William Maley

Yes, Suzuki was in the black.. But they didn't really make any money. What they did was cut everything to the bone; marketing, people, vehicles, etc. As for product, there was a report from Automotive News saying new product could be here in 2015.. or an eternity in the automotive world.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 30, 2012 Sales of the Dodge Dart have been lackluster. For the first two months, Dodge has only sold 974 Darts. This would be ok if the Dart was a high-end luxury vehicle, not a vehicle competing in the highly contested compact market. Dealers say the reason for the slow sales is the majority of Darts being equipped with a manual transmission. "We were just told that [the automatics] weren't ready yet.We were a little surprised by it," Mr. Kelleher added. "We're a little bit out of the water with stick [shifts]. We sell so few of them," said David Kelleher, owner of a Chrysler dealership in Glen Mills, Pa. "A great majority of our customers who walk by the Dart are declining the manual," said Tamara Darvish, vice president of Darcars Automotive Group, a chain of 34 new-car franchises based in Silver Spring, Md. Reid Bigland, Dodge's chief executive explained that Chrysler began building the manual-transmission Darts to get the factory ramped up, but it has now added automatics to the line. Bigland says that 70% of Darts being built are equipped with the automatic. Bigland goes on to say that the company expects to sell 3,000 Darts for August. Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required) 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 August 30, 2012 If there was an automaker who closely followed Mitsubishi’s story in the U.S. to a degree, that automaker would be Suzuki. Suzuki, much like Mitsubishi was a rising star in the 1990’s and early 2000’s with vehicles like the Swift, Sidekick, Grand Vitara, XL7, and SX4. However in the late 2000’s, Suzuki began a fast decline into obscurity. Magazine and television ads began to disappear slowly, dealers either closed up shop or turned to something else, and people began to think that Suzuki was gone. Well, Suzuki is still around and building vehicles for the U.S. The brand’s newest vehicle, the Kizashi, is its second-take on a midsize sedan. Suzuki’s first attempt was the 2004 Verona. A rebadged Daewoo Magnus, the Verona was very forgettable and was pulled off the market. Since going on sale in 2010, the Kizashi has received favorable reviews in the automotive press as it is often lauded as one of the best sedans currently on sale. The buying public on the other hand doesn’t even know it exists. Does the Kizashi deserve more attention or should it stay in obscurity just like its brand? Next: The Outside Look Exterior Designers for the Kizashi went for a muscular, bold look. That’s evident when you look at the Kizashi ‘s front end where there is a sculpted hood, two-tiered front grille arrangement, a set of projector headlights, and flared front fenders. The side has a set of body skirts along the doors and a set of eighteen-inch sport wheels, which are standard equipment on the Sport GTS model, which we evaluated. Around the back, Suzuki’s designers did their own interpretation of the “Bangle-Butt” and it has actually worked. Other design cues for the back include an integrated spoiler with stoplight on the trunk lid and a set of chrome surrounds hiding the exhausts. Suzuki mostly pulls off the look on the Kizashi except for one item: ahead of the front wheels, Suzuki slapped on some bright orange reflectors for the turn signals. This addition doesn’t make sense for a vehicle design in the 21st century. Next: Come On In Interior The Kizashi’s interior is really impressive for a Suzuki. That might sound like an underhanded compliment, but anyone who has sat in past Suzuki vehicles knows, the interiors left a lot to desire. Materials used throughout are a combination of soft- and hard-touch plastics, and metal trim. Build quality is very good with no apparent gaps or separation of materials on the 14,000 mile example we had for review. The Sport GTS model comes with set a of bolstered, cloth bucket seats for the front passengers. The driver gets a power seat with ten-way adjustment, lumbar, and memory function. Finding a comfortable position in the seat does take some time, but you can find one. Back seat passengers will find a cloth-covered bench seat and a surprising amount of head and legroom. The Kizashi Sport GTS comes well equipped for the pricetag. Standard equipment includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, trip computer, dual-zone climate controls, Rockford Fosgate sound system, USB input for your MP3 player, sunroof, and 60/40 folding rear seats. The only options on our Kizashi were a trunk mat, floor mats, first aid kit, and a Bluetooth system. Next: Under the Hood Powertrain All Kizashi models come with one engine choice; a 2.4L inline-four producing either 185 HP (@ 6500 RPM) if you go for the six-speed manual or 180 HP (@ 6000 RPM) if you pick the CVT. Torque is 170 lb-ft (@ 4000 RPM), no matter the transmission choice. You also have the choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive. If you do go for all-wheel drive like ours, you only transmission choice is the CVT. Leaving from a stop, the 2.4L is initially sluggish before it starts to build some speed at a quick rate, as the engine revs up. If you need to make a pass or merge onto a freeway, the 2.4 is able to perform without a sweat. The CVT makes sure to keep you in the power as best as it can and is very smooth. Also, Suzuki fitted steering wheel paddles to the Sport GTS to mimic a six-speed transmission. The paddles do work very well, giving you the feeling of total control when taking the Kizashi for an enthusiastic drive. The Kizashi’s AWD system is unique as you can turn the system on and off via a button next to the steering wheel. The only way you know when you have engaged the system is an AWD light turns on in the instrument cluster. The system will seamlessly kick on if the Kizashi has a loss of traction or if you decide to be aggressive. The sacrifice you make for the sure footedness of all-wheel drive is less than ideal fuel economy rating. The EPA rates the Kizashi Sport GTS AWD EPA at 22 City/29 Highway/25 Combined. This comes from the extra 292 lbs the AWD system adds to the Kizashi’s weight. Average for the week was 24.5 MPG. On the highway, the Kizashi did much better, recording an average of 32.3 MPG. Next: The Drive Ride & Drive The Kizashi’s suspension is made up of MacPherson struts up front and a five-point multilink setup in the rear. Steering comes in the form of an electric power steering system with a rack and pinion setup. The steering feels like something you would find in a sports car. Each turn of the Kizashi’s steering wheel is directly sent to front tires. In turn, the system provides a surprising amount of road feel for the driver. This combination makes the Kizashi a joy to drive on curvy roads. During normal driving, the Kizashi does a good job of proving a mostly comfortable and stable ride for passengers. Driving on rough surfaces, the Kizashi’s suspension does a decent job of minimizing the impacts. Noise from engine is mostly well-muted. The same cannot be said for road and wind noise as both are somewhat existent, but not to the point where you carry some ear plugs. Next: The Verdict Verdict I wasn’t quite sure how I would feel at the time of the Kizashi’s departure, after the week-long evaluation. When that time came, I felt surprised and amazed at Suzuki’s second mid-size effort. The muscular and sporty exterior hides one of the best suspension and all-wheel-drive setups in the class. Plus, the Kizashi has one of the better CVTs in the industry and comes with a nicely-equipped interior. However, the Kizashi isn’t the most fuel-efficient vehicle, despite being one of the smallest and lightest in its class. Plus, the 2.4L is very sluggish on initial acceleration. Those problems pale in comparison to the biggest drawback the Kizashi has, Suzuki itself. As I eluded in the introduction, Suzuki in the U.S. isn’t doing so hot. In a report back in April, we wondered whether the brand was preparing to the North American market leave because of certain developments. Some of those included cutting auto show appearances, saying goodbye to the top U.S. product planning and marketing executive, and suspending social media outreach. Since that report, the news for Suzuki hasn’t got any better. For 2012, sales are still down and the company is focusing on controlling its expenses. Add to the lack advertising and the silence any new products coming to U.S., and it’s easy to see why everyone is wondering what the future holds for Suzuki in the U.S. That leaves me in a tough spot with the Kizashi since I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone. However, the uncertainty of Suzuki in the States gives me some hesitation on recommending it. If you’re shopping for a new midsize sedan, you do at least need to give the Kizashi a chance. Vehicles like the Kizashi only appear once in a while and might be not be long before this disappears. Cheers: Exterior Styling Interior Equipment Interior Space CVT AWD System Handling during sporty and normal driving Jeers: Reflectors on front fenders Fuel economy of the AWD Model Suzuki going dark on everything Year - 2012 Make – Suzuki Model – Kizashi Trim – Sport GTS Engine – 2.4L Inline-Four Driveline – All Wheel Drive, CVT Horsepower @ RPM - 180 @ 6000 Torque @ RPM – 170 @ 4000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined – 22/29/25 Curb Weight – 3533 lbs Location of Manufacture – Sagara, Japan Base Price - $25,899.00 As Tested Price - $26,404.00* (Doesn’t include Destination Charge) 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 August 29, 2012 For a second time this year, General Motors is putting the brakes on Volt production. According to Automotive News, the company plans to shut down the Detroit-Hamtramck from September 17 until October 15. Why? Well there are two reasons as to this. A GM spokesman tells Motor Trend, "the plant will be idled to match inventory with production, as well as retooling to get ready for 2014 Impala production." The 'match inventory with production' most likely is in reference to the Chevrolet Volt. Through July, 10,666 Volts have been sold, which more than triple the 2,870 Volts sold last year. However, the 10,666 Volts is a far cry from CEO Dan Akerson's 45,000 goal for this year. Also, GM dealers are currently sitting on 6,500 units or an 84 day supply. Source: Motor Trend, Automotive News (Subscription Required) 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 August 29, 2012 This week, Ford announced that its luxury branch, Lincoln will be heading out to China in the second half of 2014. "Lincoln is an important part of our plan, and introducing Lincoln in China marks the next step in our expansion in Asia and our commitment to serving customers in the luxury market," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. Lincoln says that by the end of this decade, luxury cars will account for 2.7 million sales. Lincoln also says that China will dwarf the U.S. in sales. What is Lincoln's strategy to take a slice of China's market? "Lincoln will deliver an exceptional and personalized brand experience for Chinese customers seeking luxury tailored to their own needs." Lincoln isn't saying what that will mean for their vehicle lineup in China, most likely long-wheelbase models are on the table. Source: Lincoln 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 Lincoln Coming to China, Bringing Rich Heritage and Unique Alternative to Growing Luxury Market Lincoln will be coming to China, offering its rich and unique heritage to customers seeking a new level of luxury Lincoln will provide a personalized brand experience for affluent Chinese customers seeking a luxury experience tailored to their specific needs Expansion into China further strengthens Ford Motor Company’s commitment and aggressive growth strategy in China and establishes Lincoln as a brand with global appeal; this mark’s Ford’s largest expansion in 50 years Lincoln cars will be available in China in the second half of 2014 BEIJING, 28 August, 2012 – Lincoln is coming to China, bringing its rich heritage and a unique alternative to the evolving luxury car customers in one of the world’s most important auto markets. With a nearly 100-year history, Lincoln will deliver an exceptional and personalized brand experience for Chinese customers seeking luxury tailored to their own needs. New Lincoln products will begin to be sold in China in the second half of 2014 through an independent dealer network. The company begins meeting with dealers interested in being part of Lincoln’s growth in China in the fourth quarter of this year. “Lincoln is an important part of our plan, and introducing Lincoln in China marks the next step in our expansion in Asia and our commitment to serving customers in the luxury market,” said Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally. “We recognize the growth potential for Lincoln in China, building on the growing appeal of our new Lincoln products and unique, personalized customer experience in North America.” Luxury for an Evolving Market The luxury segment in China is forecast to surpass the luxury segment in the United States by 2020. In China, luxury vehicle sales are expected to more than double – from 6 percent of the market today to nearly 9 percent by the end of the decade, according to IHS. Annual sales of luxury cars are forecast to be approximately 2.7 million units by then. In China, consumers now see luxury as more than a product, according to an intensive observation study of luxury car buyers conducted by TNS China, “Targeting luxury car drivers in China”. The study also shows that while many affluent consumers in China are still motivated by a primary desire to display their wealth noticeably, data gathered over the last 2 years reveals that a select group of consumers are evolving towards purchasing luxury for the personal experience rather than as an outward signal to others. Their motivation to purchase is also led by self-discovery of products and services that meet their own unique demands, providing a high degree of self-reward in making the right choice. Lincoln’s combination of outstanding products and a personalized luxury buying and ownership experience is expected to be particularly appealing to this evolving group of Chinese luxury consumers. “Globally, we’re seeing a new generation of luxury clients who value more individualistic and tailored options,” said Jim Farley, Group Vice President, Global Marketing Sales and Service, Ford Motor Company. “In China, the emerging luxury buyers are younger and fast-changing, and they have a strong desire to understand and appreciate the heritage of a brand- the origins of its real values such as timeless elegance, sophistication and craftsmanship in Lincoln.” A Luxury Brand Heritage, Unique Vision for the Future Lincoln, named after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, was founded by Henry Leland. Lincoln was acquired by Ford Motor Company in 1922 when it saw the potential in the brand and identified with its purpose to serve luxury customers uniquely. “Lincoln will distinguish itself by providing more individual and personalized motor cars, and a more personal and crafted experience to match,” said Farley. “The Lincoln experience promises to deliver elegant simplicity, something warmer and more personally engaging.” “Research shows that for luxury consumers in China, international credentials are not enough; heritage and excellence are also expected of a luxury car.” From the brand’s start, Lincolns were known for challenging convention and driving innovation in design and craftsmanship. This includes the ground-breaking design of the Lincoln Zephyr and original Lincoln Continental. Today, Lincoln is combining outstanding vehicles with personal and innovative customer service at every step. Ford Motor Company Expanding Aggressively in China “Lincoln’s introduction to China represents a significant step forward in Ford’s aggressive growth strategy for the country”, said Dave Schoch, Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. “We are on track to deliver 15 new Ford-branded vehicles and 20 powertrains by 2015 to Chinese customers. With Lincoln, we will be expanding our product offering to cover China’s fast-growing luxury car segment.” Ford Motor Company is building five new plants in China, including in Chongqing, which is home to the largest manufacturing location for Ford outside southeast Michigan. Once completed, the plants will double the company’s capacity in China to 1.2 million passenger vehicles a year. The expansion, the largest by Ford in 50 years, will help the automaker realize an increase in global sales by around 50 percent from 2010 to about 8 million vehicles annually by mid-decade. View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 29, 2012 Mazda has revealed the new 2014 Mazda6 mid-size sedan at the Moscow Auto Show. The exterior design follows Mazda's new Kodo ("Soul of Motion") design language and draws heavily from the company's 2011 Takeri concept. The front end has a very muscular look with a large five-point grille, character lines running along the hood, and reshaped headlights with LEDs. The side features a character line above the front wheel well that extends into the front doors. The back end has narrowed taillights, dual exhausts, and a chrome strip running along the hood. "We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realize a powerful presence," said Mazda's chief designer, Akira Tamatani. Inside the new 6, Mazda went for a straightforward and clean design. Also shoulder, knee, and leg room have all been increased thanks in part to a longer wheelbase. For the Russian market, the Mazda6 will come either a 2.0L Skyactiv four-cylinder producing 148 HP and going through a six-speed manual or automatic, and a 2.5L Skyactiv four producing 189 HP and going through a six-speed automatic. There is also a diesel engine in the cards. The Mazda6 will also premiere the "i-Eloop" system, which is a regenerative braking system. We'll learn what the U.S. spec Mazda6 will come with in due time. 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 THE ALL-NEW 2014 MAZDA6 SEDAN MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT IN MOSCOW Mazda to Showcase Redesigned Sedan With All-New Technology and Safety Features MOSCOW, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From design concept to final production, the all-new 2014 Mazda6 has been a feast for the eyes. Spawning from its TAKERI Concept beginnings, which made its global debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, the redesigned Mazda6 was adapted for more practical wheels-to-road use yet did not sacrifice style or its appeal of being a game-changer in the mid-size vehicle segment. The second Mazda to feature the full suite of SKYACTIV®[1] technologies, the Mazda6 will launch in Europe this year with an added slew of all-new safety features and fuel efficiency-improving technologies. The vehicle is expected to go on sale in the U.S. and Canada in early 2013. Similar to TAKERI, the Mazda6 features a bold new front fascia with a five-point "signature wing." Part of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language, this new family look evokes a tempered aggression, controlled yet taut beneath the three dominant character strokes that flow alongside the sculpted body. The Mazda6 sits on a 111-inch long wheelbase, allowing for a roomier interior and ample storage space. Compared to the previous generation, the front wheels have been pushed forward nearly four inches in relation to the A-pillar, resulting in reduced overhang while the rear deck has been shortened, further enhancing the vehicle's lower, leaner and longer stance. Under the hood of the Russian-specification Mazda6 is a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine that offers 134 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 155 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 can be paired with either the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. A SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine also will be available in the Russian market and boasts 189 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 189 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. The SKYACTIV-G 2.5 will be available with the SKYACTIV-Drive transmission. Final specifications for other global markets, including the U.S. and Canada, will be disclosed at a later date. To feed the rest of one's senses, the interior offers a driver-oriented cockpit with knobs and controls within intuitive reach. The luxurious interior overwhelms in its clean simplicity and quality materials. Cavernous but comfortable, the 2014 Mazda6 features a new instrument panel in two new metallic finishes – Bordeaux and Dark – as well as soft fabrics on frequently touched surfaces such as the door trim and along the instrument panel. The instrument cluster is presented with white scale markings on a dark spindle groove-and-honeycomb pattern to accentuate clarity and readability. An encircling metal ring provides a distinctive finishing touch. Wrapped in an all-new "Soul Red" metallic paint finish, itself developed through a unique technological process that balances depth and shading while providing vividness, the Mazda6 rests upon 19-inch, five-double-spoke alloy wheels, which offer added stability to the dynamics of the vehicle's SKYACTIV-Body and SKYACTIV-Chassis. The SKYACTIV-Body structure utilizes more ultra-high tensile steel resulting in fewer materials used (and a lighter weight) while increasing torsional rigidity by almost 30 percent. The SKYACTIV-Chassis has a finely tuned front strut and rear multi-link suspension system, which deliver agile driving performance in the low- to mid-speed ranges and precise handling in high-speed driving. Engineering efforts also improved NVH performance to target class-leading quietness as well as optimizing the under-floor design to further improve aerodynamic airflow to a class-leading 0.26 coefficient of drag (Cd), which also contributes to increased fuel economy. Additional environmentally-conscious, fuel-efficient systems in the Mazda6 include the production debut of "i-ELOOP," the Mazda-engineered, world's-first capacitor-based regenerative braking system. In real-world driving conditions, which feature frequent acceleration and braking, i-ELOOP will improve fuel economy by up to 10 percent. The "i-stop" idling stop system also is available and offers a class-leading engine restart time of 0.35 seconds. The accelerated restart equates to a smoother, barely noticeable pick-up as well as significant improvement in stop-and-go fuel economy. Also, an award-winning single-nanotechnology in the catalyst improves the exhaust gas after-treatment process and reduces the amount of precious metal required. For the Russian-specification 2014 Mazda6, all-new safety features coupled with the brand's current array of advanced technologies offer an added sense of security and stability. Providing hawk-eyed vision in the moonlight, signature LED headlights paired with halo ring light guides are adopted for the first time in a Mazda production vehicle. With the available Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), the headlights beam and embrace curves on the road just as the vehicle does for added visibility. Other featured safety systems include: High-Beam Control (HBC): Uses a sensor to detect oncoming vehicles and automatically adjusts between high and low beam to avoid blinding other drivers at night. Hill Launch Assist (HLA): Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards while the driver's foot moves from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal when taking off on a hill. Emergency Stop Signal (ESS): Causes the hazard lights to rapidly flicker on and off in the event of panic braking at speeds of 31 MPH or higher in order to warn vehicles behind. Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM): Goes into effect at speeds of 19 MPH or higher and detects vehicles approaching from behind or driving in the blind spot area on either side, and alert the driver should s/he turn on the indicator signal to change lanes. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): Uses a camera to judge the position of lines on the road and alerts the driver of unintentional lane departures, thus minimizing the risk of collision due to driver inattention or fatigue. Smart City Brake Support (SCBS): Uses a near-infrared beam sensor to help prevent collisions and, in cases where prevention is not possible, reduce the impact of frontal collisions at low speed (up to 19 MPH) by automatically applying the vehicle's brakes. View full article