Thursday, June 11, 2009

AutoSpies.com Newsletter: Latest Spy News 06/11/2009

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Widespread brand recognition is a major accomplishment for a company. Many equate quality to Lexus, while to others BMW may represent precision. But if we gave you a list of brands would your one word representation be the same as mine? Agent001 gave you a shot this week at using one word to describe a variety of brands out there and it was surprising to see how many of you could not agree on the best choice of words to best represent a brand.

They say tough times separate the men from the boys, and certainly these are tough times. Agent001 chose the top German brands on the market this week and asked you who was the up and coming, and who was starting to lose their grip, and how they would all fare over the next year. Tempers flared over that one, but when he turned the tables the next day, and put the Asians in the hot seat, you could see the smoke rising on the horizon. Brand pride may be one thing but these fans clearly had different ideas on who had the credentials to even be considered.

With both GM and Chrysler both going bankrupt the industry is pretty much in shambles and many of us are waiting for the next shoe to drop. The investors are skittish and worrying about everything. So did it come as a surprise when these same investors started casting a wary eye at Toyota? Obviously Toyota has earmarked slow selling cars like the Solara convertible to get the axe, but when the focus turned to Lexus it became clear these investors were painting with broad strokes. Has the Lexus cash cow contracted an incurable illness, and would it take Toyota with it? We doubt it, but with sales in the basement it makes you wonder just how much of those Toyota profits came from Lexus?

Get ready, get set go! Is BMW setting the stage for a new model onslaught? First the 5-series GT is announced and now word comes of a 3-series equivalent in the works. With BMWs main rival in the US sitting on a stale lineup, they have the opportunity to expand their lead in several segments with these key models. The real question may be who will Lexus keep up with BMW over the next year?


Spy Shots
Bmw X1 caught almost undisguised
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:09:15 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Get ready for the BMW 3-series GT
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:50:23 PM
( 24 ) Votes   ( 25 ) Comments

Ferrari F450 spotted with strange diffuser
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:50:50 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

BMW 5 Series GT on PCH/Malibu
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:09:17 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

BMW Teases The X1 Are They On The Right Track?
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:08:52 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Dream Car in your Driveway
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:18:20 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Spy News
All BMW X1 Teaser Photos Now Live
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:12:20 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 17 ) Comments

New Cars
Peugeot 308 RC Z, a.k.a. Audi TT competitor coming in 2010
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:34:38 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Could the Tata Nano come to the U.S. as a Chrysler Nano?
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:27:37 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Chevrolet builds 1,500,000th Corvette
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:16:07 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

2010 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:03:35 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

2010 KIA Forte at US dealers now. Prices start at $13,695.
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:26:40 PM
( 20 ) Votes   ( 34 ) Comments

2010 Hennessey Unleashes the First Blown 2010 Camaro
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:46:46 AM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

MotorTrend: If We Ran The New GM
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:00:21 AM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

Future Cars: 2012 Toyota/Subaru Sports Coupe
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:47:58 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

ABT reveals the brand new AS3
Submitted: 6/6/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:57:11 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Fiat 500 to arrive in USA by late 2010
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:16:43 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Mazda AZ-Wagon Special Edition goes on sale in Japan
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:43:57 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Audi's TT-RS Officially Becomes Official
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:05:01 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Volkswagen names its upcoming pick-up: Amarok
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:31:16 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

2010 Infiniti G37 pricing announced
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:11:10 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

AC Schnitzer unveils their MINI Cooper R57 Convertible
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:47:26 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

500 Horsepower BMW M3 Coupe from G-Power
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:28:41 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

New Rendering: 2011 BMW 5 Series Wagon - We like it!
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:06:55 PM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Jaguars upcoming 2010 XJ sedan could go hybrid
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:00:04 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Ferrari CEO confirms Hybrid Concept, coming to LA
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:03:36 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Toyota planning new compact sports car based on iQ
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:23:32 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

9ff BT-2 based on the Porsche GT2
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:20:33 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Misc News
What To Do About Lexus - How Would You Turn Them Around?
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:22:00 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

2010 Vibe is not the last Pontiac, says GM spokesman
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:02:44 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Lexus Hints At IS Coupe
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:32:48 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Audi R15 TDI is legal, despite Peugeot's protest
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:57:53 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Toyota kills the Camry Solara Convertible
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:28:28 AM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

Early look at future Chrysler lineup
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:07:39 AM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Rolls-Royce Ghost will ride on trick air-suspension system
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:02:27 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Beijing Auto expresses interest in Volvo
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:36:27 AM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

A Look Back at the Classic Opel GT
Submitted: 6/11/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:11:56 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

New supercar rendered by Russian designer
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:55:49 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Ed Wilburn Defends GM Design From HuffPO Attack
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:11:40 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Bugatti Veyron being rented for $25,000
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:11:57 PM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Ferrari Enzo designer opens design studio in California
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:00:59 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

New GM Chairman Is Not A Motorhead: Should We Worry?
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:35:47 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE package priced at ?30,000
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:33:16 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Cash For Clunkers Approved By House
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:55:26 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

Saturn will not sell the Smart brand, says Penske
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:51:11 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Lamborghini sales down 30%, no recovery 'till 2011
Submitted: 6/10/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:20:13 AM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Upcoming Volkswagen vehicles will be lighter
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:42:28 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Lotus could return to Formula One from 2010
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:51:55 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Former AT&T CEO Named Chairman Of General Motors
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:26:48 PM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Porsche confirms talks with the State of Qatar
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:40:36 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Tata Nano coming in the U.S. by 2011
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:00:06 PM
( 17 ) Votes   ( 24 ) Comments

Brawn GP wins the Turkey Grand Prix
Submitted: 6/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:48:46 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Why European Diesel Cars Are Not Available in the U.S.
Submitted: 6/7/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:37:39 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

GM to hit profitability by 2011
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:00:16 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Report: Saab has sufficient funds to survive until is sold
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:17:55 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Nissan creates new jobs due to the scrappage scheme
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:22:30 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Tesla opens seven new dealerships around the world
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:14:21 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

1.5 millionth Corvette rolls off the production line
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:52:20 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

Chrysler was hiding $35 million bid for Viper in court
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:05:34 AM
( 13 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Roger Penske On the Verge Of Buying Saturn
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:39:21 AM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 20 ) Comments

Mercedes-Benz C-Class receives three newly developed engines
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:22:46 PM
( 16 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

State of Qatar interested in buying Porsche stake
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:08:33 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Toyota to race until 2012 if the new rules are removed
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:48:14 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Tesla delivers its 500th Roadster
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:20:11 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Mini asks drivers not to drive on June 5
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:20:07 AM
( 19 ) Votes   ( 28 ) Comments

Nissan GT-R is one of the most expensive cars to insure
Submitted: 6/4/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:45:50 AM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 15 ) Comments

Pontiac G8 might become a Buick
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:14:47 AM
( 23 ) Votes   ( 28 ) Comments

Beijing Auto may bid for Saab after Opel deal fails
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:38:08 AM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Pontiac G8 may be here to stay
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:21:43 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Audi launches new centenary package
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:04:45 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Nissan GT-R SpecV shows that it can deliver more power
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:21:56 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Rumor: Bentley working on a hybrid Continental GT
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:18:11 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Land Rover reveals prices for the 2010 Range Rover
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:16:12 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Audi's Sales Still Weather Crisis Better Than Competitors
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:55:24 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

BMW's New Voice Integration Challenges Ford's SYNC
Submitted: 6/8/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:46:34 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Report Cards
Can YOU Describe These Brands In ONE Word?
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:59:52 PM
( 54 ) Votes   ( 65 ) Comments

Reviews
The Batmobile true to life review
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:16:44 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Videos
2010 VW Scirocco R at the Ring (Video)
Submitted: 6/5/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:26:04 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Rumors
Renderings: 2010 BMW X3
Submitted: 6/9/2009 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:59:56 PM
( 19 ) Votes   ( 17 ) Comments

Auto Sales



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