Car Chute

Porsche, Kia and Vauxhall have all been lauded by Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond in his top ten motors of 2011.

Writing for The Mirror, Hammond picked two cars from each manufacturer, thereby accounting for over half of his list. Models from General Motor’s Chevrolet brand, France’s Renault and Hyundai also got a look in.

Firstly, Hammond placed the Porsche Caymen R and Porsche 911 GTS in his top one and two spots. The high ranking position may be of interest to those thinking ‘I want to sell my Porsche’ for a premium, as Hammond’s sweeping endorsement is sure to inflate the cars’ values somewhat.

He praised the Caymen R over the S-model for its lighter weight and better handling, while the 911 GTS got props for its affordability and “sexy single-nut wheels”.

The Kia Picanto was then hailed as the new Fiesta or Corsa, coming in third. Its sister car, the Rio, got the presenter’s instant thumbs up too, thanks to it being made by the same man that brought the Audi TT to the motoring world.

On the Vauxhalls, Hammond said that they’d finally made them “attractive”, hailing both the Astra GTC and hybrid Ampera.

“These days Vauxhall makes ?attractive cars. This is one of the best,” he wrote of the Astra GTC which tussled for the best Small Family Car award in What Car?’s Car of the Year Competition earlier this year, according to Motoring.co.uk.

“It looks low yet there’s room for four. The best thing, apart from its looks, is the way it drives. Its suspension was developed in Britain so it can handle our bumpy Tarmac. A VXR version is coming in 2012. Should be a belter,” he quipped.

Besides the aforementioned, Hammond also included the Chevrolet Camaro, Renault Megane Trophy 265, Lamborghini Aventador and the Hyundai i40 estate, in his top 10 for 2011.

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Yes here we are, on the dawn of a new year for the local automotive and marine industries in the Charleston area.

Sure it would be great to look ahead, but my crystal ball is in the shop.

It’s safe to predict a few things: people will buy and retailers will sell cars and trucks and boats in 2012. Lots of them.

Look for hybrids and electric vehicles to boost their presence. Fiat may open a Lowcountry outlet at some point. And expect a surprise or two involving area car dealerships (isn’t that always the case). Gas prices will rise, and will fall. Expect rates to stay between $3 and $4 a gallon by year’s end (Wow, that’s going out on a limb).

In the boating business, look for calmer seas than in past years. Local manufacturing should pick up a bit, and dealers will boost sales. As with car outlets, boat dealers may play some merry-go-round, too.

Provided

Tommy Baker (left), president of Baker Motor Co., and Miller Cadillac chief Sumter deBrux get together after Baker Motor acquired the venerable Mount Pleasant Cadillac dealership this fall.

OK, that’s it. My divining rod got run over by a reindeer, my tea leaves fell down the trash disposal.

All I’ve got left is a look back. In the words of a famous Japanese philosopher (Godzilla?), those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. (What’s that again? I wasn’t paying attention).

So here’s a slightly offbeat look at the wheels and waves field in 2011, using the trite but true A to Z method:

A – Anderson (and Ford F-150). In an unofficial Post and Courier contest to name the state car and truck, voters choose the kingpin F-150 as pickup and the Anderson, a well-built Rock Hill model from the 1920s, as state car. Hmm, with a little luck York County could have been the Detroit of the South. Then again, probably not.

B – Baker, buyer of Miller Cadillac. Baker Motor Co. last month took over the long-time Cadillac dealership in Mount Pleasant held by the Miller family. Baker and Miller. Is this a car dealer transaction or a food show?

C – Chump Car Series. Old Saturns from Hendrick Imports were donated to auto shops at Stratford High and Garrett Academy of Technology who fixed them up from “beaters” to fine-looking, hard-charging cars. In a race this spring in the Chump Car series for fixed-up, low cost vehicles, Garrett’s Saturn outdueled Stratford’s. No word yet on a rematch.

Photo by Leroy Burnell

The Post and Courier

The Chevrolet Volt has a plug-in slot

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Hickory, NC, December 31, 2011 –(PR.com)– Hendrick Motors BMW offers several different financing options to help their customers take home their favorite BMW. Right now, customers can receive available credit and a 0.9% annual percentage rate on select 2012 BMW models.

For those drivers who are interested in excellent handling and an upscale cabin, the 2012 BMW 328i coupe is a great choice. Hendrick Motors BMW is offering qualified customers a financing offer of 0.9% APR with $1,000 available credit.

The 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i offers drivers a sporty ride with great fuel economy, achieving up to 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. Hendrick Motors BMW is offering qualified buyers a financing offer of 0.9% APR for 24 months with an optional $1,730 credit and $1,000 credit available.

With top safety scores, high-tech features, and a fuel-efficient turbocharged engine, the 2012 BMW 528i is a top pick sedan. Hendrick Motors BMW is offering qualified buyers a financing offer of 0.9% APR for 24 months, a $1,730 option credit, and a $1,000 credit.

The 2012 BMW 640i convertible is equipped with classy styling, a powerful engine, and a large trunk. Customers who are interested in financing this vehicle at Hendrick Motors BMW will enjoy 0.9% APR for 24 months, a $3,500 option allowance, and a $2,400 credit.

These financing offers are available through January 3, 2012. If you would like to learn more about the vehicles that are available with these special financing offers, please visit Hendrick Motors BMW in Hickory, NC. Their helpful staff will answer any questions you may have and can set you up with a test drive. You may also learn more about the financing offers online at http://www.hendrickmotorsbmw.com/.

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St. Louis, MO, December 31, 2011 –(PR.com)– Tri-Star Imports is ensuring that their customers in St. Louis are keeping their Mercedes-Benz vehicles in top shape. A variety of service specials are available to customers when taking their Mercedes-Benz in for service at Tri-Star Imports.

Limited-time offers at Tri-Star Imports include coupons for great prices and discounts off basic services. Customers can enjoy an A/C system tune-up for only $85.95. With the purchase of four factory tires, drivers can receive a free mount and balance and a four wheel alignment for $89.95. Dollar off coupons include $15 off a cooling system exchange service, $30 off A-Service, and $50 off B-Service.

Tri-Star Imports also offers service specials on battery replacement and brake pad replacement. Customers can receive $25 off a brake pad replacement and ½ the labor costs when purchasing a vehicle systems battery.

For those drivers who want their car back to looking brand new, Tri-Star Imports offers a detailing special. With the purchase of any other service, drivers can also have their Mercedes-Benz detailed for $129.95. This includes an exterior wash, a vacuumed inside and trunk, a complete exterior polish and wax, shampooed rugs, console and dash detailing, and clean wheels.

If you are interested in taking advantage of these service specials, please visit Tri-Star Imports in St. Louis, MO. Their friendly staff will be happy to assist you and will help keep your Mercedes-Benz vehicle running at its best performance. You may also visit Tri-Star Imports and print service special coupons online at http://www.tristarmercedes.com/.

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Colorado Springs, CO, December 31, 2011 –(PR.com)– Winslow BMW is pleased to announce that the BMW Mission to Drive Sales Event has been extended. Drivers can now enjoy savings on most 2008 Certified Pre-Owned models at their dealership in Colorado Springs, CO.

The BMW Mission to Drive Sales Event offers financing specials. On select 2008 Certified Pre-Owned BMW models, 0% APR is available for up to 24 months, and 0.9% APR is offered for up to 48 months. The 2008 Certified Pre-Owned models include the BMW 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X3, and Z4.

The BMW Mission to Drives Sales Event also offers a savings special. Drivers who purchase a select 2008 Certified Pre-Owned BMW model during this event receive a $0 payment for the first two payments.

With every Certified Pre-Owned BMW, drivers can enjoy coverage by an up to 6 year/100,000 mile Protection Plan. If you are interested in taking a BMW model out for a test drive, stop by Winslow BMW today before the BMW Mission to Drives Sales Event ends. Their friendly staff will be happy to assist you during your search for your next BMW vehicle. You may also visit Winslow BMW online at http://www.winslowbmw.com/.

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MANILA, Philippines — Looking back at 2011 brings to mind a fair share of celebrations and calamities. As we look forward to the year to come, we take this opportunity to look back at what has helped move the miles on our odometer.

New Brands. In 2011, the buying public was certainly spoiled for choice with new cars and brands coming in. Chinese brands Geely and DFSK made their entry in the market via the Manila Auto Salon, simultaneously unveiling their small and compact car offerings as well.

New Cars. Aside from new brands, new cars also made their debut. This year saw the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a large luxury SUV. Its sister brand Dodge, also saw the arrival of a new Dur-ango. Mini’s first SUV model came to be known as the Countryman and was unveiled in a Wild West themed event. Finally, Ford breathed new life into the aging Explorer with a much more hi-tech 2011 model.

Sporty coupe sedans seemed to be the trend of the year as Audi, BMW Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz each unveiled their take on the new segment to take the car world by storm. Audi’s answer was the A7 sportback based on the A8 sedan. As for BMW, it was the 5 series Gran Turismo, a hatchback derivative of their popular midsize luxury car.

Chrysler pulled the wraps off its 300C, with more mature style and even more sophistication. Mercedes-Benz drew the covers off their latest CLS, an all-new version of the sports sedan first launched years ago.

Milestones. 2011 also seemed to be a milestone year, giving two brands reason to celebrate. To begin with, it was Mercedes-Benz’s 125th year anniversary and quite coincidentally, Mercedes-Benz Philippines’ 60th year as well. Their celebration served as a poignant reminder that the automobile as we know it is already 125 years old. The other celebrant this year is Chevrolet that turns a century old.

Much closer to home, an institution we’re more familiar with celebrated a milestone year as well. In honor of its 20th staging, the Trans Sport Show, merged with the Manila Sports Car Club’s Concours d’Elegance to create a super car show. Held at the SMX convention center, the double bill event featured not just the best setup modern cars, but finely restored historical classics as well as 13 of the past Best of Show winners.

Motorsports. Speaking of competition, over in F1, Sebastian Vettel, the youngest F1 driver to win a world Driver’s Championship claimed the coveted title a second time. His run to the second title seemed unchal-lenged with 11 successive top

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THE ISSUE

Using electric cars to make long road trips is slowly becoming more practical with the expansion of recharging stations.

The trip from Knoxville, Tenn., to the state capital in Nashville must have felt a bit like the pioneering motoring adventures of a century ago for Stephen Smith and his family last week.

Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, made the 160-mile Christmas trip with his family in a Nissan Leaf electric car. As in the early days of automobiles, finding a place to recharge the car posed a few challenges. Smith wanted to make the point that an all-electric vehicle that doesn’t rely on petroleum is now a viable alternative to gasoline-powered cars.

“We knew it was a bit of a pioneering adventure because the infrastructure is still being built out,” Smith told The Tennessean newspaper. “It’s good knowing we didn’t use a drop of oil getting down here.”

When automobiles were still a novelty in the early 20th century, driving more than a few miles outside town — away from gasoline pumps and mechanics — was often like setting out on an epic adventure. Blacksmith shops were more common than gas stations in those days because of the expense of owning a car and the lack of widespread acceptance of the new mode of transportation.

Today, electric cars are much like the early automobiles. Finding a place to refuel isn’t always an easy thing to accomplish.

Smith said his family stopped at Cracker Barrel restaurants along the way, which are equipped with recharging stations. It takes 30 minutes or less to recharge, he said, though one of the charging stations malfunctioned and the slower extension cord method was employed.

Smith has been an outspoken proponent for cleaner energy sources, and often criticizes the Tennessee Valley Authority for not taking bolder steps toward alternative energy production.

His Christmas journey does, however, point to new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. As electric cars become less costly and more common on the road, they will need places to recharge. It’s easy to envision a day when recharging stations are as busy as gasoline pumps are now at convenience stores.

While the nation will need greater electric power production to meet that demand, posing its own set of environmental challenges, the air and water should become cleaner with the reduced use of petroleum to get us from one place to another.

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REVIEW:

Holden’s VE Commodore has just received its final update before being replaced by a new and possibly last model in 2013. ROB MAETZIG drives the entry version, the Omega.

A game of motor industry cat and mouse is being played in Australia at present. General Motors-Holden and archrival, but Aussie car-manufacturing buddy, Ford are both busy arguing the case for long-term government assistance to help secure the future of the vehicle manufacturing industry across the Tasman.

It’s a strong argument. Earlier this month, Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said in a speech that the economic benefits that flow from automotive manufacturing include employment, skills training, research and development and the growth of alternative fuel and energy industries.

“If we’re serious about Australia being a knowledge economy, we need strategic capability. A first-class education system and the ability to build things are the building blocks,” he said, adding that Australia’s car industry is developing new technologies, state-of-the-art manufacturing skills and growing energy industries to help solve issues such as climate change.

But then there’s the other side of the argument, which is whether both Holden’s and Ford’s biggest-selling Aussie cars, the Commodore and the Falcon, are appropriate any more.

They are big, rear-drive, sedans and wagons, and thirsty – all the things that are losing popularity in this age of continuously changing motorist preferences towards smaller vehicles and differing body styles.

Both manufacturers are working hard to address this. Ford is due to launch a renewed Falcon range next year that will include a four-cylinder model, while Holden is not far away from introducing its first dedicated LPG Commodore.

Holden remains on schedule to launch a new VF series Commodore in 2013, which you can guarantee will feature all sorts of new-age motoring and environmental attractions.

But after that? The jury remains out on whether the production of the Commodore will continue for many more years, and you can guarantee that if the Commodore goes, so will the Falcon.

So that’s the background. It’s all a bit unfortunate given the stellar careers of both of the Aussie big cars, but I suppose that’s progress.

If they do go, I, for one, will be a little

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Phoenix, AZ, December 30, 2011 –(PR.com)– Sanderson Ford is still in the holiday spirit at their dealership in Phoenix, AZ. Drivers in the Phoenix area can now take advantage of The Big Sale After Christmas event that runs through the end of the year.

Now through December 31, 2011, Sanderson Ford’s Big Sale After Christmas event is giving drivers special sale prices on all 2011 and 2012 Ford models at their dealership, including Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs. The sale prices are clearly marked on the vehicles, which include the 2012 Ford Focus, Explorer, Mustang and more.

The Phoenix Ford dealer also offers great rebates and year end special bonuses to customers purchasing a vehicle at their dealership. 0% is given in lieu of rebates on select models for customers who qualify on approved credit. Customers that qualify can also take advantage of rebate and APR combinations on all models except the Ford Raptor.

To enjoy these special price savings, hurry in and visit Sanderson Ford before the end of the year. More information about The Big Sale After Christmas can be found online at http://www.sandersonford.com/BigSale.aspx. Also, for dealership news, information, and events, follow Sanderson Ford on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SandersonFordAZ.

About Sanderson Ford:
Sanderson Ford, located in Glendale, AZ, sells new and used Ford vehicles. In addition to a full line of Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs, Sanderson Ford also provides a large service department that is prepared to assist with any repairs or routine maintenance, as well as a knowledgeable parts department that offers one-stop shopping on all Ford parts and accessories. Sanderson Ford strives for 100 percent customer satisfaction with each visit. Visit Sanderson Ford online at http://sandersonford.com.

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