Category Archives: new vehicle

US Army – $1.69 Billion Order for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles

The JLTV is said to be engineered with industry leading suspension and protection systems, and the ability to support many mission kits and weapon systems. JLTV fills a “capability gap” for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps by replacing a large portion of the legacy up-armored HMMWV fleet with a modern light protected vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Look – New or Revised 2020 Jeep Gladiator

Off-road prowess comes from Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4×4 systems, third-generation Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lock electric front- and rear-axles, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, a segment-exclusive sway-bar disconnect and, gulp, 33-inch off-road tires. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, design and styling, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fully electric Audi e-tron and e-tron GT concept at Los Angeles

Audi e-tron is the first all-electric production model from the brand. It’s a five-seater, electric mid-sized crossover SUV that will arrive in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2019. ALA Tesla it’s is available now for U.S. customers to place reservations. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, concept, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aston Martin Cuts Deal with Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi

Aston Martin’s 105-year history is steeped in competitive motorsport and this latest partnership with the most expensive – 1$ billion – F1 circuit in the world, “reinforces that commitment.” Aston Martin currently competes at the top-level of motorsport with Aston Martin Red Bull racing in Formula One and Aston Martin Racing in the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Has Claim on Leading Electrification. iNEXT Debuts in LA

“Sales of our electrified vehicles are up over 40% in the year to date. Around every fifth BMW 5 Series sedan or BMW 2 Series Active Tourer sold worldwide has a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, while our all-electric BMW i3 remains very successful with sales up over 10% in October,” said Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW ID.Buzz Teases New Light Commercial Vehicles

Over seven decades and six vehicle generations, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has refined and sharpened its van design,never losing sight of the role of the model series. With the debuts of the ID.Buzz, the upcoming decade will see the advent of another series of all-round vehicles to supplement the T6 Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, electronics, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aston Martin DBX SUV Prototype Now in Testing

DBX is scheduled to be unveiled in the last quarter of 2019 and will be built at Aston Martin Lagonda’s St Athan facility; a manufacturing plant that will ultimately become the ‘Home of Electrification’ when the marque’s fully-EV models enter production. Continue reading

Posted in engineering, milestones, new vehicle, performance, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All New Mazda3 to Debut at Los Angeles Motor Show

The all-new Mazda3 adopts a “richer interpretation of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy,” which embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics. Meanwhile, fundamental performance attributes have been raised to a new level. Next generation SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture (our vote for the worst name for good handling, clean engines and vehicles) enables “people to make the most of their natural sense of balance and the latest SkyActiv engines offer responsive control of vehicle speed in any driving situation.” Continue reading

Posted in engineering, marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Ford Ads Promise Smarter Vehicles Tomorrow

The ads talk about Ford’s new vehicles in the hot-selling SUV and truck segments, including the Ranger pickup, which starts production this month at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, and the new Escape and Explorer on sale next year. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Watt? Pure EV Porsche Crossover Ready for Serial Production

German automakers whose entire reputations – especially in expensive segments – are built on technology and they are struggling to catch up with Toyota on hybrids and have few EV entries thus far. Add in the emerging threats of Apple and Google in the auto business and the Germans are playing defense. The well-known problems with initial German automaker forays into electronics – remember the BMW I-Drive fiasco – and even the defense needs bolstering in a business that centers on offense. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, milestones, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Banger for 2019 Chevrolet Silverado?

Standard on LT and RST trims, the 2.7L engine has 14% more torque and 13% better city fuel economy and it is a claimed more than a full second quicker 0-60 mph than the 4.3L V-6 it replaces. The Silverado city fuel economy also exceeds the standard 3.3L V6 engine in the Ford F-150 XLT (EPA-estimated 19 mpg city) but only matches that of the Ram 1500 3.6L V6 mild hybrid (EPA-estimated 20 mpg city). Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Freshened Mazda CX-5 Launched in Japan

Pre-orders have also begun for the CX-5 Exclusive Mode special edition. This range-topping special edition money maker (Mazda is financially challenged since the Ford Motor divorce that hurt both parties) has selected materials that create a look of “warmth and modernity.” Sales of the updated CX-5 and CX-5 Exclusive Mode special edition start on November 22. and the crossover will, maybe, eventually find its way to the U.S. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Like Change? Avoid the Auto Biz

Industry stakeholders will be further challenged over the next 17 months as numerous critical new vehicle launches will add to the strain of an already stressed industry,” says Bill Rinna, in charge of Americas Vehicle Forecasts at LMC Automotive. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Gimme Shelter: U.S. Home Affordability Lowest In 10 Years

Nationwide, the Q3 2018 home affordability index of 92 was down from an index of 95 in the previous quarter and an index of 102 in Q3 2017 to the lowest level since Q3 2008, when the index was 87. This could portend trouble for the Detroit Three automakers which rely on the sales of trucks, some of which are used to build and haul things instead of the fashion accessories they have become for many purchasers. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, new vehicle, people | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Joins with Cruise and General Motors to Build New Autonomous Vehicle. Honda Investment Of $750 Million Values Cruise At $14.6 Billion

In the auto industry a new production vehicle takes roughly four years and about a billion dollars to design and bring to market. That’s if there is an existing assembly plant – if not, add another billion dollars – and an experienced team ready to move. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment