For reasons that everyone is aware of, American carmakers have been shutting down and idling plants that make trucks and SUVs. According to AutoSavant, however, Ford is not going to simply shutter plants, it is going to retool some of them to build its Euro-market cars for the American market.

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India has announced that fuel prices are going to be raised by 10 percent. The state-owned oil companies had no other option but adapt pump prices in response to the increase of crude oil prices in international markets. According to an article in Autoplus, gas stations in New Dehli were selling gasoline at 45.52 rupee and diesel at 31.76 per liter. That's about $1 and $0.75 (U.S.) per liter, respectively. Unlike Europe and the U. S., the price of fuel in India is regulated by the government, although prices differ from state to state.

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There's nothing like a real-life introduction to get the love sparks flying. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand happened to be in Japan the other day when she was invited to take a ride in the all-electric i MiEV from Mitsubishi. She found the ride through the Tokyo streets "smooth" and thought it was the perfect automotive solution for her own island country. "If they can get it into mass production and get the price down this would be an incredibly popular urban car," she said.

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Over in Europe, midsize cars like the Opel Vectra, Renault Laguna and Ford Mondeo have long been offered in multiple body configurations including four-door sedans, station wagons and, of course, five-door hatchbacks. Unlike Americans, who for some reason are averse to a fifth body opening unless the vehicle rides 4 to 6 inches higher than it should, Europeans have always appreciated the extra utility. The Opel Vectra is being replaced this summer by the redesigned and renamed Insignia, but so far we've only seen photos (either spy pics or official GM shots) of the four-door sedan that will likely land here later next year as the next Saturn Aura.

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If Consumer Reports is right, Volkswagen is well on its way to attaining its dream of outselling Toyota by 2015. In the magazine's June 2008 issue, CR threw a handful of hatchbacks into the ring and the VW Rabbit hopped out the winner. The magazine cited the Rabbit's "very well finished" interior for its class, agility, braking and transmission as reasons to choose it over a growing field of small hatchbacks. CR also expects the Rabbit to have an "above average" reliability record.

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It has been a while but there is finally news of the Pininfarina / Bolloré electric car project. First the good news. According to Channel 4 it will be sold in America as well as Europe and Japan. The bad news? There is no bad news, only more juicy tidbits like; the concept will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and once we get our heads around that, the production model reveal is scheduled for the Geneva Auto Show in the Spring.

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Business Week is reporting that Volkswagen is re-thinking export of Scirocco sporty coupe, despite its readiness for U.S. standards, due to the falling dollar against the euro. Scirocco was a hit at Geneva show, but there is no profitability in U.S. market, says VW.

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Now that the city of London has voted out "red Ken" in favor of Conservative candidate Boris Johnson, it is expected that the congestion charge scheme may undergo some changes. One electric car company, NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine), is showing no fear and is sounding positive about the future with their new mayor.

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The Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP, French Oil Institute), has introduced a natural gas-powered car which reduces its CO₂ emissions down to 84 g/km. The prototype, called Vehgan, was made from a standard older model Smart Fortwo with several technologies added to reduce fuel consumption. First of all, there is a downsized engine which uses a turbo and an intercooler, in this case, optimized for use with natural gas. Then, the powertrain is mated to a Valeo StARS 14V+X hybrid system, for which the IFP developed a new management process to minimize fuel consumption. This mild hybrid system has a Start&Stop function and features regenerative braking.

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Testing done recently in the UK shows that the cheap seats used in many small cars are compromising occupant safety by increasing the likelihood of whiplash. Unfortunately, the most likely vehicles to suffer accidents likely to cause whiplash - low-speed traffic collisions - are the vehicles intended to be used most in major cities.

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Lancia’s portfolio is set to expand with several hot models supposedly making a return. Names like Aurelia and Delta are currently being tossed around the rumor mill, and AutoExpress is reporting that the brand will return to the UK with a new flagship model based on Maserati’s new GranTurismo.
Likely to revive the Aurelia badge with [...]

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Updated and revised for 2007, the Mazda3 is offered in 4-Door i and s sedan and 5-Door configurations. Common features for both models include a body-color front grille and a redesigned front bumper with square fog lamps. In addition, 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels have been redesigned to convey an image of stability. Interior enhancements for ’07 include added rear armrests with integrated cup holders for rear seat occupants, and the rear cargo space has been modified for larger cargo. Audio systems upgrades include auxiliary input and 12-volt power outlets standard. The MAZDA3 148 horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the 5-door, and is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic tranny. A 2.3-liter 4-banger with 156 horses is standard on the 4-door models, and comes linked to the manual, or a 5-speed automatic shifter. Beginning with the ‘07 model, the MAZDASPEED3 becomes the flagship of the MAZDA3 range, and one hot front-wheel drive compact with lightweight body and more than 250 horsepower from the turbocharged 2.3-liter engine.

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Kia debuted the Rondo SX Concept at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Rondo is based on the current-generation Kia Optima platform, and the SX Concept version has a ride height that’s been lowered 3-inches. Finished in a sophisticated 4-stage metallic gray exterior color, the concept includes a larger lower air intake, an integrated SX-styled front fascia, new brake cooling ducts as well as a restyled metal-mesh-insert front grille to match. Likewise, the rear fascia received a metal-mesh vent insert; a diffuser and dual exhaust outlets. Roof rails, which are standard on most Rondo models, have been removed. On the inside, the SX Concept is enhanced with black leather, gray leather and contrasting red leather trim. Under the concept car’s hood is a 2.7-liter V-6 that is enhanced with a cold-air intake and a cat-back exhaust system to boost the engine’s output to 192 horsepower.

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A fresh face has been added to the Kia product lineup with the release of the all-new 2007 Rondo. The Rondo’s exterior features smooth surfaces and clean lines, and can be ordered with optional fender flares, front/rear/side fascia extensions, a lower rear spoiler, an upper rear spoiler, as well as roof rack crossbars. Available in LX and EX trim levels, the Rondo will accommodate 5-passenger, or 7 travelers with optional 3rd-row seating. Under the hood of the front-wheel drive Rondo is either a 162 horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter V-6 that produces 182 horses.



Standard transmission on the LX is the 4-speed automatic whereas the EX is equipped with a 5-speed automatic, both with Sportmatic shift. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 5,000 lbs, and with rear seatbacks folded flat, the Rondo offers 31.7-cu. ft of cargo volume. Interior refinements include woven seat fabric on the LX, and Double Raschel seat material for the EX models. A leather package is available with heated seats.

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Basking in the successful launch of the Rio5 subcompact hatchback last year, Kia continues the design and engineering make over with the 2007 model. Improved ride and handling characteristics on the Rio5 are due partially to the 3.5-inch increased wheelbase. The front-wheel drive Rio5 dimensions denote a 5-passenger cabin and with seatbacks lowered, 49.6-cubic feet of cargo space. A gain of 6-horsepower ups the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder to 110 ponies, and the engine comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Additional refinements for ‘07 include revised 14- and 15-inch alloy wheel designs, new manual and automatic transmission shift knobs and the addition of an illuminated ignition surround. Front-wheel disc brakes are standard on the Rio5, and antilock brakes with 4-wheel disc brakes are optional equipment for the Rio5 SX.

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