American car fans are expected to be wowed by new car models from various American car makers next year.

General Motors (GM), for instance, will be officially launching Chevrolet Corvette series at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2008. Tagged as the �American Supercar,� the Corvette ZR1 has been reported to have a supercharged engine that can produce at least 620 horsepower. Its two other buddies, the Corvette base model and the higher performance Corvette Z06, are powered by a 6.2-liter, 430 horsepower V8 and a 7.0-liter, 505 horsepower engine, respectively.

Chrysler, on the other hand, is not one to be left behind. The famous car company will be unveiling three concept vehicles, also at the Detroit Auto Show slated in January 2008. These are the ecoVoyager, the Jeep Renegade and the Dodge ZEO. The winning factors of the new concept vehicles are their electric motors, long passenger cabins and short hoods.

How is that for a start? I�m sure I�m not the only one thrilled by now.

No, it’s not just the ordinary television you’re thinking, wherein you could plug in your favorite DVDs and the like. This one’s satellite television. Yes, the kids’ favorite Disney Channel can be viewed inside the car. So, if you’re getting tired of calling your kids 5 to 6 times for them to get inside the car (going to Grandma’s place!), then the Chrysler minivan is the solution for you.

Photo taken from http://www.coolest-gadgets.com

In America, we often here the phrase “The Big Three” when talking about the auto industry. This phrase refers to the three largest domestic auto makers in the US. The leader of this group is Chevy; there are more used cars on Americas roads today that have been produced by Chevy than of the other two (Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corp.) combined. This is due to the fact that not only does Chevy produce cars under more brand plates than the other makers but they have a much longer expected life span that the other makers on the whole. The Chevy Cavalier is a very popular model among used car buyers, that is also one of the best deals that you will be able to find. This car has had a long standing record of being reliable and safe and is a great alternative to those how might be interested in buying a Ford Focus, which is a lot harder to find used.

The Ford Focus is, as mentioned, remarkably similar to the Chevy Cavalier, but is not as easy to find as a used car. This is also a car that is not as reliable as the Chevy model, but still can hold its own when being compared to other cars in the same category. The Focus has a record of being safe and economical, but is prone to breakdowns. Nevertheless the popularity of the focus remains high.

The Dodge Neon is another of the great American built cars that enjoys a popularity among used car buyers. The Neon is a car that has earned its accolades, when it first debuted (made by the now defunct Chrysler plate Plymouth, along with its sister vehicles the PT Cruiser and the Prowler) many people considered it a bit of a joke. This was due to its small size and limited features package. While this car has had some problems in the past, there are a lot of people that see this car as being a great used car option due to its wide availability and low price.

No matter why you are making the choice to drive an American used car, you are sure to discover that they are a great value and will provide you with many years of reliable service. You do want to take the time to do your research before you make any purchase decision and, always make sure that you look at the overall safety record of a particular model. An American used car is one of the better decisions that you can make when the time comes to purchase your next vehicle. American made cars keep their value, offer comparable features and have very good safety ratings. An American made car is cheaper and last longer than the foreign counterparts and service is more readily available for them when needed. They are a great choice no matter how you look at it.

This is the time where the automotive industry is continuously seeking ways to remain competitive. If before increasing car sales through innovations and marketing strategies is the only thing that many carmakers concentrate on, now they are into more serious business strategies to remain afloat. Take for example the case of Chrysler.

According to Leftlane News, Chrysler has recently announced plans to convert its retail locations into stand-alone service centers to consolidate its dealership. Chrysler look at the idea with optimism saying the move is intended to keep its service at the highest level.

I find it strange that Chrysler has to resort to this kind of tactic if only to consolidate its dealership. Could it just be some kind of a cost-cutting effort? I wonder how the dealerships will react. Will they buy the idea or not?

Image Source: http://www.hunter.com

Autoweek.com reports that March sales for cars have gone low by 12.0 percent to 1.36 million vehicles. Chrysler led the drop with a 19.4 percent plunge in sales, selling only 166,386 vehicles in March.

Several economic factors such as the rising prices of fuel, credit messes and low consumer confidence are seen as the culprit. Other American automaker decliners include General Motors and Ford at 18.7 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively.

The figures have spoken. Based on the data, there were more losers than winners. Is it a clear sign that the automotive industry has really been going down? Or is it just that a lot of people are using their money to more smart investments than the good old car?