Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsell F-series trucks

The Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsold the traditionally top-selling Ford F-series truck in May, a sign of the rapid shift in customers' preferences from trucks and SUVs to small cars that is forcing painful production cuts and plant closures at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

GM said today that its U.S. sales fell 28 percent in May compared with a year earlier, while Ford's sales fell 16 percent and Toyota sales slipped 4 percent.

GM's decline was in part because of strikes at supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and several GM plants. GM's truck and SUV sales fell 37 percent, while car sales fell 14 percent. The rapid decline in truck and SUV sales caused GM to announce today that it plans to close four truck and SUV plants by 2010, costing 10,000 jobs.

Ford's U.S. car sales were up 3 percent compared with last May, and it sold more than 30,000 Ford Focus small cars for only the second time in the car's nine-year history. But pickup and SUV sales dropped 26 percent.
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Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsell F-series trucks

The Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsold the traditionally top-selling Ford F-series truck in May, a sign of the rapid shift in customers' preferences from trucks and SUVs to small cars that is forcing painful production cuts and plant closures at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

GM said today that its U.S. sales fell 28 percent in May compared with a year earlier, while Ford's sales fell 16 percent and Toyota sales slipped 4 percent.

GM's decline was in part because of strikes at supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and several GM plants. GM's truck and SUV sales fell 37 percent, while car sales fell 14 percent. The rapid decline in truck and SUV sales caused GM to announce today that it plans to close four truck and SUV plants by 2010, costing 10,000 jobs.

Ford's U.S. car sales were up 3 percent compared with last May, and it sold more than 30,000 Ford Focus small cars for only the second time in the car's nine-year history. But pickup and SUV sales dropped 26 percent.
more on post-gazette.com

Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsell F-series trucks

The Toyota Camry and Corolla sedans each outsold the traditionally top-selling Ford F-series truck in May, a sign of the rapid shift in customers' preferences from trucks and SUVs to small cars that is forcing painful production cuts and plant closures at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

GM said today that its U.S. sales fell 28 percent in May compared with a year earlier, while Ford's sales fell 16 percent and Toyota sales slipped 4 percent.

GM's decline was in part because of strikes at supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and several GM plants. GM's truck and SUV sales fell 37 percent, while car sales fell 14 percent. The rapid decline in truck and SUV sales caused GM to announce today that it plans to close four truck and SUV plants by 2010, costing 10,000 jobs.

Ford's U.S. car sales were up 3 percent compared with last May, and it sold more than 30,000 Ford Focus small cars for only the second time in the car's nine-year history. But pickup and SUV sales dropped 26 percent.
more on post-gazette.com

Audi's 2009 A7

In 2008 Audi continues by introducing a mid-sized "coupe" model for the very first time. According to those familiar with the program the debut will take place at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show with the vehicle – to be named the Audi A7 – going on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.

The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door "coupe". Today only one manufacturer has an offering in the luxury four-door coupe segment: Mercedes-Benz with its CLS.

The Audi A7 will not readily compete with BMW’s 6-series as previously speculated by other publications. The vehicle has been designed specifically with rear occupant comfort in mind – a noteworthy differentiator from the traditional luxury coupe. The wheelbase, while very close to the Audi A6’s, will be an all new design. This so-called “large car wheelbase” will not only ensure the aforementioned rear passenger comfort, but will make the car look bigger than the A6. Expect to also see less front overhang than in the A6 range.

It is difficult to predict pricing for the Audi A7 this far in advance of its availability, but one need only look at the current premium between the Mercedes-Benz CLS and E-Class to get guidance that the Audi A7 will sell at a premium of 15-20% above the A6 range.

Audi's 2009 A7

In 2008 Audi continues by introducing a mid-sized "coupe" model for the very first time. According to those familiar with the program the debut will take place at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show with the vehicle – to be named the Audi A7 – going on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.

The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door "coupe". Today only one manufacturer has an offering in the luxury four-door coupe segment: Mercedes-Benz with its CLS.

The Audi A7 will not readily compete with BMW’s 6-series as previously speculated by other publications. The vehicle has been designed specifically with rear occupant comfort in mind – a noteworthy differentiator from the traditional luxury coupe. The wheelbase, while very close to the Audi A6’s, will be an all new design. This so-called “large car wheelbase” will not only ensure the aforementioned rear passenger comfort, but will make the car look bigger than the A6. Expect to also see less front overhang than in the A6 range.

It is difficult to predict pricing for the Audi A7 this far in advance of its availability, but one need only look at the current premium between the Mercedes-Benz CLS and E-Class to get guidance that the Audi A7 will sell at a premium of 15-20% above the A6 range.

Audi's 2009 A7

In 2008 Audi continues by introducing a mid-sized "coupe" model for the very first time. According to those familiar with the program the debut will take place at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show with the vehicle – to be named the Audi A7 – going on sale for model year 2009 in Europe and shortly thereafter in calendar 2009 in North America.

The Audi A7 will initially be offered as a four-door "coupe". Today only one manufacturer has an offering in the luxury four-door coupe segment: Mercedes-Benz with its CLS.

The Audi A7 will not readily compete with BMW’s 6-series as previously speculated by other publications. The vehicle has been designed specifically with rear occupant comfort in mind – a noteworthy differentiator from the traditional luxury coupe. The wheelbase, while very close to the Audi A6’s, will be an all new design. This so-called “large car wheelbase” will not only ensure the aforementioned rear passenger comfort, but will make the car look bigger than the A6. Expect to also see less front overhang than in the A6 range.

It is difficult to predict pricing for the Audi A7 this far in advance of its availability, but one need only look at the current premium between the Mercedes-Benz CLS and E-Class to get guidance that the Audi A7 will sell at a premium of 15-20% above the A6 range.

Chevrolet Camaro Sneak 2009

On display were a new Shelby Mustang, a new Dodge Challenger and a new Chevrolet Camaro. The last time all of those constellations aligned was a quarter-century plus 11 years ago.


But it appears the pony car era, created in the mid-1960s with the birth of the original Ford Mustang and then resurrected a couple of years ago with the rebirth of the '69 Mustang as a 2005 model, is galloping again. Not only did Chevrolet unveil its Camaro concept but the Chrysler Group unveiled a very retro Dodge Challenger concept.

While the smoothly curvaceous Challenger looked like it was simply reissued, though in a somewhat more modern size because of its Chrysler LX underpinnings, the Camaro concept had a more contemporary and angular appearance that looked cutting edge, and we mean that both literally and figuratively.

GM says the Camaro concept is a "thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe" with "dramatic design" and "responsive performance."

Chevrolet Camaro Sneak 2009

On display were a new Shelby Mustang, a new Dodge Challenger and a new Chevrolet Camaro. The last time all of those constellations aligned was a quarter-century plus 11 years ago.


But it appears the pony car era, created in the mid-1960s with the birth of the original Ford Mustang and then resurrected a couple of years ago with the rebirth of the '69 Mustang as a 2005 model, is galloping again. Not only did Chevrolet unveil its Camaro concept but the Chrysler Group unveiled a very retro Dodge Challenger concept.

While the smoothly curvaceous Challenger looked like it was simply reissued, though in a somewhat more modern size because of its Chrysler LX underpinnings, the Camaro concept had a more contemporary and angular appearance that looked cutting edge, and we mean that both literally and figuratively.

GM says the Camaro concept is a "thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe" with "dramatic design" and "responsive performance."

Chevrolet Camaro Sneak 2009

On display were a new Shelby Mustang, a new Dodge Challenger and a new Chevrolet Camaro. The last time all of those constellations aligned was a quarter-century plus 11 years ago.


But it appears the pony car era, created in the mid-1960s with the birth of the original Ford Mustang and then resurrected a couple of years ago with the rebirth of the '69 Mustang as a 2005 model, is galloping again. Not only did Chevrolet unveil its Camaro concept but the Chrysler Group unveiled a very retro Dodge Challenger concept.

While the smoothly curvaceous Challenger looked like it was simply reissued, though in a somewhat more modern size because of its Chrysler LX underpinnings, the Camaro concept had a more contemporary and angular appearance that looked cutting edge, and we mean that both literally and figuratively.

GM says the Camaro concept is a "thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe" with "dramatic design" and "responsive performance."

2CV Citroen concept design

It is speculated that Citroen will be following with the charming classic of the past, the 2CV model which is similar to the Fiat 500, VW Beetle and numerous other models.

The 2CV will follow of course have a host of new features and hybrid engines. It just happens to be that the 60th anniversary of this model, is of course this year, and the Paris Motor Show is coming soon, so lets hope Citroen have something to show.

The Italian designer Paolo Martin has put forth the proposal for the 2CV which will be combining the 2CV with aesthetics and modern technology. Paola Martin has described his concept as “a reinterpretation of an unattractive yet brilliant vehicle.”
more on autospy

2CV Citroen concept design

It is speculated that Citroen will be following with the charming classic of the past, the 2CV model which is similar to the Fiat 500, VW Beetle and numerous other models.

The 2CV will follow of course have a host of new features and hybrid engines. It just happens to be that the 60th anniversary of this model, is of course this year, and the Paris Motor Show is coming soon, so lets hope Citroen have something to show.

The Italian designer Paolo Martin has put forth the proposal for the 2CV which will be combining the 2CV with aesthetics and modern technology. Paola Martin has described his concept as “a reinterpretation of an unattractive yet brilliant vehicle.”
more on autospy

2CV Citroen concept design

It is speculated that Citroen will be following with the charming classic of the past, the 2CV model which is similar to the Fiat 500, VW Beetle and numerous other models.

The 2CV will follow of course have a host of new features and hybrid engines. It just happens to be that the 60th anniversary of this model, is of course this year, and the Paris Motor Show is coming soon, so lets hope Citroen have something to show.

The Italian designer Paolo Martin has put forth the proposal for the 2CV which will be combining the 2CV with aesthetics and modern technology. Paola Martin has described his concept as “a reinterpretation of an unattractive yet brilliant vehicle.”
more on autospy