Auto Show Season: LA + Detroit

Auto shows are some of my favorite events to attend, because of the people you meet and the new technology and products
you get to hear about!

Auto Show season is upon us, which means there’s plenty of reveals and new models to look forward to. Let’s look back at a few interesting models from the LA Auto Show and also look ahead to the Detroit Auto Show.

Los Angeles

From left to right: 2018 Chevy Corvette ZR1, 2018 Mazda 6,
2019 Subaru Ascent; The Mazda honestly is my favorite here.

The LA Auto Show took place last month, and we showed us a decent mix of new products. One such product is the Chevy Corvette ZR1 with a supercharged V8 making 755 HP. Pricing starts at $119,995, making it one of the most expensive and surely fastest Corvettes ever. 

Another iconic model up for redesign is the Jeep Wrangler, and it’ll offer more modern tech, diesel and mild-hybrid versions, and of course multiple off-roaring variants. The most interesting engine in this lineup is FCA’s new 2.0 twin-scroll turbo with 268 HP and eAssist technology.

Other notable models from the LA Auto Show include the 2019 Subaru Ascent, which marks Subaru’s first foray into the modern 7-passenger crossover market. It looks solid, although slightly bland I feel just like many of Subaru’s other models. Also, Infiniti’s all-new QX50 will use the first production variable-compression ratio engine, and Mazda’s 6 sedan sees a 2018 refresh that FINALLY brings a turbocharged engine with 250 HP, a more upscale interior, and revised tech and semi-autonomous safety features. I’ve been saying that if Mazda ever began to offer a turbo luxurious version of the 6, they’d be a serious threat. And here it is. I’m quite impressed, and the competition should be too.

Detroit

Although not taking place until mid-January, we already have details on some of what we can expect to see. It’s going to be a big year, with heated segments getting even hotter.

As noted in a previous posting, we can expect GM to highlight their renewed full-sized pickups. The 2019 Silverado has already been unveiled, so now we need to see what the GMC Sierra will look like. 

Kia's Stinger continues to make waves, and the new Veloster from Hyundai

wants to follow suit. A new Insight from Honda seems appropriate given the push for more "green" cars, but a new Avalon given how 4-door car sales are falling I question somewhat...

Additionally, there’s big new coming out of Hyundai Motor Group. The 2019 Veloster will be officially unveiled in Detroit, coming hot off of the reveal of the new Kona subcompact crossover in LA. Additionally, Kia’s Stinger sportback is nominated for the North American Car of the Year award, a first for the brand! It’s up against steep competition, the other finalists being the 2018 Camry and Accord sedans. We’ll see what the final results are soon.

Other debuts include a new Honda Insight, this one being a sedan, a face lifted 2019 Jeep Cherokee (long overdue, thank you FCA), the new RAM 1500, and an all-new Toyota Avalon. Are there any other models you’re hoping to see? Holly jolly, ‘tis the season: Auto show season!

Until our next trip, ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Blown Fuse & Midsize Mayhem: Ford’s Fusion on Death Row?

The Fusion has become one of the most recognizable names in Ford's lineup and the midsize sedan segment since its introduction in the mid-2000s timeframe. But is its future in jeopardy now?

UPDATE AS OF JAN. 3RD 2018: Fusion's 2020 redesign has officially been cancelled by Ford, casting further doubt on the model's future...

Since 2006, the Ford Fusion has been a key model for Ford and a big player in the midsize car segment. Not only did it help carry the company through the late-2000s economic recession, but it also was initially introduced to replace the aging Taurus within Ford’s lineup and gave the brand a midsize car that was finally competitive enough with the likes of the Toyota Camry. You get the point, it’s been an important model.

But fast forward a little over a decade later, and it’s a different picture... With sales down into double digit territory, Ford is apparently considering killing off the Fusion by 2020. Word is production will move to China from Mexico, with no models imported to America or Europe afterwards... WOW. What could’ve led to such a drastic turn of events???

Culprit: Crossovers

From left to right: 2018 Ford EcoSport, Edge, Escape and Explorer;
These vehicles are populating roadways more and more, making sedans
less viable for consumers due to their practicality.

Ford claims that they’re figuring out the key to making CUVs more fuel efficient. And it’s not just the blue oval accomplishing this I’ve noticed: EVERY automaker seems to be cracking that code these days. Thus, since crossovers already allow for a more practical design (now coupled with better efficiency), consumers are flocking to those vehicles in droves over 4-door cars now.

If Ford does go thru with this move and eventually drops the Taurus as well, the largest 4-door car they will offer in the United States after 2020 is the redesigned Focus.

Extra! Extra! Market Trends Tell All!

We could talk for days about this honestly, because this is HUGE news if you don’t realize it. Let’s break it down a little more.

What really gets me about this is how instrumental Fusion was to Ford during the recession, but now it has simply been deemed no longer viable. This makes Ford the 2nd American automaker in the last two years to announce they’re exiting the midsize market, after Chrysler dropping the 200 this year. So essentially, this American midsize car battle was just handed to the Malibu in the long run, which I feel is a very “ok” car. Not bad, but it doesn’t deserve the clear cut ‘W’ over the Fusion.

Ford's Taurus could also be in trouble... I've always viewed it as more
"dead weight" than the Fusion, because you see so few new ones where I am.

Another big picture concept to consider about this is market trends. Generally, a major move such as this pre-stages a larger trend seems like. Back in 2011, Hyundai/Kia were among the first automakers to switch to using all 4-cylinder powertrains in the Sonata and Optima, the company’s midsize sedans. Since then, it’s basically standard that all manufacturers have an “all-4 cylinder” engine lineup for their midsize cars, with the exception of a couple. Even the 2018 Accord (finally) made the switch. My point being that if automakers now start killing off these style of cars, it could pre-stage a larger trend of these “once popular” nameplates dying off. Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata, Cadillac XTS... All cars that have declined sharply in popularity and relevance due to the growing truck and crossover obsession.

As with almost any trend, we ought to be able to follow its trajectory somewhat. Ford believes this consumer shift is permanent. And signs of this trend of midsize cars declining were becoming evident earlier this decade, as Mitsubishi discontinued the Galant back in 2012 and didn’t replace it. While the Fusion has never personally been my favorite in its segment (Kia Optima and Mazda 6 share that honor), it’s clear it’s been an impactful model in several ways.

Many Questions, Few Answers

Perhaps one of the biggest looming questions is what is the fate of the Fusion's
uptown twin, the Lincoln MKZ?

As you can probably guess, there are many questions we could ask about this decision. Why totally abandon the Fusion and this market? Will it ever be replaced? What about MKZ production? I feel that even though this market is shrinking, abandoning it could be a mistake, as not everybody is warming up to the crossover craze. Share your thoughts as well.

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Silver Lining: 2019 Chevy Silverado

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Trailboss

Trucks are almost as popular as crossovers these days. So it should come as no surprise that Chevy has unveiled a new Silverado to stay competitive in the full-size truck segment. This almost certainly means that a new GMC Sierra is coming soon too.

Truck It Up, Truck It Up

Although similar in overall shape, the 2019 Silverado’s frame is all-new, and GM promises that the new truck is lighter and more efficient by using a mix of new materials. Quite appropriate, given more stringent fuel economy regulations that are forthcoming. A turbocharged engine is rumored also. My initial impressions are positive, although the styling of some of Chevy's recent cars takes a little longer to get use to in my opinion...

In addition to revised looks, the upcoming Silverado (and we can assume by extension the GMC Sierra) use higher strength steel in their beds for further weight savings. This is a direct response to Ford using aluminum in the F-Series, but strikes me as somewhat odd at the same time, because I recall hearing something about “carbon fiber” being considered for use at some point... And while expensive, I just don’t see steel + V8s as equaling a ton of weight savings.

Chevy vows to continue using steel on key parts for safety and durability purposes. That much does make total sense, as Chevy’s “clearly not-staged” TV commercials demonstrate that holes can be punctured into a truck bed made of weaker material if you drop boulders into it... Just in case you were ever curious, you know.

Finding New Roads Near You... Soon 

Chevy has been in the truck business awhile - 100 years in fact!
Here's the 2018 Centennial Edition Silverado and Colorado.

Expect more info on the 2019 Silverado at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. What else would you like to see GM do with their full-size truck lineup?

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Happy Holidays 2017

Its the season of gift giving, giving thanks, and snow. Even if you wish you were somewhere warmer, are missing someone, or stuck in traffic, from me to you and all of your crew, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Let's roll into this new year heads held high and eyes wide open to all that we've learned in 2017!

-Adam

Car Facts: Chevrolet Malibu

Car Fact: The modern Chevrolet Malibu has outlived all of its DIRECT "sibling" vehicles within GM's modern portfolio (‘97-99 Oldsmobile Cutlass, ‘05-10 Pontiac G6, and the ‘07-09 Saturn Aura). While some GM products shared their platform with the Malibu (ex. Buick LaCrosse and Regal shared the Epsilon II platform), these models are not essentially the same car as the Malibu like the others were.

In sort of a cruel irony fate: The 2007 Saturn Aura heavily influenced the Malibu's 2008 and onwards design, but was discontinued (with the entire Saturn brand) after just 3 model years. Both the Aura and Malibu won the North American Car of the Year award back to back (2007 & 2008 respectively).

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Winter Driving Advisory

Given the snow that's already hitting parts of this state for the Christmas holiday, it's always good to remember: Ice and snow, take it SLOW!

Also remember: AWD/4WD will help you get going, but it WON'T help you stop. Basically all modern cars have 4 wheel brakes, ABS, traction and stability control, etc. Larger vehicles also tend to roll easier due to a higher center of gravity. Time is always your best ally!