William Maley

In the full-size SUV class, the GM family of the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL dominate the class. Every other model in this group just seems to try for second or third place. But why is that? Well I spent a week with a 2014 Nissan Armada to try and answer this question. The Armada happens to be the oldest model in the class, being introduced back in 2004. You wouldn’t know that by looking at the exterior as it still looks fresh with such design details as a large grille and headlights, flared out fenders, a unique roofline, and twenty-inch wheels. The interior got some much needed updates back in `08 with improved materials and a revised dashboard layout. These changes again make the Armada feel younger than it actually is. However the infotainment system does reveal how old this vehicle is with a somewhat dated interface and chunky graphics. Space is very generous for the first and second row, while the third row is best reserved for kids or being folded into the floor to increase cargo space from 20 to 57.7 cubic feet of space. Under the hood is a 5.6L V8 engine with 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, paired up with a five-speed automatic and optional four-wheel drive. The V8 does a fine job of moving the Armada’s curb weight of 5,841 pounds and the five-speed automatic delivers crisp shifts. But the downside comes in fuel economy as the EPA rates the Armada at 12 City/18 Highway/14 Combined. My week average landed at 12.4 MPG. As for the ride, the Armada is a comfortable highway cruiser, but does let in a slight amount of wind and road noise. On rougher surfaces, the Armada is very truck-like as it communicates every imperfection on the road. There is one saving grace to the Armada and that is the price. A base Armada with 2WD will set you back $36,890. My as-tested Armada Platinum with 4WD was $53,595.00 and that included navigation, leather, heated seats for the first and second row, dual-zone climate control, a DVD player, and much more. But even with that price tag, the Armada is just outclassed. While the value and nice interior are there, the poor fuel economy and ride quality just put it way behind the competition. Unless you get a smoking deal on an Armada, it's best that you pass on it. Disclaimer: Nissan Provided the Armada, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2014 Make: Nissan Model: Armada Trim: Platinum 4X4 Engine: 5.6L V8 Driveline: Five-Speed Automatic, Four-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 317 @ 5,200 Torque @ RPM: 385 @ 3,400 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 12/18/14 Curb Weight: 5,841 lbs Location of Manufacture: Canton, TN Base Price: $52,360.00 As Tested Price: $53,595.00 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: Floor & Cargo Mats - $240.00 William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article

Toyota Motor Sales Reports Best Month In Six Years TMS no. 1 retail manufacturer; Camry, Corolla and Prius post double-digit gains TORRANCE, Calif., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported May 2014 sales results of 243,236 units, an increase of 12.6 percent from May 2013 on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw-volume basis, unadjusted for 27 selling days in May 2014 versus 26 selling days in May 2013, TMS sales increased 17 percent from year-ago month. Toyota division posted May 2014 sales of 216,315 units, up 12.2 percent year-over-year on a DSR basis. Volume-wise, Toyota division sales increased 16.5 percent over May 2013. "Industry sales in May soared as consumer confidence improved and demand for new vehicles continued to strengthen," saidBill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager. "Toyota had its best month in six years led by strong Camry, Corolla and Hybrid sales." Lexus reported May sales of 26,921 units, a 16.6 percent increase on a DSR basis and a 21.1 percent increase on a raw-volume basis, both year-over-year. "The luxury vehicle market has been outperforming the overall industry so far this year and that continued in May," said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "Lexus results during the month were up 21 percent as sales of our newest models, the IS and GX, more than doubled, and our core models, the ES and RX, also showed solid gains." Other Highlights: Camry up over 26 percent with sales of almost 50,000 units All-new Corolla up 30.8 percent, best month since August 2009 TMS hybrids up over 9 percent Prius up 14 percent with sales of 26,793 units Toyota division trucks up 11 percent All-new RAV4 leads trucks with sales of 23,465 units, up 13 percent All-new Highlander posts sales of 12,329 units 4Runner up 70 percent Sienna up nearly 13 percent Toyota pickups post sales of 25,267 units All-new Tundra up 14.5 percent Tacoma posts sales of nearly 14,000 units Lexus up over 21 percent All-new Lexus IS posts triple-digit gains for the sixth month in a row All-new Lexus ES up nearly 11 percent Lexus luxury utility vehicles up 20.2 percent Lexus RX up 8.7 percent Lexus GX posts triple-digit gains for the seventh month in a row *Note: Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume

American Honda Sales Increase 9.0 Percent in May American Honda sets May record for light truck sales Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V each post double digit gains, together selling over 100k units Acura MDX shatters May record, lifts light trucks to best May in division history TORRANCE, Calif., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported May 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 152,603 units—an overall increase of 9.0 percent (5.0 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*)compared to May 2013, which showed a similar increase vs. the previous year. The Honda Division posted an increase of 9.8 percent with May sales of 137,928 units. Acura division gained 2.2 percent on May sales of 14,675, with light trucks increasing 32.9 percent for the month on sales of 10,301 units. Year-to-date American Honda sales reached 610,413 units. Honda On the heels of strong retail sales in the first four months of the year, Accord, Civic and CR-V each topped 30,000 units in brisk May business, combining for sales of more than 100,000 units. The Honda division was up 9.8 percent overall in May. Honda light trucks set a new May sales record, selling 57,835 units for a gain of 2.1 percent Accord, America's best-selling retail car in the first quarter of 2014, was up 19.3 percent in May with 39,637 units sold CR-V, the industry's most popular SUV, posted its best May sales ever with 32,430 units sold, an increase of 18.8 percent Civic also had a strong May, with sales up 19.2 percent to 36,089 units vs. May 2013 "With spring finally in full force across the country, Accord, Civic and CR-V are really starting to bloom," said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager. "With our three core models out-selling some entire brands and the all-new Fit starting to hit the ground next week, our dealers are preparing for heavy customer traffic in the coming months." Acura Hot-selling Acura light trucks continued their record-setting pace, combining to achieve the best May sales in division history. The MDX also posted its best May ever, topping sales of over 5900 for the month and up 115.6 percent for the year. After posting 24 consecutive months of record sales, the RDX netted May sales of 4,299 and gaining 3.8 percent for the year. Monthly sales of both the TL and TSX models reflect very tight supply with the anticipation of the launch of the all-new 2015 Acura TLX later this year. Total Acura division sales increased 2.2 percent over last year on sales of 14,675 units in May Acura trucks led the division with an increase of 32.9 percent on sales of 10,301 for a best-ever May performance MDX also posted its best May with sales up 115.6 percent on sales of 5,997 units "Acura light trucks continue to exceed even our high expectations, with the MDX posting another record increase in May," said Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager. "As dealers and customers anxiously await the all-new TLX, it's great to see models like the ILX having one of its better months and drawing a new, younger customer to the Acura brand."

JAGUAR LAND ROVER REPORTS U.S. SALES FOR MAY 2014 Jaguar Land Rover North America sales increase 17 percent in May, for its best May sales month result since 2007 Land Rover brand has its best May sales month ever with a 28 percent increase over 2013 Range Rover Evoque sales increase 59 percent for May Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe went on sale in May leading to new high in monthly F-TYPE sales Jaguar sales up 14 percent for the year (MAHWAH, NJ) – May 1, 2014 – Jaguar Land Rover North America today reported May 2014 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales reached an all-time May high of 4,536 units, up 28 percent from 3,554 units in May 2013, and for the year, up 13 percent with 22,148 units from 19,516 units. Jaguar sales were 1,304 units, down 9 percent from 1,435 units in May 2013, and for the year up 14 percent with 7,054 units from 6,161 units. Jaguar Land Rover North America May U.S. sales for both brands hit 5,840 units, a 17 percent increase from 4,989 units in May 2013. For the year 2014, Jaguar Land Rover North America is up 14 percent with 29,202 units sold from 25,677 units in 2013. "Jaguar Land Rover continues to have momentum across multiple car lines driving our U.S. monthly sales up 17 percent with Land Rover achieving its highest May sales ever,” said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “The Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport were top performers this month, and the addition of the Coupe model helped the Jaguar F-TYPE have its best sales month since debuting last year.” U.S. BRAND HIGHLIGHTS Land Rover Land Rover achieved an all-time May sales high this year reflecting the overall sustained momentum of the brand in the U.S. The all new Range Rover Sport hit a record May high of 1,496 units, up 35 percent from 1,105 in May, 2013. The new Range Rover Sport has received multiple awards for its breadth of capability including Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road ‘4x4 of the year’ and Road & Track’s ‘Best Cars’ list in the SUV category. The Range Rover Evoque continues to grow in popularity, hitting 1,196 units, a 59 percent increase from 751 units in May 2013, for its best May sales month ever. Jaguar The Jaguar brand is up 14 percent for the first five months of 2014 driven by demand for the new F-TYPE sports car, including this month for the first time, convertible and coupe models. Jaguar XK sales have also increased in 2014 with 701 sales YTD versus 669 units in 2013. The coming 2015 Model Year will be the final version of this iconic Jaguar GT. F-TYPE total sales for May, 2014 were 431 units, dramatically up from 159 units in 2013 when the convertible was launching. F-TYPE Coupe sales hit 236 units and Convertible sales hit 195 units. The F- TYPE Coupe launch campaign, British Villains, kicked off with Jaguar’s first advertisement in the broadcast of the Super Bowl. The 60-second spot, “Rendezvous,” has become Jaguar USA’s most popular YouTube video ever with 11.5 Million views.

Volvo Announces May Sales ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (June 3, 2014) - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (VCNA) reported U.S. sales of 5,014 units for the month of May. Year-to-date sales are down 9.9 percent versus the first five months of 2013. The top seller for May was the S60 sports sedan with 1,814 units sold, the XC60 crossover followed with 1,552 units sold, and the V60 sportswagon rounded out the third spot with 553 units sold. New this year, the V60 sportswagon is in dealerships now and combines the driving dynamics of a luxury sports sedan with the space and utility to support an active lifestyle. Thanks to Volvo’s new Drive-E engine family, the V60 features best-in-class fuel economy, with the T5 Drive-E FWD achieving 37 highway / 25 city / 29 combined mpg. The V60 is also offered with two of Volvo’s existing engines, the V60 T5 AWD and the V60 T6 R-Design AWD.