Archive for March 22nd, 2010

Report: GM suing Mongoose Motorsports over Corvette GS replicas [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM

The 1963 Corvette Grand Sport is one rare roadster. General Motors only built five of the Cobra killers before production was halted, and the rarest of ‘Vettes are worth millions at auction. If you don’t have Ferrari GTO 250 money to spend, one option is to shell out $189,000 to Duntov Motor Co. in Texas. The company reportedly has full rights from GM to build the vehicles, and The General’s badge is proudly displayed.

But that isn’t the only way to get a replica Grand Sport. Mongoose Motorsports produces a near dead ringer of a roadster, but GM claims in a lawsuit that the company is violating trademark laws by building the vehicles without the automaker’s permission. The Detroit News says The General is looking for the courts to bar Mongoose from building any more GS replicas, order the destruction of all labels and signs containing Corvette trademarks and let the automaker inspect the Ohio company’s books. On top of that, GM is looking for unspecified damages. Mongoose operations manager Gary Krause Jr. reportedly told DetNews that he was unaware of the lawsuit until the newspaper called him.

Why is General Motors coming down hard on Mongoose Motorsports? Because there is a lot of money in licensing (ask any pro sports team), and any company seeking to profit from The General’s designs, products or representations is taking money out of the company’s coffers. But while the Mongoose Motorsports GS may (or may not) be illegal, it still does look pretty damn cool on the road. Hit the jump to watch video of the realistic replica as it trolls public roads in search of some street cred; or perhaps a speeding ticket. Thanks for the tip, Ismael!

[Source: The Detroit News]

Continue reading Report: GM suing Mongoose Motorsports over Corvette GS replicas [w/video]

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Renault Logan Compact Sedan spied in India

     The Logan might not have been selling in good numbers, but soon it will have its younger brother on the roads. A Compact Sedan version of the Logan has been spotted testing in India.

     We saw first by the Tata Motors launching a CS version of its sedan Indigo and succeeding in selling good numbers of Indigo CS as well. Mahinda Renault is looking for this segment to boost its sales. With less than 4 meters in lenght the CS version of Logan could enjoy the small car tax benifits. Expect Logan CS to be priced around Rs 5 lakhs.

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Wait a few months to buy a Toyota hybrid

Far fewer buyers interested in Toyota vehicles

Based on auto sales figures today, it would seem that Toyota has weathered its recall woes very well. New research, however, warns that Toyota’s sales are a result of the “pull-ahead affect”. Essentially, incentives brought would-be Toyota shoppers to market a bit sooner.

Moving forward, Toyota will need new consumers, and that probably won’t be easy without even more incentives. Brand consideration for Toyota has dropped from 75 percent in January to 49 percent in February – about the same as domestics.

Finish: Wait a few months to buy a Toyota hybrid

Via Hybrid Cars

Kia releases first “K5″ images ahead of New York debut

The 2011 Kia Optima, to be called K5 in its domestic market and Magentis in other parts of the world, will make its world debut at the New York auto show next month. Beyond releasing a couple of teaser images, Kia is staying tight-lipped regarding what powertrains will be offered in the United States until the New York press conference.

From the pictures we see the latest take on Kia’s “tiger” front end complete with LED accent strip above the fog lights. Livening up things more is a coupe-like profile, higher and more pronounced shoulder lines, flared wheel arches and front fender vents.

In addition to a more-stylish wrapper, the new Optima will grow some from the current model with an extended wheelbase. Sales begin this fall.

[Source: Kia]

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