William Maley

Kenneth Feinberg is still hard at work on developing a compensation plan for TDI owners in the U.S. affected by the diesel emission scandal. But in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Feinberg says "there will be a generous solution." Now what that solution will end up being is unknown at this time. Part of the problem is Feinberg has his hands tied as Volkswagen and the EPA/CARB are still working on trying to figure out a fix for the 2.0L TDI engine. "..my hands are tied, while VW and the authorities do not resolve their differences. The original time frame could be delayed, therefore." The other problem is trying to figure out what an appropriate compensation will look like. “The jury is still out, and at the moment all options are up for debate: cash payments, buybacks, repairs, replacements with new cars,” said Feinberg. Not helping matters are the different generations of the engine in question - the EA189. One generation of the engine might have a different program than the other. Feinberg believes that once the compensation program comes online, most owners will take advantage of it. "When funds for the victims of September 11, 97 percent of claimants have accepted my offer. If GM and BP were also more than 90 percent. This must also be the target for VW." Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Reuters View full article

General Motors is rethinking its approach in the automotive marketplace. A number of conflicting issues (auto sales growth are slowing, stricter standards for emissions and safety; autonomous vehicles, changes in how vehicles are owned, and trying to return more cash to stockholders) have the company making some drastic changes in an effort to cut captial spending. Speaking with Reuters, a number of GM executives said they are undertaking the most extensive overhaul of its vehicle development process in many years. The end goal is to design their global lineup with a few building blocks and spreading the costs of engineering and research over many more vehicles. Also, GM plans on doubling the life of their platforms. GM President Dan Ammann said the basic platform of their vehicles "could last a dozen years or more." This move will begin with the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze. GM plans on changing the exterior styling more often and updating electronics with updates from the internet. But this new strategy brings a lot of risks. First, GM will be increasing its capital spending from $7 billion in 2014 to $9 billion in 2019. This is so GM can prepare for this change in strategy with investments in various facilities. There is also the danger of the platforms being outdated or products that aren't appealing customers in different global markets. “The advantage could be short-lived,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president at LMC Automotive. Source: Reuters View full article

I was thinking the same thing as I writing this story. This is kind of scary.

Alfa Romeo and Maserati are in a bit of a mess. Product launches for both brands have been pushed back again and again for various technical challenges. FCA has decided to bring back a former employee to help straighten out this mess. According to Automotive News, FCA has lured former Ferrari chief engineer Roberto Fedeli from BMW to become the chief technical officer for Alfa Romeo and Maserati. His new position will have him overseeing the r&d for the two brands. Fedeli spent 26 years at Ferrari in various roles before becoming the head of r&d for production cars in 2007. He is one the major players in the creation of the brand's hybrid supercar, the LaFerrari. Fedeli joined BMW back in 2014. Fedeli has his work cut out in trying to get Alfa Romeo and Maserati back on track. Supplier sources tell Automotive News that the most recent delay for the Giuila was due to the model failing to pass internal front, side, and rear crash tests. This resulted in an additional six months in development time to re-engineer the vehicle. A spokesperson from FCA told Road & Track the report is "not accurate or representative at all." The spokesperson went on to say that the Giulia is still on track to be launched in "late 2nd quarter 2016." We'll believe it when we see it. Over at Maserati, the Levante SUV was supposed to debut last year but is now scheduled to go on sale this summer. This delay was due to Maserati scrapping the Grand Cherokee platform and going with the Quattroporte/Ghibli platform for their first SUV. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Road & Track View full article

My head hurts from reading this. How is this not doing well? I'm sure there is a lot of OEMs who will kill to have a stock price like this. Also, I'm sure there are other factors as to why the stock dropped - the direct sales battle for one. This might the only part I agree with this piece. There comes a point in building a vehicle that you just need to say 'We need to get this vehicle out. Hopefully, there isn't any massive issues that could screw this up.' How is the Model X inconsistent with the stated mission? The author realizes that mission statements can change for various reasons, right?? Last I checked, the Model X wasn't going to be a downmarket vehicle. Also, stating the obvious (marked in bold). Wait, what?! This sentence doesn't make sense. How could sales of the Model X be up if it just went on sale late last year?!

Opel and Vauxhall are gearing up for a busy Geneva Motor Show. They have already revealed the GT Concept. Today, the two GM Europe brands pulled the curtain back on the 2016 Mokka X. Despite the addition of the letter X to the name, the Mokka X is just a refresh of the current model. The big change in the refresh is a new front end. New headlights with LED accents complement a new grille that reminds us slightly of the one found on the Buick Avista concept. Inside is a new center stack design that removes the button-heavy layout and includes a new touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Powertrains for the Mokka X include a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder (152 horsepower) and a 1.6L turbodiesel with two power outputs (108 and 134 horsepower). Front-wheel drive comes standard while all-wheel drive is an option. Opel and Vauxhall say the Mokka will go on sale later this year. With this refresh announced on the Mokka, the question arises of whether Buick will get a refreshed version of the Encore. Speaking with Autoblog, Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle revealed that the refreshed 2017 Encore would debut at the New York Auto Show in March. Fowle is keeping his mouth shut as to what the refresh would bring to the table. We would expect a new front end and interior changes for the Encore, much like the Mokka X. Source: Opel, Autoblog Press Release is on Page 2 Even More Adventurous – The New Opel Mokka X New look: Bold and masculine on the outside, refined elegance on the inside New choice: New gasoline 1.4-liter Direct Injection Turbo with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive New visibility: Adaptive LED headlamps and new generation Opel Eye front camera New infotainment system: With smartphone integration and OnStar services Rüsselsheim. Ever since its launch in 2012, the Opel Mokka has gone from strength to strength. With its perfect size (4.28 meters long), its sporty look and elevated seating position, the sub-compact SUV appeals to the zeitgeist and has already been ordered over 500,000 times across Europe making it one of the most popular models in its segment. Now the new Opel Mokka X looks to add to this popularity. It will celebrate its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 3 to 13, 2016) and will hit the market this fall with a fresh iconic exterior design, a new interior and outstanding, new generation infotainment systems making it one of the best-connected all-terrain eye-catchers on the market. Alongside the recently launched new generation 1.6 “whisper diesels”, the new Mokka X will also extend its gasoline offer with a new generation 1.4-liter Direct Injection Turbo which will be combined with an automatic transmission, Start/Stop and all-wheel drive. Bold and adventurous attitude The Mokka could be labeled as one of the symbols of Opel’s successful comeback in recent years. The sub-compact SUV has attracted many new customers to the brand who are attracted by the body style of a SUV combined with a stylish design, a sporty, adventurous flair, and genuine off-road capabilities. The new Mokka X will be the first carline to introduce the segment identifier for future Opel SUV and crossover vehicles with the “X” emphasizing a more adventurous and rugged personality as the one displayed by more traditional body styles. The Mokka X’ new exterior design displays a bold attitude. Its new front look is aligned with Opel’s new design including a wing-shaped horizontal front grille and the dominant, sharp double wing signature of the LED daytime running lights. The front fascia also gets more precisely and elegantly sculpted surfaces, with less plastic inserts. This gives the Mokka X a wider, more solid and masculine stance. It is continued at the rear with another double wing signature also features in the tail lamps – optionally available with LED technology. The body side retains its sculpted and elegant traits and sporty edge with muscular and athletic lower body lines, energized by Opel’s typical ‘blade’ that sweeps upwards to the rear. New vibrant colors such as ‘Amber Orange’ or ‘Absolute Red’ add to the desirability of the Mokka X. On the inside, the Mokka X’ ambiance has been totally redefined. A completely new dashboard inspired by the new Astra makes its debut. The new instrument panel is organized around more horizontally shaped elements. It looks both simpler and purer, as well as sharper and more precise in its execution. The center stack has been redeveloped completely around the 7 and 8-inch touchscreens of the new generation infotainment systems. It now impresses with refined elegance and a purer design with less buttons – many functions are now accessible via the capacitive touchscreens. New six-speed automatic with adaptive all-wheel drive After the introduction of the new generation 1.6 “whisper diesel” units with 81 kW/110 hp and 100 kW/136 hp, the powertrain portfolio of the Opel SUV will now be extended on the gasoline side. The new generation 112 kW/152 hp 1.4-liter Direct Injection Turbo that recently made its debut in the new Astra will be available in combination with a six-speed automatic transmission, Start/Stop and adaptive all-wheel drive (CO2 emissions and fuel consumption combined according to preliminary data: 154 g/km, 6.6 l/100 km). The all-wheel drive technology with an electro magnetic multi-plate clutch is clever and efficient. When the road surface is dry, the front wheels drive the vehicle forward (except when starting when the car is in AWD) meaning that fuel consumption remains low. Depending on the road conditions the range automatically and seamlessly varies from 100 percent front-wheel drive on dry road surfaces benefitting fuel consumption to a maximum distribution of torque of 50 percent on the front and rear axle, for example when the roads are covered in a thick film of water. AFL LED headlamps and new generation Opel Eye front camera increase safety In addition to the AWD system, the Opel engineers have once again followed Opel’s strategy of making innovative technology available to a broad group of buyers by introducing Adaptive Forward Lighting LED headlamps. The new AFL LED system adapts the headlights lighting patterns automatically to the driving situation so that the best possible light performance is given without glaring other drivers. It features nine different functions/lighting patterns such as town light, country light, tourist mode, a curve and cornering function, backing-up /maneuvering light and a stop mode light (eco). This LED system replaces the previous BiXenon AFL. On one hand, LED features a light quality that allows seeing the ‘true’ colors of things, to the benefit of visual comfort. In addition, as there is no mechanical operation within the lamp module, it is faster and more accurate in its reaction, while also being highly reliable over time. Furthermore, the new generation of the Opel Eye front camera with a higher resolution and an increased image processing power has a positive impact on all the functions it supports, including the High Beam Assist of the AFL LED lighting system. Due to the improved camera and the optional navigation support, the enhanced Traffic Sign Assistant of the Mokka X has a further increased detection rate. The Following Distance Indication (FDI) utilizes the front camera to detect moving lead vehicles, and the Forward Collision Alert is now enhanced with a reflective LED Alert Display. When the distance between the car and the vehicle ahead diminishes too quickly, red LEDs reflect in the windscreen. In addition, an audible caution alerts the driver that braking is necessary. The Lane Departure Warning is activated automatically at speeds over 60 km/h and warns the driver, in case the lane if left unintentionally with a telltale in the instrument panel and an audible warning. Best connected and most comfortable car in the segment Just like the new Opel Astra, the Mokka X will be available with all Opel OnStar services from its launch. In addition, two versions of the new generation of the IntelliLink infotainment system will celebrate their debut in the Mokka X. IntelliLink will bring the world of smartphones to the car via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection. Apart from being the best connected car in the sub-compact SUV segment the new Mokka X can also claim to be one of the most comfortable. Like in most Opel models, the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs lead by independent back health experts) tested and certified ergonomic seats, unique in the segment, make long highway journeys just as enjoyable as excursions into rough terrain. The Mokka X also receives a further comfort feature: Keyless Open and Start. The driver does not need to actively press the button on his car key to open or lock his car. He just keeps the key in his pocket or bag and presses the small button on any door handle to enable or disable access to the passenger and cargo compartments of his vehicle. The vehicle’s start / ignition interface is also keyless. With its new design, complemented powertrain lineup, proven off-road capabilities, outstanding connectivity offer and its outstanding comfort features the new Mokka X comes with the perfect prerequisites to continue the winning ways of its predecessor, which, amongst others, won two “All-wheel Drive Car of the Year” awards and two “Company Car of the Year” awards in Germany. View full article

Fiat's performance arm, Abarth, looks to be working their magic on the Fiat 500X. Motor Trend got their hands on some new spy shots of a 500X mule sporting some interesting hardware. First off, the 500X is riding on some very unique wheels. If you're wondering why they look familiar, this same wheel design has been used on various Alfa Romeo models. Behind the wheels are a set of red-painted calipers and larger discs. The big giveaway is around back where there are two exhaust tips. As we reported last summer, the 500X could get the turbocharged 1.7L four-cylinder from the Alfa Romeo 4C. It is unclear if it will retain the 237 horsepower rating found in the 4C or be slightly detuned. All-wheel drive is expected to be standard. Abarth will also make tweaks to the chassis and suspension. No word as to when Fiat will revealed the 500X Abarth. Source: Motor Trend View full article