Technology

Electrify This: Toyota Opens Vehicle Patents to Advance Global Electrification

April 4, 2019 by admin

Electric vehicles may very well be the future, but the transition to them is a long process. Manufacturers must invest tens of billions of dollars to research, develop, and execute these models — a cost that can be prohibitive, if not downright impossible to meet for some companies.

This week, the Toyota Motor Corporation announced it would help its competitors enter the market, by granting royalty-free licenses on more than 24,000 patents it holds on electrification-related technologies. These include pending patents.

Also, the automaker said it will help its competitors by developing and selling electrified vehicles when they use the company’s components, including, motors, batteries, computers, control units, and related technologies in their own vehicles. In other words, a future hybrid model from Chrysler might feature Toyota technologies.

Toyota hybrid technology — Toyota’s hybrid technologies include motors, computers, batteries and scores of related components.

Global Electrification Leadership

Why would Toyota do this? Goodwill is an important reason as the company acknowledges that the worldwide effort to reduce vehicle emissions is a daunting task.

Furthermore, the move once again highlights Toyota’s leadership in all things electric — this Japanese automaker has produced the global-leading Toyota Prius hybrid since the 1990s and has the largest hybrid fleet in the world. Moreover, Toyota has long been involved in full electrification, most recently with its hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirai. Clearly, this automaker has the experience that no other manufacturer can claim.

“Based on the high volume of inquiries we receive about our vehicle electrification systems from companies that recognize a need to popularize hybrid and other electrified vehicle technologies, we believe that now is the time for cooperation,” said Shigeki Terashi, Member of the Board and Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation. “If the number of electrified vehicles accelerates significantly in the next 10 years, they will become standard, and we hope to play a role in supporting that process.”

Royalty-Free Patents

Toyota’s royalty-free patents are especially useful for hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Nearly 24,000 patents were awarded to Toyota over the past 20 years.

The automaker has granted access to these patents immediately and will keep its offer open through 2030. By then, the global automotive fleet may look far different than it is today. At least in the new vehicles offered as well as the used car fleet.

For manufacturers desiring Toyota’s assistance with developing electrified vehicles, Toyota’s fee-based technical support will cover specific areas. These include overviews of vehicle electrification systems, control guides, and tuning guides. According to Toyota, that kind of assistance will help its competitors optimize performance, maximize fuel efficiency and output, while achieving acceptable levels of quietness in their function.

Toyota, Lexus Hybrid Models

As for Toyota’s internal plans for electrification, we’ll see more of the same as its hybrid models continue to improve in efficiency and performance. Indeed, the latest generation of hybrid models are more efficient and powerful than before and include the Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota Avalon Hybrid, and the first-ever Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

The automaker’s Lexus luxury brand is also well represented by such models as the Lexus NX 300h utility vehicles and the Lexus ES Hybrid sedan. In the U.S., Toyota easily outsells its competitors in all things hybrid.

See Also — Lexus: 1 Million Hybrid Vehicles Later

Photo copyright Toyota Motor Corporation.

All-New 2020 Subaru Legacy Steps Up

February 10, 2019 by admin

Three decades after rolling out the first Legacy, an all-new model launches this midsize sedan’s fourth decade. This month, the 2020 Legacy rolled out at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, which is just 125 miles from where it will be built at a Lafayette, Indiana, manufacturing plant.

Generation Seven: 2020 Subaru Legacy

The seventh-generation Legacy’s introduction comes as the market for midsize sedans continues to shrink. In fact, a number of competitors have left or are leaving the segment, including the Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Mitsubishi Galant, and soon the Ford Fusion. Consumers want crossovers, models already popular with Subaru. That said, this maker of mostly all-wheel-drive vehicles still sees life in the segment.

Besides fewer competitors going forward, what is also helping Subaru is sharing its vehicle architecture across more model lines. Indeed, the 2020 Legacy rides on the Subaru Global Platform, which in 70-percent stiffer torsional and front-suspension rigidity as well as 100-percent stiffer lateral flexural and rear subframe rigidity. Further, Subaru increased structural adhesiveness nearly four-fold. In all, the new model demonstrates gains that will improve crashworthiness, offer improved handling, and deliver a smoother and quieter ride.

Here are the highlights of the 2020 Legacy:

1. Six trims for the choosing. You’ll find Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT and Touring XT trims when the 2020 Legacy rolls out this fall. Every model features standard all-wheel drive, the only model in this segment that can make this claim. In fact, all-wheel drive is available on only two other models: the Ford Fusion Sport and the Nissan Altima.

2020 Subaru Legacy

2. Two engine choices, including a turbo. Returning for 2020 is a 2.4-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine. It has been upgraded to produce 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, numbers which should be adequate for most drivers. But most drivers aren’t the ones drawn to the previously available V6, which has been discontinued. In its place is a turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with an output of 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers beat the V6’s 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. Both of the 2020 engines work with a continuously variable transmission.

3. Improved tech features. What’s a new model without improved tech features? The Subaru Legacy delivers with its new 11.6-inch display screen, a tablet-like device that is sure to please. Subaru integrates its communication system with Starlink technology, which supplies Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone compatibility on its screen. That screen also controls other functions, include climate and audio. Navigation is also available and is powered by TomTom. Wi-Fi connectivity is another available feature.

4. More premium touches. The auto show display model revealed just how upscale a Legacy can be. It is as if Subaru raised the look to offer a bridge between luxury and mainstream, a trend we’ve seen in models such as the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. For instance, the Touring trim is outfitted with genuine Nappa leather, which delivers a luxurious look and the comfort to go with it. The interior roof pillars are wrapped in high-gloss black molding and chrome plating dresses the door handles. The Sport edition has aluminum pedals and red stitching on the instrument panel. Other changes include three levels of heating for the available heated front seats.

2020 Subaru Legacy

5. Safety enhancements galore. You’d expect Subaru to defend its top-tier safety rating when designing a new Legacy. The new model does just that. New this year is a Front View Monitor, which captures images within the driver’s blind spot and displays a 180-degree view on the color display. This is helpful for pedestrian detection and parking. Other driver-assist features include LED steering responsive headlamps on the Limited and Touring trims, reverse automatic braking, and blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert.

More Details to Follow

There are a few things about the 2020 Legacy that aren’t yet known. It appears slightly larger than the outgoing model, but we weren’t supplied with model specifications, including wheelbase and overall length. It does, however, sit slightly lower to the ground and that’s no small feat for an all-wheel-drive sedan.

Pricing won’t be announced until nearer this vehicle’s release date. We could see a slight boost in cost for the base model, with larger increases at the top of the model range.

2020 Subaru Legacy

Longer Range Nissan Leaf Debuts at CES

January 9, 2019 by admin

Enhanced Leaf model extends vehicle range.

Nissan Leaf e+ — Nissan’s Leaf is now joined by an extended range “e+” model.

The Nissan Leaf remains the world’s most popular electric vehicle, but the number of competitors on the market continues to rise even as gas prices plummet. For its part, Nissan continues to tweak the Leaf and will soon offer an extended range e+ model, following the product’s introduction this week at CES in Las Vegas.

The former Consumer Electronics Show is now an important stop in the auto show circuit, allowing automakers such as Nissan to showcase their wares. Tech-laden electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf, are particularly popular there, as they demonstrate the latest and greatest offerings and concepts from the industry.

The Range-Extended Nissan Leaf

For the Nissan Leaf, the “e+” designation describes the increased energy density of this model’s 62-kilowatt battery pack as well as the higher output of the powertrain. As a result, the electric range is now 40 percent longer, supplying up to 226 miles of range.

2019 Nissan Leaf e+ “The new Nissan LEAF e+ offers all of the style, convenience and electric vehicle benefits that have helped make LEAF the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, plus even more driving excitement, range, power and choice,” said Denis Le Vot, senior vice president and chairman, Nissan North America. “Customers now have a selection of powertrains and models to best suit their driving needs.”

Nissan intends to market the enhanced Leaf under the LEAF PLUS Series umbrella in the United States and Canada. Each trim level will receive its own special designation, including S PLUS, SV PLUS, and SL Plus. Elsewhere, Nissan will simply market the vehicle as the Nissan Leaf e+.

More Powerful Powertrain

As for the Leaf’s all-electric powertrain, it is composed of a higher-capacity battery and a more powerful 160-kilowatt motor, resulting in 45 percent more power and a robust 250 pound-feet of torque. This means that at driving speeds, owners will notice a 13-percent boost in speed when going from 50 to 75 mph. Moreover, the model’s top speed increases by 10 percent thanks to the changes.

The boosted Leaf also benefits from a newly-available 70-100-kilowatt Quick Charging system, which allows the Leaf e+ to charge just as fast as models not similarly equipped. This is especially impressive as battery capacity is 55-percent larger than the standard Leaf. Further, even with the 25-percent increase in energy density and the enhanced energy storage capacity, the Leaf e+ battery pack is nearly the same size as the standard Leaf’s pack.

Nissan Leaf e+

ProPILOT Assist and e-Pedal

Other significant features of the Leaf e+ is its ProPILOT Assist, semi-autonomous driving system. When activated, the system automatically adjusts the speed of this electric vehicle, anytime when cruise control is set anywhere between 18 and 62 mph. The system helps the driver steer and keep the electric vehicle centered in the lane. Furthermore, when the car in front slows down or stops, the system does likewise for the Leaf. Auto Trends has tested this feature in several products, including most recently in the Nissan Rogue. We can attest to its effectiveness.

Another important feature of all Leaf models is its e-Pedal operation. The system allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop, using only the accelerator pedal. In effect, it serves as an automatic braking system which also supplies regenerative braking (kinetic energy) that supplies electricity to the battery. Thus, battery range is maximized, enabling drivers to gain a few extra miles before needing to replenish same.

Pricing and Release Date

Pricing for the enhanced Leaf will be announced just ahead of its U.S. debut this spring. As for the standard Leaf, it costs $30,875, including an $885 destination charge. Federal, state and local incentives may reduce your costs further.

As for the Leaf’s extended range, this will help Nissan better compete in a segment where 250+ miles is the new normal. Other models, such as the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3, and the Hyundai Kona EV feature longer ranges. For its part, Nissan appears to be banking on the model’s popularity to help keep it on top in this growing segment.

See Also — Electric Avenue: BMW 740e

TriPrius: 2016 Toyota Prius

July 18, 2016 by admin 5 Comments

This week, one of my fleet vehicles is none other than a 2016 Toyota Prius Four. Unlike the other vehicles I typically test, this one is being reviewed as part of a Toyota Triangle campaign from Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC.

Along with nine other drivers, we’re showing off the Prius to everyone we know in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, NC, area (Research Triangle Park). Therefore, instead of my usual journalism perspective, I’m very much wearing my promoter hat.

Toyota isn’t paying me for my comments, but there is a good chance that if I make enough noise through a #TriPrius campaign, a local charity will benefit. More details to follow.

As for the 2016 Toyota Prius, it is all-new this year. Now in its fourth generation, the hybrid electric vehicle Prius offers the edgiest design yet as evidenced by the photos I’ve included here.

2016 Toyota Prius

A full review of this model will follow at a later date. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the history and highlights of the Toyota Prius:

1. Released in 1997. Although the US did not see the first Toyota Prius until late in 1999 for the 2000 model year, this model went on sale in Japan in 1997. The first-generation model was sold through 2003 and was a compact. Beginning in 2004, a larger second-generation model rolled out and in 2010 the third-generation Prius was introduced. As mentioned, 2016 marks the start of the fourth-generation model.

2. The top-selling hybrid model. Thus far, Toyota has sold more than 5.7 million Prius models worldwide. It remains the best-selling hybrid model in the US and is joined by other hybrid Toyota models, including the RAV4 Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, and the Camry Hybrid.

2016 Toyota Prius

3. Fuel economy is better than ever. Always seeking to maintain an innovative edge, the 2016 Prius is EPA-rated at 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway for a combined 52 mpg. A special Prius Two Eco edition raises fuel economy to 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway for a combined 56 mpg. That’s the best gas mileage you’ll find on any car sold in the US — not bad for a five-passenger vehicle the EPA classifies as a midsize model!

4. Six trim levels offered. Leave it to Toyota to come up with easy to remember trim levels for the Prius line. The base trim is called the Prius Two and it is followed by the Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four, and the Four Touring. The base price comes in at $24,200 and rises to $30,000 for the Four Touring. Choose every conceivable package and option such as the Premium Convenience Package ($1,705), LED Illumination Package ($349), and a dual USB power port rear seat charge station ($119), and you’ll load up your vehicle accordingly.

2016 Toyota Prius

5. Nifty tech features for your consideration. Have you ever forgotten and regretted not bringing your charge cord with you? I have. Now you don’t have to keep one handy as the 2016 Prius comes with a Qi charging dock. Standard with the Prius Three trims on up, a charge indicating light tells you when it is at work. Other tech features include available automatic high beams, Siri Eyes Free, dual 4.2-inch thin film transistor multi-information display panels, and a 10-speaker Premium JBL audio system standard on the Prius Four.

6. Your safety is a priority. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized the Prius with its Top Safety Pick+ award, its highest honor. This means the 2016 Prius achieved the institute’s highest score in all five crashworthiness categories. It also received a superior grade for its available front crash prevention system. All models come equipped with a driver and front passenger advanced airbag system, as well as driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, passenger seat cushion airbag, a driver’s knee airbag, and front and rear curtain shield airbags. The two “touring” models also include Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS –(P)) – representing a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control.

2016 Toyota Prius

TriPrius: 2016 Toyota Prius

A full review of the 2016 Toyota Prius will be published by the end of this month. Meanwhile, if you’re on Twitter you can find my updates via @theautowriter, where I share photos, industry news, and other snippets related to the auto industry.

2016 Toyota Prius Four photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

2016 Toyota Prius

Chrysler, Google Project: Start of Something Big?

May 6, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid — The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (plug-in) will be retrofitted with Google self-driving technologies.

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 manufacturers have shown no signs of interest. By all accounts, FCA’s long-term survival may mean teaming up with a larger player or at least with a company possessing both the technical expertise and the deep pockets to make it happen.

Enter Google.

The Google Self-Driving Car Project gives the tech giant access to a modern vehicle, in particular a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and one that aligns perfectly with its earth-friendly business philosophy. The Google group will purchase 100 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivans this year, outfit them with Google self-driving technology, and test them. It represents one part of Google’s plan to make autonomous driving a reality.

See Also — Up Next: Ford-Volkswagen Tie-up?

This effort alone will more than double Google’s current self-driving fleet, one that has been in operation for more than seven years and has logged in excess of 1.5 million miles. Clearly, Google has a leg up on the competition with its autonomous technology. Google has already been testing a car it has built, but few believe that the prototypes are suitable for production.

Aligning with an automaker allows Google to concentrate on what it does best. For the car manufacturer, in this case, Fiat Chrysler, it allows the automaker to glean much data from the experience. At some point, autonomous vehicles will become a reality. By sharing technology and the overall vision that goes with it, both companies benefit.

The FCA-Google agreement doesn’t preclude either company from working with competitors. Indeed, FCA might also reach out to Apple, another tech giant wading into the self-driving sphere. At the same time, Google can approach other car manufacturers. Nevertheless, if the Google-FCA partnership works well, both companies will get to know each other better than had they never forged a relationship — it is a great chance for the two to consider further collaboration, perhaps even a merger.

Laugh all you want, but FCA has much equity in products such as Jeep and Ram trucks. A Google-backed FCA would be a powerful force in autodom.

Marchionne has certainly received criticism for shopping FCA, almost as soon as the Fiat-Chrysler consortium was finalized. It is a running joke in this business that when Sergio comes looking, all suitors flee. Cartoons, articles, and Internet chatter have poked fun at the CEO and his efforts. At the same time, FCA workers are feeling not a little bit spooked that they may come in at the short-end of any merger.

Google may be the best bet for FCA, given a lack of viable automaker partners. Things could be worse — Google could have turned to any other manufacturer, but FCA made it plainly known where they stood and held out the invitation. It is an opportunity of the moment and both companies will make it happen.

There are still many roadblocks to overcome before autonomous vehicles become a reality. State and federal laws must be met. And then there is the very real problem of hacking. Worse, Islamic State (ISIS) technicians are reportedly working on weaponizing self-driving cars. What clearly should be made for good has an evil flip side.

Google partnering with FCA makes it easier for the tech giant to gain some much-needed credibility in all things transportation. Even if the initial collaboration leads to nothing deeper, Google will have access to the same regulators that FCA knows very well. This demonstrates Google’s commitment to the market and makes it easier for the company to tout what it knows.

The tech-automotive manufacturer convergence has been underway for many years. Ever since Microsoft and Ford teamed up in 2008 to place a SYNC interface in the Ford Focus, all car manufacturers have pursued similar relationships. And by teaming with tech giants, the cost of developing complicated systems is shared and the synergies produced by cooperating may very well bring a number of futuristic technologies to the market faster.

See Also — Apple’s Project Titan Autonomous Car

Ford Announces $4.5 Billion Electrification Initiative

December 11, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

The Ford Motor Company is about to embrace electric vehicles in a big way. On Thursday, the automaker announced plans to invest $4.5 billion over the next five years to bring 13 new or updated EV nameplates to the market. By 2020, at least 40 percent of Ford’s nameplates will have an electrification option.

The announcement comes as fuel prices are among the lowest we have seen this century. Indeed, a gallon of regular fuel will cost you less than $2 in most states, approaching levels last seen in 2009. Nevertheless, the long-term trend for fuel prices has it rising gradually over the next five years, with some analysts forecasting $5 per gallon gasoline come 2020. At that price, interest in EVs may intensify, particularly for standard (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

New Battery Electric Ford Focus

Speaking at a press event, Raj Nair, executive vice president, Product Development explained that Ford’s investment will include a $2.1 million contribution for a battery lab at the University of Michigan in a bid to advance research and development. Moreover, the automaker plans to roll out the first of its 13 new or updated products next year, when the battery electric Ford Focus hits the market.

Ford says the next-generation BEV Focus will have a range of approximately 100 miles and offer DC fast-charge capability, enabling it to be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity in about 30 minutes.

However, most of the vehicles included in the initiative will be HEVs and PHEVs, a more sensible decision given the range anxiety inherent in pure electric vehicles. Typically, electric vehicles have a 100-mile average range, but weather and travel conditions can significantly reduce that number according to a 2014 AAA study. Although most consumer trips fall within those limits, an electric vehicle is simply too restrictive for most vehicle owners.

A Truly Global Initiative

Ford’s initiative is global too, as the company will allocate a portion of those funds to battery development in a bid to expand into Asia and Europe. The automaker has targeted China, Korea, and Taiwan as its prime markets for growth.

The automaker isn’t looking solely at electric vehicles as it plans for its growth. Ford also has autonomous vehicles in mind, part of its Ford Smart Mobility plan whereby it will also field a host of products.

“As both an auto and a mobility company, we at Ford are going further than just designing the product to move people from point A to point B,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president, Product Development. “We are considering the way customers interact with our vehicles as a unified experience, looking for ways to excite and delight customers and make their lives better.”

Competing Manufacturers and Vehicle Electrification

Ford, of course, is not the only major manufacturer investing billions of dollars in vehicle electrification. Toyota, a pioneer in all things hybrid, has a new Prius to show for it and has plans to expand production of its Mirai hydrogen-powered car. GM recently released the second-generation Chevrolet Volt and will also have an all-electric Chevrolet Bolt arriving in 2017.

Other manufacturers are certain to release new or improved products over the coming years. For example, the second-generation Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is here and now includes a PHEV variant. Hyundai is also a pioneer in all things hydrogen.

Fuel Price Trends

As for the lower fuel prices, they’re putting the hurt on EV sales. Instead, consumers are buying pickup trucks and SUVs in greater numbers, vehicles that are much less efficient than gas-powered sedans, but much more profitable for manufacturers too. Likely, some of those profits will fuel EV development with automakers such as Ford hoping that a robust market awaits come 2020.

Lexus Reiteration: 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study Leader

March 2, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

J.D. Power & Associates has once again placed the Lexus brand atop its Vehicle Dependability Study. For 2015 and for the fourth consecutive year, Toyota’s luxury brand won out, besting 30 other brands. General Motors and Toyota Motors each received seven segment awards.

Customer satisfaction is critical in the auto industry, thus J.D. Power & Associates annually gauges brand progress based on owner feedback. The 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study has been released and for the fourth consecutive year Lexus is America’s top brand, easily outdistancing second-place Buick and third-place Toyota.

Number of Problems Per 100 Vehicles

As in recent years, manufacturers have been slammed by Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition problems, technologies that pull down scores. The J.D. Power 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study, now in its 26th year, focuses on vehicles after three years of ownership. Thus, this year’s study examined problems experienced over the past 12 months by original owners of 2012 model-year vehicles.

From the collected data, J.D. Power assigns a score based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100). In particular, a lower score means a higher finish and at PP89 Lexus finished well ahead of the PP141 industry average.

2015 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

Niggling and Sometimes Pervasive Problems

J.D. Power’s study is not some cursory investigation of problems owners face. Instead, the study quantifies 177 specific problem symptoms within eight major vehicle categories. Consequently, scores are assigned to all 31 tracked brands.

“As we’ve seen in our Initial Quality Study, owners view in-vehicle technology issues as significant problems, and they typically don’t go away after the ownership honeymoon period is over,” said Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive at J.D. Power. “Furthermore, early indications from our upcoming 2015 U.S. Tech Choice Study show that vehicle owner expectations of advanced technology capabilities is growing. The owners clearly want the latest technology in their vehicles, and they don’t hesitate to express their disapproval when it doesn’t work. Their definition of dependability is increasingly influenced by usability.”

Tech Functionality and Usability

And that usability will often determine whether a customer returns to the brand or goes elsewhere the next time. Indeed, 56 percent of car owners who reported no problems with their vehicle say they “definitely will” purchase the same brand the next go around. However, 43 percent of those who experienced three or more problems with a vehicle are likely to flee to a competitor.

Moreover, the study found that 15 percent of new-vehicle buyers avoided cars they considered technologically problematic compared to just 4 percent a decade earlier. Obviously, technology can be a deal maker or a breaker for a significant number of new car shoppers.

As one who reviews new cars I can attest to the frustrations many car owners enumerate. That 55 percent of individuals surveyed said that they experienced Bluetooth pairing and connectivity problems is a phenomenal number that should not be easily dismissed. Furthermore, another 31 percent said that their phones would not connect when entering a vehicle.

Another key point of the study reveals problems with gearboxes. Specifically, 30 percent identified powertrain problems due to rough shifting and hesitation associated with automatic transmission. Notably, six of the top 10 problems had nothing to do with malfunctions or product defects — those problems were entirely attributed to the vehicle’s design.

Buick Ascension and the Industry Laggards

Buick at PP110 came in second place, just ahead of the Toyota brand at PP111. Certainly, Buick has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years and its latest ascension has moved it up by three spots. Cadillac, Honda, Porsche, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Scion, Chevrolet and GMC rounded out the top 10.

On the other end of the spectrum, Fiat finished at PP273, followed by Land Rover at PP258. No other brands had scores above 200. The Chrysler Group finished below the industry’s average across the board, except for the Ram truck brand.

As far as the top models in each segment, J.D. Power looked at 8 car categories and 11 truck categories. Trucks, by the way, is a broad and generic term composed of pickup trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles.

The winners were:

Small Car: Scion xD
Compact Car: Toyota Corolla
Compact Premium Car: Lexus ES
Compact Sporty Car: Scion tC
Midsize Car: Chevrolet Malibu
Midsize Sporty Car: Chevrolet Camaro
Midsize Premium Car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Large Car: Buick LaCrosse
Small SUV: Kia Sportage
Compact SUV: GMC Terrain
Compact Premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Compact MPV: Scion xB
Midsize SUV: Nissan Murano
Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus GX
Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Large SUV: GMC Yukon
Large Light Duty Pickup: GMC Sierra LD
Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD

Study Parameters

J.D. Power fielded its study in November and December of 2014, surveying 34,000 original owners of 2012 model-year vehicles following three years of ownership.

Honda Heritage Center Opens in Ohio

December 24, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

New facility showcases Honda’s history in America.

1974 Honda Civic. — A 1974 Civic: the model that started it all for Honda.

Many people understand that Honda is a Japanese car manufacturer, but the depth and breath of its business extends out much further than that. The company has been doing business in the United States for 55 years and was the first of the “big three” Japanese automakers to build a car manufacturing plant in North America. Truly, Honda is a global operation.

Honda Heritage Center

More than a decade before selling its first cars stateside, Honda established itself as a power equipment and powersports manufacturer. When it came time to build a car factory in the United States, the company chose Marysville, Ohio, for its first location. Since then, Honda has opened other plants, a technical development center and additional facilities. Last week, Honda turned yet another chapter in its US-based history by opening the Honda Heritage Center in Marysville.

On hand at the dedication was the chief operating officer of Honda’s North American regional operations, Takuji Yamada. He was joined by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, state and community leaders, and other Honda officials in dedicating the $35 million, 160,000 square-foot building. The facility is composed of a museum, a technical development center and offices for the automaker.

The museum portion will welcome its first visitors in January and pay tribute to “Honda’s unique tradition” and feature the many products made and achievements reached over the past half-century and more. Visitors will see how Honda has progressed technologically on a number of fronts, including motorcycles, power equipment and automobiles, with some of those products on display.

Part of the museum space will also showcase such innovative technologies as a replica of its ASIMO humanoid robot and the HondaJet. The latter is new with customer deliveries to start in 2015.

Honda motorcycles

Honda’s history of motorcycle manufacturing precedes automotive production.

Technical Development Center

The technical development center was designed to assist Honda engineers, equipment service technicians and production associates in automotive production across North America. Its mission is to ensure that Honda associates are able to carry out the company’s advanced technology requirements. Essentially, Marysville will play a greater role in helping Honda with the development and production of global Honda models. The upcoming Acura NSX is just one example of such a new model.

Explained Tom Shoupe, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Honda of America Mfg. Inc., “As we introduce more sophisticated technologies in our products and in our plants, we are working to ensure that our associates are equipped with the skills required for the manufacturing demands of the future. We view this investment in Honda people as critical to our future success.”

The State of Ohio provided grant money through its JobsOhio program to help launch the technical development center. The center has five full classrooms, including robotic manufacturing cells to provide more hands-on training for technicians. The curriculum is composed of several elements ranging from maintenance math and frequency drives to advanced training for die molds and machining. The state believes the center will serve as both an important focal point for Honda as well as augment regional labor pool development.

HondaJet

The Acura NSX, HondaJet & ASIMO are among Honda’s futuristic offerings.

Detroit Debut: 2016 Acura NSX

Besides its heritage center announcement, Honda’s Acura division made some news of its own as it announced that its second-generation NSX sportscar will make its production version debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January.

The new model will be underpinned by a hybrid powertrain outfitted with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine and multiple electric motors. Global production of the 2016 Acura NSX will take place exclusively in Marysville, Ohio, with the first deliveries to customers expected in late 2015. Additional product information will be offered at the Detroit auto show with official pricing coming later in the year.

Photos supplied courtesy of Honda North America.

Additional Honda News

Honda Beats Nissan With a CR-V Stick

Honda Debuts FCV Concept Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Why the Honda Insight Failed

Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Silhouette Teased

Upcoming Cadillac CT6 Will Feature Streaming Video

December 22, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Display expands rearward vision by 300 percent.

The CT6’s rear view mirror as it provides video streaming.

One of the most anticipated new cars from Cadillac is the CT6, a high-end full-size sedan set to debut in late 2016. Parent GM has promised to elevate Cadillac to the top of the mass-produced luxury segment and the new model will help move it in that direction.

We’ve been learning a little bit here and there about the sedan that will take on the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but much of those details have been shrouded in relative secrecy.

High-Resolution Streaming Video

Last week, Cadillac shared some news to pique interest in the CT6 and that is the inclusion of a high-resolution streaming video to the function of the rear view mirror. Cadillac says that the technology will eliminate the usual sight obstructions drivers face, including front and rear sitting passengers, their head rests, as well as the front, center and rear pillars.

Cadillac claims that the video will provide a vantage point for drivers similar to what is experienced when operating a convertible with its top down. “In addition to the increased field of view, the technology eliminates any rear seat, rear pillar or passenger obstructions, allowing the driver an unimpeded view of the lanes behind and traditional blind spots,” explained Travis Hester, Cadillac CT6 executive chief engineer.

Utilizing a camera with a high dynamic range, the video feed will reduce glare and permit a sharper image in low-light circumstances. That makes for a marked improvement over automatic dimming rear view mirrors.

The video will show up within the mirror and offer a 1280- by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch and combine that with an HD camera specifically designed to meliorate rear view lane width and to magnify low-light situations.

Eliminating Water Problems

Rain and other water conditions can wreck even the best intentioned plans. Unlike most rear view cameras that become clouded or otherwise obscured due to water, the Cadillac CT6 will make use of a water-shedding hydrophobic coating, applied to the camera to keep it clean under all driving circumstances. This is important, because under foul weather conditions, the benefit of streaming video would likewise be eliminated.

Cadillac acquired 10 patents for its innovative streaming video technology. One patent was received for the streaming video mirror itself; the other nine were for video processing, including glare reduction, dewarping and the camera hardware design.

Video Deactivation Possible

Rest assured, if you buy a CT6 and decide at any time that you don’t want to use the streaming video you will be able to deactivate same by flipping a toggle found on the underside of the rear view mirror. The unit will then immediately transition to an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

The CT6 is a rear-wheel drive model with optional all-wheel drive. The sedan will make use of lightweight materials as well as new body construction techniques to improve vehicle drive dynamics and safety with the added benefit of reducing fuel consumption. It will be built upon an all-new vehicle architecture separate from its other car lines.

When the CT6 debuts, it will also begin a change in Cadillac’s naming convention. All future car models will adopt the new nomenclature when revised models are introduced. This will include the current ATS, CTS and XTS. Crossovers and sport utility vehicles will also gain new names and the transition should be completed by about 2020.

Photo courtesy of GM Corp.

Flummoxed by New Car Technology? You Are Not Alone.

September 2, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

J.D. Power 2014 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study reveals much.

New car owners love their technologies, but only when they work right. Today’s cars offer a varying range of audio, communication, entertainment and navigation (ACEN) systems with hand touches, finger gestures, buttons, knobs and voice commands among the ways that we communicate with our cars.

infotainment system technology

ACEN Systems: Not so Hot Technology

As ideal as the technology is, it may not always work according to promise. Those problems are something that were confirmed in the J.D. Power 2014 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study released last week. The study queried vehicle owners about their experiences and opinion of ACEN systems during their first 90 days of ownership with a focus on quality, design and the features offered.

As is customary with similar J.D. Power surveys, the company assigns a score based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles tested or PP100. The lower the score, the higher the quality. Typically, those scores look at particular makes and models, but with this survey the study returned net results — no manufacturers were identified.

Chevrolet Silverado infotainment system technology

Technology Problems Per 100 Vehicles

For 2014, the problems with built-in voice recognition averaged 8.3 PP100, rising from 7.6 PP100 in 2013. Vehicle owners cited three significant problems with voice recognition communication issues:

1. ACEN doesn’t recognize or misinterprets verbal commands — identified by 63 percent of respondents;

2. ACEN doesn’t recognize or misinterprets names/words — identified by 44 percent of respondents; and

3. ACEN doesn’t recognize or misinterprets numbers — identified by 31percent of respondents.

Customers may experience one, two or all three problems.

ACEN problems have grown in recent years as such systems are adopted by car manufacturers. The problems have eclipsed other vehicle woes including wind noise, Bluetooth connectivity and navigation issues.

Fixable or Not?

Unlike many vehicle problems, voice recognition and device connectivity problems cannot be fixed at the dealer level. They represent a technological design that may or may not be repairable with a software upgrade. Instead, vehicle owners may have to make do with the shortcomings or find alternate use options such as buttons and knobs. That’s the advice of Mike VanNieuwkuyk, executive director of global automotive at J.D. Power, who confirmed, “Despite having alternative controls, this problem still negatively impacts owner satisfaction.”

VanNieuwkuyk noted that manufacturers continue to build voice recognition and connectivity systems that fall short of customer expectations. The poor results follow good manufacturer intentions, but does little to promote owner satisfaction.

Bluetooth Connectivity Issues

J.D. Power found that Bluetooth connectivity problems loom large for many buyers, although the study revealed an improvement in quality based on a score of 5.7 PP100, down from 6.3 PP100 the previous year. The two largest connectivity problems were the system’s inability to recognize or connect the mobile phone or device, a problem in 40 percent of the complaints. Another 30 percent cited problems with automatically connecting when entering the vehicle. Just over half of the owners said that they have iPhone OS smart phones; 41 percent reportedly use an Android phone.

Troubles aside, 70 percent of new-vehicle owners are interested in built-in recognition. That number falls to 44 percent if the system costs at least $500. Thus, building an affordable and working system may help manufacturers win new customers.

J.D. Power surveyed 86,114 new car owners between Feb. and May 2014, with a focus on navigation, voice recognition, rear-seat entertainment and speakers. Respondents were also supplied with sourcing information to enable owners to review data and parse information about individual products and components.

Other Studies

J.D. Power: Powertrain Problems Impact Quality

J.D. Power: Porsche is the Top Brand for Initial Quality