Category Archives: marketing

Wrangler 4xe Plug-in Hybrid Pre-Booking Begins in Europe

This latest marketing ploy started early last year, with pre-booking of the Renegade and Compass 4xe. Jeep claims it was a “resounding success, generating a lot of interest across Europe.” The arrival of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the latest step in the brand’s evolution and another step in the strategy towards the electrification of its entire range, announced in 2020. This will include the introduction of at least one electric or electrified version of each model in the coming years. Continue reading

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First Look – 2021 Buick Envision Mid-Size SUV

Envision is between the smaller Encore and Encore GX and the larger Enclave, with 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind first-row seats and 25.2 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Whether the small 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is a luxury engine is debatable even with 228 horsepower (170 kW) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm) and direct injection and Stop/Start technology. It’s coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control. On paper absent test drives, Auto informed thinks this is roughly a 25-mpg set-up. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Ends Production of Golf For US Market

First sold in December 1974 as  the “Rabbit” in the U.S. with a 1.5-liter engine with 70 horsepower, almost 2.5 million Golf family models have been sold in the U.S. market. The current Mk 7 Golf debuted for the 2015 model year – an eternity in terms of technical advances, quality and customer satisfaction practices in the auto industry. Continue reading

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Volkswagen of America Q4 Sales up 11%, 2020 Sales Down 10%

However, VW year-to date sales of 325,784  were down 10% from 2019. The YTD SUV share of sales was 58% or 188,121.  It was the best December since 2012 with sales of 38,432 up 38%. Continue reading

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One-Millionth Subscriber Joins Subaru Connected Services

Subscription-based services are part of Subaru’s In-Vehicle Technology program that with variations is increasingly offered by other automakers in hopes of generating revenue. The  Subaru system claims to provide multimedia content, smartphone connectivity, navigation, extra safety, and everyday convenience. Looming as these systems increase are privacy and security concerns as well as the re-selling of customer data, which critics argue the customer owns.
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Aston Martin Returns to Formula 1 in 2021?

Whether that holds true today given the tatters that F1 was in last year remains to be proven. The 2020 F1 season is one I won’t miss. (I guess the nicest way to characterize the last race is “strategic.” This is a polite way of saying there wasn’t any racing going on. Ferrari with six straight losing seasons. Mercedes dominating qualifying and the races as it had for years on years. YAWN. Changing 2021 down-force doesn’t appear to be anything but a meaningless tweak. I know: don’t write your lede on the way to Australia in 2021. Still it reminds me of the McClaren mid-1980s domination years that badly damaged F1 with its lack of racing. ) Continue reading

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Alexa Voice Now Available on FCA’s New Fiat 500 EV

The launch Alexa on the Fiat 500 continues a global collaboration between FCA and Amazon. FCA customers were initially introduced to Alexa through FCA’s custom Alexa Connected Car Skills, including MyJeep and MyAlfa, which allows customers with Alexa-enabled devices at home to easily ask Alexa to check the battery level of the car, lock/unlock doors, among other trifles. The integration of Alexa on the Uconnect Services suite “deepens the experience by bringing Alexa into the vehicle itself” claims FCA. Continue reading

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2021 Nissan LEAF Starts at $32,545

The “extended range” LEAF PLUS has a standard 62-kWh lithium-ion battery and 160 kW electric motor, delivering an EPA range of up to 226 miles. Every 2021 LEAF has standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. PLUS also has a more powerful 160 kW motor that produces 214 horsepower – an increase of 45% – and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. LEAF PLUS has three trim levels – S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS starting at, gulp, $39,145 and going to $44,845. Continue reading

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COVID Changes – Digital Auto Lending Infected

“The pandemic has severely disrupted dealer-lender communication, with many dealers reporting that lenders were delayed or not available when they needed them, or not able to assist in a timely manner,” said Patrick Roosenberg, director of automotive finance intelligence at J.D. Power. This of course begs the question of there’s another solution – such as borrowers dealing directly digitally with lenders, which will eliminate a lucrative profit center at dealerships. Continue reading

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COVID Changes – Porsche Starts Online Car Sales in Europe

The dealers in the nine countries offer most of their new and used cars on the platform. These include standard variants of the Porsche models as well as rare derivatives. There are also plans to further expand the platform, claims Porsche, who is dependent on dealers for distribution unlike Tesla. Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor Group Launches ‘HTWO’ Brand

Lagging Toyota but mimicking its approach with partnerships by way of hydrogen, energy and logistics companies globally, Hyundai Motor Group claims it has “expanded its fuel cell system business… Continue reading

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Milestones – 10th Anniversary of First US LEAF Delivery

Produced at plants in the U.S., Japan, and the U.K., the Nissan LEAF is sold in 59 markets around the world. Continue reading

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Cadillac to Have Manual Transmission V-Series Blackwings?

Whether there is any market for what used to favored among older driving enthusiasts remains to be seen. Cadillac says that two-thirds of American adults know how to drive a stick shift, and more are interested in learning. Continue reading

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Bosch All In on Fuel Cell Power Stations. Production in 2024

With urbanization on the increase, Bosch is betting that fuel-cell technology has a vital role to in power supply. By 2050, it is expected that more than 6 billion people worldwide – 70% of the global population – will live in cities. Currently, the world’s metropolitan areas account for 75% of global energy consumed. By 2035, global energy consumption will have increased 30%. In the future, meeting this increased demand for electricity solely with large, centralized power stations will not be possible, claims Bosch. Continue reading

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J.D. Power Completes ALG Acquisition

The money involved right now is breathtaking. Determining an accurate residual value –  the value of a vehicle at the end of a lease term is the underpinning of auto leasing because it allows dealers and manufacturers to set the most competitive lease terms today, while protecting their profits tomorrow. About one-third of new vehicles sold each year are leased, typically for a three-year term. At any point in time, the value of vehicles in outstanding lease portfolios is estimated at $500 billion by Power. Continue reading

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