William Maley

If there is one thing that we can pull from this latest round of contract negotiations between the Detroit three and the UAW is that amount of car production that will be heading to Mexico. According to a report from Automotive News, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobile will have moved production of most of their mass-market vehicles from the U.S. to Mexico. General Motors will be the only Detroit automaker who is keeping some sort of production of their compact and midsize cars. Why the shift to Mexico? It comes down to what vehicles make money for the three automakers. Currently, pickups and SUVs carry a much higher profit margin than cars. "You can afford to pay a little more when you're making trucks, but the structural change in the industry has been so huge that I was kind of surprised by that -- trucks here and cars in Mexico," said Dave Cole, chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research. But some point out this change in production could put the Detroit three in a situation they found themselves back in the early 2000's with sales of SUVs dropping due to the increase in gas prices. Models that will be moving to Mexico include the Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart, and Ford Fusion. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Kia is very keen on teasing us. Last week, we showed off some renderings of the next-generation Cadenza that will be going on sale sometime next year. Now Kia has revealed a couple of renderings for an all-new hybrid model. Called the Niro, Kia describes this upcoming model as a Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV). Most likely, the Niro will share the platform and powertrain that will be used on Hyundai's upcoming hybrid model. It is expected that Kia will show the Niro at either the Detroit or Chicago Auto Show next year, with sales beginning sometime after. Source: Kia Press Release is on Page 2 Kia to launch all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle Kia has today announced its plans to introduce an all-new low emissions vehicle to its growing model line-up. The Niro – labelled a Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV) – represents a new concept from the Korean car brand, and marks the development of Kia's first dedicated eco-car platform. Niro will maintain all the practicality and appeal of a compact SUV, while offering greater fuel economy. Engineered from the ground up as a dedicated hybrid vehicle, its attractive, modern styling will help the car stand out in a traditionally conservative sector. The Niro's all-new platform has been engineered in isolation from existing Kia models, and is designed to accommodate a specific set of environmentally-conscious technologies and next-generation powertrains View full article

If there is anything the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal has shown us, it has shown the various regulations used around the world are tricky to enforce and that automakers will take advantage of loopholes. General Motors' powertrain chief wants to change that by unifying emission standards around the world. Dan Nicholson, GM's powertrain chief tells Automotive News that he plans to use his upcoming presidency of the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies (Fisita) to push for the unification of emission standards around the world. “We want all our engineering resources focused on improving air quality and reducing CO2. With different sets of rules, we have to put our engineering resources into nuanced regulatory differences rather than working on the root problem,” said Nicholson. Nicholson said the differences between emission standards set by the EPA and those upcoming from the European Union are small. But engineering the same vehicle to meet different standards was costing a large sum across the industry. Harmonizing the different standards will be difficult, but Nicholson says the benefits will outweigh the negatives. “There is more overlap in the areas of interest than people think,” said Nicholson. There's also another reason why Nicholson wants to take this on. China is in the process of setting up their own emission standards. “With China in discussions right now, we are at a key pivot point. I’m concerned that if we miss our opportunities now they won’t come again for a long time,” explained Nicholson. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Last Friday was a trying day for me. I was feeling quite overwhelmed by the large amount of work due the end of the year, along with trying to figure out what the holidays would bring forth. This would be joined by some personal issues that only added to the overwhelmed feeling. I needed an escape. Something that could let me get away from all these issues rolling around in my head, even for a few moments. That's when I made the decision to go out for a drive. I had no destination in mind. I would just drive to wherever the roads would take me. I grabbed the keys to my tester at the time, a Nissan Murano, and just started to drive. I stuck to side roads for this trip and just began to unload my mind. With each passing mile, my mind began to clean up all these thoughts and it was there that I began to have a realization. Back in 1969 and 1970, Oldsmobile came up with a new ad campaign promoting their vehicles as 'Escape Machines'. For example, a print ad for the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado featured this at the top, "12-hour day. Meetings. Memos. The midnight oil. Wouldn't it be nice to have an Escape Machine?" Oldsmobile was using this as a way to point out their vehicles were perfect to escape the daily grind of work as they were designed and equipped to handle the needs of escape. But now, many of us don't see cars as a means of escape. They are more seen as a tool that will get from point a to point b. Now there are some cars we do see as a means of escape, but they tend to be sports cars with sleek styling and high-performance engines. Here is the thing, any car can become 'Escape Machine'. It isn't the car that classifies it as a way to escape the world for a little bit. It comes down to you, the driver to make that decision. You are the factor that can make the decision into having a vehicle be used as a tool or as something that can take away. As I was wrapping up my drive, I pulled into one of those self-serve car washes to get a picture of the Murano. I posted the picture onto social media with this comment, "Sometimes, it's necessary to hop into your escape machine and drive wherever it takes you to clear or process things in your mind." It just comes down to you to make the decision. View full article

Volkswagen's emission scandal will not be an easy or quick problem to fix. Along with fixing a number of vehicles, the automaker will be facing a large amount of fines from various governments and possibly payouts from lawsuits. To make sure they have enough money to cover all of this, Volkswagen is reportedly is taking out some short-term loans. Bloomberg has learned from two sources that the German automaker will meet with a number of banks tomorrow to apply for 20 billion euros (about $21.5 billion) in short-term loans to act as a buffer for upcoming fines. The hope is to have the loans by the end of this year. “It makes perfect sense” to shore up financing, said Sascha Gommel, analyst for Commerzbank AG. “In order to protect their rating, they need to show that liquidity will never become an issue for them, because then you have a vicious circle. If the ratings agencies think you won’t have cash and they downgrade you, then your funding gets more expensive.” Source: Bloomberg View full article

Karma Automotive - the company formerly known as Fisker - announced a new partnership with BMW this week. The partnership will see BMW proving Karma with powertrain components moving forward. Now the full extent of the deal is unknown. But according to the statement released by Karma this week, the deal will include "high voltage battery charging systems and a wide range of hybrid and EV systems." "The Wanxiang Group is giving Karma Automotive the opportunity to bring a stunning car back to the market, and the partnership with BMW and their outstanding track record is a great fit for the future," said Tom Corcoran, Karma Automotive's CEO. Karma Automotive is planning to restart production sometime next year. Source: Karma Automotive Press Release is on Page 2 Karma Automotive Signs Supply Agreement With BMW COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Karma Automotive announced today that BMW has agreed to be a supplier in ensuring their vehicles are built with the highest quality automotive parts. BMW will supply Karma Automotive with their latest powertrain components, including high voltage battery charging systems and a wide range of hybrid and EV systems. Throughout automotive history, BMW has been globally recognized for engineering and manufacturing world-class products. They are a proven technology leader and renowned for conceiving and delivering groundbreaking innovations. Karma Automotive will integrate the first BMW components into its plug-in hybrid flagship vehicle, which will re-launch in 2016. The next generation of vehicles already in development will utilize more of BMW's powertrain technology. "The Wanxiang Group is giving Karma Automotive the opportunity to bring a stunning car back to the market, and the partnership with BMW and their outstanding track record is a great fit for the future," said Karma's CEO Tom Corcoran. "We will continue to develop beautiful cars with the latest cutting edge hybrid and EV technology." Co-founder Bernhard Koehler said; "I'm personally excited and incredibly proud we will be integrating the sophistication, integrity and character of the BMW powertrain into our own. Karma Automotive products and ultimately our customers will be the greatest benefactors of this fantastic relationship." View full article

Next at the LA Auto Show, Honda will unveil the coupe version of the Civic. But thanks to an eagle-eye spy photographer, we have our first peek at what the production coupe will look like. While the Civic coupe in the photo has the same bright green color as the concept shown at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the production model is toned down a bit with no rear wing or distinctive front bumper. But the basic shape is all there. It's expected the Civic coupe will feature the same 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower as found in the sedan. We'll have full details of the coupe when it is shown at the LA Auto Show next week. Source: Motor Authority View full article

A vehicle that many Buick dealers and a number of us here at Cheers & Gears have been wanting for a while could finally be arriving next year. Automotive News and the Wall Street Journal report that the Buick Envision will be coming to the U.S. Sources tell AN that General Motors is likely to green light the Envision for export to the U.S. as early as late spring. The Wall Street Journal says the company is targeting annual sales of 30 to 40,000 Envisions per year. Now the Envision would be the first vehicle sold by the Detroit 3 that is imported from China. It will not be the first Chinese-built vehicle sold in the U.S., that honor goes to Volvo with the S60 Inscription. Back in August, the UAW was not pleased with the possibility of GM exporting the Envision from China, saying it was 'alarming'. But the Journal says GM and the UAW "appear to have come to an understanding” after talking about it during contract negotiations. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Wall Street Journal View full article

Last year at the LA Auto Show, Chrysler gave the 300 lineup a modest refresh. A new grille and headlights for the exterior, while interior boasted a new gauge cluster and dial for the gear shifter. Some people thought Chrysler should have gone farther, but we think the right call was made here. Our 300 came in the S trim which brought a blacked-out grille, headlights, wheels, and new lip spoiler. Paired with a coat of red paint, the 300S strikes a nice balance of aggression and handsomeness. Despite the looks, the 300 is still a tricky vehicle when it comes to overall visibility. Due to the limited area of glass, the 300 has large blind spots that make it tricky to park or safely change lanes. We highly recommend optioning the park assist and blind spot systems to make the 300 that much easier to live with. Powertrains haven’t changed much since we last checked out the 300 back in 2013. A 3.6L V6 with 292 horsepower (300 horsepower for the S) comes standard, while a 5.7 HEMI V8 with 364 horsepower is an option. No matter which engine you choose, an eight-speed automatic is standard. We had the V8 in our 300S tester and it fits the vehicle's persona. With a distinctive engine note at idle and plenty of punch throughout the rev range, the V8 is perfect for those who want power. The new eight-speed automatic is very fast with shifts and helps boost fuel economy to 16 City/25 Highway/19 Combined. In terms of handling, the 300S gets a retuned suspension to help reduce body roll and feel more planted. It does make a difference as the S feels slightly more capable around corners than the standard 300. Steering is quite good with the right amount of weight and feel. For day to day driving, the 300S is very comfortable as the suspension is able to glide over bumps. Wind and road noise are kept in check. The Chrysler 300S starts at $34,895 for the V6 and $37,895 for the V8. Our tester came to an as-tester price of $42,865 with a couple of options. So while the Chrysler 300 may not have gone under the dramatic changes many wanted, the changes Chrysler did make keep the 300 as one of the best bang for your buck vehicles. Disclaimer: Chrysler Provided the 300S, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Chrysler Model: 300 Trim: S Engine: 5.7L HEMI MDS VVT V8 Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, Rear-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 363 @ 5,200 Torque @ RPM: 394 @ 4,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 16/25/19 Curb Weight: 4,326 lbs Location of Manufacture: Brampton, Ontario Base Price: $34,895 As Tested Price: $42,685 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: 300S Premium Group - $3,295 5.7L HEMI MDS VVT V8 - $3,000 Redline 3-Coat Pearl Exterior Paint - $500 Next Page: 2015 Dodge Durango R/T The Dodge Durango is already an imposing looking crossover with its boxy shape, crosshair grille, and a long taillight. But what if you want something more aggressive in a Durango? Dodge has you covered with the R/T trim. The R/T begins with changes to exterior such as a body-colored grille element, twin-exhaust ports, and a set twenty-inch wheels finished in a dark gray. These little changes increase the aggressive look that Dodge is conveying with the Durango. The interior is the same as any other Durango with a clean dash and seating for six or seven people. But the Durango is on the lower end in terms of cargo space. With all three rows up, the Durango offers 17.2 cubic feet. This increases to 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.5 with both rear rows folded. Those who want more cargo space should look at GM’s full-size crossovers. The other change for the R/T is the 5.7L HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower becoming standard. This engine fits the attitude that the R/T is presenting. Start the Durango R/T and the V8 comes alive with a burble that is reminiscent of a muscle car. That impression continues when you step on the accelerator and engine roars to life, delivering power at a very quick rate. This is helped by a new eight-speed automatic which provides lightning-fast shifts to keep the V8 in the zone of power. Fuel economy may be the big downside to the V8 as it is rated at 14 City/22 Highway/16 Combined. We got 17.1 MPG during our week. Handling-wise, the Durango is a delight. Body motions are kept in check and the steering provides a nice feel of the road. The ride is very smooth and quiet, making it a perfect long distance cruiser. As for pricing, the 2015 Dodge Durango R/T starts at $42,495. Our tester with a few options climbed to $48,525. Considering the performance and styling tweaks the R/T offers, along with the amities of the standard Durango, the R/T is very much worth a look. Disclaimer: Dodge Provided the Durango R/T, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Dodge Model: Durango Trim: R/T AWD Engine: 5.7L HEMI MDS VVT V8 Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 360 @ 5,150 Torque @ RPM: 390 @ 4,250 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 14/22/16 Curb Weight: 5,331 lbs Location of Manufacture: Detroit, MI Base Price: $42,495 As Tested Price: $48,525 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: Rear DVD Entertainment Center - $1,995 Premium Nappa Leather Group - $1,295 Second-Row Fold/Tumble Captain Chairs - $995.00 UConnect 8.4AN AM/FM/SXM/HD/BT/NAV - $750.00 View full article