William Maley

One vehicle many of us were expecting to debut at the New York Auto Show last week was the replacement for the Jeep Compass/Patriot. But it was a no-show. Instead, we were treated to two new versions of the Grand Cherokee. What happened? Jeep CEO Mike Manley told Australian outlet Motoring.com.au that debut will take place in Brazil as that will be first place where the model will be built. “We decided to launch the new C [segment] SUV in Brazil. It’ll be the first plant that gets the global vehicle, so no delays — it’s on track,” said Manley. As we reported last year, the Compass and Patriot will merge into one new model. It is expected the model will wear the Compass nameplate as Patriot isn't going to work in other markets. Source: Motoring.com.au View full article

Another day, another lawsuit for Volkswagen over the diesel emission scandal. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in San Francisco against Volkswagen of America for false advertising. The suit says Volkswagen claimed in ads their diesel vehicles were clean, when actually they were polluting more thanks to illegal software. "For years Volkswagen's ads touted the company's 'Clean Diesel' cars even though it now appears Volkswagen rigged the cars with devices designed to defeat emissions tests," FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said in a statement. The FTC also says in the filing that consumers in the U.S. suffered "billions of dollars in injury" as a result of the illegal software. For many years, Volkswagen promoted their "clean diesel" message through various mediums - print, television, and online ads. The ads were targeted at “environmentally-conscious” consumers. Automotive News says the FTC is seeking a court order to force Volkswagen to compensate U.S. consumers who bought a diesel vehicle and an injunction to prevent the automaker doing this again. Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan tells Automotive News that the automaker has received the complaint and "continues to cooperate" with all U.S. regulators. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Federal Trade Commission Press Release is on Page 2 FTC Charges Volkswagen Deceived Consumers with its "Clean Diesel" Campaign Seeks Compensation for Those Who Bought or Leased Affected VW and Audi Vehicles over Seven-Year Period March 29, 2016 The Federal Trade Commission has charged that Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. deceived consumers with the advertising campaign it used to promote its supposedly "clean diesel" VWs and Audis, which Volkswagen fitted with illegal emission defeat devices designed to mask high emissions during government tests. The FTC is seeking a court order requiring Volkswagen to compensate American consumers who bought or leased an affected vehicle between late 2008 and late 2015, as well as an injunction to prevent Volkswagen from engaging in this type of conduct again. In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC alleges that during this seven-year period Volkswagen deceived consumers by selling or leasing more than 550,000 diesel cars based on false claims that the cars were low-emission, environmentally friendly, met emissions standards and would maintain a high resale value. The cars sold for an average price of approximately $28,000. "For years Volkswagen's ads touted the company's 'Clean Diesel' cars even though it now appears Volkswagen rigged the cars with devices designed to defeat emissions tests," said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. "Our lawsuit seeks compensation for the consumers who bought affected cars based on Volkswagen's deceptive and unfair practices." According to the FTC's complaint, Volkswagen promoted its supposedly "clean" cars through a high-profile marketing campaign that included Super Bowl ads, online social media campaigns, and print advertising, often targeting "environmentally-conscious" consumers. For example, Volkswagen promotional materials repeatedly claimed that its "Clean Diesel" vehicles have low emissions, including that they reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 90 percent and have fewer such emissions than gasoline cars. In fact, the FTC's complaint states that they emit up to 4,000 percent more than the legal limit of NOx — a dangerous pollutant that contributes to environmental harms and respiratory ailments. The complaint alleges that Volkswagen also claimed that "Clean Diesel" vehicles met "stringent emission requirements," were "50-state compliant," and would maintain a high resale value. Yet, according to the FTC's complaint, these claims were also false because without the illegally installed software, the "Clean Diesel" vehicles would not have passed federal emissions standards and the hidden defeat devices will significantly reduce the vehicles' resale value. The FTC also charged that Volkswagen provided the means and instrumentalities for others to deceive consumers, and that installing the emissions defeat devices was an unfair practice. The affected vehicles include 2009 through 2015 Volkswagen TDI diesel models of Jettas, Passats, and Touareg SUVs, as well as TDI Audi models. The suggested sale prices for the affected vehicles ranged from approximately $22,000 for the least-expensive Volkswagen model with a 2.0-liter engine to approximately $125,000 for the most-expensive Audi model with 3.0-liter engine. The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 4-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has "reason to believe" that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided by the court. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook (link is external), follow us on Twitter (link is external), read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. View full article

1968 Plymouth Road Runner with the 383 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL (6.2L and a fair amount of change in the bank) 2016 Cadillac CTS-V 2008 Mercedes-Benz E63 Wagon (6.2L V8) 2009 Bentley Arnage T (6.75L Twin-Turbo V8)

Buick is GM's star in China, but Cadillac isn't far behind. Last year, Cadillac sales rose 17 percent to almost 80,000 vehicles. Consulting company LMC Automotive says the brand is poised to move ahead of Lexus in the country. Where can Cadillac attribute this rise in sales in China? Young buyers. The luxury brand says the average age for a buyer is 34 years old - slightly more than half of the average age of a Cadillac buyer in the U.S. "In China, young buyers already dominate the luxury market. Since Cadillac is a relative newcomer ... it was far easier to begin to cultivate the desired positioning for the brand from the get-go," said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen to Reuters. Not surprisingly, Cadillac wants to take advantage of this. de Nysschen has set a goal of selling 100,000 Cadillacs in China this year. To pull this off, GM opened its first dedicated factory in China for Cadillacs. This move allows buyers to not pay a 25 percent import tax. Cadillac will also stop designing separate long wheelbase cars for China. Instead, the luxury brand will do a one global "right size" design. "You will see a softening of some of the hard edges, and more three-dimension styling on the side of the car," de Nysschen said, but cars will still be "instantly recognizable as Cadillac." Source: Reuters View full article

I agree reg, but the question is could Buick sell them? I look at the sales of the 500 and Cooper, and they are not doing so great. Yes, it would be a car that people would be talking about. But I don't think many people will buy them.

Buick's brand manager Duncan Aldred is 'thrilled' with how the brand is doing. "It's a wonderful portfolio. We'll have three sedans, three crossovers and a halo. I think most brands would say, "Yeah, that's a great portfolio.' I'm thrilled with it," Aldred told Automotive News. That doesn't mean Aldred isn't open to possibly a new product, such as a flagship. But one model that has been taken off the table is the Opel Adam. Previously, Aldred has said he would like to bring the Adam over to compete against the Fiat 500 and MINI Cooper. But with the rise of crossovers - like the Buick Encore, has given Aldred second thoughts. "I very much did feel when I came over that that could really help accelerate the Buick brand story. I don't see that as much. Whether the market shifted or the fashion nature of those cars has changed, I don't know. But I wouldn't be looking for a small, B-segment car today," said Aldred. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

I think VW would be helping themselves and creating thousands of Ambassadors by doing a proper high Blue Book buyback program that would get the illegal auto's off the road and get these customers into a new ride that would make everyone happy. What do they do to replace cars that were getting 40-50mpg though? I mean I know if I did the commute my buddy does I would be a little upset knowing my, even though it would be brand we, new Jetta can't touch the mpg my TDI could. Would they give them X dollars to spend elsewhere? I know that sounds ridiculous but at the same time they did kind of con the consumer into buying them anyway. I have yet to see any VW TDI actually get 40-50 mpg compared to the Hybrids like the VOLT or Prius. I know the diesel can hit the 30-s to low 40's but that has been it. If the EPA says to buy them back, I assume you will get a payout or can deal with suing VW. It really is all up in the air right now and it will be interesting to see comes out of the negotiations on dealing wth this. dfelt, I can say I have seen 40+ in the last Volkswagen TDI I have driven (2014 Jetta TDI).

Volvo has announced pricing for the 2017 S90 due to go on sale this summer with the base T5 Momentum starting at $47,945 and climbs all the way to $57,245 for the T6 Inscription AWD. Prices include a $995 destination charge. The T8's pricing will be announced at a later date. The S90 T5 uses Volvo’s turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. T6 models come with a Twin-charged (super and turbocharged) four-cylinder with 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All S90's come with an auto stop-start system, power seats with a memory function for the driver; backup camera and rear parking sensors; Volvo Sensus connectivity, sunroof, and adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist semi-autonomous capability. Volvo is also introducing the Volvo Concierge program. The concierge helps the buyer with ordering a vehicle, keeps them updated on where the vehicle is, and sets up the vehicle to the personal preferences of the buyer. At the moment, this program is only available on specific S90 models, the T6 AWD Momentum and T6 Inscription. “We wanted to make the online experience more personalized. Cars are not your average online purchase. We believe luxury consumers of today will appreciate having a personal contact that helps you understand your options and the process,” says Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA in a statement. Source: Volvo Press Release is on Page 2 Volvo Announces S90 Pricing and Introduces a new online car-buying experience (NEW YORK) Volvo Car USA (VCUSA) announced pricing of the widely-praised S90 luxury sedan, which is available for order beginning today at Volvo retailers and volvocars.com/us. The well-equipped S90 T5 Momentum will start at $46,950. The T5 turbo-charged Drive-E engine provides 250 horsepower. A rich leather interior is standard, as is the award-winning 9-inch Sensus touchscreen and “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights. The S90 T6 AWD Momentum starts at $52,950. The 316 horsepower T6 turbo- and super-charged Drive-E engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. In addition to the standard features of the T5, the T6 also includes heated front seats, a large driver information display area and dual integrated tailpipes as standard. The Volvo S90 will be the first car in the United States to offer Semi-Autonomous driving technology as standard. Volvo Pilot Assist allows the car to speed up, slow down, brake and steer at speeds up to 80 MPH. Two world-first safety technologies will also come standard. Large Animal Detection with auto-brake senses deer, elk and other animals and will automatically stop the car to avoid or mitigate a collision. Run-Off Road Mitigation can detect if the vehicle is about to leave the road and gently steer it to prevent it from leaving the pavement. This technology is in addition to the safety, connectivity and interior luxury customers have enjoyed in the award-winning Volvo XC90 SUV. Volvo Online Concierge With the S90 VCUSA is introducing the Volvo Concierge, a personalized online buying experience for the all-new sedan, via the Volvo website. In addition to buying the all-new S90 at a Volvo Dealership, customers can also buy the S90 online, with the help of the Volvo Concierge who will provide an unprecedented level of online service and comfort throughout the purchase process. A designated Volvo representative ensures customers know about all of the S90’s available options and offers buyers the peace of mind to change their option preferences before their car is built. The Volvo Concierge will stay in constant contact with the future S90 owner, notifying them of when the car has been shipped from Sweden and when it is expected to arrive. Upon delivery, all of the car’s settings, such as radio stations and software apps, can be configured based on the owner’s personal preferences. All Concierge processed cars will be delivered through a Volvo retailer of choice. Available via online chat, email and phone calls, customers can contact the Volvo Concierge to address almost any need or desire with regard to an S90 purchase. “We wanted to make the online experience more personalized. Cars are not your average online purchase. We believe luxury consumers of today will appreciate having a personal contact that helps you understand your options and the process,” says Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, “The Volvo Concierge concept is developed based on Volvo customer feedback from previous e-commerce solutions, so truly designed around their needs and a good complement to our retail experience”. The Volvo Concierge is available now at www.volvocars.com/us/cars/new-models/s90/order-yours The S90 T5 and T6 will be available at retailers starting this summer, with the T8 plug-in hybrid following later. View full article

With the Holden Commodore saying goodbye in 2017, it was assumed that the Chevrolet SS would follow suit. But some recent comments last week are making us rethink that. During a discussion at the New York Auto Show, Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro and SS hinted that all was not lost for the SS. “It sells what it’s supposed to. And we haven’t announced an end date to it, so we’re just … we know that there are some decisions made on the Zeta [platform], that are imminent, and right now we’re just focused on the new ’17 model, which is great. It has the LS3 with the manual and the active exhausts, and it’s a great car,” said Oppenheiser. The lack of end date is very curious as we know the Commodore will be finished in 2017, leaving the SS in a tough spot. Australian outlet CarAdvice asked if another sedan could serve as a replacement for the SS and Oppenheiser said maybe. But Oppenheiser was quick to point out this might not happen. “I’m not answering the questions, so I’m not leaving you with any hope.” But Al, you did leave some hope for those who want the SS to stick around. Whether or not anything happens, we'll be watching closely. Source: CarAdvice Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears View full article

1952 Hudson Hornet (5.0L Straight Six) 1955 Chrysler C-300 (331 Cubic-Inch FirePower V8) 2016 Ram 1500 Express Regular Cab (5.7 HEMI V8) 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 Wagon (Supercharged 5.4L V8) 2016 Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint (5.0L Supercharged V8)

Towards the end of February, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer gave Volkswagen a deadline. On March 24th, the German automaker would have to give a definitive answer on the status of a fix for nearly 600,000 diesel vehicles. At a hearing this week, Breyer has moved the deadline to April 21st. According to Reuters, both the EPA and Volkswagen said at the hearing they are making progress on a reaching an agreement. But there are still a number of issues to work out. A possible issue is whether the EPA would accept a partial fix on some Volkswagen diesel vehicles. Earlier this month, an official from CARB said it might not be possible for Volkswagen to fully fix some of the diesel models involved in the scandal. But Judge Breyer told Volkswagen this was their only extension. If they don't reach a deal with the EPA by April 21st, Breyer would bring this issue to a trial. Source: Reuters View full article

Badge engineering. Mention this term to anyone in the automotive industry and you are sure to get a look of disgust. This comes from past attempts where a number of automakers seemed to rightly mess it up. The classic example is GM’s A-Body vehicles from the eighties where each brand’s version looked very close to one another. This led to the infamous Fortune Magazine cover showing this. But when done correctly, badge engineering can actually do a lot of good. You’re probably wondering how badge engineering can be done correctly. One way is to bring over a model not sold in the country. A recent example is the Scion iA which is a Mazda2 in different clothing. Anyone who knows cars will instantly recognize the iA as a rebadged Mazda. The overall shape lines up perfectly with the larger 3 and 6 sedans. That’s not to say it is a bad thing. Mazda has been on a roll producing some of the sharpest looking vehicles in the industry and this model is no exception. Such details as a flowing character line and sculpting on doors make the iA a standout in a crowded class. Scion has done the requisite changes to transform the 2 into the iA with badge swaps and inserting a new front grille. The grille is the weak point in the iA’s as it doesn’t look quite right. Scion’s designers thought it would be a good idea to squish the tC’s grille and place it on the iA. The end result is polarizing, but not in a good way. The iA’s interior is all Mazda with simple dashboard design with a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials. Standard is a 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda’s infotainment system and control pod in the center console. The only real changes that you can pick out are the Scion emblem on the steering wheel and a different color palette for the infotainment system. Getting yourself situated in the iA is quite easy with a small number of manual adjustments for the seat and a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes. Once adjusted, the seat provides excellent levels of comfort and support. Controls are within easy reach for driver and passenger and feel quite solid. Space in the back seat of the iA is what you expect in subcompact; decent amount of head and legroom for passengers under 5’7”. Trunk space measures out to 13.5 cubic feet, making it slightly better than other subcompact sedans. The infotainment system is somewhat infuriating to use with the touchscreen as it doesn’t seem to act like other touchscreen systems. A perfect example is listening to something on your iPod. You can pause or skip tracks by using the touchscreen. But if you want to pick a different album or artist, you can’t choose it by using the touchscreen. You’re better off using the dial controller in the center console to move around and control the system. Power comes from a 1.5L inline-four with 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque (@ 4,000 rpm). There is the choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Our test iA came with the manual. The modest power output of the engine does very well in the city as it gets up to speed at a good rate. The expressway is another story as the 1.5L struggles to get up to speed, even with your foot planted on the floor. The six-speed manual makes the engine slightly more flexible when it comes to making a pass, but you’ll still be pushing the pedal almost to the floor. The manual itself is quite enjoyable. Movement of the shifter is quite smooth and feels precise when it comes to putting it in gear. Fuel economy is rated at 31 City/41 Highway/35 Combined. I got an average of 37 MPG in mixed driving conditions. As it's a Mazda2 in disguise, the Scion iA is no slouch when it comes to driving fun. Around corners, the iA’s suspension feels sorted with barely any body roll and the willingness to change direction quickly. Steering is direct and provides the driver a decent level of road feel. Ride quality is smooth and the iA wasn’t unsettled by any bumps. One item I do wish Mazda and Toyota could work on is noise isolation. There is a good amount of road and wind noise coming into the cabin. One item that sets the Scion iA apart from the competition is a low-speed collision avoidance system that comes standard. A radar system mounted on top of the windshield monitors the road and if it detects an obstruction, it will warn the driver. In certain situations, the system can activate the brakes to prevent or reduce the amount of damage in an accident. The 2016 Scion iA proves that when done correctly, badge engineering does a lot of good. For Mazda who supplies the vehicle, it helps bring in some money so they can keep producing some of best driving vehicles on sale. For Scion (and soon to be Toyota), it gives them a subcompact sedan that is at the top of the class. The iA offers an engaging drive, extensive list of standard features, impressive fuel economy numbers, and good value. Our iA manual came with an as-tested price $16,495 with destination. The only option not on our vehicle was navigation for an additional $419. While the Scion brand will be going away, the iA will be sticking around as a Toyota (creatively named the Toyota Yaris iA). No matter what the badge might say, it will still be regarded as one the best decisions Toyota has ever made. Cheers: Smooth Six-Speed Manual, Fun to Drive, Automatic Braking System Standard Jeers: Small Back Seat, Engine's Performance is Weak Outside the City, Road & Wind Noise Disclaimer: Scion Provided the iA, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Scion Model: iA Trim: N/A Engine: 1.5L DOHC 16-Valve Four-Cylinder Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, Six-Speed Manual Horsepower @ RPM: 106 @ 6000 Torque @ RPM: 103 @ 4000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 31/41/35 Curb Weight: 2,385 lbs Location of Manufacture: Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico Base Price: $15,700 As Tested Price: $16,495 (Includes $795.00 Destination Charge) Options: N/A View full article