Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

March 12, 2011

World’s Most Popular Car Color

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: — Winson @ 3:53 AM

DuPont releases their Global Automotive Color Popularity Report every year. DuPont issued its 58th annual color popularity report recently and silver and black are in tight competition for the title of “world’s most popular car color” and both are separated by only 2 percentage points. Black is the leading vehicle color globally and silver is at second place, white and gray are tied for third place.

The top 10 global vehicle colors are:
1. Silver — 26 percent
2. Black/Black Effect — 24 percent
3. White/White Pearl and Gray — 16 percent each (tie)
4. Red — 6 percent
5. Blue — 5 percent
6. Brown/Beige — 3 percent
7. Green — 2 percent
8. Yellow/Gold — 1 percent

European market opted greatly for black/black effect, making it top choice for nearly all vehicle categories, with 24 percent. Black/black effect are popular for luxury models in the Pacific region. In India, with 29 percent share in the market, white is the leading color. In South America, silver rules with 33 percent of the market. Japan opted for white/white pearl as its top color choice for vehicles, continuing at 28 percent of total market share.

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March 3, 2011

Major Auto Recalls in USA 2010-11

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: , — Winson @ 7:28 AM

The following are the list of all the major recalls made in the US automobile industry, the list includes:

  • The 2011 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, has the possibility of fracturing the seat belt anchor, which could effect driver or front-seat passenger. This problem is discovered in September.
  • Ford Windstars are recalled by the company because there is a problem in the axle and it may cause death to the passengers.
  • Almost 750,000 vehicles were recalled by Volkswagen and Chrysler, in two separate recalls because of the water leaking on to the carpet from the AC in Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.
  • Because of a steering problem, 501,000 trucks in the United States are recalled by Japanese automaker Nissan along with 240,000 of 2002–04 Frontier pickups and 261,000 Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicles.
  • To override the gas pedal and cut power to the engine, the world no.1 automaker retrofitted the 2.2 million vehicles with smart stop system, in which the engine power is cut down if the pedal is being pushed for longer than one and a half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.
  • Suzuki is recalling almost 70,000 SX4 which includes hatchbacks and sedans because the outside mirrors may fall off. Suzuki told the agency it became aware of the problem in 2009 after discovering that a supplier had stopped using thread lock on the screws.
  • 470000 vehicles will be recalled by Honda in USA for a break fluid problem which includes Acura RL, Honda Odyssey models.
  • Mazda is recalling 215000 Mazda3, Mazda5 cars in United States for the steering problems.
  • The Mercedes-Benz is calling back 85000 recent cars because loosening of a connection fitting on the high-pressure power steering line allowing power steering fluid to leak.
  • 485 Italia super cars is recalled by Ferrari for the problem of machine which has a tendency to burst into flames.

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February 7, 2011

Rise of Auto Sales 20% in U.S.

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: , — Winson @ 5:20 AM

According to the quarterly sales analysis, auto sales rose about 20% in April in the U.S. A. Still gradual recovery in the economy was reflected from recession-stunted results from the earlier year. The economic recovery in the United States would appear to be on track. But the pace was not expected to be robust.

The sales of Toyota Motor Corp rose 24 percent. This was weaker than the result that was expected. Due to massive safety recalls the sales tumbled in the earlier year. The company incentives were extended for third consecutive month to jump-start sales.

The largest percentage gain at 35 percent was reported by the Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Following it are the Hyundai Motor Co at 30 percent, and Chrysler and Ford Motor Co at 25 percent. When compared to the previous year, General Motor Co posted 6.4 percent sales increase. The company was in the first position as the top seller in the United States. Ford and Toyota followed the General Motors. The auto industry was bracing for bankruptcies by GM and Chrysler in the previous year. However, even by excluding the discontinuing brands of the company, the sales of GM in April rose 20 percent. Chrysler was filed for bankruptcy at the end of April 2009 and presently it has been under the management control of Fiat Spa of Italy.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd is considered in the fourth position in the United States. This is based on the number of vehicles sold and it is the most closely shopped brand to Toyota. A 12.5 percent sales increase was reported by Honda. The costly incentives had hurt profit margins and used car prices.

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2011 Toyota Corolla at Los Angeles Auto Show

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: — Winson @ 5:18 AM

2011 Toyota Corolla, the best selling subcompact in America, was featured at Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2010. Some of the features of the vehicle include standard vehicle stability control and traction control; standard safety system and smart stop technology; exterior front and rear styling freshened; Toyota care complimentary maintenance plan; and two new colors.

The Toyota’s safety system standard is continued in the 2011 Corolla. Brake assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control (TC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Electronic Break-force Distribution (EBD) are included in the safety standard system. The vehicle is made available in three grades including the base-model Corolla, S, and LE. The models are equipped with the 1.8 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. The engine is able to produce 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. In order to reduce friction the internal components are optimized.

The smooth-riding Corolla is built with a front suspension composing of a compact, rigid L-arm-type MacPherson strut with a stabilized bar. The rear suspension had a coil-over-shock arrangement which allows an efficient packaging with excellent ride comfort.

The vehicle is engineered in such a way as to absorb and disperse impact energy through out the entire body structure. Vehicle Stability Control, which is a part of the Toyota Star Safety System, is made to adjust engine output and the braking force at individual wheels to control the discrepancy between where the vehicle is heading and where the driver is steering. Six standard airbags that include advanced front airbags, front and rear side curtain bags, and front seat-mounted side airbags have been equipped.

Some of the features of the Corolla LE include intermittent windshield wipers, auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, power door locks with shift-activated automatic locking feature, and power windows with driver side auto down. Some of the features of the Corolla S include 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R16 tires, chrome-tipped exhaust, sport side rocker panels and metallic style interior trim and analog sport instrumentation.

The power slide/tilt moon roof with sliding sunshade and an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capacity are featured in Corolla LE and S grades. The interior design of the Corolla 2011 is distinct in having a new seat color and a changed combination meter design that enhances clarity. Easy-to-reach storage spaces are provided for convenience and usability in the vehicle. The sale of the new Corolla started in December.

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