Talking About Automobiles
Thursday, June 26, 2008
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis Features Revealed
The 2008 Grand Marquis is a 4-door, 6-passenger family sedan, available in two trims, the GS and the LS. Both trims are equipped with a standard 4.6 liter, V8, 224 horsepower, flexible fuel engine that achieves 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. A 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Most reviewers find its performance generally smooth and strong around town.
Little has changed over the past decade with its exterior styling, but it gets a flashier grille and tail lamp treatment. Both trims come with 16-inch steel wheels with faux chrome wheel covers.
The Grand Marquis offers space to seat six and a spacious cabin. It comes standard with an AM/FM stereo with single CD player; cup holders; dual ashtrays, map pockets; day/night rearview mirror; sliding driver and passenger visors; premium cloth seats with eight-way power lumbar and recline control, and carpeted floor mats.
The Grand Marquis has scored well in tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Grand Marquis has an anti-lock braking system and auto on/off headlamps with delay. All-speed traction control is an additional option for the GS but comes standard on the LS.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Nissan's Smyrna Plant Achieves Major Milestone
"Over the past 25 years, Nissan's Smyrna plant has placed its mark on this community, the southern United States, and the automotive industry," said Greg Daniels, senior vice president, U.S. Manufacturing, Nissan North America. "We are extremely proud of what we've accomplished over the past quarter of a century and are looking forward to the next 25 years."
Nissan was the first foreign automaker to convey vehicle assembly business to the southern region of the United States.
"Nissan's decision to begin manufacturing in Tennessee 25 years ago was a watershed event for our state and our nation. With Nissan's continued success and the passage of time, it's easy to forget what a bold, innovative move that decision was and how it transformed our state's economy. The launch of the Smyrna facility was literally the first step in an explosion of automotive manufacturing in the southeast U.S. and the impact of the Nissan team is still being felt today,” says Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.
"After 25 years, Nissan's investment in Tennessee continues to reap benefits for our state each day. From the thousands of good paying jobs to the additional employment provided by Nissan suppliers to the quality of the vehicles rolling off the assembly line, all of us in Tennessee are proud of Nissan's contributions to our state's economy," says Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
All-new 2009 Dodge Journey Crossover Bags Ward's 'Clever Utility' Achievement Award
The all-new Dodge Journey stood-out from the pact and claimed one of the most prominent title this year; the “Clever Utility” award presented by the world-renowned Ward’s Auto Interior Show. Panelists from the awarding body presented the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey crossover an extraordinary achievement award, "Clever Utility," for its carefully planned and elegantly incorporated interior features at the 2008 Ward's Auto Interiors Show. The show is the annual auto interior event of the publication
"'Extreme functionality' sums up one Ward's judge of the Dodge's flexible interior. To start, the Journey has more hiding places than a Nancy Drew mansion. Flip forward the front passenger-seat cushion to reveal a nicely sized compartment for keeping valuables out of sight. There are also concealed compartments under the floor in the rear cargo bay and ahead of the second-row seats -- the latter specially lined for potential use as an ice chest," says David E. Zoia, Editorial Director - WardsAuto.com.
A significant goal for the 2009 Dodge Journey's design team was conveying a crossover with a convenient, flexible interior, with seating and inventive storage features usually instituted in the high-quality and best-selling Chrysler and Dodge minivans.
"The all-new Dodge Journey right-sized crossover is designed to satisfy buyers' rapidly changing demands by offering a unique combination of versatility and flexibility," said Joe Dehner, Vice President - Small, Family and Premium Vehicle Design, Chrysler LLC. "The 'Clever Utility' special achievement award validates what our designers and engineers sought to accomplish, and we are honored by Ward's judges for this recognition."
