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by Dan Roth on Jan 5th 2009 at 10:29AMEven when you (intend to) make the cheapest brand-new car in the world, you can’t escape an economic downturn. Global jitters and year-end hemming and hawing have conspired to slice Tata’s December sales figures nearly in half compared to a year ago. December is a traditionally slow month for auto sales as buyers try to put off expenditures until the next year (when incentives are more attractive on existing stock), but even accounting for the bargain hunters, this is a major drop. Everyone, everywhere is down, and Tata Motors stock has taken a beating thanks to the economy and costly external issues like plant troubles. (Read the full post about ‘Tata Motors sales plunge by nearly half’…)

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SLOUGH, United Kingdom – January 5, 2009: Citroën has made buying a brand new car even more affordable this January by extending its range of credit-crunch busting, value-for-money deals across the range. The Company are now offering a ‘No VAT’ deal on the Berlingo Multispace, C4, C4 Picasso, C8 and C-Crosser, whilst 0% finance is now available on C3, C3 Pluriel, C4, Xsara Picasso, C5 and C8.

The outstanding ‘No VAT’ deal means that the Company has slashed the 15% VAT on selected models giving customers the opportunity to save over £3,600 when buying their brand new Citroën.

A fantastic three years 0% finance is available with no deposit on some C3 and C4 models, and, new car buyers can now drive away a brand new C3, C3 Pluriel, C4, C5 or C8 with two years 0% finance.

(Read the full post about ‘Happy New Year From Citroen UK - Credit Crunching Deals On Offer In January 2009′…)

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This is probably the worst Nissan GT-R wreck we’ve seen yet. All that was reported was that this happened head-on at high-speed. Even worse was this car never got to live a full life; there was only 500 miles on the odometer.

This serves as a reminder on the old adage about all-wheel drive cars: they may have better handling, but they stop just the same as all the other cars.

Tags: sports cars, hot cars, Volkswagen, concept cars

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The next generation E-Class coupe was caught again. This time at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Maybe the car is taking the backroads to its premiere at March’s Geneva Motor Show?

This latest shot continues to suggest that this coupe will use the CLK-inspired deleted B-pillar design to achieve a stylish hardtop convertible look. When the production car arrives in 2010, we expect Mercedes to offer a wide variety of V6 and V8 engines, including a 525 hp 6.3-liter V8 for the E63 AMG model.

Tags: car news, hot cars, sports cars, Mercedes

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NORTH RYDE, Australia – January 5, 2009: Volvo Car Australia has announced pricing for its groundbreaking new XC60 which is due to be launched in March.

The svelte new Volvo will come in petrol and turbodiesel form and will be priced competitively in the premium SUV segment with an opening recommended retail price of less than $60,000.

The technology-packed XC60 is also the safest Volvo ever. It comes to Australia to redefine expectations of medium-size SUVs with new levels of handling and roadholding, as well as a large, cleverly designed interior that caters brilliantly for customers seeking an all-purpose luxury lifestyle vehicle.

The Volvo XC60 will enter the Australian market with the choice of two powerful and efficient engines.

(Read the full post about ‘Volvo Australia Announces Pricing for New XC60′…)

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by Noah Joseph on Jan 4th 2009 at 2:07PMIf you live in Arizona, you might want to take a run down to the garage and check your license plate, because as of January 1, a new law has been implemented that makes it illegal to cover the word “Arizona” on your tags.The state legislature initially passed the law way back in 2006, but delayed its implementation until now. Fines for covering the state’s name on a number plate will vary from city to city, but they’re expected to average around $135 plus court fees. (Read the full post about ‘PSA: Don’t mess with Arizona…license plates’…)

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Auto Express Car Reviews 05th January 2009 Daihatsu is aiming to beat the January blues by offering five-year’s free servicing with all its Terios models.Cars registered between 1st January 2009 and 31st March 2009 will be eligible. The package completes the firm’s robust aftersales car package. All cars already offer a five year unlimited mileage warranty together with five year’s roadside assistance.Prices starts at just £12,725 for the all-wheel drive Terios S, while standard equipment includes air conditioning, reverse parking sensors, electric mirrors, electric windows front and rear and remote central locking.With its high seating position offering great visibility, spacious interior and large boot, the Terios is a practical supermini, while its four-wheel drive system offers plenty of grip on slippery roads. (Read the full post about ‘Take a look at Terios - Free Servicing’…)

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BOOK REVIEW
By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Detroit Bureau

Sirens of Chrome; The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models
By Margery Krevsky With Maureen McDonald

Another wonderfully entertaining book has crossed my desk. This one is Margery Krevsky’s celebration of another form of beauty surrounding automobiles called Sirens of Chrome: The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models. Krevsky co-founded an agency that specializes in selecting and training models – both men and women – to embellish, describe and promote automobiles at the major shows around the world.

(Read the full post about ‘Sirens of Chrome - The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models’…)

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Shanghai, January 4, 2009: (Gasgoo.com) The Chinese government has finished drawing up policies to stimulate the steel and automobile industries, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday. He said the government is working on “a basket of measures” to stimulate market demands and prevent the economy from an excessive slowdown.

The nation’s economic stimulus measures will go beyond the announced 4-trillion-yuan ($586 billion) package as more industry-specific policies are rolled out, Premier Wen said on Jan. 2 during his visit to Qingdao, a manufacturing and export hub in Shandong province.

(Read the full post about ‘Premier: Plans Worked Out To Boost Auto Industry’…)

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Efforts to Scrap Older Cars Targeted for Inclusion in Economic Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 2, 2009) –SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is actively opposing an effort by some Congressional lawmakers to include a nationwide “Cash for Clunkers” program in the economic stimulus package currently being considered in Washington. Cash for Clunkers, or scrappage as it is more commonly known, would use taxpayer dollars to purchase and crush older vehicles into blocks of scrap metal. There is no evidence that the program will achieve the goal of boosting new car sales.

Many states have considered these programs in the past as a way to help clean the air but abandoned the effort because they simply don’t work.

(Read the full post about ‘SEMA Opposes U.S. Gov’t “CASH FOR CLUNKER” Program’…)

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