William Maley

One of these days, I will start a blog. One of these... days.

Whoops... It has been fixed.

While the spotlight at Volvo has been on the new XC90, the Swedish automaker is readying an encore with the replacement for the S80 flagship, the S90. A spy photographer caught a heavily camouflaged S90 mule undergoing some testing this week. While we can't make out all of the styling cues that the S90 will feature, there are a couple of key items we can. First, Volvo looks to giving the S90 a broad grille that first debuted on the XC90. Also, the front headlights appear to have a set of LEDs running across the middle. Rumors have the S90 taking some design ideas from the recent Concept Estate. Volvo will be using their Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform for the S90. Power will likely include the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 316 horsepower (T6) and the plug-in hybrid T8. The S90 is expected to debut sometime later this year. Source: Carscoops View full article

In a couple years time, Holden will be ending production in Australia. But the performance arm is making sure it goes out with bang. Drive.com.au reports that Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is hard at work on a special edition on a Commodore model that will have the heart of the last-generation Corvette ZR1, the LS9 V8. With 638 horsepower on tap, this engine would make for the most powerful muscle car built in Australia. Currently, HSV's Clubsport GTS holds the title for most powerful muscle car with 577 horsepower. If the models does come to fruition, expect it to be named the GTS-R and have a small number of these models built. You might be wondering why HSV isn't using the newer LT V8 engines. The reason is HSV can't fit any of the LT engines into the Commodore's engine bay. HSV declined to comment on this story. Source: Drive.com.au View full article

Along with the Ford Ranger, the blue oval is considering resurrecting another nameplate. Bloomberg has learned from sources that the company is considering bringing back the Bronco nameplate for a vehicle to be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI. “It’s a good move. Gen Y has discovered the original Bronco. Ford has seen what the Mustang can do for them, and they are bringing back their iconic names,” said John Wolkonowicz, a Boston-based independent analyst. The Bronco would give Ford a vehicle to compete with the likes of Toyota and General Motors. It would also allow Ford to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Bronco by Gen Y, especially those in Southern California. The source said the Bronco will be a midsize model (like the Explorer) and use a truck frame for added toughness. Source: Bloomberg View full article

After some leaks showing off the vehicle, Kia has decided to release some pictures of the next-generation Sportage before its official debut at Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Compared to the current Sportage, the new model is much bolder thanks to a lower and wider “tiger nose” grille, new headlights, and wider fenders. Kia designer's retain the distinctive swept-back silhouette of the current model. We don't have any details on the interior or powertrains. Kia is keeping those under wraps till next month. Source: Kia Press Release is on Page 2 Dynamic energy: Bold new exterior design for next-generation Kia Sportage Kia Motors has today revealed the first official exterior images of the all-new Kia Sportage, featuring an attractive new design. The all-new Sportage will make its global debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 15 September 2015. Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Kia Sportage features a bold, progressive design, with the vehicle's designers creating a sense of power and agility from every angle. Echoing the contrast of smooth and sharp shapes found on some of the most iconic modern fighter jets, the Sportage creates visual harmony out of the tension between sharp, defined feature lines and smooth surfacing. The 'face' of the all-new Sportage represents the biggest change to the car's design, with the car's headlamps no longer integrated with the grille for the new model, instead sweeping back along the outer edges of the more sharply-detailed bonnet and bolder wheel arches. Immediately recognisable as a Kia, the Sportage's lower, wider 'tiger-nose' grille adds more volume to the lower half of the Sportage's face, resulting in a more imposing appearance and a more stable-looking stance. The all-new Sportage is characterised by its sportier, more raked profile. From the side, the all-new Sportage retains the swept-back silhouette of the outgoing model, with a roofline that tapers slightly towards the rear of the car, longer front overhangs, shorter rear overhangs and longer wheelbase. Smooth bodywork, bolder wheel arches and sharp lines endow the Sportage with a more dynamic, muscular look. At the rear, the horizontal forms and surface volume emphasise the car's width and give the compact SUV a more stable appearance. Inspired by the 2013 Kia Provo concept car, the slim combination lamps are joined by a strip that runs the width of the rear, while turn signals and reversing lights are separated, relocated lower down to add more visual weight and a greater sense of stability to the lower half of the car. The design of the new Sportage has been led by Kia's European design studio in Frankfurt, Germany, with input from the brand's Namyang, Korea and Irvine, California design centres View full article

Fiat Chrysler Automobile held their annual dealers meeting in Las Vegas and had some surprises in store for the dealers who attended. Automotive News learned from several dealers that FCA would possibly be bringing out up to 30 new or refreshed products within the next two years. Some of the products include the next-generation Dodge Charger which will look more like the 1999 concept designed by Tom Gale, and a Dodge Barracuda convertible. Both models will be underpinned by the Alfa Romeo Giulia's platform. Other models that were shown to dealers include, An Alfa Romeo SUV which is expected to be underpinned by the Giulia's platform The standard and Abarth versions of the Fiat 124 Spyder Next-generation Jeep Wrangler which was described by one dealer as staying "pretty true to its current form' Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV with seating for eight people Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Ever since Ford ended production of the Ranger in the U.S. in 2011, many have been clamoring for the blue oval to bring the Ranger sold elsewhere to the U.S. But Ford has said no since the current Ranger since the new model is close in size to the F-150, and would be very close in terms of pricing. But the blue oval could be changing that. The Detroit News has learned from sources that Ford wants to resurrect the Ranger pickup and build it at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Sources explained that Ford and the UAW are currently in contract talks, with one of the items being bringing the Ranger to the U.S. for the production. Now this will need to be agreed by the UAW and then Ford’s board of directors. Now bringing the Ranger over to the U.S. would allow Ford to take advantage of a marketplace that seems interested in mid-size trucks again - thank the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Colorado. “There’s a real hunger for midsize trucks right now. Once upon a time, there were a lot of midsize trucks in this market. The ones that are available are cashing in on the demand,” said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. Bringing the Ranger to the U.S. would also solve the problem of what would be built at the Michigan Assembly plant. As we reported last month, Ford will be moving Focus and C-Max production from Michigan Assembly to a new plant, most likely Mexico. Source: The Detroit News View full article

They do. I know off the top of my head that OnStar 4G LTE costs $5.00 per month for 500 MB and climbs from there.

Automakers are leveraging new technologies such as automatic parking systems, concierge services, and mobile internet to bring people into showrooms. But a new study done by J.D. Power reveals that a number of owners aren't using it. J.D. Power published today the 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience Report, a new study which looks at 33 tech features in vehicles and ask owners if they have ever used them. According to the report, at least 20 percent of owners have never used 16 out of the 33 features (about 48.4 percent). The top five features that owners said they never use includes, In-Vehicle Concierge Services - 43% Mobile Routers - 38% Automatic Parking Systems - 35% Heads-Up Display - 33% Built-In Apps - 32% So why do owners not use these features? A key part comes down to dealers not explaining the features, which in turn causes an increase of an owner not using it. Also, the report says that if a feature isn't activated when a vehicle is delivered, it sometimes mean an owner doesn't know it exists. “The first 30 days are critical. That first-time experience with the technology is the make-it-or-break-it stage. Automakers need to get it right the first time, or owners will simply use their own mobile device instead of the in-vehicle technology,” said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & HMI research at J.D. Power. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), J.D. Power Press Release is on Page 2 Automakers Spending Billions on Technologies That Many Consumers Don’t Use Built-in Connectivity among Least Used Technologies, Creating Lost Value WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 25 August 2015 — Automakers are investing billions of dollars to put technologies in their cars and light trucks that are not being used by many of the owners of those vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience (DrIVE) Report.SM The 2015 DrIVE Report measures driver experiences with in-vehicle technology features during the first 90 days of ownership. The report finds that at least 20 percent of new-vehicle owners have never used 16 of the 33 technology features measured. The five features owners most commonly report that they “never use” are in-vehicle concierge (43%); mobile routers (38%); automatic parking systems (35%); head-up display (33%); and built-in apps (32%). There are 14 technology features that 20 percent or more of owners do not want in their next vehicle, including Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, in-vehicle concierge services and in-vehicle voice texting. Among Gen Y[1], the number of features unwanted by at least 20 percent of owners increases to 23, specifically technologies related to entertainment and connectivity systems. “In many cases, owners simply prefer to use their smartphone or tablet because it meets their needs; they’re familiar with the device and it’s accurate,” said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & HMI research at J.D. Power. “In-vehicle connectivity technology that’s not used results in millions of dollars of lost value for both consumers and the manufacturers.” Among all owners, the most frequently cited reasons for not wanting a specific technology feature in their next vehicle are “did not find it useful” in their current vehicle and the technology “came as part of a package on my current vehicle and I did not want it.” In addition, owners who say their dealer did not explain the feature have a higher likelihood of never using the technology. Furthermore, features that are not activated when the vehicle is delivered often result in the owner not even knowing they have the technology in their new vehicle. Kolodge noted that the technologies owners most often want are those that enhance the driving experience and safety, which are only available as a built-in feature rather than via an external device. In-vehicle technologies that most owners do want include vehicle health diagnostics, blind-spot warning and detection, and adaptive cruise control. “The first 30 days are critical. That first-time experience with the technology is the make-it-or-break-it stage,” said Kolodge. “Automakers need to get it right the first time, or owners will simply use their own mobile device instead of the in-vehicle technology.” Because the first few weeks of ownership are so critical, dealerships play the most important role in helping owners get off to a good start with the technology in their vehicle, Kolodge noted. “While dealers are expected to play a key role in explaining the technology to consumers, the onus should be on automakers to design the technology to be intuitive for consumers,” said Kolodge. “Automakers also need to explain the technology to dealership staff and train them on how to demonstrate it to owners.” Safety and Repair Costs Use of in-vehicle technologies has implications beyond the auto industry. For example, the insurance industry is closely tracking automotive technology for safety and financial purposes. Insurers are concerned that difficult-to-use technology may distract drivers and cause an accident. Using smartphones instead of in-vehicle technology also creates safety issues. Additionally, in-vehicle technology can significantly increase claims costs for vehicles damaged in an accident. “While some technologies, such as lane-departure warning, are making vehicles safer, the insurance industry is very concerned about the driver-distraction hazards caused by some of the other technologies,” said Chip Lackey, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power. “In addition, technology drives up the repair and replacement costs. A slight bumper scrape that would normally cost a few hundred dollars to repair can catapult a claim into thousands of dollars when a park assist camera or other sensors are damaged.” The 2015 Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience (DrIVE) Report is based on responses from more than 4,200 vehicle owners and lessees after 90 days of ownership. The report was fielded in April through June 2015. View full article