#2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Everything We Know
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fokohow · 4 years ago
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THE 10 BEST 2020 VEHICLES ACCORDING TO CAR AND DRIVER
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Every year, Car and Driver magazine publishes its list of the 10 best vehicles of the year. For the 2020 vintage, you’ll find everything. Here are the 10 products identified as the best by the publication… with our little grain of salt.
1 — Chevrolet Corvette
With a revolution in configuration, it would have been surprising not to find the Chevrolet Corvette among the cars of the year. With the engine moving from the front to the center of the car, the entire handling of the car was changed, taking performance to a new level. And, as always with the model, the price compared to what you get is pretty fabulous.
The arrival of more sporty variants will also be something to watch out for, but we’re already talking about a classic.
2 — Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has always been a benchmark in its class. While it’s certainly been a great sedan for generations, it’s still an extraordinary sedan. Its style may not be universally acclaimed, but behind the wheel, it’s hard to take it for granted.
Its solid chassis allows for even sportier driving, although most buyers will prefer its comfortable side to its playful character. And when it comes to fuel consumption, it remains a benchmark. All it lacks is all-wheel drive to combat SUVs.
3 — Jeep Gladiator
Car and Driver makes an interesting analogy about the Jeep Gladiator in Rubicon version, mentioning that the latter is the off-road equivalent of a Chevrolet Corvette on a track.
The Gladiator pickup isn’t described as the best in its segment, but it’s certainly the most fun to drive. It can be transformed into a 4X4 to face the worst conditions or a convertible to enjoy the best days of summer. The availability of a manual transmission is also praised, a rarity in the industry today.
The model is expensive and the brand’s history of reliability is frightening, but the charm comes into its own when you get behind the wheel.
4 — Kia Telluride
There were skeptics when Kia and Hyundai showed up with the Telluride and Palisade full-size SUVs. In the first case, a simple touch with the vehicle is enough to understand why it’s been winning awards everywhere since its inception. This SUV offers space to spare, an incredible level of equipment for the price, and a frankly impressive degree of comfort and soundproofing.
Car and Driver goes so far as to say that this vehicle will take Kia to another level in the industry, just like the Lexus LS400 and Acura NSX did for their respective creators a little over 30 years ago. It’s advanced, but it shows just how impressed they were with this product.
For our part, without mentioning a revolutionary vehicle, we see the Telluride as a model that not only confirms Kia’s solid position in the market, but also shows us the brand’s full potential for the future.
5 — Mazda CX-5
Compact SUVs abound on the market, but when it comes to driving pleasure, none come close to the CX-5. That’s what Car and Driver points out in its analysis, and we tend to agree with that statement.
They also point out that the CX-5 is not the most powerful or spacious of its herd. An imperfect product, therefore, but whose charm works enough to make it a must in its category.
6 — Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman
When it comes to driving pleasure, few vehicles in the industry come close to what the Boxster/Cayman duo offers. Porsche is quietly turning to electrification, which makes these models still powered by future collectible combustion engines.
However, sales have been dropping in recent years, since the switch to a 4-cylinder engine with most variants. Nonetheless, the balance of the model and the feeling it delivers to the driver remain really special.
7 — Porsche Macan S/Turbo
This is true with the Boxster and also true in the world of SUVs, while the Macan offers a unique driving experience in its segment. Better yet, with the two new turbo engines introduced in 2019, performance has been pushed to a truly impressive level. We’re talking 348 horsepower for the S version, 434 for the turbocharged one.
Car and Driver doesn’t praise the 4-cylinder engine variant, as Porsche didn’t provide it with one. In this case, a similar experience can be found with Audi’s Q5, and at a lower price.
8 — Ram 1500
As we know, the Ram’s reputation for reliability is not the most enviable. However, when compared to its rivals when new, it’s hard not to rank it as the best of its kind. The level of comfort offered by this pickup is truly impressive, as is the richness of the interior presentation, which has no equal in the automotive world.
Ram offers both great luxury and great capacity with its Ram 1500, not to mention an engine family that offers something for every taste. Car and Driver goes further. It calls the Ram 1500 not only the best vehicle in its class, but also one of the best vehicles in the industry. It’s a bit of a stretch, but it shows just how seductive this vehicle is.
9 — Toyota Supra
With only 300 units reserved for Canada in the first year of production, we don’t see many Toyota Supra’s on the road. However, you can take Car and Driver’s word for it, it’s a really fun experience. You can feel BMW’s DNA when you guide this car on the road or on the track, but the design is a Japanese affair that doesn’t leave you indifferent.
With a base price that’s quite attractive considering the level of performance offered, driving enthusiasts have a lot to get their teeth into with this model.
10 — Volkswagen Golf GTI et Jetta GLI
The Volkswagen GTI is a regular in this kind of charts, but Car and Driver is adding the Jetta GLI this year, which undergoes similar treatment to what makes the Golf GTI so unique and fun. Having guided this car through twisty roads when it was launched last year, we can confirm that we’re in the presence of a perfectly balanced creation.
In both cases, you get the perfect compromise between comfort, practicality, performance and reasonable price. Models to discover, really.
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robertvasquez763 · 7 years ago
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Everything We Know
Volkswagen is about to debut a redesigned version of its bestseller in the United States, the Jetta sedan, for 2019. We’re already driven a preproduction prototype, and now VW let us crawl all over an uncamouflaged car at a private event in New York City. We can only show you these sketches—they’ll pull the drape off the real car in January at the Detroit auto show—but we do have more information to share about the new Jetta.
The Jetta has some catching up to do. It finally moves to VW’s MQB platform, following the Golf and its SportWagen/Alltrack variants, as well as the Tiguan and the Atlas SUVs. The seventh-generation Jetta grows nearly two inches longer and about an inch wider, although in person it appears even larger. As these sketches indicate, the grille has become wider and is pushed forward of the headlights. Those headlights are outlined with C-shaped LEDs, and the taillights also have LED elements. In the profile view, the C-pillars now incorporate quarter-windows like on the Passat, while the rear door glass is a single pane. A long, body-side crease starts on the front fender and extends rearward through the door handles, along the rear quarter-panels, and into the taillights. The rear styling treatment also echoes the Passat, with the upper half of the trunklid extending beyond the lower section. All these elements help make the car look wider and longer.
VW’s turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four makes a return engagement but the 1.8-liter turbo does not. Nor will the 2.0-liter turbo return, at least for a while, as the GLI version will trail the arrival of the other models by as much as a year.
The 1.4’s output is expected to be 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It should have a slightly easier job, as VW claims the car is about 90 pounds lighter. A manual transmission remains available, and it’s a six-speed rather than a five-speed, but it’s restricted to the base S model. An eight-speed torque-converter automatic—in place of the current six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic—is optional on the S and standard on the rest of the lineup. That lineup shrinks to four models: S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium; the Wolfsburg and SE Sport are dropped. The Jetta reverts to a torsion-beam rear axle, but it retains four disc brakes and electrically assisted power steering. The standard wheels are 16 or 17 inches depending on trim.
The car we sat in was an SEL. It had a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster—Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit that also is available on the Tiguan and Atlas—which will be available starting with the SE trim. It also had an 8.0-inch center touchscreen; base cars get a 6.5-inch unit. In addition to heated front seats, ventilated front seats are newly available on the SEL and SEL Premium, and the Premium also gets heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The branded audio system switches from Fender to Beats. In some trims, the new Jetta has selectable driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom. All Jettas get forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking (VW’s Front Assist). Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control all return.
2018 Volkswagen Jetta Tested in Depth!
Prototype Drive: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta: Pricing, Specs, Reviews, and More!
Once again built in low-cost Puebla, Mexico, the Jetta exhibits further signs of cost-cutting. On the SEL we saw, the rear door panels were hard plastic and lack the strip of trim seen in the front, there was only one seatback map pocket, and there are no rear-seat A/C vents.
When the current-generation Jetta debuted in 2010, it was criticized for its evident cost-cutting; VW ended up having to add content back in. Company executives emphasized the importance of avoiding premium pricing with new models. Clearly they’re trying to find the right balance with the Jetta—simplifying the lineup, adding features that buyers will notice (like the digital dash), while removing some they may not. When the 2019 Jetta goes on sale this spring, we’ll see how well it is received.
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savetopnow · 7 years ago
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2018-04-06 05 CAR now
CAR
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robertkstone · 6 years ago
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Subaru Forester: 2019 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Finalist
WE LIKE Smart packaging and functionality, capable AWD, supple ride
WE DON’T LIKE Gutless powertrain, insistent nannies
Subaru knows its audience: Sensible folks in inclement climes who like their boots muddy and their outerwear made from polar fleece.
Those folks usually have a placid driving demeanor, as if there were a market-fresh egg under the gas pedal. So it won’t bother them that the redesigned Forester is gutless or that it terrified us in passing maneuvers with what Christian Seabaugh described as “glacial” acceleration. It’s actually slower than the smaller, cheaper Crosstrek. The CVT almost saved it by “performing hero’s work,” according to Scott Evans.
Worse still, the engine’s lethargy made it so the Forester got stuck following a slushy-silt slope panic stop—regardless of the X-Mode all-wheel drive’s talents. We had to back up and take another run to surmount the gently sloped hill. That’s not encouraging when conjuring steep Vermont driveways after a snowstorm.
But the Forester wins in every other category. Despite its compact size, you can fit a basketball starting five in its roomy, leggy cabin. The wide-mouthed cargo area will swallow a chilly week’s allotment of chopped wood. And the interior is modernized, though still frumpy like your favorite flannel shirt.
For those of you still in therapy harboring memories of hectoring mothers, the Subaru is a rolling trigger warning, with constantly beeping nannies interrupting your drive for one unidentifiable reason or another. “Shut up already!” Frank Markus exclaimed.
Its shortcomings are a shame, because Subaru did an excellent job keeping road and wind noise out of the cabin and providing a relatively magic-carpet ride for its class.
“For how much you pay, it does almost everything else you could ask of it,” Zach Gale said. “It’s really a wonderful, well-rounded package.”
READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:
BMW X2
BMW X3
BMW X4
Cadillac XT4
Ford EcoSport
Ford Edge
Hyundai Santa Fe
Infiniti QX50
Jaguar E-Pace
Jeep Cherokee
Lexus RX L
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Nissan Kicks
Subaru Ascent
READ ABOUT 2019 CAR OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:
Buick Regal
Ford Mustang
Ford Transit Connect
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Honda Clarity
Kia Forte
Lexus ES
Lexus LS
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Nissan Altima
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Volkswagen Jetta
2019 Subaru Forester Touring Base Price/As tested $35,470/$35,470 Power (SAE net) 182 hp @ 5,800 rpm Torque (SAE net) 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm Accel, 0-60 mph 9.6 sec Quarter-mile 17.3 sec @ 82.3 mph Braking, 60-0 mph 129 ft Lateral Acceleration 0.79 g (avg) MT Figure Eight 28.1 sec @ 0.60 g (avg) EPA City/Hwy/Comb 26/33/29 mpg VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.5L DOHC 16-valve flat-4/ Cont variable auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,575 lb (58/42%) WHEELBASE 105.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 182.1 x 71.5 x 67.5 in ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 130/102 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.67 lb/mile
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eddiejpoplar · 6 years ago
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Let’s Call First Three Quarters of 2018 Auto Sales ‘Not Bad’
IHS Markit had expected 2018 U.S. car and light truck sales to end up at 17 million, about half a million short of 2016’s record. But after September’s seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17 million, the analysis firm is increasing that number.
How? It’s statistics. “Seasonally adjusted” means just that.
“This September bounce back, and expectations that the pace of sales in the fourth quarter should not move drastically from this level will likely push full-year light vehicle sales volume to 17.1 million units in total,” says Christopher Hopson, manager of IHS Markit’s North America light vehicle forecasting.
Seasonal adjustments mean that July and August historically are very strong sales months as consumers take advantage of warm weather and end-of-model-year prices, while September traditionally is a transitional month as new model-year cars and trucks arrive.
Even though Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Sales, American Honda, and Nissan North America saw sales declines last month, the numbers are skewed because September ’17 sales to which they’re being compared were “atypically high,” says IHS Markit’s principal automotive analyst, Stephanie Brinley.
Which might help explain why General Motors switched from monthly sales reports to quarterly sales reports early this year. Quarterly reports give a more steadied look at what’s happening to auto sales. This serves as a reminder that from now on, I’m running year-to-date auto sales ever quarter in place of monthly sales columns, with percentage increases or decreases compared with the same period a year earlier.
We know so far that most car models continue to decline as most SUV and truck models increase, and that Subaru is running ahead of both Hyundai and Kia, while Volkswagen struggles—it’s up 5.5 percent thanks to a new, more competitive Tiguan and the addition of the Atlas three-row SUV, but seems to be selling them mostly to fans of its Golf, Jetta, and Passat.
Mercedes-Benz including its van and Smart division can’t keep up with BMW and Mini, though Mercedes the marque, on the strength of its GLC- and C-Class, has sold 319 more cars and SUVs so far, than BMW without Mini.
Among popular-priced marques, the Toyota RAV4 remains the bestselling model after the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Speaking of those trucks, the Ram brand is about even for the first nine months of this year, compared with the first nine months of last year, while Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand is on fire, outselling Subaru by more than 240,000 units so far this year.
While the Fords Escape and Explorer have lost a combined 26,659 so far this year, the Chevrolets Equinox and Traverse are up a combined 40,134, which is a commentary on either the power of having fresh product on your showroom floors, or the problem with everything at Ford except pickup trucks and truck-based SUVs, or both.
One more clear trend is that with midsize sedan owners trading them in for compact SUVs, compact sedan sales is catching midsize sales by default. So the Honda Civic is outselling the Accord, the Toyota Corolla (including iM) is outselling the Camry, and the Nissan Sentra is just 1,452 units behind Altima.
And so, to the numbers …
1. General Motors: 2,168,808, off 1.2 percent.
This breaks down to 1,504,038 Chevrolets, off 0.8 percent, 395,924 GMCs, off 2.4 percent, 155,606 Buicks, off 2.6 percent and 113,240 Cadillacs, off 0.5 percent.
Chevrolet has sold 424,403 Silverados for 2018 so far, up 1.4 percent. All but a few thousand sold in September were the old ’18 model. GMC Sierra was off 1.4 percent, to 152,242.
Chevy Equinox was up 10.2 percent, to 234,379, while Malibu was off 23.9 percent, to 107,458 and Cruze was down 26.5 percent, to 109,662.
Chevy Traverse was up 20.4 percent, to 106,998 and Colorado was up 26.3 percent, to 104,838 and GMC Canyon was up 8.6 percent, to 25,273.
Encore again leads Buick sales year-to-date, up 7.7 percent, to 69,747. Buick has sold 35,277 Enclaves, up 12.1 percent, while Regal is up 22.4 percent, to 11,008.
Cadillac has sold 46,983 XT5s year-to-date, off 5.7 percent, plus 212 XT4s all of the latter in September.
Cadillac Escalade is up 3.3 percent, to 27,299, while CT6 is off 10.6 percent, to 7,270.
Both Chevrolets Bolt and Volt have slipped this year, so far. The Bolt EV is down 17.4 percent, to 11,807, trailing the Volt, which is off 13.7 percent, to 13,243. Corvette is off 21.2 percent, but leads both electrics with 14,881 sold in ’18 so far.
2. Ford Motor Company: 1,887,625, off 2.4 percent.
Ford Mustang leads Pony Car Wars, at 61,619, off 0.9 percent, to Dodge Challenger’s 52,313, up 37 units for the year so far, with Chevy Camaro third at 39,828, off 25.9 percent.
Ford says September sales of the F-Series topped 70k for the seventh straight month, at 75,092, off 8.8 percent. Year-to-date, Ford has sold 679,018 F-Series, up 3.1 percent.
Escape is off 10.2 percent year-to-date, to 210,050 and Explorer is down 1.6 percent, to 171,416, meaning that both models are slipping in two of the hottest segments.
Ford Fusion is off 21.8 percent, to 124,964 and Focus was off 19 percent, to 100,267.
Expedition is up 0.3 percent, to 40,521, while Lincoln Navigator has rocketed up 81.9 percent, to 13,085.
While the Ford marque is off 2.1 percent, to 1,812,345 through September, Lincoln is down 9 percent, to 75,280.
MKX was off 12.6 percent, to 19,886 through September, a month before first deliveries of the Nautilus replacement. MKC is down 5.5 percent, to 19,270.
Continental languishes at 6,334, off 28.6 percent.
3. Toyota Motor Sales: 1,824,235, off 0.4 percent.
Toyota Division has sold 1,610,613 so far this year, off 0.1 percent, and Lexus has sold 213,622, off 2.7 percent.
RAV4 is Toyota’s bestseller, and according to the automaker, the best-selling non-pickup in the U.S. It was off 8.2 percent, to 37,440 for September, and is up 2.2 percent, to 319,147 for the year.
Toyota Camry is off 6.9 percent, year-to-date, to 262,887, while Corolla is down 11.3 percent, to 265,273 (this includes 17,867 iMs, up 10.6 percent).
Prius is off 17.3 percent year-to-date, to 68,925.
Highlander is up 14.2 percent, to 180,699, and 4Runner is up 7.6 percent, to 102,267.
Tacoma is up 24.8 percent, to 183,909, while Tundra is up 2.5 percent, to 87,782.
Buoyed by addition of the three-row model, Lexus RX is up 4.9 percent, to 79,563. NX is up 3.6 percent, to 43,513.
ES is the bestselling Lexus car, off 12.1 percent to 34,344.
IS is off 9.8 percent, to 17,393. LS is up 115.1 percent, to 6,672.
4. Fiat Chrysler: 1,679,983, up 6 percent.
Fiat Chrysler had a particularly good September, with sales up 15 percent, to 199,819 over September ’17. Jeep remains its star, up 14 percent for the month and up by 20 percent for the first three quarters, to 746,194. Ram was off slightly (2,032 units, or 0 percent) to 416,661 year-to-date, though up 9 percent last month. For the first three quarters, Chrysler was off 12 percent, to 127,156, Dodge slid 2 percent, to 359,728 and Fiat slumped by 43 percent, to 12,084. Alfa Romeo was up 147 percent, however, to 18,160.
Wrangler has become Jeep’s bestseller for the year so far, at 190,951, up 27 percent. Cherokee is next, up 53 percent to 179,743, while erstwhile brand leader Grand Cherokee was off 8 percent, to 166,653 year-to-date.
The new Jeep Compass also is a success, up 146 percent to 132,674, while Renegade is off 6 percent, to 75,574.
The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup was beset by launch problems, though Fiat Chrysler still sells the old truck. So year-to-date sales are 0-percent changed, up by 682 units to 375,583. ProMaster van is off 1 percent, to 31,591.
Chrysler Pacifica is up 6 percent for the first three quarters, to 91,595. The 300 sedan is off 13 percent, to 34,555.
The old school Dodge Caravan is up 12 percent to 120,935, and Journey is up 2 percent, to 77,233. Charger is off 12 percent, to 59,308 and 15 Vipers were sold, off 97 percent.
Fiat 500X was down 28 percent to 4,221, and the 500 two-door fell 64 percent, to 3,717.
Stelvio leads Alfa Romeo, up 1,329 percent, to 9,044 and Giulia was up 39 percent, to 8,933.
5. American Honda: 1,206,997, off 2 percent.
Honda accounts for 1,092,514 of that, off 2.2 percent, with Acura at 114,483, up 0.3 percent.
Bestseller CR-V is running -1.2 percent, at 277,621.
Civic is off 10.3 percent year-to-date, at 255,036 and Accord is off 14.2 percent, to 215,299.
Pilot is Honda’s big gainer, up 42.4 percent, to 199,901. HR-V is off 5.5 percent, to 69,979.
RDX leads Acura, up 13.8 percent, to 44,598. MDX is off 2.6 percent, to 37,187.
Acura TLX is off 13.6 percent, to 22,917. Acura has sold 122 NSXes this year, off 65.6 percent.
6. Nissan Group: 1,124,682, off 6.0 percent.
Nissan division is off 5.8 percent, to 1,082,527. Infiniti has lost 7.4 percent, to 105,249.
Rogue remains Nissan’s bestseller, up 4.4 percent to 309,979, but it’s 9,173 units behind Toyota RAV4 for the year-to-date.
Altima is off 16.6 percent, to 166,599 and Sentra is off 0.3 percent, to 165,147.
The Leaf EV is off 0.5 percent, to 1,686.
Pathfinder has slid 18.7 percent, to 50,152, though Titan is up 6.4 percent, to 37,839, and Frontier is up 7.9 percent, to 59,574.
Over at Infiniti, QX60 is up 8.3 percent, to 31,795, while Q50 is off 6.8 percent, to 26,180.
7. Subaru: 503,418, up 5.1 percent.
Outback leads sales, off 1.8 percent to 137,992, and Forester is off 7.7 percent, to 121,924. Crosstrek is up 45.1 percent year-to-date to 11,415, but sales have slid for a couple of months. In September, Crosstrek was off 0.9 percent.
The new Ascent more than covers decreases elsewhere, with 16,580 of the new three-row SUV sold.
WRX/STI is off 9.1 percent, to 21,957. BRZ sales have slid 11.4 percent, to 2,930. Combined year-to-date sales with Toyota 86 is off 30.2 percent, to 6,153.
8. Hyundai: 501,701, off 2 percent.
Hyundai is off 0.8 percent, to 492,792, while Genesis has dropped 40.9 percent year-to-date. Genesis has held back on importing vehicles as it prepares for the 2019 model year, and a change in its distribution model at Hyundai dealerships.
As Hyundai sorts out its SUV strategy, its sales leader remains the Elantra compact sedan, up 41 percent to 148,879.
Tucson is next-bestseller, up 25 percent to 103,514.
Santa Fe is off 7 percent, to 88,969 and Sonata is down 24.8 percent, to 80,975.
9. Kia: 452,042, off 1.3 percent.
Sorento leads Kia sales, up 10.8 percent, to 85,692 through Q3.
Optima is off 5.7 percent, to 79,845.
Soul is off 14.2 percent, to 77,888.
Forte is off 18.7 percent, to 74,888.
Sportage is up 11.7 percent, to 62,272, and Niro is up 6.9 percent, to 22,100.
Kia has sold 12,999 Stingers year-to-date.
10. Volkswagen: 266,228, up 5.5 percent.
VW was off 4.8 percent for September.
Although Jetta led for September, the new Tiguan SUV has become VW’s sales leader in the first nine months, up 987.2 percent, to 67,232.
Jetta is down 32.8 percent, to 61,118. Golf is off 38.1 percent to 34,353.
Atlas is up 251.6 percent, to 43,002. Passat is down 33.8 percent, to 33,527.
Beetle, entering its final model year, is off 2.6 percent, to 12,150.
11. BMW Group: 259,258, up 1.7 percent.
BMW is up 2.2 percent, to 225,065, while Mini has slid 1.7 percent, to 34,193.
X3 leads BMW sales, up 30.2 percent, to 41,825.
Soon-to-be replaced 3 Series is down 19.6 percent, to 34,731. The 4 Series is off 22.5 percent, to 23,466.
The 5 Series is up 9.3 percent, to 31,181, and X5 is down 9 percent, to 31,120.
Mini Countryman is up 33.7 percent, to 14,142 and the Hardtop 2 Door is off 7.4 percent, to 7,320.
12. Mercedes-Benz USA: 254,366, off 5.8 percent.
Mercedes cars accounts for 225,384 off 7 percent. Vans are up 11.1 percent, to 28,023, and Smart languishes at 959 sold year-to-date, down 63.6 percent.
Mercedes GLC-Class sales account for nearly one-fifth of MBUSA sales, up 53.8 percent, to 50,585.
A car model is next; C-Class is down 28.3 percent, but still at 42,252.
GLE-Class is off 11.3 percent, to 34,617 and E-Class/CLS is down 12.3 percent, to 32,013.
S-Class is off 3.2 percent, to 10,334.
13. Mazda: 235,122, up 6.7 percent.
CX-5 is up 26.1 percent, to 116,728, year-to-date, and continues to outpace VW Atlas and (new) Tiguan sales combined. It has outsold the two Volkswagens by 6,494.
CX-3 is up 14.5 percent, to 13,715, and CX-9 is up 17.2 percent, to 21,184.
Mazda3 is off 14.7 percent, to 51,294.
MX-5 Miata is off 23.2 percent year-to-date, to 7,460. Combined sales with the Fiat 124 Spider is 10,375 for the first three quarters, off 22.5 percent.
14. Audi: 167,420, up 24.4 percent.
A computer glitch limited Audi’s sales information at press time.
15. Mitsubishi: 93,398, up 17.9 percent.
Outlander Sport sales totaled 31,407 for the three quarters, up 30.8 percent. Outlander is up 17.8 percent, to 30,810.
Mitsubishi has sold 3,050 Outlander PHEVs and 5,513 Eclipse Crosses for the year, so far.
16. Jaguar/Land Rover: 86,309, up 2 percent.
Land Rover is running plus-20 percent year-to-date, to 65,133, while Jaguar is off 30 percent, to 21,176.
Range Rover Sport sales are up 13 percent, to 17,321. The new Velar is Range Rover’s second-bestseller, at 12,761 delivered, so far.
F-Pace is Jaguar’s bestseller, though off 30 percent, to 10,088. Jaguar has sold 2,808 E-Paces, so far.
Jaguar XE is down 54 percent, to 3,381, and F-Type is down 43 percent, to 1,739.
17. Volvo: 73,929, up 29.8 percent.
Volvo splits its bestselling XC60 into two numbers; one for the old model and one for the new. But I’ll combine it here. It’s at 23,511 sold year-to-date, up 44.9 percent.
XC90 is up 15.9 percent, to 23,652.
S90 is up 2.5 percent, to 5,732; V90 is up 209.2 percent, to 371; and V90CC is up 12.3 percent, to 1,710.
18. Porsche: 42,626, up 3.4 percent.
Macan is the clear sales leader, up 11.6 percent, to 18,103.
The 911 is Porsche’s second-bestseller, up 7.4 percent, to 7,013.
Cayenne sales are down 29.6 percent, to 6,841.
Luxury/Premium Brands, YTD:
1. Mercedes-Benz 225,384 2. BMW 225,065 3. Lexus 213,622 4. Audi 167,420 5. Acura 114,483
Sports Cars and EVs, YTD:
1. Chevrolet Corvette 14,881 2. Chevrolet Volt 13,243 3. Chevrolet Bolt 11,807 4. Mazda Miata 7,460 5. Toyota 86/Scion FR-S 3,223
Midsize cars, YTD:
1. Toyota Camry 262,887 2. Honda Accord 215,299 3. IFTTT
0 notes
jesusvasser · 6 years ago
Text
Let’s Call First Three Quarters of 2018 Auto Sales ‘Not Bad’
IHS Markit had expected 2018 U.S. car and light truck sales to end up at 17 million, about half a million short of 2016’s record. But after September’s seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17 million, the analysis firm is increasing that number.
How? It’s statistics. “Seasonally adjusted” means just that.
“This September bounce back, and expectations that the pace of sales in the fourth quarter should not move drastically from this level will likely push full-year light vehicle sales volume to 17.1 million units in total,” says Christopher Hopson, manager of IHS Markit’s North America light vehicle forecasting.
Seasonal adjustments mean that July and August historically are very strong sales months as consumers take advantage of warm weather and end-of-model-year prices, while September traditionally is a transitional month as new model-year cars and trucks arrive.
Even though Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Sales, American Honda, and Nissan North America saw sales declines last month, the numbers are skewed because September ’17 sales to which they’re being compared were “atypically high,” says IHS Markit’s principal automotive analyst, Stephanie Brinley.
Which might help explain why General Motors switched from monthly sales reports to quarterly sales reports early this year. Quarterly reports give a more steadied look at what’s happening to auto sales. This serves as a reminder that from now on, I’m running year-to-date auto sales ever quarter in place of monthly sales columns, with percentage increases or decreases compared with the same period a year earlier.
We know so far that most car models continue to decline as most SUV and truck models increase, and that Subaru is running ahead of both Hyundai and Kia, while Volkswagen struggles—it’s up 5.5 percent thanks to a new, more competitive Tiguan and the addition of the Atlas three-row SUV, but seems to be selling them mostly to fans of its Golf, Jetta, and Passat.
Mercedes-Benz including its van and Smart division can’t keep up with BMW and Mini, though Mercedes the marque, on the strength of its GLC- and C-Class, has sold 319 more cars and SUVs so far, than BMW without Mini.
Among popular-priced marques, the Toyota RAV4 remains the bestselling model after the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Speaking of those trucks, the Ram brand is about even for the first nine months of this year, compared with the first nine months of last year, while Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand is on fire, outselling Subaru by more than 240,000 units so far this year.
While the Fords Escape and Explorer have lost a combined 26,659 so far this year, the Chevrolets Equinox and Traverse are up a combined 40,134, which is a commentary on either the power of having fresh product on your showroom floors, or the problem with everything at Ford except pickup trucks and truck-based SUVs, or both.
One more clear trend is that with midsize sedan owners trading them in for compact SUVs, compact sedan sales is catching midsize sales by default. So the Honda Civic is outselling the Accord, the Toyota Corolla (including iM) is outselling the Camry, and the Nissan Sentra is just 1,452 units behind Altima.
And so, to the numbers …
1. General Motors: 2,168,808, off 1.2 percent.
This breaks down to 1,504,038 Chevrolets, off 0.8 percent, 395,924 GMCs, off 2.4 percent, 155,606 Buicks, off 2.6 percent and 113,240 Cadillacs, off 0.5 percent.
Chevrolet has sold 424,403 Silverados for 2018 so far, up 1.4 percent. All but a few thousand sold in September were the old ’18 model. GMC Sierra was off 1.4 percent, to 152,242.
Chevy Equinox was up 10.2 percent, to 234,379, while Malibu was off 23.9 percent, to 107,458 and Cruze was down 26.5 percent, to 109,662.
Chevy Traverse was up 20.4 percent, to 106,998 and Colorado was up 26.3 percent, to 104,838 and GMC Canyon was up 8.6 percent, to 25,273.
Encore again leads Buick sales year-to-date, up 7.7 percent, to 69,747. Buick has sold 35,277 Enclaves, up 12.1 percent, while Regal is up 22.4 percent, to 11,008.
Cadillac has sold 46,983 XT5s year-to-date, off 5.7 percent, plus 212 XT4s all of the latter in September.
Cadillac Escalade is up 3.3 percent, to 27,299, while CT6 is off 10.6 percent, to 7,270.
Both Chevrolets Bolt and Volt have slipped this year, so far. The Bolt EV is down 17.4 percent, to 11,807, trailing the Volt, which is off 13.7 percent, to 13,243. Corvette is off 21.2 percent, but leads both electrics with 14,881 sold in ’18 so far.
2. Ford Motor Company: 1,887,625, off 2.4 percent.
Ford Mustang leads Pony Car Wars, at 61,619, off 0.9 percent, to Dodge Challenger’s 52,313, up 37 units for the year so far, with Chevy Camaro third at 39,828, off 25.9 percent.
Ford says September sales of the F-Series topped 70k for the seventh straight month, at 75,092, off 8.8 percent. Year-to-date, Ford has sold 679,018 F-Series, up 3.1 percent.
Escape is off 10.2 percent year-to-date, to 210,050 and Explorer is down 1.6 percent, to 171,416, meaning that both models are slipping in two of the hottest segments.
Ford Fusion is off 21.8 percent, to 124,964 and Focus was off 19 percent, to 100,267.
Expedition is up 0.3 percent, to 40,521, while Lincoln Navigator has rocketed up 81.9 percent, to 13,085.
While the Ford marque is off 2.1 percent, to 1,812,345 through September, Lincoln is down 9 percent, to 75,280.
MKX was off 12.6 percent, to 19,886 through September, a month before first deliveries of the Nautilus replacement. MKC is down 5.5 percent, to 19,270.
Continental languishes at 6,334, off 28.6 percent.
3. Toyota Motor Sales: 1,824,235, off 0.4 percent.
Toyota Division has sold 1,610,613 so far this year, off 0.1 percent, and Lexus has sold 213,622, off 2.7 percent.
RAV4 is Toyota’s bestseller, and according to the automaker, the best-selling non-pickup in the U.S. It was off 8.2 percent, to 37,440 for September, and is up 2.2 percent, to 319,147 for the year.
Toyota Camry is off 6.9 percent, year-to-date, to 262,887, while Corolla is down 11.3 percent, to 265,273 (this includes 17,867 iMs, up 10.6 percent).
Prius is off 17.3 percent year-to-date, to 68,925.
Highlander is up 14.2 percent, to 180,699, and 4Runner is up 7.6 percent, to 102,267.
Tacoma is up 24.8 percent, to 183,909, while Tundra is up 2.5 percent, to 87,782.
Buoyed by addition of the three-row model, Lexus RX is up 4.9 percent, to 79,563. NX is up 3.6 percent, to 43,513.
ES is the bestselling Lexus car, off 12.1 percent to 34,344.
IS is off 9.8 percent, to 17,393. LS is up 115.1 percent, to 6,672.
4. Fiat Chrysler: 1,679,983, up 6 percent.
Fiat Chrysler had a particularly good September, with sales up 15 percent, to 199,819 over September ’17. Jeep remains its star, up 14 percent for the month and up by 20 percent for the first three quarters, to 746,194. Ram was off slightly (2,032 units, or 0 percent) to 416,661 year-to-date, though up 9 percent last month. For the first three quarters, Chrysler was off 12 percent, to 127,156, Dodge slid 2 percent, to 359,728 and Fiat slumped by 43 percent, to 12,084. Alfa Romeo was up 147 percent, however, to 18,160.
Wrangler has become Jeep’s bestseller for the year so far, at 190,951, up 27 percent. Cherokee is next, up 53 percent to 179,743, while erstwhile brand leader Grand Cherokee was off 8 percent, to 166,653 year-to-date.
The new Jeep Compass also is a success, up 146 percent to 132,674, while Renegade is off 6 percent, to 75,574.
The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup was beset by launch problems, though Fiat Chrysler still sells the old truck. So year-to-date sales are 0-percent changed, up by 682 units to 375,583. ProMaster van is off 1 percent, to 31,591.
Chrysler Pacifica is up 6 percent for the first three quarters, to 91,595. The 300 sedan is off 13 percent, to 34,555.
The old school Dodge Caravan is up 12 percent to 120,935, and Journey is up 2 percent, to 77,233. Charger is off 12 percent, to 59,308 and 15 Vipers were sold, off 97 percent.
Fiat 500X was down 28 percent to 4,221, and the 500 two-door fell 64 percent, to 3,717.
Stelvio leads Alfa Romeo, up 1,329 percent, to 9,044 and Giulia was up 39 percent, to 8,933.
5. American Honda: 1,206,997, off 2 percent.
Honda accounts for 1,092,514 of that, off 2.2 percent, with Acura at 114,483, up 0.3 percent.
Bestseller CR-V is running -1.2 percent, at 277,621.
Civic is off 10.3 percent year-to-date, at 255,036 and Accord is off 14.2 percent, to 215,299.
Pilot is Honda’s big gainer, up 42.4 percent, to 199,901. HR-V is off 5.5 percent, to 69,979.
RDX leads Acura, up 13.8 percent, to 44,598. MDX is off 2.6 percent, to 37,187.
Acura TLX is off 13.6 percent, to 22,917. Acura has sold 122 NSXes this year, off 65.6 percent.
6. Nissan Group: 1,124,682, off 6.0 percent.
Nissan division is off 5.8 percent, to 1,082,527. Infiniti has lost 7.4 percent, to 105,249.
Rogue remains Nissan’s bestseller, up 4.4 percent to 309,979, but it’s 9,173 units behind Toyota RAV4 for the year-to-date.
Altima is off 16.6 percent, to 166,599 and Sentra is off 0.3 percent, to 165,147.
The Leaf EV is off 0.5 percent, to 1,686.
Pathfinder has slid 18.7 percent, to 50,152, though Titan is up 6.4 percent, to 37,839, and Frontier is up 7.9 percent, to 59,574.
Over at Infiniti, QX60 is up 8.3 percent, to 31,795, while Q50 is off 6.8 percent, to 26,180.
7. Subaru: 503,418, up 5.1 percent.
Outback leads sales, off 1.8 percent to 137,992, and Forester is off 7.7 percent, to 121,924. Crosstrek is up 45.1 percent year-to-date to 11,415, but sales have slid for a couple of months. In September, Crosstrek was off 0.9 percent.
The new Ascent more than covers decreases elsewhere, with 16,580 of the new three-row SUV sold.
WRX/STI is off 9.1 percent, to 21,957. BRZ sales have slid 11.4 percent, to 2,930. Combined year-to-date sales with Toyota 86 is off 30.2 percent, to 6,153.
8. Hyundai: 501,701, off 2 percent.
Hyundai is off 0.8 percent, to 492,792, while Genesis has dropped 40.9 percent year-to-date. Genesis has held back on importing vehicles as it prepares for the 2019 model year, and a change in its distribution model at Hyundai dealerships.
As Hyundai sorts out its SUV strategy, its sales leader remains the Elantra compact sedan, up 41 percent to 148,879.
Tucson is next-bestseller, up 25 percent to 103,514.
Santa Fe is off 7 percent, to 88,969 and Sonata is down 24.8 percent, to 80,975.
9. Kia: 452,042, off 1.3 percent.
Sorento leads Kia sales, up 10.8 percent, to 85,692 through Q3.
Optima is off 5.7 percent, to 79,845.
Soul is off 14.2 percent, to 77,888.
Forte is off 18.7 percent, to 74,888.
Sportage is up 11.7 percent, to 62,272, and Niro is up 6.9 percent, to 22,100.
Kia has sold 12,999 Stingers year-to-date.
10. Volkswagen: 266,228, up 5.5 percent.
VW was off 4.8 percent for September.
Although Jetta led for September, the new Tiguan SUV has become VW’s sales leader in the first nine months, up 987.2 percent, to 67,232.
Jetta is down 32.8 percent, to 61,118. Golf is off 38.1 percent to 34,353.
Atlas is up 251.6 percent, to 43,002. Passat is down 33.8 percent, to 33,527.
Beetle, entering its final model year, is off 2.6 percent, to 12,150.
11. BMW Group: 259,258, up 1.7 percent.
BMW is up 2.2 percent, to 225,065, while Mini has slid 1.7 percent, to 34,193.
X3 leads BMW sales, up 30.2 percent, to 41,825.
Soon-to-be replaced 3 Series is down 19.6 percent, to 34,731. The 4 Series is off 22.5 percent, to 23,466.
The 5 Series is up 9.3 percent, to 31,181, and X5 is down 9 percent, to 31,120.
Mini Countryman is up 33.7 percent, to 14,142 and the Hardtop 2 Door is off 7.4 percent, to 7,320.
12. Mercedes-Benz USA: 254,366, off 5.8 percent.
Mercedes cars accounts for 225,384 off 7 percent. Vans are up 11.1 percent, to 28,023, and Smart languishes at 959 sold year-to-date, down 63.6 percent.
Mercedes GLC-Class sales account for nearly one-fifth of MBUSA sales, up 53.8 percent, to 50,585.
A car model is next; C-Class is down 28.3 percent, but still at 42,252.
GLE-Class is off 11.3 percent, to 34,617 and E-Class/CLS is down 12.3 percent, to 32,013.
S-Class is off 3.2 percent, to 10,334.
13. Mazda: 235,122, up 6.7 percent.
CX-5 is up 26.1 percent, to 116,728, year-to-date, and continues to outpace VW Atlas and (new) Tiguan sales combined. It has outsold the two Volkswagens by 6,494.
CX-3 is up 14.5 percent, to 13,715, and CX-9 is up 17.2 percent, to 21,184.
Mazda3 is off 14.7 percent, to 51,294.
MX-5 Miata is off 23.2 percent year-to-date, to 7,460. Combined sales with the Fiat 124 Spider is 10,375 for the first three quarters, off 22.5 percent.
14. Audi: 167,420, up 24.4 percent.
A computer glitch limited Audi’s sales information at press time.
15. Mitsubishi: 93,398, up 17.9 percent.
Outlander Sport sales totaled 31,407 for the three quarters, up 30.8 percent. Outlander is up 17.8 percent, to 30,810.
Mitsubishi has sold 3,050 Outlander PHEVs and 5,513 Eclipse Crosses for the year, so far.
16. Jaguar/Land Rover: 86,309, up 2 percent.
Land Rover is running plus-20 percent year-to-date, to 65,133, while Jaguar is off 30 percent, to 21,176.
Range Rover Sport sales are up 13 percent, to 17,321. The new Velar is Range Rover’s second-bestseller, at 12,761 delivered, so far.
F-Pace is Jaguar’s bestseller, though off 30 percent, to 10,088. Jaguar has sold 2,808 E-Paces, so far.
Jaguar XE is down 54 percent, to 3,381, and F-Type is down 43 percent, to 1,739.
17. Volvo: 73,929, up 29.8 percent.
Volvo splits its bestselling XC60 into two numbers; one for the old model and one for the new. But I’ll combine it here. It’s at 23,511 sold year-to-date, up 44.9 percent.
XC90 is up 15.9 percent, to 23,652.
S90 is up 2.5 percent, to 5,732; V90 is up 209.2 percent, to 371; and V90CC is up 12.3 percent, to 1,710.
18. Porsche: 42,626, up 3.4 percent.
Macan is the clear sales leader, up 11.6 percent, to 18,103.
The 911 is Porsche’s second-bestseller, up 7.4 percent, to 7,013.
Cayenne sales are down 29.6 percent, to 6,841.
Luxury/Premium Brands, YTD:
1. Mercedes-Benz 225,384 2. BMW 225,065 3. Lexus 213,622 4. Audi 167,420 5. Acura 114,483
Sports Cars and EVs, YTD:
1. Chevrolet Corvette 14,881 2. Chevrolet Volt 13,243 3. Chevrolet Bolt 11,807 4. Mazda Miata 7,460 5. Toyota 86/Scion FR-S 3,223
Midsize cars, YTD:
1. Toyota Camry 262,887 2. Honda Accord 215,299 3. IFTTT
0 notes
jonathanbelloblog · 6 years ago
Text
Let’s Call First Three Quarters of 2018 Auto Sales ‘Not Bad’
IHS Markit had expected 2018 U.S. car and light truck sales to end up at 17 million, about half a million short of 2016’s record. But after September’s seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17 million, the analysis firm is increasing that number.
How? It’s statistics. “Seasonally adjusted” means just that.
“This September bounce back, and expectations that the pace of sales in the fourth quarter should not move drastically from this level will likely push full-year light vehicle sales volume to 17.1 million units in total,” says Christopher Hopson, manager of IHS Markit’s North America light vehicle forecasting.
Seasonal adjustments mean that July and August historically are very strong sales months as consumers take advantage of warm weather and end-of-model-year prices, while September traditionally is a transitional month as new model-year cars and trucks arrive.
Even though Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Sales, American Honda, and Nissan North America saw sales declines last month, the numbers are skewed because September ’17 sales to which they’re being compared were “atypically high,” says IHS Markit’s principal automotive analyst, Stephanie Brinley.
Which might help explain why General Motors switched from monthly sales reports to quarterly sales reports early this year. Quarterly reports give a more steadied look at what’s happening to auto sales. This serves as a reminder that from now on, I’m running year-to-date auto sales ever quarter in place of monthly sales columns, with percentage increases or decreases compared with the same period a year earlier.
We know so far that most car models continue to decline as most SUV and truck models increase, and that Subaru is running ahead of both Hyundai and Kia, while Volkswagen struggles—it’s up 5.5 percent thanks to a new, more competitive Tiguan and the addition of the Atlas three-row SUV, but seems to be selling them mostly to fans of its Golf, Jetta, and Passat.
Mercedes-Benz including its van and Smart division can’t keep up with BMW and Mini, though Mercedes the marque, on the strength of its GLC- and C-Class, has sold 319 more cars and SUVs so far, than BMW without Mini.
Among popular-priced marques, the Toyota RAV4 remains the bestselling model after the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Speaking of those trucks, the Ram brand is about even for the first nine months of this year, compared with the first nine months of last year, while Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand is on fire, outselling Subaru by more than 240,000 units so far this year.
While the Fords Escape and Explorer have lost a combined 26,659 so far this year, the Chevrolets Equinox and Traverse are up a combined 40,134, which is a commentary on either the power of having fresh product on your showroom floors, or the problem with everything at Ford except pickup trucks and truck-based SUVs, or both.
One more clear trend is that with midsize sedan owners trading them in for compact SUVs, compact sedan sales is catching midsize sales by default. So the Honda Civic is outselling the Accord, the Toyota Corolla (including iM) is outselling the Camry, and the Nissan Sentra is just 1,452 units behind Altima.
And so, to the numbers …
1. General Motors: 2,168,808, off 1.2 percent.
This breaks down to 1,504,038 Chevrolets, off 0.8 percent, 395,924 GMCs, off 2.4 percent, 155,606 Buicks, off 2.6 percent and 113,240 Cadillacs, off 0.5 percent.
Chevrolet has sold 424,403 Silverados for 2018 so far, up 1.4 percent. All but a few thousand sold in September were the old ’18 model. GMC Sierra was off 1.4 percent, to 152,242.
Chevy Equinox was up 10.2 percent, to 234,379, while Malibu was off 23.9 percent, to 107,458 and Cruze was down 26.5 percent, to 109,662.
Chevy Traverse was up 20.4 percent, to 106,998 and Colorado was up 26.3 percent, to 104,838 and GMC Canyon was up 8.6 percent, to 25,273.
Encore again leads Buick sales year-to-date, up 7.7 percent, to 69,747. Buick has sold 35,277 Enclaves, up 12.1 percent, while Regal is up 22.4 percent, to 11,008.
Cadillac has sold 46,983 XT5s year-to-date, off 5.7 percent, plus 212 XT4s all of the latter in September.
Cadillac Escalade is up 3.3 percent, to 27,299, while CT6 is off 10.6 percent, to 7,270.
Both Chevrolets Bolt and Volt have slipped this year, so far. The Bolt EV is down 17.4 percent, to 11,807, trailing the Volt, which is off 13.7 percent, to 13,243. Corvette is off 21.2 percent, but leads both electrics with 14,881 sold in ’18 so far.
2. Ford Motor Company: 1,887,625, off 2.4 percent.
Ford Mustang leads Pony Car Wars, at 61,619, off 0.9 percent, to Dodge Challenger’s 52,313, up 37 units for the year so far, with Chevy Camaro third at 39,828, off 25.9 percent.
Ford says September sales of the F-Series topped 70k for the seventh straight month, at 75,092, off 8.8 percent. Year-to-date, Ford has sold 679,018 F-Series, up 3.1 percent.
Escape is off 10.2 percent year-to-date, to 210,050 and Explorer is down 1.6 percent, to 171,416, meaning that both models are slipping in two of the hottest segments.
Ford Fusion is off 21.8 percent, to 124,964 and Focus was off 19 percent, to 100,267.
Expedition is up 0.3 percent, to 40,521, while Lincoln Navigator has rocketed up 81.9 percent, to 13,085.
While the Ford marque is off 2.1 percent, to 1,812,345 through September, Lincoln is down 9 percent, to 75,280.
MKX was off 12.6 percent, to 19,886 through September, a month before first deliveries of the Nautilus replacement. MKC is down 5.5 percent, to 19,270.
Continental languishes at 6,334, off 28.6 percent.
3. Toyota Motor Sales: 1,824,235, off 0.4 percent.
Toyota Division has sold 1,610,613 so far this year, off 0.1 percent, and Lexus has sold 213,622, off 2.7 percent.
RAV4 is Toyota’s bestseller, and according to the automaker, the best-selling non-pickup in the U.S. It was off 8.2 percent, to 37,440 for September, and is up 2.2 percent, to 319,147 for the year.
Toyota Camry is off 6.9 percent, year-to-date, to 262,887, while Corolla is down 11.3 percent, to 265,273 (this includes 17,867 iMs, up 10.6 percent).
Prius is off 17.3 percent year-to-date, to 68,925.
Highlander is up 14.2 percent, to 180,699, and 4Runner is up 7.6 percent, to 102,267.
Tacoma is up 24.8 percent, to 183,909, while Tundra is up 2.5 percent, to 87,782.
Buoyed by addition of the three-row model, Lexus RX is up 4.9 percent, to 79,563. NX is up 3.6 percent, to 43,513.
ES is the bestselling Lexus car, off 12.1 percent to 34,344.
IS is off 9.8 percent, to 17,393. LS is up 115.1 percent, to 6,672.
4. Fiat Chrysler: 1,679,983, up 6 percent.
Fiat Chrysler had a particularly good September, with sales up 15 percent, to 199,819 over September ’17. Jeep remains its star, up 14 percent for the month and up by 20 percent for the first three quarters, to 746,194. Ram was off slightly (2,032 units, or 0 percent) to 416,661 year-to-date, though up 9 percent last month. For the first three quarters, Chrysler was off 12 percent, to 127,156, Dodge slid 2 percent, to 359,728 and Fiat slumped by 43 percent, to 12,084. Alfa Romeo was up 147 percent, however, to 18,160.
Wrangler has become Jeep’s bestseller for the year so far, at 190,951, up 27 percent. Cherokee is next, up 53 percent to 179,743, while erstwhile brand leader Grand Cherokee was off 8 percent, to 166,653 year-to-date.
The new Jeep Compass also is a success, up 146 percent to 132,674, while Renegade is off 6 percent, to 75,574.
The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup was beset by launch problems, though Fiat Chrysler still sells the old truck. So year-to-date sales are 0-percent changed, up by 682 units to 375,583. ProMaster van is off 1 percent, to 31,591.
Chrysler Pacifica is up 6 percent for the first three quarters, to 91,595. The 300 sedan is off 13 percent, to 34,555.
The old school Dodge Caravan is up 12 percent to 120,935, and Journey is up 2 percent, to 77,233. Charger is off 12 percent, to 59,308 and 15 Vipers were sold, off 97 percent.
Fiat 500X was down 28 percent to 4,221, and the 500 two-door fell 64 percent, to 3,717.
Stelvio leads Alfa Romeo, up 1,329 percent, to 9,044 and Giulia was up 39 percent, to 8,933.
5. American Honda: 1,206,997, off 2 percent.
Honda accounts for 1,092,514 of that, off 2.2 percent, with Acura at 114,483, up 0.3 percent.
Bestseller CR-V is running -1.2 percent, at 277,621.
Civic is off 10.3 percent year-to-date, at 255,036 and Accord is off 14.2 percent, to 215,299.
Pilot is Honda’s big gainer, up 42.4 percent, to 199,901. HR-V is off 5.5 percent, to 69,979.
RDX leads Acura, up 13.8 percent, to 44,598. MDX is off 2.6 percent, to 37,187.
Acura TLX is off 13.6 percent, to 22,917. Acura has sold 122 NSXes this year, off 65.6 percent.
6. Nissan Group: 1,124,682, off 6.0 percent.
Nissan division is off 5.8 percent, to 1,082,527. Infiniti has lost 7.4 percent, to 105,249.
Rogue remains Nissan’s bestseller, up 4.4 percent to 309,979, but it’s 9,173 units behind Toyota RAV4 for the year-to-date.
Altima is off 16.6 percent, to 166,599 and Sentra is off 0.3 percent, to 165,147.
The Leaf EV is off 0.5 percent, to 1,686.
Pathfinder has slid 18.7 percent, to 50,152, though Titan is up 6.4 percent, to 37,839, and Frontier is up 7.9 percent, to 59,574.
Over at Infiniti, QX60 is up 8.3 percent, to 31,795, while Q50 is off 6.8 percent, to 26,180.
7. Subaru: 503,418, up 5.1 percent.
Outback leads sales, off 1.8 percent to 137,992, and Forester is off 7.7 percent, to 121,924. Crosstrek is up 45.1 percent year-to-date to 11,415, but sales have slid for a couple of months. In September, Crosstrek was off 0.9 percent.
The new Ascent more than covers decreases elsewhere, with 16,580 of the new three-row SUV sold.
WRX/STI is off 9.1 percent, to 21,957. BRZ sales have slid 11.4 percent, to 2,930. Combined year-to-date sales with Toyota 86 is off 30.2 percent, to 6,153.
8. Hyundai: 501,701, off 2 percent.
Hyundai is off 0.8 percent, to 492,792, while Genesis has dropped 40.9 percent year-to-date. Genesis has held back on importing vehicles as it prepares for the 2019 model year, and a change in its distribution model at Hyundai dealerships.
As Hyundai sorts out its SUV strategy, its sales leader remains the Elantra compact sedan, up 41 percent to 148,879.
Tucson is next-bestseller, up 25 percent to 103,514.
Santa Fe is off 7 percent, to 88,969 and Sonata is down 24.8 percent, to 80,975.
9. Kia: 452,042, off 1.3 percent.
Sorento leads Kia sales, up 10.8 percent, to 85,692 through Q3.
Optima is off 5.7 percent, to 79,845.
Soul is off 14.2 percent, to 77,888.
Forte is off 18.7 percent, to 74,888.
Sportage is up 11.7 percent, to 62,272, and Niro is up 6.9 percent, to 22,100.
Kia has sold 12,999 Stingers year-to-date.
10. Volkswagen: 266,228, up 5.5 percent.
VW was off 4.8 percent for September.
Although Jetta led for September, the new Tiguan SUV has become VW’s sales leader in the first nine months, up 987.2 percent, to 67,232.
Jetta is down 32.8 percent, to 61,118. Golf is off 38.1 percent to 34,353.
Atlas is up 251.6 percent, to 43,002. Passat is down 33.8 percent, to 33,527.
Beetle, entering its final model year, is off 2.6 percent, to 12,150.
11. BMW Group: 259,258, up 1.7 percent.
BMW is up 2.2 percent, to 225,065, while Mini has slid 1.7 percent, to 34,193.
X3 leads BMW sales, up 30.2 percent, to 41,825.
Soon-to-be replaced 3 Series is down 19.6 percent, to 34,731. The 4 Series is off 22.5 percent, to 23,466.
The 5 Series is up 9.3 percent, to 31,181, and X5 is down 9 percent, to 31,120.
Mini Countryman is up 33.7 percent, to 14,142 and the Hardtop 2 Door is off 7.4 percent, to 7,320.
12. Mercedes-Benz USA: 254,366, off 5.8 percent.
Mercedes cars accounts for 225,384 off 7 percent. Vans are up 11.1 percent, to 28,023, and Smart languishes at 959 sold year-to-date, down 63.6 percent.
Mercedes GLC-Class sales account for nearly one-fifth of MBUSA sales, up 53.8 percent, to 50,585.
A car model is next; C-Class is down 28.3 percent, but still at 42,252.
GLE-Class is off 11.3 percent, to 34,617 and E-Class/CLS is down 12.3 percent, to 32,013.
S-Class is off 3.2 percent, to 10,334.
13. Mazda: 235,122, up 6.7 percent.
CX-5 is up 26.1 percent, to 116,728, year-to-date, and continues to outpace VW Atlas and (new) Tiguan sales combined. It has outsold the two Volkswagens by 6,494.
CX-3 is up 14.5 percent, to 13,715, and CX-9 is up 17.2 percent, to 21,184.
Mazda3 is off 14.7 percent, to 51,294.
MX-5 Miata is off 23.2 percent year-to-date, to 7,460. Combined sales with the Fiat 124 Spider is 10,375 for the first three quarters, off 22.5 percent.
14. Audi: 167,420, up 24.4 percent.
A computer glitch limited Audi’s sales information at press time.
15. Mitsubishi: 93,398, up 17.9 percent.
Outlander Sport sales totaled 31,407 for the three quarters, up 30.8 percent. Outlander is up 17.8 percent, to 30,810.
Mitsubishi has sold 3,050 Outlander PHEVs and 5,513 Eclipse Crosses for the year, so far.
16. Jaguar/Land Rover: 86,309, up 2 percent.
Land Rover is running plus-20 percent year-to-date, to 65,133, while Jaguar is off 30 percent, to 21,176.
Range Rover Sport sales are up 13 percent, to 17,321. The new Velar is Range Rover’s second-bestseller, at 12,761 delivered, so far.
F-Pace is Jaguar’s bestseller, though off 30 percent, to 10,088. Jaguar has sold 2,808 E-Paces, so far.
Jaguar XE is down 54 percent, to 3,381, and F-Type is down 43 percent, to 1,739.
17. Volvo: 73,929, up 29.8 percent.
Volvo splits its bestselling XC60 into two numbers; one for the old model and one for the new. But I’ll combine it here. It’s at 23,511 sold year-to-date, up 44.9 percent.
XC90 is up 15.9 percent, to 23,652.
S90 is up 2.5 percent, to 5,732; V90 is up 209.2 percent, to 371; and V90CC is up 12.3 percent, to 1,710.
18. Porsche: 42,626, up 3.4 percent.
Macan is the clear sales leader, up 11.6 percent, to 18,103.
The 911 is Porsche’s second-bestseller, up 7.4 percent, to 7,013.
Cayenne sales are down 29.6 percent, to 6,841.
Luxury/Premium Brands, YTD:
1. Mercedes-Benz 225,384 2. BMW 225,065 3. Lexus 213,622 4. Audi 167,420 5. Acura 114,483
Sports Cars and EVs, YTD:
1. Chevrolet Corvette 14,881 2. Chevrolet Volt 13,243 3. Chevrolet Bolt 11,807 4. Mazda Miata 7,460 5. Toyota 86/Scion FR-S 3,223
Midsize cars, YTD:
1. Toyota Camry 262,887 2. Honda Accord 215,299 3. IFTTT
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carreviewpricetv · 7 years ago
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Sooner or later, we consider 2019 vw jetta commercial is a topic that required in the internet. Do you want to know about 2019 vw jetta video. Firstly, we also wondering about vw jetta turbo. Some people are looking for 2019 vw jetta colors. 2019 vw jetta canada release date is very intriguing to be discussed. The Jetta inside engineering is updated, having been built for expanded solace while supporting a refined, upscale plan. The 2019 Jetta has more headroom, knee room, and shoulder room than the past auto. The storage compartment space is 14.1 cubic feet and split-collapsing back seats (60/40) are standard. The cockpit is a driver-centered condition, with frame following capacity. Both the instruments and the infotainment framework are orchestrated in a simple to-peruse even introduction. Both the infotainment framework and the atmosphere control interface are situated on the middle comfort, which is calculated towards the driver. In the mean time, trapezoidal outline components from the outside are rehashed in the lodge for a touch of liveliness, and premium delicate touch materials are utilized. The lower instrument board has a comparative level outline, with a fine enlivening trim strip that keeps running underneath the cockpit, over the whole instrument board, and into the entryways. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta wears new texture hues and outlines for the seats and entryway trim, and the front seats include an ergonomically-enhanced backrest discharge that makes modifications for front-situate inhabitants particularly simple. For an additional extravagant touch, the power-movable seats of the SEL Premium offer standard punctured cowhide seating surfaces with warming and front-situate ventilation. Each 2019 Jetta accompanies a multi-work guiding wheel that is cowhide wrapped on SE models or more. R-Line models get a one of a kind calfskin wrapped, R-Line badged guiding wheel, and the Cold Weather Package (later accessibility) on SE models or more offers a warmed controlling wheel. Between the extensive speedometer and tachometer is a multi-work trip PC that helps screen everything from fuel utilization to trip separate, Bluetooth® association status and route headings (when prepared). Double zone Climatronic® programmed atmosphere control is standard on SE trims or more. An efficiently and acoustically-improved all encompassing glass tilt/slide sunroof is standard gear on SE trims or more. SEL models offer the Driving Mode Selection highlight as standard hardware. This framework incorporates four modes to look over: "Ordinary," "Game," "Eco," and "Custom." Normal mode gives an adjusted drive understanding, while Sport is tuned for a more powerful throttle reaction, more tightly guiding and more vivacious ACC settings. Eco mode enhances move focuses, throttle reaction and atmosphere control settings for enhanced efficiency. Individual enables a driver to tailor the controlling and throttle, ACC, and atmosphere control settings. Jetta SEL and SEL Premium models highlight a standard 10-shading LED encompassing lighting framework. Facilitated with the Volkswagen Jetta's Driving Mode Selection highlight, the framework gives mitigating backhanded white light in the Normal profile, red light in the Sport profile and blue light in the Eco profile. The driver can set any of the ten hues utilizing Manual or Custom mode. SEL and SEL Premium trims likewise include Volkswagen Digital Cockpit innovation, which offers drivers a reconfigurable instrument-board screen rather than ordinary instrumentation. The innovative, 10.25-inch show can indicate enter vehicle information in five driver-selectable modes, including one that positions route information up front for simple review. At first, we also wondering about 2016 vw jetta. Probably, you are one of many people that searching for vids about 2019 vw jetta sunroof. Personally, we consider 2005 vw jetta is some discussion that required in the internet. 2019 vw jetta gli is very intriguing to be discussed. Do you want to know about 2019 vw jetta. #carreviewpricetv Car Review Price TV Follow Us ON: https://twitter.com/CarReviewPrice https://ift.tt/2FGRLqk https://ift.tt/2HGRQHa https://ift.tt/2FGRO5u
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carreviewnow · 7 years ago
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2019 vw jetta maybe one of interesting matter to be discussed. We are so happy to present you this youtube content about 2011 vw jetta. Subjectively, i think 2019 vw jetta road test is some discussion that needed in the web. Some user are looking for 2019 vw jetta manual transmission. Do you want to know about 2019 vw jetta detroit. The new Volkswagen Jetta is controlled by Volkswagen's 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-infusion TSI® motor, making 147 strength and 184 pound-feet of torque. The 16-valve motor can produce crest torque at only 1,400 rpm, while in the meantime returning EPA-evaluated mileage of 30/40/34 mpg (city/thruway/joined) paying little respect to transmission decision. The motor, inside coded EA211, highlights an air-to-water warm exchanger incorporated specifically with the admission module set up of an intercooler. The ventilation system is coordinated into the head, decreasing the separation that fumes gases must go to come to the turbocharger, accordingly taking into account speedier reaction and exhaust system light off. Valves work to manage coolant stream into the head, which takes into consideration quick motor (and in this way lodge) warming, and additionally productive cooling when the motor achieves typical working temperature. Both the admission and the fumes valves include variable valve timing, which brings about enhanced low-rpm execution, and also expanded torque all through the rev run. A moderately high 10:1 pressure proportion additionally helps the motor's proficiency, yet despite everything it takes normal (87 octane) gas. While the 2019 Jetta is more innovatively progressed than any other time in recent memory, holding its enjoyable to-drive character was of basic significance. Hence, a six-speed manual transmission is standard, with an eight-speed programmed accessible alternatively. The all-new eight speed programmed transmission offers the advantage of two extra apparatuses over the Jetta's forerunner, while remaining the very same weight. Essential objectives in its creation were driving solace and, obviously, efficiency. A shorter first rigging is intended to give quicker increasing speed than the past model also. Change by-wire water power combine with advanced gear teeth and ultra-low grating mating surfaces to make a consistent, proficient, and agreeable drive understanding. 2019 vw jetta white maybe one of interesting issue to be discussed. Personally, we consider 2019 vw jetta price is a topic that required in the web. Probably, you are part of some people that searching for content about 2019 vw jetta r. We are so excited to bring you this youtube content regarding 2019 vw jetta dashboard. Do you wondering about vw jetta 18t. #carreviewnow Car Review Now https://twitter.com/carreviewnow https://ift.tt/2GOhhag https://ift.tt/2FVUDeY https://ift.tt/2GNBPjo https://ift.tt/2HQEwzM https://ift.tt/2GKU8Wg
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robertvasquez763 · 7 years ago
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Everything We Know
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usedcarshoustontx · 7 years ago
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Everything We Know
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savetopnow · 7 years ago
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robertvasquez763 · 8 years ago
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Everything You Need to Know about the VW Diesel-Emissions Scandal
General Motors and Toyota had their massive scandals. Now it’s Volkswagen’s turn. The company, which owns 70 percent of the U.S. passenger-car diesel market, is in major trouble for cheating on diesel-emissions tests. After years of promoting “Clean Diesel” as an alternative to hybrid and electric vehicles—the company even marched on Washington with a squadron of Audi TDI models—Volkswagen is stewing in its own toxic vapors. Here’s our handy guide to what’s happening.
What happened?
Volkswagen installed emissions software on more than a half-million diesel cars in the U.S.—and roughly 10.5 million more worldwide—that allows them to sense the unique parameters of an emissions drive cycle set by the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the EPA and the California Air Resources Board, who were tipped off by researchers in 2014, these so-called “defeat devices” detect steering, throttle, and other inputs used in the test to switch between two distinct operating modes.
In the test mode, the cars are fully compliant with all federal emissions levels. But when driving normally, the computer switches to a separate mode—significantly changing the fuel pressure, injection timing, exhaust-gas recirculation, and, in models with AdBlue, the amount of urea fluid sprayed into the exhaust. While this mode likely delivers higher mileage and power, it also permits heavier nitrogen-oxide emissions (NOx)—a smog-forming pollutant linked to lung cancer—up to 40 times higher than the federal limit. That doesn’t mean every TDI is pumping 40 times as much NOx as it should. Some cars may emit just a few times over the limit, depending on driving style and load.
Which cars are affected? Will my car pass state inspection?
The following Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche diesel models have been cited by the EPA for emissions violations. There is no recall, and the cars pass all state inspections, at least for now. Remember, VW has admitted to violating federal emissions laws, and as such, it’s neither a state nor a safety issue. However, if Volkswagen does issue a recall, some states (particularly California and some that follow Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standards) may prevent owners from renewing their registration if they don’t complete the fix.
2009–2015 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI
2010–2015 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI
2010–2015 Audi A3 2.0L TDI
2012–2015 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L TDI
2012–2015 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L TDI
2009–2015 Audi Q7 3.0L V-6 TDI
2009–2016 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0L V-6 TDI
2013–2016 Porsche Cayenne Diesel 3.0L V-6
2014–2016 Audi A6 3.0L V-6 TDI
2014–2016 Audi A7 3.0L V-6 TDI
2014–2016 Audi A8/A8L 3.0L V-6 TDI
2014–2016 Audi Q5 3.0L V-6 TDI
What diesels can’t I buy?
Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche dealers can’t sell any new diesels. Additional certified pre-owned diesels are also under stop-sale orders (except for 2015 models with the 2.0-liter engine). The following cars cover models and model years that go beyond those cited by the EPA, which has not ordered VW to halt sales. This list of banned diesels comes directly from VW corporate, although more models could be added. Other 2016 diesel models scheduled to debut, such as the 2016 Passat TDI, will not be offered anymore. Volkswagen has since committed to electric cars, and it’s possible the company will not sell a TDI diesel in the U.S. ever again.
2013–2016 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
2013–2015 Audi Q7 TDI
2014–2016 Audi A6 TDI
2014–2016 Audi A7 TDI
2014–2016 Audi A8 and A8L TDI
2014–2015 Audi Q5 TDI
2014–2016 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
What’s Volkswagen doing for customers?
For 2.0-liter Volkswagen and Audi TDI models: – -U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer approved the final $14.7 billion settlement on October 25, 2016, after which Volkswagen will start mailing notifications to all current affected owners and lessees of 2.0-liter cars informing them of the $10 billion buyback program. Judge Breyer had approved the preliminary settlement for the same amount on July 26, 2016. TDI owners who purchased their cars before September 17, 2015, can sell their cars back to Volkswagen for between $12,500 and $44,000, depending on model, age, trim, and region. TDI lessees will receive a cash value between $2600 and $4900. Owners and lessees who sold their cars or quit their leases before June 28, 2016, are also eligible. The buyback process started in November 2016. Official details and a VIN lookup are here. Exact payouts for all affected models can be found here.
Through October 18, 2016, 340,000 owners and lessees have sent in registration forms indicating they want the company to buy back their cars under the government-negotiated compensation agreement. That’s nearly three-quarters of all 475,000 Volkswagen and Audi models with 2.0-liter diesel engines currently registered on U.S. roads.
Owners who do not sell their cars back to Volkswagen will receive between $5100 and $10,000 to compensate for diminished resale value, plus a free emissions fix (see full details here). All owners and lessees of 2.0-liter TDI models will have up to May 2018 to decide their options. The eligibility dates correspond to the day immediately before the EPA first announced the violations and the day the EPA announced its preliminary settlement with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.
For 3.0-liter Volkswagen and Audi TDI and Porsche diesel models: – -As of December 21, 2016, Volkswagen reached a second settlement with the roughly 78,000 owners and lessees of 3.0-liter diesel models. In late January 2017, Volkswagen announced a $1.2 billion program that differs substantially from the $10 billion program for 2.0-liter diesel models. Currently, only owners of 2009–2012 Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg models with the Generation 1 engine are eligible for buybacks between $24,755 to $57,157. This is because Volkswagen cannot repair them to be emissions-compliant unlike the Generation 2 engines in 2013–2016 models, which can be fixed under a formal recall to be announced later this year. For those Generation 2 models, Volkswagen will offer cash compensation ranging from $7039 to $16,114; if the recall isn’t made “timely available,” the automaker will buy them back. Generation 2 lessees can receive between $5677 and $12,492 for terminating their leases early. If lessees decide to keep their cars and perform the fix, they each receive a flat $2000. In all cases with Generation 2 cars, owners and lessees can opt to receive half of the cash payments upfront, and the other half once the vehicle is repaired.
Generation 1 lessees of 2012 vehicles can receive between $5001 and $6615 for terminating their leases early. Generation 1 owners who do not sell their cars back to Volkswagen can receive $7755 to $13,880. For complete details, see the court’s handy executive summary.
These prices have been set using NADA Used Car Guide Clean Retail values as of November 2015 and adjusted for options, mileage, and the region the vehicle was registered in as of that month. The 2016 diesel models will be repurchased at 12.9 percent above prices for equivalent 2015 models. Owners and lessees will also be reimbursed for state and local taxes. The registration deadline is March 31, 2019. Owners and lessees will get the same payment (adjusted for mileage) regardless of when they register.
Expired incentive programs:
As part of its Customer Goodwill package, Volkswagen offered $1000 cash to every owner of a 2.0-liter TDI named in the EPA’s first violation notice: a $500 prepaid Visa card to spend on anything and another $500 cash card valid only at Volkswagen dealerships (to use toward another car, service, or lots of VW hats). They also could get free 24-hour roadside assistance for the next three years. The deadline to register for that program ended April 30. The same offer was extended to owners of 3.0-liter diesel models, who had until July 31. Audi, Porsche, and VW TDI owners who took delivery after November 8 were not eligible (full rules here). Current owners of any VW model were also able to get a $2000 cash rebate toward a new car, although this incentive may continue to vary or expire as time progresses. Dealers also have “discretionary” cash they can use to sweeten deals (and they’re getting guaranteed kickbacks for some models). Basically, if Volkswagen is on your shopping list, now’s the time to haggle like a pro.
When will my car be fixed?
For 2.0-liter Volkswagen and Audi TDI models:
As of January 6, 2017, Volkswagen announced a complete fix for 2015 TDI models with the third-generation engine. This will involve installing a second NOx sensor and a new or replacement diesel-oxidation catalyst. About 70,000 cars are affected. It is unclear, at this point, if this fix is final or just an interim repair. There are three generations of the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, and all will require different fixes (from simple software updates to complete, and potentially performance-crippling, hardware retrofits).
By the end of 2017, we should know whether VW can start fixing cars with the first- and second-generation engines. Emissions modifications, if approved by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will be staggered in stages. For older, 2009–2014 TDI versions of the Golf, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Beetle, and Audi A3 models, VW has until January 27, 2017 to submit its proposal. The 2012–2014 Passat TDI is due by March 3, 2017.
For 3.0-liter Volkswagen and Audi TDI and Porsche diesel models:
There are two versions of the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 that require different modifications. While the Generation 1 engines in the 2009–2012 Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg cannot be made fully compliant with EPA regulations, VW will attempt to make them partially compliant. The rest of the Generation 2 engines will be under a formal recall to make complete repairs, which most likely will be a software update. On those models, Audi said on November 23, 2015, that it would update the software and “resubmit” its emissions applications after the EPA found undocumented “auxiliary emission control devices” that were allowing excessive levels of NOx.
Don’t all automakers tailor their cars to ace the EPA test cycle? Why single out VW?
Automakers optimize powertrains for each second of the EPA’s dynamometer tests (Federal Test Procedure 75, the one VW’s computers detect, runs for 1370 seconds). They have to, because they’re required to self-certify every model on sale. The EPA verifies roughly 15 percent of those tests each year. In rare cases, automakers grossly overstate fuel economy (as Ford and Kia did) and can take advantage of loopholes in the certification process.
Yet these standardized tests, as flawed as they may be in comparison to real-world driving, are critical. Performed correctly, they’re at least an accurate method to assess legal compliance and provide a fair comparison for consumers. Right now, there’s no indication that automakers program their cars to run in a wildly different fashion on the road, even as the EPA and the German government attempt to prove otherwise. Volkswagen explicitly did, and that’s why it’s getting hammered.
What are selective catalytic reduction and urea injection?
Diesel fuel is carbon rich and close in composition to home heating oil. As such, it’s inherently dirty and sooty when burned. While heavy-duty diesel pickups, vans, trucks, and other commercial vehicles follow looser environmental standards, light-duty vehicles have it tough—and nowhere is it tougher to certify a diesel car or truck than in the U.S. In order to trap particulates and curb nitrogen oxide in practically all new diesel engines, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and urea injection must be used.
A three-way catalytic converter in gasoline vehicles treats exhaust gas by both oxidizing (adding oxygen to convert carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water) and reducing (removing oxygen to convert nitrogen oxide to nitrogen and water). But diesel engines burn so lean that they require separate oxidation and reduction catalysts. After diesel exhaust passes through the oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF, branded by VW as AdBlue) is injected into the stream before entering the reduction catalyst. DEF is a precise mixture of one-third urea and two-thirds deionized water and must be refilled (typically at manufacturer-recommended oil-change intervals) from a separate tank.
If this sounds complex and expensive, that’s because it is. And very likely, that’s why VW chose not to install SCR and urea injection on most of its TDI models.
What’s going to happen to Volkswagen?
On January 11, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice announced $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties and arrested six VW executives for their alleged connection with the scandal. A “corporate compliance monitor” will be watching VW for three years under the terms of its probation. On April 21, 2017, VW was officially sentenced in a Michigan federal court for these violations.
On January 4, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice first sued Volkswagen on behalf of the EPA. Volkswagen will now pay $14.7 billion to settle with three federal agencies suing the automaker for its excessive diesel emissions, the highest ever paid by a company for violations under the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice announced the partial settlement on June 28, 2016. Aside from the $10 billion buyback program, another $2.7 billion will fund future state-level projects that reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions under the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which are federal grants marked to replace old diesel engines and for retrofit kits for alternative-fuel powertrains and other similar vehicle hardware.
Volkswagen must buy back 85 percent of all cars by June 2019, or else it must pay even more to fund such projects. The automaker also must spend $2 billion over the next 10 years to invest in green energy and electric cars, including paying for new public charging stations and public-education programs.
Under the latest settlement with 3.0-liter diesels, Volkswagen will also be required to pay an additional $225 million toward projects that reduce NOx emissions. California will receive $41 million of that, and CARB wrote into the settlement some very specific requirements for the sale of electric vehicles.
A Canadian settlement, which keeps to terms that are comparable to the U.S. settlement finalized in October, will cover about 105,000 vehicles there and potentially cost the automaker the equivalent of U.S. $1.6 billion. As in the United States, Canadian owners will be eligible to sell their vehicle back at an agreed-upon price or opt to fix their vehicle and receive a payment. And under a tentative consumer settlement in Canada, Volkswagen and Audi Canada will pay out the equivalent of U.S. $11.2 million.
Additional civil penalties and further state-level fines have not been determined but could add billions more. Volkswagen had originally set aside more than $7 billion to cover recall-related costs.
Since news of the first violation broke on September 18, 2015, more than a quarter of the company’s market cap has been wiped out with its nosediving stock price through June 28, 2016, and the company has abandoned its goal of becoming the world’s largest automaker by 2018. Volkswagen is not even concerned with its U.S. sales numbers until this problem is resolved, according to chairman Herbert Diess. The company has posted consecutive U.S. monthly sales losses since November.
CEO Matthias Müller—who said the company didn’t lie but faces a “technical problem“—has now ordered a complete reorganization that will see 30 battery-electric vehicles introduced across its 12 divisions by 2025. It inevitably will lead to firings, model cuts across its 340 variants, and other corporate changes. So far, though, even seemingly frivolous divisions like Bugatti aren’t getting axed. Former CEO Martin Winterkorn, who resigned in September, reportedly received a memo regarding the diesel problem in May 2014. He has not confirmed whether he actually read it.
All right, I’d like some more free money. How can I sue?
There are already a couple hundred lawsuits alleging economic harm against VW’s now infamous “Clean Diesel” marketing campaign and the half-million cars under EPA violation. None have yet been consolidated before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. For the time being, Hagens-Berman, a huge firm that squeezed $1.1 billion from Toyota and intends to sue General Motors for $10 billion, has a class-action lawsuit ready and waiting.
What are TDI owners actually doing?
As Greenpeace and other environmental groups lambaste VW, the obligatory news articles profiling angry TDI drivers have popped up. Granted, there are some people genuinely upset with VW for misleading them about their car’s emissions levels. But as we see it, the majority of TDI buyers are knowledgeable enthusiasts in love with sky-high fuel economy, torque, durability, and low running costs. Some really frugal types convert their TDIs to run on refined vegetable oil or biodiesel. These people are die-hards.
If any fix Volkswagen proposes ends up hampering performance—be it increased fuel consumption or a loss of power—many TDI owners may very well ignore a recall. It’s a tricky legal situation, as neither the EPA nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can force individual owners to update their cars. Several bills in Congress have proposed banning registration renewals for car owners who don’t complete recalls, but they’re a long way from becoming law. For now, most TDI owners are continuing to putter about, despite a considerable drop in resale values. With more time, we’ll have a fuller picture.
This story was originally published on November 13, 2015; it is being constantly updated to reflect the latest developments in the VW diesel-emissions scandal.
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jonathanbelloblog · 6 years ago
Text
Quick Take: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
I’ve spent far more time agonizing over my review of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta than I’d care to admit. After all, the Jetta is a car that ticks all the boxes, delivering just about everything anyone would want in a compact family sedan. But I’m having a hard time getting excited about the new Jetta—and it’s driving me to the very edge of sanity.
Let’s talk about all the things the new generation Jetta does right. First and foremost is the engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged mighty mite that puts out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Forget the numbers, because the bottom line is this thing scoots. Our colleagues down the hall at Motor Trend timed the automatic version I drove to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds—not as quick as the Honda Civic 1.5T but respectable performance. I also found the Jetta has plenty of mid-range punch. Yes, it’s an overused phrase, but one that accurately describes what a small turbo four does best.
What small turbo fours often don’t do best is fuel economy, even though this is supposed to be their raison d’etre. A few years back, I did a back-to-back drive of sixth-generation Jettas, one with a 1.8-liter turbo four and the other with the then-new 1.4T. The smaller engine actually delivered worse fuel economy. It needed to keep the turbo boiling in order to stay on the pace, and when the turbo is working, the fuel is a-flowin’. So I took the Jetta’s 34 mpg EPA combined figure with a grain of salt.
I shouldn’t have, because here, too, the Jetta delivered. The Automobile staff sampled two different Jettas, a base-model Jetta S and a top-of-the-line SEL, and both averaged in the low 30s on the car’s instant readout, a good showing considering we have an office full of lead-footed car hacks. If the trip computer is to be believed, the SEL managed 40.9 mpg on one leg of my commute, a mix of stop-and-go traffic and high-speed freeway running, while the S strained credulity by returning better than 45 mpg on the same route.
Handling? That’s all good as well. Though I didn’t have a chance to really wring either Jetta out on my favorite curvy roads, I have enough experience in other MQB-platform based Volkswagens to express confidence that they know their way through the tight turns. I like the Jetta’s light steering and steady ride, which delivers decent feedback but doesn’t kick over sharp bumps. Why can’t everyone engineer suspensions this competent?
Complicated interiors are a pet peeve of mine, so Vee Dub’s no-nonsense cabins fit in nicely with my ethos. Every Volkswagen model features easy-to-read gauges and well-labeled, easy-to-find switchgear. The new 2019 Jetta comes with regular analog gauges in the low-end models, while the SEL can be had with an optional video-screen panel that—surprise, surprise—mimics the analog gauges in the low end car. Whether you get the basic air conditioner or one with dual-zone climate control, everything is simple and sensible. Even the touch-screen infotainment system is easy to use. I drive a different car pretty much every day—hazard of the job—and I like Volkswagens because I know I won’t run off the road as I stare at the dash trying to figure out how to turn on the mother-loving defroster.
The problem with Volkswagen interiors is that they can easily veer off into dreary. And while the Jetta’s cabin isn’t exactly what you’d call bright and cheery, material quality is praiseworthy, with substantial fabrics and soft-touch plastics, even in the base-model S. (VW got lambasted for getting this wrong in the 2011 model, and they haven’t made that mistake again.) Space? There’s plenty of it for front-seat passengers, and back-seaters get adequate legroom and enough headroom that they need not fear clonking their noggins when getting in.
Not that the new 2019 Jetta gets everything right. While many have praised its exterior looks, to me it seems though the grille and headlights are sliding off the front of the car and the trunk is growing down over the taillights. Add in all those creases in the bodywork, and it leaves the impression that it’s been left out in the sun too long, where it’s withered, dried out, and started to melt. (One man’s opinion, mind you.)
Then there’s long term quality and reliability, areas where Volkswagen has historically struggled. In an effort to counter that reputation and provide new owners with peace of mind, the automaker has just introduced an epic 6 year/72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty which is fully transferable to the Jetta’s second owner. Smart move.
So why am I still agonizing over this review?
The problem I’m having is that I simply don’t find the 2019 Jetta all that interesting when taken as a whole. Now, one might argue that when you’re shopping for a daily driver priced in the low 20s, excitement isn’t on the menu. But I’d argue that you only need to go back a few years to look at the fourth-gen Jetta, sold from 1999 until 2007 (and still sold in China if you’re up for the trip). That Jetta occupied the same niche, and it was interesting.
It’s a point that’s magnified when you consider the cars the Jetta competes against. First and foremost is the Mazda3, the enthusiasts’ delight, though it’s short on back-seat space compared to the Jetta. The Honda Civic drives well and possesses some of the same character that marked the Mark IV Jetta. And let’s not forget about the Ford Focus. It may have one foot in the grave, but it’s still good to drive. Even the Chevrolet Cruze seems marginally more interesting than the Jetta, although this may well be an illusion. Heck, I’d even prefer Volkswagen’s own Golf.
From all the measurable data points, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a great car: Powerful, efficient, roomy, and good value for money. But then there is that which cannot be measured, that inherent sense of fun some cars have and others don’t. At least to me, the Jetta doesn’t seem to have that it factor. And it’s driving me nuts.
0 notes
eddiejpoplar · 6 years ago
Text
Quick Take: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
I’ve spent far more time agonizing over my review of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta than I’d care to admit. After all, the Jetta is a car that ticks all the boxes, delivering just about everything anyone would want in a compact family sedan. But I’m having a hard time getting excited about the new Jetta—and it’s driving me to the very edge of sanity.
Let’s talk about all the things the new generation Jetta does right. First and foremost is the engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged mighty mite that puts out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Forget the numbers, because the bottom line is this thing scoots. Our colleagues down the hall at Motor Trend timed the automatic version I drove to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds—not as quick as the Honda Civic 1.5T but respectable performance. I also found the Jetta has plenty of mid-range punch. Yes, it’s an overused phrase, but one that accurately describes what a small turbo four does best.
What small turbo fours often don’t do best is fuel economy, even though this is supposed to be their raison d’etre. A few years back, I did a back-to-back drive of sixth-generation Jettas, one with a 1.8-liter turbo four and the other with the then-new 1.4T. The smaller engine actually delivered worse fuel economy. It needed to keep the turbo boiling in order to stay on the pace, and when the turbo is working, the fuel is a-flowin’. So I took the Jetta’s 34 mpg EPA combined figure with a grain of salt.
I shouldn’t have, because here, too, the Jetta delivered. The Automobile staff sampled two different Jettas, a base-model Jetta S and a top-of-the-line SEL, and both averaged in the low 30s on the car’s instant readout, a good showing considering we have an office full of lead-footed car hacks. If the trip computer is to be believed, the SEL managed 40.9 mpg on one leg of my commute, a mix of stop-and-go traffic and high-speed freeway running, while the S strained credulity by returning better than 45 mpg on the same route.
Handling? That’s all good as well. Though I didn’t have a chance to really wring either Jetta out on my favorite curvy roads, I have enough experience in other MQB-platform based Volkswagens to express confidence that they know their way through the tight turns. I like the Jetta’s light steering and steady ride, which delivers decent feedback but doesn’t kick over sharp bumps. Why can’t everyone engineer suspensions this competent?
Complicated interiors are a pet peeve of mine, so Vee Dub’s no-nonsense cabins fit in nicely with my ethos. Every Volkswagen model features easy-to-read gauges and well-labeled, easy-to-find switchgear. The new 2019 Jetta comes with regular analog gauges in the low-end models, while the SEL can be had with an optional video-screen panel that—surprise, surprise—mimics the analog gauges in the low end car. Whether you get the basic air conditioner or one with dual-zone climate control, everything is simple and sensible. Even the touch-screen infotainment system is easy to use. I drive a different car pretty much every day—hazard of the job—and I like Volkswagens because I know I won’t run off the road as I stare at the dash trying to figure out how to turn on the mother-loving defroster.
The problem with Volkswagen interiors is that they can easily veer off into dreary. And while the Jetta’s cabin isn’t exactly what you’d call bright and cheery, material quality is praiseworthy, with substantial fabrics and soft-touch plastics, even in the base-model S. (VW got lambasted for getting this wrong in the 2011 model, and they haven’t made that mistake again.) Space? There’s plenty of it for front-seat passengers, and back-seaters get adequate legroom and enough headroom that they need not fear clonking their noggins when getting in.
Not that the new 2019 Jetta gets everything right. While many have praised its exterior looks, to me it seems though the grille and headlights are sliding off the front of the car and the trunk is growing down over the taillights. Add in all those creases in the bodywork, and it leaves the impression that it’s been left out in the sun too long, where it’s withered, dried out, and started to melt. (One man’s opinion, mind you.)
Then there’s long term quality and reliability, areas where Volkswagen has historically struggled. In an effort to counter that reputation and provide new owners with peace of mind, the automaker has just introduced an epic 6 year/72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty which is fully transferable to the Jetta’s second owner. Smart move.
So why am I still agonizing over this review?
The problem I’m having is that I simply don’t find the 2019 Jetta all that interesting when taken as a whole. Now, one might argue that when you’re shopping for a daily driver priced in the low 20s, excitement isn’t on the menu. But I’d argue that you only need to go back a few years to look at the fourth-gen Jetta, sold from 1999 until 2007 (and still sold in China if you’re up for the trip). That Jetta occupied the same niche, and it was interesting.
It’s a point that’s magnified when you consider the cars the Jetta competes against. First and foremost is the Mazda3, the enthusiasts’ delight, though it’s short on back-seat space compared to the Jetta. The Honda Civic drives well and possesses some of the same character that marked the Mark IV Jetta. And let’s not forget about the Ford Focus. It may have one foot in the grave, but it’s still good to drive. Even the Chevrolet Cruze seems marginally more interesting than the Jetta, although this may well be an illusion. Heck, I’d even prefer Volkswagen’s own Golf.
From all the measurable data points, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a great car: Powerful, efficient, roomy, and good value for money. But then there is that which cannot be measured, that inherent sense of fun some cars have and others don’t. At least to me, the Jetta doesn’t seem to have that it factor. And it’s driving me nuts.
0 notes
jesusvasser · 6 years ago
Text
Quick Take: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
I’ve spent far more time agonizing over my review of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta than I’d care to admit. After all, the Jetta is a car that ticks all the boxes, delivering just about everything anyone would want in a compact family sedan. But I’m having a hard time getting excited about the new Jetta—and it’s driving me to the very edge of sanity.
Let’s talk about all the things the new generation Jetta does right. First and foremost is the engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged mighty mite that puts out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Forget the numbers, because the bottom line is this thing scoots. Our colleagues down the hall at Motor Trend timed the automatic version I drove to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds—not as quick as the Honda Civic 1.5T but respectable performance. I also found the Jetta has plenty of mid-range punch. Yes, it’s an overused phrase, but one that accurately describes what a small turbo four does best.
What small turbo fours often don’t do best is fuel economy, even though this is supposed to be their raison d’etre. A few years back, I did a back-to-back drive of sixth-generation Jettas, one with a 1.8-liter turbo four and the other with the then-new 1.4T. The smaller engine actually delivered worse fuel economy. It needed to keep the turbo boiling in order to stay on the pace, and when the turbo is working, the fuel is a-flowin’. So I took the Jetta’s 34 mpg EPA combined figure with a grain of salt.
I shouldn’t have, because here, too, the Jetta delivered. The Automobile staff sampled two different Jettas, a base-model Jetta S and a top-of-the-line SEL, and both averaged in the low 30s on the car’s instant readout, a good showing considering we have an office full of lead-footed car hacks. If the trip computer is to be believed, the SEL managed 40.9 mpg on one leg of my commute, a mix of stop-and-go traffic and high-speed freeway running, while the S strained credulity by returning better than 45 mpg on the same route.
Handling? That’s all good as well. Though I didn’t have a chance to really wring either Jetta out on my favorite curvy roads, I have enough experience in other MQB-platform based Volkswagens to express confidence that they know their way through the tight turns. I like the Jetta’s light steering and steady ride, which delivers decent feedback but doesn’t kick over sharp bumps. Why can’t everyone engineer suspensions this competent?
Complicated interiors are a pet peeve of mine, so Vee Dub’s no-nonsense cabins fit in nicely with my ethos. Every Volkswagen model features easy-to-read gauges and well-labeled, easy-to-find switchgear. The new 2019 Jetta comes with regular analog gauges in the low-end models, while the SEL can be had with an optional video-screen panel that—surprise, surprise—mimics the analog gauges in the low end car. Whether you get the basic air conditioner or one with dual-zone climate control, everything is simple and sensible. Even the touch-screen infotainment system is easy to use. I drive a different car pretty much every day—hazard of the job—and I like Volkswagens because I know I won’t run off the road as I stare at the dash trying to figure out how to turn on the mother-loving defroster.
The problem with Volkswagen interiors is that they can easily veer off into dreary. And while the Jetta’s cabin isn’t exactly what you’d call bright and cheery, material quality is praiseworthy, with substantial fabrics and soft-touch plastics, even in the base-model S. (VW got lambasted for getting this wrong in the 2011 model, and they haven’t made that mistake again.) Space? There’s plenty of it for front-seat passengers, and back-seaters get adequate legroom and enough headroom that they need not fear clonking their noggins when getting in.
Not that the new 2019 Jetta gets everything right. While many have praised its exterior looks, to me it seems though the grille and headlights are sliding off the front of the car and the trunk is growing down over the taillights. Add in all those creases in the bodywork, and it leaves the impression that it’s been left out in the sun too long, where it’s withered, dried out, and started to melt. (One man’s opinion, mind you.)
Then there’s long term quality and reliability, areas where Volkswagen has historically struggled. In an effort to counter that reputation and provide new owners with peace of mind, the automaker has just introduced an epic 6 year/72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty which is fully transferable to the Jetta’s second owner. Smart move.
So why am I still agonizing over this review?
The problem I’m having is that I simply don’t find the 2019 Jetta all that interesting when taken as a whole. Now, one might argue that when you’re shopping for a daily driver priced in the low 20s, excitement isn’t on the menu. But I’d argue that you only need to go back a few years to look at the fourth-gen Jetta, sold from 1999 until 2007 (and still sold in China if you’re up for the trip). That Jetta occupied the same niche, and it was interesting.
It’s a point that’s magnified when you consider the cars the Jetta competes against. First and foremost is the Mazda3, the enthusiasts’ delight, though it’s short on back-seat space compared to the Jetta. The Honda Civic drives well and possesses some of the same character that marked the Mark IV Jetta. And let’s not forget about the Ford Focus. It may have one foot in the grave, but it’s still good to drive. Even the Chevrolet Cruze seems marginally more interesting than the Jetta, although this may well be an illusion. Heck, I’d even prefer Volkswagen’s own Golf.
From all the measurable data points, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a great car: Powerful, efficient, roomy, and good value for money. But then there is that which cannot be measured, that inherent sense of fun some cars have and others don’t. At least to me, the Jetta doesn’t seem to have that it factor. And it’s driving me nuts.
0 notes