Smart crash test = good!

The Insurance Institute for Highway Saftey (IIHS) tested the little Smart ForTwo, and proved many naysayers wrong by earning a "good" rating (aka the second highest). See -- small cars can be safe!

Press Release
IIHS's Smart ForTwo Crash Test

Small Car Sales Up

Small car sales are up for April, 2008. The biggest b-segment winner is Suzuki, whose SX4 has increased sales a whopping 119% from April of 2007! Here's a complete list of the April 2008 subcompact sales changes from April 2007:

Suzuki SX4: up 119%
Toyota Yaris: up 46%
Hyundai Accent: up 41%
Honda Fit: up 38.5%
Mini (all): up 28.6%
Nissan Versa: up 26.4%
Kia Rio: up 23.6%
Chevrolet Aveo: up 23.5%

The Great Toyota Cut-And-Paste: The Great Wall Florid

Chinese autocopier ... er ... automaker Great Wall showed yet another vehicle that not only knocks off one vehicle, but two (actually more than two). The Florid (I think they forgot the "a" at the end), has a front end similar to a Toyota Yaris, and a rear end that looks like a Scion xA. On top of that, the vehicle has headlights that mimic the JDM Toyota Ractis. Talk about killing 2-3 birds with one stone. It's supposed to be released this year according to Automotive News.



You can check out Great Wall Motors' Web site at www.gwm.com.cn/eng. Be sure to click on the "models" page, and check out the "Hover." Who wouldn't want that?

Small Cars, Big Demand

According to U.S. News and World Report, small car demand is at near record levels, and deals are hard to come by. The article also gives tips to find bargains, and such. It's quick read, so read it -- you've obviously got nothing better to do.

LINK
Small Car Demand Keeps Prices High

Upated list of "Least Expensive Cars to Own"

A few posts down, I mentioned Forbes came out with their "Least Expensive Cars to Own" list. However, the list I posted was from 2007. I've edited the list to reflect the 2008s.

There were a few changes. Plus, there were seven subcompacts this year as opposed to six from last year.

Jalopnik.com drives the Suzuki Swift

The folks over at Jalopnik were able to get their hands on a European-market Suzuki Swift to drive here in the U.S. It's a great write up on the 'lil Zuki and makes me want one even more! They're supposed to come State side in the next couple of years.

The new Swifts are a far cry from the old "Geo Metro" Swifts we are familiar with in the U.S. The new Swifts are internationally heralded as being a top-notch subcompact. Anyway, it's definitely worth the read.

LINK
2008 Suzuki Swift: Around The Blodk

Suzuki SX4 turbo kit available through dealerships?

Wow -- how cool is this? Suzuki has partnered with Road Race Motorsports, and may be selling a turbo kit through Suzuki dealers for the SX4. I'm a big fan of the SX4, and this is just too cool in my opinion. According to the post on Autoblog.com, Suzuki claims 0-60 in less than seven seconds. Not asphalt melting, but a good bit faster than the stock SX4. The kit ups horsepower from 143 to 221, and toruqe up from 136 ft./lbs. to 208 ft./lbs. The kit will cost around $5,400 with everything need to install, according to this story. Whether that's from dealers or Roade Race Motorsports itself, was not stated.

Road Race Motorsports and Suzuki have had a relationship for a couple of years, as RRM has built a couple of concept cars for Suzuki that have beens shown at various autoshows, including SEMA in Las Vegas.

LINK
Road Race Motorsports' SX4t

Forbes: Toyota Yaris is the least expensive car to own.

Score another one for subcompacts! According to Forbes magazine, 7 of the 10 cars on the list were b-segments!

1. Toyota Yaris*
2. Honda Fit*
3. Chevrolet Aveo*
4. Nissan Versa*
5. Hyundai Accent*
6. Dodge Caliber
7. Kia Rio*
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Scion xD*
10. Honda Civic DX sedan
*Subcompacts

LINK
The 10 Least Expensive Vechiles to Own of 2008

Chinese Ford Fiesta Unveiled

Daddy likey! Here's a picture of the Chinese-version Ford Fiesta S, which is a sportier version of the Fiesta shown in Europe. Ford – please bring this to the U.S. Pretty Please?

More photos and info can be found over at Autoblog.

Autoweek on the upcoming Ford Fiesta

Autoweek.com has an interesting article on the upcoming Ford Fiesta. It's the first time since the demise of the Korean-made Aspire that Ford will have a subcompact on the United States domestic market. The article provides some insight on Ford's thoughts on the segment, too.

LINK
"Wanna B?" (on Autoweek.com)