Articles in the Category Krome on Cars http://www.autotropolis.com/article.manager Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:19:01 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.autotropolis.com/article.manager/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.autotropolis.com/article.manager Articles in the Category Krome on Cars http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/friday-free-for-all-mazda2-joins-the-party-edition.html Or perhaps joins the Fiesta would be more appropriate, and I don't mean just because I'm feeling a bit bilingual today. Here's the deal: As most people with even the slightest interest in the industry already know, the Blue Oval is launching its successful global subcompact, the Ford Fiesta (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/fiesta/research.html), early next year in the U.S. The car has been on sale overseas for about a year now, moving more than 500,000 units since its debut and becoming the second-best seller in Europe for 2009. Needless to say, Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) is expecting big things from... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:57:31 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-volvo-lead-iihs-top-safety-pick-list.html Porsche 911 (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/911/research.html) that goes from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, stickers for under $20,000, seats five in comfort, is made entirely from recycled water bottles and runs solely on universe juice. And earns an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award, of course. Needless to say, I'm not going to be holding my breath as I wait for Porsche (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/research.html) to get something like this into production, and not the least of the reasons for this is because, at this stage in the game, some of my requirements are mutually exclusive. For example, to get Porsche-like performance... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:12:03 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/volkswagen-no-longer-no-1-but-plans-to-get-there.html Volkswagen (http://www.autotropolis.com/volkswagen/research.html)'s reign as the world's top auto producer came to a quick end recently, following a heated exchange of statistics and counterclaims. Looking at global vehicle sales, not production, and counting only sales from companies in which an automaker has a controlling interest, the current rankings have Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) in the lead, followed closely by General Motors and Volkswagen. And not to go all Sesame Street here, but one of these things is not like the other: In the world's second-largest auto market — that would be the U.S. — General Motors sold 177,603 vehicles in October,... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:26:23 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/lutz-outlines-gms-new-product-plans-and-more.html Well, it's certainly been a busy past couple of days for GM's vice chairman and marketing head, Bob Lutz. He was announced as a member of the Opel supervisory board after GM decided to hold onto its German division, and then went on to make some announcements of his own. It started with what seemed to be a passing comment on Fox News about the Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html) Volt: Lutz said that a high-performance version wearing the Bowtie division's SS moniker was not out of the realm of possibility. And since then, Lutz has provided a steady... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:41:11 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/chevrolet-equinox-gmc-terrain-boost-gm-third-quarter-results.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html)'s third-quarter profit. I'm not sure if this is a failure of the imagination or something worse. After all, even Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html), which has had a relatively GM-esque year so far, claimed a profit in the third quarter, as did Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/research.html), and Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/nissan/research.html) was able to spin its losses into better than expected results. Of course, GM has long been known for its rather lackadaisical approach to keeping its books, and this looks to be more of the same. But now more than ever there's just no excuse for it. Considering how much federal... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:19:07 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/friday-free-for-all-ford-fusion-top-10-edition.html Toyota RAV4 (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/rav4/research.html), which had eked out a 1.6 percent increase through October. Seven of the other nine vehicles showed CYTD sales drops of more than 20 percent. The other two, the Honda CR-V (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/cr-v/research.html) and the Toyota Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/prius/research.html), showed decreases of 7.4 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, despite being benchmark entries in their segments. But coming in at 11th place in the October rankings was a vehicle that was seeing significant sales increases both for the month and for the year. That, of course, is the Ford Fusion (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/fusion/research.html), with October sales up 24.1 percent and... Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:54:13 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/buick-bmw-put-a-new-focus-on-four-cylinder-engines.html Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/research.html) Regal (pictured left), which is scheduled to go on sale in the second quarter of 2010, and among the latest factoids is that the up-level engine on GM's new sport sedan will be a turbocharged four-cylinder engine capable of producing 220 hp. According to the General, the turbo Regal also will be good for 29 mpg on the highway, just off the 30 mpg highway expected from the non-turbocharged four-cylinder that will be standard on the entry-level model. General Motors is really playing up the Regal's bred on the autobahn origins as... Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:12:54 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/volkswagen-becomes-no-1-volvo-introduces-new-volvo-s60.html Volkswagen (http://www.autotropolis.com/volkswagen/research.html). Even though the company sold just 17,037 vehicles in the U.S. in October — compared to 150,000+ for Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) — VW actually manufactured more vehicles, globally, than the Japanese OEM through the first 10 months of 2009. Sure, there are a few caveats one can toss around, like the fact we're talking units built, not sold, or that the VW numbers were certainly boosted — at least a little — by the company's recent purchase of Porsche (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/research.html). But the bottom line is that Volkswagen must be doing something right to get to this point.... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:41:47 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/product-update-cadillac-converj-in-new-ford-ranger-out.html Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/cadillac/research.html) Converj, of course, and GM is planning to bring it to market a couple of years after the Volt, which would mean late in 2013. The Converj made its debut in concept form earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show and was named Best Concept Vehicle of the year by the folks behind the prestigious Eyes On Design Awards. And it really is a stunning vehicle, taking Cadillac's current design language and moving it significantly forward. For example, a quick comparison of the Converj with the Cadillac CTS (http://www.autotropolis.com/cadillac/cts/research.html)... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:47:08 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/general-motors-to-retain-opel.html While most people were lauding General Motors last week for its October sales numbers, perhaps the biggest news from GM actually was about a sale that didn't go through: the deal to sell the General's European subsidiary, Opel, to a group headed by Canadian parts supplier Magna and the Russian state bank Sberbank. According to the General, the decision was based on an improving business environment for GM over the past few months, and the importance of Opel/Vauxhall to GM’s global strategy. (Vauxhall being, essentially, the British arm of Opel.)And all of a sudden, that... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:43:52 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/friday-free-for-all-chrysler-tv-edition.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html)'s recently announced product plan, I have to say it looked like the company's road to potential success would be a long one — as in three to five years long. After all, that's the amount of time it's going to take before Chrysler has a complete, Fiat-approved lineup in place, and that's a lifetime or two in the auto industry.But it turns out that Chrysler has a bit of a secret weapon on hand. In fact, if ever a new product were poised to attract American... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:28:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/october-auto-sales-those-that-didnt-win-quite-so-much.html See, I was originally going to call this column October Auto Sales: The Losers, as a counterpart to yesterday's The Winners, but I thought that was too depressing. And now that the auto industry is finally, finally, really, seriously turning around (hopefully), I want to avoid connecting depressing with any bit of it. Take the situation over at Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html). Yes, the division itself saw October sales fall a bit compared to the same month last year: down 2.32 percent, to be exact. And yes, the company's financial problems have led it... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:02:26 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/october-auto-sales-the-winners.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/research.html), Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/research.html) and Subaru (http://www.autotropolis.com/subaru/research.html), which were up 49, 45 and 41 percent, respectively. For the Koreans, the story continues to be how the world's fourth largest automaker is bringing its full resources to bear on the U.S. market, unleashing a steady stream of improved products. The Hyundai Elantra (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/elantra/research.html), for one, saw a 300+ percent increase year-over-year, and the Hyundai Accent (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/accent/research.html), Hyundai Santa Fe (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/santa-fe/research.html), Kia Rio (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/rio/research.html) and Kia Borrego (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/borrego/research.html) all saw boosts measured in the thousands of vehicles. Plus, both the Kia Soul (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/soul/research.html) and Kia Forte, wholly new models, continue... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:49:38 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/toyota-to-freshen-us-approach-by-dropping-mid-cycle-.html I woke this morning to a really annoying buzzing sound, coming from somewhere off to the east. It wasn't my alarm clock, and it took me until I read today's headlines before I could understand what was going on. That's when I saw that Automotive News had published an update on Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html)'s future plans for the U.S. market, and I realized what the noise was — someone had pressed the Toyota panic button. Let's build up to this slowly, though. First off, the report is that Toyota will take a good long look at its lineup of... Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:56:34 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-fusion-helps-fomoco-achieve-third-quarter-profit.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) Explorers, more than 80,000 Ford F-150s, and almost 10,000 Ford Expeditions. But the big news, according to the company's press release, was that car sales stayed level year-over-year, with the new Ford Mustang (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/mustang/research.html), Ford Five Hundred and Mercury (http://www.autotropolis.com/mercury/research.html) Montego all setting sales marks. That month was also notable for another reason, too: It closed out the last quarter in which Ford turned a profit in North America — until now, that is. Yes, it's true, Ford saw a pre-tax operating profit of $357 million in North America through the third quarter of... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:27:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-honda-vw-work-through-missteps.html Well, let's get the worst bit out of the way first: General Motors is pushing back the launch of its highly anticipated new small car, the 2011 Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html) Cruze (pictured left), three full months. Production of this key vehicle is now slated to start some time in the third quarter of next year. GM is spinning the news furiously, claiming the delay will ensure a smooth launch, but it's still very disappointing. The Cruze is at least as important to GM as the Chevrolet Volt, as the Cruze will be the high-volume replacement for the Chevolet Cobalt... Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:29:55 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-sergio-surge-chryslers-new-lineup-takes-shape.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html) CEO Sergio Marchionne is scheduled to lead a six-hour presentation on the future of its American division — yep, six hours. Today, however, I'll provide a special service to Krome on Cars readers by summarizing that exposition in just six words: 2012 is a long ways away. And that's how long it will be before the new Chrysler product portfolio approaches completion. Certainly, one of the biggest questions Marchionne will face will be, how can Chrysler survive until then? But even once Fiat and Chrysler have more fully integrated their vehicle... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:21:29 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/toyota-prius-most-reliable-family-car-in-america.html Toyota Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/prius/research.html) gets top marks, followed by the Volvo S40 (http://www.autotropolis.com/volvo/s40/research.html), Ford Fusion (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/fusion/research.html) and Mercury Milan (http://www.autotropolis.com/mercury/milan/research.html), and then four more hybrids: the Fusion and Milan hybrid models and the hybrid versions of the Nissan Altima (http://www.autotropolis.com/nissan/altima/research.html) and Toyota Camry (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/camry/research.html). Just to tally things up here, this means five of the top eight family cars — in terms of reliability — are hybrids. I can understand how the Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) products got on that list, but the Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/nissan/research.html) and Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) have me a bit suspicious, and unless someone can show me how the... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:51:51 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/next-gen-honda-civic-to-shrink-as-automakers-pursue-more-efficiency.html Honda Civic (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/civic/research.html) was some 40 inches longer than today's Smart fortwo (http://www.autotropolis.com/smart/fortwo/research.html), the German city car actually outweighs the Japanese product by more than 300 lbs. In other words, that original Civic was a truly tiny car. But somewhere along the line, tastes changed and that Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/research.html) grew up. And out. And in pretty much all other dimensions, too. The 2010 Honda Civic Sedan (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/civic-sedan/research.html) (pictured) is almost the same 40 inches longer than the '72 model, and it's more than 1,100 lbs. heavier. Considering the present-generation car only weighs about 2,600 lbs. itself, that represents... Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:27:11 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/can-the-dodge-power-wagon-power-chrysler-to-success.html Dodge (http://www.autotropolis.com/dodge/research.html) has just announced it will continue to sell the Power Wagon as a 2010 model. The Power Wagon is essentially a Dodge Ram 2500 (http://www.autotropolis.com/dodge/ram-2500/research.html) heavy duty pickup with four-wheel drive, a crew cab, 32-inch off-road tires, a custom 12,000-lb. winch and a whole bunch of similar goodies (a stock Ram 2500 is pictured here). Oh, it also comes with an anecdotal fuel-economy rating of about 14-15 mpg, with the occasional dip into single figures when loaded up. (I'd normally give the EPA rating here, but the Power Wagon, like the big offerings from Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html)... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:15:51 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/in-online-competition-its-ford-fusion-41-other-guys-0.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) are getting familiar with the group, especially now that it has named the Blue Oval one of its Brands of the Year. Per Ford's press statement, the society is a global non-profit research and education foundation and think tank that measures online tools' impact on business, media, culture and society. And if that sounds a little too virtual to have an effect on the auto industry, well, welcome to the 21st century. Because while auto companies are still working out how best to convert social media to retail sales, it's... Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:25:00 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-honda-skydeck-and-other-shiny-happy-products-from-tokyo.html Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/research.html) SkyDeck concept is particularly intriguing. Honda pulled out all the design stops on this one, from Lamborghini-style scissor doors to a reconfigurable interior to the funky wood-and-mesh seats to the clear roof, but all that eye-candy can't disguise the fact that the SkyDeck is essentially a minivan for a new generation. And that's actually a good thing. When today's consumers go out shopping for a vehicle that carries more than four people, they're faced with a surprisingly difficult task. For reasons that I'm sure would be worth a story or two in Psychology Today,... Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:28:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/are-hyundai-and-kia-for-real.html Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/research.html) that drove me to distraction, but that's part of the problem. What I mean is, the two brands have certainly done a lot in this country to sell more cars and trucks, but they've also benefited from ye olde perfect storm of external circumstances. It's no coincidence that their sales have gone up at the same time most economic indicators have gone down. Consumers still need cars and trucks (or at least crossovers), but in today's business environment, people want higher value and lower prices, and that's what the Korean vehicles offer. On the other hand,... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:21 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/is-gm-courting-trouble-with-the-new-buick-regal.html Last week, General Motors made it official: The Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/research.html) Regal will return to the U.S. market as a 2011 model, built off the same platform that now underpins the Opel Insignia and the current Chinese-market Regal (pictured left). But I'm not going to take the badge-engineering is bad route today — I think the new Regal will likely be on the good side of the platform-sharing equation. Instead, I'll just bring up my usual concerns about General Motors reinventing the wheel — or, in this case, reinventing the same worn-out spare tire that... Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:47:44 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/toyota-prius-still-atop-epa-mpg-rankings.html Smart fortwo (http://www.autotropolis.com/smart/fortwo/research.html), 33/41; (manual) Mazda MX-5 Miata (http://www.autotropolis.com/mazda/mx-5-miata/research.html), 22/28 - Now, except for the Smart, all the other vehicles in this category are pure two-seat sports cars, as opposed to two-door coupes that at least make a pretense of rear seating. When one considers that the folks at Stuttgart can achieve mpg numbers of 20/29 for the Porsche Boxster (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/boxster/research.html) and Porsche Cayman (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/cayman/research.html), I'd expect better from the Mazda (http://www.autotropolis.com/mazda/research.html); I'd also expect some other OEM, perhaps Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/research.html) or Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/research.html), to put out a vehicle that fits into the huge gap — in terms... Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:45:35 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/hyundai-kia-incentives-up-40-percent-through-september.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html) headed things up by offering an average of $4,584 on its products, up 18 percent; General Motors was at $3,796, a 6 percent increase; and Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) incentives were up just 2 percent, but still reached $3,451. For the big three Japanese automakers, Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/nissan/research.html)'s average incentive hit $2,511, up 19 percent; Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) reached $1,620 on an increase of 22 percent; and Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/research.html)'s level of incentives increased just under the industry average, at 9 percent, to hit $1,310. Porsche (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/research.html) incentives reached an average of $6,764 in September, an increase of 1,000 percent (yes, 1,000... Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:43:37 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/chevrolet-camaro-tops-list-of-most-requested-vehicles.html Chevrolet Camaro (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/camaro/research.html)GMC Acadia (http://www.autotropolis.com/gmc/acadia/research.html)Honda CR-V (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/cr-v/research.html)Chevrolet Silverado (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/silverado/research.html)Kia Soul (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/soul/research.html)Buick Enclave (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/enclave/research.html)Honda Civic (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/civic/research.html)Chevrolet Equinox (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/equinox/research.html)Chevrolet Tahoe (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/tahoe/research.html)Chevrolet Traverse (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/traverse/research.html) Now, I'd say the biggest surprise on that list is actually what isn't there — namely, anything from Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html). That little factoid is telling evidence about the biggest difference between this type of popularity list and the monthly sales figures. While the latter, obviously, is what people are buying, the former provides insight into what people want to buy. The Chevy (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html) Camaro epitomizes what I'm talking about. I'm sure there are thousands of... Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:46:52 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/sticker-prices-the-auto-industrys-next-frontier.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/research.html) set an all-time monthly sales record in August, and, when we do look year-over-year, we see that the company has improved sales measured this way for nine consecutive months. Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/research.html) also set an all-time monthly sales record in August and also put up record-setting numbers for the third quarter of 2009 taken as a whole. Now, it certainly helps that their products are fuel efficient, and that their quality has significantly improved in past years, and that they offer a pretty impressive warranty. But that's true of a lot of OEMs; the difference is that... Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:55:38 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-exec-new-plans-for-the-new-gm.html HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/hummer/research.html) (2004-2008) and then the Buick-Pontiac-GMC group (2008-2009). Naturally, this situation has some people complaining that GM is up to its old tricks again, hiring a company lifer for a key position instead of going outside for new blood — shades of Fritz Henderson, right? And this is exacerbated by the fact that Docherty's credentials include helping to guide two of GM's dead brands into oblivion. But let's be fair here: How much better could anyone have done given the recent state of the Buick-Pontiac-GMC product lineup and the market environment in which Docherty had been operating?... Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:08:41 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/dodge-no-1-among-early-careerists.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html)'s newly rejiggered sporty-car division, Dodge (http://www.autotropolis.com/dodge/research.html), is the brand that gets the greatest volumes of online discussion ... among early careerists. ' In other words, when people aged 22-29 go online to Facebook, Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/autotropolis), etc., the vehicle brand they are most likely to discuss is Dodge, followed by Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html), Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html), Land Rover (http://www.autotropolis.com/land-rover/research.html), Mazda (http://www.autotropolis.com/mazda/research.html), Jeep (http://www.autotropolis.com/jeep/research.html), Lexus (http://www.autotropolis.com/lexus/research.html), Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/research.html), Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html), Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/research.html). In this strange alternative world that J.D. Power is reporting on, most of the Dodge and Chevy (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html) discussions tend to revolve around NASCAR. In fact, Chance... Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:56:30 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/waiting-for-the-chevrolet-volt-and-nissan-leaf.html Although not quite as prestigious — yet — as the North American Car of the Year award, the Green Car of the Year honor seems right about ready to enter the mainstream. Unfortunately, I don't mean this in a good way.For example, last year's finalists included the BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) 335d, Ford Fusion (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/fusion/research.html) Hybrid, Saturn VUE (http://www.autotropolis.com/saturn/vue/research.html) 2-Mode Hybrid, Smart fortwo (http://www.autotropolis.com/smart/fortwo/research.html) and Volkswagen Jetta (http://www.autotropolis.com/volkswagen/jetta/research.html) TDI, which won the award. And each one of these vehicles was designed to raise ye olde bar in its individual segment. The Bimmer and the VW were among the pioneers in the... Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:36:49 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/toyota-train-wreck-update.html Corolla (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/corolla/research.html), Camry (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/camry/research.html), RAV4 (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/rav4/research.html) and, of course, Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/prius/research.html), Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) remains as competitive as ever in key industry segments. It's Toyota's off the field problems that are the bigger concern. Let's start back in May of 2008. That's when, in the Wheels blog of the New York Times, Christopher Jensen reported on the Toyota buy-back program covering its Tacoma pickups from 1995-2000 — anyone else remember this? The problem covered more than 800,000 pickups that ran the risk of developing frames so rusted they cannot be repaired,... Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:02:17 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/lightweight-new-vehicles-could-have-a-heavy-impact.html BMW 3 Series (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/3-series/research.html) began selling sedans, the heaviest car it offered just topped 3,000 lbs. Today, a BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) 335i xDrive sedan crests the 3,800-lb. mark. The Audi (http://www.autotropolis.com/audi/research.html) 80 of the late 1980s, the predecessor of the modern A4 line, started under 2,600 lbs. A current A4 sedan begins at more than 3,500 lbs. The Honda Civic (http://www.autotropolis.com/honda/civic/research.html), making for an even starker contrast, first came to our shores weighing in at just about 1,500 lbs. A 2010 Civic coupe has packed on more than half a ton compared to that, now topping out around 2,600 lbs.... Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:13:45 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/north-american-truck-of-the-year-finalists-announced.html 2010 North American Car of the Year contenders (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/north-american-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced.html), it's time to get all Krome on Trucks here with a look at the other side of the ledger today — sort of. I mean, in theory, the continent's top auto journalists will be picking their favorite truck during the run of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. But the thing is, there's nary a true truck to be found on the list. Acura (http://www.autotropolis.com/acura/research.html) ZDX: See? This is actually a provocative four-door sports coupe, according to Acura, and it makes not even... Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:16:32 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/north-american-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html), and, undoubtedly, those OEMs and all the others will trumpet their new approach to an American market that's ready to embrace electric vehicles, hybrids and other fuel-efficient vehicles.And which vehicle will carry that banner forward as winner of the 2010 North American Car of the Year award (determined at NAIAS)? Well, let's take a quick scan of the recently released short list of contenders, shall we?BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) 335d: The Bavarian OEM's decision to offer a new diesel engine in its popular 3 Series is definitely worth applauding. Buyers will get the usual amount of BMW... Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:31:15 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/september-auto-sales-not-all-bad-news.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html)'s ability to put some breathing space between its operations and those of General Motors and Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html) could be viewed more as a reflection of public sentiment for the company's ability to avoid bankruptcy than actual interest in its vehicles per se. But now, in the crucible of the post-Clunker September market, I think we're finally starting to get an unalloyed look at the future of the U.S. industry. On the domestic front, Ford claimed a moral victory with sales down just 5.8 percent compared to September 2008. The new Taurus was up 60.1 percent, while... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:15:24 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/penskesaturn-deal-falls-through.html Saturn (http://www.autotropolis.com/saturn/research.html) from General Motors, and the General, busy enough with other matters, has decided to just put the ailing division out of its misery by closing up the shop. Now, as readers may recall, Penske wasn't going to get into the business of actually manufacturing vehicles, it was only going to distribute them. The idea was that General Motors would keep building products for Penske until 2011. After this, the company would get vehicles from another OEM, rebadge them as Saturns, and sell them via the Saturn retail network. And it appears that Penske may have, in... Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:58:35 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/so-did-cash-for-clunkers-boost-fuel-efficiency.html Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) at the top of the heap both times, peaking with an average mpg of 26.9 mpg in July. Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/kia/research.html) and Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/research.html) finished second and third in each month, reaching 25.1 mpg and 24.9 mpg, respectively, in August.As for the Europeans, Volkswagen (http://www.autotropolis.com/volkswagen/research.html) and BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) topped out at 23 mpg and 22 mpg, respectively, in July; that was also the best month for the Europeans as a whole.Needless to say, this leaves the U.S. companies bringing up the rear: General Motors, Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) and Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html) combined for an average rating of 20.4 mpg in... Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:03:56 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/alternative-fuels-on-track-for-success.html There's always been a certain amount of debate over the importance of motorsports to the auto industry. To some it seems just a waste of time and resources, but for others, it can be a valuable way to put new technologies to the test. Dyson Racing (http://www.dysonracing.com/), for one, is firmly in the latter camp.A successful, long-time competitor in a wide range of North American series, Dyson is currently partnering with Mazda (http://www.autotropolis.com/mazda/research.html) to run in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 class. And during this past weekend,... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:17:51 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/further-thoughts-on-the-four-cylinder-revolution.html Buick LaCrosse (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/lacrosse/research.html) would offer a standard four-cylinder engine (pictured left) beginning later this year, I wasn't too geeked on the idea. But that wasn't because of the number of cylinders so much as it was because of the power numbers that those four cylinders are going to produce: about 182 hp and 172 lb.-ft. of torque. That had me a little worried, seeing as how the engine will be pulling around 4,000 lbs. of Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/research.html). Up until now, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines like this have generally been used in much smaller vehicles. Take the 2010 Mercury... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:11:30 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/brand-news-toyota-chrysler-rev-up-new-strategies.html Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) vehicles in its annual auto study. You see, for a while there, the magazine had just assumed that Toyota's quality was so high that there was no need to do anything crazy like attempt to confirm it.I guess that's what's called foreshadowing, because here we are just two years later and the once-unthinkable has happened: Toyota has had to launch a $1 billion Product Leadership marketing campaign to remind/convince buyers that the company still makes products worth buying. Significantly, the six themes of the campaign, chosen to mirror Toyota's core values, will be... Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:52:52 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cars-its-the-final-countdown.html Hey, remember that wacky Car Allowance Rebate System thing? It was this big government program — some people called it Cash for Clunkers — that was supposed to bribe people into trading in their old, inefficient autos for shiny happy gas-sippers, both improving the fuel efficiency of the overall U.S. fleet and jump-starting the auto industry.Well, the government has now released the official tally of exactly which cars and trucks were traded in and which were bought, providing a great opportunity for some Krome on Cars analysis.The government, naturally, have things broken down to the smallest detail:... Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:41:12 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/tech-time-hyundai-gets-blue-fisker-gets-cash.html Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/cadillac/research.html) has the V-Series, BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) offers its M lineup, Mercedes-Benz (http://www.autotropolis.com/mercedes-benz/research.html) uses AMG, Audi (http://www.autotropolis.com/audi/research.html) has S and RS, Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html) does it with its SS appellation, Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) has even revived SHO for its new Taurus, and Subaru (http://www.autotropolis.com/subaru/research.html) has been known to stick an STi (and 300+ hp) on top of the already letter-laden Impreza WRX, etc., etc.But the number of OEMs taking the same kind of tack with high-efficiency vehicles has been hovering right around one for a while now, and that, of all companies, has been General Motors. In fact, GM's Chevrolet division... Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:58:15 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-return-of-the-station-wagon.html Cadillac CTS (http://www.autotropolis.com/cadillac/cts/research.html) Sport Wagon (and its V-Series counterpart), ye olde trend pendulum has officially passed the halfway mark on its way back to the station wagon.For those who may not remember, in the late 1960s/early 1970s, the stereotypical suburban family's vehicle of choice was a monster station wagon that could seat up to nine in semi-comfort, thanks to fold-down seats in the cargo area. My mother, for example, carted us around in a nearly 18-foot-long circa-1970 Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) Country Squire, with full-on woodie treatment.The family hauler morphed into the minivan — occasionally woodied-out as well —... Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:59:03 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/automakers-move-ahead-despite-september-sales-worries.html Porsche (http://www.autotropolis.com/porsche/research.html) to Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/nissan/research.html) — are actually returning. So, we could just be talking about a gerrymandering of last year's Cobo floor plan.Then there are reports that Volkswagen (http://www.autotropolis.com/volkswagen/research.html) is looking to get its hands on a smaller Asian automaker to help boost its quest for worldwide automotive dominance. One story indicates that VW could be taking a stake in Suzuki (http://www.autotropolis.com/suzuki/research.html) before the end of 2009, which would give the German company instant access to a key small-car segment. It's true that VW has the Polo for overseas markets, and that it's likely to land over here... Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:48:53 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/three-to-watch-from-the-frankfurt-motor-show.html Hyundai Sonata (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/sonata/research.html) (2011 model pictured left, as shown at the Korean unveiling), which is scheduled to hit these shores early in 2010. The current Sonata is a key cog in the Korean car maker's lineup, selling at least a few more units in August than any other Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/hyundai/research.html) except the Elantra. It's a solid midsize sedan that's just a tad smaller than the Chevrolet Malibu (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/malibu/research.html) or Toyota Camry (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/camry/research.html) in terms of things like size, fuel efficiency, sticker price and, until now, styling. Which certainly isn't to say the next Sonata will feature better styling,... Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:17:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-co2-rules-wont-suffocate-the-auto-industry.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/chrysler/research.html) and General Motors, which together already owe more than this amount to U.S. taxpayers, can absorb such a heavy load. And that's not to say it will be a cakewalk for Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html), Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/toyota/research.html) or any of the other major players here. Even for those automakers that aren't in debt, there's still a matter of walking toward profits before they can run after the billions needed to meet these new regulations. Putting aside the price tag, there's the matter of what's being purchased with this money: a 2016 U.S. vehicle fleet that averages 35.5 mpg and... Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:44:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/more-electrifying-news-from-frankfurt.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html)'s introduction of an electric Focus prototype.The Blue Oval says a fleet of 15 of these battery electric vehicles will hit the road in the UK for testing, and that's in addition to the stable of Focus EVs that will be part of Jay Leno's celebrity racing series. And while I'm a bit surprised at the low profile Ford has been keeping up to now in the EV race, it's no surprise at all to discover the Foci will get their juice from lithium-ion batteries.It's the same technology found in near-production-ish electric vehicles like the Chevrolet... Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:44:03 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/fords-big-plans-toyotas-big-problem.html Today it's time to catch up on a few earlier Krome on Cars stories, starting with some Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/ford/research.html) news out of the Frankfurt Motor Show. I had mentioned in a previous article (Vehicle Trends: Timing is Everything (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/vehicle-trends-timing-is-everything.html)) that the Blue Oval was introducing the new C-MAX at Frankfurt, and that this was a miniature minivan that could perhaps compete against the MAZDA5 here in the U.S. — except for the fact that the Ford only sits five while the Mazda (http://www.autotropolis.com/mazda/research.html)'s interior packaging allowed for three rows of seating and the possibility of cramming six people... Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/mini-videos-show-maximum-crazy.html BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/bmw/research.html) has continued to move away from its position as the Ultimate Driving Machine — when the company was like an indie cult band with a rabid following — to become another industry version of the Rolling Stones — now living off its past rep as an enthusiast's car while it keeps softening its offerings to appeal to new fans.And the comparison to the Stones is particularly apt when you consider that it was the Brit factor that started BMW down this road. That was way back in 1994, when the Bavarians bought the Rover Group from the... Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:15:31 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-puts-its-money-where-its-cars-are.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/chevrolet/research.html), Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/buick/research.html), GMC (http://www.autotropolis.com/gmc/research.html) and Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/cadillac/research.html). Per the press release, The guarantee allows customers to return their vehicle to their dealer between 31 and 60 days of purchase and receive a refund of the purchase price for the vehicle. And while there's obviously going to be fine print involved, you still have to give GM props for this move. But the problem here is that while the company does produce some of the best vehicles in the world, it doesn't produce them all.What I mean is that, for example, part of this marketing effort is... Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:37:46 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/subaru-at-the-crossroads.html Subaru (http://www.autotropolis.com/Subaru/research.html) is turning in the best sales numbers it's ever seen, setting a monthly record in July and then breaking it again in August.Last month, the Legacy was up 49 percent; Subaru Impreza (http://www.autotropolis.com/Subaru/Impreza/research.html) was up 30 percent; and Forester was up 76 percent. Overall, the company's sales were up 52 percent. The only vehicle in Subaru's lineup that didn't gain sales was the Tribeca, and it's probably no coincidence that this also happens to be Subaru's largest, least fuel efficent offering.Now, regular Krome on Cars readers will see Subaru's success as making perfect sense: The company has... Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:41:53 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/frankfurt-motor-show-highlights.html With the Frankfurt Motor Show only a week or so away, I guess I've waited long enough to add my two euros to the coverage.Now, a fair amount of what is shown in Germany will never get to the U.S., but, if you read between the lines, you can glean some pretty interesting factoids about the future of the industry. So, here are a few, with a focus on news that will affect the U.S. market.First off, it's obvious that the electric revolution is still charging ahead, with Audi (http://www.autotropolis.com/Audi/research.html), Peugeot (via Mitsubishi), Mercedes-Benz (http://www.autotropolis.com/Mercedes-Benz/research.html), Fisker and REVA, among... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:24:53 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/vehicle-trends-timing-is-everything.html A key to success for automakers is their ability to get in on the newest trends at the right time. If they're too early, customers might not be ready to buy; if they're too late, customers might be too bored to buy. And with this in mind, now's a good time to look at two very interesting trends that just may have a big impact on the U.S. market. One is the return of the liftback. Okay, it's a meme I've mined before, but, thanks to buzz around vehicles like the Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/research.html) Crosstour (pictured left) and... Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:10:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/survey-says-buy-american-or-at-least-consider-it.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) vehicles. Now, given the overall weakness of the word consider — yesterday I considered cleaning out the shed, only there was something good on TV — I'm going to say the first bit of the survey is actually informative. There was a time when the domestic OEMs couldn't even get consumers this far into ye olde purchase funnel. But when you analyze why people don't consider the Detroit automakers, things get murkier. People who wouldn't consider a Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) claimed the company's products were unappealing and they were worried about vehicle quality.... Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:31:43 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-ford-sell-more-cars-than-trucks.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) August sales tally currently indicates a car/truck split of about 37 percent passenger cars and 63 percent trucks. But if crossovers, built in the same manner as passenger cars but just wearing different style bodies, are counted as cars, the split turns into approximately 61 percent cars and 39 percent trucks.At General Motors, you get the same kind of results: Using the current definitions, the split is 48 percent cars, 52 percent trucks, which is surprising enough already; but separating vehicles based on manufacturing method delivers a split of about 70 percent cars and 30 percent trucks.As... Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:12:35 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/august-auto-sales-best-in-15-months.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) led the way with a real, honest-to-god double-digit sales increase of 17.2 percent, with good news nearly across the board. Sales of the Fusion were up an incredible 131.6 percent, with its Mercury (http://www.autotropolis.com/Mercury/research.html) counterpart, the Milan, seeing a similarly amazing 111.7 percent jump. The compact Focus also saw a healthy 55.9 percent boost. All of the Ford crossovers saw increases, with Flex sales also up over 100 percent, and both of the Blue Oval's pickup lines, the F-150 and the Ranger, were also up. The new Taurus seems to be having trouble gaining traction in... Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:14:08 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/volkswagen-aims-for-no-1.html Volkswagen (http://www.autotropolis.com/Volkswagen/research.html) trails only Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html) and General Motors in terms of market share, and the German company is on a mission to move up in the standings. In fact, through the first half of this year, VW saw its share of the international market climb more than 2 points as compared to the first half of 2008, and it's now sitting at the 12 percent mark.Unfortunately, that's about 10 points higher than Volkswagen's share of the U.S. market, which is hovering down around 2 percent — and even that represents a 25 percent increase in comparison to the... Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:30:12 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/global-troubles-mount-for-toyota.html Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html)'s reign as the world's No. 1 automaker might be a lot shorter than most people thought. Despite winning the Cash for Clunkers battle, the company is reeling from so many other setbacks that it may be in danger of losing the war for global auto industry dominance. The biggest news: According to CBS News, a former attorney for Toyota here in the U.S., has filed a federal racketeering suit against the company, claiming that, For years, Defendants Toyota Motor Corporation ('TMC'), its United States subsidiaries, and key Toyota executives, have conspired, and continue to conspire,... Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:41:39 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/automaker-profitability-is-the-goal-not-market-share.html Toyota Camry (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Camry/research.html), Honda Civic (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/Civic/research.html) and Toyota Corolla (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Corolla/research.html) were all among the top-purchased vehicles through the CARS program is exactly in keeping with their pre-Clunker status of being among the top-purchased vehicles in general. More importantly — and I'm not sure how people have already forgotten this — the key measure for automakers today, especially U.S. automakers, isn't so much market share as it is profitability. Lest we forget, General Motors, still the U.S. market share leader, just emerged from bankruptcy. And overall, Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html), probably still the global market share leader, is seeing record losses... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:37:01 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/downsizing-the-full-size-pickup-segment.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html), desperate for strong small-car technology after spending its resources developing full-size rear-wheel-drive cars like the 300C and Dodge Magnum (http://www.autotropolis.com/Dodge/Magnum/research.html), hooked up in what seemed to be a pretty good partnership with Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/Nissan/research.html), which was eager to prove it could play with the big boys in the full-size pickup segment. The deal was that Chrysler would build trucks for the Japanese OEM, and Nissan would supply small cars to the Detroit company. It would like trading the Dodge (http://www.autotropolis.com/Dodge/research.html) Ram to Nissan and getting the Nissan Versa (http://www.autotropolis.com/Nissan/Versa/research.html) back in return. Once this happened, Chrysler... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:29:12 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cash-for-clunkers-did-its-job.html Well, now that we're a few days past the final final deadline for the Car Allowance Rebate System, we can start getting a handle on what it's going to mean for the U.S. auto industry. First off, it's obvious that the program accomplished its two key goals of selling more cars and increasing the fuel economy of the overall U.S. fleet. The Department of Transportation is saying at least 625,000 CARS transactions were completed by the program's end, while Consumer Reports has sifted the data and come up with a 9.2 mpg improvement when comparing vehicles bought under... Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:24:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-the-alternative-fuel-leader.html Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/Nissan/research.html), both of which have advanced prototypes actually on the road and — in theory — preparing for a 2010 introduction. The other manufacturers are either still gearing up their efforts or operating a bit further out on the fringes of the market. I put brands like BYD, Tesla and BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/BMW/research.html)'s MINI (http://www.autotropolis.com/MINI/research.html) in the latter camp, pushing products that either face acceptance concerns in the U.S. (like BYD's Chinese vehicles) or just won't sell in big numbers even in a best-case scenario (like the MINI E or the Tesla Roadster). But exactly what is... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:50:26 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ev-proponents-continue-to-charge-ahead.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Volt, which isn't technically all-electric; I'm actually talking about the BYD e6, built by a Chinese automaker that's backed by U.S. billionaire Warren Buffet. In fact, things have been going so well at BYD ( Build Your Dream ), the company has pushed up the production date of its all-electric crossover to get it on the market sooner than expected. And regardless of whether it's the Volt or the e6 that's first on sale here, both will end up having plenty of electric company — at least if you believe the PR machine. Let's recap the... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:43:19 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-chrysler-to-cover-cars-cash-for-dealers.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) (of all companies) are going to start loaning dealers money to cover their slow-in-coming Cash for Clunkers rebates. CARS became a victim of its own success, with some 750,000 vehicles likely to be sold through the program before it ends on Monday evening, a number that has completely overwhelmed the government's ability to deal with dealer rebate requests — not that it takes much of this kind of thing to completely overwhelm the government. But the result was/is a growing PR problem that wasn't/isn't going to help anyone. Which is where the General and Chrysler... Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:47:09 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/is-there-such-a-thing-as-too-much-horsepower.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Master and Master Deluxe, all new for the model year, holstered 85-hp V-8's. Today's Chevy (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Malibu uses half the cylinders to develop almost exactly twice the horsepower (169 hp). Coincidentally, standard 1937 Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) pickups also developed 85 hp, although an optional 60-hp V-8 was available. Today's F-150 starts with a 294-hp engine. A Jaguar (http://www.autotropolis.com/Jaguar/research.html) SS100 from 1937, perhaps the epitome of the pre-war British sports car, reached an even 100 horsepower. The current XK runs out a 385-hp V-8 in the base model and ratchets that up to 510 hp in the XKR.... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:25:45 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/hyundais-secrets-for-success.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html) was cutting $1,800 off the price of its Elantra Touring for 2010, got me thinking about the South Korean OEM's sudden rise from maker of cheap transportation devices to the world's fourth largest auto manufacturer. (Keep in mind that Hyundai owns a controlling stake in Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/Kia/research.html), so sales of the latter are included with those of the former.) Here in the U.S., Hyundai went from producing cars like the Excel, which didn't, to the Genesis, which was named 2009 Autotropolis Car of the Year and has picked up a bevy of other impressive awards. The... Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:34:40 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/acura-revs-up-its-fuel-efficient-bandwagon.html Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/research.html) has long had a privileged place in the hearts and minds of certain U.S. drivers, especially those who actually enjoy getting behind the wheel. That's because the company has — pretty much — maintained its focus on developing great-handling little cars that are fun to drive in addition to being fuel efficient. Yes, there has been the occasional deviation from this strategy, like the Ridgeline pickup thing. But for most people, the acme of Honda-ness is represented by cars like the Civic Si or S2000. Acura (http://www.autotropolis.com/Acura/research.html), on the other hand, has been... Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:35:00 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/low-cost-cars-and-the-price-of-success.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html) is cutting some $1,800 of the MSRP of its base Elantra Touring model (the five-door hatchback) for 2010. This is a fascinating move, as Hyundai is one of the prime beneficiaries of the zeroing-out effect. Pre-meltdown, Hyundai was known for producing vehicles that were the epitome of cheap in the most negative sense. But by making big improvements in quality at a time when customer perceptions were open to change, the Korean OEM has become a viable alternative for a big chunk of the auto-buying public. Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html) (which is testing the waters with its... Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:41:30 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/battle-of-the-gas-savers-chevrolet-volt-vs-toyota-prius.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Volt and Toyota Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Prius/research.html), and the entire thing is based on which is less expensive for consumers to drive. The upshot: The Prius is the better deal, because You won't save enough on fuel costs to compensate for the likely higher sticker price [of the Chevy]. So before you rush out to get one when the Chevrolet Volt hits dealer showrooms next year, consider your options. It's likely that gas-only or hybrid cars will be the cheaper way to go. Which leads me wondering why CNN hates America so much. But seriously, folks,... Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:46:44 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-raptor-the-ferrari-of-off-road-pickups.html Ford F-150 (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/F-150/research.html) SVT Raptor, the answer is at least 1,500. That's about how many orders FoMoCo has taken on its new high-performance pickup, a number that has the Dearborn Truck Plant building Raptors at maximum capacity. There's no question the Raptor is a serious piece of machinery. On the other hand, there were plenty of questions about whether now is the right time to be building a vehicle like this; everybody's supposed to be more interested in wonder cars like the 230-mpg Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Volt. Even when the Raptor concept first popped up, people (press people, that... Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:15:54 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-goes-on-the-offensive.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Volt's apparent ability to achieve 230 mpg in city driving. Customer engagement? Check out thelab.gmblogs.com (http://thelab.gmblogs.com), where consumers can provide input on possible new GM products and technologies. New models? The General claims it will launch 25 of them through 2011. Year-over-year sales increases? You know, it's just possible we might even see some of these pretty soon. Here's my thinking: If there's anything the recent Cash for Clunkers experience should have taught us — actually, reminded us — it's that perception is reality in the auto industry. Well, that and the fact that Americans still... Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:37:51 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-gm-trots-out-old-strategy-to-save-buick.html Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/Buick/research.html) division, which would be the hook on which GM tried to hang the brand's exciting new position as the American Lexus (http://www.autotropolis.com/Lexus/research.html). Well, things got pretty quiet inside Buick cabins, but there was a corresponding lack of noise from the marketplace, too. And today, some seven years and one bankruptcy later, GM is pushing the same misguided approach to differentiating Buick, and likely headed for the same kind of non-results. That's because the biggest obstacle on Buick's road to potential success isn't the competition it faces from other automakers, it's the competition it faces from another... Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:12:33 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cars-to-continue-thanks-to-congressional-cash.html Ford Escape (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/Escape/research.html), which, on the government's list of most-purchased vehicles from the CARS program, takes the seventh spot. Well, it turns out that that represents only sales of the front-wheel-drive, non-hybrid version. If sales of the entire Escape line — FWD, AWD and hybrid — are added together, Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html)'s small SUV finds its way to the top of the list. Now, one would totally expect a lot of people who had big Clunker trucks and SUVs to trade in for smaller trucks and SUVs like the Escape or the Jeep Patriot (http://www.autotropolis.com/Jeep/Patriot/research.html), which is third... Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:37:22 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/fuel-efficiency-versus-high-mileage-ratings-part-ii.html Ford Taurus (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/Taurus/research.html), which weighs in at 4,015 lbs. and gets a combined EPA number of 22 mpg, is actually more efficient than a Mazda MX-5 Miata (http://www.autotropolis.com/Mazda/MX-5-Miata/research.html), which tips the scales at just 2,480 lbs. and gets 24 mpg combined. Well, after my fumbling attempts to quantify this previously, I put the crack Krome on Cars research staff to work and here's the new, improved formula to back this up: First, you figure the gallons per mile number, to tell you how much fuel it takes to push a vehicle 5,280 feet. Then, you divide by the vehicle's... Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:54:12 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/fuel-efficiency-versus-high-mpg-ratings.html Mazda (http://www.autotropolis.com/Mazda/research.html) is debuting its MX-5 Miata Superlight concept at this fall's Frankfurt (Germany) auto show, and I was heartened to see a semi-mainstream-ish car get the same treatment as the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. The Miata has never been known for carrying around love handles, but the Superlight drops even door handles — and the windshield — in its quest to drop weight and increase performance. And I was thinking, boy, wouldn't it be great if this car went into production and were explicitly positioned as a lightweight, fuel-efficient sportscar? Maybe it would be successful enough to get other,... Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:45:41 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/july-sales-report-a-tale-of-cars-and-trucks.html Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/Kia/research.html) separately from Hyundai) showed true, no-funky-statistics-needed sales increases: Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html), as most people have already heard, notched a 2.9 jump, Kia was up 4.7 percent, Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html) scored an 11.9 percent rise and Subaru (http://www.autotropolis.com/Subaru/research.html) moved enough metal to boost its sales by 34.2 percent. And most of the other automakers can at least say they again narrowed their sales declines: General Motors was down 19.4 percent; Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html), 11.4 percent; Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/research.html), 17.3 percent; Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html), 9.4 percent; and Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/Nissan/research.html) 24.6 percent. From a market share standpoint, GM, Toyota and Chrysler gained, the other... Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:42:37 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/clunker-cash-pushes-july-auto-sales.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) was cautiously noting the fact that sales were up .4 percent compared to November 2006, marking “the first sales increase following 12 months of declines. And although we know now that that was just a minor pause in the complete meltdown of the auto industry, there’s reason to think today’s news — that Ford saw a sales jump in July — might be an actual turning point in the market. Now, as I write this, the automakers still haven’t posted their official July numbers. However, in a very recent interview with the Wall Street Journal,... Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:20:35 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cash-for-clunkers-epic-win.html Well, if the goal of the government's Car Allowance Rebate System was to sell more new cars, I'm ready to write those fateful words: mission accomplished.The industry is in a state of shock today, following the sudden realization that the CARS program is might already be out of cash with plenty more clunkers waiting to be turned in. There's a lot still up in the air at this stage, but, through close of business on Wednesday, some 22,782 vehicles had been sold through the program, relying on $96 million in clunker money. Now, based on a survey of 2,000... Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:54:22 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/two-odd-stories-about-the-uaw.html So this is what it comes to. After nearly seven decades setting the labor standard for both much-needed worker protections and much-derided job perks, the UAW is now forced to humbly beg Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html) to keep the NUMMI plant open.NUMMI, of course, is the former General Motors/Toyota joint-venture factory in California that has been most recently producing the Pontiac Vibe (http://www.autotropolis.com/Pontiac/Vibe/research.html) and Toyota Matrix (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Matrix/research.html). But with Pontiac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Pontiac/research.html) headed for the graveyard and Toyota looking to slash costs in its suddenly unprofitable North American operations, the plant is thisclose to being shuttered. The new GM has already bailed,... Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:59:54 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/government-cafe-regulations-no-limits-to-the-loopholes.html HUMMER H3 (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/H3/research.html) (16 mpg) — and can you imagine the uproar if HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html) were somehow able to avoid the CAFE regs?But on the other hand, it wasn't exactly something new, and the number of companies and vehicles involved was pretty low. An automaker's sales have to represent less than .4 percent of the U.S. market for the company to reach loophole level. That translates into about 40,000 vehicles in a market with a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 10 million units, a mark to which the industry still hasn't returned.Yet, on the other other hand, it... Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:55:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/mercury-whats-the-point.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) is ahead of the game now only because the company happened to run out of money before General Motors and Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) did — and before the credit market collapsed. As a result, Ford was able to raise its billions without going to the government, then also got a head start at putting that money to work. But otherwise, the company's still on the same track as the other two.However, there does remain at least one interesting area in which Ford and the GM/Chrysler have parted company, and that has to do with its divisions. Chrysler, as... Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:34:51 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/nissan-prepares-to-enter-ev-derby.html Now batting for the electric vehicle team, Nissan (http://www.autotropolis.com/Nissan/research.html) Motor Company-company-company-company. Yep, Nissan has recently unveiled its plan to find a practical alternative-fuel solution to the auto crisis, and it looks like Japan's No. 3 automaker is going electric.The company today rolled out its EV platform in Japan with a lot of buzz, saying it will go on sale in that country and the U.S. in 2010, and reach global markets by 2012. Nissan also plans on building EVs at its Tennessee plant by the latter date.Right now, potential customers can look forward to a compact car about the... Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:39:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-designer-to-head-up-cadillac.html Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/research.html).Nesbitt first broke into the spotlight as a designer for the Plymouth PT Cruiser. It's easy to forget now, but the Cruiser was critically acclaimed when it was introduced, taking home awards like the 2001 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Just for a quick reminder about how fast things change in the industry, here's what the magazine had to say about the design of its award winner: "The look is equal parts modern and retro — it reflects certain design elements of the past, yet never directly copies any of them. Its pointy prow, flat rear... Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:54:59 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-continues-to-win-by-not-losing-so-much.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html), which showed off new products and technology earlier this week and improved second-quarter financial numbers yesterday.Taking last things first, the Blue Oval showed a pre-tax operating loss of "only" $424 million in the second quarter, comfortably ahead of analysts' expectations. Ford Credit was actually back in black, achieving a pre-tax profit of $646 million. The company also made some significant debt-reduction moves, increased market share both in the U.S. and globally, and made more customer-satisfaction and quality gains.Some critics have pointed to a second-quarter $1 billion cash burn as a negative, but there's some amount of truth... Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:30:45 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/a-modest-proposal-for-saving-toyota.html Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html) Motor America as well as chairman and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales USA — has admitted in a meeting with reporters that the largest automaker in the world is no longer profitable in North America.Frankly, it's no surprise. Just in case it has slipped under someone's radar screen, Toyota's sales declines in recent months actually have outpaced the industry's numbers — in a bad way: Through the first six months of 2009, Toyota sales have fallen 38 percent; overall industry sales in the U.S. are down "only" 35 percent. Part of the problem has to do with... Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:41:30 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/a-new-genesis-for-rear-wheel-drive.html Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/Kia/research.html) is doing more than just "considering." The Korean OEM will bring out its next Kia Amanti (http://www.autotropolis.com/Kia/Amanti/research.html) full-size sedan on the same rear-wheel-drive platform underpinning the Hyundai Genesis (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/Genesis/research.html) sedan/coupe. Now, this certainly makes a kind of sense for Kia. After all, the Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html)-Kia group invested a fair amount of money in the platform, and sharing it also helps share the development costs.Plus, in a bizarre bit of biblical synchronicity, there's also "Genesis"-based thinking behind the other RWD news, that the next Dodge Avenger (http://www.autotropolis.com/Dodge/Avenger/research.html) would move to the same RWD platform beneath the Dodge Charger... Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:38:19 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/why-natural-gas-makes-sense-for-now.html In the course of doing research for some upcoming Autotropolis projects, I've been taking a lot closer look the alternative-fuel situation, from hybrids to fuel cell to battery packs. While these options all have their pros and cons, the closest we have to a winner today is the kind of hybrid technology found in vehicles like the Toyota Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Prius/research.html), Honda Insight (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/Insight/research.html), Ford Fusion (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/Fusion/research.html) and Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Silverado, to name just a few. And one of the major reasons for this is that none of these cars and trucks requires a real change in behavior from anyone... Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:22:28 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-quick-charge-system-now-in-testing.html Yes, another story on General Motors, but this time I’ve got some actual breaking news.A key question that routinely pops up regarding the Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html) Volt (pictured left) is, “how long does it take to recharge its battery pack?” The current answer, per GM, is about 6.5 hours using a standard 110-volt outlet and approximately 3 hours using a 220-volt connection.For most people, this would essentially mean recharging overnight and that, at least perceptually, sounds like a bit of stumbling block. In a perfect world, a Volt driver could “fill up” on electricity in just a few minutes to... Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:21:56 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/does-saturn-have-space-for-a-nano.html Remember the Tata Nano and its $2,500 price tag? The car was originally conceived as a way to give Indian buyers an inexpensive yet reliable means of transportation beyond scooters and the like. But it turned out that a lot of people, including plenty outside of India, were interested such a cheap ride. So, Tata announced it would bring the car to Europe. The idea makes some sense: European buyers used to driving a Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) Ka or Fiat 500 probably wouldn't have that much of a problem with the size of the Tata. But then, with the buzz... Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:19:47 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/paging-bob-lutz-wheres-the-buzz-for-gms-new-hybrid-sedan.html Chevrolet Malibu (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/research.html). Naturally, I then popped over to GM's media site to check out the press release, and what I found was ... nothing.The core of the story is that the 2009 Malibu hybrid was a non-starter sales-wise. Per GM, customers didn't think that its fuel economy of 26 mpg city/34 highway — boosted by the company's mild hybrid system— represented enough of a jump over the four-cylinder Malibu's 22/33 to justify its cost.GM figures the remedy is to go the full monty with a "real" hybrid platform for the next Malibu and get a more significant jump... Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:43:53 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/rattner-out-as-auto-task-force-leader.html Well, that didn't last long. After about five months as the head of Obama's Presidential Task Force on Automobiles, Steve Rattner (pictured) is already done with Detroit. Here's the deal: Reuters — via a source "not authorized to speak for attribution" — is spinning this as "represent[ing] the start of a long-planned wind down of the autos panel." The concept here being that Rattner et al. were hired merely to oversee the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html), and since the companies have exited bankruptcy, the restructuring must be over. Unfortunately, I can't help but think that "Steve... Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:19:25 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/bob-lutz-is-not-the-answer.html Really? Bob Lutz (pictured here with a Pontiac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Pontiac/research.html) Solstice) is un-retiring at General Motors? That's odd, because I didn't think there was much left for him to do after he helped the industry sort out that whole global warming thing.Well, it turns out there is. According to GM CEO Fritz Henderson, as quoted in Automotive News, "Bob’s responsibilities beyond creative design will include brands, marketing, advertising and communications,” and his job “is to integrate those activities and provide accountability for consistent messaging and results."And his first decision looks like it will be to rebadge the wonderful Pontiac G8... Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:12:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/hyundai-joins-the-hybrid-club.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html) is launching a pair of hybrids — versions of the Hyundai Elantra (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/Elantra/research.html) and Kia (http://www.autotropolis.com/Kia/research.html) Forte — makes for good news for fuel-efficiency fans.The key differentiator is the fact these vehicles will run on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) instead of gasoline or diesel. LPG doesn't burn as efficiently as those fuels, but it is a lot cleaner and way less expensive. Overall, in a country like South Korea that already has the right infrastructure in place, LPG is a great option.Hyundai is also pioneering the industry's first use of lithium-ion polymer batteries, which are less expensive... Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:51:10 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/buicks-turn-in-the-new-product-spotlight.html Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/Buick/research.html)'s new product plans at right about the same time Car & Driver covered Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/research.html). First though, speaking of Cadillac, it's obvious I misinterpreted a piece of C&D's report yesterday: The new XTS, which I stated would replace the current STS/DTS, won't. It will still be a new midsize entry that will still be on top of a midsize CTS, though. But Caddy is also planning on a true full-size flagship — of course, it will be based off the Chinese SLS, itself a stretched version of the current STS. In other words, it would mean Cadillac's... Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:12:07 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cadillacs-future-product-plans-show-lack-of-planning.html Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/research.html)'s "new GM" product strategy is bubbling up through the blogosphere, and the keystone is a decision by Caddy to "really" target the BMW 3 Series (http://www.autotropolis.com/BMW/3-Series/research.html) with a new, smaller-than-the-CTS sedan. Then, according to Car & Driver, "Cadillac aims to grow the CTS slightly for its third iteration, placing it even more firmly in BMW 5 Series (http://www.autotropolis.com/BMW/5-Series/research.html) territory."And really, that's about all you have to know to start worrying about Cadillac. First off, the whole idea of designing a new car by benchmarking a competitor's current one is a tactic proven to fail in the auto... Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:44:22 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/bmw-follows-the-road-well-traveled.html BMW (http://www.autotropolis.com/BMW/research.html). Like a fair number of enthusiasts who grew up in the late 1960s/early 1970s, I looked on the classic BMW 2002 with lust in my heart. The 2002 had a remarkably clean shape that didn't scream for attention, great handling, and impressive-for-its-time performance, all in a tidy package that was just a few inches bigger and a few pounds lighter than today's Honda Fit (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/Fit/research.html). Plus, BMW wasn't exactly a mainstream brand back then.Flash forward a few decades and, despite its apparent ubiquity here in southeast Michigan, BMW still sold just 16,744 vehicles in the U.S. in... Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:41:44 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-new-gm-continues-to-take-shape.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) as kind of a test case, trying to see if it could shove the automaker through the process without too many people making a fuss about possible irregularities. Then, when the government succeeded, the objections of GM's creditors could be met with Chrysler's precedents.So, the new GM. Well, once it's up and running, the U.S. government will own 61 percent, the Canadian government will have 12 percent, the UAW will get 17.5 percent, and bondholder/unsecured creditors will have 10 percent (all figures approximate). Then, the idea is that the new GM will go public some time in... Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:25:25 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/how-china-matters-to-the-us-auto-industry.html Toyota Prius (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/Prius/research.html) overtaking the Ford F-150 (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/F-150/research.html) as this country's best seller — slim to none.Of course, this only makes sense. China's population is about four times that of the U.S., and the vast majority of its citizens have never owned a car or truck before. Further, the Chinese government — which is more used to operating by executive fiat than giving away its OEMs to Fiat — is proactively manipulating its policies to boost auto sales in the country. (Yes, I know an argument could be made that that's what Obama and Co. are doing too, but... Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:15:35 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/june-sales-headed-in-the-right-direction-for-ford.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) did find some actual, no-spin-required good news with the Ford Fusion (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/Fusion/research.html) (pictured), sales of which were up 26 percent. The Ford Flex also seems to have gotten some traction, rocketing to a 246.9 percent increase, although one should keep in mind that the Ford crossover was just being launched last June, so comparing this year's sales with last year's is getting into apples v. oranges territory.But things for the other big automakers remained pretty ugly, with a healthy dose of rationalization thrown in: For example, General Motors sales fell 33.4 percent, but the General's market share... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:40:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/another-spin-around-the-auto-industry.html Hyundai (http://www.autotropolis.com/Hyundai/research.html) Assurance Gas Lock program and I couldn't resist.Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock Let's parse the details, shall we? The gist of the program is that when buyers purchase a new Hyundai, they're assured of paying no more than $1.49 per gallon for gas for a year. The press release tosses in some stuff about higher summer gas prices, Hyundai's "fuel-efficient" lineup and cash for clunkers, so the company really looks like it's taking fuel economy seriously.But then you get to that line about "a maximum number of gallons equal to 12,000 miles divided by the EPA combined fuel... Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:28:43 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/toyota-to-share-with-gm-and-aston-martin.html The folks at Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html) showed a wide range of talent and skills as they moved the automaker past General Motors to become No. 1 in global sales, but a canny sense of timing wasn't one of them. So even though Toyota is currently king of the mountain, it's a much smaller mountain than it used to be.I'm thinking that's what is behind some recent news reports about the Japanese automaker sharing two of its most important platforms with other OEMs. One appears to be a done deal: Toyota and, uh, Aston Martin (http://www.autotropolis.com/Aston-Martin/research.html) have teamed up on a... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:10:45 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/how-the-auto-industry-spins-its-wheels.html MINI (http://www.autotropolis.com/MINI/research.html) dead last, with “initial quality” well under the industry average? It turns out there’s a reason for this: According to a report in the AP, "MINI says it deliberately engineers quirks into its cars, like oddly placed dashboard controls or unusual interior lighting, that drag down its ratings in such studies.”The upshot being that these “quirks” are actually some kind of benefit for drivers, but only the cool ones with a taste for things like European switchgear realize it. It’s an interesting argument that is certainly somewhat on target, because despite all the spinning J.D. Power does... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:41:46 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/how-about-a-dealer-franchise-compromise.html Not to get all overly patriotic and everything, but there used to be a time when, during a national crisis, Americans could be counted on to work together for the common good, etc., etc. Or even if that didn't actually happen, the propaganda machine would spin things that way.Today, as the saying goes, not so much.Faced with the biggest economic meltdown this country's seen in generations, the folks at ground zero are still spending too much time on their own battles instead of teaming up to win the war. Take the recent news that some 80-90 Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) dealers... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:28:21 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/buick-may-the-four-be-with-you.html In what's either a bold move to address the fuel efficiency situation or yet another tragic blunder for General Motors, GM has announced that, sometime "later this year," the base engine on the new Buick LaCrosse (http://www.autotropolis.com/Buick/LaCrosse/research.html) will be a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder.Yes, for the first time since, I believe, the 1998 Skylark, a production Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/Buick/research.html) will be "powered" by a four-cylinder engine. For those who don't remember it, the Skylark was one of the final remnants of the last time General Motors tried to reinvent itself in response to climbing fuel prices. And it had taken only... Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:36:32 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/checking-your-initial-quality-study-iq.html Audi (http://www.autotropolis.com/Audi/research.html) and Acura, is a certain Japanese automaker that’s obviously retuned its approach to put a real emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction — Suzuki (http://www.autotropolis.com/Suzuki/research.html).Yes, after languishing down at the bottom of the IQS for years, including a rousing 32nd place ranking in 2008, Suzuki magically discovered how to assemble high-quality vehicles in the past 12 months. Well, either that or there’s something wonky with the J.D. Power study. And, of course, I’m sure you can guess where I come down on the matter.I mean, Suzuki does sell four vehicles here that offer a relatively good value:... Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:17:55 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/fiat-plus-chrysler-equal-old-gm.html We're starting to see some solid news about the new Chrysler's new products for 2011 — about the earliest we can expect a significant Fiat influence — and I must say it's a bit of an optical illusion.Look at things one way and you can see an influx of stylish, fuel-efficient small cars; but stare a little longer and a different pattern starts to emerge. And it's one that's disturbingly familiar.Let's take things from the first viewpoint first: the foundation of the Fiat-Chrysler-Alfa Romeo lineup will be a pair of Italian platforms known as the 199 and the C-EVO.... Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:47:15 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/v-vehicle-more-opportunities-in-a-changing-automotive-industry.html In my last column (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/foreign-oems-new-auto-industry-opportunities.html), I went on a bit about how the new state of the U.S. auto industry could provide a new lease on life for some old dealers — like the ones left out in the cold by GM and Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html). But that was just for starters. There are certainly enough ashes out there from the meltdown to support the arising of more phoenixes.Take the old Delphi assembly plant in Louisiana. Well, that's exactly what the V-Vehicle Company did — it took the plant and is going to use it as a foundation from which... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:16:05 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/foreign-oems-new-auto-industry-opportunities.html With the dismantling of General Motors and the Fiat takeover of Chrysler, the face of the U.S. auto market is going to soon look a lot different in the near future. And if you happen to believe that more competition is a good thing in the industry, you’re going to like the way it looks.At this stage, it seems that GM has actually found new owners for all of its bad divisions: Saturn (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saturn/research.html) is going to the Penske Motor Group; HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html) still looks like it will end up with China’s Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery; and now it... Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:45:48 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-lineup-will-test-buyer-behavior.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) and General Motors continue to struggle loose from the bonds of bankruptcy, the Ford Motor Company (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) had some surprising news to share recently: the new Ford Taurus SHO (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/Taurus/research.html) (pictured) was named Car of the Year by Esquire magazine.Okay, I know, Esquire — how many people even realized the magazine was still around? And aren’t all these “car of the year” things pretty subjective anyway? And as far as making any kind of difference in the market, remember when the Saturn Aura (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saturn/Aura/research.html) won the car of the year award at the 2008 Detroit auto show?... Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:33:34 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cash-for-trucks-bill-passes.html SUVs (http://www.autotropolis.com/car.search/BodyStyle/SUV.htm) and light trucks (http://www.autotropolis.com/car.search/BodyStyle/Truck.htm) that are traded in under the Community Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, as passed by the House anyway. And I suppose that's better than nothing. But what I don't understand is why the CARS Act ("CARS," get it?) makes things so difficult on people who would want to trade in actual, uh, cars.The basic rules covering light trucks and SUVs require the vehicle being traded in to get less than a combined 18 mpg according to the EPA. Also, it can be no older than a 1985 model. Swap that for a... Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:53:44 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/chryslers-coming-out-party.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) will come out of bankruptcy today. The only things standing in the way now are a couple of pesky lawsuits being appealed to the Supreme Court, and I’m thinking those won’t be much of a problem.It’s not that I know so much about the legality of what’s going on, it’s more that, after a weekend of research, I know a bit more about the politics behind what’s going on. I’m not going to get on the “it’s all a way for the Democrats to get revenge on Republican supporters” train — although nothing would surprise me at... Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:01:28 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/june-sales-update-is-this-the-turnaround.html Okay, I originally thought May's semi-positive sales figures were a fluke, built, as they were, on a combination of low gas prices and higher demand for trucks. But now that I've seen some early June figures, even I'm ready to say the industry is taking some steps in the right direction.Of course, I'm not talking about June vehicle sales — I'm talking about the June sales of GM's non-core brands. As most people have probably heard, China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. has made an offer for HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html). The company, according to its Web site, is "one... Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:21:52 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/may-car-sales-still-hide-industry-problems.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) sales fell 24.3 percent but marked the company’s best month since July 2008; GM dropped 29 percent, weighed down by some truly awful months from its four dead brands (Pontiac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Pontiac/research.html), Saturn (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saturn/research.html), Saab (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saab/research.html) and HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html)); and even though Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) sales crashed 47 percent, that was still significantly better than expected.The news from the Japanese Big Three was, on the surface, a lot worse: Toyota (http://www.autotropolis.com/Toyota/research.html), fresh from losing more money than GM during the first quarter, saw sales fall off 40.7 percent; things were even uglier at Honda (http://www.autotropolis.com/Honda/research.html), which endured a 41.5... Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:47:40 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/general-motors-bankruptcy-no-piling-on.html To no one’s surprise, General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning, marking an awfully long fall for what was once the mightiest corporation in the world. For some people — myself included  —this means a fresh start for the company and, one hopes, for the industry.After all, the “new” GM will still be able to keep producing relevant, competitive models like the Cobalt (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/Cobalt/research.html), Corvette (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/Corvette/research.html), Equinox (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/Equinox/research.html) and Silverado (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/Silverado/research.html), along with the Cadillac CTS (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/CTS/research.html) and SRX (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/SRX/research.html). The General should also be able to remain very near the top of the heap in... Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:20:55 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-bankruptcy-could-reboot-us-market.html Is the inevitable bankruptcy of General Motors the light at the end of ye olde tunnel or the headlight of another onrushing train? I'm beginning to think the former.That's because one of the major factors surrounding the Motor City meltdown — a paralyzing combination of fear and uncertainty among consumers, dealers and the automakers — will be that much closer to resolution once GM goes under. I mean, while no one should underestimate the added economic strain of the bankruptcy, it will at least put a floor under the situation and allow the industry to begin moving forward again.It's... Fri, 29 May 2009 14:42:24 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/we-need-dealers-but-do-they-need-franchises.html As more and more details start to come out about the GM/Chrysler dealer cuts, it’s starting to look more and more like a quite a few of those being disenfranchised are getting screwed.Things seem especially bad on the Chrysler side, where most reports indicate the dealers being shuttered only happen to have one thing in common — the fact that they were Chrysler dealerships. I mean, dealers at all different levels of profitability and volume were cut, and location didn’t seem to be taken into account either.Of course, since the blogosphere abhors an information vacuum, conspiracy theorists have duly... Wed, 27 May 2009 15:10:21 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/did-the-government-lie-to-congress-about-chrysler.html Every time I think the world of politics can't get any more corrupt, something happens to shock me back to my senses. For example, it's now starting to look like Team Obama (and Chrysler, too) lied to members of Congress about some pretty important details of the Chrysler bankruptcy plan. That's the story currently being sold by the folks over at The Nation, and, frankly, I'm buying — as are members of Congress.Now, The Nation is an unabashedly lefty publication/Web site, and key players in this growing story include Mr. Unsafe at Any Speed himself, Ralph Nader, as well... Fri, 22 May 2009 15:33:34 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-federal-mileage-requirements-keep-the-faith.html Even though we’re not quite through May yet, we’re already starting to see signs of the beginning of summer here in Detroit: the temperature is supposed to reach the 80s today, the Red Wings are deep into the NHL playoffs and gas prices are on the rise. I paid $2.44 a gallon to fill up this morning, a few dimes a gallon more than the last time I was paying attention.Combine that last fact with the new federal mileage rules and it’s no surprise my mind is once again on fuel efficiency.The bottom line on the new auto... Wed, 20 May 2009 16:11:24 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-dealership-disaster-gm-chrysler-again-fail-to-lead.html Things are continuing to shake out in the U.S. auto industry, and right now it’s the dealers turn to get shaken.Last week Chrysler cut about 800 dealers and General Motors axed about 1,100. The General will also cross nearly 600 other dealerships off its lists when it closes up HUMMER, Saturn, Saab and Pontiac.The damage to the economy will look something like this: roughly 100,000 auto dealership employees will lose their jobs; untold others who relied on dealership business, like the billions in dealership advertising that keeps local media operations afloat, will be out of work; the billions spent... Mon, 18 May 2009 17:00:49 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/lincoln-mkt-ford-gets-lucky-again.html I've talked to one of the guys who did interior design work on the new Lincoln MKT, and between his comments and those in the press, it's obvious Ford has really put a lot of effort into this crossover.The interior is well-nigh amazing, with cabin accouterments and quality that wouldn't be out of place in one of those fancy private jets the auto execs used to fly around in. The exterior is ... well, I'll just say that if Ford was paying its designers based on the number of different styling cues used, the company got its money's worth.... Fri, 15 May 2009 16:22:54 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-execs-finally-take-action--by-dumping-their-stock.html As ye olde bankruptcy clock keeps ticking, key General Motors executives have finally started making some bold, proactive moves to prepare for the inevitable: Thomas Stephens, GM vice chairman and head of Global Product Development; Troy Clarke, president of GM North America; Ralph Szygenda, the company’s Chief Information Officer; Gary Cowger, group vice president of Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations; and Carl-Peter Forster, president of GM Europe, have sold all their GM stock and, in the inimitable words of our friends at Reuters, “liquidated their remaining direct holdings in the struggling automaker.”Now, these may have been prudent financial... Wed, 13 May 2009 15:11:31 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/lack-of-leadership-pushes-gm-to-the-brink.html General Motors President and CEO Fritz Henderson conducted a conference call for the media this morning, aiming to provide an update on the General’s restructuring plans. And for a company that faces bankruptcy in about three weeks, there was surprisingly little to talk about. A buyer for Saturn, Saab or HUMMER? Not quite yet. A decision on which plants to close? Almost there. A new deal with the unions? Any second now. The debt-for-stock swap with bondholders? Thisclose to getting it done. Breaking news on the sale of Opel? Nein.The only new thing to come out of Henderson’s call... Mon, 11 May 2009 17:39:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-auto-industry-of-tomorrow.html Regardless of whether you think the industry has bottomed out or remains stuck in a quagmire of epic proportions, it's obvious that the auto business is going to change dramatically when all is said and done — and I mean even more than we've seen already.So at this point, it's time for a little prognosticating. First off, I'm betting the long-awaited American debut of a Chinese vehicle will occur sooner than people think. Perhaps even before the end of the year. The thing is, it will likely be wearing a Volvo badge. That's because China's Geely Automobile is reportedly... Fri, 08 May 2009 15:08:07 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-government-in-the-drivers-seat-cash-for-clunkers-bill.html It looks like Congress has been able to come together enough to at least write up new “cash for clunkers” legislation. Passing it, however, might be another story.Part of the problem is that critics, both within and outside of the government, have a way of forgetting that President Obama wants to do more than get the U.S. automakers to radically restructure for success. He wants consumers to do the same thing.That is, he has made it perfectly clear that he wants auto buyers to change their buying behavior just as radically and start purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles. And what... Wed, 06 May 2009 20:11:02 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/auto-sales-figures-and-consumer-behavior.html Okay, on the one hand, the auto world is taking some meager consolation from the fact that April sales remained relatively stable, falling around 34 percent as compared to April 2008. And since sales declines have been stuck in the mid thirties for a while now, which people are trying to spin into a sign that the market has leveled off. Me, I’m thinking we may have simply landed on a ledge, something that’s a bit different from leveling off. That is, I’m not so sure that anything positive out there has gotten customers back into the market to... Mon, 04 May 2009 15:59:11 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/whats-next-for-chrysler.html Chrysler Sebring (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/Sebring/research.html) has already been lurking around since 2007. And you know what? That's pretty much it in terms of actual cars, and even then I'm stretching the definition a bit to include the Caliber.Although, for the sake of argument, you could toss in Jeep's compact SUVs, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, both of which have been scaring away customers since 2007. On the other hand, the new Dodge Ram is pretty impressive–but putting the company's survival on the back of a full-size pickup — or minivans or SUVs — might not be the wisest move in... Fri, 01 May 2009 14:07:59 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/could-toyota-fail.html I’m not one to start flinging around wholly unsubstantiated rumors, but while we await the bankruptcy of a major U.S. automaker (or Chrysler), it might be time to start showing concern over, dare I say it, Toyota.Bloomberg, for example, is guess-timating that Toyota’s first-quarter net loss will be about $6.9 billion, which is dangerously close to GM territory. General Motors, as you might recall, posted a Q1 net loss of $9.6 billion. Providing a better comparison, remember that Ford’s net loss was “only” $1.4 billion and Chrysler’s was $1.9 billion.Speaking of GM territory, Toyota also may have its own... Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:00:06 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/reality-strikes-as-gm-moves-to-eliminate-pontiac.html Chevrolet (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chevrolet/research.html), Cadillac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Cadillac/research.html), Buick (http://www.autotropolis.com/Buick/research.html) and GMC (http://www.autotropolis.com/GMC/research.html)) and get rid of HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html), Saab (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saab/research.html) and Saturn (http://www.autotropolis.com/Saturn/research.html). Pontiac (http://www.autotropolis.com/Pontiac/research.html), as I recall was going to be downgraded to niche status, focusing on a sports car or two and giving up its pretensions of being a mainstream brand.The idea never got much traction, and a two-week-old quote from GM CEO Fritz Henderson was perhaps more telling. Henderson commented in BusinessWeek that GM’s “four core brands remain the bulwark of our strategy ... We remain committed to our four core brands." I got it, Fritz.But it must have... Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:21:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-pulls-further-ahead-of-domestic-rivals.html Ford (http://www.autotropolis.com/Ford/research.html) notching a net loss of "only" $1.4 billion in the first quarter. But keep in mind that that's about a billion dollars better than the "experts" were predicting. And FoMoCo got to this point by making some nearly Obama-worthy cost cuts, the kind that reflect positive changes in how it does business, not just by cannibalizing itself.For example, Ford saved close to a billion by improving the efficiency of its manufacturing and engineering operations and sliced $500 million or so from labor costs thanks to union negotiations. The Blue Oval was also able to appreciably reduce its... Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:56:21 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gm-china-could-be-a-template-for-future-success.html Do you realize that, as you read this, General Motors is playing a starring role at a key auto show in the world’s largest vehicle market? And no, I’m not having some kind of Kool-Aid-induced flashback to my years with the General. I’m just passing on a few tidbits from Auto Shanghai 2009, where GM is showing off 37 cars and trucks, spearheaded by some sharp new Buicks. These include a rolling office on wheels/minivan called the Business Concept Vehicle, most notable for its flowing, Chinese-centric design language, and the new Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo (pictured top), which will... Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:03:55 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/saturn-ii-another-different-kind-of-car-company.html When General Motors launched Saturn way back in 1985, the concept was best expressed by one of the division’s early advertising taglines: “A Different Kind of Car Company.” Thus, one can see how far it really is between concept and reality. Because the fact of the matter is that Saturn was never any kind of “car company.” Not to get all semantic here, but, nowadays, although GM still sometimes acts like its divisions build and design cars, they don’t. Saturn, along with all the other “brands,” are more accurately known as “marketing divisions.” It’s GM proper that does the... Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:28:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-italian-job-fiats-plan-to-take-over-chrysler.html Chrysler (http://www.autotropolis.com/Chrysler/research.html) more palatable to the Italians.And unfortunately, the union is between the proverbial rock and ye olde hard place. If Fiat walks away from the current talks on tying up with Chrysler, the next move for the American automaker will be, per the administration's Presidential Task Force on Automobiles, bankruptcy. Which means opening up union agreements and, essentially, closing up the unions. While Fiat cherry-picks any "good" pieces of Chrysler that would meet its needs.Of course, that would be doing things the ugly (and expensive way).The best-case scenario for Fiat is obviously the current deal, in which Fiat... Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:23:23 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/a-big-debate-over-small-car-safety.html So, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) decided to see what would happen when minicars (like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Smart ForTwo) crashed head-on into mid-sizers (like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Mercedes C-Class), with both vehicles traveling at 40 mph. And to no one’s surprise, the much lighter minicars didn’t do very well.It’s always hard to figure out exactly what the IIHS is really up to — remember, it’s run by the insurance industry — but, based on its press release, I’d say it’s a bit of the ol’ bait-and-switch.Now, most people should realize... Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:37:09 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-new-good-gm-and-the-same-old-chrysler.html All those people who are rooting for ‘Surgical' bankruptcy possible for GM (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/business/13gm.html?ref=global).” The story talks about how the Treasury Department is already prepping things for a quickie bankruptcy for General Motors. (Not much of a vote of confidence, but what else can you expect at this point.)Anyway, one of the options mentioned in the article is for GM to undergo a “surgical” bankruptcy in which a brand-new company would be formed to buy all the “good” GM assets right after the General files. Then, “Less desirable assets, including unwanted brands, factories and health care obligations, would be left... Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:54:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-york-auto-show-fuel-efficiency-not-a-big-deal-in-the-big-apple.html A fair amount of information has already trickled out about the New York International Auto Show, and it looks like not too many automakers got that memo about consumer interest in fuel-efficient vehicles.No, I take that back. They all got the memo, but I don’t think they “get” it, if you know what I mean. Looking at what’s scheduled to debut in New York just doesn’t turn up very much good news for anyone — outside of the very rich — who might be interested in saving some gas.Take Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/driving-smart/gm-and-segway-announce-urban-electric-vehicle.html)" (PUMA) project, which will... Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:54:27 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-crossover-not-enough-to-justify-gmc-as-a-core-brand.html Well, the friendly folks over at Jalopnik are showing a truck full of photos and info on the new I took the General to task (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gmc-terrain-has-to-make-up-ground-for-gm.html) for building yet another vehicle off a platform that’s already spawned (or is in the process of spawning) the HUMMER (http://www.autotropolis.com/HUMMER/research.html), and treat Pontiac as a niche brand offering maybe one or two “excitement” models ... stuff (I hope) like the Pontiac Solstice and Pontiac G8.That would leave GM with division for the masses (Chevrolet), a luxury division (Cadillac), an alternative, not-quite-so-luxurious division that’s being kept because it’s the top seller in China... Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:54:41 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/march-auto-sales-buy-the-numbers.html Well, it’s that time of the month again. March auto sales figures are out, and there’s just the right mix of good and bad news to allow to the pundits to play things both ways, depending on their feelings for the industry.There’s certainly no avoiding the numbers. The Big Six saw year-over-year sales drops across the board, “led” by General Motors, which saw a 44.7 percent plunge. The results for the others looked like this: Toyota, -39 percent; Ford, -40.8 percent; Chrysler, -39.3 percent; Honda, -36.3 percent; and Nissan, -37.7 percent.On the other hand, the industry as a whole... Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:33:15 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/the-us-auto-industry-what-bankruptcy-could-bring.html Okay, in the past, when I’ve touched on the possibility of GM and/or Chrysler going through with a bankruptcy, I’ve hinted that this may be a way to eliminate some of those pesky legal obligations that may be preventing an Obama-level restructuring. You know, things like UAW contracts and state franchise laws. Well, today, instead of just making things up as I go along, I decided to speak to an authority on the subject: Prof. Laura Bartell, Wayne State University Law School’s bankruptcy expert. Here’s what she said about the UAW contracts: “Under Section 1113 of the... Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:39:04 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/obama-on-automakers-viability-plans-fail.html It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pres. Barack Obama gave failing marks to GM’s and Chrysler’s viability plans. Despite much sound and fury, both General Motors and Cerberus/Chrysler kept things pretty much business as usual, even in the highly unusual state of the market.Yes, GM made massive cuts to the size of its operations, chopping away freely at programs and people, but the company didn’t do too much in the way of changing how it does business. And from where I’m sitting, Cerberus didn’t do much of anything one way or another, content to try to “deal”... Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:46:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/obama-more-money-to-automakers-but-drastic-changes-needed.html The latest line out of Washington is that General Motors and Chrysler can expect some more billions to be coming their way. The caveat from Pres. Obama: “drastic changes” are still needed, because the current industry model gets the big ol’ “FAIL” sign.While that gets an equally big ol’ “duh,” I just want to point something out here. I know my New Year’s resolution was to stop playing “gotcha” with the import automakers, but the current economic situation in Japan bears looking at, especially as people here are trying to work out exactly what those “drastic changes” mentioned... Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:09:14 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/gmc-terrain-has-to-make-up-ground-for-gm.html And now, for my next trick, I will build this entire column out of one small Twitter (http://twitter.com/Autotropolis): The blogosphere is abuzz with the news that a certain member of GM’s PR team leaked news of the GMC (http://www.autotropolis.com/GMC/research.html) Terrain ahead of its embargo date via a certain trendy Web application.While the geekier amongst us are excited about the Twitter-ness of it all, I’ll focus on the content of the message, which indicates that GMC’s new crossover is going to get 30 mpg. If that’s true, it’s stunning news.Currently, General Motors offers three CUVs built on the Theta platform,... Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:48:11 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/new-audi-diet-drives-great-less-filling-at-the-pump.html There’s just something about Audi. And I don’t mean that in a positive way.I did some work for the German company way back in one of my previous lives, and I saw just enough of their setup in Auburns Hills, Mich., to wonder how in god’s name they could keep fooling people into paying premium prices for what are, for the most part, essentially up-level Volkwagens.My time piloting a Q7 during the SUV’s launch didn’t help matters. I was shockingly underwhelmed by the build quality (yeah, I know, it was a pre-production model) and, performance-wise, it couldn’t outrun the... Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:39:11 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/chevrolet-camaro-a-memorial-to-the-muscle-car.html Well, GM’s savior is finally here! I saw my first road-going Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/), I saw an interesting chart comparing facts and figures for the Camaro LS (with the V-6) and some of its competition. (The Camaro SS, with its V-8 power, is a different story because it’s extreme enough to stand as a niche vehicle that’s worth something on its own.)The chart includes the Camaro, Ford Mustang V6, Dodge Challenger SE, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0, Subaru Impreza WRX, Volkswagen GTI and one more, which I’ll get to presently.The Camaro has the most horsepower and torque, and the best dollar-to-horsepower... Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:42:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/cash-for-clunkers-continued.html In what I will modestly call a coincidence, just days after I mentioned ye olde “cash for clunkers” bill (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/letting-buyers-jumpstart-the-auto-industry.html)in my column, the Detroit Free Press is reporting that it’s back under consideration in Washington. According to the Freep, the bill would pay $3,000 - $7,500 to people who ditch their old cars and from my last column (http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/letting-buyers-jumpstart-the-auto-industry.html), is simply that this would still be not enough cash and too many loopholes. Let’s be frank here: getting older, less efficient cars and trucks off the road is great, but what we really need is simply and... Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:45:31 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/letting-buyers-jumpstart-the-auto-industry.html Okay, instead of just doing more complaining, I’ve actually got an idea to help auto sales. And it even avoids most of the pitfalls I find in other peoples’ plans, so it doesn’t look like I’m being hypocritical. Although the key to my proposal does represent a slight change of heart on my part. Do you remember the “cash for clunkers (http://www.autotropolis.com/auto-industry-news/controversial-economic-stimulus-targets-older-cars.html)” bill that was floating around Washington, D.C., a few months back? I wasn’t too geeked on that originally, but the overall concept just may be a winning one. At least it seems to be... Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:37:57 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/news-flash-us-automakers-use-foreign-parts.html Just when I thought things couldn’t any nuttier in the ongoing debate over helping the auto industry, some folks out there had to go ahead and crack open a few more acorns. People are starting to get antsy about the possibility that some of the potential bailout bucks will end up supporting business in other countries. That is, the money will be used by the Detroit Three to buy auto parts from foreign companies and expand production in other countries, all at the expense of U.S. jobs. Now, I’m not saying this isn’t a valid concern —... Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:24:32 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/recent-dog-and-pony-show-lacks-horsepower.html Well, Detroit was blessed by a recent visit from the president’s automotive task force ... I wonder if they flew in? But seriously folks, I suppose it was a good thing that they showed up, especially as it was the first time actually in Detroit for some of them. While here, task force members took a few pre-production Chevrolet Volts for a spin, visited Chryslerberus’ Warren truck plant and chatted up UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Excuse me, though, if I’m not too excited about all this. The thing is, the task force came and went, and. about... Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:54:16 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/dealers-can-help-industry-and-themselves.html Well, the National Automobile Dealers Association recently took a shot at getting members their piece of the pie from Obama’s auto task force. You might have thought some of those TARP billions might have trickled down their way already, but you’d be wrong. It turns out there are (at least) two things going on: First, the smaller dealers need financing of their own to buy vehicles from manufacturers. But the TARP funds can’t be used to make loans to these dealerships because that money only covers AAA-rated debt, and no one is rating loans to the dealers that... Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:32:25 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/ford-takes-the-new-focus-to-the-max.html Hey, let’s play a new game I call “remember when.”It starts like this: Remember when everyone was saying that industry sales had driven off the cliff a couple of months ago? Turns out that cliff was a bit taller than expected, as February sales continued to sink.Some experts continue to see signs of a rebound, though, as February sales did climb about 5 percent over January’s. And the AP is floating the notion that rising prices for used cars (http://www.autotropolis.com/cars/used/search-page-basic.aspx)will lead to increased sales of new ones (http://www.autotropolis.com/research.html); the concept being that as the price gap between the... Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:29:28 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/uh-oh-gm-is-spending-its-pension-funds.html With the news that General Motors has been getting into its pension funds as a way to pay for its ... well, for whatever it's doing, I think the time has come for the government to get serious about the auto industry. According to a recent article in the Detroit Free Press, GM's U.S. hourly and salaried pension obligations were 124 percent covered by its funds in 2007; by the end of 2008, the obligations were only 87 percent funded. Depending on who you ask, there's now either a $1.8 billion shortfall (according to GM) or something... Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:37:30 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/task-force-on-autos-i-smell-a-rattner.html The folks over at The Truth About Cars, although their posts are often insufferable and don’t always live up to their promise, have been doing some interesting work regarding Cerberus’ tangled financial dealings.And although I’m not one to just mindlessly report on what other people are reporting on, some recent news from TTAC deserves to start getting wider play. As most people know, Pres. Obama is looking to form a special Task Force on Autos to kind of oversee things in the auto industry. In theory, federal input certainly makes sense, if only because so much government money is... Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:27:41 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/marketing-cars-during-the-auto-industry-meltdown.html As I’ve mentioned in the past (http://www.autotropolis.com/wiki/index.php?title=Krome_on_Cars), the biggest problem facing the industry right now isn’t so much building competent products as it is getting people to purchase those products. Ford’s latest idea? The Blue Oval is working the Web to get people excited about its new compact, recently launching an online marketing effort called the “Fiesta Movement.” The campaign is aiming to put new 2011 Fiestas* into the hands of 100 “Millennials” before the car is available for sale in the U.S. The drivers will then get their generation so geeked about the Fiesta that when the vehicles... Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:55:09 +0100 http://www.autotropolis.com/autotropolis-columns/krome-on-cars/chicago-auto-show-maybe-size-doesnt-matter.html You know, it wasn’t that long ago (last year?) when it seemed as if the Chicago Auto Show, already North America’s largest, was poised to also overtake Detroit as the continent’s most important industry display. Of course, things are just a tad different today, both for the show and the industry at large. As a result, things in Chicago are rather a mixed bag this year, and, for now, I’m going to whip through a few Krome-selected “highlights” in one article. So there. Scion xB (http://www.autotropolis.com/Scion/xB/Wagon/research.html), the cube is small, gets pretty good mileage and, yes,... Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:54:52 +0100