The Car Exam News #24: Encouraging GM and Ford News

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Good news for General Motors

Good news for GM this week: The Detroit Free Press reports that GM will build a new, smaller Cadillac, the ATS, at its Lansing Grand River plant. The ATS will be smaller and priced lower than the CTS (pictured above). No word yet on when production of the ATS will begin.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101027/BUSINESS01/101027034/1210/business01/GM-Lansing-plant-will-build-new-Cadillac) 10/27/10

More good GM news–and good news for Ford, too: Consumer Reports is reporting that the reliability of GM’s cars is improving–a must if it wants its recovery to continue. Recently launched vehicles, such as the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, and the Buick LaCrosse V6 (FWD) have proven to be reliable from the start–something not very common to GM in recent decades. Some older GM models, like the Corvette, for example, have even improved with their reliability. GM can still do a lot better, though, as it still trails far behind the leading Asian brands (Toyota and Honda, for example) in reliability. If GM can keep improving, it just may get back on top one day…

Meanwhile, Ford continues to shine. Consumer Reports also notes that 90% of all Ford models (including Lincoln) are at least rated as having at least average reliability. Furthermore, Fords are now more reliable than Mazdas and Nissans, and just lags behind the legendary Toyota luxury brand, Lexus–quite an impressive feat. Ford has already had good news earlier in the week of record third-quarter profits of a whopping $1.7 billion dollars, so executives in Dearborn must be jumping for joy!

Source: Consumer Reports (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/10/consumer-reports-2010-annual-car-reliability-survey-gm-makes-big-strides-while-honda-toyota-dominate-pr.html?CMP=OTC-NEWS2) 10/26/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #23: Nissan begins production of the Leaf, and Cadillac axes the V8 in the STS

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Nissan begins production of the Leaf

Nissan turns a new Leaf: Automotive News reports that Nissan has began production of the Leaf electric car in Japan and will begin exporting it to the U.S. next month. Production of the Leaf will not begin in the U.S. (in Tennessee) until the late 2012. Batteries for the Leaf are currently being produced in Japan, and will later be produced in the U.S. and in Europe.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/25/10

Cadillac axes the V8 in the 2011 STS

A V8 no more: USA Today is reporting that Cadillac is axing the 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 engine from The STS, leaving the only the 302-hp, 3.6-liter V6 engine as the only choice. The V6 is more fuel efficient than V8 and only has 18 fewer horsepower, so the move makes more sense, especially with new CAFE rules taking effect soon from the U.S. government.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/cadillac-sts-loses-its-v-8-engine-for-2011/1) 10/25/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #22: Another big Toyota recall, and the Dodge Journey gets a better interior

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Another big Toyota recall

Here we go again: The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota is recalling over 1.5 million Toyota Avalon and Lexus models worldwide (but mostly in the U.S. and Japan) due to leaking seals in the brake master cylinder in some models, while others (none in the U.S.) have an electrical problem with the fuel pump which could cause the engine to stall.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101021/BUSINESS01/101021016/1210/Toyota-recalling-1.53-million-cars-globally) 10/21/10

The 2011 Dodge Journey gets a better interior—and more

The Dodge revision continues: Automotive News is reporting that Dodge has revised the interior in the Journey crossover. There is a new instrument panel, center stack, new steering wheel, heating and cooling vents, a U Connect Touch system with Garmin Navigation and Voice recognition, and more. By the way, for those interested in horsepower numbers, the 2011 Journey will receive the Pentastar V6 engine with 283 hp.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/21/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #21: The Chevy Volt in small supply, and Chrysler’s lineup grows

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Chevy Volt to be in small supply

If you’re eager to buy a new Chevrolet Volt, you may not want to get your hopes up at first: Automotive News reports that GM will only produce 10,000 Volts in 2011–yikes! This may be a serious tactical error on GM’s part. According to the Automotive News article, Chevrolet will have a large marketing blitz to promote the Volt, but if eager customers want to go out and buy a Volt–and find out they probably won’t be able to get their grubby paws on them until 2012–they may just say “forget it” and seek out alternate vehicle options (some may turn to the Nissan Leaf–if Nissan doesn’t do the same thing GM is doing). GM may hope “pent up” customer demand will drive Chevrolet Volt sales, but they had better hope a lack of Volts doesn’t diminish it.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/18/10

Chrysler’s lineup grows

Apparently, Chrysler/Fiat thinks the more, the merrier: The Detroit Free Press reports that Chrysler is bucking the trend set by Ford and General Motors: instead of subtracting brands from their model lineup, Chrysler/Fiat is adding new brands. The addition of the Fiat brand in early 2011, Chrysler has already separated their pickups from the Dodge brand into their own Ram brand, and after the Fiat launch, Alfa Romeo will be re-introduced in to the U.S., and five models from that brand will be sold.

That is quite a gamble for Chrysler/Fiat. However, several facts remain: if the cars have terrible build quality and reliability and no one buys them, Chrysler is once again “up a creek without a paddle.” Sergio Marchionne and his crew had better work hard–and pray they get it right.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101018/BUSINESS01/10180318/1331/Chrysler-expands-as-others-cut-brands) 10/18/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News # 20: Toyota to debut larger Prius at the Detroit Auto Show, and the U.S. won’t get the new Ford Ranger

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Toyota to debut larger Prius at the Detroit Auto Show

Toyota ups the ante in the hybrid sweepstakes: The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Toyota is going to introduce a brand-new Prius model at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The new Prius, to be sold alongside the current car, will be larger and is said to have “more comfort, better styling and more versatility.” The new Prius should be a 2012 model. After seeing a teaser photo, it looks like the new Prius model could be styled like a crossover utility vehicle or small van.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101015/BUSINESS01/10150378/1331/Toyota-to-show-new-Prius-hybrid-at-Detroit-auto-show) 10/15/10

The U.S. won’t get the new Ford Ranger

Looks like we’re stuck with the F-150: Automotive News has reported that Ford will not sell the all-new 2012 version of the Ford Ranger pickup in the United States that it will be selling in 180 other countries around the world. This will be the first time in almost 30 years that Ford will not be selling a compact pickup in the U.S. market.

What is Ford’s reasoning? Apparently, the new Ranger is apparently too close in size to the current Ford F-150 pickups, so Ford is gambling on U.S. customers purchasing a base model F-150 instead. The Car Exam says this may backfire: not everyone wants a large truck, so Ford just may lose a pool of would-be Ranger buyers to the likes of Toyota and Nissan.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/14/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #19: Toyota and Tesla in the news

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No more Japanese Corollas in foreign markets?

No more Japanese Corollas sold abroad? Automotive News is reporting that Toyota may end exports of its Corolla model out of Japan. This may happen in 2013 and may be done because of the overall healthy strength of the Yen, Japan’s currency.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/14/10

Toyota and Tesla To develop an electric Rav4

Toyota and Tesla further cement their bond: Business Week reports that Tesla and its partner in electric vehicles, Toyota, signed a $60 million dollar contract to develop and electric version of Toyota popular Rav4 SUV. This comes after Tesla and Toyota announced back in July of this year that they would co-develop an electric version of the RAV4.

Source: Business Week (http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9IR3OMO3.htm)

P. Scott

Upcoming stories from The Car Exam: News and Notes from the Orange County Auto Show

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The Car Exam spent a great deal of time at the media event at the Orange County Auto show. What’s on tap for readers? A closer look at the Chevrolet Volt, The Jaguar and Land Rover lines, and even this: some news and notes from The Car Exam’s chat with a special guest! It was a great speaking with this guest, and having him show me around the floor of the O.C. Auto Show. A special thanks goes to the Auto Show’s P.R. staff for making it happen!
Look for these stories soon on The Car Exam!

P. Scott (10/11/10)

The Car Exam News #18: LaHood wants to axe all cell phones for drivers, Toyota’s Prius line grows gets its own brand, & the Orange County Auto Show

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LaHood wants to axe all cell phones for drivers

All drivers may have to forget about gabbing on their cell phones while driving: Automotive News is reporting that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to push for a complete ban of cell phone use (including “hands-free” cell phones) by drivers in all cars. Talking and texting by drivers is a dangerous trend that has caused many traffic accidents over the years that could have been avoided had those drivers been paying attention to the road. LaHood’s push for that ban could also affect other potentially distracting technology for drivers, including GM’s OnStar and Ford’s “Sync” systems. The question is, though, if such a measure actually ever passed legislation, how would it ever be enforced? Would special technology have to be created to carry out such a monumental task? There still would be many drivers—such as there are now—who would completely ignore the law and continue their dangerous behavior. How would they be stopped?

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/8/10

Toyota’s Prius line grows gets its own brand

The Prius will finally stand alone: The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota informed is U.S. dealer that it would be expanding the Prius hybrid line by two additional models and separating it into its own brand. What will the new models consist of? A larger, “Camry-sized” Prius, as well as a Prius close in size to the current car (a plug-in vehicle should also debut sometime in 2012). These move show that Toyota is serious about dominating the hybrid market—and trying to make an attempt to do the same with electric cars. Toyota’s recent hookup with electric car company, Tesla, is definitely by design.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20101008/BUSINESS01/10080382/1210/business01/Toyota-Prius-to-expand-into-a-brand-with-more-varieties) 10/8/10

The Orange County Auto Show this weekend

If you in Orange County, California, or in the Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernadino or Northern San Diego Counties, then it may be worth your time to take at trip to the Anaheim Convention Center to attend the annual Orange County Auto Show. Many new models are on display, including the new Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf, the all-New Honda Odyssey, the all-new Kia Optima, a brand new Ferrari, and even the upcoming 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca model. Guests can also test drive new cars from General Motors, Toyota, and Ford, and other attractions including—a Swimsuit International Model Search competition on Saturday, October 9, and a myriad of other activities for families to participate in. The show official runs Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 10. Go to the website: http://www.motortrendautoshows.com/Orange_County/ for more details.

P. Scott (10/8/10)

The Car Exam News #17: Smart tries to get smarter—and sells Nissan-built cars, and the new 2011 Dodge Charger debuts

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Smart tries to get smarter—and sells Nissan built cars

Smart has been performing very poorly lately, and is apparently trying to save its behind in the U.S. market: Automotive News reports that Smart will sell a larger five-door, “B segment” car built by Nissan in the United States next year. Its only model, the crumb-sized “Smart Fortwo” has been selling poorly for the last couple of years—and it’s no wonder: the shrunken, two-seat, barely-the-size-of-a-golf-cart economy car offers little interior room, poor engine performance and fuel economy that is very mediocre considering its tiny overall size. Smart sold over 24,000 cars in the U.S. in 2008, but sales have collapsed monumentally since then: Smart has sold less than 5000 cars in the U.S. this year with only about 2 ½ months left in 2010. Yikes!

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/6/10

The new 2011 Dodge Charger debuts

Bo and Luke Duke from “The Dukes of Hazzard” would be proud of this: Chrysler took the wraps off the new 2011 Dodge Charger on Tuesday, Autoblog reports: The refreshed Charger gets a new interior, re-skinned exterior styling (the rear-end of the car, including the taillights, borrows strong styling cues from the 1969 Dodge Charger—a.k.a. “The General Lee”), the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, an optional 5.7 liter Hemi V8 and a host of other refinements to complete the updated package.

Source: Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/05/2011-dodge-charger-first-official-images-details-released/#continued) 10/5/10

P. Scott

The Car Exam News #16: The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster, BMW and Mercedes bests Lexus, & the 2012 Focus will be cheaper than the current model

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The recall bug bites the Tesla Roadster

Electric cars aren’t perfect, either: Automotive News reports that over 400 Tesla Roadsters are being recalled due to the possibility that a power cable could short and catch on fire. Tesla apparently had one report in which a 12-volt cable inside of one of the Roadsters chafed a panel and caught on fire. Tesla has begun to notify owners of the potential problem and will send its service crews to customer’s homes or offices to repair the problem (during which they will install a protective sleeve over the cable to eliminate the shorting issue).

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com) 10/04/10

BMW and Mercedes-Benz bests Lexus
Lexus feels the sales effect of its recent woes: USA Today is reporting that BMW and Mercedes-Benz finally passed Lexus in total sales last month, easily upending the storied Toyota luxury brand.

Lexus sales dropped more than 5% percent last month, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz both saw their sales rise over 20% percent during the same month.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/index) 10/4/10

The 2012 Focus to be cheaper than the current model

In more news from USA Today, it is reporting that the 2012 Ford Focus (due next year) will start at a base price that is $20 dollars cheaper than the outgoing base 2011 Focus S model costs (which is $16, 270). Ford will also give $500 rebates to customers who order the brand new Focus early—before the end of February 2011. It looks like Ford is really going to promote the new Focus heavily, and it will be interesting to learn what else Ford has in the works for the launch of the 2012 Focus.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/ford-prices-new-focus-cheaper-than-current-model/1?loc=interstitialskip) 10/3/10

P. Scott