plus 2, 2009 LA Auto Show - Suzuki Ready to Shine - The Auto Chanel

2009 LA Auto Show - Suzuki Ready to Shine - The Auto Chanel
Clunkers’ program improved car sales, fuel economy - Houma Courier
Auto Racing Star Jeremy Mayfield & Wife Shana to Sell Real Estate ... - Biloxi Sun Herald

2009 LA Auto Show - Suzuki Ready to Shine - The Auto Chanel

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 10:57 AM PST

BREA, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2009) – After a four-month virtual introduction of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi (pronounced "Kee-Zah-Shee") to consumers on the Web, American Suzuki Motor Corp. offers Southern California automotive prospects their first in-person look at its all-new sport sedan during the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. Arriving in dealer showrooms this December, the all-new Kizashi delivers a premium package and experience without the premium price tag, and provides a unique blend of dynamic performance attributes and features more typical of the near-luxury sport sedan segment.

All four trim levels of the 2010 Kizashi will be on display in the South Hall Suzuki exhibit (S-202), from the well-equipped entry-level Kizashi S priced between $18,999 for FWD and $21,749for AWD, to the luxuriously appointed SLS model ranging from $24,399 for FWD M/T to $26,749 for AWD Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) All prices are net of a $735 destination and handling charge.

Also making its North American auto show debut is the 2010 Suzuki SX4 SportBack. Sharing its profile with the all-wheel-drive SX4 Crossover, the SX4 SportBack offers an all-new 2.0-liter engine delivering 150 horsepower with its standard six-speed manual transmission. For those with a preference for action with less interaction, a performance-tuned CVT (with paddle shifters) is optional. Suzuki's new hot hatch also features an aero package, revised rear spoiler, lower ride package (15mm when compared to the SX4 Crossover), all-new instrument cluster and integrated navigation system.

Suzuki also will present its entire 2010 lineup, including the rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, award-winning Equator pickup truck and functional SX4 family of vehicles. For two-wheel fanatics and marine enthusiasts, a collection of Suzuki motorcycles, ATVs and outboard motors also will be on display.

In addition, Suzuki will showcase a Road Race Motorsports Kizashi with Road Race's signature handling and performance mods; a "rotisserie" display showcasing the Kizashi's underbody performance hardware; a body-in-white Kizashi display showing the vehicle's world-class construction; and an Equator concept truck, with off-road upgrades provided by ICON Vehicle Dynamics and the Corona Cartel. Both Road Race's Kizashi and ICON's Equator recently debuted at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. During public days, Suzuki also will allow consumers to experience its surf-inspired Makai convertible, offering showgoers the opportunity to take a complimentary picture in the beach-themed SX4 Sport concept vehicle.

Beyond Suzuki's main display area, the Los Angeles Convention Center's Kentia Hall will provide the backdrop for a concept Kizashi showcase. The wares of Suzuki audio partner Rockford Fosgate, Westside Auto Group, Delta Tech Industries and Import Tuner magazine all constitute a more personalized take on the Kizashi's design successes. The custom Kizashis will be on display for the duration of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 350 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2008, SMC sold more than 2 million new cars and trucks and more than 3.5 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com.

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Clunkers’ program improved car sales, fuel economy - Houma Courier

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 03:59 PM PST

Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups were by far the best sellers among local dealerships during the federal government's "Cash for Clunkers" rebate program, aimed at taking older cars off the road and replacing them with more fuel-efficient models.

That comes as no surprise to local dealers, who say the "Clunkers" figures mirror general sales patterns in the market, typically dominated by the first-place F-150, which gets 16 to 17 miles per gallon. There were 38 F-150s sold under the program in Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption. There were 22 Silverados sold.

"If it's ever skewed any other way, there's a problem in the economy," said Heinke Trapp, of Trapp Cadillac Chevrolet of Houma. "For as long as I can remember, trucks have outsold cars."

Though pickups were most popular, the program did improve efficiency overall and perk up sales among local transactions, an analysis of government data by the Courier and Daily Comet shows.

The Car Allowance Rebate System, the formal name of the clunkers program, provided $3 billion in rebates for buyers trading in older, less fuel-efficient cars for eligible newer models. Consumers qualified for individual rebates of $3,500 or $4,500. Dealers are not allowed to resell the trade-in vehicles.

But though the program was intended to benefit the environment and prop up struggling car dealers and auto makers, the Associated Press reported that the swap of an older pickup for a newer, marginally less gas-guzzling model was widespread across the country.

Locally, 86 percent of the vehicles traded in under the program were trucks. Fifty-five percent of the new vehicles purchased with the rebate were trucks.

A LOOK AT LOCAL DATA

The local "clunkers" traded in had an average odometer reading of 148,494 miles and got an average of 15.3 miles per gallon. The cost to U.S. taxpayers was about $1.59 million in rebates to customers in Lafourche Terrebonne Assumption. The average gas mileage of the new vehicles was 22.7 mpg. That's an improvement of 7.4 mpg.

About one in five local trade-ins only improved gas mileage by 1 or 2 mpg, at a cost of $301,500 to taxpayers.

Besides trucks, the program also resulted in the purchase of more efficient cars. After the pickups, the 26-mpg Nissan Altima was No. 3, with 16 sold, followed by the 29-mpg Honda Civic, with 15 sales.

There also were seven hybrid vehicles sold locally, including six 50-mpg Toyota Priuses and one 42-mpg Honda Civic Hybrid.

But the fuel economy doesn't tell the whole story, dealers said, emphasizing that today's pickups are safer and cleaner. And it's not a demand pattern likely to change soon: The trucks were still selling as fast as when gasoline was $4 per gallon, Trapp said.

Many are bought for commercial use, including oilfield hauling and construction jobs. Plus, many seek out trucks as versatile family transportation that can haul boats, campers and ATVs.

"The need for those vehicles is still high," Trapp said.

UPTICK IN SALES

Dealers said the program upped traffic at dealerships and renewed buyer enthusiasm, both among those who bought qualifying vehicles and those whose existing cars weren't eligible for the program.

"We definitely got some business from it. We're grateful to have it," said Greg LeBlanc, who owns Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai dealerships in Houma and Thibodaux.

Because of the way the program was structured, some drivers with older vehicles that got above what some dealers said was arbitrary gas mileage weren't eligible.

"It was good for a lot of people," LeBlanc said. "It was unfortunate that a lot of people didn't qualify."

The complete results from the program aren't in yet, since many dealers waited to register the vehicles until reimbursement from the government was paid.

But new-car sales in September were up 11 percent from the year before, according to the Terrebonne sales-tax office, the agency in which the majority of the area's dealers are located.

"The general attitude was improved," said Bob Israel, president of the Louisiana Auto Dealers Association. "People talked about it, got excited about it."

Statewide, September and October saw sales gains of about 15 percent, Israel said, after declines since November 2008.

FOR SOME, RED TAPE STRETCHES ON

The big question mark for some dealers was the time frame for collecting from the government the reimburse they gave buyers.

Israel said most dealers in the state were paid within two to three weeks after the program, which ran from July 24 to Aug. 25, thanks to an influx of government employees assigned to process the payments.

At least one local dealer, however, has not been paid. Jeff Teuton, a dealer with Southland Dodge, said the government still owes him more than $70,000, or about half of the rebates for vehicles sold on his lot. All other local dealers who returned phone calls said they've been paid in full.

Teuton has contacted the local congressional delegation for help, to no avail.

"I figure if the senators and reps can't help me, I'm just going to lose (the money)," he said. "In my particular case, not getting this money is just horrible."

He said he could perhaps make 10 to 20 percent of the rebate value by selling the old vehicles.

Israel questioned whether dealers got the boost they were promised.

"We keep talking about dealer benefit and sales," Israel said. "But the $3 billion went into the pockets of the consumers."

Staff Writer Kathrine Schmidt can be reached at 857-2204 or kathrine.schmidt@houmatoday.com.

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Auto Racing Star Jeremy Mayfield & Wife Shana to Sell Real Estate ... - Biloxi Sun Herald

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 05:52 PM PST

ROCKINGHAM, N.C., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Jeremy & Shana Mayfield along with Mayfield Motorsports, Inc. have contracted with Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. for a public auction of real estate and personal assets.

The real estate consist of 475+/- Acres with a 13,000+/- Sq. Ft. executive home, 3,000+/- Sq. Ft. ranch home, 1,800+/- Sq. Ft. log cabin, 21 stall equine facility, 6,200+/- Sq. Ft. shop and numerous sheds with electricity.

The personal items include heavy equipment, luxury vehicles, guns, race helmets, driver suits, shop tools, metal working equipment, tractors, motorcycles, ATVs, a 2000 Allegra Motor Coach and much, much more.

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