Automotive

2019 Toyota Avalon Appears In Detroit

2019 Toyota Avalon Appears In Detroit
Well, here it is, the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon, which, to be honest, is the automotive equivalent of saying “here’s the all-new 2019 jar of mayonnaise!” I’m not trying to imply that the 2019 Toyota Avalon is a bad car, not at all. It’s not. What I am saying is that it is boring. Sure, sure, it has adequate power and handling, and enough comfort and convenience features and room to make you feel like you’re driving down the road in a medium-sized Tokyo apartment, but it is as exciting as getting pushed off a milk crate into a vat of marshmallow frosting.
Bland Or Bold?
Look, maybe I am being unfair here, but these things have always bored me to tears. I make no bones about either my general dislike of sedans or my firmly held belief that cars bleached of all spirit and soul are most likely to bleach me of my spirit and soul. I’m sure the 2019 Avalon is smooth and quiet and comfortable and reliable and slick and noiseless and relaxing and dependable and velvety and tranquil and secure and unfailing as a Kenny G solo, but no one in the automotive world will have their nether regions corrupted by this car. Ev-ver.
But (and this is a big but) if that is the kind of car you need at this point in your life, i.e. something innocuous, roomy, sedan-like, and Japanese, it’s hard to go wrong buying a 2019 Toyota Avalon. For 2019, the Toyota Avalon will come in four grades: XSE (which is all-new), Touring, XLE, and Limited. The Hybrid model Avalons come in XLE, Limited, and XSE.
2019 Toyota Avalon on display at the North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Gino D’Orazio for Automoblog.net.

Interior Treatments
As one would expect, the interior of the new Avalon is nicely thought out, with well executed comfort and tech features. The Avalon exists to get you from A to B and to do so without raising your heart rate (sad as that is). Depending on the trim level, you get stuff like specially engineered wood and a mix of Perforated Ultrasuede or Softex seats. Those seats come with either vertical stitching or a quilt pattern with special perforation, and two-color stitches.
Toyota points out how the soft-touch materials are noticeable throughout. It’s on the Piano Black trimmed center console, on the slim instrument panel leading into the doors, in the rear compartment – really just all over the place. That Piano Black finishing can also be found on the rear cup and device holders, and in the armrest between passengers. Throughout the interior are air vents, controls for the seat warmers, and USB charging ports.
The upholstery color choices, which I first thought would consist of beige, tan, taupe, champagne, and Caucasian, actually show more variation that that. The 2019 Avalon’s interior can come in Cognac, gray and beige, gray or black Perforated Ultrasuede, or gray, beige, or black Softex.
Cutting Down
Curiously enough, for being such a big car in its past iterations, the 2019 Avalon is marginally smaller here and there. Toyota trimmed the overall height by an inch, chopped 0.8 inches off the rear deck, and lopped off 0.4 inches from the rear overhang, and one inch from the front overhang. Although smaller, the Avalon is a little wider, now up to 72.8 inches total. The wheelbase was extended by two inches. This is actually an old styling trick most popularized by the Wide-Track Pontiacs back in the 60s.

Multimedia Amenities
Of course there’s a big screen on the dash: a nine-inch multimedia display that controls audio, navigation, and climate control. Below the screen is a slide-open eBin containing a 12-volt plug and the standard wireless Qi mobile device charger. There are three USB power ports located inside the center console. The instrument panel itself is a seven-inch Multi-Information Display, showing vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation, and various vehicle settings. Both Limited and Touring models come standard with a 10-inch Heads-Up Display for vehicle and engine speeds, turn-by-turn directions, audio settings, and drive modes.
The stereo is an Owsley Stanley grade JBL performance audio system. It features 14-speakers, 1200-watts of power, and a tuned 7.1-channel surround sound system. Fitting, since JBLs are known for their fine, mellow, warm sound reproduction.
Power & Performance
The 2019 Toyota Avalon comes with two powertrain choices: normal and hybrid. The normal internal combustion engine is an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection and updated VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) and variable valve timing systems. Toyota says the V6 develops more power and better fuel economy through “D-4S direct injection” and the aforementioned updates to the VVT-iW and variable valve timing systems. Other V6 specifications include a 11.8:1 compression ratio; bore and stroke dimensions are 3.7-inches and 3.3-inches respectively.
The hybrid drive combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (direct injected) plant with Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing intelligent system by Electric motor). This is coupled to Toyota’s Hybrid System II with a 650-volt electric motor and Continuously-Variable Transmission.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Availability & In Person
Expect to see the 2019 Toyota Avalon on sale this spring. In the meantime, the vehicle is on display at the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center, downtown Detroit. The show officially opens to the public on Saturday, January 20th.
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.
Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Drive-In Movie Theaters Are Alive And Well

Drive-In Movie Theaters Are Alive And Well

America is good at extinction. There were herds of buffalo the size of Midwestern states, and we nearly annihilated them. There were enough passenger pigeons to eclipse the sun, and we did annihilate them. Around 60 years ago, there were huge swaths of this country given over to a singular proposition: You can do it in your car. The drive-in restaurant. The drive-in dry cleaners. The drive-in liquor store. There was even a drive-in church. In SoCal, of course. And, just as such, there were drive-in movie theaters. Hundreds . . . thousands . . . of drive-in movie theaters across this country. Roughly 80 per state.
Today, in 2017, in the state of Washington (for instance) there are three. And I stumbled across one of them, still in operation, located in the rural Olympic Peninsula. I went to a movie there and, appropriately enough, that movie was Cars 3.
Unexpected Destination
Cars 3 (and this is not going to turn into a film review) is a good movie, and you should go see it. Not just from a gearhead’s perspective, although there’s lots of car related stuff to laugh at and notice, but as a good movie in and of itself. No, it’s not Citizen Kane or 2001, but it is a pretty good movie.
So, there I was, driving – actually, being driven – from a rural area of the Olympic Peninsula to Port Townsend, a town that, when it was founded ten years before the Civil War, was going to be the main city of the Washington Territory. Port Townsend was aiming to be the San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest. And it nearly was, before being usurped and surpassed by both Tacoma and Seattle. Now, Port Townsend is mainly a tourist destination, artist community, and a rather nice place to retire if you do not demand year-round sunny weather. It looks like what San Francisco did 150 years ago. Port Townsend is frozen in time.
We’re driving through the woods, heading toward Port Townsend. It’s a long, straight stretch of two-lane that, given the right car, you’d be really tempted to open it up . . . except for the blind driveways and rough logging tracks that come out of the lofty pine forests at oblique angles with mere feet of visibility. Suddenly there it was. An old, ten-foot by twenty-foot white marquee with the black stick-on letters that simply read:
Drive-In Movie Theater
Cars 3 & Transformers V
Fri. Sat. Sun.
At first I didn’t think much about it. But then the little wheels in my skull went “click-click-click” and I realized both of the movies listed were new movies.
“Is that an operating Drive-in theater?”
“Oh yeah,” she answered. “It’s really fun. They show different movies every weekend, mostly new stuff. We should go.”
“You’re darn right we should go,” was the only response the situation merited!
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
Warm Welcome
The drive-in movie theater is called the Wheel-In Motor Movie. It was started by a family in, get this, 1953! The Grand Prix World Championship was only three-years-old at that time. Juan Manuel Fangio was a rookie driver. Stirling Moss hadn’t even started driving. The Wheel-In Motor Movie even pre-dates fins on Cadillacs and is a contemporary invention of the Shoebox Ford. And this place is still going. It’s still showing movies – that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own car – every summer. Perfect!
After you drive down a dirt two-lane cut through 100-foot tall fir trees, you come to the ticket office overseen by a nice, friendly gray-haired woman. She tells you what two movies are playing that night, the price (as I recall, a whopping $8.00 per person), takes your money (cards accepted), and tells you the radio frequency to tune to for the movie, should you choose to forgo the 60-year-old, window-hanger “Hi-Fi” speaker.
She says “thank you,” and you drive on for another couple hundred yards, through the trees, and into the drive-in theater itself.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.

Wide Open Spaces
The parking area is large and nicely terraced for easy viewing. At the far end is a screen roughly the size of a tennis court. This screen, as it turns out, is brand new. The Wheel-In Motor Movie recently had to upgrade to a digital projection system and got a new screen to go along with it. The new screen sits on a gantry/scaffold-like, lattice-work structure made of locally sourced wood that looks like it could hold up a moon rocket.
Wood is all over the place around here. And so are extremely skilled carpenters. You think they were going to use steel I-beams?
Between us and the screen lies a no-man’s-land about the size of a football field. This area is awash with dozens of kids all screaming and throwing balls and doing cartwheels and scuttling and howling and running around like crazed maniacs. In other words, acting like a bunch of kids in a big open space before an event.
Around the perimeter stand those who I can only assume are the grownups responsible for these kids. It’s an easy assumption to make, since 90% of them have looks of deep satisfaction on their faces. It’s a look that any and all parents of six-year-olds will instantly recognize; a look that says, “they will sleep like cute little rocks tonight, and finally, finally, I can get a good night’s sleep.”
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
Seating Arrangements
We begin to wander around, taking in the fading twilight and arriving cars. Everybody seems happy. Some people calmly sit in their cars, others strategize their plan for the night’s viewing. Blankets and comforters and pillows are produced, nests are made, serious discussions about who gets to sit where ensue: “Nuh-uh! Calling shotgun does not mean you get shotgun for the movie too, Travis!!”
As we wander up the gently sloping hill toward the back of the drive-in lot, I see a young couple and realize they are true professionals. Their (most likely his) bright yellow Ford pickup is parked backwards. Crammed laterally into the truck bed is a brown love seat most likely just liberated from their house. The young couple sit high up and in living room comfort, cuddled under a purple comforter. This, when I was in high school, was the preferred way to see a movie at the drive-in. Okay, actually, the really preferred way was in a car with steamed up windows and that cute girl from chemistry class, but let’s not get into that.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.

Appetites & Audio Equipment
At the very back of the drive-in sits the snack bar and projector house. Entering into the snack bar, I get a strange sense of déjà vu. It all seems so familiar, apart from the glassed-off projector. And then I realize this is just like literally every other snack bar I’ve ever seen at a drive-in movie theater, race track, or other facility where the center of gravity is something that sits on wheels.
The food, amazingly, doesn’t look all that bad. Burgers, fries, that sort of thing, all made on site, and one at a time. None of this pre-packaged stuff made in a factory four states away and driven in by refrigerator truck every six weeks. I guarantee you these burgers are better than anything you’ll ever have in a chain restaurant.
On one end of the snack bar building sits the projector in a glassed-off room. The projector itself is about the size of a washer/dryer combo with a protuberant lens to give it a howitzeresque feel. It can, assumedly, throw photons down-range at such a rate that it has its own, dedicated air conditioning plant about the size of a washer/dryer combo. On the wall behind sits a 50s vintage rack mount cabinet. Up top is a low wattage FM transmitter unit, very modern and high tech, and at the bottom of the rack sits the DAs (distribution amps, an old style 70 volt system) and the PA amp. The PA amp is a massive tube and transformer unit that no doubt dates back to the original install. It looks like it has the power of an arc welder and weighs close to a V8 block and/or boat anchor.
Against the back wall sits a line of battered old shelves packed with now-unneeded splicing equipment, 35mm film reels, and a couple dozen extra window-hanger in-car speakers. These are for those that commit the primary and most mortal of drive-in movie sins: driving away with the speaker STILL HANGING ON YOUR WINDOW!!!! Don’t ever do that. You’ll look like a real stupe in front of your date and be the butt of all jokes in third period.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
The King’s Speech
As dusk gathers, we return to our car. We briefly turn on the radio (they’re playing the soundtrack from the first Guardians of The Galaxy) but we change our minds and opt for the window-hanger speaker. It has the sound quality of a Stasi listening device found in the American Embassy in Berlin, circa 1947. It is, in many ways, the cherry on top.
Kids are ushered back to their cars, some begging for one last toss of the Frisbee, one more touchdown run. Over the speakers comes the dulcet tones of the theater owner. I think it’s Dick Wiley himself, but it might be his son. And you can tell this is His Stage. This is what he lives for, these next few minutes as he patiently, gently, fatherly tells you The Rules and Mores of the Wheel-In Motor Movie. His spiel is rambling, unfocused, overly-long, and perfect. For him, it’s his St. Crispin’s Day Speech. The mic crackles off, the lights go out, and the movie starts (no previews at the Wheel-In Motor Movie, no sir).
I look over and see her blue eyes shining and a huge smile spread across her face. “This is going to be great,” she says without a hint of irony. And she’s right as can be. If you get the chance and there’s a drive-in movie theater near you, go! For a gearhead, it is part of our now-vanishing culture. The part where the car was to be the undisputed king. Where thoughts like making cars without tail fins made absolutely no sense. Sadly, and probably all too soon, these great drive-in theaters will go the way of the buffalo and passenger pigeon.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

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Volvo XC40 Getting Closer To Arrival, More Features Revealed

Volvo XC40 Getting Closer To Arrival, More Features Revealed

Volvo – safe, suburban, Swedish – has decided to expand its offerings in the SUV market. There’s gold in them thar hills, and almost any car maker would be stupid to leave the SUV market, and especially the SUV market aimed at wealthy commuters. So Volvo, who once only made large-ish SUVs, has expanded into hitting all market segments. Which brings us to the new XC40.
Benchmark Model
Volvo says the XC40 sets a new benchmark for design, technology, and safety in the small SUV market, but whether that Scandinavian confidence turns into profits remains up to buyers. It is fair to say the XC40, packed with all the tech from the 90 and 60 series machines and thoroughly modern, is worth taking a look at. The Volvo XC40, which includes safety innovations rarely offered among its competitors, aims to be among the safest, most well-equipped compact SUVs available, but also not break the bank. The launch model, the T5 all-wheel drive in Momentum trim, will start at $35,200. Customers who prefer front-wheel drive can pick up the T4 this coming summer for a starting MSRP of $33,200.
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Essential Foundations
The XC40 is the first Volvo on the company’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), destined to be the foundation of all other upcoming Volvos in the 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles. In addition to the T5 and T4 AWD and FWD versions, there will also be a hybrid and pure electric variant added later.
The XC40 is the smallest SUV offered by Volvo, slotting in after the XC90, Volvo’s largest SUV, and the midsized XC60. The introduction of the XC40 completes Volvo’s SUV range with a spectrum of body colors and the now ever-so-fashionable contrasting color roof. The XC40 aims to have a strong, structured profile with large wheels, wheel arches, and an 8.3-inch ride height to “provide a true SUV feeling.”
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.

Interior Appointments
The interior is just as well thought out and clever as the exterior design and the engineering you can’t see. There’s an available panoramic sunroof to allow natural light into the cabin as well as integrated LED lighting that can be color adjusted to match the mood or temperature the driver desires. The mood lighting, which works quite well at night, aims to enhance the unique metal and textile materials used in the XC40.
There’s ample interior space for both people and things with smart, daily-use features like large door pockets, integrated bag hooks, and a customizable cargo area to help organize all that stuff a modern human can accrue during the day. And since we are 17 years into the 21st century, the XC40 has tech goodies like wireless QI mobile phone charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard 9-inch Sensus Connect touchscreen will help reduce clutter from charging cables and connectors. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and apps like Spotify and Pandora.
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Safety & Security
Also standard on Volvo’s XC40 is City Safety. This detects possible hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, and (I’m not making this up) large animals. I hasten to point out that Volvos come from Sweden and, if legend is to be believed, Sweden is choked full of moose, bear, dear, elk, and a wide variety of “large animals.” Additional safety features include Pilot Assist, Runoff Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support, and the 360 camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces.
Buyers of the XC40 get 4 years of Volvo On Call, along with the ability to share the car with trusted friends and family via a mobile phone app. Volvo doesn’t give many details, but I’m guessing it provides access to the vehicle, allowing certain people (or some other scheme) to actually fire up the XC40 and drive it.
New XC40s will be rolling off Volvo’s assembly line in Ghent, Belgium come this November, although Volvo is more than willing to take your order today at a local retailer. No details yet on cost and such, but Volvo says that will be released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, also in November.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Volvo XC40 Gallery

Photos & Source: Volvo Car USA, LLC.

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The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC: Mama Mia!

The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC: Mama Mia! All-wheel drive, zero-emission racer features Nissan’s latest electric vehicle technology.
Nissan plans to build six LEAF NISMO RC vehicles to deploy around the world for fans to see.
Now that’s what I’m talkin about! Being kind to Mother Earth is all well and good, but you want to sell electric vehicles? Make them fun! The best way to make a car fun is to go out and race it, and this, the LEAF NISMO RC from Nissan, looks as much fun as a big electric go kart.
Sign. Us. Up!
First Of Its Kind – Kinda
The new electric racer from Nissan has more than double the max power and torque than its predecessor had. Wait, there was a predecessor? How come I didn’t know about this? How come we didn’t get one in at One Automoblog Towers for testing? Ha, alas, but this new one? Mama mia!
Power & Performance: Two Is Better Than One
The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is powered by two electric motors, one at each end of the chassis. Combined, the motors produce 240 kilowatts and send an astounding 472 lb-ft. of torque to the wheels. And yes, since this is an EV, all that torque starts at zero RPM. Curiously, the drivetrain tech comes from the new Nissan Leaf, including the high-capacity lithium-ion battery and the power inverters.
The all-wheel drive system gives the LEAF NISMO RC the cornering ability to match all that torque. The power is managed independently to each axle, providing torque to whichever tire has the most grip. The battery pack sits amidships, and the electric motors and inverters are ideally placed over the front and rear tires.
This is a race car, so of course, Nissan has lightened things wherever they could. A full carbon-fiber racing monocoque structure means it tips the scales at just 2,700 lbs. Impressive, given how heavy batteries can be. This breaks down to a zero to 60 time of just 3.4 seconds. Think of how much guilt-free fun that could be!
The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC on display during its unveiling in November in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Styling & Design: Looking The Part
Since this is not just a race car, but a Japanese race car, the whole thing looks like something Brian O’Conner would drive to a Neon Evangelion cosplay convention in the Ginza. Nissan talks about the “more aggressive exterior,” and I ain’t gonna argue. The hood is long, the grille is that ugly signature V-motion deal, and the front end has been totally restyled. It’s all silver and black with NISMO red accents, aping the look of the company’s Formula E car.
The front and rear sections of the three-piece bodywork are removable but the windows are fixed in place. LED headlights and tail lights adorn both ends and there’s an adjustable rear wing. The whole thing is as ugly, and no doubt as effective as a Sten Gun.
Careful where you point it.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
In Person
Nissan will be showing off the LEAF NISMO RC at Formula E races and major auto shows. A smart marketing move considering the growing popularity of Formula E. Nissan plans to build six LEAF NISMO RC vehicles to deploy around the world for fans to see.
All this sounds good, but what’s really missing here Nissan is a street version of the LEAF NISMO RC. Yes, yes, I know. Marketing plans, blah-blah-blah, corporate image, yadda-yadda-yadda – I don’t care: Sell me one. With license plates. Please?
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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Seven Female Drivers Set For Formula E Test In Saudi Arabia

Seven Female Drivers Set For Formula E Test In Saudi Arabia The 2018 Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix takes place on December 15th.
The additional test session was encouraged by the local promoter.
Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on women drivers last June.
Formula E is interesting. It’s a good way to advance electric vehicle tech and it keeps us entertained with lots of racing action. Sure, it’s still working out some of the technical kinks, but racing series are always in that position. And now, Formula E has gone and done something very interesting by having seven female racers competing in an open test session in one of the most unlikely of venues: Saudi Arabia.
According to Reuters, at least seven female drivers will take part in the Formula E test on December 16th, the day after the season-opening race on the streets of Ad Diriyah, near Riyadh.
A Different Culture
Saudi Arabia is about as progressive concerning women’s equality as rural Portugal in 1409. We would have said screw these guys ages ago if they weren’t sitting on top of an ocean of our oil, but they are. So we generally turn a blind eye to these fundamentalist creeps literally flogging you, by law, for spending time with the opposite sex, being gay, bringing liqueur chocolates into the country, and driving if you’re a woman.
Wait, scratch that last one. As of a little while ago, women can finally get a driver’s license in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Still, here we are; in a country dependent on the internal combustion engine for its wealth and power that looks at 51 percent of its population as little more than sentient property, now having an electric vehicle race with a whole bunch of women drivers.
The Real Deal
And no, in case you’re feeling contrarian, this is not just some kind of a stunt. And no, these are not some also-ran paid hacks sitting in the cockpit. So in there with the likes of Gary Paffett and Sebastien Buemi and Felipe Massa we see names like, oh, Dutch racer Beitske Visser, IndyCar racer and Formula Atlantic triple winner Katherine Legge and another Indy racer, Simona de Silvestro.
The women confirmed for the Saudi Arabia test include Colombian Tatiana Calderon, an official test driver for the Sauber Formula One team. She will be running for the DS Techeetah team. Visser will be with BMWi Andretti Motorsport, wtih Legge and Jamie Chadwick testing for the Mahindra and NIO teams respectively. Swiss racer de Silvestro will test for Venturi and Spaniard Carmen Jorda for the Nissan e.dams team.
I was in Long Beach when Legge won in Atlantics there. It was her first race ever in the series, and she won right out of the gate. I just happened to be in the paddock with her boss, garrulous Australian Kevin Kalkhoven, when she crossed the line. I thought the guy was going to die from the sheer joy of it all. It’s also worth noting that Legge handles adversity with a disarming level of cool.
Katherine Legge.
Legge Walks Away
In 2006, the rear wing failed on her car going through the kink at Road America at an ungodly velocity. She slammed into the wall and reduced the car down to the bare tub in a fraction of a second, tumbling end over end. She came to rest upside down. When the safety crew righted the tub, she popped out, took off her helmet, shook out her hair, waved to the crowed, and beamed her huge smile.
Then my phone rang.
“Did you see that?”
It was my dad. “Did you see that,” he repeated.
“You watching the IndyCar race,” I asked, rhetorically.
“Yeah, but did you see that?”
“You mean Katherine Legge’s accident just now?”
“Yeah, that! My god, I’ve never seen anything like that! And that was a gal driving – a gal!” [My dad was a touch on the chauvinistic side.] “I thought he-er she was dead! I mean dead. I’ve never seen anything like that! And it was a gal!”
2018 Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix track map.
Fast & Furious
Speaking of fast, Simona de Silvestro. When she first raced Indy cars, she seemed to have two modes: Running up front or (literally) on fire. She’s fast, but used to have a tendency toward recklessness of the flaming variety. Seriously, the first three accidents I saw her in ended up with the car on fire. She’d just shrug and walk away, more pissed than anything.
Curiously, there’s also “locals” like Amna Al Qubaisi (from the UAE) running in this Saudi test session on the streets of Ad Diriyah (all FormE races are on street circuits). She was the first Arab woman to qualify for the Formula 4 Championship. “How did you get started in racing?” would be my first question to Mz. Amna Al Qubaisi.
Talk about playing on a tilted field.
New Times Ahead?
This racing business is stacked against women to a sickening extent, even though that is slowly changing. Chauvinistic doesn’t begin to describe it – shoot, women weren’t even allowed to set foot into Gasoline Alley at Indy until 1971! I, for one, am ready to see more women get involved in this sport at all levels. And if it gets a bunch of easily threated whiny little boys all upset, then too bad.
And if it has to start in places as unenlightened as Saudi Arabia, then I’m fine with that too.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.

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2020 Hyundai Palisade: If The B-52 Were An SUV

2020 Hyundai Palisade: If The B-52 Were An SUV The 2020 Hyundai Palisade makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
With seating for eight, it will likely be a top choice for larger and/or growing families.
But it ain’t super pretty to look at. Yes, it has a lot of on-board technology. But that front end!
Okay, SUVs are The Thing, I get that. Everybody has to make SUVs, I get that too. And everybody has to make a range of SUVs, up to and including big giant ones. I get that also. However, those are reasons, not an excuse. But this, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
There’s no excuse for this.
Sure, it’s as functional as a hammer, but boy, this thing is ugly.
Left Swipe
In the Air Force, people refer to the B-52 as the BUFF, Big Ugly Fat Fellow (change that “Fellow” out for another word that begins with “F” and isn’t polite to say on a family website such as Automoblog). And that, sadly, describes most of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Sure, it’s not ugly from every angle, but it is Big and Fat from every angle.
And that front end? Egads! It’s like someone from Lexus said, “Beat that!” and the design team from Hyundai said, “Hold My Beer.” I swear to Mireuk, the Palisade’s front end would look better after you ran it into a bridge abutment. I will say I really like the name Palisade though. It’s kinda classy and reminds me of that Freddy Cannon song written by Gong Show creator and alleged CIA hit man, Chuck Barris.
That’s the bad news, overall, but what’s the good news? First off, you know this thing is going to work. Hyundai calls it a mid-sized SUV, but taping in at over 16 feet, I’ll defer to my own eyes in this case. It looks immense and bulky and ungainly, which mean there’s lots of room inside.
Related: The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is functional and much better looking.
2020 Hyundai Palisade front end. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Interior Treatments: Convenience & Accessibility
The interior aims to combine a sense of “relaxation and comfort” in a “serene environment” for eight (count em) eight passengers. Premium quilted Nappa leather is on offer and the instrument panel is layered in smooth wood grain. The second row seats move forward and out of the way via a button for access to the third row. The third row itself has power-folding/unfolding and reclining seats.
Second-row captain’s chairs are also available for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, if you want to go that way.
There’s a conversation mirror for the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear. This is a nice way of saying, you can keep the little nippers occupied and monitored using standard equipment.

Interior Treatments: Tech-Focused
There’s a Blind View Monitor as part of the standard Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist system. It gives you a nice side view whenever you hit the turn signal. The multimedia stuff is, as one would expect, comprehensive. There’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully-digital TFT center cluster with various view modes.
Hyundai put in their latest navigation system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a Qi wireless charging pad. Two Bluetooth devices can be connected simultaneously while every Palisade has a total of seven USB outlets. And, of utmost importance: 16 cup holders!
It reminds me of that Freddy Cannon song written by Gong Show creator and alleged CIA hit man, Chuck Barris.Click To TweetPhoto: Hyundai Motor America.
Power & Performance: Snow Mode Included
All this heft is powered by a not-small and not-all-that-bad of an engine. An Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6 (dual CVVT/ direct-injection) putting out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque. The power is delivered to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic with both two-wheel and HTRAC four-wheel drive options.
Gear selection is a shift-by-wire affair, meaning it automatically puts the vehicle into park when the engine is off and the driver opens the door.
The HTRAC system also has a Snow Mode, with an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch and active torque control between the front and rear. In other words, Snow Mode regulates front and rear torque distribution, left and right wheel slip, engine torque, and shift patterns according to available traction levels.
Normal, Sport, and Smart modes are in addition to Snow Mode.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Pricing & Availability
Pricing was not announced, but that should be coming down the pike pretty soon. The 2020 Hyundai Palisade could be a good, solid, if ugly choice for your (family) hauling needs. Expect it at dealers next summer.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
2020 Hyundai Palisade Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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2019 Kia Niro EV: Like A Bank Vault That Makes Cool Noises

2019 Kia Niro EV: Like A Bank Vault That Makes Cool Noises The 2019 Kia Niro EV debuts at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Expect quicker charging times and an abundance of safety features.
It even makes a futuristic noise that resembles a spaceship. No. Seriously.
Electric vehicles are coming, and they’re coming for every price point and customer out there. What was once the province of rich people with a point to make, is now, or soon will be, within reach of even those of humble means. What Tesla is to guilt-ridden project managers, the Kia Niro EV will be to, uh, people who buy Kias.
Look, I have nothing against Tesla. They are very well made and very usable. The only thing I don’t like about Tesla is they’re expensive. Sure, in my Lotto-winning Mind Palace Garage Mahal, I’d have a couple of them, but now? No can do. Automotive writers don’t make much crust.
Not Just For The Super Rich
The Kia Niro EV, like the Nissan Leaf and other “budget-minded” EVs, want to rectify that. No firm pricing yet but c’mon, it’s a Kia. How much can they possibly charge? And even though it will not be Rolls-Royce priced, it is, like everything Kia makes, loaded with features of all sorts. Tech, comfort, convenience, the lot.
What will differentiate it from its ICE-powered brethren is the powertrain, which is anything but cheap.
Related: Will Kia’s wireless EV charging system change the world?
Charge Up Over Lunch
The 2019 Kia Niro EV is powered by a state-of-the-art, liquid-cooled 64kWh lithium ion polymer battery that lives under the floor. Nice because there’s minimal passenger intrusion and a lower center of gravity. Charging rates are said to be brief. The prime mover is a 201 horsepower electric motor with an impressive 291 lb-ft. of torque.
Kia says the Combined Charging System (CCS) handlea a 100kW load, with the DC fast-charge equipment being standard. That means you can get around 100-miles of recharge in 30 minutes, or “fill up” 80 percent of the battery in 75 minutes (a long lunch).
If you’re pulling from a Level 2, 240v line (i.e. like the one your washer/dryer is hooked to) at 7.2 kWh, then you’re all charged up in 9.5 hours. So, park it for the night, plug it in, and you’ll be good to go for the following day.
2019 Kia Niro EV. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Eco-Focused Driving
Yes, with 291 lb-ft. of torque, the driving can be fun. There are four drive modes you can choose from: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Eco+. These allow you to tailor stuff like the regenerative braking level, air and heat settings, and even speed for better efficiency.
For example, the regenerative braking system has four levels depending on how aggressive you want the regen effort. The Brake and Hold System brings the Niro to a full stop, adding energy to the battery otherwise lost under normal braking. Smart Regen creates smoother “coast-down driving,” especially on steep roads. The Smart Eco Pedal Guide is a nanny on the instrument cluster, keeping you aware of real-time power distribution based on accelerator pedal input.
Did You Hear That?
Kia even threw in a “techy whirring noise” when moving to evoke a speedy sci-fi spacecraft. No, seriously. One early tester confessed to driving in parking garages with the windows down just so they could hear the sound. The sound, however, is actually the Pedestrian Warning System, a speaker and controller assembly behind the front bumper.
Without it, the Niro EV would be silent and a potential hazard to pedestrians.
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Tech & Connectivity: Plenty To Go Around
Besides the EV parts, this Niro is what you’d expect out of any modern car: tons of tech and tons of safety stuff. There’s a seven-inch color touchscreen with a rearview camera and parking guidance. Tunes come from an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system.
There’s a USB input along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smart phone charging and Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, all standard.
Other bits of flash include the “high-tech” rotary shifter dial, customizable “mood” lighting, a multi-functional center console with many (many) storage options, cup holders, compartments, and three USB ports. A deluxe scuff plate finishes off the blingee.
Related: Solid handling and good fuel mileage – our full review of the 2018 Kia Niro.
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Safety? Like A Bank Vault!
Antilock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist control, and a tire pressure monitoring system for starters. There’s the “Kia Drive Wise” suite with with forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning, driver attention warning, smart cruise control with stop & go, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and parking distance warning.
Finally, the 2019 Kia Niro EV has a revamped telematics system so you can monitor and control a long list of vehicle operations. This includes things like battery and charging status, scheduled charging, and real-time charging station updates.
If Kia didn’t tell you this is an EV, you’d never notice. Apart from that spaceship sound thingo, which is kinda goofy.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Kia Niro EV will be available in two trims, EX and EX Premium, and will go on sale early next year. Pricing information is forthcoming.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.

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2020 Jeep Gladiator: The Warrior Emerges

2020 Jeep Gladiator: The Warrior Emerges The 2020 Jeep Gladiator sends a clear message to the competition.
However, this is not the first time we have seen the Gladiator namesake.
Join us for a brief walk through history, then an in-depth look at the 2020 Jeep Gladiator.
The debut of Miracle on 34th Street. Christian Dior’s “New Look” for women. The Doomsday Clock. Chuck Yeager flies faster than sound and David Bowie is born. 1947 was a year of firsts. On the automotive front, Army veteran John C. Hennessy Jr. brings the first Volkswagen Beetle to the United States after purchasing it from the U.S. Army Post Exchange in Frankfurt, Germany. That same year, the Ferrari 125 S, with its V12 engine, becomes the first car to bear Enzo’s name.
And Willys Overland introduced a one-ton truck with four-wheel drive based on the CJ-2A.
They say history repeats itself. They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s true if we consider the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. In fact, this isn’t the first time the Gladiator has stepped in the arena.
The Warrior Emerges
In his book, Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle, Patrick R. Foster details how, by the fourth quarter of 1962, Jeep’s new line of wagons and pickups were selling like hotcakes. The Wagoneer and the Gladiator were firsts for the automotive world, with the Gladiator becoming, in Foster’s words, a “handsome brute of a pickup truck that would bring Jeep into direct competition with the Big Three makers.”
Consider the current Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon; the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma, and the return of the Ford Ranger. With the Gladiator, Jeep is again putting the competition in their crosshairs. As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
1963 Jeep Gladiator J-200 Thriftside. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Jeep of All Trades
The Wagoneer’s styling, conceived by then Willys Styling head Jim Angers, made it appear larger than it really was. Arguably, the Wagoneer was a percursor to today’s modern crossover. The Gladiator shared the same engineering DNA and options were plentiful. Buyers could select from 1/2, 3/4, or one-ton configurations in either two or four-wheel drive. Body styles included Thriftside, Townside, Platform Stake, or cab and chassis; there were two wheelbases (120 and 126-inch) and a bed length of either seven or eight feet.
Power steering, power brakes, and a GVWR up to 8,600 lbs. – indeed, the Gladiator of the 1960s was an impressive machine. And by all accounts the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is an impressive machine too. But to what degree? Let’s break it down with an in-depth look.
Styling & Design: History Meets Performance
The design team sought to balance a storied history with modern performance. For example, the Gladiator has Jeep’s distinctive seven-slot grille, each “slot” representing one of the world’s seven continents. Every Jeep of every type has this grille, paying homage to Jeep’s capability on all seven continents.
However, as far as the 2020 Gladiator is concerned, the slots become wider to increase air intake, while the top is swept back slightly in the interest of aerodynamics.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Body & Chassis: Longer & Lighter
Body-on-frame design here, and probably not surprising considering what we are looking at. In general, the body and chassis play a major role in a vehicle’s safety, fuel economy, ride and handling and, in this case, off-road ability. Jeep enthusiasts want a solid foundation under them – why else drive a Jeep? So the 2020 Gladiator needs to ace this test, but how?
Out of the gate, engineers went for a light and rigid high-strength steel frame. Keep in mind, trucks are trucks and Jeeps are Jeeps, but this is a Jeep truck. Thus, some modification was necessary.
Take the Jeep Wrangler 4-door, for example. By comparison, Gladiator’s frame is 31 inches longer while the wheelbase is 19.4 inches longer. Yet, the longer wheelbase and the bed’s positioning relative to the rear axle make for better weight distribution. This also facilitates a more comfortable ride when towing or hauling cargo, according to Jeep. Furthermore, the prop shaft, brake and fuel lines, and the exhaust system were lengthened to accommodate the new architecture.
Elsewhere, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator employs high-strength aluminum for the doors, door hinges, hood, fender flares, windshield frame, tailgate, and engine mounts.
Keep in mind, trucks are trucks and Jeeps are Jeeps, but this is a Jeep truck. Thus, some modification was necessary.Click To TweetPhoto: FCA US LLC.
Body & Chassis: Protection Is Key, Convenience Too
Even a Jeep truck will do Jeep things, meaning underbody protection is paramount. Slide under on the mechanic’s creeper and notice Gladiator’s four robust skid plates and bars to protect the fuel tank, transfer case, and transmission oil pan. Rubicon models go further, employing heavy gauge tubular steel rock rails.
Moving then to the five-foot bed, there are four steel cross-members to reinforce the load floor.
In-bed tie-downs and lighting, and an optional external power source help with cargo hauling. Spray-in bed liners, bed dividers, and tonneau covers are also available. Finally, the power-locking tailgate can stop in three different positions.
Suspension Setup: It’s A Jeep Thing
One complaint is how Jeeps ride like noisy lumber wagons. And the response is, appropriately enough, “duh, it’s a Jeep. It’s supposed to be rugged.” However, Jeep’s engineers worked to soften the ride and lower cabin noise for those longer road trips.
As far as brick and mortar components, they make sense for a Jeep truck. The five-link coil suspension has the front employing a lateral control arm and four longitudinal control arms. Full-width, forged steel track bars control lateral movement of the axle, with minimal angle change, during suspension travel. The rear five-link coil suspension features two upper and two lower forged steel control arms for longitudinal control. Similar to the front, the rear track bar provides lateral support.
The rear control arms are located under of the frame rails, while the rear shocks are forward facing. This provides consistent damping for ride comfort, especially when traveling with a payload. Interestingly enough, no other Jeep but the new Gladiator employs this type of rear suspension design.
Overall, Jeep says they went for an optimum balance between off-road handling in the sticks and comfort for those Sunday drives. Engineers, however, paid special attention to the shock tuning, hard points, and body mounts.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Off-Road Prowess: Duh, It’s A Jeep
Whatever does one do with a Jeep? If you said something about off-roading, a chicken dinner is in your future. As sure as Reese’s will honor peanut butter and the Yankees their pinstripes, Jeep – even a Jeep truck – will honor the off-road.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator provides two 4×4 systems. The Command-Trac 4×4 system (Sport and Overland) has a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 3.73 rear axle ratio. On Gladiator Rubicon, a Rock-Trac 4×4 system features Dana 44 front and rear axles with a “4LO” ratio of 4:1. The 4.10 front and rear axle ratio is bolstered by Tru-Lok locking differentials.
Both Command-Trac and Rock-Trac systems offer full-time torque management for low-traction situations. An available Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential on Sport and Overland provides extra torque and grip when driving over sand, gravel, and snow. Gladiator Rubicons go a bit farther, offering an electronic sway-bar disconnect and 33-inch tires. Crawl ratios for the Gladiator Rubicon come in at 84.2:1 with the manual transmission and 77.2:1 with the automatic.
When the trip goes way off-road, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator provides 30 inches of water fording. Gladiator’s approach angle is 43.6 degrees; breakover angle 20.3 degrees; departure angle 26 degrees, with a ground clearance in excess of 11 inches. Bring on the weekend!
As sure as Reese's will honor peanut butter and the Yankees their pinstripes, Jeep will honor the off-road.Click To TweetPhoto: FCA US LLC.
Engine & Powertrain: Big Diesel Power
FCA’s multi-platform engine, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, is standard fare for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The Pentastar delivers a respectable 285 horsepower, 260 lb-ft. of torque, and offers a generous power band. However, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel is a better option for those who want more low end. Available starting in 2020, the EcoDiesel cranks out 442 lb-ft. of torque and 260 horsepower.
The EcoDiesel’s power emanates from the on-board turbo and its low-friction bearings.
An eight-speed automatic is standard for the EcoDiesel and optional for the Pentastar V6. With two overdrive ratios to improve highway fuel economy and reduce NVH, the eight-speed automatic will likely be the top choice. However, a six-speed manual is available for the Pentastar V6, with gear ratios set for crawl performance.
When properly equipped, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator tows 7,650 lbs. with a payload capacity of 1,600 lbs.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Other Cool Stuff
More than 80 active and passive safety and security features are available.
A four-bolt design at the top of the windshield’s frame allows it to fold down.
All Gladiators feature body-color sport bars with grab handles for front occupants.
The shifter, grab handles, and the infotainment screen’s frame are accented by real bolts.
The full-size spare tire and mount is located under the bed and can hold up to a 35-inch tire.
A tool kit with the necessary Torx bits to remove the doors and lower the windshield is included.
Cloth or leather-contoured seats feature accent stitching and adjustable bolster and lumbar support.
Gladiator Rubicon has a forward-facing off-road camera nestled between the front grille’s middle slot.
Availability & In Person
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is on display at the LA Auto Show, now through December 9th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. When it arrives in the second quarter of next year, the Gladiator will come in Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon trims. In addition, Mopar will offer over 200 performance parts and accessories for the new Gladiator.
Production will commence at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, Jeep’s manufacturing home since 1941.
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.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Gallery

2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland Gallery

Jeep Gladiator Interior Gallery

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.
Source: Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle, Patrick R. Foster, 2014 Quarto Publishing Group USA.

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Canine Car Seats & Rolling Refrigerators: Auto Trends Around the World

Canine Car Seats & Rolling Refrigerators: Auto Trends Around the World Some of the most significant trends in the automotive industry are also the most interesting.
Ridesharing and Artificial Intelligence rank high but consumers still want comfort and convenience.
In the United States, many worry about their pets when traveling; in Germany, electrification is key.
Beyond backup cameras, consumers around the world are asking automakers to expand their offerings and add on-the-go convenience. From enhanced entertainment options to extra comfort for our four-legged family members, consumers in leading automotive nations like Germany, the United States, and Japan are seeking unique vehicle features and driving the future of automotive development.
Here is a look at some of the most popular auto trends around the world.
United States: Pets Come First
Pet seat covers. Canine car seats. Doggy steps. In the U.S., many consumers are letting their dogs determine their next ride. In fact, U.S. drivers are 36 times more likely to purchase a car based on a pet’s needs than their German counterparts, and ten times more likely than Japanese consumers.
Equally important to pet comfort is pet safety. Earlier this year, Volvo released a report called Dogs, Cars and the People Who Love Them in conjunction with a Harris Poll that found more than a third of Millennial pet owners are concerned about driving with their pets.
“Our survey showed that pet parents want to travel with their furry friends, but worry about safety,” explained Jim Nichols, Product and Technology Communications Manager, Volvo Car USA. “Overall, there is an awareness opportunity among pet parents.”
Related: The science behind keeping your pets safe in the vehicle.

United States: Connectivity & Automation
But making the biggest splash on the U.S. automotive market is connectivity. Having already infiltrated the industry through ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, connectivity is now influencing how automotive manufacturers are developing vehicles.
In fact, many manufacturers are trying to get the jump on the next evolution of this trend by tying self-driving and ridesharing together. General Motors is currently beta testing self-driving Chevy Bolts for ridesharing purposes in San Francisco with plans to fully launch the initiative in 2019. And, in the coming months, Google’s Waymo is expected to invade major cities with an armada of self-driving Chrysler Pacifica taxis.
By merging autonomous driving and ridesharing, it appears U.S. automakers and tech companies may be able to keep consumers connected while continuing to innovate.
Related: Six key consumers demands facing the auto industry today.
An Uber driver chats with his customer on a trip through Los Angeles. Photo: Uber Technologies.
Germany: Bluetooth & Electrification
Spurred by a 2010 initiative to convert all television and radio services to digital, German drivers have advanced Bluetooth capabilities on their minds. Interest in digital audio broadcasting (DAB) – the process of analog-to-digital audio conversion for AM or FM transmission – is increasing. In turn, automakers are highlighting DAB as a key feature, and have developed a Steering Board consisting of automakers, government officials, and media to discuss how they can amplify awareness and adoption of DAB nationwide.
The wish list for German drivers doesn’t stop at better Bluetooth, though. The country continues to invest in electric vehicles and anticipates the market to reach a whopping 40 billion euros (45.4 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020. The number of new electric passenger vehicle registrations rose by 178 percent in May 2017 alone. Cliff Banks, President and Founder of the Banks Report, refers to the electric vehicle trend as the “Elon Factor.”
“Automakers don’t want to be left behind in the push for global electrification,” he said. “The ‘Elon Factor’ shows that consumers will buy electric vehicles even without a service infrastructure in place.”
Related: Where are EVs most popular? The results of this study might surprise you.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC is the first in the automaker’s “EQ” or “Electric Intelligence” product line. The EQC has two electric motors at the front and rear axles, with a combined output of 402 horsepower. Total range is around 200 miles. Photo: MBUSA.
Japan: Comfort & Going The Extra Mile
The comforts of home in the car? In Japan, many consumers are converting cars into mobile living rooms. Some of the top search terms for Japanese consumers include “car cushion,” “car curtain,” “car humidifier,” and “car refrigerator.” Yes, a car refrigerator! Talk about a home-away-from-home experience. In developing future models, Japanese automakers are trying to cater to consumer interests and stay ahead of the competition.
Additionally, they’re hoping that a reputation for service at the dealership level will keep future sales brisk – a key shortcoming for American automakers looking to gain Japanese market share.
“Dealerships in Japan do offer a higher level of hospitality and service to their customers, although U.S. automakers haven’t invested in their dealer networks in Japan,” Banks said. “It’s a costly endeavor and coupled with the fact that Japanese citizens buy smaller vehicles, which are less profitable for U.S. automakers, it’s tough to make the case to invest significantly in the retail network.”
Japan: AI Comes Along For The Ride
Taking comfort to a whole new level through intelligent, friendly, helpful design, Toyota teased its Concept-i vehicle last year. Marketed as “Less of a machine. More of a pal,” Concept-i allows drivers to enjoy AI capabilities, known as “Yui.” The technology gets to know drivers by sensing their daily routines, driving patterns, and even emotions.
While it’s not expected to hit the market for a few years yet, it’s a sign Toyota is listening to consumers and thinking ahead.
“At Toyota, we recognize that the important question isn’t whether future vehicles will be equipped with automated or connected technologies,” said Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Sales, Toyota Motor North America. “It is the experience of the people who engage with those vehicles. Thanks to Concept-i and the power of artificial intelligence, we think the future is a vehicle that can engage with people in return.”
Related: AI & auto safety: reality versus fantasy.
Toyota’s Concept-i debuted at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Future Considerations
It’s interesting to see what’s trending around the globe, and how cultural shifts outside the car impact what’s going on inside the car. While each country has their own trends, there’s one thing in common: consumers are driving these trends more and more. No matter the country or generation, this is something we’ll continue to see for years to come.
Scott McLaren is the Chief Marketing Officer of Fortegra Financial Corporation, a Tiptree Inc. company. He once flew the Saturn VUE Lightship and awarded a Saturn Sky to Travis Pastrana for the first double back flip in the history of the X Games.

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