Category Archives: marketing

Genesis 2019 G70 – $48,000 Four Cylinder?

Posted on 19 September 2018 by Ken Zino

G70s equipped with the 2.0T four-cylinder engine are available in six semi-confusing trim levels, including a special manual transmission Sport package, with a starting price of ~$36,000. The G70s equipped with the 3.3T engine are available in four trim levels, plus two limited production – either by sparse sales or maker decree – Special Edition models, with a starting price of more than $44,000. You can spend roughly $55,000 on a plush Genesis model. Sales numbers will decide if the pricing strategy is too ambitious. Continue reading →

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2019 Lexus UX – Another Compact Crossover

Posted on 14 September 2018 by Ken Zino

The 2019 UX is available in two versions: the front-wheel-drive UX 200 introduces a new high-efficiency 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a new 10-speed Direct Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (DCVT). The all-wheel-drive UX 250h pairs an even higher-efficiency version of the 2.0-liter gas engine with a new fourth-generation hybrid drive system engineered specifically for this platform. It’s a soccer moms’ special. Continue reading →

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Joys of Crossover Trucking? Largest Subaru Ever

Posted on 11 September 2018 by Ken Zino

Ascent, with a 113.8-in. wheelbase, is the largest Subaru ever built. With 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, plus cargo space, the Ascent provides room for every passenger and their gear. Continue reading →

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Off-Road Cruise Control on 2019 F-150 Raptor and Ranger

Posted on 10 September 2018 by Ken Zino

While this is old news – see AutoInformed.com on Active Damping Controls Ride on 2019 Ford Raptor – the suddenly super competitive performance truck market (oxymoron?) has makers scrambling for publicity. Continue reading →

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Fix! IMSA Takes Pro Wrestling Approach to Mollify Owners

Posted on 9 September 2018 by Ken Zino

Welcome to the politics of racing – not one where racing improves the breed, but rather racing improves the IMSA pocketbook. Continue reading →

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Lexus LY 650 Luxury Yacht Revealed

Posted on 9 September 2018 by Ken Zino

Now, Lexus returns to the water with its next expression of a Lexus yacht in the form of the LY 650. Said to be the most contemporary expression of Lexus design language, L-finesse, applied beyond the world of automobiles, the production LY 650 picks up where a Lexus Sport Yacht Concept left off This one floats… Continue reading →

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More Trucks – Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison

Posted on 6 September 2018 by Ken Zino

In consecutive years, Colorado introduced the segment’s first diesel engine (ignores other GM vehicles), an all-new V6 gas engine/eight-speed transmission combo, the ZR2 “segment of one” off-roader and now the Bison. The 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison goes on sale in January 2019, modified for extreme off-road use and backed by a full factory limited warranty. Pricing? Not yet – just assume it will be more than the $42,000 ZR2 or similarly priced Tacoma TRD Pro. Continue reading →

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Harley-Davidson, Tuscany Motor Tease Concept Pickup

Posted on 31 August 2018 by Ken Zino

Co-designed by Tuscany and the Harley-Davidson styling team, the Harley-Davidson concept truck (www.HarleyTruck.com) takes cues from the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle. Continue reading →

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Honda Title Sponsor of Formula One Japanese Grand Prix

Posted on 31 August 2018 by Ken Zino

“I want to have a venue for motor racing. Automobiles cannot be improved if they are not put through their paces on the racing circuit,” said founder and president Soichiro Honda. This was late in 1959 during a meeting to propose the construction of a welfare facility for the Suzuka Factory. It led to the birth of Japan’s first full-scale road racing circuit Continue reading →

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More EQ Silliness from Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 28 August 2018 by Ken Zino

Using a thread bare marketing technique, borrowed interest, the role model for the EQ Silver Arrow is the W 125 twelve-cylinder, record-breaking car built by Mercedes-Benz in 1937 as a Grand Prix racing car. Continue reading →

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Ford Reorganizes Again Under Product Line Management Flag

Posted on 28 August 2018 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is traveling well-worn pothole ridden roads. The move comes as Ford stock continue to languish below $10 a share of common as Wall Street remains skeptical of it future earnings potential. Continue reading →

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Topless Prancing Horse, Err 720 Horses

Posted on 27 August 2018 by Ken Zino

The new 488 Pista appears to have the highest performance ever in a spider given the with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv or horsepower. This came from a good old ‘Merican hot rod trick – stuff the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever. Continue reading →

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2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition Has a Racing Paint Scheme

Posted on 24 August 2018 by Ken Zino

The Heritage Edition exposed carbon fiber A-pillars and – what else –“ unique” 20-inch one-piece forged aluminum wheels in high-gloss dark stainless with black lug nuts. Orange calipers and silver rear-view mirror caps complete the look, which lacks the scuff marks, abrasions, rubber rash and dings of a LeMans winner. Continue reading →

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IMSA – Looking at GT Manufacturer Championship Odds

Posted on 23 August 2018 by Ken Zino

With two races grueling sports car races remaining, the leaders in the WeatherTech Championship manufacturer standings in both GTLM (FIA Le Mans eligible cars) and GTD (IMSA Daytona cars) have commanding leads. Continue reading →

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Silverstone Foul – Toyota Gazoo Racing Hands Rebellion a Win

Posted on 20 August 2018 by Ken Zino

The two Toyotas were found to be in non-conformity of Article 3.5.6.d of the 2018 LMP1-H Technical Regulations which covers the deflection of the skid block. Toyota intends to appeal the Decisions and therefore the race results remain provisional. Continue reading →

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