Author Archives: Steven J. Ewing

Scion targeting 20,000 annual FR-S sales

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2013 Scion FR-S

Scion has high sales hopes for its new rear-wheel-drive FR-S sports car. According to Ward’s Auto, Jack Hollis, Scion’s vice president, said that he anticipates sales as high as 20,000 units each year. “We’re confident we can sell every one we get our hands on,” Hollis stated.

The FR-S is slated to hit dealerships at the beginning of June and Scion projects that it will sell around 10,000 units before the end of the year, with an additional 20,000 cars finding homes in 2013. The automaker already has 1,243 pre-sale orders for the FR-S.

The nearly identical Subaru BRZ will also be sold in the United States, but parent Fuji Heavy Industries has less ambitious sales hopes. Subaru is only looking to move between 5,000 and 7,000 units annually. Hollis believes the FR-S, which is priced at $24,200 (not including $730 for destination) will sell in higher numbers largely in part to Scion’s larger network of dealers.

Scion targeting 20,000 annual FR-S sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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12-passenger 2012 Nissan NV priced from $31,690*

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2012 Nissan NV3500 Passenger Van

Nissan will slowly be expanding its commercial vehicle lineup here in the United States, and the next product to hit dealerships is this 2012 NV3500 passenger van. Pricing has now officially been set, with the base 12-passenger NV3500 carrying an MSRP of $31,690 (*not including destination charges). Tick every option box on the NV configurator and a fully decked-out NV3500 SL V8 with leather and navigation will run you just shy of $40,000.

The NV passenger van is mechanically the same as its cargo van kin, meaning power comes from either a 4.0-liter V6 with 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque or a 5.6-liter V8 with 317 hp and 385 lb-ft of twist. Both engines are mated exclusively to a heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission and only send power to the NV’s rear wheels. Inside, the NV3500 boasts all the creature comforts of any passenger vehicle, including a touch-screen infotainment system, lots of storage space and mobile office capability.

Following the launch of the NV3500 passenger van, Nissan will bring the smaller NV200 – the Taxi of Tomorrow, for those of you keeping track – to market. All in, Nissan aims to have a full line of commercial vehicles on sale here in the U.S. within the next few years.

Continue reading 12-passenger 2012 Nissan NV priced from $31,690*

12-passenger 2012 Nissan NV priced from $31,690* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo now available with six-speed automatic

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In an effort to appeal to a much wider range of shoppers, Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Sonic models will now be available with a six-speed automatic transmission. Up until now, manual-averse customers were stuck with the 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four – by our opinion, the worse of the two engines offered in the Sonic.

Under the hood of the Sonic, Chevrolet’s 1.4-liter turbo-four is good for 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That’s seriously good power for the 2,700-pound subcompact, especially when you consider that when paired with the manual ‘box, the Sonic carries EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 29/40 miles per gallon (city/highway). Of course, adding the automatic transmission reduces that economy, though the slushbox Sonic is still rated at a respectable 27/37 mpg.

The automatic Sonic Turbo is on sale now. LT models start at $16,835 for the sedan and $17,635 for the five-door, with the high-zoot LTZ trims commanding $18,625 and $19,325, respectively (not including $795 for destination). Hit the jump for the official press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo now available with six-speed automatic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo now available with six-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Scion FR-S priced from $24,930 [UPDATE]

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2013 Scion FR-S

The highly anticipated 2013 Scion FR-S – the sister car of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT 86 – goes on sale this spring, and the automaker’s website now shows that the cost of entry will be $24,930 including destination. That base price gets you an FR-S equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, though Scion’s site doesn’t yet say what the cost will be for cars equipped with the six-speed automatic.

As we already know, the FR-S is equipped with a 2.0-liter boxer four that sends 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque exclusively to the rear wheels. And just yesterday, we learned that the FR-S is good for 22/30 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the manual transmission, or 25/34 mpg with the automatic ‘box. We’ve already had a chance to drive Scion’s new sport coupe, and while it’s certainly not the most powerful vehicle in the class, we found it to have excellent balance and declared it a more engaging steer than vehicles like the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Head over to Scion’s website for more information.

UPDATE: Scion has issued its official press release, stating that the 2013 FR-S starts from $24,200, which obviously does not include the $730 destination charge wrapped into the MSRP shown on the automaker’s consumer site. What’s more, Scion’s press blast reveals that cars equipped with an automatic transmission will command $1,100 more, or $26,030 including destination. Follow the jump to read the official release.

Continue reading 2013 Scion FR-S priced from $24,930 [UPDATE]

2013 Scion FR-S priced from $24,930 [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai Veloster Turbo to start at $21,500?

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As much as we love the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, it’s the 2013 Turbo model that really gets our juices flowing (especially in matte gray, for the record). It takes that unique three-door (four-door?) configuration one step further with the addition of some more aggressive aero bits, a revised front end and new wheels; not to mention a potent 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four underhood, good for 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer, and while official pricing hasn’t been released, the folks at Inside Line have apparently confirmed that the car will start at $21,500 – $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. That’s $4,205 more than a base Veloster, but in addition to more power, we expect that some of the base car’s optional features will be fitted as standard kit on the Turbo.

What’s really interesting, however, is Inside Line’s report that the Turbo model was never even part of the original Veloster product strategy here in the United States. No big deal, because we’re still getting the forced-induction hatch regardless. But the real reason why this is important is it explains why the Turbo is being offered with a six-speed automatic (in addition to a six-speed manual) rather than the dual-clutch unit found in the base car. Guess that in-house dual-clutch unit can’t handle the full 195 lb-ft of the Turbo.

We expect Hyundai to release official Veloster Turbo pricing closer to the car’s on-sale date this summer. And if this $21,500 base MSRP stands true, then the affordable end of America’s hot hatch pool just got a lot more interesting.

Hyundai Veloster Turbo to start at $21,500? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*

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Mazda’s attractive and fun-to-drive 2013 CX-5 goes on sale this month, and the automaker’s North American arm has just announced that it will be priced from $20,695 (*not including $795 for destination). That’s a higher base price than competitors like the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, but the CX-5 boasts some of the best driving dynamics in the segment, not to mention the best fuel economy numbers in the class.

That $20,695 price point refers, of course, to the CX-5 Sport with the (remarkably good) six-speed manual transmission. Opting for the six-speed automatic will set you back an additional $1,400, and if you want to add all-wheel drive, be prepared to dish out another $1,250. Moving up, Touring models with either front- or all-wheel drive start at $23,895 and $25,145, respectively, and are only available with the six-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, the range-topping Grand Touring comes in at $27,045 (FWD) and $28,295 (AWD), and with the $1,325 technology package added to the GT trim, you’ll be looking at $29,620 for a fully loaded CX-5.

The 2013 CX-5 uses Mazda’s brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, along with a host of other weight-saving technologies. We’ve driven the CX-5 on two different occasions, and while we’re quite impressed with the steering, manual gearbox and suspension, we wish interior refinement were a bit better. Still, Mazda is positioning the CX-5 as the enthusiast’s small crossover, and we’re inclined to agree. Follow the jump for Mazda’s official pricing release.

Continue reading 2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*

2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option

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Rest easy, die-hard enthusiasts. BMW has officially confirmed that the 2013 M5 sedan will be offered with a do-it-yourself six-speed manual transmission here in the United States. When the car arrives Stateside this summer, it will come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a row-your-own gearbox as a no-cost option. BMW even goes so far to state that while the manual transmission has one less gear than the DCT, its “ratios have been optimized for acceleration, flexibility and fuel economy.” Sounds good to us.

Continue reading 2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option

2013 BMW M5 to get six-speed manual as no-cost option originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say ‘goodbye’ to these cars and trucks for the new year

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BMW X6 hybrid

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it’s time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we’re not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we’re truly going to miss.

The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It’s kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla’s two-seat Roadster – the automaker’s first production vehicle – proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.

We’ll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We’ll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we’ll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We’ve already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.

There are plenty more models that won’t be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you’ll miss (if any) in the Comments.

Say ‘goodbye’ to these cars and trucks for the new year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These are the industry’s most profitable cars and trucks

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At the end of the day, every mass-market automaker is nothing more than a company looking for profits. And while you can have a great-looking vehicle that performs well and draws critical acclaim, but if it doesn’t sell and it doesn’t have decent margins, it doesn’t do the company much good. So when it comes down to pure profit, what automobiles are the biggest cash cows?

That’s what analyst Max Warbuton aimed to find out. With the help of his team at Bernstein Research, Warbuton looked at the automotive population and created this list of the twelve best money-makers since 1990. According to Automotive News, Warbuton said the top twelve cars and trucks all combine “high prices, huge volume and long periods of production that spread development costs over a long period.” While we might quibble that not all of the entries are high in price, the volume side of Warburton’s equation makes a lot of sense, especially considering that the Number One most profitable vehicle of all time is – glance back up at the lead image once more – the Ford F-Series.

F-150 aside, all of the American full-size pickups did particularly well in this study, with the Ram 1500 and General Motors twins (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) filling out the second and third place spots. (No surprise, given that body-on-frame vehicles like pickups and SUVs are known to be cash cows). German and Japanese automakers round out the top twelve, and we urge you to click through our attached image gallery to see exactly which vehicles have been raking in the most cash for their companies over the past 21 years.

These are the industry’s most profitable cars and trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat 500 sales in U.S. not meeting expectations amidst marketing meltdown [w/video]

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Chrysler set a hugely ambitious sales goal for the 2012 Fiat 500 here in the United States: 6,000 units per month. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, to learn that early sales figures aren’t exactly meeting expectations thus far, but according to Chrysler, this isn’t by any fault of the car.

“I don’t think we have a car problem; people love the car,” Fiat chief marketing officer Oliver Francois said while speaking to Advertising Age. “I think we have an awareness problem.”

Fiat has dumped its main advertising agency, Impatto, a small Southfield, Michigan-based firm that previously employed Laura Soave, who is now serving as Fiat’s North American CEO. According to the report, Soave herself hired the Impatto back in January, and the ad industry rumormill has her on the hot seat for the failed relationship. How much fallout (if any) there will be from Fiat’s advertising shakeup and the 500′s underperforming launch remains to be seen.

Fiat’s first attempt to market the 500 nationally on television has been with a recently launched music video-teasing spot starring Jennifer Lopez (view it after the jump), an effort that has been panned by many industry critics. And while company executives appear to bristle from the notion, Ad Age reports that celebrities have been essential to Fiat’s brand strategy. In fact, the New York Post states that Fiat reportedly struck a deal with gossip TMZ in which the automaker would pay the website to photograph high-profile celebrities who were set up to drive the Fiat 500.

To date, Fiat has sold just 11,088 examples of the 500 range in the U.S., 3,106 of which were in August. And with new models like the Abarth not expected to arrive until next year, the 500 and 500C are the only offerings currently available. Head over to Ad Age to read the fascinating full report, and again, hit the jump to watch Fiat’s television spot starring the voluptuous Jennifer Lopez.

Continue reading Fiat 500 sales in U.S. not meeting expectations amidst marketing meltdown [w/video]

Fiat 500 sales in U.S. not meeting expectations amidst marketing meltdown [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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