Mercedes-Benz is currently considering whether or not to start making its popular C-Class sedans right in Vance, Alabama. The plant is already responsible for making the M, GL and R-Class so the German giant could definitely make the C-Class at Vance too. Let’s not forget that Mercedes poured $290 million into the expansion of the plant earlier this year but never said what the purpose of the investment was.

And if you’re reading this from Sindelfingen, Germany, the current home of the C-Class then you should know Mercedes plans to save all those 3,000 jobs by shifting SL production from Bremen to Sidelfingen. And don’t worry Bremen Mercedes builders, your jobs will be saved too. It looks like the it’s a win-win-win situation but we’ll see more once Mercedes-Benz goes public with the changes!

via WGAL

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Way back in October of last year was when we got our first official word that Scion’s iQ would be headed for North American dealerships at some point in the future. At that point, the iQ was slated for a late 2010/early 2011 release. Today however we bring you news from an anonymous Scion dealership who says the vehicle will in fact makes its American debut a few months ahead of its previously announced release date. In fact, the car is now reportedly expected to hit the street sometime in September or October of 2011.

On an alternative note, Toyota has said that they will focus most of Scion’s efforts towards improving the popular tC, effectively explaining why the iQ won’t see the market any sooner.

via autoweek

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It turns out that the Alfa Romeo MiTo will not be released in the U.S. market, as announced today by Chief Executive Officer Sergio Cravero. The reason behind this business move is due to low sales projections.

“A preliminary product assessment for a sporty three-door small hatchback showed potential volumes in the U.S. right now are roughly 20.000 units a year,” Romeo said in a press statement. “That is not good enough to make it a viable business case.”

In case you’re wondering if Alfa Romeo may have a change of heart, there is a possibility of the demand for small cars increases in the country.

The Alfa Romeo Milano is still planned for release in the Western market.

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Rebuilding and restoring old and classic cars is a hobby for most and apparently Karmann USA is ready to aid the people who are into it. Karmann USA is launching a new aftermarket group to rebuild and restore convertible tops for vintage cars in the United States.

Headquartered in Plymouth Township, Karmann Classics will offer a variety of services including: standard roof repair for vehicles in daily service; original or “authentic” restoration for show models, and a wide range of other customization options to suit specific customer needs.

“Karmann’s new aftermarket division initially will focus on restoring VW Karmann Ghias and VW Beetle convertibles,” said Erik Roeren, president and CEO of Karmann USA. “As the original manufacturer of the VW Karmann Ghia and VW Beetle convertible, Karmann is uniquely positioned to rebuild convertible roof systems for these vehicles.”

Karmann Classics initially aims to serve customers in a four-state region of the Midwest, including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as well as convertible owners in Ontario, Canada. During its launch phase, Karmann Classics will have the capacity to work on three to four vehicles at a time.

The company plans to expand nationwide and eventually will provide restoration services for all convertibles, in addition to Karmann Ghias and Beetle convertibles. Karmann Classics is partnering with local VW dealerships, which also will handle vehicle restoration.

(Source) Press

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The economic stimulus plan recently passed by Congress received widespread criticism for containing some conditions requiring that only United States steel be used for government-funded infrastructure projects. While Americans debate protectionism and its impact on world trade agreements, French President Nikolas Sarkozy has announced that $8 billion in government loans to French automakers Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen should be contingent on Peugeot bringing the Czech plant back to France. “If we are to give financial assistance to the auto industry, we don’t want to see another factory being moved to the Czech Republic,” he said, referring to Peugeot Citroen’s seven-year old Czech plant.

As the global economy worsens, other nations are reining in tendencies towards globalization. “The French have signaled that they are willing to do things they know are illegal under E.U. law,” says Katinka Barysch, Deputy Director at the London-based Centre for European Reform. “But if one E.U. country goes down this route, others will feel they have to follow.”

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Since we’re used to hearing how people cross the Mexican border in hope of something better, we shouldn’t be surprised if that’s the same border Chinese cars will pass soon. Chinese cars will probably head to the U.S. from Mexico in about 5 years or so. Chinese manufacturers will begin production in Mexico in 2010 while sales in the United States are expected for 2015.

How do you like the prospect of buying a Chinese car made in Mexico from Walmart? We’re not saying they will be bad cars but they might sell for less. Aren’t you curios what cars are we talking about? So are we! Are they FAWs? BYDs?

via Gasgoo

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Which Top Gear version do you like best? While everyone likes the original BBC show, some happen to love Top Gear USA or Australia. And some happen not to like it at all. NBC has passed on the show but have no fear Top Gear USA lovers! There’s always cable and BBC wants to see that happening. When and what will happen with the American show? We’ll keep you posted. Until there’s always Clarkson, Hammond and May to watch.

via TopGear

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Alan Mulally, Ford’s CEO seems eager to get the minuscule Ford Ka ready for the American market. The Ford Fiesta is already arriving in North America in 2010, so the Ka seems only the logical next step.

The Ka will be surely redesigned for the USA but it’s going to be the same dependable and very useful city car. But no matter where you currently reside, would you get the Ka?

via Autonews

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Remember when we told you the Alfa was coming back to town? Well we meant American towns of course. Scratch that from your short-term memory and think ahead. Fiat will postpone the Alfa Romeo 159 or the Brera to 2011 at the earliest. Hopefully that will still happen. The Alfa 8C Competizione which was announced even earlier, was sold out through Maserati dealership so I’d say the need for Alfa Romeo is present in the American market.

Should we say economical problems again? Will Americans choose to buy more Italian cars in 2011 or later? Well I guess that’s how Fiat sees the whole issue here. Would you buy the Brera if it was available in a town near you?

via Italiaspeed

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It looks like this mini car from Toyota is coming to the U.S. The iQ seems like a scooter with doors to me but it might get you places. It will arrive at the LA Auto Show in November and the Toyota will be wearing Scion badges.

The iQ was designed for Japan and Europe initially. It has a weird 3+1 seating arrangement and it’s powered by a 1.0 liter three-pot or a 1.4 liter diesel engine. We might see Yaris’ 1.5 liter engine mounted on the iQ designed for the States.

So the Scion iQ might get a price tag of only $15,000. Pretty expensive for a scooter, but it has space for 3+1 inside.

via motortrend

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Alfa Romeo is name almost forgotten in the U.S. car market. The last Alfa available in the USA was some 13 years ago. It looks like the Italian maker is ready to return to the U.S. with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competitione.

84 units will be imported and they will be available through the Maserati dealerships sometime this month. 8C Competizione Spyders and 8C Competizione GTAs are going to arrive soon. Let’s hope this time Alfa is going to stick around more!

via MotorAuthority

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For those of you interested in Audi vehicles we have some news, and it’s not only good. If you happen to know the RS5 and RS6 models you will know what I mean. The RS5 will arrive in the U.S. while the RS6 won’t make it there. At least you can admire it in the picture here!

Why you ask? It appears that it would be rather complicated, read expensive, to make the V10 pass the current U.S. standards. What’s the V10? Well that’s the twin-turbocharged engine the RS6 has.

As for the future, the third-generation RS6 is going to arrive in 2012. It’s been officially said that the V10 engine and the RS6’s weight will be not included in the new version.

But the RS5 will be in fact available starting with January 2009. It’s all happening in Detroit. The new RS4 is said to follow shortly after the RS5. It’s funny how European manufacturers try to get their newest cars in the U.S. while American car manufacturers, like GM, try to get a bigger chunk of the European market. It’s war I tell you!

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The Formula 1 is certainly a popular sport in various regions of the world, The US Grand Prix was held in Savannah, Georgia in 1908 for the first time then it moved to Milwaukee and California and then it disappeared from the F1 calendar from 1917 to 1957.

It reappeared in 1958 at Riverside and it changed location for a few times before ending up in Watkins Glen through 1975. From 1984 to 1991 it was held in Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. And then it disappeared again until the Indianapolis Motor Speedway picked the Grand Prix up in 2000. It got canceled this year but don’t worry U.S. fans, Indianapolis will return in the F1 circuit in 2010 since it’s too late to include it in 2009 F1 calendar.

It appears that teams want an U.S. circuit badly and there’s even a rumored Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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The German car maker is considering introducing four-cylinder options for the 3 Series in the United States. That comes as sort of a surprise. Sure in Europe BMW cars usually pack four-cylinders but in the USA you will find them packing 6 pistons.

BMW might be introducing the direct-inject 2.0L four-cylinder engine from Europe in the US market. You can find it in the 320i and 120i in Europe for example. And such an engine will get you 38 mpg, at least in Europe, which isn’t bad at all.

The move isn’t confirmed yet, but it might fit current needs given the rising fuel price. What do you say? Would you get a four-cylinder 3 Series Beamer?

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