Thursday, May 14, 2009

AutoSpies.com Newsletter: Latest Spy News 05/14/2009

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With sales dropping like a rock, you might think Lexus would be scurrying for cover to wait it out. But with personal pride at stake and the dire need to refresh a rather “reserved” model line up Lexus now has taken the offensive. Agent001 took run up to Santa Barbara this week to review the all new IS250C and the HS250h additions to Lexus lineup. Were they successful in their endeavor to spice up the character of Lexus? If you take a look at 001’s review of the entry level HS250h then you might want to rethink if others should be following Lexus lead.

It seems everything is shrinking around us. Smaller cars and smaller engines are all in the news. But what if you still have a legitimate need for a large full size SUV? Agent001 says to look no further than the LX570. With luxury abounding and appeal of a full size SUV, this may be your top choice for quality cruising with a family and a boat in tow. Rarely does all come together in a single package like this, but if you have the need and the resources you should place this one high on your list. Who said big is dead?

Hyundai is determined to become Lexus worst nightmare. By taking the Lexus guide to success as a road map, they are slowly entering the luxury market offering comparable luxury at a significant discount. The Genesis is already a qualified hit, and Hyundai just had to raise the bar by announcing the $75,000 EQUUS. Aimed squarely at the successful Lexus LS, Hyundai hopes the $20-$30,000 difference in price will sway more than just a few buyers from Lexus showrooms. Looking at their recent successes and the desire for many to be a bit more discreet with their spending, I might venture to say they are on to something.

We are all used to Toyota outdoing GM. First they analyzed every aspect of GM’s marketing strategy and one upped them in each and every category. Slowly but surely they methodically took over GM’s bread and butter markets and eventually took the number one spot. Simply amazing and it all made sense when the market was good. But matching GM in every aspect also opens you up to every weakness they have as well. So much so that when the 1st quarter profit results came in, Toyota lost a staggering 6.9 Billion dollars compared to GM’s 6.0 Billon dollar loss for the same period. While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, I bet the stockholders for Toyota could have done without this one. Ouch!




Spy Shots
2011 Hyundai Sonata Partially Spied
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:40:06 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

BMW 5 Series GT Caught In The Wild
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:36:59 AM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 24 ) Comments

Lexus LF-A edges closer to production: Spy Shots
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:05:38 PM
( 27 ) Votes   ( 27 ) Comments

Lotus Plans New Esprit In 2012
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:08:38 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Spies Catch The First Hyundai Equus Tester In SoCal
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:54:13 PM
( 27 ) Votes   ( 54 ) Comments

Audi Continues to Narrow the Gap With Mercedes and BMW
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:06:13 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

New 6-series Convertible on track for 2011 debut
Submitted: 5/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:40:30 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Spy News
New Cars
Audi RS5 Convertible in the works
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:47:05 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7:26, beats Corvette ZR1
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:29:46 AM
( 27 ) Votes   ( 37 ) Comments

Nissan Murano Cabrio coming in 2010
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:04:59 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell car coming in 2014
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:33:39 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

The Ultimate Ambulance: BMW X6 xDrive50i - 407 horsepower
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:18:09 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

2010 Infiniti QX56 U.S. pricing announced
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:45:48 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Tesla Motors gets over 1,000 deposits for the Model S
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:26:27 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

2010 Opel Astra leaked before Frankfurt debut
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:23:07 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

GM Shares Tumble To Lowest Level Since 1933
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:39:16 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

New Volkswagen Polo receives over 13,000 orders
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:01:41 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Audi D7 Concept Car
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:13:24 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

What if the 2011 BMW 6 Series will look like this?
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:47:14 PM
( 25 ) Votes   ( 22 ) Comments

Hautai presents Lexus LS and Bentley Continental GT clone
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:31:30 PM
( 21 ) Votes   ( 24 ) Comments

Ferrari F450 coming to Frankfurt Motor Show
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:32:30 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

2010 Opel Astra teased ahead of its debut. again!
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:37:23 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Hyundai Equus spotted in the U.S. once again (with huge gallery)
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:24:24 PM
( 19 ) Votes   ( 24 ) Comments

Chrysler/Fiat alliance may allow Ford Ka to come to stateside
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:47:55 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Rumor: Honda CR-Z coming to U.S.
Submitted: 5/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:17:08 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

Lotus based Dodge Circuit EV killed
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:47:25 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

600 HP Twin-Turbocharged Artisan Camaro SS SA-600
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:16:15 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Lotus Evora convertible will only have two seats
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:24:25 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Rumor: Nissan's MX-5 competitor coming in 2011
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:42:56 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Audi R8 Cabrio still has green light
Submitted: 5/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:35:25 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Misc News
Nissan R34 GT-R from Fast and Furious movie stolen
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:51:27 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

These 789 Chrysler Dealers Are To Be Closed By June 9th
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:38:28 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Renault to quit F1 if the budget limit will not be revised
Submitted: 5/14/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:10:16 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Suzuki stops producing the XL7 SUV. for the moment
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:59:04 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Ghosn: I won't leave Nissan until it's profitable
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:16:36 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Chrysler To Axe 800 Dealers Tomorrow
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:29:13 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

Hartge releases new wheels for the 2009 BMW Z4
Submitted: 5/13/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:51:28 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Ferrari Pulls Out Of 2010 F1 Season
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:16:39 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 17 ) Comments

Chrysler's Lawyers Demand To Be First In Line To Be Paid
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:50:23 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Opel to be sold by the end of this month
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:31:13 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Obama Adminstration Halves Chrysler's Advertising Budget
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:07:40 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Fiat denies the possible alliance with Suzuki
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:46:43 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Ahead Of the Curve? Self Driving Audi Caught Undergoing Testing
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:24:40 AM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

GM looking to sell Saturn Sky business
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:04:11 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

GM Plans To Export China-Built Vehicles To The U.S.
Submitted: 5/12/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:53:13 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

GM Considers Ditching Headquarters In Detroit
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:32:39 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

GMAC In Line For $7.5 Billion In Additional Federal Loans
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:06:25 AM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Daimler wants closer partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Bmw
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:36:43 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Toyota Sets The Stage To Exit Formula One
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:59:01 AM
( 18 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

GM kills the Cadillac STS-V and Pontiac G6 GXP
Submitted: 5/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:38:22 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Brawn wins the Spanish Grand Prix
Submitted: 5/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:19:06 PM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 27 ) Comments

Audi reveals new technologies to improve fuel economy
Submitted: 5/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:23:58 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 19 ) Comments

Danica Patrick poses for Got Milk
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:46:33 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

Ferrari shows profit in the first quarter of this year
Submitted: 5/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:37:37 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Ludwig Willisch no longer head of the BMW M Division
Submitted: 5/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:37:58 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

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