /Porsche Boxster (tie) Entry Premium Vehicle: Lexus IS 300/IS 300 SportCross, BMW 3 Series, BMW X3 Midsize Premium Car: Lexus ES 330, Lexus GS 300/GS 430, Acura RL Large Premium Car: Lexus LS 430, Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DeVille Premium Sporty Car: Lexus SC 430, Ford Thunderbird, Porsche 911 Compact SUV: Honda Element (tie) / Toyota RAV4 (tie), Honda CR-V Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander, Buick Rainier, Mercury Mountaineer...
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The latest casualty in the $4/gallon summer is Chrysler. The automaker announced Monday that it will cut back from two shifts to one at the full-sized truck-building St. Louis North Assembly Plant, effective September 2. And it will indefinitely idle its St. Louis South Assembly Plant on October 31 due to a marked decrease in minivan demand. These measures will lead to a reduction of approximately 2,400 hourly jobs. In addition, Chrysler will extend is summer shutdowns at SUV plants in Detroit, Delaware, and Toledo. The Warren truck plant has been closed in preparation for the 2009 Dodge Ram, and it will remain closed until production begins in August. Chrysler is not alone in making dramatic moves, with Ford just recently announcing it has delayed the introduction of the redesigned 2009 Ford F-150 . General Motors has cut back its truck production and put a renewed effort in a future small car and the Chevrolet Volt plug-in car .
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The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan earned “Good” ratings, the highest ratings available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( IIHS ), in both frontal offset and side crashworthiness tests . The previous generation minivans earned just an “Acceptable” rating from IIHS. For the frontal offset test, the Institute crashes the vehicle into a deformable barrier at 40 mph. This replicates the forces in a collision with a similar-sized vehicle, and consequently the results can only be compared within a weight class. Here, the minivans earned Good marks across the board in each sub-category, including structure, bodily injury risk, and restraints. The side-impact test sees a 3,300-pound moving barrier collide with a parked test subject at 31 mph, replicating a crash with a midsized SUV. In the side-impact test, the minivans earned Good ratings in most sub-categories judged, with the structure assessed to be Acceptable. These ratings can be compared against all models. The Institute tests are considered more stringent than those conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ), and therefore these results mark a significant...
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Toyota Motor Sales has announced updated pricing for a variety of Toyota branded vehicles to take place starting mid May. The revisions see incremental increases in all cases, though the price bumps only impact the models listed below. Base retail prices do not include destination charges. 2008 Toyota Avalon - $27,325 , increases by $250, or 0.8 percent. 2009 Toyota Camry - $18,920 , increases by $200 or 0.9 percent. 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid - $25,650 , increases by $300 or 1.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Camry Solara coupe - $20,180 , increases by $250 or 0.9 percent. 2008 Toyota Camry Solara convertible - $27,440 , increases by $250 or 0.9 percent. 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser - $23,045 , increases by $500, or 2.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Highlander - $27,500 , increases by $200, or 0.7 percent. 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid - $34,200 , increases by $500, or 1.3 percent. 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser - $64,100 , increases by $900, or 1.4 percent. 2008 Toyota Prius - $21,500 , increases by $400, or 1.8 percent. 2008 Toyota RAV4 - $21,500 , increases by $250, or 1.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Sienna - $24,440 , increases by $100, or 0.4 percent. 2008 Toyota Tundra - $22,390 , increases by $100, or 0.3 percent...
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The entire 2009 Volkswagen model line will be covered by a no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program that covers scheduled maintenance described in each vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The maintenance intervals covered under this program and detailed in each vehicle’s maintenance booklet are 10K, 20K, and 30K miles for most 2009 model year Volkswagens. These long service intervals are aided by the use of synthetic oil. Co-developed with Chrysler, the Routan minivan requires services at 6K, 12K, 18K, 24K, 30K, and 36K miles. The Carefree Maintenance Program will launch with the introduction of the Tiguan, Volkswagen’s all-new crossover vehicle . Research Volkswagen in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries.
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Among the most significant unveilings at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show was the Ford Works Solutions mobile computing solution for full-sized trucks and vans. Available this fall on F-150, F Series Super Duty, and E Series, Ford Works Solutions replaces the stereo with a full computer with scalable features engineered to aid small businesses, contractors, and field managers. Powered by Microsoft Auto, the in-dash computer provides high-speed Internet access via the Sprint mobile broadband network and navigation by Garmin. (Owners will be responsible for the monthly access fee.) The computer is equipped with a 6.5-inch touch screen, two gigabytes of memory, a slot for memory card, and a USB port. The computer works with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, offering hands-free calling with push-to-talk voice recognition, access to user address books, and the ability to receive text messages. A stylus is included for use on the touch screen. The system also comes with a wireless keyboard. The rest of the Works Solutions system builds on this foundation, enabling the driver to use Web-based applications and connect to the office computer from anywhere. The possibilities are quite enticing for field...
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