2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT Starts At $99,000 In Q3

The 2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT, in Coupe or Roadster, has a front mid-mounted, 430 horsepower 4.7-liter, all-alloy, quad overhead cam, dry-sumped V8 engine offered with either six-speed manual or seven-speed Sportshift II automated manual transmission, and a top speed of 190mph and a 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds. Priced from $99,900, first deliveries of the new Vantage GT will begin in quarter three to North American customers.

All-New 2015 Kia Sedona Goes On Sale Later This Year

The all-new 2015 Kia Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, 1.6-inches longer than its predecessor, get a 276 horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine, like the Sorento and Cadenza. The new Sedona will have a new SXL premium trim level which features standard ultra-soft Nappa leather seating surfaces throughout the cabin, the same Chromium-free leather found in the K900 luxury sedan. The all-new Sedona will be the first Kia vehicle to offer four new eServices features: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. The new Sedona goes on sale in The U.S. in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of this year.

2015 Nissan Murano Goes On Sale Later This Year

The all-new 2015 Nissan Murano powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 connected to an Xtronic transmission will be available in S, SV, SL and Platinum grade levels in either front-wheel drive or Intuitive All-Wheel Drive when it goes on sale in late this year. Available technology features include NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch color display with multi-touch control, 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system, and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Coming With Five Engine Choices In Q3

The redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan offers five engines, three four-cylinder gas engines including two turbocharged powerplants, a 1.4-liter turbocharged full hybrid version, and a new 150-horsepower 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel engine delivering a projected combined fuel economy of around 37 mpg. Available technologies include Blind Spot Detection plus rear cross-traffic alert and frontal collision warning, as well as Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System, turn signal, and LED Daytime Running Lights. The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is expected to arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the third quarter of 2014.

2015 Chevrolet Trax SUV Coming To U.S. Early Next Year

The Chevrolet Trax, launched in late 2012 in Mexico and Canada as a 2013 model and has sold about 90,000  in more than 60 global markets, will go on sale in the U.S. as a 2015 model with a 138 horsepower 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Trax will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trims when it arrives in dealer showrooms early next year and will have available OnStar 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as MyLink technology featuring a seven-inch color touch screen and Siri Eyes Free. Trax will be loaded with ten standard air bags, including side-curtain and knee air bags and rear seat-mounted thorax air bags.

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept Coming As LR4 SUV Next Year

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept SUV, which is due in 2015 and will be sold as the LR4 in North America has next-generation functions including Gesture Recognition Control which operates the doors, indicators, headlamps and seatback screens, Remote Control Drive enables the driver to maneuver the car at extremely low speeds while not actually seated inside via wireless control, Laser Referencing, which utilizes visible lasers to project markings, symbols and imagery onto ground surfaces for easier navigating and a Terrain Response system that can proactively utilize a variety of technologies to assist the driver.

2015 Nissan Versa Sedan Goes On Sale Next Week

The new 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan, in four models with new front and rear fascias, is powered by a 109 horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine matched to a choice of a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic (S models only), or a next-generation Xtronic transmission with D-mode step shift programming. Fuel economy is rated at 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined with the Xtronic transmission. The 2015 Versa Sedan makes its debut next Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show, the same day it arrives at Nissan dealers nationwide.

Lexus NX Luxury Compact Crossover Coming To The U.S.

The all-new Lexus NX luxury compact crossover comes to the U.S. market as an NX 200t turbo with an all-new 2.0-liter gasoline turbo and an NX 200 with a naturally aspirated engine with the choice of front and all-weather drive. Lexus also offers a hybrid powerplant in the NX 300h. The NX 200t F SPORT (pictured above) will have unique exterior and interior features. The NX will be the fourth vehicle in Lexus’ luxury utility vehicle lineup positioned below the RX.

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Concept On Sale In Early 2015

The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen concept  is 1.1 inches longer and 0.7 inches wider than the current SportWagen and goes on sale in early 2015 featuring the 4MOTION® all-wheel drive system and a choice of a 170 horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® engine mated to five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions or a 150 horsepower 2.0-liter common-rail, turbocharged and direct-injection diesel engine mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. The SportWagen will have a new standard driver assistance system called the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System along with available new features including a panoramic sunroof, 12-way power driver’s seat, Climatronic® automatic climate control, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs and the Advanced Front-lighting System, Park Distance Control, and available 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

BMW M4 Convertible Coming This Summer For $73,425

The BMW M4 Convertible with a retractable hardtop has a 425 horsepower 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline six engine achieving peak torque of 406 lb-ft and 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission).  The BMW M4 Convertible will arrive in U.S. showrooms in summer 2014 with an MSRP of $73,425 (including Destination & Handling).

BMW Concept X5 eDrive To Debut At New York Auto Show

The BMW Concept X5 eDrive has a plug-in hybrid drive system with a 245 horsepower four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo conventional combustion gas engine with xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive along with an eDrive 70 kW/95 horsepower electric motor. As a result, the BMW Concept X5 eDrive is able to drive on electric power alone at speeds of up to 75 mph and for a distance of up to 20 miles, while recording average fuel consumption figures of more than 74.3 mpg imp. Both the BMW i3 and the soon-to-be-launched BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car are powered by BMW eDrive technology.

2015 Ford Focus To Debut In New York Next Week

The new redesigned 2015 Ford Focus four-door sedan and the Focus Electric will be shown in New York next week. The 2015 Ford Focus has additional powertrain option, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost® engine with a new six-speed manual transmission. Standard on Focus will be Ford’s MyKey® feature and the rearview camera will appear on either a 4.2-inch screen or the 8-inch screen that comes with MyFord Touch®-equipped cars. There will be available a Blind Spot Information System and a lane-keeping system. Android and iOS smartphone users can download more than 60 AppLink-enabled apps from the Apple App Store and Android market. The Focus three-and five-door hatchback and wagon debuted in Geneva in March and a new version of the performance Focus ST will be shown later this year.

Bentley Hybrid Concept On Display In Beijing Later This Month

The Bentley Hybrid Concept, based on the Mulsanne, has a plug-in hybrid system capable of driving at least 30 miles on electric power alone. Bentley’s first plug-in hybrid model is set to be a dedicated version of the all-new SUV available in 2017.

2015 Honda Fit Goes On Sale Monday Starting At $16,315

The 2015 Honda Fit goes on sale on Monday, with an MSRP starting at $16,315 (including $790 destination charge) for the LX trim with 6-speed manual transmission. All Fit models are powered by a new, higher power 130 horsepower 1.5-liter engine with 114 pound feet of torque delivering an EPA fuel-economy rating of 33/41/36 (city/highway/combined) for the LX with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  

The 2014 Ram Power Wagon, The Latest Ram Truck

The 2014 Ram Power Wagon, based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab, has a suspension with more than two inches of lift, locking differentials and a 12,000-pound winch. The 2014 Ram Power Wagon is powered by a 410 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a peak torque rating of 429 lb.-ft. and offered with the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission connected to a part-time, manual-engagement Borg Warner BW 44-47 transfer case. The 2014 Ram Power Wagon accommodates a payload up to 1,490 pounds and towing capacity up to 10,810 pounds, coming in the Tradesman trim with monotone paint covering the truck, the SLT trim with special red billets in the four quadrants and the Laramie trim featuring an all chrome grille and bi-functional halogen headlamps set into a chrome background. Truck on!

J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study

Customer satisfaction with dealer service continues to improve. Based on a thousand point scale, luxury brand owners overall customer satisfaction with service averaged 855, up from 846 in 2013 and mass market brand owners average CSI was 797, up from 789 in 2013.

A big catalyst according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study is that 68 percent of luxury vehicle owners and 46 percent of mass market brand owners have a complimentary or prepaid maintenance package during the first year of ownership, more than double when compared with 35 percent of luxury and 15 percent of mass market brand owners in 2009. There's a higher CSI score with the use of digital tablets during service interactions, 838, compared with 802 when a tablet is not used.

Two GM brands perform highest in the segment rankings in 2014. Cadillac ranks highest in satisfaction with dealer service among luxury brands, achieving an overall CSI score of 872 on a 1,000-point scale, an increase of 14 points from 2013. Rounding out the five highest-performing nameplates in the luxury segment are Audi (868); Lexus (867); and Infiniti (865) and Lincoln (865) in a tie. 

Buick ranks highest among mass market brands, with an overall CSI score of 835, a 26-point improvement from 2013. Following Buick in the mass market rankings are Volkswagen (830); GMC (828) and MINI (828) in a tie; and Chevrolet (812).

The 2014 U.S. CSI Study is based on responses from more than 90,000 owners and lessees of 2009 to 2013 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded between October and December 2013.
Courtesy J.D. Power & Associates.

Kia Minivan Coming In A Few Weeks

Kia will unveil an all-new midsize multi-purpose, up to an eight passenger vehicle at the 2014 New York International Auto Show in two weeks. Looks like a minivan from this teaser photo.

March 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers delivered 256,047 vehicles in the United States in March 2014, up 4 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 7 percent and GM gained retail market share. Year-to-date sales of 649,637 is down 2.3 percent from 2013.

Ford Motor Company U.S. total March sales of 244,167 are up 3 percent from a year ago. Retail sales of 166,030 vehicles are up 3 percent and represent the best March result in eight years. Year-to-date sales of 582,758 is down 2.6 percent from a year ago.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., reported March 2014 sales results of 215,348, an increase of 4.9 percent from the year-ago month. Toyota divsion sales were 186,755, up 2.5 percent for March and 455,912 year-to-date, a 3.6 percent drop while Lexus division sales were 28,593 in March, a 23.3 percent rise over last year and for the year are 65,085, a 14.7 percent increase. Year-to-date sales of both brands is 520,997, a 1.6 percent drop from last year.
 
Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 193,915, a 13 percent increase compared with sales in March 2013 for the group’s best March sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales of 475,964 is 11 percent more than a year ago.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for March 2014 of 149,136, an increase of 8.3 percent over the prior year. The Nissan Division sales of 136,642 was an increase of 7.9 percent over March 2013 and Infinity sales of 12,494 is a 12.5 percent gain. Total sales year-to-date of 354,966 is an 11.5 percent gain over last year.

American Honda Motor reported March 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 133,318. Acura division sold 15,580, up 10.5 percent  while the Honda Division recorded sales of 117,738 vehicles in March.

Hyundai Motor America announced March sales of 67,005, down 1.9 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 160,013, is a 2.6 percent decline from a year ago.

Kia Motors America reported March sales of 54,777, a 11.5-percent increase over the same period in 2013. Year-to-date sales are 133,006, a 4.8 rise from 2013.

Subaru of America reported record sales of 44,479 vehicles for March 2014, an increase of 21percent over the March 2013 setting consecutive monthly sales increases for the past 28 months. Year-to-date sales are 112,388, up 21.5 percent.

Volkswagen of America reported March sales of 36,717, down 2.6 percent while year-to-date sales of 87,323 was an 11.1 percent decline. Separately, Audi reported sales of 14,246, 7.5 percent ahead of March 2013. Through the first quarter of 2014, Audi U.S. sales stood at 35,228, 3 percent ahead of the record pace set in the year-earlier quarter.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 35,762, an increase of 7.9 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) have sales of 81,034 up 2.6 percent compared to the first three months of 2013.  

Mazda North American Operations reported March U.S. sales of 34,903 vehicles, representing an increase of 9 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through March are 78,282, down 0.3 percent versus last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA sold 30,091 Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model vehicles in March, up 11 percent from the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone hit a new benchmark for the month with sales of 27,401, an increase of 11.2 percent, while year-to-date volumes climbed to 72,614 units, up 5 percent from March 2013. Adding year-to-date sales of 4,624 for Sprinter Vans and 2,237at smart, MBUSA delivered a year-to-date grand total of 79,475.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported March 2014 U.S. sales for both brands of 6,215, a 9 percent increase from March 2013. Jaguar sales were 1,816, 29 percent up from March 2013 while Land Rover sales reached an all-time March high of 4,399, up 2 percent from March 2013.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported historic March sales of 8,996, a 70 percent increase over the March 2013 total. It was the best single month of sales for Mitsubishi since August 2008, and also the best March sales in six years.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 5,915 for the month, a 10.3 percent increase versus March 2013.

Porsche Cars North America announced March sales of 3,808, an increase of over nine percent and a new high for that month. For the year so far, PCNA has delivered 10,136, an increase of five percent and the first time that the company has topped the 10,000 mark in a first quarter.   

2015 Ford Mustang Convertible

The 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible has a new turbocharged EcoBoost® 2.3-liter and an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine with more than 420 horsepower (above) and manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The 2015 Mustang convertible roof uses a new electromechanical drive and single-handle center latch to lower in half the time of the current car and features a standard fabric outer layer and is fully lined and insulated for quieter ride. The more compact roof and flat load floor enabled by the new suspension boost trunk volume by 19 percent to 11.4 cubic feet, big enough for two large golf bags, even with the available premium audio subwoofer. The lower liftover height also makes it easier load up the trunk.

BMW X7 Joins X Model Line-Up Made In Plant Spartanburg

BMW Group plans to invest $1 billion in it’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, and it includes manufacturing the BMW X7, all-new, larger X model, adding to the X3, X4, X5, X6 line-up being built at Plant Spartanburg which already exports, on average, 70 percent of its annual production with a 2013 value of more than $7.5 billion. The plant’s annual production capacity will expand by 50 percent from around 300,000 up to 450,000 vehicles by the end of 2016 creating an additional 800 jobs, increasing the total workforce to 8,800.