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Ghosn With the Wind: Nissan’s Former CEO Flees Japan, Now Resides in Lebanon

January 3, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Carlos Ghosn before his downfall. Photo courtesy of Nissan News.

Talk about a story filled with intrigue!

Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn (pronounced Gone), under the watchful eyes of Japanese authorities, secretly left his home late last month and made his way to Lebanon, where he has taken residence. The executive’s bold move, certain to become the script for a Hollywood thriller, was illegal. That said, Ghosn insists he had no choice as he found the Japanese judicial system was “rigged” against him.

Ghosn’s story starts in 1999, when he crafted the alliance that united France’s Renault automobile group with Nissan Motors. This unlikely alliance effectively saved Nissan, while allowing Renault to tap its partner for a variety of vehicles. Later, Mitsubishi was added to the alliance, effectively forming the largest alliance of its kind in the world.

Although the two principal manufacturers benefited by working together, Ghosn was intent on bringing the companies closer together, likely through a full merger. Apparently, that move did not sit well with Nissan executives (perhaps valuing their independence), who then allegedly plotted to remove Ghosn from his position. Charges of financial impropriety were lodged against him and both companies removed Ghosn from their executive roles.

Meanwhile, Japanese authorities jailed Ghosn with the intent of convicting him of a series of crimes, which likely would have kept him Incarcerated until his death. The Japanese legal system is quite different from what we’re used to in the West, particularly in the United States, where an individual is considered innocent until proven guilty.

In Japan, an individual may stay in jail for months, if not years, until his trial is completed. Ghosn was not allowed attorney representation early on, and even then the contact was always limited. Twice he was released on bail, following arrest, the second time confined to his home in Japan under the watchful eyes of the authorities. He was also restricted from seeing his family, including his wife.

Just how Ghosn managed to leave Japan for Lebanon remains a mystery. A rumor that he was packed in a musical instrument box and shipped to Lebanon with a stop in Turkey, was one of the first stories to surface. The plot thickened when it appeared that the executive’s own family was involved, an allegation Ghosn later denied. At this point, we do not know the complete details of his whirlwind escape, but they will eventually emerge.

Beyond his uncanny escape and emergence in Lebanon, Ghosn will now fight back by settling some old scores. Expect the former executive to name names and point out misdeeds for both Nissan and Renault executives. Published reports indicate that the information he plans to share could prove devastating, especially to Nissan, which has been losing money and market share over the past few years.

Moreover, what’s also likely to be scrutinized is Japan’s legal system, which routinely jails individuals as prosecutors enjoy a conviction rate above 99 percent. That system essentially ensured conviction for Ghosn, even as he insisted upon his innocence.

Another result of Ghosn’s new-found freedom is the Renault-Nissan alliance itself – depending on what Ghosn shares — as its future may be in peril. Regardless, the fallout will be enormous as corporate and government officials wrestle with his escape and the subsequent detailing of Ghosn’s allegations.

Likely, Ghosn will support his charges with witnesses and perhaps documentation, both of which could make this story front pages news for a long time.

As for Ghosn’ future, it likely lies in Lebanon as this Middle Eastern country does not have an extradition treaty with Japan. Ghosn also has French and Brazilian passports, but they’re in the hands of his attorney in Japan. On Thursday, Interpol delivered a “red notice” to Lebanon which is “a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.” It isn’t an arrest warrant, but it does mean Lebanese authorities will interview Ghosn to get his side of the story in this highly charged affair.


See Also — Top Automotive Stories of 2019

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: arrest, CARLOS GHOSN, CEO, FRANCE, Interpol, JAPAN, Lebanon, MITSUBISHI, NISSAN, Renault

Ensnared: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

April 27, 2018 by admin 4 Comments

The 124 Spider in Abarth guise.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
Smile! You’re going to love getting behind the wheel of this Abarth.

Small car manufacturer Fiat is struggling in a market where consumers want their big vehicles. Since its return to the US in 2011, sales peaked in 2014, but have fallen steadily through the ensuing years.

Some consumers, though, would do well to reconsider smaller and lighter vehicles going forward as gas prices have reached levels we haven’t seen in years. For those that have not explored the Fiat range in as many years, a fun little model joined the lineup in 2017.

That model is none other than the Fiat 124 Spider, a roadster supplied courtesy of Mazda. Indeed, the Mazda MX-5 Miata serves as the foundation for this sporty Fiat, a vehicle offering its own take on the roadster segment.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Models

Fiat offers the rear-wheel drive 124 Spider in Classica ($24,995), Lusso ($27,495) and Abarth ($28,195) trims. All three come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

After a 32-year absence, Fiat reintroduced the 124 Spider in 2017. Light package changes accompany the 2018 edition, which otherwise is a carryover.

As for Fiat’s relationship to the Mazda, both vehicles are built at Mazda’s manufacturing plant in Hiroshima, Japan. The Fiat takes the Mazda’s superb handling and comfortable ride and adds Italian flair and turbo power. This doesn’t mean the Fiat is better than the Mazda — it just establishes its own take on the tapestry.

For the record, I like both models. Very much so. You can call it a day and quit your reading right now or press on to find out a few more details about this Fiat variant.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Exterior Overview

The Fiat’s canvas is small, crisp and sporty. The rounded headlamps and squared tail lamps hearken to the original model. The front fascia couldn’t be more different than the Mazda. Whereas the Miata has a pretty Japanese girl’s face, the Fiat has a tougher image, not unlike some of Europe’s finest sports cars. I’m sure I’ve offended someone by the Miata descriptor — no offense intended.

The Abarth model, the very one tested, expands on the handsome theme by adding several touches unique to it. It starts with its body-colored front fascia and includes gunmetal-colored side mirror caps and roll bar cover. Gun-metallic 17-inch aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes with red covers and bright quad exhaust tips complete the look.

Otherwise, all models come with projector headlamps, power side mirrors, a soft-top convertible roof and various aluminum wheel choices. Optional equipment includes fog lamps, LED automatic leveling headlamps, headlamp washers, heated side mirrors and an available red-top roof.

Speaking of the roof, it is easy to drop down and pick up. You’ll do this with the car idle — simply unhook it from the inside in the middle and drop it down until you hear a click. Reverse the process by first hitting the release lever near the glove box, then move the roof into position. Once you start the process, if the windows are open, they will automatically slide half way down to avoid a potential glass-cracking catastrophe.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
Small touches mean big results in this Abarth edition.

Interior Highlights

Inside, the cabin is well, snug. The following are four points I have pulled out covering the interior.

1. Not for tall people. If you are tall and have drooled over the Miata or the 124 Spider, you may wonder if you can fit inside. Comfortably, that is. Likely, if you are somewhere north of 6-feet-tall, this little Fiat just will not work for you. At a shade under 6 feet, I found the getting in difficult — back end first helps. The cabin is tight with very little room to maneuver. But do not take my word for it — attempt to slip behind the wheel to find out for yourself.

2. Not a square inch wasted. Some vehicles have what seems like acres of wasted space on the dashboard, but this Fiat roadster makes use of every tiny corner. It has to. it causes a few odd placements, though, including the immovable and protruding cup-holder on the passenger side. As for the driver’s drink-holder, it is located between the seat-backs in front of the glove box. Retrieving your drink takes patience and some skill as you reach over with your left arm while steering with your right. You might find wedging a bottle between the seat and door a better option.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
The rollover bar is located immediately behind the seats.

3. Comfortable, sporty seats. The seats are reasonably comfortable and bolstered, just as you would expect. There is no seat extender, but then movement is quite restricted. The steering column tilts, but it does not telescope. Again, room is extremely limited, which explains the restricted movement of both the seat and column.

4. An assortment of touches. The hand-brake seems like a throwback to another era. An electronic brake switch would seem like the better choice here as it would consume less room. Alas, it is not offered. The vent dials are circular as are the main controls for everything else. Further, storage is minimal, but you will find a place to tuck or stack smartphones and connect to two USB points to keep them charged.

Safety & Technology Features

Small models are typically thin on the amenities, especially one so reasonably priced as this Fiat and its Mazda cousin. It does come with a rearview camera and offers blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. A rear parking sensor is also available, but driver-assist technologies are not offered.

Most models come with a four-speaker audio system and Bluetooth. Upgrades include satellite radio, a 7-inch color display and HD Radio. Choose a package upgrade and you’ll score a 9-speaker Bose audio system with GPS navigation.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
A tangle of wires can get in the way. Two USB ports are present.

On the Road: Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Any chance you can (especially whenever the weather cooperates) you will want to drop the top on this Fiat. The prime reason for many to own a Fiata — Fiat/Miata — is to soak up the sun and connect with the road.

That connection is amplified in the Abarth with its humming engine and a pleasant exhaust note. The note corresponds nicely to the engine’s size — no overwrought tune to make you go hmmm….

2018 Fiat 124 Spider AbarthMy test model came with the automatic transmission (sigh), but I made work of the paddle shifters from time to time. The Fiat’s engine is unique to it, a 1.4-liter turbo, generating 164 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That is considerably better than the 155 hp/148 lb.-ft. for the Miata. Both engines offer an available six-speed short-throw manual gearbox.

The fun continues as the Abarth enjoys a sport-tuned suspension versus the usual touring suspension. Add in a limited-slip differential for improved control and handling and you’ll see this roadster means business.

Fire up the ignition and the little engine that could delivers a boomlet, while the exhaust purrs. Step-off acceleration is even, turbo lag is not a big drag and moving up to highway speeds is fun. The exhilaration begins on the twisty roads where this little roadster hugs the pavement, pushes into each turn with abandon and leaves corners with ease.

Steering is sufficiently weighted and handling is a true joy. Close your eyes (well, don’t) and you might imagine yourself behind the wheel of a far costlier model. Then again, the truth is in the horsepower and you will quickly come to your senses that this is not a Porsche 911. But with just 2,500 pounds present, this tiny Fiat is tossable with a big “T.”

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Fiat 124 Spider Parting Thoughts

Will the 124 Spider save Fiat? No. What it does do is burnish its image. Yes, Fiat turned to Mazda to produce the model and that makes for a compromise some may find deplorable. At the same time, it shows how competing manufacturers can find a common ground — Mazda gets some cash, while Fiat receives a halo model.

As for the consumer, the 124 Spider adds a wrinkle to the roadster segment, essentially creating a competitor to the Mazda. But the duo remain unique in this world, with only the hardtop Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 offering the closest competition, especially to the Miata RF, a hardtop exclusive to Mazda.

Pay more (a lot more in some cases) and the Nissan 370Z, Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman and the Audi TT, might also be examined. It really is not a fair fight as the Fiata duo simply undercut and in some ways overwhelm the competition.

2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth


[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”11″ gal_title=”2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth”]


2018 Fiat 124 Spider Specifications

Fiat 2018 124 Spider
Segment Roadster
Base Sticker Price $24,995 (plus $995 destination fee)
Price as tested $29,290
Standard Engine 1.4-liter, turbocharged inline-four
Horsepower 164 @ 5,500 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 184 @ 2,500 to 3,200 RPMs
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Seating 2
Curb Weight (pounds) 2,516
Wheelbase (inches) 90.9
Length (inches) 159.6
Width (inches) 68.5
Height (inches) 48.5
Head room (inches) 37.4
Leg room (inches) 43.1
Shoulder room (inches) 52.1
Hip room (inches) 52.0
Storage (cubic feet) 4.94
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) NR
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel 91 octane recommended
Fuel Tank (gallons) 11.9
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) 25/36
Manufacturing Plant Hiroshima, Japan

See Also — On the Road With a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider

Fiat 124 Spider photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2018 cars, Abarth, BREMBO BRAKES, Fiat 124 Spider, JAPAN, limited slip differential, MAZDA MX-5 MIATA, rear-wheel drive, ROADSTER

Honda Brings Clarity to its Fuel Cell Plans

October 28, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

New Honda fuel cell model goes on sale first in Japan — North America and Europe will follow.

Since releasing its first delivered fuel cell model in 2002, Honda has quietly been making plans for broadening availability in line with the development of hydrogen fueling infrastructures in Japan and as well as in California.

The original FCX — Fuel Cell eXperimental — was a three-door, four-seat hatchback developed in very limited quantities and offered to customers in Japan and in Southern California. In 2008, the hatchback was replaced by the FCX Clarity, a midsize sedan with room for four. The second model improved upon the original’s 190-mile hydrogen range to deliver 240 miles of fuel cell range.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Arriving March 2016: Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

2015 Tokyo Motor Show

With various concepts, prototypes and limited production fuel cell models behind it, Honda has once again presented another fuel cell model, dubbed the Clarity Fuel Cell. Introduced at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show this week, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell offers room for five and a driving range of 435 miles. The all-new hydrogen-powered sedan will go on sale in Japan next March; an initial annual output of just 200 units is expected.

Significant improvements over the previous generation model have yielded a vehicle with 60 percent longer range. The new fuel stack is 33 percent smaller than its predecessor with 100 kW output attained and with much greater energy density. Honda says the new fuel pack is as compact as a V6 engine, enabling it to consolidate it under the hood for the first time. Energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery; refueling takes about three minutes. Water vapor is this vehicle’s only emission.

Previously, the fuel pack was located below the seats, thus limiting the interior room to four people. With its dimensions similar to the outgoing model and aligning closely with the midsize Honda Accord sedan, the extra seat placement will certainly come in handy.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Price

Honda says that the Clarify Fuel Cell will cost 7.66 million yen which converts to $63,644 as of publication. That’s about $5,000 more than the competing Toyota Mirai, a fuel cell vehicle just now going on sale. The Clarity is slightly larger than the Mirai and has an 8 percent longer driving range than the Toyota.

US Honda consumers won’t be able to get the Clarify Fuel Cell, at least not initially. Honda intends to deliver its initial batch of vehicles to Japanese government entities and businesses. The automaker says it will “…collect information about the in-market use situation, including the external power feeding device, and gather diverse opinions from customers and other relevant organizations, then later begin sales to individual customers.” Sales will later spread to the United States and Europe, although a timeline has not be released.

US consumers desiring a fuel cell vehicle are currently limited to the Hyundai Tucson FCEV, the Toyota Mirai, Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL, and the upcoming BMW i8 Coupe and the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Even so, those models are restricted to Southern California where the barebones of a hydrogen infrastructure should flesh out to a more robust framework. Toyota plans to eventually roll out its Mirai in the northeast US.

Currently Available Tax Credits and Rebates

US customers who manage to land a fuel cell vehicle are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Another $6,500 state rebate for low and moderate income California families drops that price further. Wealthier California residents are still eligible for a $5,000 rebate on fuel cell vehicles, but for those making over $250,000, tax rebates on battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have been eliminated.

Once again, the high cost of buying an alternate fuel vehicle weights in. And with no nationwide infrastructure planned, fuel cell vehicles may long remain a niche segment within the tiny EV sphere.

See Also — Crumbling Chevrolet Sonic Sales Leads to Layoffs

Photo copyright Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: CALIFORNIA, FUEL CELL VEHICLES, HONDA CLARITY FUEL CELL, HONDA FCX CLARITY, hydrogen, HYUNDAI TUCSON FCEV, JAPAN, tax credit, TAX REBATE, Toyota Mirai

GLM ZZ Picks Up Where the Tesla Roadster Left Off

September 8, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

GLM ZZ

The GLM ZZ at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.

Tesla Motors got its start with the Tesla Roadster, an evocative machine produced from 2008 to 2012. Just 2,600 copies of that luscious all-electric two-seater was built, a model based on the Lotus Elise platform, but with little else in common. The Tesla Roadster had a 0-to-60 mph time of under four seconds and a price tag of $109,000.

The Tesla Roadster is gone, replaced by the Model S sedan and soon to be followed by a sport utility vehicle. Admirers of all things roadsters miss the removable soft top Tesla roof, its sensual styling and, of course, its dynamic speed. However, that unfulfilled craving may soon be satisfied by a Japanese manufacturer, GLM Co., Ltd. (Green Lord Motors), an enterprise formed in 2010 with the intention of bringing its own swank electrified roadster to the market.

In the Spotlight: GLM ZZ

You need to keep the GLM ZZ name in mind as it represents a roadster that is already in production although in very limited quantities. The Kyoto-based venture meets Japan’s rigorous automobile standards and has successfully secured several rounds of funding from Japanese investors as well as from international backers in Taiwan and Saudi Arabia. Together, more than $14 million was raised in its most recent round of funding.

The bad news is that the company’s chief operating officer, Tomohisa Tanaka, told Auto Trends that “…we do not plan to go into the US market at this time.” Britain, the Middle East, and China will get the roadster first. Nevertheless, it is this writer’s contention that North America, including the United States, will be considered once the ZZ takes hold.

GLM ZZ

Generating Synthesized Sound

The GLM ZZ came into focus last month when a US PR firm, Clyne Media, issued a press release explaining that Roland Corporation is working with GLM Co., Ltd., to develop a “driving sound generation system” for the electric sports car. Roland synthesizers are known the world over, thus the two companies are collaborating on developing a sound generation system for this normally quiet electric vehicle.

In particular, Roland plans to utilize the “…same professional synthesizer technology to produce sonically rich, studio-quality sounds.” That sound will change with each driver’s real-time driving experience and as the companies noted it will provide “…a one-of-a-kind driving experience that rivals anything currently on the market.” In other words, this will be one electric car that won’t sneak up on you.

Yes, some of you are reading this and saying “meh, not for me.” Others may be glad for the sound, but wonder how artificial it is. Alas, because the project is currently under development, judgment must be reserved. At least for now.

At this point, you may be wondering if the GLM ZZ is the real deal or some carefully constructed vaporware. I thought the latter might be possible too, given the many EVs we have seen delivered or promised, but have failed to take hold. To wit: the CODA sedan. Fisker Karma. Think City. There are others, including some that were vaporized while still on the drawing board.

GLM ZZ

Supplied by Tommykaira

The GLM ZZ has its roots in Tommy Kaira (tommykaira), a specialty car tuning and automobile manufacturing company based in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1968, the company became renowned (at least in Japan) for modifying existing Subaru and Nissan models. For instance, in 1988 it got its hand on a Nissan Skyline R31 and modified it to become a Tommy Kaira M30. Much in the same way Shelby modifies the Ford Mustang, Tommy Kaira does the same to everything it touches.

Well into the 1990s, Tommy Kaira was satisfied with modifying preexisting models. But that soon changed when the company partnered with Britain’s Leading Edge Sports Car Company to produce a car based on the in-house Tommy Kaira ZZ design. Very few models of the gas-powered car ever were produced in the UK as financial problems soon ended that deal.

Notably, the original ZZ design has been updated and more importantly a new company, GLM, expressed interest in the model, particularly its frame. That frame would soon become the platform for an electric vehicle.

GLM ZZ v. Tesla Roadster

The GLM EV features a lithium-ion battery pack, what enables this model equipped with a single-speed transmission to make 225 kilowatts or 302 horsepower and 415 newton meters (n.m.) to 306 foot-pounds of torque.

The company claims that the electric ZZ will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, a number that compares favorably to the Tesla Roadster’s 3.7 second time.

There are some other important facts of note relevant to the ZZ. This model sits on a 93.3-inch wheelbase and measures 152.1 inches long by 68.3 inches wide by 44.9 inches tall. Compare that to the Tesla Roadster with a 92.6-inch wheelbase and measuring 155.1 inches long by 72.9 inches wide by 44.4 inches tall. Very close in dimensions, indeed.

GLM ZZ

ZZ Pricing and Considerations

And unlike the Tesla Roadster and its $109,000 price tag, the GLM ZZ reportedly will retail for $67,000. For the well-heeled it is a price difference that won’t matter, but for people of more noble means, the ZZ may be within reach.

As for the rest of us, if GLM is able to develop a fan base, then perhaps expanding to a more “commonly priced” model could be in the works. By then, the company could very well attract the attention of some of Japan’s strongest players who might consider backing the company financially.

See Also — Will NextEV Rival Tesla Motors?

Photos copyright GLM Co., Ltd. and Tommy Kaira.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ELECTRIC VEHICLE, GLM ZZ, JAPAN, ROADSTER, ROLAND SYNTHESIZER, SPORTS CAR, TESLA ROADSTER, TOMMYKAIRA

Hydrogen Toyota Mirai Hits the Track

April 28, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Fuel cell vehicles may change the way we drive, offering zero emissions leading to cleaner air. Toyota’s entry will become available in California late this year and may help lead us into a new era of hydrogen infrastructure development and utilization.

Toyota Mirai.
Toyota Mirai.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles are the next big thing, at least in the eyes of those who favor these vehicles. The technology is not new, but it has been receiving a lot of attention lately as various manufacturers, including Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, bring new models to the market. Hydrogen cars are as clean as they come — emitting nothing but water vapor as they travel relatively quietly down the road.

Toyota’s entry into the hydrogen fray has yet to hit the market. When it does, Toyota hopes to do to the market what it did with the Prius. Indeed, with its entire and comprehensive hybrid vehicle lineup.

Hydrogen at the Richmond International Raceway

That model is the Toyota Mirai, a vehicle the manufacturer wants us to become familiar with in the worst way. Toyota just enjoyed one of its best opportunities to do that when the Mirai was the pace car at the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway this past weekend.

Toyota sought and won approval to have the Mirai out front just days before the race was held. The brand isn’t known for performance vehicles, but its trucks are often spotted at work on the grounds of various racing arenas, including the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC.

Ahead of the race Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., said “Having a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pace the Toyota Owners 400 is a historic moment for both Toyota and NASCAR and we’re proud it’s the Toyota Mirai. Bringing the Mirai to Richmond to pace this important race is another way for Toyota to showcase our innovation and environmental leadership.”

From Japan to California and Beyond

Following its introduction in Japan, the Toyota Mirai heads to California consumers later this year. Eventually, the model will become available elsewhere, but the Golden State is the only place in the country where a budding hydrogen infrastructure is beginning to take hold. That infrastructure is a public-private partnership between the state, energy companies and manufacturers, including Toyota.

When the 2016 Toyota Mirai arrives stateside, it will receive the usual scrutiny from everyone. In any case, the vehicle has been on display at major auto shows since the beginning of the year and millions of people have had the opportunity to see it.

Four Doors and a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

The Mirai — Japanese for future — is a four-door, midsize sedan. It has a front-wheel drive layout and it will seat four. The fuel cell stack is comprised of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell making 153 horsepower. Thus, its 0-to-60 mpg time will come in around 9 seconds or a lot slower than the typical pure electric vehicle.

The Toyota Mirai makes use of an AC synchronous electric generator and will come with a pair of carbon fiber high-pressure tanks. Refueling time is about five minutes and vehicle range is 300 miles. It will take compressed hydrogen gas and utilize a nickel-metal hydride battery.

This unibody model will feature a push-button start system, an independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar and hydraulic front shock absorbers, a double wishbone rear suspension with coil springs, trailing arms along with a stabilizer bar and hydraulic shock absorbers. Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes are also included. An electric-powered-assisted rack-and-pinion system will be present.

Sitting on a 109.4-inch wheelbase, the Mirai is 192.5 inches long or about 1.5 inches longer than America’s best-selling car, the Toyota Camry.

Toyota Mirai: From Race Car to Dealer Showroom

No doubt, the Toyota Mirai will get a number of additional looks between now and when it goes on sale later this year. Like the Prius, the Mirai will not win any fashion awards — the design is nearly as polarizing as it can be. Then again, when you see one you won’t forget it, nor will you fail to understand what it can do. That dubious design may be part of Toyota’s strategy to tell the world that hydrogen is here.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motors.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: 2016 cars, AUTO RACING, CALIFORNIA, FUEL CELL VEHICLES, HYDROGEN CAR, JAPAN, RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Toyota Mirai

Sparkling New Mazda Miata Debuts

September 4, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

World debut for an iconic roadster.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Mazda holds a special place in the hearts and minds of certain car owners and it is for that reason it still manages to attract a decent following, largely on the strength of three models: the Mazda6 sedan, the CX-5 crossover and its best-selling Mazda3 line. While these three models provide the volume, it is the iconic MX-5 Miata sports car that places the halo over the brand name.

That honor was once shared with the RX-8 but production of the rotary-driven sports car ceased in 2012. The Miata will carry the torch alone for now or until Mazda dusts off its rotary technology, something that has been rumored it will do.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Last night, Mazda introduced the fourth generation Miata, a two-seat rear-wheel drive sports car that upholds the tradition while reaching out to an entirely new generation. Simultaneous events in Tokyo, Barcelona, and Monterey, Calif., welcomed the new roadster with 1980s music group Duran Duran performing live on the west coast.

That made for a big introduction for a model that recorded just 5,780 US sales in 2013 according to Good Car Bad Car. The Miata, however, is more popular elsewhere — attracting a loyal following in Europe as well as in its home country, Japan. Even should US sales stay between 10,000 and 20,000 units or about half of what were sold during its peak years, the benefit of having such an attractive model in the lineup will most certainly lift the entire Mazda brand. Most likely the new model will do quite well.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Chicago Auto Show Debut

It was at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989 when Mazda took the wraps off its all-new Miata roadster. The idea for the Miata was presented to Mazda by an American journalist, Bob Hall, who shared a rough sketch of the proposed model to Kenichi Yamamoto, head of Mazda’s Research and Development department. Hall was later hired by Mazda’s US design team, but worked on other projects before his involvement with what eventually became the Miata.

Through three generations, the Mazda has maintained a similar overall look, while still delivering subtle exterior updates and keeping abreast of technological changes inside as well as under the hood. The Miata name transitioned to the MX-5 for a time stateside before moving on to its current dual-name appellation. Most fans simply prefer to call the cute roadster the Miata, an Old High German word for “reward.”

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Skyactive Technology and Kodo Design

New Miata customers will, indeed, be rewarded with a darling sports car just as previous generation owners have been. Mazda says that the 2016 edition — due to hit the market in early 2015 — embodies the SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY of its other models, representing fuel efficient engines and transmissions as well as stiffer bodies.

In a related press release Mazda noted, “Innovate in order to preserve” was the motto for the fourth generation, as the development team searched for innovations that go beyond simple evolution. Environmental and safety demands are much more stringent than they were when the first generation MX-5 was introduced 25 years ago, but the fourth generation stays true to the model’s original aim of offering the pure driving fun that only a lightweight sports car can.”

Mazda’s KODO design language is evident in the roadster’s body and interior for the most compact iteration of this iconic roadster. The 2016 MX-5 Miata weighs 220 pounds less than the current model what Mazda says will improve its driving fun. More information about the Miata will be released closer to its release date. In the meantime, enjoy the photos supplied here courtesy of Mazda Motor Corporation.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata


See Also — Miata and Me: Not Quite a Love Story

Photos copyright Mazda Motors.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2016 MODELS, JAPAN, JINBA ITTAI, MAZDA MIATA, MX-5 MIATA, ROADSTER, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS CAR

New Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Priced Near $70,000

June 25, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

US introduction planned for summer 2015.

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Toyota’s plans to bring a mass produced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV) to the market continues to unfold. Today, the world’s largest automaker supplied photos of the vehicle’s exterior and announced pricing for the Japanese market. At 7 million yen, Japanese consumers would pay the equivalent of US$ 68,787.62 to buy one.

Limited US Distribution Planned

The new vehicle is set to launch in Japan in April 2015 with US and European launches to follow that summer. The Toyota FCV will be made available at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships in Japan with sales limited to regions where a hydrogen fueling infrastructure is in place. US pricing will be announced later.

The Toyota FCV was first unveiled in concept form at the Toyota Motor Show last year. It builds on the company’s green credentials, what it has firmly established with its Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle line, and best known among low emissions, high mileage models. The automaker also produces other Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

Toyota has been producing FCVs for more than 20 years, first testing these vehicles in-house. In 2002, the automaker began leasing the Toyota FCHV — a fuel cell sport utility vehicle — to a small pool of customers in Japan and in the United States.

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Extended Range Technology

Since those first FCVs took to the road in 2002, Toyota has made incremental, but significant changes to the technology.

For instance, the company has worked to extend the vehicle’s cruising range to match what customers regularly enjoy from similar gas-powered models. That cruising range now comes in at about 700 kilometers (435 miles). Moreover, refueling takes just three minutes to complete. Water vapor is the only emission produced, the result of interaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

The Toyota FCV will arrive on the market a year after Hyundai introduced its 2015 Tucson FCV to the US, also in limited quantities, and available initially in California. The Hyundai FCV can only be leased, not bought.

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Toyota’s FCV pricing, exclusive of a consumption tax, falls within the automaker’s anticipated price range. When pressed on its pricing plans previously, the automaker provided a wide price range of $50,000 to $100,000 for the US market.

Thus, you can expect that Toyota will hold its US pricing closer to what consumers will pay for this model in Japan. Like Hyundai, perhaps Toyota will offer a leasing plan stateside as well.

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle

Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: EXTERIOR PHOTOS, HYDROGEN FUEL, JAPAN, Toyota, TOYOTA FCV, TOYOTA FUEL CELL VEHICLE, US

Good Trends, Bad Trends, Auto Trends

August 16, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

The U.S. auto industry is performing swimmingly, on pace to sell about 16 million cars this year. Its a number some thought we wouldn’t see again for many more years, but after bottoming out in 2009 the industry has now recovered.

The US auto industry is a far different place today compared to 2008, when GM had eight brands, Suzuki was still in the market, and few people gave serious thought to the possibility that Fiat might return to the United States. Five years from now we may find ourselves looking back at many more changes with perhaps Mitsubishi exiting the market, Chinese and Indian brands gaining access to the domestic market, and one or two niche brands springing up to make things interesting.

To that end, let’s take a look at some of the good and bad trends we are seeing today and what impact these auto trends may have on the industry down the line:

Good Auto Trend: Low Cost Cars Are Available

We’ve all heard how the average price of a new car is above $30,000. That price is out of the reach of many Americans, but there are quite a few midsize sedans including the Hyundai Elantra and Mazda6 that can be had for $25,000 or less.

If you are willing to go smaller, well-equipped subcompact cars are retailing for under $17,000, making it possible for first time new car shoppers to get in on the game. Indeed, the $15-20,000 price point will likely be something manufacturers address in the coming years with several new and updated models to attract customers. And the impact? Greater market share for manufacturers that manage to figure out a way of delivering quality cars at low prices. Hint: Mexican labor will play an important role in making this possible.

Chevrolet Corvette -- auto trend

2014 Chevrolet Corvette.

 

Bad Auto Trend: Corvette Price Gouging

The C7 Corvette will be going on sale this fall, with avid enthusiasts jumping in to buy these sports cars. Unfortunately, we are hearing that some dealers will be marking up prices, perhaps by $20,000 or more in a bid to cash in on high demand and low supply.

The impact here may be negligible initially as well-heeled buyers pony up the cash to get in first. But there is also the bad taste that will be left in people’s mouths, something that won’t easily be forgotten the next time they shop for a car. When the next financial downturn comes — and it will come — you can bet that customers will remember the rip-off artists and shop elsewhere.

Note: Several people have disputed my reasoning, responding to a Help a Reporter Out query where I asked people about Corvette pricing. Quite a few people contributed and those opinions are published in a companion piece, “Corvette Mark Up Pricing and Your Say.”

Good Auto Trend: Diesels Are Catching On

Thank the German car manufacturers and America’s pickup truck builders with keeping diesel engines alive. The first group had it especially challenging at times with just a small pool of customers to work with. But BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen have stayed the course.

The result is that other manufacturers have jumped in and customers are taking notice. Sales will begin to pick up as customers see that a diesel can be had for less than a hybrid and still deliver comparable energy savings. Toyota and Nissan may need to jump in especially with their Lexus and Infiniti brands. The impact here is that diesels will help raise fleet fuel averages and reduce America’s dependency on foreign sources of oil. Customers will also discover that today’s diesels are quieter, cleaner and more efficient than previous generation engines, offering long life too.

Volkswagen auto trend

Volkswagen, a leader in diesel engineering.

 

Bad Auto Trend: Automotive Suppliers Are Struggling

The auto industry supply chain depends on numerous companies to supply original equipment manufacturers with everything from seats to mirrors to transmissions. Tier 1 automotive suppliers are the largest and strongest, and typically use Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers to feed them with parts. Many of the smaller suppliers were whacked during the recession, companies that rely on Tier 1 suppliers to pay them, not OEMs.

Well, to survive, a number of Tier 2/3 suppliers have cut back. It might be a stamping company or a die-casting supplier that quit investing in itself simply to survive. What you have now are companies that are producing what they can to respond to current demand, but with little room to expand and not enough capital to invest in improvements. The impact here is obvious: smaller suppliers are still struggling with some likely unable to supply the industry with what will be needed as sales continue to rise. Look for bottlenecks to pop up as sales increase, perhaps effecting product availability and delaying new vehicle launches.

Good Auto Trend: Japan is Back

You wrote off Japan, didn’t you? After all, China is the Asian tiger and the Japanese economy is hardly the cat’s meow. Well, not so fast. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has led a recovery effort that has helped break the more than two decades of economic stagnation that has plagued Japan. Abe devalued the yen which made Japanese-built products more affordable abroad.

For the Japanese automakers, especially ones with a smaller manufacturing presence in North America, the devalued yen helps them stay competitive. The larger companies — Toyota, Nissan and Honda — won’t pull up stakes, but they’ll be able to maintain production at home. This is a good trend for Japan, however it is a bad trend for American car manufacturers, who will find it more difficult to compete on price in a number of markets, such as in Australia. Overall, the impact on consumers isn’t quite clear yet other than the car companies may find more ways to woo you with better products at competitive prices.

auto trend

Other Auto Trends

There are also some shorter term trends that consumers should be mindful of. Most notably, we’re coming to the official end of the model year, although “new” models have been out since late winter. Even so, this can be a good chance to shop for a leftover model at a discounted price, especially any model that has been redesigned. If inventories of the Nissan Versa hatchback, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS hold up, there may be an opportunity to negotiate an even stronger deal on these models and others.


See Also — Auto Trends: Kia GT4 Stinger

Photos: Chevrolet Corvette (copyright GM); Volkswagen SportsWagen (copyright VW); Mazda6 (copyright Mazda).

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: AUTO TREND, AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIERS, CHEVROLET CORVETTE, DIESEL ENGINES, JAPAN, SMALL CARS

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