News: Volkswagen to Jump General Motors as #2 in 2009

Reuters reported yesterday that Volkswagen will slide into the #2 spot for world’s largest automaker by volume in 2009, supplanting the hold that General Motors had in that position behind Toyota.

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Global production of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is forecast to fall 19 percent, or two million units, to 52.8 million vehicles this year — the lowest output since 1998. While GM will suffer a 31 percent drop in production, VW will likely only see production slide some 15 percent, thanks in part to its low exposure to the U.S. auto market.

Check out the NewCars.com Car Chooser to research current 2009 Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles to find the right match and price for you.

Awards: Cars.com Names 3 Subaru Models as “Best Bets”

Cars.com reported Friday that the 2009 Subaru Impreza, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and Subaru Forester have each been named a Cars.com “Best Bet”.

According to the press release recently released by Cars.com, the two Subaru Imprezas were each selected as a “Best Bet for Sports Cars,” while the Subaru Forester is touted as a “Best Bet for SUVs and Crossovers.”

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To qualify as a Cars.com Best Bet, models must meet three quantified criteria: a “Good” rating in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests; average or higher reliability ratings; and average or higher gas mileage within their class.

Check out the NewCars.com Rebate Center to research additional Subaru savings you may be looking into for your next new car purchase.

Survey: Ten Cars Better to Buy New Than Used

Forbes.com reported Thursday on great financing deals and a popular pre-owned market that are making some new vehicles cheaper to purchase than opting for used. With domestic new-car sales down over 37% so far this year from the same period in 2008, consumers are looking to trade in their old wheels for new cars that are selling for less than their 1-year-old counterparts.

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Automakers are so desperate now to sell as many cars as they can, their new car prices are as low as they can feasibly go in making any sort of profit. In some cases, they’ve been pushed even lower than those of their 1-year-old sister models.

Check out the Car Chooser from NewCars.com to research new vehicles on the market today and request an internet price quote for your lowest possible price.

Survey: Forbe’s Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for the Buck

Forbes.com reported Monday that sales of hybrids have noticeably dropped as prices at gas stations across America have dropped. With gas prices at around $2 per gallon, sales of hybrid cars and trucks are down 33.6% so far for 2009.

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Consumers are still environmentally conscious. But they’re focusing more on the kind of green that’s in their wallets. Select models of inexpensive, efficient conventional cars are still selling well.

Now more than ever may be the best time to snag an amazing deal on a hybrid while demand is low before it seasonally shifts.

Click here to review the Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles list from NewCars.com of those on the market today.

News: GM and Ford Offer Job-loss Payments to Boost Sales

Reuters reported yesterday that General Motors and Ford launched a new series of incentives recently covering payments if customers lose their jobs. Similar competitive offerings included heavy discounts to attract consumers sidelined by the recession, forcing the two major American automakers to follow suit.

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Both programs, being offered in addition to zero-percent financing, come at a convenient time when sales are at their lowest levels in nearly 30 years, due to escalating pressure of tight credit and lowered consumer confidence.

Check out the NewCars.com Car Chooser to research current 2009 Ford and GM vehicles to find the right match and price for you.

News: GM, Chrysler Trying to Elude Bankruptcy

MSNBC reported today that General Motors and Chrysler are scrambling to put together workable plans to restore their faltering business models – a uphill climb that they may not reach the top of.

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According to the article, on Monday, President Obama said the turnaround plans that the two automakers presented earlier this year wouldn’t suffice. He gave them one last breath, raising the urgency that he might force GM into a quick, managed bankruptcy to restore it to prominence.

Check out NewCars.com to learn more about GM and Chrysler vehicles and how their restructuring can help you negotiate the best possible price on the new car you are currently shopping for.

News: Obama Sets Timeline for GM and Chrysler

The Wall Street Journal reported today on President Barack Obama’s more definitive outline for future assistance to GM and Chrysler, following the latest news from the administration relieving GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner of his duties and rejecting their latest proposed restructuring plans.

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The two major American automakers in question had hoped their suggested future strategy recently submitted for review would lead to another infusion of government cash. Instead, the White House issued a mandate giving GM 60 days to come up with a much more viable strategy for long term success. Meanwhile, Chrysler has a month to wrap up a partnership with Italy’s Fiat SpA as part of long term goals that would garner them bailout money and assistance from the U.S. government.

Check out NewCars.com to learn more about GM and Chrysler vehicles and how their restructuring can help you negotiate the best possible price on the new car you are currently shopping for.

News: Auto Task Force Set to Back More Loans — With Strings

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday about President Barack Obama’s intentions to overhaul the American auto industry with much more than just patchwork to a deflating car tire.

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Last month, he imparted his seemingly near-impossible vision of a quick restructuring of the auto industry in one of the most complicated ever attempted by the federal government. The dozen core members of his automotive task force has expeditiously learned of the myriad woes plaguing once the pride of U.S industrial prowess.

Within days, they are scheduled to announce their findings, as well as decisions and timelines for next steps. Sources says the Obama administration doesn’t want to let GM and Chrysler slip into bankruptcy, but rather that sacrifices from their managements, unions and bondholders will guide them back to profitability.

Check out NewCars.com to learn more about GM and Chrysler vehicles and how their restructuring can help you negotiate the best possible price on the new car you are currently shopping for.

News: Tesla S-Class Revealed

Even though Tesla won’t release the S-Class until 2012, the excitement for the stylish, electric-only vehicle is palpable.  The S-Class was unveiled in Hawthorne, Calif., inside the SpaceX rocket factory and is designed entirely by Tesla.

The Los Angeles Times posted photos of the new electric vehicle today to the delight of alternative car fanatics everywhere.

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With a starting price under $60,000 (and a $7,500 Federal tax credit), the Tesla S-Class is affordable, green and unbelievably stylish.  The Obama administration has pledged $2.4 billion for the development of electronic vehicles, which is good news for the Tesla S-Class–and the environment.

The S-Class will have three battery options that allow the S-Class to travel different distances: 160, 230 and 300 miles respectively.  The basic model will have plenty of umph with a 5.6 second, 0 to 60 time.

News: First Look at the 2010 Toyota Prius

U.S. News Rankings and Reviews reported yesterday that Toyota will launch a redesigned Toyota Prius in 2010, to wage battle against new market entries like the Honda Insight and Ford Fusion.

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Cars.com conducted a recent review of the 2010 Prius, saying that the most significant improvement is the front seats.  “Even with the base model’s fabric seats, there’s plenty of cushioning on the bottom and plenty of support for the back. The leather seats in the top two trim levels are quite nice, and they definitely up the ante in terms of luxury.”

Check out the NewCars.com Car Chooser to research current 2009 Honda, Ford and Toyota vehicles to find the right match and price for you.