Monday, February 12, 2024

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Starts at $71,866

The all-new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electrified large van on a 170'' wheelbase is equipped with the largest battery available delivering electric range (based on a simulation using the WLTP cycle) up to approximately 273 miles and on a city cycle is up to about 329 miles. The rear-wheel-drive eSprinter offers a cargo capacity of 488 cubic feet and with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 9,370 lbs.. The all-new eSprinter is now available for order at U.S. dealerships starting from $71,866.

2025 BMW Z4 M40i Now Offers 6-speed Manual Transmission

The 2025 BMW Z4 M40i roadster is powered by a 382 horsepower TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine mated to 8-speed Steptronic transmission or an available 6-speed manual transmission.

2025 BMW 430i Coupe Starts At $51,695 In March

The new 2025 BMW 4 Series Coupe (pictured) and BMW 4 Series Convertible, featuring newly designed headlights, rear lights with Laserlight accents (standard on M440i models), are powered by an updated 255 horsepower 2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine in the 2025 430i Coupe (starting at $51,695 including $995 destination and handling), and an updated 386 horsepower 3-liter 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine with 48V mild hybrid technology in the 2025 M440i Coupe (starting at $65,245). The 2025 BMW M440i xDrive Convertible starts at $75,245. The 473 horsepower 6-cylinder M engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission is in the new BMW M4 Coupe ($80,095), the 503 horsepower powertrain via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic is in the BMW M4 Competition Coupe ($84,195) and 543 horsepower in the M4 Competition xDrive Coupe ($89,295) and Convertible ($96,295). Worldwide market launch gets underway in March.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

2025 Ford Explorer Starts At $41,220 In The 2nd Quarter

The new 2025 Ford Explorer, with a redesigned interior in Active, ST-Line, high-performance ST and Platinum trim levels, offers a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine as standard or an available 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. There's a 13.2-inch touchscreen and the 12.3-inch digital cluster. Ordering for the new Ford Explorer opens today, with a starting MSRP of $41,220, (including destination and delivery charges). Vehicles are expected to start arriving in dealerships in the second quarter of 2024.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

2024 Kia Sorento Starts At $33,365

The 2024 Kia Sorento LX (FWD) starts at $33,365 (including $1,375 destination charges). Sorento HEV and PHEV models are expected later in the year as 2025 models.

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2025 Mazda CX-70 Coming This Spring

The first-ever 2025 Mazda CX-70, offers a choice of e-SkyActiv G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo engine with M-Hybrid Boost, or an e-SkyActiv G PHEV (plug-in hybrid) powertrains. The Mazda CX-70 is a mid-size SUV that's larger than the Mazda CX-5 and the Mazda CX-50 while similar in size to the Mazda CX-90 which offers 3rd-row seating for up to 8 people. The Mazda CX-70 is coming Spring 2024.

2024 Subaru Solterra Starts At $46,340

The 2024 Subaru Solterra all-electric SUV, available in Premium, Limited, and Touring trim levels and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, gets a redesigned steering wheel with regenerative braking force paddle switches, improved charging performance and standard roof rails with a static load capacity rated up to 700 pounds. New for this year, the 2024 Solterra can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 35 minutes, with a state of charge indicator displaying the estimated time to 80% or 100%. Thanks to an upgraded battery conditioning system, the 2024 Solterra can charge at temperatures below freezing significantly faster than its predecessor, up to 80 minutes faster in certain conditions. The starting price is $46,340 (including $1,345 destination and delivery) before applicable federal, state, or local tax credits. The 2024 Solterra will qualify for applicable federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for some owners.

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata

 

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata, with a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout, is powered by a 181 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine routed through a six-speed transmission. All MX-5 Miata models have a new, larger 8.8-inch infotainment display. New features are an available Asymmetric limited-slip differential, a new steering rack for reduced friction, and the Miata Club MX-5 adds DSC-Track Mode to provide drivers an additional option for closed circuit driving. The MX-5 Miata Sport 6MT starts at $30,150 (includes $1,165 for destination and handling).

2024 Honda Prologue Starts At $48,795 In March

The all-new 2024 Honda Prologue, the first all-electric Honda SUV, will begin arriving in Honda dealerships in March, with a 296 mile EPA range rating. Two-wheel drive models are powered by a 212 horsepower front-mounted single motor and all-wheel drive (available on EX and Touring), which adds an additional motor in the rear generates 288 horsepower. The Prologue EX starts at $48,795 (including $1,395 destination charge), before the application of any government incentives or tax credits to leasees.

2024 Porsche Macan 4 Starts At $80,450

2024 Porsche Macan 4 and Macan Turbo, with a 3.4 in. longer wheelbase than the previous model, have fully electric all-wheel drive powertrains with up to 630 horsepower and 833 lb.-ft. from two electric motors and a 100 kWh battery and up to 270 kW charging performance. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent within approximately 21 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station under ideal conditions. The 402 horsepower Macan 4 is $80,450 (including a $1,650 delivery, processing and handling fee), while the 630 horsepower Macan Turbo is $106,950 with a maximum towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds. The Macan is available with optional rear-axle steering, with a maximum steering angle of five degrees. EPA range figures will be available closer to delivery date. Available to order now, with delivery in the second half of the year. 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Starts At $35,345 This Spring

The all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, powered by a 277 horsepower 2.5L turbocharged, direct-injected mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission or an available is a 1.6L turbocharged hybrid powertrain generating 178 horsepower (231-hp total system output). All trims are available in either FWD or AWD, with the exception of the XRT, which is available exclusively with AWD.  The all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV starts at $35,345 (including $1,395 freight charges) for the entry level FWD SE trim. Santa Fe 2.5L turbo models are arriving at dealers now, with hybrid models arriving this Spring.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan Starts at $63,450 In First Quarter

The new generation 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan arrives in U.S. dealerships in Q1 2024 with the 255 horsepower E 350 4MATIC Sedan starting at $63,450 (including $1,150 destination and delivery charge) and the 375 horsepower E 450 4MATIC Sedan starts at $69,250. 

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2025 Chevrolet Equinox Coming This Year

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, offered in LT, RS and ACTIV trims and 2.3 inches wider than the outgoing model, is powered by a 175 horsepower 1.5L turbo DOHC DI VVT with automatic stop/start matched with a continuously variable transmission in front-wheel-drive configurations or an eight-speed automatic transmission with available all-wheel-drive. The new Electronic Precision Shift is on the steering column. Standard Chevy Safety Assist includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Following Distance Indicator and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. Equinox is trailering-capable, with a maximum capacity of up to 1,500 pounds when equipped with available AWD. The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox will be available in 2024. Additional details, including pricing, will be available closer to the start of production.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

2024 Nissan Rogue Starts At $29,685 Soon

The 2024 Nissan Rogue, powered by a 201 horsepower turbocharged 1.5 liter 3 cylinder engine mated to an Xtronic transmission, will be on sale soon starting at $29,685 (including $1,365 destination and handling). The 2024 Rogue is the first Nissan available with Google built-in, featuring Google Assistant, Google Maps and more from Google Play on a 12.3-inch color touchscreen (SL, Platinum grades), and all can be used without pairing or plugging in a phone. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard on all Rogue grades (wired on S/SV, wireless on SL/Platinum).

Thursday, January 4, 2024

2023 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors delivered 2.6 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2023, up 14 percent year-over-year. 

Toyota Motor North America reported year-end 2023 U.S. sales of 2,248,477 vehicles, an increase of 6.6 percent on a volume basis compared to 2022.

Ford U.S. sales were 1,995,912 vehicles in 2023, up 7.1 percent over 2022.

FCA US LLC (Stellantis: Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep®, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reports sales of 1,527,090 vehicles for the full 2023 calendar year, a decrease of 1 percent. 

American Honda 2023 sales of 1,308,186 was up 33 percent over 2022 with Honda brand sales of 1,162,531, up 31.9 percent and Acura sales of 145,655, up 42 percent. 

Nissan Group calendar year 2023 U.S. sales of 898,796 is an increase of 23.2 percent compared to the prior year with Nissan Division sales 834,097 up 22.2 percent, INFINITI sales 64,699 up 38.8 percent.

Hyundai USA sold 801,195 vehicles in 2023, an 11 percent increase compared with 2022.

Kia America’s 2023 total sales of 782,451 was up 13 percent year-over-year and 12-percent over the previous record set in 2021. 

Subaru of America ended calendar year 2023 with 632,086 vehicle sales, a 13.6 percent increase compared with calendar year 2022.

Volkswagen of America sold 329,029 vehicles in 2023, an increase of 9.3 percent over 2022. Separately, Audi of America sold 228,550 vehicles last year, up 22percent from 2022.

Mercedes-Benz USA 2023 total sales of 351,746 was up by 0.2 percent compared to 2022 with electric vehicles accounting for 43,202 or 15 percent of overall passenger vehicle sales in 2023.

Mazda North American Operations reported full-year sales totaled 363,354 vehicles, an increase of 23.2 percent compared to 2022. 

BMW full year 2023 sales of 362,244 vehicles is an increase of 9 percent from 2022. 

Volvo Cars’ US sales for 2023 amounted to 128,701 cars, up 26 per cent compared to the full year of 2022. 

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

FLASHBACK: GM's Rick Wagoner (1998) and FORD's Jac Nasser (1999)


Rick Wagoner, former General Motors Chairman, CEO, COO and CFO over his 32 years at GM until 2009, discusses his career, GM and the auto industry with Richard Saxton in a 1998 CarBiz interview.






Jac Nasser, joined Ford Motor Company in 1968 as a financial analyst and on January 1st, 1999, became Ford's President, CEO and board member until 2001. In this 1999 interview, Richard Saxton and Nasser discuss Ford's acquisition of Volvo, industry consolidation, Ford's profits and strategy, his visit to Ford's new Southern California offices and the overall auto industry.

2024 Genesis G70 Starts At $42,695 Soon

The 2024 Genesis G70 sport sedan powered by new 300 horsepower 2.5L turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission starts at $42,695 (including $1,195 freight) and the 365 horsepower 3.3L twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine with Variable Gear Ratio Steering strats at $51,145. New features include a touch-type climate control display and frameless rear-view mirror. The Digital Key is paired with the Genesis Intelligence Assistant app and can be used with Apple Wallet and Samsung Pass. The vehicle intelligently recognizes the driver and automatically authenticates them, loading their customized vehicle preferences. The 2024 G70 sport sedan will be arriving at U.S. retailers in the coming weeks.

2025 Lexus UX 300h Coming In The New Year

The 2025 Lexus UX 300h compact hybrid crossover, offered in eight different models, including F SPORT Design and F SPORT Handling, is powered by the fifth-generation Lexus Hybrid System which pairs the inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter gas engine with two motor-generators through a continuously variable transmission delivering 196 total system horsepower. A new hybrid transaxle has been adopted, enabling higher output of the front (83 kW) and rear (30 kW) motors. The UX 300h can be equipped with E-Four, Lexus’ all-wheel drive system which places a permanent synchronous motor at the rear axle. Standard on all UXh models are 18-inch run-flat tires. For 2025, a larger 12.3-inch multi-information display becomes standard on all Premium and F SPORT models while a 7-inch multi-information display is standard on the Base model. Pricing for the 2025 Lexus UX 300h will be announced in the new year with the vehicle going on sale shortly after.

2024 Subaru WRX Strats At $33,855 In Early 2024

The 2024 Subaru WRX, in its fifth generation coming in Base, Premium, Limited, TR, and GT trim levels, is powered by a 271 horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru BOXER engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission on all trim levels (except the GT which has the Subaru Performance Transmission) and with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The WRX has a tablet-style 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia Plus system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The 2024 Subaru WRX will arrive at retailers in early 2024 with a starting price of $33,855 (including$1,120 destination and delivery).

2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R

The new 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R is powered by a 720 horsepower 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with 640 lb.-ft. of torque.