2010 trends: high-tech toys, safety features, enhanced eco-consciousness. This year promises to be a fun one to watch the evolution of the automobile, with manufacturers making big strides in technology, design and “green” innovation. Here are five trends to watch for as the 2010 models start rolling into town.
Could change of motive power in cars alter the way cars are sold, run and used? We may, as this decade unfolds, find out. The internal combustion engine is far from dead. In fact, the competition of alternative propulsion systems and the spur of higher fuel costs has created a quiet revolution in engine design and economy.
It has already won a handful of awards, including the Carsguide green car of the year, but the biggest test for Ford’s Fiesta Econetic remains. Neil McDonald road tests and reviews the Ford Fiesta Econetic at its Australian launch.
But here at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show, a transformation of sorts seems to be under way. That fuzzy picture of a future we thought would never arrive is at last coming into focus.
Beijing Autos, also known as BAIC, said it plans to buy the rights to some powertrain technology for Saab’s 9-5 and 9-3 sedans, including engine and gearbox knowhow.
Unlike China, Russia and Brazil, where consumers buy a range of cars, from basic to luxury, Indians overwhelmingly prefer small, affordable cars. Nearly half of all cars sold in India — like Maruti Suzuki’s Swift, GM’s Spark and Hyundai’s Santro — fall into the basic category. These are cars so small they’re almost nonexistent in the U.S. market.
The numbers aswell announce the industry is continuing to recover, he said. Absolute sales for December, including agile and retail, are projected to appear in at 1,029,600 units, up 7 percent from December 2008, according to J.D. Power estimates. Automakers could column a doubledigit access in retail sales for December.
Natural gas stocks decline less than expected last week, the government said Thursday.
The Activity Department’s Activity Advice Administration said in its account address that accustomed gas inventories captivated in underground accumulator in the lower 48 states alone by 166 billion cubic anxiety to about 3.4 abundance cubic anxiety for the anniversary concluded Dec. 18.
US auto giant General Motors will not consider Dutch sportscar maker Spyker’s renewed bid for Saab and is planning to shut down the Swedish brand, a Swedish newspaper reported Thursday.
Sweden’s media reacted sceptically Thursday to Ford’s agreement to sell Volvo to China’s Geely, reflecting on the iconic Swedish brand’s future and the country’s once-great auto industry.