Chrysler Vehicles for 2010
Now that Chrysler has emerged from bankruptcy as Chrysler Group LLC, they can get back down to the business of building vehicles. Production of 2009 models should begin later this month.

Their 2010 vehicle line-up is mostly a carry-over from the 2009 model year. Within the next 90 -120 days I think we will get a better idea about what Fiat platforms will be utilized in future Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Stay tuned.

Dodge Ram 2500 & 3500 HD Pickup - Chrysler has redesigned the Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups to the more aggressive styling of the very successful Ram 1500 pickup that was introduced in 2009. Dodge will offer a Crew Cab for the first time in their HD lineup. The 2500 and 3500 Pickups will be available in Regular Cab, Crew Cab and Mega Cab models. Engine choices for the 2500 and 3500 Ram pickups are the 5.7 Liter Hemi V8 delivering 383 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque or the 6.7 Liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with 300 HP and a whopping 650 lb-ft of torque.

Dodge Ram 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab - Chrysler has redesigned the Ram 3500/4500/5500 chassis cabs to the look of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. The big news is that Dodge will offer a Crew Cab for the first time in their chassis cab lineup. The 3500/4500/5500 chassis cabs will be available in Regular Cab and Crew Cab models. Engine choices for the 3500/4500/5500 Ram chassis cabs are the 5.7 Liter Hemi V8 delivering 383 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque or the 6.7 Liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with 300 HP and 650 lb-ft of torque.

Nissan Vehicles for 2010
Nissan's 2010 model line-up is a carry-over from 2009. The vehicle lineup begins with the entry level Versa, moves to the economical Sentra. The Altima will continue to be Nissan's most popular fleet sedan. The Maxima is an excellent choice for mid-level managers.

One very interesting cross-over vehicle that Nissan introduced late in the 2009 model year is the Cube.
Nissan Cube - Nissan refers to the Cube in its advertising as a "mobile device" - a 21st century take on what an automobile should be? The Cube is available in 4 trim levels - 1.8, 1.8S, 1.8SL and 1.8 Krom. All Cubes are powered by a 1.8 Liter DOHC 4 Cylinder. In the 1.8 model only a six speed manual is available. The 1.8S model has the six speed manual standard with an option to a CVT. The SL and Krom models come standard with the CVT. If you haven't seen the Cube, take a peek at the Nissan website - http://www.nissanusa.com/cube/?dcp=ppn.28434549.&dcc=0.205796030

Fleeting Tidbits
General Motors has extended the Final Fleet Order Date for the following vehicles until 7/17/09.
2009 Cadillac Escalade
2009 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup (all models)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
2009 GMC Sierra Pickup (all models)
2009 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL

Production of these 2010 models has been delayed until October. For specific 2010 initial order dates and Job 1 dates, see our 2010 Start of Production page.

We have updated our 2009 MY Final Fleet Order Date page with the latest final order dates from the manufacturers. For some manufacturers this has been a moving target with changes made almost weekly. I would suggest that you check the page regularly to determine final order dates for each model.

Our 2010 Start of Production page lists the initial date you may place orders for each 2010 model and the Job #1 date for that model.

This month's Featured Vehicle is the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. General Motors did a great job of redesigning the Equinox and it's sibling the GMC Terrain into contemporary cross-over vehicles. Their great looks are coupled with even more impressive technology. I had the opportunity to drive the Equinox with the Ecotec 2.4 Liter DI 4clylinder and the six speed automatic - a great combination.

Taillights


America's Best Selling Car

The middle of June might seem like an odd time to release sales figures, but we've just gotten word that previous reports announcing America's best-selling vehicle may have been all wrong. While the Ford F-Series pickup has topped the vehicle sales list for as long as we can remember, the car crown has shifted back-and-forth from the Taurus to the Accord to the Camry for the past few decades. Or has it?

A relatively unlikely American carmaker is now laying claim to that title. Little Tikes Co. of Hudson, Ohio has released sales figures for its iconic Cozy Coupe showing that it has outsold all of those four-door family sedans throughout its 30-year production run. That's right, the red plastic coupe with the yellow top turns 30 this year, and last year alone the company moved 457,000 of them, handily besting the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

While the Cozy Coupe you're buying for your kids today might look just like the one you remember unwrapping yourself 30 years ago, it has actually undergone three revisions in that time. The original Cozy Coupe was actually penned by former Chrysler designer, Jim Mariol, in 1979. It kicked off a riding toy craze that hasn't subsided. Rather than resting on their laurels, however, Little Tikes has taken the 30th anniversary of America's favorite ride-on car as a great opportunity for a makeover.

The 2009 model gets Pixar-like eyes up front, a floorboard to keep tiny feet from getting caught under the seat, and a handle and cupholders for parents built into the roof. Besides the classic Cozy Coupe, the company has also offered a variety of specialized models including the Princess edition, a Patrol police car, a Ride & Rescue fire company ride, a pickup truck and the uplevel Grand Coupe among others.

The American-made Cozy Coupe is even being enshrined in the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland as one of the top twenty best selling models of all time. Congrats on turning 30 and for snagging that best-selling car title. Here's to 30 more years of happy Little Tikes.

Autoblog.com 6/10/09

6/16/09