1. Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
16220 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
800-859-7249

Notes: With 10 campuses and six courses of study, UTI provides training for people that are looking for careers automotive, diesel, collision repair and motorcycle technicians. The school operates the NASCAR Technical Institute in Charlotte and each of its schools has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The school claims that nearly two-thirds of its students graduate with four out of every five of its grads finding work within their chosen field.

2. WyoTech
4373 North 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82070
866-202-6582

Notes: Founded as the Wyoming Technical Institute, this school is headquartered in Laramie, Wyoming. It operates five other campuses — one each in Florida and Pennsylvania, and three in California. WyoTech offers courses in advanced automotive diagnosis, automotive-diesel combination, motorsports chassis fabrication and trim and upholstery technology, among others. Each campus is individually accredited, with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges putting its stamp of approval on each one. The graduation rate varies by campus and ranges from 67 to 86 percent.

3. Kettering University
1700 University Ave.
Flint, Mich. 48504-6214
800-955-4464

Notes: Kettering University got its start in 1919 and was initially known as the School of Automotive Trades and, later, as the General Motors Institute. In 1998 it assumed it current name to honor Charles F. Kettering, an early donor and inventor. The university offers extensive undergraduate and graduate programs including Fuel Cells & Hybrid Technology, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Engineering and other areas. Undergraduate specialities include Alternative Energy, Automotive Engineering Design and Bioengineering Applications. The university offers a cooperative program and counts several businesses as its employer partners in education including Faurecia, BorgWarner, GM, TRW and Bosch.

4. Penn Foster Career School
Student Services Center
925 Oak St.
Scranton, PA 18515
570-961-4033

Notes: Owned by the Princeton Review, Penn Foster has been educating students since 1890, having started out as the International Correspondence Schools. The school is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council. Penn Foster offers courses leading to an Automotive Repair Technician and offers an Automotive HFAC Essentials Certificate and an Automotive Transmissions Essentials Certificate. Studies in Diesel Mechanics and Motorcycle Repair are also offered.

5. Nashville Auto-Diesel College
1524 Gallatin Road
Nashville, TN 37206
615-226-3990

Notes: You may be familiar with the Lincoln Group of Schools, a for-profit educational institution with more than 40 schools and campuses scatted across the United States. Among Lincoln’s acquisitions is the Nashville Auto-Diesel College in Tennessee, a school with a history that spans more than 90 years. NADC is well-known for automotive training and is staffed by ASE certified instructors. The school has on-campus dormitories, a full service cafeteria and has a custom paints program, an auto and diesel shop, and a collision repair and finishing facility on-site. NADC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and is authorized to operate by the state of Tennessee. NADC boasts a student retention rate of 60 percent.

6. Macomb Community College
14500 E. 12 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48088
586-445-7999

Notes: Located near Detroit and within the heart of Michigan’s automotive sector, Macomb Community College is positioned to prepare its 48,000 students for life beyond college. Given that MCC is a public two-year school, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. MCC offers a one-year Comprehensive Automotive Training program that yields a certificate or students can choose a slightly longer and more involved program that provides an Associate of Applied Science degree. All areas of the car are covered and this program is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.

7. Pittsburg State University
1701 South Broadway
Pittsburg KS 66762
620-231-7000

Notes: For students that successfully complete a two-year Automotive Service Technology degree and are looking to purse a four-year degree, Pittsburg State University in Kansas accepts transfer students into its program. This program moves forward where two-year programs leave off, preparing students in engineering technology, theory, logic, leadership, and business skills to assume management positions as they work their way up in the auto industry. AST also operates a two-year program, one that is certified by NATEF. Its four-year program is one of the top four of its kind in the nation. PSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

See Also — 7 USA Racing Schools

References

ONET Online: Automotive Body and Related Repairers

The Ford Motor Company has several new vehicles planned for the 2013 model year including an all-new Fusion sedan and its next generation Escape SUV. However, the Ford Escape will no longer offer a hybrid model as that technology will be found in an all-new model, the C-MAX, a multipurpose vehicle slated to roll out this fall. This five-passenger hybrid will retail from $25,995, which is about $500 less than its direct competitor, Toyota’s Prius v.

One Ford Strategy

On Thursday, Ford announced that dealers are now taking orders for the standard C-MAX. This model will be joined later this year by the C-MAX Energi, a plug-in hybrid that promises to offer a longer range and better overall fuel economy than the Prius v.

Ford’s C-MAX is the latest model that evokes the “One Ford” strategy this automaker introduced in 2008. Under One Ford, many models built by Ford in one market are sold in all markets. The subcompact Fiesta and compact Focus are two examples of One Ford currently at work; the Fusion and Escape are two additional examples although those vehicles vary slightly from European models that also have different names (i.e., Mondeo and Kuga, respectively).

Said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”

Global C-Platform

Ford expects that the C-MAX will offer best-in class horsepower and torque as it makes use of the automaker’s powersplit technology, now in its third generation. This technology enables vehicles to operate at higher speeds while in electric mode, conserving gasoline and delivering optimum fuel efficiency.

Like the Ford Fusion, the C-MAX rides on Ford’s global C-platform. Standard features include push button start; seven airbags; a rear view camera; SYNC with MYFord Touch, an infotainment system; active part assist; and front and rear parking sensors. A hands-free liftgate also found in the 2013 Ford Escape is standard, a feature that employs sensors that detects when owners use a kicking motion near the rear bumper. As long as the key fob is present, the liftgate will automatically open.

Technical Specifications

The 2013 Ford C-MAX is built at a Ford plant in Chihuahua, Mexico. This model is powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder gas engine that operates on the Atkinson cycle. Featuring aluminum block and head construction, this engine has a 12.3 to 1 compression ratio and measures 87.55 mm bore by 83.1 mm stroke.

The C-MAX gas engine is estimated to produce 141 horsepower and 129 foot-pounds of torque. Total system power is estimated at 188 horsepower. This model utilizes a lithium-ion battery package and makes use of an electric motor/generator to supply power. Additional electric power is captured via regenerative braking. A continuously variable transmission is standard.

Auto Trends will provide more information about both C-MAX versions closer to its release date including complete model spec details.

Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

The 2014 Chevrolet SS is shown under cover.

Much has changed since General Motors went bankrupt, restructured and emerged as a new company. The name is nearly the same — company, instead of corporation — but most consumers probably don’t know the difference. What people do know is that the once brand-happy automaker has figured out a way to make a profit and is doing so with four strong brands offering cars people really want instead of a mixed assembly of eight brands dominated by less than stellar products.

One of the four brands killed off was Pontiac, a one-time performance-oriented make that lost its way. Before its demise, Pontiac was on the mend, offering two rear-wheel-drive models supplied by GM’s Holden operation — its Australian subsidiary. The first RWD model was the Pontiac GTO, based on the Holden Monaro, a coupe variant of the Holden Commodore. The new GTO offered plenty of power, but its bland looks failed to inspire. Introduced in 2004, the GTO never caught on with just 40,808 copies sold over its three-year tenure reports Drive.

Pontiac GTO.

Following the Monaro/GTO tenure, GM once again tapped Holden for a North American model, this time choosing the Commodore and christening it the Pontiac G8. Three engine choices were offered: a 3.6-liter V-6, a 6.0-liter V-8 and the 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 engine found in the Corvette. While the base G8 offered good performance, enthusiasts aspired for one of the available V-8 engines, especially the GXP edition’s LS3 engine paired with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. 0 to 60 times were clocked at 4.5 seconds and along with its Nürburgring-tuned FE3 suspension package and ventilated Brembo disc brakes, comparisons with the much-pricier BMW 550i were often made.

Pontiac G8.

The Pontiac G8 sparked renewed vigor in the brand and the strongest interest for a performance model since the Firebird. Just over 38,000 units were sold in 1.5 model years before the bad news was delivered: GM was eliminating Pontiac and with it the G8. Fans cried foul and some pushed for the model to be rebranded as a Chevrolet, something GM initially refused. Many months later, when GM announced that the Commodore would return to North America as a Chevrolet, it said that the rechristened Chevrolet Caprice PPV would be for police pursuit vehicle status only with retail customers shut out of the market. Later, it was reported that “one or two” Caprice PPV models were sold by a Maryland dealer to retail customers as that dealer found a loophole in his contract with GM and quickly exploited it. GM, playing the bad guy here, promptly had its legal team close the loophole to avoid future retail deliveries.

This week, GM has gone full circle with its Holden-Pontiac-Chevrolet products, announcing that a new model, the Chevrolet SS, would be built by Holden and shipped to North America for retail customers. That news had been rumored for some time, with GM fueling further speculation when it announced earlier this spring that it would field a new car for NASCAR. That meant it would feature rear-wheel-drive and be based on a model available for retail sale. GM said it would also offer a new name which meant that the anticipated model wouldn’t be a Caprice, an Impala or any other name previously used.

Enter the Chevrolet SS.

The Chevrolet SS does several things for the bow-tie brand and GM in general. First, it shows customers that management is listening. This writer joined that earlier chorus of boo-birds who thought the G8′s demise and later Caprice PPV fleet-only availability reflected poorly on the company. Second, the SS gives Chevrolet a performance model that is not a coupe or a sports car. The Camaro and Corvette have served the brand well, but the absence of a large rear-wheel-drive sedan has left a hole in the product line-up. The next generation Impala won’t fill it as that vehicle is all about providing ample cabin room combined with fuel efficiency. Third, using the “SS” name ties everything together. SS or Super Sport raises a sub-model to model status. SS has been used on a variety of Chevrolet products since it was first introduced to the Impala in 1961, but is currently in use with today’s Camaro solely. Much like Chrysler has raised its SRT name to brand status, Chevrolet is setting the SS apart from the pack.

GM hasn’t given us full details of the Chevrolet SS just yet. Even the lone camouflaged copy pictured here tells little. What we do know is that the SS will be Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup race car and will debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500 next February. A retail model will roll out late in 2013 as a 2014 model. It will be based on the Holden VF Commodore, a clean-sheet update of the current model. That model is expected to make use of aluminum body panels for its front and rear hoods, important weight saving measures that will help increase fuel economy. The previous engine choices might return with perhaps an optional 8-speed automatic transmission offered with 6-speed manual and automatic choices too.

Long story short — if you are RWD fan and prefer a sedan, then the Chevrolet SS might be right for you. It may not poach sales from Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but it could keep Chevrolet enthusiasts happy and raise brand visibility the way any halo model is designed to do.

Photos courtesy of General Motors Company and Wikipedia.

Chrome, larger wheels and an upgraded interior are among the distinguishing characteristics that makes the Denali the apex of the Terrain model line.

Engines and Transmissions

The 2013 GMC Terrain Denali offers customers two engine choices. A 2.4-liter four cylinder engine making 182 horsepower at 6,700 rpm is standard. This 16-valve cast aluminum engine makes 172 foot-pounds of torque at 4,900 rpm and has an 11.2 to one compression ratio. This model is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

GMC Terrain Denali shoppers can also choose a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. This cast aluminum 24-valve motor makes 301 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 272 foot-pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm. It has an 11.5 to 1 compression ratio and is also paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel Economy

Both Terrain Denali engines are flex-fuel capable, able to run on regular grade gasoline, E85 fuel or a combination of the two.

Front-wheel-drive models get 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway with the four cylinder engine and 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway with the V-6 engine. Choose all-wheel-drive and your Terrain Denali gets 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway with the four cylinder engine and 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway with the V-6 engine.

Four cylinder models are equipped with an 18.8-gallon fuel tank. V-6 models offer 20.9-gallon fuel tank.

Single chrome finisher exhaust outlets are found on the four cylinder model while V-6 Denalis get dual finishers.

Terrain Denali Dimensions

Built on a 112.5 wheelbase, the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali is 187.8 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 66.3 inches tall. This model weighs from 3,893 pounds, has a 6.9-inch ground clearance and offers 99.6 cubic feet of passenger volume. Cargo volume measures 31.1 cubic feet and can be extended to 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

Front head room measures 39.8 cubic inches; rear head room is 39.2 inches. Front leg room comes in at 41.2 inches, rear leg room measures 37.2 inches. Front shoulder room comes in at 55.7 inches; rear shoulder room measures 55.3 inches. Front hip room comes in at 54.6 inches; rear hip room is pegged at 51.3 inches.

GMC Terrain Denali

What sets a Terrain Denali apart from the pack? It all starts with design cues, namely chrome that you will see in abundance on its exterior. A chrome grille, chrome accents, chrome molding and single or dual chrome finish exhaust outlets are among the high-end details offered. This model also features standard 18-inch wheels for the four cylinder model and 19-inch wheels on the V-6.

Mahogany wood, French-stitching and illuminated door sills are among the luxury accents found in the GMC Terrain Denali

Inside, the top-of-the-line amenities continue and include 8-way power driver and front passenger seat, a soft-touch instrument panel with French stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood accents, embossed Denali logs, wood trim accents and Denali illuminated front sill plates. Numerous technological features are also included such as Bluetooth smartphone integration, color touch radio with Intellilink, iPod controls and streaming Internet radio that makes use of Pandora and Stitcher apps. A color touch navigation and rear-seat entertainment system are standard.

Safety features include side blind zone and rear cross traffic alert, OnStar directions and connections, automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, roadside assistance, emergency services link, stolen vehicle assistance and remote door unlock are part of this package.

Photos courtesy of General Motors Company.

Related Articles

• 2013 GMC Terrain Denali: First Look (blogs.cars.com)
• GM Adds Upscale Terrain to Denali Lineup (automotivedigest.com)
• 2013 GMC Terrain with Denali Trim unveiled (inautonews.com)

Production of the next generation Nissan Altima is now underway, a 2013 model that is being built at a manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. The new model comes as Altima sales continue to rise, putting Nissan within striking range of the Toyota Camry, the long-time best-selling car in America. The new Altima also fires a warning salvo across the midsize sedan segment, by bringing a level of fuel economy that rivals some hybrid models. That alone will force its competitors to scramble in a bid to field more competitive models.

Engines and CVTs

Nissan isn’t messing with success as it rolls out its new Altima, due in showrooms this July. Both of its engine choices return, a 2.5-liter four and a 3.5-liter V-6 and each one is paired with a continuously variable transmission, technology that Nissan has been refining since it was introduced more than 20 years ago. Its CVT is responsible for the bulk of its fuel savings and does so without compromising power. Indeed its 182-horsepower four and its 270-horsepower V-6 engines put it at or near the top of power for its class.

The new threshold for fuel efficient sedans has been set by the 2013 Nissan Altima. This model is expected to deliver 38 mpg city, a number that is 3 mpg above its nearest non-hybrid competitors and is 2 mpg above the partial hybrid Buick Regal eAssist edition. With a starting price set at $21,500, the base Altima sedan is priced competitively.

Nissan and government officials gather to mark the start of production for the 2013 Altima. This model is being built at factories in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Tennessee Made Models

Nissan’s Smyrna manufacturing complex is a beehive of activity. In addition to producing the Altima, its pure electric LEAF and the batteries that power this vehicle will be produced there. Two more next generation models, its Pathfinder and Rogue sport utility vehicles, will also be produced there. Supplementing Smyrna production is a plant in Canton, Miss., that will also produce the Altima with engines supplied by Nissan’s Decherd, Tenn., facility.

On hand in Smyrna to mark the occasion were several Nissan officials and government leaders including Bill Krueger, vice chairman, Nissan Americas and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Said the governor, “We are proud that Nissan calls Tennessee home and that the Altima has been made here for more than two decades. This new model is a testament to the company’s strong brand and globally competitive reputation and a reflection of our state’s talented workforce.” The governor was joined by Tennessee’s two U.S. senators, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. Said Corker, “I truly believe Tennessee is now THE state for auto production in America, and Nissan deserves a great deal of credit for helping make that a reality.”

Year-to-Date Sales

Through April 2012, Nissan reports sales of 112,599 Altima units, comprised of both its sedan and coupe models. Sales year-to-date are up 29.7 percent over 2011 with Nissan on track to sell 340,000 units this year. That number is nearly 3,000 units higher than the number of Camrys sold in 2011, bringing Nissan ever closer to displacing its arch-rival atop the best-selling car peak.

Photos courtesy of Nissan.

Discounts of $4,500 come with this discontinued Mitsubishi SUV.

As the automotive market continues to heat up, customers may discover that the bargains that were available in recent years are no longer offered. In 2009, when sales bottomed out, automakers were offering generous cash incentives in a bid to move product. Today, new car deals may be harder to come by, but with some searching around you can save hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars off of the sticker price.

Out with the old, in with the new — Car shoppers looking for a bargain might want to consider models that are either being discontinued or will be receiving a significant update for the new model year. Mazda, for example, discontinued its Tribute SUV following the 2011 model year and is doing the same for its CX-7 in 2012. Dealers want to push these vehicles off of their lots to make room for the all new CX-5, thus deals can be had. Models receiving significant updates for 2013 include the Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Xterra. Nissan incentives include $1,500 cash back on the 2012 Altima sedan and $3,000 back on the 2011 Maxima.

Owner loyalty can pay off — Car manufacturers place big importance on market share. Thus, to keep you in the fold, you may be eligible for an additional rebate on top of other offers. One of the most generous plans available comes from Audi as it offers $1,000 to $3,000 towards the purchase of your next Audi vehicle. As long as your current Audi vehicle is model year 2001 or newer, then you may qualify. Others offering loyalty programs include Volvo giving back $1,000; Kia from $500 to $1,500 back ; and Mitsubishi offering a $500 incentive. Be warned: if your car was totaled and your insurer now holds the title, you might find that the dealer won’t give you the rebate as this Mazda shopper explained to The Consumerist.

Slow-selling models offer large incentives — If your chief reason for buying a new car is to get you from Point A to Point B, then you may not care what vehicle you are driving. Mitsubishi continues to struggle in the U.S. and is putting deep discounts on most of its vehicles. Its 2012 Galant midsize sedan comes with a $3,500 rebate while its retired, but still available 2011 Endeavor offers a $4,500 rebate. All 2012 Suzuki vehicles can be financed at zero percent for 72 months or you can choose cash back offers such as $2,000 on its Equator pickup truck; $1,500 back on its midsize Kizashi sedan; and $1,000 off of its SX4 sedan. You may need to plug in your zip code to find local offers.

Additional incentives may apply — Loyal owners aren’t the only ones eligible for special incentives. Most manufacturers give additional incentives on top of whatever offers they currently are running. The key here is knowing what these incentives are and asking the dealer for them. If you are a recent college graduate, you may be eligible for a rebate. Toyota Financial Services offers $1,000 off the price of select Toyota vehicles leased or financed through TFS. The “recent” graduation requirement is quite liberal too — you’re eligible for this discount if you graduate from college as far back as two years ago. Other manufacturers, such as Honda, allow grads to put down as little as 5 percent toward a new car purchase and will allow them to defer their first payment for 90 days and defer interest accumulation for 60 days. Other incentives that may be available include a Kelley Blue Book to find out what your car is worth. Be thorough in your research, take your time shopping and hold your ground for the best deal available.

Your habit of buying and selling used cars privately is a hobby, but your state may have something else to say about it. In Michigan, an individual that buys, sells, brokers, leases, negotiates a lease or deals in five or more vehicles within any 12-month period is required to hold a dealer’s license. [1] In Michigan’s case, a vehicle is described as a motor vehicle, trailer coach or trailer weighing when it weights more than 2,500 pounds. Read on for some tips on how to get a license to sell used cars.

DMV Rules

Given that 50 states and the District of Columbia establish rules governing motor vehicles registered within their jurisdiction, a visit to your Department of Motor Vehicle will ensure that you’re complying with local statutes as a used car retailer. The process offered here is general and not specific to any state.

In Florida, individuals selling three or more used vehicles within a 12-month period are considered as a motor vehicle dealer. [2] Like most other states, Florida has multiple license types including franchise dealer, service facility and auctions. You’ll want to obtain the independent dealer license in the Sunshine State by filling out the appropriate application.

When you fill out your application and submit it to the DMV you’ll include the related fee. In Arizona, you’ll be required to undergo a criminal records check, by submitting a personal history form and fingerprint cards to the Motor Vehicle Division. [3] Expect your application to be denied if a felony conviction is found on your record. Arizona will reject your application if you’ve been convicted of fraud or a felony within the past five years.

Bonded and Insured

Your DMV will most likely require you to obtain a surety bond, an amount that can vary depending on what you’ll be selling. In Minnesota, that bond is $5,000 for dealers of boats and snowmobiles, but $50,000 for passenger vehicles. [4] As part of the bond and application process, the DMV may require zoning approval for you to sell cars. Check with your municipality about its requirements for you to sell an occasional car from your home. Submit that information with your application.

Once you receive approval from the DMV to operate a used car business, you’ll need to obtain liability insurance, to insure against loss. Liability limits vary from state to state and may necessitate you obtaining other insurance such as uninsured motorists liability protection.

References

[1] Michigan Department of State: Who Needs a Dealer License?

[2] State of Florida: Licensing Requirements for Motor Vehicle Dealers

[3] Arizona Department of Transportation: Licensing Information

[4] State of Minnesota: Motor Vehicle Dealers License

In 2008, the Toyota Motor Corp. replaced General Motors as the world’s largest automaker, ending a 77-year reign by GM. Toyota held onto the number one spot for three years before GM overtook it in 2011. GM moved ahead as it took advantage of Toyota’s production troubles, but in the first quarter of 2012 Toyota is once again back on top.

Toyota on Top

Toyota sold approximately 2.49 million units for the first three months of 2012 according to Automotive News. GM sold 2.28 million vehicles followed closely by Volkswagen AG at 2.18 million units. All three manufacturers are locked in a tight race this year, with Toyota enjoying an 18 percent increase in sales through March. That number is all the more impressive given that its production network wasn’t impacted until March 11, 2011, when Japan was struck by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake. The quake also triggered a tsunami and a nuclear plant meltdown, putting additional pressure on Japan’s infrastructure. The damage affected Toyota and Honda production and distribution the most with both car manufacturers losing sales in 2011. Production for both automakers has now returned to normal.

You're number one...you really are!

Quality Problems

Toyota, bent on wresting the top spot from GM soon learned how risky it is to make sales its top objective. A series of highly-publicized quality issues including multiple runaway Toyota reports took the edge off of its sales in 2010, enabling GM to regain the lead. That led to its chairman, Akio Toyoda, to apologize for “betraying its roots as a quality automaker.”

Volkswagen has its own designs on the top spot too, making known its Strategy 2018 plan in 2008, which announced “…its goal of becoming the car industry’s global market leader in terms of unit sales.” It seems likely that Volkswagen will reach its goal by next year, given its strong position in China, the world’s largest consumer market for new cars. GM is also strong in China, but Toyota is well behind the two. Still, Toyota’s global network could keep it in the hunt for years to come.

Here Comes Hyundai

Gaining steam is the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the Korean juggernaut that desires to beat Toyota. Toyota may no longer be No. 1 if and when that happens, but Hyundai’s growth in North America and Europe demonstrates that the company isn’t satisfied with the No. 4 spot. Hyundai’s chairman, Chung Mong-koo, sees stiffer competition and slower growth for 2012, but still expects that Hyundai Kia sales will top 7 million units in 2012.

None of this, of course, compares to what is really important to automakers and that is its profits. Without a hefty amount of cash in reserves, no automaker will thrive the next time the global economy takes a hit. That next hit may come soon if Europe’s current economic woes worsen and drag down the rest of the world.

Picture: Saint Jean Baptiste, créé vers 1513-1516 par Léonard de Vinci.

Chevrolet introduced its Corvette sports car nearly 60 years ago and the bow-tie brand hasn’t been the same since. Corvette single-handedly transformed Chevrolet, setting it apart from arch-rival Ford by offering a truly halo product. Indeed, “Chevrolet” and “Corvette” are rarely mentioned in the same breath as this classic model has achieved brand status all by itself.

Hot Cars: Classical Corvettes

The Corvette is recognized as America’s oldest continuously built sports car. It also has the dubious distinction of being a prime target of thieves, with just over one in 10 models produced from 1981 to 2011 stolen in the United States including Puerto Rico. That information comes from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a not-for-profit organization formed in 1912 dedicated solely to prevent, detect and vanquish insurance fraud and vehicle theft. The NICB raises awareness of the scourge of vehicle theft and is itself supported by insurance companies.

The NICB reviewed Corvette theft data from 1953 to 2011, finding 134,731 theft records. That number, however, doesn’t give an accurate picture of the number of Corvettes stolen as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration only began requiring vehicle identification numbers (VINs) starting with the 1981 model year.

Most Stolen Models

From 1981 through 2011, some 90,427 Corvettes were reported as stolen in the United States. Over the same period, 862,918 Corvettes were produced, reaching peak production of 51,547 units in 1984. The 1984 model is also the most stolen, with 8,554 thefts reported. In second place was the 1981 model with 8,262 recorded thefts followed by the 1979 edition with 6,399 thefts. Notably, the top 10 years for stolen Corvettes spans model years 1976 to 1986, accounting for 55,132 units stolen. No 1983 model was produced.

The top 10 Corvette theft states were California, Florida, Texas, New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Missouri. These 10 states accounted for 63,409 thefts with the Golden State recording 14,002 thefts followed by Florida at 8,731 and Texas at 8,198.

A Layered Approach

Notably, vehicle thefts are declining across the board as car manufacturers and owners take the steps necessary to thwart thieves. The NICB recommends owners employ a “layered approach” to auto theft prevention by first using some common sense. That means removing the keys from the ignition, locking your doors and parking in a well-lit area.

Three other steps are also very helpful and include installing a warning device, an immobilizing device and a tracking device. Chevrolet, through GM’s OnStar subsidiary, also offers a stolen vehicle slowdown service. However, this service kicks in only after the owner files a report with the police and OnStar is notified by the authorities. Precious time can be lost, especially if the car is shipped abroad, thus owners should have other technologies in place.

How You Can Help

The NICB also relies on citizen vigilance to stop stolen car crime and insurance fraud. You can anonymously report an incident by calling 1-800-835-6422, by texting keyword “fraud” to TIP411 (847411) or by visiting its website. And, yes, there is an app for that, one that is suitable for iPhone and iPad users.

Will Corvette crime continue to fall? Perhaps, but with the seventh-generation model slated to appear for the 2014 model year, older models will quickly assume “classical” status even if the cars haven’t reached a certain age. Diligence on the part of owners can reduce Corvette thefts as can the assistance of an aware general public.

Photo courtesy of General Motors Company.

This small SUV is set to debut in Paris this September.

Chevrolet has a crossover SUV ready to slot below the Equinox, but that model will not be sold in the United States. The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact sport utility vehicle model that will make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this September, a five-passenger vehicle that will be sold in more than 140 countries.

No Sale

GM explained that the Trax will not be sold stateside “because of the strong position of the Equinox.” The Equinox serves as the entry-level SUV in Chevrolet’s U.S. portfolio, a midsize crossover SUV that has been bolstering sales for the bow-tie brand. Indeed, the Chevy Equinox has been rolling off of dealer lots fast, with Motor Trend reporting a 30-day supply in March 2012. That’s up from an extremely low 13-day supply we’ve seen in recent years.

What will the Trax offer to Chevrolet in the markets where it will be sold? Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Product Development noted, “The Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require.” In other words, GM will offer a model that competes with Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport and the Suzuki SX4 crossover, among others.

New Chevrolet Products

Making a big deal about a new model that is not slated for U.S. sale is nothing new for GM, however that can change. The replacement for the Chevrolet Colorado is already on sale in some markets, including in Thailand where it is produced, but initially GM announced that it had no plans for selling it in North America a truck now due here in 2013. Another model, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, has also been introduced and is a midsize SUV powered by a diesel engine. The Trailblazer name is familiar to Chevy SUV faithful, but when sales begin next month, the U.S. won’t be on the distribution list reports USA Today.

Not much is known about the Chevrolet Trax other than what can be gauged from the one photo offered and supplied here. Likely, the Trax rides on the same global B-platform that powers the Chevrolet Sonic, a subcompact hatchback and sedan that was introduced in 2011. Notably the all-new Buick Encore, slated to arrive in the U.S. in 2013, is based on that platform. Perhaps GM wanted to avoid blending two of its four U.S. “swim lanes” by selling both the Buick Encore and the Chevy Trax in the same market, although the preliminary information about each model shows some important differences including body style, engine choice and interior layout.

Other Models

GM faithful have been disappointed before by corporate decisions that have kept certain products outside of the U.S. market. Those vehicles include concept models, such as the GMC Granite, that were well-received by auto show attendees. The Granite’s demise, however, is due most likely to another model heading to Buick-GMC showrooms, none other than the previously mentioned Buick Encore.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.