Category Archives: new vehicle

New 2015 Ford Mustang Brings $300,000 at Auction

Posted on 21 January 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 20 January 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 14 January 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 12 January 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 10 January 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 19 December 2013 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 10 December 2013 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 2 December 2013 by Ken Zino

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?

Posted on 21 November 2013 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 20 November 2013 by Ken Zino

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

Camaro Z/28 Beats Porsche 911 Lap Time at Nürburgring

Posted on 16 October 2013 by Ken Zino

A new 2014 Camaro Z/28 running at Germany’s Nürburgring road course posted a 7:37.40 lap time, Chevrolet says. This beats the best times for the Porsche 911 Carrera S and the Lamborghini Murcielago, among other expensive cars that cost much … Continue reading →

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

Cadillac ELR debuts in January at $75,995. Tesla Killer?

Posted on 11 October 2013 by Ken Zino

Sales of the 2014 Cadillac ELR hybrid coupe coupe will begin in January in all major U.S. metropolitan areas with a starting price of $75,995, including the destination charge. Continue reading →

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

First Look – 2014 Lexus ISC

Posted on 7 October 2013 by Ken Zino

This is theoretically a four-seat car, and when there are no rear passengers, the driver can enhance visibility by lowering the rear headrests using a lever located on the front of the rear console. With the top up, the trunk offers storage for two golf bags, or one golf bag with the top lowered. Let us be real, this is a two-seat car for all im-practical purposes. Just bring money, the 2014 ISC starts at $48,000. Continue reading →

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

Fourth Gen Prius Will Increase Mileage by More than 10%

Posted on 4 October 2013 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said this week that the fourth generation Prius hybrid now under development would increase fuel economy by more than 10% in rated miles per gallon. During the previous two updates of the world’s best-selling … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones Texas Makes Millionth Truck – 2014 Tundra

Posted on 21 September 2013 by Ken Zino

This third generation Tundra is disappointing in our view because it carries over with its three existing and only average powertrains. Continue reading →

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