William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 28, 2012 Every few months or so, an automaker inadvertently reveals their new vehicle before an auto show. Case in point is Nissan which showed their new 2013 Altima in a new video. The video, celebrating 30 years of production at Nissan Technical Center, shows for a brief moment a very pre-production 2013 Altima undergoing some tests. We can see the new headlights, swoopy bodywork and a new, sharper grille. Nissan has since then pulled down the video and replaced it with another, but thanks to Inside Line, they grabed a couple of screen shots. Source: Inside Line View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 28, 2012 To say Fisker Automotive has been living in interesting times could be an understatement. Their first vehicle, the Karma only starting arriving back in December, when it was actually due out months earlier. Then in February, the company halted work on the Nina family sedan at their Wilmington, Del plant. That was due to them and Department of Energy hashing out new terms of a $529 million loan. Now, Fisker has announced that board member and vice chairman Tom Lasorda will become their new CEO. Lasorda, a former CEO, President and Vice Chairman of the Chrysler Group joined Fisker last December. “I am delighted to be assuming such a central role at this exciting time in Fisker Automotive’s history,” said LaSorda in a press release. As for Henrik Fisker, he will assume the role of Executive Chairman. Press Release is on Page 2 Fisker Automotive Appoints Tom LaSorda As CEO Co-Founder Henrik Fisker Becomes Executive Chairman of the Company Anaheim, California USA – February 28, 2012: Fisker Automotive is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Co-Founder Henrik Fisker will become Executive Chairman of the company, and Tom LaSorda is appointed CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, with full responsibility for the running of the company’s day to day operations. Henrik Fisker, who co-founded Fisker Automotive in 2007 after an illustrious design career at brands including BMW and Aston Martin, will focus on building the Fisker brand in global markets and the styling and design of future Fisker models. “We have created a new automotive company, launched a new Electric Vehicle extended range technology and brought the Fisker Karma to market successfully in a remarkably short timeframe,” says Henrik Fisker. “The Fisker Karma is the first car designed and engineered in America to win BBC Top Gear’s prestigious Luxury Car of the Year Award, as well as numerous other accolades, and that is something of which I am immensely proud.” “I am looking forward to working closely with Tom as we steer the company into its future as an iconic global automotive brand with a range of desirable cars that offer environmentally responsible luxury.” Tom LaSorda, who joined the company as Vice Chairman of the Board and executive advisor to the management team in December, will assume full CEO responsibilities and day to day operational management. A well-known industry executive, with more than 30-years experience, LaSorda was a former CEO, President and Vice Chairman of the Chrysler Group and also held a number of executive positions at General Motors over a 23 year career. “I am delighted to be assuming such a central role at this exciting time in Fisker Automotive’s history,” says LaSorda. “The Fisker Automotive team has designed and engineered a great range-extended electric car with industry leading technology and it gives me great pleasure to be working together with the co-founders, Henrik Fisker and Barny Koehler to build Fisker Automotive into a global automotive company.” “As part of our future strategy, we will be seeking strong partnerships and alliances as Fisker continues to grow as a brand.” With the re-organization, Chairman of the Board, Ray Lane will assume a lead director role, as Henrik Fisker takes on the Executive Chairman role. “Ray has been an invaluable guide and help to us as we have grown this company and its financial strength over the past few years. For a company to raise over $860m of private equity is a remarkable achievement and Ray’s support and guidance has been a key factor in that,” remarks Henrik Fisker. “I am looking forward to working with the new leadership team as we move to the next level in the company’s history,” says Ray Lane. View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 28, 2012 Last Wednesday, we reported on talks between General Motors and Peugeot-Citroën on a possible alliance. Now, Reuters is reporting the talks have gone into advance stages and General Motors could be buying up a small share. Reuters has learned from a couple sources at both companies that General Motors would purchase 5% of Peugeot-Citroën as part of their alliance deal. The stake could be worth $240 million dollars at Peugeot's current market value of $4.8 billion. Sources say the deal could be announced within the next few days, but caution that an agreement has not been reached and the talks could still fall apart. When asked for comment, GM and Peugeot-Citroën didn't respond. Source: Reuters View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 28, 2012 Mazda currently sells three crossovers; the seven-passenger CX-9, the sporty CX-7, and the new five-passenger CX-5. However, there could be a fourth crossover in the cards. CarAdvice.com.au has learned from a Mazda source that the company is thinking about building a subcompact crossover to capitalize on the growth of SUVs worldwide. “We are now developing a more compact SUV [than the CX-5] – more for Europe and we must imagine emerging markets … Eastern Europe, South America, India…” the source said. “It is common sense [to build it]. We have to develop this vehicle, whether we call it CX-2, CX-3 or CX-4.” If signed off, the new subcompact crossover will likely be based on the next generation Mazda2 and come with the full suite of SkyActiv technologies. Source: CarAdvice.com.au View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 27, 2012 A few weeks ago, Kia released some teaser sketches of their new K9 RWD flagship. The sketches revealed a lot of BMW influence along with some cues from the Optima and GT Concept. Now, two videos showing a uncloaked Kia K9 running around South Korea have appeared. The videos show the K9's design having a lot of BMW influence. The side profile of the K9 looks like a 7-Series. The comparison of the 7-Series continues with the back end. The front end is a mix of 5-Series GT and Kia's GT Concept. The new K9 will use the Hyundai Genesis' platform and likely share engines. The K9 will go on sale in South Korea later this year. Source: Carscoop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZxW4-7aPwM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZv1H_s4G4o View full article

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If Jaguar brings it over.... which I'm doubting

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 27, 2012 The magic of internet has brought forth some leaked shots of Jaguar's new XF Sportbrake (wagon). The shots from a brochure show the Sportbrake sharing a family resemblance to the XF sedan from the front end to the B-pillar. After that, its all new sheetmetal. The pictures also show the XF's large cargo space and folding seats. Engines for the Sportbrake are likely to be the same as the sedan; a 2.2L four-cylinder and two 3.0L V6 diesel engines and a N/A 5.0L V8. The XF Sportbrake will debut at Geneva next month. Source: Autocar View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 27, 2012 Hyundai is making a big push into the livery services market. The company showed off the Genesis sedan and Equus flagship at the recent International LCT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. "We're glad … that the industry is interested in what we have to offer. The Genesis is in a sweet spot regarding price," Richard Pipenhagen, Hyundai Motor America's corporate sales manager said. Hyundai is hoping to capture some of livery market that is currently dominated by Cadillac and Lincoln. How they're going to do it will involve some money on the hoods. Hyundai is offering a $3,500 fleet incentive for the Genesis and $4,500 for the Equus. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 27, 2012 There seems to be an endless stream of teasers, leaked Hot Wheel shots, and rumors about the new Viper. Now, some new spy shots are joining in the Viper stream. The shots reveal the new Viper will have an easier time breathing thanks to pair of large vents on either side of the Viper's trademark triangular air intake. Inside, the new Viper will ditch analog gauges for a full digital dashboard (complete with 220 MPH speedo). Source: Autoblog View full article

(Deep Sigh) Pathetic.. really?! Let's take a look at both shall we.. Nissan Leaf sales: 10,369 (total sales since December 2010 launch) 676 Leafs sold in January 2012 With the Leaf, it currently is sold in 29 states with nationwide sales beginning later this year. That's up from the five states when it was launched in December 2010 ( California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Tennessee). But also there was this little thing in march that happened in Japan; the earthquake and tsunami. That knocked out production of the Nissan Leaf for a few months and caused many headaches for the company and people who reserved them. Nissan missed their goal of building of 50,000 Leafs for the world market. But they seemed happy with selling 20,000 worldwide. Chevroler Volt sales: 8,600 (Vehicles sold since launch) 603 Volts sold in January Ah the Volt, where do we begin. Like the Leaf, it was sold in limited markets, before being rolled out in 2011. But the Volt suffered many problems. The plant was shut down for a few weeks in the summer to make room for the Malibu & new Impala. And then, there was the was the whole Battery fire incident. Plus, the plant has been idling up until last week or so And I'll throw in the high price tag as being a factor and GM's outrageous sales projections (10,000 Volts in 2011, 45,000 in 2012) Now to some, those numbers seem poor and its time to call them a failure. To me, those numbers seem right. They're selling them to the people who can a. afford them and b. know they can live with one. ********************************************************* Look, I like electrics. But I also know they're not the key to solving are oil problem. Automakers are trying to figure out what works; gas engines with new tech, diesels, hybrids, Natural Gas, EVs, etc. Electrics are just taking the spotlight for the moment. Like hydrogen vehicles, or Hybrids; it's the hot thing.

I want to say yes, because the Sonic LTZ I had a few weeks ago came with the Heated seats..

Hold on, let me check my notes on the Range Rover weight.. Update - just fixed it.