Lexus continues it's push into fast and fun cars, targeted toward a different sportier demographic than previous years. They look like great drives...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRCp5CQWUHo
New AMG C-Class for 2017 looks Muscular and Fun
I hope the sound of the new one is as throaty as the 2016, and that the ride is as fun...
Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG is setting another milestone in the brand's history: the new 2017 AMG C63 Coupe is the next step on the way to more technical and visual distinctiveness. The far-reaching technical modifications are evident at first sight: strikingly flared front and rear wheel arches, an increased track width and larger wheels give the C63 Coupe a muscular look while also providing a basis for highly agile longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The brand's typical "Driving Performance" is also taken to new heights with the C63 Coupe. The AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, with 469 hp in standard trim or 503 hp in the C63 S, is a completely in-house development from Affalterbach. In addition, the sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, the set-up of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the rear-axle limited-slip differential and the dynamic engine mounts have all been developed by AMG.
Acura NSX delayed until 2017
Disappointed, as I was hoping to drive one sooner than later.
The launch of Acura’s new NSX has been delayed, with Acura only stating that production will start in the spring of 2016 and that the hybrid supercar will now arrive as a 2017 model. The reasons for the delay were said to be several key changes made to the original design.
MB 4 Seater Cabriolet S-Class for 2016
Looks like a very nice way for 4 people to travel....
"The new S-class cabriolet represents the sixth model in the S-class family after the sedan, long-wheel base sedan, Maybach, coupe and Pullman variants. Mercedes says it will also be the first S-class cabriolet with four seats since 1971.
It will be introduced formally at the Frankfurt auto show next month and is scheduled to go on sale in the first half of 2016. It will be a big car but will have the svelte lines of the S-class coupe and will compete with the Bentley Continental GT, Automotive News reported this month."
Automotive News (Subscription Required)
Autonation Adds 16 Stores
There have not been many big acquisitions lately. Autonation is kicking it up a notch.
AutoNation CEO Michael Jackson
"AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. dealership group, has agreed to buy 16 stores representing more than $600 million in annual revenue, including its biggest single dealership purchase since 2001."
Automotive News (Subscription required)
Dealership Volumes Reaching New Heights
It's stunning to see the market continue to move up. I wonder if there will be any impact on M&A activity in the sector.
The average number of new-vehicle sales per dealership in the U.S. is trending toward another record in 2015 at a projected 945 units per store based on an annualized U.S. sales rate of 17.1 million vehicles, according to a study released today by Urban Science.
Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
Short-Term Rentals To College Students as Marketing by Nissan
Clever idea to expose their vehicles to college buyers...
NASHVILLE -- Nissan will begin supplying cars to college students for $5 an hour through a campus car-sharing venture by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The Enterprise venture will offer various Nissan nameplates on about 90 U.S. college campuses. The $5 expense includes insurance and fuel costs.
The arrangement does not represent significant new fleet volume for Nissan, says Joe Guarascio, Nissan’s director of fleet & sales operations. The largest campus outlet will be Arizona State University, which has ordered 25 vehicles. Other campuses have ordered only three or four.
But the venture gives Nissan new exposure to young people who might soon be buying their first cars.
Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
2017 C-Class Coupe announced
2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Lots of standard equipment...
"The C-Class Coupe features a wealth of equipment as standard, including LED headlights, PRE-SAFE®, KEYLESS START, Sport Suspension and a Panorama Sunroof. The Sport Appearance Package is available as an alternative to further underline the dynamism of the Coupe. It differs by virtue of exterior features such as special bumpers and sills featuring AMG bodystyling, a diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. Interior highlights of the Sport Package include exclusive touches such as a sports steering wheel with flattened bottom section and AMG sports pedals."
Source: http://media.mbusa.com/ (subscription required)
...but will it have a back-up camera standard? We just drove a loaner 2015 C-class, and were amazed that the standard model still does not include a back-up camera.
BMW Changing Approach for China to Compete Better with MB
Interesting for BMW and for the Chinese Market. Luxury brands are doing well
BEIJING (Reuters) -- BMW Group will unveil redesigned and upgraded versions of its sedans and SUVs in China later this year to shore up weak sales and raise its competitiveness against German rival Mercedes-Benz.
Global carmakers have come under increasing pressure to up their game in the world's biggest auto market, where sales growth is forecast to slow to 3 percent this year.
But BMW has an additional challenge with Mercedes fielding a more up-to-date lineup of cars. On Monday, BMW's local joint venture partner, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, said it expects to report a profit drop because of lower earnings from the tie-up.
BMW will launch an all-new version of its flagship 7-series sedan in the fourth quarter, and an upgraded version of its midsize 3 series later this year, the automaker told Reuters.
The company also plans to release "new entry models" for the X5 and X6 SUVs, BMW said, declining to provide details.
More trouble for TrueCar
Where will TrueCar's troubles end....From AutoNews.com
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- U.S. antitrust enforcers have closed an investigation into whether auto dealers ganged up against shopping website TrueCar Inc in 2011 and 2012 in order to raise prices, TrueCar said in a securities filing today.
TrueCar said in the 10-Q filing it had responded to a request for documents from the Federal Trade Commission and considered the matter to be closed.
A spokeswoman for the FTC had no immediate comment. A spokeswoman for TrueCar also had no immediate comment.
At issue in the investigation was a feature of TrueCar's website that allowed users to collect bids from auto dealerships. The feature encouraged dealers to undercut one another on price, almost as in a reverse-auction.
Dealers rebelled, and many canceled their affiliations with TrueCar, threatening its business model. TrueCar then changed its website, and in 2013, dealers received letters from the FTC asking them to preserve documents."