2010 Volvo S60 To Introduce Collision Avoidance System

The new S60 with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Collision Avoidance.

Subaru 216a Coupe Photoshop

Click the headline for rumours about the Subaru version of the Toyobaru!

2010 Motor Trend Sport/Utility Of The Year: Subaru Outback

Find the Hidden SUV: An Act So Good, Even if You Know How It's Done You Can't See It
October 16, 2009

Click below for the YouTube vid clip showing how the Outback conquered contenders like the Toyota 4Runner, Audi Q5, Cadillac SRX, Volvo XC60, Mercedes GLK, Lexus RX 350, Acura ZDX, Lincoln MKT, Chev Equinox, GMC Terrain, both on and off road:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCEn2CtS-Y

Click to view Gallery
It's right there in the photo: a spacious, tough, thoroughly modern, exceedingly capable sport/utility vehicle. You're forgiven if all you can see is a svelte station wagon. There's magic at work here.
For the first time since any of us can recall, an automaker has claimed the Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year title two years in a row. Last fall, deftly balancing efficiency and size, the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester went home with the Golden Calipers trophy.

Hyundai - Kia Opens Another North American Assembly Plant

Hyundai and Kia increased 26% in September even as industry sales overall softened after the cash-for-clunkers program ended. Click on the headline for this recent Time Magazine story about the new Kia plant near the Hyundai plant and the engine plant in the Alabama / Georgia area.

Report: Volvo to Bring Diesel and Hybrid-Diesel Cars to North America

Volvo will bring diesel engines as well as diesel-hybrids to North America in the future says the company’s North American CEO. click the headline for the rest of the story.

the Incredibly Satirical Subaru Outback Informercial

This infomercial is currently running nationally in the US. An incredibly unique spoof on all that is wrong with tv! Click the headline to go to the YouTube link

More on the Subaru Hybrid Tourer

The car on the left is the new concept hybrid tourer debuting @ the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The car on the right is the B11S which hit the show circuit in 2003 and was referrered to as, "a far-reaching look into Subaru's future styling direction"

SEMA Time

The next few weeks will feature an onslaught of wild new vehicles as pictures and stories are released about cars and trucks that will debut at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association). It takes place early in November at Las Vegas

Is this the Subaru Version of the Toyobaru

The sketches of Subaru's version of the "Toyobaru" are highly reminiscent of the B111 Concept Car from a few years ago. Click on the headline for more leaked sketches.

Is Toyota Getting Back On The Right Track

Struggling automaker Toyota has unveiled the concept of it's first true sports car that is a real performance car at an affordable price. What's so special about it other than the swoopy sheet metal? It will be built by Subaru on a Rear Wheel Drive platform featuring Subaru's 2 liter boxing engine. Expect to see it in 2011 around $20k USD. Subaru will be launching it's concept version of this car later in the year. Could we see the next generation STi in a 300+ HP, AWD 2 door?

Click the headline for the rest of the story

Subaru at the Tokyo Motor Show

Subaru will debut a new concept car next week at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Among the highlights of the Subaru Hybrid Tourer include the gullwing doors, leather seats and a 2.0 litre turbocharged boxer engine paired with electric motors. Also watch for the "Toyobaru", the Toyota AE86 successor with the Subaru powertrain.

Ford concerned by intellectual property issues in sale of Volvo

What doe's 2 billion buy you in a car company nowadays? Click the headline to go to the latest news on the sale of Volvo by Ford.

US Hyundai Chief, John Krafcik talks about the Future

Q : How does the U.S. market look to you?
A : For the fourth quarter, it's looking like 9 million to 10 million (vehicle sales) on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate, a little bit closer to 10. The forecast for next year isn't looking a whole lot better -- maybe a little bit over 11 million units. Click the headline for the rest of the interview

What the Others Have to Say

This how Hyundai is regarded by some of the leaders of the auto industry:

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito minced no words when he told the Associated Press (July 13,2009):
"Hyundai is awesome. They are undoubtedly a threat"

Nissan Motor Co. Senior Vice President Shiro Nakamura (Oct. 1, 2009):
"Hyundai is the biggest threat for the Japanese automakers, they have the technology"

Toyota CEO, Akio Toyoda said (Oct. 2, 2009):
“We have to make better cars, we are grasping for salvation”

Record Month Again for Subaru and Hyundai

Subaru leads the industry with a whopping increase of 68% and Hyundai follows suit with 30% increase, Volvo sales are relatively flat over last year -6%.

Winners
Audi: 1,111 units (up 17.1%)
BMW: 2,402 units (up 50.1%)
Ford: 16,140 units (up 24.4%)
Hyundai: 9,282 units (up 30.8%)
Kia: 4,515 units (up 19.7%)
Lexus: 1,504 units (up 11.3%)
Mercedes-Benz: 2,248 units (up 24.9%)
Mitsubishi: 1,735 units (up 18.5%)
Porsche: 114 units (up 14.0%)
smart: 312 units (up 3.7%)
Subaru: 2,544 units (up 68.4%)
Suzuki: 1,351 units (up 3.6%) Losers
Acura: 1,127 units (down 45.0%)
Chrysler: 15,804 units (down 7.1%)
General Motors: 23,568 units (down 23.4%)
Honda: 11,272 units (down 12.2%)
Infiniti: 639 units (down 14.3%)
Jaguar: 62 units (down 24.4%)
Land Rover: 179 units (down 8.2%)
Mazda: 6,520 units (down 3.6%)
MINI: 340 units (down 16.9%)
Nissan: 6,594 units (down 0.9%)
Saab: 59 units (down 48.2%)
Toyota: 16,065 units (down 11.1%)
Volkswagen: 3,508 units (down 4.2%)
Volvo: 508 units (down 6.4%)

3 Commercials for the All New 2011 Sonata

"Art of Technology" is the theme of these 3 new commercials for the launch of the incredibly styled 2011 Sonata. Expect to see this car on our lot around March 2010.

Yet Another Volvo First For Safety

The next generation of preventive safety technology from Volvo can detect a pedestrian who has walked out in front of the car. Click the headline for the rest of the story....

Whats next for Volvo

Chinese auto maker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said on Sept. 14 that its parent company Geely Holding Group Co. is bidding for Ford Motor's Swedish car brand Volvo.
"Volvo is a good brand, but Ford will sell it in order to shift its main focus on developing the Ford brand," said Mulally.
Sources close to the takeover said the two parties have signed a confidentiality agreement, which forbids disclosure of the negotiation details from either of the parties. Click on the Headline for the complete story

440' Jump on a Motorcycle Goes Very Very Bad

Click on the headline to see the most amazing motorcycle jump ever!

It's a guy called Moto-Bird who attempts to set a world record motorcycle jump. Broken jaw, cheekbones, and several other bones in his face. Also, a major artery in his face was severed, causing extensive blood loss. His left arm was broken, as were both legs. He is also now equipped with a trachea tube and can't talk, eat, or swallow. He plans on jumping again.

300 HP Subaru STi ATV- From the Sublime to the Ridiculous!

Just click on the headline and watch the YouTube video.

Engine: Subaru 2.0l intercooled turbo STi – V5 EJ20
Transmission: 5-Speed manual with (left) foot “H” pattern shift
Rear diff: 4.11:1 LSD
Axles: Shortened to give wheel track of 1220mm 48”
Drive shaft: Rebuilt to suit wheel base of 1800mm 71”
Cooling: Radiator mounted (almost horizontal) under rear panel with the water flowing back down the right lower chassis rail and back up the left rail
Steering: Non assisted
Body: GRP – Fibre glass, produced from my own plugs and moulds, finished in Subaru Rally Blue
Clutch: Left hand operated, with a large lever
Brakes: Twin master cylinders with bias adjuster, right foot pedal

Hyundai Goes From 11th to 4th in Less than 10 Years

An article in The New York Times about South Korea's Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group includes a graphic that shows its annual U.S. sales now equal Nissan's and are fast approaching Chrysler's.
Indeed, the company is likely to overtake Chrysler in the near future as the troubled Italian-owned American auto maker's sales line is down, down, down.
Consider this: Hyundai's August sales topped were up 47 percent from last year while total industry sales were up only 1 percent, according to the NYT. And its 8 percent of the new vehicle market share last month was more than Chrysler's 7.4 percent.
Last year, it became the fourth-largest automaker in the world behind Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen. That compares with a ranking of 11th less than a decade ago, according to the NYT.

First Drive: the 2014 Volvo C30 BEV Electric Car

The company that invented the oxygen sensor and the 3 point seat belt has done more for clean emmissions and safety than any other car company in history. Now they are getting their first electric car ready for production (think of the safety liabilities and threats of an electric car during a catastrophic accident). Click the headline for a driving test of Volvo's prototype C30 fully electric car.

An Aussie Review of the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesels

In 2007, Subaru launched the world's first Horizontally Opposed Turbo Diesel Intercooled production car engine in Europe. Click the headline for an Aussie review of the diesel Subaru's and their incredible efficiency.

Hyundai Extends It's Lead Over Lexus In Overall Brand Value For 2009

"Thanks to eye-catching products like Genesis and innovative marketing such as the Assurance program, Hyundai is making a big splash in the world market," Interbrand said. Click the headline for more on Hyundai's rapid rise in the automotive world.

In a US Market that is Down 32% How Can Subaru Sales Be Up?

Subaru is the only car company in the United States who is posting in an increase in sales in the US this year. What have they done that no one else has been able to do. Why are people flocking to the brand in July, doubling their sales over last year?

The Comprehensive 2010 Tucson Gallery

Click the headline for a gallery of pics of the all new 2010 Tucson.

More Detailed Pics of the 2011 Sonata

Click the headline above to see everything on the

new Sonata.

Volvo Introduces the World's Cleanest Diesel Engine

Volvo Cars has now undercut the magical 100 grams carbon dioxide limit for the first time ever.The new Volvo C30 DRIVe was presented at the car show in Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Click Here to View the Face Lifted 2010 C70

A more aggressive grill treatment and some huge cateye headlights are the highlight of the this
evolutionary restyling.

Volvo's First Electric Vehicle

Volvo enters the EV market with a convertible.

Volvo's curvaceous new saloon caught in production trim without camouflage for the first time

Wow, even in the funky colour with the moondisc wheels, the soon to be released S60 is sleek yet strong while still being a Volvo.

Old vs New, How Far has Safety Gone in 50 Years?

In celebration of their 50 year anniversary, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety staged an offset head on collision of a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air vs a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The results are very interesting. Click on the headline to go to the YouTube video.

Subaru Continues it's "Legacy" of Safety

Just like all other Subaru models, the all new 2010 Legacy and Outback have received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designation.

In Case You Can't Wait til Spring 2010 for the New Sonata...

Take a sneak peak at the startling 2011 Sonata.

What's this? A sneak peak at the 2011 Elantra Sedan

Even though it's sales are skyrocketing, Hyundai isn't sitting still with the Elantra. Here is a sneak peak at the car we will see without cladding in about a year (fall 2010). Click the headline for more....

Canadian Sales in August

The hottest brand in the industry is Hyundai, hands down, flat out, without question. Sales for Hyundai were up by 38% over August of last year for a total of 10,418, falling just shy of Honda at 10,574. Who would have thought that Hyundai would be shadowing Honda in sales. Subaru had a strong month that was hampered by a lack of product due to a record sales pace so far this year and a lack of the new Outback and Legacy.

Winners
Acura: 1,644 units (up 26.4%)
Audi: 1,058 units (up 89.6%)
BMW: 2,292 units (up 20.5%)
Ford: 22,166 units (up 7.0%)
Hyundai: 10,418 units (up 38.4%)
Kia: 4,672 units (up 20.6%)
Lexus: 1,532 units (up 31.3%)
Mercedes-Benz: 1,992 units (up 20.5%)
Mitsubishi: 1,860 units (up 24.9%)
Nissan: 7,071 units (up 4.2%)
Porsche: 120 units (up 7.1%)
Subaru: 1,940 units (up 4.2%)
Suzuki: 1,315 units (up 1.3%)
Volvo: 527 units (up 16.3%)

The Ontario Tire Stewardship

Click on the headline to get a brief outline of Ontario's latest program to save the earth.

August by the Numbers in the US

Cash for Clunkers definitely worked in the US. 700,000 cars and trucks were sold and the US economy grew by 1.9% in August spurred on by the auto industry. The huge glut of new car inventory was eliminated with many dealerships running out of popular models. Subaru, Hyundai and Kia led the charge. Hyundai was up 47% over last August. Subaru was up 51% over last August. Little ol' Subaru outsold heavy hitters like Mazda, VW, Lexus, BMW, MB, Jeep, Chrysler, GMC and a host of others. Truly amazing times.

Hyundai Canada Pres. Steve Kelleher Talks About Our Successes And The Future

In an interview with the Star, Steve Kelleher talks about the history and the future of Hyundai in Canada.

Wow, How About an XC60 for $39,995!

Here is the official announcement on the new XC60 3.2L starting at $39,995. Click the headline above!

Hyundai-The best built non premium brand in North America!

Ok, this is truly amazing and something we need to let everyone know about. For the first time in history, Hyundai has been ranked above all other non premium brands (and fourth overall) in the JD Power and Assoc. Initial Quality Study.

Click on the headline and see how we are now ranked above Honda, Toyota and all the rest. We trail only Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac!



The 2009 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2009.

More About the Toyobaru

7Tune's tipster says that the Toyota and Subaru versions won't be remarkably different – only the front grille, headlamps and taillights will be unique. The report goes on to say that Toyota is desperately trying to keep the price below the two million yen mark (a little over $20,000) and, coinciding with earlier rumors, Subaru is actively considering offering an STI version of the coupe.

Lots of Great News Here!

The future product line up of Hyundai is a little more clear when you click on the headline above and go to this story from AutoBlog.

The Highly Anticipated Follow Up To Ken Block's Gymkhana Video!

After the first video became one of the most watched action sports vids in history there had to be a sequel. Monster Energy came on board and greatly upped the production value of the sequel. Crawford Racing constructed this new STi with 611 lb. ft. of torque at the wheels. The car in the first video was converted to rear wheel drive. This new car has Subaru's legendary Symmetrical AWD system in it. So when you watch the video, notice the front tires spinning and the smoke pouring off of them even in full lock drifts.

Exotic Wrecks!

This short video clip is proof that having lots of money doesn't necessarily equate to driving ability and proper judgement.

Volvo Announces it's Plug In Electric Hybrid

For 2012 Volvo will have a full size plug in electric hybrid car available for real families looking for real world practicality and safety. Click on the headline for more...

Drive Your Virtual S60 Concept Car Today

In a unique promotion Volvo has developed a fun and free game for you to download. It features the startling new S60 Concept Car along with legendary Volvo's of the past!

Who's Driving the Hyundai Ship In America?

John Krafcik was the head of product development for the US. He is now Pres and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Here is an insightful interview about Hyundai's past, present and future.

The Subaru Legacy Concept Explained

Here is an interesting YouTube interview with the
designer of the 2010 Legacy and the muscular
Legacy Concept. This answer the question of
"why did they do that?"

Hyundai is on it's way to being the most Green auto company in the world

With the world's first lithium ion polymer batteries ready to power the upcoming Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai is well on it's way to achieving it's goal as the world's most fuel efficient and environmentally responsible car manufacturer.

2010 Japan Spec Legacy GT First Drive

"This new Legacy is meant to be a breakthrough vehicle for Subaru, a legitimate rival for the world's best sedans"

Although not exactly the car we will see this summer, Edmunds.com's Inside Line review is incredibly encouraging!

So How Was Our April?

April was a great month for all of our staff and our 3 brands. We held our official VIP Hyundai Charity Grand Opening. It went off on time and was very well attended. Justin Thompson put a great video presentation together for us that had everyone laughing. To date we have almost reached our goal of $5000 for the United Way of Sarnia - Lambton County.

With the help of our good friends at Volvo of Mississauga, we delivered our very first XC60 to Wayne Coughlin. It is truly a landmark vehicle in the history of Volvo. Interestingly our April Volvo sales were better this year than last!

We delivered a total of 45 new and used cars in April from all brands. Subaru set an all time high with 14 new cars delivered. Shane is currently the 4th highest ranked Subaru sales professional in Canada for sales volume and the 1st ranked non-french sales professional.

We were well on our way to our best Hyundai sales month in our history however the reality of hosting our VIP event and our Family Fun Day Open House took a lot of time and energy away from actually closing off sales. I deserve the blame for scheduling the Grand Opening events at month end when we typically close off sales. I'll know better when scheduling our next Grand Opening.

As it was we finished with 23 new car sales which still compares favourably with Honda who posted 26 and Toyota who posted 27. I haven't done the math yet for the year but we are probably about 7 behind honda ytd and and about even with Toyota.

We are currently at 263% of our year to date sales objective for Subaru and Hyundai is running at 129% of our sales pace from last year. This is all a truly exceptional performance.

Service continues to grow and evolve. My primary objective right now is to continue organizing the Subaru Volvo service operations along with reaching our goal of being the number one ranked Hyundai Sales and Service departments in Canada for Total Customer Satisfaction. These are goals that we all need to work together on.

Please welcome Ron Buxton as our latest edition to the Fenwick Motors family. Ron is here to help us in anyway needed while focusing on shuttle service and lot detailing. Ron brings a pleasant manner and a great deal of auto experience. His support network is his wife Diana and their 2 beautiful gifted young daughters.

As far as national sales, we are again at the top of the heap with Hyundai and Subaru both posting record sales in April not just for the month but in the history of both companies. The magnitude of this accomplisment simply cannot be understated because the overall market was down 17.8%. In Canada only 8 car companies improved their sales over April of last year and 2 of those 8 are our brands. 18 other car companies posted double digit drops in sales. This includes all of the heavy hitters, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Acura, Infiniti...

Our partners from Hyundai Auto Canada presented us with striking custom glass sculpture in recognition of all of our accomplishments. It is on display in the Hyundai Internet Cafe.

For those that weren't able to attend the VIP night, I'll finish this monthly recap off with a quote from my closing remarks,

"This business is very very simple. It is the 3P’s. Without the very best people you cannot succeed. I have them. Without the very best products your people don’t have anything to sell. With Hyundai I have it. Without the very best sales programs your great staff won’t have any tools to sell your great products with. With Hyundai, I have it."

Obviously with our current performance, we have "it" with our Subaru Volvo people, products and programs as well. These are still the most challenging times in the post WW II era and that won't change soon.

May is traditionally our first month of our busy season so we have tons of opportunity available. To all of the staff, want to say thank you for a great month of effort in April.

A Retro Themed Car Done Right

Check this incredible car hand crafted by one of the designers from the Swedish supercar builder Koenigsegg. It is a retro themed one off based upon the Volvo P1800 E originally made famous as Roger Moore's car in the TV series The Saint.

Powered by the 4.4l Yamaha built Volvo V-8 with 600 hp and a 6 speed manual. This coupe is a must for any serious Volvo fan.

Oops! We did it again...another record month for Subaru

So as the auto world spirals ever lower Subaru
Canada has the best month in history...period!
Click the headline to read about the perfect car
company with the perfect cars for Canada.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai has committed to the most aggressive environmental goal of any manufacturer in the world. By 2o15 Hyundai will achieve a Corporate Average Fuel Economy rating of 35 mpg US. The world standard is to achieve compliance by 2020! Click on the headline for a look into the products that will carry us there.

Never did I ever think we would ever see a Hyundai compared with a Camaro!

These are amazing and strange times indeed. How about a head to head comparison between the two newest, hottest V6 sports coupes on the road today. Click the headline for the story and video courtesy of Car and Driver.

If She Looks This Hot With Her Clothes On...

Even with it's camouflaged cladding on, this 2011 Sonata test car can't hide it's stunningly rakish styling! Click on the headline to go to more pictures.