– Prices on the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca sport-utility range from $30,695 for a base five-passenger model to $37,695 for a Limited seven-passenger version with navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems. The prices do not include the $625 destination charge. All models come with a 3-liter 6-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive, stability control and side-curtain air bags. The B9 Tribeca is due at dealerships in late May.
– After unveiling its new Rio sedan at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Kia introduced the hatchback Rio5 in New York. The sedan and hatchback go on sale this fall, sporting larger dimensions and a new 1.6-liter, 110-horsepower 4-cylinder engine as well as six air bags: two front, two side and side-curtain air bags front and rear.
– Dodge has priced its 2006 Charger lineup that arrives in showrooms this spring. The base SE with 3.5-liter V-6 engine will start at $22,995; the SXT with a higher-output 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 250 horsepower will start at $25,995; the R/T with its 5.7-liter, 340-h.p. Hemi V-8 will start at $29,995; and a limited-edition Charger Daytona R/T with a 350-h.p. Hemi will start at $32,495. All prices include $675 for freight.
– Plans to introduce Smart cars in the U.S. are on indefinite hold after parent Mercedes-Benz restructured the money-losing brand. The Smart Formore, a compact sport-utility planned for a U.S. introduction next year, has been dropped. Mercedes spokeswoman Donna Boland says the next-generation Fortwo will be “suitable for the U.S. market.” The earliest it could arrive is 2007. But the two-seat Fortwo still faces business hurdles, such as the value of the euro versus the dollar.Smart offers a diesel version of the Fortwo in Canada that is priced from $13,500.
