The first sales report of the new year hit yesterday and the good news is that Corvette sales are up 1.4% over last year. January 2010 deliveries totaled 854 - 12 Corvettes more than the 842 sold in January 2009. Historically, Corvette sales tend to a breather in January anyway so we are okay with this number. The other significant number for the month is the availability of the Corvette ZR1. National inventories of the supercharged ZR1 have grown by 27% to 191 units.
Although at first glance it may appear the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, the C63 AMG, the new-generation M-Class and the B200 have little in common, today they do, as it's this diverse bunch that have a starring role in this, our newest Mercedes Review Roundup installment.
GM is considering increasing production of the hot-selling Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice roadster \223as soon as possible,\224 according to GM\222s Bob Lutz, who was quoted by trade publication Automotive News. Currently, demand for the Pontiac Solstice is at 35,000 cars per year, while supply is about 20,000 units.
2009 was a year of highs and lows for Corvette. The high was most definitely the introduction of the Corvette ZR1. With a supercharged 638 horsepower engine, it's the most powerful production Corvette ever built by GM. When we talk about the low points, it's the global automotive recession that resulted in a 52% decline in sales from the 35,310 Corvettes built in 2008 to just 16,956 built in 2009.
While at the National Corvette Museum's C5/C6 Bash, we heard from the manager of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant Paul Graham about GM's plan to close factories over the summer. Paul informs us that the only change for the Bowling Green Assembly Plant will be an additional week added to the normal two week shutdown in July. We also hear from Corvette's Chief Engineer about the production targets for the Corvette ZR1 and how its production has been affected with these closures.
At the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), taking place now through November 20th, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting driver assistance systems of the future. According to Prof. Bharat Balasubramanian, Vice President Group Research & Advanced Engineering E/E, Processes and IT at Mercedes-Benz:
Another milestone was reached in the 56 year history of the Chevrolet Corvette. On May 28th, this Arctic White Corvette Convertible became the 1.5 millionth Corvette ever made.
Production of the legendary $440,000 Porsche Carrera GT ended today (Saturday, May 6) at the Porsche plant Leipzig, Germany. Production began in September, 2003. A total of 1,270 units were built \227 27 percent higher than the planned 1,000 units. A reported 53 percent of the cars went to the United States, 12 percent to Germany, and 7 percent to the United Arab Emirates.
After first unveiling their Mercedes-Benz Holiday Gift Collection, Mercedes-Benz Accessories today has unveiled a second Holiday Gift Collection, this time for the lovable little smart fortwo. According to the company, due to "their sassy details and typical smart colour contrasts, these casual yet functional fashion items, handy gadgets and practical, stylish products from the accessories range make attractive alternative Christmas gifts."
It's been thirty years since production began on the Mercedes G-Class, and since then, it's become one of the most enduring models of our time. In total, some 200,000 units of the G-Class have been delivered to customers around the world, all the more impressive considering its design has remained largely unchanged throughout its life span.
Toyota has announced that it will be further reducing levels of production at facilities across North America, again limiting production to meet the dwindling demand for new cars.
First up I thought I'd start with a model that needs no introduction – the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG – with a grand total of four different publications weighing in on the consummately-powered sedan. Three are actual written reviews, and the fourth is a video, but all serve to highlight in greater depth what exactly you can expect from the greatest C-Class ever produced.
Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the final installment in this week's trio of Mercedes Review Roundup episodes. In this edition, the brand-new Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the C320 CDI, the C200K Estate and the CLC220 CDI Sport are all tested, so if you're in the market for any, keep reading to find out what reviewers thought of each. As always, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the full articles immediately below.
Cadillac to end production of the XLR roadster in the spring of 2009. 40 workers will be laid off from the plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. No word yet on a replacement for the XLR.
in Detroit, each of which featured a distinct alternative power source. In the BlueZERO E-Cell, power came by way of a lithium-ion electric drive; in the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus, a lithium-ion electric drive plus an internal combustion was present; and in the BlueZERO F-Cell
Mercedes-Benz will continue its comprehensive commitment to road safety and, at the same time, take further major strides forward in its quest to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
BMW's surprising CS concept car is likely to beget a new flagship sedan for BMW. This news comes from the mouth of BMW North America honcho Tom Purvie, who told Automotive News, "We have a reasonable number of examples where we have built a concept car and relatively small examples where we have not built a concept car."
At the Hungarian Parliament today, Rainer Schmückle, Chief Operating Officer of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Gordon Bajnai, Hungarian Minister for National Development and Economy, signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of a new plant in Kecskemét.
Tom Purves, the North American BMW CEO, told Automotive News that BMW might put into production a model closely based on the CS concept.
"Our dealers, having seen the photos, are very excited," Purves said. "They love it. […] If media and dealers like it, there's a good chance the customers will."
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