The Tokyo Motor Show officially opens on October 24, hosting a wide roster of automakers to show off their latest vehicles set to be released in the market. And just when many people were looking forward to the event, Hyundai has begged off from the Tokyo Motor Show despite having paid a non-refundable reservation fee of $122,000.

There were no definitive reasons given for Hyundai’s pull out but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that it has something to do with expenses. If Hyundai participated, they would have to address other costs that include outlays, staffing and other support materials for any new model they would be unveiling as well as the space rental for the duration of the event. as well as the space rental for the duration of the event.

With their pull-out, the Tokyo Motor Show looms like a showdown among Japan’s familiar car brands. Only two other foreign car companies remain for the event and these are Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen and Lotus. With 3 weeks to go, will they stay or will they go?

(Source) NY Times

Tags: Alpina, automakers, burkard, car brands, car companies, duration, foreign car, genius, Hyundai, Japan, Lotus, new model, october 24, outlays, refundable, reservation fee, support materials, tokyo motor show

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Volvo is making sure that their new model scheduled for release in 2010 will be filled with safety features both for the driver and the pedestrians. As most people seek safer cars these days, avoiding accidents and injuries to people on the road may yet take turn for the better with the new Volvo S60’s new Automatic Braking Technology.

The Automatic Braking System will be able to detect pedestrians who walk in front of the car and avoid impacts at speeds below 15MPH. To make this possible, the system is made up of key parts such as a radar unit at the front grill and a camera by the rear view mirror. In short, the system acts as a reliable alternative just in case a driver would overlook the presence of people around the vehicle.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety will debut on the Volvo S60 in 2010.

(Source) Auto India

Tags: Accidents, automatic braking system, full auto, India, new model, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, presence, radar unit, Rear View Mirror, safer cars, safety features, Volvo, volvo s60

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The Golf VI, the new sixth generation Golf model will be unveiled by Saad Buzwaid and Volkswagen. The new model is quieter, sportier, fuel efficient and offers a clean distinctive appearance that should draw motorists in to check it out.

Lauded to be the 2009 World Car of the Year, it is apparent that the new Golf model will be getting its share of impatient car buyers who would want to check out and perhaps even buy one for themselves. The clear and powerful styling of the Golf being offered as a two-door and four-door in the “Trendline”, “Comfortline” and “Highline” equipment lines is showing the entire brand the way to the future.

The new Golf is characterized by first-class acoustic properties. A special sound-damping film in the windshield reduces driving noises, as does the newly developed seal design on the doors and side window guides.

(Source) Gulf Times

Tags: car buyers, comfortline, generation golf, motorists, new golf, new model, seal design, volkswagen, windshield, world car of the year

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A day after the said launch of the UK’s car scrappage scheme, Toyota and Honda have reportedly held back, stating that they need exact figures on just how much they will be contributing before they actually participate in the said scheme.

The need for clarification and certainty seems to be demanded by the two car manufacturing giants, opting to see in black and wait just how much would have to contribute to the scheme, which was designed to kickstart moribund sales and revive the flagging industry.

To refresh your memory, Motorists who trade in their old car and buy a new model from participating manufacturers will receive a £2,000 discount, half of it paid by the government and half by the car industry.

Unless this issue gets resolved, sudden constraints have come up. And knowing how many motorists own cars under these two car giants, you know that something may eventually hinder the success of this car scrappage scheme in the United Kingdom.

(Source) Guardian

Tags: car giants, car industry, car scrappage scheme, Cars, clarification, constraints, exact figures, Ford, Honda, launch, memory, motorists, new model, Toyota, united kingdom

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You can just imagine how many Toyota cars are roaming around Turkey right now as the company has announced the production of their 1 millionth vehicle, a milestone that coincides with the start of production for the new third generation Toyota Verso.

The Adapazari-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) plant has produced over 430,000 Verso models since 2004 and plans to manufacture 55,000 units of the new model in its first full year of sales.

Launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, new Verso is a no-compromise MPV that offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities match those of conventional passenger cars.

Introducing Toyota Optimal Drive throughout the Verso range has returned increases in engine power of up to 20 per cent, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions show improvements of up to 12 per cent, compared to the current model.

(Source) Paddock

Tags: adapazari, co2 emissions, fuel economy, geneva motor show, new model, occupant, passenger cars, pedestrian safety, safety features, toyota cars, toyota motor, toyota verso

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Volvo has officially launched the all-new Volvo S80L in China. The S80L is one of the safest premium cars tailor-made for China and will mark the arrival of Volvo in the centre of the Chinese premium car market. The prices and specifications of the 5 variants were presented. To meet the demand of Chinese consumers, the wheel base of this S80L model is prolonged by 140mm and the car is considerably upgraded. The sale of the all-new model has now started and the production started in February.

“Volvo S80L is an all new model specially tailored for the Chinese market, and also the most luxurious car Volvo has ever made. The stretched wheel base fully meets the discerning demands of Chinese luxury car consumers. Meanwhile, S80L proves Volvo’s leadership in terms of safety and design”, says Dr. Alexander Klose, CEO of Volvo Cars China.

(Source) The Auto Channel

Tags: car market, china, chinese consumers, chinese market, dr alexander, luxurious car, new model, premium cars, Volvo

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Mitsubishi is launching a new model soon, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. Sporty looking and equipped with a manual transmission that can go as far as 30 miles per gallon, the new design comes with a vented hood that allows proper ventilation of hot air from the hood.

The hood is light as well thus optimizing the weight distribution of the car. It comes equipped as well with an all-wheel control (AWC) and active center differential (ACF) to maintain balance and proper grip on the road. The ACD mode switch sets dynamics for “gravel” or “snow,” optimizing torque transfer for the available traction.

The retail price of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS was said to be $18,000 and if you should choose to add the Sirius radio w/60-month service, another $1500 will be added to the base price.

Via Epoch Times

Tags: GTS, manual transmission, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi lancer, new model, sirius radio, weight distribution

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A steering wheel issue has forced Japan car manufacturer giant Toyota to pull out approximately close to 120,000 cars for brands that was divided between new model cars Reiz, Crown sedans and Lexus Luxury models.

Cars that were manufactured back in February, 2005 until October, 2006 seems to be the ones affected, owing to a probable defect that came about in their tie up with the FAW group during this period.

Considering the number of cars being recalled, that is indeed a lot. Just some days back, Toyota was announcing that it would be incurring its first-ever annual operating loss. With this recall, this is bound to toggle the figures more to the red.

Source

Tags: car manufacturer, february 2005, giant, japan car, Lexus, luxury models, model cars, new model, sedans, steering wheel, Toyota

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