Jim Wangers Auto Recap
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February 10, 2012
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The 20 Best V8's Of All Time
Hot Rod Magazine | April 2012 Issue
As the self-proclaimed "Americas' #1 Pontiac Fan", I am becoming increasingly "thin-skinned", as today's automotive press continues to conveniently forget the great Wide-Track era. This time I refer to the Cover Story in the April 2012 issue of "Hot Rod Magazine". Although they "fink-out", blaming their readers, the facts are that the great Pontiac V8's of that wonderful period can only be ranked 8th among all Americas great engines.
My blood boils as I read more and more about the highly tuned "race car" versions of the Chrysler Corp. Hemi V8's, the Big Block Chevy's, even the "win-on -the-track lose-on-the- street" Ford 429's. Also a little too much acclaim is given to the Chrysler "B" engine which we all know came about after their engineers learned that a Hemi couldn't be made to run reliably on the street.
On the good side is some much deserved recognition of both the Buick "Nailhead" and their almost unbelievable 1970 455cid Stage 1 and Stage 2 packages along with both the W30 and W31 Oldsmobile's. Of course the Small Block Chevy and even the Flathead V8 Fords get their just due. With the exception of under recognizing our great Pontiac V8, this is very entertaining and pretty well informed story.
I suggest you pick-up a copy today. JW |
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited: Long-term car review
In spite of Clint Eastwood and Sergio Marchionne the real "hero" responsible for much of the Fiat/Chrysler's comeback is the Jeep, even more specifically, the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
To back up my statement just look at these numbers. For calendar year 2010, the Grand Cherokee sold 84,000 units. For Calendar year 2011, they sold 127,000 units. Now look how this has affect sales of ALL Jeeps. For Calendar year 2010 they registered 291,000 units. For Calendar year 2011 419,00 units.
NUFF SAID! JW
 AutoWeek | 2/2/2012The Jeep Grand Cherokee racked up 22,575 miles in nine months in our long-term fleet, 8,302 of those coming in the third quarter alone. And to date, the Jeep has averaged 18.6 mpg, sucking down 1,210.5 gallons of fuel and $4,487.33 from our wallets along the way. Those are the hard points, the left-brain bits of info, if you will. Here's the rest of the story: Read more... |
Caught Testing: 2013 Chrysler 100 - Spy Shots
Fresh off what appears to be universal acceptance of the new Fiat sponsored Dodge Dart Chrysler reveals their next compact statement from the same source. This time, a 5-dr. Hatchback to be marketed under the Chrysler name featuring much more of the formal styling used in Europe. JW
 Road & Track | 2/6/2012
We finally have photographic evidence that Chrysler is officially working on a 5-door hatchback to compete with the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. Look for this compact Chrysler hatchback to be called the 100 when it goes on sale, most likely in early- to mid-2013. Using the same Fiat-sourced platform found in the new Dodge Dart sedan, which debuted during the Detroit Auto Show, the black Chrysler prototype spotted by our spy photographers looks even more like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta upon which it's based. This is a departure from Chrysler's previous design study, a half-hearted concept based on the current Lancia Delta. Shown at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the badge-engineered show car didn't even have a name. Read more...
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Shanghai GM's January sales drop 4%
We hear so much about sales of GM cars in China, I thought you might like to see some comparable numbers. Using the month of January 2012 look at these results. In all cases the numbers only reflect passenger cars, NO trucks! The source for these figures is Automotive News.
Look at Buick for example, they sold 9,419 passenger cars in the U.S., while registering 71,056 in China.
Chevrolet again only counting passenger cars, counted 55,530 in the U.S., while racking up 53,400 units in China.
Only Cadillac, which is still relatively new in the Chinese marketplace, saw it U.S. sales at 5,664 cars beat out the 2,987 that went "across the curb" in China. JW
Automotive News China
SHANGHAI -- Shanghai General Motors says its sales slid 4 percent year-on-year in January to 127,443 vehicles as Chevrolet sales weakened. Read more...
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Hyundai weighs Genesis upscale subbrand
Apparently Hyundai management is becoming more concerned about the image of the name Hyundai when considered by the potential buyers of their premium models, the Genesis sedan and coupe and the new Equus.
While they are not considering a independent Dealer network at this time they are planning to remove the Hyundai name and badge on these vehicles.
Obviously the sales performance of Toyota / Lexus, Nissan/Infinity and Honda/Acura are being given serious consideration into making their final decision. JW
 Automotive News | 2/4/2012Hyundai may market its premium vehicles under a Genesis subbrand to further distinguish its upscale cars from its mainstream vehicles, the brand's U.S. sales boss said. The proposed move would replace Hyundai's round "H" badge with a new badge on rear-wheel-drive premium vehicles, including the Equus, Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe. Read more... |
How the Buick Regal GS became a collectible so soon
...At least so sez Hagerty Insurance. Apparently all you have to do is take a decent looking compact 4-door Sedan, add a turbo-charger and a manual transmission to make the Hagerty Hot List.
I don't think so. This is going to have to be proven! JW
 Automotive News | 2/7/2012
What are the 10 most collectible Buicks from the past and present? Hagerty Insurance lists the 2012 Buick Regal GS on its annual Hot List as a future collectible along with nine other Buicks dating back to 1932. The company specializes in insuring collectible and classic vehicles. Why the Regal GS? Read more... |
Chevrolet brings Cruze wagon to Geneva show
What are they thinking? Just what precariously challenged Opel needs at this time! JW
 AutoWeek | 2/9/2012
Chevrolet is expanding the Cruze lineup with a wagon that makes its debut at the Geneva motor show in March. But don't hold your breath in anticipation of being able to buy one here. There are no plans to sell the Cruze wagon in North America, Chevrolet says. That even rules out the chance of picking one up in Canada. Read more... |
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