The grey 2010 Chevrolet Cruze is back with us again! It almost feels like I own this car, having driven it twice before, once for the initial review and once as a courtesy car from GM when they took away our Malibu long-termer for a week. This time, we’re getting to keep this car for an entire month, during which time we’ll settle down and play with its features further and explore its fuel economy capabilities. And just in time for Eid too.
While some say that car sales are picking up around the world, the recession is busy taking names and beating up stragglers in the automotive marketplace. Manufacturers are keen on cutting models that are underperforming in terms of sales, either because demand has subsided or because they were niche models in the first place. Here is a list of eight good cars that have either been confirmed for cancellation soon or have rumours circling in the media about their demise.
The Toyota Corolla, quite possibly the most popular car in the world, is being recalled in the U.S. over engine stalling issues. So far, the recall is only for 2005 to 2008 models built in the United States.
The Chevrolet Suburban is, or was, very popular in the United States and continues to be popular in GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, where the ability to carry your ten children over rugged terrain is a daily necessity. Surprisingly, the Chevrolet Suburban has been in existence for 75 long years, and GM estimates that up to 2.4 million have been built. General Motors decided to celebrate by bringing together all the iterations of the Suburban over the years for an American media jaunt, while conveniently ignoring the rebadged GMC version. Models from 1936, 1946, 1951, 1966, 1972, 1990,
Ford Racing, a division of Ford that occasionally offers factory racing parts and cars for purchase by the general U.S. public, has announced an all-new 2.3-litre twin-screw supercharger for the 2011 Ford Mustang GT that will make it more powerful than the Shelby GT500.
Ford has started offering various optional vinyl sticker packages for their models in the United States, and the latest model to “benefit” from this new programme is the 2011 Ford Mustang.
Fiat-owned Chrysler, on a roll since coming out of bankruptcy, has released information on the “new” 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. The barebones Jeep gets an all-new interior with “upgraded touch surfaces, occupant comfort and versatility”, as well as an all-new body-colour hard top for the Sahara model.
General Motors is voluntarily conducting a safety recall for 2009-2010 models of the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, all variations of the same platform, to inspect second-row safety belts for damage that in rare cases could make an occupant think the belt is properly latched when it isn’t.
It looks like reports of the demise of the Nissan Armada were premature. Nissan has just released details of the 2011 Armada in the United States. It remains unchanged, and still powered by a 317 hp 5.6-litre V8.
Ford says that in 1968, their management approved a special Mustang, a car that sacrificed nothing in its quest to be the best all-around road-going performance machine ever created by Ford Motor Company. That car became the sought-after 1969 Mustang Boss 302. Forty-two years later, the badge has been resurrected. With the millions of “special edition” Mustangs floating around, it is amazing that this badge didn’t pop up sooner.