Kia has dropped the Sedona minivan for the 2013 model year, but is not planning on leaving the segment for good. Kia spokesman James Hope said, “We’re not going to get completely out of the segment, it’s a market that we’re still interested in being in.” No definite plans have been released as to what the new van will be or look like, but a source says it is in Kia‘s plan for 2014 model year. Come check out the Nissan Quest minivan at your 2012 Tacoma Nissan Quest dealer. 2011 had 24,047 Sedonas sold, up 10 percent from 2010; the segment leader the Toyota Sienna sold 111,429 units.
While most people would not see the connection between single malt whiskey and the automobile industry, one man from the Isle of Islay in the UK definitely understands. The Bruichladdich Distillery has been making this artisan liquor since 1881 on the 239 square mile island and during storms can be completely cut off from the world but now with the use of a Nissan LEAF the island, and distillery, can continue on with their business. Comes check out the Nissan LEAF at your 2012 Auburn Nissan LEAF dealer. The LEAF,which uses a high energy lithium battery to operate, allows Mark Reynier, managing director of the distillery, to operate using Nissan’s Power Control System.
May 15th marked day one of production at the Smyrna, Tennessee plant for the 2013 Nissan Altima. For the fifth generation Altima, Nissan has their eyes on one thing, being number one. The Altima was the second best selling car in America for 2011, right behind the Toyota Camry, last year Toyota sold 308,510 Camrys, Nissan sold 268,981 Altimas. Come check out the Nissan Altima at your 2012 Seattle Nissan Altima dealer. Bill Krueger, Nissan Americas Vice Chairman said “We haven’t built and designed this car the way we have, and made all these changes with a goal of being number-two,” Krueger admits that the consumer will vote on whether the Altima becomes the top selling car. “But we are ready to make this car the top seller if the customer agrees.” To accomplish their goal, Nissan has added a third shift at the Smyrna plant and will also shift models between Smyrna and the Canton, Mississippi plant.
In a suburban Houston garage, a Fisker Karma was linked to a fire, but the battery was still intact and unplugged. If the battery did not cause the fire, then what did? According to Jon Bereisa, CEO of consultancy Auto Lectrification, the fire was likely caused by engine packaging, “poor packaging in the engine compartment and exhaust routing generated excess heat. When combined with a fluid leak, that would be enough to create a fire.” Come check 0ut the 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick the Nissan LEAF at your 2012 Seattle Nissan LEAF dealer. So far Fisker has denied that the battery pack was the cause of the fire; Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher said that the cause “has yet to be ascertained.” Robert Baker, chief fire inspector on the case said “Yes, the Karma was the origin of the fire.”
Out of the 84,000 minivans Chrysler sold this year, an unlucky few left the factory with a faulty lift gate sensor. The 471 unlucky ones include the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, all 2012 models that were built in March, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Come check out the comparable Nissan Quest at your 2012 Seattle Nissan Quest dealer. The power lift gates are supposed to stop if resistance is detected but the malfunction could make it so the door closes on appendages. Chrysler owners should keep their hands and arms clear until notified from Chrysler this month.
In March the average fuel economy for vehicles in America was at a record high of 24.1 mpg, but researchers at the University of Michigan are now saying that has dropping to 23.9 mpg for April. The Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor, Mich. has been tracking average mpg since October 2007 when it was just 20.1. Come check out the 38 mpg highway Nissan Versa at your 2012 Seattle Nissan Versa dealer. “Starting with the first week in April, gas prices dropped each week,” said Brandon Schoettle, an institute research associate and co-author of the report. “We think that consumers are not only sensitive to the absolute price of gas, but also the recent changes, leading to a drop in fuel economy.” This week AAA reported the national average of a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.80, down from $3.92 a month ago.
Nissan has decided to document the building of the crowd-sourced 370Z that will be revealed at ZDayz 2012. The fans have already chosen a GReddy Twin Turbo kit, which will bring the 3.7-liter V6 to the tune of around 500 horsepower. The first clip shows the engine being taken out and the aftermarket parts being put on. Come check out the 370Z at your 2012 Seattle Nissan 370Z dealer. In addition to the Twin Turbo, fans also chose a GReddy Ti-C catback exhaust which will let the engine breath a little easier while on the track.
The yellow cab is synonymous with New York City, from the traditional crown Victoria, or the even older checker cab, or maybe even the new NV200. But now New York is rolling out something a little less yellow. The new Boro Taxi which is rolling out in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, as well as Northern Manhattan, takes the traditional yellow cab and paints it bright green. Come check out the Nissan NV lineup at your 2012 Tacoma Nissan NV dealer. The first 6,000 of 18,000 will be permitted in June. The color is to distinguish from other cabs and private vehicles.
Our auto dreams have come true, sort of. After a warm reception in Dubai, Nissan has decided to bring the Juke-R into limited production. They have already had three orders, and will be taking more in the next four weeks. Each model will be built to order using 2012 parts which means there will be a modest increase in the power, from 480 to 545. Come check out the Nissan Juke at your 2012 Seattle Nissan Juke dealer. As for the price, Nissan has not said yet, but it would be a safe bet that it will run more than the GT-R. To show the power of the Juke-R Nissan released a video of the Juke-R against some other super cars.
For those who are still driving their rusty 2004 Ford Freestar or Mercury Monterey, there is some good news. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded their investigation into a full-blown engineering analysis of the Freestar and Monterey minivans due to premature rusting of the rear wheel well. There have been 22 reports of rust in the wheel wells, but the 2005-2007 have had none. Come check out the rust-free Nissan Quest at your 2012 Seattle Nissan Quest dealer. The issue could reach 82,000 vehicles, the symptoms of which include difficulty latching the rear seats and anchor plates that have detached from the vehicle.
Kia has dropped the Sedona minivan for the 2013 model year, but is not planning on leaving the segment for good. Kia spokesman James Hope said, “We’re not going to get completely out of the segment, it’s a market that we’re still interested in being in.” No definite plans have been released as to what the new van will be or look like, but a source says it is in Kia‘s plan for 2014 model year. Come check out the Nissan Quest minivan at your 2012 Tacoma Nissan Quest dealer. 2011 had 24,047 Sedonas sold, up 10 percent from 2010; the segment leader the Toyota Sienna sold 111,429 units.
