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Cars.com: Searches show high interest in Nissan Rogue

CHICAGO - The Nissan Rogue was the most popular new-car introduction in terms of consumer searches on Cars.com in 2007, according to the most recent Cars.com Consumer Search Index.

The 2008 Nissan Rogue was followed in popularity among Cars.com shoppers by the Infiniti G37, Buick Enclave and Dodge Avenger.

"Nissan finally got into the compact crossover/SUV market in 2007 and has received positive reviews for the all-new Rogue," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. "With gas prices being so high, smaller crossover vehicles like the Rogue are likely to remain popular. We see this playing out in the search behavior of shoppers on Cars.com."

Below is the complete list of the 10 most popular new-car introductions on Cars.com in 2007.

1 Nissan Rogue

2 Infiniti G37

3 Buick Enclave

4 Dodge Avenger

5 Ford Taurus X

6 Volvo C30

7 Scion xD

8 Land Rover LR2

9 Pontiac G8

10 Ford Taurus

To be eligible for the list, a car had to be a completely new '08 model that was introduced to consumers in 2007. The list was generated by calculating each car's average number of monthly searches since it was made available to consumers on Cars.com.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:14 AM to Nissan | Permalink | Comments 0

Ford says it could shrink more before it rebounds

Ford Motor Co. might not be done shrinking, according to the Detroit Free Press.

A weakening U.S. economy, aggravated by aggressive expansion and price discounting by foreign-owned rivals, could mean further declines before Ford is able to stabilize sales and production levels and begin growing again, Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said Tuesday evening.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:06 AM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0

Chrysler aims to trim rentals

Already bracing for a slowing U.S. market, Chrysler LLC wants to reduce sales of vehicles to government and commercial buyers, such as rental-car companies, by perhaps as many as 200,000 autos this year, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The newly private automaker is undergoing dramatic changes -- from slashing as many as 25,000 jobs to cutting nameplates -- and the change in its sales strategy is part of Chrysler's efforts to make it a retail-based company that relies on what Chrysler President Jim Press calls a "pull-driven system."

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:04 AM to Chrysler | Permalink | Comments 0

'Pimp my ride' turns into 'tech my ride'

LAS VEGAS — Having 12 TVs in your house: impressive. Having 12 TVs in your car: really impressive.

High-tech electronics are moving from the home to the garage, and some of the craziest car tech options are on display at the Consumer Electronics Show. Manufacturers are showing off DVD players, navigation systems, stereos and other devices for gadget-loving gearheads, according to USA Today.

They're chasing a growing market. Sales of electronics for automobiles are expected to reach $12.8 billion this year, a 12% increase from 2007, says the Consumer Electronics Association. "It's important to our customers," says Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical systems engineering for automaker Ford. "They see their vehicle as an extension of their home."

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:00 AM to Design | Permalink | Comments 0

Hyundai offers up luxury car

BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners are about to have a new luxury car choice. But they may flinch at the name: Hyundai, according to USA Today.

Hoping to find a market for thrifty rich people, Hyundai officially unveiled its $36,000 Genesis V-8-powered sedan Tuesday in South Korea, due to arrive in U.S. showrooms this summer.

Hyundai hopes Genesis will lure the well-heeled with curb appeal even if it lacks snob appeal.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:00 AM to Hyundai | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil Prices Rise on US Supply Concerns

VIENNA, Austria -- Oil prices rose Wednesday amid expectations a U.S. government report will show crude oil stockpiles fell last week, according to the Associated Press.

Prices were also supported by fears of further violence in Nigeria, the world's eighth-largest oil producer.

Analysts surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires predict crude inventories likely fell 800,000 barrels last week, while supplies of distillates, which include heating oil, likely fell 300,000 barrels. The U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration will release the report later Wednesday.

"That would be the eighth consecutive week of crude oil stock draws and U.S. crude oil inventories are already below the five year average for this time of the year," said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore.

Light, sweet crude for February delivery added 24 cents to $96.57 a barrel by afternoon in Europe in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.24 to settle at $96.33 a barrel on Tuesday.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:53 AM to Crude oil market | Permalink | Comments 0