9 month waiting list for eco-friendly models (UK)

If you want a fuel efficient and low-emission car, prepared for a huge wait. 1 VW dealer said it had no Polo BlueMotions in stock and that we would be lucky to see a car within 36 weeks of placing an order. But a VW spokeswoman claimed: “The national average is closer to 27 weeks, and there are 124 in stock in the UK for immediate delivery.” A Honda garage said that while base ES-spec Civic IMA models were readily available, there was a 20-week delay for the in-demand EX.

One Skoda dealer said the standard Fabia with a 1.4-litre TDI, which was in stock would be a better choice as a supermini than the new Green-Line model, as it didn’t have a power-reducing diesel particulate filter.

Thanks to Toyota, the Prius hybrid can’t be specified with options and delivery takes around three weeks at present.

Waiting list:

Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion - 36 weeks/Passat 2.0 TDI 12 weeks

Honda Civic IMA Hybrid EX - 20 weeks/Legend 3.5 V6 EX - 2 weeks

Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI GreenLine - 12 weeks/Octavia 2.0 TDI - 6 weeks

Toyota Prius T4 1.5 VVT-i - 3 weeks/RAV4 2.2 D-4D XT4 - 5 weeks

More Dacia/Renault Sandero variants?

Now, we know for a fact that there will be an faux SUV version of the Dacia/Renault Sandero but latest speculation is suggesting a Sport Tourer. We could say it will derive from the Logan but the renderings have clearly show that Logan is no longer the visual reference to be followed in what relates to Dacia. That can be confirmed by the notchback version of Sandero.

Although it would possibly be a new Logan, Renault in Brazil has sworn Logan will remain in its place. The recent restyling of the sedan, caught in Romania, gives Renault’s statement some credit and the possibility of yet another product to the B0 family. If that applies to Logan, it could as well be the case for Logan MCV.

Sandero was sure to inspire a restyling of Logan’s station, but it may also be the base for the creation of a new station wagon. The question is: would there be space for two station wagons in Dacia’s range? In Europe, it is very likely, but not in emerging countries such as Brazil. This is surely the cause for Renault’s denials on producing Logan MCV in South America, although there is a huge market for compact station wagons in this side of the globe. This would only make sense if Renault did not want to make money or if it had another product to offer, such as a Sandero Grand Tour.

In Europe, the seven-seater MCV could be destined to a working public, while the five-seater Sandero Grand Tour would appeal to small families. If it does go into production, expect the Sandero Sports Tourer to rival the Skoda Fabia estate, Peugeot 207 SW, Dacia Logan MCV and Renault Clio Sports Tourer.

Via WorldCarFans > Sandero Sports Tourer

Related links:

Dacia Sandero launched in France

New Car: 2008 Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero testing in Southern Italy

Renault Sandero video

Renault Sandero launches in Brazil

New Car: 2008 Renault Sandero

Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger recall (U.S)

Chrysler has announced a recall of 181,000 Chrysler Sebrings and Dodge Avengers built between 2007/08. The recall is due to an electrical defect that can prevent the cars from running.

If an unused electrical connector in the tyre pressure monitoring system corrodes and shorts out, it can cause the engine to stall or not start, batteries to go dead and cause other electrical components to fail, such as the cruise control or navigation system. U.S models are only affected.

No accidents or injuries have been linked to the defect.

UK diesel is cheapest in Europe

Until the government tax is added, then its the most expensive. According to Government figures, the UK's diesel costs an average of 48.8 pence a litre before tax is added.

However, that leaps to an average 116.6p or £1.06 a litre once the Government's 58% tax has been added, making it the most expensive diesel in Europe.

Unleaded petrol prices are the third-lowest in Europe before tax, 62% tax, the third highest in Europe meaning it is the fifth highest-priced.

The Conservative Party slammed the revelations. Shadow Treasury minister Philip Hammond said: 'Gordon Brown’s claim that world oil prices are the cause of the soaring costs is exposed as a sham.

Diesel tax rates in Europe:

UK 58%

Sweden 52%

Germany 51%

France 50%

Austria 48%

Denmark 48%

Ireland 48%

Audi R8 waiting list grows to several months

The Audi R8 is defiantly a good-looking supercar but now theres a large demand for it.. Nevertheless, a new sales report from Audi says the car "is sold out for months."

If demand remains strong for the car then it's fair to assume the backlog will continue to grow.. According to chairman Rupert Stadler, the R8 isn't the only Audi with strong demand. The top executive said the large Q7 SUV has taken the A4's place as Audi's most popular model in the U.S.

What's more, Stadler said he expects to see Audi's overall sales exceed one million units this year globally. Last month, the manufacture had sold 86,700 vehicles and sales could increase even more into the second half of 2008. In 2007, Audi sold 964,000 vehicles worldwide.

Toyota recalls 90,000 Highlander SUV's (U.S)

Toyota has announced that it will recall 90,000 Highlander SUVs in the U.S due to a defect in the Highlander's third-row seat belts, which could prevent rear-facing child seats from being secured properly.

The Japanese automaker has also issued a stop of sale on all 2008 Highlanders equipped with third-row seating.

The recall impacts Highlander models built between May 2007 and March 2008. Owners will be informed of the recall in June. No injuries or accidents have been linked to the defect.

KIA Morning receives 6 month waiting list (KR)

The Kia Morning (known as Picanto in Europe and South Africa) has a 6 month waiting list in Korea. This is due to the rising fuel prices which has now made city cars in the country ever more popular.

Throughout April this year, Kia Motors has sold over 33,000 units of the Picanto/Morning. That’s a growth of 30 percent from the same period last year.

Kia says the fuel-efficient city car has been so popular that it has over 32,000 units on back order, meaning a wait of upto 6 months for many buyers throughout the world.

GM Chevrolet/Daewoo’s Matiz has also seen a steady rise in sales with more than 5,000 of the cars sold since March and another 5,000 on back order. The two models are currently the only city cars made by Korean automakers for domestic sale, putting demand far above supply.