Four new car models

• Dodge Dart:

As part of the Fiat takeover of Chrysler Group during bailout negotiations, the company agreed to build a small, high-MPG model in the U.S. Reopening the Belvidere plant in northwestern Illinois created 1,800 jobs. The Dart is a revival of a Dodge nameplate from the 1960s and 1970s. But the Dart's design is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, much praised in Europe for its road manners and sprightly handling. (Fiat also owns Alfa Romeo.) 

On sale next month, the compact Dart will start at $15,995 for its base model. It comes with three engine choices: 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder options and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four. The turbo version has an EPA rating of 27 MPG in city driving and 39 on the highway. As a compact, it will compete against the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, among other highly rated vcars.

 • Ford Focus:

The Ford Focus Electric, going on sale this month, as well as the gasoline versions of the Focus comes from Ford's renovated, flexible plant in Wayne, Mich. Ford says this flexibility keeps down costs because it can produce only as many of the expensive electrics, which run $39,500 before a $7,500 federal tax credit, as it can sell. 

 The gasoline-powered Focus, which went on sale last year as a 2012 model, won praise from reviewers for its pleasing styling and crisp handling. Like some competitors, the Focus also offers comfort and technology features not previously available in small cars. Its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine is rated at 26 MPG in city driving, 36 on the highway. List price ranges from $16,500 for the base model up to $22,700.

 • Chevrolet Sonic:

GM boasts that the Sonic is the only subcompact manufactured in the U.S. The Sonic is being built at the 1,750-employee Orion Township plant outside Detroit. Reviewers have praised the Sonic as a major upgrade in looks, performance, and comfort from the Aveo model it replaces. Available with the same choice of 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines as the bigger Chevrolet Cruze, the Sonic ranges in list price from $13,865 for the base model to $18,625.

 • Buick Verano:

This Buick compact is built at the same Orion Township plant as the Chevy Sonic. Producing a small car is part of Buick's shift away from being perceived chiefly as a maker of land yachts for elderly buyers. Reviewers say the Verano works for shoppers looking for a small car with decent power and a comfortable, upscale interior. With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Verano is rated at 21 MPG in city driving, 32 highway. List price ranges from $22,585 to $26,809. 

2012 Best 5 Cars

Transport News - Sales Report of Best Luxurious Cars

German luxury automobile manufacturers BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have all managed to sustain strong sales growth in China over the first three months of the year.



According to a report appearing in the Guangzhou Daily today, Chinese sales of BMW and Mini cars in the first quarter totaled 80,014 units, a 37 percent increase from 2011. A total of 30,593 vehicles were sold last month, growing 41.1 percent from last March and setting a new monthly record. 75,008 BMWs were sold in the first quarter. Sales of the 7 Series grew nearly 40 percent, while the X series of SUVs saw their sales grow a full 92 percent, with over 20,000 units sold. Meanwhile, Mini sales totaled 5,006 units, 32 percent higher than first quarter of 2011. Over 4,000 BMWs and minis were sold in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, combined.



FAW Volkswagen Audi's sales totaled 89,475 units in the first quarter of the year, a 41 percent increase from 2011. The joint venture sold 31,245 Audis in March alone, equivalent to a year-on-year increase of 37.8 percent. It's three major domestically manufactured models, the A6L, A4L and Q5, managed to bring in 25,237 orders in the month. Among them, sales of the Q5 SUV totaled 7,802 units, growing 155 percent from the previous year. The JV sold over 6,000 imported Audis during the month. A total of 346,100 Audis were sold worldwide in the first quarter of the year.

A total of 19,080 Mercedes-Benz, Smart, AMG and Maybach vehicles were sold last month, while quarterly sales totaled 54,720 units. Mercedes' flagship S-Class managed to bring in 3,420 and 13,400 orders in March and the first quarter, respectively. Sales of the domestically manufactured long-wheelbase E-Class and C-Class grew 36.4 percent in the first quarter. Smart car sales in March and the first quarter totaled 1,860 and 4,760 units, respectively.

2013 BMW M6 Convertible to unveil in New York

BMW has revealed their most powerful ever production drop-top in the form of the 2013 F13 M6 Convertible, a car who’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 needs no introduction.

We’re already quite familiar with the car already, but the Bavarians still wanted to show it at a major auto show in America before it hits the market, and so New York was chosen as a venue.



Of the two models, first to arrive on US shores will be the M6 Convertible as a 2012 model year starting in June, while the Coupes will come this summer as a 2013 model year. Pricing will only be revealed at the car’s launch date.

As you might already know, both come with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 560-hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated as standard to a high-torque, seven-speed M-Double Clutch Transmission.