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General Motors posted its seventh consecutive sales gain for the month of March, with 206,621 total sales. A good month, no doubt, but Ford had a better month for just the second time since 1998. Ford last bested GM in February, 2010. The Blue Oval posted sales of 212,295, thanks in part to a 21-percent jump in truck sales.

That’s a victory of 5,674 units for the Dearborn, MI-based automaker, but the real drubbing came in the ongoing battle of Ford Vs. Chevrolet. The Bowtie brand moved 148,197 units, compared to 203,794 for Team Ford. That’s a 28-percent sales jump for the Blue Oval, which admittedly amped up fleet sales for the month, but retail sales were also up 14 percent.

Ford had plenty of hot products moving off dealer lots, with 53,272 F-Series trucks sold, a record 9,787 Fiestas and record March sales for the Escape and Fusion. One factor holding back GM sales was a $700 per vehicle cutback in incentive spending, though that will probably help the automaker’s bottom line more than a few extra Malibu sedans rolling off the line.

While Ford was victorious in March, GM is still up for the year by 97,000 units. Stay tuned to Autoblog for our monthly By the Numbers update, which will lay out sales totals for all of the major automakers selling in the U.S.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Breaking: Ford beats GM in March sales

General Motors posted its seventh consecutive sales gain for the month of March, with 206,621 total sales. A good month, no doubt, but Ford had a better month for just the second time since 1998. Ford last bested GM in February, 2010. The Blue Oval posted sales of 212,295, thanks in part to a 21 percent jump in truck sales.

That’s a victory of 5,674 units for the Dearborn, MI-based automaker, but the real drubbing came in the ongoing battle of Ford Versus Chevrolet. The Bowtie brand moved 148,197 units, compared to 203,794 for Team Ford. That’s a 28 percent sales jump for the Blue Oval, which admittedly amped up fleet sales for the month, but retail sales were also up 14 percent for the month. Ford had plenty of hot products moving off dealer lots, with 53,272 F-Series sold, a record 9,787 Fiesta sales and record March sales for the Escape and Fusion. One factor holding back GM sales was a $700 per vehicle cutback in incentive spending, though that will probably help the automaker’s bottom line more than a few extra Malibu sedans rolling off the line.

While Ford was victorious in March, GM is still up for the year by 97,000 units. Stay tuned to Autoblog for our monthly By the Numbers update, which will lay out sales totals for all major automakers.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

BREAKING: Ford beats GM in March sales

The Korean-made cars of the 1990s and early 2000s looked very… Korean. Not exactly a bad thing, mind you, but it’s tough to sell vehicles around the globe that cater to a specific region of the world. That’s likely one of the reasons why Kia hired former Audi designer Peter Schreyer to inject some much needed style into its lineup.

Schreyer tells Automotive News that there is no “Koreaness” about the Kia lineup, adding “to be honest, we don’t want the cars to look Korean.” A quick look at the 2011 Optima and you can see Schreyer is succeeding, but what about the Naimo EV concept? AN tells us that the jade color is reminiscent of Celadon-style pottery. The interior is covered in Korean oak. Schreyer tells AN that, at least in this case, the Korean factor is strong, adding it has design cues inspired by art specific to that country.

While the Naimo concept is a definite change of pace versus the rest of the Kia lineup, we’re thinking the little concept doesn’t mean to reveal a new styling direction. The show car was, after all, designed with the Seoul Motor Show in mind. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with playing to the home crowd.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Followup: Kia design head “caves” to Korean influence with Naimo concept

Always wanted Veyron levels of power but needed room for the kids? Bugatti is ready to make your dream a reality because the Galibier has reportedly been given the green light. According to some in-the-know folks, Volkswagen has given a jewel-encrusted thumbs up that will allow Bugatti to build the four-door super sedan.

The Galibier is expected to be priced around $1.4 million, and according to Bloomberg, the W16 will arrive under-hood in 1,000-horsepower form. Other reports speculate that Bugatti will trim the turbocharger count back from four to two, causing horsepower to dip to a more pedestrian 800 hp.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan

Mike Ryan has won a dozen Pikes Peak Hill Climbs in his Gulf-liveried Freightliner Cascadia, so it’s no joke when we say this man has some serious talent. To raise his and the truck’s profile a little bit, Ryan has decided to show off what he does when he’s not storming mountains to stay sharp.

Aping Ken Block’s Gymkhana series, Ryan haunts abandoned airstrips, looking for cones, old hangars and dirt roads on which to slide his truck around. In fact, Ryan has gone so far as to shoot this video at El Toro, the same Marine air base where Block filmed the first installment of his epic videos. Ryan’s Freightliner packs 1,950 horsepower and more than 3,400 pound-feet of torque, so roasting the truck’s handmade custom Michelin tires isn’t a problem, even in a 10,000-pound Big Daddy Freightliner. Check out all the action in HD splendor after the jump. Top tip, Jason!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Recreating Ken Block’s Gymkhana… in a Gulf-livery semi truck

Video: Recreating Ken Block’s Gymkhana… in a Gulf-livery semi truck

The TriShield’s Big Sedan Does The Electric Slide

It’s hard to talk about all of the good things General Motors is doing these days without referencing the Chevrolet Volt – it is perhaps the most talked-about car on the scene, green or otherwise. In showing the world that highly efficient, practical cars aren’t so far out of our reach, GM is preparing to launch a slew of fuel-sipping vehicles in the near term.

We’ve already spent time with the honest-to-goodness 42-mile-per-gallon Chevrolet Cruze Eco, but the next chapter of GM’s efficiency story lies in Buick’s eAssist mild hybrid system, coming to both its LaCrosse and Regal sedans later this year.

We recently had the chance to drive the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist on the roads near GM’s proving grounds in Milford, Michigan, and while some hybrid systems vastly change a car’s overall driving experience, we walked away from our time in the Buick feeling as good as we ever have in a LaCrosse. The beauty of eAssist is that it functions in an almost entirely transparent manner, and that’s a very, very good thing.

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Are unconventional droptops becoming the darling of the automotive industry? Honda is evidently paying close attention to the new Murano CrossCabriolet from Nissan, and apparently it likes what it sees. Historically averse to convertibles (small-volume jobs like the S2000 excluded), the Japanese automaker now plans to offer a soft-top CUV of its own, and the unlikely choice for a roofectomy is the slow-selling Honda Accord Crosstour.

Unimaginatively dubbed the Accord Crosstour Cabriolet, this convertible features a two-plus-two interior seating arrangement and unlimited headroom. Under the hood sits the familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 271 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. Like the fixed-roof Crosstour, the Cabriolet will be offered with front- and all-wheel drive, giving it more configurablility than the AWD-only Murano. Like the Nissan, the cabrio conversion has resulted in two fewer doors and the merciful exclusion of a basket-handle structural support. Oddly, to our eyes, the Crosstour Cabriolet almost looks more attractive than the hunchbacked hardtop – at least with the top down.

When it goes on sale this summer, the Honda Accord Crosstour Cabriolet will sit atop the Crosstour’s pricing structure. The fully-loaded Crosstour we reviewed in 2010 had a sticker price of $36,930, so expect the convertible to come in right at a stitch over the $40K mark. That’s a bit less than the $47,190 Nissan wants for its Murano CrossCab.

Continue reading Honda Accord Crosstour Cabriolet coming to take on Nissan’s topless Murano

Honda Accord Crosstour Cabriolet coming to take on Nissan’s topless Murano

Corvette Racing managed to snag third and fourth place in GT2 at the ALMS 12 Hours of Sebring, beginning a much-anticipated racing season for Chevrolet. Now the team has released the third installment in its coverage of the buildup to the season and Corvette Racing’s fortunes.

Sebring proved to be a tough test for Corvette Racing. The number 4 car went for a spin early on after a nudge from a Porsche, and car number 3 needed a new windshield during the night. Despite those hiccups, things went well for Corvette Racing, and the team says they’re confident going into the next round in Long Beach, California. Hop the jump to see the official video from this season’s race at Sebring.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Corvette racing series, Episode 3: Sebring

Video: Corvette racing series, Episode 3: Sebring

Report: 2012 Audi A6 to be offered with 2.0T, RS4 not in the cards for U.S.

The Japan earthquake and tsunami has left the vast majority of Japanese auto plants without parts or power at least temporarily, and the good folks of California are beginning to feel the pinch. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Toyota Prius is in very short supply in The Golden State, leading many car buyers to move up their purchases in fear of not being able to get their precious hybrid at a later date.

It’s no surprise California would feel the pinch of limited Prius inventory first, as the state is the largest market for the ultra-efficient hatch. Many dealers have less than a two week supply, while others have zero models in stock. Meanwhile, Toyota restarted the Prius plant late last week in an effort to keep the popular hybrids flowing to the U.S. and around the world. But for the short term, the automaker is running the line at about half its normal pace, and the plant was shut down on Wednesday to gauge parts availability.

Given the fact that the Prius plant is one of the only Japanese facilities even up and running right now, California dealers will likely continue to see a trickle of new models hitting their showrooms. In the short term, the Prius supply issue could actually deteriorate, with May inventories looking worse than April. Just as big a concern is the fact that other plants still haven’t begun producing vehicles, which means that the situation playing out in California with the Prius could soon affect many Japanese autos in dealerships around the world.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Everybody Panic: California dealers reportedly running out of Prius models

Much like its big brother – the Focus – Ford’s B-segment Fiesta will get a sportier ST version in the coming years. We’ve seen spy shots of what is clearly a tuned up Fiesta out testing, complete with a front-mount intercooler, larger wheels and a performance exhaust.

Autocar now reports that when the Fiesta ST launches near the end of 2012, it will be powered by Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, cranking out somewhere around 180 horsepower. The front-drive hatch will likely use a six-speed manual transmission to send its power to the wheels, and with revised suspension geometry, beefier brakes and a host of interior upgrades likely on tap, we expect the ST to be a worthy competitor for pint-sized hot hatches like the Mini Cooper S.

Ford has confirmed that the Focus ST will be sold here in the United States, but the fate of the Fiesta ST is still undecided. Naturally, consider our fingers crossed.

[Source: Autocar Images: KGP Photography]

Report: Ford Fiesta ST to get 180 horsepower

Ally Financial, formerly GMAC Financial, has filed the paperwork necessary for an Initial Public Offering. The Detroit News reports that the filing will go to the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval before Ally can go public; a process that could take months. The federal government, which owns 74 percent of the lending arm due to its $17.2 billion 2009 bailout, is the only party listed as a stockholder.

The next step for Ally Financial is to go on a tour to entice investors to buy into the financial firm in advance of the SEC’s decision. Ally isn’t yet close to announcing a price for the stock, nor has the government disclosed the amount of shares it plans to unload, but the DetNews reports that the fed plans to net $5.5 billion from the transaction. The government also owns $5.9 billion in convertible preferred stock.

General Motors still owns 9.9 percent of Ally Financial, but the automaker reportedly won’t participate in the sale. The General did announce previously that it sold its preferred stock, though, for $1 billion.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Ally Financial files IPO paperwork

Over the years, we’ve heard of the supposed vast riches of the United Auto Worker. When accounting for health care and legacy costs, the typical UAW floor-sweeper earns over $70 per hour. The hard truth, however, is that even the tenured line worker receives less than half that amount in their paycheck before taxes, and about 20 percent of the UAW workforce makes only $14 per hour.

After spending some time at General Motors’ training facility within the automaker’s Orion assembly plant, Forbes reporter Joann Muller firmly believes that those workers are worth every penny they make. Her team, which consisted of 16 auto journalists, didn’t fare so well when it came to mass-producing wooden mock-ups of vehicles.

The journalists had to drill bumpers, headlights and taillights in the wooden ‘vehicle’ frames, and in 20 minutes of work there were 22 safety violations and 25 quality defects. The scribes eventually got better at their tasks, as teamwork and diligence helped cut down on mistakes. In short, making cars isn’t all that easy, and it’s probably not journalist work, either. Head over to Forbes to read Muller’s account.

[Source: Forbes Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]

Journalists visiting GM find out firsthand that building a car ain’t easy

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced a partnership with 13 states to conduct surprise inspections at popular vacation destinations. The new inspections come as recent bus accidents in New York, New Jersey and Arizona provided reminders that safety regulations must be stiffened.

In 2009 alone, the FMCSA conducted over 130,000 inspections, which led to 4.3 percent of bus drivers and 7.6 percent of buses being put out of service due to safety and hours-of-service violations. These new inspections should should lead to still more violators being uncovered, which should help protect the reported 750 million passengers who utilize motorcoach transportation every year.

Beyond inspections, the FMCSA also plans to standardize testing and training of drivers. The new tests will help prevent testing fraud, while at the same time helping to better-equip new drivers to handle the responsibility of transporting large numbers of passengers. The training sessions will consist of 80 hours of instruction, including 32 hours of behind-the-wheel experience.

[Source: DOT Fast Lane]

DOT announces new federal bus standards, surprise inspection campaign

Ford has released a study it conducted across Europe to determine which of its colors are most popular in each country. The results reveal that white, black and silver remain the most popular colors, edging out the company’s bolder hues.

It turns out people in Turkey choose white Fords more than any other color. Danes dig black, Swedes go for orange and blue takes the cake for people in the Czech Republic. Ford found that its popular color choices tend to buck stereotypes – the Irish choose silver more than any other shade, despite the national identity with green.

Ford’s marketing people are using the color study to determine how to stock dealerships in certain countries to move the most cars. The study also gives a glimpse into changing trends – according to Ford, earth tones like browns and coppers are making a comeback after years in the doldrums.

To see which colors are popular in which countries, click past the jump.

[Source: Ford Image: Jeremy Korzeniewski/AOL]

Continue reading Ford reveals Europe’s color preferences by country

Ford reveals Europe’s color preferences by country

In addition to officially debuting the M3 pickup here in Munich, BMW trotted out a lightweight version of the M3 sedan before its debut at the M Festival at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race later this year.

BMW is mum on the exact details on this stripped-out sedan, only saying that it’s designed to slot in between the standard model and the race-ready GTS coupe. Output should remain close to the standard 420 horsepower, but the brakes, suspension and exhaust will be tweaked for maximum performance. There’s no word on how many pounds the M division stripped from the sedan, but we should have all the details when the big ‘Ring race happens this June.

BMW bringing lightweight M3 sedan to Nurburgring M Festival

It’s the First of April and the fun has officially begun here in Munich. BMW has officially taken the wraps off the M3 pickup after our spy shooters caught it running the ‘Ring late last month. And as we exclusively revealed, it’s the Bavarian’s idea of an April Fools prank.

However, that doesn’t mean that the uteified M3 isn’t a full-fledged performer. It’s packing the same 420-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 as its sedan, coupe and convertible brethren, but despite lopping off the back, BMW discovered during wind-tunnel testing that it’s coefficient of drag is close to that of the M3 coupe. It comes complete with a with a removable targa top, weighs some 110 pounds less than its drop-top sibling and topped out at the Nurburgring at 186 mph. Pop the removal roof and the M3 pickup sheds another 44 pounds, and in keeping with every automaker’s standard measurement of trunk capacity – the golf bag – the pickup can tote 20 bags of irons. Oh, and there’s a trailer hitch to boot.

Naturally, serial production isn’t going to happen, but the M3 pickup will serve as the workshop transport vehicle for BMW’s M division. Full details in the press blast after the break.

Continue reading Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds

Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds

The 1967 Toyota 2000 GT is a unique beast in that it seems above reproach by even the harshest automotive critics. 44 years after the first 2000 GT rolled out of the Toyota factory, it checks all the right boxes. It’s fast, gorgeous, insanely rare and marked a new era for its manufacturer.

Prior to the 2000 GT, Toyota was known for spitting out small, reliable, cheap sedans and four-by-fours that got the job done admirably, but lacked a little je ne sais quoi. The 2000 GT changed all that, and showed that Toyota could hang with Italian blue-bloods like Ferrari almost at the flip of a switch.

Toyota wound up building just 351 2000 GTs for worldwide consumption. Just 84 of those were left-hand-drive, with only 62 making it to the States. This is one of perhaps 40 American-delivery 2000 GTs that still exist. It’s a one-owner car, bought in St. Louis, Missouri. After a long time in storage, the car got a thorough detail job, engine rebuild and interior freshening at Maine Line Exotics in Biddeford, Maine. It’s available on eBay with a stupefying $650,000 Buy-It-Now. If you have the means, we suggest you do just that.

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Toyota 2000GT makes our hearts sing

Crossovers have gained the lion’s share of America’s utility attention over the past few years, but the SUV is anything but dead and gone. Until gas prices began to spike, those surviving body-on-frame (br)utes were actually selling fairly well. So is General Motors kicking itself for ending Trailblazer production instead of refreshing it? New spy video from Inside Line suggests that The General may have another off-road- and tow-ready utility vehicle on the way.

The post-jump video shows a pair of mid-size SUVs that appear to be based off the 2013 Chevrolet Colorado, a prototype of which also makes a cameo in the video. Judging by the chunky-looking running boards and solid rear axles, these prototypes are definitely SUVs and not tall cars. The heavily camouflaged vehicles appear to be tall and very square in appearance, and the shape of the Chevrolet grille appears pominently despite efforts to conceal its identity. Inside Line speculates that the finished product will likely hit the world stage in the next year, with production likely for 2013, though just because these prototypes were spotted around Detroit is no guarantee that the model will find its way into U.S. showrooms.

If such a vehicle were to arrive stateside, we expect GM to improve fuel economy with small engine options and perhaps a truck version of the company’s eAssist hybrid technology. Hit the jump to watch the spy video for yourself. Top tip, Ed!

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: Is Chevy readying a mid-size SUV on its new Colorado pickup?

Video: Is Chevy readying a mid-size SUV on its new Colorado pickup?

Review: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

The entry-level luxury sedan category is chock full of viable options and the 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD is a perfectly acceptable (if run-of-the-mill) choice. The styling is conservative, the driving dynamics are a mixed bag of sport and luxury, but the engine is better than we anticipated.

2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show

Kia will be unveiling its 2012 Rio sedan at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The four-door Rio will complement the hatchback bodystyle that bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

General Motors has released this official teaser shot of its new Malibu, showing off its new Camaro-inspired LED taillamps.

Also of interest:

• Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul
• Buick Envision crossover concept teased ahead of Shanghai reveal
• Video: Kobe Bryant uses Smart Fortwo Brabus to catch art thief
• Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept to wow Seoul Motor Show
• Kia Naimo EV concept ready for Seoul Motor Show debut

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