Toyota Can Finally Take Over The US Car Market

Toyota’s share of the US light vehicle market is 18% and Honda’s is 10%. GM’s share of its home market is about 22%. Fifty-five years ago, the No.1 US car company had 54% of the US market. By this time next year, GM’s piece of the American car pie could drop another 50%, bringing it closer to Honda’s.

Source: dragtimes.com

It seems improbable that GM could lose that many customers so fast. But, Rick Wagoner, recently departed CEO of the company told Congress last December that consumers won’t buy vehicles from a bankrupt company. Some of the people at the hearings figured Wagoner was bluffing, trying to convince Washington that a Chapter 11 filing would bring an end to the firm’s ability to market its products because customers could turn to cars made by competitors which were in reasonably good financial shape. But, most research done recently indicates that Wagoner was probably right, at least right enough that GM’s sales could be clobbered by consumers who believe that their warranties will be worthless and that their dealers will disappear.


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Obama extends short federal lifeline to GM, Chrysler

President Obama announced Monday that struggling automotive giants General Motors and Chrysler will be given a "limited" period of time to "restructure in a way that would justify an investment of additional taxpayer dollars."

Source: BusinessWeek.com

The federal government will give GM "adequate working capital" over the next 60 days to work in conjunction with the administration in developing a better recovery plan, he said.

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Cadillac CTS-V: The Next American Classic?

It's not every day you find a car that offers 556 horsepower and 551 foot-pounds of torque, especially one that's a four-door sedan.

Source: Caroline D'angola

General Motors' 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is taking on rival models by BMW and Daimler, and winning. That's no small feat considering the contenders are the bratwurst-fed, 500-horsepower BMW M5 and the muscular, 507-horsepower Mercedes-Benz E63 from Daimler.

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Source: Caroline D'angola

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Automakers Stumble Creates Domino Effect

With the auto sales slowing to a halt and at some of the lowest levels in decades, the impact is beginning to reach far and wide.

For example, technology companies are starting to feel the hurt as their products, like GPS components, are no longer in demand.

Source: oneighturbo.com

Marketwatch reports:

"The shakeout from problems in the American auto industry is having a ripple effect across the country -- and straight into the high-tech sector.

The plunge in demand for new cars has led to desperate measures by some in the industry. One car dealer in Nebraska resorted to stealing its own cars, while another in Orange County, Calif., pleaded guilty to charges of bilking finance companies to purchase luxury vehicles. In Pennsylvania, a dealer set fire to some of his inventory."

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It's Coming

Source: rp

That's right. It is on its way.

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Subaru Comes Home to Roost in U.S.

The end of the sport-utility era is upon us. It's now time to explore outside of the box and delve into the world of wagons. All are practical and some are, dare I say it, good looking. There are lots of choices, but we will look at the underdogs.

Part I dealt with the Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi. Part II will explore the Subaru Outback 3.0R.

Source: rp

The most common perception of Subaru is that its cars are owned by individuals who knit their own sweaters, live within 50 miles of the Canadian border and require all-wheel drive. Well, two out of three are incorrect.

If there was a brewing winter storm outside and I had to get to the emergency room fast, I would want to take a Subaru. Simply put, these cars chew up powder as quickly as a snow blower.

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Are Green Cars Worth the Gas Savings?

Drivers wary of high gas prices are choosing smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles. Last May, sales of Honda’s gas-sipping Civic sky-rocketed snatching first place from the perennial favorite, the Ford F150 pick-up truck in terms of U.S. sales.

Source: rp

Are you in the market for a new, greener, fuel-efficient vehicle? What alternative energy vehicles achieve the best bang for the buck?

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