1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs Hatchback 2-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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What we're driving this winter and why you need snow tires | Autoblog Podcast #496

On this episode, Mike Austin and David Gluckman talk about what they've been driving lately and answer some Spend My Money requests from listeners looking for advice on everything from sports cars to seven-seat SUVs. Plus we talk winter tires with an expert from Michelin's testing team. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And please send trivia questions! You'll get the honor of stumping your fellow listeners, and we'll thank you too. Autoblog Podcast #496 Topics and stories we mention 2017 Subaru BRZ 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander GT 2018 Lexus LC 500 Used cars! Rundown Intro - 00:00 What we're driving - 04:26 Michelin winter tire interview - 25:14 Spend My Money - 44:33 Total Duration: 1:18:57 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes Podcasts Lexus Mitsubishi Subaru SUV snow tires

Mitsubishi ending US production

Mitsubishi is closing the doors on its US production as part of a "strategic move," Japan's Nikkei news service reports. According to Automotive News, the company declined to comment on the factory, and instead said it had "no plans to stop selling" vehicles in the United States. That's not what we asked, folks. According to the Nikkei news, the company is in the process of finding a buyer for is Normal, IL factory, which it opened as part of a joint venture with Chrysler back in 1988. The facility currently employs 918 UAW workers, whose jobs Mitsubishi is attempting to save as part of its negotiations with labor reps. The Normal plant is the only Japanese production facility with UAW representation, Automotive News reports. Normal is responsible for production of the Outlander Sport, building nearly 70,000 examples last year. Production is continuing on, according to the vice president for the local UAW Local, Kyle Young. "We haven't heard anything," Young told AN in a phone interview. "We're supposed to have negotiations coming up" in August. It's not clear how much the Mitsubishi will be selling the Normal plant for, nor is it clear if any parties are interested in picking up the facility, which contributes around $120 million to the local economy each year.

2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV coming in March

For the next incarnation of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle, the Japanese automaker is looking to give a bit more for the sake of selling a few more. It's a simple concept for a pretty simple car. The re-trial run starts next month. The EV's 2016 model-year version will go on sale in the US in March, Inside EVs says. On the face of it, not a lot will change with the four-seater. The car will still deliver 66 horsepower and will still provide a single-charge range of 62 miles. When reached by AutoblogGreen, Mitsubishi confirmed these numbers as well as its MSRP of $22,995, same as the 2014 model (there was no 2015 model-year version). That's the cost before the $7,500 federal tax break kicks in. Still, there is news. The 2016 version will have an optional navigation package that will include a seven-inch touchscreen display as well as real-time traffic data and 3D mapping. Folks can also pay a little more for touches such as a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, rear-view camera and USB port, according to Mitsubishi. The company hopes these changes will spur near-dormant sales of the model, which made its US debut in 2011. Last year, Mitsubishi sold just 196 units of the i, down from 1,029 in 2013. Related Video: Featured Gallery Mitsubishi i-MiEV News Source: Inside EVs via Green Car Reports Green Mitsubishi Electric i-miev