Survey: More U.S. cars make grade | detnews.com | The Detroit News
There may be fewer people buying cars from Detroit's Big Three -- but they're enjoying them more. According to a University of Michigan survey, people who purchased vehicles from the automakers are happier with their cars and trucks than a year ago, as domestic vehicles close the satisfaction gap with their imported competitors. The improvements in satisfaction come from Detroit's most-disgruntled customers giving up on the domestic automakers, leaving a core of buyers who appreciate their recent...

Le Mans Vantage Racer from Elite Tuner
American tuner Elite has designed the upgrading package for 2010 Aston Martin Vantage. The main features have much in common with Ferrari Scuderia and Lamborghini Superleggera. The likeness is primarily in the fact that it is made like a nimble version of a production street car. The tuner worked much on the weight of the vehicle: the Aston Martin is covered with carbon fiber. The full light-weight kit is made out of a front bumper with screens, cannards, a front splitter, a hood, wide fenders, side...

Does Volt Really Use 230 mpg?
This Tuesday General Motors has announced that the new hybrid Chevrolet Volt is going to do 230 mpg in the city driving. The manufacturer said that “a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling plug-in electric vehicles” was used in the development testing of the car. Earlier it has become known that the Volt design team is moving faster than it was planned and the hybrid should come out even earlier than it was projected. GM Vice President Bob Lutz is alarmed about all the events...

Who Is Replacing Felipe Massa?
After Felipe Massa was injured at one of the races in Formula 1, Ferrari team has announced that it wanted Michael Schumacher to replace him to the end of the season by which Felipe should completely heal and come back to the track. Lately it became known that Schumacher does not plan to return. He says that the result of “bike” injuries “make return impossible”. He explains that pain in the neck does not allow him to move well. The motorcycle accident happened in February and caused neck and...

MX-5 Miata owns the entry-level sports car market | detnews.com | The Detroit News
For two decades, despite challenges here and there, Mazda's MX-5 Miata has owned the popular-priced sports car market. It was a sensation when it appeared in 1990 as the embodiment of the traditional open two-seater, dominated for generations by roadsters and convertibles from Great Britain. They included the Austin-Healey Sprite, 100 and 3000; Lotus Elan; MG TC, TD, A, B and Midget; Triumph TR and Spitfire, and Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger. All offered top-down exhilaration with a low center of gravity and...

Business briefs | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. , the world's biggest automaker, will become the biggest seller of vehicles in the U.S. market next year after overtaking General Motors Co. , according to forecaster IHS Global Insight. It sees Ford Motor Corp. and GM essentially tied in second place for a couple of years until 2013, when GM is expected to move ahead. Honda Motor Co. , in fourth place, will gain market share slowly, according to the Waltham, Mass.-based firm. UAW local to hold rally at endangered plantThe United Auto...

'Clunkers' rules ease as sales soar | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The Obama administration agreed Thursday to expand the "cash for clunkers" program to vehicles already in the production pipeline. Car buyers had been limited to fuel-efficient vehicles in showrooms and on lots, and some dealers reported shortages. The Transportation Department's decision to broaden it came just days after a request by Michigan lawmakers who said it would increase consumers' choices and encourage more to take advantage of the incentive program, which already has spurred a dramatic...

Japanese sales climb in 'clunkers' program | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- Japanese automakers have gained significant ground on domestic automakers in the U.S. government's $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC saw a dropoff in sales while those of foreign rivals rose in the latest tally of "cash for clunkers" sales, as Toyota Motor Corp. dethroned GM as the top seller. Toyota has sold 18.9 percent of vehicles purchased through the clunkers program, surpassing GM's 17.6 percent. Through the first two weeks of the...

'Clunker' sales borrow from 2010 market | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The unexpected success of the government's "cash for clunkers" program is boosting sales dramatically -- but is probably pulling forward some purchases that would have taken place next year. Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight has increased its U.S. auto sales estimate for this year because of the robust response to the government-funded plan. But it is paring its 2010 forecast. George Magliano, director of North American auto industry research at IHS, said the annualized selling rate this month has...

Auto firm nurses Superbird back to original form | detnews.com | The Detroit News
It's a Bird that chased planes: a government-contracted, NASCAR-legend-built, ice blue freak -- the muscle car that helped kill muscle cars. The 1970 Plymouth Superbird in Brian Chaffee's Middlefield, Conn., shop emerged recently from three years of detective work and restoration. It was posted for sale via auction last week. The materials, labor and -- most of all, Chaffee says -- the car's place in American history set the starting bid at $3 million. "There's nothing about this car," he says, "that...