Andrei Costea
343 ARTICLES
Personal motto:
Drive quick through turns, they're dangerous! - his driving instructor
His favorites include the 60s-70s American muscle cars, 80s-90s Italian super cars and contemporary mean machines like the Murcielago or the 599 GTO. He dreams that one day he'll have the opportunity to drive alongside renowned racers on a track, or at least do a time attack in a reasonably priced car on BBC's famous show Top Gear.
Kelley Blue Book's 2011 Best Resale Value Awards Winners Announced
15 Dec 2010, 10:51 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Kelley Blue Book announced the all-new 2011 model-year vehicle winners of its annual Best Resale Value Awards. The award recognizes current and upcoming vehicles for their projected retained value five years from now. The 211 Best Resale Value awar...
Jeep Hopes to Increase Overseas Sales by 20% in 2011
15 Dec 2010, 10:13 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Chrysler's Jeep brand hopes its newly revamped lineup will attract 20 percent more customers in overseas markets next year. Jeep released new versions of its popular Grand Cherokee and Compass models, which are expected to boost the automaker&...
2011 Detroit Auto Show Will Host 30-40 Launches
15 Dec 2010, 09:34 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / One of the largest auto shows in North America, the 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will open for the public on January 15. The show is expected to feature 30 to 40 worldwide vehicle premiers, according to the show organizers. ...
Toyota Gained a Bad Reputation Among US Customers
15 Dec 2010, 08:48 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Americans are not too confident that Toyota is a manufacturer of quality, reliable cars lately, mostly because of the series of recalls that the Japanese manufacturer had to make in the past year. New-car buyers are avoiding Toyota showrooms becaus...
Vauxhall VXR8 - The Wonder from Down Under
15 Dec 2010, 08:11 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / The much desired Vauxhall VXR8 returns to dealer lots after sales were discontinued this March. Muscle car enthusiasts have something to celebrate as the firm released an updated model with a feisty new look. The model takes its fundamental body...
Chrysler Recalls 75,000 Dodge Ram Trucks For Brake Issue
14 Dec 2010, 18:21 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Chrysler Group LLC announced today it is recalling more than 75,000 diesel Dodge Ram pickup trucks for a brake related safety issue. The company has filed a notice with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, saying that it will recall ...
TAG Heuer and Zoomius Create Integrated Motorsports Management System
14 Dec 2010, 16:03 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Swiss luxury watchmaker and Formula 1 sponsor TAG Heuer will collaborate with Zoomius, the world leader in motorsports business process automation software, to create TAG Heuer Track Intelligence, the first complete management system for motorsport...
One in Five People with Vision Conditions Drive Without Glasses
14 Dec 2010, 15:19 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / It is a known fact that drivers rely on their vision more than on any of their other 4 senses while driving. That's why eyeglass wearers should always keep their prescription glasses while at the wheel of a car, instead of wearing non-prescrip...
Police Raid Ford's European HQ
14 Dec 2010, 14:36 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Police have raided Ford's European headquarters in Cologne and their surroundings in connection with a probe into a supposed bribery scheme involving the carmaker's employees and suppliers. According to Cologne prosecutor Christina Pohlen...
Audi Aims to Increase Annual Sales in China to 1 Million Units
14 Dec 2010, 13:57 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / The recent sales growth in China leads automakers to believe they can do better, as Ingolstadt based automaker Audi aims to sell 1 million cars annually within three years, according to the Volkswagen unit's chief financial officer Axel Strotb...
SAIC Wants Access to GM's UK Dealer Network
14 Dec 2010, 13:13 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / General Motors is negotiating with its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) to sell new MGs developed in China through GM's UK dealer network. "We have agreed in an MOU that we would discuss the potential for MG to be distributed...
Ford GT Designer Camilo Pardo Sells Limited-Edition 'Her Targets' Artwork
14 Dec 2010, 13:10 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Camilo Pardo, the man behind the bullet-like design of the Ford GT40 supercar, has created a limited edition batch of prints that, unlike most of his work, is sold online at surprisingly affordable prices. The 'Her Targets' collection com...
Ford Reveals New Territory
14 Dec 2010, 11:03 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Ford Australia has released a sketch of the upcoming 2011 Territory. The highly versatile SUV began to fell behind the times, so Ford announced that there will be a new Territory, probably redesigned in the same way as the Falcon. "The Ford...
Auto Alliance President Dave McCurdy to Resign on Feb 1
14 Dec 2010, 10:28 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, announced he will resign early next year. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is the trade group that influenced authorities to make a deal on fuel efficiency with au...
GM "Buys Out" Skilled Trades Workers' Contracts
14 Dec 2010, 09:23 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / GM said it is offering buyouts to several thousand skilled trades workers at 14 of its US plants. Eligible workers will be paid $60,000 to retire with full benefits, while younger workers will have the option to take the $60,000 in exchange for giv...
Honda Says Accords and CR-Vs Could Leak Engine Oil
14 Dec 2010, 08:46 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Honda will notify about 1,200 vehicle owners of potential engine oil leaks due to a manufacturing problem in their 2011 model year Accords and CR-Vs, according to a company spokeswoman. The manufacturer has also notified dealers that some 5,000 Acc...
Nine American States Interested in Holden Caprice Cop-Car
13 Dec 2010, 18:47 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / US Police departments in at least nine states have expressed their interest for the Holden-made Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) that is set to go into production next year. That doesn't mean that they have decided to go with ...
Hyundai Sells Good, Wants to Sell Better
13 Dec 2010, 18:45 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / The South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai said sales of its newly redesigned Verna (Accent) subcompact in China have registered a record high in November. The company credits the achievement to its high quality and design tailored to customers in t...
Pivoting-Wheeled Pickup Sweeps 2011 Michelin Challenge Design
13 Dec 2010, 15:54 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / A college student from Lake Orion, Michigan has won the 2011 Michelin Challenge Design, with an electric pick-up truck, featuring an unconventional pivoting steering system that enables it to move sideways when parallel parking. "You basica...
Mitsubishi Tests the i-MiEV in Thailand
13 Dec 2010, 15:08 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Mitsubishi is tightening its relationship with the Government of Thailand, announcing that it will begin a joint study for fleet testing of electric vehicles. Mitsubishi will begin initiatives for the future market introduction of the i-MiEV, throu...