Thursday, January 8, 2009

AutoSpies.com Newsletter: Latest Spy News 1/08/2009

Latest Auto Show Gallery
2009 Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery
Top AutoSpies.com News
Too many it seems 2008 ended the year with a thud. With more bad news than anyone would ever want to spread around, the Spies put a positive spin on the year in review by asking; “What was the most significant car of 2008?” If you thought the year was nothing but gloom and doom, then you would be pleased to note that our readers had no shortage of silver linings in those dark clouds. But did you start off the New Year by voicing your favorite?

While barely out of the gate now,2009 year certainly looks brighter to many people. Especially if you are a Mercedes Benz fan. The main reason for that positive outlook may be this year’s release of the all new 2010 E-Class. The brochure for this bread and butter model for Mercedes leaked out quite a bit ahead of schedule and gave us quite a peek both inside and out. Given this much lead time, makes me wonder if the competition is now scrambling to catch up.

“The Sky Is Falling, The Sky Is Falling!” or so said the greenies last year. The high cost of gas seemed to be the exact remedy the doctor ordered for most of the world’s green problems. After all, if the cost of fossil fuels remained high, then consumers would be forced to buy a hybrid. Well, if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “no”. Well, as the cost of gas rose last year, Hybrids starting coming into demand, however when the market demand rose, so did the retail prices. The net result was the many consumers had to wait to buy that hybrid, only to realize the higher cost of buying a Hybrid actually set them back more than they expected. By the end of the year, hybrid sales plummeted over the due to higher costs, and then a double whammy when gas prices fell dramatically later in the year killing any cost advantage. If the hybrid is ever going to go fully mainstream, then the cost has to be far lower than it is now, that might entice the consumer to take the bait

For the first time in a number of years we heard the bad new from Honda. Profits were down and sales were suffering. But then came the really bad news. No more Formula One, and no more NSX supercar. But these cost cutting measures must have fallen short of the mark when more announcements came this week. Cancellation of all sports cars and no future rear wheel drive Acura model as well, started to sting the true Honda fan. I am a fan of Honda, but looking at this news, now makes me wonder just how bad Honda is suffering, and what is the real future for Acura will be over the next few years Will Acura go the way of the Dodo?

Spy Shots
Reuters: Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Cars sales drop in 2008
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:50:45 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

WSJ: Audi defies industry gloom - sells 1 million cars in 2008
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:22:01 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 24 ) Comments

Whom do you trust?
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:25:54 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 19 ) Comments

Is This The 2010 Lexus ES?
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:02:23 PM
( 33 ) Votes   ( 46 ) Comments

The 2010 Hyundai Equus sedan
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:07:21 AM
( 31 ) Votes   ( 51 ) Comments

Spy Shots of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:15:44 AM
( 36 ) Votes   ( 44 ) Comments

America v Germany: 2008 BMW 335i vs.2008 Chevrolet Corvette
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:03:53 PM
( 27 ) Votes   ( 41 ) Comments

Spy News
BMW 135i Coupe "SuperSports" model to be launched in 2010
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:26:16 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

New Cars
Ronaldo crashes his Ferrari 599 GTB
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:36:02 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

Lotus working on supercharged 350 horsepower Evora
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:25:23 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

BMW launches 116d model in the UK - most efficient BMW
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:26:45 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

Saleen's SMS Limited reveales future plans
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:48:29 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

2010 Buick LaCrosse Revealed
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:41:00 AM
( 21 ) Votes   ( 23 ) Comments

Nissan GT-R Spec-V makes its official debut
Submitted: 1/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:39:43 AM
( 26 ) Votes   ( 25 ) Comments

2009 Tokyo Auto Show: One big show for Honda
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:40:11 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

2009 Geneva Motor Show: Protoscar Lampo electric roadster
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:33:10 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Audi preparing mystery concept for 2009 NAIAS
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:30:32 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

More details of the Nissan GT-R V-Spec
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:31:53 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Lotus developing 350 hp supercharged Evora
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:29:11 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Nissan GTR Spec-V debuts
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:57:28 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Fiat planning its new Abarth Coupe
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:22:08 PM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brochure Makes Its Way Onto The Web
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:31:58 AM
( 56 ) Votes   ( 76 ) Comments

Kia releases second teaser of its Soulster Concept
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:06:17 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Gemballa releases Tornado Cayenne GTS Limited Edition
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:23:13 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

Hyundai denies convertible version of the Genesis Coupe
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:15:15 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

The Top Best-Selling Cars of 2008
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:12:36 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Toyota to suspend car production in Japan
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:21:42 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Oettinger S350 upgrades the Audi S3 to 350 hp
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:03:35 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Tata planning world's cheapest hybrid vehicle
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:27:59 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

BMW X6 M is Coming, BMW X6-M Product Testing Video
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:01:27 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Suzuki cancels Kizashi 3 mid-size sedan production
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:52:08 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

BMW 1 Series Concept - Renderings
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:27:56 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

Rumor: Mazda RX-9 could be hydrogen-powered
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:20:07 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 21 ) Comments

Preview: Hamann upgrades the Bentley Continental GT Speed
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:19:10 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

The Queen goes green: Royal Bentley to run on bio-fuel
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:18:12 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

9ff Vantage GTR takes the Porsche Cayenne a step further
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:17:17 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Toyota developing solar-powered car
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:14:50 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Lotus developing new electric sports car
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:42:30 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

2009 Vw Polo GTI: first details revealed
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:39:34 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition Makes Its World Debut
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:20:48 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Rolls-Royce unveils Phantom Sapphire Edition
Submitted: 1/1/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:37:34 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

2010 Kia Soul pricing starts at $13,995
Submitted: 1/1/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:32:15 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Misc News
GM receives second aid of the US Federal Government
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:34:51 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Hybrid Sales Falling Like A Rock, Will Resale Soon Follow?
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:44:24 PM
( 33 ) Votes   ( 80 ) Comments

Nissan makes public its decision to pass Detroit Show
Submitted: 1/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:07:48 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

KTM Concepts Could Point the Way Forward For Austrian Brand
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:13:14 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Consumer Reports picks top Detroit cars, Ford dominates list
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:26:04 AM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

The Top 10 Best-Selling Cars of 2008: Ford F-150 still no. 1
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:29:23 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

Nissan asks dealers to not attend Detroit Auto Show next week
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:14:11 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

GM Sales Drop 31.4% In December and Over 21% For 2008
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:59:48 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Audi R8 V10 coming with LED lamp clusters as typical gear
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:29:19 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

Porsche Sales Down 24 Percent In 2008
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:40:36 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Porsche Holding In VW Increased To Over 50 Percent
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:29:53 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

FOMOCO Sales Crater 32.4% In December - Down 20.7% For 2008
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:46:57 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

UAW Boss Claims F150 Built Twice as Fast as Tundra
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:38:15 PM
( 19 ) Votes   ( 20 ) Comments

Volkswagen Sales Drop 14.4% In December Ends 2008 Down 3.2%
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:07:02 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

Porsche Panamera Will Have World Debut at Auto Shanghai 2009
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:01:19 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Audi Sales End Down 9.1% For December Minus 6.1% For 2008
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:50:34 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Top 10 cars to burn in Paris
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:49:36 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 49 ) Comments

Vintage Diesels Could Rack Up One Million Miles
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:07:50 PM
( 21 ) Votes   ( 32 ) Comments

Barn Find Bugatti Could Be Most Expensive Car Auctioned
Submitted: 1/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:53:19 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Eliica 8-wheeler EV aims for world records
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:04:13 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Finally The Truth: What Is The GT-R's REAL Horsepower?
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:54:11 PM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 57 ) Comments

Nissan Sales Slide 30% In December - Infiniti Slips 34.6%
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:08:56 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery: 2009 Buick Regal - China's Opel Insignia
Submitted: 1/3/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:10:12 AM
( 18 ) Votes   ( 22 ) Comments

Reviews
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera PDK vs. 2009 BMW M3 DCT
Submitted: 1/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:43:10 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

2009 9ff GT9R First Drive
Submitted: 1/2/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:06:10 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Lexus LS600h AWD vs Mercedes C320 CDI 4Matic
Submitted: 1/1/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:21:10 PM
( 47 ) Votes   ( 84 ) Comments

Videos
Will it Blend Nissan GT-R Video
Submitted: 1/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:03:25 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments




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