William Maley

Lincoln launched a pilot program for its own subscription service through Ford's Canvas earlier this year in the Los Angeles and the San Francisco areas. Unlike other programs that offer new vehicles, Lincoln's program offered off-lease vehicles that ranged from 2015 to 2017 model years. This allowed Lincoln to offer lower prices than competitors - prices ranged from $500 to $950 plus variable pricing on the amount of miles per month. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lincoln's subscription service isn't doing so hot. “I’ve been surprised how few people are genuinely interested in that type of ownership. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said this is the next big thing. A lot of people are struggling to make the math work,” said Lincoln’s director of marketing, sales and service, Robert Parker. Parker explained that most of the customers who signed up needed a vehicle for a short time like searching for a new vehicle or needing something to get them around while their car was in the shop. “The amount of people coming out after one or two months is very high. It’s just kind of an interim process,” said Parker. Lincoln is going to be making some changes to their program, although it is unclear what those might be. Parker threw out the suggestion of involving Lincoln dealers in the service, along with expanding vehicle ability. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Audi is planning to bring back a long-defunct name for an ultra-luxurious version of the A8. Automotive News has learned from sources that the luxury automaker is planning to introduce top-line A8 with the Horch name. Horch was a successful luxury brand in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. In 1932, it would merge with Audi, DKW, and Wanderer to create Auto Union - what we know as Audi. Production of Horch vehicles would halt when World War II broke out. The brand would briefly would produce vehicles after the war before being shuttered. Audi has briefly toyed with the Horch name is the past two decades, going as far as creating mock-ups, but didn't go any farther. The A8 Horch is expected to get more luxury features, along with a Horch logo on the flanks or C-Pillar - similar to what Mercedes-Benz does with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. Power is expected to come from twin-turbo W12 engine. According to AN, the regular A8 W12 is on hold, despite being market-ready. There is the possibility of an V8 being on offer as well. Audi is planning to launch the Horch version of the A8 in two to three years, when the model is expected to be refreshed. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

New cars are getting more and more expensive. Kelly Blue Book reported earlier this month that the average transaction price of a new car was $35,541, up 1.8 percent compared to the same time last year. This has more consumers checking out the used car lot, causing demand to rise. “Customers forget a new car is now more than $30,000 and they expect it to be $20,000,” said Brian Allan, a senior director at Galpin Motors Inc., to the Wall Street Journal. “When people see the price has gone up, it is sticker shock, especially when people only buy a car every five to six years." Data from Edmunds reports that the gap between the price of a new and used car is now at one "of its largest points in more than a decade". Key reasons for this gap include consumers trending to trucks and SUVs, and automakers adding more expensive tech. This summer saw a strong demand for used cars and analysts are predicting this trend to continue throughout the rest of the year, partly due to dealers stocking more trucks and utility vehicles. Prices of used cars are also on the rise. Edmunds reports that buyers paid an average of $22,489 for a three-year old used car in the second-quarter - up $865 from the same time last year. This isn't good news for automakers as new car sales are starting to slow down and pressure could begin building to deepen discounts to lure consumers back. Lenders have been extending the length of loans and introducing 0 percent financing to make buying new more attractive. Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required) View full article

I have to agree with SMK on the badge thing. Genesis really doesn't have the cache as Audi, BMW, Mercedes.. But I need to point out that Genesis has only been around for a few years now. It takes time for an image to be built. This isn't being help by the mess the brand finds itself in at the moment as they're to cut down the number of dealers in the U.S. to help try to make the brans more exclusive. And to explain why Genesis hasn't doing so well in the sales charts in the past couple of months, Emphasis mine

Come 2019, Infiniti will not have any hybrid vehicles available for sale. Green Car Reports has learned from Infiniti spokesman Kyle Bazemore that the Q50 Hybrid model will be axed from the lineup come the 2019 model year. This follows an announcement of the Q70 hybrid being dropped earlier this summer. No reason was given as to why both hybrid models have been dropped, but Green Car Reports speculates the slow sales is the explanation. With the departure of the QX60 Hybrid last year, this leaves Infiniti with no hybrid models. But that doesn't mean Infiniti isn't getting out of the electrification game for good. As we reported back in January, Infiniti will begin offering full electric powertrains and plug-in hybrid models beginning in 2021. Source: Green Car Reports View full article

While the Lincoln MKT will depart from consumer showrooms when the Aviator launches next year, it will be sticking around for some time to serve those in the livery market. Robert Parker, Lincoln's marketing manager tells Automotive News that the MKT has become a favorite for livery services and funeral homes and they want to keep around for a just a bit longer. "MKT can fill that role profitably for the company and will for the time being. We don't think it negatively impacts the brand," said Parker. "It has a place. Just like a long snapper on a football team. Nobody knows their name, or cares, but if he screws up a snap, it's a bad day." Why not have the Aviator take on that role? According to Parker, the brand doesn't want the new Aviator on rental lots which could be detrimental to their growing cache. Consumers have completely forgotten about the MKT. Through August, Lincoln has only moved 1,653 MKTs, a 22 percent drop when compared to the same time last year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

A user on Reddit posted today an image showing an internal document from Mazda Canada detailing some of changes coming to the 2019 CX-5. The highlights mention that the CX-5 will be getting the turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder from the CX-9, G-Vectoring Control Plus (we're assuming this is updated version of the system); changes to the exterior, the top-line Signature trim becoming available, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mention of the turbo engine confirms a CAFE document we reported back in June listing the 2019 CX-5 with the turbo engine. If you're wondering about the trims, that's for Mazdas sold in Canada - they won't changing the trim line that significantly for the U.S. at this moment. Source: Reddit View full article

Polestar has revealed new details as to how it plans on selling their vehicles in the U.S. As we have previously reported, Polestar will be using an online system for customers to do research, configure, and order their vehicle. They'll also have the choice of either purchasing a vehicle outright or doing a subscription model where insurance and maintenance is covered in the payment. But as Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar admits in a statement, "many people want to physically see a car before ordering." That's where Polestar Spaces come into play. These will be franchised by dealers and allow customers to check out the cars and learn more from product information specialists - not working on commission. The spaces will also handle servicing of the vehicles, although customers won't need to drop their vehicles off. Using a smartphone app, customers will be able to schedule a pickup for servicing. Once completed, Polestar will drop the vehicle back off. According to Car and Driver, Polestar will open their first space in New York City in late 2019 or early 2020. Nine more spaces will follow: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas or Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Source: Car and Driver, Polestar Polestar – the new electric performance brand and a new approach to car ownership for US customers As a new entrant into the electrified automotive industry, Polestar has confirmed its positioning and innovative go-to-market strategy in the important North American car market. As a start-up electric car brand owned by Volvo Car Group, Polestar will offer electric performance cars with a modern, fully digital customer experience. “Launching an entirely new car brand gives us the opportunity to assess what customers enjoy about car ownership, and what they are less keen on,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer at Polestar. “As an electric performance brand, we want to maximize our customer’s enjoyment of driving. Polestars will be great looking cars with avant-garde design that are full of modern technology and great to drive. “We also want to remove the hassle from traditional car ownership. The customer will be able to research, configure and order their car online. They can choose our innovative subscription model that enables them to have all their motoring costs covered by one single monthly payment. “We also know that many people want to physically see a car before ordering, so our customers will be able to meet the brand in a franchised Polestar Space. In a town center location, they’ll interact with non-commissioned product experts who are totally focused on enhancing their brand experience and giving them the information they want and need. They will also have pick-up and delivery servicing, meaning that their days of standing in line at service reception are over.” “Polestar is a global brand from day one, operating in the world’s most important car markets – Europe, China and North America. We will therefore be opening Polestar Spaces in major US cities as demand requires them. We are also developing a new Polestar North America organization to meet the demands of this important market,” concludes Thomas Ingenlath. Polestar’s momentum has been building following its launch as the new electric performance brand. The company’s first car, Polestar 1, was revealed in October 2017 as a 600 hp Electric Performance Hybrid, but with the longest pure electric range of any hybrid in the world. The Polestar 1 will start production in mid-2019 at the new Polestar Production Centre, which is nearing completion. The first full year of production has already sold out, with 200 cars currently destined for North American customers. The brand’s second car, Polestar 2, will be the company’s first full battery electric vehicle and is designed to compete with Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 2 will be revealed early in 2019, with production starting a year later. View full article

I didn't have any of those in my tester. But I can say it doesn't feel as solid as previous Camrys. Closing the door, it sounded somewhat hollow.

Jeep Pacifica really doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as Chrysler Pacifica.

The Chrysler 300 will disappear in two years according Automotive News. Their annual future product pipeline reports that Chrysler will eliminate the 300 from their lineup in 2020. No replacement is planned. This follows rumors we've been hearing for the past couple of years that the 300 would be bumped off. But this presents a big problem for Chrysler. Without the 300, the only car in the lineup is the Pacifica minivan. But Automotive News says there is a model to take its place. It will be a fully-electric minivan based on the Portal concept that debuted at the 2017 CES in Las Vegas. The report says expect the concept to retain the reconfigurable interior that seats up to six people and possibly the sliding French doors. Production is expected to begin in 2020. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

This week, Genesis will begin selling the 2019 G70. A base model will set you back $35,895 with a $995 destination charge - the same price as the current 2018 BMW 320i. With the G70, you're getting a lot more car for the money. To start, there is a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder offering 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque - well above the 180 hp and 200 lb-ft in the 320i. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic. The list of standard equipment is impressive: 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, power front seats, 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist. The model that will intrigue driving enthusiasts will be the G70 Sport. This is the only G70 model that will have a six-speed manual. There of course are some other goodies such as imited-slip differential, Brembo brakes with performance pads, a sport exhaust system, and Michelin PS4 summer tires. It will set you back $38,895. Those wanting more power will need to step up to the turbocharged 3.3L V6 with 365 horsepower that begins at $44,745 for the Advanced RWD. Stepping up to the V6 also nets you the Brembo brakes, leather upholstery, navigation, and full-LED headlights. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option on all models except for the Sport with the manual. Genesis will be offering two launch edition models of the G70. The Design Edition will come with a forest green exterior with cream colored leather seats; and dark green coloring for interior panels. RWD models get 19-inch alloys with Michelin PS4 summer tires, while AWD models make do with a heated steering wheel. The Dynamic Edition gets unique suspension tuning, summer tires, performance brake pads, and a improved cooling system. Both models will come with the 3.3L turbo V6. Pricing for these models are $49,745 and $51,245 respectively. Genesis is only planning on building 400 of each model. Source: Genesis Genesis Announces 2019 G70 Pricing Starting At $34,900 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., September 19, 2018 – The 2019 Genesis G70 goes on sale this week with either a 2.0T inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine or a 3.3T V-6 twin-turbocharged engine. G70s equipped with the 2.0T engine are available in six generously equipped trim levels, including a special manual transmission Sport package, with a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34,900. The G70s equipped with the 3.3T engine are available in four generously equipped trim levels, plus two limited production Special Edition models, with a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $43,750. G70 2.0T is offered in six trim levels: Advanced, Elite, Prestige, Dynamic, Sport and Sport M/T, while G70 3.3T variants are available in four trim levels: Advanced, Elite, Prestige and Sport. The two limited production Special Edition 3.3T packages: Dynamic Special Edition and Design Special Edition, will only be produced in quantities of 400 units each. Every G70 sedan comes standard with class-leading active and passive safety technology, refined interior appointments and driver-focused features. G70 Trim MSRP Launch Editions MSRP 2.0T Advanced RWD $34,900 Design RWD $48,750 2.0T Advanced AWD $36,900 Dynamic RWD $50,250 2.0T Sport M/T RWD $37,900 Design AWD $50,750 3.3T Advanced RWD $43,750 Dynamic AWD $52,250 3.3T Advanced AWD $45,750 MSRP excludes $995 destination charge. G70 Advanced 2.0T RWD: $34,900 The list of standard features on the 252-hp, G70 Advanced 2.0T trim is competitive. Rear-wheel drive is standard; the AWD Package, available on all trim levels except 2.0T Sport with the 6-speed manual transmission, adds HTRAC all-wheel drive and a heated steering wheel. Performance · 2.0L I4 T-GDI (252HP/260lb-ft) (255HP/260lb-ft with M/T) · 8-speed A/T with paddle shifters & rev match · Shift-by-Wire · Idle Stop & Go (ISG) · MacPherson strut front & multi-link rear suspension · Ventilated front & solid rear disc brakes · Rack-mounted Motor-driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) · Intelligent drive mode Exterior · LED daytime running lights · LED taillights · Heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators ·18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin all-season tires (P225/45R18) · Hands-free smart trunk Interior · Proximity key with push-button start · Stainless steel front door sill plates · 12-way power driver’s seat including four-way power lumbar · Power windows with front and rear auto-up/down · 8-way power passenger’s seat · Electronic parking brake · 60/40 split-folding rear seat · Dual automatic climate control · Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob · Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink · Tilt and telescopic steering wheel · Leatherette seating surfaces · Illuminated front vanity mirrors with sliding sun visors · Rear seat folding armrest with cup holders · Front map light & pin light · Bluetooth® hands-free phone system · Rearview camera with parking guidelines · Steering wheel audio, cruise & phone controls Multimedia · HD Radio · 2 front USB ports; 1 rear USB port · 7-inch color LCD multi-information display · Genesis Connected Services telematics · 8-inch display audio screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and rearview camera with parking guidelines Safety · Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian Detection · Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go · Tire Pressure Monitoring System with tire pressure indicators · Lane Keep Assist · High Beam Assist · Driver Attention Warning · Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning · 7 airbags: dual front, front side, side curtain, and driver knee · Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) w/ESC & TCS · Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) / Brake Assist (BA) · Front seatbelt pre-tensioners · Automatic halogen headlights G70 Advanced 2.0T AWD: $36,900 Includes all above-referenced G70 Advanced 2.0T RWD content plus: · HTRAC® AWD System · Heated steering wheel 2.0T Elite: $39,900 ($41,900 with AWD) To the 2.0T Advanced trim level, G70 2.0T Elite adds: · Full LED headlights · Rain-sensing windshield wipers · Front passenger seat walk-in device · Integrated Memory System (IMS) · Front and rear parking sensors · Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel · Power-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors · Heated and ventilated front seats · Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology · Integrated navigation system with complimentary lifetime traffic updates · Leather seating surfaces · Sunroof · Genesis logo approach lights · Aluminum door and console trim 2.0T Prestige: $44,900 (AWD only) G70 2.0T Prestige adds even more feature content: · Power driver seat cushion extension · Heads-up display (HUD) · Front passenger four-way power lumbar · Qi wireless charging pad · Nappa leather seating surfaces with luxury quilting · Surround-view monitor · Heated rear seats · Low Beam Assist · Dinamica microfiber headliner 2.0T Dynamic: $43,900 ($45,900 with AWD) Aimed at drivers who want even more performance, G70 2.0T Dynamic adds: · Limited-slip differential (RWD only) · 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin PS4 summer tires (F P225/40R19, R P255/35R19) 2.0T Sport: $44,900 ($46,900 with AWD) The pinnacle of performance is G70 2.0T Sport, which builds on feature content from G70 2.0T Prestige. · 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin PS4 summer tires (F P225/40R19, R P255/35R19) · Nappa leather seating surfaces with sport quilting (choice of red or gray contrast stitching with black interior) · Limited-slip differential (RWD only) · Dark chrome grille and daylight opening · Copper headlight bezel accents · Alloy pedals · Dark tint taillight covers 2.0T Sport 6MT: $37,900 G70 2.0T Sport 6MT comes standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox and even more performance-oriented equipment. · Multi-plate type limited-slip differential · Sport exhaust system · Brembo braking system with performance brake pads · Manual parking brake · 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin PS4 summer tires (F P225/40R19, R P255/35R19) · Aluminum door & console trim · Full LED headlights · Heated and ventilated front seats · Power driver seat cushion extension · Integrated Memory System (IMS) · Alloy pedals · Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel · Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology · Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) 3.3T Advanced: $43,750 ($45,750 with AWD) Standard features on the 365-hp/376lb-ft, G70 3.3T Advanced generously reinforce its sport-sedan image, adding to or replacing content on G70 2.0T Advanced. Rear-wheel drive is standard. · Multi-plate type limited-slip differential · Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel · Brembo braking system · Dual exhaust · Sport-tuned suspension · Steering with variable gear ratio · Alloy pedals · Integrated Memory System (IMS) · Full LED headlights · Integrated navigation system · Genesis logo approach lights · Aluminum door and console trim · Leather seating surfaces with heating and ventilation · Power driver seat bolster · Power driver seat cushion extension · Front passenger seat four-way power lumbar · Front passenger seat walk-in device · Power folding, auto-dimming outside mirrors · 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin PS4 summer tires (F P225/40R19, R P255/35R19); all-season tires for AWD models · Lexicon 15-speaker audio system with Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology G70 Advanced 3.3T AWD: $45,750 Includes all above-referenced G70 Advanced 3.3T RWD content plus: · HTRAC® AWD System · Heated steering wheel View full article

Cadillac is planning to make some significant changes to their V-Series sub-brand . Speaking to dealers yesterday in Las Vegas, General Motors product chief Mark Reuss said the lineup would expand beginning with the CT6 V-Sport next year - although it will be renamed to the CT6-V. "Beginning with the debut of the CTS-V Sedan in 2004, the V-Series sub-brand sparked new life into Cadillac. As a result of the overwhelming response the CT6 V-Sport received when revealed in early 2018, we've decided to formally make it a V-Series, signaling the expansion of V-Series," said Reuss in a statement. The CT6-V made its official debut at the New York Auto Show in March. It will boast a twin-turbo 4.2L V8 engine with double overhead cams producing 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Other changes include a rear limited-slip differential, revised suspension components, and large Brembo brakes. A detuned version of the twin-turbo V8 will be available on the CT6 Platinum. A Cadillac spokesman declined to comment on what the future models will get V variants, but we would assume the upcoming CT4 and CT5 are on the table. 2019 will be the final year for both the ATS-V and CTS-V a spokesman told Autoblog. Source: Autoblog, Automotive News (Subscription Required), Cadillac View full article

About a year ago, European antitrust regulators became very suspicious that BMW, Daimler, and Volkswagen were involved in a longstanding automotive cartel that colluded on restricting certain emissions control devices for the market. Raids were carried out at various facilities, but nothing came out. That changed yesterday as the European Commission has opened a formal investigation. "The Commission is investigating whether BMW, Daimler and VW agreed not to compete against each other on the development and roll-out of important systems to reduce harmful emissions from petrol and diesel passenger cars," said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, head of competition policy for the European Commission in a statement. "These technologies aim at making passenger cars less damaging to the environment. If proven, this collusion may have denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars, despite the technology being available to the manufacturers." The technologies in question include selective catalytic reduction systems that reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides from diesel cars, and "Otto" particulate filters that capture particulate emissions from gas vehicles. The commission also revealed the group discussed common requirements for car parts and testing procedures, though there isn't evidence to say if they were illegal or not. It is also mentioned that there was no evidence that the automakers coordinated in the use of defeat devices. Daimler and Volkswagen told Reuters they were cooperating with the commission. BMW said it would continue to support the authority of the commission. Source: Reuters, European Commission Antitrust: Commission opens formal investigation into possible collusion between BMW, Daimler and the VW group on clean emission technology Brussels, 18 September 2018 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether BMW, Daimler and VW (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche) colluded, in breach of EU antitrust rules, to avoid competition on the development and roll-out of technology to clean the emissions of petrol and diesel passenger cars. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "The Commission is investigating whether BMW, Daimler and VW agreed not to compete against each other on the development and roll-out of important systems to reduce harmful emissions from petrol and diesel passenger cars. These technologies aim at making passenger cars less damaging to the environment. If proven, this collusion may have denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars, despite the technology being available to the manufacturers." In October 2017, the Commission carried out inspections at the premises of BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Audi in Germany as part of its initial inquiries into possible collusion between car manufacturers on the technological development of passenger cars. The Commission's in-depth investigation focusses on information indicating that BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche, also called the "circle of five", participated in meetings where they discussed inter alia the development and deployment of technologies to limit harmful car exhaust emissions. In particular, the Commission is assessing whether the companies colluded to limit the development and roll-out of certain emissions control systems for cars sold in the European Economic Area, namely: selective catalytic reduction ('SCR') systems to reduce harmful nitrogen oxides emissions from passenger cars with diesel engines; and 'Otto' particulate filters ('OPF') to reduce harmful particulate matter emissions from passenger cars with petrol engines. The in-depth investigation will aim to establish whether the conduct of BMW, Daimler and VW may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices, including agreements to limit or control technical development (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). At this stage, the Commission has no indications that the parties coordinated with each other in relation to the use of illegal defeat devices to cheat regulatory testing. The Commission will carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome. Other topics discussed by the companies The Commission's formal investigation concerns solely the emissions control systems identified above. These were only some of the issues discussed by the "circle of five". Numerous other technical topics were discussed, including common quality requirements for car parts, common quality testing procedures or exchanges concerning their own car models that were already on the market. The "circle of five" also had discussions on the maximum speed at which the roofs of convertible cars can open or close, and at which the cruise control will work. Cooperation also extended to the area of crash tests and crash test dummies where the car companies pooled technical expertise and development efforts to improve testing procedures for car safety. At this stage the Commission does not have sufficient indications that these discussions between the "circle of five" constituted anti-competitive conduct that would merit further investigation. EU antitrust rules leave room for technical cooperation aimed at improving product quality. The Commission's in-depth investigation in this case concerns specific cooperation that is suspected to have aimed at limiting the technical development or preventing the roll-out of technical devices. View full article