GM Looks To Still Be in The Sedan Market, With New Models Underway

While the auto market is a rather hostile place for sedans right now, that isn’t stopping GM from throwing money at a sedan plant in Lansing, MI. $175 million is going into the Grand River plant, where the automaker builds Cadillac CTS and ATS and Chevy Camaros. The real interesting thing is that Cadillac’s president confirmed that the two models will halt production and be replaced with two new GMC brands products, of which neither have been announced yet. If there’s one way to get people to get excited about sedans again, GMC has definitely found it.   1st Gear: Ford May Have Given Up On Sedans, But GM Hasn’t In fact, GM is investing $175 million into a plant in Lansing, Michigan, all to make more of them, according to The Detroit Free Press. More than that, these will likely be Cadillacs, a brand which has had a turbulent recent past, with its CEO Johan de Nysschen ousted in April and its sedans not selling well in the U.S., though they’ve been doing better lately and reasonably well in China. The money will be invested at GM’s Grand River plant, where it builds the CTS and ATS, as well as Chevy Camaros. Here’s the Freep: The money will pay for new tooling and equipment for a project that will halt production of two Cadillac sedans and replace them with two yet-to-be-named products. [...] GM’s new cars to be built at the Lansing plant are expected to debut sometime before 2021. Click Here to Keep Reading

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Chrysler’s Future Possibly in Self-Driving, Ridesharing Vehicles

Fiat Chrysler really has not been doing much exciting work with the Chrysler brand in the past few years, and the shrinking lineup is proof the brand is on the way down. Despite this, one car in the lineup has received a new life in a completely different space. The Chrysler Pacifica is the ur-example of a minivan, and for whatever reason, it is very popular with autonomous driving companies. Combine this with the sheer amount of space the van provides, and the Pacifica also makes an attractive option for ridesharing companies looking to appeal to people on the move. It is worth noting that Chrysler did show off the Portal concept car at CES 2017, and it looked like a very high-tech minivan with automated driving...   Despite top billing in the name of parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Chrysler brand’s future is uncertain. Chrysler only sells two cars in the United States, and plans for future models are hazy. But FCA may have a plan for Chrysler, and it may involve shifting the historic brand to focus on shared vehicles, reports Autocar. Chrysler didn’t warrant a mention in FCA’s new five-year plan, which primarily focused on Jeep, Ram, and the automaker’s Italian brands. But Waymo recently announced that it would buy up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans (it already has 600) for conversion into self-driving cars. This could be the future direction of the Chrysler brand. “The minivan business space will be filled by Chrysler, filling the mobility solution in the U.S. market,” FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne told Autocar. The magazine also reported that Chrysler is slated to get one new model, either a second minivan or an SUV. Click Here to Keep Reading

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Volvo’s U.S. Assembly Plant a Lucky Shield Against Trade Policies

They could not have gotten any luckier if they had tried. Volvo’s first U.S. assembly plant broke ground for the first time in 2015, and while it was a long time coming, now the South Carolina plant serves as a barrier for any cars produced there against the Trump administration’s trade tariffs. Unfortunately, the S60, the only car currently made in the plant, accounts for less than a tenth of Volvo’s U.S. sales, so most of the automaker’s lineup is still subject to the trade regulations. By 2021, the plant will be able to produce the XC90 SUV, which is part of a more active market, so assuming trade relations are still this way in three years, Volvo may yet be able to maximize their already lucky break.   When Volvo Car Group broke ground on its first U.S. assembly plant in 2015, it was a proud step in the Swedish automaker’s rebound and global expansion, not a chess move in anticipation of a possible trade war. Now that the plant is about to begin production, it’s poised to serve as a small hedge against tariffs at a time when economic barriers are being erected almost daily. The carmaker on Wednesday will reveal its new S60 mid-size sedan, a redesigned model that will replace one currently produced in China and imported into the U.S. Making the car in South Carolina enables the company to sidestep the tariffs President Donald Trump applied this month to Chinese autos. But with the model accounting for less than 9 percent of Volvo’s U.S. sales this year through May, most of the lineup will still be exposed to any import taxes that target countries in Asia or Europe. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Volvo Plastic Parts Will Be 25% Recycled Plastic by 2025, Company Says

First it says its car fleet will all be partly electric by 2019, now Volvo is taking another step toward sustainability by making its cars with recycled plastic in assembly line-installed parts. The automaker said that a full one-quarter of the plastic used in its production parts in 2025 will be from recycled goods, such as bottles, fishing nets or packaging. Volvo, which is owned by a Chinese company, currently has a roughly 5% recycled plastics usage in its production models, and will be implementing the recycled materials in such places like the floor carpeting and the sound absorbing layers in the bonnet of the car.   At least 25 percent of the plastics used in new Volvo car models from 2025 will be from recycled materials, the Chinese-owned company said on Monday in an anti-pollution plan praised by the United Nations. Recycled plastics - such as from fishing nets or old bottles in car dashboards or carpets, would not affect safety or quality, Stuart Templar, director for sustainability at Volvo Cars, told Reuters. “We think this makes business sense,” he said. Many big companies are designing products that can be recycled after use to limit pollution. Volvo’s plan goes a step further by building ever more recycled materials into its production lines.“Volvo Cars is committed to minimizing its global environmental footprint,” Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, which is owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd, said in a statement. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Chrysler and Dodge Looking Shaky As The Future Looms

Fiat Chrysler is a big, famous carmaker, but let’s look at things realistically: Jeep and Maserati are much more exciting to consumers than Chrysler and Dodge are. The two latter brands only sell well in North America, Dodge’s lineup is focused more on powerful engines than fuel economy, Chrysler has only two current year models out, and the Chrysler name was somewhat tarnished when its parent company barely avoided bankruptcy proceedings. So what this means is that it would be financially unsound of Fiat Chrysler to put more money into Dodge and Chrysler, which will likely have a ripple effect of making it even less popular, until the two brands simply fade from relevancy altogether. Keep your eyes out for these two...   If you’re a huge fan of Dodge or Chrysler cars, we’ve got bad news: Things don’t look good for these key American brands. The fact is that Fiat Chrysler has as a lot of brands, some of which generate way more customer excitement than others. For instance, there is Jeep, one of the most valuable automotive brands in the world. Then there’s Ram, the pickup truck that was brand split off from Dodge in 2009. It sells trucks that haul in loads of profits. Then, on the Italian side, there are Alfa Romeo and Maserati, which sell exciting, snarling Italian luxury and performance cars. Chrysler and Dodge play support roles, and only have a significant presence in North America. Simply put, Fiat Chrysler has better places to invest its money. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Mercedes Benz ‘Collection’ Cheapest Luxury Car Subscription Yet

Mercedes-Benz, the latest luxury car maker to launch a subscription service, has released details on its offerings, and amazingly it’s the least expensive among its competitors. Mercedes’ “Collection” has the “Signature” plan for $1,095/mo. and “Reserve” for $1,595/mo. which puts it almost $400 under the nearest other luxury subscription. Signature offers 4 cars, while Reserve offers 5 of higher quality. Volvo does offer a cheaper alternative, but only offers one vehicle and is generally not considered a luxury car.   Mercedes-Benz is the latest luxury automaker to launch a subscription-based service to get customers who want to have access to a fleet of fancy cars but don’t necessarily want to own one. The German car company’s service is called Collection, and shockingly, it’s the cheapest one we’ve seen so far.   Mercedes is offering two plans: Signature for $1,095 a month and Reserve $1,595 a month. A one-time $495 joining fee is also required. Each plan includes insurance, roadside assistance, service, and maintenance as well as a “personal concierge” who will flip you from one vehicle to another. That makes Mercedes’ plan notably cheaper than comparable subscription services by BMW ($2,000–$3,700 / month), Porsche ($2,000–$3,000 / month), and Cadillac ($1,500 / month).   The only one cheaper than Mercedes is Care by Volvo, a $600-a-month service that includes insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. But unlike other subscriptions, Volvo only offers one vehicle: the XC40 SUV. Click Here to Continue Reading

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VW Shop Owner Dies When Beetle Slips Off Hydraulic Lift

Adolf Mair, 78, of Lower Alsace Township, Pennsylvania, was found dead in his mechanic shop after a Volkswagen Beetle he was working on slipped off of its hydraulic lift. He was found by an employee after failing to show up at another shop he was expected at and failing to answer his phone. He survived for a while after the impact, but later died of internal injuries at nearby Reading Hospital in the trauma unit. Mair owned Mair’s Continental Motors in Lower Alsace for over 40 years and was well-respected by the community.   The longtime owner of an automotive business in specializing in Volkswagens in Stony Creek Mills died Tuesday afternoon after a VW Beetle slipped off the hydraulic lift while he was working in a garage, authorities said.   Adolf Mair, 78, of Oley Township was pronounced dead at Reading Hospital at 4:06 p.m., according to the Berks County coroner's office.   Mair owned Mair's Continental Motors, 1455 Friedensburg Road, Lower Alsace Township, for more than four decades.   He was found by one of his employees lying next to the car in a garage he used at Wilson and Carsonia avenues, not far from his main business. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Volkswagen Expects 250K Car Delays Due To New Emissions Tests

After a new testing regimen was confirmed to be implemented later this year, Volkswagen announced that a quarter-million new cars will experience production and sales delays to comply with these tests. The Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) requires a more complicated testing facility than previous batteries of tests, but new vehicles cannot be sold after Sept. 1 without first passing the tests. The VW Group still expects to reach its previously stated goal to pass last year’s record breaking 10.7 million cars sold despite the new requirements.   Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) said production of up to 250,000 cars from its group brands in the second half will be delayed because of effects from new mandatory lab tests for emissions and fuel economy.   Implementation of the so-called Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) on Sept. 1 for new cars will temporarily restrict the availability of some models and could affect working capital by driving up first-half inventories, Volkswagen (VW) said on Friday, without being more specific.   Carmakers are facing bottlenecks as they rush to get models through the more complex WLTP tests on a limited number of exhaust emissions test benches as they won’t be able to sell new vehicles after Sept. 1 without the new carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel consumption readings. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Cadillac Will Not Be Moving Back To Detroit Any Time Soon, Spokesperson Says

Remember how about four years ago Cadillac moved to New York City from Detroit? Well, apparently that change might be more permanent than some hoped. A spokesperson confirmed “100 percent” that Cadillac was not going to be leaving New York, despite a leadership shakeup in the Cadillac offices. Cadillac president Steve Carlisle, who took over April for outgoing president Johan de Nysschen, was seen by Detroit faithfuls as a potential sign that the luxury brand might be returning to the home of the auto industry. No luck for those faithfuls, it looks like. There’s less of a fight for talent in New York, and they have partnerships that elevate the Cadillac brand, so it looks like there’s no incentive to leave.   Cadillac's new boss will keep the headquarters of the GM luxury brand in New York despite the ouster of the executive who presided over the move from Detroit.   Steve Carlisle will commute to Detroit or anywhere else in the world as is needed to transform Cadillac into a top-selling luxury brand, GM said.   "It’s 100 percent that we’re staying here, that was never a question," said Andrew Lipman, Cadillac spokesman in New York.   The decision makes sense, analysts said, because Cadillac is not just a Detroit brand anymore. It is a global brand achieving big sales gains in China. Moving its New York headquarters would be costly and might result in a talent flight. In a controversial move at the time, GM nearly four years ago moved Cadillac's headquarters from Detroit to the 15th and 16th floors of a high-rise office building at 330 Hudson St. in the trendy lower Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Subaru Data Fraud Runs Deeper Than Thought, CEO Finds

The scandal running through Subaru’s management offices has heated up again, as the maker discovers a larger number of vehicles than previously reported had been produced under falsified MPG and other data. Now 1,551 vehicles are reported to be affected, up from 903. Originally Yasuyuki Yoshinaga was going to remain CEO and president of Subaru, but in the wake of this news he has stepped down and taken a new position as a chairman with no special rights, and will be replaced by Tomomi Nakamura. The cars affected were produced in the new plant in Ota, Gunma Prefecture, where the data falsification took place, and there’s a chance that many of them will enter the market at very affordable prices.   Subaru Corp. said Tuesday it has found new cases of product data fabrication, bringing the total number of affected vehicles to 1,551, up from the previously reported 903, and prompting a revamp of its top management. Yasuyuki Yoshinaga will step down as Subaru’s president and also as CEO to take responsibility for the inspection scandal. He will become chairman without the right to represent the company and will focus on dealing with the misconduct. The post of CEO will now be filled by Tomomi Nakamura, the incoming president, the automaker said. Their appointments will be effective June 22. “I sincerely apologize for causing further concern among our customers,” Yoshinaga told a news conference in Tokyo. As for whether there was other malpractice at the company, Yoshinaga said he could not say with confidence that further cases would not emerge. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Mazda and Subaru Not Joining EV Race Makes Good Business Sense

You may have noticed for all the hubbub of talk about Electric Vehicles in the past year or so, there have been a few automakers whose names have not been mentioned. Two of these are Japanese manufacturers Mazda and Toyota, but their exclusion may be for a clever reason. Mazda was mum on the topic, but Subaru US CEO Tom Doll told news media that by handing back, avoiding the initial rush to compete in the crowding market, and waiting for the tech to get better, Subaru will be able to compete better when they do join the party. Well, with an improved engine block for Mazda about to release, and Toyota being a major owner of Subaru’s stock, the companies definitely can survive not joining the electric race for a while.   Neither Mazda nor Subaru offer a purely battery-powered electric vehicle in their respective lineups. Subaru, however, will launch the plug-in hybrid version of the Crosstrek later this year, but a full-on EV is still some time out. Both Japanese automakers are fairly small compared to other mainstream automakers so R&D resources are far more limited. But that’s okay. Neither company minds. Bloomberg has an interesting report about why neither automaker is aggressively pursuing EVs at the moment. The answer, at least for Subaru, is very simple and brilliant business wise. “If we put one (an EV) out now, we’re going to be competing in the teeth of the market with everybody else,” said Subaru US Chief Executive Officer Tom Doll. “This way, we can let them kind of sort it out, then we can come in.” In other words, let the bigger and wealthier competition do all the heavy leg work, the technology will spread across the industry, and only then will Subaru get in the game, saving a ton of money in the process. No one from Mazda could be reached by Bloomberg to comment, but it’s also clearly in no rush to launch an EV, so it sounds like its strategy is very similar to that of Subaru. Click here to continue reading

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Jeep Cherokee 2018 Models Recalled Due To Fire Risk

Jeep parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recalled 48,990 of the 2018 Jeep Cherokees due to faulty fuel lines which could lead to engine fires. The only models affected are the 2018 Cherokees with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engines. So far Fiat Chrysler has not reported any injuries or incidents related to the production error, though starting June 20, the company will be taking back affected models. If you suspect you or someone you know might have one of the affected models, either wait for a call from the company, or call them preemptively at (800) 853-1403.   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 48,990 Jeep Cherokee SUVs because a faulty fuel tube may leak, which could start an engine fire. The recall applies only to 2018 Cherokees equipped with 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engines; the action is expected to begin June 20, 2018. FCA said it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. The Details Vehicles recalled: Certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee SUVs with 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines built between Sept. 1, 2017, and Jan. 4, 2018. The problem: A thinly sliced fuel tube may leak and could result in an engine compartment fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says. The fix: FCA says it will inspect the fuel tube and replace it if necessary, free of charge. How to contact the manufacturer: FCA will contact owners of recalled vehicles. They can also call FCA at 800-853-1403. NHTSA campaign number: 18V282000. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U39. Continue Reading Here

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National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Top Stolen Cars of 2017

The National Insurance Crime Bureau, combining crime data from all of last year, has created a list of the cars most often targeted across the country by car thieves. In order, these cars are the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Subaru Impreza, Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado (full size variant), Jeep Cherokee, Ford F-350, Ford F-150, Dodge Ram Pickup, and the Subaru Legacy. While this may be cause for alarm for owners of these cars, it is worth mentioning that this also represents a number of factors, like population of vehicles in crime-heavy areas,overall national car popularity, and other factors.   AURORA, Colo. — As the temperatures rise, police around the Denver metro area are reminding people to roll up their windows and lock their car doors, even in their own garage. [….] According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the top car models that are stolen are:Honda CivicHonda AccordSubaru ImprezaFord F-250Chevrolet Silverado (full size)Jeep CherokeeFord F-350Ford F-150Dodge Ram PickupSubaru LegacyThe bureau’s data shows Denver was the worst for car thefts in Colorado in 2017, followed by Colorado Springs, Aurora, Pueblo, Lakewood, Thornton and Westminster.Aurora police are working closely with Denver and other departments in the area to curb car thefts. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Nissan and Toyota Lead May Electric Car Sales Race

May was a good month for automakers Nissan and Toyota, and especially for their electric vehicles departments. The Leaf sold 1,576 units in the US during the month, rising by over 400 from April. This is mainly attributed to the new 151-mile battery in the Leaf, though a 220-mile battery is slated to come out later in the year. Toyota’s plug-in hybrid engine Prius Prime sold 2,924 units in May, rising to roughly half the sales of the standard Prius Hybrid. As technology increases and the buyer base adapts to the increased number of EV options, it is likely that the numbers will only rise in months to come.   After a slow month in April, sales of the Nissan Leaf came roaring back in May. Nissan sold 1,576 Leafs in May, up from 1,171 the month before. The Leaf also had a record month in Canada, selling 906 units north of the border. It is worth noting that this achievement was accomplished with the redesigned Leaf's 151-mile battery. A 220-mile battery is still due out later this year, which will increase the car's functionality but boost its price too. Sales of the BMW i3 continued their slide from April, rolling out just 424 cars, versus 503 the month before. Volkswagen's e-Golf sales were also down to 76 cars as the company transitions to a new Golf due out next year, and to a new strategy of dedicated electric-car models. Click Here to Continue Reading

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Discounts On Cars Looming Thanks To Passenger Car Deemphasis

With prominent automakers like Ford removing themselves from the passenger car market in years to come, it’s easy to take a moment and shed a tear for sedans. However, with such an unusual announcement, there is also opportunity. In 2018 the average number of days it takes for a car to sell from first being put on a car dealership’s lot is 61, while many smaller cars have sat on the lot for longer. This means that it’s easier to get a good price or overall package from the dealership you bought it from, and you should also see  used car prices come down as well. For those who don't need a truck, van, or SUV, it'll be a great time to buy a car.   Over the past few years, car shoppers have flocked to crossovers and SUVs because of their higher seating position, added cargo space and ease of entry. As a result, sedan sales have slowed to a crawl. Things are so bad that Ford last month announced plans to stop selling most of its sedans in North America by 2022.Right now, though, the lack of love for sedans is good news for bargain-hunting car shoppers. Slow-selling four-door models are being heavily discounted, and those who can live without an SUV can find excellent deals.The following sedans make our list because all of them have sat on dealers' lots for an average of 90 days or longer. The average 2018 vehicle's "days to turn" is 61. We then looked at the average discount off the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). (The MSRP shown is the average for all of a model's trim levels, weighted toward what is most commonly sold.) Not all of these cars are best in class, but they are solid vehicles that get even more attractive when you factor in the available deals. Click Here to Read More

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