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Despite 8.1% decline in sales, Ford, Mercury, Lincoln brands show life

Ford's sales fell 8.1% in June compared to the same month a year ago, but the company said in a news release that it was the first month since October 2006 that the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brands posted a combined retail sales increase, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Retail sales exclude fleet sales, where vehicles are sold in bulk at discount to rental car companies and other businesses. As such, retail sales are considered a better gauge of true customer demand and future profits.

Posted by   at 2:25 PM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0

Chrysler recalls 80,000 Jeep Wranglers, Dodge Nitros

Chrysler said today it was recalling more than 80,000 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro sport utility vehicles in the United States because of possible engine stalling, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Chrysler Group, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, said the recall would allow dealers to reprogram a power module to remove the potential for a brief interruption of electrical power to the instrument panel and the engine.

Posted by   at 2:24 PM to Chrysler , Safety | Permalink | Comments 0

Price at the pump drops again, but what's next?

The average price of regular, self-serve gasoline in Rhode Island as of yesterday was $2.919 a gallon, down a penny from last week, according to the state’s Office of Energy Resources, according to the Providence Journal. The price has dropped a total of 16 cents over the past four weeks.

And the average price is 9 cents lower than it was at this time last year.

But looking further back, gasoline clearly has become awfully expensive. Two years ago, the fuel was a relative bargain at $2.289 a gallon. A trip from Providence to Acadia National Park in Maine will now cost about $101 in gasoline, compared with $79 during the July 4 holiday week in 2005.

Experts say they are not sure which way gasoline prices are headed, as there are conflicting signals that indicate prices could go up or down.

Posted by   at 2:21 PM to Gas prices | Permalink | Comments 0

Tuning in ‘24’ While Heading Down the Highway

The prevalence of rear seat DVD players has already made the road trip game I Spy seem as quaint as Howdy Doody. But endless viewings of “Shrek 2” or “Over the Hedge” can generate boredom in the back seat, too, which is why the next big thing for in-car entertainment may be live TV, accoding to the New York Times.

Posted by   at 12:29 PM to On the road , Popular culture | Permalink | Comments 0

In Rear-End Crash Test, Most Trucks Fail to Stop Neck Injury

More than 60 percent of light trucks tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have been found to provide inadequate protection against neck injuries in a rear-end crash, the most common type of accident, according to the New York Times.

Of 87 models evaluated, 21 received the highest rating, according to results scheduled for release Tuesday by the insurance institute. Fifty-four vehicles, or 62 percent, failed the test, which measures how well the head and neck restraints on seats guard against whiplash when the vehicle is struck from behind.

Posted by   at 12:24 PM to Safety | Permalink | Comments 0

Chrysler, China's Chery to make partnership official

Chrysler and China's Chery Automobile will finalize a groundbreaking alliance Wednesday in Beijing that could result in the first Chinese-made vehicles being exported to the U.S. market, according to USA Today.

The Chinese government has cleared the deal, a spokesman for Chrysler said Tuesday. A formal signing ceremony in Beijing featuring Chrysler Chief Executive Tom LaSorda is scheduled for Wednesday, he said.

Posted by   at 11:57 AM to Chrysler | Permalink | Comments 0

Big 3 fire up incentives for July 4th

Detroit's Big Three automakers are rolling out some of their most appealing discounts of the year this holiday week, counting heavily on 0% financing to lure debt-strapped consumers, according to USA Today.

Posted by   at 11:52 AM to Chrysler , Ford , GM , Sales | Permalink | Comments 0