Lexus and Buick Top 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study

The recent 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) conducted by J.D. Power and Associates shows that Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus luxury division and General Motors' Buick brand ranked as the highest vehicle nameplates in terms of dependability. J.D. Power and Associates said that this is "the first time that another brand ties with Lexus for the highest-rank position."

So how does J.D. Power and Associates rank these vehicles? Well, J.D. Power staff based their rankings for the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study by measuring the problems stated by vehicle owners in three years of ownership. J.D. Power calculates these problems with the unit called "problems per 100 vehicles" or PP100. J.D. Power and Associates conducted a survey from more than 50,000 owners and gathered the data from January to April 2007. Among the tested vehicle brands, Buick and Lexus scored a tie with only 145 PP100. This only shows that Lexus offers high quality auto parts like Lexus ball joints. Other brands like Cadillac, Mercury and Honda also performed well in the PP100 ranking.

"With three non-premium nameplates -- Buick, Honda and Mercury - ranking within the top five, and particularly with Buick tying with Lexus for the top rank, consumers seeking a vehicle with strong dependability have good choices at various price levels. Consumers don't necessarily need to pay premium prices to obtain high quality and dependability." said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates.

Oddes added: "Automakers may reap numerous benefits from producing dependable vehicles - not only in higher residual values, decreased warranty costs and opportunities for remarketing their vehicles, but also in higher customer satisfaction and increased likelihood of customers recommending or purchasing newer dependable models."This is why it is especially important for automakers to successfully launch new vehicle models with high initial quality and appeal -- models that perform well in these regards tend to exhibit particularly strong dependability later in their life cycle."

J.D. Power and Associates also ranked vehicle models for each segment. Toyota's Lexus brand dominated the list and earned five segment awards including the GS 300/GS430 (Midsize Premium Car), GX 470 (Midsize Premium MAV), LS 430 (Large Premium Car), LX 470, (Large Premium MAV) and the SC 430 for the Premium Sporty Car segment.

Toyota models also performed well in the segment awards. The Japanese automaker obtained four awards for the RAV 4 and Sequoia sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and Tacoma and Tundra pick up truck models. Other brands in the list that earned segment award include Ford, Honda Oldsmobile, Buick, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Mazda and Scion.

Oddes concluded: "As owners experience vehicle problems -- particularly ones that require components to be replaced -- they are less likely to repurchase or recommend their current model. Automakers can improve upon customer loyalty by working closely with their component suppliers to monitor quality, since failure of a component ultimately reflects upon the quality of the vehicle brand in the minds of consumers."

Lexus to Launch New Version of RX 400h SR

Lexus, the producer of Lexus brake dust shields, is planning to expand it Lexus range with the addition of a new version of the RX 400h SR. This new addition to the Lexus range will offer the usual high Lexus specification plus something more---options for both multimedia and entertainment systems.

Two years ago Lexus launched a model that has become a pioneer of hybrid power in the premium SUV market---the Lexus RX 400h. Since its introduction it has enjoyed tremendous popularity accounting for almost two-thirds of the total RX sales in 2006.

The presently sold RX 400h SR was positioned by Lexus in between the standard RX 400h and the RX 400h SE. The SR also possess RX standard features such as leather upholstery, eight-way electric front seat adjustment, heated front seats, a 40:20:40 split folding rear seat and metallic paint. And since it possesses the Lexus Hybrid Drive technology customers can expect for high fuel efficiency, lower emissions without sacrificing power and performance.

The RX 400h SR can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in matter of 7.6 seconds with a fuel consumption of 34.9 mpg in a combined driving cycle, emitting 192g/km of carbon dioxide.

The Lexus Multimedia system is offered as an option for the RX 400h SR. This package includes:

* DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, * voice command control key audio, * navigation and communication functions, * Bluetooth connectivity, * an 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-disc DVD autochanger and digital MP3/WMA file recognition, * Park Assist Monitor * Electro Multi-Vision VCA screen

There is also in-car entertainment or ICE package with twin headrest mounted screens and infra-red headphones for rear seat passengers to enable them to see movies or play computer games while on the move. This special entertainment package is perfect for families with kids who love to go on long road trips.

The RX 400h SR is offered in Platinum Ice or Astral Black metallic finish complemented by a grey or black interior. The SR also comes with a class-leading 16E insurance group with prices starting £37,500.

Pricing for Lexus RX 400h SR

Model - OTR Price

RX 400h SR - £37,500 RX 400h SR with ICE - £39,700 RX 400h SR with Multimedia - £40,745 RX 400h SR with ICE and Multimedia - £42,945

Details on the Lexus RX 400h SR

TECHNICAL

Body: 4 X 4 Engine: 3311 Fuel: U/E Transmission: E-CVT Power: 208@5600 Torque, lb ft: 212@4400 Driven Wheels: 4

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 2720 Length, mm: 4750 Width, mm: 184 Height, mm: 1720 Fuel Tank, litres: 65 Kerb Weight, kg: 2040 Gross Weight, kg: 2505 Towing Limits, kg: 2000

PERFORMANCE

Manual Automatic Top speed: 124 mph 0-62 mph: 7.6 seconds Fuel consumption: 34.9 mpg (combined cycle)

RUNNING COSTS

Service Interval: 10000 Warranty: 3 years, 60000 miles

Volvo's New S60 to Compete with BMW and Audi

Volvo is planning to further enhance its model range with a new S60 saloon. The new saloon will be matched with BMW's 3-Series and Audi's A4. Aside from a S60 saloon, Volvo is also planning a new S40 hatchback which they plan of introducing in 2009 to 2010.

The new S60 Saloon will utilize the joint Ford/Volvo technology that supports the Mondeo and the S80.

It can be remembered that last year Volvo struggled in managing its overlapping of saloons namely the S40, S60, and S80. The problem faced by the Swedish carmaker was grave that it was near to squeezing out the S60 off the market completely.

Fortunately Volvo was not easily daunted and instead chooses to keep the S60 in its range to replace the current model hopefully in later part of 2009. The automaker also plans of replacing the S40 by 2010 instead of turning it into a four-door saloon it will be made into a five-door hatchback to compete with Audi's A3 and BMW 1-Series. The S40 name will also be changed to V30.

In addition since Volvo wants for its new S60 to compete with BMW 3-Series and Audi A4, it has to expand its external dimensions since the two models from Germany have also increased their sizes to match that of the presently offered S60.

Volvo's new S60 will sport a slightly longer wheelbase but to compete head on with the German pair, the Swedish automaker would have to do more with the S60 and that includes giving it with a much better styling that would still accommodate useful car accessories such as Lebra car bra, exceptional interior quality and of course an improved ride and handling.

It is no secret that finances in Ford is tight right now which means that Volvo engineers have to be more creative than usual on how they would come up with the needed chassis for the new S60.

The solution that they come up is to use engines derived from the Volvo-Ford parts bin. To compete with BMW and Audi, Volvo engineers would employ a 2.0 liter four-cylinder diesel and a powerful 2.2 liter diesel. To compete with the two German's six-cylinder diesels, Volvo will use its D5 family of five-pot oil burners. The Swedish carmaker will also make use of a turbocharged petrol engine with a 1.6 liter capacity that can produce the same power as 2.0 liter petrol but with better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

Nissan Produces 3 Million Altimas in the US

Nissan released the first Altima in 1993 and has since sold millions of the sedan in the market. The Altima already has four generations made within 1993-1997, 1998-2001, 2002-2006, and 2007-present. Since the production of the midsize vehicle was relocated to its North American plant, and after 15 years of being in the US car market, Nissan North America has already produced 3 million Altima cars.

U.S. Manufacturing senior vice president Greg Daniels said, "The Altima plays an important role in Nissan's lineup, and we put a lot of discipline and skill into building each one. The Altima provides our customers a lot of value for the money, and we're committed to providing them with a high level of quality as well."

There are two Nissan Assembly plants in North America. These are Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi. The Smyrna was able to produce a total amount of 750 Altima cars up to this day. The Canton Plant also shared 600 cars. The Smyrna plant in Tennessee is known makers of the Nissan Maxima sedan, the Nissan Xterra SUV, the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Frontier truck, while the Canton plant in Mississippi also makes the Nissan Armada full- size SUV, the Nissan Titan full-size trucks, the Nissan Quest minivans and the Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury SUV. Other Nissan car parts like lower air dam are also manufactured on some plants in North America.

Canada, Mexico and other countries around the US are also receiving Altima car made in its Smyrna Plant. The plant already produced an estimated amount of 20,000 Altimas this year. All these cars are distributed in the local market as well as to the other countries near North America.

Nissan Altima Sedan was one among the best selling Japanese car models in the US car market. Currently, Nissan Altima includes two new car types in its line up: the all-new 2008 Altima Coupe and the Altima Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The 2008 all-new Altima features new design and trimmings and was based on the D platform with the award winning engine part, the VQ-series 3.5L V6. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is also a standard for the new version. Matched with a 6-speed manual, the Nissan Altima also received the advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) (TM).

In July 23 this year, the Japanese car maker passed another milestone, having produced 9 million cars since they started making Nissan cars for the US car market in 1983. To be exact, Nissan has already produced 9.02 million cars in the past 24 years.

Saab's Super SUV to be released in the US

Saab, producer of high quality Saab fuel filter and the Swedish-based subsidiary of General Motors will soon release its Super Saab SUV which is designed for petrol lovers in the third quarter of 2007 in US. The limited edition Aero performance version of the 9-7x is further enhanced with the addition of a 6.0 liter V8 engine and 20 inch wheels and tires.

Saab's Super SUV is also easy to spot since it wears a unique paint that is distinctly its own---a charcoal metallic paint called the Carbon Flash Metallic. Another distinct feature of the 9-7x Aero are its 20 inch polished, aluminum wheels that wrapped with P255/50R20 V-speed-rated performance tires.

To accentuate the classy interior are Aero embroidered leather seats and embossed floor mats. At the core of the 9-7x Aero is the LS2 6.0 liter V8 with cold air induction package that revs up 295kW at 6,000 rpm and 542Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. This Super SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under six seconds.

The LS2 6.0 liter is derived on the small-block V8 architecture and produces down-low torque for maximum performance. Torque is natural to the engine's cam-in-block design with 101, 6mm-diameter bores and a 92mm stroke. Quick Response is attributed to the electronically controlled throttle.

One of the unique features of the engine of the 9-7x Aero's version is its composite intake manifold which aid in producing balanced of torque and horsepower. The maximum towing capacity of the 9-7x Aero model is 2994kg. Its lower chassis is designed to provide a more responsive handling while its corner control and body roll control are further reinforced with front stabilizer bars that are almost 10 percent larger in diameter. For extra strength and stability a heavy-duty rear axle with limited slip differential is added.

A four-wheel disc braking system that is enhanced with larger 12.8-inch front disc rotors and iron-twin piston calipers put the brakes on the powerful 9-7x Aero. Likewise, stiff heavy-duty iron calipers that retain their shapes even under high-pressure/high-heat braking conditions helps to provide a more linear feel as well as lessen pedal travel especially in high-energy stops. The brake pads also employ high-performance linings to achieve a strong fade resistance.

All 9-7x models are to equipped with standard ABS, automatic all-wheel-drive, and the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system.

The StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is an active system that makes use of a Torsen center differential that splits the torque between the front and the rear wheels. It may also be considered as a torque-bias system that senses low traction at one axle and the channel more torque to the other when necessary.

Ford's Disposal of Aston Martin now complete

Aston Martin is the sleek sports car popular for starring in the action block buster James Bond franchise. The sexy silvery gray Aston Martin DBS for instance, was the James Bond car in the 2006 movie, Casino Royale. Although Aston Martin wowed all of us being James Bond's car, it didn't hit the blockbuster in the car market like the movie did. In August 2006, Bill Ford, who handed the reins over to Mulally last year, put Aston Martin up for sale, saying the money-losing brand may be "an attractive opportunity to raise capital and generate value."

Ford Motor Company succeeded in selling the Aston Martin Division last March, when the deal was made to a consortium of big time investors lead by racing executive Dave Richards. The group also included John Sinders, a famous Aston Martin collector and two other Kuwaiti firms of Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co.

"The deal gets Ford liquidity it desperately needs to help restore its higher-volume product lines, and it leaves Aston Martin in good hands, as well." Dave Healy, an analyst at Burnham Securities was quoted as saying before the Dearborn automaker put its luxury brand up for sale.

In a statement before the sale, Ford CEO and President Allan Mullaly said, "The sale of Aston Martin supports the key objectives of the company, to restructure to operate profitably at lower volumes and changed model mix and to speed the development of new products,"

Ford announced in March that it would receive $848 million and retain a $77 million stake in Aston Martin.

The transaction of the maker of the Aston Martin catalytic converter was completed in the second quarter of this year. Becky Sanch, Ford spokeswoman confirmed that they have not completely given away the sports car division because the automaker retained a stake by receiving preferred stock from Primrose Cove Ltd., the holding company of the group that acquired Aston Martin. On Tuesday Ford received $931 million in cash and preferred stock for its sale of a controlling stake in the popular luxury brand.

Ford's Jaguar and Rover divisions, also part of the Ford Premier Auto Group are also being prepared for disposal as Ford continues on its plan to bounce back from its recent financial troubles.