Yup… together with the approximately 40 employees working on the production of the XLR roadster. The said auto will have to be terminated this spring after it saw slipping sales due to the economic crisis. Last year, it experienced a 28% sales reduction, so GM decided to give it up to conserve its resources.

[Photo Credit: Seibertron.Com]

With the XLR priced from approximately $87,000 to $106,000 and with the gloomy state of the economy, many car buyers are doubtful about buying a car this expensive. Practicality still rules, so the XLR, despite its many great features, has to give way to more serviceable automobiles.

The General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant where the Cadillac XLR is produced is now closed until the 23rd of next month. And by March 1, more than a hundred workers will be laid off because of the company’s financial problems.

Vehicle demands are getting fewer. Production of many car-manufacturing companies is slowing down because of this. Companies are offering discounts just to get people to buy their vehicles. The big companies are already asking for bail-out. But, more and more remarkable vehicles are being produced today. The competition in the market grows directly proportional to the release of more and more improved automobiles.

According to Jim Gorzelany of ForbesAutos.Com, “As slumping sales pummel nearly every automaker, the effort to create appealing sedans — and get shoppers to drive one home — is at a fever pitch.” Indeed. More and more improved cars—horsepower, fuel economy, design, technology—are being produced and introduced today, and buyers can have as many choices as they want.

And the best of them? Forbes listed 15 new and improved sedans, and many luxury cars made it in the list.

Ø Acura RL

Ø Acura TL

Ø Acura TSX

Ø Audi A4

Ø Bentley Arnage

Ø Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Ø BMW 3 Series

Ø BMW 7 Series

Ø Cadillac CTS

Ø Hyundai Genesis

Ø Jaguar XF

Ø Lincoln MKS

Ø Maserati Quattroporte

Ø Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Ø Volkswagen Passat CC

All these vehicles show a significant improvement in terms of either styling, fuel economy, technological features, price, or a combination of them. People who are looking forward to buying a sedan next year will surely have a lot of appealing choices among these.

NOTE: Credits to ForbesAutos.Com for the photo and info

Most of my recent posts included issues connected with the crisis the auto industry is facing. But, it’s not all bad news; the industry still has some good news for everyone, especially for luxury car lovers. Yep, not all auto companies are seeing a downslide in their chart. There are some (albeit a few), which happily reported increase in sales. And another yep, these are car companies in the luxury category.

Let’s talk about one—Maserati. Last April this year, the company recorded more than a hundred percent increase in its Australian sales. And just recently, it posted 15.2% sales increase, equating to over 7000 cars. Amazing? Yes, especially amid the crisis (almost) the entire auto industry is facing.

Some people are not actually amazed and even said this is to be expected. Why? Simply because the luxury market has been stable from the start and is often immune to economic downturn. After all, people who buy these cars are mostly the very rich who are less susceptible to the effects of the crisis.

But aside from that reason, there are more behind Maserati’s success. One is the great demand for its Quattroporte and Gran Turismo models. Other than their Maserati trademark in terms of exclusivity and performance, these models are also stylish and more appealing to buyers because of the ease by which they can be customized, thanks to their many offered trims and colors.

Added to this, Maserati has also managed to explore a growing market—China—via China Premium Lifestyle Enterprise, even increasing sales on parts and services to reach many customers. Where many fail here, Maserati succeeds. Why? It has just the perfect target audience. And other than China, another perfect market that Maserati is exploring is Saudi Arabia, not because of the boom in its economy due to the soaring of oil price but primarily because the elite have proven to be stable despite changes in the economy. Maserati already earned $186,700 in this market and is expecting more next year.

Way to go Maserati! We’re expecting more good news here!

NOTE: Images courtesy of Cars.Com and AutomobilesReview.Com

The luxury market might be occupying a throne above the others, but recent events have shown that it is also susceptible to the crisis the auto industry is facing right now.

The big turn in the entire automotive market started in October. But no, it’s not about to end yet. Nissan continues the series of events this November, with Infiniti’s recent offering of 0% financing on all of its 2008 models—for 36 months!— as part of its year-end sale. It could be remembered that Toyota started this “trend” (if you can call it that way) with its “Saved by Zero” campaign last October, a campaign that is even extended until this month. It offers 0% financing on some of its models, an act followed by BMW by offering 0.9% financing on all of its vehicles until January 5 next year.

Other than all these major events, some of the deals offered by various car companies are as follows:

• Jeep offered up to $6000 cash back on some of its models
• Toyota offered $5000 cash back on its SUVs and pickups
• Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, GMS, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn, and Saab offered cash back on some of their models, plus 10% discount on most of their cars
• Volkswagen offered no money down and no money upon signing, plus free first payment on all 39-month leased 2009 Volkswagen models

Good signs? Bad signs? Well, for the auto industry it’s surely a bad sign. But, we can probably use this chance to get that auto we’ve been eyeing for so long. Why not?

NOTE: Pictures courtesy of AustinMPS, CarType, and BMW.SG