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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA are in merger talks. This after the failed merger negotiations last spring between FCA and Renault. The merger is reportedly an all-share merger of equals with PSA CEO Carlos Tavares at the helm as CEO and FCA Chairman John Elkann retaining his position in the new company. The "talks are fluid" and the paper reported that "no guarantee that any final agreement will be reached". FCA had previously turned down a merger offer from PSA back in March. PSA is still digesting their acquisition of Opel from General Motors. View full article
  2. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "FCA and PSA are in Merger Talks"
    According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA are in merger talks. This after the failed merger negotiations last spring between FCA and Renault. The merger is reportedly an all-share merger of equals with PSA CEO Carlos Tavares at the helm as CEO and FCA Chairman John Elkann retaining his position in the new company. The "talks are fluid" and the paper reported that "no guarantee that any final agreement will be reached". FCA had previously turned down a merger offer from PSA back in March. PSA is still digesting their acquisition of Opel from General Motors.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    Last week we reported on a teaser that Hyundai sent out about it's upcoming hydrogen truck concept. Today, it's here. Meet the HDC-6 Neptune, a Class-8 semi-truck that runs on hydrogen fuel cells. Hyundai says that fuel cells are a better fit for long haul driving than batteries due to the lower refueling time, higher range, and higher payload. The styling of the concept is inspired by the Art Deco designs by Henry Dreyfuss of the New York Central railroad in the 1930s. The fuel cell powertrain gave Hyundai the opportunity to change the classic layout of a Class-8 truck. They took the technical requirements and found new ways to combine form and function. For example, the massive cooling requirements necessitated a grille that wrapped nearly all the way around the vehicle. Inside the grille are retractable steps up to the cab. The combination of both cab over engine and conventional truck formats gives the Neptune gains in packaging efficiency and ergonomics. Hyundai plans to work with partners to pave the way for a hydrogen ecosystem specifically for commercial vehicles in the US. In Switzerland, Hyundai is building 1,600 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks with its partner H2 Energy. In addition to the Neptune, Hyundai introduced a concept refrigerated trailer. The trailer is virtually noiseless compared to typical diesel powered refrigerated trailers. The trailer reduces pollution and emissions. The roof, front wall, and side walls are constructed of one-piece, structural sandwich foam panels with fiber reinforced polymer skins. The trailer is made without posts or roof bows and the entire design is lighter than a typical trailer while also increasing wall strength and enhancing thermal efficiency. View full article
  4. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Hyundai Debuts HDC-6 Neptune Truck Concept"
    Last week we reported on a teaser that Hyundai sent out about it's upcoming hydrogen truck concept. Today, it's here. Meet the HDC-6 Neptune, a Class-8 semi-truck that runs on hydrogen fuel cells. Hyundai says that fuel cells are a better fit for long haul driving than batteries due to the lower refueling time, higher range, and higher payload. The styling of the concept is inspired by the Art Deco designs by Henry Dreyfuss of the New York Central railroad in the 1930s. The fuel cell powertrain gave Hyundai the opportunity to change the classic layout of a Class-8 truck. They took the technical requirements and found new ways to combine form and function. For example, the massive cooling requirements necessitated a grille that wrapped nearly all the way around the vehicle. Inside the grille are retractable steps up to the cab. The combination of both cab over engine and conventional truck formats gives the Neptune gains in packaging efficiency and ergonomics. Hyundai plans to work with partners to pave the way for a hydrogen ecosystem specifically for commercial vehicles in the US. In Switzerland, Hyundai is building 1,600 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks with its partner H2 Energy. In addition to the Neptune, Hyundai introduced a concept refrigerated trailer. The trailer is virtually noiseless compared to typical diesel powered refrigerated trailers. The trailer reduces pollution and emissions. The roof, front wall, and side walls are constructed of one-piece, structural sandwich foam panels with fiber reinforced polymer skins. The trailer is made without posts or roof bows and the entire design is lighter than a typical trailer while also increasing wall strength and enhancing thermal efficiency.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Mazda CX-9 Gets More Torque and Second Row Captain's Chairs"
    The Mazda CX-9 has been on sale a few years now without many updates. For 2020 Mazda is increasing the torque of the engine and adding second row captain's chairs. The engine now will produce 320 lb.-ft of torque when running 93 octane gas and 310 lb.-ft when running on 87. That's an increase of 10 lb.-ft over the 2019 model. Horsepower rating stays the same at 250 hp on 93 octane and 227 on 87. The engine sends power to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive is standard in the Signature model and available on all other trims. For 2020, the all-wheel drive system gains an off-road traction assist feature that replaces the traction control button. The system helps on uneven terrain by increasing brake force on the wheels without traction and diverting power to the wheels with traction. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Sport gets new standard features such as heated front cloth seats, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, Gray Metallic 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated outside mirrors, automatic on/off headlights and High Beam Control. Mazda’s full suite of i-Activsense safety features are now standard with includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist to Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Other standard features include a seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment screen, LED headlights and taillights, one-touch front and rear power windows, rear privacy glass, three-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio pairing, rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start. The Touring model now adds Apple Car Play and Android Auto and a new nine-inch color touchscreen display. Optional on the Touring Premium and Grand Touring are the new second row captain's chairs, heated on the Grand Touring. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 goes on sale this fall starting at $33,790 for the sport, $35,610 for the Touring, $41,540 for the Grand Touring, and $46,115 for the Signature.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    The Mazda CX-9 has been on sale a few years now without many updates. For 2020 Mazda is increasing the torque of the engine and adding second row captain's chairs. The engine now will produce 320 lb.-ft of torque when running 93 octane gas and 310 lb.-ft when running on 87. That's an increase of 10 lb.-ft over the 2019 model. Horsepower rating stays the same at 250 hp on 93 octane and 227 on 87. The engine sends power to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive is standard in the Signature model and available on all other trims. For 2020, the all-wheel drive system gains an off-road traction assist feature that replaces the traction control button. The system helps on uneven terrain by increasing brake force on the wheels without traction and diverting power to the wheels with traction. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Sport gets new standard features such as heated front cloth seats, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, Gray Metallic 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated outside mirrors, automatic on/off headlights and High Beam Control. Mazda’s full suite of i-Activsense safety features are now standard with includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist to Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Other standard features include a seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment screen, LED headlights and taillights, one-touch front and rear power windows, rear privacy glass, three-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio pairing, rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start. The Touring model now adds Apple Car Play and Android Auto and a new nine-inch color touchscreen display. Optional on the Touring Premium and Grand Touring are the new second row captain's chairs, heated on the Grand Touring. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 goes on sale this fall starting at $33,790 for the sport, $35,610 for the Touring, $41,540 for the Grand Touring, and $46,115 for the Signature. View full article
  7. Drew Dowdell
    That's why I do Sample Lunch at costco without a cart.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    I think we'll see an AWD 500 lb.-ft Murano before we'll see a GT-R
  9. Drew Dowdell
    General Motors' lost $2.9 billion in profit due to the strike according to the company's Q3 earnings report released Tuesday. That number exceeded analyst estimates by $900 million. In the final two weeks of the strike, as further plants had to be shut down due to parts shortages, the company lost $750 million. The total loss is about $2.00 per share. The stock is up 4.71 percent over Monday's close at the time of this writing. The strike hit 31 factories and 21 other facilities including plants in Canada and Mexico which build the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer respectively. Both plants were forced to shut down due to parts shortages caused by striking workers in the U.S. View full article
  10. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "GM Lost $2.9 Billion on Strike"
    General Motors' lost $2.9 billion in profit due to the strike according to the company's Q3 earnings report released Tuesday. That number exceeded analyst estimates by $900 million. In the final two weeks of the strike, as further plants had to be shut down due to parts shortages, the company lost $750 million. The total loss is about $2.00 per share. The stock is up 4.71 percent over Monday's close at the time of this writing. The strike hit 31 factories and 21 other facilities including plants in Canada and Mexico which build the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer respectively. Both plants were forced to shut down due to parts shortages caused by striking workers in the U.S.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    Kia's styling lately has been on a good run with the handsome Kia Telluride, the Kia Stinger, and the new Kia Soul. Next up looks to be the redesigned Kia Optima. Though the current model is only 4 years old, Kia is looking at a major redesign for 2020-2021 in the Korean market where it is dubbed the K5. The company released a series of concept photos to show the direction in styling they are aiming for. The flowing lines give the car a couple like silhouette, while a larger, blunter "tiger nose" grille takes up most of the front. The running lights take on a Z shape like on the larger Cadenza and the headlamps merge into the wide front grille. Around back is a trunk lid with a small lip of a rear spoiler and full-width tail lamps. A chrome strip runs from the base of the A-pillar, up and along the roofline and then down under the rear window glass. Inside is a fully digital instrument cluster and a minimal number of buttons and dials on the center stack. The standard style gear shifter has been replaced with a rotary selector. We don't know when the actual reveal will be, but it can't be that far away, perhaps at the Los Angeles Auto Show coming up in November. View full article
  12. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Next Kia Optima Teased as K5 for Korea"
    Kia's styling lately has been on a good run with the handsome Kia Telluride, the Kia Stinger, and the new Kia Soul. Next up looks to be the redesigned Kia Optima. Though the current model is only 4 years old, Kia is looking at a major redesign for 2020-2021 in the Korean market where it is dubbed the K5. The company released a series of concept photos to show the direction in styling they are aiming for. The flowing lines give the car a couple like silhouette, while a larger, blunter "tiger nose" grille takes up most of the front. The running lights take on a Z shape like on the larger Cadenza and the headlamps merge into the wide front grille. Around back is a trunk lid with a small lip of a rear spoiler and full-width tail lamps. A chrome strip runs from the base of the A-pillar, up and along the roofline and then down under the rear window glass. Inside is a fully digital instrument cluster and a minimal number of buttons and dials on the center stack. The standard style gear shifter has been replaced with a rotary selector. We don't know when the actual reveal will be, but it can't be that far away, perhaps at the Los Angeles Auto Show coming up in November.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    I'm not sure we can compare them directly since they are different vehicles.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    Nope, just crumbling infrastructure.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Can't sell any worse than they do now.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Ford Finishes With Flex"
    Ford is finishing up production of the Ford Flex at its Oakville Assembly plant in Ontario. Production is set to finish at the end of November. The Lincoln MKT which is also built on the line has already ceased production earlier this month. In cutting these two vehicles, Ford will also lay off about 450 out of 4,100 hourly workers at the plant. The cuts come as Ford changes to an all-utility and truck brand. The Flex was first introduced for the 2008 model year as a bold and retro alternative to a wagon or traditional SUV, combining some elements of both. Ford is scheduled to begin negotiations with Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, sometime in 2020. Unifor hopes to get some investment from Ford at the Oakville plant.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    Ford is finishing up production of the Ford Flex at its Oakville Assembly plant in Ontario. Production is set to finish at the end of November. The Lincoln MKT which is also built on the line has already ceased production earlier this month. In cutting these two vehicles, Ford will also lay off about 450 out of 4,100 hourly workers at the plant. The cuts come as Ford changes to an all-utility and truck brand. The Flex was first introduced for the 2008 model year as a bold and retro alternative to a wagon or traditional SUV, combining some elements of both. Ford is scheduled to begin negotiations with Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, sometime in 2020. Unifor hopes to get some investment from Ford at the Oakville plant. View full article
  18. Drew Dowdell
    It does seem like the UAW got pretty much everything they wanted.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    This sounds like it is mostly a powertrain test mule for bigger EVs to come.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    A huge broken pipe under the street washed away all of the support.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    As long as there is a Miata, there will be at least one manual transmission. Unless they turn that EV too.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Enclave GX
  23. Drew Dowdell
    Probably right at the expansion joints in the concrete.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    Love that you're back adding your two cents.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    China is by far Buick's most important market. More than three quarters of all Buicks sold are sold in China. To that end, it should be no surprise that China gets updated models before the U.S. and also get variants that never will see our shores. Even models that are dead in the US, like the Lacrosse and Verano, continue on selling well in China. The Buick Enclave is one example. In the U.S. it is a full-size model, but in China it is downsized to a mid-size model approximately the size of the current GMC Acadia. Buick just debuted the new Enclave in China and while it is unlikely we'll see it over here, the U.S. model could get many of the same updates when it bows for 2021. Outside we see a revised front fascia with a new grill. The running lights have the familiar boomerang shape while the headlamps have moved lower into the bumper area. A new grille insert is there with a wider horizontal slat that gives the Enclave more visual width. The inside is where the real story is at. Greatly updated, the infotainment system is seamlessly integrated into the dash and a new set of buttons takes the place of the Precision Control shifter. The console is the floating type with storage underneath. (Click image to enlarge) The Chinese Enclave is powered by GM's 2.0-liter turbocharged LSY engine making around 230 horsepower and coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission. What do you think of the Chinese Buick Enclave and would you like to see these updates in the U.S. version? Let us know in the comments below. View full article
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