Why Suzuki is out of the car market in the USA, and why Mitsubishi is next.
Posted: April 25, 2013 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Independent, Japanese, Mind over motor, Mitsubishi, Recession, Recovery, Suzuki, Underperform, Underwhelming 4 Comments »
The recession had a serious effect on the American automobile market. We all know what happened to the Big Three. However, there are a few small Japanese companies that are definitely worth mentioning because they seem to hang on either by a thread, or by a sizable rope, in the US domestic market. Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, and Mitsubishi are the four non-major Japanese players in the US market. Well, they were. One of these four announced late on November 5, 2012 that they were pulling their automotive arm from the US market. So, allow me to say…and then there were three. But soon, I think there will be two. Read the rest of this entry »
Badge Engineering: How one got it right, and one got it utterly wrong.
Posted: December 6, 2012 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Bad Ideas, Badge Engineering, Cadillac Seville, Cimarron, design, Ford, General Motors, Good Ideas, Honda, Japan, Lincoln Versailles, Luxury, Mind over motor, USA 3 Comments »
The Cimarron, by Cadillac. A.K.A. The Cavalier, by Chevrolet.
Back in the 1970s, Cadillac and Lincoln were facing an onslaught of luxury imports. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Jaguar were all moving in on their sales and they needed to adapt to the newbies, which were just as luxurious (if not more) for a decent price, with better economy and reliability. Both brands went to the drawing board, and within two years of each other debuted a new, smaller model which was designed to give an owner the same experience as the bigger cars, but with a nod to better economy and practicality. Read the rest of this entry »
The Jaguar F-Type–Keeping Calm and Carrying On.
Posted: October 19, 2012 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS, INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2014, Automotive Insights, Classy, curves, F-Type, Flash, Future Vehicles, Industry Talk, Jaguar, Mind over motor, modern, Roadster, sexy, Supercharged, V6, V8 1 Comment »
Jaguar’s been one of the few companies in the past couple of years that hasn’t made a huge mistake with the models they sell. Yes, their product line isn’t as diverse as the competition, but what they have invested in is paying dividends, and the new F-Type is proof that their current focus is one I’m going to keep a close eye on in the near future. From the styling to the engine options revealed recently, I’m unashamed to say that I love this car even before I’ve seen it in the flesh.
The Death of Maybach: Al’s Thoughts
Posted: December 1, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS, INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 57, 62, Automotive Insights, Bentley, cancellation, Excelero, Exotic, Germany, high end, Landaulet, Limo, Luxury, Maybach, Mind over motor, Rolls-Royce, Super Luxury, Ultra-Rich 2 Comments »
Maybach 62S at the Pebble Beach Concours.
So, Maybach, as of six days ago, is on its way out, according to Daimler-Benz. Although the cars are pretty overwhelming to behold and definitely showstoppers, I’m not shedding that big of a tear. Yes, I finally got to drive one a few months back, and yes, I did enjoy it. But, when I look at just how the marque has performed in the market over the past decade, my general feelings about the brand have become more evident. Mercedes-Benz was very ambitious in launching the Maybach name, but not every name can be successful, and here are my thoughts on why I don’t think it succeeded. Read the rest of this entry »
We, the people of car enthusiasts of America, declare…
Posted: November 17, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Automotive News, Gray Market, Homeland Security, Important, Imports, Legality, Mind over motor, Petition, We The People 2 Comments »
The Delta Integrale, or, one of the last rally cars Lancia ever produced. It can't be imported legally now, but this petition would make that happen.
As many a car enthusiast is well-aware, the statute of limitations on any car imported to the United States expires after 25 years, which includes safety and emissions regulations, structural requirements such as bumper heights, and many other limitations. They are known as the “gray market” limitations and have created a black market for a good many cars that are not sold on the US domestic market. Currently, Homeland Security funds, which could be better spent elsewhere to perhaps secure our borders or possibly fight terror threats, get spent to keep a few cars out of the ports. Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota and the FT-86: The Wait Goes On
Posted: October 7, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Celica, Concept Car, Confusion, FR-S, FT-86, Mind over motor, Scion, Shenanigans, Sports Car, Sports Coupe, supra, Tokyo, Toyota, Wait Leave a comment »
Scion FR-S concept. Although each concept car looks different from the previous one, they share a shape.
While the rest of the world makes sports cars, Toyota is seemingly pretending to make one. The FT-86 has been on the mind of every gearhead in the world since at least 2008, but since then, Toyota has been constantly tossing the concept into a microwave and pressing Reheat for every car show since. Not many specifications have hit the press, and although a tie-up with Subaru has been announced, not a whole lot is really known for sure about it. What is going on here? Is Toyota afraid to release this car? Or will they ever release it? Or is this just a hoax (Just kidding.)? Read the rest of this entry »
Explaining the Death and Rebirth of the Wagon
Posted: September 8, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Acura, Automotive Insights, Cadillac, Chrysler, Cool, Crossover, Death, Enthusiasts, Ford, GM, Market, Mind over motor, Minivan, Rebirth, Segment, SUV, USA, Wagon Leave a comment »
The CTS-V wagon, or the ultimate way of getting the kids to school.
Wagons have a pretty colored history here in America. For ages and ages, they were the ride of choice for the American mom, with long wheelbases, huge interior room, smooth styling, and excellent visibility. However, starting before the beginning of the SUV craze, wagons somehow became uncool among America’s mainstream car buyers. Read the rest of this entry »
