With more and more smart phones hitting the market its no surprise that many car manufactures are developing mobile applications that merge with your vehicle; I mean its only logical. As we become more and more dependent  on our mobile applications this next app will merge directly with your vehicle. This may sound like sci-fi but its actually on the way and will be here officially by the end of the year.

The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee now has its own mobile application; the new app offers feature video, vehicle information, demonstrations, connections with fellow owners on social networks and 24 hour Road Side Assistance. The app will be available for iPhones now and will Blackberry and Android  capable later on; this app will also be free for the consumer. The app will be compatible with Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler and Ram Truck models later on this year.  Here is a snippet of that article.

New Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram Truck smartphone vehicle-information apps will complement existing user guides and DVDs that are currently provided with each vehicle. Each vehicle-information app will allow the consumer to browse functional categories and view detailed topics of interest relative to their specific vehicle.

“With our vehicle-information app, we are taking customer care to a new level by creating a convenient, on-demand channel of communication with our customers,” said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC.Key feature categories include product information, vehicle operating instructions, vehicle maintenance schedules, service contract details, warning lights and controls, warranty information and customer assistance. Other features and benefits include links to Mopar parts and accessories, product brand gear and merchandise and social media sites. The app will also contain high-resolution product information images and videos.

SOURCE:

http://www.businessfleet.com/News/Story/2010/06/Chrysler-Introduces-First-Smart-Phone-App-for-Jeep-Cherokee.aspx

In a recent article by AutomotiveNews.com used car prices are expected to drop within the next coming weeks. So if you in the market for a used vehicle now is the time to buy; but hold the VISA.

This drop in price is expected to hit only certain sectors of the market.

With fewer vehicles sold in 2008 and 2009 that means fewer vehicles on the market in 2010 simple supply shortage.

Here is a direct quote from the article.

According to ADESA Auctions, the average used price in June was $10,278, representing a $269 per-unit decline compared with the average price in May. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index stood at 120.2 in June, down from 121.0 in May.

Tom Kontos, executive vice president of customer strategies and analytics at ADESA, says used-vehicle prices typically peak from March to May and begin a gradual decline in June through the fall with an uptick toward the end of the year.

Prices typically fall 1 or 2 percentage points from July to September, he says. “I think we’re back toward the seasonal patterns that we used to see this time of year,” Kontos says.

But overall used-vehicle prices will remain higher than the industry is accustomed to because of the tight supply of used vehicles, he says. Fewer new cars and trucks sold in 2008 and 2009 mean fewer used vehicles re-entering the market this year, next year and into 2012.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100726/RETAIL04/307269947/1400#ixzz0viifpzXu

http://iauto.superherocars.com/

Bright Automotive and GM Ventures finalized a deal this week that will begin the production of a plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle. As most hybrids today; most are focused on saving the consumer money but what about those businesses out there making those consumers happy?

Many business people have been asking this question for the past few months; and now their prayers are answered. Imagine how delivery places will feel now, imagine how those parts distributions may be felling now, imagine how those catering companies must feel. This is a great day for small business owners who have already been felling the “post recession” effect.

Here is a snippet of the article from AutomotiveFleet.com

“The vehicle is a commercial fleet vehicle, targeted at Class 1 and 2 users,” said Munger, citing fleets such as cable telecommunications, utility services, service industries, and beverage companies. “The customers will continue to be an important partner in developing the vehicle as we go forward,” he said.

In North America, Munger said the companies plan to produce approximately 900,000 units. Though pricing was not disclosed, Munger said the vehicle will save fleet customers 10-15 percent in total cost of ownership…..

The IDEA operates in electric mode for 40 miles before switching to an estimated 36-mpg hybrid mode for 100+ mpg potential based on daily driving behavior. Lightweighting and advanced aerodynamics will help in maximizing the vehicle’s fuel economy, according to Brylawski.

“The philosophy is if you make the vehicle light and aerodynamic, it requires less power to move it. And if it requires less power to move it, you use less battery,” explained Brylawski. “Bright’s strategy has always been focused on making electrification affordable by focusing on the system to make the battery packs smaller to still deliver that range…..”

Funding through GM Ventures will allow Bright to begin ramping up the development of the production program for the IDEA in the third quarter of 2010.  Bright continues to seek a low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s ATVM program.

As the IDEA begins production lets all give three cheers for GM as they are working with Bright Automotive. GM may really be looking to make a strong come back; I mean think about how much money will be saved on gas, maybe it wont cost as much to send flowers anymore.

SOURCE: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2010/08/GM-Bright-Automotive-Partner-for-Plug-In-Hybrid-Van.aspx

As the race for the most fuel efficient car on the market heats up; Chevy has just scored a point for the GM line. Over the past week they have introduced an 8 year/100k mile battery warranty for the Chevy Volt model.  As this technology becomes a bigger part of our everyday lives we Here is the snippet from Automotive Fleet.

The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. “We are making a commitment to our customers to deliver the highest standards for value, safety, quality, performance, and reliability for an unprecedented eight years/100,000 miles.”

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery, according to GM. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel.

This now puts Chevy in a good spot in the Hybrid Vehicle Arms Race that is about to take over the auto industry. But this slight adjustment should make people want to buy more Chevy Models.

SOURCE:

http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2010/07/Chevrolet-Volt-to-Come-Standard-with-8-Year-100K-Mile-Battery-Warranty.aspx

In a deal that was finalized  on Sunday Volvo was bought out by Chinesses company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Many say this deal will “liberate” the auto company; here is a snippet of the deal……

Geely will pay Ford $1.78 billion in cash and the remaining $200 million in a note to get full control of Volvo, including its intellectual property.

Geely, parent of Geely Automobile Holdings, was named by Ford as the preferred bidder for its money-losing Swedish brand in October 2009…………

“A tiger belongs to the forest. It belongs to the wild world and not confined in a zoo. We need to liberate this tiger,” Li told a press conference announcing the deal in Volvo’s home town of Gothenburg.

Li was referring to Volvo’s reliance on Europe for production and on Europe and North America for most of its sales. To address this issue, Li is planning a factory in Beijing that will make 300,000 Volvo cars a year. That is about the same amount the automaker produces annually at its plants in Sweden and Belgium.

Its about time Tesla finally is going to become an industry monster.

Here is a snippet from that article.

Hey if they are looking for some great consulting, you know where to find us. lol

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) — U.S. electric sports car maker Tesla Motors filed for an initial public offering of up to $100 million, aiming to cash in on growing investor interest in battery-powered vehicles and green technology.

Tesla Is Finally A Industry Player

The IPO filing on Friday from the six-year-old start-up, best known for its $109,000 all-electric Roadster, represents a landmark in the resurgence of electric car technology that most carmakers until recently had dismissed as impractical……

Tesla is a small player with a high-end market and limited production, but hopes the Model S electric sedan will broaden its potential market.

It has received about 2,000 reservations for the car, which is being designed as a four-door, five-passenger premium sedan with an additional third row with two rear-facing child seats. It has a base price of $49,900.

This short excerpt comes from Automotive Fleet; Mercedes will be lowering its power-train on many of its V8 engines.  

Lets hope Benz it not going soft

The 6.2L V-8 powering Mercedes’ AMG lineup will be replaced by the end of 2010 by a twin turbocharged 5.5L V-8, Inside Line quotes Daimler AG Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development board member Dr. Thomas Weber as saying.

Under Mercedes’ reported plan to downsize its powertrains, all V-8s will shrink in size for 2011, with turbocharging making up for the power deficit. If true, the move to smaller displacement engines would help increase efficiency while also reducing CO2 emissions, according to Auto Blog.

Source: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2009/12/Twin-turbo-5-5L-V-8-to-Replace-Mercedes-Benz-6-2L-V-8.aspx

American cars have been the poster for muscle cars for years, but that is soon going to change. As Dodge is now part of Fiat, their vehicles are getting a Euro makeover for the years 2010 and beyond.  When this merger took place we knew this day would come when our vehicles would not look the same again.

“The Challenger and Charger are by definition American vehicles and you cannot turn them into anything else, thus they are also going to remain Dodge (branded cars) worldwide,” Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told Automotive News Europe late last month. Meanwhile, vehicles such as the restyled Journey and the Nitro, due in Europe in 2011, could be sold as Fiats here and in Latin America.

Will you Drive This Dodge?

As times change, more and more vehicles will be made with that Euro flare to fit market trends and environmental changes.  Lets hope the markets react well to the new image of these cars that have been a stamp of good old American Muscle.

The future in Europe looks this way for other Chrysler Group brands.

1. The lineup of Chrysler brand cars could grow to include models currently sold by Fiat subsidiary Lancia. The Lancia models that may be turned into Chryslers include the Delta compact and the next-generation Ypsilon subcompact, which is due in the second half of 2011. The Delta and Ypsilon are expected to continue to be sold as Lancias in Italy, which accounts for about 90 percent of the automaker’s total sales.

This says that the Lancia accounts for 90 percent of total auto sales in Italy, who cares? That is in Europe, as stated before their roads are a bit smaller and the culture is completely different. Did anyone do market research on how many Americans would really purchase a Fiat Lancia?

2. There will be no changes at Jeep. Its lineup of SUVs and crossovers will continue to be sold.

Separately, Chrysler’s Ram pickups could be sold in Europe as part of the Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle unit’s portfolio. Fiat has not given a timetable for an official launch of the Ram pickup launch in Europe. Currently, Rams are sold in Europe only by private importers.

According to company figures for 2008, Chrysler Group sold 87,637 units in Europe. Jeep was the top-selling brand with 32,542 units, followed by Chrysler brand’s 28,936 sales and Dodge’s 26,159 units.

Fiat Group Automobiles sold 1.17 million units in Europe last year, according European automaker association ACEA. The Fiat brand led with 957,267 units followed by Lancia’s 113,978 sales and Alfa Romeo’s 102,223 units.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20091206/COPY01/312069985/1076

With the closing of many GM dealerships across the nation this past year; no one ever asked the question- what happened to all those customers?

Now that question has been answered, GM has offered 45-day discounts up to $2,000 for over 900,000 customers of their closed dealerships. But there is a catch…. the size of discount depends on “likelihood to purchase a GM vehicle and the relative distance to the next closest dealer” .

Doesn’t seem like much; but none the less the customers were on GM’s mind for once. 

These deals seem a bit useless when it comes to average customer credit in this market. But as stated before at least they are trying. Here is more from the article:

Other incentives

Customers who want the discount have to bring in the certificate enclosed with the letter as well as a proof of identity, Strosberg said. The offer extends to Jan. 4.

GM plans to begin a second wave of the program early next year that will include Saturn customers, Strosberg said.   The automaker also is issuing a service offer that includes a vehicle inspection and tire rotation to all customers of closed stores, the letter said. This offer is good through May.

GM’s U.S. sales chief Susan Docherty said Nov. 16 that the company was launching an incentive program for its four surviving U.S. brands in an attempt to flush out excess 2009 inventory. She did not discuss details.

“GM has to use aggressive marketing to try to keep those customers in the fold,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with the Edmunds.com research firm. “There are other brands waiting to pick those people up.”

Chrysler Group announced last week that it was offering cash incentives of $1,000 to $1,500 on many vehicles.

Boosting sales

“GM is working with a new foundation of fewer brands,” J.D. Power analyst Jeff Schuster said in an e-mail today.

“New product is obviously a key component to success, but the rebuilding can’t continue without a strong customer base. Loyalty is the name of the game here. It is much harder to get back a displaced customer than bring in a new one and GM is proactively going after buyers that may be at risk.”

GM’s November retail sales were on pace to increase 10 to 15 percent from a year earlier, Docherty said last week.

In October, GM’s U.S. sales rose 5 percent for its first year-over-year gain since January 2008.

GM sales plunged 34 percent during the first 10 months of the year compared with the same period a year ago.

A total of 1,839 GM dealerships have agreed to shut down by October 2010, the company said in a Nov. 16 filing with the government.

GM now has 5,860 dealerships and plans to scale back to between 3,600 and 4,000 over the long term, the filing said.

The negotiations, which also involve Chrysler, seek an alternative to legislation that would reverse dealer terminations. The legislation passed the House last summer but has stalled in the Senate.

More GM dealerships will be closing

As GM battles the recession this leaves many of their dealerships out to dry and in come cases out in the cold. But only $1000? Not even 12% off regardless of credit? What ever happen toa great deal; this is just an average deal GM is putting out there to pull in neglected customers.

This was a great ploy by GM to gain back some of those lost customers. Lets hope that some of those customers do return; SuperHeroCars will be more than glad to assist any ex-GM customers looking to get into a vehicle.

In a report released today many are fearing that the auto industry may go through simailar challenges as the airline industry a few years back: the cycle of bankruptcies, weak sales and horrible production has made the industry.

Many auto companies have been through tough times within the next 5 years as they try to rebound and repair balance sheets; this also put pressure on consumers to buy more and expect less.

The Auto Industry will be felling the effects of the Airline Bust from a few years ago.

Here is a snippet from the Fitch Ratings Report:  

With about $125 billion in government support already doled out for the auto industry, more aid may be extended given the prospect for weak sales, Fitch said. General Motors and Chrysler, which were both restructured with government capital, will not be in a position to access the equity markets in 2010, Fitch said.

“A number of suppliers have emerged from bankruptcy with untested business models and capital structures, which have and may result in double-dip bankruptcies,” Fitch said. “The manufacturers could also fall into the same pattern.”

Moreover, a double-dip recession or spike in gas prices could halt any market improvement, the agency said.

Ford Motor Co., the only automaker not to receive a government bailout, has improved its liquidity and addressed refinancing risk, Fitch said. Its access to bank loans, unsecured debt and the equity markets for now give it a competitive advantage over Chrysler and GM, Fitch said.

“Ford is best positioned from a production and product standpoint to further strengthen its balance sheet,” while GM and Chrysler are still restructuring and face a more difficult road toward independently access capital, Fitch said.

Cash-for-clunkers, a government auto scrapping program meant to bolster sales, had a negligible impact on sales volumes this year but has helped improve the used car market by getting rid of older vehicles, Fitch said.

With all of these changes within the industry there is no wonder they are calling this the next airline industry. But there is some hope new ideas, new markets and more buying power can steer this industry away from another major meltdown. With GM and Chrysler getting government deals; this almost forces them to perform at higher levels before the markets calm down again.

Lets just hope that things will pick up before the government has to step in again. 

Source:http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091123/RETAIL/311239896/1128