Automotive

Ford Names Jim Hackett As CEO, Announces Global Business Strategies

Ford Names Jim Hackett As CEO, Announces Global Business Strategies

Ford Motor Company has named Jim Hackett as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The announcement comes as Ford emphasized “key global leadership changes in an effort to strengthen core automotive business and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
Although no management changes materialized, General Motors echoed similar sentiments last week when it announced a shifting in its international markets.
“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” said Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space.”
Forthright Leadership
Hackett, 62, is the former CEO of Steelcase and Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan. In the latter position, he was instrumental in recruiting current head football coach Jim Harbaugh. Since March of last year, Hackett has overseen Ford Smart Mobility LLC as Executive Chairman. He will now lead Ford’s global operations, encompassing about 202,000 employees.
“I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders,” Hackett said. “I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Ford praised Hackett’s leadership and his ability to forge bonds with people.
“He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products, and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business,” he said.
He succeeds Mark Fields, 56, who retires after a successful 28-year tenure.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford,” Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years.”
Mark Fields speaking at the 2016 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show on the benefits of the Ford Smart Mobility initiative. Photo: Sam VarnHagen.
Three-Tier Plan
With Hackett now at the helm, Ford outlined three top objectives going forward. The first is to enhance what Ford calls a “go-to-market” strategy that includes addressing poor performing areas of the company. The second deals with modernization, including the incorporation of new tools and processes to increase innovation and efficiency, while leveraging big data. Under this umbrella, expect to see Ford invest in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence.
The last objective is to ensure Ford is ideally suited to respond to the changing needs of consumers and society as a whole. It also deals with fostering a healthy internal culture, recruiting the right talent, and encouraging overall transformation. This third objective is arguably the most important, given Ford’s history. The cutthroat and callous corporate culture of Ford is well documented in the book American Icon by Bryce G. Hoffman – such conditions motivated then CEO Bill Ford to recruit Alan Mulally from Boeing.
One incredible scene in the book recalls the Saturday evening when Ford and his wife Lisa took Mulally to dinner in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They spent much of the afternoon going over the deeply entrenched attitudes and resistance in Ford making it impossible for the automaker to move forward. At one point, when Mulally excused himself from the table, Lisa Ford leaned over to her husband and whispered “he seems to good to be true.”
Alan Mulally, former President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the 2016 induction and award ceremony at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by: Sam VarnHagen.

Internal Structure
Ford also announced a new operations structure with three key leaders, each reporting to Hackett. Jim Farley, 54, was appointed Executive Vice President and President, Global Markets. He will oversee Ford’s business units, The Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition, Farley will oversee Lincoln Motor Company and global Marketing Sales & Service. Farley has served as Executive Vice President and President, Ford of Europe, Middle East, and Africa since January 2015.
He will also oversee the development of electrified and autonomous vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, 50, was named Executive Vice President and President, Global Operations. He will oversee Ford’s global Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Quality; Purchasing; and sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering; Hinrichs has been serving as Executive Vice President and President, The Americas, since December 2012.
And finally, Marcy Klevorn, 57, was appointed Executive Vice President and President, Mobility. Klevorn will oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was formed last year to design, build, grow, and invest in emerging mobility services. She has served as Group Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since January 2017.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs, and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency, and delivering results around the world.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Review: The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack swings at a growing niche and hits the nail on the head

Review: The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack swings at a growing niche and hits the nail on the head We take the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack right into the heart of the Alltrack’s ideal market: Vermont.

What is it?
In a market saturated with crossovers of all sizes, the wagon has seemingly disappeared into the background. Buyers are after car-based SUVs. And just as we thought wagons are dead, several automakers reintroduced some new long-roof offerings, indicating otherwise. Volkswagen is one of those automakers, and they just recently introduced a new version of the Golf Sportwagen. It’s called the Golf Alltrack. It follows Audi’s allroad recipe of increasing ground clearance and beefing-up the undergarments to make a more versatile vehicle. Given how I find myself as part of the ideal demographic and potential buyer base of the Alltrack, Volkswagen offered us one for review.
The US outdoor industry comprises of $887 billion of consumer spending annually. Part of it involves the National Park system managing over 420 sites spread over 84 million acres where humans can indulge in outdoor activities. Americans certainly didn’t invent the concept of having fun in the wild. But they’ve done their hardest to make it accessible to all. Ranging from $25-35K, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is for those longing for the European ‘everything’ wagon. This includes your recreational climbers, campers, anglers, bikers, hikers, skiers, hunters, backpackers, geocachers, and many others, just to name a few.
Comparisons to Subaru’s offerings are inevitable, but the VW offers a different experience. Playing over the mountains and through the valleys of Vermont, the white VW sticks out despite its attractive but subtle lines. This clearly proves it’s not a ‘Subie. So Volkswagen stands a solid chance of making a dent in the Outback/Crosstrek market. Here’s why.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Specifications

Style:
Compact Wagon Crossover
Seating Capacity:
Five passengers
Base Price:
$25,850
Price As Tested:
$35,705
Engine:
1.8L DOHC TSI EA888 turbocharged and intercooled 16-valve V6 with direct injection – 170hp @ 4500 rpm; 199 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Transmission:
Six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic (six-speed manual opt.)
0-60 MPH:
7.5 seconds
Top Speed:
129 MPH (electronically-limited)
Curb Weight:
3,499lbs
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined):
22 / 30 / 25 mpg w/ 13.2 gal. tank
Desired features:

Like either Subaru wagon option, it has desired features that owners may never need. It brings an alternative to the table and it (mostly) avoids fluffing up the insides with things that functionally-minded people don’t quite need. But the Alltrack does have 7.5 inches of functional, ground clearance. Couple that with part-time 4MOTION all-wheel-drive, lane keeping assist, radar-guided cruise control and virtually continuous plastic skid plates underneath, and it’s easy to tell this Golf means business.

Over a weekend filled with torrential rain, the car trounced steep class IV, unpaved and hardly maintained single-lane thoroughfares. Water bars, intermittent streams, and soft surfaces presented no challenge. Riding 1.2″ higher than the standard Golf Sportwagen, the Alltrack can reach trailheads, portage sites, and rugged camps where a Sportwagen, or even a standard Subaru Impreza couldn’t even dream of. It does everything a Crosstrek or an Outback sets out to do in terms of four-season off-road abilities.
The rear seats fold flat and cargo space is down only by seven cubic inches to the Outback’s. That makes camping out in the boot a possibility for those wanting to get a head-start on their outing. Though seemingly obvious things you’d expect to find in an outdoorsy vehicle, like 1-liter Nalgene bottle-compatible cupholders, are non-existent. Thankfully, there’s other apparent attention to detail, such as the inclusion of rubber floor mats that extend up the rear seatbacks. So there’s no guilt in popping the seats down and throwing a moistened mountain bike or two in the back.

The infotainment system with the Fender speaker package sounds great for all occupants. The memory-based nav interface is intuitive and the touch screen offers near-smartphone levels of responsiveness. Apple CarPlay works as advertised, making porting communications, navigation, and audio seamless.
What makes an outdoor lifestyle wagon have human qualities:
Photo provided by Volkswagen AmericasOn long trips, our testers varied in size and all occupants confirmed their love of both the front and rear seats. This is something that Subaru continuously failed to gain our trust on for decades. In the VW, aspirin is not required before or after 50 miles. Subaru’s interiors have grown up by leaps and bounds, but VW dabbles in the Audi parts bin. That sets the tone for the rest of the experience and nails it on the head. Warm-blooded humans can enjoy the soft touch surfaces abound. Wheelie-bin plastic is smartly shunned to areas that are lacking in finger trafficking.
Photo provided by Volkswagen AmericasOutside of a WRX or a BRZ, Subaru’s line is not driver-focused—including the CVT-only Outback. The Alltrack offers six-speed transmissions in either manual or dual-clutch DSG flavors. But the best detail of them all: the center console is angled towards the driver, reminding me of my love for drivers’ cars like vintage BMWs. Equipped with the DSG, our tester was at times indecisive regarding shift points. But 90% of the time, the Drive, Sport, and Manual modes worked as you’d imagine them to. Whether the piece of meat at the controls wishes to relax on the way back home, or fire the car around hairpins up mountain passes with quick, sonorous, perfectly blipped downshifts, the ‘veedub abides.
At 3,400 lbs, the Alltrack is heavier than the Outback by 100-300 lbs, depending upon configuration. The Subaru’s suspension setup is honest about its gravel road focus, while the VW throws out its chest, providing positive feedback when wound tightly on a paved surface. The Alltrack is not flummoxed by buckling tarmac and offers more than adequate suspension travel. But when presented with a washboard dirt road or loose gravel, its suspension becomes incandescent—writhing around like an angry child does after it has projected its cereal onto the nearest wall. It’s not unusable, just an irritation compared to decades of dirt road brilliance from Subaru.
What this car can’t do:

The reliable Subaru Outback is oddly classified as a truck by the EPA. It can tow 2,700 lbs and gets slightly lower fuel economy. The EPA on the other hand, classifies the Alltrack as a car, especially one not set up for towing. This obviously results in the Alltrack offering better economy. Our copy of the VW had electrical issues. The infotainment system opted for a career change for six hours that didn’t involve electricity, an issue dating back to 2014. To add, three of the four lights on the front of the car chose to take in water on a particularly rainy weekend. Both issues suggest Volkswagen might have some issues with quality-control oversight.
Conclusions:

The Outback and the Alltrack are priced similarly. The Outback caters to an interesting range of beings: those that are so outdoor-biased, they barely know the inside of their car. Then, there’s those that long for the L.L. Bean catalog for needlessly impulsive buys, for the two day outings they experience out of the 365 days in the year.
For us humans, there’s really only one choice–the Alltrack. After a multi-day cold and wet slog of a backpacking trip, the VW was a welcome sanctuary of durable and attractive surfaces. Its heated seats, available on all trim levels, were much appreciated given that they heat up in under two minutes. It’s easy to glide your way home, or continue to seek thrills in the twisty bits. Yarding on the car produces an enjoyable noise and loading the suspension up is thoroughly satisfying. Until Buick joins the party with their Regal TourX and others follow suit, the Alltrack is proof that the wagon segment has a ever-growing pulse.
– By: Sawyer Sutton
2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Breakdown

Pros

Cons

· Excellent compromise of comfortable and fun-to-drive handling
·   The ride can be stiff on some of the rougher surfaces
·   Comforting, functional, and smartly designed interior
·   Some minor reliability issues
· Still offers a manual
· Cup holders can’t hold water cans that outdoorsy people love
Would I recommend one? The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack provides a hugely compelling alternative to the Subaru Outback and Crosstrek lot. The Golf Sportwagen is already an excellent automobile all around and the Alltrack finds itself in a niche where it clearly has the potential to sway many buyers its way.
Photos Copyright 2017 © Sawyer Sutton  for egmCarTech.
The post Review: The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack swings at a growing niche and hits the nail on the head appeared first on egmCarTech.

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Brembo, General Motors Team For Advanced Braking Technology

Brembo, General Motors Team For Advanced Braking Technology

Brembo recently unveiled a new line of advanced braking upgrades for select General Motors vehicles. The Brembo Performance Brake Upgrade System is available for the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; the GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade.
The Brembo kits feature the company’s iconic red six-piston, fixed aluminum calipers loaded with brake pads that clamp onto to 42 percent larger (16.1-inch x 1.3-inch) GM Duralife vented rotors.
Pit Road Meets Main Street
The new components were engineered to meet customer demand by capitalizing on a racing legacy. Brembo has used race tracks around the globe for over 40 years as a testing ground, ultimately (and literally) building that experience into the braking components for everyday vehicles. The new Brembo package enlarges the brake pad area by a whopping 84 percent to increase thermal capacity, a particular benefit for Silverado and Sierra customers.
“The Brembo brake systems are typically designed to withstand higher thermo mechanical loads than our competitors’ brakes,” said Dan Sandberg, Brembo North America President and CEO. “Our brake pads and rotors have a higher capability to absorb thermal loads typical of applications with a heavy payload or a trailer.”
Brembo and GM conducted extensive testing on the new kit, concluding it provided a 31 percent reduction in pedal force and a 12 percent reduction in pedal travel at max deceleration.
“Because brake systems are a critical safety component, durability testing is crucial to verifying the structural resistance of our components for the entire life of the vehicle with respect to calipers,” Sandberg said. “Through this testing, we are also able to predict the life of wearable components like brake pads and rotors, and the overall performance of the system through most environmental conditions.”
Photo: Chevrolet.
Signature Style
Brembo took full advantage of the inner real estate regarding the 20 and 22-inch wheels on GM trucks and SUVs. The upgraded components are easily noticeable with the all-aluminum, red two-piece Brembo caliper, which features the Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac insignia accordingly. For all of Brembo’s products, the all-aluminum calipers are among the most significant.
“The real products that put us on the map and launched our expansion were the aluminum calipers,” Sandberg told us last year. “That novelty started on the performance side and has now moved into segments which are higher volume and obtainable by the normal consumer.”
Brembo’s signature calipers are mated to GM’s Duralife brake rotors, which effectively double the service life when compared to a traditional rotor. The rotors bake for 24 hours at more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a special oven. The resulting atmosphere causes nitrogen atoms to bond to the rotors’ surfaces, hardening and strengthening them against corrosion and wear. These two essential components together – Brembo’s all-aluminum caliper and GM’s Duralife rotor – mean greater durability, better performance, and increased safety for the everyday driver.

Lasting Relationships
In March, Brembo was named a GM Supplier of the Year during the automaker’s 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards. Winners were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and logistics executives. The selections were based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Indirect Purchasing, Customer Care and Aftersales, and Logistics.
“We are very proud of the partnership that Brembo and GM have developed over the past decade,” Sandberg said.
The GM awards ceremony began in 1992 – this is the second time Brembo has received such honors. Sandberg notes the new braking upgrades reflect how GM and Brembo work together to meet the needs of customers.
“It’s perhaps the best example of what a true collaborative relationship can accomplish,” he said. “Everyone wins here.”
Brembo was recognized as a Supplier of the Year by GM in March. Left to right, Wade Sheffer (GM), Daniele Castiglioni (Brembo), Dan Sandberg (Brembo), and James Danahy (GM) pose for a photo during the ceremony in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Brembo North America.
Availability & Installation
The Brembo Performance Brake Upgrade System can be purchased in the parts department of any authorized GM dealership, or online through the respective Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac accessories websites. The package includes all the necessary hardware and instructions for the do-it-yourself mechanic – or the components can be installed at the dealership. The Brembo upgrade does not void the GM new vehicle limited warranty when installed by an authorized dealer.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Brembo Performance Brake Upgrade System part numbers:
· Chevrolet – 84263234
· GMC – 84263235
· Cadillac – 84263236
*Does not fit SEU wheels.
Photos & Source: Brembo North America.

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BMW M5 Marries M xDrive

BMW M5 Marries M xDrive

I greeted this news with a smirk at first, and then, after half a second of thoughtful reflection, decided that adding all-wheel drive, or as BMW calls it, xDrive, to the Bavarians mighty M5 is probably a good move. BMW can lose all notions of restraint from time to time, especially when it comes to the M5. They have been known to put all sorts of crazy drivetrains into the M5, and sell them to anyone whose considerably large check didn’t bounce.
So maybe maximizing power delivery and traction isn’t that bad of an idea?
Motor Madness
The M5 has, from the get go, been about what’s under the hood first, last, and always. Yes, they have always handled very well, considering their size and shape and especially weight. And yes, they have always had exemplary brakes, since Germans have a fetish for those. But, the M5 engine on the other hand, has always been the car’s feature party trick. The first M5 had the same plant from BMW’s M1 supercar. That would be like Ford taking the engine out of the current GT and dropping it unaltered into the engine bay of a Crown Victoria. (Actually, that sounds like a pretty good idea, but I digress.)
And that was where the M5 started from, and it got only more nuts from there. BMW put a V10 in the M5 for a few years, and it had the maintenance needs of the space shuttle’s APU. Great car, sure, but when the factory says, “remove engine and ship it back to us in Germany,” as a matter of routine maintenance, perhaps you’ve wrapped things a bit too tight.
The latest M5 is motivated down der Bahn by BMW’s 4.4-liter V8 engine with a TwinPower Turbo set up. The plant features higher injection pressures, new turbochargers, more powerful lubrication and cooling systems, and a modified, lighter exhaust system. This is, in a way, throwing technology at a problem, rather than some of the brute force answers of the past, but hey, if it works, it works.
What is noticeable about this latest M5 variant is the all-wheel drive system. BMW’s xDrive has been tweaked and proven on their range of SUVs, and also on lower siblings in the corporate stable (3 Series and such), but now the Bavarians are asking it to take a big bite of the performance apple.
The sixth generation BMW M5 with M xDrive will launch this year. The M5 first appeared in 1984. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Selection & Strength
Like a lot of modern cars, especially performance oriented modern cars, the latest M5 has a number of driver selectable traction and performance schemes to choose from. For example, the M5 has five different configurations based on combinations of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and M xDrive modes. The driver can select from DSC on, M Dynamic Mode (MDM), and DSC off, which are DCS modes – then 4WD, 4WD Sport, and 2WD, which are M xDrive modes. The hardware bits and pieces of the M xDrive are based on those of the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system and the Active M Differential. M-specific driving dynamics control software then ensures, ahem, “innovative deployment.”
The whole drivetrain has been reinforced for greater strength and rigidity to accommodate the higher torque and rear-biased configuration, along with the 2WD option. The transfer case splits the engine’s drive between the front and rear ends in an adjustable ratio; the Active M Differential takes care of splitting the grunt between the rear wheels. This is all factored in by a bunch of ones and zeros and computers so the rear diff can vary from zero and 100 percent lock, as the situation demands.
An eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic features short shift times and precise ratio spacing. The transmission combines with M xDrive and the turbocharged V8 engine for an optimum balance of fuel economy and sportiness. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Custom Configurations
But here’s where things get really fun. BMW refers to the selectable power delivery and traction schemes as “à la carte handling dynamics” and that’s a very good way of looking at it. Every time you start your BMW M5 it defaults to 4WD mode with DSC on. Which is fine and dandy from a gearhead perspective, because even in this basic mode, you get a certain amount of slip at the rear wheels to generate agility. Coupled with the M xDrive, you get palpable advantages accelerating out of corners.
And yes, there’s even more (and cooler) variations to be had within the AWD system, but the real fun comes up when you turn the system off. Unlike Audi’s sublime quattro set up or Mercedes-Benz with their 4Matic, the M5’s can be turned off. With the DSC deactivated, there is a choice of three modes: 4WD, 4WD Sport, and 2WD, but it’s the 2WD setup we’re talking about here, cause it’s bound to be the most fun.
As the name implies, in 2WD mode, all the power is sent to the rear wheels. This results in, as BMW puts it, “the experience of driving a high-performance sedan with rear-wheel drive only, delivering a pure form of driving enjoyment that captivates in its own unique way.”
You know, the way any near-death experience in low traction situations is “captivating.”
A short press of the DSC button on the center console activates M Dynamic Mode (MDM) and a long press turns DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) off. When DSC is off, the M xDrive settings menu appears in the Control Display at the same time. It is now possible to select 4WD, 4WD Sport, or 2WD mode using either the iDrive Controller or the touchscreen function. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Best of Both Worlds
Keeping the beast going in the desired direction is all down to your right foot, both hands, and that Active M Differential (and a few more digital nannies thrown in, but why ruin a good analogy). So BMW’s new M5 with M xDrive is literally a “have your cake and eat it too” situation. You need all the traction you can get cause that rain from the morning commute has now turned to snow on the evening drive home? BMW’s got you covered. Nobody around on that winding back road on an early Sunday morning? BMW’s got you covered there too.
BMW even asked DTM driver, Timo Glock to offer up an opinion.
“I often drive long distances and I need plenty of room for my family, but I wouldn’t wish to give up the chance to explore the car’s sporting character,” he said. “With M xDrive, not only can the new BMW M5 be steered with the usual precision and agility, it also offers me something I really appreciate, living in Switzerland: a noticeable boost to traction and controllability – even when driving in particular environmental conditions, such as wet weather and snow, and in both everyday driving situations and when pushing the car to its performance limits.”
BMW says the combination of agile handling, terrific feel, and exceptional control are directly related to the Active M Differential. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Limits Pushed
Now, re-read that quote and keep in mind that Timo is, well, Timo’s a little der spinnt. He used to race in F1, where he picked up the nickname of “Mr. Nine Millimeter,” given both his last name and apparent affinity for rap music. But he had a tendency to wreck cars, so he got fired. So then BMW picked him up and let him loose in the DTM series, where that sort of thing isn’t exactly discouraged. Anyway, it puts that “when pushing the car to its performance limits,” quote into a bit greater context.
Or, to put it another way, if Timo can use this thing without killing his entire family, it must be great!
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Ford Invests $350 Million For Powertrain Technology, Job Creation

Ford Invests $350 Million For Powertrain Technology, Job Creation

Ford Motor Company is investing $350 million in the Livonia Transmission Plant. The move will help Ford expand their lineup of fuel-efficient powertrains while fortifying core automotive business, according to a press release from the automaker. In addition, Ford will create or retain 800 hourly jobs to support new transmission production.
“We remain committed to American manufacturing and investing in our people and facilities,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, The Americas.
Continued Commitment
Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants, creating nearly 28,000 American jobs in the last five years. Closer to home, Ford has, in the last four months, announced more than $2.25 billion in new investments for their Michigan operations. At the Livonia Transmission Plant, where Ford’s latest investment is focused, jobs will be added later this year, with the majority coming in 2019. Last year, the plant received $1.5 billion to support the new 10-speed transmission found in the 2017 F-150 Raptor and other F-150 models. As a result, 500 hourly jobs were created or retained.
“Even as the industry’s largest employer of hourly workers in the United States and biggest producer of American-made vehicles, we believe it is important to continue investing right here in our home market,” Hinrichs said.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Forging Bonds
According to Ford, the investments are supported by strong partnerships with the UAW, and federal, state, county, and local governments. Jimmy Settles, UAW Vice President, underscored the importance of such relationships and the impact on American manufacturing.
“Today’s investment at the Livonia Transmission Plant is further evidence of the benefits of collective bargaining and the ongoing commitment of UAW-Ford to lead the way in creating and maintaining automotive manufacturing jobs in America,” he said.
Currently, the Livonia Transmission plant employs about 1,800 people. The workers are responsible for building the six-speed and 10-speed transmissions used in everything from the Mustang and F-150, to Transit and Expedition.
“The addition of these 800 jobs will add job security for the plant’s hardworking men and women, and support for the surrounding community,” Settles added.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Innovation & Excellence
The Livonia investment supports Ford’s continued goal of powertrain innovation. Production of a forthcoming transmission for front-wheel drive vehicles is expected to deliver more performance and better fuel economy for customers. According to Ford, the transmission will be finely tuned for both enjoyable driving and measurable efficiency. Most applications will use a common microprocessor with more than 4 million lines of code controlling both the engine and transmission.
Weight reduction and the EcoBoost engine family are at the top of Ford’s list when it comes to overall innovation. So far, it has paid off. The F-150’s EcoBoost V6 lineup, with the military-grade aluminum body, now accounts for more than 75 percent of F-150 sales.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Audi Announces Full 2018 Lineup (Chart Included)

Audi Announces Full 2018 Lineup (Chart Included)

Even though 2018 is a ways off, Audi got the jump by announcing features and pricing for their full lineup. Before we get into the specifics for each, here are the generalities. For starters, the advanced driver assistance systems, such as Audi side assist and all those “we’ll brake for you” and “look out, your leaving your lane” sorts of things are now standard on more models.
This is a good thing, since it will (conceivably) prevent accidents, but this is also a bad thing since it engenders “a car will take care of it for me” mentality.
A3 Model Line
The A3 maintains its place by being the entry into the Audi world. The A3 gets a new music interface with two USB ports for data and charging as standard. Also standard are heated front seats. The Premium Plus models are standard equipped with Audi side assist and a Bang & Olufsen stereo as part of the Technology package. Said tech package also includes MMI Navigation and Audi Virtual Cockpit.
The new S3 comes with red brake calipers and Audi magnetic ride. The A3 Sportback e-tron (that’s the wagon-esque version) offers available 18-inch wheels with all-season tires as part of its Sport package.
A4 Model Line
The bread-and-butter A4 gets a new Black Optic Plus package, featuring 18-inch 10-Y-spoke gloss black wheels, red brake calipers, high-gloss black side sill blades, rear lip spoiler, and exterior mirror housings in gloss black. Also with that package, the interior gets a three-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel with S badging, piano black inlays, a leatherette covered center console, and contrast red stitching which is a flashy touch.
Standard features for the Premium model include heated front seats and S line exterior design elements. Premium Plus trimmed A4s get Audi side assist and Audi Pre Sense rear as standard. The Prestige trim gets standard Audi active lane assist, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, traffic sign recognition, and high beam assistant. Dual-pane acoustic glass for the front side windows, a leatherette covered center console, and door armrests are also part of the Prestige trim.
A4 allroad
The 2018 A4 allroad wagon/near-SUV-thing gets many more standard driver assistance systems and technologies. Side assist and pre sense rear are now standard on the Premium Plus trim. Audi active lane assist with adaptive cruise control and stop & go, high beam assistant, and traffic sign recognition are now standard on the Prestige. The front sport seats are now ventilated and available as part of the warm weather package on the Premium Plus.
Audi A4 allroad (2017 model shown). Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
A6 Model Line
The 2018 A6 comes with three drivetrain choices: 2.0T front-wheel drive, 2.0T quattro, and a new 3.0-liter TFSI V6 with quattro. That six-banger delivers 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. of torque. Oo-la-la. Other standard goodies are MMI Navigation and Audi advanced key (Premium trim). Premium Plus now includes standard LED headlights and full LED interior lighting.
Prestige trims now include the top view camera as standard.
The new for 2018 Competition package includes black exterior mirror housings, red brake calipers, 20-inch, 5-double-spoke Titanium matte wheels, sport suspension, and a quattro sport differential. Inside drivers are treated to brushed aluminum inlays, diamond stitched S sport seats, a three-spoke flat bottom multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, and a black cloth headliner.
A7 Model Line
The A7, that weirdo hatchback coupe/four-door sedan thingo, gets the standard equipment applied with a ladle. The 3.0T V6 engine now delivers more horsepower and torque, while full LED ambient interior lighting is standard on Premium Plus trims. The corner view camera is standard on Prestige trims.
There is a new Competition package available for the A7 that includes black optic exterior elements, S-line bumpers, red brake calipers, sport suspension, and a quattro sport differential. Sporty interior elements include brushed aluminum inlays, flat bottom steering wheel, and S sport seats with contrast stitching.
There’s also a ton of new wheel and tire choices for the 2018 A7.
A8 Model Line
The 2018 A8, Audi’s top of the line high performance luxo-barge continues apace. The big A8 L, equipped with the 3.0T six cylinder plant, now offers an Executive package that includes 20-inch, five-spoke-Blade-design wheels, Audi active lane assist, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, heads-up display, Audi side assist, and Audi pre sense rear. The Executive package also gets you ventilated and massaging front seats, rear heated seats, a heated four-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, and a panoramic sunroof.
If you go for the 4.0T version’s Executive Plus package, you get power lumbar support and separate power for the rear seats, along with ventilation and massage functions. The A8’s Black Optic package adds black accents to the standard Sport style exterior package, with 20-inch and 21-inch wheels available.
Audi A8 L (2017 model shown). Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Q3 Model Line
The compact Audi Q3 crossover features standard S line exterior design elements, including an S line front bumper, doors sills, and badging. The new Convenience package includes Audi advanced key, power tailgate, aluminum satellite inlays, and an auto dimming interior mirror with a compass. The Premium Plus model includes standard Audi side assist, full-LED headlights, and LED taillights with dynamic rear turn signals.
The Sport Plus package also includes a three-spoke flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, along with a Black Optic exterior kit, black roof rails, and 19-inch, 10-spoke titanium wheels.
Q7 Model Line
For 2018, the big Audi Q7 now comes standard with Audi advanced key. The Premium Plus models now get 3D Bose Surround Sound standard. On the 3.0T Prestige models, power door closers are now standard.
TT & TTS Model Line
The 2018 TT and TTS offer customers a refreshed design and new technology options. Parking sensors are now standard equipment on both the TT Coupe and Roadster. A 12 speaker, 680 watt Bang & Olufsen stereo is now an option. An available S line competition package includes high gloss exterior accents, brushed aluminum door sills and inlays, red brake calipers, S line sport suspension, leather/Alcantara-trimmed S sport seats with S line embossing, and a flat-bottom multifunction S line steering wheel – essentially, everything you need to make you feel all special and sporty.
The 2018 TTS Coupe has an exclusive interior package, starting with Nappa leather-trimmed S embossed front seats, with contrast diamond stitching. The 2018 TTS Coupe has three color options: Calendula Yellow, Crimson Red, and Cloudy Gray. Our personal favorite is the new TT RS.
2018 Audi TT RS. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

R8 Coupe & Spyder
The R8, the car Tony Stark drives, has many of the same parts (50 percent) as Audi’s R8 LMS racecar, including the Lambo-sourced V10 engine. A newly available Black Optic package includes 20-inch, 10-spoke-Y design forged wheels in high gloss Anthracite finish, gloss black exhaust tips, Mythos black side blades (V10 models only), and Titanium Black exterior trim. Full LED headlights with Audi laser light are available on the V10 models, but come standard on the V10 Plus.
The Audi Sport badge replaces the quattro badge on the front grille, and Audi Sport puddle lights are now standard.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
In case you want a “just the facts ma’am” chart, here ’tis:
2018 Audi Model Line: Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices
Excluding destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
Model
Engine
Transmission
Premium
Premium Plus
Prestige
Single Trim
A3 Cabriolet
2.0T
FWD S tronic
$38,350
$41,600
$46,800

A3 Cabriolet
2.0T
quattro S tronic
$41,050
$44,300
$49,500

A3 Sedan
2.0T
FWD S tronic
$31,950
$35,200
$40,700

A3 Sedan
2.0T
quattro S tronic
$34,950
$38,200
$43,700

S3 Sedan
2.0T
quattro S tronic

$43,650
$48,950

A3 Sportback e-tron
1.4T
FWD S tronic
$39,500
$42,600
$48,100

A4 allroad
2.0T
quattro S tronic
$44,500
$47,200
$53,000

A4 sedan
2.0T
ultra FWD S tronic
$36,000
$39,200
$45,500

A4 Sedan
2.0T
quattro S tronic
$40,500
$43,700
$50,000

A4 Sedan
2.0T
quattro manual
$40,500
$43,700
$50,000

S4 Sedan
3.0T
quattro Tiptronic

$51,400
$55,800

A6 Sedan
2.0T
FWD S tronic
$49,700
$51,900

A6 Sedan
2.0T
quattro Tiptronic
$51,900
$54,100

A6 Sedan
3.0T
quattro Tiptronic
$56,500
$58,700
$61,400

S6 Sedan
4.0T
quattro S tronic

$71,900
$74,400

A7 Sedan
3.0T
quattro Tiptronic

$69,700
$72,400

S7 Sedan
4.0T
quattro S tronic

$81,200
$83,150

RS 7
4.0T
quattro Tiptronic

$113,900

RS 7 Performance
4.0T
quattro Tiptronic

$130,700

Q3
2.0T
FWD S tronic
$32,900
$35,800

Q3
2.0T
quattro Tiptronic
$35,000
$37,900

Q7
2.0T
quattro Tiptronic
$49,900
$53,900

Q7
3.0T
quattro Tiptronic
$56,400
$60,400
$65,400

R8 Coupe
V10
quattro S tronic

$164,900
R8 Coupe
V10 Plus
quattro S tronic

$194,400
R8 Spyder
V10
quattro S tronic

$177,100
TT Coupe
2.0T
quattro S tronic

$43,950
TTS Coupe
2.0T
quattro S tronic

$52,950
Destination and delivery charge is not included in MSRPs listed. Destination charges on 2018 Audi vehicles are as follows: R8 model line: $1,250. All other models: $975.
Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

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General Motors Restructuring International Markets To Strengthen Global Business

General Motors Restructuring International Markets To Strengthen Global Business

General Motors has announced “key restructuring actions” for its international business to increase overall financial health. The move comes as GM is looking to focus capital and resources on opportunities expected to yield higher returns, according to a press release from the automaker.
“As the industry continues to change, we are transforming our business, establishing GM as a more focused and disciplined company,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Moving & Shaking
The new plan involves changing GM’s Talegaon manufacturing base in India to produce vehicles for export only. The facility will supply vehicles to Mexico and other Central and South American markets. Chevrolet sales in the region will stop at the end of the year, but GM will support existing customers. In South Africa, Chevrolet will disappear by the end of 2017 as well, but like in India, GM will support existing customers.
In South Africa, the biggest moves come with Isuzu, who will acquire GM’s Struandale plant and GM’s remaining 30 percent in the Isuzu Truck South Africa joint venture. Isuzu will also purchase GM’s Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre and assume control of the Parts Distribution Centre. At the end of February, Isuzu agreed to purchase GM’s 57.7 percent shareholding in GM East Africa, and like India and South Africa, Chevrolet sales will cease in that market.
“These actions will further allow us to focus our resources on winning in the markets where we have strong franchises and see greater opportunity,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “We have compelling plans for growth in both the top line and the bottom line as we invest for the future.”
The Isuzu DMAX and Chevrolet N300 Pickup are part of GM’s lineup for its International Operations’ Aid & Development Program to help non-governmental organizations work on projects in remote areas. Photo: General Motors.
Extensive Reviews
According to GM, these decisions were made following extensive reviews of the company’s international markets starting in 2013. Stefan Jacoby, GM Executive Vice President and President of GM International, shared how taking an “enterprise approach” has proven beneficial.
“In India, our exports have tripled over the past year, and this will remain our focus going forward,” he said. “We determined that the increased investment required for an extensive and flexible product portfolio would not deliver a leadership position or long-term profitability in the domestic market.”
A similar conclusion was reached in South Africa.
“After a thorough assessment of our South African operations, we believe it is best for Isuzu to integrate our light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations into its African business,” Jacoby said. “We determined that continued or increased investment in manufacturing in South Africa would not provide GM the expected returns of other global investment opportunities.”
“We are committed to deploying capital to higher return initiatives that will enable us to lead in our core business and in the future of personal mobility,” Barra added.
Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA (left), and Mary T. Barra, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (right), at a press conference in Paris announcing the agreement under which GM’s Opel/Vauxhall subsidiary and GM Financial’s European operations will join the PSA Group. At the moment, GM and the PSA Group are determining the possible direction for Opel in South Africa. Photo: General Motors.

Special Arrangements
GM is working with employees, their union representatives, and local authorities to provide transition support in the affected markets. GM says the company will record an annual savings of approximately $100 million and plans to take a charge of approximately $500 million in the second quarter of 2017. The charge will be treated as special and excluded from the company’s EBIT-adjusted results. About $200 million of the special charge will be cash expenses, according to a press release from the automaker.
“Globally, we are now in the right markets to drive profitability, strengthen our business performance, and capitalize on growth opportunities for the long term,” Barra said. “We will continue to optimize our operations market by market to further improve our competitiveness and cost base.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: General Motors.

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2018 Volvo XC60 Pricing Announced, Ordering Open

2018 Volvo XC60 Pricing Announced, Ordering Open

The 2018 Volvo XC60 is on its way and the automaker has announced pricing for the model range. The T5 starts at $41,500, the T6 at $44,900, and the T8 at $52,900. The T5 turbocharged engine produces 250 horsepower with all-wheel drive, the T6 (turbo and supercharged) engine hits 316 horsepower with all-wheel drive, and finally, the T8 Twin Engine Electric Plug-In Hybrid creates 400 horsepower with electric all-wheel drive.
The pricing range accurately reflects the power and performance of each individual model.
Unique Design
The 2018 Volvo XC60 is the first in the new line of 60 series vehicles to portray the automaker’s new design language. All models come standard with a panoramic moonroof, leather seats, 9-inch touchscreen display, and Apple Carplay/Android Auto compatibility. The new XC60 can be optioned with a softer Nappa Leather with ventilation and massage, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, and four-corner air suspension. The latter gives a more balanced and comfortable ride.
Thor’s Hammer LED headlamps, a Volvo signature seen prominently on the larger XC90, will also accompany the XC60.
The XC60 is the fourth Volvo based on their patented SPA architecture. Volvo developed it in-house and introduced it with the aforementioned 2016 XC90. SPA allows Vovlo’s engineers to seamlessly integrate a wide range of vehicle systems and technology, be it performance or safety related.
2018 Volvo XC60. Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Safety & Security
True to Volvo’s safety legacy, the 2018 XC60 keeps the bar high in this department. For example, the standard Lane Keeping Aid now works with Oncoming Lane Mitigation. The system provides steering input to avoid potential head-on collisions. Both ultimately pair with Vovlo’s Intellisafe City Safety technology, which includes pedestrian, cyclist, vehicle, and large animal detection with automatic emergency braking.
Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System can now use Steer Assist functionality to prevent drivers from changing lanes into other vehicles.
Ordering & Availability
Customers can configure their XC60 through the Volvo Cars website or place an order at their local Volvo retailer. Expect to see the vehicle hit the United States this fall.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Volvo XC60. Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Photos & Source: Volvo Car USA, LLC.

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Lotus Elise: The Sweet Spot Between Fun & Cost

Lotus Elise: The Sweet Spot Between Fun & Cost

When I first looked at the presser titled “Own the best ever Lotus Elise for a lot less,” regarding the new Elise I misread it as “Own the best Lotus ever.” And I almost had an infarction. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” my brain said. Yeah, the Elise is a very good car. But the best Lotus ever?
No way.
That’s saying a lot, but there’s no way they can mean that for real.
I mean, do they really expect me to believe the Elise is as good as a Lotus 7 or a Europa? Yes, Europas had “issues” (typical reliability and a horrid gearbox) and yes, 7s don’t even come with heaters and paint (making them a little too Spartan for most buyers), but both of those cars would run rings around . . . oh . . . the best Lotus Elise ever. Well that’s completely different.
Chirping Crickets
Ever since it hit the road, the Lotus Elise has been an extremely hard car to argue against. It had all of the things Lotus traditionally excelled at – peerless handling, extreme lightweight, a certain style – with none of the traditional shortcomings – frightening levels of unreliability, sometimes iffy build quality, questionable practicality.
In large part, the Elise became just as viable a choice as anything the Japanese or Germans made (think about that for a tic) if not being exactly inexpensive. This was down to two main reasons: One, the build quality was way up, thanks to Lotus working with Scandinavian aluminum suppliers in how they manufactured their hydro-formed chassis/tub and then (literally) gluing it together, and two, they sourced the engine from Toyota.
Lotus Elise Sprint. Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Sweet Spots
Now, it seems that going with a Toyota plant is a complete no-brainer, but way back when, Lotus used to make the most bizarre engine choices. Who in their right mind would think a Renault engine would be a good choice when wanting to make a car more “livable” and “practical” and “reliable?” Colin Chapman, that’s who. Then again, for all his engineering genius, Chapman was notoriously bad at some things – like understanding what road car owners wanted and grasping finances (ask the British tax authorities and various banks about that last one).
But eventually logic prevailed, and now we, the gearheads of this world, are blessed with one of history’s most fantastic sports cars, the Lotus Elise. They are in so many ways just what a sports car should be. No bigger than necessary, light, agile to the point of being twitchy, powerful enough to get you into trouble, powerful enough to get you out of trouble, gorgeous, quick – the whole megillah.
Oh, and it’s cheap (relatively speaking). Cheap to buy into for the performance you get, cheap to run since the maintenance is low and, here’s the main point, it retains a ton of value over time. A lot of sports cars don’t. You buy something shiny and new and fast and sports car like, if not an actual sports car and, relatively speaking, it’s trade-in value drops like a zeppelin over New Jersey on a bad day.
Lotus Elise Sport 220. Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Value Added
What Car? a British car buying/rating magazine (and yes, it’s got a question mark in its title and yes, that’s annoying) just did a study saying the Elise is the slowest depreciating performance car on the market. Okay, yes, that’s the British market, but still, that’s good news. Since depreciation is the single biggest ownership running cost, over time, a car that retains more value like an Elise makes even more “practical” sense. Can you believe I just wrote that about a Lotus? Me either. But it’s true.
According to What Car? the Elise retains up to 95% of its original price after 12 months, and over 54% after four years with average mileage. That beats out correspondingly priced sports cars like the Porsche Cayman and, percentage-wise, the Elise outdoes exotic rivals like the Ferrari 458 Italia.
The current version of the Elise comes in two basic flavors, either the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated version or the 1.8-liter supercharged mill. Like all Lotus products, the Elise is extremely light. The Sprint edition is the lightest fully homologated car available in Europe, tipping the scales at 1,759 pounds dry weight. That is about 300 pounds less than a Miata, a car no one considers “fat.”
Pricing Figures
So, like me, you are tempted to buy a Lotus Elise, and yes, you understand that it’s going to retain its value rather well. But, you might ask, what’s the cost of entry? The Elise Sport starts at £32,300 while the blown Elise Sport 220 will set you back £39,300. The higher zoot Elise Sprint and Elise Sprint 220 will run you £37,300 and £44,300 (respectively) and the range topping, getouttamyway Elise Cup 250 cashes out at £47,400. Which, for us Yankees, works out between $41,928.63 and $61,506.24.
Would I buy one? Of course I would (finances and garage space not withstanding). Although I would probably go with an used model – on the used market, their asking prices put them less than newer 911s and 1st Gen NSX’s and such. And, let’s get down to brass tacks here, the Lotus Elise kicks serious butt.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Lotus Elise Sprint. Group Lotus plc.
Photos & Source: Group Lotus plc.

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