Archive for the ‘Green’ Category

Whether it was an odd coincidence or a calculated move, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2011 Mazda2 were both introduced at the LA Auto Show, on the same day.

What makes it significant is that they’re closely related. While we’ve heard varying figures, it’s fair to say that they share more than just a few pieces.

TheCarConnection.com spent some time crawling through the Fiesta’s interior and was pleasantly surprised at the high-quality look and feel of the cabin materials—for a car that will undoubtedly start at under $15,000.

The instrument panel has a nice, soft-touch grained surface, and all the matte-metallic trim used for various parts...

After seeing the three Mazda2 models that Mazda was showing at its LA auto show stand—one plain, one with a tuner look and snowboards mounted on top, the other with a strong motorsports tone—we couldn’t help but wonder whether Mazda is planning to go a little Scion with its ‘2’.

According to Chris Hill, Mazda’s vehicle line manager, the Mazda2 is focused toward the 18-29 set, though the automaker is anticipating that it will also appeal to Baby Boomers.

Hill said that the Mazda2 should have especially strong appeal to Gen Y drivers, especially those who are “spirited, insightful, stylish,” with “emotional connections to their car.”

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Mitsubishi today announced a new partnership with electronics retailing giant Best Buy, to place four vehicles initially with Best Buy’s Geek Squad computer-tech team.

Through the agreement, the companies hope to study real-life vehicle range and any issues that might arise in a hard-use fleet environment. The new arrangement would place quick chargers at some Best Buy stores, but Rick Rommel, Best Buy’s Senior Vice President, Emerging Business, told TheCarConnection.com that details about how they would provide charger availability haven’t yet been worked out.

Best Buy certainly has business interest in this venture in addition to ...