All Cars, All the Time

Automotive News Headlines

The calm before the storm. It’s a slow week before the holidays and the forthcoming auto shows. However, each week brings some news.

Hyundai is pricing the 2006 Accent starting at $12,995. For comparison’s sake, the 2005 Accent was $11,044.

This was already covered this week, but just in case you missed it GM will stop building the TrailBlazer EXT and the GMC Envoy XL the first week of February 2006. The seven seaters never lit up the market as GM hoped they might. These trucks were notable in that GM made a big deal about waiting to introduce the seven seaters after the five seat models had been on the market awhile—inferring that they were truly separate models. Separate but not equal it seems in hindsight.

In an interview with Rick Wagoneer, the head honcho admits that GM isn’t as quick to adapt as it needs to be.

In another “we knew this already” GM has named its 2008 Buick crossover the Enclave. This jalopy is sister to the Saturn Outlook.

Sales of the Dodge Charger have been okay and have brought in a younger buyer, but hasn’t reached the level of the Chrysler 300 and has required more rebates.

Prius supplies will remain thin in 2006. Extra production is slated for the new Camry Hybrid.

Ford is experiencing consumer angst over the Power Stroke diesel engine. Ford has been sued at least 58 times by consumers who bought 2003 and 2004 model Power Stroke trucks.