Automotive

2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid: A Brief Walk Around

2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid: A Brief Walk Around The 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid gets a mild refresh for the middle of the year and a slight, I mean very slight, price bump. That said, for your money, between $33,250 and $38,850, depending on model, you get a giant basket of standard stuff.
The main story here is that styling for the hybrid now matches that of the already released Sonata gasoline models. The Korean auto giant says you can travel for 28 miles using all-electric drive, even though the starting price for the 2018 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid has dropped $1,350 from the 2017 model.
The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Limited, however, gets a price bump by $250, but now comes with a bunch of new features.
Safety Tech
Seriously, the list is crazy complete, with Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, LED Headlights with Dynamic Bending Lights, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Attention Alert.
The Forward Collision Warning is now enhanced with an Automatic Emergency Braking function, and the Lane Departure Warning now adds a Lane Keep Assist function. There’s an additional USB charge port and a wireless charging pad for mobile devices. The steering wheel is heated and the Bi-function LED headlights with dynamic bending lights are there for the ride in 2018.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid receives a seven-inch Display Audio color touchscreen, a backup camera, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, plus iPod, USB, and AUX input jacks. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Power & Performance
And like I mentioned, the all-electric range is up to 28 miles, an improvement of one mile. While Hyundai’s Plug-In Hybrid tech gets you a 99 EPA-estimated MPGe rating, the hybrid efficiency nets you 39 mpg. Add everything up and you get a total driving range of an impressive 600 miles.
The old school portion of the drivetrain ain’t that old school. It’s a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine, which is nifty. The electric motor portion cranks out 50 kW (that’s 67 horsepower, which is a better way to put it) and that’s hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission versus the now chic CVT. The 50 kW electric motor is 32 percent more powerful and allows for more efficient EV operation during higher engine loads and speeds.
The battery pack is a state-of-the-art 9.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer deal that’s more than five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery, and can be charged using a 240V Level 2 charging station in slightly less than three hours.
2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid interior layout. HD and satellite radio are included, along with heated seats and dual zone climate control. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Styling & Design
The exterior now includes a more dynamic front fascia with new sheet metal on the hood and front fenders. The design refresh, naturally, incorporates the new Hyundai signature cascading grille shape, and the new rear deck lid allows for a sleeker, coupe-like appearance they say. The 17-inch eco-spoke alloy wheels have been redesigned; there’s distinctive blue bezel headlights and taillights with a clear outer lens to further highlight the refreshed styling.
Naturally, the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid’s interior has also been updated with a revised center stack area and instrument cluster, while the steering wheel now has a sportier leather-wrapped three-spoke design.
Like I said, that’s a lot for less than 40-large, y’know?
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence Review

2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence Review The 2018 Buick Regal TourX is an all-new model for the automaker, and we were a bit surprised they would offer a wagon for Americans who typically don’t buy them in great numbers. But when we looked at the new offering from Buick it begins to make more sense.
Buick and other automakers are going after the adventurous families who need a functional and fuel-efficient vehicle with all-wheel drive standard. The TourX fits in a niche market.
This weekend we drove the top trim 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence.
What’s New For 2018
The Buick Regal TourX is an all-new model for 2018.
Features & Options
The 2018 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD ($35,020) comes standard with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Essence trim adds a hands-free lift gate, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, leather upholstery, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, and a heated steering wheel.
The Preferred Driver Confidence Package #1 ($1,725) includes LED headlights, rear parking sensors, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, a driver’s-side auto-dimming mirror, driver-seat memory functions, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Driver Confidence Package #2 ($1,190) includes a host of driver safety aids.
The Sights and Sounds Package ($1,200) adds a remote start and upgraded gauges. The upgraded audio and infotainment systems include an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth capability, two rear charge-only USB ports, and satellite radio. This tester also included a panoramic power moonroof ($1,200).
Total MSRP including destination: $41,550.

Interior Highlights
Stepping inside this top-trim Buick Regal TourX reveals lots of luxury, soft-touch materials throughout, and comfortable leather seats. We settled in and felt like we were sitting in a premium European wagon. The lines are contemporary and the two-tone interior is stylish. Passenger space in back is generous and there’s convenient and versatile 40/20/40 fold flat seating options.
The Regal TourX has 32.7 cubic feet of cargo space with its back seat raised and 73.5 cubic feet with it lowered. That’s more than what’s offered by comparable luxury wagons or compact luxury SUVs. Its lower lift over and roof height also make it much easier to load than an SUV.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Buick Regal TourX comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, producing 250 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 21/29 city/highway and 21 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
Driving the TourX offers sharper handling than taller SUVs and better ride quality than some luxury sport wagons. Overall, it rides comfortably on the highway and was easy to drive on the busy city streets of Denver. The cabin is noticeably quiet once we got underway at highway speeds. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is peppy and we never had to wish we had more power, even driving at altitude west of Denver.
We pushed it hard around tight mountain curves and the all-wheel drive system and advanced suspension gives you plenty of confidence when you need it. The eight-speed automatic worked well with the 2.0-liter turbo engine and offered quick, seamless shifts as we pushed it hard up I-70.
The Buick Regal TourX should be a capable vehicle in the snow and ice and even for navigating through those mild off-road excursions. It offers a little extra ground clearance compared to normal wagons, but it’s not enough to make a significant difference in terms of extreme off-road ability.

Conclusion
We would recommend the 2018 Buick Regal TourX for families wanting a flexible, comfortable wagon that offers luxury and all-weather capability. It has the utility of an SUV but offers a lower load height, and with all the added safety technology, any family will feel safe in heavy city traffic.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Buick Regal TourX Gallery

2018 Buick Regal TourX Official Site.
Photos: Buick.

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Fiat Introduces New Chrome Packages But The Shine Is Lacking

Fiat Introduces New Chrome Packages But The Shine Is Lacking Chrome isn’t just for big trucks, now little Fiats are in on the action with a new appearance package for the 500L and 500X. Add this to Fiat’s recent package blitz which includes the Urbana, Blue Sky, and Adventurer editions. And while these appearance packages have their allure, it’s like a sparkler or sugar snake when what’s really needed is a blazing bottle rocket.
The Fiat lineup could use an extensive redesign. Something. Anything. These upgraded packages are great, but only go so far as the brand struggles to maintain traction.
Tiny Tanks
People either love or loathe Fiat; their cars are either amazing or asinine. Their Italian styling is rather unconventional considering what Americans are normally accustomed to. Traditionally, we are a culture of big trucks and stylish SUVs, a stark contrast to the tiny cruisers of the Fiat farm. Although, like a lot of products sold across this great country, the Fiat brand is personality-driven and those who have them closely identify with them.
While it’s a story for another time, I came into Fiat ownership by sheer happenstance. I likely would have bought another Ford because that’s what I drove for years, but my 2016 500X changed the way I see the Fiat.
My 500X is a tiny tank. Literally. Michigan roads, especially around metro Detroit, are rough. A vehicle’s suspension and chassis will take a licking here, and that’s not including winter. The 500X, in its current form, rides on a Jeep platform, a huge advantage in terms of durability. Mine is front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is available. I get about 7,500 miles between oil changes and with the nine-speed automatic (which shifts seamlessly), I average upwards of 38 to 40 mpg on the highway.
Although most of what you read on Fiat is exactly the opposite. Just scan the latest rankings from Consumer Reports.
Fiat 500X with the Satin Chrome Appearance Group. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Shot In The Dark
What is Fiat to do? Truthfully, I don’t have the answer. If I did, I would likely be an executive there making the big bucks, but I would suggest we stop scratching for sardines and fry bigger fish. It’s time for an overhaul. Something. Anything. It wouldn’t hurt to “Americanize” the lineup a bit – not saying to abandon the Italian flare entirely – but finding a way to marry the styling cues of both cultures might help, especially for the 500X.
If I’m Fiat, I’m working overtime to make meaningful connections with the younger buyers who want small SUVs.
The 124 Spider and 500 Abarth are cool and they can stay. The 500L cannot. It’s hideous. Yet, according to Fiat, U.S. sales are up more than 20 percent year-over-year through June, making the 500L Fiat’s fastest growing nameplate. Sure. Fine. But the 500L is the one ugly duckling that’s not growing up to be a beautiful swan.
How about a nice, sporty mid-size sedan? Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are profitable with cars like this, why not Fiat? Slap an Abarth badge on there with some horsepower, braking and suspension upgrades, and suddenly the Fusion Sport and Regal GS have company. How about the Audi S4 or BMW 340i? Why not? Kia is taking on the Germans with the Stinger, why not a muscled-up Fiat too?
Fiat 500L with the Chrome Appearance Group. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Happy Accident
I don’t have the whole picture as to what is going on at Fiat, but for better or worse, it seems like a lot. I won’t speak for them and I am sure they know what they are doing, but a complete redesign of key vehicles, like the 500X and 500L (shudder), would help immensely.
I don’t see people waiting on pins and needles going “Oh, I just cannot wait to see the Chrome Appearance Group on the new Fiats.” If somebody gets one of these new chromed Fiats it will likely be by accident. They went in looking at a 500X, liked the one on the showfloor, and it just so happened to have this chrome package.
Just in case you are chomping at the bit for one, the equipment list is below. I’ll be over here, holding my breath for the Fiat Abarth performance sedan.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Fiat 500L Chrome Appearance Group
MSRP: $495.
Fog lamps.
Body side chrome accents.
Front fascia chrome accents.
Rear reflector chrome bezels.
17-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets.
Available for all seven exterior colors: Grigio Chiaro (graphite metallic), Nero (black), Bianco (white), Rosso (red), Grigio Scuro (grey metallic), Blue Tornado, and Blue Denim.
Fiat 500X Satin Chrome Appearance Group
MSRP: $395 (all-wheel drive) / $695 (front-wheel drive).
Satin silver roof rails.
Fog and cornering lamps, automatic headlamps.
17-inch aluminum wheels (front-wheel drive only).
Satin chrome accents: exterior mirrors, door handles, and body side moldings.
Satin chrome accents: fog lamp bezels, front fascia, front and rear badges, liftgate handle.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

July 4th is a time for celebration as we enjoy our independence and thank our many veterans who have served. This year, it’s most likely a weekend full of camping, cookouts, and fireworks. It’s also a deadly time of year, unfortunately, as a new study shows July 4th is officially the most dangerous day to drive in the United States.
The study, conducted by Geotab, a telematics and GPS vehicle tracking company, looked at the fatality and traffic data over a 10-year period to see how U.S. states differ when it comes to road safety.
Startling Figures
Every year, over 30,000 people are killed in traffic related accidents in the United States; a truly staggering number when looking at the brass tacks. In any other transportation industry, say airlines for example, those numbers would not be tolerated. Such figures question the need for automated driving and advanced vehicle perception technology, the development of which we monitor at this publication. However, until autonomous vehicles come fully to fruition, information and careful, responsible driving will be our best assets for safety behind the wheel.
Geotab’s study also notes that specific days of the year, and even certain states, are more dangerous than others. Holidays like Labor Day, Halloween, and New Year’s Day, where alcohol consumption is present, have a higher rate of fatal accidents. The findings followed an analysis of road traffic, crash, and fatality reports, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Traffic Volume Trends published in December 2016. Using this data, Geotab calculated a Fatal Crash Rate for each day and U.S. state, made up of the total number of fatal road accidents per billion miles driven by cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Danger In July
Over a 10-year span, July 4th carries an average of 119 deadly crashes with a Fatal Crash Rate of 14.9, making it the most dangerous day on U.S. roads. Given that many July 4th parties involve alcohol, drivers are more likely to be under the influence; fatal crashes on the 4th involving alcohol are a staggering 47 percent. The grim news doesn’t stop there, unfortunately. On average, 28 percent of all road crashes are related to driving under the influence with that number rising significantly during holidays: New Year’s Day and Halloween are two of the worst at 41.6 and 41 percent respectively.
In addition to alcohol consumption, smartphone usage is becoming problematic behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 people are using cell phones while driving at any given moment.

Statistics & Solutions
Fatal Crash Rate measures the number of motor vehicle crashes involving a fatality, rather than measuring the total number of fatalities. For instance; 13 million crashes occurred in the U.S. in 2015, of which 1.7 million resulted in an injury with an estimated 2.4 million people injured. Of the 1.7 million crashes, 32,166 had fatalities claiming the lives of 35,092 people. This data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is bleak and again, begs the urgency of safer vehicles with autonomous and connected technology.
“The future of connected vehicle data will enable Geotab to produce more services to help improve road safety and vehicle operating efficiency,” said Colin Sutherland, Executive Vice President, Geotab. “Access to vehicle data is key to our capability to contribute our open platform that will further enhance research in connected vehicles.”
Until the technology can catch up to the tragedy, the best bet is to be cautious and safe. Drive the posted speed limit, keep your vehicle maintained, put the phone away, get plenty of rest before traveling, and avoid alcohol.
“A big component of road safety is good decision making,” said Joe Campanella, Executive Vice President, Business Development, CARCHEX and advisory Board Member for Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Maryland. “Drinking and driving truly don’t mix, and so if you’ve had a drink – even one – you should find a safe mode of transportation.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Click the image to open the full interactive version (via Geotab).

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Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000

Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000 The latest lifted Buick Regal TourX seeks to steal Subaru Outback buyers.

What’s going on?
The 2018 Buick Regal TourX debuted with its standard four-door sibling at the 2017 New York International Auto Show to replace the outgoing model.
Now, CarsDirect.com reports the new Regal long-roof should start around $29,995. This means the Regal TourX undercuts more premium options such as the BMW 3-Series Wagon and the Audi A4. On the flip side, this also means the Regal TourX offers more value per dollar.
What’s included with the base 2018 Buick Regal TourX?
To boot, the base Regal TourX comes pretty well equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels, Buick’s touted active noise cancelling, a seven-inch infotainment screen system, heated mirrors and more. But all come with the same 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic, sending power to a full-time twin-clutch all-wheel drive system across the board.
Right off the bat, the Regal TourX’s power already sets it ahead of its direct competition, the Volkswagen Alltrack and the Subaru Outback. Additionally, the Regal TourX offers quite a bit more space than both the Alltrack and is roughy on par with the Outback.
So it’ll be interesting to see if the Regal TourX has what it takes to sway buyers in its direction.

2018 Buick Regal TourX

Lots of standard and optional additions
The Regal TourX comes pretty jampacked with standard equipment. As usual, more options and packages are available for choosing, reading the price. Some examples include a panoramic roof for $1,200, and a Driver Confidence Package featuring blind-spot detection, rear park assist, and an auto-dimming mirror for $1,240. The top-spec model TourX, the TourX Essence 1SL, starts at just $35,945.
CarsDirect.com predicts the middle-level TourX Preferrred 1SB should be the one most commonly available at dealers. Starting at $33,575, its the model most displayed in the TourX’s advertising campaign.
Should you option out your TourX all the way, chances are however, you won’t crest over the $40,000 mark too far if at all. In comparison, the Volvo V60 starts at $37,415 and the BMW 3-Series Wagon, at $43,000.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: CarsDirect.com
2018 Buick Regal TourX Gallery

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2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

Hey, did you know Nissan made full-size pickups? Yeah, of course you did. I know it too, but it sure seems like they don’t get much notice, do they? If it’s not for the big three ‘Murican trucks – Chevy/GMC, Ford, and Ram – it seems to be Toyota grabs all the attention, leaving poor Nissan by the wayside.
This is unfortunate because the Nissan Titan is not to be ignored.
Big Warranty & Lots of Space
Nissan has just added the King Cab body configuration to the lineup, meaning you can now choose from three models: Crew Cab, Single Cab, and the new King Cab. The King Cab is available for both the half-ton and the XD and features a 6.5-foot bed, along with a rear-hinge door that opens wide for easy access to the second row. All 2017 Titan and Titan XD models, along with the new King Cab, are backed up a 100,000-mile / 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is nice to know, since trucks usually get thrashed on the job site.
The King Cab is offered in 4×4 and 4×2 drive configurations and comes in three grades or trim levels: S, SV, and PRO-4X. PRO-4X is 4×4 only. The new King Cab is pretty much just what it says on the tin: Room, lots and lots of room. There’s seating for six (with or without cowboy hats), wide-opening rear doors and, if you carry more stuff than people, an available “rear seat delete” option. Turns out, underneath where that back seat would be, there’s a flat floor so you get the security of in-cab storage space for your stuff.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Power & Performance
Like the Crew Cab and Single Cab, the new King Cab gives you the choice of either the 5.6-liter Endurance V8 or a Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel. If you opt for the half-ton Titan King Cab, you can choose between 4×4 and 4×2 drivetrains. The standard plant is the 390-horsepower 5.6-liter Endurance V8, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The King Cab has an available maximum towing capacity of 9,420 pounds (enough grunt to yank a McDonald’s a couple of feet to the left) with a maximum payload capacity of 1,640 pounds when properly equipped.
That Cummins mill slams out 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft. of torque. Nissan refers to that torque figure as “hefty” which is both adorable and an understatement. All you gearheads hauling your cars to the track, the Cummins is your engine of choice. That turbo diesel is matched to a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin A466ND automatic transmission, and the whole she-bang offers an available maximum towing capacity of 12,510 pounds (when properly equipped). Impressive, no?
Photo: Nissan North America.

Homegrown Hero
The new King Cab Titan was developed, planned, designed, engineered, and is even manufactured right here in the U.S. of A. with contributions from teams in Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Mississippi. The trucks are put together in Canton, Mississippi and the V8 engines come from Decherd, Tennessee. The Cummins diesel mills are assembled in Columbus, Indiana. Pricing for the 2017 Nissan Titan lineup is included in the handy graphs below. The trucks are on sale now and available at Nissan dealers nationwide.
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.
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan King Cab:
TITAN S King Cab 4×2
$32,550
TITAN SV King Cab 4×2
$35,930
TITAN S King Cab 4×4
$35,580
TITAN SV King Cab 4×4
$38,960
TITAN PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$43,290
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab 5.6-liter Endurance V8:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$33,560
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$37,960
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$36,590
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$40,990
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$45,440
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$40,110
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$44,010
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$43,640
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$46,540
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$50,490
2017 Nissan Titan Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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Hyundai And Amazon Launch Digital Showroom

Hyundai And Amazon Launch Digital Showroom Virtual Reality is here!!! Virtual Reality will be the technology of 1988 1992 1995 2001 2015 2018!! I know, I know. We’ve been hearing this same tired song for decades, but now, if Hyundai and Amazon are to be believed, Virtual Reality might actually be a viable thing.
Houses & Cars
I’ve been involved with more than a few VR companies over the years. Yeah, it’s very intriguing and the experience can be cool but, for what ever reason, it’s never caught on the way they tell us it should. Strangely enough, one of the areas where VR actually does seem to be working is in real estate. I’ve known a couple of guys that make VR environments for yet-to-be-built condos.
Want to see what your million dollar, 20th floor condo looks like? Want to check out the views? Put on this headset. Want to see what the view on floor 28 looks like compared to floor 20? Click, there ya go.
Whether someone from the real estate industry tipped Hyundai off, or whether they just came up with it on their own, Hyundai has something similar for the automotive world.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Virtual Showroom
Hyundai’s new digital showroom, that they cooked up with Amazon (that hosts all the data and acts as the gateway), offers car buyers the ability to not only compare pricing and reviews, but also book test drives, and check on dealer inventories. Hyundai says this is all part of their commitment to exceptional customer service, and it’s hard not to see that they’re right.
The “showroom” Hyundai set up on Amazon takes you, the prospective car buyer, on a “customer journey,” which sounds like some Grade A marketing gobbledygook. You start with the “brand experience” page that highlights the latest in Hyundai’s technology and automotive innovation. Next, if you want to be really linear about this, you can learn about Hyundai Assurance (that highlights the Korean company’s Connected Care, warranty services, 24/7 Roadside Assistance, and Hyundai Care).
You can then see more details on various Hyundais based on your preferences and buying habits. You can also read reviews, check pricing, set up test drives (in the real world), streamline your purchase options, and even find a local Hyundai dealer.

Upward Expansion
Interestingly, this is not the first time Hyundai and Amazon have worked together. They first collaborated in 2016 with “Prime Now, Drive Now,” an on-demand program that allowed buyers to book test drives through Amazon Prime Now. On top of this, Hyundai was the first mainstream automaker to connect cars with homes using Amazon Echo and the Blue Link skill for Amazon Alexa. So look for this Hyundai and Amazon partnership to continue.
The new digital showroom can be found here, if you’d like to give it a look.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

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VinFast: The Future of Vietnam’s Automotive Industry?

VinFast: The Future of Vietnam’s Automotive Industry? There’s a new startup car company – VinFast – looking to revolutionize the world of personal transportation. These days, that’s not very surprising to read. What is surprising is how this new car company is Vietnamese, and will be producing a home-grown sedan and SUV.
These first two rides will be produced at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in northern Vietnam.
Literary Perspective
In 1992, Neal Stephenson wrote this book called Snow Crash. It’s a pretty interesting book, and there’s a passage in it I was reminded of when this press release wafted across my digital transom:
“When it gets down to it — talking trade balances here — once we’ve brain-drained all our technology into other countries, once things have evened out, they’re making cars in Bolivia and microwave ovens in Tadzhikistan and selling them here — once our edge in natural resources has been made irrelevant by giant Hong Kong ships and dirigibles that can ship North Dakota all the way to New Zealand for a nickel — once the Invisible Hand has taken away all those historical inequities and smeared them out into a broad global layer of what a Pakistani brickmaker would consider to be prosperity — y’know what? There’s only four things we do better than anyone else: . . . “
Or, to put it in more modern terms: “You think Detroit’s got problems now? Wait until they start banging out the 2028 Camaro in Ho Chi Minh City.”
The question is not can they, but when will they. And, if now is the time it all starts, are VinFast the people to do it? We will find out relatively soon, because we’ll be able to see both an SUV and sedan at the Paris Motor Show this coming October. Oh, and they don’t seem to be doing things by half, since both rides are being developed by Pininfarina.
VinFast SUV rendering. Photo: VinFast Service and Trading JSC.
Blazing Speed
VinFast says their cars are developed to “international standards,” meaning they want to compete with the available offerings in Munich and Los Angeles and London. That’s biting off a lot, first time around. And to make this even more interesting, VinFast crowd-sourced the designs, with the Vietnamese people voting on their favorites from a range of options presented in October 2017.
Yes, VinFast is going from design kick off to debut in one year. And these first two models will be for sale in Vietnam by September 2019. All the while Vinfast says their upcoming twins will “meet international standards and customer expectations in terms of design, quality, dynamics, premium in-car features, and the ownership experience.”
A Few Questions
It’s at this point where things turn rather run-of-the-mill concerning the finer points of VinFast. They will be working with “world-leading” European design, engineering, and production technology partners, but they don’t tell you who those partners are, apart from Pininfarina. In the boardroom, VinFast has also recruited senior executives from some of the industry’s “leading automotive companies,” but they don’t mention who those senior executives are, or from which automotive companies they were recruited.
So far, it looks as if VinFast has recruited only from General Motors.
Photo: VinFast Service and Trading JSC.
Real Deal
VinFast is not all vapor and marketing smoke. They are nearly finished with construction of their purpose-built, state-of-the-art 335-hectare plant in Hai Phong, making it one of Vietnam’s biggest industrial projects ever. And yeah, that’s the same Hai Phong that Dick Nixon decided to mine and bomb in 1972.
Also, it’s worth noting that VinFast’s corporate owners, Vingroup, is one of Vietnam’s largest, privately-held businesses, with annual revenues in 2017 of 3.8 billion USD. Which is good, because designing and building cars from scratch takes a lot of money.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Photos & Source: VinFast Service and Trading JSC.

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BMW Marries Car & Ride Sharing In Seattle

BMW Marries Car & Ride Sharing In Seattle The tech explosion of the past 20 years has shown us, more than anything else, that if you combine greed with imitation, you get competitors. Now that Uber (McDonalds) and Lyft (Burger King) came up with the idea of “ride sharing,” along comes BMW with its entry into the game, ReachNow (Wendy’s). The burger joint analogy is on purpose. Anybody can run a good mom & pop burger joint, but going national and franchising your operation?
That’s a little more tricky.
Two In One
ReachNow is the mobility services division of BMW Group, maker of all things fast, boxy, and Bavarian. ReachNow says they are famous for being “the first company to operate both car sharing and ride hailing within a single app.” Sure, but I’ve never heard of it. This app, what ReachNow refers to as a “suite of mobility solutions,” can do essentially more than one thing, transportation-wise.
ReachNow was first rolled out as a multimodal (i.e. more than one kind of transportation) strategy at Automobility LA in November 2016, and now they are putting it out in the real world to see how it works. Or, at least they’re putting it out in Seattle, which may or may not count as “real.”
What sets ReachNow apart from say, Lyft or Zipcar, is that ReachNow combines all of those services into one, big service. With this, you can get a short term vehicle, like a Zipcar sort of deal, or you can just get a ride from point A to B, like with a Lyft. ReachNow allows you to personalized your level of comfort, and also customize your individual plan based on convenience or cost.
Let’s break this down . . .
Photo: BMW Group.
Piece By Piece
“Drive or ride” means customers (ReachNow calls them members) can choose between driving themselves via car sharing or getting a ride from the ride hailing service. Slick. If you choose to drive yourself, you can select from a fleet of hundreds of BMW and MINI vehicles, which sounds like fun. You pay by the minute, by the hour or by the day, meaning that ReachNow offers all the non-car-ownership options: ride, drive for a bit, or rent for a while.
The “go now or go later” option allows you the choice between an immediate, on-demand pick up or planning ahead and scheduling a pick up. You can reserve your transportation needs from 20 minutes to up to seven days in advance, which should come in handy for doing things like getting rides to the airport and such.
With the “personalized comfort” part of the app, you can individualize the in-vehicle experience by setting your temperature and music preferences beforehand. You can also select a “quiet time” feature if you wish to not be disturbed during the trip. You know, this way you keep your interactions with another living, breathing, feeling human down to the absolute minimum.
Another nifty feature is, once you reserve a ReachNow car, the destination will be sent automatically to the in-vehicle navigation. Nice.
Photo: BMW Group.
Pricing & Availability
ReachNow users in Seattle will be the first to get the full experience, with the sign up fee waived for new members who want to try the Ride portion only. The standard ReachNow Ride pricing starts at a $3.24 minimum, with a $2.40/mile plus $0.40/minute premium (no surge pricing).
The app works on both iPhone and Android devices.
Local Perspective
On a final note, let me add this: As a longtime Seattleite, this can’t make things any worse. I hope. Traveling around Seattle is a never-ending Boschian nightmare. 95 percent of the drivers are lack-whit sub-morons, the traffic planning is designed by sadists (I think), and the level of road maintenance makes you think you’re driving in Mogadishu, not Queen Anne.
None of this would matter if Seattle had a workable public transportation system, but it doesn’t. So if BMW’s scheme works, more the better. It’ll get you knuckle-dragging gibbons off the roads. I hope.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Photos & Source: BMW Group.

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