Comments on: Episode 281 – Sales Soar In Asia, New NHTSA Leader, EPA Debates Ethanol Blend

By: Edward Lipman

Edward Lipman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:35:23 +0000

I say that I should have a choice on whether to have gas with Ethanol in it for my cars.
There is a station here in Charleston S C that sells gas without ethanol for about 75 cents MORE a gallon.
There is a station in the Detroit area that sells E85 at the SAME price as regular E10. I thought E85 was supposed to be cheaper,
Just what the &&^%^ is going on here ?
Maybe now that Fritz is GONE will we finally have REBADGED cars here ? I want the Holden Commodore here as the new Impala SS with a M6 trans. YEA ! ! ! Just like the 94 to 96 Impala with ALL the COP CAR stuff.
Ed

By: HyundaiSmoke

HyundaiSmoke — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:19:10 +0000

The Fiesta s great but with the Compacts and Subcompacts, coming from everybody 40MPG will be on the Low Average by 2011.

The guys from cross town with that Chevy Viva (Aveo Replacement) for Example will get 47 MPG. I follow These small cars intensely, and the Fiesta could be a Dud compared to the More Powerful and More fuel Efficeint Product coming out.

The Fiesta is not tiny for a small car, its Yaris Sized, and that’s Smaller than every Compact/Subcompact on the market execpt the MINI.

2011:

Fiesta-40 MPG/118 HP

The Others:
Rio-41 MPG/122 HP
Viva-47 MPG/110 HP
Mini-43 MPG/135 HP
Cruze-44 MPG/140 HP
Accent-45 MPG/140 HP
Versa-42 MPG/135 HP
Micra-48 MPG/106 HP
Civic-42 MPG/140 HP
A-Class-42 MPG/128 HP
Polo-40 MPG/123 HP

You see where this is going……..

By: Pedro Fernandez

Pedro Fernandez — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:38:41 +0000

At this point does it really matter who the GM CEO is? Changing the captain would have done nothing to prevent the Titanic from sinking. Jim: maybe Honda needs to change their marketing strategy of keeping inventories low thus artificially keeping prices high to help their dealers make a bigger profit.

By: Kit Gerhart

Kit Gerhart — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:05:20 +0000

Nick Stevens Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am

“Kit, your own article says that you can get 40 MPG with a package”

I just mentioned the mileage of the “standard” version in my earlier post. I guess I should have mentioned the “best available” numbers if I was going to state the mileage numbers at all. Sorry ’bout that.

By: Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:46:36 +0000

Kit, your own article says that you can get 40 MPG with a package (I assume at extra cost. It will probably include low rolling resistance tires and the usual stuff. GM also offers high-er MPG versions of the CObalt already.

“. A fuel economy package boosts the highway number to 40 mpg; the city fuel economy is unchanged.

By: Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:32:23 +0000

If the actual EPA MPG highway no is 38 and not 40 MPG, it will be a major setback. A subcompact should be able to exceed the psychological 40 MPG level to be attractive, as many compacts are in the high 30s already.

a 5-door hatchback Fiesta or Focus is a very efficient design, it is essentially a very small wagon. And the cheapest dimension for a manufacturer to increase interior volume is sure the Height, while the length is the most expensive one. In addition, many people above a certain age, but even the younger ones, prefer the easy to enter, high seating position of a small but tall wagon or crossover.

By: Kit Gerhart

Kit Gerhart — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:13:33 +0000

Here’s another article about the Fiesta:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091202/LOSANGELES/912029996

This one says the mileage will be 29/38 with a manual and 30/38 with the dual clutch automatic. If this auto box works as well as VW’s DSG, it will be a great asset to the Fiesta.

As I had expected, there will be one engine, a 1.6 liter gas unit. There will be no performance engine or high efficiency diesel in America, at least for now. Still, Fiesta will be a great addition to Ford’s lineup. The next generation Focus should also be a great additiion, IF the hatch and/or wagon return. If not, the Focus will be another boring, not-too-practical smallish sedan not that much better than the current Focus.

By: Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:43:50 +0000

http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/story.aspx?Story=783

Methsuelah!

The 907,000 mile Honda Accord 90 LX

( I also owned a 90 LX, but a 5-speed coupe silver, until I donated it to charity in May 08)

Read any more stories from REAL owners and their Long Lived Hondas on the same site.m

By: Jim Sachetti

Jim Sachetti — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:52:20 +0000

Nick:

While the Fiesta sure is impressive, it will only be a huge hit not only if gas prices return to higher levels, but also if Ford prices it competitively.

By: Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:42:42 +0000

E85, in the US, is a joke.

Fully Agree

By: Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:41:56 +0000

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-ford-fiesta-for-america-revealed-hits-40-mpg/#continued

The New US spec Ford Fiesta. 40 MPG EPA Hwy.

And looking good.

Just what the Doctor Ordered.

The Fiesta will fill a huge gap in the Ford Lineup, which has compacts (FOcus) and mid-sized models (Fusion) and full-sized (Taurus) but not yet a subcompact (Fiesta!), while its cometitors already do (Aveo, Fit, Yaris) with varied degrees of success or failure.

I predict the Fiesta will be a HUGE, HUGE hit, esp. if gas prices return to above $3 and $4 levels.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:35:41 +0000

E85, in the US, is a joke. Made from corn that is the dumbest thing, burning food and feed that drives up mthe prices on everything. If they made it out of sugarcane, like others or switch grass the best way to make it then it would be great. OHH there is no lobbist in DC for weeds, switch grass!!!

By: Jim Sachetti

Jim Sachetti — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:04:41 +0000

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture-you-know-besides-all-the-obvious-stuff-edition/

you GOT to see this! A poster alleging to be Henderson’s “effing daughter” (her words!) calls everybody else “effing idiots” (SIC) and blasts whiteacre and GM now that they fired her incompetent walrus of a dad, and promises never to buy a GM vehicle again !!!!

Read the original posting on Facebook in the link!!!

How do you say “Sore Loser”?

By: Jim Sachetti

Jim Sachetti — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:04 +0000

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/chinese-car-sales-to-double-in-november/

CRAAAAAZY!

CHina sales up 107% in Nov, GM China sales up 93%

Go east, young man!

By: Jeff Cunningham

Jeff Cunningham — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:56:17 +0000

‘88 Acura Legend Coupe, 319k trouble free, delightful miles

‘87 Camry Wagon, 234k trouble free miles

‘03 Ford Expedition, now the ex-wife’s commuting car… what a waste!

‘06 Toyota Highlander, 54k miles

All in beautiful San Diego (La Jolla)