September 4, 2008
As promised, Honda lifted the curtain today on their all-new Prius-fighter hybrid. In doing so Honda resurected the name Insight, which was first applied to their 70 mpg 2-seat hybrid of a few years back.
This concept, like all recent Honda concepts is almost showroom-ready. Also like all Hondas, it is far more attractive (in my eyes) than the corresponding Toyota model that it would compete with.
The Insight will go on sale next spring, and is expected to undercut the Prius by $2K or so, starting at just under $20,000.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Toyota Prius-Fighting Honda Insight Concept
Mazda will debut their Kiyora concept at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. The styling follows the flowing (think folded drapery) theme found on all recent Mazda concepts. Other than having a "next-generation" direct injection 4-cylinder engine, not much is known about what's under the skin.
Full story here.
Here's
Inside Line's take:
2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Mazda Kiyora Concept
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 4, 2008, 7:19 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Mazda, Paris Auto Show
As in July, only Nissan of the Big Six automakers, showed a profit. As compared to August of last year, sales for the auto industry are down roughly 15 percent.
One of the surprises here is that, unlike the rest of the industry, several of Nissan's trucks and SUVs had a really good month. Their formerly slow-selling Frontier midsize pickup broke out with 56-percent leap in August, totaling 9,140 sales. The Xterra SUV showed an incredible 77-percent increase with 8,208 units sold. One thing I'm happy to see is that Subaru continues to surprise with a 14 percent gain over last August. The new Forester had a 73 percent increase over last August!
Here's
AutoObserver's take:
Auto Sales Still Dismal in August - But At Least It Wasn't July
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 4, 2008, 6:51 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Trends
GM has several suitors from the Middle East interested in the Hummer brand. The General lost $51 billion over the last three years, and is hoping to get at least $15 billion as a result of selling assets and cutting costs.
"We are trying to approach this (Hummer sale) on an urgent basis," states COO Fritz Henderson. "End of this year is a fair amount of time. It can conceivably happen ... but if it takes us to early next year, that is okay, too."
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 4, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, General Motors, HUMMER, SUVs, Trucks
Carscoop (via Km77.com, a Spanish web site) has nabbed a couple of images of the next Miata refresh.
The new front end is daring, for sure. To be honest, I don't care for it. I much prefer the current model. No word yet on other changes. The car should be officially announced soon.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 4, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Mazda, Sports Cars
September 3, 2008
Like everything else with wheels these days, expect the next-gen Corvette to go after more mpg rather than more mph. Popular Mechanics is reporting that there is talk of V6s and maybe even diesels. As they say, everything is on the table for discussion.
Full story here.
Photo Illustration: Anthony Verducci
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 3, 2008, 9:05 AM
- Categories: Chevrolet, Sports Cars
AutoExpress is reporting that Toyota's Smart-fighter, the iQ, may get a plug-in hybrid version. The car would use a 500c gas engine. It would be able to travel 15 miles in pure electric mode. It could be in production by 2010. No word yet as to whether it will be sold here.
Speaking of "smart" and "iQ," what's with this naming of vehicles based on one's brain capabilities? Do they actually "think" (another brain function) that the buyers are smart and have high IQs? I always "thought" (past tense brain function) that puns (like these) were mainly for those (like me) of less capable intellect?
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 3, 2008, 7:55 AM
- Categories: Green Tech, Hybrids, SMART, Toyota
Depending on which side of the fence you're on, this is either good news or lousy news. Me? I'm on the "lousy" side of the fence.
Okay, I guess I was wearing my "naive" cap on this one, as I was really hoping that--some how--some way--that Nissan and Dodge would find a way to keep the excellent 5.6L Nissan V8; but it ain't gonna happen. Way too expensive, so I've been told, to retro-fit the Nissan engine into the Dodge half-ton.
So the next Titan (are they even going to keep that name?) will follow the long-established pattern of being a 100-percent badge-engineered product. I don't know about anyone else, but I see this as having FAILURE being written all over it.
Why you may ask? Because I have yet to find a badge-engineered vehicle that I would want to own. Nope, not a one--and I don't expect this next Nissan truck to be any different. Nor have I seen any badge-engineered vehicles be really kick-ass successful. Granted, GMC has done pretty well, but it's always played second fiddle to the Chevy counterpart--and its future is very much up in the air. Nissan will get some sales. I don't, however, see this truck as ever being anything more than a bit player.
And if by chance I do find myself liking it--I'd buy the Dodge version instead, assuming I was in the market for a truck. I'd simply rather reward the guys who did all the real work here, and not reward the truck maker that bailed and took the easy way out. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling this way.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 3, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Dodge, Nissan, Trucks
Originally planned to debut at the Paris auto show, Honda is now planning on teasing us with some pictures of their new hybrid-specific sedan on September 4. It should be noted, as per recent Honda debuts, that what will be shown will be a close-to-production "concept," and not the finished product. Don't you just loved to be toyed with this way?
Whatever. We'll take it. The actual concept--in 3-D, will be on display at the Paris show.
John Kingston, Honda UK environmental manager, said the new model was critical to Honda's future. "It is a very important car for Honda and our future direction," he said, adding: "This is a car that will change customer perception of hybrids."
Full story here (subscription needed).
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 3, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Honda, Hybrids, Toyota
September 2, 2008
This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.
It's the final scene of my favorite Charles Bronson movie that keeps me coming back. End of game. Bang. You're dead. Killed a perfectly good 1972 Mustang Mach 1, but my path was chosen.
Now I tell the truth for a living. A good living. I get big checks to write this garbage. Big enough that I can buy any car I want. OK, that's a stretch. The Mechanic cannot afford a Rolls or a Bugatti, but I've got money to spend. And I've got good taste. I'm also college-educated. Literate. And I appreciate the best. When I spend my money I spend it on quality goods. And the car I choose to be seen in must be a quality item. The finest of its kind.
In other words, I would not buy an American car. It's hard for me to even type that. Fact is, I'd like to buy an American car, a great American car. It just doesn't exist.
This only occurred to me recently, when my father, The Mechanic Sr., asked me what car I would buy if I could buy anything. I realized there wasn't an American car or truck on the list. Not one I lusted after.
Oh sure, the latest batch of goods from Eminem's hometown is worth a look; the Cadillac CTS is strong, the Buick Enclave is very good and the Pontiac G8 GT is a fine machine. I can also say good things about the Dodge Challenger SRT8, the Ford Flex and the Chevy Malibu. I also think the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is pretty cool. And then there's the Corvette, which is likable in Z06 form and downright desirable in ZR1 trim. They're all good cars and trucks; they're just not the best.
And I said I want the best. The very best. And for the best you simply don't shop in Dearborn, Auburn Hills or Detroit's Renaissance Center.
Shame, really. But the facts are the facts. The bar keeps moving and Ford, Chrysler and General Motors are forever in catch-up mode. Have been since the first muscle car era became the first energy crisis. Hate to be the one to say it out loud, but Detroit remains a lap down.
Sure I'm kicking it when it's bleeding all over the floor. With full force and a pointy boot. But this is why it's down. Eventually, not making the best catches up with you.
Now your panties are in a big ball of a bunch, aren't they? Well, before you fire off some half-witted comment, keep reading. I'm about to cite examples.
For example: the new Corvette ZR1. 638 hp. Fastest, most powerful car in GM's 100-year history. Yawn. The new Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series packs 670 hp. It also looks like it costs six figures (the ZR1 is just a Z06 with a window cut in its hood) and doesn't pack a Wal-Mart interior.
I know, I know. The ZR1 is $100,000 while the SL65 Black Series will be more than twice that. So what? The Benz is still the best.
Screw price. I'm dog tired of giving GM and the rest of Detroit that out. Their cars are almost always cheaper and usually bigger. That's their game. They can't make it better, so they make it cheaper and bigger. Kinda like Costco. You get 500 rolls of the world's roughest toilet paper for $1. Your ass is killing you, but there's no arguing the value. (Ironically, the Germans make fine automobiles but produce the world's roughest TP.)
It worked for the Corvette Z06. "As fast as exotics for less than half the price," said the ad copy. But now the world has the Nissan GT-R. It costs about the same as the Z06, but delivers more speed, a better interior, more features and more technology. Don't even get me started on build quality. Without a doubt, the GT-R is the best high-performance car you can buy for $80,000.
See, the bar keeps moving and Detroit's a lap down.
I could go on with specific examples, but it's easier to just make a blanket statement: No American car, from the lowly Ford Focus to the mighty ZR1, is truly the best car in its segment in the world. Not one. The biggest of big pickup trucks being the exception and that's only because they're still the only game in town for dually diesels. Honda and BMW don't make those.
Sad, really. And it's not something Detroit wants to hear. They read the praise in the press and they believe their own PR. Cadillac really thinks the CTS is as good or better than anything in the world. Better than a BMW 5 Series. Better than a Mercedes E-Class. Sorry, guys. It's closer than you've ever been, but it's still a lap behind.
And if the members of the automotive press actually voted with their dollars instead of writing with their hearts, they would all be driving something from Japan or Germany. Well, the smart ones would anyway. The ones who don't live in Detroit. -- The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor
By the way, take some time out of your questionable existence and e-mail me at themechanic@edmunds.com.
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- Posted by: The Mechanic September 2, 2008, 1:57 PM
- Categories: The Mechanic
GMinsidenews.com is reporting that the next-generation RWD Kappa platform has been axed. The reasons as you might well have guessed are uncertain gas prices, an uneasy economy, poor financial situation within the company and an overall product shake up.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 2, 2008, 5:12 AM
- Categories: Auto Industry, General Motors
The Gen-I EcoBoost engines have yet to hit the streets, and we're already hearing about the Gen-II versions.
According to PickupTrucks.com, these engines will feature ethanol boost technology, and will yield 5 to 10 percent better fuel mileage over the already fuel-efficient Gen-I EcoBoost engines.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 2, 2008, 4:56 AM
- Categories: Ford, Green Tech
OnStar is proving its worth to those who have it, and who are in Gustav's path. The service has reported that well over 3000 calls per hour have been processed from drivers wanting to know the best route in terms of getting out of harms way.
"There's a lot of people that are stranded on the evacuation routes," said Brad Williams, a service manager for motorist help line who was overseeing OnStar's response from a command center in Downtown Detroit.
"They don't want to get on the major highways because they know traffic is at a standstill," said Kim Dupee, a senior adviser in Charlotte who spent much of Sunday directing people out of metro New Orleans. "It's steady. The calls don't stop."
Full story here.
Image: From left, OnStar vice president of subscriber services Scott Kubicki, senior systems analyst Jeff Joyner, and business performance manager Mark Gibb monitor weather and traffic conditions related to Hurricane Gustav at the OnStar Command Center in Detroit Sunday.Gary Male / Associated Press
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 2, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Car Tech
Mahindra has delayed their 30 mpg/2600 payload diesel pickup by perhaps six months, as they want to make sure it's ready for prime time.
Okay, we knew that... What you may not know is that they also have a diesel SUV in the works. That too is being carefully brought up to U.S.-spec in terms of quality before it will be sold here.
Perhaps the most interesting bit of news is found in the last sentence of this link, which states that Mahindra will also offer a larger pickup. When? Sometime after 2010.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 2, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: SUVs, Trucks
September 1, 2008
McCain drives a Caddy CTS, and Obama traded his 300-C for an Escape hybrid. As to Biden or Palin? Read on...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland September 1, 2008, 8:26 AM
- Categories: Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hybrids, Luxury Cars, Trends
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