FCA’s sales streak should continue with minivans providing an unlikely contribution. Car manufacturers track sales carefully, using monthly statistics to measure progress. Any month-over-month change falling outside of expected parameters can result in a change in strategy, including short-term production output, what incentives are offered to consumers, and a host … Read more
Behind the wheel of Toyota’s largest pickup truck. How do you like your pickup truck — small, medium or large? Small pickup trucks are no longer sold in the US, having morphed into midsize trucks beginning about two decades ago. With the Ford Ranger’s retirement in 2011, consumers were left … Read more
IHS Automotive analyzes 32 vehicle segments for auto trends loyalty. Subcompact CUV: Honda HR-V. Keeping vehicle owners in the fold is a big deal for car manufacturers. With owner loyalty rates hovering just above 50 percent, that means there is nearly a 50-50 chance that consumers will move on to … Read more
Ford Super Duty benefits from Novelis aluminum. “Vehicle lightweighting” is one of those industry buzzwords that doesn’t easily roll off the tongue. Outside of the auto industry, few people are familiar with the term. But if you mention “Ford F-150” then the recognition is instantaneous — nearly everyone knows the … Read more
The world’s oldest engine oil brand reaches an important milestone. One year after the final battle of the American Civil War was fought at Palmito Ranch in Texas, Dr. John Ellis completed his study of crude oil, determining it had no medicinal value. Although disappointed by the results, Dr. Ellis … Read more
With fresh product in and more on the way, Volvo is enjoying record sales on a global scale. It wasn’t too long ago some analysts had suggested the Volvo Car Corporation might exit the US market, if not give up on the business of building passenger vehicles entirely. In 2014 … Read more
New Technology Pavilion launches this year. The 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show adds a new component, AutoMobility LA, a four-day trade show in advance of the usual 10-day consumer auto show. In effect, the LA Auto Show is combining the show’s press and trade days with its previous Connected Car … Read more
BMW supplies the 2-Series with a pair of more powerful, yet efficient engines. For 2017, BMW is providing its entry-level 2-series line of coupes and convertibles with more power thanks to a pair of new twin turbo engines. As a result, new sub-models will debut with the M240i replacing the … Read more
The second-generation GMC Acadia is 700 pounds trimmer than its predecessor. Ten years is a long time for a vehicle to remain on the market without a clean sheet redesign. Introduced in 2007 and continuing through 2016, the first-generation GMC Acadia managed to stay relevant throughout its 10-year run, benefitting … Read more
Little known Fuji Heavy Industries to assume subsidiary’s well-known name. Subaru WRX. In 1953, Fuji Heavy Industries (Fuji) was formed, a company based on five companies originally derived from the Aircraft Research Laboratory (ARL), itself founded in 1917. Subaru is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, representing the … Read more
Grabbing a cup of joe in a setting featuring art and fashion collections is not a new concept to New York. Only this shop also offers a rotating assemblage of Cadillac models in an effort to raise brand awareness. The next time you’re in New York, you may want to … Read more
Will Nissan help Mitsubishi bring a new face to the US market? If you were one of those people concerned that the latest Mitsubishi scandal would do this automaker in, take heart: the company has been saved by a competitor and current collaborator, Nissan Motors. On Thursday, the two Japanese … Read more
Motorists can expect lower fuel costs this summer driving season. Drivers should face less costly fill ups at gas pumps this summer. Fuel prices may finally have begun to stabilize after reaching the highest prices we have seen in six months earlier in May. Refineries have increased production to meet … Read more
Following a two-year hiatus, the Honda Ridgeline crossover pickup truck returns. Beginning in 2006, Honda sought to turn pickup truck convention on its head, by building a car-based model. Early on, sales were quite strong as the Honda Ridgeline siphoned sales from competitors while also attracting a new breed of … Read more
Buick’s entry-level model is on its way out. An all-new Buick Verano is currently being marketed in China, but plans for the second-generation compact premium sedan do not include offering it in the North American market. Automotive News reports that the entry-level sedan will not be renewed after the 2017 … Read more
What could this mean for the Dodge Charger and Challenger? The next-generation Chrysler 300 may switch to a FWD platform. The days for the current Chrysler 300 are numbered. Introduced in 2005, the second-generation 300 bowed in 2011, offering dimensions only slightly longer and wider than the first-generation model. Now … Read more
If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. CEO Sergio Marchionne’s overtures to GM and Ford have been rebuffed. Other … Read more
How to buy a vehicle in any market. New car sales remain strong, but one thing we are seeing more of this year than in recent years are deep discounts and other incentives to lure customers. Although most deals aren’t rivaling anything we have seen since the last recession, automakers … Read more
The Jaguar XE is the latest model in this big cat’s repertoire. Not since Jaguar retired the X-TYPE in 2009 has it had a compact sedan to take on the BMW 3 Series and like luxury models. That earlier vehicle was outperformed in an ultra-competitive segment and simply didn’t have … Read more
The Fiat 500 is one of the most easily recognized vehicles on the road. It is petite, stylish, and colorful, hallmarks of basic transportation with a distinct design flair. Launched in 1957, the Fiat 500 was dubbed a “city car,” yielding coupe, semi-convertible, hatchback, and panel van variants. The original … Read more
Yet another round of hail storms have left dealers with damaged vehicles to repair or sell ‘as is.’ See Also —The Average Cost of Hail Damage Repair Threatening clouds may portend something much worse than a rain shower: if conditions are ripe, property-damaging hail may fall, whacking your home’s siding, … Read more