William Maley

Whenever you get the chance to sit down and chat with General Motors' executive vice president Mark Reuss, you know that some interesting tidbits will come out of it. Case in point is a piece published by Car and Driver where Reuss shoots the breeze on Cadillac and Chevrolet. What are GM's priorities at the moment? Reuss explains it like this: “to grow Cadillac, and get Chevrolet back in the car game, really feed Buick and GMC, get Opel straightened around, and get our international operations profitable.” Now New York put Cadillac in the spotlight with the introduction of the CT6. Reuss explained that CT6 isn't the brand's flagship and “there’s a car above this.” Car and Driver asked about the possibility of a sports car for Cadillac. Reuss squashed that idea. “The brand’s got to be ready to do something like that. Right now it’s not. I don’t think doing a car like that is going to change the brand image today, either." Reuss was also adamant about where the luxury brand currently stands. "Year one. I think we’re talking to ourselves if we think that we’re on the consideration list of people, in volume, in the luxury segment. So let’s get real about it, and keep hammering, and keep building great cars and trucks, and people start to notice and want to try something different, and that’s our opportunity. There’s a whole generation out there whose moms and dads drove BMWs and Audis and Mercedes, and they didn’t drive Cadillacs. We need to get on that consideration list with great cars and trucks. In that sense, from a product-development standpoint, we’re more than year one. From a brand standpoint, we’re year one.” As for Chevrolet, Reuss revealed the fate the long-rumored Chevrolet Code 130R: It isn't happening. “We looked at that and we looked at our competitors who were doing things like that and what the market told us was that was not a good idea. The volumes of those things were terrible." Source: Car and Driver View full article

Yeah, I would expect it either this or next year.

One of the stories we didn't get the chance to cover on Cheers & Gears last week was Mercedes-Benz building a midsize pickup. Now at the time, we considered this an early April Fools joke. But when the official announcement came out, our jaws were agape: Mercedes-Benz is working on a midsize truck that will go on sale towards the end of the decade for certain marketplaces - the U.S. is not one of those places. Now this wouldn't be a luxury truck, it would be built for work. This further substantiated by Mercedes-Benz's commercial van division handling the development. But Mercedes-Benz USA wants to make the final decision if the truck is sold or not. "We said to Stuttgart, 'We are open, and let us assess the market.' If that leads to us saying 'green light,' then we will bring it," said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. If Mercedes-Benz USA does get the truck, it will be positioned as a luxury vehicle, not a work truck. "Not every pickup in the U.S. is going to job sites. Just drive around Greenwich, Conn., and see how many pickups there are. You realize this is not a demographic that is showing up with their work boots on job sites. Those sales are taken care of by the domestics," said Cannon. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Mercedes-Benz (Original Press Release) Press Release is on Page 2 Get ready for the Mercedes-Benz among pickups: Mercedes-Benz Vans to launch midsize pickup Stuttgart, Mar 27, 2015 Expansion of product range for sustained global growth Market for midsize pickups primed for first model from a premium manufacturer Mercedes-Benz to enter the high-volume midsize segment before end of decade Main markets: Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe Stuttgart – Before the end of the decade, Mercedes-Benz will expand its product range into a promising segment by launching the first pickup from a premium manufacturer. Thanks to their versatility, all-round utility, and payload of about one metric ton, pickups are popular across the world and thus have good sales potential. "The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets," says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division. "We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value." Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, adds: "As part of our 'Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global' strategy, the pickup is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model." A promising segment with global scope The midsize pickup segment is currently undergoing a transformation worldwide. More and more pickups are being used for private purposes, and commercial as well as private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have car-like specificiations. Mercedes-Benz is the first premium manufacturer to respond to this market shift by developing its own pickup. A similar example was the successful introduction of the M-Class around 20 years ago. As the first sport utility vehicle (SUV) from a premium manufacturer, the M-Class completely redefined the segment. The new Mercedes-Benz pickup will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe, all of which are posting sustained growth in this segment. Mercedes-Benz Vans: Center of competence for commercially and privately used vehicles The Mercedes-Benz Vans division is responsible for the new vehicle. With its many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles that are used commercially as well as privately, Mercedes-Benz Vans is ideally suited to enter the midsize pickup segment and launch a Mercedes-Benz pickup on the market for the first time in the company's history. Current models such as the V-Class and the Vito demonstrate that Mercedes-Benz Vans has the high level of expertise to successfully serve customers from a wide variety of private and commercial sectors. "We can perfectly serve customers looking for a vehicle that offers a high level of utility and at the same time has the comfort, safety, and design of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car," says Mornhinweg. "We will design our brand's first pickup according to this recipe for success." View full article

Movie sequels can be a hit or miss affair. They can either be more memorable than the first movie (example: Empire Strikes Back) or leave a bad taste in your mouth (example: The Matrix Revolutions). This is true for vehicles as well; get it right and you’ll elevate yourself into a real player in the class. Get it wrong and you’re destined to become a nobody. So where does the new 2015 Hyundai Sonata fall? Well I spent a few days in the Sonata Sport 2.0T to find out. I think it is fair to say the new Sonata’s design has arrived with a bit of a thud. It isn’t to say the new Sonata isn’t a good looking sedan, but compared to the groundbreaking design of the previous-generation model, the new Sonata doesn’t have the same excitement. Such details as the coupe-like roofline and chrome trim running along the underside of windows are still there, but with a splash of boringness. The front and rear-ends feature a more upright design that makes it more Genesis-like. Sport models come with unique rear fascia treatment and quad exhaust tips to try and give it an aggressive look, something I think actually works. While the exterior is slightly disappointing, the interior is a massive step forward. Thanks to increase in the overall size of the Sonata, the interior has grown as well. This is noticeable when sitting in the back as there is more legroom then in the last-generation model. Headroom is still bit tight for taller passengers due to the sloping roofline. Other interior improvements include more soft-touch materials on the dashboard and a new centerstack design which makes it easier to find the HVAC and radio controls. On my Sport tester, it boasted a flat-bottom steering wheel and charcoal leather with burnt orange body-matching piping and thread. Seats provided good comfort and support. Now the Sport is available with either 2.4L four-cylinder or turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. I had the latter engine which produced 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This is paired up to a six-speed automatic. As I wrote in my first-drive last year, the Sonata 2.0T feels a bit more punchy and has improved acceleration thanks to a smaller turbocharger. This very much holds true during my week long test as the turbo-four feels very lively. Stepping on the accelerator, it felt like I was unleashing a cannon as power came on instantaneously. NVH levels are kept down, making it more akin to a six-cylinder. The six-speed automatic delivers smooth and unobtrusive shifts. The EPA rates the 2015 Sonata Sport 2.0T at 23 City/32 Highway/26 Combined. My week saw an average of 26.1 MPG. As for ride and drive, the Sonata Sport gets aggressively tuned dampers and springs, along with a new steering system to make it a bit more fun in the corners. But it doesn’t feel any more sporty than the standard Sonata. It might corner slightly better, but you really can’t tell if it does. Now on the positive, the Sport 2.0T provides a comfortable and smooth ride. But if this is a Sport model, there should be a noticeable difference. Steering also has the same problem as there isn’t a real difference between this system and the steering system found on the standard Sonata. Both systems feel slightly numb, but provide decent weight. I hate to say it but the Sonata Sport 2.0T is quite the disappointment. Hyundai dropped the ball on some key areas such as exterior design and making the Sport model feel sporty. In fact, Hyundai Motor America’s CEO Dave Zuchowski said the current Sonata doesn’t have the same impression as the last-generation one and they are planning to do a redesign in a year. But there has been some improvements that has improved it for the better such as the interior and changes to the turbo engine. However, those changes can’t save the Sonata Sport 2.0T from falling down. Disclaimer: Hyundai Provided the Sonata, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Hyundai Model: Sonata Trim: Sport 2.0T Engine: Turbocharged 2.0L DOHC D-CVVT Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 245 @ 6,000 Torque @ RPM: 260 @ 1,350 – 4,000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 23/32/26 Curb Weight: 3,505 lbs Location of Manufacture: Montgomery, Alabama Base Price: $28,575 As Tested Price: $29,510 (Includes $810.00 Destination Charge) Options: Carpet Floor Mats - $125.00 View full article

Imagine a world where there isn't hearses and limousines wearing the Cadillac badge. According to GM Inside News, that will be happening when production of the XTS ends in 2019. Johan de Nysschen, head of Cadillac revealed that when the lifecycle of the XTS ends, there will be no replacement. This is due to the brand realigning their product lineup to better compete with the German automakers. With the upcoming loss of the XTS, this will also signal the end of Cadillac's livery business. "We will not have a car that will lend itself to these kind of modifications and we will probably withdrawal from those markets," said de Nysschen. Source: GM Inside News Pic Credit: William Maley View full article

You would think that with the introduction of the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Terrain and refreshed Toyota Tacoma, the likes of Ford and Ram would be getting in the midsize truck action. But Ram boss Bob Hegbloom can't make it work for the brand. The problem according to Automotive News is the price of higher fuel economy. Hegbloom explained that back in the heyday of midsize trucks - the 1980's - consumers bought them because they were considerably smaller, less expensive, and boasted impressive fuel economy. Although midsize trucks had less capability than their full-size compatriots, consumers didn't mind. "When you look at those four factors, that's truly what a midsize pickup customer is looking for. I've been able to develop a strategy to come up with three of the four -- and even with what's out there on the market today, I haven't seen anyone who can deliver on all four," said Hegbloom. To Hegbloom, a midsize truck from Ram would have to achieve 35 MPG on the highway. The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel can achieve 29 MPG on the highway. "If full-size now is pushing 30 [mpg], you're going to expect a midsize to be at least at 35. You're also going to expect it to be significantly less expensive. But to bring the technology in to deliver on 35 mpg, then you're going to raise the price," said Hegbloom. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Last month, we reported that Volkswagen could be cutting the Polo 3-Door and Beetle as a way to save costs. But Autoblog reports that the Beetle will live on. Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser, member of the board of management responsible for development at Volkswagen said that the Beetle will continue, with a new model coming sometime in the next 3 years. The next-generation Beetle will move to the MQB platform which allows such options as a hybrid and a electric version. Neusser also went onto say that the Beetle "will remain an emotional design." But that it would be shaped with a new design language. Source: Autoblog View full article