Its My Birthday!

Hey, hey, hey! Happy birthday to me! Here's to the future, because the best days are still to come! Thanks for all the support and well wishes sent thus far!

Rare Rides!

The 1953 Corvette

Following this week's theme of classic cars, here is a list of the top 23 rarest American cars. You think new cars are expensive? Look up what some classic cars can sell for.

What are your favorite rare cars, and which ones would you love to own someday? Comment your thoughts! And follow the link below to view the article on some of the rarest American cars to ever exist.

Until next time, ROLL ON!

• http://americaloveshorsepower.com/23-of-the-rarest-cars-from-american-auto-makers/

Summer Classic Car Show!

Hello again world! Its been a long and busy summer, but I feel so fortunate for all of the things I learned. My internship ended on an excellent note, and the same is true for my summer classes. After a much needed break and some down time, I'm ready for what my final two semesters of undergrad have in store for me! But before this final leg of my college journey begins, I have to update you all on some other things. 

This Summer '16, I had the opportunity to go to an auto show in my hometown at my favorite dealership, Garber Buick. My mother has purchased multiple cars from here, so the dealer is rather special to me and fond part of my childhood. While there, I saw some very interesting rides, and even got to see the new 2016 Buick Cascada. I'm posting some of them below. What's your favorite classic or rare car? Let me know what you think!

To me, nothing says "SURFS UP DUDE" more than the Volkswagen Bus! These ones were pretty beat up, but still looked very euro and defintely told a story of a past era. The more recent Volkswagen Routan minivan is certainly uncommon in its own regard, but also lacks the magic that these original vans had (especially since its a rebadged last-gen Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan).

Here we have a 1998 5th-generation (C5 Chevy Corvette). But this isn't just any ordinary Vette. Nope, this is the 1998 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car! I would've been 5 years old at the time of this event, so I don't recall it taking place. But I really thought that the deep blue and yellow paint was striking, and the pop-up headlights scream throwback! Now the rims... Well, those are definitely love it or hate it haha. But who doesn't love seeing a unique Corvette?

Behold, a shiny, customized 1980's Chevy Monte Carlo SS and a 1965-1970 Chevy Impala! Don't you just love classic American style? I particularly like how modern models draw inspiration from older designs. Between these two, the Impala was my favorite.

Here we have a lineup of cool classics, including another Corvette and a 1980's Mercedes-Benz SL convertible. The particular Mercedes you see here actually belongs to my good friend's uncle. Seeing it in a picture really does the car no justice, because its in such immaculate condition.

Here's one for the new and old car buffs: A couple of Pontiac Solstices. As you may know, the Solstice was one of the last Pontiacs. But what's so special about the red one pictured is that its a Solstice COUPE! That's an incredibly rare model, because it was only made for 2009 and only 1,266 manufactured! A guaranteed collectors items indeed.

At the end of this auto show, I had a chance to see the all-new 2016 Buick Cascada! A rebadged Opel Cascada, this Buick marks the return of a sporty convertible to Buick's lineup. In fact, its the first one in nearly 25 years. This light blue color looked awesome in the sunset, and the overall car looks solid. A 1.6 turbocharged engine is standard, and the Cascada is available in two trim levels. I hope to drive one for Adam's Autos in the future.

So again, what are you favorite cars from this show? What models would you like to see come back, or which ones hold the fondest memories for you? Oldsmobiles are some of my favorite older cars, especially since my mother has owned several models. Reminisce in the comments!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Repost: Food For Thought, Upcoming Content for Your Curiosity

Howdy everyone! Here's a repost from Facebook, food for thought haha. More content coming later today.

Keeping It 200: Chrysler Delivers On Their Promise

Confirmed: The Chrysler 200 will end production in December of this year. The factory where its built at in Sterling Heights, Michigan will be retooled to build the upcoming redesigned Ram 1500 truck.

A part of me still questions this move, but official figures do say that Chrysler 200 sales are down. Way down.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20160726/OEM01/160729899/fca-earmarks-1-5-billion-to-build-ram-1500-pickups-at-chrysler-200?cciid=email-autonews-blast

Ding Dong, The Dart Is Dead

Just as quickly as it arrived, its now exiting stage left. 2016 will be the Dodge Dart's swan song.

In a past post, I mentioned how FCA was considering axing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 sedans. And now, it's official. At least for the Dart anyways. 2016 will be the final model year for Dodge's compact sedan. For the second half of 2016, the Dart's lineup will be simplified to just 3 trim levels: SXT Sport, Turbo, and GT Sport. Customization options, a Dart trademark, will also be simplified and the dual-clutch transmission that was previously available will be gone too, all in an effort to make the Dart's transition to the big parking lot in the sky a little more comfortable.

Reviving a name from Dodge's past, the Dart was introduced in the 2013 model year as a replacement for the Caliber hatchback. FCA cites slow sales and a desire to want to focus more on crossovers, trucks, and SUVs moving forward as the reason the Dart is being put out to pasture. The related 200 sedan will likely meet a similar fate soon, although Sergio Marchionne has expressed some interest in keeping the 200 alive if another company will assist in producing it. 

The new 200 I've noticed has been a relatively good seller for Chrysler, despite not being "perfect" in its segment. If you want to find out more about this model, I tested the 200 awhile back and you'll be taken to my in-depth review on it by following the link below:

• http://www.adamsautos.org/2015/11/2015-chrysler-200-review.html

Will you miss the modern-day Dart? My impression of the car is that its relatively average overall. But then again, I see them on the road fairly often seems like, and discontinuing it (and potentially the 200 too) seems to be an odd move because this will leave Chrysler without any offerings in the compact OR mid-sized car segments. And those are two of the most competitive segments on the planet right now! An SRT-4 model of the Dart might have helped spice things up a little bit instead of simply offering "appearance package" options... But hindsight is always 20/20, right? We'll see how this move works out for the company moving forward.

More Info:

• http://www.motortrend.com/news/2016-dodge-dart-lineup-simplified-three-trim-levels/
• http://fcauthority.com/2016/07/dodge-dart-to-be-discontinued-in-september/

Rolling Your Way: New Content! Hooray!

Hello all! Hopefully you've been enjoying this summer weather! And also staying cool some too haha. I know I have! The grind never stops!

But hey! You smell that? That's the smell of fresh, new content rolling your way soon! Stay curious! Word is we might be losing a few well-known models here in the U.S. Oh boy, oh boy... ROLL ON!

And be sure to like the Adam's Auto's Facebook page as well while you're at it!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! USA! USA!

Happy 4th of July to all! Its always awesome to see the American auto industry thriving. Here's hoping you enjoy this day in your rides with your families, eat some great BBQ, watch some spectacular firework displays, and enjoy everything else our nation offers us everyday! ROLL ON READERS!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

3-in-1 = Automotive Fun!

Something intriguing happens every day in the world. Similarly, there’s always something interesting to talk about daily or weekly in the auto industry, whether it involves new technology being developed, new models being introduced, or older designs being discontinued. So what amazing things are just on the horizon, and what’s preparing to roll into the sunset? Today on Adam’s Autos, we take a look at these topics in a special 3-in-1 article.

Hackers Beware

Infotainment systems in our cars have become prime targets for hackers. Can this issue be resolved?

If you’ve been following the auto industry in last several years, you’re likely aware of the numerous technological advancements that have been introduced or that are in development. Some of these technologies giving us a look into the high-tech future of the industry include autonomous driving, self-parking features, and adaptive cruise control. However, out of all these innovations, among some of the most immediately effective have been in-car touchscreen infotainment systems. I’m talking about systems such as Ford’s new Sync 3, Cadillac CUE, Kia UVO, Chevy MyLink, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While all of them are certainly NOT created equal, in-car connectivity has put nearly every luxury or feature only a swipe or touch away from the driver. However, with each step forward, there’s always going to be a drawback or two. One major issue with these systems is that just like your everyday computer, they can be hacked. Some even remotely! YIKES! Chrysler’s UConnect system was used as a test mule recently to demonstrate the potential consequences of driving a hacked car. So what is being done to combat this issue? Some automakers believe they have a solution.

After growing concerns from consumers and the government alike, an Information Sharing & Analysis Center (Auto-ISAC) has been established, with the sole purpose of stopping cyber-attacks on unsuspecting drivers through sharing various intelligence information. Some hacking has already been prevented, although the problem continues to get more difficult to contain due to the growing amount of technologically advanced cars. The industry’s biggest concern is that ransomware could potentially become a problem, and that a hacker could fully control or shut down an entire fleet of cars unless an automaker agrees to pay them. Therefore, companies are moving swiftly to not only develop new software and other solutions to negate remote hacking, but also to form new alliances and strengthen the Auto-ISAC so they’ll have a more effective reach. Delphi, Kia, and Google are just a few companies that appear to be getting involved in the Auto-ISAC. However, alongside the added involvement comes the sharing of potentially confidential information among potential rival firms. This is an obstacle that must be proactively worked around, as new hacking cases are constantly popping up. But any forward progress is better than moving backwards. As time goes on and technology continues to surprise us, we’re bound to see more creative solutions to this problem.

Some more info here:

• http://blog.caranddriver.com/auto-industry-unites-to-take-countermeasures-against-hackers/

Power Outage: Thousands of Tesla Model 3 Orders Cancelled

Considered to be a revolution long before its introduction, Tesla's Model 3 seems to have hit its first road block.

Do you want a Model 3? There may be some more space for you to place a reservation now. Currently, about 373,000 Model 3 reservations are still being held after roughly 8,000 orders were cancelled by customers and 4,200 more orders were deemed duplicates of existing ones. Tesla previously said that they had nearly 400,000 pre-orders. What’s so astounding about this number of pre-orders is that they have all been placed before the car is technically even 100% green lit. In fact, many of these orders were placed even before the car was officially unveiled earlier this year! The last time I recall a pre-production model being this highly anticipated was GM’s roadster duo – the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky – roughly eight years ago now. Tesla actually feels they could get even more pre-orders of the Model 3, but they want customers to purchase models they already have in production too. To me, that makes no sense, as the Model S and X are both significantly more expensive than the Model 3 will be. 

Tesla needs to raise $1.4 billion to begin production of the Model 3, which is due out late next year. While this figure is within most business expectations, that’s still a very sizable amount of cash, especially for a relatively new company whose stock has been down recently. Pricing of the Model 3 will begin at $35,000, and Tesla plans to make 500,000 units a year by the 2018 model year. With a starting price that roughly $50,000-$80,000 lower than other Teslas, it goes without saying that the Model 3 could be a revolutionary step forward in making not only Tesla, but electric cars in general more mainstream.

Strategy Is Key: Volkswagen Is Still Laggin’

Volkswagen Group 

Volkswagen is one of the world’s biggest automakers. And by now, everyone is aware of how much trouble VW Group has been in lately for their diesel emissions scandal, aka “Dieselgate”. Well now, word on the block is that Volkswagen group   is planning to discontinue more than 40 models across all their various lineups. Additionally, they’re supposed to begin investing billions of euros in electric cars and automated driving in efforts to become a technological and green-car leader by the 2025 model year. This is definitely in direct response to the ongoing diesel emissions issues that have tarnished the company’s reputation. But regardless of the reason, VW likely recognizes the need to constantly work on new product placement strategies for a constantly evolving marketplace. Currently, around 340 different models are in production across all of VW’s brands, such as VW, Audi, Skoda, and Spain’s SEAT (pronounced “Saye-It”). However, it’s not known at this time exactly which models will be discontinued. I had a chance to see some of SEAT’s models on my international marketing study abroad in Spain, and I observed in general that Volkswagen models are quite popular there and similar to what we see in the United States. I really liked what SEAT had to offer, and it would be interesting to see them come to the United States someday.

The 2016 SEAT Ateca. It'd be interesting to see how this model would fare in the U.S. market. However, SEAT is a VW brand found primarily in Spain, and the compact crossover market here is already quite crowded.

Back on the subject of Dieselgate: VW is expected to have to pay out even more in their settlement with U.S. drivers. Thus, the overall price the company will pay is more than $15 billion dollars now! This includes $10.033 billion in buyback offers to be given to owners of roughly 475,000 cars and $5 billion in funds to offset diesel emissions and boost zero emission vehicle production. I can hear VW’s company wallet crying now. However, that buyback amount could go down could be lower if a large enough number of owners take buybacks. 2009-2015 model year cars are eligible for $5,100 in settlement money, and some owners may get up to $10,000 in compensation. Prior owners of polluting cars will get half the amount of current owners, and people who leased cars are eligible for compensation as well. This settlement is one of the largest in U.S. history, and the plot continues to thicken. I personally like what VW has been doing lately with some of their models and lineups, but it’s still hard to say what the long-term fix will be for these emission “cheating” cars and also what the future of diesel fuel will be. Volkswagen will be around, but they certainly have some work to do to mend their company’s reputation.

Some more info here:

• http://www.autonews.com/article/20160627/OEM11/160629867/vws-u-s-settlement-to-grow-to-15-billion-in-emissions-scandal-report?cciid=email-autonews-blast

Conclusion

What are some of your impressions on some of these topics? Does your car have an infotainment system and are you concerned about hackers? Do you think electric cars will ever run the roads, and will Tesla’s Model 3 set the new standard for affordable electric transportation? Do you own a VW product, and how do you feel about the Dieselgate scandal? Which models do you think are on the chopping block, and will VW ever fully recover in the eyes of the public? Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments. Until next time: ROLL ON READERS!

Time Extended: Every Patriot Needs a Compass

Blazing new trails at affordable prices, the Jeep Compass (top) and Patriot (bottom) are long overdue for a a makeover. That makeover/replacement is coming soon.

Did you know that the Jeep Compass and Patriot are still in production? If you did, you must have a very keen eye for Jeeps, as this compact SUV duo fly FAR under the radar nowadays. Now here’s another question for you: Do you know how LONG they’ve been in production? If you guessed nearly a decade, you’re a winner! Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Jeep Compass and Patriot ride on Chrysler’s MK platform, meaning they share their underpinnings with the long-gone Dodge Caliber subcompact (last made in 2012 before being replaced by the Dart). That should give you a better idea of the age and roots of this platform. To say it’s time for a full-on redesign or replacement model would be a statement that’s roughly five years late. Well save your voice, because Chrysler has heard it all before, and while the current Compass and Patriot will roll on into the 2017 model year, FCA is currently developing and testing out the duo’s replacement now. Recently captured spy shots give us a closer look at what we can possibly expect from this upcoming new model.

The Scoop

According to various sources, this new replacement model will be produced in Mexico starting in early 2017 (not long after the Patriot and Compass cease production at Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois plant). It’ll also be officially unveiled in Brazil after being a no-show at the earlier auto shows this year, making it a truly international product. Among other buzz about this model, its speculated that it will use one of the current model’s names: Patriot or Compass. If this is true, my bet is that the Patriot name will continue on, as the Patriot has almost always been more popular than the Compass (although the Compass has always been my personal favorite of the two SUVs). Styling based on spy shots appears to be a blend of the Compass and Grand Cherokee. Thus, if this model actually does end up using the Patriot name, it’ll really be a truly diverse blend of the Jeep lineup.

This new small Jeep appears to combine styling cues from the models its due to replace. It may also pick up one of their names as well.

My overall initial impressions of this pre-production model are that it is likely going to continue Fiat-Chrysler/Jeep’s trend towards high quality, yet functional interiors. In an age where a “high-quality” interior now seems to also mean “overly complicated”, FCA’s recent interiors have been a breath of fresh air. Chrysler’s large, well-regarded UConnect infotainment touchscreen can be seen in various spy shots of the inside of this new compact crossover, and it also appears to be slightly larger than both outgoing models. Of course, this means more comfort for occupants, and better ride quality as well due to a more stretched wheelbase. This should also help Jeep to deliver better on the off-road capabilities of this new model compared to its predecessors. Speculated powertrains to be offered are Chrysler’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder “Tigershark” engine, which I found to be underwhelming in my Chrysler 200 tester, and also a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’ll likely be reserved for top-end models. It’s also possible that the new “Hurricane” four-cylinder that’s in development for the upcoming Wrangler may be offered as well. All engines will likely be paired to a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission, assuming that this model will follow in the footsteps of Chrysler’s other recent offerings.

Pricing is still an unknown of course, but the Patriot and Compass are two of the most affordable small SUVs on the market today ($17,695 base for the Patriot, $19,695 for the Compass). Expect pricing to fall nearly in line with those models, but also to likely cut into the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee’s price ranges as well. Perhaps the biggest missing piece of this new car puzzle is definitely the reliability bit. It’s no secret that this is a spot where Fiat-Chrysler has struggled in recent years. But we’ll have to wait quite a while longer still to see how this model fares.

So what are your own initial impressions of this new small Jeep? Do you think it will be any notably better than the models its replacing? How do you think it will compare to its competition, such as the RAV-4? What are your feelings about Chrysler’s decision to focus more on crossovers and trucks moving forward? Let me know what your thoughts are! Jeep is certainly going to play a key role in Chrysler’s product portfolio moving forward, and this model is likely going to play a major part in determining Jeep’s corporate position. Stay tuned for more info!

For more info:

• http://www.autonews.com/article/20160620/OEM03/160619872/jeeps-small-models-to-soldier-on
• http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2017-jeep-compass-and-patriot-spy-photos-news

Was Blind, But NOW I See! Avoiding Those Pesky Blind-Spots

Blind-spot monitoring systems use radar to sense another vehicle in the lane next to you. However, by remaining attentive and using the proper mirror adjustments, you can keep yourself safe even if this technology is not available.

It’s definitely not a secret that blind-spots can be a major weak spot in any car, especially bigger ones, and they can be a real hindrance to us while driving. Not seeing something at the appropriate time can cause us to run into situations that otherwise could have easily been avoided… Literally! In recent years, we’ve seen a sharp increase in automakers offering all sorts of high-tech safety features on cars in an effort to both move the market towards an autonomous driving future, and to provide an extra security net for even the safest drivers. Of course, those features include blind-spot monitoring systems and others such as Honda’s Lane Watch system, which will give you a view of what’s on the passenger-side when you switch on your turn signal to change lanes. BUT WAIT! That’s fancy and all, but what if I told you that it isn’t necessary to have many of these features to drive safely or eliminate blind-spots? GASP!!! Well catch your breath, because we’re about to take a moment and find out just how this is possible, simply by adjusting your outside mirrors to an appropriate angle.

I should note: These adjustments may not feel natural immediately for every driver. Therefore, try these adjustments for yourself and see how you feel driving after making them. Then, you can make further adjustments accordingly. Many of these suggestions I was taught in my driver’s training class, and you’d be amazed at just how much knowledge you can also gain from a simple Google search.

Society of Automotive Engineers

This diagram shows the various angles you can set your side mirrors at and the resulting view you'll get.

In 1995, well before the modern era of high tech driver-assistance systems, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published their thoughts on how blind-spots could be nearly eliminated. In their findings, they reported that adjusting your mirrors to the far outside allowed drivers to see around the rear corners of their vehicle better, thus better eliminating any unseen surprises. This also reduces the need for drivers to constantly check over their shoulders they say whenever they’re changing lanes. Debatable, but yet, I can see the logic applied there too. My thoughts: Always, always, ALWAYS check not just once, but twice or MORE over your shoulder before you switch lanes or execute a turn (look left, right, and left again, in the words of my driving instructor).

While this has turned out to be quite a useful method to employ for many, there are some drivers who have reported having a hard time adjusting to the new mirror settings and like seeing their car in their side mirrors. Personally, I think that using the SAE method has worked wonderfully in my daily commutes, and I have yet to have a close call due to the fact that a car was in my blind-spot and I missed seeing it. So I recommend to every driver out there to at least give these adjustments a shot! My driver’s training instructor, Mr. Bo, was sure to “drive it home to us” (sorry, I had to) that leaving our mirrors adjusted in a way that allows you to always see what’s going on behind or beside you will save you hundreds and even thousands in insurance and other accident fees. So while the “old way” may be comfortable, the newer way may just save you more headaches in the long run and allow you to look at how perfectly undented your car is from ALL angles, and not just your side mirrors. Sounds like a good deal to me! And remember: No amount of driver-assistance technology beats the safety of PAYING ATTENTION at ALL times while driving!

Our 2013 Buick Regal has one of the worse over-the-shoulder blind-spots I've ever seen in a car.

So do you use these adjustments suggested by the SAE now? What have you found works best for you to eliminate blind-spots or other distractions while driving? Comment and let the world know!

Until next time: Drive safe, and ROLL ON everyone!

Mitsubishi: They’re Still In the Car Business, But For How Long?

Mitsubishi: A name you don’t hear often now unless you’re buying a television, and even those don’t seem to be particularly common anymore. Yet and still, Mitsubishi Motors is in the news this week due to a couple of interesting developments regarding the company's past and future. Today, on Adam’s Autos, let’s discover just what has generated this buzz about a company that once was a major powerhouse among foreign automotive companies.

Nissan Shows Some Love

Given the fact that Mitsubishi isn’t exactly the most profitable car company in the United States anymore and has some other issues to handle at the moment, you would think that hardly anyone would be willing to do business with them right now. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Nissan recently announced that they are purchasing a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors for 237 billion yen ($2.1 billion USD), which will make them the new top shareholder in the company. Both companies state that they have something to gain from this partnership, particularly in the Asian marketplace. They intend to share some vehicle platforms, technology, production facilities, and more. More specifically, Nissan could capitalize off of Mitsubishi’s popularity in places such as Indonesia, and Mitsubishi could gain from Nissan’s… Everything, since they need all the new momentum they can get, particularly in America if they plan to stay here. Nissan’s CVTs have gotten much better over time, so this is an example of just one area of where Mitsubishi could benefit from the new partnership. While no specific plans for new joint models have been announced for the United States, we’ll likely hear something eventually, and both companies have said they've had plans to build a new all-electric vehicle together for a little while now.

MORE Fuel Economy Scandals!

On the flipside of potential positive news for Mitsubishi, they’re now the latest company to get caught in a fuel economy scandal. What’s so surprising, is that these discrepancies in fuel economy appear to date all the way back to 1991! For now, it appears these falsified ratings currently just apply to some Japanese-market cars. But given that Hyundai/Kia had a similar issue in the United States just a few years back, and also VW group’s recent “diesel-gate” debacle, one can’t help but to raise questions as to whether or not some of Mitsubishi’s older U.S. models have been affected too. Ironically, two of the affected Japanese-market cars were branded as Nissans! Awkward… Mitsubishi Motors said that these inaccurate fuel economy measures were obtained by developing their own “high-speed costing tests” that gave far better results than ones mandated by the Japanese government. This story is still developing, and will likely involve probes into some of Mitsubishi’s U.S. operations, even though Mitsubishi says that none of their 2013-2017 model year vehicles should be affected. For now, all we can do is just see how things continue to unfold.

So what do you think about Mitsubishi? Will they ever regain relevance? Personally, the company always seems to take two steps forward and one step back to me. While some of their recently introduced and redesigned models have been better than their predecessors, they aren’t good enough to capture much attention. You can go months and not see a new (or old) Mitsubishi on the road! The Nissan business venture could help that, but only if people can see a market improvement in Mitsubishi’s operations and products. Additionally, they’ve discontinued three key cars that kept them relevant in the mind of buyers: The Eclipse, Galant, and more recently, the Lancer EVO! With no sporty flagship “halo” model or a solid midsize sedan entry, I don’t see how they can survive for very much longer in the U.S. market. They simply aren't competitive enough right now. However, time always tells all.

Here's some links to articles with more info on the Nissan-Mitsubishi business deal and Mitsubishi's fuel economy woes:

• http://blog.caranddriver.com/report-nissan-may-buy-a-controlling-stake-in-mitsubishi/
• http://blog.caranddriver.com/mitsubishi-admits-to-miscalculating-fuel-economy-since-1991/

Until we hear more, stay tuned, and ROLL ON!

The Eclipse and Galant were both discontinued after the 2012 model year, and the Lancer EVO will end production after 2016. This leaves Mitsubishi without a signature sporty model or a real competitor in the midsize sedan market. Seems like a HUGE uphill battle to regain relevance...

Africa’s Auto Industry: The Final Frontier for Growth?

Africa's automotive industry has some of the most untapped potential in the world. What could that mean for the future?

We all remember when America’s automotive industry was in decline just a few years back during the recession. However, looking at some aspects of it now, it’s almost amazing how much recovery and growth have taken place. New car sales are once again thriving. However, there’s still untapped potential out there. And it’s not necessarily in the United States. What if I told you Africa shows some of the highest promise for auto industry growth in the future? Can you dig it? Let’s find out why that’s the case, today on Adam’s Autos.

Sales and Potential: The Key Words

            

Currently, there are four countries in North and South Africa that account for 80 percent of all new car sales on the continent. But this is expected to change as Africa’s auto industry advances and becomes more competitive, according to Deloitte. Production in Africa is seen as not necessarily being viable in the short-run, but holds massive potential for being ridiculously profitable in the long-run. This probably just sounds like standard college economics all over again to some. But to investors and many African officials, it sounds like opportunity. Something that people don’t always speak on when it comes to African countries. In fact, in 2015, Africa accounted for about 1.55 million new car sales on a worldwide scale of over 90 million new cars being sold. That may just sound like the tip of the iceberg on a global scale (and it is), but by 2031, analysts predict that because of a growing middle class on the continent as a whole, new car sales could push over 10 million per year! That’s in less than 20 years! Amazing figures for an equally amazing country that holds so much rich world history.

Around the Nation

In other places around Africa, the story of potential is much the same. Nigeria’s vehicle market is dominated by commercial vehicles and used cars that have been imported. New car sales only account for roughly 10% of most vehicles sold there, but the South African government is making efforts to help jump start the Nigerian automotive sector even more. Additionally, several automotive companies such as Nissan and Ford have begun to export vehicle kits to Nigeria so cars there can be considered “locally made”, and also so they can begin to grow business in an area where there’s a high GDP per capita. Over in Kenya, the truck industry has been established for some time, but it is relatively low volume in terms of production. However, since Kenya is a gateway to East Africa and has a history of production and business, the country could potentially be a hub for new car assembly in the future. Similarly, in Ethiopia, the country is geared towards industrialization and has Africa’s second largest population of 94 million. Thus, it is likely that the success of the auto industry we’ve seen in other nations, such as China and the United States, could be easily replicated there.

So what are your impressions of this new-found potential in the African automotive industry? I feel that it’s always been there, and in other places as well, but we just never acknowledged it. It’s so easy to focus on ourselves until we sometimes can totally tune out others and their positivity. Given history and how Africa was exploited in generations past for its raw potential, let’s hope that this new-found raw potential is used to continuously build up communities there and the global markets as a whole. I seriously have no doubt that Africa will become a major global force in future automotive production given the right steps and investments are taken into consideration.

Read more on a few statistics here: http://afkinsider.com/123888/why-africa-is-the-final-frontier-for-automotive-growth/

That wraps it up for now! Until next time, ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Karma: What Goes Around Comes Back Around

Produced from just 2011-2012, Fisker's Karma was certainly a unique, but ill-fated entry into the electric luxury car segment. Now, can it potentially make a comeback with a revised... Everything pretty much?

Remember the Fisker Karma? If not, you're likely not alone. There aren’t many out there (around 2,500 or so), and the company went bankrupt pretty quick after starting up production of the Karma in 2011. Prior to that, production had been delayed multiple times. The original Karma started at $102,000 for the base model in the United States and $116,000 for the up-level model. Fuel economy was rated as 52 mpg-e (miles per gallon equivalent) in all-electric mode, and 20 mpg in gasoline mode. The standard engine in this car was a familiar GM 2.0 liter Ecotec 4-cylinder. I had a chance to ride in one some years back when it first launched as part of a promotional event showcasing the car and the new Chevy Volt at the time. My mother was working at the Michigan Department of Transportation, which essentially got us exclusive access. So it was quite cool being along for the ride in such a rare vehicle.

I had the pleasure of participating in a ride along in one of these rare rides in 2011 at the opening of a special electric charging station in Michigan.

From my experience, the car was put together well, was surprisingly fast and drove quite nicely, and felt plenty luxurious with suede and leather literally everywhere. It was also eerily quiet, and really cool seeing the solar panel on the top of the car and noting how it powered some of the car’s electronics. But the Karma felt ridiculously cramped (Fun Fact: Despite its size, the Karma was classified as a subcompact), and overall like it was going to be a niche vehicle from the start given its impracticality, price, and looks. I guess that assumption was right. Now, fast forward to the present-day, and it appears as if Karma Automotive (formerly Fisker Automotive, but now renamed) is planning to give the luxury electric car segment another shot. So can they do it and give Tesla and other emerging electric cars a run for their money? Let’s take a look and see, on Adam’s Autos.

A Green Global Generation

Karma Automotive is now owned by Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang Group, but has recently moved production tools and other equipment back to the Karma’s original home, California, in hopes to begin production of a new luxury electric car soon. This new model is scheduled to start production later this year and will be called “Revero”. Executives refuse to discuss pricing or expected delivery dates, but it sounds like things are a go. However, Karma plans to start taking orders in the near future and to unveil the car this coming July or August. The company has since been holding events with current Fisker Karma owners and providing updates. Roughly 80% of the original 1,950 buyers still own their Karmas. I’m honestly not sure what could’ve happened to the remaining amount of them out there… But I have seen a modest amount of Fisker Karmas in the used car market for surprisingly reasonable prices. In addition to all this, Karma Automotive is considering working with existing franchised dealers or adopting a direct sales model, which would pit them directly against Tesla. Now previously, the Fisker Karma was sold through franchised dealers, but you can imagine what a disaster that was (given the sales numbers). I’m willing to bet the direct-sales model will be the method of choice for Karma Automotive. Currently 500 employees are working for Karma Automotive, and extensive changes to the electronics system, wiring, charging, and battery are all said to be in store for this new car that’s coming soon.

So what are your initial impressions? I think that while the Fisker Karma was a noble concept, there’s simply no room for it in the marketplace right now. Consumers are still not 100% warmed up to the idea of cars like these, and what’s more is that Tesla currently has all of the “electric car start-up” momentum in their corner (even though they just posted a Q1 loss this year). This hold especially true given the company's recent unveiling of the Model 3 with its expected $35,000 price tag. That’s a lot more realistic pricing for much of the population, as opposed to $100,000+, which only some people can afford. Speaking of people: Who’s going to buy this??? Like I mean, outside of previous Fisker Karma owners? If this car is dropping this summer, there’s literally NO time to get hardly ANY marketing and advertising done besides to the select audience they already have! Then factor in the fact that so much is still unknown about this car… I’m not sure this newer model will get very far off of the ground either. But time will tell. Comment your own thoughts in the meantime.

A white Fisker Karma I saw in the wild a few years ago at a mall in Texas. Quite a rare sighting for sure.

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Video Overview: The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Adam's Autos Is Now On YouTube!

ATTENTION, ATTENTION! Adam's Autos is now on YouTube as well!!!

I've been planning on doing this for some time now, and I will use YouTube to walk around and show various features of cars from time to time. I can also target an even wider demographic using a video format AND review format such as this.

My first video is up, and features an overview of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu that I released a review of last week. You can access the video by following the link provided:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCKyN6aOM7I

Expect more content on adamsautos.org to come TODAY, and further revisions and additions to the Adam's Autos YouTube channel in the future. Don't forget: Like, Comment, and Subscribe! ROLL ON, and thank for your support as always!!!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.