2012 Hyundai Veloster

We drive the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 and Ford builds a 2012 Explorer out of Legos. Lincoln is going away from the waterfall grille design while a gas station in Tennessee might be the first to offer rapid electric car charging. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on TheCarConnection.

We take a look at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster design from the auto show floor to the showroom.

The MINI Connected iPhone app can read your tweets and status updates to you while you drive.

If you want a Lincoln with the waterfall grille you better buy one quick.

We drive the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 250 to see what a four-cylinder C-Class is all about.

Ford built a 2012 Explorer out of 382,858 Legos.

Check out this video showing how the launch control works on the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Will a gas station in Tennessee be the first to offer rapid electric-car charging?

These 2012 family crossovers and SUVs all feature enhanced stability control.

A Lamborghini Gallardo is now extra crispy after catching fire in Malaysia.

When choosing a new vehicle always go with your gut.

2011 Nissan Quest

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With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.

2011 Nissan Quest

Enlarge Photo

With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.

2011 Nissan Quest

Enlarge Photo

With the numbers rolling in from major automakers today, it’s difficult to not see progress in August 2011’s car sales figures versus those posted in July–but still, the overall trend is slow, slow, slow.

According to market analysts at J.D. Power, the seasonally adjusted seling rate (SAAR) for August 2011 totaled 9.9 million retail units, a slight improvement over figures for July, but well off the 11-million-unit rate seen in February.

When fleet sales are factored in, the 12.1-million-unit SAAR actually fell a fraction of a percent versus July.

Economic frustration continues to keep car shoppers away from dealerships, Power’s director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster says. “There is little question that a strong level of pent-up demand exists, but economic and financial uncertainty is keeping it from being released.”

For the year, Power expects a total of 10.2 million retail vehicle sales, and 12.6 million units including fleet sales.

Which brands posted increases on the month, and which have more warning signs to read as economic recovery fails to gain steam? The results by automaker, with some still to come:  

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) posted August sales of 218,479 vehicles, for an 18-percent boost. Chevrolet’s winners included the Cruze and Equinox, while GMC’s Terrain was up 88 percent. Buick had its 23rd consecutive sales increase, year over year, and the Regal posted sales double those of last August.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) sales of 175,220 were an increase of 11 percent over August 2010. Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent, while Lincoln pulled out of last month’s swoon for a 25-percent increase. The Explorer continued its sales rehabilitation, with numbers up 300 percent from August 2010.

Chrysler: Chrysler sales of 130,119 units translated into a 31-percent increase over last year. Jeep sales were up 58 percent; Fiat had its best sales month yet. Big movers included the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.

Toyota / Lexus: Toyota sales fell 16.1 percent, on total volume of 129,483 vehicles. The Toyota division was down 16.9 percent, while Lexus sales dropped 10.6 percent.

Honda / Acura: Honda says its August 2011 sales results still were affected by the March earthquake in Japan. The company sold 73,267 Honda-brand cars, off 21.2 percent from a year ago, and Acura’s sales of 9,054 units were a drop of 24.5 percent. Total sales of 82,321 vehicles represented a decrease of 27.2 percent.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan said its August 2011 sales totaled 91,541 units, for a 19.2-percent increase. Infiniti’s numbers actually were down 4.3 percent, but Nissan-branded cars sold 22.4 percent better than in August 2010. The Leaf electric car topped 1,362 sales, and the Rogue had its best month ever, while the mid-size Altima lineup saw sales rise almost 25 percent over a year ago.

Hyundai: Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says, via Twitter: “August sales? Up 9% over last year to 58,505.” 

Kia: Kia had its best August ever, with total sales of 41,188 vehicles, for a 26.9-percent increase.

Volkswagen: VW continued its sales streak with a 10.4-percent climb; it’s up almost 21 percent on the year. Jetta sales rose 55.5 percent, while the Touareg climbed 140 percent. Diesels continue to account for about a quarter of all Volkswagen sales in the U.S.

BMW / MINI: BMW says combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in August fell a slight 0.2 percent to 23,924 units. Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were up 6.5 percent to 20,815 units; MINI was down 29.7 percent to 3,109 units. For the year, the combined business is up 14.6 percent.

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

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A single-seat electric car from VW has broken cover, nearly two weeks before its official reveal: Volkswagen Nils Electric Car Concept: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

While car sales numbers for August roll in, the Nissan Leaf takes a wider lead over the Chevy Volt: Aug Electric-Car Sales: Nissan Leaf Rises, Chevy Volt Creeps Back

Chrysler’s updated 300 and Dodge Charger sedans get better gas mileage, thanks to a new transmission: 2012 Chrysler 300 To Get 31 MPG Highway, Thanks To 8-Speed Automatic

SYNC in a Boss? It’s coming next year: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 To Feature More Tech: Report

Will gas cost you more this weekend, because of a long-gone hurricane? Gas Prices Up Slightly Over Labor Day Weekend: Irene To Blame?

It’s back in the barrel for Saab, but question: why do banks keep hopping on the rollercoaster? Saab Posts Significant First Half Loss, Seeks Loan To Avoid Bankruptcy

Eager beavers ready for their next Porsche can plan one out online: 2012 Porsche 911 Configurator Goes Live

Ford’s using the popular Zipcar daily rental service to show off its latest cars to college types: Ford Promotes Its Cars To College Students With Zipcar Deal

Finally today, the next big SUV from Lincoln will look a lot like today’s sport-ute, except for its engine: 2012 Lincoln Navigator Luxury Family SUV Reportedly To Get EcoBoost V-6 Engine

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

Enlarge Photo

A single-seat electric car from VW has broken cover, nearly two weeks before its official reveal: Volkswagen Nils Electric Car Concept: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

While car sales numbers for August roll in, the Nissan Leaf takes a wider lead over the Chevy Volt: Aug Electric-Car Sales: Nissan Leaf Rises, Chevy Volt Creeps Back

Chrysler’s updated 300 and Dodge Charger sedans get better gas mileage, thanks to a new transmission: 2012 Chrysler 300 To Get 31 MPG Highway, Thanks To 8-Speed Automatic

SYNC in a Boss? It’s coming next year: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 To Feature More Tech: Report

Will gas cost you more this weekend, because of a long-gone hurricane? Gas Prices Up Slightly Over Labor Day Weekend: Irene To Blame?

It’s back in the barrel for Saab, but question: why do banks keep hopping on the rollercoaster? Saab Posts Significant First Half Loss, Seeks Loan To Avoid Bankruptcy

Eager beavers ready for their next Porsche can plan one out online: 2012 Porsche 911 Configurator Goes Live

Ford’s using the popular Zipcar daily rental service to show off its latest cars to college types: Ford Promotes Its Cars To College Students With Zipcar Deal

Finally today, the next big SUV from Lincoln will look a lot like today’s sport-ute, except for its engine: 2012 Lincoln Navigator Luxury Family SUV Reportedly To Get EcoBoost V-6 Engine

And yes, the front end styling does remind us of Renault’s Vel Satis luxury model that was introduced in 2001 and is still under production.

This is not the first time that the Sentinel showcar has been listed for auction as back in April, O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Hardeeville, South Carolina tried to sell the concept study for $80,000 without any success.

Mind you, the Sentinel is a static showpiece built on a rolling chassis without an engine and a proper interior.

 Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car Pictures: