GM tops j.d power quality survey for the first time

After years of imports has lagged General has from engine to the top of the charts J.D.. power quality first-time tour, the most influential measure of vehicle quality in the first months in the 2013 rose the showroom lot.

The new study also shows that overall the quality of this year's cars, trucks and crossovers, even a little dropped from 2012 - a decline in largely the result of design problems that cannot be resolved for the most part at the dealership. Issued related to the latest infotainment systems and other high-tech devices are the largest single source of these headaches buyers according to J.D. power.

On the positive side "Manufacturer much do better when it comes, chassis, engines and other mechanical systems", explains Dave Sargent, Director of automotive research for California-based J.D. power and associates.. "Most people now reported problems involved are the latest technology."

Two of every three problems were reported by 83,000 owners and tenants who have participated in the latest study tech-based. While that includes such electro-mechanical devices such as electronic suspensions and cruise control systems, explains most of the complaints involved systems like Ford's much maligned MyFordTouch system, Sargent, pointing out that owners of were particularly frustrated:
User interfaces, which made it difficult to do even the simplest tasks, such as changing the temperature or tuning the radio;
Voice control systems, the commands could not understand or run incorrectly.
Systems that would not associate with a car phone.

Such issues are especially problematic for owners and automakers, as "only a few can be resolved," Sargent said no major Upgrades from the factory.
Problems with electronic systems have in recent years was fast, overtaking of excess wind and road noise than the single biggest complaint of the IQS study. Its makes completely revised survey form for 2013 accounts for this shift - and so consumers can provide more information, which could ultimately help manufacturers to tackle these problems.

The market research company undertook steps make it possible to compare the 2013 IQS results with those from past years and according to Sargent, the rate of complaints - counted as problems per 100 vehicles Surved by more than 10%. The industry average was 102 PP100 in 2012. This time increased on a customized 113 problems per 100.

Between the individual nameplates German sports car manufacturer Porsche the poll topped an average of 80 PP100. In a major surprise, came General Motors truck brand GMC in the second, 90 problems per 100, poked past chart tip Lexus, which had a score of 94 PP100 resistant. Infiniti on place 4, at 95 PP100, followed by Chevrolet, 97 problems.

The five have routinely made of luxury brands, and it was rare that all domestic manufacturers of this elite club to crack. GM, has above all never come near, which do well. And at the automakers, instead of comparing individual brands, which was Detroit-maker rating in 2013 IQS, a statement analyst of described Sargent as "phenomenal."

GM was actually the only manufacturer on average less than 100 PP100, well before Japanese rivals such as Toyota and Honda, the manufacturer, the traditional landing was regarded as quality benchmarks.

"GM has (even) more individual model awards than anyone else by a wide margin," Sargent noticed "eight out of 26 if no one else more than three."

To do so, they were the addition of Buick, a small crossover and the large Chevrolet Avalanche and GMC Sierra pickups - bound. The Chevrolet division alone topped five separate vehicles, also the muscle car Camaro and the full-size Impala sedan.

Other winners are get Honda, KIA, Mazda and Porsche, two awards. Acura, Hyundai, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota model also won awards.

Toyota's high-line Lexus crowned not only premium luxury segment with its large LS, but the sedan scored a record-low 59 problems per 100.

But the continuing difficulties with electronic technologies a dark shadow on the 2013 quality initial survey, suggesting that the industry has some serious challenges ahead.

"Desire, and in some cases more content in their new vehicles, are demanding it, are trying above all technology-related functions, and automakers offer", Sargent said. "While he said" "those who frustrated are the majority of the owners having no problems."

While the real consumers like headache with cooperative Smartphones or tablet computers, they are probably in a relatively short time to replace, said Sargent. But most American drivers keep a new vehicle for at least five years and if there a problem "you are pretty much stuck with it for the lifetime of the vehicle."

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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After storm, 250K autos headed to scrap heap

Reuters

Superstorm Sandy may consign as many as a quarter of a million new and used cars and trucks to the scrap heap, a loss that could eventually lead to a spike in new auto sales, automakers and dealers said.

So far, automakers have reported that some 16,000 brand new vehicles will have to be scrapped due to the killer storm that flooded coastal areas in New Jersey and New York. Many of them were stored at the port of Newark when Sandy hit.

That figure may grow once the two biggest automakers by U.S. sales, General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co, announce how many vehicles they lost due to Sandy. By Wednesday, nine days after Sandy made landfall in New Jersey, neither GM nor Ford gave estimates of vehicles that are a total loss.

Sandy, one of the largest storms to strike the United States, left more than 8 million homes and businesses in the Northeast without electricity. All but a handful of New Jersey and New York auto dealerships were back in operation by Wednesday, some operating on generator power.

At least 121 people were killed in the storm's rampage through the Northeast, including 80 in New York and New Jersey.

Some consumers with damaged vehicles may need to replace them with a new car, which automakers have said will boost sales eventually, said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

But, Schienberg added, because of the distress caused by Sandy's wrath, "Right now, I don't think car sales are on the top of everybody's mind."

Last Thursday, Toyota Motor Corp, No. 3 in U.S. auto sales, said that 30,000 of October industry sales were lost due to less customer traffic or delayed purchases by consumers.

Each of the major automakers said they expected those sales to be recovered later in November or in December.

Six of the leading eight automakers in terms of U.S. sales said on Wednesday that at least 16,000 new vehicles were damaged, and the lion's share of those will have to be scrapped.

Counting cars in consumer hands increases the total loss estimated to at least 266,000 vehicles.

"We believe that between 100,000 and 250,000 vehicles currently in operation could be removed from used vehicle supply once all is said and done," said Laurence E. Dixon III, senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association.

That compares with the 325,000 cars flooded during Hurricane Katrina, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Deals abound
All major automakers are offering some form of financial relief, allowing owners to defer payments for up to three months for customers in areas hardest hit until the end of the year.


Nissan Motor Co will offer employee pricing and discounted financing for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in areas hit by Sandy through January 2. Nissan has 225 dealerships in the affected areas.

GM, Ford and Chrysler are each offering $500 cash toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicle for those who lost one from the same automaker because of the storm.

Hyundai, which lost 400 new vehicles to the storm, will cut the cost of a new replacement vehicle by $750. Toyota also announced on Wednesday that it would delay monthly payments for three months to people in affected areas who need to buy or lease a new vehicle because they lost a Toyota or Lexus in the storm.

Honda Motor Co sent out 500,000 emails to its customers in the storm-hit region, and will handle deferred payments and lease extensions on a case-by-case basis, said Chris Martin, company spokesman.

New vehicles too
Nissan will have to scrap 6,000 new cars and trucks, the most of any automaker, according to Travis Parman, Nissan spokesman.


Toyota is next with at least 4,825 vehicles damaged, most of which will have to be scrapped, said Jana Hartline, Toyota spokeswoman in California.

Several carmakers lost vehicles stored at the port of Newark in New Jersey, including Toyota, which had about 4,000 new vehicles stored there.

Green car startup Fisker Automotive said it lost more than $33 million worth of luxury Karma plug-in hybrids, 330 sedans priced at more than $100,000, at Newark.

Auto dealers and the automakers in less densely populated areas of the country are able to store cars and trucks on their own lots. But in the New York-New Jersey area, space is at a premium, so a high number of vehicles are stored at the port rather than being shipped to dealerships, Schienberg said.

GM lost an undisclosed number of new Chevrolet Spark subcompact sedans that were at the port that had been shipped from South Korea, the company said.

The losses could have been higher, said Jim Cain, a spokesman for GM, who said many dealers moved cars and trucks away from coastal areas ahead of the Sandy's arrival.

Jim Appleton, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, said auto dealers moved to higher ground when they could, having learned their lessons from Hurricane Irene which struck the state in 2011.

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Ford quarter profit slips on European losses

By the Associated Press

Ford's profit in the third quarter allowed to 1 percent to $1.63 billion, such as European losses North American record profits flooded.

Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday its net income per share 41 cents, unchanged from the period from July to September a year earlier. Before special items it earned 40 cents according to analysts interviewed by FactSet, to beat Wall Street forecast of 30 cents.

Ford's sales fell 3 percent to $32.1 billion as vehicle sales in Europe and South America. The company exceeded Wall Street revenue forecast of $31.5 billion mainly due to North America, where sales jumped 8 percent to $19.5 billion, thanks to higher prices and strong sales of higher-margin trucks and SUVs.

A record worthy of Dearborn-based Ford $2.3 billion in North America. Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks pointed out that this was the third quarter in a row, the company has more than 2 billion $ in the region and reported an operating margin of 10 percent or more. Ford's North American operating margin was 12 percent in the third quarter from 8.6 percent a year earlier.

"For me the story is not only the results but the consistency of the results," he said.

The company lost $468 million in Europe, where sales due to the troubled economy have fallen sharply. Last week, Ford announced a plan to close three factories in Europe, where it expects more than $1.5 billion this year and next year to lose.

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Sweet deals on some popular cars at year-end

Looking for a bargain on a new car? Buy the way a late 2012 model may, to save money.

Most of the 2013 traders strive model year cars on the rolling loose, their record of this year's models clearly offers great 2012 car offers. Yet perhaps not every business even with the discounts, the wisest financial choice.

Here, the Bankrate are selection of cars that steeply, to make the 2012 models of strong contenders for your car$ have enough discounts. Check the website of the manufacturer, to the availability of discount or incentive to confirm the listed here, since the manufacturer can change these offers at any time.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Price: $22.110
Gas mileage: 22 city / 33 Highway mpg

With a starting price of $22.110 the Chevrolet Malibu, already 2012 car is very affordable. Currently, Chevrolet offers 60 months financing a $3,000 cash back rebate or zero per cent for qualified buyers.

The 2012 Chevy Malibu a 169-HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine either, city mpg and 33 gets mpg highway the 22 or driven a 252-HP, 3.6-liter V-6 engine that 17 mpg city and 26 Highway mpg.

At the standard equipment for all models, climate control, cruise control, stability control, remote keyless entry, tilt and telescopic steering column, 60-40 split folding tyre include back seat and an audio system to the / FM radio, CD player and MP3 capability.

Ford Mustang
Price: $22.310
Gas mileage: 19 city/29 Highway mpg

I wanted to have always the iconic Pony Car? During the starting price of 2012 Ford Mustang is $22.310, Ford has the ante to move the muscle car with a $3,000 cash back rebate or zero per cent enhanced financing for up to 60 months on his GT, GT Convertible and V-6 models. Get install current and former U.S. military members and members of the police $500, $3,500 total discount.

The discounted 2012 be models through either a 305-HP 3.7-liter V-6 engine that 19 mpg city and 29 Highway mpg for the manual transmission and 19 city of mpg 31 Highway mpg for the automatic Gets or a 402-PS-5-liter V8 engine, the 17 mpg city and 25 Highway mpg for the automatic powered mpg city and 26 Highway mpg for the manual transmission and 18.

Standard features on GT, GT Convertible and V-6 models include remote keyless entry, Central locking doors and Windows with one touch function, LED tail lights, capless fuel tank premium audio with CD player, stability control and the MyKey system, the top speed and audio system volume can be set at certain levels.

GMC Acadia
Price: $32.835
Gas mileage: 17 city/24 Highway mpg

With gas at about $4 per gallon, sales of larger crossover utility vehicles and full-size pickups are slower than expected.

It is to consider many great 2012 car offers in this segment, and one of them is GMC Acadia 2012, with a starting price of $32.835. The frequency crossover unit financing a $2,000 cash back rebate or zero percent currently has up to 72 months for qualified buyers.

Acadia-webcams are powered by a 288-PS-3.6-liter V-6 engine, which mpg 17 city and 24 Highway mpg for the front-wheel drive gets models and 16 city of mpg 23 Highway mpg for four-wheel drive models.

Daytime running lights and automatic on / off headlights, Central locking standard facilities include door, mirror, and a one-touch button for the driver window, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, concealed storage for personal electronics, fold flat second - and third row of seats and the seat of SmartSlide for easy access to the third row.

Nissan sunny
Price: $16.430
Gas mileage: 21 City / 28 Highway mpg

If you want to buy a 2012 car for less than $20,000, the Nissan Sentra is a serious contender. The starting price is only $16.430. 2012 can save buyers of the Xterra up to $2,500, with the following: a $1,000 cash back rebate, one free Special Edition package worth $1,000 and an additional $500, if the buyer financed by Nissan. Alternatively, buyer can finance $500-bonus and zero per cent for a car loan for 36 months through Nissan get.

The Nissan Sentra has a variety of three-cylinder engines: a 140-HP 2.0-liter engine, a 2.5-Liter-177-PS and a 200-HP, 2.5-liter. Estimates range fuel economy of 21 to 27 mpg city and Highway 28 to 34 mpg, depending on the Xterra model and transfer.

Column, a 60-40 split rear, folds the standard facilities include a tilt steering flat, height-adjustable seat belts, a four speaker audio system with CD and aux audio input jack, Central locking doors and Windows with a driver one-touch button with Auto reverse, an additional 12-volt power outlet, and stability and traction control.

Kia Sedona
Price: $24,900
Gas mileage: 18 City / 25 Highway mpg

Sometimes, a minivan is dead is the perfect choice, a group of passengers and their cargo, and the 2012 Kia Sedona is one which is cheapest vans with a starting price of $24.900. KIA ready to purchase even easier, thanks to a variety of discounts. All models from 2012 Kia Sedona have a cash discount of $2,500, that 36 months for qualified buyers of the 2012 car can be combined with 1.9 percent financing.

Current Kia Sedona can an additional $1,500, to bring discount total savings up to $4,000 owner or owners of competing models. Graduates of the College can $750, and U.S. military members get an additional discount of $500. All Sedona powered V-6 engine 3.5-liter by a 271 HP, which is 25 Highway mpg and 18 city mpg.

Standard features include a keyless entry, air conditioning front and rear, cruise control, steering, front row expandable page folding table with Cup holders, an audio system with CD, MP3 and satellite radio functions, stability and traction control, a so-called conversation mirror on the driver rear seated passengers show and to tilt a backup warning system.

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Sandy could have used unsuspecting car buyer.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau

It could be days before the storm battered dries East Coast that even weeks. Brutal winds and extensive flooding from Maine to the Carolinas has destroyed homes and businesses and left millions without electricity, forced to close even the New York City subway.

The destruction is probably thousands of vehicles through flood destroyed or damaged. In some cases, vehicles can be repaired. But many will have suffered extensive and irreparable damage and should be scrapped. That doesn't mean that they are.

If recent history flood damaged any claim that Ernst vehicles are up on used cars much wind and sold to unsuspecting consumers. Experts say that half of vehicles damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Floyd back on the road made.

"A car that was with the motor under water for a long time in a flood be never the same," said Carl Sullivan, who almost two decades vehicles for AiM, a California team of car inspectors examine experience has. "It is important for used car buyers know how to place flood damage no matter where they live, because these cars anywhere can land dealer on a lot in the country."

Many States, like New York and New Jersey have strict rules for vehicles in accidents or flood as by a manufacturer under so-called lemon laws bought back been amount.

The good news is, that the Federal Government began to require on a national database in 2009 amounted to vehicles are listed. But there are still ways to get, experts warn.

According to "wash away" may vary beyond reasonable doubt if it is moved to another State such as "Title washing," crooked owner or dealer will sometimes move cars from State to State to State, from country to country and a notation that indicates the vehicle was destroyed in a State as records and registration procedure.

In some cases, scam artists target warns change, VINs or vehicle identification numbers, to eliminate the record of a car, which was damaged by flood.

How many cars were damaged or destroyed, this week remains massive storm to be seen, but more than 600,000 vehicles were developed claims in 2005 by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma to CarFax, a service to potential used car buyers, to track the history of a vehicle.

"Many of these cars still to sell the land show," damaged CarFax notes, the service website, which indicated that 75,000 vehicles by 1999 the Hurricane Floyd, "more than half were back on the road put."

In some cases, the damage can be minimal and easy to repair, especially if the engine will not be achieved. Less of an impact than salt water, which can result in quickly extensive corrosion have fresh water out of the flooded streams. But floods in the rule can cause extensive damage.

"A car motor, electronics, fuel system, airbags and brakes are all extremely vulnerable to flood water," target said of Sullivan. "It is extremely important to find water damage before you invest your money in a used car, and services high water damage find one no matter how a vendor tried to hide it."

The veteran Inspector offers a number of tips, what a used car buyer should look out help to catch a vehicle damaged by floods:
Water or condensation in the headlights or rear lights could be a tip off to flood problems.
A musty smell in the vehicle which may be of moldy carpeting or upholstery. If possible, pull the carpet to see how far the water in the vehicle, can be increased and even if any moisture remains.
Mud in the safety harness tracks or seatbelt seatbelt.
Water in the spare tire well in the trunk of the vehicle.
Sagging Headliner, especially on a late model vehicle.
Corrosion in the vehicle chassis, brakes like lines on or around the tank;

This could be a sign of salt water damage. It differs that typically target notes road salt on frame rails, to get from the snow belt cars. But when is corrosion in the upper area of the springs or shock towers are corroded, this are clears signs that a vehicle has suffered flood-related damage.

More tips, a tight control can occur, says Sullivan, who says that he found even two fish under back seat a vehicle. "That was a pretty sure sign that the car had been flooded."

As in what do, if it's your car, that be corrupted by a flood

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The Hot Wheels Camaro: no longer just a toy

By Paul A. Eisenstein, TheDetroitBureau.com

Chevrolet and Mattel have a long and prosperous relationship had. The toy company produced matchbox size replicas of the Camaro in 1968, a year after the real Chevy-Pony-Car first landed in showrooms.

On the upcoming SEMA auto show in Las Vegas, which car manufacturer is planning the favour introduction the first production version of the Chevrolet Camaro a hot wheels badge to wear.

Chevy has used for several years on its SEMA stand the hot wheels-theme. Last year, it placed a bright yellow version of the Camaro at the base of a life-size track. But now the automaker its lineup plans actually a hot wheels Edition added. It come as $6.995 upgrade on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro and Camaro convertible. Sales will begin early next year.

For the money get making special edition flame light on metallic paint scheme, special graphics, red-lined 21-inch wheels, and hot wheels badge the fenders and trunk lid.

The hot wheels Camaro with matte black touches around the hood and taillight surrounds. And the upgrade will borrow some trim pieces from the high performance Camaro ZL1 package, including rear spoiler, grille, and front splitter.

The black leather trimmed Interior will boast wheels logo on the front seats, which are red and black seams perfect embroidered hot. The hot wheels flame is the interior door with special hot wheels Edition skirts complete the package decorate.

Standard will be Chevrolets MyLink info package.

The hot wheels Camaro can be ordered, 2SS assessed shares 323 PS or the 400-hp package with 6, 2 l L99 V-8 Chevy 2LT package with with his 3.6-Liter-V-6. The 2SS will be delivered with a dual-mode exhaust system, as well as the 2LT, equipped with a manual transmission.

Chevy can only hope, to the success of the 1: 64 to match Edition Camaros that Mattel has sold by the millions in the last 44 years. The pony car was one of the 16 original hot wheels models - a fallen, which is returned, how Camaro Chevrolet the first production car for hot wheels, which bears toys series name.

The project started in 2010 and focused first on the concept car unveiled at the SEMA show last year. The final production design for 2013 road car from one of the five sketches prepared by hot wheels Chief Designer Felix Holst taken over.

"For almost 20 years I started, design for hot wheels cars and I still have a home to go," said Holst, Vice President for creative Mattel wheels Division. "Personally, I cannot wait to open the doors and see the hot wheels Camaro sitting in the garage."

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Americans keeping their autos longer than ever

Elaine Thompson / AP

Traffic moves across the Highway 520 floating bridge in Medina, Wash. American drivers are holding on to their cars and trucks for longer, new data suggest.

By msnbc.com staff and wire

American drivers are holding on to their cars and trucks longer, new data suggest, as they put off buying new vehicles in the face of high unemployment and a struggling economy.

The average age of a vehicle on the road has climbed to a record 10.8 years, according to automotive research firm Polk. Last year the average vehicle on U.S. roads was 10.6 years old, up from 10 years in 2008, Polk said.

While the average age of passenger cars has shown a modest increase since 2010, rising from 11 years to just 11.1 years at the end of June 2011, light trucks (including pickups and SUVs) have seen a more sizeable gain, rising from 10.1 years to 10.4 years in the same timeframe. Overall, average vehicle age has risen quickly over the past five years, Polk said. The firm uses national vehicle registration data in its analysis.

Polk says the average vehicle age has been rising since 2008, but a rebound in vehicle sales last year is likely to slow the aging rate. Automakers sold 12.8 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, up from 11.6 million in 2010. Analysts expect auto sales to continue rising in 2012.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chrysler, autos union agree on labor contract

 

Carlos Osorio / AP

Cars are seen on a Chrysler assembly line in Sterling Heights, Mich.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union and Chrysler have reached a tentative four-year labor contract deal, the automaker said on Wednesday.

The deal follows agreements between the UAW and Chrysler's Detroit rivals General Motors and Ford. The UAW deal is Chrysler’s first since its bankruptcy and government bailout in 2009. It covers its 26,000 hourly production workers.

The agreement is subject to UAW member ratification. The GM contract was ratified by its workers late last month and Ford workers are in the process of voting that ends Oct. 18.

UAW President Bob King said in a press statement that the Chrysler pact will create 2,100 U.S. jobs and will include $4.5 billion in investments to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015.

“Less than three years ago, Chrysler was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy as our nation was thrown into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression,” King said. “This tentative agreement builds on the momentum of job creation and our efforts to rebuild America by adding 2,100 new jobs by the end of the agreement in 2015 to communities left in turmoil in the wake of the country’s economic collapse.”

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VW recalls 160,000 autos for fuel leaks

Volkswagen is recalling 168,275 Audis, Golfs and Jettas for problems with the fuel line that could lead to leakage and perhaps ignite a fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Thursday.

In documents filed with NHTSA, Volkswagen said the fuel line in the recalled vehicles could develop cracks and leak under certain conditions. Because the leaks could happen near an ignition source, there's the potential for a fire, VW said.

It said the models affected include:

AUDI / A3 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN / GOLF 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA 2009-2012 VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA SPORTWAGEN 2009-2012

The safety recall is expected to begin in November. VW said it will replace the injector line with an improved line.

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