Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Lexus LF-FC Concept


The Lexus LF-FC all-wheel-drive flagship concept powered by a high output hydrogen fuel cell power system that energizes the rear wheels and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front, is an advanced human machine interface that can be operated by simple hand gestures, without the need to touch a panel or controls. A small holographic image on the center console indicates where the system can interpret your hand gestures to control the audio system and ventilation.

2017 Porsche Macan GTS Coming In March For $67,200


The new Porsche Macan GTS, powered by a 360 horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is combined with Porsche's Traction Management system that actuates an electro-hydraulic, multi-plate clutch to variably engage the front axle depending on traction needs. The Macan GTS accelerates to 60 mph in as little as 4.8 seconds in conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package and up to a top track speed of 159 mph. The 2017 Macan GTS goes on sale in March 2016, and is priced between the Macan S and Macan Turbo with a base MSRP of $67,200 excluding a destination change.

Nissan IDS Concept - A Self Driving EV


The Nissan IDS Concept, fitted with a high-capacity 60 kWh battery into a full-carbon-fiber body, represents the future of autonomous driving and zero emission EVs by integrating advanced vehicle control and safety technologies with artificial intelligence. The Nissan IDS Concept has Piloted Park that can be operated by a smartphone or tablet, coupled with wireless charging technologies that leave parking and charging to the car. Nissan says, by 202X, expect to see Nissan Intelligent Driving technology deployed on cars in cities around the world.

New MINI Convertible Is Larger Than Previous Model


The new MINI Convertible, larger than its predecessor model, is powered by a 136 horsepower 3-cylinder gas engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology in the MINI Cooper Convertible, a192 horsepower 4-cylinder gas engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology in the MINI Cooper S Convertible and a 116 horsepower 3-cylinder diesel engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology in the MINI Cooper D Convertible. The opening and closing of the soft top and side windows takes 18 seconds and can be done at speeds of up to 18 mph.

Mazda RX-VISION Sports Car Concept Brings Back The Rotary Engine


The Mazda RX-VISION front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car concept is powered by the next-generation rotary engine that has been named SKYACTIV-R. Mazda commercialized the rotary engine in the Cosmo Sport (known as Mazda 110S overseas) in 1967.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Audi A8 L 4.0T Sport Starts At $91,425


The Audi A8 L 4.0T Sport model powered by a 450 horsepower 4.0T twin turbo V8 engine is 15 horsepower more than the previous 4.0T model. Its sport style exterior has a completely new lower bumper and a reshaped rear bumper, more prominent side rocker panels and less chrome accents. The Audi A8 L 4.0T Sport has an MSRP of $91,425 (including destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges).

Aston Martin Rapide S Electric Concept


Aston Martin Rapide S fully electric concept developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering at its facility in Grove, Oxfordshire.

2016 Volkswagen Passat Starts At $22,440


The new 2016 Volkswagen Passat midsize sedan built in Chattanooga, Tennessee starts at $22,440 for the 1.8T S model with a 170 horsepower 1.8-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection four cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For the first time, Volkswagen is offering an R-Line version of the Passat for the U.S. market with pricing starting at $23,975. The SE starts at $26,280, the SE w/Technology starts at $28,410, and the 1.8T SEL starts at $30,495. At the top of the 1.8T range, the SEL Premium starts at $34,270. The V6 SEL Premium, which features the 280 horsepower 3.6-liter VR6 engine has a starting MSRP of $36,835.

2016 BMW M2 Coming This Spring


The all-new 2016 BMW M2 powered by a 365 horsepower 3.0-liter 6-cylinder inline engine is more powerful than its predecessor, the BMW 1 M Coupe. With the optional M Double Clutch Transmission, the new BMW M2 sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (4.4 s with the six-speed manual transmission). The top speed of the all-new BMW M2 is electronically limited to 155 mph. The Active M Differential in the all-new BMW M2 optimizes traction and maximizes directional stability. The BMW M2 will be available at authorized BMW centers with a limited range of options starting in spring of 2016. Price will be disclosed closer to market launch.

All-New 2016 Kia Optima Starts At $21,840


The all-new 2016 Kia Optima, offered in LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX and SXL, starts at $21,840 (excluding destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges) for the LX with a 2.4-liter engine. The LX Convenience Package ($1,850) includes Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Parking Assist System. The LX 1.6T, starting at $23,990, is offered with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The LX Turbo Technology Package ($2,600) includes navigation, Sirius® XM Traffic and rear LED taillights, USB chargers for both front and rear seat passengers. The Optima EX, starting at $24,890, is offered with the 2.4-liter engine. The EX Premium Audio Package ($1,200) includes a Harman/Kardon QuantumLogic™ Premium Surround Sound Audio System, which includes 10 speakers, Clari-Fi™ technology and an upgraded 630-watt digital amplifier. The Optima SX priced at $29,690 and Optima SXL priced at $35,790 both come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

September 2015 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors’ Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands sold 251,310 vehicles in the United States in September 2015. Retail deliveries climbed 17 percent compared with a year ago, which makes September the sixth month in a row that GM has increased retail market share year over year. Total sales were up 12 percent. Year-to-date sales of 2,299,847, is a 4.2 percent increase over a year ago.

Ford total U.S. sales increased 23 percent in September, with 221,599 vehicles sold. Retail sales also gained 23 percent, with sales of 168,522 vehicles, its best September performance in 11 years. Lincoln sales totaled 8,680 vehicles, a 20 percent increase and year-to-date Lincoln sales are 73,964, up 9.1 percent. Year-to-date total Ford sales of 1,972,188 is a 4.6 percent gain over 2014.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported September 2015 sales of 194,370, an increase of 16.2 percent from September 2014. Toyota Division posted September 2015 sales of 169,076, up 16.3 percent. Lexus reported September 2015 sales of 25,294, up 15.8 percent from September 2014. Year-to-date sales of 1,867,372 is up 4 percent over last year.

FCA (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram Truck, FIAT & Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 193,019 last month, a 14 percent increase compared with sales in September 2014, the best September sales since 2000. Year-to-date sales of 1,654,861 is a 6 percent gain over last year.

American Honda reported total sales of 133,750 Honda and Acura vehicles, a 13.1 percent September 2015 sales increase for a new September benchmark. Honda Division sales totaled 119,046, up 14 percent for a new September record. Acura reported 14,704 vehicle sales for a 6.3 percent gain. Year-to-date sales of 1,188,566 is a 2.4 percent rise over last year.

Nissan Group total U.S. sales for September 2015 was 121,782, an increase of 18.3 percent over the prior year and a September record. Nissan Division finished September with 111,562 sales, up 17.3 percent and also a September record. Infiniti sales 10,220 is a 30.4 percent gain over the same month a year ago. Nissan Group year-to-date sales of 1,122,488 is up 5.6 percent over the first 9 months of 2014.

Hyundai Motor America posted its best September ever, with sales of 64,015, up 14.3 percent compared with September 2014. Year-to-date sales of 578,190 is a 3.7 percent gain over 2014.

Kia Motors America had a September sales record of 49,820, a 22.6 percent increase over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of 475,978 is a 7 percent increase over last year.

Subaru of America reported 53,070 vehicle sales for September 2015, a 27.8 percent increase over September 2014, the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in August 2015. Subaru year-to-date sales of 428,702 vehicles, a 14.2 percent gain over the same period in 2014.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported all-time record September sales of 32,087, an increase of 6 percent from the same month last year. Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars tallied 29,020, a 6.2 percent increase over September 2014. Sprinter delivered 2,317 sales for the month of September, up 14 percent, while smart recorded 750 in sales in September. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails totaled 249,890, up 7.2 percent. Adding year-to-date sales of 20,274 for Sprinter Vans and 5,432 for smart, MBUSA posted a grand total of 275,596 through September, up 6.4 percent.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 26,141 in September 2015, an 0.6 percent increase over September 2014. Year-to-date VW sales are 264,215, down 2.5 percent from a year ago. Separately, Audi reported September 2015 sales of 17,340, an increase of 16.2 percent, the 57th straight month of record U.S. sales. Through the first nine months of 2015, Audi U.S. sales of 147,403 is up 12.5 percent from last year.

BMW brand vehicle sales increased 4.0 percent in September for a total of 26,608 compared to September, 2014. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales are 249,956 vehicles, a 5.6 percent increase from the same period last year.

Mazda North American Operations reported best September U.S. sales since 1994 with 25,616 vehicles, representing an increase of 6.8 percent versus last year. September 1994 sales were 30,735. Year-to-date, Mazda has sold 241,701 vehicles, a gain of 0.3 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported September 2015 sales of 7,556, an increase of 35.9 percent from September 2014. Year-to-date sales are 73,257, up 25.5 percent over the same period in 2014.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 5,527, an 18.4 percent increase versus September 2014. Year-to-date sales are up 5.8 percent over the first nine months of 2014.

Porsche Cars North America September 2015 sales of 4,424 vehicles, was up 22.7 percent over September 2014, the strongest September sales month in PCNA history. Year-to-date sales of 39,300 is an 11.1 percent increase over 2014.


Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.