Talking About Automobiles

Since Honda Civic Hybrid became one of the most popular hybrids in the market, the automaker was able to create the already solid reputation of the model as it carries the 2008 model of Honda Civic Hybrid into the crowd.

Though the Civic Hybrid was already great, Honda still made some improvements and advancements. It was made even “greener”. The 2008 Civic Hybrid gets an estimated MPG of 45. But, more than that, the Civic was given better fuel efficiency. There were also other positive mechanical changes made on the engine and power sources. Compared with its predecessor, the new Civic has an even lesser impact on the environment.

Honda made some significant styling and design changes for the 2008 Civic Hybrid. The car was even described as having a “gracious interior” and having a very smart and extremely attractive exterior fixture.

The great popularity of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid was due to the fact that it relies upon regular unleaded gasoline. Even, users could easily fuel the vehicle at any gasoline station anywhere, unlike some other alternative fuel motor vehicle options.

As some may think that there is a need to “plug in” or charge up the battery through an electrical source, Honda believes that the battery should be self charging while the vehicle is being operated in the normal course of motoring.

The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid will be packed complete with a three year or 36,000 mile warranty. The battery pack will be provided with at least an eight year or 80,000 mile warranty, and it could even extend up to ten years or 150,000 miles in some states.

Another good thing is the fact that any Honda dealership in the country and in the world could provide service and repair for the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid.

The jury from “Car of the Year” has decided to give the 2008 Car of the Year award to the Fiat 500. Since this year’s competition has not been closely contested compared with last year’s result, the Fiat 500 is presumed as an outstanding new car.

Based from “Car of the Year”, “Nostalgia and charm have been key factors in the good marks the Car of the Year 2008 Jury has given to the retro-looking 500, a car of classless appeal in the Fiat tradition… The top two cars this year were relatively small cars compared with last year’s SUV’s. The Fiat topped the pole by a sixty point margin over its nearest rival the Mazda2. In doing so the Fiat 500 received top marks from thirty four of the fifty eight Jury members. The Ford Mondeo was third, with two hundred and two points, the Ford S-Max won the top prize last year.”

To have a precise thought of how the judges voted, let us review what some of them have said (courtesy of epochtimes.com):

• Diego Eramo (Italy) – “The modern reincarnation of the Fifties and Sixties legend, confirming Fiat’s talent for making small cars. The manufacturer is on top form, because the new 500 clearly shows the car’s progress in terms of quality, with good quality materials and finishings and careful construction. Low emission engines, active and passive security, comfortable, easy and pleasant to drive, an appealing design and a vast range of customisation options complete a truly winning picture.”

• Jurgen Lewandoski (Germany) – “Off course everybody loves the Fiat 500 and I loved every mile behind the wheel of this marketing and retro miracle. Of course I am waiting for the Abarth and the Giardinette But as this is definitely not a new car, it cannot be a Car of the Year in my opinion.”

• Andrew English (Great Britain) – “The ride is too hard, the rear seats too small and the noisy engine isn’t in the back like Giacosa’s original, but then you remember the price tag, the gorgeous interior and the smiling faces of people when they step out. OK this is Car of the Year, not retro-rebodied Panda of the year, but as Fiat's Luca De Meo says, ‘the Cinquecento 500 is a designer car for the man in the street.’ Yes, I’d need a Papal edict on compulsory days off for chiropractor appointments and Matt Monro’s Day’s Like These’ would be permanently on the stereo, but this car is cooler than gelato and it’s my Car of the Year winner by the length of the Apennines Way.”

• Lasse Holmstrom (Sweden) – “It may be a Panda under cover, but 500 is a cute, nice-to-drive-car with personality and a lot of quality feeling. Five stars in crash test is also impressive”

Now, that leaves no doubt of Fiat’s capability to create an award-winning vehicle.

Volkswagen (VW) AG, a German automotive manufacturer, has recently revealed the latest computer-generated image of its new Scirocco, which is expected to be launched late next year, with a price of £18,000.

Though VW noted this return of the Scirocco name to the company’s range as the first time since 1992, the new 2+2 coupe got a lot of difference from its predecessor.

Since 2006, the new Scirocco has been heavily previewed as the Iroc concept car at motor shows. It has based its platform with the same as the current Golf.

However, VW has not yet announced the engine options. But, it is expected to include everything from VW’s 120 bhp, 140 bhp and 170 bhp 1.4 L TSI units. It may also have several performance options, which might include 230 bhp and 280 bhp versions of the turbo-charged 2.0 L FSI.

Based on speculations, VW might as well consider a 250 bhp 3.2 L V6-powered car that features its 4Motion four-wheel-drive system.

Buyers are given the chance to choose between a six-speed manual or semi-automatic gearbox.

Unfortunately, VW, through Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of VW of America, has previously announced that there will be no VW Scirocco for North America. Jacoby said that the GTI and the R32 would be enough for the market as representatives for a niche segment. He said, “We need to focus on our core products,” such as the Rabbit (Golf), the Jetta, the Passat, and the Tiguan compact SUV. “The [2009 Scirocco] is lovely, but we can’t have everything,” he added.

Anyways, we still have to wait for the final specifications before getting too hooked with it. For the meantime, let’s hope it would be absolutely worth the proclaimed price.

Some of you are now probably excited for the coming of the new Mazda CX-9. Well, now is the time to be more thrilled ‘coz Mazda Motor Corp., the Japanese maker, will be bringing it to the showrooms in Australia by next month.

Powered with a 3.7 L V6 engine, the bigger CX-9 will be producing 204 kW of power at 6350 rpm and 366 Nm of torque at 4250 rpm.

Compared with the Mazda CX-7 that uses a 2.3 L four-cylinder engine, the CX-9 has been built with a different platform. The bigger SUV’s wheelbase measures 2875 mm and its total body length measures 5074 mm.

Australia, according to Mazda, will be the first market to get the 3.7 L version of the CX-9. It will be available in two grades, namely Luxury and Classic.

Depending on the version, the new CX-9 will sit on either 18- or 20- inch wheels. It will be having three rows of seats with a total of seven-seat capacity.

The reasonable luggage space has been retained. Folding the third seat-row will provide 928 liters of space, while unfolded provides 480 liters.

The door opening has been made wider for the third-row passengers, stepping in behind the second-row seat.

Features will include stability control, roll-stability control, touch-screen audio with reversing camera, six airbags, cruise control, power windows and three-zone climate-control airconditioning with separate control for the rear.

The CX-9 for Australia will be provided with an ‘active torque split’ all-wheel-drive system. The system will automatically adjust the torque distribution to the front and rear wheels.

So, what do you think? Will you have one before New Year? If you are interested, you should better prepare about $50,000 to have it by next month.

Mazda Motor Corp. has presented the all-new Mazda2 sedan at this year’s Guangzhou Motor Show.

Produced by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing Plant, the all-new Mazda2 sedan has been designed to capture new customers in the rapidly growing Chinese B-car segment. Through the network of Changan Mazda Motor Sales Company, the version is expected to be on sale in the first half of 2008.

According to Noriaki Yamada, President and COO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd., “By introducing the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback to the B-car segment in China, we will have completed our product launches in the B, C and CD segments, which represent the three major Chinese vehicle classes. The new models will greatly strengthen Mazda’s product lineup in China.”

At a press conference, Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer Kiyoshi Ozaki, said, “In fiscal year 2007, we expect to achieve our seventh consecutive year of profit growth and fourth straight year of record profit. Going forward, we will aspire to maintain our current growth by raising our brand value and enhancing our business efficiencies under our new mid-term Mazda Advancement Plan and our long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. Achieving our mid-term target for China of ‘300,000 units of production and sales in 2010’ will be a key factor in our plans.”

As part of achieving the company’s mid-year objective, Satoshi Tachikake, President and CEO of Mazda Motor (China) Co., Ltd., said, “We have set up a production structure that comprises three facilities: the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Nanjing plant, which was completed in September and features Mazda’s latest production and machining technologies, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile plant in Chongqing, and FAW Car Company in Changchun.”

Mazda has also updated its sales network to optimize the company’s potential to achieve its mid-term target. It has established Changan Mazda Motor Sales Co., Ltd. (CMSC) and set its sales to commence starting January 2008 through two channels.

Accordingly, Noriaki Yamada, in charge of China sales, said, “The newly established Mazda Motor (China) Beijing Office will function as the representative of Mazda Motor Corporation. It will establish a reliable sales network by developing a unified brand strategy for the two sales channels and policies that will always benefit the customer. Mazda’s core products will be progressively introduced through the two sales channels to strengthen our product lineup. We intend to continue expanding our sales network, from the current 104 dealerships to a total of 160 for both channels by January 2008, and establish over 300 dealers by 2010.”

In the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show, twelve vehicles from five model lines have represented Mazda. It has included the Mazda5 (a stylish global minivan that will go on sale in China beginning December this year) and Mazda3 5-door hatchback (a core model from Mazda that supports global sales mainly in Europe, Japan and Asia; sale in China is expected to begin within the first half of 2008). The all-new Mazda2 five-door hatchback was also placed on display.

The 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition began last Monday, November 19, which is considered the press day. Public days are set November 20 to 26. So, you still have the chance to visit the show and witness several new model cars on display.

Each year, we get to see a new set of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. Last year, there were 13 vehicles that qualified and for this year, a significant improvement has happened. The number has more than doubled at 34 models.

The award is granted to vehicles that provide protection to people from front, side, and rear crashes. Being equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) is a significant factor to qualify, taking into account its capacity to reduce the risk of crashing. According to Institute president Adrian Lund, “Vehicles should be designed to provide good occupant protection when crashes occur, but now with ESC we have the possibility of preventing many crashes altogether… If all vehicles were equipped with ESC, as many as 10,000 fatal crashes could be avoided each year.”

Lund said, “For 2008, consumers have the wildest selection of vehicles they’ve ever had that afford the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes.” Front and side impacts are the most common kinds of fatal crashes. Rear-end crashes are usually not considered fatal, but they cause large proportion of the injuries that occur in crashes.

Based on an article featured in theautochannel.com, the following are the 2008 top safest vehicles:

Large cars

• Audi A6
• Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control
• Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control
• Volvo S80

Midsize cars

• Audi A3, A4
• Honda Accord
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control

Midsize convertibles

• Saab 9-3
• Volvo C70

Small car

• Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Midsize SUVs

• Acura MDX, RDX
• BMW X3, X5
• Ford Edge, Taurus X
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz built after August 2007
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class
• Saturn VUE built after December 2007
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander
• Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• Honda CR-V, Element
• Subaru Forester with optional electronic stability control
• Large pickup
• Toyota Tundra

So far, twenty-three vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have SC, standard or optional. They would have been included in the list as 2008 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earned good ratings:

• Acura RL, TL
• BMW 3 series
• hrysler Sebring convertible
• Infiniti M35/M45
• Kia Amanti
• Lexus IS 250/350, ES 350, GS 350/460
• Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra both with optional side airbags
• Nissan Quest
• Toyota Avalon, Camry, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Prius, RAV4, and Sienna
• Volkswagen Eos, Jetta, Passat, Rabb

If you intend to purchase a new car, consider picking one in the list. You may check out this site for more of the details.

AUTOMOBILE Magazine, America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication, has recently announced the winners of its 2008 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars Awards.

According to Jean Jennings, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine, “This year’s list includes a number of stalwart All-Stars winners, namely the iconic BMW 3-series, as well as new entries, such as Chevy’s impressive new Malibu and the sexy Volvo C30… These ten cars are the year’s most exciting cars, our picks for the vehicles we’d most like to personally own in our dream garage.”

The editors and bureau chiefs of AUTOMOBILE Magazine annually gather, specifically to test, evaluate and debate regarding the performance, significant and pure enthusiast appeal of the cars that has taken a big impact to customers.

Based on theautochannel.com, here is the list of AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s 2008 All-Stars winners along with the editorial assessments:

1. Chevrolet Malibu – The best Chevrolet family sedan AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s staff has ever driven. Smooth, quiet, well-finished and more than able to keep up with more powerful cars, it represents a true sea change in what GM is offering the public. This is the kind of car Americans have wanted from Detroit for years.
2. Infiniti G37/G35 – The yin to the BMW 3-series’ yang. Picking a winner between them — which is to say, choosing the best sport coupe/sedan in the world — is less about what the cars can do than it is about what their drivers want. The interior of the Infiniti is a pleasure dome, but the car’s power is obvious the instant you punch the push-button starter and hear the feral growl of the engine.
3. Volvo C30 – A perfect example of smoothly chic, Scandinavian cool. The C30 is whisper-quiet, perfectly composed and has a six-speed manual that you could teach your grandma to row flawlessly in fifteen minutes. The car embodies the one perfect criterion for All-Stardom: anyone would have it.
4. Chevrolet Corvette – Evolutionary improvements keep the Vette in a class of its own. The revised 2008 edition does the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 4.3 seconds — with an automatic transmission. There are faster new cars than the Corvette, but all of them cost a lot more.
5. Mazda CX-9 – Trucks and sport utilities seldom earn a berth on the All-Stars list, but when was the last time you could call such a vehicle’s engine charming, or its transmission silky? The CX-9 ventures beyond the obligatory nine-to-five routine to play party animal in the off-hours.
6. Volkswagen GTI – The GTI is magic. What else do you call a hatchback that can shame supercars? The GTI eclipses the class-clown Mini Cooper for spark and verve, and makes sense for real people who actually have to lead real lives. Fast, fun, cheap, and German. If you don’t like it, you’re probably dead.
7. BMW 3-series – Maybe we should give it a lifetime achievement award. We didn’t set out hoping to give the 3-series another All-Star award — this is the car’s thirteenth — but then we got in the car and started driving. BMW still does chassis tuning like no other carmaker. The 3-Series is the car that instantly makes any mope who slides behind its wheel a better driver.
8. Mercedes-Benz S-class – This year, Mercedes got it just right. The car drips with luxury accoutrements and high-tech accessories, but the S-class is more than just the sum of its equipment list. Rides and handles in a way that belies its size, and comes with a quartet of engines that range from supremely competent to mind-blowing.
9. Lotus Elise – The mid-engine sportster is a bravura engineering performance that reprises the truest Lotus virtues, namely light weight and fealty to handling excellence. The best-handling sports car we know — an audacious-looking thing that goes from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.
10. Porsche Boxster/Cayman – If you’re afraid people will think you bought a Cayman because you can’t afford a 911, we hereby inform you that those people are fools. The Boxster and the Cayman are exquisite to drive, with steering so communicative you’ll feel more of the road’s surface only if you crawl along it on your hands and knees. Few cars are as entertaining to drive at school-zone speeds.

The evaluation was made by the AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE staff, its worldwide bureau chiefs, and its contributors. The criteria include the following:

• Redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment
• Provides excellent value and performance for the money
• Exhibits an exceptional design
• Offers pure driving enjoyment

The list will be featured in the January 2008 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine, which will be available on newsstands this 4th of December.

IntelliChoice.com, a market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis, has been consistently dedicated in assisting consumers to identify how car rebates affect a vehicle’s value throughout ownership and beyond the time of purchase, in the form of its “Best Deals” released every month. In fact, yesterday, it announced its “Best Deals of the Month” for cars, trucks, and SUVs for November 2007.

Vehicles classified as IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” are basically cars and trucks that are ranked with good to great ownership cost values before any manufacturer rebate. Sometimes, a rebate turns a good ownership cost value into a great value, and a great value into an “IntelliChoice.com Best Deal of the Month”.

According to James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com, “What consumers need to know is that the best deals can change quickly from month to month. There are seven changes on our list of winners from October to November, which is a big number.”

“Gas is a big factor. Rising fuel costs favor fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids, and there are six on the November list. Among non-hybrid vehicles, the Yukon knocked out the Sequoia. The Yukon beats the Sequoia on the MPG front, so as fuel costs rise, the opportunity arises to overcome the Sequoia’s strong retained value advantage,” he explained. “Another big factor consumers need to pay attention to are ever-changing car rebates… Changing rebates is what bumped October’s winners out of holding on to their titles for November. In the Full-Size Van category, the Ford E150 beat out the Chevy Express because the E150 offered a $2,500 rebate.”

New cars, trucks, and SUVs are being identified with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. The basis includes current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. IntelliChoice.com also considers the latest information from various automotive resources in evaluation what it costs to buy, own and operate.

Based on tmcnet.com, here are this month’s “Best Car Deals” by vehicle type and size:

• Subcompact Car – MINI Cooper Hatchback
• Compact Car over $16,000 – Honda Civic Hybrid
• Compact Car under $16,000 – Honda Civic Sedan
• Midsize Car over $21,000 – Toyota Prius
• Midsize Car under $21,000 – Toyota Prius
• Convertible – MINI Cooper Convertible
• Luxury Convertible – Audi A4 Convertible
• Near Luxury Car – BMW 3 Series Sedan
• Luxury Car – Lexus ES
• Large Car – Toyota Avalon
• Base Sport Car – Volkswagen GTI 2-door
• Sport Car – Chevrolet Corvette
• Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000 – Lexus GS Hybrid
• Sport Sedan Wagon under $38,000 – Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan
• Compact Utility/Crossover – Ford Escape Hybrid
• Midsize Crossover – Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Luxury Crossover – Lexus RX 400h
• Small Wagon – Toyota Matrix
• Midsize/Large Wagon – Subaru Outback Wagon
• Intermediate Utility – Hummer H3
• Full-Size Utility – GMC Yukon
• Luxury Utility – Lexus GX
• Compact Pickup Truck 2WD – Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD
• Compact Pickup 4WD – Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 1/2 Ton – Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 3/4 Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD One Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 2WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 1/2 Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 3/4 Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD
• Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD One Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD
• Minivan – Honda Odyssey Passenger Van
• Full-Size Van – Ford E150 Passenger Van
• Cargo Van – Chevrolet Uplander Cargo Van

So… Which would be your pick?

Smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG), has announced the pricing of the all-new smart fortwo models, which will be sold in the United States starting January 2008.

The smart fortwo is a technologically advanced vehicle designed to have over 40 mpg under normal driving conditions. The vehicle measures 8.8 feet in length, 5.1 feet in height and 5.1 feet in width. It will be equipped with several standard functional and safety features, including electronic stability program, anti-lock brakes and four air bags.

The all-new smart fortwo will be available in three trim levels. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $11,590, the entry-level pure coupe will be provided with standard convenience features, including 5-speed transmission that permits the drivers to switch between automatic and manual driving modes through a push of a button, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, and a radio-ready console.

With a starting price of $13,590, the well-equipped passion coupe will be available with panorama roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with gear shift paddles, power windows, electric and heated side mirrors, and an AM/FM radio with CD player.

There will also be a passion cabrio at a starting price of $16,590. It will be stuffed with a fully automatic soft top that can be easily adjusted with a push of a button. It will have a premium sound system with an in-dash mp3 compatible 6-CD changer, along with the standard equipment of the passion coupe.

All models will be powered with a 1-liter, 3-cylinder, 71-hp engine.

According to Dave Schembri, president of smart USA, “The smart fortwo offers a fantastic combination of fun to drive aspects, innovations, functionality – and all for a great value… In addition, all smart fortwo models will come standard with four air bags and many other safety features found in many luxury vehicles.”

At $850 MRSP, the passion coupe and the passion cabrio will be offered with an optional “comfort package”, which provides the models leather heated seats, electric power steering, rain/light sensors, and auto-off headlamps with exit delay.

Last September, the Saab Turbo X, a driver-focused performance car, was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Recently, Saab has announced that there will be only 500 units of the limited edition models that will be on sale in UK. The starting price will be just £32,495.

The Saab Turbo X will be marking the introduction of XWD. It is a cutting edge all-wheel-drive system that will be sustained with competitive performance. It is actually the ultimate performance expression of the new Saab 9-3 range, as the Turbo X is powered with 280 hp 2.8 V6 turbo engine that produces 400 Nm of torque. The XWD will be featuring active management that does not only split torque delivery between both axles, but also between the vehicle’s rear wheels. It delivers a “never been before seen” level of driver involvement and dynamic chassis control that makes it a responsive system.

According to an article in xinhuanet.com, MPH 2007 will witness the UK premier of the Saab Turbo X. And, Saab Great Britain Managing Director Jonathan Nash said, “MPH is one of the high points of the automotive calendar and so it is fitting that we chose it for the debut of the Turbo X, which will undoubtedly be one of the talking points of the show.”

The Turbo X will be available with Saloon or SportWagon bodystyles.

For those you want to own one, you can now have your orders now at dealers. But, the delivery will be early next year.

Basically, car companies avoid making gender-specific vehicles. But, “some cars are more masculine or feminine by nature”, said Jim Hossick, vice president and senior consultant at AutoPacific.

First, let’s talk about the preference of men. According to the studies conducted by AutoPacific, a market research firm focused on the auto industry, 93% of truck buyers are men. The study showed that males own approximately 9 out of 10 heavy-duty pickup trucks on the road. And, men usually choose the brands like Hummer, Dodge, Porsche and GMC.

There are male-friendly cars in the market. It includes the Ford F-350 and the Dodge Ram, of which men own 93% and 89% subsequently. According to Chrysler spokesperson Dan Bodene, that disproportionate numbers are created by a combination of marketing and design. In fact, the “Built Ford Tough” tag line can be heard during commercial breaks in NFL games. There are also other ads for the F-Series that features burly men in cowboy hats.

Bodene said, “It depends on the model, but the Ram tends to be used by guys who need that capability, either as heads of households hauling a lot of stuff, or on job sites in male-dominated professions.” Thus, door handles were made large enough for a man’s gloved hand. And, seats were made movable far enough away from the steering wheel to accommodate larger bodies or average American man, who is five and half inches taller and 27 pounds heavier than an average woman.

But, since automakers don’t want to discourage any potential buyers, the tailgates of even heavy-duty pickups were made light enough for all types of people to lift. And, seatbelts were made comfortable for both male and female body types.

On the other hand, females are usually more refined. Thus, they tend to choose Saturn, Honda, Volkswagen and Hyundai among other brands. In fact, about 65% of Volkswagen Beetle Convertible buyers are female.

VW spokesperson Keith Price mentioned that the New Beetle is bought and driven mostly by females. But, it was not because the designers worked on creating the vehicle as a woman’s car. He said that the car was initially launched having a dual appeal. After few years, they have discovered that the popularity of the vehicle was basically among women, brought up by the stylish design cues and more feminine colors, including “gecko green” and “sunflower yellow”.

Price said, “The female appeal of the car is one of the things that has sustained it over the years without a great deal of aesthetic change… but VW does absolutely not consider it ‘a woman’s car’.”

Hossick said, “People who have tried to make a vehicle that is female-centric have failed… Women might buy a ‘man’s’ vehicle, but men won’t buy a ‘women’s car’.” “If you can’t sell a car to boys and you can’t sell it to girls, then the market is going to be pretty small,” he added.

Well, that means the taste really matters even if the components of the vehicle are practical.