William Maley

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 20, 2012 (Author’s note: This is a new thing I’m trying out with the news coverage. Let me know what you think about this. -WM) Everyday, I go through a number of stories that I will post on Cheers & Gears. However, a good number of stories that I have picked out don’t make it onto the page during the week and either get posted next week or never. That’s about change with the arrival of the Cheers & Gears’ Weekend Edtion. Its where the stories that gotten forgotten about during the week get their due. In this first edition, we’ll be covering, Change of Guard at Volvo A Smaller Mazda California’s Best Selling Vehicle is..? Is There A Smaller Engine For The C7? And more.. Next: Change At Volvo Volvo’s Change of Guard Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby is stepping down from his position. According to a press release, Jacoby’s departure came “after an amicable agreement with the Board of Directors.” This doesn’t come as a shock as Jacoby suffered a mild stroke last month and was on medical leave. There also have been rumors of Jacoby clashing with board over management decisions.. This has only been made worse with the arrival of Vice Chairman Hans-Olov Olsson, a former Volvo CEO. Volvo’s parent company, Geely bought Olsson in earlier this year to help balance out decisions. Jacoby’s replacement is Hakan Samuelsson. Samuelsson currently is a member of the board and was the Chairman and CEO of truck manufacturer, MAN SE from 2005 to 2009. Samuelsson does come with some baggage. MAN SE was involved in a huge bribery scandal that involved inflated sales of their trucks. According to German business newspaper Handelsblatt last month, prosecutors had opened an investigation into Samuelsson to see if he was involved or knew about this. "My time on the Board has provided me with insight in the Volvo brand and the company. My focus will be on execution and performance, to secure profitability and meet our sales objectives. No other business is as demanding, complex and full of challenges as the automotive industry. I look forward to leading Volvo Car Group in the most exciting period of its history," said Håkan Samuelsson in the release. Source: Volvo, Handelsblatt (via TheTruthAboutCars.com) Press Release is on Page 3 The Small Mazda is on Page 4 Volvo Car Group appoints new President and CEO The Board of Directors of Volvo Car Group has appointed Håkan Samuelsson, currently Board member, as new President & CEO effective immediately. Stefan Jacoby will leave Volvo Car Group* after an amicable agreement with the Board of Directors. "I see major opportunities for Volvo Cars to improve profitability, and accelerate our growth plan in China specifically. I am convinced that Håkan Samuelsson's thorough experience and leadership will help us increase performance," says Li Shufu, majority shareholder and Chairman of the Board. He continues: "We have a strong strategy and transformation plan in place which we will now execute. I would like to thank Stefan Jacoby for his valuable and strong contribution developing the strategy and taking the company through the first two years following the acquisition of the Volvo Car Group by Zhejiang Geely Holding," says Li Shufu. Håkan Samuelsson has 35 years of experience from leading positions in the automotive industry, most recently as Chairman & CEO of MAN SE between 2005 and 2009. Since 2010 he is an independent member of the Board of Directors of Volvo Car Group. "My time on the Board has provided me with insight in the Volvo brand and the company. My focus will be on execution and performance, to secure profitability and meet our sales objectives. No other business is as demanding, complex and full of challenges as the automotive industry. I look forward to leading Volvo Car Group in the most exciting period of its history," says Håkan Samuelsson." Is There A Smaller Mazda In The Works? At the moment, the smallest Mazda you can buy is the Mazda2, a subcompact vehicle that uses the underpinnings of the Ford Fiesta. But Mazda wants to go smaller than that. “We are always looking at whether we need to produce a sub-B model,” said Mazda's GM of global sales and marketing, Yasuhiro Aoyama to Australian automotive website, GoAuto.com.au. Two options are on the table. Option one is to do a low-cost transport option for emerging markets. Option two is to do a super-frugal city car like Volkswagen’s UP! Either one of these plans could be implemented easier if with a partner (Ford or their new Friend, Fiat) or government incentives (Indonesia). If Mazda can’t get a partner or incentives, Aoyama said that Mazda has the design and engineering capabilities to do it by itself. If Mazda was to give a green light to this idea, the new vehicle would arrive sometime in the latter half of the decade. Source: goauto.com.au Next: California’s Best Selling Vehicle The Best Selling Vehicle In California Is... The Toyota Prius. Bloomberg Businessweek reports that through the first nine months of 2012, Toyota has sold 46,380 Prius models in California alone. That’s about 25% of Prius sales in the United States. There are two reasons for this. For one, California is still a place where imports are still king. Behind the Prius in sales, there is the Honda Civic, Accord, and the Toyota Camry. Secondly, the price of a gallon of gas in California is expensive. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of gas in California was $4.55, compared with a national average of $3.74. Source: Bloomberg Businessweek Next: Is There A Downsized Engine In The Cards For The C7? C7: Will There A Be Downsized Engine? This week brought forth the news we have be waiting for: the date of when we’ll actually see the seventh-generation Corvette. Chevrolet has teased that the only two parts of the C7 shares with the C6 is the cabin air filter and the rear latch for the roof panel. Otherwise, it’s all new. Autocar speculates that the the C7 will come with a 5.5L V8 as the base engine, while the 6.2L V8 would be for higher-end models. The 5.5L V8 will utilize an aluminium block, higher compression, and direct injection. There is also talk of a twin-turbo V6 for the C7, though some reports say the V6 could be destined for the C8. Source: Autocar Next: Why You’ll Be Seeing Less S-Classes Rolling Off The Line Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sees A Production Cut Reuters is reporting that Mercedes-Benz has cut production shifts for the S-Class down to one at its Sindelfingen, Germany plant. The reason: not enough demand for it. According to Automotive News Europe, sales of the S-Class have dropped 27% in Europe through the first eight months of this year. In China, Mercedes-Benz growth has slowed down (up 7% last month) when compared to Audi (up 21% last month) and BMW (up 59% last month). "Workers manufacturing the S class will be reassigned to the C-class assembly line during this period," Mercedes said. Source: Reuters, Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) Next: Opel, Europe’s Second Largest Automaker? Opel Wants To Take Second Largest Automaker In Europe From Ford In the “are you delusional” file; Opel’s interm CEO Thomas Sedran told German auto magazine Auto Bild, that he wants to be the second largest automaker in Europe, taking the title away from Ford. To pull this off, Sedran says the automaker will invest billions of euros in the development of new products and technologies. Opel will also count on newly-introduced products like the Mokka crossover, ADAM hatchback, and Cascada convertible. In spite of the large investments and new products, overtaking the blue oval in Europe is easier said than done for a few reasons, Opel has been hemorrhaging money for the past few quarters This September saw Opel sell 15.6% less vehicles than last September Rumors of General Motors selling Opel to PSA-Peugeot Citroen "With hard work we will again achieve success," Sedran said. Lets hope he’s not too late with that. Source: AutoBild via Left Lane News Next: A Quick Hit Quick Hits: AutoGuide has learned from a source that Hyundai is working on a manual transmission with rev-matching technology. The technology allows a vehicle create smooth downshifts by automatically blipping the throttle to match the engine rpms with the speed of the wheels. Nissan was the first automaker to implement this technology in the 2009 370Z. When asked about this rumor, a Hyundai spokesman neither confirmed or denied it. Source: AutoGuide William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster View full article

Thank you Black-Knight for posting this.. I wasted about a half-hour going through this.. Will say the Verano is the best of the bunch.

Unfortunately no. Given the different fascia on the mule, it could be the Colorado. But with the amount of camouflage, its hard to tell. My guess is when more of the camo comes off, then there will be a difference.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 18, 2012 Last month, we published a story on what was to be expected from next-generation Mazda3. Today, Auto Express got their hands on what is purported to be the new Mazda3. "Print-outs of these pictures were delivered to the Auto Express office in an unmarked envelope, and we’ve scanned them so you can take a look," Auto Express reports. The renderings show the 3 wearing the Kodo design language with shield-like front grille, chrome-trim that runs around the perimeter of the grille and into the headlights, embellished wheel-wells, and a up-swept line. When Auto Express asked Mazda about these pictures, Mazda responded that these renderings "are to show how the Kodo design language translates to new models, rather than a real car." Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 18, 2012 We've been seeing spy shots of the new Chevrolet Colorado for the past year or so. What we haven't seen is the new GMC Canyon.. Until today. PickupTrucks.com have got their hands on what could be the new GMC Canyon. In the pictures, the mule is wearing a different front fascia than in previous spy shots. "We've heard reported promises from GM executives, saying that the next-generation Canyon will go further than prior models to separate the GMC offering from its Chevy platform-mate. If the prototype caught here is the GMC Canyon, and the Chevy Colorado retains the styling from the globally available truck we've already seen, then it appears that GM might actually make good on its promise to make the Canyon a distinctive midsize pickup." the report goes on to say. The new Colorado and Canyon are expected to come out six to eight months after the new Silverado and Sierra are introduced. Source: PickupTrucks.com William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2012 Opel unveiled the new Cascada, a four-seater convertible that will be arriving at dealers early next year. The Cascada has many design cues from the Astra and Insignia with a chrome grille, bulging front hood, sculpted doors, and wing-shaped rear lights. Overall measurements for the Cascada are 184.9 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, which makes it a little bit larger than an Audi A5; one of the vehicles the Cascada is said to compete with. The fabric roof of the Cascada that retracts in 17 seconds and at speeds up to 31 MPH. Powertrains for the Cascada will include two variations of the 1.4L turbo, a new 1.6L SIDI turbo, and a 2.0 CDTI diesel engine. All engines will come with the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. Opel says the Cascada will come packed luxury and tech features. Features will include an adaptive forward lighting system,ergonomic heated front seats, and Opel Eye, a system that utilizes a front camera that recognize traffic signs. Opel Eye will also incorporate lane departure warning and forward collision alert. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster Press Release is on Page 2 New Opel Cascada: Athletic, glamorous midsize convertible Elongated 4-seater midsize convertible with muscular, timeless elegance Sophisticated, high-quality soft-top system operates at driving speeds of up to 50 km/h Outstanding body stiffness combined with HiPerStrut front suspension technology Broad powertrain line-up with new generation direct injection gasoline 1.6 Turbo 2012-10-17 Rüsselsheim. Back to the most intense automotive experiences: cruising along with the sun softly warming your skin; feeling the air thickening in your open hand as speed increases; tipping back your head and finding no limit to your view, just diving into the deep blue sky. These are typical Cascada moments. The Cascada, Opel's new all-season convertible due to be launched in early 2013, is a classy four-seater with an elongated silhouette and a high-quality soft top. Heading to the top of Opel's line-up, the Cascada is a midsize convertible not only by its size (length: 4,697 mm; width 1,840 mm excl. mirrors) but also by its allure and the premium technologies and features it offers. After several generations of compact Kadett and Astra cabriolets, Opel returns to an older tradition of prestigious and rare midsize, four-seat soft-top convertibles from the fifties and sixties – like the Kapitän and the Rekord – but in a new, refreshing way and with the best of modern technologies. The Cascada provides a sharp driving experience thanks to its super-rigid body, HiPerStrut front suspension and FlexRide adaptive damping system. Its driver and passengers can enjoy the open-air feeling thanks to the premium soft top that can be opened at the touch of a button in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Electric seat belt presenters, exclusive Nappa leather and ventilated, ergonomic seats as well as invisible, watchful safety systems make life serene and safe. Thomas Sedran, Deputy Chairman of Adam Opel Management Board: "The midsize cabriolet segment is only occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers. With the Cascada, Opel offers all the typical features and premium qualities of a midsize convertible, but at an affordable price. The Cascada rounds off Opel's product offensive: in 2012 and 2013, we're enhancing our portfolio and entering all-new segments, with the electric Ampera, the small SUV Mokka, the fashionable, urban ADAM, and now this midsize convertible." Attitude: Pure soft-top elegance enables full open-air enjoyment With its broad stance and a flowing continuity of sculptured shapes that is typical for Opel, the Cascada design reflects the classic and timeless elegance of the "Grandes Routières" of a bygone and glamorous age. With the top down for open-air drives, the Cascada has a perfectly clean profile: behind the fast and gracefully raked A-pillar, no roof top cover or visible rollover protection disturbs the silhouette. Below this clarity and to add some drama, the subtle Opel blade on the lower body side is mirrored in its upper part by a sharp crease that swings upward to the rear end, into the wraparound rear lights. The gently upswept waistline is highlighted by a horizontal chrome strip that elegantly sweeps around the cockpit, fluidly and elegantly marking the boundary between the roof top and the body. "Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up. Thanks to its high-quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Opel Cascada also cuts a fine figure when closed," says Malcolm Ward, Director Exterior Design. Tastefully sculpted in a purposeful power bulge, the bonnet tops a deepened front grille with bold chrome applications. The fog lights are carried in two overturned shark fin elements, which are visually enhanced and balanced by chrome inserts. Both using LED technology, the daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights incorporate the Opel-typical wing signature. In the rear, the LED lighting modules are diffused for giving a solid and sharp light signal - a typical feature of premium class cars. A proud chrome strip linking the lighting units set into the boot lid balances the front chrome trim. Top quality materials selected from suppliers of the most prestigious premium cabriolets are used to build Opel Cascada's soft top. It benefits from superior acoustic and thermal insulation thanks to a special layer of polyester fleece between the outside layer and the interior lining. An electro-hydraulic mechanism activated via a switch located between the front seats opens the roof in 17 seconds at driving speeds of up to 50 km/h – placing the Cascada among the benchmarks in roof-top operation. In addition, key-operated remote control for opening and closing the top is standard in all Cascada models. Three soft top colors are available at launch. They can be coordinated with ten different body colors. Indulgence: Crafted cockpit with outstanding comfort and functionality The Cascada's cockpit offers a striking, sculptural yet sporty design highlighted by precise, handcrafted details. The lines of the wing-shaped instrument panel, which features real stitching on soft, wrapped surfaces, flow into the doors, dynamically embracing the front-seat occupants. All new richly trimmed seats are offered in several elegantly embossed fabrics and leathers. The up-level AGR certified ergonomic seats are wrapped in rich, soft Nappa leather and benefit from heating and ventilation systems: on hot, sunny days, fresh air is drawn through the holes in the perforated leather to increase front occupants' comfort. Securing them is easy and comfortable due to the electric seat belt extender which brings the seat belt within close reach using a telescoping arm. An electric Easy Entry system makes access to the rear seat swift and comfortable. The Opel Cascada benefits from great storage and stowage capacity for a convertible, allowing comfortable, all-season daily use. Several useful, large storage spaces have been placed around the driver: in the door, in and under the instrument panel and, thanks to a standard Electric Park Brake, in the center console – just where you need storage space the most. The minimum load volume with the roof open is 280 liters, and up to 350 liters are available when the soft top is closed. To extend its load volume or transport exceptionally long objects, the Opel Cascada benefits from the FlexFold system that electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seat back rests – a feature that cannot be offered in hard-top cabriolets. Excellence: Superior body stiffness combines with outstanding chassis technology Body stiffness is a key criterion for open-roof vehicles; it has a high impact on their driving behavior, steering precision, acoustics, safety and comfort and also conveys a clear feeling of their genuine quality. The Opel Cascada provides an superior balance between torsional and bending stiffness thanks to several measures including impressive underbody crossed steel bars and reinforced rocker profiles. Compared to Opel's previous generation cabriolet, the Astra TwinTop, the Cascada's body is 43% stiffer in torsion and 10% in bending. This layout provides a solid basis for the suspension and contributes towards significant reduction in noise, vibrations and harshness. The new midsize Opel Cascada naturally has a more impressive footprint than the 2006 compact Astra Twin Top. The wheelbase is 71 mm longer, the front tread 56 mm and the rear tread 70 mm wider. That benefits handling and stability. The front axle of the Cascada features as standard the best of Opel chassis technology with the HiPerStrut layout that was initially developed for the Insignia OPC. HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) separates the functions of damping and steering and provides highest traction and cornering precision as well as reduced torque steer and improved grip under all circumstances. The Opel Cascada has electrically powered rack-and-pinion steering with speed sensitive assistance. For more direct steering feel and precision, the electric motor is mounted on the rack, as opposed to the base of the steering column. FlexRide, Opel's integrated, fully adaptive chassis control system is of course available in the Cascada. It enhances its ride and handling performance and safety as it adapts to the driving situation, driving style as well as the drivers' preferences. The Opel Cascada can be equipped with 17" to 20" wheels. Brake discs have sizes of up to 326 mm in front and 325 mm in rear. Performance: New generation direct Injection 1.6 Turbo gasoline engine A broad powertrain line-up will be available in the Opel Cascada convertible. The 1.4 gasoline Turbo opens the portfolio; it is combined with a manual 6-speed transmission and is available in two output versions of 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp, both delivering up to 220 Nm thanks to an overboost function. On the diesel side, the 2.0 CDTI with 121 kW/165 hp comes with either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission. This engine delivers up to 380 Nm when its overboost is active. The highlight in the Cascada powertrain line-up will be the 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC gasoline engine. This midsize direct injection unit is part of a fully new generation that makes its debut in early 2013 and is geared to very smooth ride and torque delivery and great fuel economy. It delivers 125 kW/170 hp, between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm – and 280 Nm thanks to an overboost function. This engine will be available with manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. The new, low-friction 6-speed automatic transmission in the Cascada features an Active Select function that allows manual shifting for a more sporty driving experience. More powerful versions of both gasoline and diesel engines will be launched in the Cascada at a later stage. Serenity: Sophisticated technology and safety features The Cascada combines an open-air driving experience with the best of Opel technology. This includes the AFL+ Adaptive Forward Lighting system with up to 11 automatic functions, the second generation Opel Eye front camera with its new, extended functionalities (enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert), a rear-view camera and an Advanced Park Assist that eases parking maneuvers, an ultra-sonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Hill Start Assist. The Cascada's extremely rigid passenger cell is mainly fabricated from high-strength steel for the least deformation and largest possible survival space in crash conditions. Doors have diagonally mounted ultra-high strength steel beams and beltline reinforcements. The A-pillars supporting the windscreen are in press hardened steel. In case of roll-over, pyrotechnically activated spring-loaded high-strength bars automatically deploy behind the rear seats. These pop-ups are also triggered during other severe impacts – when airbags are deployed – in order to prepare the vehicle for possible secondary impacts and resulting roll-over. Front seats both benefit from two-way active headrests and double seat belt pre-tensioners and even the two rear seats have seat belt pre-tensioners. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2012 Car is reporting that Mercedes-Benz is planning a smaller version of the venerable G-Class to compete with the replacement for the Land Rover Defender. Internally nicknamed ‘mini-G’, the vehicle will be based on the MFA platform of the new Mercedes A-class. No, the 'mini-G' isn't the A-Class based crossover that we have been reporting about for the past few months or so, this happens to be an addition. Styling will draw heavily from the G-Class with a tall, upright stance and almost horizontal roof. Powertrains will come from the A- and B-Class, and include gas and diesel engines. There will be a two-wheel drive and a four-wheel drive models. The model hasn't been approved by Mercedes at the moment. If it was to be approved, Car says the earliest we could see it is in 2015. Source: Car Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2012 When we last checked in on the Fisker Atlantic, the mid-size sedan that would take on the 5-Series, A6, CTS, and others, was delayed from next year to sometime in 2014. A new report from Reuters says Fisker has pushed back production of the Atlantic to late 2014 or 2015, a full two years behind the original production date. "The Atlantic is really the volume car that begins to build growth. It creates a business model that is one where we can really generate cash in the future," Chief Executive Tony Posawatz said during a conference call with investors and analysts. The conference call also revealed the Atlantic has a target base price of $55,000 and the underpinnings will be used to spawn several other models, including a new crossover. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2012 Cadillac's long-awaited extended-range electric coupe, the ELR will begin rolling off the lines at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant beginning in late 2013. “The ELR will be in a class by itself, further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology. People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design,” said GM's North America President Mark Reuss. GM is investing $35 Million into the plant to get it ready to build the ELR. Source: GM William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 Cadillac ELR to be Built at Detroit-Hamtramck Plant gets $35 million investment for extended-range electric vehicle DETROIT – Preparations will soon be under way at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant to build the Cadillac ELR, a luxury coupe featuring extended-range electric technology, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss said Tuesday. “The ELR will be in a class by itself, further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology,” Reuss said in a keynote address at the SAE Convergence Conference in Detroit. “People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design.” Production is scheduled to begin in late 2013. The addition of the ELR to Detroit-Hamtramck represents a $35 million investment and increases total product investment to $561 million since December 2009. It is the first two-door car built at the plant since the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado. "This investment reflects the corporation’s confidence that the highly skilled members of UAW Local 22 can successfully build one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world,” said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union's GM Department. “The hard work and dedication of our members demonstrates that we can competitively manufacture products for the future right here in Detroit.” The ELR is the production version of Cadillac’s Converj, a concept vehicle revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2009. The ELR will advance the design theme of the Converj while featuring an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium-ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It will use electricity as its primary power source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to a gasoline-powered electric generator to allow hundreds of additional driving miles. The lithium-ion battery will be built at GM’s Brownstown Battery Assembly plant in Brownstown, Mich. Detroit-Hamtramck is the only U.S. automotive manufacturing plant that mass produces extended-range electric vehicles. The plant is home to the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera, and Holden Volt extended-range electric vehicles. Extended-range electric vehicles are exported to 21 countries from the plant. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 16, 2012 The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf that was originally due out in the U.S. next fall has been pushed back to 2014. Rainer Michel, Volkswagen of America’s vice president of product marketing and strategy told Car & Driver about the delay. The reason is due to Volkswagen wanting to avoid unnecessary manufacturing complications at launch since the Golf is the key vehicle in Europe. Volkswagen officials are saying that North America market planning is ongoing.That includes where the Golf and GTI will be assembled. Currently, the Golf and GTI are built at the Wolfsburg plant. Speculation also has some production moving to Mexico. Source: Car & Driver William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article