William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 14, 2012 Earlier this morning, two pictures of what was allegedly the new 2013 Range Rover leaked on the web. Well, those two pictures were the real deal as Land Rover has released the details of the next Range Rover. The forth-generation Range Rover looks a lot like the outgoing model, especially in profile. There is also a lot of design influence from the Evoque in the new Range Rover; the sloped front end and roofline, and streamlined door handles. Inside, the Range Rover is a study on the art of minimalism. A few physical knobs, many controls as possible recessed into the surface, and a large screen make up much the front. Range Rover has also increased rear legroom by 4.7 inches. The big news of course is what the new Range Rover rides on. Underneath the body is an all-aluminum unibody structure with aluminum chassis structures. The move to aluminum helps drop almost 700 lbs of the new Range Rover. Land Rover has also fitted a a re-engineered adaptive air suspension, which is claimed to inspire more driver confidence. For the time being, Land Rover is being quiet on powertrains for the Range Rover. Its expected the natural-aspirated and supercharged V8s will carryover, and a supercharged V6 and diesel are under consideration. The new Range Rover arrives at your local Land Rover Dealer in December. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 THE ALL-NEW 2013 RANGE ROVER Land Rover Introduces the Next Generation of the World’s Most Iconic Luxury SUV Unmistakably a Range Rover, a modern interpretation of iconic design cues Legendary Land Rover off-road capability with transformedon-road handling and agility Lighter, stronger and more refined. The world’s first SUV with an all-aluminum unibody structure Weight savings of up to 926lbs (420kg) when compared to the outgoing model delivers improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. A US specification V8 model is approximately 700lbs lighter than similarly equipped outgoing model A more spacious and luxurious interior provides a truly composed motoring experience for all occupants. Rear legroom increases 4.7 inches Adaptive dynamics suspension system further refines ride quality Enhanced all-terrain performance with the introduction of a new fully automatic Land Rover “Terrain Response 2 Auto®” system Designed and engineered in Britain at Land Rover’s development centers throughout the UK Manufactured in a new aluminum production facility at Land Rover’s Home in Solihull, United Kingdom Mahwah, New Jersey, USA, August 15, 2012 – The new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover has been engineered from the ground up to be the most capable, most refined Range Rover ever. Lighter, stronger, and with new levels of refinement, the next Range Rover reinforces its position among the finest luxury vehicles. As the fourth generation of the Range Rover line, this all-new model was developed from the ground up, capturing the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago. Designed and engineered at Land Rover’s development centers in the United Kingdom, the next Range Rover will be produced at a new manufacturing facility at Solihull, United Kingdom which employs the latest low-energy aluminum body construction technologies. The all-aluminum unibody structure is 39 percent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model. This enables a total vehicle weight savings of up to 926lbs, depending on market and specifications. The US specification vehicle with the naturally-aspirated 5-liter V8 will be approximately 700lbs lighter than the outgoing equivalent. This new aluminum platform delivers significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with an improvement in fuel economy and reduction in CO2 emissions. In addition to the strong and rigid aluminum body, an all-new aluminum front and rear chassis architecture has been developed and paired with a with completely re-engineered four-corner air suspension. The luxurious ride has been retained, while the vehicle’s handling and agility have been sharpened. The new suspension architecture delivers flatter, more confident cornering abilities, with a natural and intuitive steering feel. John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: “The new Range Rover preserves the essential, unique character of the vehicle – that special blend of luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability. However, its clean sheet design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle customers, with a step change in comfort, refinement and handling.” Within the cabin, the all-new Range Rover provides occupants with a sensation of serene isolation, meeting the highest standards for Range Rover refinement. Measures like the rigorously optimized body structure and acoustic lamination of the windshield and side door glass have significantly reduced noise levels, while the new suspension architecture has enabled engineers to achieve heightened levels of ride comfort, refinement, and control. With over 4.7 inches more legroom than the outgoing model, the rear occupants benefit from vastly increased space and comfort. The option of a two place rear seating package provides for the ultimate in personalized rear-seat luxury. To deliver the characteristic effortless performance expected by customers, the Range Rover will continue to offer a choice of V8 engines in the North American market, enhanced by new eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions. Each new Land Rover model is extensively tested for durability and reliability. The new Range Rover has been subjected to Land Rover’s punishing on-and off-road test and development regime. A fleet of development vehicles covered millions of miles over 18 months, with arduous tests in more than 20 countries through extremes of climate and road surfaces. The all-new Land Rover Range Rover has a clean and elegant shape which is inspired by a fresh new interpretation of classic Range Rover design cues. While instantly recognizable as a Range Rover, the new vehicle takes a step forward with a bold evolution of the model’s iconic design language. The sumptuous interior incorporates distinctive Range Rover design cues, but executed with a very contemporary treatment. Clean, elegant surfaces are flawlessly presented using the finest leathers and veneers. “Designing the next generation Range Rover, following over forty years of success, came with a huge responsibility to protect the DNA of such an icon,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. “Our design team worked incredibly hard to capture the elegant proportions and pure surfaces which have been a feature of the best Range Rover designs.” The all-new Range Rover has been engineered with the latest developments in vehicle technologies. Exclusive sound systems by renowned British audio specialists Meridian™ are standard. A thoughtfully designed split power folding upper and lower tailgate setup offers ease of access and versatility. Advanced chassis and driver assistance technologies are abundant. Amongst the innovations featured in the new Range Rover is the next-generation of Land Rover’s Terrain Response® system, which analyses the current driving conditions and road surfaces through on-board sensors, and automatically selects the most suitable vehicle settings program for the terrain. The all-new Range Rover will be available in over 160 markets worldwide, with North American customer deliveries scheduled to start in December 2012. These driver assistance features supplement safe driving habits. The performance of described vehicle technologies are influenced by a multitude of intervening factors and driving conditions and cannot defy the laws of physics. These features are not a substitute for the exercise of due care and sound judgment. Please consult your owner’s manual or your local authorized retailer for more details. Always remember to buckle up.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 14, 2012 Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for the 2013 E400 Hybrid. For $55,800* (excluding $905 destination charge), you get a a 3.0L DI V6 engine good for 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The gas engine is supplemented by an electric motor which is rated at 27 HP and 207 lb-ft of torque. EPA hasn't revealed official mileage numbers for the E400 Hybrid, but Mercedes-Benz expects it to get 24 City/32 Highway/27 Combined. Source: Mercedes-Benz William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 14, 2012 Almost two months ago, the vehicle line director for the Chevy Volt, Tony Posawatz announced his retirement. Posawatz worked at GM for more than 30 years at GM. Posawatz was one of the key people overseeing the Volt. Few people at the time expected him to jump back into the industry. Fast forward to today and Tony Posawatz is now the new CEO of Fisker Automotive. He takes over from current CEO, Tom Lasorda who only became Fisker's CEO back in February. "Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker. He has been at the forefront of the industry's technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production. Part of my assignment at Fisker was to recruit a long-term CEO and I cannot think of a better person than Tony to take us forward. He is a real product guy for a product driven company," said LaSorda in a press release. The announce of Posawatz as the new CEO comes a few days after a another Fisker Karma caught on fire. Fisker said in a statement the fire did not come from the lithium-ion battery pack or the routing of exhaust. Fisker also said that they're working together with investigators. That's not the only item on Poswatz's plate. He will be also overseeing the development of the Fisker Atlantic. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 FISKER AUTOMOTIVE STRENGTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM Carmaker Appoints New Chief Executive and Expands Global Management with Asia and Manufacturing roles • Tony Posawatz becomes CEO as Tom LaSorda finds successor • Joe Chao to lead expansion in China and Asia • Alberto Gonzalez named VP of Manufacturing Anaheim, California, USA – August 14, 2012: Fisker Automotive, the leading manufacturer of luxury Electric Vehicles with extended range (EVer), today named Tony Posawatz, the former head of the Volt program at General Motors as its new Chief Executive Officer. A well-known automotive industry professional with more than 30 years of experience in product development, strategy, program management, manufacturing and quality at General Motors, Posawatz's last role was as GM's Vehicle Line Director and key leader of Global Electric Vehicle development, where he was responsible for the award-winning Chevrolet Volt – bringing the car from concept to production. "We are delighted to be adding an executive of Tony's caliber to the Fisker Automotive leadership team," said Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Henrik Fisker. "His depth of knowledge and experience in this innovative field of new technology means that he is one of the world's most experienced leaders in vehicle electrification technology and the plug-in ecosystem. In the long-term he will ensure that Fisker is well positioned to maximize the potential of not only the Karma sedan, but also bring the Fisker Atlantic smoothly to market." Posawatz has consistently been recognized as an industry leader in product innovation and electrified vehicles and served as Chairman of the Board for the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). In addition he led GM's initial efforts on hybrid programs and related technology development and was "employee number one" and founding member of the Chevrolet Volt program back in 2006. "Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker," said Tom LaSorda. "He has been at the forefront of the industry's technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production. "Part of my assignment at Fisker was to recruit a long-term CEO and I cannot think of a better person than Tony to take us forward. He is a real product guy for a product driven company," added LaSorda Said Henrik Fisker, "Ultimately, Fisker Automotive is all about products that challenge the way that we think about cars for the next generation. Tony's expertise will guarantee that Fisker leads the way with its second-generation powertrain technology for the Atlantic and other future Fisker products." Fisker Automotive is also pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Chao as Executive Vice President and CEO of China and Asia. Chao brings more than 30 years of engineering, manufacturing and international business operations knowledge from GM, Chrysler and Daimler Chrysler where he served as President and CEO of Beijing Benz Ltd. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of SG Automotive in China and will now pave the way for Fisker's entry into the Chinese market later in 2012. "Joe is a seasoned veteran and someone that I have worked with for more than 20 years," said Tom LaSorda. "He has outstanding experience in China and will be a great leader to launch the Fisker brand in both China and the rest of Asia." Fisker is also pleased to announce the appointment of Alberto Gonzalez as Vice President of Manufacturing. Gonzalez also brings more than 30 years of global automotive manufacturing and assembly experience from Chrysler where he operated high-volume assembly plants in the US, Mexico and Canada. Adds Henrik Fisker, "With these new appointments, we are sending a strong signal about Fisker Automotive and our future plans to develop the next generation of powertrain technology, bring more new Fisker products to market and expand our global sales footprint. "Since the turn of the year we have strengthened our core executive leadership team with experienced industry professionals who will take Fisker to the next level. With Tony Posawatz as CEO, Jim Yost as CFO, Barny Koehler as Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer, Richard Beattie as Chief Commercial Officer and Joe Chao as CEO of China and Asia I believe we have an unbeatable team that can establish Fisker as a true global force and bring the highly anticipated Fisker Atlantic to market." Comments Fisker Automotive's lead Board Director and largest investor, Ray Lane: "Fisker Automotive continues to build an amazing portfolio of talent that will truly establish the company as the leader in next-generation automotive technology. Tony's vast experience in this field makes him the perfect candidate to lead us into this exciting new future. To have such a globally recognized product leader is a huge coup for the company."

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 14, 2012 Land Rover hasn't exactly managed to keep its new Range Rover under wraps; spy shots with the new car wearing light camo or being caught in the factory. Now, two images that are allegedly official photos of the new Range Rover have leaked on to the web. The two pictures match up with spy shots of the Range Rover that have been caught over the past few months. As we been reporting for the past few months, expect the next Range Rover to drop a lot of weight from the current model thanks to a new aluminum frame and lightweight components used throughout the body. Expect a range of V8s and a hybrid model. Also, there is talk of a 3.0L Supercharged Six making its way. Source: CarScoop William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 14, 2012 A new study conducted by Maritz Research finds that 11.4% of new car buyers are skipping the test drive. The implication for skipping the test drive are due to more consumers doing their research on the internet (8 out of 10 consumers the study found) and the universal dislike of the car sales practice. "I just find it quite fascinating and a little baffling. As cliché as perhaps it sounds, there's that new-car smell that needs to be experienced firsthand and cannot be experienced over the Internet," said Chris Travell, vice president of strategic consulting for Maritz Research. Dealers aren't happy with this news. The test drive is one tactic used to get people excited enough to part with their hard earned cash. "My manager said, 'The feel of the wheel will seal the deal,' " said Philip Reed, a former dealership representative who now serves as senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. The test drive can also tell a potential buyer whether they're making the right decision or not. "Everything that you read isn't necessarily true. There's nothing online that tells you how that car feels. I enforce it with the salespeople that they have to at least offer a test-drive with every customer," said Ken Thomas, general manager of Telegraph Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Taylor, MI. Source: Detroit Free Press William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 13, 2012 Chrysler's Pentastar V6 has been getting rave reviews since coming out in the new Grand Cherokee in 2010. However, the V6 has hit a snag. A small portion of the Pentastar V6s (about 0.5% or 7,500 engines out of the 1.5 million engines built so far) to have faulty cylinder heads. Owners of Jeep Wranglers equipped with the 3.6L complain of a ticking sound coming from the left side of the engine, stalling, loss of power or misfires coming from cylinder No. 2 in NHTSA filings. The Jeep Wrangler isn't the only one Chrysler vehicle with this problem. Automotive News has learned from Chrysler dealers and Allpar.com, a popular Chrysler forum that the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Dodge Journey have a similar problem. Chrysler has confirmed that the Pentastar V6 does have a problem with the cylinder head, but isn't saying why or what the flaw is, nor are they issuing a recall. What Chrysler is saying they're replacing the cylinder head with a “more robust” design. The “more robust” design cylinder head has gone into production for new Pentastar V6s and to repair effected V6s six weeks ago. This has caused another problem. Dealers who are fixing vehicles with the bad cylinder heads are waiting for the new heads to arrive due to the supplies being constrained. This has caused the repairs to take longer than expected and leaving owners without their vehicles. Chrysler, for their credit, has been footing the bill for rentals. “The biggest mistake we made is taking our eye off the ball on service parts. That always gets the dealers’ attention. Our intention is to always satisfy the needs of the service market ahead of production. This came to my attention a couple weeks ago. We have parts in the pipeline to remedy that shortfall,” said Doug Betts, Chrysler’s senior vice president for quality. Betts said Chrysler went from a 1,300 unit shortfall to a 3,000 unit surplus. However, demand for the new cylinder head has now risen to about 500 requests per week. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 13, 2012 Lincoln will not be following in the footsteps of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Cadillac with low-volume niche markets. Instead, Lincoln will be focusing on the volume segments in the luxury segment. It's easy to see why Lincoln is going down this path. Sales so far this year are down 11%. So that means we will not see a flagship Lincoln sedan for the time being. Lincoln is betting on products like the new MKZ to help pull them out of this slump. Lincoln is also readying a new crossover based on the Ford Escape, possibly wearing the MKC nameplate. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 13, 2012 Chrysler hasn't been the strongest proponent of electric vehicles since it has been together with Fiat. "You're not looking at a guy who's as scared as the rest of them. I'm not scared, I just won't do it. I just will not do it. I think we're smoking illegal materials if we think we're going to make those [profitably]," said Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne in a interview with Automobile Magazine back in July. This might be an odd thing to say since Fiat is working on a 500 EV that will go into production later this year. However, Marchionne has been on record saying the 500 EV will lose money and is a "compliance car", a vehicle that will meet requirements for sales of a certain number of zero-emission vehicles in the state of California. However it seems Chrysler is taking some small steps off this belief. “We do believe in electrification, sparingly and for the right kinds of targeted applications. We’re developing technology for commercialization, preparing for the shift when consumers start pulling them into the marketplace,” said Chrysler's vice president and head of engineering for engine and electrified propulsion Bob Lee this past week at the Center for Automotive Research conference in Acme, Michigan. For the time being, Chrysler will put more focus on diesel, CNG, hybrid powered cars. Source: Bloomberg William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.