If you're reading this, then things have unfolded as I had feared and the zombie hordes have arisen. Even now, they could be shambling toward the gates of VehicleVoice World Internet Headquarters and House of Mystery. Of course, I am long gone, having fled to my ammo-packed wilderness compound and left this blog entry to be posted by my more dedicated, less survival-minded coworkers. They are no doubt fodder for the filthy undead, but there may still be hope for you. Read on if you value your life.

Oh crap.

Continue reading "Road Noise: The Brains of the Operation"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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What's the problem?

There is a problem in the Motor City. The Detroit 3 combined have made no money at all over the past 10 years. And, given current fuel prices, the credit squeeze and low consumer confidence, they are unlikely to make a profit anytime soon ... unless something changes.

Fundamentally, the Detroit 3 in general and GM in particular have noncompetitive costs, too many brands and too many dealers.

Continue reading "GM/Chrysler Merger?"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Two approaches: The Hard Way, and the Easy Way
Seems to me, that there are essentially two ways to make this work. Everything else fails.

Continue reading "How to Succed in the Auto Business"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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It seems as though the further along we get into this project the faster things seem to go (thank goodness!). We’ve learned a lot about axles and we are beginning to learn a lot about leaf springs/suspension and driveshafts. For now, we will try and impart some of what we learned about solid axles with you…

Continue reading "1958 International Harvester Receives A Technology Transplant (PART V)- Extracurricular Projects"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Sensible Recommendation? Yes, In Fact
At the close of the Audi Mileage Marathon we talked about last week, Audi of America's Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen took a moment between results announcements and meet-and-greets with a few Hollywood celebrities to make a plea to the political structure. Mr. de Nysschen called for a lowering of diesel tax. Good, lowering taxes I like, though for a racing fan like myself, I was more impressed with Audi American Le Mans Series and Le Mans drivers Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Dindo Capello than Mario Lopez or Brooke Burke. But that's just me, and I digress.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #34: Audi Calls for Lowering Diesel Tax"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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When you're cruising down the highway, do you ever see a vehicle bearing bumper stickers that indicate the driver admires a political party/sports franchise/deity that you're not especially crazy about? And then you have to struggle against the urge to make rude gestures or run them off the road, because how could they be so stupid as to support the Monster Raving Loonies/Gotham Gators/Flying Spaghetti Monster and then be so stupid as to tell everyone about it OMG can you believe these people?!

Me neither.

Time to cut back.

Continue reading "Road Noise: My Bumper Sticker Can Beat Up Your Honor Student"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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With two new and important full-size pickup trucks this fall, at a time of extreme economic uncertainty, what do we see happening to the market in general? And how does the F-150 stack up against the Ram? Since our correspondent Jim Hossack attended both Ford and Ram driving previews, we asked him for some comments. Here we go!

What's happening in the Full-Size Light Duty Pickup market?
Contrary to mass media reports, the full-size light duty pickup market is not dead. In fact, after a few tough months, it is coming back - in terms of share of industry if not actual number of units sold.

The auto industry is down by around 4 million units compared with 2007CY. Full-size pickup share of industry fell from 15.2 percent in August 2007 to as low as 8.6 percent on May 2008, but has rebounded to 15.8 percent in September 2008. In part that may be a reaction to fuel prices, which increased and then decreased, in part it a recent compensation for deferred purchases earlier this summer, and in part due to ridiculously low transaction prices as Dodge and Ford clear out showrooms of the old trucks. It is also worthwhile to remember that holding onto 15.8 percent of a much smaller market still means a dramatic decrease in overall F-150 sales. If and when the economy recovers, half-ton pickup sales volume will recover, depending on how drastic the next fuel price spike is.

Continue reading "Truck Market: Where is it Going? How Do F-150 and Ram Stack Up?"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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New Body; New Chassis; Improved Powertrain
VehicleVoice contributors Jim Hossack and Stephanie Brinley had the opportunity to drive Dodge's new 2009 Ram pickup - what used to be called the Ram 1500. We're impressed - there is a lot to like, from looks to features to driving dynamics to capability to interior quality.

Continue reading "First Drive: 2009 Dodge Ram"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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VehicleVoice correspondent Jim Hossack attended a 2009 Ford F-150 driving preview - and reports that it was well worth it. The Dodge Ram is the other big truck news of this season, so we decided to bring you reviews of both trucks this week.

Hossack says Ford put on a very thorough, very professional series of presentation, with plenty of opportunity to evaluate the new F-150 and facing competition under a variety of circumstances. Hossack was about as impressed with the passion and enthusiasm of the guys working on the program as with the truck itself.

Continue reading "2009 Ford F-150: First Drive"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I just finished the fourth leg of Audi's Mileage Marathon, a coast-to-coast demonstration and competition drive for the best fuel economy from a range of Audi TDI clean diesels. The drive started in New York City on October 6, ending in Santa Monica on October 19. I joined the crew in Las Vegas, which included driving through Monterey, California, and the chance to see the Audi R10 TDI cars take 1-2 in the final American Le Mans Series race of the year at Laguna Seca, their ninth consecutive victory.

The undertaking allowed attending Audi engineers, designers, and product planners to take a deep dive into the extremes of American driving conditions, from a crowded New York City street through the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks at Sedona, Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes (from altitude of minus 282 feet below sea level at Badwater Basin in the Valley to 11,000 feet in Mammoth Lakes), and finally down Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Monica.

This convoy of 23 silver Audi Q7s, Q5s, A3s, and A4s, dressed in nearly as many stickers as the R10 racing car, could not be missed. U.S. and international journalists and Audi engineers, designers, and executives got to see people over the country, talk to them about the car and the benefits of diesel, as well as gain firsthand knowledge of U.S. reactions. When the 3.0L TDI Q7 becomes available in the States next year, Audi will begin to see the results of the overall diesel communication strategy and education outreaches.

This was an astounding event in ambition, scope, and execution, and next week I'll be telling my driving story. Today, we're going to talk a little about diesel acceptance and Audi's positioning.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #33: Audi Continues U.S. Diesel Education Program"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Autumn is in full swing here at Vehicle Voice World Internet Headquarters and Discount Wig Warehouse, and that makes me think of moving. My apartment leases always seem to end October-ish, and every year there seems to be a compelling reason why I have to pack everything in boxes and take it someplace else. I've moved seven times in the past six years, so I daresay I've got the expert qualifications necessary to advise you on the proper vehicle for your next move.

Illustrative cat is illustrative.

Continue reading "Road Noise: In It For the Long (U-)Haul."

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ah yes, the Mercury Milan, the upscale sister ship to the Ford Fusion. Aimed at younger buyers who want something a little more sophisticated than the Dodge Avenger or Mitsubishi Galant. Mercury aims the Milan at the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry buyer. We definitely wanted to take a closer look.

To be honest it’s very rare for a 4-door mid-size car from Mercury to really knock my socks off. In terms of sex appeal I typically think Mercury ranks right up there with… well, Buick (that’s right, there isn’t any sex appeal – alright the new Buick Enclave has a little). With that said, I must admit the Milan is a great mid-size car. It really does have a few things going for it – style, comfort, and value. It was one of those cars I didn’t want to like but ended up enjoying. Just promise me you won’t quote me.

The Milan we received as an evaluation vehicle did have all the bells and whistles. It was the V6 Premier AWD, very nicely equipped at $28,915 (which according to our data is about the median price of a new vehicle in 2008). Our particular Milan was equipped with the 3.0L V6, 6-speed automatic, and all-wheel-drive. The window sticker boasted EPA fuel economy at 17 city and 25 hwy, with our particular vehicle averaging 19.9mpg (both city and highway), which we thought was decent but not spectacular for a vehicle with a V6 and AWD. Maybe a front-wheel-drive version wouldn’t zap our fuel economy.

Continue reading "2008 Mercury Milan - Boring but Good"

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Are we nearing the end of Chrysler? Or the beginning of a new blended family? Or just another day at the rumor mill?
Late on Friday, the first stories began appearing about GM and Chrysler in possible merger talks. And at least in Detroit, dominated the weekend news cycle. GM's stock went up this morning, but given that the Dow was up 5.6% and GM went up only about 3%, the stock bump might have happened without merger talk. GM closed on Friday at $4.89, a number some say is actually less than the company would be worth in capital assets alone.

All of this merger talk, whether these deals are realistic or not, does nothing good for public perception. The economy is weak, last week's events on the stock market don't reassure anyone, and talking about GM and Chrysler perhaps needing to merge to survive only further erodes confidence in American business. While GM and Chrysler LLC, as well as any other maker in trouble right now, needs to consider even unthinkable options and test our common assumptions as they get out of this trouble, this merger does not inspire hope.

Continue reading "Exhaust Notes #32: More Detroit Merger Talk"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I have my own car, because I come from Michigan, where people older than 16 who don't own cars are subject to the intense scrutiny and (ahem) gentle persuasion of their local UAW chapters. But when I went to college out of state, I was able to slip free of the car culture and live a glorious pedestrian lifestyle.

I hated it.

The guy on the Pedestrian Crossing sign is ashamed of not having a car. You can see it in his eyes.

Continue reading "Road Noise: Share and Share Alike. Or Don't."

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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And turn that radio down!
Today's teens have grown up in a world of fluid and ever-expanding technology, with their parents using everything from V-chips to internet blockers to teddy-bear babysitting cams to GPS trackers to keep better track of them. For many, it is simply part of their world. Parents and kids have the same trust issues to sort through, just the same as when I was a kid and didn't think my mom had any right to go through MY dresser, but parents have more direct tools at their disposal now.

Add one more to the arsenal. Ford is introducing the latest electronic nanny next year (2010MY) across several model lines, including the Focus. The system will be a no-cost option or standard equipment, depending on model. It turns out to be an inexpensive way to help teens stay focused in early driving years, when they are the least experienced, and for parents to feel better about teens driving.

Continue reading "Ford's MyKey: Who Says Parents Can't Control Your Speed?"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Among the newer products in Toyota's lineup is the Sequoia, updated for 2008 model year. The truck has scored well with owners, winning both AutoPacific's 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction and Motorist Choice Awards. Recently, we found a chance to see what all the fuss is about.

It's often tough to knock a Toyota. They typically live up to the reputation they've earned as top-notch appliances you can rely on, even if they cost you a little more up front. Sometimes there is a notable lack of passion, being addressed by more adventurous styling as time goes on. Though everyone knows the customer is always right, we were not as impressed as Sequoia's owners.

Continue reading "2008 Toyota Sequoia Misses the Mark"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Industry
Everyone knows the industry sales rate is down - a SAAR of only 12.2 in September 2008. AutoPacific forecasts sales only 13.4 million for the full year. And the last week of the month was pretty awful. But where are Minivan sales? The data says down, but not yet out.

Continue reading "Where are Minivan Sales?"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Methodology
September sales data are in, and as just about everybody knows, total vehicle sales are down, not a little, but a lot, for all manufacturers and all segments.

But how are pickups doing as a share of industry and within segment? Who is winning and who is losing ground? There are lots of ways to look at the data, and they all have pros and cons, but I prefer to look at CYTD (calendar year to date) numbers rather than monthly numbers, and compare those with the prior full calendar year. That method tends to iron out monthly swings (as September this year versus September last year would highlight), and provides a constant base from which to judge how the year is progressing. And I like to focus on segment share and vehicle share of segment data rather than the absolute numbers.

Continue reading "Pickup Truck Sales, September 2008 CYTD"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Oh, and Saab 9-7X, too
Last week was full of horrible sales results. The worst single month of sales since February 1993, in fact. In the midst of abysmal sales and the brouhaha to get the financial sector bailout passed, for better or worse, General Motors said production of the GMC Envoy and Chevrolet TrailBlazer will end in December 2008. This is two years earlier than once planned, though not much earlier than many guessed. Are you sad? Saying goodbye to a truly American vehicle?

We're not, really. The TrailBlazer and Envoy have come to their logical end, not for being badly drawn or executed products, but because the General's offerings today are better suited for real life. Envoy sales for 2008 are down 44.1% and TrailBlazer down 36.9%. In a tough economic situation where leasing and credit are more difficult to get and buyers seem perfectly happy to delay big-ticket purchases, why continue them for another year?

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #31: Goodbye, TrailBlazer and Envoy!"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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This week, I sat down for the sales conference calls from Ford and Chrysler. How are things, you ask, or don't, as the case may be? Well, they're both down about 35 percent. On the bright side, no one cried on the phone.

"Run for your lives! The economy's collapsing!"

Continue reading "Road Noise: Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Dial Here"

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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So, what's happening out there?

The results of the September, 2008 fuel survey are now in. Some of the highlights, after the jump:

Continue reading "September 2008 Fuel Survey"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Several months ago I had the opportunity to drive a pre-production Buick Lucerne Super for a few miles around Malibu with Karen Micklin the program manager for the car from General Motors' Performance Division. I was pretty impressed with the Super as a very competent front wheel drive large car from GM's "mature division". Also impressive was the fact that Buick was not trying to make an overt move to capture younger buyers. They simply want to provide the most competent car a Buick driver can buy.

Last week we had a Super at VehicleVoice offices and the staff had a chance to drive the car. Several balked at the idea of driving the Buick - too mature for their youthful sensibilities - but when they came in the day after driving the car each was surprised and impressed. The highlights: effortless cruising on the freeway, good performance from the tweaked Northstar V8, quiet and comfortable ride, good size.

Continue reading "2008 Buick Lucerne Super - Drive 2"

Posted by George Peterson at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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I almost have to feel sorry for the “new” Ford Taurus. It’s actually a really innovative, clever, and compelling sedan, but it’s clad in a wrapper that’s so dull and forgettable that I actually had to sit and think hard to remember my drive experience with the car so that I would have something meaningful to say for this story!

Considering just how dreary it looks, the car has a pretty interesting and convoluted pedigree. Let’s start with the Taurus nameplate. Introduced for the 1986 model year, the original Taurus was nothing short of revolutionary. Its radical styling was unlike anything ever seen on American roads, yet the beauty and cohesiveness of its design and proportions made it a must-have all across the country. It soon went on to become America’s best selling car. Unfortunately for the car, the popularity of trucks and SUVs in the ‘90s and much of this decade led Ford to ignore Taurus, and this once-proud symbol of what the American auto industry was capable of became nothing more than default rental fleet fodder.

Continue reading "2008 Ford Taurus: So Dull We Almost Forgot How Innovative it Actually is"

Posted by Ed Kim at 4:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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