Report: - March 2009

Despite today being April Fools' Day, not one of the sales figures reported by automakers below for the month of March 2009 is a joke. The U.S. auto industry's sales slide continues, and despite the overall market selling more vehicles in March versus February, nearly all brands fell versus the same month in 2008.

The lone notable exceptions are Subaru and Kia. These two brands have ignored industry trends all year long, and this month Subaru posted a small 2.6% loss in sales volume versus last year. Adjusted for the daily average sales rate, however, Subaru sales were up 1.3%. Likewise, Kia's sales by volume were down just 0.6%, but its DSR was up by 3.4%. Hyundai also continues to hold its own, reporting a 4.8% fall in sales volume versus March 2008.

As for the rest of the industry, it appears that the performance gap between import and domestic automakers is narrowing, with Honda (-36.3%), Nissan (-37.7%) and Toyota (-39.0%) all reporting sales declines much closer to those of Chrysler (-39.3%), Ford (-40.9%) and General Motors (-44.7%). In fact, we've read a number of reports this afternoon that claim domestic sales were not as bad as expected. And that ain't no joke.

BY THE NUMBERS - March 2009
Brand	Vol. % Change	Total Sales 3/09	Total Sales 3/08	DSR* % Change	Daily Avg. 3/09	Daily Avg. 3/08
Acura	-32.2%	9,005	13,288	-29.5%	360	511
Audi	-19.4%	6,433	7,986	-16.2%	257	307
BMW	-24.2%	17,520	23,115	-21.2%	701	889
Buick	-40.2%	7,369	12,317	-37.8%	295	474
Cadillac	-53.0%	8,209	17,453	-51.1%	328	671
Chevrolet	-42.5%	94,704	164,564	-40.1%	3,788	6,329
Chrysler	-51.9%	19,502	40,539	-50.0%	780	1,559
Dodge	-32.8%	57,728	85,906	-30.1%	2,309	3,304
Ford	-41.7%	109,490	187,828	-39.4%	4,380	7,224
GMC	-50.3%	19,086	38,422	-48.3%	763	1,476
Honda	-36.7%	79,374	125,446	-34.2%	3,175	4,825
HUMMER	-75.9%	831	3,451	-75.0%	33	133
Hyundai	-4.8%	40,721	42,796	-1.0%	1,629	1,646
Infiniti	-47.6%	7,242	13,821	-45.5%	290	532
Jeep	-40.5%	23,771	39,941	-38.1%	951	1,536
Kia	-0.6%	24,724	24,871	3.4%	989	957
Lexus	-42.9%	14,239	24,939	-40.6%	570	959
Lincoln	-33.0%	7,310	10,913	-30.3%	292	420
Mazda	-33.3%	21,974	32,929	-30.6%	879	1,267
Mercedes	-25.0%	15,602	20,808	-22.0%	624	800
Mercury	-42.0%	8,307	14,333	-39.7%	332	551
MINI	-15.9%	3,605	4,289	-12.6%	144	165
Mitsubishi	-57.0%	4,620	10,750	-55.3%	185	413
Nissan	-36.2%	59,392	93,100	-33.7%	2,376	3,581
Pontiac	-30.8%	17,583	25,417	-28.0%	703	978
Porsche	-29.1%	1,749	2,467	-26.3%	70	95
Saab	-57.3%	1,265	2,962	-55.6%	51	114
Saturn	-59.6%	7,333	18,146	-58.0%	293	698
Subaru	-2.6%	16,249	16,685	1.3%	650	642
Suzuki	-24.0%	7,981	10,510	-21.0%	319	404
Toyota	-38.5%	118,563	192,791	-36.0%	4,743	7,415
VW	-19.7%	15,720	19,587	-16.5%	629	753
Volvo	-31.4%	6,358	9,263	-28.6%	254	356
COMPANIES
BMW Group	-22.9%	21,125	27,404	-19.8%	845	1,054
Chrysler LLC	-39.3%	101,001	166,386	-36.9%	4,040	6,399
FoMoCo	-40.9%	131,465	222,337	-38.5%	5,259	8,551
General Motors	-44.7%	156,380	282,732	-42.5%	6,255	10,874
Honda America	-36.3%	88,379	138,734	-33.7%	3,535	5,336
Nissan NA	-37.7%	66,634	106,921	-35.2%	2,665	4,112
Toyota Mo Co	-39.0%	132,802	217,730	-36.6%	5,312	8,374

*March 2009 had 25 selling days versus 26 selling days for March 2008

Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on its way?

Three years may not seem like a long time to keep a car on the market, but for an exotic automaker built on a Formula One team accustomed to replacing their racing machinery every season, 36 months must seem like an eternity. That could explaining why the 599 GTB Fiorano, introduced just a few flips of the calendar ago in 2006, is already due for a refresh.

The Prancing Horse showed us two new variants of the Fiorano last month at the Geneva Motor Show -- the track-bound 599XX client test car and the HGTE package for the road-going model -- and now spy shots show what is tipped to be a mild face-lift for Maranello's flagship supercar. If this is what sources say it is, the 599 could be getting a revised front air dam, with possible modifications to the headlights and other body parts, with the potential for some engine mods, too. Coupled with the revised suspension from the new HGTE package and the 599 looks poised to remain at the top of the dynamic performance ladder for another few years at least.

[Source: autoblog.it]

2010 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG

It's time for another auto show, so that means embargoes are breaking again. This time out, its the new E63 AMG from Mercedes Benz that will get its debut at the New York Auto Show next week. We're big fans of AMG's homegrown 6.2-liter V8 around the Autoblog campfire – particularly in C63 guise. The engine is now being dropped into the newest E-Class that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, along with all the other typical AMG goodness. The more spacious engine compartment of the mid-size E63 allows the big engine enough room to produce 518 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, the same as in the big boy S63.

Unlike its AMG sedan siblings, however, the 186 mph E63 is equipped with the seven-speed dual clutch Speedshift gearbox that debuted in the SL63 roadster. That development allows it to consume 12% less premium petrol than the previous iteration which had a mere 507 hp to play with. Standard 18-inch or optional 19-inch alloys with matching rubber help transfer the drive and braking torque to the pavement – and in typical AMG fashion, there promises tl be plenty of the latter to counter-balance the former.

Honda pulls out of Frankfurt Motor Show to save costs

It's looking like all auto shows are going to be feeling the pinch of a shrinking auto market including the mighty Frankfurt Motor Show. Honda has joined Nissan by pulling out of this fall's event in Germany in order to save money. Earlier this year, Nissan announced that it would only participate in one auto show on each continent -- Geneva, Tokyo and Los Angeles -- and although Honda hasn't made such a sweeping announcement yet, it appears to be taking things one show at a time. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see a similar move with only one North American show presence as well. At this year's Detroit Auto Show, Honda and Acura had stands but didn't bother with a press conference. Instead the new Insight was simply revealed on the show floor.

Speaking of the Insight it goes on sale in Europe on April 18. Elsewhere, Honda will begin testing its FCX Clarity fuel cell car in Germany later this year and will divert other resources to fuel cell and hydrogen development. Honda sees fuel cells as a better long term bet than batteries and plug-in vehicles and intends to pursue that direction.

562 hp Hennessey Camaro HPE550 is the Z28 that never was

The Chevrolet Camaro Z28 may be stuck on an indefinite holding pattern, but Hennessey Performance is one of the first aftermarket firms to step up and fill the void between the base SS and Henessey's own 705-hp, ZR1-powered Camaro HPE700.

The Camaro HPE550 begins life as a standard SS model, and with the help of a Magnuson supercharger and a Corsa exhaust, the blown LS3 puts out 562 hp at 6,200 rpm and 557 lb-ft of torque beginning at 4,200 rpm. Hennessey is claiming a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds (down from five seconds on the standard model) and a quarter mile pass of 11.9 seconds at 119 mph.

The entire HPE550 package, which also includes high-flow fuel injectors, an aero package and aluminum wheels, will set you back $24,950 plus shipping uninstalled, or $31,000 installed, not including the cost of the donor car. If that's not enough, you can send your new SS to Hennessey for the aforementioned HPE700 package, or go completely nuts with either the 850 hp or 1,000 hp twin turbo setup that will set you back $54,500 or $59,500, respectively – again, not including the cost of the stock Camaro SS.

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Perfect

Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 members Mégane'ın sporty, new look at the Geneva Motor Show was presented to the car lovers.

New generation through geliştirlen Megane Coupe Megane Renaultsport 250, sporting a very eye-catching details and a full bodykit have . Unlike standard Mégane exciting six front bumper grill, grill the emphasis placed on increasing the characteristic separator, LED technology and equipment of the day, driving far, expanded RS'e specific threshold and 18-inch wheels Megane Renaultsport 250 is made different from other vehicles.

The 2.0 liter turbo Megane Renaultsport 250 where the feed motor with 16 valves, producing 250 horse power and 340 Nm torque. This powerful sports engine R26.R. Megane produces more power from 20 hp version. Twin-Scroll turbo power supply a wide range of new Megane Renaultsport offers 250'a, six advanced to the power generated are transferred to the manual transmission system.

New Megane Renaultsport 250, the other members of Clio Renaultsport and as Twingo'da are two different chassis options. Megane Renaultsport 250, the standard chassis, or the use of sport to the fore can be purchased with the sports chassis.

Next year will begin selling the new Megane Renaultsport 250.

New SCX Nascar Pro Prototype chassis and Toyota Nascar body

See the first photos of the SCX Pro Nascar chassis prototype and the SCX Toyota Nascar body at this link to SCXWorldWide.com.