The Toyota Land Cruiser introduced in Franfurt looks like it fits between the 4Runner and Sequoia, neither of which sell in Europe and according to a Toyota spokesman will sell as a Lexus GX in the U.S. It features power-deployed third row seats that go up and down with the push of a button and a side opening rear door (see below).
Ford's Grand C-MAX is one of just a few vehicles that debuted in Frankfurt that will be coming to the U.S. market. With blind spot ID and power liftgate, this mini-mini looking van or so-called C segment car may be a welcomed entry into the U.S.
Two of the most significant introductions for the U.S. market at the Frankfurt Auto Show are the BMW X1 and the 5 Series Gran Turismo. The X1 is obviously the smaller, entry level version in the X line which has the X3, X5 and X6. The engines: a 258 horsepower straight 6 will get 25 mpg in the X1 xDrive28i and there's the European 204 horsepower twin turbo four cylinder xDrive23d (pictured above).
A more interesting entry that won't have the popularity of the X1 is the 535i Gran Turismo which its project director Hans-Jurgen Branz calls "a business jet on wheels". Either a five-seater or optional four-seat configuration with rear arm rest to "travel in style" as Branz puts it. The engines: a 407 horsepower V8 mated to an 8-speed transmission and a 306 horsepower turbo 6. Europe of course will have the 245 horsepower diesel power plant. A unique feature is the two-door truck which can open a small access to the rear or a larger opening when the tailgate opens in hatchback style. This niche 5 Series hits showrooms in Europe Oct. 24 and arrives in the U.S. in December. An X-drive version will be coming next summer after the all-new 5 Series sedan comes out in the Spring.
The Audi R8 was one of many vehicles shown at the fabulous Volkswagen Group event in Frankfurt that entertained more than 2,000 people that included top VW brass and media. We will bring you more details in forthcoming blogs. Time to hit the sack and rest up for the crush of news from back to back media conferences.
On On the eve of media days for the Frankfurt Auto Show Kia had an exclusive media event to show off the new U.S. made Sorento crossover for the U.S. market and the Venga for the European market. The Sorento seen above will go into production in November. I was shuttled in the vehicle from the Kia event to the massive Volkswagen media party in the new Sorento and was very impressed with the ride and luxury of the new vehicle. Completely different than the body on frame SUV that I personally own. The model I was shuttled in even had the rear camera view fo backing up. The all new Sorento should be a welcomed replacement when it hits showrooms next year.
The Kia Venga was also impressive with its double panorama moonroof but sadly is just for the European market.
The Frankfurt Auto Show alternates every year with Paris and tomorrow the media days begin in a city that is experiencing off and on rain showers and amazing growth with building cranes from the airport to the area around the huge convention center. This is the largest auto show complex I've seen in my 20 plus years covering these events. BMW, Mercedes and VW all have halls that match the size of many entire shows. This is the first big auto show since the economy and car industry hit a huge speed bump that entailed bankruptcies and major reorganizations. Kia and Hyundai have big vehicle announcements. Above is the electric smart. Tesla also has their electric vehicles driving around the streets of Frankfurt (see below).
Subaru sales continue to rage on like a wildfire, ironically with a vehicle called Forester. 2009 Subaru sales are up 11 percent over 2009 following its best ever month, up 52 percent over August 2008. Kia sales are up 2.7 percent this year while its larger Korean sister Hyundai is at almost break even after eight months of 2009 versus 2008. While Toyota and Honda were major beneficiaries of the government's Car Allowance Rebate System, or "cash for clunkers" program, luxury car maker Audi, with low incentives compared to the industry, is down just 10.2 percent in sales in 2009 versus last year at this point.
Here are the numbers, in order of monthly sales:
General Motors had their best sales month of the year delivering 246,479 vehicles to U.S. dealers in August, when compared with a very strong sales performance in August 2008 and lower fleet sales this year, it was down 20 percent. Retail sales were down 17 percent while fleet sales declined 29 percent. GM's strong August total sales was up more than 57,000 vehicles, or 30 percent from July. Year-to-date GM has sold 1,390,278 vehicles, down 35.3 percent from the first eight months of 2008.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., including Lexus, reported August vehicle sales of 225,088 vehicles, up 10.5 percent over year-ago levels boosted by an all-time, best-ever for month Toyota Division passenger car sales of 142,529 units, up 32.4 percent over the same period last year as the CARS program accounted for 19.4 percent of sales. Year-to-date Toyota sales are 1,170,409, down 28.3 percent from 2008.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury reported total August sales of 176,323, up 17 percent versus last year with Fusion, Focus, Flex and Escape putting in big sale gains. Ford sales so far in 2009 are 1,080,913, a drop of 23.7 percent from eight months in 2008. Volvo, still owned by Ford, had sales of 5,826, up 24.8 percent from August 2008, bringing the year-to-date sales total to 42,013, a 24.9 percent drop from the first eight months of 2008.
American Honda, including Acura, had record August sales of 161,439, up 14.2 percent over August 2008 while year-to-date sales of 806,907, down 24.8 percent from 2008. Honda sales for the year are 806,907, a 24.8 percent decrease from 2008.
Nissan North America, including Infiniti, reported August 2009 sales of 105,312 units, a decrease of 2.9 percent from August 2008. Nissan Division sales rose 0.2 percent, while sales of Infiniti vehicles decreased by 30.2 percent. 8.7 percent of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles sold last month were attributed to the "cash for clunkers" program. Nissan has sold 524,903 vehicles this year, a 27.7 percent decline from last year.
Chrysler Group reported total U.S. sales for August of 93,222 units, an increase of 5 percent compared with July and a decrease of 15 percent compared with August 2008. Retail sales for August were 68,958 units. Year-to-date Chrysler sales are 653,319, 39 percent lower than the first eight months last year.
Hyundai Motor America August sales of 60,467 units was a 47 percent increase compared with August 2008 and a 33 percent increase over last month, marking an all-time monthly sales record. Hyundai sales in 2009 are down just 0.7 percent from the same point a year ago.
Kia Motors America had all-time record monthly sales of 40,198 in August, up 37 percent over July and 60.4 percent year over year from August 2008. Kia has sold 216,947, 2.7 percent more than in 2008.
Volkswagen of America reported August 2009 sales of 24,823 units representing an increase of 11.4 percent over August 2008 and its best sales month since December 2005. Separately, Audi sold 8,057 cars and SUVs in August, up 26 percent for its second-best August sales ever and its best month overall since June 2008. Fewer than 10% of Audi sales for the month can be attributed to the "Cash for Clunkers" incentives. VW 2009 sales are 142,421 this year, down 10 percent from 2008 while Audi has sold 52,309 vehicles in 2009 down 10.2 percent from 2008.
Subaru of America had it's best sales month ever selling 28,683 units this August, a 52 percent increase from August 2008. Subaru sales for August 2009 also showed a 31-percent increase over July 2009 which was also a record sales month. Year-to-date Subaru sales are 143,828, up 11 percent as compared to the first eight months in 2008.
The BMW Group in the U.S., including MINI, reported its best sales month so far this year with August sales of 24,343 units, a 21.3 percent drop from a year ago. The BMW Group year-to-date sales volume of 160,044 vehicles is down 26.5 percent, compared to the first eight months of last year.
Mazda North American Operations reported its best sales month of the year and best August since 2003 with sales of 26,542, 12.1 percent increase versus August of 2008. Mazda has sold 145,955 vehicles in 2009, down 26.7 percent.
Mercedes-Benz and smart had combined sales of 18,734, down 10.5 percent compared to August 2008. Mercedes-Benz USA accounted for 17,112 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz and smart year-to-date sales are 130,035, down 25.7 percent from last year.
Mitsubishi Motors North America August 2009 sales of 6,813, the highest monthly sales total for Mitsubishi since October 2008 and an increase of 41 percent from July. Year-to-date sales are 38,127.
American Suzuki had sales of 5,749 in August, a 5 percent drop from a year ago. Year-to-date Suzuki has sold 31,793 vehicles, a 55 percent drop from the first eight months of 2008.
Porsche Cars North America August sales in the U.S. was 1,526 units, up 9 percent versus August 2008. Porsche's year-to-date sales are 12,729, down 35.1 percent.
Porsche just showed off the Cayenne S hybrid to media in Los Angeles after putting the diesel Cayenne on sale in Europe at the beginning of this year. Another departure from Porsche's race car image is the 4-door Panamera sedan that hits U.S. showrooms on Oct. 17.
Dr. Michael Leiters, project manager for the Cayenne says though it can be put into any vehicle "hybrid is still a niche technology, out of the total passenger car market, hybrid is about 2%". He says the Cayenne S hybrid will come to market next year and expects 5 to 10% of global Cayenne sales to be the hybrid model.
Porsche with Volkswagen developed a parallel hybrid system with the electric and combustion engines on the same shaft. As you would imagine, Porsche's hybrid technology has some unique features like using a dual dry plate clutch to disengage the electric and gas motors from the drive shaft in 200 to 300 milliseconds. A technology currently in use at Porsche is the start-stop which shuts off the engine in long periods of idling then quickly re-starts when power is needed.
Porsche took the Audi S4 333-horsepower 3.0-liter Direct Fuel Injected V6 for their hybrid because of its high torque-low rev behavior. The Cayenne S hybrid goes up to 32 miles per hour in electric mode and can coast or "sail" up to 86 miles an hour while going downhill. The 38 kilowatt electric motor runs off nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries made by Sanyo. Leiters claims that "the Cayenne hybrid S accelerates like a V8 and gets better fuel consumption than a V6". Porsche engineers are targeting more than 24 miles-per-gallon for the Cayenne S hybrid.
The hybrid is best for urban use where speeds are frequently less than 30 miles an hour for electric motor use while diesels are most suitable for long driving. As for diesel in the U.S., Porsche says the premium manufacturers are paving the way, like VW's success with the TDI but a media and customer push is needed for it to really catch on and dispel myths that the new diesels are just like the polluters of the past. As for the Porsche diesel, it drove smoothly and was impressive and just needs the "clean" or Blue technology to be added so it can be sold in the U.S. and specifically California.
According to a recent study that forecasts hybrid vehicle growth outpacing diesel, Porsche may have greater success with hybrid in the U.S. than diesel. With diesel, hybrid and a 4-door performance sedan, Porsche is speeding past many competitors in multiple lanes.
The 2009 Nissan Altima summer commercial campaign "Look Closer Nissan Delivers" hits the Toyota Camry head-on. In a battle of Japanese sales-leading sedans, the Altima is a popular car and maybe you have to ride in one to notice how many are on the road around you. The Altima turns heads.
In seven months of 2009, Nissan has sold 115,680 of its best-selling Altima sedan which trails Camry's year-to-date sales of 184,216 - but it should be your taste, not the sales race stats, that attracts you to the car.
The Altima's smaller 175 horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine gets a combined 26 miles-per-gallon according to Edmunds.com so it made the Altima eligible for the top $4,500 Cash-for-Clunkers voucher making it worth a "look closer". The 4-banger was quick off the line with lots of pep and power. After a week of driving the Altima around Los Angeles and racking up 300 miles, there was still a quarter tank of gas left.
I had driven a rented 2009 Altima earlier in the summer on the twisting roads of Northern California's wine country with two sets of golf clubs and lots of luggage stowed in the 15.3 cubic feet trunk showing off Altima's surprising amount of room for both passengers and cargo.
The Altima sits on a 109.3-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 189.8 inches. The larger engine choice is a 270 horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine. The Altima comes standard with Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and many available options like Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor and Nissan Navigation with XM NavTraffic real-time traffic information.
The Altima has received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) highest rating - 5 stars - for front-impact and side-impact crash safety. The 2009 Nissan Altima is available in four models: 2.5, 2.5 S, 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL. The Edmunds.com Editor's Rating is 7.8 while the Consumer Rating is 9.0. As the commercial says - Nissan delivers.
The new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will have a 450 horsepower 3.8 liter engine that redlines at 8500 rpm, delivering 15 more horsepower than its 911 GT3 counterpart, and mated to a six-speed manual transmission with shorter ratios and gearshift travel than in the 911 GT3.
Another new option in the GT3 RS is a lithium-ion battery reducing the weight by more than 22 lb and is mainly intended for the track. The front axle comes with nine-inch-wide wheels running on 245/35 ZR 19 sports tires while the rear axle features twelve-inch-wide wheels incorporating 325/30 ZR 19 sports tires.
The 2010 911 GT3 RS goes on sale in the U.S. in early spring of 2010 at $132,800.
The Hyundai ix35, conceived and engineered in Europe, joins the C-segment to replace the Tucson and will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
Next to the ix35 will be the larger Hyundai Santa Fe that will be "significantly-revised" with new styling, powertrain, steering and suspension to fine-tune the driving experience and make it even more competitive versus rival 4x4s.
Kia Venga will make its world premiere during the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 15th and goes on sale across Europe later this year.
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Venga will be marketed exclusively in Europe with a choice of two 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter gasoline and diesel engines, generating between 74 horsepower and 113 horsepower. The Venga is 160.2 inches long on a 103 inch wheelbase. Kia says, "Venga redefines its MPV category by offering levels of interior space typical of a larger C-segment vehicle, but within a B-segment footprint."
If gas prices soar again and there's another rush to small fuel-efficient vehicles, you think we may see these in the U.S.?
The all-new 2011Infiniti M performance luxury sedan enters its third incarnation with the M56 and M37 models. The M56 V8 is expected to offer more than 400 horsepower. For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a V6 performance diesel.
The 2011 Infiniti M also features a completely redesigned body, with a low front end and deeply sculpted fenders inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept car. The 2011 Infiniti M will have a blind spot intervention system designed to help alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in an adjacent lane during an intended lane change, and then help assist the driver in returning the vehicle toward the center of the original lane of travel.
The 2011 Infiniti M is scheduled to go on sale across the world starting from spring 2010 after making its official public debut later this year.
The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ is making its North American debut at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance tonight.The all-new Jaguar XJ will have a starting price of $72,500 MSRP and top out at $115,000 for the 510 hp XJ Supersport.
The new XJ will be available in both standard and long wheelbase models with a standard panoramic glass roof. Its lightweight aluminum structure makes it at least 300 lbs. lighter over steel body construction. The 2010 Jaguar XJ goes on sales early next year.
Hyundai's flagship premium luxury sedan, badged as the Equus in the Korean market, will launch in the U.S. next year. Developed under the codename "VI," launched this year in Korea is called the Equus, a nameplate used on their flagship model for 10 years and is built on Hyundai's rear-wheel-drive architecture, shared with the Genesis sedan.
The success of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis in the U.S. gave Hyundai reason to consider expanding its brand further into the upper echelon of automotive luxury.
The new sedan will be sold in the U.S. beginning in late 2010. Pricing, packaging, specifications, and the final name of the car for the U.S. market will be announced closer to launch.
