Industry News
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No, seriously. I can't. But this is a good thing because, hey, Wrangler. Read more about the non-changes at the link: http://m.motortrend.com/wot/spied_2018_jeep_wrangler_prototype_caught_with_solid_axle_setup.html
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is going forward on building their own vehicle. According to sources, the company recently gave the approval for the project after spending a year investigating the feasibility of it. Codenamed 'Titan', the team behind the vehicle will grow from 600 to around 1,800 people. Not much is known about the vehicle except for that it will be electric and feature some sort of autonomous technologies. A fully autonomous vehicle isn't expected till later on. The report says Apple has set a 'target ship date for 2019.' Whether that means it will be launched or reaching a major milestone in 2019 is unknown. Rumors about the Appl…
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A group of ten automakers have agreed to equip all of their new vehicles with an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system in the near future. Audi, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo announced today they will work together with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on an agreement and timeline to make automatic braking standard on all of their models. AEB systems work to prevent or lessen the effects of a rear-end collision by detecting an imminent collision and apply the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle. This technology is becoming commonpl…
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Here's the link: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2016-chevrolet-camaro-performance-estimates-and-more-detailed-curb-weights-revealed/ The concluding quote sums it up nicely: "soon we will be putting as many Camaro variants as we can on our scales—and through their paces at the track—to get figures of our own, but in the meantime, the takeaway is this: The new Camaro certainly will be lighter than the car it replaces, and while the weight savings came out of a car that was too heavy to start with, the sheer size of the weight deltas are impressive and bode well not only for straight-line performance, but also for fuel economy and handling, too." Incidentally, they're claim…
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Last October, we reported that PSA/Peugeot-Citroën was considering a return to the U.S. “We want to make DS a global premium brand, and you cannot be global without the U.S.,” said DS CEO Yves Bonnefont. Now a final decision as to whether or not the DS brand would come to the U.S. isn't expected till 2017 at the earliest. But Car and Driver reports that Citroën is leaning towards yes. Speaking with sources at the french automaker, Car and Driver reports that a move into the U.S. market is “necessary” and that it might take place within the next few years. But Citroën faces some huge hurdles if they decide to go forward with the DS brand. The French automak…
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"It's expected that the ZL1 will ditch the current supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 in favor of the new supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 engine used in the [CTS-V and Z06]. We don't know what the power output will be, but we expect it to surpass the current model's 580 hp... the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will make its debut next year, likely at the 2016 Detroit auto show. Production should begin later that year." Here's the link: http://m.motortrend.com/wot/spied_2017_chevrolet_camaro_zl1_muscles_its_way_around_the_ring.html
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For 2016, the Chevy SS and Holden Commodore get a last hurrah before ending production after the 2017 MY. The refresh includes a revised front clip, allegedly functional hood vents, a retuned LS3 with tweaked power figures, the quad-tipped dual mode exhaust that was so popular on the Camaro, new wheels, and a new color you can see above. IMO, the tweaks are welcome. The new bumper integrates the lower grille design much better and the new wheels are leaps and bounds more attractive than the out-of-place chromes that sold with the car thus far. It makes the car look about 5 years newer to my eyes. http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/09/2016-chevrolet-ss-revealed-with-…
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http://m.motortrend.com/wot/1509_cadillac_escalade_v_on_the_way_with_ctsv_power.html So basically, it's entirely possible that the Bentley SUV will only be the world's fastest SUV for a cup of coffee. Yowza
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Here's the link: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/frankfurt-auto-show/news/a26699/the-510-hp-alfa-romeo-giulia-qv-is/ Well. For better or worse, life in Sergio's World is rarely boring. Nener mind that Alfa just pounded the snot out of the M4. It also pipped a Lamborghini!
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Saw this posted tonight, Marry Barra kills the Rumors, even if FCA comes back with a new offer, it is NOT in the GM shareholders best interest to merge with FCA! http://fortune.com/2015/09/14/mary-barra-fiat-merger/?xid=yahoo_fortune&ref=yfp Guess Sergio needs to go snort some more drugs to think up another hair brain idea on how to save his Mess up company!
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In this case it was an AWD 2.0T with the new eight-speed auto. They did wish (again) for a simpler interior and wondered if a 5.8 to 60 time was indicative of an "overtaxed engine" (say what?). But the new eight-speed drew raves, getting better FE scores and acceleration times than their last 2.0T, which was RWD. More at the link: http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-cadillac-cts-test-review
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Interesting that both reviewers raved about the interior, given C/D's recent complaints about same. The remark about being both lighter and more substantial-feeling than the Benz E-Class was also pretty telling. Read all about it at the link: http://www.autoextremist.com/on-the-table1/
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Jaguar takes a leap with price cut, new strategy
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http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/05/weekly-recap-jaguar-jeep-ford-mercedes/ Jaguar was one of the famous automotive props and plotlines in the now-iconic drama Mad Men. There's a scene where the show's protagonist, Don Draper, deftly undercuts an influential Jaguar dealer by indicating that get-me-in-the-door local radio spots would be an effective way to sell cars like the slinky E-Type. The British executives think this is folly – Draper knows they will – and his advertising strategy wins out over the dealer's approach to move the metal. Jaguar's not doing that, but half a century later in the real world the company is launching plans to make its cars more attainabl…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com UnOfficial State Auto In spending time looking over stories in Popular Mechanics, I came across their story on what was the top selling auto in each state or better known as the UnOfficial State Auto. Popular Mechanics Story Link Some I could easily see why the auto was a top seller in comparison to the state and what the state is known for from a gross product producing standpoint. Others clearly surprised me and some have happened truly due to special interest groups and the politicians eating out of those interest groups hands. It is a well known fact that the High Tech Millionai…
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http://driving.ca/ford/mustang/reviews/road-test/first-drive-2016-ford-shelby-gt350-mustang
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With the average price of new cars on the rise, the price of used cars follows suit. A new study done by Edmunds finds the average price of a used car has hit a new record high in the second quarter. The average price of a used car has climbed to $18,800, up 7.6 percent when compared to the same time last year. "People are buying more trucks and SUVs, and they're getting them better equipped. More expensive new vehicles means more expensive used vehicles," said Jessica Caldwell, analyst at Edmunds.com. What is causing the uptick in used car prices? The same items which are causing new car prices to go up; better economic outlook, low unemployment, low-interest rat…
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Automakers are leveraging new technologies such as automatic parking systems, concierge services, and mobile internet to bring people into showrooms. But a new study done by J.D. Power reveals that a number of owners aren't using it. J.D. Power published today the 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience Report, a new study which looks at 33 tech features in vehicles and ask owners if they have ever used them. According to the report, at least 20 percent of owners have never used 16 out of the 33 features (about 48.4 percent). The top five features that owners said they never use includes, In-Vehicle Concierge Services - 43% Mobile Routers - 38% Automatic Pa…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Worst Used Cars Compare.com reviewed the insurance industry reports on auto's, accidents, quality reports and much more to build a 5 point list on used auto's and what NOT to buy. The break down comes as follows: 1) Trade-Ins Dealers DO NOT WANT: Mini Cooper Jaguar S-Type Land Rover Discovery Mazda CX-7 This is due to the high failure rate of the power-trains. 2) Dealers DO NOT WANT brands that are no longer made, unless they are limited production versions, but for sure they do not want the following: PT Cruiser Dodge Grand Caravan SAAB Suzuki Saturn 3) Dealers do not want c…
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Surprise! GM putting aluminum in next-gen pickups 1 2
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Last month, General Motors launched a series of ads touting the benefits of steel over aluminum – specifically, with regard to the Chevy Silverado versus the Ford F-150. (Kind of. We're not sure what a grizzly bear has to do with anything.) We took issue with the ads, with editor in chief Mike Austin saying they "reek of insecurity, and distract from the Silverado's strengths that could be used for positive advertising." But what bothers us more, is that yet another report surfaced claiming anti-aluminum GM will indeed use the weight-saving material in its next-generation fullsize trucks. On Tuesday, GM announced a $877-million investment for its truck plant in Fli…
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GM Eyed U.S. From Inception of ‘Whisper Diesel’ 1 2
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http://wardsauto.com/vehicles-technology/gm-eyed-us-inception-whisper-diesel DETROIT – When the second-generation Chevrolet Cruze turbodiesel comes to market in the U.S. in 2017, the engine nicknamed “whisper diesel” will have at least one distinct advantage over its predecessor: American input. “Our requirements here (in the U.S.) pushed it a lot,” says Mike Siegrist, assistant chief engineer, Chevy Cruze turbodiesel. “The fact that we are going to market this engine here in a Chevy Cruze helped to make it as quiet as it is.” General Motors’ all-new 1.6L turbodiesel earned plaudits from the European motoring press shortly after it began rolling out last year in Ope…
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Best Vehicle for Uber Use
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I am intrigued with the opportunities that Uber drivers have. Although i don't have the time to consider driving part time, I suggested it to my nephew who is between jobs at the moment, and loves driving. But he has Charger RT, and I don't think it would make sense to be driving a V8 car around the city. So then I started thinking about what makes a good Uber vehicle to use as a driver. Immediately something efficient comes to mind, but also roomy. You may have to fit several people more than you thought. Trunk space is important too. A hybrid comes to mind, but maybe a bit extreme. It seems a mid sized car with a 4 cylinder engine is perfect. thoughts..…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Here's the link: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1508-2016-lincoln-mkx-review/ ...and here's a few quotes I thought were kinda interesting in light of the discussion we're having elsewhere about luxury: "The 2016 Lincoln MKX checks all the mid-size, two-row luxury crossover boxes and is better than the standard-bearer that launched this segment, the Lexus RX. But it’s a Lincoln, which means it will take a great deal of heavy-duty marketing to convince the average consumer that the Lincoln MKX is more than an extra trim level above the Ford Edge Titanium." "The 2016 Lincoln MKX rides on the new Edge’s architecture but has unique sheetmetal, or what Lincoln …
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The fact that a Detroit automaker made such a car and didn't feel compelled to spread the word is either a great example of self-confidence or dumb as a bag of rocks. Nevertheless, there it is, in all its exotica-smoking glory, at the link: http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-500-hp-corvette-that-chevrolet-didnt-talk-about/
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It was a Big Horn with the 5 1/2 foot bed and 3:92 rear end, so the driveline was identical to mine. Some quotes: "Ram announced late last year that 20 percent of all 1500 pickup production capacity—fully twice the projected figure—was dedicated to the EcoDiesel, and it remains higher than 15 percent. That statement should come as little surprise, as diesels typically offer two things truck buyers covet: torque and efficiency" "Rated to tow an SAE J2807-certified 8560 pounds, the EcoDiesel bests an equivalent 1500 3.6-liter, which is rated for 7180 pounds." "While these numbers accurately reflect capability, it’s easy to lend too much credence to paper victories when c…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com According to the Today show this morning, Volkswagen has for the first 6 months of the 2015 year taken over Toyota and pushed GM to 3rd in worldwide sales. http://www.today.com/video/volkswagen-overtakes-toyota-in-worldwide-sales-493330499874 With that then VW follows it up with the normal financial reporting of earnings up 18% for the first 6 months, revenue grew 10.3% to $52.74 billion for the first half. This is on top of VW saying over all deliveries will be flat in 2015 compared to 2014 but due to efficiency and currency translations profits will grow. Yet with this positive info, VW s…
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A consortium of German automakers which include Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have agreed to buy Nokia's HERE mapping business for around $3.1 billion dollars. The deal is currently pending approval of antitrust authorities. If the deal is given the go-ahead, the three automakers will own a stake by early 2016. HERE is one of the most advanced and largest digital mapping and location systems. It was originally started back in 1986 with Navteq before being acquired by Nokia in 2007. The service maintains digital maps for nearly 200 countries, and updates continuously by gathering data from users. Now why are three automakers interested in a mapping service? The end …
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"Yep, 55 grand. Why lead this review with a price breakdown? Because it underscores the point we’ve made about the MKZ all along, which is that it doesn’t offer a whole lot more than the Ford Fusion with which it shared its mechanicals—all but one of the powertrains and even the infotainment setups are identical—yet it is far more expensive. Indeed, this particular MKZ is nearly as expensive as possible, which makes its shortcomings stand out even more." "Particularly egregious is something endemic to all MKZ hybrids, regardless of price: the sound of the Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder/CVT combo, which drones miserably under acceleration... we averaged a ho-hum-…
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...but it won't be a Cadillac ATS-V Plus. They're insisting it is Camaro-bound, and probably with some updates (full LT-spec? Who knows). I'd provide a link but it's just in their latest edition right now. Personally, I think it's a great idea. A continuation Z/28 with lighter weight. Still, would be nice to see a wet-sump LT4 under the hood as well. Ah well, we shall see
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"The 'Top Gear' trio will be back on your screens early next year, as former 'Top Gear' hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond have signed a deal for a new car show with Amazon Prime. The show will continued to be produced by longtime 'Top Gear' producer Andy Wilman, and debuts on Amazon Prime in 2016." http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1507-ex-top-gear-hosts-clarkson-may-hammond-sign-deal-with-amazon-prime/
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"The 2015 Ford F-150 crew cab earned 'Good' ratings in all tests conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, but there's a big caveat. IIHS says that Ford 'shortchanges' some buyers by equipping certain F-150s with protective front-end structural elements and not others. Extended cab models, which don't include the protective steel bars, scored just 'Marginal' in the small overlap test... "'I think automakers are trying to design the vehicles to offer the best protection for their customers,' he said. 'But occasionally, we do see evidence that maybe they are trying to get a good rating in a test, maybe without looking for a completely holistic solution.'” Re…
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"Every EcoBoost-powered Ford that we’ve tested, Mustang or otherwise, has either delivered decent fuel economy or served up great power-but never both simultaneously. The EcoBoost installed in the droptop Mustang delivers neither, being both the slowest 2015 Mustang we’ve tested while also not being particularly efficient." "A last-generation Mustang V-6 convertible we rented outran this EcoBoost... the Mustang driver will need the turbo’s racket to mask his or her whimpering shame when Volkswagen GTIs and Honda Accord V-6s display their taillights in stoplight drag races." "You could forgo the EcoBoost for the V-6, but Ford rigs that ballot: The cheaper V-6 Mustangs ar…
Last reply by El Kabong, -
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I was just reading a review of the refreshed Lacrosse, and the author made a surprising point that I hadn't considered. Personally, I disliked the Buick commercials with their dorky music and over-sold punchline: "That's too nice and stylish, it can't be a Buick." But I'm an enthusiast, I already know about cars, I'm not the audience they want. What if that message rang loud and clear with their target demo? What if people--who didn't know Buick still existed--suddenly realized the brand had evolved back into slick luxury cars, cars worth cross shopping? Maybe it's such a simple concept that it's genius. Here's an excerpt from the link: "Everywhere I went in t…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1507_2015_ford_edge_nissan_murano_hyundai_santa_fe_sport_comparison/ 1st Place - Nissan Murano V6 4048 lbs 260 hp/240 lb-ft 0-60: 7.4 sec 2nd Place - Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 3983 lbs 265 hp/269 lb-ft 0-60: 9.3 sec 3rd Place - Ford Edge Sport 2.7T 4406 lbs 315 hp/350 lb-ft 0-60: 5.7 sec All vehicles cost roughly $40,000. Ford sent them an Edge Sport because that's allegedly all they had. It was an odd comparison to follow because you have the three vehicles occupying completely different performance personalities. If anything, the Edge was hurt by the sport package because it wasn't comfortable or fuel e…
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Car & Driver has posted the first ATS-V comparison up against the M3 and AMG C63. Frankly, if you look at the performance, this car has 100% delivered. If you look at the price, this car has 100% delivered. Somehow in the final tally after scoring an incredible 58 out of 60 points in the chassis chart, and topping fun to drive, and taking top honors for 1/4 mile acceleration and lateral grip--all the tests one would expect to be the most important in this class of car--you'll find the ATS relegated to last place after losing 10+ points for the interior and backseat. As tested, it was ten grand cheaper than the BMW and almost twenty less than the Mercedes. …
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Motor Trend reports details of Fords new GT350R Rims. GT350R Carbon Fiber Wheels Interesting that only a few months ago in a differnt thread we were talking about tires and rims and I mentioned that Carbon Fiber rims would be the future and here Ford is making it happen with real rims. Only 18lbs compared to 33pounds per rim for a 40% reduced weight and able to survive curb strike tests as well as Corrosive salts, road chemicals and UV. So is the future to go to Carbon Fiber for more auto's? Can you fix a cracked or chipped Carbon Fiber rim like aluminum and steel or is it…
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Read More: Autofile.ca
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Sergio Marchionne isn't taking no for answer from General Motors over merging with FCA. Reuters reports the automakers have brought investment banks for help to deal with this mess. Sources say FCA has brought in UBS, while GM has brought in Goldman Sachs and possibly Morgan Stanley. In the case of GM, the company has signed a letter of engagement with Goldman Sachs on advice with dealing with FCA. "It would be inconceivable for General Motors not to be talking to any number of advisers about normal business operations, but I'm not going to list the issues one by one," said GM Senior Vice President Tony Cervone. Cervone didn't confirm if GM had brought in Goldman …
Last reply by SoCalCTS, -
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http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/17/aaa-study-real-world-fuel-economy/ I thought this was a pretty interesting article pointing out where the current test procedures seem to fall short. Most of us are well aware of some of the points being made, but it's nice to have some hard statistics on the matter to back up what we've known. A few key points of discussion: -Diesel owners reported 20-percent higher fuel economy than EPA ratings. -Owners with cars equipped with manual transmissions enjoyed 17-percent higher real-world results. -Owners of turbocharged V6 engines reported fuel economy 9-percent lower than estimates, and owners of turbocharged four-cyl…
Last reply by El Kabong, -
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Go Lutz Yourself: what luxury means in the modern era
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http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a25915/go-lutz-yourself-the-luxury-problem/ Cadillac was fine in the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties, and then it went downhill, along with Lincoln. That's going to be tough to get back. It can only come from focused and consistent messaging on the excellence of the car, and it's got to be accompanied by dynamite styling. For Cadillac and Lincoln, the priority should be to build the best-looking full-size sedan in the world. If everything you do is the best looking with the best trim, the best leather, and the biggest wheels, the performance just has to be adequate. The car doesn't have to win every high-performance comparison t…
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"There’s a lot of mixing and matching of powertrains and platforms between mainstream and premium divisions these days as market segments get sliced ever thinner. But the skill with which different carmakers blend the componentry varies. Which begs the question: Is the new MKC 'premium' enough to be a Lincoln? That, of course, depends upon one’s expectations." ...and the conclusion, after doing a thorough review at this link: http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-lincoln-mkc-20t-fwd-test-review "It does present an opportunity for Lincoln to avoid losing some of its current buyers to other premium brands." Which is an odd goal for a segment-busting product-don't you n…
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J.D. Power Initial Quality Rankings are out
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Forgot the link and the year 2015 in the title. Not sure how to change title, so if a mod would not mind changing it, I would be grateful. http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2015-us-initial-quality-study-iqs Fiat is consistently at the bottom. Have not followed them too closely, what is their problem. Or should I say, opportunity?
Last reply by El Kabong, -
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CNBC just posted this story that looks at facts gathered from quality studies and came to the conclusion that while Japan is not getting worse parse, they have fallen behind the competition in consumer surveys. Seems Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru are not keeping pace with the industry and Korea has surpased them. According to the report, the average world wide is a 3% improvement in product quality. Japan has had a zero improvement rate for the last few years where as Korea had an 11% product quality improvement over last year leading the over all industry. Interesting is that Ford and Lincoln are mentioned for cutting the number of problems only and GM…
Last reply by cp-the-nerd, -
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Article Quotes: The U.S. auto industry is on a roll by most accounts, with industry volume sizzling and profits riding high on a SUV and pickup-truck boom. There is a weak spot, however. Retail demand for bread-and-butter passenger cars, such as the Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Cruze, has softened amid lower gasoline prices. This is leading high-volume auto makers to send more of these types of cars to rental car fleets, a practice that keeps production lines humming but can dent resale values and clip margins. About 21% of the compact cars and 20% of the midsize cars sold during the first quarter ended up in daily rental fleets, up from about 17% in the same p…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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While General Motors has gotten most of the blame in the ignition switch fiasco, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) isn't getting away scot free. The New York Times reports that the Department of Transportation released two internal documents revealing a series of failings by NHTSA. One of those failings was the administration not paying sufficient attention to a Wisconsin state trooper’s report in 2007 which suggested that the ignition switch played a key role in a fatal accident. The reports go on to say that NHTSA didn't use their full power to hold GM accountable in terms of this problem. “There needs to be a complete overhaul of this f…
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more manufacturers plans at link: Car Wars Via Autonews
Last reply by Cmicasa the Great, -
What is the big problem with new cars? According to a new survey, it happens to be the infotainment systems. A study done by automotive consultants SBD and polling firm Nielsen asked some 14,000 owners about features in their cars and asked which ones were the best and the worst. The ten that scored the lowest in the survey were all related in some form to the infotainment system. These included smart phone integration, built-in apps, customizable instrument panels, and voice recognition. “It’s sort of an arms race -- who can have the most technology in the vehicle -- and consumers are confused,” said Nielsen Vice President Mike Chadsey at a connected-car symposiu…
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There looks to be another automaker who wants to enter the North American market. Korean brand Ssangyong is planning a Wrangler-style high-design SUV sometime in the later half of this decade. The SUV would be based on the automaker's recently launched Tivoli crossover and have styling that is in line with the Korando, a model that started off as a licensed CJ-7 clone. Power will come from Tivoli as well, which includes 1.6L gas and diesel engines. So why try entering the North American market now? “The company has never cracked North America because it requires a huge investment and because the distributor model that we use in other territories wouldn’t reall…
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Prices of new vehicles are climbing to record highs and causing buyers to look at leases for lower monthly payments. According to CNBC, a new report from Experian Automotive found that 31.46 percent of vehicles sold in the first quarter were leased. This is up from the 24.05 percent who chose to lease five years ago. The report also reveals that that the average monthly payment for a new vehicle loan was $488, up $14. But, the average lease payment was down $7 to $405. "The difference between a monthly payment for those leasing a new vehicle versus those who buy new is almost $100," said Melinda Zabritski, senior director of Experian Automotive. "Leasing has b…
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"It's a shame for the Blue Oval then, that it can't build all the trucks it needs because frame supplier Metalsa isn't delivering enough frames. Neither Ford nor Metalsa has said what the problem is, but Ford employees are at Metalsa's Kentucky plant trying to get it sorted out, Automotive News reports. "Overtime shifts at the Dearborn Truck Plant and the Kansas City Assembly Plant have been canceled due to the shortage that's been a problem for at least two months now. The issue is exacerbated by this being the changeover period in production from the old model to the new, which comes with its own issues. That would help explain why even though Dearborn production finis…
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http://wot.motortrend.com/1505_cadillac_ats_v_to_feature_ls7_power.html In a shocking development, GM is not only developing an ATS-V+ model, but they're shoehorning the LS7 V8 under the hood with your choice of an 8-speed automatic or 7-speed manual. Both are firsts for LS7 application. This announcement pleases me greatly. <--Vast understatement. I peed a little.
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GM Press Release
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While Takata has agreed to declare its airbags in nearly 34 million vehicles defective yesterday, a new report from Bloomberg says the supplier changed the design to reduce the risk of abnormal deployment back in 2008. Sources tell Bloomberg that Takata changed the propellant mix to help reduce the effect of humidity - what many believe to be the cause of problem - around the same time that Honda announced that it would be replacing airbags in some of their models. This new information could shine a light on one of the biggest mysteries on Takata's airbags. The company has said time and time again that its current products are safe, but didn't say why. It should b…
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Previously, the market for vans was stagnate. Old models paired with poor optimism in the business world made vans appealing as cold liver and onions. But Bloomberg reports that vans are making a comeback. Data from Edmunds shows that van sales by unit have more than double in the past five years, outpacing the pace set by the auto industry overall. More surprising is that in the first quarter, sales of vans climbed another third. If this growth trend continues, its expected that 475,000 vans will be sold in the year. So what is causing this explosion in van sales? Two factors. First are new vans arriving in showrooms. Ford. Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Ram have introduce…
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The past couple years have seen Tesla and dealer groups fighting over Tesla's decision to sell vehicles direct to consumers. Certain states have passed laws which exclude Tesla from doing this, while in other states, Tesla has triumphed. Now the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) has issued a statement on where they stand. In a post, the FTC says it supports companies that decide to go with the direct-to-consumer sales model as it gives consumers a choice of which method to go with - direct or with a dealer. The FTC also goes onto say that decision lies in hands of the state government, not federal. Now this post comes up as the Michigan senate hears a bill creating an ex…
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With gas prices making a downward trend, sales of SUVs are making an upward climb. In fact, SUVs, pickups, and crossovers when added together make up half of total volume of sales in April. Now with the increase in SUV sales, prices also went up. Edmunds reports that average transaction prices on SUVs have climbed nine percent when compared to last year. Now when something goes up, something must come down. In this case, it happens to be small cars. Edmunds says that the average timeframe to sell a small car has risen from two and half months to three. The increase in the time to sell has also caused the average transaction price to remain flat. Source: Edmunds Vi…
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While Americans are keeping their cars longer (Experian Automotive says the average ownership length is now 7.75 years), there are some models that owners can't wait to get rid off within a year of buying. iSeeCars.com recently compared new car sales against used-car purchases in 2014 to figure out which vehicles were traded-in the fastest. Their analysis showed that on average, around 2.7 percent of all new vehicles are traded in after only a year’s ownership. More surprising was the vehicles that had the highest amount of trade-ins. The expectation would be that the vehicles with the highest amount of trade-ins would be cheap. Not so fast. iSeeCars.com in their analysi…
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One group of automakers that are on the up and up are luxury automakers. Just take a look at April's sales, Porsche - Up 28.1% (5,217 Vehicles Sold This Month, 16,647 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Lincoln - Up 19.6% (8,134 Vehicles Sold This Month, 29,612 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Cadillac - Up 13.7% (15,801 Vehicles Sold This Month, 52,976 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 12.8% (29,188 Vehicles Sold This Month, 107,344 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Lexus - Up 11.7% (25,876 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,056 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Maserati - Up 10% (1,060 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,989 Vehicles Sold So Far This Year) Infi…
Last reply by smk4565, -
In light of the GM Ignition Switch and Takata airbag recalls, you would think owners would be aware whether or not their vehicle has a notice and take it in to be repaired. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Bloomberg reports that only two-thirds of vehicles get repaired. Even more worrying is a third of vehicles under a recall notice aren't repaired within 18 months. “Recalls are only successful, and they only save lives, if they end up getting the cars fixed,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. So how do you get owners to repair vehicles? Well that's what NHTSA and automakers will be talking about today at meeting in Washington D.C. with the focus on imp…
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One day, a Chinese automaker will finally deliver on their promise of selling vehicles in the U.S. But what will bring customers into the showrooms? Yesterday, we reported on Geely positioning itself maker of affordable, high-tech cars with a new plug-in crossover - due out in 2017 in China, followed by Europe and U.S. Automotive News reports that another Chinese automaker who has dreams of coming to the U.S. is going low prices. Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company (GAC) is planning to be cheaper than its rivals in the U.S. How cheap? Wu Song, general manager of GAC says the 'magic number' is 30 percent cheaper. "We are confident. It could be popular in the market.…
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Volvo's owner, Geely is planning to enter Europe and U.S. in the coming years. Reuters reports that Geely will building a new crossover based on the Compact Modular Architecture - a platform that Geely and Volvo have been working together. Along with new engine technology, this car will launch in China in 2017. The crossover will then head into several Europe markets a year later, followed by the U.S. in due time. "With the CMA car, Li wants to tell the world we're ready for the big time. We're ready to break into Europe and the U.S.," a source told Reuters. The new crossover was designed with the U.S. market in mind. But before Geely plans on sending it to the U.S., i…
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The past few years in the automotive industry has seen an explosion in technologies - whether its dealing improving the overall safety of a vehicle or figuring out a way to hook up your smartphone. Some of the tech makes the driving experience better, while others don't. So what do consumers think about the new technologies coming into vehicles? J.D. Power decided to find out. In their 2015 US Tech Choice Study, the company asked 5,300 consumers who either bought or leased a new vehicle within the past five years about the technologies that are being put in vehicles. Their results are interesting to say in the least. For example, safety tech is a big item for consumers.…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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Sooner or later self driving cars are going to come on the market IMO, with some companies like Google already investing in developing them. The million question however is whether people will buy them or not. So, what about you, would you buy one if some manufacturer were selling them already?
Last reply by butterfly1, -
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The U.S. Postal Service are looking for new delivery trucks to replace the current fleet - some which are around 20 years old. The Detroit News reports that there are 15 companies that range from military, mass-transit, specialized transportation, and two automakers. Those two automakers are Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford. Now building a vehicle for the U.S. Postal Service isn't as easy as you might think. Here the requirements the vehicle must meet: Last at least 20 years Carry a minimum payload of 1,500 pounds Pass safety and emissions requirements Share similar design characteristics of the current vehicle “We are seeking a larger vehicle that will en…
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So in cruising the alternative world I found on the Green Car reports two stories about Ford having an 11 speed transmission which they have filed a patent for; http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097339_ford-patent-for-11-speed-automatic-transmission-wars-escalate Fiat having a 40 mpg 500 with 11 speed transmission; http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097766_electric-car-battery-costs-40-mpg-surprise-11-speed-automatic-todays-car-news So with battery cost falling and the transmission war kicking in. I wonder how high we will see these transmissions go?
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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California is one of most stringent states when it comes emissions in vehicles. Case in point is a law that says an estimated 15 percent of vehicles sold in the state must be a zero emission vehicle (ZEV). But this law has created a rift between regulators and automakers. Regulators want automakers to build ZEVs, but automakers worry that if customers aren't willing to buy them, they'll need to offer big incentives. Four automakers - Ford, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota have issued a complaint to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) asking them to rewrite the formula to allow more credit for plug-in hybrid models. They argue these models address range anxiety wit…
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Delphi Automotive is undertaking an ambitious cross-country road trip. The supplier announced that it will be taking an Audi SQ5 fitted with the latest self-driving tech on a trip from San Francisco to New York City. The trip will begin on March 22nd and end during the first week of the New York Auto Show. Delphi is planning to run the vehicle for 6 to 8 hours per day with two engineers in the vehicle to make sure all of the tech is working properly. "Delphi had great success testing its car in California and on the streets of Las Vegas. Now it’s time to put our vehicle to the ultimate test by broadening the range of driving conditions. This drive will help us collect i…
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Before debuting the hotly anticipated Apple Watch and the newest Macbook Air, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced at the 'Spring Forward' event today that 40 car models in 2015 will feature Carplay software for hands-free vehicle interaction. Carplay - and its Google competitor Android Auto - promise advanced features that natively integrate into the two largest smartphone operating systems. It's believed that certain automakers worry that Apple and Google will usurp their own branded infotainment systems, creating a homogenous experience regardless of automaker. Cook states that every "major" automaker has now committed to using Carplay, which could signal that holdo…
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It's that time of year when Consumer Reports announces the results of their brand report cards and for the most part, the results aren't surprising. The top ten were mostly dominated by Japanese automakers with Lexus being on top, followed by Mazda and Toyota. But if you look a little further down the list, you'll find a domestic automaker making the ten. Buick took the number seven spot on their annual reliability survey with the publication giving it an overall score of 69 and recommending 83 percent of their lineup. Buick has a reputation for large, cushy cars, and they’ve really invented themselves pretty quickly. They’re making reliable vehicles, and they’re making…
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If you are considering buying a used car this year, then we have some good news for you. A new vehicle depreciation report from used car value service, Black Book and Fitch Ratings Inc., says that 2015 will see used car values depreciate 14.5 percent. This is an increase from 2014's deprecation rate of 12.1 percent. So why the increase in depreciation? It comes down to two key factors; an increased supply in used cars and a larger volume of off-lease vehicles. “2014 depreciation was defined by pockets of volatility due to seasonality, harsh weather patterns and falling fuel prices impacting smaller cars and trucks of all sizes. Looking ahead, lower consumer demand and …
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2014 will go down as the year as the recall, but also the year where many glaring issues of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were made evident - mostly due to the GM ignition switch mess. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters on Tuesday couldn’t keep pace at current staffing levels with 75,000 complaints coming in every year. “It’s no longer reasonable frankly to expect an office with 8 screeners and 16 defects investigators to adequately analyze 75,000 complaints a year,” said Foxx. Now there appears to be change in the air. The Detroit News reports that President Barrack Obama is proposing to increase NHTSA's budget for its Office of D…
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FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne is known to speak his mind and tell it like it is. During the Automotive News World Congress, Marchionne questioned the U.S. Government's mandate of 54.5 MPG by 2025. "There is not a single carmaker that cannot make the 54 number. The question is, at what a price?" said Marchionne. A possible reason for the CEO of FCA to bring this up is gas prices around the nation are hovering around $2.00. Also, sales of hybrids and electric vehicles have been declining, partly due to gas prices. Now many executives say that low gas prices will pass and that they will continue in investing in newer technologies. Now Marchionne does agree automakers can mee…
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Cars are polluting, the take up a lot of space, they damage the roads, they kill / injure a lot of people every year and they damage our health by reducing the amound of exercise we get and they're also fairly expensive to buy and operate. Bicyclists however have a really hard time riding through cities because there's not much infrastructure available for them. Should cities turn a lot of the infrastructure destined for car trafic into infrastructure for bicycle traffic? I mean if there's a road with two lanes on each direction they would turn one lane on each sides into a bicycle path. Or if the road only has one lane per direction they'd turn one lane into a bicy…
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What can be done to get rid of this scourge on our roads? Seriously, you can see whenever a driver in front of you is texting and driving simply by the erratic way their car moves. How many people die as a result of this a year? Way too many IMO.
Last reply by Z-06, -
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In the recent Yahoo news brief on the Avenir, there was a VERY significant line from the article. It is : >>"The Avenir is a “concept car” Buick isn’t manufacturing yet, but the concept alone reflects a major shift in the way Buick’s parent General Motors (GM), and other big automakers, are bringing cars to market."<< You see it?? It's taken years, but I am finally seeing increasing mention of the GM brands as distinct entities again, rather than the media continually defaulting to the 'General Motors' umbrella. Here it is specifically : "...Buick isn’t manufacturing…" and "...Buick’s parent General Motors…" Over much of the last 2 decades…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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How good a driver are you? Can you properly control your car? Do you pay attention when driving? Are you good at avoiding potential dangers?
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They use less fuel but they are more expensive and they also produce more polluting particles than petrol cars, and with diesel fuel now being as expensive, sometimes more expensive than petrol, I'm not sure why anyone would want to buy one these days.
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/google-sees-self-drive-car-on-road-within-five-years-1421267677 source: http://www.zdnet.com/article/self-driving-cars-longer-will/ Well it appears that Google sees self Driving cars becoming popular mush sooner than Car Makers do, I'm not really all that surprised by that a Google has always been more innovative than what the Car Companies have been (Why mess with something that works). Im curious over what everyone else thinks about this. How soon do you expect Self Driving cars to be popular, how much longer until they are mainstream? I personally don't see them being popular for another 20 years, and not mainstream for…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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The price for a barrel of oil has nosedived over the past half a year or so, and that has started to be felt at the pump, with petrol and diesel prices being significantly lower than they were a year ago. Will this change drivers' behaviour, steering them toward gas guzzlers again because they'll be so much cheaper to run due to the lower fuel costs?
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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This year will likely go down as the one with the most recalls for automobiles. From ignition switches that can easily turn to the accessory or off position, to peeling safety labels, automakers in the U.S. have recalled almost 60 million vehicles. With the high number of vehicles being recalled, people are calling for the recall system to be fixed. But no one can agree on how to fix it. "A recall's a recall, and that's a problem. There needs to be a sophistication of how serious is the recall? And that has to be really clear to a customer. I think the industry is beginning to do that," said Mark Reuss, GM's head of global product development at the LA Auto Show last mon…
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Ariel is a very crazy company. Founded in 1902 as motorcycle manufacturer in Great Britain, the name was resurrected some years back to produce some of maddest street-legal track cars called the Atom. Think motorized scaffolding and you come close to what Ariel builds. The past couple of years have seen the company expand to building motorcycles. Now the company is now taking on the off-road buggy with the Nomad. The Nomad follows the same minimalistic approach as the Atom with a visible tubular steel frame - that is laser-cut, CNC-machined, bronze-welded, and phosphate and powder-coated - , an engine mounted in the back, and a bare bones interior. Where the Nomad differ…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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The Environmental Protection Agency released their annual report on industrywide fuel economy this week and says that 2013 model year vehicles achieved an average of 24.1 miles per gallon — up 0.5 mpg from the previous year and almost 5 mpg since 2004. "We are thrilled to see that manufacturers continue to innovate and are bringing technologies to improve fuel economy online even faster than anticipated," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. Mazda was the top automaker in the report with a fleet average of 28.1 MPG, while Nissan was the leader in the full-line automakers with 26.8 MPG. The Detroit automakers made up the bottom with Ford at 22.2 MPG, GM at 22.0 MPG, and…
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http://news.yahoo.com/51-years-wreck-7-inch-car-part-found-164436702.html
Last reply by kittyworker, -
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Nov 28 (Reuters) - France wants to gradually phase out the use of diesel fuel for private passenger transport and will put in place a system to identify the most polluting vehicles, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Friday. Next year, the government will launch a car identification system that will rank vehicles by the amount of pollution they emit, Valls said in a speech. This will make it possible for local authorities to limit city access for the dirtiest cars. "In France, we have long favoured the diesel engine. This was a mistake, and we will progressively undo that, intelligently and pragmatically," Valls said. About 80 percent of French motorists drive die…
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ABS, Airbags = False Sense of Security? A Purdue University research team that studied five years of motor vehicle accidents in Washington State concludes antilock brakes and airbags don't minimize accidents or injuries because those systems may encourage more aggressive driving. Fred Mannering, a Purdue professor of civil engineering, led the study. The results, which are bound to be controversial with auto makers and safety experts, say the innovations designed to improve safety also make drivers less vigilant. Read "Researchers Question Safety Contribution of Airbags, ABS" @ Ward's Auto
Last reply by diprod, -
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Have you gone out and shopped for new vehicle recently? Are you overwhelmed by the variety of vehicles on offer? For example, if you decide to get a Porsche 911, you have the choice of 22 models. No, that isn't a misprint. Meanwhile other automakers have an array of models that carve out new niches and and mix existing body styles. Consider this, Audi sells 50 different variants around the world, a five-fold increase from the 90's when the German luxury automaker only sold 10 different variants. There has to be a point where automakers reach the point of too much and begin cutting back on their lineups, right? PwC, a consulting firm tells Bloomberg that by 2018, some aut…
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GM http://www.autonews.com/article/20141023/OEM01/141029918/gm-posts-1-38-billion-q3-net-income-on-flat-revenue
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Hyundai and Kia have been hit with the largest penalty in the history of the federal Clean Air Act. The two automakers agreed to a total of $350 million in penalties for overstating the fuel economy ratings for a number of vehicles from the 2011 to 2013 model year. The total was reached through cooperation between the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the California Air Resources Board. Here's how the $350 million breaks down: $100 Million Fine to the Federal Government Surrender fuel economy credits valued at $200 Million Spend $50 Million to upgrade its fuel economy testing procedures “Greenhouse gas emission laws protect the pu…
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2014 will likely go down as the year of the recall in the automotive industry. General Motors is the champion with the most recalls so far with 70 recalls as of today, but other OEMs have been making their mark with their own recalls. CNNMoney crunched the numbers on the recalls so far in 2014 and figured out that there has been a total of 544 recalls, about two a day. Those 544 recalls have affected 52 million vehicles in the U.S., or about 1 in 5 vehicles. While that figure is disturbing to say in the least, it's made worse as that number has eclipsed the previous record of 30.8 million vehicles back in 2004. With only a couple months left in the year, there's a good c…
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With Ford changing over to the next-generation F-150, General Motors and Chrysler see a rare opportunity to grab a bigger slice of the truck marketplace. "Without question you'll see GM and Ram will continue to play the incentive game to continue to bite into Ford's share," said Bill Rinna, LMC Automotive senior manager of North American forecasts to The Detroit News. Ford has idled its Dearborn Truck plant for several weeks to to retool for the 2015 F-150, a new model that will utilize aluminum in its construction. That leaves the Kansas City plant to keep producing the current F-150, till it undergoes a retooling early next year. With Ford unable to produce as many F-…
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Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Since the recession has ended, the average price of a used car was soared due limited supply. But The Detroit News says with more vehicles coming in due to leases coming to an end, prices are beginning to fall. According to CNW Research, the average transaction price of a used car in September was $10,963. Compared to the same time last year, the average has dropped 2.1 percent. "During the recession, it almost cost as much to get a used car as it did to get a new car, but now the market is going back to historical norms and it's going to be better every month. From 2008 to 2012, there was a significant growth in the number of leased cars and now they're all coming back…
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Consider this: Citroen pulled out of the U.S. in the eighties, while Peugeot would leave in 1991. But according to Automotive News, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could be making a return with their DS brand. “We want to make DS a global premium brand, and you cannot be global without the U.S.,” said DS CEO Yves Bonnefont. The DS lineup was previously a division of the Citroen brand, providing premium models to compete with likes of MINI Cooper and Audi A3. However, PSA made the decision to make DS a stand alone brand this year. Bonnefont said a decision on making a return to the U.S. would come in 2017 at the earliest, and sales would not begin sometime after 2020. Source: Auto…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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It was three months ago that General Motors published a scathing report on its handling on the ignition switch problem. Now its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's turn. This morning, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a 44 page report on NHTSA's handling of GM's ignition switch problem. The report was based on the review of millions of pages of records and interviews with key NHTSA officials and found that a series of critical mistakes and “ample information” already on hand meant that the agency should have found the problem sooner. “Both GM and NHTSA had ample information necessary to identify this defect. It was a failure to process, share…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Congratulations America. It seems we now buy more SUVs and crossovers than sedans according to a new study from IHS Automotive. Through May of 2014, IHS says that SUVs and CUVs account for 36.5 percent of new car registrations, compared to the 35.4 percent of registrations for sedans. This is a reversal from five years ago where sedans stood at 36.3 percent of registrations, compared to the 31.4 percent for SUVs and crossovers. “It’s not that sedans have become unpopular. It’s just that CUVs have really grown. They drive like cars, but they have higher positioning, the option for four-wheel drive and better fuel economy. There’s more space for seating. It’s easy to see w…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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After a number of automakers having to revise their fuel economy estimates, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing that automakers run their vehicles in the real world to see if their estimates hold any water. "Some auto makers already do this, but we are establishing a regulatory requirement for all auto makers," said Chris Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The EPA's proposal would have automakers run their vehicles on a test track to measure air-resistance and rolling friction. At the moment, most automakers use computer models to generate this data. But if the wrong data is put in, it could cause mileage numbers to in…
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com GM Cadillac Dealer Experience PRAISED by Warren Buffett FastLane.GM.Com Story Proving the old adage, you cannot judge a book by its cover, this story proves again that World Class Customer Service begins by treating every person no matter what they look like or who you think they are the same. On just another normal sales day, sales person Madison Willers greeted a potential Cadillac customer and gave what we all have come to expect from our car buying experience, World Class Service. Little did she know that this sale started back in Mid-May with a conversation between CEO…
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com BMW Recalls 1.6 Million Auto's to replace Takata built Airbags! BMW has issued a recall affecting all 3-Series produced between May 1999 and August 2006. This recall is regionally requested by U.S. Safety Regulators. This is an extension of their 240,000 auto recall from 2013. The airbags were supplied by Japans Takata corporation and affect over 12 million auto's from word wide manufactures. BMW is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to these airbags. Full story reported here on MSN
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com Carbon Fibre Production to Triple SGL an American Company and BMW of Germany have announced a $200 million dollar investment to expand Carbon Fibre production at their Moses Lake Washington state production plant. This comes on top of their commitment last year to double capacity in 2013. Soaring demand from the auto industry and airplane industry for carbon fibre caused the joint venture production plant to double capacity from the current 3000 tones a year to 6000 tones by the end of this year with the addition of production line 3 and 4. This expansion announced last year wa…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
If you happen to plan on seeing Transformers 4 at the theater, you should pay close attention to the scenes in China as some of those vehicles could be making their way to the U.S. Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd. (GAC) which has some of their Trumpchi vehicles in the film is planning on sending them to the U.S. as early as next year. "Our sponsorship of Transformers 4 will help more overseas dealers and consumers know about our cars and over the long run it will greatly contribute to our branding. We want to start exporting to the U.S. as quickly as possible and I am confident that they will find our Trumpchi cars competitive," said Wu Song, chief of the Trumpchi bra…
Last reply by 67impss, -
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com Top 10 Most Stolen Autos Some might consider it an honor, others a sad statement of the times. No matter how you look at it, it is amazing that in a short 12 months from the last report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) that we have gone from a top 10 list of most common stolen cars to SUVs. REPORT HERE Top 10 List of stolen autos #1 Ford Escape #2 Ford Edge #3 Ford Explorer #4 Jeep Grand Cherokee #5 Kia Sorrento #6 Chevrolet Traverse #7 Nissan Rogue #8 Honda CR-V #9 Toyota RAV4 #10 Chevrolet Equinox Compact SUVs were stolen twice as often as full-size SUVs ac…
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