Detroit's Big Three Post Huge Drops in March U.S. Sales

March didn't bring any good news for the U.S. car market as most major brands recorded steep declines in vehicle sales. General Motors and Ford Motor company were the worst hit as their sales were down 44.7% and 42.1% respectively compared to March 2008. Chrysler LLC didn't manage any better with a 39.0% decrease while the same goes for Toyota (-33.6%), Lexus (-40.6%), Mitsubishi (-57.0%), VW (-19.7%), Mercedes-Benz (-25.0%), BMW & MINI (-22.9%), Audi (-19.4%), Honda (-34.2%) and Acura (-29.5%).

Subaru and Hyundai managed to keep their sales somewhat steady reporting a 3.0% and 5.0% decline respectively over March 2008 volumes. On the other hand, Kia saw its sales increase by 0.6% in March '08.

Scion Badged iQ Concept Snapped Ahead of NY Show Debut

Unless this is some sort of extremely well executed April Fool's Day chop, these are the first photos of the Scion-badged iQ Concept that is bound to break cover at next week's New York Auto Show. The spy shots reveal a dramatic interpretation of Toyota's iQ minicar with a wide bodykit and cool multipsoke alloy wheels in dark finish. For more details we'll have to wait for the opening of the NY Show.

Photo Courtesy: Brenda Priddy , Via: LLN

Last Volvo S60 Rolls Off Assembly Line

On Tuesday, March 31, the last S60 sedan rolled off Volvo's Ghent plant in Belgium as the automaker is getting ready to create space and capacity for the model's successor that is scheduled to be launched in 2010. Volvo's new executive sport sedan will be based on the S60 Concept shown in Detroit earlier this year. The first-generation S60 was introduced in 2000 and during its 9-year run, Volvo built 578,292 S60 units of the car, with the best year being 2001 with 108,906 units and the worst, 2008 when a mere 6,205 S60s were produced.

"The Volvo S60 was an important model for Volvo Cars Gent," said managing director of Volvo Cars Ghent Derek Jessiman. "Now we will focus on a flawless launch of the new S60."

Production of Volvo S60 at Volvo Cars Ghent:

Year - Volume / Units

2000 - 26 051

2001 - 108 906

2002 - 104 484

2003 - 84 908

2004 - 67 929

2005 - 61 838

2006 - 53 188

2007 - 39 347

2008 - 25 436

2008 - 6 205

Audi Launches Sport Plus and Comfort Plus Packages for A8 Sedan

Since the next generation A8 isn't due for another year or so, Audi decided to spice up the interest in its luxury sedan by revealing two new special packages called Comfort Plus and Sport Plus. Offered exclusively with a new Panther Black, crystal effect paint, the Sport Plus package adds various goodies such as 20-inch "S design" alloy wheels in a dark steel finish, "adaptive light" with LED daytime running lights, sports seats in goa beige Valcona leather and heating for the front seats.

Furthermore, the center console, doors and lower dashboard are trimmed in black Fine Nappa leather. Depending on the engine version (how typically German...), the Sport Plus style package for the A8 costs between €2,100 and €9,600.

For those that prefer more luxurious appointments, there's the Comfort Plus package. Finished in Night Blue, pearl effect and fitted with 12-spoke, 19-inch forged alloy wheels, the A8 Comfort Plus gets seats upholstered in silk beige Valcona leather while full-leather trim for the center console, doors and dashboard is in silk beige Fine Nappa leather.

The equipment package also includes heating for the front and rear seats, and front seats with seat ventilation and massage function plus "adaptive light" system with LED daytime running lights. Price for the Comfort Plus style package costs between € 4,200 and €14,500, depending again on the engine version.

Breaking News: Wagoner to Lead Chinese Company in Oldsmobile Revival

News reports are coming in from around China that GM's former CEO Rick Wagoner has accepted an offer from domestic automaker CLN Auto Company Inc. to take the reins of the Oldsmobile brand, the rights of which CLN Auto purchased from General Motors a few weeks ago. Details are still shady, but it looks like GM is so desperate for cash that it decided to sell the historic nameplate to the Chinese automaker. Unfortunately for Oldsmobile fans in North America and Europe, CLN Auto secured the use of the name solely for the domestic market.

Contrary to the U.S., just like Buick, Oldsmobile has a strong allure to Chinese buyers. The country's last emperor was a large fan of Oldsmobile owning more than a dozen cars. "They adore the image of American vehicles," said China Auto Resources CEO, Jiang Li, in a report. "They just can't seem to get enough of them, so it makes a lot of sense," he added. We'll have more on this developing story later on in the day.