Earlier this year Audi’s plans for a lighter pair of next-generation S4 and S5 performance variants were revealed. Now Volkswagen has been tied to a similar program with its popular Golf platform.
Read the rest of this entry »

So Volkswagen did a ton of promotion during the high gas days to let people know about the savings they could experience if they switched over to their diesels. Seems the campaigns were so successful that the dealerships can’t order enough of the new TDI’s to keep them in stock. Shame really. Kind of like how Kia cannot keep enough Rio’s in stock ever. Except Jetta’s are roomier and better looking than Rio’s. They also cost more, drive further, and have more power.

Enough of the chit-chat, congratulations to the marketing team at Volkswagen for doing a great job. Maybe too good of a job. And good luck to the logistics and supply chain team for the newfound challenge!

Read the rest of this entry »

Chevrolet’s new compact will be called the Cruze

It has been announced today that the new mini car that Chevy has been trying to keep under wraps will be called the Cruze.

The name is the derivative of the word Cruise. The car is the replacement of the current run of the Cobalt. The Cobalt has been Chevy’s latest best selling vehicle since being introduced in late 2004 as a 2005 model. The current Cobalt model sells an average of 200,000 vehicles annually.

A production version of the Cruze will be shown at the Paris Auto show this fall with production to begin in mid 2010 as a 2011 model. The Cruze will be built in the existing Cobalt manufacturing facility in Lordstown, Ohio.

The Cruze is built on GM’s Delta compact car platform and will be powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged global engine, which was recently announced in Europe. The engine itself will be built at the Flint, Michigan engine plant.

The powerplant will put out 120 to 140hp, with efficiency exceeding 40mpg. It will be initially introduced as a sedan, with no word yet on a coupe version.

The Cruze according to insiders is aimed to compete with the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta and Ford Focus.

For the latest news on the Cruze, please visit www.CruzeChat.com