Toyota Temporarily Halts Sales of Select Models

Toyota is halting the sales of eight models due to its ongoing unintended acceleration issues. Multiple complaints have been filed that the accelerator pedal mechanism could get stuck in the open position due to wear, thus causing uncontrolled acceleration.

The eight models that have been affected:

• 2009-2010 RAV4


• 2009-2010 Corolla


• 2009-2010 Matrix


• 2005-2010 Avalon


• 2007-2010 Specific Camary's


• 2010 Highlander


• 2007-2010 Tundra


• 2008-2010 Sequoia

So far, no Lexus or Scion models have been announced to have the acceleration issue and are not affected by Toyota's sale freeze.

-Anthony Alaniz

[Source: Toyota]

Video of the Day: 2008 Saab Commercial

Kia Prepares to Enter U.S Auto Racing

Kia will be making its U.S. auto racing debut on January 29^th in the Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona Speedway. Kia is entering two Kia Forte Koups into the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sport Car Challenge in the Street Tuner class.

Kia, along with racing partner Kinetic Group, worked non-stop for six months preparing the cars for the 2010 season.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: prnewswire.com]

Spyker Buys Saab from GM

It looks like customers that are in the market for a new Saab will have a chance to still buy them. Today, GM announced that it has come to an agreement with Spyker Cars over the sale of Saab. Spyker has agreed to pay $74 million dollars in cash up front and will allow GM to receive $326 million worth of preferred shares in Saab.

Spyker now intends to change its name to Spyker Saab Automobiles. Spyker is a small, Dutch sports car company that has placed multiple bids over the last few months in hopes of purchasing Saab, saving the 72-year-old Swedish brand from going the way of Pontiac, another casualty of GM's restructuring plan.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2010 Saab 9-5)

[Source: GM, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg]

Whitacre to Remain CEO of GM

GM's current CEO, Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., has accepted the board of directors offer to remain on as GM's CEO to help guide the company back to success.

Whitacre expressed a comminment to both the U.S. Treasury and the Canadian and Ontario governments to have its loans repaid, in full, by June.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: Edward Whitacre Jr.)

[Source: GM]

SL America Corp. Receives Volkswagen Contract

SL America Corporation, based in Clinton, Tenn. has won the contract to supply the Volkswagen Group of North America with automatic shifter assemblies.

The new automatic shifter assemblies from SL America are for the new midsized sedan from Volkswagen, set to begin production in 2011 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

SL America is located just 116 miles from Volkswagen new Chattanooga facility, producing numerous other components for several major automobile companies.

-Anthony Alaniz

[Source: Volkswagen]

Lamborghini Moves Towards Weight Reduction

There comes a point when a top speed of 211 mph is unattainable by most people. Where in the world can you experience that thrill? Only a select few can enjoy it, and Lamborghini is catching on.

Maurizio Reggiani, chief of Lamborghini's Research and Development department, said that Lamborghini is now focusing on increasing acceleration instead of overall top speed.

Lamborghini is aiming to reduce weight instead of a higher horsepower rating to help improve acceleration. Stephen Winkelman said that Lamborghini is considering future government regulations could hurt engine performance is what prompted Lamborghini to look at new avenues of increasing performance.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: egmCarTech]