Posted by Dan Hall on March 19, 2008 at 9:27 pm
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You have to look long and hard to find a more difficult job than designing future Scion products. In its short life, Scion has raced to the forefront of Gen Y desirability. From zero to 173,000 units in just 4 years. Toyota Motor Sales claims the Scion brand to have a median buyer age of just 30 years old, which makes it the youngest brand in the United States. From the same group of people who bring us the Camry and Avalon, both standards for Boomer buyers, but neither evoking a youthful image.
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Posted by Dan Hall on March 19, 2008 at 8:17 pm
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While the New York Show has been certainly less green than LA, Detroit and Chicago, the march towards environmental altruism continues with automakers.
The Nissan Cube has always looked somewhat like an automotive battery, so an electric concept for the Cube is fitting. Denki (Japanese for “electric”) is the name Nissan is giving its latest Cube Concept shown at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The concept carries some of Nissan’s green banner and hints strongly at Nissan’s future small car strategy for the North American market. Nissan plans to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered, next-generation Cube in the United States and Canada starting next year. It’s been a long wait for the Cube. Will cars shaped like boxes still resonate by the time we finally get the US-bound Cube?
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Posted by Dan Hall on January 29, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Tustin, California, January 29, 2008. Today AutoPacific announced the appointment of Ed Kim as Director of Industry Analysis. Mr. Kim will manage AutoPacific’s industry analysis services, including competitive analysis and sales forecasting as well as support for AutoPacific’s consulting services. In addition, he will have editorial responsibility for VehicleVoice.com.
“We are excited about Ed’s new role here at AutoPacific. His insights, experience, and customer-focus will be an excellent addition to AutoPacific’s industry analysis team. We are looking forward to expanding our services under his leadership.” said George Peterson, President and Founder of AutoPacific.
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Posted by Dan Hall on January 23, 2008 at 10:57 am
According to AutoPacific’s annual survey of new car and light truck acquirers, the BMW 3-Series, Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Honda Accord, and Infiniti QX56 attract the most tech savvy buyers. Tech savvy consumers made up approximately 5% of the new car buying population in 2007, up from just 2% in 2006. As Gen Y matures and enters the new vehicle market in greater numbers, AutoPacific expects these numbers to continue their growth. Tech savvy car buyers were defined utilizing a collection of data filters from AutoPacific’s Research Suite® database.
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Posted by Dan Hall on November 21, 2007 at 9:26 am
Giving us all a little break from the green car parade at the LA Auto show, Porsche gave North America it’s first look at the 2008 911 GT2. Based on the current 911 Turbo, the 911 GT2 is a beast, not designed for your average LA attorney. We had a few minutes with David Pryor, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. David, a 911 driver, summed it up like this, “The GT2 is the perfect blend between the Porsche Turbo and the GT3. The GT3, at 415 horsepower, is the most powerful naturally aspirated six cylinder engine in any production car. The twin turbo GT2 has ONLY 530 horsepower.
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Posted by Dan Hall on November 7, 2007 at 10:14 am
Viva Las Vegas
I love Vegas. Lights, gambling, food, beautiful women, cocktails, and not a working clock in sight. Hell meets Disneyland in a world that does not shun alcohol or tobacco for breakfast. Don’t misunderstand me, moderation saves, but this environment screams fun. Regardless of your level of debauchery, the guy next to you makes you feel like a saint. If they could figure out a way to thwart my email connection, I’d move here in a heartbeat.
I look forward to the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas more than most of my assignments, and we at VehicleVoice get assigned some pretty cool marching orders.
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Posted by Dan Hall on October 31, 2007 at 12:01 am
Sonoma, California: Audi’s long awaited R8 has landed here in the States. This past week, VehicleVoice had the chance to review and drive the vehicle at Audi’s New Performance School at Infineon Raceway.
Purpose built to showcase new Audis to the press and host driving events for owners, the new facility at Infineon has the unmistakable Audi presence, with the proper applications of glass, steel, asphalt and, of course, aluminum. Both track and autocross courses were made available to the press for the day.
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Posted by Keagan Patrick on August 2, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Chrysler invented the modern day minivan in November 1983 for the ‘84 model year. They had created a niche market between big bulky, ‘inefficient’, full-size vans and the station wagon; and they struck gold. In the minivan segment Chrysler has remained the sales leader for the last 23 consecutive years and they don’t plan on coming in second. With Ford and GM hanging up their spurs Chrysler knows that the size of their market share could potentially increase, wrangling in more sales.
The Basics
The 5th generation Chrysler minivans due out around the end of September 2007 plan on knocking some wind out of the competition. They will offer segment firsts, such as a six-speed transaxle, LED interior lighting and a one-touch power folding 3rd row seat (60/40 split bench). Prospective buyers will have their choice of five different models, three seating and storage systems and three V6 engines but short wheelbase versions are no longer available. Chrysler may also plan on offering their Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on their minivans as well and rumor has it that the powertrain options will get even more interesting around 2009 or 2010.
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