William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 The Honda Crosstour isn’t doing so well. Sales have gone into a swan dive, with sales in January seeing a 40% drop. In December, President and CEO of American Honda, Tetsuo Iwamura vowed to make the vehicle successful. Now, Honda will be showing off a Crosstour concept at the next month’s New York Auto Show. Like most other Honda concepts, the Crosstour concept will be a lightly veiled production model. Expect many changes seen on the Accord shown at Detroit to make their onto the Crosstour. Source: Auto Guide View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 Car & Driver had the chance to sit down with Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös to talk about what the next few years hold for the luxury brand. First, Müller-Ötvös said the 102EX concept shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show will not go into production. The 102EX concept was a Phantom with an electric powertain taking the place of the V12 engine. The 102EX was built to see if customers were interested in a electric Rolls. The results? “The results were ambivalent,” said Müller-Ötvös. In one respect, customers loved the acceleration and utter silence. But, “on the other hand, the charging times are not acceptable, and the range is not acceptable.” When asked about other alternative powertrains, Müller-Ötvös responded, “In the long run, I could imagine an alternative powertrain, but that technology would be different.” Müller-Ötvös also talked about not doing an SUV, as Bentley intends to do. “Rolls-Royce stands for the best sedans in the world, magnificent coupes and convertibles, and we really would like to retain this identity. I have a difficult time imagining an SUV for our brand.” For the short term, Müller-Ötvös wants to make the Ghost more dynamic. “A Rolls-Royce can certainly not be sporty in the sense of an overly firm suspension, but it can certainly be more dynamic than it was in the past. The Ghost is definitely a driver’s car, with an 80 percent conquest rate. Those customers use their car every day.” When asked about what that could bring, Müller-Ötvös said there could be a Ghost coupe and convertible. Source: Car & Driver View full article

I think that will be happening

That's the current GL.. New one hasn't been shown yet

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 20, 2012 Mercedes-Benz announced that it will cease sales of their R-Class crossover in the U.S. in 2013. Through the first two months of 2012, Mercedes-Benz only sold 293 R-Classes, one-third less than the number sold in the first two months of last year. Mercedes-Benz says they will continue to build the R-Class at its plant in Alabama for export to other markets. Mercedes also confirmed the second generation GL-Class will be shown at next month's New York Auto Show. The GL-Class shares the new ML's architecture. Expect improvements interior space, fuel efficiency, and refinement. Engines will likely include a twin-turbo 4.7L engine making more than 400 HP and a diesel V6. Source: Autoweek, Car & Driver View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 20, 2012 Earlier this month, The Nikkei reported that Nissan would bring back the Datsun brand. The brand would be made up of entry-level and low-cost vehicles for the emerging markets. At the time, Nissan declined to comment on The Nikkei's report. Now, Nissan is confirming the return of Datsun. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told the media yesterday that Datsun would be returning as Nissan's third brand. Datsun vehicles will offer buyers inexpensive, fuel-efficient vehicles with loads of content. Nissan also confirmed that Datsun will be for emerging markets, with India, Indonesia, and Russia being the first to get Datsun vehicles in 2014. Press Release in on Page 2 Nissan CEO expects strong growth in Indonesian auto market - Carlos Ghosn details Indonesian investment and the launch of Datsun - Production capacity to grow to 250,000 by 2014 33 billion Japanese yen investment Nissan strongly supports Indonesia's green car program Return of the Datsun brand JAKARTA (20 March 2012) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced measures to strengthen its production base and sales presence in Indonesia. Total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015. On March 19, CEO Carlos Ghosn met Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reiterated Nissan's commitment to the nation's motorization. "Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia," said Ghosn. "We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here." The new plan announced today will make Nissan's Cikampek site, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the ASEAN region for Nissan. In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia, for the first time making the nation ASEAN's largest car market. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011. Indonesia total industry volume is estimated to increase nearly double by 2017 compared to 2010, largely driven by the introduction of the Green Car program now being drafted by the Indonesian government. Nissan strongly supports the program and looks forward to its speedy ratification. While talking to the media, Ghosn announced the return of the Datsun brand, Nissan's third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti. Datsun will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese carmaking expertise and is a important part of Nissa View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 20, 2012 Volkswagen is thinking about adding a smaller four-door coupe (See Volkswagen CC) to their lineup. There are two reasons for this. One, this would be a vilable alternative to the new Audi A3 sedan and upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLC. Two, this will provide Volkswagen another way to increase its market share in North America and China. Known internally as the SC (Sport Coupe), the vehicle was given approval after U.S. market studies revealed that Volkswagen's earlier plans for a two-door version of the Jetta (see NCC from the 2010 NAIAS) got only a lukewarm response from potential customers. “Our research suggests there is increasingly a market for a sportier and more stylish version of the Jetta in the mold of the CC, only smaller and more affordable. From the feedback we've received so far, buyers want an individual body style and the practicality of four doors.” a Volkswagen source told Autoweek. The SC will use Volkswagen’s new MQB platform and will become part of the Jetta lineup. The SC will come out sometime in 2015 Source: Autoweek View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2012 Chevrolet offers the Tahoe PPV. Ford offers the Explorer Police Interceptor Utility. Now, Chrysler is joining in the mix with Dodge Durango Special Service. Lets get the bad news out of the way first. The Durango’s Special Service name means it's not "pursuit ready". In other words, the Durango Special Service can't handle jumping curbs and surviving a 75-mph rear-end collision unlike the Ford and Chevrolet. But that doesn't mean the Durango isn't cut out for most police (or fire) work. Chrysler fitted high-performance brakes, a heavy-duty water pump, engine oil cooler, and battery, and a 220-amp alternator. Inside, the Special Service drops the third row seat to make room for more stuff. Powertrains include the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and 5.7L HEMI V8 going through rear wheels or four wheels. Orders for the Durango Special Service began today and will be delivered sometime in the second quarter. Press Release is on Page 2 Dodge Durango Special Service Reporting For Duty Special Service Dodge Durango designed for police, fire and general fleet customers Model has unique components to handle extreme use, extra-long life and added utility Durango can tow class-leading 7,400 pounds and travel over a class-leading 550 miles between fill-ups Auburn Hills, Mich. , Mar 19, 2012 - Following the successful debut of the Dodge Charger Pursuit, Dodge will begin offering a Durango Special Service model for fleet use. The Dodge Durango Special Service SUV is specially designed to handle the rigors of everyday use by police and fire departments and fleet customers. Chrysler Group fleet operations will start taking orders now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012. “We’re incredibly excited to add the Dodge Durango Special Service to our line-up of law enforcement vehicles,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations. “Adding Durango to our current Dodge Charger Pursuit and Ram 1500 Special Service vehicles allows us to offer a full range of fleet sedan, SUV, and truck options to law enforcement and government agencies.” “The standard Durango has several class-leading attributes, such as power, towing and a driving range of more than 550 miles, so it is a natural to become a great utility tool for law enforcement and general fleet customers,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “This Special Service version will no doubt be a major asset to any agency in need of a durable, yet comfortable, SUV.” The Dodge Durango Special Service carries all of the SUV’s class-leading utility, such as available 7,400-pound towing capacity, more than 550-mile driving range with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and available 360 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Available in rear- or all-wheel drive, the Dodge Durango Special Service model comes with the following additional components designed for the rigors of daily fleet use: A heavy-duty brake package, heavy-duty battery, larger-output 220-amp alternator and heavy-duty water pump and engine oil cooler. A 5-year/100,000-mile fully transferrable powertrain warranty helps eliminate worry of any repair costs to the covered components. Dodge Durango Special Service also has a customizable rear cargo area with under-floor storage compartments and additional storage in the side compartments. Further modifications include a special service interior dome lamp and headliner, spot lamp wiring prep and the deletion of the third row of seats for more cargo capacity. Even with the deletion of the third row, the second row still has separate air conditioning and heat controls. These modifications make the already stout Durango more than capable of handling daily fleet use. Dodge Durango is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick,” and Special Service models offer customers the same 45 safety and security features, including standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), electronic roll mitigation (ERM), Hill-start Assist and standard Trailer-sway Control (TSC) to enhance off-road and towing capabilities. Other standard safety and security features include seat-mounted and side-curtain air bags in the front row. The curtain air bag extends protection to second and third-row passengers (third-row seating deleted in Special Service models). Durango also includes standard front-row active head restraints. The Dodge Durango Special Service will be built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. It joins the Dodge Charger Pursuit sedan and Ram 1500 Special Service truck currently available to government fleet customers. Dodge Durango: Best-in-class power, towing and driving range With its four-wheel independent suspension, near 50:50 weight distribution and responsive steering and handling, Durango has driving dynamics unlike what you typically find in a sport-utility vehicle (SUV). No other SUV on the road compares with the all-new Dodge Durango’s distinctive bold Dodge design that craftily houses a flexible and premium interior, covered in soft-touch materials. Durango features more than 30 storage areas and a rear cargo area of nearly 85 cubic feet that fits a 10-foot ladder with the front passenger seat folded flat. The 2012 Dodge Durango is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. Durango also delivers the perfect blend of power and fuel efficiency. Its award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers 290 horsepower along with a best-in-class driving range of more than 550 miles on one tank of fuel – that means Durango owners could drive all the way from San Diego to San Francisco or New York City to Boston and back again without needing to stop for fuel. The available HEMI® V-8 engine with Fuel Saver multi-displacement technology delivers a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines deliver best-in-class V-6 and V-8 towing with standard Trailer-sway Control on all models (V-8 – up to 7,400 lbs. and V-6 – 6,200 lbs.). Durango also features more than 45 safety and security features. View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2012 Automotive News is reporting that Porsche will be introducing a Plug-In version the Panamera. A source says the Panamera Plug-In will likely come out by 2014. The source goes onto say the vehicle will be sold in the U.S., but didn't say when. According to a separate report from Motor Trend, the Panamera Plug-In will be based on the Panamera Hybrid. Both will use the 3.0L supercharged V6 producing 333 HP. However, the plug-in will not use the Panamera hybrid's nickel-metal hydride battery and instead use a lithium-ion battery. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Motor Trend View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 19, 2012 Mazda is the only automaker to stick with the rotary engine; spending a considerable amount of time and money in order to improve efficiency and reliability of the engine. Despite saying goodbye to their only rotary-powered vehicle (the RX- and no word if there will be a successor, Mazda has made a breakthrough. Mitsuo Hitomi, Mazda’s general manager of powertrain development told Ward’s Auto that the company will complete development of an all-new rotary engine that meets future fuel-economy and emissions standards. “We think we’ve found a way to improve the rotary’s fuel economy to be truly equal to that of conventional piston engines and, if so, we believe we can reintroduce the rotary to the market.” Those improvements Hitomi is talking about include changing the shape of the rotor housing to improve sealing, and designing a new intake manifold to reduce engine displacement. Both are said to improve improve gas mileage and lower CO2 emissions. Hitomi also said the company tinkered with the engine’s ignition. He didn’t go into any details, but promised the end result will be “dramatic improvements” in both fuel consumption and ignitability. This information is sure to make rotary fans very happy about a new RX vehicle, but Hitomi sees another use for it; a range-extender in an electric vehicle. When asked when the Rotary with all of these improvements will be seen, Hitomi wouldn’t confirm a date. Source: Ward’s Auto View full article