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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    Cadillac's flagship is and has been the Escalade for more than a decade. I still think Cadillac's strategy is going to be offering the largest vehicle in a price class. The CT5 aligned against the 3-series, the CT6 aligned against the 5-series, etc.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    Sometimes sibling rivalries work. Such is the case with Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai unveiled the tiny crossover Hyundai Venue this month at the New York International Auto Show. Once it hits the market, it will be the shortest crossover available. One of the downsides of the Venue and its main rival the Nissan Kicks is the lack of all-wheel drive. Even Kia's own Soul does not have all-wheel drive. Kia, with an eye on the Venue, is looking for its own small crossover, but with all-wheel drive capability. They recently showed the Kia SP Signature Concept which shares its dirty bits with the next generation of the Hyundai Creta, a small SUV only sold overseas. Still larger than the Venue, this model is likely to see production for the US market under the Kia badge. The timeline for such an introduction is still uncertain, but it could happen as soon as the Los Angeles Auto Show late in 2019. View full article
  3. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Kia Looking to Bring Out Tiny Crossover Also"
    Sometimes sibling rivalries work. Such is the case with Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai unveiled the tiny crossover Hyundai Venue this month at the New York International Auto Show. Once it hits the market, it will be the shortest crossover available. One of the downsides of the Venue and its main rival the Nissan Kicks is the lack of all-wheel drive. Even Kia's own Soul does not have all-wheel drive. Kia, with an eye on the Venue, is looking for its own small crossover, but with all-wheel drive capability. They recently showed the Kia SP Signature Concept which shares its dirty bits with the next generation of the Hyundai Creta, a small SUV only sold overseas. Still larger than the Venue, this model is likely to see production for the US market under the Kia badge. The timeline for such an introduction is still uncertain, but it could happen as soon as the Los Angeles Auto Show late in 2019.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Cadillac SuperCruise Getting Big Upgrades"
    Cadillac's SuperCruise is currently considered the best of the hands free driving systems on the market, but some recent upgrades to Tesla's AutoPilot are pushing Cadillac to innovate further. Cadillac plans to roll out SuperCruise to all of its models starting with the 2020 model year. Before that happens, Cadillac has some updates in store. Cadillac is able to push updates to the SuperCruise system via an over the air package. While not considered a "next generation" of SuperCruise, Cadillac will be adding capabilities. Those could be features like automatic lane changes and wider availability of the system on interchanges. In addition, the just released Cadillac CT5 gets slightly upgraded hardware over the CT6. One area where Cadillac has made improvements is in feedback to the driver. If SuperCruise can't see road markings due to poor road conditions like snow or heavy rain, the system will display a message as to why it cannot engage. SuperCruise monitors data from customers and they analyze why the system disengages. This data is then used for further development and refinement of the system. Cadillac said in vehicles so equipped that 70 percent of all highway miles driven are traveled with SuperCruise active.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    The 3.6 with the 10-speed in such a light for its size vehicle is fine as a base powertrain. Why shouldn't the CT6 compete with the E300 by offering a V6 in place of a 4-cylinder?
  6. Drew Dowdell
    This whole crossover craze has gone a bit too far....
  7. Drew Dowdell
    Well, so much for that...
  8. Drew Dowdell
    I'd take on with an automatic at $151 a month, but like @ocnblu I would go way over on mileage... though not quite as far.
  9. Drew Dowdell
    We've been reporting that the future of SMART in the U.S. was uncertain. In an email to TechCrunch, Daimler has announced that SMART will end sales of their one model, the SMART EQ Fortwo, at the end of this model year. Mercedes-Benz dealers in the US and Canada will continue to service and support SMART owners. The SMART EQ Fortwo is a electric only vehicle with a range of about 58 miles. SMART stopped selling the gasoline version of the car after 2017. Daimler is not killing the brand entirely. They have joined with Chinese manufacturer Geely to produce the SMART brand for China and other global markets. SMART vehicles are the primary vehicle in car sharing company Car2Go's fleets. Car2go recently rebranded to ShareNow in partnership with BMW and has added CLA and GLA models to its fleet. View full article
  10. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "SMART Exits North America"
    We've been reporting that the future of SMART in the U.S. was uncertain. In an email to TechCrunch, Daimler has announced that SMART will end sales of their one model, the SMART EQ Fortwo, at the end of this model year. Mercedes-Benz dealers in the US and Canada will continue to service and support SMART owners. The SMART EQ Fortwo is a electric only vehicle with a range of about 58 miles. SMART stopped selling the gasoline version of the car after 2017. Daimler is not killing the brand entirely. They have joined with Chinese manufacturer Geely to produce the SMART brand for China and other global markets. SMART vehicles are the primary vehicle in car sharing company Car2Go's fleets. Car2go recently rebranded to ShareNow in partnership with BMW and has added CLA and GLA models to its fleet.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    15 years ago I would have said a car like the venue would never sell. Now it probably will be one of Hyundai's best sellers
  12. Drew Dowdell
    We haven't had a good one here in so long, there's no way to tell how the market would respond these days.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    The European car market as a whole has been in decline for six consecutive months as of March 2019 with 19 out of 27 markets posting declines. March numbers were down 3.6 percent over the same month in 2018. Looking at the first quarter of 2019 paints an even bleaker picture with only 6 countries recording growth. While overall demand is down, the demand for electric vehicles grows. The sales of EVs exceeded 100,000 units for the first time ever with a total of 125,400 EV and PHEVs sold. That is an increase of 31%, mostly in Germany, Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands. Much of that growth is attributed to the Tesla Model 3 entering the market and becoming Europe's top selling electric car. Model 3 sales jumped from 3,747 units in February to 15,755 units in March. It was also the best selling premium mid-size car in the EU. Diesel on the other hand is facing continuing losses. Registrations of new diesels have moved from 44.8 percent of all registrations in March 2017 to 31.2 percent of all registrations in March 2019. Analysts expect diesel to continue to fade as more cities put in diesel bans and stricter emissions regulations come into effect. View full article
  14. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Electrics Soar In EU while Diesel Fades"
    The European car market as a whole has been in decline for six consecutive months as of March 2019 with 19 out of 27 markets posting declines. March numbers were down 3.6 percent over the same month in 2018. Looking at the first quarter of 2019 paints an even bleaker picture with only 6 countries recording growth. While overall demand is down, the demand for electric vehicles grows. The sales of EVs exceeded 100,000 units for the first time ever with a total of 125,400 EV and PHEVs sold. That is an increase of 31%, mostly in Germany, Norway, Spain, and the Netherlands. Much of that growth is attributed to the Tesla Model 3 entering the market and becoming Europe's top selling electric car. Model 3 sales jumped from 3,747 units in February to 15,755 units in March. It was also the best selling premium mid-size car in the EU. Diesel on the other hand is facing continuing losses. Registrations of new diesels have moved from 44.8 percent of all registrations in March 2017 to 31.2 percent of all registrations in March 2019. Analysts expect diesel to continue to fade as more cities put in diesel bans and stricter emissions regulations come into effect.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    It can't hurt for Mitsubishi to try. They already have to build it for other markets anyway, why not try and sell a few here too?
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Mercedes-AMG says that it will be moving to an all all-wheel drive lineup in the near future and engine downsizing as Mercedes moves towards an all electrified lineup. Autocar spoke to AMG boss Tobia Moers who said "Customers have given us the answer, and most want four-wheel drive. Back in the days when we had an AMG E-Class as rear-wheel drive and with four-wheel drive as an option, over 90% chose four-wheel drive." Even the AMG's flagship, the AMG GT will move to all-wheel drive in the near future. The current E63 AMG has an all-wheel drive system that uses clutches to send 100% of torque to whichever axle needs it, including a drift mode that will completely disengages the front axle if requested by the driver. View full article
  17. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Mercedes-AMG Going AWD for All"
    Mercedes-AMG says that it will be moving to an all all-wheel drive lineup in the near future and engine downsizing as Mercedes moves towards an all electrified lineup. Autocar spoke to AMG boss Tobia Moers who said "Customers have given us the answer, and most want four-wheel drive. Back in the days when we had an AMG E-Class as rear-wheel drive and with four-wheel drive as an option, over 90% chose four-wheel drive." Even the AMG's flagship, the AMG GT will move to all-wheel drive in the near future. The current E63 AMG has an all-wheel drive system that uses clutches to send 100% of torque to whichever axle needs it, including a drift mode that will completely disengages the front axle if requested by the driver.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    Now it starts $1,000 more than an E-Class, but comes with a V6 and AWD while the E-Class is still a 4-cylinder and RWD. All in a much roomier car.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    Cadillac has dropped the 2.0T from the CT6 after only a partial year in production. The new base engine is now the 3.6. Also gone is rear wheel drive as all V6 and V8 models of CT6 are built as all-wheel drive. This move raises the base price of the CT6 from $51,490 to $56,490 for the CT6 Luxury with 335 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 and all-wheel drive. The 2.0L Turbo (LSY) was a replacement for the older 2.0T (LTG) that originally debuted with the CT6. It produced 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and was rated for 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The option has already been removed from Cadillac's website. View full article
  20. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Cadillac Drops 2.0T from CT6 In the US"
    Cadillac has dropped the 2.0T from the CT6 after only a partial year in production. The new base engine is now the 3.6. Also gone is rear wheel drive as all V6 and V8 models of CT6 are built as all-wheel drive. This move raises the base price of the CT6 from $51,490 to $56,490 for the CT6 Luxury with 335 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 and all-wheel drive. The 2.0L Turbo (LSY) was a replacement for the older 2.0T (LTG) that originally debuted with the CT6. It produced 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and was rated for 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The option has already been removed from Cadillac's website.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    I dunno. I think no one has tried since the old Ranger.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    There are no small trucks in the US. If Mitsubishi comes in with a smaller truck at a lower price it could work.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    Who said it was unibody? If it's the replacement for the Navara and Triton, then it will be body on frame.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    Press and hold power until it shuts off.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    That's what it sounds like Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Renault after planning to do
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