Ferrari Flashback: Sergio Pininfarina, Legendary Car Designer

Sergio Pininfarina, the late legendary car designer discusses Ferrari and his background at the 1997 Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive Concours D'Elegance.

Click to view the interview.

Ferrari Flashback: Piero Ferrari Interview

Piero Ferrari, son the late founder of Ferrari Automobiles Enzo Ferrari, discusses the brand, the cars, his family and more at the 1997 Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive Concours D'Elegance.

Click to view the interview.

2023 BMW M8 Competition Coming This Spring

The 2023 BMW M8 Competition, available in Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe, is powered by a 617 horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. US production begins in March. 

2023 Toyota Sequoia Coming This Summer

The all-new third-generation 2023 Toyota Sequoia three-row SUV, powered by a 437 horsepower twin-turbo V6 hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain first unveiled on Tundra. Sequoia, with a 9,000-pound maximum towing capacity, a nearly 22% increase over the prior generation, will be available in SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and the new-to-Sequoia Capstone grade with 2WD or the available part-time 4WD system on SR5, Limited, Platinum and Capstone grades. TRD Pro will be offered only in 4WD. All Sequoia grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that features multiple enhancements over the previous generation, including not only detecting the vehicle ahead but also a pedestrian in low light, bicyclist in daytime, an oncoming vehicle and a pedestrian at intersections when making a turn. Available in Summer of 2022.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan Starts At $44,600 This Spring

The next-generation 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan, powered by a new 255 horsepower turbocharged systematically electrified 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt mild hybrid technology, starts at $44,600 (including $1,050 destination and delivery charge). The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the spring of 2022.

2022 Kia EV6 Starts At $33,400 After Credit Soon

The 2022 Kia EV6 rear-wheel drive vehicle, the brand’s first dedicated all-electric model, starts at $33,400 after the $7,500 federal vehicle tax credit. The EV6 offers a 167 horsepower 58.0 kWh battery with a 168kW rear motor and all-electric range of 232-miles with a starting price of $40,900, and a net price of $33,400, after the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit. The EV6 with the 225 horsepower 77.4 kWh battery with a 168kW rear motor and all-electric range of 310-miles starts at $47,000 but will cost $39,500 after the federal tax credit. In addition, the EV6 may also qualify for various state incentives, including single rider carpool lane access in California. These prices exclude destination charge. GT-Line variants will be available in rear-wheel drive and Dual Motor e-AWD configurations. The EV6 is expected to arrive in dealerships soon.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Coming In First Quarter

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, with total output of 814 horsepower, is powered by a Lamborghini 6.5-liter V12 engine, delivering 780 horsepower combined with a 48-volt electric motor which provides an additional 34 horsepower for instant response and increased performance. The electric motor is powered by a supercapacitor that provides three times more power than a lithium-ion battery of equal weight. All 112 limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 cars are already sold with deliveries starting from the first quarter of 2022 to customers around the world.

Chrysler Airflow Concept All-Wheel Drive Electric Vehicle

The all-electric Chrysler Airflow Concept, with all-wheel-drive capability and powered by two 150 kW electric drive motors, one in the front and one in the rear, is a preview to the launch of the brand's first battery-electric vehicle by 2025 and plans for full battery-electric portfolio by 2028. Chrysler Airflow Concept has AI and connected vehicle technology that delivers 350- to 400-mile range and fast-charging functionality and is equipped with STLA AutoDrive, which delivers Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities and will be upgradable via over-the-air (OTA) updates.

2023 BMW iX M60 Arrives In June For $106,095

The 2023 BMW iX M60, a high-performance electric all-wheel-drive vehicle with a total system output of up to 610 brake horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque (when Launch Control is activated), has a range of 280 miles (preliminary EPA estimate) and will cost $106,095 (including $995 destination and handling) when it launches in the U.S. in June. Together with the BMW i4 M50, it signifies the entry of BMW M into the segment of electrified performance cars. 

2021 U.S. Vehicle Sales

Toyota Motor North America (Toyota, Lexus) reported 2021 U.S. sales of 2,332,262 vehicles, an increase of 10.4 percent.

General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) delivered 2,218,228 vehicles in 2021, a decrease of 12.9 percent from 2020.

Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln) 2021 sales were 1,819,026 vehicles down 6.2 percent from 2020.

FCA US LLC (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo) had sales of 1,777,394 vehicles for 2021, a decrease of 2 percent, as its dealer network continues its flexibility in offsetting market conditions caused by the chip shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

American Honda (Honda, Acura) reported full year sales of 1,466,630, an 8.9 percent increase over 2020.

Nissan Group (Nissan, Infiniti) announced total calendar year 2021 U.S. sales of 977,639 units, an increase of 8.7 percent compared to the prior year. 

Hyundai Motor America reported full year sales of 738,081, a 19 percent increase compared with 2020 and the third best year in company history. 

Kia America announced annual total sales were 701,416, up 19.7 percent from 2020 and passing the 700,000 mark for the first time in company history.

Subaru of America reported full year sales of 583,810 vehicles, a 4.6 percent decrease compared with calendar year 2020 due to the impact the semiconductor shortage has had on the automobile industry. 

Volkswagen of America reported year-end 2021 sales of 375,030, an increase of 15 percent from 2020. Audi of America reported 2021 sales of 196,038 up 5 percent from 2020.

Mercedes-Benz USA recorded sales of 276,102 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles and 53,472 Vans for a 329,574 total, an increase of 1.1 percent versus 2020.

BMW Brand reported full year 2021 sales of 336,644, an  increase of 20.8 percent compared to 2020. MINI Brand posted full year 2021 sales of 29,930, an increase of 6.4 percent from 2020. 

Mazda North American Operations reported full year sales totaled 332,756 vehicles, an increase of 19.2 percent compared to 2020. 

Volvo Car USA reported 122,173 cars sold in 2021, up 10.9 percent over 2020.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported full-year 2021 total sales were 102,037, an increase of 16.8 percent over 2020, and the fourth time the brand has topped 100,000 sales since 2007.

Porsche Cars North America announced retail deliveries in 2021, a best year ever 70,025 new vehicles, up 22 percent from the year before and 14 percent above the previous record set in 2019. 

Bentley Motors announced total sales of 14,659 in 2021, an increase of 31 per cent over the previous record year (11,206) in 2020. 

Sales will be updated as companies report.

All-New Lexus RZ 450e

 

All-New Lexus RZ 450e

2022 Honda Passport Starts At $39,095

The 2022 Honda Passport, all-new from the A-pillars forward, is powered by a standard 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and starts at $39,095 (including $1,225 destination charge) for the EX-L two-wheel drive trim level equipped with a power tailgate with remote, blind spot information and front and rear parking sensors. The new Passport TrailSport (pictured) which features standard torque-vectoring i-VTM4® all-wheel drive starts at $43,695. Passport with AWD has 8.1-inches of ground clearance and 5,000-pound towing capacity.

2022 Mazda CX-5 Starts At $27,125 This Winter

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 will come standard with i-Activ all-wheel drive in the U.S. when they arrive in dealerships nationwide this winter and will have updates to the seats, body, and suspension. The CX-5 2.5 S is powered by a 187 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter, four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with cylinder deactivation paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and sport mode. All CX-5 models will continue to be equipped with G-Vectoring Control Plus. The 2022 CX-5 Turbo models deliver 256 horsepower (on 93 octane fuel) from the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine. The 2022 CX-5 goes on sale with a starting MSRP of $27,125 (including $1,225 for destination and handling).

BMW Concept XM Plug-In Hybrid

The BMW Concept XM, available only as a plug-in hybrid and exclusively as an M model when it begins production at the end of 2022 at Plant Spartanburg, South Carolina, is expected to have an all-electric range of up to 30 miles (preliminary estimate, not an official EPA value) with a newly developed M Hybrid drive system combining a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to develop a maximum output of 750 horsepower and peak torque of 737 lb-ft. The elongated body sits on 23-inch light-alloy wheels.

Genesis G90 Unveiled

Genesis has officially revealed exterior images of G90, the latest version of the brand’s flagship sedan.

2022 Nissan Altima Starts At $25,525

The 2022 Nissan Altima is powered by either a 188 horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine or the optional 236 horsepower 2.0-liter VC-Turbo inline 4-cylinder equipped with a standard Xtronic transmission (paddle shifters are available with the Altima SR grade) and with front-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive in five grade levels. The Altima S FWD grade starts at $25,525 (including $995 destination and handling charge). For 2022, a special Midnight Edition Package (pictured) with unique "black-out" exterior trim is available on the Altima SR grade (2.5L models only). 

2021 LA Auto Show Video: Subaru of America President/CEO Tom Doll

Tom Doll, President & CEO, Subaru of America discusses car sales impacted by the pandemic and semi-conductor shortage along with Solterra, Subaru's entry into the electric vehicle market, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Click here to watch interview.

2021 LA Auto Show Video: Hyundai SEVEN Concept, Ioniq 5 Electric Vehicles

Miles Johnson, Senior Manager, Quality, Service and Technology Public Relations at Hyundai Motor America discusses the SEVEN Concept and Ioniq 5, which goes on sale in Dcember, along with the EV market from the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Click here to watch video.

2021 LA Auto Show Video: Nissan Ariya Joins Leaf In EV Space

Simon Kinderknecht, Planner - Electric Vehicle Marketing & Sales Strategy at Nissan Motor Corporation Murfreesboro, Tennessee discusses the Nissan Ariya and Leaf EVs along with the electric vehicle market and trends at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

Click here to watch interview.

Fisker Ocean EV Coming At the End of 2022

The all-electric Fisker Ocean Sport with a 250-mile range is priced from $37,499 (before federal and state tax credits and incentives). The all-wheel-drive Fisker Ocean Ultra with a 340 mile range is priced at $49,999, the all-wheel-drive Fisker Ocean Extreme with a range of over 350 miles is priced at $68,999. The first 5,000 vehicles produced will be Fisker Ocean One, also priced at $68,999. Key features include California Mode, for a near-convertible SUV experience and Fisker’s SolarSky roof, available on the Fisker Ocean Extreme and Fisker Ocean One that can add up to 2,000 miles annually depending on the sunshine. The Fisker Ocean has a 17.1-inch central high-resolution Revolve screen that rotates from a default portrait Control Mode, effective when driving, to a landscape Hollywood Mode, available when the vehicle is parked. The Fisker Ocean will be available to purchase at the end of 2022, and customers can reserve a vehicle for a $250 deposit today. The Fisker Ocean is being manufactured by Magna-Steyr at a carbon-neutral factory in Graz, Austria.