Automotive Addict

Nissan's well-received Qashqai model has just passed the 1,000,000 sales mark after four years in production. The compact crossover model, which is also known as the Dualis in Japan and Australia and other markets, was designed and engineered in Britain. Introduced in 2007, Nissan expanded the crossover's range with the presentation of the seven-seater, long-wheelbase version called the Qashqai+2 in 2008, while the entire series received an update in March 2010 with a refreshed design and powertrain refinements.

We're less than 48 hours away from the automotive extravaganza known as the 81st Geneva Motor Show and automakers are scrambling to get their booths ready for the grand opening on Tuesday. We'll be covering all the news from the press days of course, but thanks to a Carscoop reader, we can now give you an exclusive look at the cars being loaded off the trucks in front of the Palexpo Center in Geneva as well as a sneak peak at some of the automakers stands inside. Check out the gallery right after the break.

When announcing the new Ypsilon’s key role in Lancia’s turnaround strategy at a press event Carscoop attended in Turin, Italy, earlier this week, company officials told us that the small car could be sold in the States under the Chrysler brand if American buyers will show enough interest towards the recently launched U.S.-spec Fiat 500. Furthermore, the same could happen with the Delta.
On the other hand, Lancia's people told us the company has no plans to revive famous nameplates such as the HF Integrale and Fulvia, simply stating that there’s no market for Lancia sports cars.
Although in its current state, the new Ypsilon doesn’t comply with U.S. standards, Lancia Product Manager Claudio Nervi told us that it could be “easily federalized” and that logistically “it's not a problem, as the Ypsilon could be produced at the [Fiat Group’s] Mexican plant”. However, Nervi also pointed out the decision depends “on the performance of the Fiat 500 in the US”.

Among the many tuning firms making their way to the Geneva Motor Show is VW Group specialist MTM. The German company will display two heavily modified Audi models, based on the R8 V10 and the TT RS. The most impressive proposal is the one-off MTM R8 Biturbo that comes with a polished chrome body that took over 700 working hours to complete. A large fixed spoiler at the back along with 20-inch forged rims and carbon fiber parts round off the exterior changes.

There's no doubt that the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is the worst kept secret of the 81st Geneva International Motor Show. In addition to a bevy of studio shots that were leaked online in the past few days, we now have live shots of the Murcielago's replacement from Geneva, courtesy of the folks over at Autogespot.
"We have just received from a friend a few exclusive photos of the new LP700-4. It is the Grigio Estoque colorded Aventador that will be shown on the press day on the 1st of March," Emil from Autogespot told us. And well, there you have it: the new Aventador. We'll have all the juicy details in a couple of days when Lamborghini officially debuts its new flagship model at the Geneva show, but scroll down for the condensed version.

TOP 10 THINGS CUSTOMERS HATE TO HEAR FROM THEIR SALESPERSON WHEN BUYING A CAR:

1) How much do you want to pay per month? This is a question that is abused by many sales people, I have been guilty of this one myself. Salesmen ask this so they can land you on a car that maximizes profit and commission to the sales person.

2) When can your husband come to look at the car? Don't assume that women cannot make a decision without their husband.

3) Do you have good credit? Assume everyone can buy a car on credit. Do not judge a book by its cover.

4) "If I could, would ya". This is old school when the salesman was trying to get some sort of committment from the customer. "If I could sell this car for 10000, would you buy it today?". Maybe I am the only one that hates this one.

5) How much do you want for your trade in? This has to be one of the stupidest questions ever. What will a customer say? "AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE".

6) Another customer was looking at this car this morning and is coming back to get it. Customers response is usually, "if its gone, it wasn't meant to be".

7) Are you ready to buy a car today? I feel like any customer that is looking at a car is ready to buy if the car is right, price is right, and you don't ask stupid questions.

8) I'm loosing money on this car to sell it to you at this price or I am selling this car at cost. Give me a break, customers are not idiots. They know you would be out of business if cars were sold below cost!

9) Customers also do not want to hear the salesman bad mouth the competition. Point out differences that makes your car better, but DO NOT put the competition down.

10) Bad mouthing the trade in. Don't talk about how bad the trade is, that is usually why customers want to trade. They know what's wrong with it, you don't have to throw salt on the wound.

Let me know from a customers view or a salesman's view what you hate to hear. I would like to know how close they are to my top 10.