William Maley

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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 6, 2011 Earlier today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee it plans to hold a hearing in late January on the Volt battery issue. "It gives us great concern that recent reports indicate important safety information may have been omitted in testimony before our committee just a few weeks ago. This is a serious situation that our committee will look further into," said Jeff Solsby, a spokesman for the committee. The hearing Solsby is referencing to was a hearing on fuel economy standards and had Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials testify. The announcement comes a few weeks after NHTSA revealed a Volt caught on fire a three weeks after a side impact crash and couple weeks after NHTSA announced an investigation into the Volt batteries after further testing found two out of the three batteries had a thermal event. Many conservative commentators have criticized the Volt and and the government's investigation, saying the Obama administration was trying to protect GM. Also, the former head of NHTSA, Joan Claybrook said in Automotive News this week, "Not to tell them anything for six months makes no sense to me. NHTSA could have put out a consumer alert and I think they should have done so." Claybrook went on to say, "I believe they delayed it because of the fragility of [Volt] sales." "I believe the Volt is safe to drive," said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to reporters. LaHood said the government isn't protecting GM by not immediately disclosing a fire with a crashed Volt. "We're not in the business of protecting the auto industry. We're in the business of making sure cars are safe." LaHood declined to comment on status of the Volt investigation. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News Related: Chevrolet Volt Fire Prompts Investigation Into Batteries NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Volt Batteries GM Offering Free Loaner Cars to Volt Owners During Battery Investigation Chevy Volt Tops Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Survey GM May Redesign The Volt's Battery *UPDATED* A "couple dozen" Chevrolet Volt Owners Take Up GM's Buyback Offer View full article

It's been about six years since GM introduced the Lambdas (Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Terrain, and Saturn Outlook) to the world and they're beginning to get long in the tooth. GM is quietly working on next generation of these models and some spy shots have come out of Buick Enclave with added camoflage. The pictures show the Enclave will be retaining it's large size as the current model. Also, the front end gets a new grill with longer, thinner grille slats spaced further out. The back end doesn't show any changes thanks to all of the camouflage. Source: Inside Line View full article

Land Rover is looking at expanding the Evoque lineup with a longer Evoque. The model will sit between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. The vehicle will be based on a stretched version of Land Rover’s LR-MS architecture that underpins the current Evoque, with six inches being added between the axles and the rest going to the rear end. The vehicle will also use lightweight materials to meet stricter requirements for fuel economy. Design will be a copy of the Evoque with minor changes to give it a visual and functional character of its own. Power will come from a new range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel powertrains JLR is developing. A hybrid will also be available. Source: Inside Line View full article

For the longest time, we've been hearing about a new car that would be replacing the dreadful Dodge Caliber. Today, Dodge revealed the replacement. Meet the 2013 Dodge Dart, which will make it's debut next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Previously, the car was known as the Hornet till Dodge announced last month the name wouldn't be used. The Dart will be the first Chrysler vehicle using a Fiat vehicle architecture; the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in this case. The Giulietta's platform has been widened and lengthened for the Dart. Dodge says high-strength steel and independent suspension will make the car more fun to drive than its predecessors. Styling of the Dart borrows a lot from the full-size Charger, with the front end having Dodge's trademark crosshair grill and headlights that are angled up over the car’s front fenders. Around back, a full bank of LED taillights and dual exhausts help make the car a Dodge. Three engines will be available; a 2.0L inline-four “Tigershark”, a turbocharged 1.4L MultiAir inline-four, and a 2.4L“Tigershark” inline-four. Three transmissions will be available; most likely an six-speed automatic plus a choice of five- and six-speed manuals. The Dodge Dart will be built at Chrysler's Assembly n Belvidere, Illinois, which currently assembles the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot. Press Release is on Page 2 Dodge Hits the Mark With the All-new 2013 Dodge Dart Compact Car Dodge Dart Blends Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge’s Passion for Performance, Resulting in a Groundbreaking Car with the Ultimate Blend of Power, Fuel Economy, Handling and Style The Dodge brand is back in the U.S. compact sedan segment – in a big way – as the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart will make its world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich., on Jan. 9, 2012 Built on a world-class architecture, Dodge Dart offers three technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and powerful engines, including the 1.4L MultiAir® Turbo Dodge delivers exceptional craftsmanship with class-leading technology and style Auburn Hills, Mich. , Dec 6, 2011 - Dodge redefines performance in the compact car segment with an all-new, state-of-the-art four-door sedan delivering class-leading aerodynamics – the 2013 Dodge Dart. With Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge’s passion for performance at its core, the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, beautifully designed and crafted, agile and brings fun back to driving in the segment. Similar to the Dodge Dart of the late 1960s, the 2013 Dart offers a special blend of style, performance and innovation. The Dodge brand leveraged its nearly 100-year history of passion for building high-quality, innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and style, as well as from its partner Fiat’s global compact car expertise, to develop the all-new Dodge Dart. ALFA ROMEO DNA The all-new Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture – adapted from the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is renowned for satisfying the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety, with exceptional driving dynamics. The Dart leverages all of these attributes within a lengthened and widened platform delivering segment-leading levels of interior roominess. The all-new Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) architecture underpinning the Dart is a state-of-the-art architecture with an industry-leading 68 percent of the body composed of high-strength steel, resulting in a very strong and rigid structure. Combined with responsive steering, four-wheel independent suspension, and available 18-inch wheels, the Dart brings fun back to driving in the compact car segment. UNMISTAKABLE STYLE The all-new 2013 Dart marks the Dodge brand’s re-entry into the compact sedan segment, hitting the bulls-eye with a modern, unmistakable Dodge design that builds upon its performance heritage while evoking emotion, efficiency and fluidity of movement. Eye-catching exterior proportions are set off from every angle by dynamic lines and curves, along with advanced technology, to deliver class-leading aerodynamic performance. The personality-packed front view is instantly recognizable as an all-new Dodge with its tailored split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps and fog lamps and accentuated fenders. Signature Dodge full-width LED ‘racetrack’ tail lamps and class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust – both inspired by Dodge Charger – accentuate the athletic and muscular stance of this dynamic and passionate new design. THREE SOPHISTICATED, FUEL-EFFICIENT & POWERFUL ENGINES The 2013 Dodge Dart will be powered by three fuel-efficient, powerful, state-of-the-art four-cylinder engines that add to Dart’s fun-to-drive quotient. Drivers can select from a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir four cylinder engine. These three engines, combined with three transmission choices, combine to redefine performance by providing the most diverse powertrain lineup in its class. MultiAir technology delivers optimum combustion at any speed under all driving conditions by allowing direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion. The result is up to a 15 percent increase in low engine rpm torque, a 7.5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 10 percent reduction in C02 emissions. THE ALL-NEW DART – BUILT IN AMERICA The all-new Dodge Dart will be made in America at Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill. The Company is in the process of investing $600 million dollars to support the production of future products, including the 2013 Dodge Dart. The investment includes the construction of a 638,000-square-foot body shop, as well as the installation of new machinery, tooling and material handling equipment. Work on the expansion began in the summer of 2010 and will be completed this year. View full article

Last week, GM's CEO Dan Akerson said in a interview with the Associated Press that the company would be willing to buy back Volts from concerned owners. Well some owners are taking GM up on that offer. Today, GM told The Detroit News that a "couple dozen" Volt owners have asked the company to buy back their Volts. "For those few who have requested repurchase, we're going to move fast" if their concerns can't be met any other way, said Greg Martin, GM spokesman. GM is currently working with Volt owners individually to understand their concerns and offering loaner vehicles to those owners during the NHTSA investigation. Source: The Detroit News Related: GM May Redesign The Volt's Battery *UPDATED* View full article

Saab seems to be the cat of the automotive industry with the number of lives it has. Last we heard from the Swedish company, the company was waiting on approval on a deal with Pang Da and Youngman. However, General Motors was concerned with the deal due to technologies used in Saab vehicles ending up in competitor hands. Now, a new deal to save Saab is in the works. Saab's parent company, Swedish Automotive is in talks with Youngman and a bank in China (possibly Bank of China). The plan according to SaabsUnited is to have Youngman hold 19.9%, the bank with 29.9%, and Swedish Automotive holding the rest. The plan is reportedly in GM's hands, awaiting approval before heading to the Chinese Government. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), SaabsUnited View full article

Mazda has some big plans in store for the next 6 due out in 2013 and one of those could be a coupe version. A source tells What Car? that Mazda is planning a coupe version of the 6 to come out in 2014, a year after the sedan. The car will make use of Mazda's SkyActiv technologies; including engines, transmissions, and weight saving designs. The question is though, will the US see this. The first Mazda6 introduced back in 2003 was offered in sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon. The current 6 is only offered as a sedan, while the rest of the world gets a wagon version. Source: What Car? View full article

Honda’s Ridgeline hasn’t been a sales sucess. Sales of the truck have been lackluster since being introduced back in 2006 and refresh for the 2012 model hasn’t helped. That has lead rumors to Honda killing off the Ridgeline and caused American Honda's Truck Planner, Sage Marie issuing a statement saying the truck is staying. However, the statement didn’t say anything about future developments for the truck. At the Tokyo Motor Show this week, Autoblog asked American Honda’s President and CEO, Tetsu Iwamura about the Ridgeline’s future. "Ridgeline is quite an important model to us. It's the only truck-type of model we have. We're fully aware of the importance of that model and we're trying to make that model grow much more. At this moment, there is no intention to stop the Ridgeline. In order to make Ridgeline much more attractive – in order to enhance Ridgeline – we are studying lots of things at this moment." When pressed about if Honda remains fully committed to trucks, Iwamura said they’re in it for the long haul. However, Iwamura said nothing on a second-gen Ridgeline. Source: Autoblog View full article

Toyota has said that the primary focus of the GT 86 is handling, not horsepower. However, some recent comments from the chief engineer, Tetsuo Tada show Toyota could be making horsepower a bigger focus. Tada told Autocar that test versions of a hotter GT 86 using superchargers have already been made and are currently being “evaluated” by Toyota Racing Development. Tada said the reason why they’re evaluating superchargers due to the simplicity of it than enlarging the engine and provides better response than adding a turbo. Tada also said TRD is looking at suspension modifcations to handle the extra power. Source: Autocar View full article

With tougher CAFE standards looming, Audi has got a range of new diesel and hybrid models coming to the US. Next year, Audi has the Q5 crossover and A8 sedan coming with a diesel. However, Audi has put the A6 diesel and Hybrid versions of the A6 and A8 on delay. In the case of the Hybrids, Audi’s US President, Johann De Nysschen told Ward’s Auto that the pushing back the A6 and A8 Hybrids was largely done to “minimize complexity” in the lineup, since there is a Q5 Hybrid coming next year. As for the A6 diesel, no official reason was given. But given the mid-size premium sedan segment in the US is sluggish and most of Audi’s sales gains (14.1% so far in 2011) have been at the expense of rivals, perhaps it isn’t the time to launch another vehicle. De Nysschen also told Ward’s that a diesel version of the A7 for the US is possible. Source: Ward’s Auto View full article

Volkswagen is looking to add a seven-seat crossover to their lineup within the next few years. Car & Driver reports the crossover will be priced around the Honsa Pilot and the Ford Explorer, meaning somewhere in the low $30k range. Engines will most likely be Volkswagen’s 3.6L V-6; a 3.0L diesel V-6 could be optional. The crossover will most likely be built at VW’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, though Mexico remains another possibility. The crossover will come out within a few years. Source: Car & Driver View full article