The mid-sized four-door has returned with a sticker price of about $8,000 cheaper than the 2012 model, now at  $20,800. There are a few other basic modifications too, including 3.5 more inches to the total length of the car, and the distance between the front and rear wheels had been stretched by about the same amount, which means MORE passenger room!

Volkswagen producers say that the new size of the mid-sized sedan will give North American buyers the kind of size they want and need. The outer changes are the only additions that are being considered, however. The new interior styling is inspired by the Volkswagen’s new Touareg. Clean, spacey, and without the trendy dashboard dips and swoops that competing vehicles are equipped with. The 2012 model’s power has also been changed, as VW has replaced the previous, 200-horsepower/2.0-liter/4-cylinder/turbo-charged power-plant and is now complete with a less-expensive, 170-horsepower/2.5-liter/5-cylinder/non-turbo power-plant.

The model can also come in other options, including a 280-horsepower/3.6-liter OR a 140-horsepower/2.0-liter/turbo-diesel with 43mpg on the highway.

Special features of the 2012 model include:

• automatic climate control
• cruise control
• outside temperature display
• Bluetooth short-range wireless connectivity
• Hill Climb Assist (helps keep manual-gearbox models from rolling backward when you let out the clutch on an incline)
• Leather- and walnut-trimmed interior
• 17- or 18-inch allow wheels
• Push button start
• Fog lights
• Fender Brand audio system

As someone who is already a Passat owner, this new model is exciting because it underlines all the additions/changes that I would want my Passat to have! I’m really working forward to seeing more of this vehicle

The auto show is held at the Oregon Convention Center, Thursday, January 26th through Sunday the 29th. From Thursday-Saturday, the show will be open from 10:00am-10:00pm, and on Sunday from 10:00am-7:00pm.

Tickets are $12 for adults, children ages 7-12 are $7, and children under the age of 6 are free! There is also a military and senior discount (age 62 and over) for $10/ticket. Also, don’t forget to consider costs for parking too! If you’re lucky, you can get street parking, neighboring parking lots like Burgerville or Starbucks, or you can choose to park in the Convention Center’s garage for $9.

So what kind of new and exciting things are coming this year? “Camp Jeep” will have a 30,000 square foot area with a challenging indoor test track! Also, Ford will be having a Raptor simulator that gives visitors a chance to experience their ultimate off-road performance truck. Interested in the Eco Center? They will have information from the Oregon Department of Energy, electrical contractors, and charging stations to help consumers understand how to prepare your home or business for electric vehicles! Scion, is also hoping to gain a lot of attraction with its closed outdoor course to show off its new iQ micro-subcompact.

Need a place for the kiddos? The Jeep Kids course will offer the driving tots a chance to experience Camp Jeep, (but on a more appropriate scale), with kid-sized jeeps and a climbing wall!

If you need more information, you can visit the Auto Show website here, or call 503-233-5044.

Selling 48,250 vehicles in 1986, Saab’s sales dropped to just 5,305 for the 2011 year. Saab had teamed up with the Chinese, in efforts to regain equity and loans for Saab, but General Motors refused to allow any exchange or transfers from GM’s previous files to the Chinese.

Believe it or not, Saab actually started out as an airplane company in 1937, originally named, Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, later turning into Saab. When the company transformed into the auto industry, it was decided to keep the influence of air craft on the make of the Saab vehicle. The company’s pitch stated,

“…tradition of aircraft-inspired design, independent thinking and innovation that continues to this day”.

General Motors bought Saab in 1990,  but eventually sold the company off due to lack of being able to work with the rest of GM’s lineup.

After Saab’s liquidation, GM will most likely pick up the previous patent rights and use them in their own line of vehicles.

Maybe this is where vehicles get their reputation—-from their sinister “grins” and wide-mouth “teeth”. Jettas are cute, Chargers are sophisticated, Escalades are bad-ass—Is it their faces that are getting to us?

Take, for instance, the Ford F-150 Raptor. It’s big, it’s demanding, and if it came up behind you in your rear-view mirror, you just might drive off a cliff. Besides its height and massive capacity…What is it about the design and look are intimidating? I’ll speak for myself, but I’m pretty sure it’s the huge grill and and complimentary headlights that make this machine look like a dude who’s not messin’ around.

Now, you might be thinking that this is just ridiculous, and that some people some where just need to grow up and get out of Hot Wheels land, but seriously, can’t you see it?

It’s almost thrilling, to know that our cars and trucks really can have personalities. Have you ever thought, “oh, that car fits that person so well!” Well, why is that? Because the leather resembles the person’s skin? Probably not. I’m not saying that cars “suit” their owners because their faces look alike either…But how about this Mazda3? The smiling grill makes me believe that some hot girl would own this car, being deviously sneaky but appearing to be a sweetheart.

Or how about this insane looking Mitsuoka Orochi that makes you wonder if it’s not a tarantula behind the wheel?

What are the first words that come to your mind when you see the front of this car?

Scary?

Creepy?

Gross?

Now who could you picture driving this car?

The Joker?

Willy Wonka? (if he were a serial killer)

Pennywise from It?

I think my point has been proven. What (or who) does your car resemble?

It has been predicted that one of the most enticing markets for consumers to watch out for will be the auto industry. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have been working on overtime to get their inventories back in action and stocked up after being wiped out and depleted as of February’s events.

Car company’s incentives have been rising from 37-20%, some only 8 or 6%, and some even declining their incentive spending by 2%.

The Japanese consumer incentive plans have been affecting the way domestic automakers attempt to attract more buyers. In effect, this could possibly create outstanding deals in the near future, and it’s what researchers say will happen.

For more information on this auto trend, visit CNN.com.

I was extremely surprised to find that the idea of a hybrid-style vehicle has actually been around since the 1800’s, better known as the steam car. Beginning in 1839, Robert Anderson of Aberdeen, Scotland built the first electric vehicle. Following Anderson, many car creators were mimicking the same idea, only adding little features as time went on.

Later, in 1898, German Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, at age 23, built his first car, the Lohner Electric Chaise. It was the world’s first front-wheel-drive. Porsche’s second car was a hybrid, using an internal combustion engine to spin a generator that provided power to electric motors located in the wheel hubs. On battery alone, the car could travel nearly 40 miles.

About 100 years later, after Japan and Europe had started to see more makes of hybrids, Honda released the two-door Insight, the first hybrid car to hit the mass market in the United States. The Insight won numerous awards and received EPA mileage ratings of 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway! That kind of mileage is incredible. Toyota also released their Prius hybrid to the US soon after Honda did, and it’s been a hybrid frenzy ever since.

Now, hybrids are far from exclusive. Nearly every car company has introduced a model of a hybrid within the last couple years. Here is a list of all the companies who are currently producing hybrids:

Audi Q5
BMW ActiveHybrid X6, ActiveHybrid 750Li, & ActiveHybrid 750i
Chevy Volt
Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Hybrid
Ford Escape Hybrid & Fusion Hybrid
Honda CR-Z
Hyundai Sontata Hybrid
Kia Optima
Lexus CT 200h
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Camry Hybrid
VW Touareg Hybrid

Only a few years into the US hybrid-producing market, it will be exciting to see what comes out in the years to come!

In comparison to last year, however, the car industry is a very saddening thing.

This time one year ago, GM had Buick sales that jumped 66%, while Cadillac had an 83% increase. Of course, GM isn’t the only company dealing with a huge downfall, as many car companies are suffering and even facing termination.

Until buyers are able to get serious again about buying, car companies will continue to struggle. Car buyers are also failing to find successful bargains, as companies are incapable of continually making deals with buyers because they have been selling cars at a lower price because the amount of production has been cut. Put simply, the levels of supply and demand have both seen significant shortages.

That being said, if you’re one of the few individuals who are interested in purchasing a car—new or used—I would recommend either holding off until these car companies start offering their stock at lower prices, because they will indeed be forced to soon. If waiting isn’t an option, then I would do some more research to find who is the best selling car company in the midst of the recession. That way, you can possibly still negotiate a deal for a better, lower price.

The RL is referred to being “A Head of the Curve.” It is a luxury sedan that is lavishly equipped for any occasion. It has 300-hp and 3.7 liter VTEC V-6 engine. Offering Super Handling All Wheel Drive along with optional Acura navigation system with real time weather and traffic information. With automatic climate control and integrated sun shades luxury has been taken to a whole new level!

The TL is referred to being “Accelerated Innovation.” It is known for its amazing technology achievements. With 280-hp a 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine and the TL-SH-AWD with a 305-hp and 3.7 liter VTEC V-6 engine the road are yours!

The TSX is referred to being “A Passionate Performer.” It is also known for its light handling and smooth glide. You have a choice between the 201-hp or the 280-hp V6. With features such as VSA, Bluetooth hands free link and the optional Acura navigation system you are sure to enjoy the ride.

The MDX also know as “The Driver’s SUV” offers a powerful 300-hp and 3.7 liter VTEC-V6 engine. With automatic climate control and real time traffic you are sure to enjoy this SUV.

Last but not least the RDX also known as “Techno-charged” this newly styled Acura is Acura’s first turbocharged engine. With 240-hp and I-VTEC 4 cylinder turbo engine you really can’t go wrong with this ride!

I hope this helps anyone shopping for 2010!!!