Auto News

Fire at Va. Beach car dealership ruled an accident

lauren.king — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:31:35 -0500

VIRGINIA BEACH

A two-alarm fire that damaged the automotive repair area of Charles Barker Automotive has been ruled an accident.

Kimnach Ford to close its Norfolk dealership

Carolyn.Shapiro — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:48:57 -0400

NORFOLK
Kimnach Ford Inc. has sold cars and trucks on Virginia Beach Boulevard for 50 years. On Friday at 8 p.m., it plans to shutter its showroom.
Julian "Jay" Council Jr., the dealership's president, gave employees the news on Tuesday, said Serge Kher, the general sales manager. Soon afterward, signs were placed on the doors to let customers know.

Red, white & ready to zoom

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Drive, drag, dash, motor, start, run, race, roll, fire it up, lean on it, step on it, fire it up, travel, cruise, crawl, on your mark, get set, go.

The driving frenzy that is Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us. Here are some tips to help ensure that your next road trip is one you’ll always remember, rather than one you’ll want to forget.

Is your vehicle fit?

Hampton Roads dealerships brace for Japan effects

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:55:49 -0400

In the midst of their hottest selling season, local auto dealers expect their supply of cars and car parts to run short. That's because vehicles and components that were being built in Japan in March, when the earthquake and tsunami hit, would have arrived in Hampton Roads by June, the dealers said. The disaster shuttered Japanese auto and parts plants. Many remain closed.

Seven top-down deals on spring's fun machines

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Spring arrives on Sunday, and with it comes thoughts of warm days, cool nights and great times. And how better to enjoy it than with a new convertible?

But there’s an old saying in the car business: When the top goes down, the price goes up. True enough; most well-equipped droptops start at 40 grand or more.

Given the weak economy, that seems spendy.

But don’t despair.

Virginia House OKs bill to allow darker window tint

david.putney — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:47:24 -0500

By Dena Potter RICHMOND Drivers could have darker tint on vehicle windows if a bill that passed the House of Delegates Tuesday becomes law.

Virginia currently requires at least 50 percent visibility on the front side windows, although back windows can be darker. Del. Charles Carrico's bill, which passed on a 67-30 vote, would lower that to 35 percent visibility.

The 10 top-selling vehicles in Hampton Roads in 2010

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Over the years, it seems that car buyers’ preferences change little in Hampton Roads. That’s true once more, with a few exceptions. The Ford F-150 and Hyundai Sonata are rising in the charts, while others have fallen. Let’s see which cars and trucks you bought more than any others last year, according to Experian Automotive.

Honda Accord
1,539 sold
2009 rank: 1

Drive into the future with these 2011 trends

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

DETROIT

While many different new models grace the floor of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, taken together, they show how future cars and trucks will be different from those offered today. Let’s walk into the future, shall we?

KEEPIN' IT SAFE

Freedom Auto sells Lincoln franchise in Chesapeake

lauren.king — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:11:26 -0500

CHESAPEAKE

Freedom Automotive has sold its Lincoln-Mercury franchise on South Military Highway to Cavalier Ford.

A few months ago, Ford Motor Company announced the end of production for Mercury-branded vehicles by the end of the year. Ford is planning to expand its Lincoln lineup, a news release from the company said.

Electric car is shockingly good

Olivia.Hubert-Allen — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Chevrolet Volt has survived its parent company’s bankruptcy and two CEOs. Now, can it survive in the marketplace? We’ll have an answer soon enough, when the car goes on sale in select U.S. markets , including California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington, D.C., area.

Hampton Roads won’t see the car until summer.