Autos
* The Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Jetta TDI are finalists for the North American Car of the Year, and the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec are finalists for North American Truck of the Year. The winners, as chosen by 50 of the nation’s automotive journalists, will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
* Suzuki has priced the 2009 Equator, a version of the Nissan Frontier pickup, from $17,995 for extended-cab models and $23,985 for Crew Cab versions. The carmaker also has priced the 2009 Grand Vitara SUV from $19,249.
* GMC has priced its 2009 Sierra Hybrid from $39,365, including $975 for freight. Mileage for the two-wheel-drive hybrid is estimated at 21 city and 22 highway, as opposed to 15/20 for the gas-only version. With four-wheel-drive, it’s expected to get 20 m.p.g. city/highway combined, versus 14/18 with gas. A $2,200 federal tax credit is available to many who buy the Sierra Hybrid.
* Pontiac’s new G3 hatchback starts at $14,995, including $660 for freight. When the G3 hits showrooms in March, it will become Pontiac’s fourth vehicle with fuel economy of at least 32 m.p.g. on the highway.
Recall
*Chrysler is recalling 108,429 2007-08 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups with 6.7-liter diesels to fix a flaw in an engine-compartment pad that can cause a fire.
FYI
*Looking for a last-minute gift for the discriminating auto fan who has everything? Thomas L. duPont, publisher of the DuPont Registry, suggests the Knight XV, an armored, biofuel powered SUV introduced at the SEMA show in November, or the 1937 Custom Edge, a one-off coachbuilt Ford sporting Boyd Coddington-designed wheels. If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford them. But if you can, simply slip the keys under the tree.
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Quick Trips are compiled from Tribune news services.
