William Maley

It is no secret that Sergio Marchionne has been looking for a buyer to take on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for the past two years. But no one seemed seriously interested. That has changed. Automotive News has learned from various sources that a number of Chinese automakers are conducting appraisals into FCA, with some meeting with representatives of U.S. retail groups about a potential acquisition last week. One source revealed that FCA executives have traveled to China to meet with Great Wall Motor Co. and that Chinese delegations were at FCA's HQ. AN also reports that a well-known Chinese automaker has put forth an offer this month for the company, but was turned down as it wasn't enough money to do a sale. It is unclear which Chinese automakers are looking at FCA. Aside from Great Wall, sources say Dongfeng Motor Corp., Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, and Guangzhou Automobile Group (FCA's joint venture partner in China) are interested. Unsurprisingly, FCA and the Chinese automakers are keeping their mouths shut. Why are Chinese automakers suddenly interested in FCA? Part of it comes from the government putting pressure on companies to expand beyond China. A government directive called China Outbound is pushing Chinese companies "to acquire international assets from their industries and operate them "to make their mark." "Right now, Chinese automakers enjoy the full support of the leadership in Beijing to go and make it happen. That's something brand new, and it's really picked up since 2015," said Michael Dunne, president of Dunne Automotive based in Hong Kong. A key example is Geely acquiring Volvo back in 2010. Also, FCA provides Chinese Automakers wanting to enter the U.S. something akin to a turnkey operation. FCA has about 2,600 dealers in the U.S., along with extensive networks in Canada and Mexico. Worldwide, FCA has 162 manufacturing operations and 87 research and development centers - something that would appeal to Chinese Automakers. So if a deal was worked out, what would a Chinese Automaker be getting? According to a source, the sale would include Jeep and Ram Trucks - FCA's profit makers, along with Chrysler, Dodge, and Fiat. Alfa Romeo and Maserati would be spun off to maximize returns for Exor - holding company controlled by Agnelli family which holds a controlling interest in FCA. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Opel and Vauxhall are currently in the process of working on a new business plan for their new owner, PSA Group. Already, it seems one project has been suspended. Auto Express has learned from sources that plans for a flagship SUV have been shelved for the time being. Possibly named Monza, the model would use the Insignia platform and be around the size of a Ford Edge. It seems PSA Group is putting a freeze on various projects that are related in some form to Opel/Vauxhall's former owner, General Motors. Whether or not the Monza is canned or moved to a platform from PSA Group remains to be seen. One thing is clear, changes are already happening. Source: Auto Express View full article

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has been lagging somewhat in sales when compared to the likes of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. Through July, Chevrolet only has moved 41,280 Camaros (down 2.5 percent). Compared to the Mustang which sold 50,814 (down 30 percent). The Challenger trails the Camaro but not by much - 41,243 units (up 2.6 percent). It gets worse when you compare it to last-generation Camaro. In 2015, the last year for the fifth-generation model, Chevrolet moved 77,502 models. A year later when the sixth-generation arrived, sales dropped to 72,705 models. To try and change the Camaro's fortunes, General Motors is considering making some changes to the lineup. Some of those changes will focus on the base and V8 models. "I think we've got opportunities at the very low end of the Camaro range and some remix of some of the V-8 options on it so we don't force people to buy all the options with a V-8, just to get a V-8," said GM product chief Mark Reuss. Reuss wouldn't go into detail about the possible changes or when we could see them. Bringing down the price of the V8 is a great start. The 2018 Camaro with the V8 begins at $37,995 which is $4,800 more the Mustang V8 and $5,000 more than the Challenger. We could see a base V8 with smaller wheels, skip the infotainment system and have a radio, and other changes. We hope Chevrolet is planning to make changes very soon as Ford's refreshed Mustang is just around the corner. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Ok, I made a slight alteration to the teaser here. I could have worded it better.

The Volkswagen Jetta is an outlier in the compact class. Whereas other automakers have been stepping up with sharper designs, more tech, and improved driving dynamics, Volkswagen went in a completely different direction by offering the biggest amount of interior space for not that much money. But to accomplish this, Volkswagen made a number of sacrifices in terms of design, materials, and mechanical bits. This put the Jetta way behind the pack of the fresh competition. But Volkswagen has been working to try and right some of the wrongs of the Jetta. A couple of years ago, Volkswagen updated the model with a new front end, new dashboard, and a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder to take place of the decrepit 2.0L. It salvages the Jetta’s reputation somewhat. The current Jetta is slightly better in terms of looks. A new front end with a larger grille and headlights with LED daytime running lights help make the model look more interesting to look at. Sadly, the rest of vehicle is as nondescript as before with nothing that jumps out at you. If you were to ask a small kid to draw a car, it would most likely look like the Jetta. If you ever wanted a master class of in how not to do an interior, the Jetta is a perfect candidate. Whereas most compact sedans show marked improvements in design and materials, the Jetta is like stepping back a decade or so. Our mid-level SE came with a large amount of cheap and hard plastics that you don’t see most compacts now - aside from the base models. The mostly black interior makes for a dreary experience. On the upside, Volkswagen has improved the dash by taking some ideas from the Golf. A new instrument cluster and revised center stack layout helps make the Jetta not feel as cheap as the previous model. It also makes for an easier time to find various controls and reading things at a quick glance. All Jettas get Volkswagen’s Car-Net infotainment system. The base S makes do with a 5-inch touchscreen, while the SE and higher trims use a 6.3-inch screen. Car-Net is one of the best infotainment systems on sale today thanks to a sharp interface, simple layout of the various functions, and the ability to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Space is the Jetta’s key selling point. The back seat alone dwarfs most compacts and even gives some midsize sedans a run for their money. Sitting back here, I could stretch out with no issue. The trunk is also huge, offering up 15.7 cubic feet. I do wish the front seats were a bit more comfortable. Most of the week found me constantly adjusting the seat to try and find a position that wouldn’t cause me to ache after a drive. The SE comes with a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder offering 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle came with the standard five-speed manual, but a six-speed automatic is available. On paper, the 1.4T should be a strong engine as it offers the same torque figure as the larger 1.8T at a lower rpm (1,400 rpm vs. 1,500 rpm). In the real world, this doesn’t happen. You’ll need to get the engine above 2,000 rpm to wake it up. At first, I thought we were dealing with a bad case of turbo lag. But further investigation revealed the five-speed manual is at fault. Volkswagen used taller gearing to make up for a missing sixth gear and improve fuel economy. I can’t help but wonder if the six-speed automatic alleviates this issue. Once you figure this out, the 1.4T is a surprising performer. Speed comes on at a rapid rate once your above 2,000 rpm. The engine is also very smooth and makes a pleasant noise when accelerating. The manual is somewhat difficult to work as the gear linkage feels somewhat stiff when moving through the gears. The clutch is light and it’s easy to find the take-off point. EPA fuel economy figures for the 1.4T manual stand at 28 City/40 Highway/33 Combined. I saw an average of 35 mpg that was a mix of 70 percent city driving and 30 percent highway driving. The automatic sees a slight drop in fuel economy to 28/38/32. One item we’re glad to see the lesser Jetta models get is a multilink rear suspension - replacing the rear beam axle of previous models. This makes a huge difference in ride and handling. On rough roads, the Jetta provides a compliant and comfortable ride. Handling is almost similar to the Golf Wolfsburg I drove earlier in the year - little body roll and excellent steering response. The SE seen here came with an as-tested price of $21,795 with destination. That includes 16-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, blind spot monitoring, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, and a power sunroof. The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is much better than the model that was launched only five years ago. But that isn’t saying a lot considering how much the compact class has moved up in this time frame. Price may be the Jetta’s ultimate strength as it offers a lot of features for the money with the 1.4T engine and interior space running slightly behind. Everywhere else, the Jetta is outmatched. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the Jetta, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2017 Make: Volkswagen Model: Jetta Trim: SE Engine: Turbocharged 1.4L 16V TSI Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Manual, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 150 @ 5,000 Torque @ RPM: 184 @ 1,400 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 28/40/33 Curb Weight: 2,939 lbs Location of Manufacture: Puebla, Mexico Base Price: $20,895 As Tested Price: $21,715 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A View full article

After three years of fighting, General Motors has finally gotten the green light from IP Australia to use the Corvette emblem in the country. Wheels Magazine reports that Australia's governing body on trademarks has rejected GM's application for the Corvette emblem four different times. The initial rejection by IP Australia was due to yellow-on-red bowtie used on the emblem looking similar to the Red Cross, "a symbol protected under international law and with deep ties to Australia’s wartime history," according to Wheels. The international law in question is the Geneva Conventions Act of 1957 which states the emblem can only be used during times of war or conflict as a “do not fire upon” marking. But there are some strings attached to GM's victory. “It is a condition of registration that, in use, the cross device contained within the trade mark will be rendered in colours other than red on a white or silver background, or white or silver on a red background,” said IP Australia. This is some good news for GM as rumor has it that the next-generation model - the rumored mid-engine one - is destined for Australia. Source: Wheels View full article

Acura has pulled the curtain back on the refreshed 2018 RLX sedan. Your first thought might be along the lines of, "that's still a thing?" We can't blame you for this train of thought. Acura only sold 1,478 RLXs last year. To give you some perspective, 46,740 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models were sold in this same period. Despite this, Acura is still planning to soldier on the RLX. The most obvious change for the RLX is the new front end. Acura's "diamond pentagon" grille is here, along with the jewel eye headlights and a new sculpted hood. The back also sees some changes with new LED taillights and a gloss black rear diffuser. The interior doesn't see many changes aside from new materials and reshaped front seats. Acura will offer two variants of the RLX. The RLX with Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) uses a 3.5L V6 with 310 horsepower and a new 10-speed automatic. One step above is the RLX Sport Hybrid with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) which takes the V6 and pairs it up with three electric motors to produce a combined output of 377 horsepower. For safety, the 2018 RLX comes with the AcuraWatch suite of technologies including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Exclusive to AcuraWatch is Traffic Jam Assist which uses the adaptive cruise control and Low Speed Follow systems to keep the vehicle moving at a set distance in congested traffic, “This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president & general manager in a statement. The 2018 RLX will make its official debut next week during Monterey Automotive Week in California. Source: Acura Press Release is on Page 2 Acura Reveals Striking New Design for 2018 Acura RLX; Debut Set for Monterey Automotive Week Aug 10, 2017 - TORRANCE, Calif. 2018 Acura RLX adopts new Acura design direction including signature diamond pentagon grille Supercar inspired 377-horsepower RLX Sport Hybrid with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ has been further optimized based on NSX learnings Standard AcuraWatch™ enhanced with Traffic Jam Assist, an Acura first Acura today unveiled a redesigned 2018 Acura RLX reflecting the brand’s new Precision Crafted Performance design direction to create a more substantial presence for Acura’s top-of-the-line luxury sports sedan. The 2018 Acura RLX will make its public debut during the prestigious Monterey Automotive Week, August 15-19 on the Monterey peninsula. The new RLX incorporates design cues to showcase its performance capabilities, including Acura’s signature diamond pentagon grille, a more sculpted hood, new wheel designs, bold, newly designed LED taillights, dual exhaust finishers and a gloss black rear diffuser. The 2018 Acura RLX is the most sophisticated and best performing Acura sedan ever, with Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD™) technology, shared with the NSX supercar, that creates a powerful and precise driving experience unmatched in the segment. Acura has simplified the RLX trim structure to make the brand’s innovative Sport Hybrid technology more desirable and accessible streamlining the offering to two well-equipped variants. The new 2018 Acura RLX will go on sale in November. The 377 total system horsepowersup1 RLX Sport Hybrid seamlessly integrates a direct-injected V-6 with three electric motors and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ for instant acceleration, precise handling, outstanding all-weather performance and excellent fuel economy. Based on developments from the NSX, the RLX Sport Hybrid powertrain and dynamic handling has been further optimized. The 310-horsepower RLX with Precision All-Wheel Steer™ is now mated to a new 10-speed Automatic Transmission (10AT) delivering a more refined driving experience, as well as improved acceleration and passing times. “This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president & general manager. Standard features on the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid include premium Krell Audio System, Surround View Camera, parking sensors, LED fog lights, remote engine start, ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel and more. The 2018 RLX features the unique AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies, as standard equipment, and has been enhanced with the addition of Traffic Jam Assist, a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist helps reduce driver stress in highly congested traffic situations by helping keep the vehicle in its lane and a set interval behind a car detected ahead. AcuraWatch™ also includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). AcuraWatch uses a millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect other vehicles as well as lane markings and can help intervene to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision. The 2018 Acura RLX is complimented by three new exterior colors including two premium paint offerings – Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl. Inside, the 2018 Acura RLX receives upgraded materials and touchpoints including a completely redesigned seat featuring high-contrast piping and stitching, as well as a new Espresso interior option, which adds sophistication to an interior with class-leading space and comfort. The 2018 Acura RLX will be featured at multiple events throughout Monterey Automotive Week including the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue on Tuesday, August 15 and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, on Friday, August 18. View full article