We’ve all seen those commercials where a lucky recipient is surprised by a new car complete with a festive bow waiting for them in the driveway on Christmas Day. But do you know anyone that has actually received one as a holiday gift? You’ll be surprised to know that it happens a lot more than you think.

According to CNW Marketing Research, this holiday season a total of 14,994 new car purchases will be vehicles that will be given as gifts (out of an estimated 980,000 new car sales this holiday season).

That number grows considerably when you take into account used cars being given as gifts. Of an estimated 2,950,000 used vehicle sales this holiday season, 41,890 of them will be earmarked as gifts. That’s a total of 56,884 big expensive presents, or a 1.45 percent share of all car sales during the holidays).

Possibly a sign of the improving economy, that’s roughly 4,000 more cars given as gifts compared to last year. Still, it’s roughly half the all-time record for vehicular gift giving, with a total of 138,269 cars and trucks being bought as presents in 2005.

Who says the best presents come in small packages?

[Source: ConsumerSearch.com]

There was a time when Hyundai was a back-marker among car companies, and not very highly respected among buyers. Those days are well behind them now as they keep posting record sales year after year.

2010 will go down as an exceptional year for this South Korean manufacturer, as it sold over 200,000 units of its stylish new Sonata in North America alone, which is a record.

Even more importantly, Hyundai delivered over 530,000 vehicles in America with an additional 110,000 vehicles sold in Canada, where it broke all its previous sales records.

According to Hyundai, about 70% of buyers for the new Sonata were first time customers to the brand, with 20% of those coming from Japanese makes like Toyota and Honda.

John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO said that the “Sonata is the Hyundai brand and it’s appropriate that it has led our best year ever. Sonata’s innovation has reset the most hotly contested, largest segment in the U.S. car market, with Sonata delivering more year-over-year retail sales growth – about 90,000 units – than any other car in the entire industry.”

With attractive styling, good features and prices that start at $18,440 it is not surprising the Sonata has done so well. We wish them an equally good year next year.

Read AutoGuide’s Review of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata by Clicking Here

Visitors to the Metro Detroit area, particularly during the Woodward Dream cruise, probably recognize the art deco Vinsetta Garage, on the western side of this famous thoroughfare as it runs through the city of Berkley.

Since 1919 this building has been a hub of activity when it comes to repairing cars and trucks, as well as a popular spot for car enthusiasts to gather and shoot pictures during cruise week.

However, after 91 years in business, it has closed its doors. Vinsetta’s most recent owner, Jack Marwil, purchased the garage back in 1989, but on the recent passing of his wife has elected to take a career change, selling the shop and enrolling in law school.

Although a buyer hasn’t yet been found; Marwil is hoping that somebody who appreciates this structure and its storied history will purchase it and preserve it as a shining example of Detroit’s golden age. Even if that happens and the neon and vintage gas pumps remain, Marwil says the shop’s name will no likely be retired.

[Source: Autoweek]

Wiesmann will be bringing four new models to the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, all packing more punch than its previous renditions. The GT MF4 Coupe, GT MF5 Coupe, Roadster MF4 and Roadster MF5 will now sport BMW’s 4.4L V8 twin-turbo powerplant underneath the hood.

Previous to this announcements the Wiesmann MF4 and MF5 both used the 4.0-liter V8 from the BMW M3.

Performance will differ between the MF4 and MF5 with the MF4 delivering 407-hp while the MF5 will push out an incredible 555-hp. With the differing horsepower output, the MF4 will hit 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the MF5 does it in a blistering 3.9 seconds.

The combination of BMW’s potent twin-turbo V8 powerplant in the MF5 makes it the most powerful vehicle Wiesmann has ever released.

[Source: GT Spirit]

You may not be able to get behind the wheel of Ken Block’s #43 Ford Fiesta, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the smaller version out for a spin. Ken Block has teamed up with Traxxas to bring you a remote controlled version of the famous car.

This 1/16-scale Fiesta model is powered by a brushless motor that turns all four wheels and give it enough juice to hit up to 30 miles per hour. If that’s not enough for you, there’s also the option of upgrading to a pinion gear, second NiMH battery and series connector – with all the extras added on, the mini Block car can reach a top speed to over 50 mph.

You can pick up the car for about $300. You can check out a mini Gymkhanna-style video of the car in action after the jump.

[Source: Jalopnik]
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Honda has issued a recall for 2011 Accord coupe and sedan, as well as Pilot SUV models regarding the front suspension assembly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem stems from two areas – firstly, improperly tightened bolts where the front struts attach to the suspension and secondly, loose spindle nuts that could cause a loss of steering and potentially, the front suspension to collapse.

The problem is being blamed on faulty calibrations on machinery used to torque the bolts at the factory. In total 10,823 Accords and Pilots are affected by the recall and notified owners are urged to contact their local Honda dealer as soon as possible, who will inspect the affected parts and fix the problem  free of charge (notifications were sent out beginning on December 23 2010).

This recall comes on the heels of another one affecting the 2011 Accord and also the CR-V (Pilot’s smaller brother), where engine oil leaks are being attributed to improper block casting.

[Source: Autoblog]

In Europe, Mercedes parent company Daimler is well-known for its truck and commercial vehicle division. On this side of the Atlantic, however, the three-pointed star is almost exclusively regarded as a manufacturer of high-performance luxury cars. Now Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan will allow you to combine those two seemingly at-odds concepts with the Sprinter Grand Edition.

The Sprinter, as you may know, is a Mercedes commercial vehicle – the sort you might see a courier use to deliver packages. The Grand Edition, however, transforms that cargo hold into an ultra-luxurious space for high-powered execs to either relax or get some work done – with enough space inside to hold a meeting with your shareholders.

Referred to rather appropriately as a ‘stand-up Maybach’ the Sprinter Grand Edition is filled with luxury items like a pair of 32-inch TV screens, reclining and massaging chairs, a sofa, refrigerator, satellite radio and wireless internet; which is enough to perhaps skip the G6 and take a road trip instead.

Offered exclusively through Mercedes-Benz Manhattan the Sprinter Grand Edition  sells for approximately $190,000 – a solid $150,000 more than the conventional van.

[Source: NYT]

Official release and full specifications after the jump:

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If you’ve been paying attention to the muscle cars wars between Ford and Chevy, likely you already know that the Camaro is poised to out-sell the Mustang for the first time since pretty much anyone can remember. The opposite is true in Canada, where our neighbors to the North have a noted preference to the Mustang, despite the fact that that the Camaro is built at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario plant.

So far in 2010, Chevy has moved a total of 75,685 Camaros in the United States, compared to Ford having sold 68,264 Mustangs. Ask any Chevy representative and they’ll be quick to point out that the Camaro is on top despite the fact that it’s only offered as a coupe, while with the Mustang consumers can also get a convertible, or a high-performance Shelby GT500.

The numbers are very much the reverse in Canada and with a population roughly one-tenth the size of the U.S., Ford Canada moved 4,935 Detroit-made Mustangs, compared to GM Canada selling 3,974 Canadian Camaros.

Chevy intends to flip those statistics around, however, with the launch of the Camaro Convertible in 2011. Chevy spokesman David Caldwell explains that despite Canada’s colder climate, convertible models make up roughly half of the sales in a segment like this, whereas in the U.S. convertible sales make up just 15 to 20 percent. Canadians, apparently, view any high-performance rear-drive vehicle as summer-only car, opting to park sports cars in the winter instead of driving them. Their purchasing decision is reflected by that, opting for convertible models that allow them to fully experience the summer months.

[Source: NYT]

Kia has just released a lone image of a new concept vehicle it will debut at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January. Called the KV7, the small van looks to be sized between the Soul and a conventional minivan, perhaps suggesting it could be a replacement for the Rondo MPV.

There’s a definite resemblance to the Ford Edge and the ’7′ in the name no doubt refers to the number of seats in the vehicle.

In a press release accompanying the photo, Kia states that its recent production models have stayed very close to the original design concepts that preceded them and so there’s no reason to think that will change with the KV7.

Obviously a production model won’t come with gullwing doors (we can already hear the designers telling us about how the doors are supposed to represent ease of access and a spacious cabin).

Check back for the KV7 Concept’s reveal with full Detroit Auto Show coverage starting January 10th. Until then, get more info on all the debuts at our Detroit Auto Show Preview by clicking here.

Official release after the jump:

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It’s official, the economic recovery is complete. Don’t believe us? Just ask the folks at Maserati, who were able to sell every single GranTurismo Convertible that landed States-side in 2010. In total, Maserati shifted 1,717 units this year, which included 558 units of this gorgeous convertible.

The GranCabrio – as most of you will know, has a Ferrari-developed 4.7-liter, V8 that produces a healthy 440-hp. Power is sent to the rear-wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle-shifters.

Asking if it’s fast is like asking if Michigan winters are cold. It can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 5.4 seconds, and if you find a runway long enough, it will top out at 176 mph.

Sadly, at a base price of $135,800 it is out of reach for most people, however, Maserati had no problem finding customers in 2010. That’s a big turnaround from last year where sales plummeted 49 percent.

[Source: Bloomberg]