Anyone who has spent time looking for fake watches, knockoff handbags or other wonderful Asian products has likely come across the site Alibaba.com

Today’s find on the slightly notorious site is a lot of 150 right-hand drive Dodge Neons in Singapore. The vehicles are advertised as brand new and look like they have about 14 years worth of dust on them. For only $1,350 a piece, you can have your very own brand new car from 14 years ago – but whether it runs is another matter.

Alternately, The Truth About Cars has suggested a different use for the Neons – a spec racing series. There’s an idea we can get behind.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Kia will unveil its first electric vehicle by the start of 2012, but did not say whether the vehicle would be sold in the United States.

The EV will reportedly be based on the Hyundai i10, a vehicle considered much too small for North American tastes. A production run of just 2,000 units is expected in 2012. A second electric vehicle is expected to follow in 2014 for Kia, with Hyundai launching a mass market EV in 2015. Hyundai currently has a small fleet of i10-based EVs testing in South Korea.

[Source: Automotive News]

Chrysler has launched their first two re-badged Lancia product in the UK (where the Lancia brand has been defunct for a number of years), with a pair of hatchbacks based on the Lancia Delta and Ypsilon compact and subcompact cars.

The Ypsilon shares a platform with the Fiat 500 and will be available with the 900cc TwinAir two-cylinder turbocharged engine, as well as a 1.2L 4-cylinder and a 1.3L diesel engine. The Delta is about the size of a Ford Focus and can be optioned with either 1.4L, 1.6L or 2.0L engines.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Gallery: Lancia Delta & Ypsilon

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Sales targets for the Fiat 500 were set at an ambitious 6,000 units per month, and surprise surprise, the car isn’t meeting them. This might be due to the fact that it’s a subcompact, foreign branded car in a market where gasoline is (relatively) cheap and large vehicles reign supreme. Or it could be the fault of your marketing agency, if you ask Chrysler.

Fiat marketing chief Oliver Francois told trade publication Advertising Age that the brand has an “awareness problem”, and apparently, a product placement in a Jennifer Lopez music video didn’t help matters. Fiat has also reportedly dumped their ad agency, which formerly employed Fiat North America CEO Laura Sove.

So far Fiat has sold 11,088 examples, far off the 72,000 unit annual target. The axe has to fall on someone, and we’ll be waiting to see who ends up taking responsibility for this matter.

[Source: Advertising Age]

Kia will launch their 2012 Rio Hatchback with a starting price of $13,600, plus a $750 destination charge (bringing the total to $14,350).

The base car will come only with a manual gearbox, while an automatic transmission equipped version will cost $14,700 ($15,540 with destination included) while the top-of-the-line SX model will set you back $18,000 ($18,750 with destination included). The Rio will come generously equipped with air-conditioning, power steering, stability control, ABS, a hill-holder for manual transmission cars, and a 1.8L 138-horsepower engine capable of returning 30/40 mpg.

The Rio will also offer a start-stop feature, a class exclusive, that will boost city fuel economy to 31 mpg.

Suzuki may be an also ran in America, but in India, their Maruti Suzuki partnership can boast the title of “best-selling car” with their Alto subcompact. With a population of 1 billion people, the Indian market is a significant one, and the Japanese auto maker is facing competition not just from home grown efforts like Tata, but Hyundai as well.

The Alto is a pretty antiquated platform, and Hyundai is hoping that their new effort, dubbed the Eon, will not only be more technologically advanced, but price competitive, at around $6,000. Powering the Eon will be a 1.2L 4-cylinder engine making 80 horsepower.

[Source: Indian Drives]

The 2012 Ford Focus will get a 1.0L 3-Cylinder Ecoboost engine, but it will only be offered in the North American market. Ford says that the motor will make 118 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque at just 1300 rpm.

An overboost feature will provide short bursts of up to 147 lb-ft of torque, while the flywheel and front pulley are designed to reduce vibrations without the need for a balance shaft. Ford says that the engine will also be used on the European C-Max van and the B-Max crossover.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Infiniti will adopt Mercedes-Benz’s small car architecture, used to underpin the front-drive B-Class, as part of the technology sharing agreement signed between the two companies.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told Autocar that ”you’d be very surprised if in five or six years that Mercedes and Renault/Nissan had only cooperated on small cars,” signalling a much wider cross-pollination for the two companies. Mercedes engines are expected to be used in the new Infiniti M, while the B-Class platform will underpin a new, small minivan-esque vehicle for Infiniti.

[Source: Autocar]

The Dodge Caliber is scheduled to go out of production this November, as a new Fiat-based compact car takes its place. Chrysler enthusiast website Allpar confirms the Caliber’s demise, and lists November 23rd as the final date for the ill-fated Dodge compact.

The Caliber’s replacement is said to get 40 mpg thanks to a government requirement for taking bailout money. Fuel economy was a chief complaint among Caliber owners, and the vehicle never really moved well in the marketplace. As time wore on and sales withered, the Caliber became little more than rental car fodder, and Chrysler’s decision to end production was probably a wise one.

[Source: Allpar]

While Ford has stopped short of confirming it, a recent article on Automotive News suggests that a Fiesta subcompact fitted with the company’s newest 1.0L Ecoboost 3-Cylinder engine is all but a done deal for North America.

Ford confirmed that the engine would make it to America in some capacity, and the motor is only capable of fitting in the Ka, Fiesta and Figo. Of those three, only the Fiesta is sold here, with the Ka meant for Europe and the Figo sold only in developing markets. No word on when the engine will come to market, or how much power it will make, but the engine is said be to producing around 120-horsepower, roughly the same as the Fiesta’s 1.0L 3-cylinder motor.

[Source: Automotive News]

After a few years of Suzuki offering a portable nav unit in its SX4 hatchback, the comapny announced it would offer an integrated, in-dash system, however the U.S won’t get the system.

Suzuki has decided to keep the portable unit in all U.S spec models but the rest of the world will receive an in-dash system. Suzuki has said that differing market strategies, along with the Garmin’s portability and functionality, are the reasons the U.S won’t be getting the built in unit anytime soon.

Suzuki strategically made this move because the technology package including the Garmin unit with traffic information and a year of nüLink! services costs $500. Other automakers in-dash systems can easily cost three times as much. That would work out to be nearly 10 percent of what the SX4 costs.

[Source: Car and Driver]

The Ford Fiesta has been selling exceptionally well in the Small car segment, beating key competitors like the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Last May, 7,120 Fiestas were sold, outselling the Versa’s 4,793 units in the same month.

The success of the Fiesta has been attributed to skyrocketing fuel prices as well as the shortage of Japanese vehicles as a result of the March 11 earthquake.

Within the small car segment, the Fiesta commanded 4.6% of sales in June 2010 when first launched in the U.S. Last April, the Fiesta held 29.1% of sales, according to Ward’s data.

“Fiesta customers are up to three times more likely to buy for style and innovation in this segment,” explained Ken Czubay, vice president- U.S marketing, sales, and service. He also said that eighteen percent of Fiesta buyers are purchasing for the first time, and the average age of the customer is younger than two other well-known nameplates in the small car segment.

George Pipas, Ford’s top U.S sales analyst, said Ford has received increased consideration from small-car buyers over the past year.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

The Aston Martin Cygnet might seem like anathema to everything the company stands for, but Aston Martin is hoping that the Cygnet will become the number two seller for the brand.

With a projection of 1,500 units sold per year, the Cygnet would trail the Vantage as Aston’s stop selling model. Aston sold a total of 4,250 cars in 2010.

The Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ city car, and Aston Martin is marketing the car not based on performance, but on luxury. ”Prior to Cygnet your choice was, you open the door and it smells of plastic; now you open the door, and you’ll be hit by this wonderful smell of leather,” Chief designer Marek Reichman told Automotive News.

[Source: Automotive News]

Mazda and Chinese joint venture partner Chang’an are reportedly developing a new sub-brand for the Chinese market, with their first offering based on the outdated but still excellent 1st generation Mazda3.

Mazda still sells the older Mazda3 in China, while importing the current Mazda3 hatchback. The current car will be joined by a Chinese made version of the contemporary Mazda3 sedan, ostensibly with the new SKYACTIV engine capable of 40 mpg, while the older model will get a re-styling and move to the sub-brand’s lineup sometime this year.

[Source: China Car Times]

The next generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with the car moving towards a hatchback body style rather than the current pseudo-minivan design.

A full range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines will be available, along with a start-stop system for improved fuel economy. Mercedes’ main goal for the new car was to preserve the interior space of the current car while retaining the usual Mercedes characteristics. The new B-Class will be on sale at the end of 2011, although the vehicle hasn’t been confirmed for North America.

[Source: Carguide Blog]

The MINI Countryman was originally offered with a 2+2 configuration that made it somewhat impractical for a significant portion of potential buyers, who need the fifth seat for whatever reason.

MINI eventually decided to offer a fifth seat option in Europe, but has now decided that North Americans can have the option of a middle seat as well, a move that will no doubt open up the Countryman to a new demographic, and allow MINI to charge more money. Look for the fifth seat option to become available starting in September.

Honda will delay the launch of their next generation CR-V crossover due to continued production delays, and supplies of their 2012 Civic will also be delayed as Honda’s North American production continues to run at well below capacity amid the after effects of Japan’s natural disasters.

In a letter to Honda’s dealers, U.S. executive vice-president John Mendel said “Recovery from this crisis is difficult and constantly evolving, most notably the challenge of obtaining a few key components required to maintain production at appropriate levels. Overall production volume will be at significantly reduced levels as we continue production adjustments through the summer months.”

Honda expects full production to resume much later in the year, with the CR-V being produced at Honda’s Canadian plant in addition to its East Liberty, Ohio facility. Acura‘s MDX and RDX will also be shifted to other plants in Alabama and Ohio, but the company says that the shifts are unrelated to problems related to their parts supply.

[Source: Bloomberg]

According to a tweet from Ward’s Auto, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionee has confirmed the existence of two new models in the pipeline, the Dodge Charger Super Bee and a Gucci-branded edition of the Fiat 500.

The last generation Super Bee was mechanically identical to the Charger SRT-8, although it came in unique pastel colors and was outfitted with spoilers and other extra bodywork, in a supposed nod to the Super Bee special editions of the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Italian fashion house Gucci will be lending its name to the ultra-chic Fiat 500, with Gucci motifs featured inside and out. Europe has already received their own Gucci edition, which features the brand’s signature red and green stripes, while the interior is appointed with the interlocking letter G synonymous with the brand’s clothing and handbags.

The Chevrolet Sonic actually looks like a good vehicle, and not just in relative terms to the outgoing Aveo that it replaces. In a classic case of misplaced good intentions, Chevrolet decided to take things up a level with their Sonic Z-Spec package, that combines questionable visual patterns with the color palette of a Creamsicle.

In addition to the goofy graphics, the Z-Spec package includes exhaust tip, roof spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds and a choice of 16″ or 17″ wheels, while the interior gets a an aluminum door sill kit and aluminum pedals. While the Sonic Z-Spec is supposed to capture the hearts and minds of young buyers, we think that the 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 40 mpg rating are much better ways to sell your product, as opposed to slathering your new car in orange-and-white polka dots.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

Mazda confirmed that their previously unveiled Minagi concept will go into production as the Mazda CX-5, a small crossover intended to slot beneath their mid-size CX-7 and full-size CX-9.

The CX-5 will be the first Mazda vehicle to come with a full suite of SKYACTIV fuel-saving technologies, among them an all-new engine designed for maximum efficiency, new gearboxes, lightened engine ancillaries and other little tricks to eke out optimum fuel economy. Mazda has chosen a route similar to Hyundai, where weight reduction and refinement of the internal combustion engine is utilized to save fuel and cut emissions, rather than hybrid or electric technology. However, Mazda says that the SKYACTIV architecture will eventually allow it to employ start-stop systems, regenerative braking and other hybrid-esque technology.

A refreshed 2012 Mazda3 with a new SKYACTIV 4-cylinder engine will debut this fall, and is expected to get 40 mpg on the highway. With 33 % of Mazda’s global sales being made up of Mazda3 vehicles, the refreshed version is a crucial product for the company, but the current car’s multitude of strengths combined with increased efficiency should have nothing but positive effects. Mazda also announced a diesel engine in time for 2013, but gave no further details regarding product packaging.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent broke cover at the New York Auto Show on Tuesday, but Hyundai has previewed the car before, at both the Montreal and Toronto Auto Shows, with little fanfare or media coverage.

The previous Accent was the kind of car that you bought out of necessity rather than desire, but the newest subcompact Hyundai looks like it will find homes among many, thanks to handsome styling and 40 mpg capability without any special order option packages. Motivation comes from a direct-injection 138-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 123 ft-lbs of torque while returning 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission will be offered, and automatic transmission models will feature a driver selectable Eco mode that is said to improve “real-world” fuel economy by as much as 7 percent.

Despite its diminutive exterior, Hyundai claims that interior space is so large that the car is classified as a compact. Items like stability control, ABS, and power steering are standard, while Bluetooth connectivity, an iPod connector and 16″ allow wheels are optional. The Accent will start at around $12,000 for a base model, bringing an end to the days where an Accent could be had brand new for under $10,000.

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Accent

Honda will offer their Civic compact car with a new small diesel engine by 2013, but for now it looks like Europe and other markets will get it, with North America seemingly shut out.

With a new Civic set to debut in world markets in 2012, Honda is mulling various options, with world markets set to get the 150 horsepower i-DTEC engine. Europe will likely get a new generation of diesels, since offering one is a key to sales success on the continent. For now, it looks like Honda will stick with conventional gasoline powered variants, but never say never.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Fiat has just released photos of their 500 Cabrio, the open-top version of their much-lauded 500 hatchback, a week ahead of its official debut at the New York Auto Show.

Rather than a traditional convertible body style like the MINI Cooper, the 500 uses a retractable canvas roof panel that still retains the overall shape of the 500, similar to the original Fiat 500′s own soft-top variant. While Fiat hasn’t given an explanation for the mechanical benefits of such a design, it’s not hard to believe that this setup has structural benefits that can only come from leaving the roof rails and side pillars intact. The design of the top also allows it to be lowered at speeds of up to 60 mph, while traditional convertibles often require much lower speeds.

The 500 Cabrio will be available in Pop, Sport and Lounge trim levels with  cruise control, power windows and locks and air conditioning standard across the range. Sport models come with more aggressive front and rear bumpers and a recalibrated suspension. Lounge models get chrome accents, leather seats, 15-inch wheels and a new 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode.

Stay tuned to AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show for more coverage.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Cabrio

Get more Fiat 500 news and info at Fiat500Owners.com and read AutoGuide’s 2012 Fiat 500 Review here

While we reported on the recall regarding the Chevrolet Cruze and its defective steering wheel issue, we didn’t realize just how severe the problem was until we saw video of the defect, and the very real consequences it could pose.

A Youtube user uploaded a video of one of the vehicles, which shows the steering wheel hanging on by a couple wires and nothing more. The car in question only had 1600 miles on it, and a mother, grandmother and 19 month infant were travelling in the vehicle when the steering wheel detached at 65 mph while travelling on a highway.

While General Motors is taking steps to fix the issue, seeing it in person raises a whole host of questions regarding the matter – namely, how the hell could this happen on a modern production car that’s otherwise well built?

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

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