William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 Honda has been moving the date on their Civic refresh. Previously, John Mendel, executive vice president at American Honda Motor Co., said the refreshed Civic would arrive sometime in 2013. Then, executives pushed the date up to the end of 2012. Now, a top-level Honda executive told dealers this week, the Civic refresh will arrive sometime in the fall. That means the refreshed Civic will arrive around the same time with the redesigned Accord. Source: Autoweek View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 Back in January, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed to USA Today that the company was considering a small premium hatchback for Chrysler to possibly be called the 100. Well, Inside Line has gotten their hands on some spy shots of what could be the 100. Hidden underneath a mishmash of Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Chrysler parts lies the same platform that underpins the Giulietta and upcoming Dodge Dart. The mule wears a Chrysler grill, different exhaust, and different rear bumper which reveals the 100 will likely be longer than the Dart. Source: Inside Line View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 With the new BMW 3-Series sedan making its way to dealerships, thoughts and spy lenses turn towards to the variations of the 3-Series. So far, the 3-Series touring, 3 or 4 Series coupe and convertible have been caught. Now, you can add the new M3 to the list. The next M3 will be larger than the outgoing model. Differences between the M3 and regular 3-Series will include a wider front and rear track, larger tires, and body modifications. Carbon fiber components will be used throughout to help lower the weight. Power will come from BMW’s tried and true inline-6 with turbochargers. BMW is wondering whether to go down the tri-turbocharger route to minimize turbo lag and bring power output to a new level. Rumor puts the horsepower rating between 450 to 500. A six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will be available. The next M3 will make its official debut within two years. Source: Car & Driver View full article

I would think so, but my guess is that it will get worked out if the bill gets passed

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 Do you want a billion dollars? Well, all you need to do is build 60,000 cars that get 100 MPG and the U.S. government will send a check your way if a new bill is passed. Representative Dan Lungren ® of California's 3rd Congressional District has introduced a bill into Congress called the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Act of 2012. If the bill is passed, the legislation would have the Secretary of Energy "establish a program to award a prize in the amount of $1,000,000,000 to the first automobile manufacturer incorporated in the United States to manufacture and sell in the United States 60,000 mid-sized sedan automobiles which operate on gasoline and can travel 100 miles per gallon." That's right, no compacts or any electric vehicles can be used. It's unclear whether plug-in hybrids can be used, but judging from this quote, "To provide a prize to the first manufacturer of highly-efficient mid-sized automobiles powered by gasoline," we doubt it. Source: The Hill View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 6, 2012 Hyundai could be adding a subbrand to further seperate its upscale cars from its mainstream vehicles. “There's a conversation going on within the company that says, Does having the Hyundai badge on the premium vehicles sell more vehicles, or does it restrict us from selling more vehicles?” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America. The plan, if put into motion would would replace Hyundai's round "H" badge with a new badge on the Equus, Genesis sedan and Genesis Coupe. The vehicles would be branded as Genesis with an alphanumeric naming system and be sold at Hyundai dealers, not a separate dealership network. Zuchowski said a decision hasn’t been made. If if the plan is approved, Zuchowski said it could happen when the redesigned Genesis Sedan and Equus are introduced in 2013. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Not quite, The Patriot/Compass replacement is on track for now.

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 5, 2012 General Motors and Ford Motor Company are butting heads over a commerical to air on tonights Super Bowl. Today, Ford sent GM cease and decease order to take down the "2012" commercial for the Chevrolet Silverado. Ford also pressured NBC to not air the ad tonight. The ad shows the Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012 comes true. With a disastrous looking landscape, the only remaining object to survive is a new Silverado truck. The driver and his dog drive around in the wasteland till they come across a group of other Silverado owners. The group talks about a fellow friend that did not make it because he drove a Ford truck. “We stand by our claims in the commercial, that the Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road. The ad is a fun way of putting this claim in the context of the apocalypse. We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize. In the meantime, people who are really worried about the Mayan calendar coming true should buy a Silverado right away,” said General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. For now, GM has said the ad will still air during the first quarter. *UPDATE* Ford spokesman Mike Levine confirmed to Motoramic that Ford did send GM a letter asking them to take the ad down, saying Ford disagreed with several of GM's claims, "particularly around durability." Levine also said GM's "longest-lasting" claims are false due to Ford having more trucks on the road with 250,000 miles or more than any other make. "Claims are made in advertising frequently by every auto manufacturer. This type of ad protest happens from time to time...We'll always defend our products." Levine said any decision on what to do after the ad airs will come from Ford's legal team. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxFYYP8040A&feature=youtu.be Source: Motoramic Press Release is on page 2 Chevy Response to Ford on Silverado 2012 Super Bowl Ad DETROIT – Last evening Chevrolet was asked by Ford Motor Co. to stop showing its Super Bowl commercial for the Silverado, the longest-lasting, most-dependable full-size pickup on the road. The good-humored ad, called “2012”, shows the Silverado navigating a completely over-the-top, outrageous version of the devastation and destruction predicted to occur this year by the Mayan calendar includes giant attack robots, meteors and frogs falling from the sky. A group of friends, who are Silverado owners, makes its way to the designated meeting spot but notice one of their buddies is missing. The missing friend, however, did not drive a Chevrolet. Instead, he drove a Ford and doesn’t appear to have made it to the meeting point. “We stand by our claims in the commercial, that the Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road. The ad is a fun way of putting this claim in the context of the apocalypse,” said General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. “We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize. In the meantime, people who are really worried about the Mayan calendar coming true should buy a Silverado right away.” The Silverado ad will run in the first quarter of the Super Bowl and is one of five spots that Chevrolet is debuting on Super Bowl Sunday. To see all of the spots visit: http://www.youtube.c...Chevrolet/home. View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 5, 2012 A new small Jeep has been delayed. According to Automotive News, the new Jeep has been pushed back due to a review of future investments by Fiat. The new Jeep, codenamed B-SUV would use Fiat’s new Small Wide platform, which also underpins the new 500L. The model would be placed underneath the Compass and Patriot in Jeep’s lineup. Fiat’s plan called on a $1.3 billion expansion of Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Italy to build Jeep and a Fiat version of the B-SUV.. Now, Fiat will begin building their version to replace the Sedici, which is currently based on the Suzuki SX4. Production of the Fiat model will begin sometime in 2013, while the Jeep will begin a year later. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 4, 2012 Back in January, BMW announced $900 million investment into their Spartanburg, S.C. plant to bring forth 300 new jobs and to make way for a forth vehicle to be built. That forth vehicle is a smaller version of the X6 called the X4. Auto Express has done a couple renderings of what the X4 could look like when it goes into production in 2014. The X4 will share the overall shape of the X6 including a sloping roofline, unique lights and bumpers, and a distinct front end. The X4 will use the X3’s platform and share engines. Source: Auto Express View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 3, 2012 Motor Trend is reporting that a coupe version of the new Cadillac ATS has been put on hold. The reason lies in GM’s stock price dropping like a rock; 30% drop since from its November 2010 initial public offering price. GM hopes by delaying or cancelling projects to save money, that will raise their stock price up. This is where we begin to enter the twilight zone of ATS rumors. For the past year, we’ve been hearing different models of the ATS moving around from going into development, put on the shelf, or being cancelled. Last year, rumors had said the ATS would come in Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, and Convertible form. So far, rumors have said the wagon is dead, the coupe is on hold, and the Convertible was dead before being resurrected. In other words, we have no idea what is coming. When asked for comment by Autoblog, Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell gave the usual we don’t talk about future product line. But Caldwell did say “there has been no recent radical shift in strategy" for the ATS. "We do plan to do variants. We haven't yet called our shot of how we're going to execute that." Caldwell said. So what does that mean? Well, there will be more variations of the ATS besides the sedan. As to what, its still up in the air. Source: Motor Trend, Autoblog View full article

Contender

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 3, 2012 Jaguar could be planning a hotter version of the XFR sedan. Sources tell Autocar that the current XFR with its 510 HP supercharged V8 is “a bit outgunned” by the new BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and Jaguar plans to build a faster model that will carry XFR-S badge. The R-S badge, seen on the XKR-S means tweaks to chassis, engine, and more aggressive look. The supercharged V8 could see its horsepower raised to 550. Also, the pricetag will go up as well, somewhere in the $90,000 range. Source: Autocar View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 3, 2012 Back in December, we’re reported on Heather Peters, an owner of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid that was taking Honda to court due to the vehicle never achieving the official EPA fuel mileage ratings. But instead of taking Honda to the circuit court with lawyers, Peters filed the case against Honda at a small claims court. The reasoning behind it; she would have a better shot of winning the case. Peter’s case was to be heard on January 3rd. Now, the court has reached a decision on her case. On Wednesday, the court ruled in the favor of Peters and awarded her $9,867 in damages. “I am absolutely thrilled. It’s a victory for Civic Hybrid owners and consumers everywhere! Sometimes big justice comes in small packages,” Peters wrote in a email to the New York Times. Honda spokesman, Chris Martin said the company plans on appealing the judgement. Source: New York Times Related: A Honda Owner Takes The Company To Court, Minus The Lawyers Click here to view the article