Download: 8 Jul 2011

Friday 8 July 2011

Lotus Evora Gets a Reprise

lotus evora

The Lotus Evora will get a reprise and continue in production until 2017, according to chief technical officer, Wolf Zimmerman with a range of new derivatives believed to include lightweight models with higher performance and a convertible version.

Improvements are already being made to the car and Zimmerman revealed that 130 new parts will be included in the cars seen at the Frankfurt show in late September, although it’s unclear at this stage if that includes the facelift to bring it into line with Donato Coco’s new styling strategy.

However, Zimmerman did confirm that the 2012 model year cars will get an improved gearshift quality with revised cables and internals. On the cosmetic front there’s higher quality leather and stitching in the interior designed to withstand higher sun loads.

“I don’t understand how the car can have been on the market and for two years and no one has done any improvement to the car,” he added.

Source : Google Reader

Sales Analysis – Mixed First Half of the Year

Sales Analysis – Mixed First Half of the Year: "

kiasoul

Earlier in the year the auto industry was bullish as it foresaw a strong increase in sales of new cars and trucks this year compared to the dismal sales pace during the past two years. The government officially declared the recession was over in September 2009 so pundits (aka analysts) presumed that by now buyers would be in the mood to buy many more new cars and trucks.

Alas things have not turned out as well as expected. Sales were up a modest 13 percent during the first six months compared to the same period last year, but the improvement slowed in May and June. I’ve gone through all the sales numbers and here are some random highlights I extracted:

Audi: Continues to be on a roll with record setting sales. In June, Audi’s sales volume was close to Cadillac and Lexus but still only half that of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. 43 percent of Audi A3 buyers opted for the TDI diesel.

Ford: The Fiesta outsold the Taurus, Mustang and Crown Victoria but in June it lagged these cars. Has the earlier trend to smaller cars shifted again since gas prices have dropped? The Ford F-Series continues to be the most popular vehicle in the US. Ford sells twice as many F-Series trucks as it’s next best selling vehicle, the Fusion.

Jeep: Sales are up by 49 percent, the best showing of any volume brand. All models have improved with the Compass and Grand Cherokee both more than doubling in volume.

Kia: Sales are up 44 percent this year and the Soul is becoming the soul of the Kia brand as it was the best selling model in the lineup in June and may well overtake the Sorento in overall sales for the year.

Mercedes-Benz: Although sales were only up by 10 percent, it, like Audi, set its best ever June and first half year sales. It continued to just outsell BMW and with Lexus falling to third Mercedes-Benz has become the leading seller of luxury cars so far this year.

Mitsubishi: Sales are up by 67 percent this year. And to think that a couple of years ago many thought the company would leave the U.S. market due to poor sales. Introduction of the Outlander Sport seems to have renewed interest in Mitsubishi cars as well.

porschecayenne

Porsche: Sales were up by 42 percent, entirely due to the 2011 Cayenne, which has more than doubled its sales. Has the Cayenne become the soul of the brand in this country?

Volkswagen: Had its best first half year in sales since 2002. Sales of the new Jetta are up 66 percent, proving that the lower price is helping, despite some negative reviews from traditional VW enthusiasts. Apart from the Eos and Routan, all the current VW models saw increased sales. Once the new Beetle and Passat hit showrooms later this year VW’s sales will undoubtedly increase even more.

In June Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki all reported sales increases while all the other Japanese brands had sales declines that they blamed on the crisis in Japan. Is it surprising that some have been so badly affected while others have not? Perhaps Honda and Toyota had lower inventory levels than the others prior to the earthquake?

Bottom line, the auto industry is still turmoil in the U.S. Will sales pick up again during the remainder of the year? Will Toyota and Honda regain the ground they’ve lost?

Source : Google Reader

Quick Take: 2011 Hyundai Equus

Quick Take: 2011 Hyundai Equus: "

2011-hyundai-equus

The Hyundai Equus can be viewed either as an incredible bargain, priced thousands less than other comparably equipped luxury sedans, or as the craziest way to spend approximately $58,000 on a car. Like VW did with the Phaeton, Hyundai has decided to target well-heeled car buyers interested in bargains and not badge prestige. Powered by a 378-bhp 4.6-liter V-8 mated to a 6-speed automatic, this rear-wheel-drive sedan puts a premium on comfort and refinement. Performance is quick, though you’d never mistake the Equus for a performance sedan.

The handling always felt a bit too disconnected for my taste. Even with the suspension switched to Sport mode, the steering firms up but the messages it sends to your fingertips doesn’t change much. It’s best to leave the car in Comfort mode, since the Equus is one prolific highway cruiser. A remarkably quiet cabin and powerful 17-speaker sound system make long drives a breeze. The best seat in the house is probably out back, where the rear bench has tons of legroom and a recline function.

In Ultimate trim, two individual seats replace the rear bench. These are not only heated and cooled, they also come with a footrest and massage function. Oh yes, there’s also a refrigerator. Even in base Signature trim, the cabin has all the leather, wood and luxury items you’d expect. I asked a friend to close her eyes until she was settled in the driver’s seat. When asked to look around and, in 10 seconds or less, tell me what brand of car she believed she was sitting in, her answer was “Mercedes-Benz.” That’s not too shabby for an automaker that began life in the U.S. hawking the lowly Excel hatchback.

The exterior styling borrows a lot of styling cues from other marques, especially Lexus. The Equus isn’t unattractive, but it doesn’t stand out in a crowd – a notable exception being the chrome alloy wheels fitted to my test car. The anti-establishment streak in me likes the lack of emotional baggage that comes with not having a prestige nameplate. In many ways, the Equus does everything you’d want from a comfy luxury sedan. But I’d probably get weary of explaining my fiscal sensibilities to everyone who learned I paid over 50-grand for a Hyundai.

Source : Google Reader