Automotive News

Ford F-Series trucks, siblings dominate 2016 sales

The number is staggering — 17.4 million new cars and trucks were purchased in the United States in 2016, dominated by sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks. The Ford F-Series again paced the industry surpassing 800,000 in sales and about 250,000 more than the runner-up Chevrolet Silverado. Twelve of the top-20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2016 were either SUVs or pickup trucks. The reason: a combination of versatility and lowering gas prices. The sale of pickups has increased for years. Only six manufacturers are represented in the marketplace, but the combined sales were more than 2.2 million. The 2016 car market had two surprising results. Compact-car sales fell 6.1 percent in 2016 and midsize vehicle sales fell 11.2

Read more

So long, farewell to these cars after 2016 models

While some cars’ legacies continue for decades, through many generations and fluctuating sales years, other cars have short tenures and disappear as new models quickly in the ever-crowded marketplace. It was no different at the end of 2016. Some highly reviewed cars and some not-so-well reviewed vehicles won’t be available as 2017 models. As such, we say goodbye and farewell to at least 10 vehicles with 2016 as their final years. Will any of them become collectors’ items? Or, will they simply fade into an automotive graveyard somewhere and resurface as “barn finds” decades from now. Either way, here’s a look at 10 cars manufacturers stopped making after their respective 2016 models. Cars listed with hyperlinks were reviewed in at

Read more

2018 FORD F-150: Diesel, 10-speed transmission debut

The 2018 Ford F-150, the debuting edition of the iconic pickup and the best-selling vehicle in the United States, will feature two major firsts. It will offer a new diesel engine and a 10-speed transmission. Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, the 2018 Ford F-150 will include a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel engine. A 3.3-liter engine also replaces the current 3.5-liter V6, both offering the same 282 horsepower engine. The second-generation 2.7L EcoBoost also gets tweaked for better efficiency, more output, and better durability. It will feature the new 10-speed transmission. The 5.0L V8 trim also gets upgraded for higher output and will also have the new 10-speed transmission. Ford also confirmed a hybrid F-150 will be offered

Read more

Monterey Peninsula: a mecca for all things automotive

Monterey Car Week is a misnomer. The yearly congregation of nearly all things automotive lasts 10 days. The car shows, auctions, tours, exhibits, forums and memorabilia sales presented in August are also held in cities throughout the Monterey Peninsula. The 2017 diverse motoring collective (www.whatsupmonterey.com) will be held Aug. 11-20. The automotive sensory overload will begin with a classic car show of 30 vintage race cars and their drivers in downtown Monterey from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 11. The Concours d’Elegance, the country’s most esteemed competition among elegant vintage rarities, is always the finale. It’s scheduled 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 at Pebble Beach. With the Pacific Ocean backdrop as well as the famous golf courses,

Read more

Coming soon: Ford F-150, Mustang icons as hybrids

The Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang, respectively the country’s best-selling vehicle and its most iconic sports car, will break from tradition and join the expanding hybrid segment of the automotive industry. The new trims, expected to be unveiled in 2020, will be part of the manufacturer’s addition of 13 global electric and hybrid vehicles in the next five years. The new vehicles are also expected to include a plug-in Ford Transit van and fully electric small sport utility vehicle. Electric police vehicles are also in Ford’s plans, according to autoguide.com. The SUV will have a 300-mile range and will be sold in North America, Europe and Asia. The hybrid Mustang will apparently only be available in North America, while the

Read more

NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2018 Honda Odyssey gets hip

The worldwide debut of the 2018 Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation of the enduring minivan, will be unveiled January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. According to several automotive sites and the manufacturer, the new Odyssey will be completely redesigned. It will feature: “New powertrain technology, sophisticated styling and showcase a new suite of innovative features, making it the ultimate in family-friendly design and packaging,” according to The Detroit News. The basics of the Odyssey, according to Automotive News, will remain the same. It will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. It will be built on Honda’s light-truck platform which underpins the Pilot large crossover and the Ridgeline midsize truck. The 2016 Honda Odyssey was

Read more

2017 PREVIEW: Biggest obstacles to buying cars online?

What will be the biggest obstacle to buying cars online in 2017? The automotive industry had a tremendous year in 2016. The great news included: automakers seeing a third consecutive year of record sales at 17.4 million vehicles, the self-driving car making an amazing leap forward, Elon Musk becoming a superstar and the spectacular rise in venture capital funding for automotive tech startups. The bad news included: Apple’s failed attempt to get in the game and the potential Trump tariffs and consumers potentially piling on way too much debt for new cars. The ugly news included: car hacking, the Takata fiasco and the Volkswagen emissions scandal. But here at vinadvisor, 2016 will be remembered for the strides made by car

Read more

Chevrolet, Mazda top Car and Driver best of 2017 list

Car and Driver, the largest-selling automotive publication in the United States, has announced its annual best cars list. The 2017 honorees include three Chevrolet models and two Mazda vehicles. The 34th annual is selected based on a car’s ability to “execute its mission at the highest level and deliver a driving experience somewhere between sublime and messianic.” Contending vehicles also must cost $80,000 or less, be on sale by January of the year of the honors and be available for the experts at Car and Driver to test during the past September. Additionally, nominees on the Car and Driver list consist of all new cars, 2016 10 Best winners, cars not available for the 2016 competition, and those with significant

Read more

Honda dominates TheWeeklyDriver.com’s 2016 Best Cars List

For the 10th straight year, TheWeeklyDriver.com is selecting its top vehicles of the year. In 2015, we included 12 vehicles instead of 10 on the end-of-the-year list. And we’re doing the same this year. Honda has four cars on the list, the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Fit and Honda Odyssey. Toyota is represented by the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and Toyota Sienna. Lexus also has two cars on the list, the Lexus IS 200t and the Lexus RC-F. Kia, Lincoln, Mazda and Scion are also represented. As editor and publisher of TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004, I reviewed 38 cars and trucks in 2016 model years during the 2016 calendar year. I also drove several other vehicles briefly at manufacturer preview days.

Read more

Winter Driving Safety Tips, Part 4: On The Road

With the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy condition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s the fourth of a four-part series on Winter Driving Safety Tips: Stay Alert • Keep your gas tank close to full, even with a hybrid-electric vehicle. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or snow, you might need more fuel than you anticipated to get home or to keep warm. • If road conditions are hazardous,

Read more

Winter Driving Safety Tips, Part 3: Safety First

Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? With the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 3 of a four-part series on winter driving safety tips: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones • Always wear your seatbelt and ensure every on else in your vehicle is buckled-up in age-and-size-appropriate restraints. • Remember that all children underage13 should always ride properly restrained in the back seat. • Make sure car seats and booster

Read more

Winter Driving Safety Tips, Part 2: Safety Checklist

Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are integral components of following the best winter driving safety tips. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in severe rain. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy condition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 2 of a four-part series on winter driving safety tips: Battery When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline and diesel engines, it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather. For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, the driving range is reduced when the battery is cold, and battery systems work better after they warm

Read more

Winter Driving Safety Tips, Part 1: Car Service

With the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in severe rain, snow, and icy conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 1 of a four-part series of winter driving safety tips: Get Your Car Serviced No one wants their car to break down in any season, but especially not in cold, icy or snowy winter weather. Start the season off right by ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition. • Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and

Read more

2017 NEW CAR PREVIEW: BMW to unveil lineup in Detroit

BMW will offer a varied new selection of vehicles, including the world debut of the 2017 5 Series sedan as well as the M Performance and plug-in hybrid electric iPerformance variants January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The BMW X2 Concept, a compact Sports Activity Vehicle first unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September, will make its North American debut. With the introduction of the 530e iPerformance, BMW now offers a family of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles including the 330e iPerformance, the 740e xDrive iPerformance,  X5 xDrive40e iPerformance as well as the i3 and i8. The world debut of the 5 Series sedan will be represented in Detroit by the 2017 540i, and the

Read more

2017 Auto Trends: Driverless shuttle Olli, no more shifts

You’ve coordinated an outing with friends or a business meeting with colleagues at a restaurant. Parking options are limited. Perhaps alcohol will be served, and supplies or equipment are needed for the occasion. The best solution: Phone Olli. Call it an autonomous chartered shuttle, a friendly neighborhood mobility solution or forward-thinking transportation. The 12-passenger vehicle with the unusual nickname is at your disposal via a smartphone app. It will transport the group to its desired location and back — without human navigation Unveiled in June by Local Motors, an Arizona-based innovation company, the autonomous electric vehicle utilizes the integration of cognitive computing. The advanced technology includes IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) for Automotive. It improves the passenger experience and

Read more

VW pays more for pollution scandal (all cars listed here)

Another chapter in the long saga of Volkswagen and its scheme to hide emission levels in some of its vehicles has resulted in the manufacturer offering to buy back more tainted diesel cars and spend an additional $1 billion to settle the air pollution scandal. The German automaker agreed to buy back tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012. The company will fix newer 3.0-liter cars. Volkswagen will pay $225 million into a “national mitigation fund” to address air pollution effects from its tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said $66 million would go to California, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee and on several automotive websites. Volkswagen previous agreed to spend

Read more
Previous Next