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I guess the story would have been much to do about nothing had it been Puffy's personal ride. However, since I guess the interviewer along with many of us were taken aback when we learned it was for a kid, this story created a buzz.
Now while I've shied away from gossipy celebrity topics, which really has no effect on my earnings (or for that matter the earnings of the general population as a whole), since amicably parting ways a year ago from AOL's BlackVoices. I decided I would stay true to my brand and focus on car-buying education for minorities, as opposed to automotive celebrity topics, which I despised covering. Yet, this is one topic worth having my say, since I was actually glued to the TV at the time this news program aired.
While I am proud of Puffy's ability to hustle and to constantly recreate himself, some of his decisions are questionable. If Puffy really wants to be a trend-setter as opposed to a follower, he should strongly consider mimicking self-made investment billionaire Warren Buffet, who invested over $200 million in a Chinese automotive company two years ago, building green vehicles. (Now according to a number of auto industry experts, their predicting by the year 2030, at least half of the vehicles on the road will be powered by electric batteries.)
SAN JOSE, CA – Starting today, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets will begin taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the industry’s first electric vehicle with extended-range capability.
Chevrolet is so confident in the overall value of the Volt that the brand will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months at Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price with $2,500 due at lease signing, including security deposit based on current conditions, which could vary at time of delivery. The benefit of the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the tax credit going to the lessor. The Volt’s MSRP will start at $41,000 ($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges from $0-$7,500) including a destination freight charge of $720. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial production limited.
“The Chevrolet Volt will be the best vehicle in its class…because it’s in a class by itself,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, who made the announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference. “No other automaker offers an electrically driven vehicle that can be your everyday driver, to take you wherever, whenever. The Volt will be packed with premium content and innovation, standard.”
The Volt will be initially available to Chevrolet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area. To be among the first to purchase a Volt, customers can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Volt dealer. A Volt dealer locator will be available later today at http://www.getmyvolt.com. The dealer will begin the order process, which will be followed up by contact from a dedicated Volt advisor who will be available to answer any questions and keep the customer apprised of the progress of their order. For customers needing general Volt information, Chevrolet will have a team of Volt advisors available to answer questions starting today at 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU ( 1-888-865-8496 1-888-865-8496).
Ford Motor Company will up the ante this fall, offering a hybrid in their entry-level premium luxury sedan, the MKZ, for the same price as their non-hybrid gasoline model. This is a first in the industry. How Ford is able to do this no one knows as of yet.
Since hybrids were first introduced by Toyota, they've always commanded a premium price, anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500 over a similar non-hybrid model. Most consumers have been unwilling to fork over the extra dough needed to attain a 10 to 25 percent improvement in mileage.
Over the years the federal government has stepped-in, offering tax credits to help offset the premium price being charged for hybrids. However, Ford, Honda and Toyota no longer qualify for tax credits, since those automakers have met the government production qualifications.
It should be interesting to see how many of Lincoln's MKZ customers opt for the hybrid over the gasoline model, since they'll be basically priced the same. Ford officials hasn't said if they'll realign the pricing of their other hybrids. If this experiment works, this could be the push needed by the industry to encourage more consumers to buy a hybrid. It will be interesting to see if the other automakers fall in line with their pricing strategy, too. So far, hybrids represent less than 2.5 percent of total new-vehicle sales.
For the 2010 model year, the seven-seater MDX, with its angular styling, receives Acura’s trademark new front grille, revised taillights and polished stainless steel exhaust finishers. And as far as the MDX shoes, look for the SUV to be equipped with new 18-inch diameter 5-spoke aluminum wheels.
Powering every MDX is a more refined engine that teams with an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission for better performance and improved fuel efficiency. Acura’s new 3.7-liter VTEC V-6 in the MDX generates 300-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, while achieving an increase of 1 mpg in both city and highway driving, according to the EPA.
Inside, the 2010 MDX receives a host of new features and technologies that make it even more luxurious. Topping the list is the expanded use of Milano leather, a new sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, new gauges, easier to understand button placement for center stack functions and available ventilated front seats.
Must Have Goodies:
The 2010 MDX is available in five trim packages: the well-equipped MDX; the MDX with Technology package; the MDX with Technology and Entertainment packages; the MDX with Advance package; and the MDX with Advance and Entertainment packages. In order to get select options, just like with the cable companies, Acura bundles everything into a package. In some cases, one may end up with options or features not necessarily desired.
The vehicle we reviewed was equipped with the MDX's high-end Tech package, the Advance package and the Entertainment system.
The Tech package includes a voice-activated navigation system, a rear-view camera, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 10-speaker surround system, a DVD player, a Radio Data system, Bluetooth connectivity and a tri-zone automatic climate control system (for the front and second-seat passengers.)
The Advanced package was also apart of the equipment included in our MDX. This package includes such features as an active damper system, a blind spot information system, comfortable sport seats with premium leather seats, an adaptive radar-controlled cruise control system, 19-inch shoes (wheels) and auto-leveling Xenon headlights.
And for long drives with the kids, the Entertainment package should be on your list. This package includes a rear roof-mounted DVD 9-inch entertainment system, with a remote control and a set of wireless headsets.
What Rocked:
For any large SUV, the Electronic Blind Spot Monitoring System should be standard equipment on all vehicles just like airbags. This much needed high-tech safety feature kept us from being involved in a number of accidents. In the case of our MDX, a pair of sensors (one on each rear corner of the vehicle) can detect nearby vehicles that may be positioned in the driver's blind spot. And when the MDX's turn signal is on and one is driving in the direction of a detected blind spot object, an indicator located on the inside A-pillar flashes to catch the driver's attention. Boy, what a great safety feature!
An additional active safety feature included in the available Advance package is the Collision Mitigating Braking System which helps the driver reduce the likelihood of a collision, alerting him/her of a potential collision situation and activating the brakes if the system determines a collision likely is unavoidable.
What We Hated:
With the vehicle being so high-tech, we were shocked to find that the MDX doesn’t include a push-button, keyless starter.
And, the MDX is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration. A non all-wheel drive vehicle configuration could simultaneously help reduce the MSRP, while increasing the fuel-economy. Also it would be great if Acura offered captain chairs as an option for the second-row. It would make it much easier to get to the third-row
Lately there has been an uptick in the number of consumers taking on the role of a used car dealer. According to a recent article in Automotive News, an auto industry trade magazine, a study conducted in the second-quarter of 2010 by Kelly Blue Book, which sets the value for used vehicles, found that 56 percent of consumers planned to trade-in their vehicle at a dealership. This was down from 64 percent, when the same study was conducted last year.
Thus, this means that more consumers are either opting to hold on to their trade, pass it down to a family member, donate the vehicle to a charity or either make an attempt to sell it themselves. In fact, this same study conducted by Kelly Blue Book found that while only 13 percent of consumers planned to take the do-it-yourself route in 2009, by the second-quarter of 2010, that number had almost doubled to 21 percent.
We suspect that the tight economy along with the popularity of do-it-yourself used car websites and other social media formats have encouraged more people to assume the role typically reserved for a used car dealer. Also when one takes on the responsibility of being a used car dealer, they assume more risk, which typically equates to a higher transaction price, than they would receive if they opt to trade-in their personal vehicle to a licensed dealer.
For those planning to take the do-it-yourself route, here's what we recommend:
Provide a clear title. Without a clear title and the trade being paid off, it will be extremely difficult to personally sell the vehicle. Unless its a good friend or a family member, what's the likelihood of someone buying a vehicle from you without a clear and free title? That's one of the main reasons why most folks trade their vehicle into a dealer, avoiding the hassle.
Remember the simple rule of supply and demand. Price the vehicle below competing area used car dealers selling similar vehicles. Dealers have an advantage, since they're able to provide a warranty, financing, a thorough inspection, or an extended service contract. By pricing the vehicle below the competition, this is one great way to generate traffic.Only ask for top dollars, if the vehicle is in top shape.
Provide maintenance (and service) records. This helps to build value and confidence with the buyer.
West Philly's High School hybrid team takes a moment to pose, while qualifying for one of the final rounds of the Progressive Insurance $10-million national fuel-efficiency competition.
During this past school year, the students of West Philadelphia High School Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering decided to enter into a $10-million national competition sponsored by Progressive Insurance to build a safe and reliable vehicle that could be mass-produced, achieving at least 100 miles per gallon. Now that's a tall order for the major automakers. How could a inner-city public school filled with supposedly disadvantaged teens, living in the heart of the city, be up for the task - especially when competing against Fortune 500 companies with multi-million dollar budgets.
Now while the typical inner-city school would have probably shied away from such a challenge, over the years the students at the school's Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering have garnered a lot of positive attention in the press, as a result of winning a series of national awards for building cars that make-up the four major components of what I would consider to be a perfect automobile: stylish, fuel-efficient, reliable and fast.
West Philly's Ford Focus hybrid appears on The Today Show.
The students of West Philly Hybrid X team, which they referred to themselves as, ironically was the only high school competitor in a field of about 90 teams from the U.S. and overseas that met the stringent qualifications of the high stakes competition. In fact, the team almost made it to the home stretch last month except their Ford Fusion-based hybrid was "1.9 MPG shy of the requirement. We had encountered some serious charging problems and the evacuation of the charging tent due to a tornado didn’t help our situation so, like several teams, we filed an appeal. Friday was an emotional roller coaster," according to a blog posting on the school's website.
Now while we continue to hear how private schools and school voucher programs are the best means for inner-city kids to get a good quality education, as a product of an inner-city Atlanta Public School myself, I'm always eager to hear of success stories that often go unnoticed.
The sporty Mazda CX-7 five-passenger crossover first hit the scene in 2006 as a 2007 model. After four years of being on the market, the CX-7 receives its first mild makeover, incorporating the brand’s trademark grille, a new rear bumper design, a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine option, a new steering wheel with easy-to-use integrated controls for the radio and cruise control and a Blind Spot safety monitoring system.
Must Have Goodies:
The Mazda CX-7 is available in several models in either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration. Buyers can opt for the base SV model up to the glammed-up s Grand Touring edition. Depending on how the vehicle is optioned the vehicle can be equipped with heated leather seats, a 4-way power passenger seat, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear-seat entertainment system, a navigational system, a 9-speaker high-powered Bose audio system, an in-dash 6-disc cd changer, a keyless start system, a rear-view camera, a rear spoiler, a power sunroof, Xenon headlights, a Blind Spot Monitoring System, 18-inch or 19-inch wheels and wheel locks.
Typically when you think of repossessions, you think of cars, trucks and SUVs. However, vehicles aren't the only hot ticket being taken by the 'Repo Man' these days. There is a high-flying toy on the market that is also being snapped up by the 'Repo Man.' According to an article that appeared in USA Today recently, the recession has not only affected the average working American (or in a number of cases non working American), but it has spread to the Nouveau Rich, those who gained their wealth in one generation.Yes, no one is immune from the recession these days.
Just like people are hiding their vehicles to avoid the 'Repo Man,' the Nouveau Rich are doing the same with their private jets as a result of the fallout in the financial and construction market over the past few years. For those who are in financial straits, its glad to know that they're not alone in this tough economy.
While high unemployment and an increase in auto loan delinquencies forced increased vehicle repossessions last year, the same is also occurring with private jets, too.
One of the many designs resulting from the wildly popular PT Cruiser.
Since emerging from bankruptcy last year, the Chrysler Group has struggled to maintain sales momentum with an aging product line, although sales were up 35 percent last month. In an effort to entice consumers to buy their vehicles, while they await for the much anticipated arrival of the redesigned Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, the automaker has taken a page from Hyundai, offering a money-back guarantee program.
The program will be known as the "Regret Free Purchase." The Chrysler Group offered a similar limited pledge program on their popular minivan recently. At the time Chrysler offered the program on the minivan, we wondered why they didn't offer this on all of their vehicles at the time. We assume that they were conducting a test pilot and measuring the success of the program before they expanded it to most of their vehicles.
On Thursday Chrysler Group announced its new pledge program which allows consumers to return a new vehicle within 60 days if they aren’t happy with the purchase, plus the company will make the first two months payments for the consumer (up to $500 per month, maximum of $1000). Consumers will be able to opt for the low-interest rate financing, cash rebate or the "Regret Free Purchase" option thru August. Of course their are stipulations with this program. So we would recommend checking with your local dealer for more details.
The sporty rear-wheel drive Genesis coupe first hit the scene in 2009, as an early released 2010 model. The last time we had our hands on one was approximately a year ago. At that time, the Genesis option list was lacking a navigational system and a multi-gauge information display screen, until some mid-year upgrades were made.
Must Have Goodies:
While the Genesis coupe comes in a range of models, this time we had an opportunity to review the easy-driving, tight-handling, 3.8-liter Grand Touring model. Unlike the jarring ride we experienced in the 2.0-turbo Track model we previously reviewed, we found the ride and handling of the Grand Touring model, with the sport-tuned calibrated 5-link independent suspension to be just the opposite. In fact, it made the sporty coupe the ideal vehicle to cruise around town or to take on a long trip.
Our Genesis was outfitted with a XM satellite radio, an Infiniti premium-quality 10-speaker audio system, a 10-way power driver’s seat, heat front seats, a push-button start engine, leather seats, a back-up warning audible alert system, Xenon headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. However, we had to forego the 19-inch wheels, the two-tone cloth seats, the Brembo Braking package and racy-looking gas pedal, since we opted out of the firm-riding Genesis Track model.
For sports enthusiasts, you’ll be glad to know that a tuner-focused performance model, R-Spec, is expected to arrive at Hyundai dealerships in the near future. According to Hyundai officials, the Genesis coupe R-Spec is the ultimate upgradeable, affordable, turbocharged rear-wheel drive performance platform. And we hear that Hyundai is also working on a 5.0-liter, V-8 engine that could possibly spit-out 429 horses.
After receiving its last major redesign just three years ago, Mercedes found that the current CL-Class Coupe was falling behind the competition, as it related to high-tech safety features. In fact, a number of non premium vehicles were offering features you couldn't get in this high-dollar Benz. Realizing this was a problem, the executives at Mercedes signaled their German engineering team to the design studios to make several mid-cycle upgrades to the CL-Class Coupe.
Once the engineering team was done they had given the CL-Class Coupe several cosmetic changes: new LED day-time running lamps, reshaped headlamps, a V-shaped hood, larger exterior mirrors with integrated indicators and revised tail-lamp lenses.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, the CL-Class Coupe also incorporated the latest high-tech safety features, too: Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist systems, a modified Active Body Control (ABC) with crosswind stabilization system and a Direct-Steer system. Now the Benz could roll again on the streets of America, competing with both premium and non premium brands again.
Victoria Beckham, Land Rover's new creative design executive, poses with its newest SUV, the Evoque.
Since cutting ties with Ford Motor Company last year, Land Rover has moved away from its typically boxy design. Straight from our garage we've got our hands on the first released public pictures of the Evoque. While the design looks like a crossover, a car-based vehicle, the platform of this concept-looking vehicle is based on a SUV. The all-new 2011 Land Rover Evoque is expected to hit the U. S. in the fall of 2011. This will become the fifth SUV to join the Land Rover family. Pricing hasn't been announced. However, we were able to gather a few attributes about the vehicle:
