William Maley

Hundred of thousands of people plopped down $1,000 to reserve a Tesla Model 3 last year. At the time, buyers were told not to expect their Model 3 until the end of 2018. Since then, buyers haven't been told a thing. When will their vehicle arrive? What options will be available? What will be the final price? None of these questions have been answers and some now are looking for answers. Bloomberg spoke with some people that dropped $1,000 deposit to get on the Model 3 reservation list. All of the people in the story want more information and hope they get some answers this Friday as Tesla will be holding an event to hand over the Model 3s to the first 30 customers. One key bit of information many buyers would like to know is where they fall on the reservation list. The U.S. begins to phase out $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles once an automaker has sold 200,000 vehicles. Tesla is hoping to produce 20,000 Model 3s by the end of the year. If this holds, Bloomberg projects that Tesla will cross this threshold sometime next year, leaving some buyers with a more expensive proposition. Source: Bloomberg Pic Credit: Elon Musk via Twitter View full article

It is a story we have all heard time and time again. A limited-run model is announced by an automaker and certain dealerships take advantage of this by marking up the price. Dodge had come up with a clever solution to prevent dealers from doing this with the upcoming Challenger SRT Demon by pushing their orders to the back of the line if they decide to mark up the price. But never underestimate dealers to find a way around this. Automotive News reports that various dealers are using intermediaries on eBay to auction off the right to purchase one of their allocated Demons. Last week, eBay had auctions by intermediaries that represent dealers in Louisana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The minimum bid to have the privilege of later paying sticker ranged $10,000 to $22,500. Completed auctions showed buyers were willing to pay $20,000 to $75,000 over sticker price. It should be noted that eBay doesn't indicate whether or not the transactions were carried out or not. An intermediate that was contacted by Automotive News said that he had an outside relationship with the dealer and that "there will be somebody directly from the dealership contacting the winning bidder prior to any money being exchanged so that the deal is understood from both sides." A source at FCA tells the publication the company is "monitoring" dealer actions, but there is little they can do about this. Some dealers it should be noted are trying to reach a moral comprise of sorts. Bill Marsh Chrysler in Traverse City is auctioning off the right to buy their Demon to existing customers. The amount will be donated to four local charities. The Demon itself will be sold for $1 under the sticker price. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

While Jaguar has been busy with the likes of the F-Pace and brand new E-Pace, the XJ flagship has been languishing away. There was the thought that the XJ could go to the great junkyard in the sky. But Jaguar has brought some new updates for the 2018 XJ. Let us focus on the big news first, the XJR575. Serving as the performance flagship model for the XJ, the 575 uses a supercharged 5.0: V8 with 575 horsepower (up 25) and 516 pound-feet. An eight-speed automatic routes power to the rear wheels. 0-60 takes 4.4 seconds and the XJR575 will hit a top speed of 186 mph. To help it stand apart from the standard XJR, the 575 comes with a new aero package, hood vents, 20-inch gloss black wheels, red brake calipers, and two colors created by the Special Vehicle Operations division; Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Grey. All XJs will benefit from a new 10-inch touchscreen, 4G LTE with Wi-Fi capability, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane keep assist, and park assist. Pricing details for the 2018 XJ will be announced at a later date. Source: Jaguar Press Release is on Page 2 GONE IN 44 SECONDS - NEW JAGUAR XJR575 HOSTS 186MPH INTERVIEW Jaguar designer Wayne Burgess answers questions at top speed to mark launch of new performance saloon Wayne Burgess, Production Studio Director and SVO Projects at Jaguar, quizzed by TV presenter and racer Amanda Stretton, at top speed in the back of the new 2018 Jaguar XJR575 (1) 186 mph XJR575 has more power than any previous XJ (1) Full-size performance sedan accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds – and reaches top speed in just 44 seconds (1) 5.0-liter Supercharged V8 engine produces 517 lb. ft. of torque The XJR575 continues a heritage of luxurious refinement and interior comfort for Jaguar sedans featuring upgraded performance and unique design touches Electronic Active Differential enables fine control of power delivery and maximizes traction Two new available paint options from Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division ensure XJR575 is more unique than ever Enhancements to Jaguar Touch Pro Infotainment system include addition of a larger 10-inch touchscreen and available 4G Wi-Fi2, (3) Intelligent driver assistance measures include Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Park Assist and Driver Condition Monitoring (4) Jaguar has launched its latest full-size super sedan, the new 2018 XJR575, with a high-speed interview starring Jaguar designer Wayne Burgess being questioned by TV presenter and race driver Amanda Stretton as the performance sedan accelerates to its top speed of 186mph.1 Lasting just 44 seconds – the time it takes the fastest iteration of the XJ sedan to reach its top speed – Burgess gave a quick-fire insight into the development of the potent new model. The high velocity interview was almost over before it began, but the unrelenting acceleration of the new XJ flagship did not stop Burgess, Production Studio Director and SVO Projects Director at Jaguar, from providing a unique take on the performance sedan. "I have done plenty of short interviews in my time, but nothing quite like this! It might have been a bit of fun but doesn’t it just demonstrate perfectly the extreme performance of the new XJR575. I could barely finish answering those quick-fire questions before we hit 186mph and then it was all over! Can we go again?" - WAYNE BURGESS, PRODUCTION STUDIO DIRECTOR AND SVO PROJECTS, JAGUAR The XJR575 is the new performance flagship for the XJ range; its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine benefits from a healthy 25 horsepower increase – from 550HP to 575HP – which delivers a 0-60mph time of just 4.2 seconds1. Coupled with 517 lb. ft. of available torque, the new addition to the XJ range effortlessly accelerates from a standstill while drivers benefit from Jaguar’s characteristic interior refinement. Customers will be able to choose between two bespoke exterior color finishes created by Special Vehicle Operations – Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Grey – while additional tailor-made exterior details include a rear spoiler, side sills, front bumper and lower air intakes featuring gloss black surrounds. Updated exterior badging and twin hood louvers distinguish the vehicle from the rest of the range, as do the red brake callipers that accompany the 20-inch 5 Split-Spoke 'Style 5044' gloss-black wheels. Bespoke embossed tread plates alongside intaglio and diamond-quilted seating add a final flourish to the interior of the XJR575. "This is a performance vehicle, but that doesn’t mean we have had to cut any corners when it comes to comfort or design. Jaguar is the standard bearer for interior refinement and the XJR575 is no different. It can go very quickly, but it does so with the serene comfort customers expect from a Jaguar saloon. That makes this a very special car indeed." - IAN CALLUM, DIRECTOR OF DESIGN, JAGUAR Further announcements for the rest of the core 2018 Jaguar XJ range and U.S. pricing will follow later this year. For additional information please visit www.JaguarUSA.com or your local retailer. View full article

With crossover and SUV sales booming, you would think Jeep would be one of the big winners. But that isn't the case. The Detroit Free Press reports that Jeep sales are down 13 percent in the first half of 2017 - 406,291 vs. 465,243 in 2016. Jeep CEO Mike Manley isn't worried. He tells the Free Press that the company knew sales would decline this year, but are expecting them to bounce back beginning in the second-half of the year with new and updated products. Some of the products include the next-generation Wrangler, Wagoneer, and updated versions of the Cherokee and Renegade. "If you look underneath the numbers, we’re doing exactly what we said. We’re in plus or minus 1% of exactly where I thought we would be in the U.S," said Manley. Part of this decline according to Manley is due to Jeep reducing fleet sales to focus more on retail sales. But given the demand for crossovers and SUVs, Jeep's decline is something that cannot be overlooked. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas notes in a report last week that Jeep accounts "for roughly 45% of FCA’s sales, 55% of revenue and nearly 75% of FCA’s (operating profit)." "That is Jeep’s territory where the market is right now … and they don’t seem to be capitalizing on it. Yes, Jeep is an iconic (brand), but I think them being down what it has been is surprising," said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at AutoTrader.com. Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst with Edmunds.com tells the Free Press that Jeep is facing tougher competition as more automakers throw their weight into the SUV/Crossover realm. “The issue now is that because SUVs are so popular in the market, other auto companies are heavily investing money in this space. Jeep has kind of always had that corner on this market, (but) a lot of other car companies are trying to encroach on their territory." But Caldwell expects Jeep to bounce back partly due to new products, but also the Jeep name. "Jeep is down, but given that they're an SUV brand, they're probably better poised to bounce back and it's not just one product that is going to help them do that, but the host of products that they have coming ... should definitely help,” said Caldwell. "Jeep is much stronger than the FCA brand. People know exactly who they are and what they are. ... (It) gives them an advantage as long as they keep true to that identity." Source: Detroit Free Press View full article

Just updated with some comments made by Cadillac President on the CT6 - a model which to my mind doesn't make any sense to kill off so soon.

This week, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles held a private meeting with a small number of Jeep dealers to talk about the next-generation Wrangler. The folks at JL Wrangler Forums were able to get some information about what was talked about at the meeting thanks to an anonymous source. Jeep is planning to debut the 2018 Wrangler at the LA Auto Show towards the end of November. Surprisingly, dealers are expected to have production models sitting on their lots a month later. Other details from this report include, 3.6L Pentastar V6 will have the option of automatic and manual 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (Codenamed Hurricane) will only have an automatic transmission Diesel option will not be arriving until the end of 2019 model year A power-sliding hardtop will become available in late 2018 Unlimited models will come with a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, meaning more rear legroom Source: JL Wrangler Forums View full article

Deliveries of the Ford GT have been going since February, but various issues have caused Ford to notify owners that their GTs will be running somewhat late. Automotive News reports that owners got a letter this week from Ford saying delivery of their GT will be pushed back due to supplier constraints and homologation testing issues. "The craftsmanship required to build these vehicles for global markets has required that we adjust our original timing projections," the letter says. The letter goes on to say customers will be notified with an updated "three-month projected delivery window" within the week. Ford declined to say how long the delays will be, telling Automotive News, that it "nearly completed" the ramp-up process. According to a spokesman, Ford has delivered about 50 GTs out of the 250 models that will be built through the 2020 model year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

General Motors has been seeing sales of their passenger cars take a sharp drop as buyers latch on to crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. The first half of 2017 has seen GM's passenger car sales drop 19 percent. In June, passenger cars went into freefall with a 36 percent drop. This has General Motors making some drastic decisions in terms of products and production sites. "We are talking to (GM) right now about the products that they currently have" at underused car plants such as Hamtramck in Michigan and Lordstown in Ohio, and whether they might be replaced with newer, more popular vehicles such as crossovers, said Dennis Williams, president of the UAW. According to sources, GM is considering dropping six models after 2020. The models include, Buick LaCrosse Cadillac CT6 (See Update Below) Cadillac XTS Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Sonic Chevrolet Volt Four of the vehicles listed (LaCrosse, CT6, Impala, and Volt) are built GM’s Hamtramck plant in Detroit. According to suppliers, Hamtramack's production output for the first half of 2017 is less than 35,000 vehicles, down 32 percent when compared to the same time last year. Other GM plants are able to produce 200,000 - 300,000 vehicles in a year, putting Hamtramck in a dangerous spot. GM must "create some innovative new products" to replace slow-selling sedans "or start closing plants," said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. A possibility of a new product is replacing the Volt with some sort of utility vehicle boasting a plug-in hybrid powertrain according to sources. Source: Reuters UPDATE: “There is absolutely, if I could speak all capitals now, they’d be coming out of my mouth. There is absolutely no plan, at all, to cancel the CT6,” said Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen to Jalopnik when asked about this report from Reuters. “That report came as a surprise to me, too.” de Nysschen said the brand is planning to invest more into the CT6 in the coming years as it will play an important role in the coming years. “The [CT6] forms a very important part of our product strategy going forward for the brand,” de Nysschen said. “The car also has a very major contribution to make to the shaping of brand perceptions, and the transformational process that Cadillac is undergoing as far as that is concerned.” Source: Jalopnik View full article

I'll be able to answer that soon as I will be getting one in for review.