The fifth generation Volkswagen GTI comes standard with a high-tech turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that creates 200 horsepower at 5100 revolutions per minute and an adrenaline-pumping 207 pound-feet of torque at just 1800 rpm

Earlier this month, BMW of North America launched a national television, print, radio and Internet marketing campaign for its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. The "Drive with your heart. Buy with your head" campaign created by Publicis New York communicates to prospective customers that a Certified Pre-Owned BMW is more attainable and better than some new cars. The underlying message is that a Certified Pre-Owned BMW is better than a brand new compromise

The Internet Truckstop: Since launching the "C"arrier "P"erformance "R"ating (CPR) service one year ago to broker, 3PL and Logistics customers, The Internet Truckstop reports a record month of carrier performance reporting by brokers. In the month of April Internet Truckstop broker customers submitted over 250 new reports on carriers

NowAuto (BULLETIN BOARD: NAUG) (Pink Sheets: NWAU), which operates auto dealerships for the sub-prime credit market and parent company of Navicom GPS, reported in the 10Q report to the SEC revenue for the third quarter of $3,482,649, a record for the quarter, net income of $446,668, and earnings per share of $0.05. The company filed its 10Q with the SEC on May 12th, 2006

At least one of Autoblog's staffers is a sucker for the monthly 'Discovered' and 'Lost & Found' features British rags Thoroughbred & Classic Cars and Classic and Sports Car. Great 'barn finds' make our hairs stand up on end and constantly have us peering into farmyards whenever we drive through the countryside. In this regard, at least, Cubans have it easy. Their streets fairly team with vintage iron, particularly American classics from the 1940's and 1950's

Another indication of the complexity of the globalized auto industry came Monday with the news that Volkswagen is considering moving Passat production for the North American market to its facility in Mexico. The reason for the move is currency issues, specifically a declining U.S. dollar and a strong euro. Coupled with inefficiencies in its German plants, including the Passat assembly plant, exchange rate problems have hampered VW's financial recovery in the North American market

The famous Vespa scooter you always see nauseatingly trendy characters tool around on in TV shows and movies was launched by Piaggio in 1946. Fifty years later the company is introducing the MP3, a three-wheeled scooter with two 12-inch donuts up front and one in the rear. Both front wheels tilt independently to provide extreme levels of stability for a little scooter and better braking thanks to the extra disc

Raw materials costs are a headache for automakers worldwide, but the skyrocketing price of precious metals could escalate that headache to a migraine. The chief culprit is platinum, the preferred catalyst in automobile catalytic converters. According to Reuters, platinum futures hit $1,340 an ounce late last week, and the net impact for automakers is in the range of $100 to $200 per car - yet another hit to already razor-thin profit margins

Maserati has announced that it's throwing its hat in the 'Ring, literally. The Italian marque will be fielding a pair of racers next month in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race to held on June 17th. The factory team will be running a GranSport 'Labortorio' based on Maserati's entrant in GT racing and another car more closely resembling the road-going GranSport model with modifications limited to a stronger suspension and the requisite fuel supply and refilling hardware

Volkswagen's baby GTI, based on the Polo supermini has just gone on sale in the UK. Boasting a force-fed 1.8-liter 20-valve four cylinder and a full compliment of creature comforts and safety features, the top-rung Polo rings up at £14,810 out-the-door (a stout $28,000 USD), but bearing in mind Britain's higher vehicle prices and taxes, the price is competitive. The plain-jane Polo has been on sale in Blightly since February