This November, Buick unveiled what will be one of the most exciting sport sedans to hit our Coachella Valley Buick showroom next year. The 2011 Buick Regal (to be released in the second quarter of 2010) will be a mid-size sedan heralded for its “European-bred driving experience.” What that means is power and performance paired with sleek design, impeccable detailing, and the highest quality construction and build available. Yet it will also be fuel-efficient, with estimates of 30 miles to the gallon.

2011 Buick Regal: Cadillac on the cutting edge

The Regal will be based on the award-winning Opel Insignia. Perhaps most exciting is the turbocharged model, to come next summer, which will feature 6-speed manual transmission, turbocharged horsepower, and a driver-selectable sport suspension system. All models feature a European-tuned, firm chassis for a high standard of control, poise, and responsiveness, even at high speeds.

Whether you’re looking forward to the Buick Regal, or interested in the Buick Lucerne, LaCrosse, or Enclave (all available right now), we’d love for you to stop by our Cathedral City GM dealership for a test drive.

Jessup Auto Plaza proudly serves drivers and families from Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Indio to Hemet, Banning/Beaumont, Calimesa, and Yucaipa, and elsewhere throughout the Coachella Valley.

We’d love to answer any questions you may have. Please call us at 800-900-KARS or email: jessupautoplaza@gmail.com.

View our entire Jessup Auto Plaza inventory at www.JessupAutoPlaza.com

Brands are flexible yet stiff, fragile yet sturdy, all while being extremely valuable. Marketers, working with agencies, can transform a brand’s perception through hard work, time, and innovation, topped with a sprinkle of luck. Or – brand perception can change involuntarily within seconds.

What is brand perception? Well – think about a brand, whether it be Apple, Sony, Starbucks – whatever it may be. What is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about that brand? That. That right there is brand perception.

Tiger, proudly endorsing Nike and Tag Heuer

Tiger Woods, over the past 12 years since his remarkable victory at Augusta, has built an extremely powerful, popular, and profitable brand. Wood’s work ethic, intelligence, and not to mention his squeaky clean image, have propelled him to be the most recognizable athlete on the planet, and in turn, the most marketable. Hundreds of millions of dollars are handed to Woods for his endorsement deals with Buick, Nike, and Gillette – just to name a few.

So when Tiger is “rescued” from his Escalade (not Buick?) by his golf-club wielding wife (probably a Nike) following  a single car accident in which Tiger hit a fire hydrant, then a neighbor’s tree – all around 2:30 in the morning – some questions about Tiger’s brand may arise.

Yes, Florida law states that those involved in traffic accidents have the right NOT to speak with police during the investigation, but this provision applies to mere humans, not a Tiger.

In order to maintain his brand perception, Tiger must take action. Explain to us, Tiger, were you going on a diaper run in the wee-hours of the morning? Did you forget to return your movie to Blockbuster?

Changing a brand’s perception is as easy (or difficult) as changing the conversation. The conversation surrounding Tiger always revolved around his greatness, both on and off the course. Now, the conversation involves an affair with a New York City hostess, lacerations to his face from his wife’s nails, and marketers waiting impatiently to find out what really happened (at press, Nike has been the only marketer expressing support for Tiger.)

So it’s on you, Tiger – change the conversation.

Listening to the hilarious recounts/speculation surrounding today’s news that Tiger Woods crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree at 2:30 am this morning, I was reminded of a funny exchange between Abbott and Costello. The one where Bud Abbott is trying to teach Lou Costello how to drive a car. In the skit, Lou (who’s getting more and more frustrated, ala “Who’s on First?”) keeps asking Bud if he should “put it in reverse?” And Bud keeps replying, “Go ahead. GO AHEAD!”

Some of the news announcers I watched discussing the Woods’ incident, seemed to be holding back laughter as they reported on the circumstances (“Tiger Woods crashed his car into a fire hydrant and then a tree at 2:30 am this morning. His wife used a golf club to break a window to help free him from the vehicle. He suffered minor injuries…..”

Imagine the yarn being spun right about now.

You can’t make this stuff up.

Or can you?

1953 Buick Roadmaster Convertible:  Removed front and rear fenders, front inner fenders and radiator support, and lots of other misc parts…..Romoved the doors, and interior…started taking apart the engine…..

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We will continue this positive trend, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above last year’s level.”
- Record sales in China – Schmidt: “We expect Mercedes-Benz Cars to increase its sales in China by more than 50 percent in full-year 2009.”
- Mercedes-Benz USA posts best monthly result since the beginning of the year, with sales up by 21 percent in October
- E- and S-Class sedans maintain market leadership

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source >> Mercedes-Benz-Blog — Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz. – Mercedes-Benz Boosts Sales by Seven Percent
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For 2010 the Legacy looks more aggressive and sporty. The headlights are angled more, the character lines create a more muscular look, along with bigger wheel arches. The Legacy has a more modern, mainstream, Japanese appearance. It will be more competitive in the midsize sedan segment, but it's aggressive styling wouldn't look at home in a forest carrying mountain bikes like the old Legacy did.

While the exterior doesn't give thoughts of the usual Subaru activities of hiking and kayaking, the interior gives impressions of a more mainstream midsize sedan at home in mall parking lots. Comfortably designed for the driver and passenger with easy to use controls, soft cream leather seats, and class leading passenger space. Steering wheel controls are standard on the 2.5i Limited are well laid out and easy for the driver to use. Subaru's shortcomings in quality with their use of hard plastic, flimsy door panels, and cheap wood trim left me disappointed, while the previous generation Legacy excelled in quality.

Subaru has used it's new Lineartronic CVT transmission in the new Legacy. It provides a very smooth drive with gearshifts that are as smooth as a hot knife through butter. The paddle shifters are possibly the easiest I've ever used for manual shifting and coupled with the CVT provide a smooth ride. The base 2.5 liter engine feels very underpowered. Subaru's have been known to have a tighter suspension and this Legacy is completely different. The drive feels more like an everyday sedan focused more on driver comfort than a Subaru has ever been. Everyday driving is more polished and tranquilizing than the previous generation Legacy. I took the Legacy through some winding country roads where Subarus usually shine, and was very surprised. Clumsiness and body roll plagued the Legacy like an old woman without her walker. The 2.5 liter 170 hp engine made the Legacy feel underpowered and heavy. The other two optional 256 or 265 hp engines would make the Legacy feel more capable for everyday driving. Even with Subaru's all wheel drive system it felt as though it lacked Subaru's willingness to go off road, instead focusing on a smooth and comfortable drive for those city folk.

The redesigned Legacy is a Subaru aimed more towards a mainstream market. It's comfortable ride and cabin make for a pleasing highway and city drive. Aggressive styling coupled with it's soft ride may scare away some loyal Subaru owners and attract a different buyer. The Legacy lacks what makes Subaru a Subaru. It has evolved into a mainstream car, one that won't be found driving through dirt trails or going on camping trips, instead will be at home on highways and city streets.

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It’s been a week and a half or so since GM unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal, and I’m still reeling. I mean…Buicks are supposed to be dumpy and boring…and this new Regal? It’s anything but.

Just look at what’s being said about the newest Buick:

It’s safe to say that this is a Buick the likes of which we have never seen before. – Autoblog

So let’s see what we have here; A gorgeous, fun-to-drive, quick, comfortable, well-equipped American sedan built with the quality of its German competitors… and it’s a Buick. – Jalopnik

It’s probably the most fun, nicest-looking, sporty FWD mid-size sedan in the market. And we’re saying that about a Buick, not an Acura TSX or Mazda6. – Jalopnik

I know it’s been pretty easy to write off American cars over the last couple of years. I’ve done so myself. But there’s a rebirth afoot. Ford is stepping up. The refreshed Fusion recently won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, and the impending arrival of the new Fiesta and Focus look to keep the good times rolling. GM, meanwhile, is kicking some serious butt in the crossover space, with the new Chevy Equinox and Cadillac SRX. With the Regal, it looks like they may have a good shot at revitalizing an all-but-obsolete brand.

That’s the thing, though. Buick has been so bland, so boring, for so long, that it’s going to take a hell of a lot to siphon off the sort of buyers who’d also cross-shop Acuras and Volkswagens. The Regal’s good…by the sound of the early reviews it may even be great…but it’s still a Buick, and in the end that will be the biggest obstacle it has to surmount.

General Motors has been on a bit of a roll lately. Corvette ZR1, CTS-V, Regal, and now this. It’s the CTS Coupe, and first thing’s first, a CTS-V Coupe has been confirmed.

Now, a public unveiling isn’t due until the LA Auto Show in about a week, but these are the first official pictures of the production CTS Coupe, and along with them comes a press release with some details.

It will be powered by the same 3.6L V6 that the CTS sedan uses, which puts out 304 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Not too shabby. As for transmissions, you get the option of an Aisin six-speed manual or a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic with available shift buttons on the steering wheel. The power will be sent through one of those transmissions to either the rear wheels or all four wheels, depending on whether you choose RWD or AWD.

Looks good to me, but I’ll hold off until the V-Series model comes along.

Oh, and here’s the full press release if you want to read through it:

2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE: NEW SPORTS COUPE IS CADILLAC’S MOST DRAMATIC DESIGN

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”
The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear- view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear- wheel or all-wheel drive.

Design

CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s design studio, where designers have developed and evolved the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy.

“Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential.”

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter.

Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille. Key design features include:

Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar

Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile

A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a sleek, aerodynamic look

Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents

Diamond cut-style rear fascia with mesh lower grilles

Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia

Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes

Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp

Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

At first glance, the shape of CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac’s vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

Performance

The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac’s emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe’s standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.

The powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.

Technology

CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car’s high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac’s V-Series model, will be offered on all CTS Coupe models as an option.

The car offers a host of advanced technologies, including:

Integrated iPod/MP3 capability

40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio

Pop-up navigation system

Adaptive forward lighting system

Bluetooth connectivity

Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start

Rear Camera system

Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system

As with other Cadillac models, the CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn- by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by dramatic new designs and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Source: Jalopnik

P.S: Slight formatting issue at the top, 2 lines before the article actually begins, I’m trying to work that out. Problem solved

Recém-lançado na China, o hatch Excelle já está com derivação sedã a caminho. Ela foi flagrada em testes naquele país e mostra que o visual deve mudar significativamente entre os veículos, levando-se em consideração que o três-volumes deriva do hatch. Ambos utilizam a mesma plataforma da nova geração do Opel Astra.

O Astra Sedan (pode ser chamado assim, inclusive) terá visual feito para agradar a chineses, europeus (do Leste) e americanos, onde também será vendido. Excelle na China, ele deve chegar também como Buick na terra do Tio Sam, mas será Astra Sedan para a Opel. O estilo é mais comedido que do hatch alemão, como acontece com Mégane III e Mégane Fluence.

GALERIA (Imagens: KGP)

Durante o Salão de Cantão, na China, a Buick apresentou o Excelle, a versão local do Opel Astra. Completamente renovado e com poucas diferenças para o modelo alemão, o hatch substitui a geração atual, até então baseada nos antigos Chevrolet Optra e Lacetti. Ele começa a ser vendido na China em dezembro.

Em comparação com o Astra, a maior mudança está na grade, típica dos Buick. Rodas e cores também deve ser diferentes, para agradar ao público chinês. De resto, pouco muda. No habitáculo, até os materiais devem ser semelhantes. Entre os equipamentos, o modelo deve contar com controle de estabilidade de série, freios ABS e até quatro airbags.

No que diz respeito aos motores, haverá um 1.6 Turbo de 180 cv. Abaixo dele, um 1.6 16v de 115 cv e o 1.8 16v de 140 cv. A transmissão pode ser manual (1.6/1.6T) ou automática (1.6T/1.8).

Preços e outros detalhes serão divulgados em dezembro.

GALERIA

The recession is technically over and before long, companies might actually start frakkin’ hiring people for jobs again…that is, if this isn’t just a financial bubble prefacing a double-dip recession. Naked short-selling aside, the auto industry is reaching into the future with great abandon, apparently unconcerned enough with the shakiness of the recovery to pump out some new, interesting, and in some cases, downright spellbinding new cars, trucks, and what-have-you. There will be new marques to choose from, as well as new forms of power. Here are fifteen such vehicles I’ve selected that I’m looking forward to. Complications notwithstanding, all of these should be on the road in the next year or two, if they aren’t already.

1. Buick Regal - An old name gets slapped on a new, very German car that is gorgeous and may actually be fun to drive as well. Moreover, it apparently will be powered exclusively by four-bangers. Not only is a high-performance version possible, we may (fingers-crossed) even get a wagon version, which would be awesome and hilarious at the same time: Buick wants younger buyers, so is a relatively big FWD wagon the way to go? For me, maybe.

2. Cadillac CTS Coupe - The latest and perhaps best iteration yet of 21st Century Cadillac zaniness. Art + Science Fiction. And the first hard-roof coupe from Caddy in seventeen years. It looks like nothing else on the road and has that same concept car aura of the new Camaro. Because its a bit smaller than the sedan, it should be faster too…which brings me to the V-series version, which is also coming.

3. Chevy Cruze - Chevy wants a “flawless” unveiling for the replacement for the boring Cobalt and its clone, the Pontiac G5. Looks to get 40+mpg on the highway. GM going small and Direct Injection with engines. Forget the Volt, this thing is important. If Chevy can’t steal some sales away from the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla with this, all is for naught.

4. Ferrari 458 Italia – A new Ferrari is like a new American fighter jet – really expensive, unobtainable, and almost pointless even – the F450 hasn’t aged a day – but nevertheless more than welcome. It looks and sounds the business, and with tons of F1 tech in it, it will most certainly drive the business too.

5. Ford Fiesta - It’s coming. How much different it will look from the European one isn’t known, but Ford has been without a small car since the Kia-based Aspire, which was pathetic. The Fiesta hopefully begins a trend of “cheap but not rubbish” small cars by American carmakers (unlike the awful Chevy Aveo, the only subcompact any of the Detroit 3 currently sell.)

6. Fiat 500 - Fiat Group bought Chrysler, which is awesome because it means Italian cars that don’t cost six figures will again be sold here soon. In Europe, the 500 is extremely popular, and also re-skinned as a Ford Ka, but in America the Nuovo Topolino will be sold at Chrysler dealerships, giving that sinking ship a badly-needed small car. It should sell well to people who want a car that’s cheaper and cuter than a MINI and fresher and more fun than the aged VW New Beetle. Also, it’s Italian. ‘Nuff said.

7. Lexus LFA - The most interesting Lexus ever. Not saying much, but the amount of labor and attention to detail that went into this taut driving machine cannot be overlooked. Neither can the $375,000+ price tag. Lexus will still lose money on every one they sell. One of only two radial carbon fiber looms in the world weave the A-pillars together. A manically-anal-retentive gearhead’s wet dream, this.

8. Mahindra Pickup - This awkward, dowdy pickup will likely beat the Tata Nano as the first Indian vehicle sold in America. It runs on diesel engines, which I love, and is tough, durable, and no-nonsense (well, except the optional chrome grille.) It should also be cheap. Hopefully the government will permit their sale, because they can do the same farm and labor jobs as much larger American pickups but are far more fuel efficient and take up less space.

9. Mitsubishi Outlander - If there was a Comeback Crossover of the Year category, Outlander would win it hands down. While its European cousins the Peugeot 4008 and Citroen C-Crosser were brought to market with bold, in-your-face looks, The Mitsu was plainer than white bread, and more forgettable too. That ends immediately with a menacing new face with an Evo-inspired grille, more power, upscale-r interior, and very untrucklike road manners. In other words, it’s better in every way.

10. Nissan LEAF - Though being heralded with far less pomp and circumstance than Chevy’s $40,000, four-seat Volt, Nissan’s electric car for everyone will likely beat it to dealers. It also aims to be cheaper and more practical. But yes, it does somewhat resemble a parrotfish.

11. Saab 9-5 - The first all-new Saab seemingly ever, the new 9-5 flagship will go on sale when new sort-of owner Koenigsegg, figures out exactly how they’re going to make it. While there’s nothing groundbreaking here, the new 9-5 marks a return to more of that Saab quirkiness that was mostly lost during GM rule, when marketers thought comparing a TrailBlazer clone to a fighter jet would make people want to buy the 9-7x.

12. Scion iQ - While not a 100% sure thing, it is likely Toyota’s teeny-tiny iQ will come to America as a Scion, since they’d prefer young, hip people buy it than the average Toyota customer, who is about 75. While perhaps not as miniscule as a Smart, the iQ is better packaged, has at least one back seat, doesn’t look as stupid, carries Toyota’s vaunted reputation for quality along with it, and won’t be quite as overpriced. Hopefully its axles won’t rust away after three years!

13. Suzuki Kisashi – Suzuki’s had a bit of a raw deal in the U.S. as purveyors of stretched Equinox clones and dull-as-paste, chintzy Daewoos. The homebuilt SX4 shook things up, being the cheapest AWD car as well as the cheapest with satnav standard. They take it up a notchwith the very Japanesey Kisashi, a smart, Jetta-sized sedan that bucks the more-is-more trend and goes instead for driver involvement and all-around quality. Suzuki’s marketing sucks, but hopefully this will sell well, because it looks to be a fine car and a bargain to boot.

14. Toyota/Subaru Compact Sports Coupe - Pretty much nobody needs a sporty coupe more than Toyota, except for maybe Subaru, so the two decided to save some time and develop one jointly. I’m looking forward to their final results. So far we’ve only seen the Toyota version in concept form (and monkey-butt red metallic paint.) The Subaru will likely be larger and of course feature standard AWD. The last Subaru coupe was the epic-but-pricey SVX, while Toyota’s Celica died a slow death. Here’s hoping they have better luck with what will be far superior machines.

15. VW Golf TDI - What was the Rabbit became the Golf then the Rabbit again and now the Golf again. Golf Mark VI is more refined and mature Golf ever, and so is the TDI’s diesel engine. Not only that, the TDI is fun. Fun to dart around in. Which means even if you have to drive a little further to find a diesel pump, you’ll be grateful. And it gets 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. The Mercedes SLS AMG.
Gullwings = WIN.
Q.E.D.

During a ride-and-drive press event, Jim Frederico, chief engineer for Buick, told journalists that the Buick Regal would get a manual transmission as an optional extra.

This transmission is presumably the same one as in the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, a six-speed. The optional extra will be added shortly after the launch of the car.

I think this is brilliant news. There hasn’t been a manual Buick in ages, and the Regal seems like a fitting car to finally revive the manual with. Hopefully the range-topper under consideration will receive the manual option as well (Providing that it makes it into production in the first place).

Source: Jalopnik

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is a powerful, stylish, well-equipped, and well-appointed performance sedan. It’s also one of just 27 vehicles nationwide to have met the high safety standards and earned the title “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

Last year, 94 vehicles made the cut, but this year the safety bar was raised to include roof strength in rollover accidents. The Buick LaCrosse proved to be safe in this type of accident, as well as in front, side, and rear crash tests (plus StabiliTrak response), therefore earning a spot on this prestigious list.

Sophisticated and safe: the 2010 Buick LaCrosse

Peace of mind from the “Top Safety Pick” status is just one thing that attracts drivers to the Buick LaCrosse when they visit our Riverside, CA, Buick dealership. Other highlights of the 2010 LaCrosse include:

• Impressive power (choose from 252, 255, and 280 horsepower)
• High quality interior (high marks in comfort, style, and layout, plus a very quiet cabin)
• Excellent features and options (including available rear DVD screens and a highly-acclaimed navigation system)
• Easy to drive (six speed automatic transmission comes standard)
• Available all wheel drive

Proudly serving Riverside, San Bernardino, Corona, and surrounding communities, Dutton Motor Company is your dedicated GM and Buick dealership in Riverside, California.

We’d love to answer any questions you may have. Please call us at 951.687.2020, or email: DuttonMotorCompany@gmail.com.

View our entire Dutton Motor Company inventory at www.DuttonMotorCompany.com

Last Wednesday, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety awarded 27 vehicles for receiving the highest ratings for “safest vehicles for 2010”. All 27 vehicles received an award recognizing them for doing the best job against protecting motorists in front, rear, side and rollover crash. All vehicles feature, Electronic stability control (EST), which is a new state of the art anti-rollover technology.

With a new criterion, the numbers were cut in more than half. 94 were tested and approved in 2009, in comparison to the 24 this year.

Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit received the most awards with six, followed by five awards apiece for Japanese automaker Subaru and German automaker Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit. However, Subaru was the only manufacturer with an IIHS in all four vehicles classifications in which it completes.

“With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all four of the most common kinds of crashes,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund in a statement. “Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety.”

Below is the IIHS list of vehicles given a top safety pick.

LARGE CARS: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80

MIDSIZE CARS: Audi A3, Chevrolet Malibu (built after October. 2009), Chrysler Sebring (4-door with optional ESC), Dodge Avenger, Mercedes C Class, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Jetta (4-door), Volkswagen Passat (4-door), Volvo C30.

SMALL CARS: Honda Civic (4-door with optional ESC, except Si), Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Subaru Impreza (except WRX), Volkswagen Golf (4-door)

MIDSIZE SUVs: Dodge Journey, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90

COMPACT SUVs: Honda Element, Jeep Patriot (with optional side thorax airbags), Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan

L.A. Car Connection, Inc. has the ability to get almost any make or model vehicle you choose. From Fords to Ferraris, to Hummer and Hybrids, L.A. Car Connection has the connection to get them all!

Feel free to check out our NEW WEBSITE and use our “Vehicle Finder”, to build your dream vehicle!

What makes a memorable TV commercial? It’s all about messaging. When a piece of communication is to the point, relevant, worthwhile and compelling – it will move the viewer to action.

Moving people is not magic – it’s all about effective communication. It’s called the 4Cs model, which stands for Comprehension, Connection, Credibility and Contagiousness.

Brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Suave Shampoo and Breyers Ice Cream use the 4Cs model to develop advertising campaigns that create an emotional connection with their customers.

Use the 4Cs to objectively evaluate your television commercials: what’s working, what isn’t and why.

The First C:  Comprehension

Does the audience get the message or main idea of the commercial? What does the commercial instantly communicate? Can the audience play the message back? This confirms that they “get it” and the first C is working.  Here are three tips for better comprehension:

1) Make the message sharp and clear

2) Repetition helps

3) Keep it simple – don’t go too deep

The Second C:  Connection

Making a connection with your TV commercial means not only that the audience “gets it,” but that it resonates with them, has meaning and significance for them and usually triggers an emotional response.

The Third C:  Credibility

The audience needs to believe who is saying it (the brand voice), what is being said, and how it is being said. Otherwise, any connection begins to break down – immediately.  Credibilty is the critical C, because the audience may completely understand an advertiser’s message, and even connect with it on an emotional level – but may not buy into it.  An example is Buick’s recent failure to attract younger buyers to the brand despite a more youthful image being put forth in its products and advertising.  It’s going to take a lot more than some well-produced TV ads to convince people that Buick is more than their grandfather’s car.

The Fourth C:  Contagiousness

You want your audience to “catch the message,” run with it, and spread it around. Think of the last time you saw a TV commercial that was so funny or clever that you discussed it with your friends, found yourself reenacting it or repeated the slogan in conversations.  That’s contagiousness.  To be contagious, your commercial needs to be energetic, new, different and memorable. And most of all, it should motivate the target to do something. 

Applying the 4Cs

So now play one of your TV commercials for a few people in your target audience and ask them the following questions:

1) What is the main message?

2) Does it evoke an emotional response?

3) Is the message believable?

4) Do you feel the message will “stick with you” and make you want to react in some way?

I assure you, the answers will be revealing – one way or another.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the 2010 Buick LaCrosse to its exclusive list of “Top Safety Picks” for the year. This list has a reputation for high standards and criteria to protect drivers from injury in a variety of accidents, and this year, those standards have been raised even higher.

For the first time, vehicles had to earn a “good” rating in the roof strength component of the evaluation in order to be considered a Top Safety Pick. That requirement shortened the list of qualifying vehicles by 71 percent. Almost 3 in 4 otherwise very safe vehicles provided inadequate protection during a rollover.

But the 2010 Buick LaCrosse shone through. In addition to an intelligently designed body and frame, the LaCrosse features StabiliTrak, to increase traction reduce the risk of rollover in the first place. It also performed well in the front, side, and rear crash tests and includes a number of airbags and other passive and active safety devices.

To learn more about the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, visit our Cathedral City Buick dealership. We proudly serve Banning, Beaumont, Indio, Palm Desert, Hemet, Calimesa, Yucaipa, La Quinta, and other communities located in and near the Coachella Valley.

We’d love to answer any questions you may have. Please call us at 800-900-KARS or email: jessupautoplaza@gmail.com.

View our entire Jessup Auto Plaza inventory at www.JessupAutoPlaza.com

In recent months, General Motors has had to refocus its energy on reassuring the consumer that its products and people are viable and competitive. MCCI is pleased to be a part of that process–telling success stories of hard working real employees and the vehicles that will reposition GM as a world leader in automotive development and manufacturing. Check out a couple video samples:

Buick LaCrosse and Recycled Materials:

Handcrafted Corvette Engines:

The 2009 Seattle Auto Show

This was my first Seattle Auto Show.  I really did not know what to expect, so I was going in with an open mind.  I was really excited to see the Fisker Karma.  I have read so many things about the car and seeing one in person was one of the main reasons why I wanted to go to the Auto Show.  I dragged Sophia along and sort of made it my date day.  I told her if she went with me I would take a full day of Christmas shopping with her.  Sophia was great at the car show as she would jump in cars and tell me what she liked.  Of course I would tell her at times Sophia you will never get that car.  I think it was really hard for her when I told her that marrying a Gamblin that her chances of getting a Volvo or Audi or slim to none.

What I was so excited and shocked to see at the show was a Cadillac Converj.  I could not believe it.  I just wrote a lengthy blog on the Cadillac Converj as General Motors just announced that they will be putting the concept into production.  It was great to see the car in person.  I was a little disappointed not to see a CTS coupe, I thought for sure they would have one.  Seeing the CTS Sport Wagon in person was great as well as I have blogged about that car as well.

I got to see my first Buick Lacrosse in person and actually sit in the seats.  I am very excited with the direction Buick is heading.  Of course I was praying a miracle would happen and a Buick Regal would be there.  I thought I would never say that Buick has a great upcoming line up of young and aggressive vehicles.

The Chevrolet Exhibit was huge and you could tell that they were searching how to fill it.  I understand that importance of having your vehicles there but an auto show is an auto show.  I was really surprised to see a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept there.  I had to explain to Sophia that was the car in Transformers 2 where they could have made an amazing car chase vs the Audi R8 but it lasted 10 seconds during the movie.  I also liked how they lined up the Corvette’s all in a row.  It started with the Stingray concept to the Corvette ZR1, Corvette Z06 and then the Corvette Grand Sport.

Other vehicles that were nice to see in person where the Porsche Panamera, Cadillac SRX, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Infiniti G37 and the whole Audi exhibit.

MT_Cert_Addendum_Small_Courtesy_004_10-12-09

Click the above link to see why you can buy with confidence at Courtesy GMC Buick Cadillac

All of these outstanding values are absolutely free of charge!

It’s that time of year when every car imaginable gets an award, apparently for simply existing in some cases.

To celebrate, ScuttleShake has put together a list of models it’s looking forward to for 2010 – and there may be a few surprises.

Buick Superlative

A car widely expected to be slightly better than Buick’s previous offerings in the US executive segment.

“Bob Lutz personally kicked the asses of 18 technicians and engineers until we reached that crucial ’slightly better’ stage with the Superlative,” confirmed a GM insider.

“This is guaranteed to put BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti and Jaguar firmly in their place,” offered the insider with a watery smile.

Dodge Orgasm

A rebadged Fiat Stilo equipped with a 1.4 MultiJet engine, scheduled to hit the US market next year.

“It doesn’t have the power to pull the skin off a custard,” laughed a Fiat insider.

Hyundai i1

Reportedly a tenth of the size of the i10, the i1 will house space for one small child (driver) and a mini soft drink can in a handy binnacle.

Prices start at £99. Standard equipment includes door, seat and roof.

BMW M5 GT Convertible

BMW says its M5 hatchback-saloon-estate has taken 35 years to discover.

“Until recently car designers knew there was another niche out there, somewhere. Perhaps on the very borders of human perception.”

So says a BMW insider who has worked on the so-called Niche Theory problem with BMW since 1977.

“We confidently expect the 34 other people in the world who have also identified in this niche to love the new M5 GT Convertible,” confirmed the wild-haired spokesman

Lamborghini I Will Kill You

“We thought about all those Lamborghini names of old, named after killer bulls, and realised we weren’t being explicit enough,” said a Saint Agata spokesman.

“We don’t want to people to be in any doubt about our supercars,” continued the exec.

“If you buy one of our cars there’s a very real chance you’ll die in a twisted heap of molten metal.

Lamborghini says it expects the I Will Kill You to be its biggest seller yet.

Audi Fuck You Porsche

Audi said it sees no problems with competing for sales with stablemate Porsche, when questioned on the positioning of the new Fuck You Porsche.

Porsche Large Margin

Porsche says its Large Margin estate car will rival the Skoda Fabia SW for internal load space and will cost £89,000.

“Who cares what you think?” said a Porsche insider when we quizzed the manufacturer on the relevance of the vehicle.

“We know from experience that there are some people stupid enough to buy anything with a Porsche badge on it.

“What’s more we have their contact details,” concluded the spokesman.

Aston Martin Metro

Reportedly a result of a chance meeting between Ulrich Bez and Barry Scunthorpe, designer of the original Austin Metro, in a service station near Gaydon, the Aston Metro will be offered for £45,000 when it goes on sale next year.

The Aston Metro features an Austin/Rover K-Series engine, bespoke leather-trimmed steering wheel and Aston badging.

“Aston Martin has one of the finest reputations in the world,” laughed Bez in a Q&A. “And I’m determined to ruin it.”

Maybach New Money

“New mock Tudor mansions, 60-inch widescreen tellies, plaster doric columns, heated outdoor swimming pools. These are the things that Maybach customers know ooze sheer class.”

That’s the claim of a Maybach spokesman ScuttleShake spoke to on the new New Money model.

Clad in a leopard-skin thong and wielding a pimp’s cane, the spokesman continued to pour praise on the new Maybach model while being fellated by a boa-wearing prostitute.

Kia Suck>cee’d:-)

A hatchback with a spoiler on it.

Visit: www.tituswillcars.com