The Chrysler product-planning department may want to avoid running for public office, lest they be labeled flip-floppers: After a confirmation followed by a cancellation , a Honda Civic–sized Chrysler is back in the company’s plans. Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, told the Detroit Free Press this week that such a car is happening, that it’ll be a hatchback, and that it could be called the Chrysler 100. We confirmed that the Free Press accurately quoted Marchionne, and we’ve since heard from our own sources that the car has the green light. Here’s why this is such an odd turn of events. In 2009, soon after Chrysler and Fiat first hooked up, the company presented a five-year product plan ; it included a Chrysler-badged C-segment sedan. Then, in April 2011, this changed. Olivier François—charged at the time with running the Chrysler and Lancia brands but currently the head of Fiat— told us that “either Dodge or Chrysler” would get a C-segment vehicle, but not both. With Dodge prototypes eventually becoming the new Dart , we concluded that the Chrysler model was dead. It has now risen, zombie-like, from the development grave. The Lancia Delta, which may become the Chrysler 100 Beyond knowing that it’ll have five doors and a two-box shape, we can’t tell you very much about the Chrysler 100. Logically, it would ride on the same platform as the new Dodge Dart, which is about the right size. The Dart’s platform is called CUSW within Chrysler/Fiat, which stands for Compact U.S. Wide; it’s a widened evolution of the underpinnings used for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta . Marchionne went on to say that the Chrysler 100 would be rebadged as a Lancia and exported to Europe. Wait, what? Lancia already has a hatchback that’s bigger than the Alfa Giulietta; it’s called the Delta. The Chrysler folks even surreptitiously plopped a Chrysler-badged Delta onto its stand at the 2010 Detroit auto show. Why design an all-new C-segment hatchback, build it in the U.S., and then ship it off to Lancia in Europe, where such a car already exists? Surely it would be cheaper for Chrysler to take the existing Delta, federalize it for the U.S., and build and sell it locally. The Delta isn’t...

The Chrysler product-planning department may want to avoid running for public office, lest they be labeled flip-floppers: After a confirmation followed by a cancellation , a Honda Civic–sized Chrysler is back in the company’s plans. Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, told the Detroit Free Press this week that such a car is happening, that it’ll be a hatchback, and that it could be called the Chrysler 100. We confirmed that the Free Press accurately quoted Marchionne, and we’ve since heard from our own sources that the car has the green light. Here’s why this is such an odd turn of events. In 2009, soon after Chrysler and Fiat first hooked up, the company presented a five-year product plan ; it included a Chrysler-badged C-segment sedan. Then, in April 2011, this changed. Olivier François—charged at the time with running the Chrysler and Lancia brands but currently the head of Fiat— told us that “either Dodge or Chrysler” would get a C-segment vehicle, but not both. With Dodge prototypes eventually becoming the new Dart , we concluded that the Chrysler model was dead. It has now risen, zombie-like, from the development grave. The Lancia Delta, which may become the Chrysler 100 Beyond knowing that it’ll have five doors and a two-box shape, we can’t tell you very much about the Chrysler 100. Logically, it would ride on the same platform as the new Dodge Dart, which is about the right size. The Dart’s platform is called CUSW within Chrysler/Fiat, which stands for Compact U.S. Wide; it’s a widened evolution of the underpinnings used for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta . Marchionne went on to say that the Chrysler 100 would be rebadged as a Lancia and exported to Europe. Wait, what? Lancia already has a hatchback that’s bigger than the Alfa Giulietta; it’s called the Delta. The Chrysler folks even surreptitiously plopped a Chrysler-badged Delta onto its stand at the 2010 Detroit auto show. Why design an all-new C-segment hatchback, build it in the U.S., and then ship it off to Lancia in Europe, where such a car already exists? Surely it would be cheaper for Chrysler to take the existing Delta, federalize it for the U.S., and build and sell it locally. The Delta isn’t...

Often a slow period at dealerships, January can be a good time to buy a new car. As the end of the month approaches, dealers may be more willing to negotiate. Analyzing prices nationwide, we have compiled a list of 2011 and 2012 models that offer the best discounts. Prices on the models selected are between 10 percent and 15 percent below MSRP, and all models meet our stringent standards to be recommended. Buying a 2012 model instead of a leftover 2011 might get you the latest safety features and technology and more inventory to choose from at the dealership. However, buying a 2011 model may get you the best price as dealers are more willing to negotiate an outgoing 2011 model. Consider this carefully though, as a 2011 model will have already depreciated a full year’s worth by the time you drive it home; buying a leftover may make sense only for high-mileage drivers and those who plan to hold onto a car for many years. The models listed below are just a few of our Best New Car Deals , meaning there are notable discounts on models that meet Consumer Reports’ criteria to be recommended. These vehicles scored well in our testing, had average or better reliability in our subscriber survey, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated. See our full list of deals on both 2011 and 2012 models. Make & model Expires MSRP Invoice price Customer rebate Dealer incentive Bottom line price Read the rest here:  Best new car deals for January

Acura is less than two weeks away from revealing its production-ready ILX compact sedan at the Chicago auto show, but our spy shooters spotted a test vehicle and managed to take a clear picture of the car’s dash. The ILX concept , which appeared in January in Detroit, was an exterior buck with no interior. Surprise, surprise: The interior is pretty standard Acura stuff. The button-smothered center stack borrows a few pieces from the Honda Civic—it shares a basic platform with the ILX—including the climate-control knobs at the bottom. It looks like Acura won’t use this car as an opportunity to stray from its current infotainment setup, which involves a giant control knob protruding from the middle of the dashboard. We’re not fans of the setup as a whole, but we’ve at least been promised that the software will receive a significant upgrade. Since the ILX is targeted at younger shoppers (think people under 40), there’s a lot at stake in having quick, modern, and seamless phone integration and navigation. The pictures don’t convey material or assembly quality, but we hope significant attention has been given to the ILX’s cabin: The cheap-feeling interior in the ILX’s Civic sibling is a big disappointment. Honda heard us —and the rest of the car-buying public—and is fast-tracking updates said to enrich the experience. That hopefully bodes well for the ILX’s trappings. Acura previously announced that the ILX would get three powertrain configurations. A 2.0-liter four making 150 to 160 hp will be paired exclusively with an automatic transmission. The enthusiast’s choice will be the 200-ish-hp, 2.4-liter four sold only with a six-speed manual gearbox. Finally, an ILX hybrid will be offered and borrow its 1.5-liter four from the Civic hybrid ; the electric motor probably will be shared with the Honda, too. Exact specs for the three powerplants should accompany the car’s official debut. As for the ILX’s sheetmetal, it should be nearly identical to that of the Detroit concept. A few of the smallest details—wheels, the shape of the side mirrors—could change, but in essence, what we saw is what we’ll get. It looks decent in person, and the Civic roots aren’t obvious. While we and...

With a tight economy, every penny counts when you’re looking to buy a car. To get the most for your money, consider buying used. Even though it may not be factory fresh, you can get a pre-owned model that is efficient, safe, and likely reliable. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, we have identified some of the best used deals under $10,000. Typically the winter months are a slow time for car buying and that’s why it’s a perfect time to get a good deal on a used car. The key to savings with buying used is that the original owner takes the initial depreciation hit, as new cars lose much more value in the first and second years than those that follow. If you can focus on models made in the last few years, you’ll find that many have the latest safety equipment (such as curtain air bags and stability control) and are still affordable. When shopping, look for cars that scored well in Consumer Reports’ tests when new, have proven reliability, and perform well in government and insurance industry crash tests. Before handing over the cash, have the vehicle inspected by a trained and trusted mechanic to make sure there are no hidden problems—this is a particular concern these days, as many car owners admit to scrimping on maintenance and repairs. Check out our top deals on recommended vehicles from the 2006 model year. All models have 75,000 miles and we ranked the vehicles in order of the price you might be able to get when buying from the dealer. The models listed below are between 30- and 55-percent less than the retail price when the vehicle was new. Plus, all of the models have at least average reliability according to our latest subscriber survey. As the chart illustrates, the difference between trade-in value and buying the used-car from a dealership is the potential negotiation range. The last two columns show the potential savings as a percentage when comparing buying from a private owner versus a dealership. Your local pricing may vary, due to availability and quality, but these figures demonstrate the possible savings and can inform your negotiation. See our complete list of used-car deals across a variety of vehicle categories. Make & model MSRP (new) Selling to dealer (avg price) Buying from dealer...

In most places within North America, auto insurance represents one of the most costly ongoing expenses attached to automotive ownership. A monthly or annual cost that varies wildly between driver, we barely understand the number of factors affecting our individual insurance rate. Driver’s age, gender and history behind the wheel plays the key part in establishing what we need to pay in order to venture on roadways legally. Besides the human factor, your chosen automobile also weighs on the determination for the insurance premium amount. While the calculations of auto insurance quotes differ between companies and policies, a car-insurance.com chart cited that the vehicle accounts for thirteen percent of a driver’s rate. When buying a new car, we assume that a 2012 Porsche 911′s  sporty agility will drive car insurance coverage reasonably higher than a fuel-efficient economy car . As automotive consumers, we can assume (often with some certainty) that certain vehicles are high risk for collision. In the case of auto insurance companies, more scientific data collection assists in the conclusion of vehicle rates. Founded in 1959 as a non-profit organization meant to study vehicle and drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has spawned to cover an array of automotive safety-related topics including new car crash testing . In the 1970s, the IIHS created the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) designed specifically to collect and examine information on human as well as financial loss in automobile accidents. One aspect researched by the IIHS and HLDI is the insurance losses based on a specific vehicle. Among six different types of insurance (Collision, liability, comprehensive, personal injury, medical and bodily injury), the IIHS records the comparable losses of almost every popular newer vehicle. For the most recent vehicle data based on 2008 to 2010 model year products, data showed that the Scion tC topped the list as the highest overall insurance loss. As an import sports vehicle, the Scion tC caters to younger, riskier group of drivers therefore leading to worse than average insurance loss. In addition, being a Japanese-built vehicle, the collision insurance costs would be understandably high for North American drivers. Since introduction,...

As the nation debates adopting a 54.5 mpg fuel economy standard for 2025, California is planning to leap ahead once again in requiring greener vehicles than does the federal government. Under federal law, California has a special exemption to set tighter air-quality regulations than the rest of the nation. (Its warm climate and geography may be particularly friendly to beachgoers, but unfortunately is also particularly hospitable to smog.) In this case, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is planning to tighten air pollution standards 75 percent by 2025. This governs exhaust pollution such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, particulate matter, and unburned fuel, as well as vapor emissions from refueling and fuel system leaks. CARB standards also govern emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that can only be controlled by reducing fuel consumption. The state has signed onto a bargain with the Obama administration to set these targets at the same levels as the federal government’s 54.5 mpg requirement, as long as that rule goes through. But the state is increasing the number of “zero-emissions vehicles” it will require automakers to sell to meet the requirement from about 4 percent to about 15 percent of all vehicles sold in the state. In total it would require automakers to sell about 1.4 million plug-in hybrid, electric, and fuel-cell vehicles in the state by 2023. The bulk of these, about 900,000 would be plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma. CARB will create a new designation for these plug-in hybrids: Transitional Zero Emission Vehicles, or TZEVs. Meanwhile, Arizona has announced it will pull out of the coalition of 15 states that follow California standards, saying higher national fuel economy standards make it unnecessary. Learn more about fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles . Original post: California plans to tighten emissions standards, raise EV requirements

Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota have a commanding lead in car brand awareness, as determined from interviewing car owners for the 2012 Car Brand Perception Survey . In conducting our random, nationwide perception survey, we ask car owners to name the automotive brands they are aware of–this determines our baseline. By dividing the total number of times that a particular make was mentioned as an exemplar across seven car-buying factors by awareness, we can compensate for awareness in calculating the brand perception score. This ensures every brand has an equal chance of leading a category, not just the best-selling or most well-known brands. While not the focus of the survey, looking at just awareness does provide insight into the industry. The leaders this year mirror the rank order from 2011, although the scores have edged up slightly. Ford (87 percent), Chevrolet (76 percent), and Toyota (70 percent) have a clear advantage over other brands. With 57-percent awareness, Honda fits between the three top-ranked brands and those that form a third tier with scores in the 40s. In the middle of the pack, we see that Chrysler and Dodge have made significant advances, climbing six and 12 percentage points, respectively. The company’s reinvigorated product line and aggressive marketing seems to be working, along with recurring coverage in national media regarding restructuring efforts. Similar gains were made by many other brands, as well. BMW, Hyundai, GMC, and Volkswagen all improved by at least 10 points. We’ve seen that as perception index scores have dropped almost universally, the leaders were brought closer to the mid-pack brands. This suggests that consumers see fewer brands dominating car-buying factors even if the companies are know for safety, quality, or performance. Instead, consumers are recognizing that many brands excel in the seven factors explored in the survey, and consequently, automakers face a tougher struggle to stand out. In the chart below, we list those brands whose awareness was 30 percent or greater in the latest survey. Awareness Brand 2012 (%) 2011 (%) Ford 87 85 Chevrolet 76 75 Toyota 70 68 Honda 57 52 Chrysler 45 39 Dodge 43 31 Cadillac 38 32 Mercedes-Benz 36 30 Nissan 36 29 Hyundai 35 25 GMC 33 23 Buick 32 28 Lexus 31 23 Kia...

The electric-car movement is gaining momentum, with both BMW and Honda charging ahead toward putting their electron-powered vehicles on the street. To that end, Honda delivered a Fit EV to Torrance, California, on Friday. Home to Honda’s North American headquarters, the city is playing a key role in gaining real-world data from Fit EV drivers. Over the past year, Honda has worked with Torrance to identify local charge locations and gain feedback from residents about related issues. Honda will also work with Google and Stanford University to gain further driver feedback. This electric version of the Honda Fit is powered by a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor derived from the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle . Honda claims the Fit EV has a 123-mile maximum driving range, or a 76-mile range in combined city and highway use. Efficiency is aided by a user-controlled, three-mode system like that used in the Honda CR-Z hybrid . Drivers can select Economy, Normal, or Sport to bolster efficiency or performance. Honda says the differences are an increase of 17 percent in driving range with the Economy mode over the Normal mode and 25 percent better than Sport mode. In Sport mode, the performance is adjusted for improved acceleration. To help further conserve energy, a dashboard display can help the driver determine when to shut off accessories such as the air conditioning or radio to save electricity. Drivers will also be able to connect via a smart phone or computer to manage the vehicle’s energy use, though hopefully not when behind the wheel. A pocket remote also allows connectivity to the vehicle. With these tools, drivers will be able to check charge, start a charge, or activate air conditioning, as well as provide charging alerts to help with utility rates, a 24-hour roadside assistance, and a charging station locator. The battery can be charged in 12 hours when using 120-volt outlet and around six hours with a 240-volt outlet. The Fit EV will be available to consumers in California and Oregon this summer. Go here to see the original:  Honda delivers first electric Fit

While in Japan for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show , we visited Honda’s Twin Ring Motegi racing facility to see some of the company’s future products. Among them was a plug-in hybrid system, a prototype of which was installed in a current-generation Accord. While the car we drove is just a development mule, we can confidently say that a hybrid like this one will be part of the lineup when the next-generation Accord debuts for the 2013 model year. Keep Reading: Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid – Prototype Drive More here: Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Prototype Drive: A Highway Hybrid? The rest is here:  Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Prototype Drive: A Highway Hybrid?

Can the V's versatility and fuel economy reshape the crossover segment? Doe the V make any sort of sense? So a friend of mine called yesterday to ask my opinion about the new Toyota Prius V, particularly regarding battery life, an interesting bit of synchronicity since I covered this subject in a post yesterday. Ultimately, my friend — let’s call him Stan — is considering the Prius V and the Honda CR-V. Now I’ve written in the past that I really like the V, but I wouldn’t pay more for it compared to a conventional Prius without a third row of seating, but my friend and his growing family, sees things a bit differently. Stan doesn’t just need seating for 4, he needs lots of extra room for a stroller, baby bags, maybe some groceries, etc. Stan needs more than just your average trunk, and he was drawn immediately to the Honda CR-V. In fact, he probably would have bought the CR-V immediately, if not for one serious flaw — at least in Stan’s opinion — poor fuel economy. Unlike most Americans whom seem to be consumed with highway fuel economy these days, at least judging by the plethora of commercials touting highway fuel efficiency, Stan is a hardcore urban driver. There are no highway miles in Stan’s daily grind, but there plenty of congested streets to counter. Consequently, Stan is looking only at city numbers when it comes to MPGs. Due to his concern regarding fuel economy, Stan decided to give the larger Toyota Prius V a try. According to the EPA, the Toyota Prius V comes in at 42 mpg city, while the CR-V hits 23 mpg. For average drivers, or 45 percent city and 55 percent highway, Prius V owners would save about $750 dollars per year in fuel costs compared to the CR-V, but most of Stan’s miles will be city miles — tough city miles — so I’d say the number is more like a $1000+. But this is a large, oddly shaped hatchback versus a small SUV or crossover, and a comparison just isn’t simple. Well, that’s the comparison Stan is making, so we’re going to make it as well. Hence, to be sure, the Honda CR-V offers both more passenger room and cargo room, about 131 cubic feet to 139 cubic feet, and CR-V starts at just a little over $22,000, while the smaller Prius...

A tiny car to slot beneath the Chevrolet Sonic , the upcoming Spark aims at city dwellers and young buyers on a budget. It is powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and an estimated 85-hp. It will come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed automatic being optional. The wheelbase is a little over 93 inches and the car measures 143 inches in length, making it notably smaller than the Honda Fit (with its 98-inch wheelbase and 162-inch length). Although narrow, think of it as a roomy alternative to a Fiat 500 or Scion iQ. The cabin is best described as cheap and cheerful, aided by body-color accents. The 1LT and 2LT models include Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with a large seven-inch touchscreen. The system features Bluetooth and is compatible with Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio. Cargo space is enhanced by the 60/40-split rear seats and a variety of interior storage compartments. Roof rails will be optional. With such a small car, safety is a natural concern. The Spark features include 10 air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, plus OnStar. Fuel economy has not yet been announced. We’ll buy one mid year, after it goes on sale, to see how this diminutive hatchback measures up. Read the original post:  2012 Detroit auto show video: 2013 Chevrolet Spark

In Detroit , we took another look at the upcoming 2013 Ford Escape to share our initial impressions as the upcoming crossover continues to make the rounds on the show circuit. Ford’s popular Escape SUV is thoroughly redesigned for the 2013 model year, better positioning it to compete with the latest crop of small sport/utes . Along with the sleeker appearance, the new Escape boasts a number of new features and technologies, although it won’t offer a hybrid or V6 variation. The Escape will come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but two other fuel-efficient engines are offered–a 2.0-liter or 1.6-liter EcoBoost. Fuel economy on the EcoBoost engines is claimed to be 5 mpg better than the outgoing model. The Escape will come with a hands-free power liftgate enabled by motion under the center of the rear bumper and the upgraded Sync with MyFord Touch infotainment system is also standard. The SUV will also have park assist, blind-spot sensors, curve control, and torque control. These latter systems will help slow the vehicle when cornering and accelerate through a turn. The new Escape promises to have more cargo room and more space behind the first and second rows and the rear seats and head restraints fold flat with a touch of a button. The SUV also has a new 4WD system for improved handling on and off-road. We look forward to buying one next summer one it goes on sale and see how it compares against the latest, small SUVs. For a preview of the new Escape, check out the video below. Originally posted here:  2012 Detroit auto show video: 2013 Ford Escape

Honda is currently developing a Civic SUV crossover which will meet head on the successful Nissan Qashqai. The Japanese car manufacturer is also hoping to boost its profits in Europe especially in the UK where their sales figures have dropped by as much as 50% in the last three years. The new Honda crossover will be a blend of Civic and the CR-V. We do not know yet how this new Honda crossover will be called but it will be using a tweaked version of the platform used by the Honda Civic. The new Civic SUV will be sold starting 2013. We can expect the design lines of the new Honda Civic with details like the narrow headlamps or the soft lines of the wheelarches. The front end of the vehicle might borrow elements from the concept car called Skydeck MPV with the underbody guard. For the interior, the crossover will be having rear flip up seats. According to initial reports the new Honda crossover will have a higher riding clearance and will be easy to handle, thanks to its Civic influences. The stiff subframe on the rear plus the bushes filled with fluid help keep the handling sharp and the ride smoother. Honda will put its 1.6L i-DTEC powerplant under the hood of the crossover. It is capable of giving out 118bhp with a torque of 300 NM. The carbon dioxide emission is at 110 grams for every kilometer while the fuel mileage is reported to be at 70 miles per gallon. The efficiency might be attributed to a well designed power steering setup and a stop start system. The more potent 147 bhp 2.2L i-DTEC powerplant will also be available plus another option to go for the 1.8L gasoline dependent engine that gives out 138 bhp. Honda will have their marketing centered on their new generation of hybrid technologies which we might see being used on this newcomer. There could be an electric motor on the rear wheels to give it an all wheel drive version. The Japanese car manufacturer is also working on plug-in hybrid setup for their bigger vehicles, and according to some source the new crossover might get this. The crossover is expected to have a tag price around the area of £17,000. It might hit the showrooms by next year. Read the original: Honda works on Civic SUV crossover

Car drivers are feeling so pinched by the cost of motoring that they’re switching to scooters en masse. Or at least that appears to be the case, based on figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association, which show a spike in scooter sales. Figures show a 12 percent rise in new scooter transactions in 2011, despite motorcycle sales falling during the same year, and scooter sales having fallen by almost ten percent the previous year (2010). The sales charts show that while there was a 20 percent rise in 125cc scooter sales specifically, there was a 32 percent drop in the sales of powerful sport motorcycles. Quoted in The Guardian , Gary Thomas of Scootering magazine said: “The last time I remember such huge scooter sales figures was about 10-12 years ago when new automatic technology meant that all manufacturers came out with a wealth of new models. “I suspect this time it is about cost. It is often two-car households who have decided that one of them will trade their car in for a scooter. The congestion charge also has an impact on people’s decision, as does the price of petrol.” Scooter sales in the capital are, naturally, on the up, with Peugeot and Honda reporting jumps of around 60- and 40 percent respectively. Peugeot believes it is fuel costs that are prompting the switch from cars to scooters, as well as parking charges, which are dramatically reduced (often free) with a scooter. New car sales were down by 4.4 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, with 1.94m sold in the UK, though with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders having predicted 1.92m sales, that’s seen as a good result. Diesel car sales surpassed petrol car sales for the first time ever in the UK in 2011 – more proof that vehicle running costs are higher than ever on the agenda.   Read the original here: Car running costs forcing drivers onto scooters More here:  Car running costs forcing drivers onto scooters