Archives for June 2015

Fiat Chrysler Product Delays Mount

June 30, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Product delays will keep several Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler products from reaching showrooms when originally planned. FCA is pouring its resources into Alfa Romeo, a gambit that might backfire.

Alfa Romeo Guilia — FCA is pinning its hopes on the Alfa Rome Giulia.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been in the news a lot lately, mainly due to chief executive Sergio Marchionne’s efforts to find his company a partner. The company itself is a new union of European and North American enterprises, but Marchionne insists that FCA could cut its costs by partnering with another automaker.

For FCA, the automaker is battling two problems: its debt levels are high and profit margins are low, twin threats to a company’s vitality when the economy is good as well as to its viability when the economy takes a downturn. Perhaps seeing that the next downturn is looming, Marchionne has been redoubling his partnership efforts.

Alfa Romeo Guilia

Marchionne is also gambling that Alfa Romeo will make huge inroads as new products come to the market. Last week, Alfa showed the world its midsize Giulia, a luxury sedan that FCA says will lead an eight-car onslaught in a bid to elevate this once moribund marque.

The new model has the looks to be a winner, but executing a flawless introduction is key. Moreover, competitors such as BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln, Infiniti, Audi, and Acura are not about to cede marketshare to Alfa Romeo without putting up a fight.

Pouring billions into propping up Alfa Romeo means that FCA’s other brands will have to make do with less. Or at least wait a bit longer for new products to arrive.

Jeep and Ram Product Postponements

Just last week Automotive News reported that the planned redesign of the Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2017 will be put off until late 2018 or even later. And it isn’t the first product delay noted.

Because of the Grand Cherokee push back, the upcoming Grand Wagoneer flagship will be delayed as well. The new, full size model would essentially complete the product line, giving the brand strong models from top to bottom.

In early June, Reuters reported that FCA’s big profit model, the Ram 1500, would be delayed by several months, missing its mid-2017 debut. Instead, November 2017 has been targeted as a more likely introduction date.

The Jeep Wrangler, initially planned for an early 2017 release, isn’t expected to arrive until July 2017. Two issues may factor in the Wrangler’s delay:

1), a decision to reverse course and stay with a body-on-frame model instead of the earlier proposed unibody design and,

2), FCA hasn’t announced where it will be built. The Wrangler has long been produced in Toledo, Ohio, but production can be moved elsewhere. Likely, it will be part of the UAW’s negotiating strategy when contract talks are held this September.

Additional product delays will likely involve the Chrysler 300.

Additional Product Delays

Delays for higher profit line models follows the postponement of production revamps for several lower cost models, including the compact Dodge Dart sedan and the Dodge Journey crossover. Instead of new models arriving in mid-2016, both vehicles will likely get refreshed and wait an additional three years for revised models.

Other vehicles that may see delays include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans as well as the Dodge Challenger coupe. And the singular replacement model for the Jeep Compass and Patriot due out early next year will be delayed by at least six months.

Saving Money: At What Risk?

The product delays will allow FCA to put off some of its expenditures to later dates, possibly in a bid to see if Alfa Romeo takes off. A promising Alfa Romeo brand could make FCA a more desirable partner, but it comes as a huge gamble, especially if the product delays send customers shopping for newer designs elsewhere.

Meanwhile, FCA’s bid for GM remains in play. Earlier this month the two companies hired financial advisers to assist them. Furthermore, hedge fund Greenlight Capital snapped up more than 9 million shares of GM stock in the first quarter of 2015.

Lastly, John Elkann is chairman of FCA and oversees the Exor fund in Italy. He is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli and has been advising the family on how best to take on GM. His skill as an investment banker included a hostile takeover of a reinsurance company, PartnerRe. USA Today says that Elkhann “has no qualms about becoming an activist investor.”

See Also — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: No Takers

Lotus Announces New Models, Plans US Return

June 29, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Lotus Cars says that it is moving its US operation and is readying the Evora 400 for the US market. A limited-edition Lotus 3-Eleven model will go into production in February 2016.

Lotus Evora 400

A federally compliant Lotus Evora 400 arrives at the end of 2015.

The Lotus automotive brand has been on a new product hiatus in the United States since 2014, the last year it made a model for the American market. Some 45 dealers scattered across the country are still selling the 2014 Evora, but no 2015 vehicle was imported because the government’s smart airbag waiver ended last summer. Without the required waiver, future new model sales came to a halt.

While the waiver permitted Lotus to circumvent an important federal government safety requirement, subsequent models could not be modified in time for the 2015 model year. Thus, Lotus was forced to sit on the sidelines this year while it readied a fully compliant model.

Lotus Evora 400

A new Lotus Evora 400 is on the way and will arrive stateside in December for the 2017 model year. It is essentially an update of the current design, representing a moderate refresh at that. Lotus unveiled the sports car at the Geneva Motor Show this past March.

Under the hood a 3.5-liter, supercharged V-6 engine making 400 horsepower and 302 foot-pounds of torque will power the sports car. That represents a 55-horsepower boost over the previous model and with its weight coming in at 3,119 pounds (down from 3,168 pounds), the new model should easily attain its projected 0-to-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. Its top speed will be 186 mph.

Evora 400 buyers will still have a choice of 6-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, the latter with shift paddles. Select the manual edition and your Lotus will get its first-ever limited-slip differential. Lighter wheels, larger brakes and a more refined cockpit are among the more significant changes to the new model.

Besides bringing the Evora 400 to the market, Lotus announced that it will be relocating its US headquarters to Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Lawrenceville, Michigan. The pending move will allow the company to consolidate its operation with its Lotus Engineering arm already located in Ann Arbor.

The automaker will continue to build its Elise and Exige models for other markets and has also set its eyes on building derivatives of all three product lines.

Lotus 3-Eleven

Road and track versions of this Lotus 3-Eleven will be built.

Lotus 3-Eleven

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) last week, Lotus took the wraps off of the 3-Eleven, powered by the same supercharged engine in the Evora 400, but making 450 horsepower. Furthermore, the race version weighs just under 2,000 pounds (dry weight) and is expected to go from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds.

Production of the Lotus 3-Eleven begins in February 2016 and will be limited to 311 models. The street-spec model will retail for about $129,000 and the track version for $151,000.

Lotus 3-Eleven

Lotus SUV

Yet another model is in the planning stages and should do for the brand what it has done for Porsche: bring an SUV to a sports car line. The SUV, sized relative to the Porsche Macan, will serve China first and if successful find its way to Britain reports Auto Express. There is no word whether the US market would follow.

Founded in 1952, the Lotus marque has survived the death of its founder, Colin Chapman, financial troubles and is on its third international owners. Indeed, General Motors owned Lotus for seven years beginning in the 1980s before selling it to Romano Artioli and Bugatti in 1993. In 1996, its current owner — Malaysia’s Proton Holdings Berhard — took over.

Besides building its own models, Lotus has cooperated extensively with other manufacturers, including designing the chassis for the DeLorean DMC-12, supplying the chassis for the Aston Martin DB9, and created a concept Dodge EV for Chrysler. Most recently Lotus has contributed its handling and steering expertise to better the Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Lotus 3-Eleven

See Also — Possible Lotus Sale Is No Surprise

The Infiniti QX80 Goes to Washington

June 26, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

When taking to the road, you need a reliable car. A meaningful bonus is any model that gets you there in style.

This past week an Infiniti QX80 was my weekly driver and I also received an added bonus of my own: permission to take it Washington, DC, and back, covering 700 miles with my two teenage sons who were along for the ride. It was a boys weekend out and the strapping QX80 supplied everything we needed to make the trip a thoroughly enjoyable one.

The Infiniti QX80 is the brand’s largest model, offering room for seven or for eight when the middle row seats are replaced with a bench seat. It was originally known as the QX56, with the “56” pointing to the model’s 5.6-liter, V-8 engine. Briefly, it sported the QX moniker alone before assuming its current name.

Beginning with the 2014 model year, Infiniti overhauled its naming convention and the big SUV assumed its current QX80 moniker. It is a second generation model, introduced in 2012 and eight years after the first model rolled out.

Notably, the first generation model was underpinned by the same platform powering the burly Nissan Titan pickup truck as well as the large Nissan Armada SUV. The current model is related to the Nissan Patrol, a vehicle that is not sold in the US.

In the QX80, Infiniti offers a compelling response to consider it over large, opulent SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. It also competes against the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and the Lexus LX 570.

On street parking near the National Mall.

2015 Infiniti QX80

The QX80 is one of four SUVs sold by Infiniti. A fifth model, the QX30 is on its way. The two-wheel drive model is priced from $63,250; the all-wheel drive model starts at $66,350.

Typical of Infiniti, you get one trim level and can build it out from there. But beginning in 2015, Infiniti has rolled out the Limited package to take this model to where no Infiniti has gone before. In other words, Infiniti has upped the craftsmanship quotient a notch to convey a vehicle that matches the top-of-the-line editions for what its competitors offer.

You will pay for this package too. Ultimately, it unites five distinct packages — driver’s assistance ($2,100); theater ($2,400); deluxe technology ($5,500); Limited ($10,000); and tire and wheel ($2,450). That’s about $22,500 of goodies that we’ll inspect at length later.

Infiniti pairs the QX80’s V-8 engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes 400 horsepower and bangs out 413 foot-pounds of torque. That’s puissant performance you need to move this three-ton beast. Thankfully, the powertrain is up to the task.

The Lincoln Memorial.

Tight Storage Space

Loading the QX80 means making an immediate decision: do I pack in the tiny storage area (16.6 cubic feet) behind the third row seat alone or make use of some other option. Folding the third row seat is possible if there are no more than four of you present, otherwise you will need to place your extra luggage on top. A long weekend away meant we brought with us a lot of stuff and what didn’t fit in the back we put on the floor in the third row.

Once you are packed, then get settled in. One of the goodies found in this model is an innovative DVD entertainment system with bright, 7-inch screens affixed to the back of the front seat headrests. My boys used it, loved it and you probably would too. The $2,400 price tag seems steep, but the theater package adds heated outboard second-row seats and remote tip and flip middle row seats too — an excellent feature to help you access the rear row.

2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited

View manufacturer details and pricing

The Limited package took an already above the conventional model and makes it extraordinary. On the exterior, Infiniti matches the all-season rubber with natty 22-inch, dark chrome finish wheels. The “dark” leitmotif continues with the lens around the headlights and tail lights as well as to the exterior trim and roof rails. Stainless steel running board caps and illuminated kick plates add further lift to the visage.

Inside, take note of the upscale cabin replete with leather, ash wood trim, and an ultra suede headliner. Distinctive quilting on the seats, the storage compartments and door inlays add further luxuriance to the interior.

A golden lion tamarin at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Some call it art.

Power and Towing Capabilities

Press the accelerator and the engine immediately responds with every horse that you need. The transmission shifts smoothly through all seven forward gears and brings this SUV up to highway speed without delay. It is easy to rely on the power to get the job done. Furthermore, that power provides 8,500 pounds of towing capacity if you are so inclined.

What the QX80 doesn’t do is deliver pleasing gas mileage numbers. In fact, each of my earlier tests of the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade and an assortment of Chevrolet and GMC trucks reveals the same thing: you would be hard pressed to get better than 15 mpg. This SUV is EPA-rated at 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. We averaged 15.5 mpg and that was with cruise control active along the interstate.

Washington, DC, is not a vehicle-friendly city. The District does everything to discourage driving, by providing an excellent mass transit system composed of subways and buses. Trouble is, when you’re riding underground you miss what is going on above ground. And in DC that means everything.

And to emphasize matters, driving around the city is a BEAR, especially during the week. Fortunately, Saturday and Sunday were the days when we were in the city proper, staying 12 miles outside of The District each night.

Rising Up: a new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Eschewing Mass Transit

Although mass transit was relatively close by, we chose to drive and headed straight to the National Zoo in the upper northwest part of the city. You can pay for parking or you can save $20 and park on the local streets. We chose the latter and found a space about four blocks away from the entrance. There was no need to parallel park this time around as we located an empty spot near a side street.

After the zoo, we drove through the city and stopped near Howard University for lunch. The GPS was precise, presenting clear instructions along the way, although we did figure that the Chick-Fil-A was located in the university, which was closed. Subway was another option and we managed to find a free parking lot nearby.

Once lunch was done we headed to the National Mall area. Our trip was composed of mostly Smithsonian destinations, which meant hunting for parking. Oh, there is plenty of off-street parking in our nation’s capital, but we managed to find a spot on the street directly across from the Smithsonian National Museum of American history.

The GM EV-1 on display at the Smithsonian.

Parallel Parking: No Problem

Two things to keep in mind: you’ll be parallel parking a big SUV and you’ll also have to feed the meter.

The parallel parking wasn’t all that dramatic and you always have the rear view monitor to guide you. I ended up parking a foot out from the curb, then decided to move the QX80 within six inches to avoid a ticket from a pesky traffic attendant. Pay close attention to the meters too: we were limited to just two hours and made our plans accordingly. It was the only time we had to pay up. Fortunately, it took a credit card to cover my $4 fee.

There are plenty of other places around DC, where meters aren’t acting as sentinels in a bid to drain you of your cash. The National Mall area has on street parking sans meters and usually someone is pulling out as you want to pull in. You just may become a parallel parking pro, but please avoid curbing the beautiful wheels.

Safety Features Galore

Safety is a big deal for any model and the QX80 has you covered. You get backup collision warning, backup collision intervention (to apply the brakes if you don’t), blind spot warning, blind spot intervention (to move you back to your lane), lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, forward collision warning, and brake assist.

SUVs in this class routinely have some sort of adaptive cruise control. Infiniti calls it intelligent cruise control with full-range speed. The system adjusts the QX80’s speed according to your distance needs. You can also shorten or lengthen the space between cars, an entirely useful feature in heavy interstate traffic.

Washington, DC, near the White House.

One feature we didn’t use because I am stubborn as a mule, is the Infiniti Personal Assistant. This service supplies a live assistant 24/7, an individual who will help you book hotel and restaurant reservations, make flight check-ins, and handle general trivia. If it works according to plan, you may have a better and more pleasant source than Siri. Infiniti offers this service to customers for the first four years of vehicle ownership.

As far as seating goes, the first and second row passengers have it all. When you get to the third row, the seat is best used by the smaller people in your family as the thigh support goes wanting and padding is not thick. This deficiency is typical in most three-row SUVs and should be kept in mind when considering the segment. One workaround is to explore the slightly smaller, but roomy Infiniti QX60, a crossover SUV with room for seven.

Off-Road Stoutness Too

Lastly, the body-on-frame Infiniti QX80 is entirely suitable off road as it is around town. To aid you in your quest, there is a big dial located between the stick shift and the storage compartment, one that controls four-wheel drive modes at the push of a button and a flick or two of the same. You get snow and tow modes here too — and for the sport-minded among us, you can turn off the stability control, if desired.

To sum up, the 2015 Infiniti QX80 meets expectations for the large, luxuriant SUV segment. In addition, it does this by offering an ideal blend of creature comforts, technology and performance, in a package that is evocative, swanky, and intrepid.

2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited

Sticker price from $66,350
Price as tested: $89,845
Seats 7 occupants
5.6-liter 32-valve V-8 gasoline engine
400 horsepower @ 5,800 RPM
413 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,000 RPM
3.86 inches bore by 3.62 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10.8-to-1
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 121.1 inches
Length: 208.9 inches
Width: 79.9 inches
Height: 75.8 inches
Passenger volume: 167.9
Storage volume: 16.6 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 8,500 pounds
EPA: 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline recommended
Fuel tank: 26 gallons
Curb weight: From 5,888 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Not rated
Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 6 years/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Yukuhashi, Japan

2015 Infiniti QX80 and Washington, DC, photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

See Also — Sport Luxury SUV: Infiniti QX50

Hatchback Chevrolet Cruze Set For US Introduction

June 25, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

June 25, 2015: Corrected to include accurate details about the body styles the Cruze’s competitors offer in the US market.

An earlier Cruze hatchback will set the stage for a new model.

The Chevrolet Cruze may be the best compact car General Motors has ever built even though its sales have yet to reach the top numbers the Chevrolet Cavalier attained during the 1980s. Back then, GM was selling more than 400,000 Cavaliers per year. In 2014, Chevrolet sold 273,060 Cruzes in the US, the brand’s best selling model line behind its Silverado pickup truck series.

An Expanded Model Line

The Chevy Cavalier also had a big advantage over the Cruze as it offered as many as five body styles, including a two-door coupe, a three-door hatchback, a four-door sedan, a wagon and a convertible. The US-spec model is sold only as a four-door sedan, but beginning in 2016 a second body style — a four-door hatchback — will be added.

Adding a hatchback to the Cruze family would put this car within line of other models offering more than one body style, including the Honda Civic (coupe and sedan), Kia Forte (coupe, sedan and hatchback), and the Ford Focus (sedan and hatchback). It might also place the Cruze within striking distance of the Civic (325,981 units sold in 2014) and perhaps the Toyota Corolla (339,498 units sold in 2014), the segment’s leaders. Notably, Toyota sells enough Corollas as a sedan-only model to hold off No. 2 Honda.

GM’s original sedan-only strategy for the US-spec Cruze was hatched while the company was struggling to stay afloat, then regroup following its 2009 bankruptcy filing. Other manufacturers, including Kia, Volkswagen, Mazda and Hyundai have successfully sold hatchbacks in the US.

Hatchbacks were largely left for dead in the 1990s as US consumers avoided them, however manufacturers began testing the waters with new, stylish models and found consumers receptive. It also helped that Europe and other markets never lost interest in these styles.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2016 version was unveiled this week and it will be larger and lighter than its predecessor. It is part of a rapid-fire product introduction that brings new Spark, Volt, Malibu and Camaro models to the market for the 2016 model year.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze will debut early in 2016 and will be followed by a diesel version in 2017. A new, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine is standard and will produce 153 horsepower. It comes paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. GM says that the Cruze will make 40 mpg on the highway. Up to 250 pounds have been shaved from the first generation edition, enabling the Cruze to go from 0-to-60 mph in under 8 seconds.

Highlights of the New Cruze

Among the highlights of the 2016 edition are the following:

A class leading 106.3-inch wheelbase. This will translate into more leg and knee room in the back seat.

Projector beam headlights are standard across the model line. And for upper trim level models, LED daytime running lights are standard.

OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot is included. Other standard features include 10 airbags, a rear view camera and four-wheel disc brakes.

Wireless phone charging will be available. A heated steering wheel and heated leather rear seats are additional options.

On the safety front, a number of features typically found on more expensive models become available. These are: forward collision alert, side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert and lane keep assist.

As for the design changes, these include moving the center rear stop lamp to the top of the roof line. Chevrolet also describes the rocker panels as seamless for a more refined look. The new Cruze will also feature polished aluminum, piano black and bright-finished accents.

Choose the RS package and this model brings in a unique grille along with front and rear fascia embellishments, a front splitter, fog lamps, 18-inch wheels, and a rear spoiler.

More Details Forthcoming

Auto Trends will offer more details about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze in the coming months, following media and personal test drives. With sedans and hatchbacks both in the mix, this model’s appeal should only grow as consumers take advantage of its many enhancements.

See Also — Style Maker: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe

Chevrolet Cruze photos copyright General Motors Company.

Yet More Jobs Follow Volkswagen to Tennessee

June 24, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

University and industry researchers have examined the impact of Volkswagen’s operation on the Tennessee economy. They have concluded that the upcoming expansion will create thousands of new jobs and pump millions of dollars into the local economy annually.

Ever wonder why state governments throw out the welcome mat and offer generous incentives for international automakers? It comes down to just one word: jobs. Indeed, ever since Volkswagen set up shop near Chattanooga, Tennessee, the German automaker has created thousands of direct jobs with many times that number of indirect positions following.

Gainfully employed workers pay taxes, buy goods and services, purchase homes and otherwise contribute to their local economy. Notably, every state benefits from automotive industry investing — Tennessee has been benefiting in a big way, particularly as both Nissan and Volkswagen expand or are planning to expand their operations in the Volunteer State.

Center for Automotive Research Study

According to a January 2015 report by the Center of Automotive Research — Contribution of the Automotive Industry to the Economies of All Fifty States and the United States — more than 9,000 people are employed directly by car manufacturers in Tennessee. Another 53,000 have found work with body and trailering manufacturing companies and 218,000 are employed by parts manufacturers.

Volkswagen Passat in Tennessee That’s more than 280,000 of just over 3 million people in the state’s labor force. Furthermore, those numbers will be rising over the next few years as Volkswagen doubles its lone US plant to accommodate an upcoming new vehicle, a midsize SUV.

UTK CBER Volkswagen Impact Study

A recently released study by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) bears witness to what Volkswagen is doing in Tennessee. In July 2014, Volkswagen announced its plans for Chattanooga, what led to the university’s Center for Business & Economic Research (CBER) to analyze the impact of the plant’s expansion further.

The university report — Economic Impact of Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Expansion Plan — was prepared by William Fox, CBER Director and Lawrence Kessler, a research assistant professor with CBER.

The report noted that Volkswagen will be adding more than 500,000 square feet to its facility located in Hamilton County, Tennessee. The manufactory will gain 1,800 new workers. Moreover, another 200 engineering jobs will also be added to that number, employees working in a new Research & Development (R&D) center, the first automotive R&D center located in the US southeast.

Volkswagen says that it will take five to eight years for the new positions to be filled as production of the new model ramps up. The plant will be finished in the first half of 2016 with production commencing later in the year.

Temporary and Permanent Employment

Volkswagen SUV Construction alone will add nearly 5,400 jobs while the plant is being built and contribute $217 million to the Tennessee economy. State and local coffers will enjoy a one-time increase in tax revenues too, totaling $20.5 million.

With 2,358 people currently employed directly by Volkswagen in Tennessee, the new totals will approach 4,400 when the hiring process comes to an end.

Once fully operational, the UTK researchers estimate that the new plant will create 9,799 new jobs and pump $372.6 million annually into the local economy. Further, local and state governments will see a $35.1 million bump in annual tax revenue through sales and other taxes.

OEM Contribution and the Multiplier Effect

Volkswagen’s presence in Tennessee has also encouraged original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to expand or set up their operations in the region to serve the automaker. The UTK researchers found that 20 companies have done so since 2009, adding 2,257 jobs to the area and contributing nearly $200 million to the economy in less than six years. That financial investment is a gift that keeps giving and will likely increase as Volkswagen expands its operation.

The UTK researchers also honed in on the multiplier effect of auto industry job creation, noting that for each dollar spent another dollar or more of economic activity is generated.

In other words, as new workers are hired by Volkswagen and OEM suppliers, that’s more money to be spent on food, clothing, cars, entertainment and so forth, a ripple effect that underscores why your own state’s governor and politicians are eager to land car manufacturers.

Kia, Hyundai Star in 2015 J.D. Power Survey

June 23, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

The Dodge Challenger is the top-ranked midsize sporty car.

It wasn’t much more than a decade ago when Hyundai and Kia models were the butt of jokes. Kia especially was held in derision, as models such as its Spectra and Sephia were readily dismissed by critics.

Well, a funny thing happened early in the new millennium — both Korean makes began to raise their quality levels and produce cars that people wanted. Perhaps the model that showcased how quickly these manufacturers could make improvements was when the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, a midsize sedan, was released. The model incorporated exotic styling, an exquisite interior and did so at a price that beat its competitors.

At the same time Hyundai was making its own improvements, Kia followed. Indeed, as soon as a new Hyundai platform was introduced, Kia applied its own design as both brands serve as bookends to the labyrinthine Hyundai Kia Automobile Group. Furthermore, some argue that the Optima is the better looking of the two midsize sedans. In any case, both brands have attracted millions of new customers, propelling the automotive group to the fourth largest in the world.

Porsche, Kia Attract Attention

Kia and Hyundai’s ascendancy in the automobile world has also been confirmed by J.D. Power, the global market research company. Last week, the company released its 2015 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) and once again Porsche finished on top. But Kia at No. 2 and Hyundai at No. 4 bested every mainstream brand. Luxury makes Jaguar and Infiniti nabbed the third and fifth positions.

J.D. Power surveyed more than 84,000 new car owners and asked them to report problems with their vehicles. Those numbers are then tallied and meshed to create a score based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).

The industry average is PP112; Porsche led by scoring an 80 followed by Kia (86), Jaguar (93), Hyundai (95), and Infiniti (97).

The Porsche 911 is the top ranked midsize premium sporty car.

A Rising Industry Average

Last year, the industry average was PP116 and Porsche scored a 74 and was followed by Jaguar (87), Lexus and Hyundai (94), and Toyota (105). While Hyundai’s score was virtually unchanged, Kia rose by 20 points from 106.

The Korean brands now have the highest initial quality standings of all brands by market, with a score of PP90. Notably, the European brands passed the Japanese brands for the first time, with a score of PP113. The Japanese brands and the domestics were tied at PP114. Moreover, this is the first time in 29 years of surveys that the Japanese brands collectively performed below the industry average.

Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power explained that a clear shift in quality leadership is taking place, with the Japanese brands no longer the gold standard. Said Stephens, “While the Japanese automakers continue to make improvements, we’re seeing other brands, most notably Korean makes really accelerating the rate of improvement. Leading companies are not only stepping up the pace of improvements on existing models, but are also working up from to launch vehicles with higher quality and more intuitive designs.”

The highest ranked mainstream full-size model is the Chrysler 300.

Category Leadership, Manufacturing Plant Awards

Four manufacturers — General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Nissan and Volkswagen — each had four models lead in their respective categories. BMW and Toyota tied with three, Fiat Chrysler and Ford had two apiece, and Mazda had one model.

J.D. Power also recognizes manufacturing plants around the world for quality standards. The company said that BMW’s Rosslyn, South Africa plant, maker of the 3 Series, produces models with the fewest defects or malfunctions. Thus, it garnered Powers’ Platinum Plant Quality Award.

A Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ontario that produces the Toyota Corolla and a Kia plant — Kwangju Plant 1, maker of the Kia Soul, both won regional Gold Plant Quality Awards.

The Hyundai Sonata is an industry and segment leader.

Technology Woes Continue

One area continues to dog most manufacturers and that is technology. Entertainment and connectivity systems are still problem plagued and this was the third consecutive year that this particular complaint topped all others. Voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity were two standout problems that customers noted.

See Also — Thin SUV Line is Hurting Hyundai

How to Transfer the Car Title of a Deceased Person

June 22, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Your Aunt Mabel has shuffled off the mortal coil and has gone on to her eternal reward. At the reading of her will you learn that she bequeathed a few of her prized temporal possessions to you, her favorite niece. Standing out amongst the assorted paraphernalia was no ordinary conveyance, rather it is her rapturous late-model sports car. Certainly, Mabel was a Denise McCluggage acolyte, and took to the speed track every chance she had.

Transferring title of Mabel’s Porsche Cayman S will take a bit of work on your part. The Department of Motor Vehicles in the state where the decedent resided is the first place to start. In general, you will need to do the following to transfer the car title of a deceased person to you:

Procure the Proper Documents

Porsche Cayman S The state’s DMV will require certain documentation concerning all matters of a deceased person. For starters, you need to gain possession of Mabel’s driver’s license. If she was no longer driving at the time of her passing, but had a valid government-issued photo identification card, then that may suffice.

Bring with you a photocopy of the decedent’s death certificate. Please note that if you bring an original, it may be surrendered to the DMV. The DMV will also want you to return the decedent’s disabled person parking placard if one was issued. Any special license plates will need to be surrendered too.

The next group of documents and forms may be exclusive to your state. This is where logging in to your state’s DMV website, searching for “transfer the car title of a deceased person” and carefully reading the results will save you time and help you avoid a paperwork-induced headache.

Specifically, the state may require you to download a few forms. These may include:
a certificate of car title application, an affidavit for transfer without probate, a vehicle transfer and reassignment form, a statement of facts or any other form related to enabling you to complete the title transfer.

Car Title Notary and Fees

Porsche Cayman S As you download and review the required forms, carefully follow the instructions to successfully complete each one. Avoid signing any form immediately as you may be required to have your signature witnessed and notarized. The court appointed executor will need to sign certain forms too. Find a notary public to help you accomplish this step with both you and the executor present.

Each form may require a specific fee to be paid. Or a general fee may be due when the car title transfer is complete. Again, this requirement will vary from state to state.

You should also know that when the car title transfer has been approved, there may be additional fees to handle including: car registration, income taxes and license plates. Concurrently, contact your insurance company and explain that you have acquired a vehicle and want it insured. Be prepared to pony up some serious cash for a high-end vehicle such as Mabel’s Porsche Cayman S. You may need to shop around for new car insurance if the rate is too high.

Transfer Matters

Porsche Cayman S Consider yourself lucky if you are able to bring your documents to your local DMV and have them processed on the same day. In some states you must mail these forms to a particular address, therefore send those documents via certified mail, return receipt requested.

Please note that it may take several weeks before the actual title is in your hands. Notwithstanding the delay, title possession should not keep you from enjoying a car that is now registered in your name, insured and ready to take to the track. Thanks, Aunt Mabel!

See Also — Car Title and Personal Loan Collateral

Performance Beast: Range Rover Sport SUV

June 19, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

The second time around with any model often allows reviewers such as yours truly to savor a distinct perspective. That differentiation is only amplified when a larger and more powerful engine is offered. And in the case of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the subsequent model came with a 50 percent power boost, due entirely to a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 engine.

Nevertheless, that’s not to say that the standard 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine falls short. Delivering 340 horsepower and 332 foot-pounds of torque, it is wholly sufficient for this SUV and for the majority of customers too.

But whoever declared that sufficiency is the measuring stick of customer satisfaction, especially in the luxury segment? For one group of owners, it is all about the performance with the terrain response system, sliding panoramic roof and cushy, leather interior the bonuses. Indeed, you would be pressed to find a more desirable interior than the Range Rover Sport and you also have access to a marvelous terrain management system that takes this SUV where others utility vehicles fear to tread.

Range Rover Sport

Supercharged V-8 Engine

By reason of having a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 engine under the hood, this model’s emphasis is on performance. That’s 510 horsepower and 461 foot-pounds of torque for this midsize luxury utility vehicle, surpassed only by the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S — or so I have been told.

Like the Cayenne, the Range Rover Sport has lapped the famed Nurburgring with the SVR edition finishing the renowned 12.9-mile Nordschleife circuit in a cool 8 minutes, 14 seconds according to Auto Express. That’s the fastest time for any production SUV. Incidentally, the SVR edition benefits from powertrain tweaks that squeezes 550 horsepower and 502 foot-pounds of torque from its mass. Take that, all comers!

The antecedent model (tested last summer) did more off-road work than the model at hand. This time, two miles of gravelly road and the 4×4 system adjusted to meet those conditions was the extent of my off-roading, if you prefer to call it that.

Certainly, when time is of the essence and you already are fully aware of a vehicle’s off-road prowess, you will focus on its on-road capabilities.

Range Rover Sport

2015 Range Rover Sport

View manufacturer details and pricing

Range Rover Sport

And capable the Range Rover Sport is. Slip behind the wheel, buckle up, play with the electronic tilt and telescopic steering column, adjust your mirrors and then reach high up on the dash to push start the ignition button and then listen — the engine roars to life and the exhaust system offers its requisite growl in response.

The Range Rover Sport is a capable around town vehicle, but its performance attributes can best be measured on the track. Where no track is available, you need only find a stretch of back road to open her up. Fortuitously, I have access to remote roads where neither deer nor the authorities are found. As long as the roads are dry and clear, then I can have at it.

Superchargers like turbochargers are forced induction systems. Both systems compress the air entering the engine to provide as much as a 50 percent power boost over comparable naturally aspirated engines. Whereas a turbocharger uses the exhaust stream to provide boost, a supercharger utilizes a belt connected directly to the engine. In particular, superchargers use the crankshaft to supply energy to power for the engine.

There are other differences between the two forced induction systems, but for people who place a value on performance, the supercharger kicks in at a lower RPM than a turbocharger, but a turbocharger works best at high speeds. At the same time turbochargers are quieter, while superchargers are easier to maintain.

Pick your poison.

Range Rover Sport

On the Road…Again

Engage the eight-speed automatic transmission, step on the gas and be prepared to be underwhelmed, at least for a brief moment. Suddenly, the SUV takes off and roars down the road with abandon.

On the straightaway, this SUV shines. On any of the twisty roads that you might seek out, its mass and height are evident. This is no Jaguar F-Type that hugs every twist and turn with ease. You’ll feel a slight body roll, but you shouldn’t be afraid to push it. The transmission stays in gear as you plow through the corners and only shifts up as needed.

Land Rover employs a double-wishbone suspension with air springs up front and includes active damping and an anti-roll bar. The test model also came with a dynamic response system, what uses the roll bars to fine-tune roll stiffness and roll angle for improved cornering. To the rear is a multi-link suspension with air springs, adaptive damping, an anti-roll bar and the lean control system.

Range Rover Sport

The Dynamic package brings in 21-inch wheels and a Bosch six-piston brake modulator to deliver quicker, smoother and quieter braking. You’ll come to a full stop without much drama and then be ready to take on your next lap. Or you might acquaint yourself with the terrain response system and take this SUV from sand or mud and across rock formations next. If there is an all-around vehicle you desire, there may not be anything superior to the Range Rover Sport.

The interior is an attractive package — that is for certain. Modern Land Rovers, especially the top-of-the-range Range Rovers have expansive cabins with generous room for five. You can add a third-row kiddie seat for two additional people, but that takes away from the storage area.

Range Rover Sport

Exquisite and Capacious Cabin

The interior is polished, elegant, exquisitely crafted and controls are sensibly placed. The driver’s seat is as comfortable as you will find as it offers plush, but firm support. My only gripe was the center display panel as it took some getting used to. But with my oldest son riding shotgun I let him fiddle with the controls. I was certainly pleased when he activated the seat cooling feature, especially on those days when the ambient temperature flirted with the century mark.

I always take time to sit in the back seat when a vehicle arrives to confirm its head, shoulder, thigh support and legroom. You won’t have any trouble sitting three across. Moreover, my wife was able to cross her legs — now that’s terrific legroom!

Expect to pay handsomely for any Range Rover model. In the Land Rover scheme of things, Range Rover represents its pinnacle series and the Discovery line is for its mainstream models. The Sport SE is the lowest priced model of the five trim levels, coming in at $63,525. The SVR will set you back a handsome $110,475. As tested, the Sport Supercharged comes in the middle, but with nearly $12,000 of options, its final price was $91,272. It is doubtful that if you are shopping for a Range Rover that price is much consideration. If it is, then you need to reset your eyes on the Discovery line.

2015 Land Rover

Range Rover Sport V8 SC Dynamic

Sticker price from $79,995
Price as tested: $91,272
Seats 5 occupants
5.0-liter 32-valve supercharged V-8 gasoline engine
510 horsepower @ 6,000 to 6,500 RPM
461 foot-pounds of torque @ 2,500 to 5,500 RPM
3.64 inches bore by 3.66 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 9.5-to-1
8-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 143.5 inches
Length: 230 inches
Width: 80 inches
Height: 74.2 inches
Passenger volume: NR
Storage volume: 61 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 7,716 pounds
EPA: 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline required
Fuel tank: 27.7 gallons
Curb weight: From 5,093 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Not rated
Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 6 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Solihull, United Kingdom

Burly Beast: Land Rover LR4

Meticulous Product Changes Propel Honda

June 18, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Help me Honda.

For much of the first two decades of Honda’s US marketing thrust, the brand relied on just three models and variants of the same for its business: Civic, Accord and Prelude. But by the late 1990s, Honda’s product line had doubled. Today, there are 10 lines of vehicles and more changes are in the offing. We’ll take a look at the most recent changes as well as what’s in store for the months and year ahead.

Honda HR-V

The all-new Honda HR-V is already a segment leader.

From Strength to Strength

No automaker is strong in every category, but if there is a weakness Honda finds a way to make the necessary improvements.

This year, Honda is releasing two all-new crossover utility vehicles. The Honda Pilot is its midsize SUV and has been completely redesigned for 2016. With room for up to eight, the Pilot now offers an available 9-speed automatic transmission paired with a direct-injected 3.5-liter, V-6 engine.

A new top-of-the-line Elite edition brings in LED headlights with automatic high beams and a blind spot indicator. All models provide a rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start.

Honda’s strongest SUV is its CR-V, a compact model that is also the best seller in its class. Despite stiff competition from the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox and the Nissan Rogue, this model continues to outpace its competitors.

The CR-V theme has now been applied to an even smaller model known as the HR-V. Based on the subcompact Fit platform, the HR-V retails for under $20,000 and offers LED brake lights, heated side mirrors, roof rails and keyless entry is standard equipment. Bluetooth audio streaming and a USB audio interface are standard. The interior is roomy, seats five and fuel economy comes in at 35 mpg on the highway.

With the HR-V, CR-V and an all-new Pilot in the mix, Honda’s SUV offerings are solid. Indeed, in its first month of sales alone, Honda sold 6,381 HR-Vs, more than double the sales of the Nissan Juke.

Honda Civic

The Civic was Honda’s first automobile model sold in the US.

Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck

Clearly, the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck has not been a strong seller for this Japanese brand. It is sold in a market dominated by traditional, body-on-frame models such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and the GMC Canyon. That being said, Honda believes that there is a market for this truck .

The original Ridgeline was sold for nine model years from 2006 to 2014. That’s a long time to keep a model without presenting a new one. Instead of maintaining the old model, Honda canceled it while developing plans for a new Ridgeline, a vehicle expected to debut in Fall 2016 for the 2017 model year.

We don’t know a lot about the upcoming model other than that it will maintain its unibody construction. Spy photos shown here and teaser photos shown here demonstrate that the new truck will assume a more traditional look. It will retail for about $30,000, a starting price higher than its competitors, but in line with the more upmarket trim levels Chevrolet, Toyota and the others offer.

Honda CR-V

Along with Civic and Accord, the CR-V is a top seller for Honda.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Honda has long operated in Toyota’s shadow, especially where sales numbers and alternative fuel vehicles are concerned. The dominant Prius has put the squeeze on certain Honda products, including the Insight, a hybrid model canceled last year.

But the entire electric vehicle market is weak in the face of lower gas prices that are far below the historic highs we have seen in recent years. That means demand for some models remains too low to sustain them, thus Honda has canceled its Civic Hybrid and Civic compressed natural gas (CNG) models after the current model year.

Honda’s retreat in this segment is not a surrender. Instead, the automaker will concentrate its resources on maintaining its Accord Hybrid, although the plug-in version will not return for 2016. Its CR-Z hybrid will also stay around.

Upcoming New Models

The cancellation of two Civic models comes as the 10th generation Civic rolls out this fall. That new model will include its first ever turbo engine. Further, Honda says that it will achieve “…EPA highway fuel economy a few ticks above 40 miles per gallon.” That fact may not be significant right now, but it does put Honda in a strong place once fuel prices begin to rise.

Yet another Honda model is slated for a major overhaul. About the same time that a new Ridgeline makes is debut, the next generation Honda Odyssey will also roll out. Not much is known about this model, although rumors that it will share its platform with the Honda Pilot have been mentioned.

Honda Odyssey

A new Honda Odyssey is on its way.

Honda: Looking Ahead

Honda has long stood on its quality credentials to attract and retain customers. The automaker may not have the most exciting products on the market, but the company is well represented wherever it operates. Only Toyota matches Honda in most quality and reliability surveys, critical considerations for consumers who trust these brands to deliver the industry’s most dependable products.

See Also — Tiny Crossover Segment Set to Explode

Photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Ltd.

Slot This Tiny Ford EcoSport SUV

June 17, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

The Ford Escape is the smallest SUV sold in North America. In other markets, including India, the EcoSport serves the growing subcompact crossover utility vehicle segment. A Chennai manufacturing facility may soon produce a US-spec version in time for the 2017 model year.

Is this Indian-built Ford EcoSport bound for the US?

“One Ford” represents a business strategy adopted by the Ford Motor Company in 2007. Part of that wide-ranging game plan was to accelerate the development of new products, including European-centric models for the US market. That blueprint has been successful as it has brought to America new models ranging from the subcompact Fiesta to the full-size Transit van.

There are still some models in the Ford portfolio that are not stateside. One model pickup truck enthusiasts are well aware of is the Ford Ranger. That truck is no longer sold in the US and the current generation Ranger now employs unibody construction for a car-like ride.

Sorry, fans — Ford continues to insist that the Ranger is for all markets except for North America. Ford wants you to buy an F-150 and nothing else.

Ford EcoSport

One model that Ford has in select markets that could very well make its North American debut in time for the 2017 model year is the Ford EcoSport. This crossover utility vehicle or SUV is tiny and would slot below the Ford Escape, a compact model. Auto Trends has learned that Ford is seriously considering importing the EcoSport from one of the four overseas factories where it is produced. Specifically, Ford India continues to crop up as the manufacturing source with its Chennai assembly plant producing same.

So, why would Ford be interested in adding the EcoSport to its product line? And what effect would the new model have on its other products?

First, the EcoSport is needed to enable Ford to compete with the emerging subcompact SUV segment largely founded by the Nissan in the Juke, but since joined by the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and the Fiat 500X. The Mazda CX-3 will arrive this fall and a next-generation Juke will follow in 2016. Based on the Juke’s past numbers, sales potential for the EcoSport is likely in the neighborhood of 10,000 units per month when production ramps up. That’s 120,000 models that Ford isn’t selling at the moment.

Second, top to bottom the Ford SUV lineup is solid, except for one model: the Ford Flex. The Flex has its following, but it’s a curious model crowded out by the five-passenger Edge and the seven-passenger Explorer. Its upscale twin, the Lincoln MKT is nearly invisible. Together, the two will barely account for 25,000 units sold this year. That’s too small of a number to invest in a new model that should hit the market by 2017. So, say goodbye to the Flex/MKT and hello to the EcoSport.

Ford EcoSport

Low-Priced Indian Product

Bringing a model such as the EcoSport to the US market is not a simple process as emissions and crashworthiness requirements must be met. Its an investment Ford will make, one that will add thousands of dollars to the sticker price. But that shouldn’t make the EcoSport uncompetitive as it retails for 675,000 Indian Rupee (INR) or just $10,532.58 in US currency. Most models in this segment start somewhere around $18,000 to $19,000.

Like other Ford products built abroad, the EcoSport has a variety of gasoline and diesel engine choices. But neither the 1.0-liter three-cylinder or a diesel seems reasonable for the US market, but the 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine does. For the US, the 5-speed manual transmission seems unlikely, but a 6-speed automatic would be spot on. Offer a 6-speed manual too and you may have some additional takers.

This five-passenger model offers standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. It also has all the convenience features that Ford fans want, including fog lamps, roof rails, running boards, alloy wheels, Ford Sync telematics, and a rearview camera. Some things would need to change, including updating telematics to Sync 3, adding in the required safety features and probably benchmarking the Honda HR-V. Just as Honda is the sales leader in the compact SUV market with is CR-V, it intends to do likewise in the HR-V.

Ready for Export?

Producing the Ford EcoSport for the North American market would be a boon for the Chennai plant. It might also cast a positive light on the automaker’s efforts to make a dent in this emerging market. And Ford needs more than just a dent as it sells just 12-15,000 new vehicles per month, giving it just 3 percent of the Indian new car market.

See Also — Tiny Crossover Segment Set to Explode