Car Blog

Saab Automobile restarted production at its production facility in Trollhattan.

A first batch of around 100 cars is planned for this first day of production since April 6 and Saab Automobile plans to increase the daily production rate in the coming weeks in parallel with the full re-establishment of the supply chain.

Attending the restart of production were Victor Muller, CEO and Chairman of Saab Automobile, Mr. Pang Qinghua, Chairman and CEO of Pang Da Automobile, and Gunnar Brunius, Saab Automobile’s Vice President Purchasing & Manufacturing. The first cars to roll off the assembly line were a silver Saab 9-5 Aero XWD and an orange Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition.

With production restarted, Saab Automobile will now focus on building and delivering the thousands of cars ordered by customers around the globe. As the assembly line was fired up again, the total number of outstanding orders from markets worldwide for the Trollhattan factory amounted to over 6,500 cars. The total order bank, including around 1,600 Saab 9-4X orders, amounts to over 8,100 cars. This number includes the almost 1,300 cars that were ordered by Pang Da Automobile and for which it paid EUR 30 million up front. Read the rest of this entry »

When winter’s snow and ice finally melt away, they invariably leave behind an unpleasant reminder of this winter’s severe storm season — potholes.

“Major winter storms have affected much of the country this season. While many motorists’ cars have made it through the winter storm season unscathed, they could still fall victim to a pothole left in its aftermath,” said John Nielsen, director, AAA Auto Repair and Buying Programs.

Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually results in a pothole.

To aid motorists in protecting their vehicles from pothole damage, AAA recommends the following:

Inspect Tires – The tire is the most important cushion between a car and a pothole. Make sure tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. To check the tread depth, insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to start shopping for new tires. When checking tire pressures, ensure they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. Do not use the pressure levels stamped on the sidewall of the tire. Read the rest of this entry »

Weather forecasters are predicting that we’re in for more wintery conditions on the roads in the coming weeks.

To make sure you don’t spend time on the hard shoulder, there are a few simple measures you can take to ensure that your car is truly “winter ready” and help avoid the dreaded car breakdown.

It’s advisable to give your car a good check over on a regular basis, not just before starting a journey, for safe and economical driving all year round. Make sure you check:

• Battery – Battery problems are the number one cause of breakdowns at any time of year. Make sure you service your car regularly and replace an old, tired battery before it lets you down
• Tyres – Incorrectly inflated tyres are not only un-safe, they wear out faster and can increase fuel consumption by around 5%. If you’re driving with extra passengers or luggage, remember to increase your tyre pressure accordingly
• Oil – Don’t wait for the red oil pressure warning light to come on before checking your oil levels, engine damage may already have occurred by then
• Water – Overheating is a common cause of breakdowns so check the coolant level regularly. Make sure you also top up the windscreen washer fluid, ensuring it contains an antifreeze agent
• Lights – Clean all exterior lights regularly and check for blown bulbs

Be sure to have comprehensive car breakdown cover and the phone number stored in a safe place.

Ten short years ago, automakers were touting the number of cupholders in the cabin and the increased off-road capabilities of family haulers. Today, these same companies are racing to offer increasingly hands-free mobile communication, eye-popping fuel economy and technologies aimed at helping drivers avoid accidents.

“Cars have become more like brains on wheels,” said Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s global trends manager. “Consumers today want to stay connected and they want the drive to be an experience, especially since the amount of time Americans spend in the car has nearly doubled in the last 10 years.”

Technology evolution

Many of the changes in automobiles were driven by the ever-evolving ways people use mobile devices and the Internet to consume information, communicate with others and even engage in commerce. According to the UN agency, about five billion people use cell phones while weekly Internet usage is up 560 percent.

This trend has exploded in the past decade, redefining the way we use our cars. As the calendar flips to 2011, and automakers kick off a new chapter of innovation at the North American International Auto Show, here are our Top 10 ways the industry has changed since 2000: Read the rest of this entry »

The trouble at Toyota was chosen as the top news story of 2010 in the annual Automotive News staff poll.  Here’s a recap of the staff’s choices for the year’s top 10 stories:

1)  How the mighty fall: Toyota’s nightmare year

Allegations that several popular Toyota models were prone to accelerate dangerously out of control led to a string of recalls — and a year of misery for the company.  Eight vehicles were temporarily pulled off the market in January, touching off a media frenzy about unintended acceleration. The result? A massive hit to the company’s sterling reputation for safety and reliability.

Initially, Toyota was accused of minimizing the problem and delaying effective repairs while people died in car crashes. Top executives, including President Akio Toyoda, testified before Congress.

2)  GM floats successful IPO, sheds ‘Government Motors’ tag

Thanks to growing revenues and profits, General Motors Co. had an attractive story line for Wall Street. That created strong demand for shares in GM’s initial public offering in November.  The IPO allowed the Obama administration to cast its federal bailout and majority stake in GM in 2009 as a success. More important, the IPO helped GM start shedding the stigma of Government Motors, which kept some customers away from showrooms, according to GM research. Read the rest of this entry »

In recognition of October as AAA Car Care Month, the nation’s largest motor club reminds drivers seasonal checkups are essential for worry-free driving as weather changes

With the change of seasons most people examine their wardrobes. Last season’s coat is inspected for wear, and boots, sweaters and wool slacks come out of the closet for scrutiny. AAA reminds motorists that cars also need seasonal checkups.

AAA recommends that motorists use a simple checklist to determine their car’s fall and winter maintenance needs. Most of the items on the checklist can be inspected by car owners in less than an hour, but several others should be performed by a certified technician.

One way to identify a reliable, high-quality repair facility with certified technicians is to look for one that is AAA Approved. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities must meet and maintain high professional standards for customer service, technician training, service equipment, warranties and cleanliness. There are nearly 8000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities in the U.S., and nearby shops can be quickly located at AAA.com/repair. Read the rest of this entry »