2013 North American Car and Truck of The Year Finalists

Finalists for the 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year have been narrowed down to three in each category with the winners to be announced in Detroit on January 14th. Last year the Hyundai Elantra and Range Rover Evoque were chosen.

North American Car of the Year finalists:
Cadillac ATS (winner of the Motor Press Guild Car of the Year)
Ford Fusion (2013 Green Car of the Year & KBB Best Redesigned)
Honda Accord

North American Truck/Utility of the Year finalists:
Ford C-Max
Mazda CX-5 
Ram 1500 (2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year)

Let's look at other recent significant award winners and finalists for some insight while realizing that each publication has it's own criteria for making their choices:

This year's Motor Trend Awards:
2013 Motor Trend SUV of the Year: Mercedes-Benz GL
2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Tesla Model S
2013 Truck of the Year: Ram 1500

Kelley Blue Book's Best Redesigned Vehicle: 2013 Ford Fusion
 
Automobile Magazine: 2013 Automobile of the Year: Tesla Model S

Autoweek: Best of the Best: Porsche Boxster S and Mercedes-Benz GL
2013 Best of the Best/Car finalists included: Cadillac ATS, Dodge Dart, Porsche 911, Porsche Boxster S and Subaru BRZ.
2013 Best of the Best/Truck finalists included: Acura RDX, Ford Escape, Infiniti JX35, Mazda CX-5 and Mercedes-Benz GL.

Green Car Journal's 2013 Green Car of the Year®: 2013 Ford Fusion
Finalists included the 2013 Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-MAX, Mazda CX-5 SKYACTIV and the Toyota Prius c.

The 16th Annual Strategic Vision Total Value Awards may surprise you.

LA Auto Show Video: Jeff Conrad On 2014 Acura RLX

The all-new 2014 Acura RLX sedan, powered by an all-new 310-horsepower 3.5-liter direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC® SOHC 24-Valve i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management, has a lightweight body structure and the first-ever application of Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ which is an independent and continuous control of the left and right rear-wheel steering angles for handling agility and high- and low-speed maneuverability. The next-generation AcuraLink® cloud-based connected car system also makes its debut on the new RLX. 

The 2014 Acura RLX is slated to go on-sale at U.S. Acura dealers nationwide in the spring of 2013 and will be available in five grades – the well-equipped RLX, the RLX with Navigation, the feature-packed RLX with Technology package, the RLX with Krell Audio package, and the top-of-the-line RLX with Advance package. Pricing details will be announced closer to launch. A version of RLX featuring Acura's new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive® (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®) technology, producing 370 horsepower with expected fuel economy ratings of 30 city/30 highway/30 combined, will debut later in 2013.

Jeff Conrad, VP of Acura Sales at American Honda shares his enthusiasm for Acura's new flagship luxury sedan.

LA Auto Show Video: Jim O'Sullivan On The All-New 2014 Mazda6

Mazda's SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine has arrived for the all-new 2014 Mazda6 and both made their North American debuts at the LA Auto Show a few weeks ago. The Mazda6 made its global debut in late August in Moscow. The Mazda6 arrives next month followed by the diesel version during the second half of the year. Mazda6 has two engine choices: the 184 horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine or the new SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine with a choice of SKYACTIV transmissions in either the SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic or SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual. Final specifications and pricing for all 2014 Mazda6 models will be available closer to the on-sale date.

The racing version of the 2014 Mazda6, powered by a Mazda SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine, will make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race on January 26-27, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  This will be the first time a diesel-powered vehicle of any type has ever raced at the Rolex 24 and Mazda is after their 24th class win in the American endurance classic, having most recently won in 2008 and 2010.

Also announced at the LA Show was an updated CX-9 and the more powerful 2.5 liter engine choice for the CX-5. The CX-7 is no longer in the Mazda lineup.

Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations discusses the new Mazda6 and more.

LA Auto Show Video: Tim Philippo On Jaguar F-Type

The all-new Jaguar F-TYPE two-seater lightweight aluminum architecture sports car is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive convertible coming next summer in three models: the F-TYPE with a 340 horsepower supercharged 3.0 liter V6, F-TYPE S with a 380 horsepower version of the 3.0 liter V6 and the F-TYPE V8 S with a 495 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 engine. All engines are mated to an eight-speed 'Quickshift' transmission with a centrally mounted SportShift selector offering full manual sequential control and steering wheel-mounted paddles. Jaguar Sports Cars Product Manager Tim Philippo discusses the new F-TYPE and the XFR-S shown at the LA Auto Show.

LA Auto Show Video: John Mendel On 2013 Honda Civic

The 2013 Honda Civic Sedan, the best-selling compact car in the U.S., receives all-new front and rear exterior styling, extensive interior upgrades and a host of new standard equipment just 18 months after a total redesign. Retuned steering and suspension, extensive chassis upgrades including Honda's ACE™ II body structure along with standard features including Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, rearview camera, Pandora® Interface, SMS text message feature, and steering wheel audio controls. The 2013 Civic has an MSRP increase of only $160 across the lineup. Pricing for the 2013 Civic LX Sedan starts at at $18,165. John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales discusses the early major upgrades to the Civic.

At the LA Auto Show Honda also announced that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid earned an EPA-certified 115 MPGe rating and will go on sale in New York and California on January 15 with an MSRP of $39,7801. Separately, the Accord Hybrid, featuring Honda's new two-motor hybrid system, will launch nationwide next summer with anticipated fuel economy of 49/45/47 city/hwy/combined. The revised 2013 Honda Crosstour and 2013 Honda CR-Z also made their auto-show debuts.

LA Auto Show Video: Megan Gillam On Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln, Ford's luxury brand, has a new advertising campaign that launched on December 3rd: “Introducing the Lincoln Motor Company.” Lincoln was originally called the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922, when Edsel Ford signed the agreement purchasing the company from its founder Henry Leland. The first campaign begins with “Does the World Need Another Luxury Car?”, followed by “Hello. Again” that just debuted on Dec. 10. The all-new entry level Lincoln MKZ will be featured heavily. Megan Gillam, the market manager for the MKZ discusses the new vehicle at a special event at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Certainly good timing with the name Lincoln being so widely talked about with all the praise around the feature film on President Lincoln. And if you have a penny in your pocket...

LA Auto Show Video: Al Castignetti On Nissan's 2013 Line-up

Nissan showed off its new line-up at the Los Angeles Auto Show, including the new 2013 Sentra, 2013 Altima and 2013 Pathfinder and the Nissan Hi-Cross Concept, which provides design cues for a future Nissan SUV according to Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America. The Hi-Cross Concept couples an electric motor powered by a Nissan-developed compact lithium-ion battery similar to that utilized in the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle with a 2.0-liter direct injection gasoline engine. The hybrid system is linked to Nissan's next-generation Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) used on the recently introduced 2013 Nissan Pathfinder and has smaller shaft-diameter pulleys to provide the widest possible ratio coverage for enhanced efficiency.

Castignetti responds to Nissan President & CEO Carlos Ghosn's call for increased sales by boasting about Nissan's "Five All-new Models in 15 Months" product revolution representing a high percentage of Nissan's volume and discusses Leaf lovers.

LA Auto Show Video: Steve Hirashiki On 2014 Kia Sorento

 
Just three years into its product lifecycle, Kia brings the new 2014 Sorento to market on an all-new chassis that increases torsional rigidity by 18-percent. Over 80-percent of the parts in the 2014 Sorento are either all-new or significantly redesigned, including a new 290 horsepower 3.3-liter GDI V6 engine and a substantially redesigned interior and a next-generation infotainment system with Kia’s next-generation UVO eServices voice-activated telematics system. There are now four trim levels: LX V6, EX V6, SX and SX Limited. The SX Limited is new and will arrive within the second quarter of 2013, shortly after the arrival of the other new 2014 Sorento models. Steve Hirashiki, Senior Product Strategy Manager at Kia Motors America describes the new 2014 Sorento.

LA Auto Show Video: Jacob Harb On BMW i3 Concept Coupe

Jacob Harb, BMW's North American Manager of Electric Vehicle Sales and Strategy, says the i3 Concept is closer to reality though the actual model, expected in about a year, will be a 4-door version of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe shown at the LA Auto Show in the world premiere.

LA Auto Show Video: Andres Valbuena On VW Beetle Convertible

 
Andres Valbuena, Product Manager at Volkswagen of America, discusses new Beetle Convertible offerings at the LA Auto Show. The New Beetle Convertible is the third-generation Beetle Convertible with three special editions from the 1950s, the 1960s, and the 1970s. The ‘50s Edition Beetle Convertible is black with a tan interior, the ‘60s Edition has two-tone seats and Denim Blue paint and the ‘70s Edition Convertible has a Toffee Brown exterior and chrome-look disc wheels. Compared with the 2006 version of the older car, the latest Beetle Convertible is 3.3 inches wider at 71.2 inches; 1.1 inches lower at 58.0 inches tall; and 6.0 inches longer at 168.4 inches overall. The 2013 Beetle Convertible offers a 170 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. There's also a 200 horsepower dual-overhead-cam, 16-valve 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmissions getting an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The third choice is a 140 horsepower 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged Clean Diesel with the same manual or DSG options which gets an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 41 mpg highway with the manual transmission.

The Beetle Convertible has a starting MSRP of $24,995. The ‘50s Edition costs $26,095. The Beetle Convertible with Technology starts at $26,695. The Beetle Convertible with Sound and Navigation starts at $28,495. The ‘70s Edition has an MSRP of $28,595. Beetle TDI Convertible starts at $27,895. The Beetle TDI Convertible with Sound and Navigation has a base price of $29,195. The Beetle Turbo Convertible starts at $27,795. The Beetle Turbo Convertible with Sound is $29,195. The Beetle Turbo Convertible with Sound and Navigation starts at $31,195 and the ‘60s Edition is priced at $32,395. The are on sale this month.

LA Auto Show Video: Simon Turner On All-New Range Rover

The all-new Land Rover flagship fourth generation Range Rover is on display at the LA Auto Show following its UK introduction in early September. The Range Rover keeps much of the original design from over 40 years ago with a very similar footprint to the outgoing model but now has a lightweight all-aluminium body and a rear compartment that offers more space. Simon Turner, Manager Service Engineering Support and Tech Center at Jaguar & Land Rover was on hand in L.A. to discuss the new vehicle.

LA Auto Show Video: Toyota's Bill Fay On All-New Rav4

Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. discusses the all-new Rav4 at the LA Auto Show. So far this year 157,526 Rav4s have been sold in the U.S., a 33.3 percent increase over last year.

The all-new 2013 RAV4, the fourth-generation Rav4, made its world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show and arrives early next year. RAV4 will be available in LE, XLE and Limited  with a 176 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a new six-speed transmission. RAV4 front-wheel-drive models have received EPA- estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 24 mpg city/31 highway, while all-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway.  All 2013 RAV4s will have eight standard airbags and feature the Star Safety System, which includes Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, an Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Stop Technology.  Standard on all RAV4 models is a Display Audio with a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen and includes a standard backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity.  When shifted into reverse, the audio display will show the image of what the backup camera captures. 

LA Auto Show Video: Phil Jansen On Fiat 500L

Philip Jansen, the Chrysler Vehicle Line Executive for the this segment size discusses the new Fiat shown at the LA Auto Show. The all-new 2014 Fiat 500L offers more than 42 percent more interior space than the two-door with seating for five, powered by a 160 horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine with two six-speed transmission offerings. The all-new 2014 Fiat 500L and all-new Fiat 500L Trekking models are produced at FIAT Automobiles’ manufacturing plant in Kragujevac, Serbia and will arrive to FIAT Studios in North America in mid-2013.

November 2012 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors reported its highest November sales in the United States since 2007, with sales of 186,505, a 3 percent rise over last year. Year-over-year sales are 2,349,984, a 3.3 percent increase over 2011.

Ford's total November sales of 177,673 was a 6 percent increase versus last year, with retail sales up 12 percent. Year-to-date Ford sales are 2,035,943, a 5 percent gain over 2011.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported November 2012 sales results of 161,695, an increase of 17.2 percent compared to the same period last year. The Toyota Division posted November total sales of 138,976, an increase of 17.3 percent from November 2011. Year-to-date sales are 1,888,361, a 28.8 percent increase.

Chrysler reported U.S. sales of 122,565, a 14 percent increase compared with sales in November 2011 (107,172 units), and the group's best November sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales are 1,499,420, 22 percent higher than 2011.

American Honda reported an all-time record for the month of November, with sales of 116,580, an increase of 38.9 percent compared with November 2011. The Honda Division posted November 2012 sales of 104,334, an increase of 41 percent compared with November 2011. Acura U.S. November sales of 12,246, an increase of 23.6 percent over November 2011. Year-to-date American Honda sales are 1,290,011, a 23.8 percent increase.

Nissan North America reported record November U.S. sales of 96,197, up 12.9 percent. Nissan Division set a new November record, with sales up 9.8 percent for the month over the prior year at 84,300 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were 11,897, up 41.2 percent over the prior year, also a November record. Year-to-date sales are 1,042,366, a 10.7 percent rise over last year.

Hyundai Motor America announced record sales of 53,487 vehicles in November, an eight percent total sales increase compared with the same record-setting period a year ago. Sales are 643,572, also up eight percent for the first eleven months of the year.

Kia Motors America November sales was its 27th straight month of record sales with 41,055 sold, a 10.9-percent increase over the same period in 2011. Year-to-date sales are 518,421, up 17.3 percent over 2011, and Kia sold its 500,000th vehicle in 2012, for the first time ever in a single year in the U.S.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 36,728 in November, a 29.3 percent increase over prior year sales, and year-to-date sales of 291,900, a 35 percent increase and the best November since 1973. Separately, Audi reported November sales of 12,067, a 24.4 percent increase over the same month a year ago with year-to-date sales of 124,469 vehicles, up 18.6 percent, eclipsing the annual sales record set last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported an all-time sales record with November sales of 32,649 for combined sales of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter models, up 15.6 percent and delivering a record year-to-date total of 273,622 up 14.5 percent. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone recorded its highest November on record with sales of 30,315 for the month, up 13.1 percent, and 245,910 for the year up 12.0 percent.

Subaru of America reported 28,206 sales for the month of November, a 60 percent increase over November 2011. The company also announced record-breaking annual sales of 299,788 vehicles which represent a 28 percent increase over 2011 and just 222 vehicles short of achieving 300,000 sales for the first time in company history.  Following the November close, on Dec. 1, 2012, Subaru achieved the 300,000th sales milestone for the first time in company history.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 36,461 vehicles, an increase of 38.8 percent from the 26,271 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.  Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 11.3 percent on sales of 303,728 in the first eleven months of 2012 compared to 272,873 in the same period in 2011.

Mazda North American Operations reported November U.S. sales of 21,691, an increase of 17.7 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales are 249,795 through November, up 9.1 percent versus last year.

Porsche Cars North America announced a record November 2012 sales of 3,865 vehicles, an increase of 71 percent. November 2012 was the best sales month ever for Porsche in the United States. For the year, Porsche has sold 32,091 cars in the U.S., an 18 percent increase over the same period last year.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported November sales of the Outlander Sport were 1,520, up 34.2 percent compared to November 2011.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation reported November 2012 sales of 2,224 units, a 22 percent increase compared to the same period last year. 

Sales with be updated as manufacturers report.

LA Auto Show Day 2 Highlights

Honda Civic - refreshed, updated & more!

All-new Mazda6 - coming soon with a diesel engine

All-new Mazda CX-9

Mitsubishi Outlander GT

These are the photo highlights from new introductions at the LA Auto Show. Lots more to come - interviews, videos and details - come back and visit to the updates.

LA Auto Show Day 1 Highlights

Toyota Rav4

Hyundai Santa Fe

Acura RLX

Jaguar F-type

Nissan Sentra

Subaru Forester

MINI Paceman

Porsche Cayman

BMW i3 Concept

Fiat 500L

Kia Sorento

There were 17 media conferences to debut all-new, refreshed or concept vehicles during the first day of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. We'll have the details and video interviews about these vehicles in the days ahead. Stay tuned for Day 2 unveilings.

Los Angeles Auto Show With Nearly 50 Debuts Next Week

The Los Angeles Auto Show confirmed that nearly 50 vehicles will debut at the show when it opens for the public on Nov. 30th. Debuts include world- firsts from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, as well as European automakers such as BMW, Fiat, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. Overall, there will be two dozen all-electric or plug-in electric models at the show, at least a dozen clean-diesel vehicles and nearly 20 vehicles achieving 40-plus mpg with highly advanced four-cylinder gasoline engines. Listed below are a few that have been disclosed.

Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept Vehicle

WORLD DEBUT
Fiat 500L North American 5-passenger version
Fiat500e 
Chevrolet Spark EV
2013 Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid
Fusion Energi plug-in
Focus Electric
Honda Accord plug-in hybrid
2013 Acura RLX luxury sedan
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
new BMW i Concept vehicle
BMW Concept K2 Powder Ride
Kia Forte sedan
Jaguar XFR-S

Audi TDI Clean Diesel Line Up

NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT
All-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV
Bentley
BMW i8 Spyder hybrid roadster concept
Jaguar F-TYPE convertible sportscar
Porsche 911 Carrera 4
Mazda6 mid-sized sports sedan
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander
Audi A8 TDI clean diesel
Audi A8, A7, A6, Q5, updated Q7 TDI with a new 3.0 liter V6 TDI clean diesel
Hyundai Santa Fe crossover seven passenger version
2013 Land Rover Range Rover

2013 Cadillac ATS Voted Motor Press Guild Car Of The Year

 
The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS is the winner of the second-ever Motor Press Guild Vehicle of the Year (VOTY) Award. The 2013 Cadillac ATS was one of six finalists chosen by a select panel of MPG journalist members who test and review cars on a regular basis. The final vehicles were evaluated and ranked by all voting journalist and analyst members. Vehicles were rated in the categories of safety, quality, value, performance/handling, design/style, environmental/green impact and technology/innovation. In addition, journalists were encouraged to consider models that reflect the unique style of Southern California.

"In many ways, the ATS is a breakthrough vehicle for Cadillac," said Laura Burstein, President, Motor Press Guild. "Not only is it smaller and leaner than other Cadillacs on the market, it's the first American luxury car that truly goes head-to-head with compact luxury sport sedans from well-known European and Asian brands. Our members remarked that the ATS is capable on both the street and the track, offers a well-made and attractive interior, is replete with the latest technology and – perhaps most importantly – is fun to drive."

"The ATS is the result of an extensive, all new, ground-up mission to deliver a segment-winning vehicle," says Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "That makes it especially rewarding when our efforts are recognized and awarded by a large and influential panel of automotive experts."

To be eligible for the Motor Press Guild Vehicle of the Year award, models must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous year and available at dealerships on or before Jan. 1, 2013. Other 2012 VOTY finalists (in alphabetical order) are the 2013 Ford Fusion, 2013 Honda Accord, 2013 Nissan Altima, 2013 Scion FR-S and 2013 Subaru BRZ.

I will admit the Cadillac ATS was not my top choice because I factor in price as part of the value equation and try to select a vehicle that provides the most for the money.

2012 SEMA: Trucks

Toyota Sequoia = DragQuoia

2012 SEMA: Exterior