Nissan Frontier Truck

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2009 Nissan Frontier Truck.
One result of the Nissan Frontier's 2009 facelift is the PRO-4X trim level. Equipped with off-road suspension and shocks, the pickup is basically the same underneath as the 2008 NISMO Frontier, but the PRO-4X name change puts it in sync with the terminology used for big brother Titan's off-road package.
Nissan fitted the PRO-4X with a roof rack and added to the truck's sporty look with 16 inch alloy wheels and BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires. Color keyed bumpers and front foglights complete the pickup's unique exterior appearance.
Underneath, the PRO-4X sports Bilstein off-road gas shocks and an electronic locking rear differential. Additional skid plates protect the bottom of the radiator, differentials, transmission and transfer case from bumps and bruises.
Inside, the truck's red-stitched seats have a PRO-4X logo on their backs. White face gauges are easy to see and controls are within easy reach on the truck's updated center control panel.
Driving the 2009 Frontier Trucks
Our day-long Frontier road tests started out along the Columbia River and progressed upwards into the mountains of Washington state. I drove a 2WD King Cab Frontier first (an XE trim level truck with a 4-cylinder engine and 5 speed transmission). XE's are 'no frills' pickups, with cloth covered (manually adjustable) seats, a basic audio system and (heaven forbid) manual windows.


Driving the XE was good timing, because I've been thinking about the first compact trucks lately, and how they've evolved into the feature-packed drives we've become accustomed to. And I've wondered... are people still willing to buy a pure utility truck?

The XE is as close as we can get to those early trucks, and it was a pleasant surprise. Controls and switches were all very easy to locate and reach. That may sound simplistic, but I've seen first-hand how frustrating it is for some drivers to figure out complex dash controls on new vehicles -- features sometimes go unused because people never get comfortable with their operation.


The XE's 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine came to life with little fanfare. I put the shifter into 1st, eased out the clutch pedal and aimed the Frontier down the highway (he clutch pedal wasn't too stiff and the engagement was very smooth). Shifting was effortless and the shift knob is easy to reach regardless of which gear you are in.

We get so accustomed to driving V8s and V6s that it's easy to forget how peppy a 4-cylinder engine can be. Driving on winding roads up into higher elevations, the XE's engine not only had plenty of power, but the truck was actually a lot of fun. I found myself shifting up and down through the gears as I switched from curves to straight stretches.
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Topper Limousine

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Topper Limousine announced the completion of its acquisition of Corporate Image Limousine. Effective last month, Corporate Image Limousine joined Topper Limousine, led by Miki Bacher, president.

Topper Limousine is a company made up of service-oriented individuals who are committed to a common goal of personalized service. Their high standards, late model vehicles and emphasis on service and teamwork give Topper Limousine the winning edge. Both current and new Corporate Image customers will continue to experience an atmosphere of unmatched comfort and safety.

Corporate Image’s expertise in offering their clients an image of distinction, coupled with Topper Limousine’s world class service will enable Topper Limousine to capitalize on the growing market of corporate accounts. Through this acquisition, Topper Limousine will now offer service unrivaled in the industry.

Whether clients need last minute service or group transportation, Topper Limousine continues to provide a professional chauffeured experience.

Corporate Image Limousine has an impressive number of corporate clients and is growing at a rapid rate, due in part to high customer satisfaction.
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Delorean Limosine

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A Delorean Limosine...now way this is so cool.
This awesome DeLorean DMC Limo has all the key features a somewhat classic limo design. The original Gullwing doors — the original vintage rims and the 1960’s retro look to go with them…

I’m absolutely loving this...As cool cars go, this is one hell of a cool car!
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Dealership Closures to Increase Into 2009

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DETROIT (Reuters) - The number of U.S. car dealerships closing is expected to increase into 2009 with as many as 3,800 dealerships at risk of closure because of dwindling sales and tighter credit, according to a newly released study by Grant Thornton LLP on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT

With U.S. light vehicle sales predicted to drop to the 13.7-million-unit range in 2009, the study said that about 18 percent of the total number of U.S. car dealerships would need to close to maintain sales per dealer at last year's level of about 750 units.

"An increasing number of dealers are simply closing their doors because sales have plummeted, credit has dried up, the overall retail environment is increasingly challenging and potential investors are sitting on the sidelines," said Paul Melville, a partner with Grant Thornton LLP.

"In addition, the domestic automakers who badly need retail consolidation are not spending much of their scarce capital on the problem because the economy is doing it for them," he said.

Bill Heard Enterprises Inc, one of the biggest General Motors Corp Chevrolet dealerships, filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, citing operating losses, decreased demand for vehicles and lack of credit.

At its peak, Georgia-based Heard's revenue was about $2.5 billion per year, according to the bankruptcy filing.

U.S. vehicle sales are expected to be flat next year with any recovery in demand expected only in 2010, as consumers struggle with tight credit, high gasoline prices and a housing market slump.

The drop in demand has been particularly hard for Detroit-based automakers GM, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC. GM's sales were down 18.5 percent in the first eight months of 2008 while Ford's sales declined 16 percent and sales at Chrysler, controlled by Cerberus Capital Management, dropped 24 percent.

Thornton said apart from new car sales, other sources of revenue for dealers, such as used car sales and financing profits, are also falling.

All three U.S. automakers are in the midst of shrinking their U.S. dealer network as they cut labor costs and slower-selling models in the face of slack sales and declining market share.

Analysts have said that U.S. carmakers need to cut U.S. dealerships -- particularly in crowded city markets -- in order to drive more sales through remaining stores and free up funds for advertising and new investment.

GM cut some 260 affiliated dealers last year, which took its U.S. dealer count to about 6,750 outlets at the start of 2008.

Unrealistically high price demands by sellers has slowed voluntary consolidation, however, according to Grant Thornton.

The deal-making environment is expected to improve in the early part of 2009, the study said.

"Prices will come down as the weak market continues to erode franchise values, and as liquidity returns, we see more consolidation deals proceeding," Melville said.

He added that if franchise values were to fall 20 percent, it could stimulate mergers and acquisitions activity.

AutoNation Inc Chief Executive Mike Jackson, whose company is the largest U.S. public dealership group, said last month that he expects the U.S. auto franchise sector to undergo a continued shakeout over the next couple of years.
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Toyota develops rear window airbag

TOKYO–Toyota Motor Corp. has developed a rear window air bag to upgrade protection for back-seat passengers.

In the event of a rear-end collision, the air bag is ejected from the roof lining above the rear window and spreads like a curtain to protect the heads of the rear passengers.

Toyota said Tuesday the rear window curtain-shield air bag is the world's first.

The new safety gear will debut in the "iQ" compact four-seat vehicle, to be introduced later this year.

As part of an effort to attract buyers, Toyota has tried to make side air bags and shield air bags standard features.

Fiat launches super-tuned 500 Abarth

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Fiat's 500 Abarth promises to be a sought after baby hot hatch when it arrives in the UK next year, but just in case its 135bhp isn't enough for you, there's the new esseesse tuning kit.

The esseesse (pronounced simply 'S S') will be unveiled at the Paris Show alongside the racing version of the 500 and it goes a lot further than just a more powerful engine.

New 17-inch alloy wheels - available in white or a titanium finish - form part of the kit and really add to the sporting appearance of the Abarth model.

Lowered springs enhance the stance too, while new cross-drilled brake discs are fitted front and rear, along with high-performance brake pads at the front.

Performance is boosted by the 160bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with 0-62mph taking 7.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 130mph.

Although the esseesse tuning kit is only sold on mainland Europe through authorised Abarth showrooms, it's possible that UK buyers will obtain their cars through regular Fiat dealers. Prices have yet to be announced. Billet grills

Small Classic Car Auction Lures Deep Pockets

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The Worldwide Group auction at the end of August wasn't technically in the city of Auburn. But the Auburn name spells special car auctions to so many, that it likely seemed the best marketing approach.

But one would never confuse the Worldwide Auburn sale in a rural setting with the Kruse International event a few miles to the north. There were far fewer cars at Worldwide, there was no swap meet and, at least on the preview day, there were no vendors of Polish sausage and elephant ears.


Worldwide sheltered its products from the late-summer sun and dust of Indiana. Some vehicles even enjoyed an air conditioned setting, where prospective buyers could review them in complete comfort.

There were a few sales in the $20,000 range on August 30. Most required deeper pockets or longer lines of credit, with a 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III SWB the biggest sale of the weekend at $2.5 million. There were 80 cars for sale; 52 of them sold in the August 30 event.

Several other rare and desirable cars brought six figures. A few went home unsold.
 1953 Buick Super Estate Wagon sold for $99,000.
On the welcoming committee, with outside-the-tent duty on August 29, were a green 1929 Duesenberg J convertible coupe with swiveling headlamps and a 1953 Buick Super Estate Wagon clad in wood. The Buick brought $99,000 (prices include buyer's premium). The Duesenberg Derham convertible went for $742,500.

Nothing came close to the sale price of that '59 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, but there were some respectably high figures in addition to the Duesenberg Derham. A perfect, white 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi-des-Belges brought $522,500, and a 1934 Packard Twelve Model 1107 seven-passenger touring car went for $495.

A 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster sold for $545,000.

The most modest sales included a bright-blue 1929 Franklin Model 137 seven-passenger Oxford sedan, a 1932 Chevrolet Confederate standard two-door sedan and a 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Series _-ton pickup truck going for $22,000 each.

Worldwide's next auction is slated for November 1 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
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