Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Volkswagen, UK, Luxury

Another dressed up offering has landed on that island haven for special editions, the UK. This time, it’s the Volkswagen Tiguan Track & Avenue. Called a “very expressive off-roader,” English types will be able to buy it in either “Oryx White Pearl Effect” or “Island Grey Pearl Effect.” Not that you’d take those pretty 19-inch Savannah alloys off-road, but there’s a specially angled front end with a silver skid plate so you can look like you would.

Inside is lots of amaranth-colored leather in “Heavy Waxy” grade (it looks better than it sounds), along with sport seats and a high-end stereo. Engine choices number four, in both petrol and diesel, topping out at the 200 horsepower 2.0-liter gasoline variant. It will start at €38,225 (a princely $56k USD, but remember - U.K. prices are still higher than that of their U.S. counterparts) for the 2.0-liter TSI diesel with a manual transmission and 170 hp. Read about it in the press release after the jump, and have a look at our gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Forbidden T&A: Volkswagen introduces Tiguan Track and Avenue for U.K.

Forbidden T&A: Volkswagen introduces Tiguan Track and Avenue for U.K. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Earnings/Financials

Automobile manufacturers and dealers spent $7.5 billion on advertising during the first six months of 2009, says TNS Media Intelligence. The company that keeps track of nearly every form of advertising for all industries is reporting that the figure represents a 30.8% drop compared to the same period last year, when it was $10.8 billion in spending. Not surprisingly, the plummet nearly mirrors the decline in motor vehicle sales (which dropped 27.4% during the exact same period).

The decline in advertising expenditures isn’t is exactly new news as automotive advertising has dropped for seventeen consecutive quarters, reports TNS. Among the nation’s top ten advertisers for the same period, General Motors was the only automaker to make the cut in third place behind Proctor and Gamble Co. and Verizon Communications Inc. -although GM only spent $1.4 billion this year (a reduction of 15.5% from last year). Overall, across all industries, advertising is down nearly 15% from last year according to TNS Media.

[Source: Detroit Free Press, image: Productioncars.com]

REPORT: Automotive advertising plummets 30.8% originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

This past weekend was a busy one for us, and it was for some of our local Marines as well. Our efforts were for a worthy cause, however, as we were busy collecting toys for needy children so they might have something to unwrap during the holidays. We also happened to be surrounded by some of the nicest people and coolest cars ever made at The 6th Annual Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive in Huntington Beach.

The event was highlighted by the surprise appearance of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Even parked amidst two classic gullwing SLs and beside a new SL65 Black Series, the neo-gullwing drew the lion’s share of the attention from the crowd. The car sounded fantastic and we had to admit we’d be hard pressed to choose between it, the Black Series, the nearby CLK DTM cabrio, the SLR or SLR Roadster as our favorite modern Mercedes. The Audi R8 V10 that was parked around back would probably be in the mix as well for most fun to drive. Follow the jump to read how the day played out - and don’t forget to check out the huge gallery by clicking any image below.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing surprise

Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing surprise originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Ford, GM

The first quarter of 2009 could best be described as the worst of times in the auto industry. With the full weight of the global financial collapse weighing down on the industry, sales dropped like a stone and production screeched to a halt. General Motors and Ford produced only 371,000 and 349,000 vehicles respectively during Q1 2009, a mere fraction of the industry giants’ overall capacity. One year later, the auto industry here in the U.S. is still far from healthy, but many industry experts feel the market has stabilized.

Evidence of that fact presents itself when looking at production data for the fourth quarter of 2009 versus the first quarter of 2010. Automotive News is reporting that Ford plans to build 550,000 cars and trucks in the first quarter while GM plans 650,000 units. While that’s a bump of 58 percent and 75 percent versus Q1 2009, respectively, the numbers are within a few thousand units of Q4 production. But even compared to Q4, production is up around four percent for both Ford and GM - a hopeful sign for the industry.

But while GM and Ford appear to have good production news, AN is reporting that the forecast is a bit cloudier for Chrysler. The Pentastar’s recent announcement that it would prolong shutdown over the holidays throws some doubt on the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker’s reported plan to increase Q1 2010 production by 56% versus Q1 2009. While Chrysler was supposed to up production to 376,000 units, the shutdown could drop production by up to 30,000 units.

[Source: Automotive News - subs req’d | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

REPORT: GM, Ford to dramatically increase Q1 production versus year ago numbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

It’s long been presumed that the Chevrolet Volt (and its Opel/Vauxhall Ampera twin) would not be the only car rolling out of General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant after late 2010. After all, Volt volumes are unlikely to be sufficient in the first several years to justify an entire plant. However, when a future product plant was leaked out after the 2007 UAW contract was signed, it was assumed the new Chevy Orlando would join the Volt. After all, the Orlando shares the Delta platform with the Volt and Cruze.

Following the announcement Monday of the investment in the Detroit factory to build the Volt, The Detroit News believes it has learned that the next-generation Malibu will also be built in Detroit. The new Malibu is slated to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model. Current Malibu assembly takes place in Fairfax, Kansas. The General’s Orion, Michigan plant had also been building the mid-sized sedan, but it is now being re-tooled build the next generation Aveo. With Fairfax now also building the Buick LaCrosse, a second plant may be needed to meet demand if the new model is successful.

[Source: The Detroit News]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

REPORT: Chevrolet Malibu to join Volt in Detroit-Hamtramck plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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