Karl on Cars

Karl on Cars http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/  1995-2008 Edmunds.com, Inc. The contents of this feed are for non-commercial use only. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:05:14 GMT Web Crossing(r) Unix-v6.0 built May 6 2008 01:30:43 (source:1029 2008-05-05 23:05:11 -0700)/Unix-6.0 (http://webcrossing.com/) http://backend.userland.com/rss April's Automotive Sales Numbers: Not a Pretty Picture Fri, 09 May 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/6 http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/6 Karl Brauer <karl@edmunds.com> April Automotive Sales Numbers Compact Car Market Share Hybrid Market Share Pretty Picture Highest Ever <IMG height=194 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7235/cmd.233/embedded..eea7249" width=150 align=right>Here's some non-news - car sales are in the toilet. I know we're already a week into May, but I just got April's numbers from our data folks (my fault, not theirs) and it's not a pretty picture. Here's the basic rundown in all its badness: April car sales were the worst since 1995, and 8% below March (usually sales pick up from March to April) The Honda Accord was the best selling vehicle last month, better not only than Camry, but better than Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado, too (the Silverado started the year in the #1 position, and the Chevy/Ford full-size trucks have outsold midsize sedans for years) Toyota was top-selling brand in April (ahead of GM and Ford) Compact car market share the highest ever -- 22.6% Hybrid market share highest ever -- 3.2% Large truck market share lowest ever -- 11.1% (was 19% three years ago) Mini and Smart have the lowest days-to-turn (i.e. how long a car sits on the lot before selling): 10 and 12 days, respectively Hummer has the highest days-to-turn: 117 (OUCH!) And last but not least, the year-to-date car sales numbers are pretty painful: <UL> <LI>GM down 12.6% <LI>Ford down 10% <LI>Chrysler down 18% <LI>Toyota down 4.2% <LI>Nissan down 2.3% <LI>Honda UP 0.5% </LI> </UL> So Honda is up, the rest of the automotive universe (in the U.S. market, at least) is down. And if you happen to be one of those car companies used to making all your profit from trucks and truck-based SUVs, well... http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7235#cm MPG Smackdown: Focus vs Jetta vs Prius vs Smart Thu, 08 May 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/5 http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/5 Karl Brauer <karl@edmunds.com> Volkswagen Jetta TDI MPG Smackdown Ford Focus Toyota Prius Smart Fourtwo Fuel Mileage Savings Cost Hybrid <IMG height=49 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7141/cmd.233/embedded..eea71f8" width=107 align=textTop><IMG height=49 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7141/cmd.233/embedded..eea71fa" width=107 align=textTop><IMG height=49 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7141/cmd.233/embedded..eea71fc" width=108 align=textTop><IMG height=49 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7141/cmd.233/embedded..eea71fe" width=108 align=textTop> If put to a real-world test, which of these cars would get the best fuel mileage? That's the question we intended to answer with our test of a 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 (certified used) Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2008 Toyota Prius and 2008 Smart Fourtwo. So we ran each of them through an identical test loop of close to 1,000 miles. The loop included everything from highway travel and constant speeds to stop-and-go driving in one of the most congested towns on the planet (not L.A.) to medium speeds on deserted two-lanes. When you put a diesel (Jetta) up against a hybrid (Prius) up against a traditional economy car (Focus) up against a...a -- well, whatever the Smart car is -- what do you get in terms of fuel mileage and fuel costs? We ran the cars and we've run the numbers, and in the next two weeks we'll run the story, but I'd be happy to hear any early predictions. Remember, a diesel is very economical at highway speeds and has great torque...but diesel costs more than gasoline. Of course a hybrid is great at low-speeds and in stop-and-go driving, but the electric motor doesn't help much at speeds above 40 mph, and it's also an expensive engine technology. A traditional economy car might not have any high-tech tricks up its sleeve, but that's reflected in the MSRP. Even a few hundred dollars saved in purchase price can take awhile to make up in fuel savings from a more expensive vehicle. And then there's the Smart. You'll get the full download soon, but which car do you think makes the most sense when it comes to total operating costs and saving money in a world of $4-a-gallon fuel? http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea7141#cm Cars that Jumped the Shark: Mazda Miata Wed, 07 May 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/3 http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/3 Karl Brauer <karl@edmunds.com> Cars That Jumped The Shark Core Mission Sports Car Mazda Miata Fun <IMG height=270 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea70c9/cmd.233/embedded..eea7168" width=430 align=textTop> Has the <A href="http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx5miata/review.html">Mazda Miata</A> ever really jumped the shark? Moreso than the BMW M3, I would argue it has not. In looking at the Miata's basic specs over its three generations there is an undeniable weight gain -- from just over 2,000 pounds for the 1990 model to 2,400 pounds in the current roadster. A "bulk-up" of more than 25 percent for a two-seat sports car could be reason enough to suggest the jumping of predatory fish. But if you've driven all three generations you know the Miata's core mission of providing exotic-car levels of fun at just over economy car prices hasn't faltered. I personally still like the styling of the original Miata best. I know pop-up headlights are considered sooooo 1991 these days, but I still like them. The first-gen model was both the cleanest, visually, and the lightest, functionally, but power was just better than adequate, and comfort/refinement weren't its strong strong suits either (love that plastic rear window...). The second-gen car got more powerful, yet styling took a hit in my mind and even the "fun" factor seemed to suffer, though it was still a blast on twisty roads. This was also when the horsepower ratings proved initially optimistic, and the price took a big jump -- despite using the same basic chassis as the first-gen car. This is my least favorite Miata. The current car is a revelation. Power increased yet again, and the thrill-ride aspect is better (in my opinion) than the first-gen car. I'm still not crazy about the styling (to my eye, over-emphasized fender flares are soooo 1977), but the sweetheart engine, available hardtop and overall execution continue the bargain-exotic theme, even with a starting price approaching double the 1990 figure. Perhaps it hopped a pool of piranha or two along the way, but this car hasn't really jumped the shark -- yet. http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea70c9#cm Talk Back Tuesday: Will Plug-In Hybrids Really Work? Tue, 06 May 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/2 http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/2 Karl Brauer <karl@edmunds.com> Talk Back Tuesday Plug-In Hybrids Really Work Utility Companies Electricity Costs Chevrolet Volt Solar Panel <IMG height=271 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea70c3/cmd.233/embedded..eea70c6" width=430 align=textTop> Everyone from Ford to GM to Toyota is betting on <A href="http://www.edmunds.com/advice/hybridcars/articles/117710/article.html">plug-in hybrids</A>, with models like the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius promising to offer the technology in the next couple of years. The promise of all-electric operation, and the equivalent of 100 mpg, is hard to ignore. Yet there are many hurdles to overcome, like lithium-ion battery technology, heat management and warranty concerns. But an even bigger quesiton remains: How will utility companies react to this new drain on the power grid? That's a question raised in a recent <A href="http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120969297862161675-nLln4YoPruBbuw7MmgVgXSr3KgE_20080601.html">Wall Street Journal article</A> titled "Utilities, Plug-In Cars: Near Collsion?" The upshot of the article is that utility companies will suddenly play a much larger role in the average person's transportation costs -- making them similar to oil companies. As with most things, the potential for plug-in hybrids comes down to money. If most people charge their vehicles at night, during off-peak hours for electricity demand, then plug-in hybrids and utility companies would be a match made in heaven. But, if too many people start plugging in during the daytime it could cause everything from skyrocketing electric bills to grid shutdowns. You know those brown outs we all enjoy in the middle of summer when everyone cranks up the home A/C? An army of plug-in hybrids could make that look like a static-electricity spark. Another big concern centers around the pollution factor. If you cut tailpipe emissions but increase powerplant emissions, are you really saving the planet with your plug-in hybrid? Much of that depends on where the electricity is coming from. I said <A href="http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/467">awhile ago</A> that combining a solar panel on your roof with an electric car or plug-in hybrid is about as close to cost- and pollution-free transportation as you can get. If someone makes the plug-in hybrid a reality it would make solar energy that much more attractive for the Average Joe. According to the article, using electricity instead of gasoline is probably a benefit because these coal-fired plants burn coal more efficiently than cars burn gas. But just like so many aspects of plug-in hybrids, we don't yet know how this aspect will play out. This is starting to sound a lot like the E85/ethanol "fix" -- where it all sounded great until food prices skyrocketed and people started fighting over rice and corn. So the question is: Will plug-in hybrids be a boon or a bust? It's looking like even if we get the lithium-ion technology and heat management figured out there are still some big questions left unanswered. http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea70c3#cm Legend of the Motorcycle: Pebble Beach without Posers Mon, 05 May 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/1 http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/1 Karl Brauer <karl@edmunds.com> Legend Of The Motorycycle Show Half Moon Bay Pebble Beach Monterey Historics Corporate Sponsors MV Agusta Enthusiasts Posers Norton Ducati Triumph Vintage <IMG height=292 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea6fcb/cmd.233/enclosure..eea6fcc" width=430 align=textTop> Every authentic automotive enthusiast has at least heard of the <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble_Beach_Concours_d'Elegance">Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance</A> and/or <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Historic">Monterey Historics</A> that happen each year in mid-August on the Monterey Peninsula. But if you've been following (and/or attending) those events for any length of time you know it's gotten a bit too big for its britches. What started as a pure car-guy weekend has, largely, become another corporate tool. For example, it's no longer the Monterey Historic Race event that it started out as in 1974, it's the ROLEX Monterey Historic Races presented by TOYOTA. And it doesn't just happen at Laguna Seca raceway, it happens at MAZDA RACEWAY, Laguna Seca. The Pebble Beach Concours hasn't officially sold its name or location to a corporate entity since its 1950 genesis, but during the long weekend leading up to the Sunday car show just about every automotive-related company tries to get in on the action with sponsored events, vehicle introductions and general corporate posturing. If you can fight your way through the traffic, crowds and paid signage (much of it made up of clearly non car folks or subject matter) you might catch a glimpse of some of the best vehicles on the planet, both racing at LAGUNA SECA and displaying on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach golf course. <IMG height=268 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea6fce/cmd.233/enclosure..eea6fcf" width=430 align=textTop> Which -- finally -- leads me to the <A href="http://www.legendofthemotorcycle.com/">Legend of the Motocycle Show</A> that takes place on the first Saturday of May at Half Moon Bay. This past weekend the show held its 3rd annual event, and I attended for the first time. Much like (I imagine) the third Pebble Beach Concours or Monterey Historics felt, this show has a purity that separates the posers from the players. While the occasional over-coiffed attendee made an apperance, the bulk of the assembled masses, whether showing a motorcycle or enjoying the motorcycle show, was clearly a true two-wheeled enthusiast. <IMG height=297 src="http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea6fd1/cmd.233/enclosure..eea6fd2" width=430 align=textTop> The weather remained cool and blustery, which for a classic British bike fan like myself only added to the atmosphere. Telling myself I was on the Isle of Man, not the Central California cost, was easy on the 40-degree golf course framed in gray-skies and crashing waves. Hearing the various BSAs, Ducatis, MV Agustas, Nortons and Triumphs fire up for the show judges only enhanced the illusion. Seeing Giacomo Agostini and Alan deCadenet among those walking the rows of bikes didn't hurt, either. Beyond the motorcycle show there's an auction, a "Ride of Legends" from Los Angeles to Half Moon Bay before the show, and a 44-mile "Tour of Legends" for all show entrants after the show. Yes, the sponsorship parade has already taken hold, with Dainese, Land Rover and Meguiar's among the 20-plus corporate entities circling the festivities. But they haven't diluted the genuine enthusiast atmosphere -- yet. If you're a fan of vintage motorcycles and want to experience the passion without the pandering often associatged with such gatherings I would suggest you attend next year's Legend of the Motocycle show -- while the enthusiasts are still in charge. Perhaps the subject matter will keep this event real indefinitely. We're not talking million-dollar Bentleys or Bugattis here, so one can only hope. But you never know... http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea6fc9#cm