We spend so much time thinking, writing and talking about vehicles meant for the open road, but we rarely consider a new car for inside the house. The Onion is “reporting” on just such a vehicle for in-home commuting coming from , and we’re not talking about personal mobility scooters here, folks.
The Reside, which reportedly starts at just $17,595, obviously doesn’t exist, but that didn’t stop The Onion from dreaming up the ultimate in-home transporter. After all, our Lazy Boy doesn’t have have heated seats, but the Reside does. It also gets 28 miles per gallon in hallway driving and 19 in a “cluttered pantry or messy teenager’s room.” And you can’t beat that five-star furniture-impact rating.
Head over to to read the satire for yourself. If you’re not inclined to do so, here’s our favorite line.
“It’s about time, really,” said 43-year-old father of two Roland Crawford of St. Louis. “Our old 1994 Hyundai Accent can barely make it upstairs anymore.”
2007 Kia Spectra EX – Click above for high-res image gallery
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that is recalling 58,322 2004 through 2007 Spectra models due to fuel tank straps that may corrode over time. The recall, however, is only taking place in northern states that utilize salt on roads during the winter.
The says that one or both straps may separate, allowing the tank to make contact with the ground. If that happens, fuel can leak, metal on cement could produce sparks and a serious fire could result.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by the automaker and instructed to go to a Kia dealership for a free-of-charge repair. A technician will replace the straps and attaching hardware with zinc-coated parts.
The Korean automaker is also recalling 12,690 crossovers with 2WD and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for a transmission issue. the intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the shaft with the right side output gear. If the condition goes unchecked, it could lead to a whirring or whining noise, and eventually the transmission could be damaged. Owners of the affected vehicles will need to take their Sorento to a Kia dealer, where a technician will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge.
UPDATE:NHTSA just added the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe to the same recall affecting the 2011 Kia Sorento. Approximately 6,169 units of the Santa Fe are affected. for more details.
may have been the first automaker to officially , but that doesn’t mean that the automotive obsessed can’t find similar deals elsewhere. Gearhead Deals rounds up all of the best steals of the interwebs for your car in one location. The site picks up automotive-related deals from sites like Amazon as well as directly from manufacturers.
Rebates, coupon deals and discount items are all listed daily for your enjoyment. If you’re quick, you can save some serious cash on everything from brake fluid to full tool sets, jacks, wheels, tires and various electronic gadgetry.
Just be aware that some of the deals have expiration dates. The upside is that, unlike Groupon, you don’t have to actually buy into the deal in order to reap the benefits. The savings are there for one and all. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got to go figure out how we’re going to make more room in the garage for all our swag.
African-Americans purchased 641,090 new vehicles in 2010, accounting for 7.4 percent of all new vehicle sales. That’s a significant portion of overall sales, and a population segment that Toyota appears to be winning over.
R.L. Polk released a study showing that accounted for 15 percent of all new car sales to African-American car buyers last year. came in second at 11.7 percent, followed by , and . The top five automakers accounted for nearly 60 percent off all new vehicle sales to African-Americans.
The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the African-American population will grow by 25 percent by the year 2030. In 2010 alone, auto sales among African Americans rose by 11.5 percent versus 2009. That’s 68.6 percent faster than the non-ethnic market increase of 6.8 percent, meaning that automakers would do well to reach out to this burgeoning customer segment.
“With the U.S. population growing faster in the African-American segment than others, there’s a significant opportunity for automotive manufacturers and dealers to begin to align marketing initiatives toward this specific audience,” said Marc Bland, product strategist at Polk. “Those companies that are ahead of the curve, like Toyota, are already reaping the rewards.”
While it appears that Toyota has already gotten the message that African-Americans represent a fast-growing market segment, others are beginning to get the picture. sales, for example, are up 72 percent, while and area second and third at 53 percent and 34.2 percent, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, R.L. Polk says that , , and are not making inroads with African-American buyers. Hit the jump to read over the R.L. Polk press release.
Automaker earnings have been mostly impressive so far, and is no different. Reuters reports that the Korean automaker has posted earnings of $890 million for the first quarter of 2011, up 91 percent compared to the $466 million profit from Q1 2010. Overall revenue for the quarter was $10 billion, up 37 percent year over year. Kia’s healthy earnings come as sales rose 30 percent to 619,089 units. The automaker fared especially well in South Korea, China and the United States, where new models like the and have really taken off.
Kia’s profit surge comes one day after of $1.7 billion. Hyundai shares are up 44 percent on the year, while Kia shares are up 16 percent.
Lexus may be onto something here, if for no other reason that it’s better to drive than most everything else the marque offers, and that it’s the cheapest way to park an L-badge in your driveway.
Wonder what life would be like if you and your significant other managed to fork over the ransom necessary to bring not one, but two examples of the Lamborghini Aventador home?
Why can’t a perfectly capable passenger sitting in the seat next to you operate the nav?
Also of interest:
: 2012 ChevroletCorvette gets upgraded interior, new tires and options [w/video]
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has had a big year, and the results are showing in the form of healthy profits. According to BusinessWeek, the Korean automaker earned $1.75 billion in the first quarter, up 46 percent versus the first quarter of 2010. Overall revenue was up 21 percent to $17 billion.
Sales volume was higher as well, as the 922,000 units sold globally represented a nine percent increase. Much of that increase occurred in plants in the U.S. and China, where output climbed by 14 percent. A richer model mix also buoyed Hyundai’s profits, as pricing per model rose by an impressive 14 percent in overseas markets and 2.5 percent in its Korean home market.
Hyundai’s impressive quarterly performance helped rally stocks in Korea, and the automaker saw a 7.5 percent gain on the day. For the year, Hyundai’s share price has risen a meteoric 44 percent.
Volvo Concept Universe – Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems everyone and their cousin wants a slice of the big pie. has the , the , the and the . Then there’s less conventional choices like the , , and Volkswagen Phaeton. Even ’s been toying with . But after months – if not years – of hemming and hawing, the latest report suggests we not count on a challenger from any time soon.
The Swedish automaker had been entertaining the notion of jumping into the stratosphere with its own S-Class challenger, but despite the above-pictured unveiled in Shanghai just days ago, the latest reports indicate that Volvo is not, in fact, preparing for an assault on that particular territory.
Word reportedly comes right from the proverbial horse’s mouth: that of Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby, whose revelation disappoints the of Li Shufu, the chairman of Chinese automaker Geely that Volvo last year for $1.8 billion. Jacoby says the company needs to focus on its current lineup while laying the cornerstones for new assembly plants in China. What the point of the Universe show car was, then, remains as much a mystery to us as its bulbous front end.
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Brock Yates, Jr. joins Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Chris Paukert for Autoblog Podcast #227 to talk about the , which starts this weekend. The crew also recaps the New York International Auto Show, Mitsubishi pulling the plug on the Eclipse and Endeavor, the push for standardizing push-button starting systems and your feedback and questions with the Q&A module. We’ve re-posted the Q&A at the bottom of this post so you can play along at home, too. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #227: with Brock Yates, Jr. of One Lap of America, New York recap and more!
No one needs a 503-horsepower SUV capable of 155 miles per hour. In the real world, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG make no sense whatsoever. But you want one all the same. We understand.
Autoblog has racked up 3,500 miles on our long-term 2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate since its arrival in March. Now that the initial honeymoon phase is over, we’re getting a very good feel for how the Big Korean handles day-to-day tasks.
This three-minute clip of the Aventador thwarting a geological disaster amply illustrates its appeal.
Also of interest:
Leaf entered in Pikes Peak Hill Climb [w/videos]
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We record Episode #227 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, so check out our discussion topics below. You can use the forum below to drop us your own feedback and questions, or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine what else we discuss this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast if you haven’t already to hear your question answered by our esteemed panel of ‘casters.
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2011Hyundai Equus Ultimate – Click above for high-res image gallery
Between myself and Editor-in-Chief John Neff, Autoblog has racked up 3,500 miles on our long-term since its arrival in March. Now that the initial honeymoon phase is over, we’re getting a very good feel for how the Big Korean handles day-to-day tasks.
to see all of our long-term vehicle updates
First and foremost, I continue to be impressed with the sheer number of compliments the Equus receives, most of which are from women. This car really turns heads, possibly due to the fact they’re scarce on the road – I have yet to see another one in metro Detroit. I wasn’t too keen on the Hyundai’s design when it first arrived, but am now finding the Equus to be a , especially in white. Even the guys at my local car wash, who don’t usually say much about the test cars I bring through, . Neff even and found its presence was enough to convince real estate agents he could afford the top-dollar listings.
I’ve had the chance to take the Equus on a couple of longer road trips, and while it’s comfortable and quiet for the most part, these long-distance drives also brought out some complaints with our long-term tester.
has officially become the first automaker to jump into the Groupon party by offering customers a $29 oil change, inspection and tire rotation. The manufacturer says around 1,300 individuals participated in the event across 10 dealers in the greater Chicago area and that the move was part of an ongoing effort to increase service business. The hope is that some of those customers who participated in the deal might come back for more vehicle work in the near future.
So, the next logical question: Will Hyundai look into actually selling vehicles through the coupon company? That all depends on how well this particular venture goes. If the automaker sees a strong return rate among customers, it just might look into future partnerships. That said, an entire vehicle purchase seems pretty far-fetched…
Groupon is a Chicago-based company that allows users to buy into one large group coupon per day. Once a deal is announced, a certain number of people must sign up for the offer or it expires and no one benefits. The company serves over 500 markets by offering deals on everything from services to smoothies and everything in between.
All told, Hyundai says that each of its participating dealers developed 130 new service leads each. for the full press release.
It’s official. Our coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show has come to an end. Take a look at every significant automobile that we covered from The Big Apple. There’s something here for everyone, from sports cars to budget rides to mainstream machines. That’s a total of 33 vehicles, for those keeping track. Got any favorites? Let us hear about them in the Comments. See ya in New York next year!
2012 Nissan Versa – Click above for high-res image gallery
After Nissan unveiled its redesigned at the New York Auto Show yesterday, coverage was almost unanimous in declaring it, at best, inconspicuous. David Reuter, Nissan’s VP of Corporate Communications, tells Autoblog that’s fine:
“The Fiesta may have been getting the press, this is what was selling. We were up 20 percent last year. Our competitors have gone for sporty and styling, but that’s not what these buyers want. Subcompact buyers want a dependable, roomy car with good fuel economy, and they want the features and specs to feel they spent a lot more on a car than they did.”
The formula, inconspicuous as it might be, has worked: Nissan moved 99,705 Versa sedans and hatchbacks in 2010, running away from everything else in the class – next were the with 54,354, the with 51,975, and the with 48,623 units sold. Say what you will about the looks, with a segment-leading 103 cubic feet of room in the 2012 Versa and more standard features at a competitive price point, the momentum will likely continue.
Day One of the 2011 New York Auto Show has come and gone, bringing with it a whole slew of new cars, trucks and concept vehicles for us to obsess over. We’ve gone ahead and sorted through the day’s unveilings and put them all together in one handy-dandy spot. And of course, tomorrow will be more of the same. Stay tuned!
is making a grab for more customer loyalty than it already enjoys with its newly launched Assurance Trade-in Value Guarantee, which, as its name suggests, guarantees future trade-in values on new car purchases. The move falls under Hyundai’s wide-spanning marketing scheme, and will give buyers a solid number to determine what their car will be worth two to four years down the line.
The new initiative will be go into effect starting in May, and affects all Hyundai models. The actual value of Hyundai’s models will be determined by the Automotive Lease Guide forecast of future value. Hyundai is quick to point out that the residual value for its models is now among the highest in the industry and it’s saying that this new program offers one of the major benefits of a lease program, but with all the benefits of actual vehicle ownership.
To qualify, the vehicle must be purchased at an authorized Hyundai dealership and then traded in within 24 to 48 months on a new Hyundai vehicle. See all the details in the official press release .
2012 Mazda3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, and it’s brought along the first production use of the long-awaited SkyActiv fuel-efficiency tweaks. That means the newest Mazda3 is good for a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the addition of a new SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine mated to either a new six-speed automatic or manual transmission.
Previously, the Mazda3 has only been good for up to 33 mpg in its most efficient form, but the new drivetrain advancements will go a long way toward making the model more competitive against ever sharper metal from , , and . Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter mill.
That old lump will still be around as standard equipment on the sedan, though don’t expect to see it on the Mazda3 hatch. Instead, the long-roof will still benefit from the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the last-gen vehicle.
In addition to the newly-efficient drivetrain, the 2012 Mazda3 also wears a suitably updated exterior. Buyers can look forward to redesigned headlights and an adjusted front fascia with a slightly different grille that tones down the exuberance of the car’s trademark grin. Likewise, the rears of both the sedan and hatch have received a subtle warming-over. to hear it from Mazda’s own mouth.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO (above) and LTZ (below right) – Click for high-res image gallery
It says something about the breakneck pace of America’s mid-size sedan segment that the departing was beginning to feel long in the tooth. Introduced for the 2008 model year to great fanfare and critical praise, ‘ family four-door has seen its appeal dinged by new entries from companies like , and , along with massively updated models from companies like (not to mention perennial favorites from and ).
Despite its evolutionary styling, this is more than a simple refresh of the current Epsilon-based car, the Malibu that debuted today at the 2011 New York Auto Show actually gains some revised proportions for its eighth generation thanks to its migration to GM’s Epsilon II platform. Shorter overall, the new Malibu nevertheless boasts increased trunk space and a number of enhanced interior metrics thanks to increased width, though sitting inside, we found rear-seat headroom to be tighter than we remembered. Part of the reasoning why Chevy has chosen to go with a shorter overall length is to increase the car’s global appeal – the Malibu will be sold in over 100 world markets (and in many of them, bigger is not always better).
Powered at launch by a 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic, the powertrain will produce 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. A forced-induction four-cylinder is expected at a later date, but the Malibu is likely to follow Hyundai-Kia’s lead in eschewing six-cylinder power altogether.
Thus far, Chevy isn’t releasing fuel economy figures, but it claims the 2013 Malibu is the most aerodynamic car in its segment (helped, no doubt, by drag-reducing active shutters up front), along with being the quietest. Officials have told us that they believe the car will return fuel economy above 30 miles per gallon.
Chevrolet surprised attendees at its press conference today by also rolling out the Malibu ECO, an eAssist-equipped high efficiency model that’s expected to earn fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city and a lofty 38 mpg highway. Powered by a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder and aided by the aforementioned eAssist mild hybrid system and special aerodynamic tweaks, GM says the Malibu ECO can go up to 550 miles between fill ups, delivering fuel economy figures that would make some hybrid family sedans envious.
for the official word from Chevrolet on the new 2013 Malibu models, and check out our galleries below.
2012 Hyundai Accent – Click above for high-res image gallery
The all-new fourth-generation 2012 makes its debut at the , wearing the automaker’s fresh (and now-familiar) “Fluidic Sculpture” attire. Offered in both sedan and five-door body styles, the subcompact promises best-in-class fuel economy and power, says .
Under the hood is an all-new 1.6-liter direct-injected “Gamma” four-cylinder engine, rated at 138 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels through a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. Hyundai is proud of the Accent’s EPA fuel economy ratings, as its newest vehicle delivers best-in-class fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon (city) and 40 mpg (highway), besting both the and .
While the vehicle has been completely redesigned, with new technology and more safety features (six airbags and standard VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS, BA and EBD), the automaker has held pricing from the prior generation. The entry-level Accent GLS (6MT) will start at $12,445 with the range-topping Accent SE (6AT) starting at $16,795. The 2012 Accent rolls into dealerships this summer.
Click through our high-res galleries of live and stock images below, and for Hyundai’s official release.
Gallery:
Gallery:
Live photos copyright (C)2011 / AOL
[Source: Hyundai]
2011: 2012 Hyundai Accent offers 40 mpg for $12,445
We spend so much time thinking, writing and talking about vehicles meant for the open road, but we rarely consider a new car for inside the house. The Onion is “reporting” on just such a vehicle for in-home commuting coming from , and we’re not talking about personal mobility scooters here, folks.
African-Americans purchased 641,090 new vehicles in 2010, accounting for 7.4 percent of all new vehicle sales. That’s a significant portion of overall sales, and a population segment that 
