#NewVehicles

Whether they deserve it or not, dealerships often have less-than-favorable reputations.

You probably loathe car salespeople. Most of us do and in many instances they probably deserve their sullied reputation.

Like it or now summer is rapidly winding down. Before long students will be heading back to school and auto-show season will begin once again. Getting ready for the fall, a record number of global vehicles are expected to debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Like Mariah Carey’s ancestry, modern crossover vehicles have unusual roots. The award-winning American singer’s family tree is more varied than the flora of a rainforest understory. Her unique blend of nationalities includes African, Venezuelan and Irish. That’s more ingredients than Belorussian variety sausage. Who’s hungry for some lean, finely textured opossum?

Essentially a proper replacement for the second generation Multipla, the Fiat 500L is a bit better looking than its predecessor, though is still a worthy contender for the Ugg-box crown.  

At least that’s the findings from the JD Power and Associates Asia Pacific 2011 China Vehicle Dependability Study, which has just been released.

Given current and future proposals for Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards it probably isn’t surprising that General Motors is focusing on gas mileage when it comes to new product offerings.

Jaguar plans to move the XF, it’s current bread and butter model, up in size for the car’s next redesign, scheduled for 2015. In addition, the company will augment its product offerings, with a new smaller car at around the same time.

It’s been around in current form since 1983, but the rugged go-anywhere Land Rover Defender can trace its lineage directly back to the first one the company ever built  in 1948. Beloved of the British military, farmers, ranchers and explorers the world over, it’s a true icon.

Building on the concept of its bold ‘Minivan Pledge’ program, Chrysler has announced that it will be offering a Risk-Free purchase plan for most new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. The program, which began on July 8; will essentially allow those customers not happy with their new vehicle to return it back within 60 days, plus Chrysler will make the first two monthly payments on behalf of the consumer up to $500 per month or $1000 in total.