Automotive

BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader

BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader Ford Motor Company, its board and shareholders were apparently fed up with ex-CEO Mark Fields’ failure to deliver.

What’s going on?
It seems Mark Fields’ career as the CEO of Ford was rather short lived. After taking the lead of Dearborn’s own in 2014, stocks took a dive under Fields’ leadership. As a result, Ford’s executive board and major shareholders didn’t want to deal with him any more.
Taking Fields’ place is Jim Hackett, who led Ford’s Smart Mobility division before becoming CEO. Prior to working at Ford Motor Company, Hackett is most known for his 30-year tenure of Steelcase, a massive furniture conglomerate.
Another major shift in Ford’s executive team is the departing of Ford’s Group Vice President of Communications, Ray Day.
Why did Fields get the boot?
Despite increased sales and a projected profit of around $9 billion before taxes, Ford still suffered from market share loss. As a result, potential investors were turned-off by this market share loss, causing the value to drop by 40 percent under Fields’ reign.
Who’s the new guy?
Jim Hackett is most known for turning around office furniture company, Steelcase. His new obligation to lead and hopefully turn Ford’s stock around wouldn’t be the first of this kind.
More to come as it develops.
For the press release, check it out below.
– By: Chris Chin

MAY 22, 2017 | DEARBORN
FORD APPOINTS JIM HACKETT AS CEO TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, TRANSFORM FOR FUTURE; FARLEY, HINRICHS, KLEVORN TAKE ON NEW ROLES

Jim Hackett named as Ford Motor Company president and CEO, succeeding Mark Fields, who is retiring. Hackett, who will report to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, is recognized as a transformational business leader
Hackett led Steelcase Inc.’s turnaround to become the world’s No. 1 office furniture maker, served as interim Athletic Director at University of Michigan and has led Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016. He served on Ford’s board from 2013 to 2016
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities: Sharpening operational execution, modernizing Ford’s present business and transforming the company to meet tomorrow’s challenges
Ford also named leaders to three new roles under Hackett. Jim Farley is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets, Joe Hinrichs is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations, and Marcy Klevorn is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility
Mark Truby is appointed vice president, Communications, and elected a company officer. He succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then
Paul Ballew is appointed vice president and Chief Data and Analytics Officer
DEARBORN, May 22, 2017 – Ford Motor Company today named Jim Hackett as its new president and CEO and announced key global leadership changes designed to further strengthen its core automotive business and accelerate a strategic shift to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Hackett, 62, has a long track record of innovation and business success as CEO of Steelcase, Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016.
Reporting to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Hackett will lead Ford’s worldwide operations and 202,000 employees globally. He succeeds Mark Fields, 56, who has elected to retire from Ford after a successful 28-year career with the company.
“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” Bill Ford said. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business.”
Added Hackett: “I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders. I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities:
Sharpening operational execution across the global business to further enhance quality, go-to-market strategy; product launch, while decisively addressing underperforming parts of the business
Modernizing Ford’s business, using new tools and techniques to unleash innovation, speed decision making and improve efficiency. This includes increasingly leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, 3D printing and more
Transforming the company to meet future challenges, ensuring the company has the right culture, talent, strategic processes and nimbleness to succeed as society’s needs and consumer behavior change over time
Bill Ford and Ford’s Board of Directors thanked Fields for his significant contributions to the company.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford,” Bill Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years.”
Also today, Ford announced a new structure for its operations and named three new leaders reporting to Hackett:
Jim Farley, 54, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets. In this role, Farley will oversee Ford’s business units, The Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition, Farley will oversee Lincoln Motor Company and global Marketing Sales & Service. Farley has served as executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa since January 2015. Farley will also oversee the strategy and business model development for electrified vehicles and autonomous vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, 50, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations. In this role, Hinrichs will oversee Ford’s global Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Quality; Purchasing; and Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering; Hinrichs has been serving as Ford executive vice president and president, The Americas, since December 2012.
Marcy Klevorn, 57, is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility. In this role, Klevorn will oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was formed last year to accelerate the company’s plans to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services, as well as Information Technology and Global Data, Insight and Analytics. Klevorn has served as group vice president, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since January 2017.
All three appointments are effective June 1. New leaders to succeed Hinrichs, Farley and Klevorn will be the subject of a future announcement.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Bill Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency and delivering results around the world. They will work closely with Jim Hackett to lead Ford’s day-to-day operations, build our brand and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
In addition, Ford appointed Mark Truby, 47, vice president, Communications, effective immediately, reporting to Bill Ford. He was elected a company officer. Truby has previously led Ford’s Communications teams in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Truby succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then.
Ford also elected Paul Ballew, 52, as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer, reporting to Klevorn. Ballew has been leading Ford’s global data and analytics teams since December 2014, including development of new capabilities supporting connectivity and smart mobility.

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Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Following a complete renovation, the Honda Proving Center (HPC) is open again and ready to function as a full on testing ground for future Honda and Acura products. Located in the Mojave Desert, near Cantil, California, HPC is an ideal place for Honda to test and develop a wide range of automobiles, motorcycles, side-by-sides, and ATVs.
“The enhancements we made at the Honda Proving Center will play an important role in advancing the performance capabilities of our products for our customers,” said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President, Automobile Division, American Honda.
The remodeled HPC features a 7.5-mile banked oval track where vehicles can exceed 200 mph during testing. A 4.5-mile winding road course accompanies the oval track, and incorporates 28 curves and six different hills. The new and improved HPC now has a 1.3 million-square-foot vehicle dynamics area and a modified powersports complex to support the development and testing of Honda motorcycles and other all-terrain vehicles.
The renovation of the 3,840-acre warm-weather testing facility provides Honda with two key proving grounds in the United States. In addition to HPC, Honda also conducts verification testing at the Transportation Research Center, an automotive proving facility located in East Liberty, Ohio.
“HPC has long played a valuable role in the development of our products and this renovation will ensure it continues to do so,” Conrad added.
Interesting enough, all original and existing asphalt at the old HPC site was recycled and used for the renovation of the new and improved site. The video below shows more. Just for the record, if we worked for Honda, we would want to be assigned here, preferably with the Acura NSX. The Civic Type R would’t be half bad either.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Video & Source: Honda North America.

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The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Triple Crown of Motorsport is quickly approaching, leaving automobile enthusiasts eager to see who will come out on top during what is considered a series of the most important auto races in the world. From May 25th to May 28th, all eyes will be on the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix on the Circuit de Monaco, a race that has long attracted spectators for the event’s racing difficulty and glamorous location.
Action will then move stateside for the Indianapolis 500, followed by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the oldest Motorsports and endurance car race in the world.
In honor of the upcoming flurry of high-stakes Motorsports racing, now is the perfect time to explore the history of some of the earliest Motorsports competitors. One such brand that gained international praise is the fiery Alfa Romeo, which roared into the racing world in 1911. While Alfa Romeo stopped participating in the Formula 1 circuit in 1988, this iconic Italian brand has over 100 years of racing success and is recognized for being a dominant force in Motorsports.
Alfa Romeo can claim many firsts in its history, including becoming the first car to win the World Automobile Championship in 1925, and successfully following up this win with a first-place victory at the inaugural F1 championship. 120 titles later, Alfa Romeo has raced in just about every form imaginable, picking up victories in rally races and endurance hauls alike.
One of the staples of Alfa Romeo’s racing success was its elite racing team, which included Antonio Ascari, Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manual Fangio, and for close to 20 years, Motorsport legend Enzo Ferrari.
Enzo Ferrari piloting his Alfa Romeo at the 1922 Targa Florio. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Ferrari’s Dreams Begin With Alfa Romeo
Before Enzo Ferrari created and managed one of the most recognizable Italian car brands of all time, he honed his early racing skills with Alfa Romeo. Ferrari’s interest in the fast-paced world of Motorsport was first piqued as a child, when at the age of 10 he accompanied his father and brother to the circuit on Via Emilia in Bologna, Italy.
After an honorable discharge in WWI, Ferrari failed to secure a job with Fiat, and instead started his career with car manufacturer Costruzioni Meccaniche Nazionali as a test driver. He was quickly promoted to the company’s racing division and made his official debut at the Parma-Poggio di Berceto race in 1919. The following year, Ferrari joined Alfa Romeo to work and compete as a racer, which launched his first long-term employment in the automotive field.
In 1921, Ferrari began his run as an Alfa driver with a series of successes, including a fifth place finish at the Targa Florio and a second place finish at Mugello. By 1923, Ferrari had solidified his racing prowess to the Alfa team with his win at the inaugural Circuito del Savio, which attracted the attention of Count and Countess Baracca, the parents of legendary Italian WWI pilot Francesco Baracca. After watching Ferrari’s win, the Countess gifted the young driver with a signed photograph of her son and encouraged Ferrari to use the emblem on the side of her son’s plane as a mascot on his cars. This black charging horse emblem will become the Ferrari symbol known around the world when Enzo starts his own company.
In 1924, Ferrari was honored by the Italian state and made a Cavaliere (knight) to honor his services to the nation as a successful racer with Alfa Romeo. In 1927, his honorable status was upgraded to Commendatore (knight commander) for his continued contributions to sport, which he followed up with a definitive first-place showing at the first Circuito de Modeno in the Alfa Romeo 6C-1500 SS.
By the early 1930s, Ferrari had stopped driving race cars and had dedicated his efforts to managing drivers under Scuderia Ferrari, which became Alfa’s official racing department in 1933. The team that Ferrari oversaw included legendary driver Tazio Nuvolari, who famously beat Nazi-backed Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union vehicles at the German Grand Prix in 1935. During this time, Scuderia Ferrari also made critical contributions to the brand on the production side, with the creation of the Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta, one of the company’s most successful race cars.
Ferrari left Alfa Romeo in 1939 under the condition he could not use the Ferrari name in racing for the next four years, a bargain that inspired the consummate competitor to make it one of his goals to beat Alfa Romeo in one of his own vehicles. Though he left Alfa Romeo on less than favorable terms, Ferrari contributed to some of the most formative years of the marque as both a driver and manager.
Enzo Ferrari. Photo: Ferrari Media.

American Comeback
Despite its storied history, many drivers in the United States don’t know much about these Italian sports cars. For those who do, Alfa’s track record here was marred by spotty quality and poor service support. They officially left the U.S. market in 1995. However, a three-commercial showing at this year’s Super Bowl confirms that Alfa Romeo is most assuredly back in the game stateside.
The return of the Giulia is a pre-cursor to the arrival of the Stelvio, a new SUV. While only time will tell if the excitement and passion of Italian engineering will woo American drivers, Alfa Romeo’s pedigree as one of the greatest racing vehicles ever certainly bodes well for the sports car enthusiast. As Top Gear and The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson once said, “you can’t be a true petrolhead if you have never owned or wanted to own an Alfa Romeo.”
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.

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2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review

2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review Americans aren’t particularly fond of wagons like consumers in Europe, but the Audi A4 is a wagon Americans would like. It has many attributes that resemble a crossover or SUV, like its cargo-carrying utility, standard all-wheel drive, and an increased ride height for light off-road duties. The Allroad’s cabin even looks modern and luxurious, setting it apart from the competition.
And there are other reasons to look seriously at this luxury family hauler. This week, we have been driving the 2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic.
What’s New For 2018
The Audi A4 allroad was redesigned for 2017 and changes this year are limited to feature and package content. Heated seats are now standard, and the mid-level Premium Plus adds blind-spot monitoring to its list of equipment.
Features & Options
The Audi A4 allroad ($44,500) is loaded with features, including leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features keyless entry, a blind-spot monitor, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, power liftgate, satellite radio, and eight-way power adjustable front seats with four-way driver lumbar adjust.
It also came with the optional Cold ($650) and Warm Weather package ($1,450), offering up ventilated front seats, a power window shade, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, and all-weather floor mats.
The Prestige package ($8,500) comes with automated driver and advanced safety systems, parking sensors, heads-up display, LED headlights, and a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. Total MSRP including destination: $56,650.

Interior Highlights
The Audi A4 allroad’s cabin is one the vehicle’s best attributes and in our opinion, the best in this class. The allroad sits a little higher than the A4 sedan and it’s easier to get in and out. We found the cabin easily accommodates drivers of all sizes, it offers good visibility, and the cockpit feels driver-focused.
The fit and finish inside is upscale, the quality of materials is first class, and the allroad feels well-built. We didn’t hear any squeaks or rattles and the cabin is quiet on the open road. We liked the tablet-sized screen that sits in the middle of the dash and the updated MMI controller is easier to access than before. By and large, the controls aren’t overly complicated.
In the backseat, there’s room for two adults, but taller passengers may feel a bit cramped for legroom, but it’s ideal for the kids. The standard panoramic sunroof keeps the backseat feeling open and airy. Another nice touch is the optional Virtual Cockpit instrument panel and heads-up display that helps keep the driver’s eyes focused on the road.
There’s 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down and 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 252 horsepower and dishes up 273 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the Audi quattro all-wheel drive system.
Fuel mileage estimates come in at 22/30 city/highway and 25 combined mpg. The allroad features an automatic engine stop/start system for additional fuel savings.
Driving Dynamics
The allroad is powered by an engine that can move the wagon down the road without a problem. The extra torque moves the heavier vehicle away from a stop light quickly and lane changes are made easy with the peppy four-cylinder. We drove the allroad at altitude where the turbo made the engine response effortless in the thin air.
Around the tight mountain curves the family hauler felt nimble, going around corners better than most wagons. The vehicle is composed in all driving situations, and we felt right at home on the mountain roads and city streets. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission offers up smooth shifts and connects well to Audi’s already excellent quattro all-wheel drive system. This will also give families an all-weather vehicle with some light off-road abilities.
On our commute to Denver, the ride was especially smooth. Noise levels inside the cabin were kept to a minimum, making it a comfortable place to spend time. We cranked up the Bang & Olufsen premium sound as well and forgot about the noisy outside world. With front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, the allroad kept us informed of anything out of view.
The only kicker is how the engine is slow to restart with the stop-start system engaged, but thankfully it can be switched off.
Conclusion
The allroad isn’t an SUV, but it will deliver what any crossover can. It has a great powertrain with the latest version of Audi’s 2.0-liter turbo engine. Add in good fuel economy and it’s a capable family hauler in a smart, luxurious package.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Audi A4 allroad Gallery

2018 Audi A4 allroad Official Site.
Photos: Audi of America, Inc.

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Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines

Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines Fresh off its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show, The 2019 Chevy Silverado is looking to be the all-inclusive truck in an increasingly competitive segment. When it finally hits showrooms, the 2019 Silverado will offer eight different trim levels and six different engine and transmission options, something the automaker says is paramount.
“That allows every customer to get the exact truck they want,” explained Scott Damman, Lead Development Engineer, 2019 Silverado. “All these trim levels allow us to have a truck for every customer.”
Extreme Metrics
In an effort to secure a position as that all-inclusive truck, the 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. The Silverado team essentially doubled their validation targets, performing over 475,000 tests and logging seven million miles of real-world testing in the interest of durability.
“It is pretty daunting,” Damman said. “Especially when you think about a vehicle that is redesigned from the ground up – brand new – everything is brand new.”
Each engine was subjected to repeat “torture testing” which included visits to the dynamometer cells. Inside, the engines would run for months on end – without stopping – to simulate a lifetime of maximum hot and cold cycles. From there, the Silverado team traveled to Davis Dam in Arizona where the truck hauled its maximum gross combined vehicle weight up a seven percent grade in 110-degree heat. The benchmark of this test was to incur no loss in performance even with the air conditioner running.
“By taking 450 lbs. out we can give that performance back to our customers,” Damman said referring to how the new Silverado is 450 lbs. lighter when compared to the current generation with a V8. “When that 450 lbs. is not being lugged down the road because of the truck itself, it gives you that capacity.”
The 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. Photo: Chevrolet.
Light & Tight
The 2019 Silverado’s actual body is 88 lbs. lighter and its fully boxed steel frame, despite being 88 lbs. lighter, offers a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite, second-stage springs on LT models that cut about 12 lbs. (per side) over the steel springs they replace.
“The engineering team was actually tasked with going and looking at every single part for weight savings,” Damman explained. “To do that we actually went to our suppliers and our supply base to begin pulling on new technology, which included new processes for building things. We learned about what they have and by doing so, we were able to get lighter materials in the truck, but build it stronger so it will give that performance back to our customers.”
The doors, hood, and tailgate are made from aluminum while the fenders, roof, and bed utilize high-strength steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel. 80 percent of the frame consists of high-strength steel, varying from two to five millimeters in thickness, depending on location. Hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping, and tailor-rolled blanking are all performed during manufacturing.
“We like to call it our mixed materials strategy,” Damman added. “Where we could get away from high-strength steel we did, and that transfers some of that cost and weight savings back to customers.”

Corvettes & Customers
Another test was borrowed from the Corvette’s book, whereby the 2019 Silverado was subjected to sharp tilt angles. These “tilt stands” dip the truck at an angle of up to 53 degrees, and can simulate angles at a rate of up to 40 degrees a second, the equivalent of up to 1.4g. This test helps ensure proper engine and transmission lubrication.
“We have a lot of performance factors that we look into early on in the program,” Damman said. “There is a whole group of people that actually set those performance requirements as we look at our current generation Silverado.”
Among those groups of people are Silverado customers.
“We take our customer’s feedback and we try to figure out how to balance all of their requirements,” Damman added. “By doing that early on we have something to work towards.”
2019 Silverado LTZ. Photo: Chevrolet.
Engine Lineup
The evergreen 5.3 and 6.2 return to the Silverado lineup, this time equipped with Dynamic Fuel Management. The new system replaces the current Active Fuel Management and allows for 17 different modes of cylinder deactivation to boost performance and efficiency. Power figures, although unchanged from 2017, remain quite healthy: the 5.3 outputs 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque, contrasted to the 6.2 which creates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque.
Chevrolet estimates about half of the new trucks will be equipped with one of these two engines.
“The 5.3 and 6.2, although they have been around for a while, have been redesigned and rebuilt for weight savings and better performance,” Damman said. “Our propulsion team had the same task as the rest of our engineering team: to figure out ways to make things stronger, save weight, and increase performance.”
The 4.3-liter V6 sees an increase in torque and fuel efficiency for 2019. The standard engine on the Silverado LT and new RST now creates 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft. of torque. Also in the mix is the new 2.7-liter Turbo with Active Fuel Management. The new turbocharged offering for the Silverado creates 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft. of torque.
Last but certainly not least, a Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six joins the lineup.
“It is an all-new engine developed by our propulsion team at GM,” Damman said. “It fits in nicely for a full-size truck, and all the performance factors were taken into account.”
Depending on engine choice, the 2019 Silverado will come with either a six, eight or 10-speed automatic.
2019 Silverado RST. Photo: Chevrolet.
Availability & Manufacturing
Assembly of crew cab V8s will begin in the third quarter, with double and regular cab models joining in the fourth quarter. Production of the 4.3-liter V6 and 2.7-liter Turbo are also scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter, with the Duramax being available in early 2019.
EPA fuel economy estimates and towing and payload capacities are not yet available.
When it arrives, the 2019 Chevy Silverado will have eight different trim levels, including an off-road-oriented Trailboss.
“I think we can get a lot of new customers into these trucks,” Damman said. “We have the right team in place that can take it there and get it to the next level.”
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.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say

Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and with the holiday comes an increase in travel. The National Safety Council is urging drivers to exercise caution, saying over 400 may be killed this year during Memorial Day weekend. The organization also estimates that nearly 46,000 could be seriously injured during the three-day holiday period.
Memorial Day weekend officially begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 25th, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 28th.
Deadly Season
In general, summer can be a risky season of travel with July 4th often being billed as the most dangerous holiday. When compared to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, the three summertime holidays – Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day – typically claim over 110 lives each day, the highest average per-day fatality rates.
“Memorial Day should mark the start of summer – not a deadly driving season,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council. “If we pay attention, slow down and be courteous, we can increase our chances of making it to picnics, beaches, and barbecues rather than emergency rooms.”
Dangers of Distraction
Distracted driving is among the leading causes of traffic accidents today with texting and driving being one of the primary culprits. Motorists may think “just glancing” at their phone is okay, but even that can prove fatal.
“This inattention, no matter how slight, can endanger the driver, passengers, and innocent bystanders,” explained Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “The sad part is that 100 percent of crashes related to distracted driving are preventable.”

Advice & Insight
The National Safety Council is encouraging everyone this weekend to buckle up, drive defensively, and to get plenty of sleep before traveling. At events where alcohol is involved, the National Safety Council says finding alternative transportation or designating a sober driver is the best protocol. The Michigan State Police continue to warn the public on the dangers of drugged driving.
“We have done a pretty good job of educating the public about not getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired on alcohol, but the word is still not out yet about making sure you do not get behind the wheel when you are impaired on any other drugs,” Flegel said. “And that also includes prescription medication.”
The National Safety Council has provided additional information about Memorial Day weekend, including fatality estimates and motor vehicle data and research. The Michigan State Police have provided a few key safety tips, which are listed below.
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.
Safety Tips From The Michigan State Police
Buckle up.
Abide by all traffic laws and posted signs.
Pay attention behind the wheel at all times.
Remove all distractions in the car, including cell phones.
Allow for plenty of time when crossing a street or intersection.
Use sidewalks whenever available and never cross the street mid-block.
Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.
Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night or during the early morning.

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Ford Names Jim Hackett As CEO, Announces Global Business Strategies

Ford Names Jim Hackett As CEO, Announces Global Business Strategies

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

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

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

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

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

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Specifications

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pros

Cons

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

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Brembo, General Motors Team For Advanced Braking Technology

Brembo, General Motors Team For Advanced Braking Technology

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

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

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