Free Republic

The announcement that starting Sunday, San Francisco would no longer impound the cars of drivers who do not have a driver's license - many of whom are undocumented immigrants - set off a roar of outrage in the city and beyond. It's been called a "get out of jail free pass" and "sanctuary on wheels." ... The reality is that undocumented immigrants are in double jeopardy. They are not allowed to get a driver's license - although they could in California until 1994 - but if they are stopped their car is taken away ... because they don't have a...

Reviewing September's detailed sales results in the car business carried at the Wall Street Journal, three things stick out immediately: The awful performance at General Motors -- down 45% from September 2008. Chrysler's even worse performance -- down "only" 42% from September 2008, but a mind-boggling 61% from September 2007 (62,197 in 2009, 156,799 in 2007) Ford's tiny decline of only 6% from a year ago, despite the end of the Cash For Clunkers program in August. No other major maker had a year-over-year September decline that was even half of that seen at GM or Chrysler. Yet the...

U.S. auto sales likely fell in September back to the nearly three-decade lows of early 2009 without government incentives to spur buying, leaving in doubt the timing and pace of a recovery for the battered industry. Nearly 700,000 new cars and trucks were bought by U.S. customers through the government "cash for clunkers" incentive program from late July through the first three weeks of August, a leap from recession-stunted sales earlier in 2009.

It has been nearly a month since the car-buying frenzy of the Cash for Clunkers program ended, and many area auto dealers are longing for the good old days of July and August. Like consumers nationwide, Massachusetts residents rushed to take advantage of the federal voucher program, which offered them up to $4,500 on old gas-guzzlers to be put toward the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. About $65 million worth of vouchers were handed out statewide during the monthlong program that ended Aug. 24. But once the federal money dried up, so did the sales rally. Now, customers at...

From the Frankfurt motor show: Mercedes rolls out hybrid S-Class. But the current models do not give the consumer that much fuel efficiency. The Mercedes ML450 Hybrid model tops the list, with 21 mpg city / 24 mpg highway — hardly anything to brag about, especially for a Hybrid.

The president was in Pittsburgh, Pa. speaking to a group from the AFL-CIO when he defended his decision to bail out the automakers like this. Kicking off a day of outreach to blue-collar America, President Barack Obama defended his bailout of the auto industry, saying "the success of our economy depended on it." "Our belief was that if GM retooled and reinvented itself for the 21st century, it would be good for American workers, good for American manufacturing, and good for America's economy," Obama said. "I'm pleased to report that's exactly what's begun to happen at this plant and at...

Lonnie Holloway is laid to rest at the age of 90 in his 1973 Pontiac Catalina with his gun. Watch: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=118374

Money and crime intersect in Brazil, where the wealthy are riding a new trend: armored cars. Watch how they produce them and why...

Let the debate begin. Toyota Motor Corp. began testing an alcohol-detection breathalyzer that can immobilize a vehicle if the driver is wasted. Toyota is testing the device on 30 commercial vehicles in Japan. Mounted on the instrument panel, it locks the truck's ignition if it senses the driver has imbibed too much. The idea is to give companies better control of their fleets.

If you’re shopping for a used car, there are a number of things you can do to prevent getting stuck with a problem car. 1) Look for a reliable model. Often you can avoid many factory problems associated with cars that perform poorly over the long run. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov to view an up to date list of safety defects. 2) Decide where you want to buy your car. Buying from a private party, a new car dealer or a used car dealer each has advantages and disadvantages. You may get a lower price buying from an individual, but you will...

Kia Soul Hyundai Genesis Coupe Ford Taurus SHO Cadillac CTS Wagon Jeep Grand Cherokee Toyota Venza Nissan 370Z Suzuki Kizashi Volkswagen Golf Mercedes-Benz E-Class More info...

General Motors was not so long ago the largest motor company in the world, who would have thought one day would be taken over by the miniature Japanese autos. This documentary struggles to answer this very question.

C/D TEST RESULTS: Zero to 60 mph: 5.1 sec Zero to 100 mph: 12.5 sec Zero to 120 mph: 18.2 sec Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec Standing ¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 104 mph Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 149 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 164 ft Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.92 g

Electric Car Drag Racing: Video and Poll: Would You Attend?

Ride along for a hot lap at Laguna Seca in Ford’s venomous Shelby GT500 Mustang

Learn some handy detailing secrets to keep the exterior of your vehicle clean. From keeping your tires shiny and avoiding dust between washes to removing the ever-present bird droppings, youll learn some tips that will help your car stay clean using common household products. Watch Video...

As we said before, please do not buy a new car until the end of November — inventories are so low, you’re not likely find the color and features you want and you will most likely over pay. If you must buy a car now, both Hyundai and Kia are the first car manufacturers to offer big incentives after the ”clunkers’ program ended. While KIA offers the better deals, you’ll still likely save more if you can’t wait until the end of November for supply to catch back up to levels where deals abound.

When Ford refreshed the 2010 Mustang, they ignored mostly the engine bay. However, that will change with the new 2011 Ford Mustang. The base Mustang will be powered by Ford’s 3.7L V6 for the 2011 model year. Although that engine yields 273 horses in Lincoln cars, power will be ramped up to 315 horsepower for the Mustang. That represents a significant increase of 105 horsepower over the current V6-powered Mustang. Furthermore, a 400 horsepower 5.0L V8 motor will also join the Mustang lineup for 2011. Dubbed ‘Coyote,’ it will be used in the Mustang GT model with a six-speed manual...

The following table represents the top 20 overall vehicles for August. Overall sales are different from the top clunkers sales. View the Top 20 Vehicles for August...

By using inventory data and the average number of days each vehicle sites on the lot, we get the supply rate for the car. The final number amounts to how long the current inventory will last, in days, if no other cars are produced. While many factors can influence this final number, such as how fast cars fly off the lot, number of cars produced by the manufacturer, etc.; the results are that you’ll have a harder time getting these cars with the options and color you want, or finding them at all. In addition, you’ll be hard-pressed to negotiate...

pictures of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata were leaked ahead of schedule. Apparently, Hyundai was scheduled to release 'sketches' of the 2011 Sonata in the next ten days ahead of the major auto shows. However, the real pictures, snapped at a photo shoot at an advertising agency, have found their way to numerous Korean forums and blogs. The 2011 Sonata features a four-door-coupe-like roofline and a stubby rear-end. It is safe to assume these pictures depict the Asian and US version of the Sonata as Hyundai has now released the official 'sketches' (in response to the leak) to the media outlets...

Certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts. Frequently, the parts can be stripped from a car at a chop shop and sold for at least twice as much as the value of the vehicle on the used car market. Newer models are also more difficult, but not impossible to steal thanks to anti-theft technology incorporated by the manufacturers. In addition, popular cars are often stolen more simply because their are more of them. See the list of top 10 stolen cars 2008: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=117133

Depreciation is the highest cost associated with a new car. For that reason alone, the resell value of the car should be one of the most important considerations when you buy a new car. If you’re leasing a car, it is the most important factor in determining your lease payment. The following is the list of cars that are expected to retain more of their value in the next three years. See List of Cars with Top Resell Value...

It's over, finished, done. And quiet returns to the auto showrooms of America. Cash-for-Clunkers has outlived its funding. But left us with a host of useful lessons. First, government forecasters are really bad at their job. The program was originally funded with $1 billion of taxpayer money to cover rebates of $3,500-$4,500 on cars traded in for more fuel-efficient models, and the money was expected to last for about six months. It lasted for one week.

Ranking is based on the base model MSRP. You should be able to negotiate a lower price for the base model. Also, remember if you add additional features, you’ll could pay more. See list of cheapest trucks...

Ranking is based on the base model MSRP. You should be able to negotiate a lower price for the base model. Also, remember if you add additional features, you’ll could pay more. Top 10: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116813

This is a list of 20 quotes from people that dare to challenge that assumption that the Cash for Clunkers program is a success — by pointing out he obvious flaws few talk about. View the list of top 20 quotes: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116708

Ever since radios started popping up in cars, music and car culture have been inextricably linked, and everyone has a strong opinion about both. Read the List of Top 20 Songs and Listen to the Music: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116656

Chrysler Group LLC Deputy Chief Executive Jim Press is planning to leave the auto maker by November, according to three people who have been informed of the plan. Press, 62, was the only member of Chrysler’s senior leadership team to remain with the company after a fast-track bankruptcy under the supervision of the U.S. Treasury.

2009 J.D. Power & Associates releases list of cars with the highest initial reliability. Initial reliability measures any problems within the first three-months of ownership. This list contains the top three cars in each class for initial reliability. View the list of reliable cars...

Today's Wall Street Journal contains some puzzling news for all Americans who are impacted by high energy prices and who share the goal of moving us toward energy independence. For years, states rich with an abundance of oil and natural gas have been begging Washington, DC politicians for the right to develop their own natural resources on federal lands and off shore. Such development would mean good paying jobs here in the United States (with health benefits) and the resulting royalties and taxes would provide money for federal coffers that would potentially off-set the need for higher income taxes, reduce...

Cars for penny pinchers: Try driving something small, light and foreign. These cars are ranked by the estimated cost to drive the car for five years. Includes insurance, repairs, maintenance, fuel and interest on payments. Only two American cars made the list for 2009. See the 10 cheapest cars to own...

Friends Fix Classic 1966 Chevy Malibu for National Guard Medic Returning from Iraq. Watch Video: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116412

H/T to the Weekly Standard) Here's a story that was all to predictable. A growing number of auto dealers say the process of getting paid under the government's "cash for clunkers" plan increasingly resembles some of the wrecks accumulating on their lots as part of the program. The slow payments coming from the federal government are reinforcing the paradoxical nature of the program for dealers: It has generated the most showroom traffic they have had in months while at the same time heaping unease, frustration and worry onto the industry's worst-ever downturn

Conservation: The Chevy Volt is said to be able to get 230 miles per gallon. That's if it's continually plugged into a fragile and overburdened power grid. Where will you be when the lights go out? Since most U.S. electricity generation is not carbon-free, the Congressional Research Service agrees. The "widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles through 2030 may have only a small effect on, and might actually increase, carbon emissions," it observes. "If you are using coal-fired power plants and half the country's electricity comes from coal powered plants, are you just trading one greenhouse gas emitter for another?"...

Watch video: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=116331

If you've ever been to an auto show, you're likely to see some very cool concept cars. For instance, back in 1986, I saw a car with a map that could give directions in it. It was quite a concept back in the 1980's. At this past year's auto show, Saturn had a concept car that was a hybrid that runs on battery and natural gas. This car was still year's away from being on the market. The thing about concept cars is that the technology is always fascinating. Can you imagine how innovative it was in the mid 1980's...

Keep in mind that President Obama is using his credit card . . . your credit card, to fund his Cash for Clunkers program. So, it's really not aptly named, "Cash for Clunkers," it should be called "Credit for Clunkers."

Even beleaguered Ford Motors has found it easy to "make" money once again. It reported a $2.3 billion second-quarter profit...

On the 15-year anniversary of O. J. Simpson’s infamous car chase, we decided to recall some cars in our history that shocked, saddened and made headlines. Gangsters throughout time and two Kennedys appear among people forever connected to AutoWeek’s top 10 most infamous cars. 10. East side vs. West side On Sept. 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was on his way to friend and recording co-owner Marion “Suge” Knight’s club in Las Vegas. Shakur was riding in the passenger seat of a 1996 BMW 750 sedan with Knight driving when a late-model Cadillac drove up and unloaded 13 bullets into the...

Growing up as a teenager in the 1950s, I could not wait to get my license to drive and I liked the sporty look of the British MG. These days I drive a Volkswagen. In that short tale can be found the seeds of the end of the American auto industry. Here’s some history. In 1952, the merger of several British auto companies resulted in the British Motor Corporation. It was the largest of its day with 39% of British output. Despite established dealerships for the various models, a series of poor management decisions resulted in the loss of market...

Observers across the political spectrum have marveled at Barack Obama's ability to maintain a high job approval rating even as the public grows skeptical about some of his key policy initiatives. There's a feeling, among Republicans at least, that sooner or later he’s going to reach a tipping point between his personal popularity and the unpopularity of his proposals, and that his job approval rating will suffer. That moment will come when Obama has to actually stand behind specific proposals -- when he has to put his name on a health care plan that will lead to the rationing of...

In case you haven't heard, Comrade Obama is closing Chrysler dealerships owned by Republicans (and ONE Democrat).... including one owned by Florida GOP Congressman Vern Buchanan... you'll never guess which former high-profile Clinton flack BENEFITS, though. How coincidental

I talked about Dealergate on Fox and Friends this morning. Will try and get the video clip up later today. I made sure to credit bloggers Doug Ross and Joey Smith, who took the lead in probing the relationship between political considerations and Chrysler dealerships targeted for closure, also Hot Air, which is where the F&F producer saw the story. The bloggers are continuing their intriguing work. Doug has a new post here shedding more light on Mack McLarty/Robet Johnson’s dealerships. Joey has more info on Lithia Motors here.

DETROIT -- Visteon Corp., a former division of Ford Motor Co. and one of the country's largest auto suppliers, confirmed it filed for bankruptcy protection for its U.S. operations Thursday after continued production cutbacks by its auto maker customers eroded the company's financial stability. Visteon's bankruptcy makes it the latest casualty in the U.S. auto industry, which has been hit by the Chrysler LLC bankruptcy and awaits an imminent filing by General Motors Corp. Though expected for months, a Visteon filing could complicate matters for Ford, the one Detroit auto maker to so far avoid government aid. Visteon doesn't have...

So President Obama is now going to personally set much stricter fuel-economy and emissions standards for vehicles, better known as CAFE standards. My first thought is: this is obviously a guy who reacts to power like a kid in a candy store. Welcome to life under boy king Barack, a leader who resembles nothing so much as that eight-year-old Chinese emperor who ordered his retainers to eat disgusting things and commit suicide just for the wonder of seeing them obey. Apart from the unseemliness of it, you have to ask when people will start saying: “Cool your jets, Mr. Spock!...

A lot of folks know just how much money GM has received but did you know that GMAC has received nearly as much. GMAC has gone through several rounds of TARP. Chrysler's financing arm was in such a mess that it was just shut down and now the Obama administration has forced GMAC to take on any of the financing going forward through Chrysler Credit. Now, since Chrysler isn't really selling all that many cars right now this shouldn't be difficult to comply with. Employees were in fact given orders that came all the way from the car czar himself,...

Among the cheerleaders for President Obama’s plan to increase federal fuel efficiency mandates were General Motors and Chrysler — two companies that are, at the moment, virtually run by the federal government itself.

With his latest installment of ever-higher fuel mileage requirements for the auto industry, Barack Obama embraces a momentary, crisis-spawned expansion of the art of the possible, unleavened by any art of the rationally desirable. Detroit is dependent on Washington loans for survival. The industry's lobbyists and its congressional allies have collapsed in a heap, offering no resistance. So why not go for broke? If you're alone in front of the shrimp buffet, why not eat all the shrimp -- even if it makes you barf later? Defenders of the Obama administration's Chrysler bankruptcy finagle misguidedly argue that, if not for...

Excerpts from "New Obama rules will transform US auto fleet" : Carpenters will still haul materials around in pickup trucks, but they will cost more. So business' will get hit with higher costs. Especially small business'. Can our bankrupt car companies afford to sell less of trucks - a best seller? That means cars and trucks on American roads will have to become smaller, lighter and more efficient. "Smaller, lighter" to me means "less safe." I don't care if a Prius meets government standards, you can't change physics. More steel, more weight, more protection. Already on Tuesday, some drivers were...