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Over before it began, the government Cash for Clunkers program has likely already run out of money. (Photo courtesy of CARS.gov)

DETROIT — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has alerted key senators that the Cash for Clunkers program is expected to run out of money as early as midnight tonight.

Earlier rumors suggested that the Department of Transportation could make an announcement this evening regarding the status of the Clunkers program and how close the program is to running out of its $1 billion allocation.

If LaHood's concerns are correct, the DOT could announce the program has run out of money completely or could suspend it temporarily while deals in the pipeline are completed and an assessment is made of how much has been spent, Washington sources tell AutoObserver.com.

A DOT… Read the rest of this entry

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The 2010 Subaru WRX is also priced the same as the 2009 model. Pictured is the 2009 WRX. (Photo courtesy of Subaru America Inc.)

CHERRY HILL, New Jersey — Subaru of America has announced pricing for its 2010 Impreza lineup, which includes a new Special Edition package on the 2.5i Premium.

Starting price for the standard 170-horsepower 2.5i remains the same at $18,190, while the Premium model begins at $19,190, a full $1,000 cheaper than the 2009 model. The Special Edition is priced at $19,690. The extra $500 adds a power moonroof, foglights and an All-Weather package. A navigation system is also available for $2,000.

The Impreza Outback Sport retains its entry price of $20,690 and adds a Paprika Red Pearl/Steel Silver Metallic two-tone color choice to the mix.

The performance-driven WRX also keeps its 2009 entry price of $25,690 and features a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine… Read the rest of this entry

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has a whopping 70.3-year payback time at current gasoline prices. (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

SANTA MONICA, California — With gasoline and diesel fuel prices staying low (and uncharacteristically consistent) as the summer progresses, data analysts at Edmunds conducted a recent crunch of the often-discussed payback times for the nation's two competing fuel-saving drivetrains: hybrid-electric and diesel vehicles.

The latest round goes to diesel. There are two factors currently working in diesel's favor. First, diesel fuel prices have dropped precipitously since last summer's explosion to $4 per gallon (and beyond) and normalized to pricing quite near regular unleaded gasoline.

Second, the price “premium” for diesel technologies is low — and in a few cases, combines with federal tax credits to make the diesel-powered vehicle… Read the rest of this entry

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Counterintuitive: Daihatsu, Toyota's small-car affiliate, is pulling out of China because of low sales. Daihatsu Xenia (pictured), built in China, will stay on sale but badged as an FAW. (Photo courtesy of Daihatsu)

SHANGHAI, China — Japan's Daihatsu Motor, the small-car division of Toyota Motor, will withdraw its brand from China, shifting production and sales of its vehicles to local Chinese partner FAW after experiencing poor sales.

Daihatsu said its China-made Xenia, a compact multipurpose vehicle that is a sibling to the Toyota Avenza, will now carry the FAW nameplate.

The model will continue to be produced by FAW Jilin Auto, an affiliate of FAW Group, under a technology licensing agreement. That means the compact MPV will become part of FAW's self-branded product family.

Daihatsu introduced the Xenia in China in June 2007 and sold only 5,100 units last year, far below its initial sales target… Read the rest of this entry

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2010 Acura MDX. (Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.)

TORRANCE, California — The biggest visual change to the 2010 Acura MDX is the aggressive new grille that mirrors the look of recent Acura products. Look a bit more closely and you'll also find a new six-speed automatic transmission and the usual array of tweaks and refinements that mark the typical midcycle freshening from Honda and its premium division.

Honda engineers have revised the MDX's 3.7-liter V6; output remains the same, at 300 horsepower, but torque has dropped by a fraction, from 275 to 270 pound-feet. By replacing last year's five-speed automatic with the new six-speed Sequential SportShift transmission, Honda managed to nudge the EPA city/highway fuel economy figures by 1 mpg each, to 16/21 mpg. New gearing also provides better acceleration, the company says.

The 2010 MDX should behave a tad better, with a… Read the rest of this entry

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“It's going to be one good-looking racecar,” says NASCAR President Mike Helton. Pictured: Shelby GT500 coupe version of the Mustang. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

DEARBORN, Michigan — The Ford Mustang has been missing from NASCAR, but that is set to change. Ford has announced that its iconic muscle car will compete for the first time in NASCAR starting with the 2010 Nationwide Series.

“We had been talking with NASCAR for some time about Mustang as part of its vision for a 'muscle car' rollout for the Nationwide Series,” said Brian Wolfe, director of Ford North America Motorsports. “We both saw it as a way of differentiating the series from Sprint Cup. We loved the idea.”

In a statement, Ford said it has gone through the official NASCAR submission and approval process for the new car and, once templates are finalized, production of Mustang parts… Read the rest of this entry

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2010 Lexus IS C. (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

TORRANCE, California — Toyota said it will roll out its new OnStar competitor, a proprietary in-vehicle telematics systems called Lexus Enform with Safety Connect, as an option on a variety of 2010 Lexus models, starting August 1. The Safety Connect system also will be offered on the 2010 Toyota Prius after that date.

Annual subscription plans will start at $139.95 for Safety Connect and $264.90 for Lexus Enform with Safety Connect. The $139.95 subscription price also applies to the 2010 Prius.

Announced earlier this year as a feature on the new Lexus HS 250h hybrid, Lexus Enform with Safety Connect will be available on the 2010 Lexus IS, IS F and IS C, as well as the RX 350, RX 450h and LX 570. A complimentary one-year trial subscription will be included in the… Read the rest of this entry

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Toyota's top management, led by new President Akio Toyoda, posed “all for one”-style in late June. The company has held on to its global sales leadership in the first half of 2009. (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

TOKYO — Toyota is still holding on to its position as top-selling automaker worldwide, despite 26 percent fewer sales in the first half of 2009. Toyota reported sales of 3.56 million vehicles globally, ahead of General Motors by about 10,000 units.

Toyota's production was down 40.6 percent, to just under 3 million units, which is the first production decrease in 11 years, Toyota said. Japan production in the first half was down nearly 43.7 percent, to 1.48 million cars and trucks, marking the first decrease in home-market production in eight years. Nevertheless, Toyota spokesman Yuta Kaga told the Associated Press that the company sees “signs of… Read the rest of this entry

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Artist Peter Steigerwald designed a Cube in Heroes theme after the hot science-fiction-themed TV series. (Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors Corporation Inc.)

SAN DIEGO — Nissan teamed up with the hit science fiction TV drama Heroes at the annual Comic-Con Convention and hosted a variety of activities, sweepstakes and giveaways inspired by the 2009 Nissan Cube. The automaker also gave away four of the new cars, which Nissan has been marketing as “mobile devices.”

Tens of thousands of comic book and automotive fans experienced the new Cube at the booth, where the car was featured inside a life-size Heroes¬-branded toy package.

“Our partnership with NBC's Heroes at Comic-Con this year provided a perfect opportunity to show off the all-new 2009 Nissan Cube both on and off the screen. We were able to interact with thousands of attendees at the show, many of whom were just the… Read the rest of this entry

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…or the Italian flag. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

MARANELLO, Italy — The 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia probably needed little explanation. But Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo felt compelled to give one anyway, blogging after the car's unveiling this week that it is designed to be “a tribute to Italy and its unique qualities.”

“We are proud to pay homage to Italy with a fabulous new car which offers truly high performance along with the kind of innovation that no other Ferrari has ever reached,” he said. “The new Ferrari is a tribute to Italy and its unique qualities. The creative flair of its people, the quality and style of its products all go to make up a country that is synonymous with excellence.”

The unveiling of the car was overshadowed by the continuing saga of the injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, which dominated the Ferrari… Read the rest of this entry