Another variant will be the LT that makes use of a 1.4L turbo Ecotec engine paired with 6-speed automatic transmission. This one is fitted with 16-inch wheels. The LT is priced starting $18,995.

The Cruze Eco will have the 1.4L Ecotec engine coupled with sexi-speed manual gearbox. The fuel efficiency of this variant tops all the models at 40 mpg while on the highway. It comes standard with 17-inch alloy rims and enhanced with an aerodynamic package.

The LTZ starts at $22,695 and makes use of the LT setup but with additional features like leather seats, shift knob, and steering wheel. The driver seat also comes with power features. The LTZ will also have cruise control, USB port provision for the audio interface, Bluetooth, audio controls on the steering wheel, and remote starting of the vehicle. Other standards include rear view mirror with auto dim feature, auto climate control, and rear parking assist technology.

The major options for the Cruze will include Pioneer entertainment system, navigation system, 40GB hard drive, RS styling package, and the ultrasonic parking assist.

The 2011 Infiniti will be rolling out the assembly line with a G25 variant but sources from Japan are saying that this will not be a turbocharged engine.

The Infiniti G25 will sport the naturally aspirated V-6 2.5L power plant that is also found on the Japanese release of the Skyline 250GT sedan branded under Nissan. The engine has double overhead cams that have a pretty good output of 210 horsepower and a torque of 195 pound-feet. The numbers are enough to challenge the 230 horsepower 328i sedan from BMW.

The details about the total package are rather sketchy. Nothing is official yet.

The idea though of getting the 2011 G25 is quite interesting. One will wonder though how this move will affect the brand perception as it steps down in terms of price.

Dealerships in the United States do not expect that the new Infiniti will have a coupe or convertible version at first. Experts suggest that if the four door sedan will have good reception, eventually, the green light for the other variants will come.

Nissan until now has no cars on the market that are powered by alternative fuels, but the Nissan Corporation has had positive developments in the field of alternative car fuels and has even been awarded green loans to continue their work so that these alternatives hit the market as soon as possible. One promising model would be the electric car that uses a lithium ion battery and which will need only eight hours to recharge completely.

Nissan is also interested in designing and developing hydrogen fuel based cars, because this is one of the cleanest and most sustainable alternatives of all the viable sources. Hydrogen fuel powered cars release no pollutants and run only on the addition of oxygen and hydrogen to a fuel cell which turns those elements into electrical power, water and heat.

The figures are tumbling down for the major players in the car industry as the March sales reports come in. The drop in sales were reported by Ford at 42%, GM 44.7%, Chrysler LLC 39.3%, Nissan North America 37.7%, Honda in the US 36.3%, and Toyota USA by as much as 39%.

Experts have predicted a drop in annual sales which will mark a 27-year low. They are foreseeing sales to hit just below the 9 million mark. The uptick in demand may still be seen before the end of 2009.

Economists are seeing some signs of hope as the economic decline may be moderating but still it is a nothing is for sure game. Restructuring of the auto industry will still play a big factor in the next several months.

Ford has decided to lower its production for the first quarter by 26,000 units. Honda will be closing down 13 of its plants and cutting its production in North America by as much as 62000 vehicles.

Analysts pin point the low confidence of the market on the auto industry as everyone watches closely on the fate of General Motors and Chrysler which are kept afloat by a government loan amounting to $17.4 billion.

The federal government has recently declined additional loans of $21.6 billion to the car manufacturers. Hopes will be bleak for them unless they will be able to restructure properly by spring.

Consumer confidence has been on its lowest in the recent months since it has been rated in 1967.

Toyota remains the number one choice of buyers for three consecutive years. This was the result after asking 1700 U.S. adults last December.

The perception though was not reflected in the books of Toyota which had a drop in December sales of as much as 36.7%. The US light vehicle sector posted a lost of year over year 35.6%.

In terms of being environment friendly, Toyota still ranks No. 1 while Honda finished second. In terms of value, Honda outclassed the other brands.

The rest of the top 5 brands was a joust between giant car makers Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. Mercedes-Benz landed on the top five for design while Cadillac placed among the best in technology. The two brands also made it to the best in quality topnotch.

Saab, Mazda, Hummer, and Suzuki received dismal appreciation from the consumers who responded to the survey.

Interpreting the survey, experts say that the top car manufacturers in the survey present an excellent first impression among consumers and the media.

Consumers’ first priority is the safety quality of the vehicles. In this category, Volvo won praises with 71% saying Volvo has the safest vehicles in the market today.

Following safety on the list are performance, quality, value, environmental friendliness, technology, and design.

Majority of the respondents though revealed that they are delaying their decisions of buying a new car. Reasons cited were good maintenance of their old car, prices of the new car releases, and worries about the current global crisis.

My opinion? Any survey that puts Cadillac up top technology-wise is a joke.

The partnership will allow Chrysler to fast track and improve its restructuring plans and efforts.

A reliable source revealed that the Fiat group may allow Chrysler to access its line of car platforms, transmissions, and engines. This move will allow Chrysler to come up with a new range of small and mid-sized vehicles that have low emissions.

Chrysler has linked with Nissan for the production of small cars using the platform of 2010 Dodge Hornet.

In exchange for the range production, Fiat will gain a 30% to 35% stake in the company. A European newspaper published that the two companies have signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize the alliance.

Chrysler’s move may also be timely to allow the company to respond to market demands for smaller, more efficient and low emission cars. GM and Ford has a production line which focuses on this interest of the market. As of today, Chrysler does not have a similar line of offerings.

Fiat also gains access to the market of the United States. It may expand its network using the operations and distribution arms of the U.S. car manufacturer.

The Alfa Romeo brand from Fiat canceled its launch to the U.S. market to 2011 because it cannot find a partner to help in the production and distribution of the cars.

Fiat will save a lot of money with their partnership with Chrysler. On the other hand, the U.S. firm will be able to access the network of Fiat in Latin America and Europe.

Insight’s 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine produces 88hp alone, and a joint 98hp with the electric supplement with a rate of 5.75 Amp-Hours. It produces 58 lbs-ft torque initially and a total of 123 lbs-ft. during maximum velocity.

Honda Insight is a five-seater sedan that would most likely appeal to older consumer and baby boomers. With a relatively smaller battery pack (seven nickel-metal hydride or NiMH cell modules) and an electronic control unit packed under the rear floor, at the back the 10.4-gallon gas tank, Honda Insight has a foldable rear seats and a compact cargo area at the back.

At less than 2,800 lbs, this hybrid baby is 200 lighter, shorter, and less expensive compared to the 2009 Toyota Prius, the reigning hybrid today. The LX model carries good interior features for its price— tilt-and-telescope steering column, cargo light, rear window defrost, power locks and windows, and an automatic climate control unit. The EX model boasts of alloy wheels and a navigation system with Bluetooth and voice recognition features. Ex also carries paddle shifters, cruise and steering wheel controls, thermal side mirrors, map lighting and mirror fixtures, adjustable speed intermittent wipers.

So far, Honda has not announced a price for the Insight hybrid car but it is expected to be a lot cheaper compared to the Civic Hybrid. The Honda Insight is expected to land in the $18,000 – 20,000 range.

For more Honda news, check out our friends at Honda Blog Honda Talk!

The car signals Hyundai’s game plan to return to the compact 5-door market segment. The price range may go as much as $20795 for getting the premium sport variant. The stickers include the cost for delivery.

Under the hood of the Touring wagon is a 2.0L engine that is coupled with manual transmission. It has a city fuel mileage of 23 mpg and rates 31 mpg in the highway. The car is also given a very positive review as an ultra low emission vehicle.

The car comes standard with functions like key-less entry, steering wheel control for audio and cruising, air conditioning, and a driver seat that is adjustable in 8 ways equipped with lumbar support.

Entertainment comes basic with an AM-FM satellite radio, MP3 system, and a CD player heard through six speaker system. The head unit comes standard with a USB input and auxiliary jack.

The sport package lets car owners enjoy the good weather with a sunroof. It also comes with heated front seats to make winter driving a bit more comfortable. This variant comes with 17 inch wheels.

The Hyundai Elantra Touring wagon comes standard with an electronic stability control system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a 5-star rating when it tested the vehicle for frontal crashes.

More Hyundai Car News on hyundaicars.org!