William Maley

From the 'how does this make sense' file, Fiat Chrysler Automobile is planning to expand its dealer network in the U.S. by adding around 380 new dealers. This news first came to light last week as Automotive News learned from two dealers and a source at FCA about the plans. The goal of this expansion is to try and expand market share. But there are a number of issues. For one, FCA has been seeing its sales and market share drop in the past few months due to a thinner product lineup. Second, some of the locations that FCA is planning to put new stores are within a few miles of existing stores. For example, two dealers in Louisana have filed protests with Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission for a proposed dealer in Kenner, LA. One of the dealers notes in their protest that the location is less than five miles from where they are. As they say in their protest, "will either be closer to Bergeron or, worse, must drive by Bergeron, if they are going to do business with the new point." A number of dealers in Texas have also filed complaints on new dealerships in their respective areas. Finally, an internal FCA source tells Automotive News that the company's dealership location consultant, Urban Science doesn't agree with the expansion plans. The data from the consultant "does not support these additional points." Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Urban Sciences were unable to comment. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), 2 View full article

Previous Page Next Page It was a couple of months ago that Opel/Vauxhall/Holden unveiled the brand new Insignia Grand Sport/Commodore to the world. Today, the three automakers revealed the sister model, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon. Basically, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon follows the same the design as the Grand Sport/Commodore albeit with a longer roofline. This allows for an increase in cargo space with 520 liters (about 18.3 cubic feet) on offer behind the rear seats and 1,638 liters (about 57.8 cubic feet) when folded. Like the new Grand Sport/Commodore, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon uses a new architecture that cuts 200 kilograms (about 441 pounds) from the curb weight. The Sports Tourer/Sportswagon will also get the torque vectoring all-wheel drive system and adaptive suspension. Opel and Vauxhall are keeping quiet on the engine lineup, saying the Sports Tourer will be available with a range of gas and diesel engines. As for Holden, the Commodore Sportwagon will be offered with two turbocharged 2.0L engines - gas and diesel - and a 3.6L V6. Opel will be showing off both Insignias next month at the Geneva Motor Show with sales beginning sometime later. Holden plans on selling the Commodore Sportwagon next year. The big question is whether or not Buick will get this variant. There have been rumors flying around that it would get this, albeit something in the form like the Subaru Outback. Source: Opel, Holden Press Release is on Page 2 Spacious and Sporty: The New Opel Insignia Sports Tourer Spacious: 100 liters more trunk space compared to predecessor, kicking motion opens power tailgate Fun: Convincing driving dynamics, all-wheel drive with torque vectoring Impressive: Consistent dynamic line following example of the Monza Concept Protective: With Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and more Bright: Latest generation Opel IntelliLux LED® matrix light turn night into day Connected: IntelliLink infotainment on Opel OnStar with hotel booking and parking information Cozy: Heated windshield, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats Coming soon: World premiere in Geneva this March, order books open in February Rüsselsheim. The all-new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer is in extremely good shape. It follows the sporty example set by a large coupé, is uncompromisingly spacious and offers exemplary safety just like a true flagship should. The second generation Insignia impresses with its breathtaking lines, a trunk volume that has been increased to 1,640 liters – over 100 liters more than the outgoing model – and high-tech solutions ranging from the trendsetting Opel IntelliLux LED® matrix headlights and ultra-modern driver assistance systems to the cool head-up display. In addition, the Insignia comes with Opel-typical first-class connectivity with smartphone integration which now offers a new Opel OnStar feature – the Personal Assistant which allows Insignia occupants to book hotel rooms and search for parking via an OnStar Advisor. The new flagship is also the first car made in Rüsselsheim available with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a 360° camera and intelligent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. The new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer will celebrate its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 7 and order books will open in February. The new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer is up to 200 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model – depending on powertrain and trim. This was mainly made possible by the use of lightweight materials and efficient packaging. Combined with the lower seating position of the driver it results in a noticeable increase in driving dynamics – never before has a large station wagon from Rüsselsheim been so agile. “Our new flagship is packed with ‘high-tech’ for everyone, with affordable technologies that make driving safer and more comfortable. Then there is the interior space! Whether for business or recreation, the new Insignia Sports Tourer meets just about every kind of transport requirement. In other words, it is the spaceship from Rüsselsheim! Finally, the driving experience – really dynamic! The car is much leaner than before and features the newest generation FlexRide chassis,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. High-tech assistance systems: For more comfort and safety The new Insignia Sports Tourer comes with the same leading technologies already announced for the Grand Sport sedan. Most notably that includes the next generation of the adaptive Opel IntelliLux LED® matrix light system, which is even quicker and more precise than before. Features such as Lane Keep Assist with automatic steering correction increase safety even further. Furthermore, the new Insignia is the first Opel with an active hood. In case of a collision, the hood lifts up in milliseconds, thus increasing the distance to the engine and offering pedestrians improved protection. Inside, the optional AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e. V.) premium ergonomic seats with massage, ventilation and memory function ensure an even more comfortable ride. Furthermore, the two outer rear seats are heated – just like the windshield. The large panorama sunroof enables an unhindered view towards heaven. Obviously, Opel thought about comfortable and clean loading. The tailgate of the new Insignia Sports Tourer can be opened and closed by making a kicking motion under the rear bumper. Emotional eye catcher: Insignia Sports Tourer in Monza Concept skin The new Insignia Grand Sport already takes many cues from the athletic Monza Concept but this is taken even further in the new generation Insignia Sports Tourer. Although the exterior dimensions have grown slightly to 4,986 millimeters, the newcomer looks much more athletic and agile. The 11 millimeters increased track, the prominent grille and the Monza Concept-inspired headlights all add to this perception. The car’s stance is also emphasized by the wheelbase, which has been extended by 92 millimeters to 2,829 millimeters, and a front overhang that has been reduced by 30 millimeters. The Opel blade starting in the front door and sweeping towards the rear helps carry the eye from front to back. The chrome window blade dynamically flows into the LED tail lamps and gives the ‘low’, only 1,483 millimeter tall Insignia Sports Tourer an even more athletic appearance. The silver roof rails (standard in all equipment levels) help stretch the car, make it look lower and emphasize the high-quality design. The Insignia Sports Tourer’s kinship with the Monza Concept is especially apparent at the rear: The shape looks much lighter than before with the newcomer defined by clear lines. Together with the slim, slightly protruding LED taillights in double-wing design, they help the rear end of the Opel flagship to make a strong impression. The high-tech look of the Monza Concept thus becomes reality. Easy loader: Tailgate with an extra kick The next generation Sports Tourer not only looks more elegant and sporty, it is also more practical. The overhang between bumper and trunk is reduced, thanks to the neatly designed tailgate, which also makes loading easier. In addition, the width between the wheel arches has increased, which makes it easier to install bulky items such as a dog kennel. The same applies to the length of the trunk, which has grown by 97 millimeters to 2,005 millimeters with the backs of the rear seats folded. The new Insignia Sports Tourer thus offers a maximum trunk volume of 1,640 liters, over 100 liters more than its predecessor. In order to make loading as easy as possible, the tailgate can be opened with a kick, without touching the car. In combination with “Keyless Open” a simple small kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate (a vehicle silhouette projected onto the ground shows the correct area). A further kicking motion under the bumper will close the tailgate. The clever system can detect any obstruction and stops the mechanism in case of emergency. In addition, for practicability, the height of the opening can be programmed, in case the car is in a garage. Furthermore, the tailgate can still be opened by a switch on the driver’s side of the car, a button at the rear or via the key’s remote control. In order to increase loading space the new Insignia Sports Tourer comes with optional 40/20/40 foldable rear seats enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. The rear seat bank can be folded down by simply pushing a button located in the luggage compartment. Furthermore, the FlexOrganizer Pack with side rails, dividing nets and various fastening options is available as an option so that all loaded materials can be stored safely and tidily. The upward-opening trunk cover makes for even easier access to the trunk. Wellness: Comfort and connectivity for driver and passengers The attention to detail is also recognizable in the passenger compartment. Headroom has increased by 31 millimeters, shoulder-room by 25 millimeters and space for the hips by 27 millimeters. Additional luxury is provided by the optional 1,400 x 860 millimeters panorama sunroof that stretches back over the heads of rear-seat passengers. For the first time, both outer rear seats of the Insignia are also heated. The cockpit is adapted to the person sitting behind the steering wheel. The driver of the new Insignia Sports Tourer sits lower in the car than before and is surrounded by the instruments and center console, as if sitting in a command center. Clear lines and sculptural surfaces true to the Opel design philosophy contribute further to the elegant appearance. The frameless touchscreen of the IntelliLink system, which is oriented towards the driver, displays a high-class character. In addition to the touchscreen, the controls can be operated intuitively by three rows of buttons. The top row is reserved for the infotainment system, the middle row for heating, ventilation and air conditioning and the bottom row is for driver assistance systems. Great entertainment and outstanding connectivity are ensured by the latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems. And while the smartphone is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment it now can also be charged wirelessly without the use of a cable. Naturally, the groundbreaking connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar is also on board, offering services ranging from Automatic Crash Response to Stolen Vehicle Assistance. A new Personal Assistant service will be launched together with the Insignia, enabling its occupants to ask OnStar advisors, for example, to select a hotel and proceed to room reservation as well as looking for available parking. Furthermore, the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot featured in the OnStar system allows all Insignia occupants to connect their devices to the net. Elsewhere, the premium, AGR-certified ergonomic front seats in the Insignia offer a unique combination of electric side bolster settings, massage, memory and ventilation functions while the heated windshield guarantees good visibility quickly on cold winter days. Top technologies: IntelliLux LED®, 360° camera, active Lane Keep Assist One of the highlights in every sense of the word is the (already) second generation of Opel’s innovative and award-winning adaptive IntelliLux LED® matrix light, enabled by new generation LED technology and further developments from Opel engineers. The Opel LED®matrix light now has 16 LED segments integrated into each of the very slim headlamps of the Insignia. The increased number of LED segments enables the various light patterns to adapt to the prevailing traffic situation even more precisely and the transitions between the multiple lighting patterns are faster and more seamless. To improve visibility even further while driving through curves on full high beam, Opel engineers added an innovative active curve lighting function to the new Insignia’s IntelliLux LED® matrix headlights. According to the steering angle, the light intensity provided by the LED segments lighting the inner of the curve rises to better illuminate the line to follow. Last but not least, a further, dedicated LED spotlight located within the low beam module provides additional illumination at full high-beam for up to 400 meters. Additional driver assistance systems include: Head-up-Display: Information on speed, traffic signs, set speed of speed limiter or navigation direction is projected onto the windshield and in the driver’s direct line of sight ensuring that the eyes remain on the road. 360° camera, which consists of four individual cameras on each side of the car. It enables a 360-degree bird’s-eye view and thus facilitates every parking maneuver. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which measures the distance to the vehicle in front and adapts the speed accordingly. ACC will initiate automatic emergency braking if the distance decreases abruptly. Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). Provides gentle steering wheel movements (and LDW alerts if necessary) to help drivers avoid unintentionally drifting out of their lane. Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects coming from up to 20 meters at 90 degrees from the left or right side behind the vehicle, a very useful function when reversing out of a parking spot with limited visibility. Pure fun to drive: Torque vectoring all-wheel drive and broad range of powertrains Driving pleasure and safety no matter what the conditions are guaranteed thanks to the Insignia’s new intelligent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring – the most sophisticated in class. Two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches in the all-wheel drive system replace the usual rear axle differential, providing a much more precise power transmission to each wheel individually, no matter whether the roads are graveled, wet, icy or snowy. When cornering, additional torque is transmitted to the outside rear wheel, sensibly reducing understeering and enabling more precise control. The system reacts within a split-second of the accelerator being pressed, ensuring that the car remains more stable and easier to steer in every situation. In addition, the further improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for excellent, situation-based driving behavior. FlexRide adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatics) independently or based on the modes ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’, which can be selected by the driver. The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyzes the information provided by the sensors and settings and recognizes the individual driving style. When the order books open, the Insignia Sports Tourer will be available with a range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines along with latest generation transmissions. An absolute newcomer can be found in the highly efficient eight-speed automatic. It impresses with class-leading shifting comfort and will initially only be available in combination with all-wheel drive. Previous Page Next Page View full article

Author's Note: Welcome the to first 'by the numbers' where we take a deeper look at sales numbers and give some perspective on them. Whether it is considering the weather affecting sales to understanding why midsize sedans are falling down, this is the place to see it a new light. January is never a good month when it comes to car sales. Coming from the spending and holidays of December, people are hesitant to spend money on expensive items. This was reflected in January sales with a 1.9 percent drop. “Coming off a record December and year in 2016, the industry in January took a bit of a pause with volume down slightly vs. a year ago,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division in a statement. Midsize sedan sales are getting clobbered January marked the tenth month of year-over-year decline in midsize sedan sales. As Tim Cain from The Truth About Cars notes , the class saw a 21 percent decline for the month. This is concerning considering passenger car sales only dropped 13 percent. The big losers for the month were the Hyundai Sonata (down 48.1 percent), Chevrolet Malibu (down 43.2 percent), and Toyota Camry (down 24.3 percent). A lot of this can be attributed to the rise of crossovers and SUVs. Data from Wards Auto shows sales of crossovers rose 9.4 percent and sales of SUVs up 12.6 percent for the month. Only two nameplates in the midsize sedan class actually saw sales go up - Mazda6 (up 28.3 percent) and Volkswagen Passat (up 64.2 percent). We need to put these numbers into perspective. This time last year, Volkswagen was still embroiled in the diesel emission scandal which caused all of Volkswagen's nameplates to dive downward. As for the Mazda6, that 28.3 percent increase only represents 728 additional models sold (3,300 in Jan 2017 vs, 2,572 in Jan 2016). What happened Toyota? January wasn't a pleasant month for Toyota and Lexus dealers. The company reported an 11.3 percent decrease in overall sales. Over at Lexus, they saw sales plummet 25.6 percent. What happened? As we mentioned above, the Camry saw a big drop in January sales. Not helping was Toyota's truck lineup posting a 4.1 percent drop and the Sienna seeing sales drop 33.7 percent. Over at Lexus, their entire passenger car line saw a 40.6 percent decline. SUVs and crossovers did slightly better with a 15 percent drop. Lexus general manager Jeff Bracken admits that December's big sales left dealers with a limited stock of their utility vehicles for January, which explains the sales decrease. Nissan's Crossover & Incentive Play Nissan had a record January with 100,761 vehicles leaving dealers. More than half of those sales came from their truck and utility line - 53,313 models. Out of that, 28,760 units came from Rogue crossover (up 46 percent). But January also saw Nissan increase incentives. According to ALG (via Automotive News (Subscription Required)), Nissan raised incentives 24 percent to an average of $4,335 when compared to last January. Other notes from the month: Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang all saw drops this month. Of course, you might be thinking, ITS WINTER! But last year, sales of three were slightly higher - Camaro: 5,551 in 2016 vs. 3,588 this year; Challenger: 5,661 in 2016 vs. 3,393 this year; Mustang: 7,580 in 2016 vs. 5,046 this year. You would think automakers would be increasing the transaction prices on SUVs and trucks to make a little bit more dough. Not so. According to Kelly Blue Book's monthly new-car transaction report, the average transaction price on trucks or SUVs either stayed the course or saw a slight decrease/increase (ranging -0.1 to 0.5 percent when compared to last month). Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sales slide continues with an 11 percent drop in January. How do you reverse this? Sources tell Automotive News that FCA is planning to add an additional 400 dealers in the U.S. That's on top of the almost 2,500 dealers across the country. What could go wrong? View full article

Almost four years ago, famed Corvette tuner Callaway showed a design study for a Corvette Stingray known as the AeroWagon. A shooting brake version of then new Corvette, the tuner announced later in the year that it would put the AeroWagon into production as it generated enough interest. Flash forward to now and Callaway has finally produced a production version of the AeroWagon, now known as the C21 AeroWagon. The model shown here comes courtesy of Callaway's General Manager of Operations, Peter Callaway on their Facebook page. Available only for the coupe, the conversion swaps the fastback for a longer roof piece and tailgate. All of the body panels are made out of carbon fiber and the rear glass is tempered safety glass that keeps the defroster. The best part of this conversion is that it uses all of the hardware and latching mechanisms from the hatchback, allowing for the easy reversal back to the standard fastback. The C21 AeroWagon conversion will set you back $14,990. Add an additional $2,980 if you want the AeroWagon to match the body color. Callaway will officially unveil the C21 AeroWagon at the National Corvette Museum’s Bash in Bowling Green, Ky from April 27th to 29th. Source: Callaway Facebook, Corvette Blogger Pic Credit: Peter Callaway View full article

A few weeks after the EPA accused Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of violating the Clean Air Act with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, CEO Sergio Marchionne said they hope to resolve this issue very soon. The Detroit Free Press reports FCA has been in discussions with the EPA and California Air Resources Board over this issue. Part of those discussions includes a possible fix - reflash the EcoDiesel's ECU to make them legal. “I think discussions are proceeding well, and I think they are a confirmation of the, certainly the goodwill that’s been established with the regulatory agencies now for a number of years, and it's something I expect that will continue," said Marchionne. Marchionne also said the Justice Department is assisting the EPA in their investigation, something we first reported in the rumorpile last month . Source: Detroit Free Press View full article

Hyundai is teasing their showing for next week's Chicago Auto Show which happens to be the next Elantra GT. But we already have a good idea what it might look like. How? The front end is the dead giveaway since it perfectly lines up with the i30 that debuted last fall at the Paris Motor Show. We can also take a possible guess as to what one of the engines could be. With the red trim and stitching on the steering wheel, this gives a hint that Hyundai will be employing the turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder from the Elantra Sport with 201 horsepower. We'll find if our guess is correct next Thursday. In the meantime, you can check out the Elantra GT teaser and i30 galleries below. Source: Hyundai Press Release is on Page 2 HYUNDAI RELEASES 2018 ELANTRA GT TEASER VIDEO AND IMAGES FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 2, 2017 - Get ready: One week from today, join us for the debut of the all-new 2018 Elantra GT at the Chicago Auto Show. More details to come! View full article