Autos
*Toyota will drop a strong hint that it plans to build a car-based compact pickup when it introduces the A-BAT concept Jan. 13 at the Detroit Auto Show. The A-BAT has a unibody platform like a car, two conventional doors and smaller rear-seat access doors, seats for four and a gas/electric powertrain. Its overall length of 181 inches makes it 9 inches shorter than Toyota’s Tacoma regular cab. The A-BAT has a 4-foot cargo bed that extends 2 feet forward with a pass-through to the cabin and 2 feet to the rear when the tailgate is lowered.
*Honda will unveil a prototype of the 2009 Pilot sport-utility next month in January at the Detroit Auto Show that it says will have bolder styling than the current model, sold since 2002. If Honda follows its previous practice, the production version will change little from the prototype. Honda’s CR-Z sports car concept also will make its U.S. debut in Detroit. The CR-Z, a two-seat gas/electric hybrid, bowed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.
*Prices for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe start at $15,310 for a front-wheel-drive model with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. AWD, also with a 5-speed manual, starts at $18,910. The GT is $19,310 and comes with a standard 4-speed automatic. A 5-speed automatic is optional on the base and GT models. The prices do not include the $585 destination charge. The base model has a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and the others a 2.4-liter 4. All have standard anti-lock brakes, stability control and six air bags. Vibe, a four-door hatchback similar to the Toyota Matrix, goes on sale in February.
*Ford will offer a panoramic glass roof as a $1,995 option on the 2009 Mustang V-6 and GT models. The fixed roof is made of tinted privacy glass and has a built-in roller blind cover. The safety glass is designed to shatter without sharp or jagged edges.
*Prices for the 2009 Dodge Journey, a mid-size crossover, start at $19,360 for a base SE model with front-wheel-drive, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. The SXT starts at $22,360 with FWD and $24,905 with all-wheel-drive, and the R/T is $25,920 with FWD and $28,300 with AWD. SXT and R/T models have a 3.5-liter V-6 and 6-speed automatic. The prices do not include the $625 destination charge. Based on the Avenger sedan, the Journey seats five as standard and an optional two-seat third row. Standard features include side and side-curtain air bags, stability control and storage bins in the floor that can hold a dozen 12-ounce beverage cans. Sales begin in the first quarter.
Recall
*Volvo AB, the world’s second-largest truckmaker, is recalling 125,000 2003-08 VHD, VNL and VNM and 2005-08 VT heavy-duty trucks in North America because faulty circuit breakers can cause a fire. The automatic circuit breakers in the lighting system can fail, allowing components and wiring to overheat.
FYI
*GM says it will cut production by 15 percent at its Janesville, Wis., assembly plant starting in March due to a declining sales forecast. The plant makes 52 full-size Chevy Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Denali SUVs an hour, but that will go down to 44. A separate line that makes Isuzu trucks won’t be affected.
*Nissan confirms it is talking to Chrysler about building a vehicle for Chrysler, but there is no discussion of an alliance agreement. Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli calls reports about talks with Nissan speculation.
*The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is offering a new registration discount and online appointments as part of its push to trim branch visit times. Vehicle owners will be able to knock $5 off each registration by renewing online through October. Customers also will be able to schedule appointments at its busiest branches starting Jan. 3.
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Quick Trips are compiled from the notebook of Rick Popely and from Tribune news services.
