Best Auto Deals For January 2008

Itching to purchase a car? Do you want a bargain?

I found 10 best deals for January next year. If you really wanna make an auto purchase for next month, you have to take a glimpse of the bargains. The release published by Edmunds.com has given 10 vehicles which are lease-, finance- or cash-based. Here they are:

   1. 2007 Cadillac XLR-V Convertible:
Boasting distinctive looks, a noteworthy feature list and a powerful V8, the XLR-V is a credible domestic alternative to the usual European luxury-roadster contenders. Impressive finance and rebate deals add to its appeal this month.

   2. 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK280 Convertible: The SLK280 provides all the luxury you’d expect from the Mercedes brand, but it ups the ante by being impressively performance-oriented, as well. This month’s lease deals make it even more enticing.

   3. 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible:
With its sensual lines, low base price and outstanding performance, the Solstice GXP is a great pick for those in search of a car that looks great and goes fast. Stellar finance and rebate deals make it even more of a catch.

   4. 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe: The Cobalt trails class leaders in certain respects, but it does offer a smooth ride and good acceleration. Rebate and finance deals are currently offered, so now’s your chance to make your move.

   5. 2008 BMW 3 Series 328i Coupe: The 328i offers outstanding driving dynamics and an impressive engine, in addition to high-quality interior materials. Take advantage of this month’s outstanding lease and finance deals.

   6. 2008 Mazda RX-8 Sport Coupe:
A delightful rotary engine, nimble handling and four-passenger capacity enable the RX-8 to offer both practicality and sports-car thrills. Exceptional lease deals make it a great time to purchase.

   7. 2008 Acura TSX Sedan: Turn to the TSX for outstanding value; this sedan offers sharp handling, excellent fuel economy and a refined cabin, all for a very reasonable price. Great lease deals make it an opportune time to buy.

   8. 2008 Cadillac DTS Sedan:
With its spacious interior and tranquil ride, the DTS is your best choice if you’re in search of a domestic luxury sedan. Thanks to amazing rebates, now is a smart time to buy.

  9. 2007 Hyundai Azera GLS Sedan: In true Hyundai fashion, the Azera is a value leader, with high-end materials and construction and a low price. Superlative rebates and finance are currently offered.

  10. 2008 Subaru Forester Sports
2.5 X Wagon: The Forester entices with comforting crash test scores, standard all-wheel drive and carlike handling. Lease deals make it doubly appealing this month. 

The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Finalists

Are you excited to know the finalists of this year’s Urban Wheel Awards? Of course you are.

Select auto journalists have cast their votes and the finalists for the 2008 Urban Wheel Awards were announced. The event will be held on January 15, 2008 at the Fox Theater in Detroit, in conjunction with Press Preview Week of the North American International Auto Show.

Co-hosts Actress Rosie Perez and Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight will lead a cast of celebrity presenters, who will present awards to the automotive manufacturers, executives, suppliers, dealers, advertising agencies and motorsports organizations who have contributed to diversity in the industry, according to The Auto Channel.

"The Urban Wheel Awards brings together top leaders in the auto industry with the multicultural community which represents their true customer base," said Randi Payton, President and CEO of On Wheels, Inc. and founder of the awards. "Inclusion of all its customers is critical to building bridges to the multicultural community and to recognizing the contributions of minorities in the industry."

Urban Wheel Awards are presented in categories including, Company of the Year, African-American, Asian and Latino automotive executives of the year, as well as minority Supplier of the Year, the report continued. To recognize commitment to diversity in the racing arena, the Diversity in Motorsports award will be given. Additionally, Urban Dealer of the Year award will serve as the newest commendation.

  The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards finalists are:

  African American Executive of the Year

  Bennie Fowler
  VP, Quality
  Ford Motor Company

  Marshilia Snoddy
  Zone Manager for Process Improvement, Southwest Zone
  American Honda Motor Company

  Ed Welburn
  VP, Global Design
  General Motors Corporation

  Asian Executive of the Year

  Takeshi Abe
  Henry Ford Technical Fellow
  Ford Motor Company

  Ray G, Young
  Group VP, GM Global Finance
  General Motors Corporation

  Latino Executive of the Year

  Dave Mondragon
  General Manager, Ford Motor Company Southwest Region
  Ford Motor Company

  Victor Nacif
  VP Design, Business Aspects
  Nissan Design America

  Supplier of the Year

  Detroit Chassis
  Ewie Co. Inc.
  Pinnacle

  Company of the Year

  Chrysler
  Ford Motor Company
  General Motors

  Car of the Year

  Chevrolet Malibu
  Honda Accord
  Mercedes-Benz C Class

  Truck of the Year

  Buick Enclave
  Chrysler Town & Country
  Infiniti EX 35

  Diversity in Motor Sports Finalists

  National Hot Rod Association
  STAR Motorsports
  Urban Youth Racing School

  Urban Dealer of the Year

  Bill Perkins Automotive Group
  Mike Pruitt Honda
  Southaven Pontiac/Buick/GMC

For more info about the much-awaited event, visit www.urbanwheelawards.com or call (313) 963-2209.

 

Ford Doing Great In China

The Chinese auto market is the fastest growing market in the world and it is obvious that automakers will be making their moves on the Asian country.  Recently, The Auto Channel reported that Ford has another good year in China, not only basing it on the number of vehicles that they have sold there but also on their works of improving quality standards and working conditions on their supply network there.

Mei-Wei Cheng, chairman and CEO of Ford, China said:  "Our goal is to have all of our suppliers in China participate in this management program.  Ford sees it as our direct responsibility to ensure that each of our partners are providing their staff with a legal and decent work environment and working conditions. It’s a part of doing good business and we’re willing to make an investment to help achieve this."

This move by Ford is considered a major one as they have a lot of subsidiaries in China which includes:  "Ford Motor (China) Limited, Ford Motor Research & Engineering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Ford Automotive Finance (China) Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Nanjing Company, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., and Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd. Ford Motor has introduced a number of exciting models to the Chinese market, including Ford Mondeo, Ford Focus, Ford S-MAX, Ford Transit, Volvo S40, Mazda3, as well as several imported models from Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and Volvo, and service brand, Ford Service."  

Darrell Doren, the automaker’s regional manager for supply chain sustainability, said:  "We strive to maintain long-term relationships with our suppliers, which provides a real advantage for a mutual understanding of our supplier management program. It also provides additional benefits, as adherence to the policies helps deliver increased quality and has a positive impact on their employee retention."

Gas Price Makes Consumers Spend Less

The Auto Channel reported that Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research’s study showed that consumers will be spending less on their new vehicle purchase because of the high price of gasoline.  An astounding 44 percent of the polled respondents said that because of the high gas prices, they would look into vehicles they would not even consider buying if the price of fuel has not skyrocketed.

The report also states these results: "67 percent of those in the market for a new vehicle indicate they will not spend less on holiday gifts this year due to the rising cost of gas. However, more than 40 percent of consumers do say they are eating out less often and nearly 50 percent of consumers say they are doing less shopping of non-essential retail items such as clothes and shoes; further examples of consumers cutting back on self-spending."

Jack Nerad, the executive editorial director and executive market analysts for Kelley Blue Book, had this to say:  "While gas prices are clearly influencing the way consumers plan to spend money on themselves, such as going out to eat and delaying the purchase of a new home, it appears most people will not let the price of gas affect their holiday spirit and giving to others.  Based on our monthly study, shoppers are willing to sacrifice in order to still give to others, and it even extends to their next new-vehicle purchase. We are seeing more and more new-vehicle shoppers looking at smaller and more fuel-efficient cars than in the past."

Ricky Wainschel, the vice president of marketing research and brand communications for Kelley Blue Book, added:  "Determining how gas prices affect consumer shopping provides tremendous insight into shifts in the economy, and tracking their opinions of alternative fuel solutions sheds light on the possible adoption and acceptance rates of alternate fuel systems in the future.  Timely, in-market vehicle shopper feedback can provide invaluable information to automotive manufacturers and marketers, allowing them to tailor their messages and strategies more toward what car shoppers actually think and how they plan to spend their money."

The LRX Concept Coming Up!

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Land Rover will serve as the maker of the hottest vehicle in 2008 very soon! The LRX Concept will be uncovered at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) in January 2008. And it is expected that thousands of car enthusiasts will swarm the venue as Land Rover unwraps the newest hot stuff in the industry!  

"The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles. The LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it’s a very different Land Rover," says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. 

"LRX is a design born out of passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting – because Land Rover has never built ordinary cars. LRX has a highly desirable identity and the design alludes strongly to its capability, while clearly underlining our forward-looking philosophy – it’s a Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn’t flinch at getting its wheels dirty," says Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s Design Director.

"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you’d expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. It is Land Rover’s way of affirming the brand’s responsible approach to future product development. At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction – but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take,” added Popham.

Chevy Malibu Is The Best Redesigned Car For 2008!

Of all the best models for 2008, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu was chosen to be the Best Redesigned Car for 2008 by Kelley Blue Book, the top provider of new and used vehicle info. The 2008 Malibu is being praised for bringing the significant mid-size car class to new heights of overall improvements according to Kelley Blue Book’s editorial staff.

According to The Auto Channel, there were over 30 cars redesigned for 2008 models. Kelley Blue Book together with their kbb.com editorial group evaluated the full list to classify vehicles that exemplifies great improvements compared to their previous model and competitions.

"The 2008 Malibu solidified its case for kbb.com’s ‘2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle’ with a top-to-bottom, inside-and-out remake that’s nothing less than game-changing. The new Malibu has earned its place at the top of one of the toughest and most competitive categories in the industry. It can take on any competitor head-to-head," says Jack R. Nerad, the executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.

Here’s the list of the top 10 contenders of Keely Blue Book’s 2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle (in alphabetical order):

  • Audi TT
  • Cadillac CTS
  • Honda Accord
  • Infiniti G37
  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  • Mitsubishi Lancer
  • Porsche Cayenne
  • Saturn Vue
  • Toyota Highlander

"As we’ve come to expect in recent years, each vehicle on this year’s list of finalists represents a huge step forward versus its predecessor," said Nerad. "The presence of the CTS and Vue along with the Malibu marks a significant resurgence in product offerings from the domestic manufacturers. The domestics have proven they can play in the big leagues again with no excuses."

"The pace of change continues to accelerate, with each new redesigned model offering greater and greater improvements over its predecessor," Nerad continued. "More power combined with better fuel economy is one welcome trend, as is the rapid proliferation of technologies like Bluetooth(R) phone connectivity, push-button start and navigation systems with real-time traffic information."

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com "Best Redesigned Vehicle" History:

  • 2004 - Ford F-150
  • 2005 - Ford Mustang
  • 2006 - Honda Civic
  • 2007 - Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2008 - Chevrolet Malibu

 

 

GM Europe Has New President

The current Executive Director of Global Product and Brand Communications for GM, J. Christopher Preuss, is the newest appointed GM Europe Vice President, Communications. Preuss took over Julie Hamp who is now leaving GM after 25 years of being on service to resume a leadership role at the PepsiCo.

At the age of 41, he will be working for the management for all the internal and external communications activities for General Motors and its brands in Europe. Included in his duties are GM brands like Chevrolet, Opel/Vauxhall and Saab which are all operating in Europe.

The newly appointed GM Europe Vice President will be based in Zurich. He will also be an automatic member of the European Strategy Board, led by Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe. Although she’ll be working on his new appointment, he will still be managing global product communications including advanced technology, design, product development and motor shows.

Carl-Peter Forster said: “Chris brings tremendous strengths and leadership skills to our senior management team in Europe, where he will play an essential role in the communication of our turnaround, our sales growth and our increased enthusiasm for our brands and new products.”

In 1998, Preuss joined GM as Director of Communications at Cadillac which made him Staff Director of Product Communications in 2000. After two years, he was declared Staff Director of Advanced Technologies Communications. He also handles some appointments with Chrysler’s communications department. But he was still held as personnel in Golin Harris Communications, MS&L Communications and Campbell & Company Communications.

 

Kia cee’d Racks Up Another Award

Kia may not be the brand that you would most likely show off to your friends.  Well, at least that was what Kia before.  In times past, we tend to think of Kia vehicles as cheap and disposable vehicles.  But watch out as Korean automakers continue their onward march towards global recognition.  Take for example the critically acclaimed Kia cee’d which has racked up awards after awards.

Recently, the cee’d won the 2008 Car of the Year in Romania.  Said award was given to the Kia nameplate by the Romanian Union of Auto Journalists and Publishers.  This year marked the eight year that the award was given by the said organization.

The Auto Channel reports that apart from the said award, the cee’d has already blazed its trail when it comes to awards given.  "This award comes on the heels of a recent “Family Car of the Year” award for the cee’d SW from Sweden’s Motorföraren Magazine," reports The Auto Channel.  "In Poland, the cee’d also won the “2007 Compact-Class Fleet Car of the Year” by Fleet Awards Polska organized by The Fleet Magazine along with Playboy’s “Car of the Year” award. During the Autoweek competition in the Netherlands, it won the “2007 Innovation Award.” In addition, the cee’d was short-listed for the “2008 European Car of the Year” (COTY) award, coming in fourth place and beating out some European favorites in the final vote."

Pretty impressive huh?  With those awards now under the cee’d belt, I am sure that the brand will be given more respect and consideration when one is about to buy a car.  George Damian, sales and marketing director at Kia Motors Romania said:  "This collective recognition from Romanian top auto journalists and editors makes us determined in giving more than our best in the future. More than simply fulfilling the jury’s criteria, we feel the amazing 7-year warranty and 5-star EuroNCAP rating played a major role in the jury’s decision."

Mini Cooper To Take Traffic in Downtown LA’s Santee Village

Downtown LA’s Santee Village is putting up a ground-breaking endorsement to buyers of units at the iconic housing development situated in the Fashion District with "a MINI Cooper with every loft" promo to anybody who acquires a loft the from 1st day of December until  February 3rd! The first lucky buyers will get a MINI Cooper with a three-year lease payment scheme to be taken care of the developer.

"The MINI Cooper is the perfect vehicle for downtown living," said Mark J. Weinstein, the president of MJW Investments and developer of Santee Village. "It is a sexy little car that offers international styling, great gas mileage, easy parking, multiple safety features and a fun driving experience. We think the target buyers for Santee Village will find this offer to be a nice complement to their urban lifestyle."

According to my reference, the MINI Cooper has achieved numerous awards for more than five years which includes the Most Wanted Coupe Under $30K, Most Appealing Compact Car, Best Brand, Best Small Car, and Car of the Year.

"Residents say they are attracted by the exceptional features that make Santee Village different from other downtown residences," Weinstein said. The community offers dramatic views, stylish interiors, private balconies on select loft homes, and a rooftop retreat complete with a barbecue pit, cabana, basketball court and spas.