As far as Audi is concerned, the much heralded coming of the Chevy Volt is made for idiots. This was shared to the media by Audi President Johan de Nysschen, referring to the hybrid car as overpriced and no better than a Toyota Corolla. The rumored price for the Chevy Volt was said to be around $40,000.00.

The Chevy Volt is expected to be categorized in the company of cars priced in the $25,000.00 mark. However, a lot of criticism is being raised at the moment, waiting to see if the Chevy Volt can really be a car choice for people looking towards new electric cars coming out in the market. Will the Chevy Volt succeed? All we can do is wait and see once this GM hybrid car hits the automotive market.

Image courtesy: Auto Blog Green

(Source) Tech Whack

Tags: automotive market, car choice, chevy volt, electric cars, GM, hybrid car, market image, Toyota, toyota corolla

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In any shopping or consumer buying situations, discounts will always spur customer interest. This includes car buying as well to which Skoda brand manager Vlad Rusu has been witness to a lot of car buying cases where people will always ask for a discount before actually buying a vehicle.

“Under the current circumstances, no car can be sold unless the client is offered a discount. Even when offered a good price from the beginning, they still ask for a discount,” says Vlad Rusu, summing up the situation on the local automotive market.

The representatives of Porsche Romania, the importer of the Skoda brand on the domestic market, believe the increase in sales in March was because of the discount campaigns, estimating the sales to revert to where they were in the first two months after they run out of stocks.

“In March we had more than 1,500 orders, almost double the number in the previous months, because of the discount campaigns conducted by dealers,” Vlad Rusu explained.

(Source) ZF.ro

Tags: automotive market, campaigns, car sales, Porsche, romania, shopping

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For a company that is in trouble, you have to admire how their branches are trying to weather the storm. General Motors has been in the news lately and has been reportedly experiencing turbulence in the financial world but don’t tell that to their Australian branch which is launching a new line of vehicles carrying the EcoLine title.

The EcoLine vehicles will highlight the companies use of alternative fuels, fuel saving technology, and hybrid and electric models. Initially, the EcoLine of vehicles will include diesels, liquified petroleum cars, and vehicles with active fuel management systems that can cut power to cylinders to save gas. In 2010, Holden will introduce an E85 vehicles into its lineup.

But the big news is that GM’s Holden group will introduce the extended range Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Australia in 2012. The Australian automotive market appears to be behind most of the world in terms of advanced engines and low emissions. The technologies introduced by the EcoLine such as E85, cylinder deactivation, advanced diesels, are all available in the U.S. and most have been for years.

Australia’s demand for fuel efficient vehicles may be behind the times, but a Chevy Volt will be a big step towards lower emissions and acceptance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

(Source) All Cars Electric

Tags: alternative fuels, automotive market, chevy volt, country source, cylinder deactivation, diesels, e85 vehicles, electric models, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel management systems, fuel saving, General Motors, GM, holden, liquified petroleum, turbulence, volt electric

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To perhaps help in their daily operations during the crisis, good tidings have come Kia Motors’ way with the successful securing of a $305 million revolving credit line with a group of leading U.S.-based financial institutions. Of the funding group, Wells Fargo Foothill, part of Wells Fargo & Company, is the leading lender, with Banc of America Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as co-lead arrangers for KMA and Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent.

“With credit being extremely tight these days, we are especially pleased these institutions recognize KMA’s stronghold in the U.S. automotive market,” said Byeong Wook (David) Kim, CFO, KMA. “KMA is growing and continuing to gain market share and this is further recognition of the strength of our business commitment.”

Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line of 12 vehicles to meet the needs of all lifestyles. The vehicle line features the functional Rondo CUV and award-winning Sedona minivan along with a wide variety of popular passenger cars, including the refined Amanti full-size sedan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan, versatile and compact Spectra and Spectra5, and sporty yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts.

The vehicle line also features the affordably luxurious Borrego, rugged Sorento and value-packed Sportage SUVs. The 2010 Soul further complements the lineup as it arrives in dealerships, as will the 2010 Forte sedan.

(Source) Press

Tags: america securities llc, arrangers, automotive market, banc of america, banc of america securities, banc of america securities llc, bank of america, CUV, david kim, jpmorgan chase bank, kia motors america, passenger cars, spectra5, subcompacts, wells fargo company

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Honda raised the curtains on the 2010 Acura TSX V-6 at the Chicago Auto Show, debuting the all-new V-6 model for its TSX sports sedan line-up. The 2010 TSX V-6 will be equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter engine, exclusive suspension tuning, larger diameter wheels and additional enhancements.

“The automotive market may be slowing down, but not Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “With improved acceleration and handling, the new 280 horsepower V-6 adds even more sport to the already sporty nature of the popular TSX sports sedan.”

Features:

201-hp, 2.4-liter i-VTEC® engine

Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)

Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® Phone Connectivity

Available Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition

The 2010 Acura is expected to be made available this summer. The set price for the 2010 Acura TSX is $29,160.00

(Source) Press

Tags: acura navigation system, acura sales, acura tsx, automotive market, chicago auto show, Honda, vehicle stability, voice recognition

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