Marty Padgett's Inside Scoop on Auto News and Outlook

GM Recalls Nearly 1M Vehicles

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, September 2nd, 2008

Nearly one million GM SUVs, trucks, and passenger cars are involved in a windshield wiper fluid system recall that has led to nine reports of fires but no reported injuries. Some 850,000 of the recalled vehicles were sold in the U.S., and nearly another 100,000 were sold in Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. The recall pertains only to heated windshield wiper fluid systems, where a short circuit could lead to other electronic malfunctions that could ultimately result in a fire. Vehicles affected include the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, versions of the 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Chevrolet... Nearly one million GM SUVs, trucks, and passenger cars are involved in a windshield wiper fluid system recall that has led to nine reports of fires but no reported injuries. Some 850,000 of the recalled vehicles were sold in the U.S., and nearly another 100,000 were sold in Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. The recall pertains only to heated windshield wiper fluid systems, where a short circuit could lead to other electronic malfunctions that could ultimately result in a fire. Vehicles affected include the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, versions of the 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Chevrolet... Read More

Tags: General Motors

Posted in: 2008, 2009, Saturn, Crossover, Outlook

Spy Shots: 2010 Hyundai Portico

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, August 18th, 2008

TheCarConnection.com's spies have caught the new 2010 Hyundai Portico crossover testing in the California desert. Originally shown in concept form at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the production Portico pictured here is expected to reach the market as a 2010 model, slotting in above Hyundai's Santa Fe and Veracruz. The packaging of the Portico straddles the line between wagons and minivans in the vein of the Mercedes R-Class. It will likely be positioned against GM's Lambda CUVs (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook), albeit with fewer SUV overtones.--KGP Photography TheCarConnection.com's spies have caught the new 2010 Hyundai Portico crossover testing in the California desert. Originally shown in concept form at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the production Portico pictured here is expected to reach the market as a 2010 model, slotting in above Hyundai's Santa Fe and Veracruz. The packaging of the Portico straddles the line between wagons and minivans in the vein of the Mercedes R-Class. It will likely be positioned against GM's Lambda CUVs (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook), albeit with fewer SUV overtones.--KGP Photography Read More

Posted in: 2009, 2010, Hyundai, Saturn, Crossover, Outlook

Honda Named Best-of-Best by Consumer Reports

By TCC TeamTCC Team, February 28th, 2008

If you put your faith in Consumer Reports, you’ll be heading over to Honda for your next vehicle. The automaker named the Japanese marque valedictorian in its Annual Auto Issue. “Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are still made by Honda,” the magazine declared, adding that the Japanese maker “earned the top score because it builds cars that are well-rounded, have excellent reliability and perform very well.” Honda scored 78 out of 100 possible points on the annual Automaker Report Cards, closely followed by Toyota, at 75, and Subaru, at 72. There was a four-way tie for fourth, at 71 points, among BMW, Mazda, Nissan,... If you put your faith in Consumer Reports, you’ll be heading over to Honda for your next vehicle. The automaker named the Japanese marque valedictorian in its Annual Auto Issue. “Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are still made by Honda,” the magazine declared, adding that the Japanese maker “earned the top score because it builds cars that are well-rounded, have excellent reliability and perform very well.” Honda scored 78 out of 100 possible points on the annual Automaker Report Cards, closely followed by Toyota, at 75, and Subaru, at 72. There was a four-way tie for fourth, at 71 points, among BMW, Mazda, Nissan,... Read More

Tags: Industry

Posted in: 2009, Saturn, Outlook