Category Archives: new vehicle

Gibbs Adds 2-Seat Quadski to 2014 Lineup

In the expensive toy or useful tool world of amphibious vehicles, Gibbs with its high-speed sports approach is expanding its line to include a two-seat Quadski XL. Compared to the standard solo seat Quadski, XL has seating for two at an overall length of 140.2 inches, compared to 128.3 inches for the standard model with increased storage capacity. Prices for the small one start at about $40,000 and float up from there. Continue reading

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

Small Lexus NX Crossover Launches in Beijing. U.S. Snubbed

Aside from the fact that this is the first turbocharged engine in the lineup, Lexus is ignoring the New York Auto Show, which runs just after Beijing in what, was formerly its most important market. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

BMW X4 Crossover Debuts at New York Auto Show

Like the X6 before it, the BMW claims the X4 combines performance and capability with “the style and elegance of traditional coupe.” In reality – once you get away from such marketing babble – it is a 4-door hatchback. There no doubt about the premium price, though. In the U.S., the X4 will be offered with a choice of two turbocharged engines. The xDrive28i has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $45,625, including destination and handling. It comes with a 240 horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces peak torque of 260 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) and a claimed zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds flat. Continue reading

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

Diddy Combs Hyping Fiat 500L Cars in North America

With two more doors, accommodations for five, smallish people and 42% more interior space than the regular 500, it’s hope that the larger car will boost sales from the 36,000 500 models sold during 2013, which represented a -18% decline year-over-year. So far in January 2014, the newly introduced 500L has sold 729 compared to its intro year of 2013 when 7400 were delivered. Continue reading

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

Rebadged Nissan Van Shown as 2015 Chevrolet City Express

Why the world’s second largest automaker needs to go outside for a small commercial van goes back to a decades old Opel decision to outsource small van production in Europe. Ford, Renault and Citroen all thrive in the segment. It is an embarrassing position for GM in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading

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

New 2015 Ford Mustang Brings $300,000 at Auction

The first retail 2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback when it goes into production this fall was sold for $300,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. A car collector and North Texas Ford dealer, Sam Pack, helped Ford Motor Company increase its charity vehicle sales to more than $3.5 million for JDRF, a leading diabetes research organization. Continue reading

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

Thoughts on NAIAS Vehicles that Really Matter

Among the noise, models, crowds and carnival atmosphere at the North American International Auto Show last week, aka NAIAS, several important vehicles stand out. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Ford F-150 Aluminum Pickup Sheds 700 Pounds Late this Year

It is too soon for direct comparisons with the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram and GMC Sierra because of the lack of detail in the media presentation. Some of the savings no doubt come from substituting smaller engines for a V8, but not all. No curb weights were given. Continue reading

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

GMC Shows 2015 Canyon Midsize Truck Ahead of NAIAS

GMC revealed the 2015 Canyon today, ahead of the NAIAS. The all-new mid-size truck and its brother, Chevrolet Colorado – shown late last year in Los Angeles – join the all-new 2014 Silverado and Sierra 1500s, and the Silverado and Sierra HDs to give Chevy and GMC a line of pickups that cannot be matched by Ram or Ford F-Series. Continue reading

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

U.S. Light Vehicle Sales to Soar in 2014 Says NADA

Employment, particularly in the construction, services industries, will improve this year, and a continued moderation in gasoline prices and improvements in the housing market will help to offset stagnation in wages and income in 2014. Continue reading

Posted in economy, new vehicle, sales | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Honda shows U.S. Fit, Acura Debuts new TSX at NAIAS

In essence, the Fit take the place of the Civic, the car that put Honda on the map in the U.S. decades ago, but in subsequent generations grew so much larger that it is no longer a sub-compact. How’s this for an advertising line – At Honda we finally have a car that is the same size as the car that made us famous. Continue reading

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

First Look – 2015 Ford Mustang

The 2015 Ford Mustang continues the current look with what’s said to be an all-new platform for the original pony car, but to the casual observer the Mustang will appear as a nice freshening with a new grille and taillights grafted onto the current car. Continue reading

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

Saab 9-3 Production Restarts in Trollhättan. Cars Going to China

Sales are initially in China with a small number of vehicles sold directly to Swedish customers via the NEVS’ website. The aging 9-3 design, introduced in 1992, comes with a 220 horsepower, 2-liter turbo, the traditional high-performance engine of the Saab cars. Continue reading

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

Near Dead Lincoln Throws MKC LA Party – Wake or Wedding?

The regional ‘wanna be’ upscale brand badly needs a clean launch of the MKC in the fastest growing luxury segment after the botched introduction of the midsize MKZ sedan that resulted in six months of delays that are only now being resolved. On paper, the Escape based compact SUV is the right vehicle at the right time if customers accept the badge engineering approach that led to Mercury’s demise, a highly dubious proposition that has history against it. Continue reading

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

New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Mid-Size Pickup Debuts in LA

Chevrolet today unveiled an all-new 2015-model Colorado mid-size pickup, catching pickup truck sales leader Ford Motor napping, as well as Ram, because both brands have deserted the lucrative niche by dropping their Ranger and Dakota models. As a result, Toyota Tacoma currently dominates with only some mild to weak competition from the Nissan Frontier. Continue reading

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