Variance

Brillante Berlinetta Ferrari's 599 GTB is the latest in the line of red cars. It's the V12-GT replacement for the 575 Maranello and questionable (in my opinion) styling aside, this car lokks to be a performance scream. After the Edmunds writers tested the car and threw away their pants, they remembered they have to actually write about the experience. Read the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1 First Drive @ Edmunds

The First Test of a Versa-tile Machine Nissan's new subcompact is set to hit dealers pretty soon but before it does Edmunds has decided to take the new Versa out for a trial run. Nissan seems intent on making this a vehicle with high value in its class, so how does it stack to the likes of the Yaris and Fit? Read the First Drive of the 2007 Nissan Versa 1.8SL @ Edmunds

Maybe not Honda. I believe they restrict their fleet involvement to as little as possible (if they're involved at all).

I just finished that. It's a kick-ass book.

Hey, have you been reading Al Franken's Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them?

I like the ST, GTI, Astra, Mazda6 and Mazda3, That's about the extent of it, really. I think I like more wagons than hatches.

I Am Hybrid, Hear Me Roar Toyota is thinking of taking a different approach when it comes to the styling of their hybrid vehicles. The reason being their recent hybrids haven't been received as hot a reception as their most famous and best-selling hybrid vehicle, the Prius. The lack of sufficent styling differentiation between the normal gas and hybrid counterparts is being seen as the reason. Read on to learn what methods Toyota may use to upplay their hybrids. Read "Toyota wants its designs to shout 'hybrid'" @ The Detroit News

And yet it still sells better than the Phaeton.

It's the new Wave (sedan) in Canada.

Fleet: The Other “F” Word -Variance May 3, 2006 Fleet sales have been a part of the automotive sales industry for some time. Typically, fleet sales are defined as car sales to companies rather than individual consumers. Rental car companies like Enterprise, Thrifty, etc. are usually the first things that come to mind when people talk about fleet sales. Some cars (more than others) are sold by automakers to fleet companies to contribute to their bottom line. In fact, Hyundai recently announced they were going to increase their sales to fleets in Europe to aid in the company’s growth. Now, some people will say things along the lines of fleet sales don’t count or they aren’t real sales. Either that or that car companies should avoid them like the AFA avoids reality. For some reason, they are seen by some to be something to be ashamed of. To those of this opinion, I have one question: Who the hell cares? Sales Are Sales One might say fleet sales are worth less than sales to individual customers. Technically, they have a point. Cars sold to fleets are typically sold at a discounted rate because they are bought in bulk. For instance, small businesses can purchase up to 4 vehicles at one time from GM and 5 or more can be sold to larger companies. As a result, companies gain less revenue on each fleet car sold and in turn make less profit on each car. However, my feeling on the matter is that no matter what the profit margin, a sale is a sale. I mean, it’s not like the companies are selling them at a loss whoring them out like many “ladies of the night”. The car is built; if it gets bought, it’s a sale. Seems pretty cut and dry to me. I really don’t see how sales to... • Construction companies/contractors • Police departments • Hospitals • Fire departments • The federal government • ...and more... ...don’t count for anything. Which conveniently brings me to another point... Fleet Sales Are a Necessity Just what is any company supposed to do without fleet vehicles? Fleet cars and trucks exist because companies need them. How can a rental car company possibly exist without any cars to rent? How can a contractor possibly haul his equipment and otherwise conduct their business without a fleet of trucks and vans to do so with? The simple answer is: They can’t. That’s why fleet sales exist. They give the hospitals the ability to rush Grandpa to the hospital after taking his Viagra (interpret that how you want). They give the police an important tool in fighting crime and in providing great footage for “Cops”. And where else are they going to get these vehicles except through purchasing vehicle fleets from automakers? And as car companies are of course in business to make money, they are of course all too happy to provide them with the ability to do so. Besides, think about it: Horses are a bit unsuited to haul a contractor’s hundreds of pounds of building materials and tools, don’t you think? You’d probably kill them trying. Then you’d have PETA all over your ass. They’d call you a horse-murderer and print up T-shirts with your face with devil horns on your head on them. You don’t want a bunch of smelly hippies protesting, chanting and smoking weed outside of your home and/or place of business, do you? Well? Do you?! Of course you don’t. That’s why we need fleet sales. So we don't have to deal with PETA. Potential Positive Possibilities One more thing I’d like to note that some people either forget or don’t realize to begin with is that the sales of fleet cars can yield some positive dividends for auto manufacturers that provide them. They have the potential to aid individual car sales in the long run. Let’s look at a scenario: You’re out one night with a friend in your car. You’re shooting the breeze and having a good time ragging on your Physics professor that has a face that would make Michael Jackson say, “Damn, you’re jacked up.” The conversation then turns to drifting. Your buddy reckons anybody with half a brain can do what “professional” (his quotes) drifters do. You tell him it’s slightly more involved than he gives it credit for. He flat-out disagrees and says he can prove it. He tells you to find a vacant parking lot. You oblige and head to the mall which is closed at this time of night. Arriving at the mall, he tells you step outside and let him drive. You do so. Now he says he can drive up and drift around a traffic island in the parking lot. Skeptical, you tell him to give it his best shot. He proceeds to reverse and then takes an aggressive running start. He jerks the wheel and pulls the handbrake to make the car slide. Much to your surprise, he indeed successfully drifts it around the island. Then to your horror, you watch as the car continues to slide and hit a second traffic island sideways, flipping the car and sending it tumbling over and over. It finally lands wheels down, completely totaled. Your buddy, dizzy but otherwise fine, lumbers out of your trashed vehicle and says “Did I f@#k up?” Now minus one car and one friend, you need a new car. In the meantime, you’ll need to get a rental. You head over to your local rental car agency and make a request for a four-door sedan. The agent hands you the key to a Chevy Impala and sends you on your way. Now generally, you don’t have high expectations of rental cars. In fact, you’re kind of indifferent about the whole thing. However, looking at the car, you notice it looks pretty good. It’s nothing exciting but it’s handsome. Heading out, you notice it has a pretty good ride and the power from the V6 is pretty good – better than the wheezy 4-banger that was in your murdered ride. You take note of all of the features it has and notice how much roomier it is than your old car. Overall, you come off impressed by the car and almost don’t want to give it back a week later. The next thing you know, you’re in an Impala again. Only this time it’s yours. The Impala you rented earlier left such a good impression on you, you decided to buy one to replace your old car and you couldn’t be happier. Basically, the moral of my mini-story is that fleet sales give the end-users of them the opportunity to experience them first-hand. Given a positive experience, there is a good chance the user will consider (and possibly buy) the same car (or brand) for themselves when in the market for one. The more exposure and chances a manufacturer gives people to do so, the better. Freedom to Fleet To summarize my point: “Fleet” is an “F”-word, but it isn’t dirty.

Part of it but...I don't see it accounting for the entire 20 some-odd percent sales increase over last year.

Maybe the much better Azera stole some Amanti buyers. I'm curious about the Amanti's future. Isn't the next-gen or replacement due soon?

Reminds me of the Carver...

Well, you got to admit it's impressive how strong their sales are with all of the fresh, new competition out. They must be doing something right. Good to see the M still going strong (and still beating the GS ) but the new G35 needs to get here pretty soon.

As always, I can't manage to remember them all, so I'll post what I do... Audi S4 (previous) Audi RS6 Scion xA Release Series (2.0?) Dodge Charger R/T Daytona (looked kind of cool, actually) Saab 9-5 (2006) Camry SE (2007) A couple of accidents, too.

Point taken. But if he touches a '69 GTO, somebody's gon' die!

FYI, they say: "When does the best-selling car in America..."

So, there was a rally in downtown Stamford today. Quite a few people, too. Though, I'm not sure what they were trying to prove by walking in the street at green lights trying to get hit by oncoming cars (apparently anyway).

Did you just get it fixed...again (I'm assuming)? Your body shop must love you. :AH-HA_wink: I must've been under a rock: Who's rallying for what later today?

Well, the subject is not really political per se and the thread is progressing fine so far. BTW, I'm a staff member but not an admin. Just a simple editor/reporter. :AH-HA_wink:

Are you cereal?

It seems to be the topic of the day, so what're your thoughts on it? Here's a link to a video of part of it and a news discussion: http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=51ada60c...t=s3&f=06/64&p= And this may or may not need to be said but just to be safe, keep it civil.

Guys, take a couple of these:

I wouldn't say they don't have any hertiage vehicles here. There's the Nissan (Datsun) Z cars. Admittedly, that's the only one that comes readily to mind.

GXP Solstice Sliding Sideways Soon Out with the GTO, in with the Solstice. General Motors recently took the wraps off of their latest entry for Formula D competition: the Red Bull Solstice GXP Drift. The 500-hp machine will have Rhys Millen as the driver and will premiere at Solider Field in Chicago on June 10th. Read "Pontiac Unveils Red Bull Solstice GXP for Drifting Competition" @ GM Media