April 2012 Car Sales Point To Strong Spring
Is it time to call the car industry recovered? In April, automakers sold vehicles at a rate that analysts say will only get better as dealers head into the spring selling season.
Sales numbers are being reported today from around the auto industry, and early on, some of the strongest numbers are coming from Chrysler. The automaker, in alliance with Fiat, says its sales were up 20 percent over a year ago, on the strength of new model lines.
Elsewhere in Detroit, Ford's sales were off by 5 percent, while General Motors watched its sales drop 8 percent. Both were in line with expectations. Among other big automakers, Volkswagen posted a 31.5-percent increase, while Toyota rebounded from its year-ago stagger after the March 11 earthquake, reporting a 25.5-percent rise in sales for the month.
April's strong numbers weren't quite as brisk as those in March, when automakers posted a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 14.4 million sales. Though still far off the all-time peak of 16.9 million units, the SAAR posted so far this year is approaching the 14.9 million units registered in 2008, the year the industry faced the full brunt of the financial crisis.
Sales are expected to continue to improve, according to analysts J.D. Power and Associates. April's numbers sometimes are misleading because of the long Easter holiday, says John Humphrey, Power's senior vice president of global automotive operations, but "the signs of sustained growth are evident."
Power estimates April 2012's SAAR at 13.8 million units, down slightly from March 2012's 14.4 million but up significantly from April 2011's SAAR of 13.2 million units--with an accompanying 8-percent increase in retail sales, Power notes in a release.
For the year, Power estimates the industry will post a SAAR of 14.3 million units, with 11.5 million of those being at the retail level.
The totals for April 2012, as reported by the automakers:
General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) says its April sales of 213,387 vehicles marked an 8-percent slide in the U.S. market, though retail sales were roughly equal to those in the period a year before. Chevrolet sales of 155,487 units were down 8.4 percent; GMC's 32,603 units sold marked an increase of 4.5 percent. Buick sold 15,446 vehicles for a 16.1-percent slide over April 2011, and Cadillac sales fell 25 percent from the year-ago period to 9,851 units.
Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) reports its sales of 180,350 vehicles in April were 5 percent lower than the same period in 2011. The Ford brand's total of 174,042 units accounted for a 4.7-percent drop from 182,542 sales a year ago; Lincoln's sales of 6,308 vehicles were off 12.8 percent from last April's 7,236 units.
Toyota / Lexus / Scion: Toyota says it sold a total of 178,044 vehicles last month, for a 25.5-percent increase over April of 2011--the month after the tragic earthquake in northern Japan. Of the total, some 160,493 units were sold as Toyotas, a 27.2-percent rise; Lexus sales were up 12.3 percent to 17,551 units; and Scion was up 8.4 percent at 5,503 units.
Chrysler: The sole domestic-branded automaker to report increased sales, Chrysler says it moved 141,165 vehicles in April, up 20 percent from April 2011. The Chrysler brand was up 56 percent at 31,879 vehicles sold, behind a 138-percent increase by the 300 sedan; Jeep rose 19 percent to 38,684 units with the Wrangler up 35 percent. Dodge rose just 2 percent to 45,248 units sold, while Ram trucks accounted for 21,505 sales, an increase of 12 percent. Fiat sold 3,849 500 hatchbacks on the month, with generous incentives helping the brand get much closer to its initial sales targets.
Honda / Acura: Honda sold a total of 122,012 vehicles in April, up 10 percent over its year-ago totals. The Honda brand accounted for 109,837 vehicles, up 9.2 percent; Acura was up 18 percent, to 12,175 units.
Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan says it sold 71,329 vehicles in April, off 0.3 percent from April of 2011. The Nissan brand was off 8.9 percent to 64,200 units, and sales of the electric Leaf were down sharply; Infiniti was up 5.4 percent to 7,129 vehicles sold.
2013 Ford Focus ST Priced From $24,495, Order Books Open
If you've been waiting for Ford's latest high-performance take on the Focus, the ST, the wait is (nearly) over: the order books are open, and prices start from $24,495. And if you're one of the early adopters, you'll even get a free GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera.
The 2013 Ford Focus ST is the EcoBoost turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 252-horsepower, 270 pound-foot version of the popular Focus. With an upgraded suspension, slightly more aggressive exterior design, and unique, sport-themed interior, the Focus ST is the "hot hatch" version of the car.
Standard equipment on the Focus ST includes sport seats, unique 18-inch Y-spoke wheels, dual-zone climate control, and leather accents throughout the cabin. Optional upgrades such as full leather interior, six-way power Recaro seats (with partial or full leather), ambient lighting, and more. It's conveniently divided into three core packages.
You'll need to drive stick if you want the Focus ST, however; it's only available in six-speed manual form. It's also only available in five-door hatchback guise, so ditch any dreams of an ST sedan.
To learn more about what's available, what it'll cost you, and to configure your own Focus ST exactly as you'd like, visit the official build configuration site here.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
True Or False: Hands-Free Calls Are Safer Than Hand-Held?
Today, 10 states and several U.S. territories have banned the use of hand-held mobile phones by drivers. The thinking behind those laws is that folks need to keep their hands on the wheel, and trying to fumble with a mobile device is a major distraction.
But we have to wonder: have state legislatures missed the point? Is it the device that's the problem, or is the conversation itself?
As we enter the final week of National Distracted Driving Awareness month, we thought it was a good time to take a look at the evidence.
LaHood: Hand-held devices are the problem
Earlier this year, California's Office of Traffic Safety released the results of a study conducted by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley (PDF). That study looked at California's traffic fatality statistics since the state enacted a ban on hand-held calls in July, 2008.
The findings were encouraging. Overall, traffic deaths fell 22% (in keeping with the national trend), but deaths linked to drivers using hand-held devices plummeted 47%.
Findings like that help to explain why Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has focused so much of his attention on banning hand-held devices, while giving a thumbs-up to gadgets that enable hands-free calling.
In fact, when the National Transportation Safety Board proposed banning all calls for drivers -- both hand-held and hands-free -- LaHood basically threw the Board under the bus, saying that hands-free calls aren't such a big deal. Specifically, he said "The problem is not hands-free.... That is not the big problem in America."
NTSB: The conversation is the distraction, not the device
But the NTSB isn't giving up. Earlier this month, the Board defended its proposed ban on drivers taking any calls at all. Board member Robert Sumwalt pointed to data that shows talking on a mobile device -- either hand-held or hands-free -- increases the likelihood of an accident by four times. (Sumwalt was probably referring to the Australian study conducted by Suzanne McEvoy.)
"But what about the data from California?" some might ask. "Doesn't that prove that hand-held devices are dangerous?"
It does, indeed. But it doesn't show that hands-free devices are necessarily safer. Who's to say that if California had outlawed drivers from taking any calls behind the wheel that traffic fatalities wouldn't have dropped another 47%?
The problem, of course, is that no state in the nation has such a law on its book, so we don't have any real-world data to examine. In fact, only one municipality has such a law -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina -- and that was enacted just last month.
Our take
Driving isn't a right, it's a privilege, and with that privilege come certain responsibilities.
Late last year, the Governors Highway Safety Association published a study showing that few of us take those responsibilities very seriously. In fact, we're distracted behind the wheel 25% - 50% of the time.
The biggest distraction of all involves conversing with passengers, but as studies have shown (PDF), that's actually less dangerous than chatting on a mobile phone.
In the best of all possible worlds, drivers would stow their mobile devices while driving. It's what Oprah recommends, and unlike some of her dodgy book club picks, we stand by her on this one.
But while texting behind the wheel is always a bad idea, we understand that there are times when you have to take an important call -- someone's in the hospital, a child is ill, you're picking up a friend at the airport, whatever.
If you can pull over to take that call, do. If you can't manage that, take the call hand-free -- either through an in-dash system like Ford Sync, or simply via a clip that holds your phone in place. Using a Bluetooth headset is okay, but in our books, that's really just another device liable to fall to the floorboard.
And of course, take some responsibility for your kids. Make them use an app like DriveSafe.ly that limits their ability to call or text while driving. If they don't have a smartphone, that's no problem: Cellcontrol has created a system that works similarly for some feature phones.
Be safe, be thoughtful, be responsible. That's the best any of us can do -- during Distracted Driving Awareness month, or any month for that matter.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Don’t Get Mad, Don’t Get Even: New Jersey Outlaws Road Rage
On Friday, New Jersey governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill that stiffens penalties for drivers convicted of road rage.
The law is known as "Jessica Rogers' Law" (PDF), named for a young woman who was paralyzed in 2005 when the car in which she was riding hit a telephone pole. The driver of the car was hurtling to catch up with another vehicle that had cut him off when he lost control of the vehicle. He served four months in jail.
According to the text of the law, if a driver is found guilty of "road rage", it ups the charges, either from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth degree crime, or from a fourth degree to a third degree crime. For example:
Under the provisions of the bill, assault by auto or vessel is upgraded from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree if a person operates an auto or vessel recklessly, in knowing disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property and causes serious bodily injury.
With those upgrades come heightened financial penalties and longer possible prison sentences.
The good, the bad
On the one hand, it's impossible to defend road rage. It's obviously very dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death, and in some ways, it's worse than other violent acts because it's being carried out with a machine that weighs a couple of tons.
On the other hand, we don't envy the job facing New Jersey's courts. Determining whether an accident was the result of road rage seems like a fairly tall order. For example, how does one decide whether an accident or reckless driving incident was due to aggressive driving (which, in New Jersey, is a subjective assessment of the officer on site) or to full-on road rage?
And while we're sure that the New Jersey Assembly feels very good about passing Jessica Rogers' Law -- unanimously, even -- we're not entirely sure that it will cut down on the problem itself. Road rage is often considered a crime of passion, and legislating against passion seems...well, it didn't work out so well for the Puritans, did it?
What's your take? Is this a step in the right direction? Or a feel-good measure that fails to address the root of the problem? We'd especially love to hear from folks in New Jersey, but feel free to sound off, where ever you are.
[h/t John Voelcker]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Coming Soon To Your New Car: A Black Box Data Recorder
Last week, we told you about a proposal from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that would require brake-override systems on new vehicles. But there's more change afoot in D.C.: according to Mashable, legislation has passed in the U.S. Senate that would mandate the installation of black box data recorders too, beginning with the 2015 model year.
The exact verbiage can be found in Section 31406 of S.B. 1813*, and it goes something like this:
"Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 563 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require, beginning with model year 2015, that new passenger motor vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with an event data recorder that meets the requirements under that part."
While the devices would clearly benefit law enforcement agencies and insurance companies, they're also meant to help NHTSA evaluate customer complaints about specific vehicles. For example, data recorders could've cut through some of the confusion and panic surrounding 2010's Toyota/Lexus recall fiasco. (Though we're not sure that the floormat issue would've been caught with black boxes.)
Our take
Black boxes are already being tested on European cars. From where we sit, though, there are at least two major hurdles facing the installation of data recorders on American vehicles: privacy and cost.
The Senate bill addresses the former pretty clearly, stating that owners and lessees have sole ownership of their black box data, unless (a) the owner/lessee consents to share it, (b) it's subpoenaed by a court, or (c) there's a life-threatening accident, like a collision.
Cost is a different matter. The bill simply says that within two years, the Secretary of Transportation must report to Congress on the cost of the data recorders, but by that time, the 2015 model year will be mere months away. Even if the recorders are discovered to be cost-prohibitive, workers at factories around the globe will already be installing them. We suppose NHTSA will have to cross that bridge when it comes to it.
Of course, for any of this bill to pan out, it'll have to pass the House too. Mashable thinks that's likely to happen, but given the state of Capitol Hill these days, we're slightly less certain.
Take a look at the news clip below and let us know: do you think mandating data recorders is a great idea a terrible idea, or somewhere in-between?
* The entire bill is a really interesting read, if you've got nothing better to do on a Friday.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Ford Escape: First Drive
When you think "Ford," you probably think of several brands--F-150, Explorer, Mustang, Taurus. Shame on you if that list is missing the Ford Escape.
Last year, Ford sold more than 250,000 copies of its compact crossover, capping an eleven-year run on sale with the ute's best year ever, and with more than a 30-percent boost over 2010 sales.
The Escape's an important leg in the Ford sales story, and for this model year, there's a brand-new model coming to dealers. Starting in June, the 2013 Escape arrives in showrooms, and it's an about-face to the past decade-plus of compact crossover SUVs sold by Ford. There's no V-6, and no Hybrid; no Mercury model, and no Mazda companion, though that formerly intertwined company's CX-5 is exceedingly close in just about every basic specification to the new Escape.
The new Escape is built from Focus underpinnings, which means a fresh design, which also means saying goodbye to the faux-SUV looks that characterized the model from the moment it was launched in the 2001 model year. The 2013 model is a completely fresh take for Ford, one that's altogether more fitting with today's crossover market. It's lean and athletic, smoothly rounded, not at all referential to the company's lineup of best-selling trucks. It reads as a car, albeit one with a tall roofline.
The Escape isn't just an aesthetic change of heart for the American automaker. It's a linchpin in its fuel-economy strategy of downsizing and turbocharging engines in some of its best-selling models, while reserving electrification for limited runs and low-volume applications like the Ford Focus Electric. All three available engines are four-cylinders; each is estimated to earn more than 30 miles per gallon on the EPA highway cycle. Of the two turbocharged engines, one has enough power to effectively replace the old Escape's optional V-6 engine. The other gets mileage ratings high enough to nearly match the outgoing Hybrid model.
It's also a revelation in road manners. Ride and handling truly transform the newest Escape. The trucky traits of the 2001-2012 model have been wiped clean, replaced by tight steering, a well-damped ride, and taut road manners that feel very much like those from the Ford Focus.
Finally--and critically, Ford's vice president for marketing and sales Jim Farley says--the Escape's a vital part of its strategy to sell even more copies of its hugely popular Fusion sedan, which is also new for the 2013 model year. How's that? Farley, at the launch of the Escape this week outside San Francisco, points out that the compact-crossover class is the one most often cross-shopped with the mid-size sedan segment. Find one in a family fleet and you're almost as likely to find the other, he points out.
"Compact SUVs are ground zero for the American garage," he says.
Prices range from $23,295 for the base S to $31,195 for the top Titanium model, the 2013 Ford Escape goes on sale in June.
_______________________________________________
For more on styling, performance, utility, features, and safety, read our full review of the 2013 Ford Escape
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI: First Drive
Forget for a few minutes about your urge to make the absolute smartest fiscal choice. Yes, the economics of diesel ownership often take many, many years to work out as positive. Yes, diesels, as in the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, do generally cost thousands more initially; and yes, diesel fuel across the U.S. costs more than gasoline.
Now let that go—after all, if you were going for the lowest costs, you probably wouldn't be looking at a more fashionable vehicle like the Beetle. That hurdle dismissed, we'd surely pick VW's TDI version of the latest Beetle over the base car—and probably over the Beetle Turbo we just drove a few weeks ago.
If there was one engine that best fit the character of the first-generation (New) Beetle, it was the TDI diesel four that was offered in the New Beetle through the 2006 model year. Unlike the original base gasoline four- or five-cylinder engines in the Beetle, it had a relaxed, torquey character, a relatively narrow rev range, and just a bit of mechanical noise to both remind us of the original air-cooled Beetles and be satisfying on its own.
The 2013 Beetle TDI, which won't be out until later this summer, will get the latest version of VW's 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, making 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. And like the 2.0T gasoline engine, it will be hooked up to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG (dual-clutch) automated manual gearbox (not the five-speed manual or conventional automatic of the base five-cylinder Beetle models). In recent years, in Jetta, Golf, Passat, and even the Audi A3, we've found this engine to be both a perky performer and almost incredibly economical.
So it's not surprising that in the 2013 Beetle the engine delivers a tremendously strong kick of torque, from standstill, along with a turbine-like whoosh of passing power, most of the time without the need even to downshift, at highway speeds. Plus, as we experienced on some two-lane stretches around Half Moon Bay, California, the TDI takes well to being revved and driven hard in the same way as you would a gasoline engine if the spirit strikes you.
Handling feels about the same as that of the Beetle Turbo we'd recently driven (if a slight bit heavier in front), with rather quick-ratio steering and a light feel, as well as much crisper response than we ever expected from the former New Beetle. Part of the appeal of this package is that when you're not in the mood to downshift, you can simply let that wave of torque take you confidently out of one corner and on to the next. Ride quality was great; there's really no shudder at idle or excessive noise when you rev it; and interior appointments were as we've described for the 2012 VW Beetle models that are otherwise out at dealerships now.
Economical operation is of course part of that story, as much as we're trying not to make it the only story here. EPA ratings for the latest Beetle TDI ring in at 29 mpg city, 39 highway. While those city ratings are about what you'll see in shorter trips or urban commutes, we have a long history of seeing much higher real-world highway results in TDI models compared to their EPA ratings—so don't think 45 mpg is out of the question. In about 30 miles of some of the hardest, worst-case-scenario driving the TDI might encounter, we averaged about 25 mpg
Interestingly, while we drove the 2013 Beetle TDI, we don't yet have a price for it. VW officials confirmed that we can expect the TDI to fit into the lineup in the same way it did when it was last sold in the U.S., and in the same way it's positioned in some of VW's current model lines (above the base engine, but just below the turbo)—so count starting prices in the low to mid twenties.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2002-2004 Honda CR-V, 2003 Honda Pilot Recalled For Headlight Problem
Honda has issued a voluntary recall for the 2002-2004 CR-V and the 2003 Pilot. According to a press release from the automaker, a flaw in those vehicles' electrical systems could cause the headlights to fail.
Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn't yet posted an official bulletin detailing the recall, Honda says that the problem is tied to the wiring of the low-beam headlight switch. Over time, that switch may become inoperative, which would, of course, prevent the low-beams from working.
To date, no accidents or injuries have been associated with the problem. All told, Honda estimates that 554,000 vehicles in the U.S. are affected by the recall.
Honda will send out notices of the recall in late April. At that time, owners will be able to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer, who will inspect and repair the wiring as necessary.
If you own one of the recalled vehicles and have questions in the meantime, we encourage you to visit www.recalls.honda.com or call Honda directly at 800-999-1009 and select option #4.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Ford Explorer Sport: Basically, An SHO
The 2013 Ford Explorer, with its dramatic looks and somewhat less inspiring performance, has been due a truly potent version, some might say, since the V-8 of the last model died with it. As Ford's solution to the V-8 power requirement while delivering (slightly) better fuel economy, the V-6 EcoBoost engine makes good sense.
But does it make sense in the Explorer? Dynamically, it's uninspiring--particularly when compared to the likes of the Flex, or even the Edge. But more power means more towing, better highway passing, and more overall flexibility, as well as more money at the pump--the Explorer Sport only yields 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Ford says it's the most efficient high-performance SUV on the market.
Those with an eye to minimizing the Explorer's thirst already have a good option, however: the smaller EcoBoost brother, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Rated at 28 mpg highway, that smaller EcoBoost engine is on the very efficient end of the spectrum for conventional crossover SUVs.
The larger direct-injection 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 won't deliver such friendly figures, but those with a taste for power will find the tradeoff sweet: 350 horsepower in place of 240. Driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, it's basically an Explorer SHO--especially since the Explorer and Taurus share some of their architecture as well. It's two full seconds quicker to 60 mph than the fastest non-Sport Explorer.
Billed as the first-ever performance version of the Explorer, the Explorer Sport also packages Terrain Management system to maintain its existing off-road capability. Or, as Carl Widmann, vehicle engineering manager puts it, "Explorer Sport makes no compromises. By carefully beefing the chassis and suspension, precisely calibrating the Terrain Management System and adding comfort and convenience features, we’ve delivered an SUV that delivers great dynamics and performance--while towing up to 5,000 pounds.”
Some of the "beefing" Widmann mentions includes chassis bracing, a solid-mount electric power steering system, and an upgraded suspension and brakes--all to better handle the Explorer Sport's higher performance.
The Explorer Sport also offers new styling details, including the Explorer name written across the front of the vehicle, new wheels, and polished tips on the high-performance exhaust.
Some of the features of the new Sport include:
- 4WD with Terrain Management System
- Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
- 10-way power driver’s seat with power recline and lumbar
- Six-way power passenger seat with recline and lumbar
- First-row heated seats
- Compass and exterior temperature display
- Rear view camera
- SYNC® with MyFord Touch® driver connect technology
- Sony® Premium Audio System with HD Radio™ and 12 speakers
Explorer Sport can be tailored to individual preferences with the following options as well:
- Active park assist
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert
- Inflatable rear seat belts
- 110-volt outlet
- PowerFold mirrors
- Intelligent access with Push-Button Start
- Remote Start
- Adjustable pedals with memory
- Dual-panel moonroof
- Power liftgate
- Class III trailer-towing package
The new Explorer Sport will launch later this year after production kicks off at the company's Chicago facility.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Bans Driver Use Of Mobile Phones
While many states, counties and municipalities have laws on the books regulating the use of cell phones while driving, Chapel Hill, North Carolina has become the first city in the United States to enact an outright ban on the use of cell phones behind the wheel.
We’re not referring to texting while driving, since that’s already illegal in the state of North Carolina. We’re not referring to the use of a hand-held cell phone, either, since the newly passed ordinance prohibits the use of even hands-free devices while operating a motor vehicle.
That means no Bluetooth headsets, no external speakers and no integrated Bluetooth, either, which includes current in-car (and manufacturer-provided) systems. The measure was approved by the city council on Monday night, and goes into effect on June 1, 2012.
As the News Observer points out, the resolution proved difficult to pass, and has been in discussion for some two years. A previous vote on the matter resulted in a deadlock, which was broken on Monday by a council member absent from the last vote.
The new ruling allows for emergency calls, and the wording of the ordinance seems to permit calls with a spouse, parent or child as well. We fail to see how that makes any sense at all, since calls to family members are no more or less disruptive than calls to other parties. Get caught talking to a friend, though, and the fine is $25.
The ordinance may not stand, since the state attorney general’s office has already ruled that Chapel Hill lacks the authority to prohibit cell phone use while driving. Since the city ordinance is preempted by state law, the ban is essentially unenforceable, even if it was adopted with the best of intentions.
Similar municipal rulings have produced positive results. Evanston, Illinois bans hand-held cell phone use (but not hands-free), and in the two years since passing the law has seen a 17.6-percent reduction in accidents. Drivers in Evanston caught using a phone are fined $50, but the penalty jumps to $200 if the driver is involved in an accident.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
