Tag Archives: Sales

New Car Sales Down But Prices, Profits Up in December

December sales are expected to be lower according to forecasts.

Depressed December new-vehicle sales may have automakers facing a blue Christmas, but retailers are seeing record high transaction prices.

That’s the takeaway from two new reports from J.D. Power and TrueCar. And unlike previous years, don’t expect a big sales blowout to clear the lots.

“Historically, December is a big month for the industry as OEMs and dealerships work to close out the calendar year with strong sales. The last week of the month is also typically the biggest week of the year in terms of sales volumes but it’s unlikely to happen this year due to continued inventory shortages and declining incentives,” said Nick Woolard, lead industry analyst at TrueCar.

December retail sales decline from 2020

A joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive forecasts new vehicle retail sales this of 1,105,800 units this month. That’s a 17.4% decrease compared with December 2020, when adjusted for selling days. (This year has one fewer sales day than last year.) Without the adjustment, year-over-year sales dropped 20.4% in 2020.

Similarly, TrueCar predicts U.S. retail deliveries of new cars and light trucks to be 1,024,263 units, down 27% from a year ago and on par with November 2021.

That number excludes fleet sales. Fleet sales are even more depressed, according to TrueCar. The expectation for December 2021 is a 29% decrease in sales from a year ago and decline of 3% from November 2021 when adjusted for the same number of selling days.

Vehicles continue to be in short supply, with nearly 57% of vehicles selling within 10 days of arriving at a dealership. That’s a record, according to J.D. Power, which notes that vehicles remain on dealer lots for a mere 17 days, a record low, and down from 49 days a year ago. TrueCar pegs that number at 18 days, up from previous months, but still near historic lows.

The average new vehicle transaction price is expected to reach $45,743 this month.

Short supply fueling higher prices

The short supply of new vehicles is leading to higher average transaction prices.

“While the inventory situation has improved modestly since November, supply remains well below the level at which consumer demand for new vehicles can be met. Intense demand with this limited supply is resulting in prices continuing to increase,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics at J.D. Power.

King notes average transaction prices are expected to reach a record $45,743 this month, 20% higher than December 2020 and the first time that number has passed $45,000.

The higher prices are the result of reduced incentive spending by OEMs, with the average manufacturer incentive per vehicle totaling $1,598, a decrease of $2,291 from a year ago. That’s 3.5% of the average vehicle MSRP, down from almost 5.5% a year ago, according to King.

Automakers have drastically cut incentive spending, leading to higher prices.

TrueCar’s forecast a similar story, with automaker incentive spending down 55%. This is leading to an average transaction price projected to increase 7.5% from December 2020 and rise 2.5% from November 2021. 

Incentive spending is tumbling, according to TrueCar. Year over year, General Motors cut its incentive spending 64.7%, the most of any automaker. Nissan cut its spending 57%, Hyundai 54%, Toyota 53.5%, Volkswagen Group 51.35%, BMW 47.3%, Stellantis 46.5%, Ford 41.8%, Kia 41.6%, Honda 40.9%, Daimler 37% and Subaru 31.9 percent. Subaru was lowest by dollar amount of the OEMs examined at $1,006. Daimler was the highest at $2,738.

Who’s benefitting most? Retailers

But retailers are benefitting from current market conditions. Although volume is lower, Dealers’ profit per unit — inclusive of grosses and finance & insurance income — is forecast to hit a record $5,258, up from $3,277 from a year ago. This has led to record dealer profits, which are projected to be up 254% from December 2019, reaching an industry aggregate revenue of $5.8 billion — an industry record. 

The higher prices are leading to record retailer profits.

And the strong vehicle demand for new vehicles is fueling record used vehicle prices, which is giving buyers more equity on their trade-ins, with the average trade-in equity for December expected to reach $10,199, up from $4,623 from a year ago, and an 83% increase. That increased equity helps make pricier vehicles more affordable, as has a decrease in the average interest rate in December. It’s expected to decline nine basis points to 4.05 percent.

But increased equity and lower interest rates hasn’t helped fitting a car payment into the family budget. The average new vehicle payment is expected to reach $680, up $78 from December 2020, and a record high, according to Power. TrueCar paints a similar picture, with the average interest rate on new vehicles is 4.3% and the average interest rate on used vehicles is 7.5%. The average loan term for both new and used vehicles is 70 months.

2022 should be better than 2021

When it comes time total calendar year sales, expectations are for an improvement from 2020. 

Supply should improve next year, but will remain near record lows.

“Full year 2021 will still show a solid sales increase from 2020. The year-over-year sales declines experienced every month in the second half of 2021 were not enough to wash the record sales pace in the first half of the year,” King said.

But it should improve during the next 12 months.

“Indications are that shipments will rise incrementally as the year goes on, allowing sales to rise from 2021 levels. However, pent-up consumer demand will keep inventory levels near historical lows,” King said.

TrueCar also sees inventories improving, but incrementally.

“We continue to see signals of stability and in some cases, slight improvement. One such indicator, our scarcity measure, shows improvement in recent months for both new and used vehicles,” said Valeri Tompkins, senior vice president of OEM Solutions at TrueCar. “However, questions still remain as to the trajectory of improvement we can expect to see in 2022.”

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First Look: 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge

Who would have thought you could make the Rolls-Royce Ghost look so sinister?

Rolls-Royce revealed a new addition to the Rolls-Royce Ghost line-up in Miami Thursday — the Black Badge — during a North America dealer meeting that saw about 100 retailers meet with the automaker’s top executives. 

The automaker revealed the new model to dealers at the Mad nightclub in the hip and trendy Wynnewood section of Miami, and will do the same for customers later this week.

“We just felt this was very Black Badge,” said Richard Carter, director of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It’s very, noir; It’s very alternative; and that’s the essence of Black Badge.”

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expands a line-up that began with the Wraith coupe, followed by the Phantom sedan in 2016, the Dawn cabriolet in 2017 and the Cullinan SUV in 2019. The murdered-out Black Badge models now account for more than 27% of Rolls-Royce sales worldwide, including 40% of Cullinan sales.

The darker side of opulence

To realize the Ghost Black Badge’s menacing demeanor, the company uses 100 pounds of the industry’s darkest black paint. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille are darkened using a chrome electrolyte applied during chrome plating. The new model wears exclusive 21-inch wheels with as many as 44 layers of carbon fiber.

The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in more that 44,000 different hues, although most Black Badge customers choose black.

As you’d expect, interior components are darkened including air vents and the wood veneer, along with Black Badge badging and other unique interior touches, although clients are free to specify any number of colors and trim to be used on the car’s interior.

Engineers also contributed, fitting larger air springs to alleviate body roll during assertive cornering. There’s also roughly 29 additional horsepower and a revised transmission to make the Black Badge a bit more athletic. They also reduced brake pedal travel.

A quick turn behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes revealed a car that can be driven more aggressively than your average Ghost. Grip is impressive while cornering, staying firmly planted despite some noticeable body roll. Body motions never become excessive, and rebound over bumps is very well controlled. Yet its agility doesn’t come at the expense of the brand’s legendary comfort.

An idea born in Beverly Hills

The idea of Black Badge occurred in 2014 in Beverly Hills.

“This whole notion of the alter ego of Rolls Royce, the slightly noir, naughty, edgy side of Rolls Royce is something that we were thinking about. We were looking at ways and means of lowering the age profile of our brand,” Carter said.

The Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy also receive the Black Badge treatment.

At the time, the brand had one model, the Phantom, and an average buyer’s age of 57. “We were selling one model to a dying set of customers, and there was no future in that,” he said.

At the time, the company was about to release the first-generation Ghost, followed by its two-door spinoff, the Wraith, both of which would attract younger buyers. But the company needed more. They were searching for an idea, but hadn’t settled on anything yet.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was waiting for a car to pick him up at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills when a murdered-out Phantom Coupe pulled up. Ötvös was stunned, and asked the owner why he modified his Phantom.

“He told me over the weekend, that he wants to be a different kind of character,” Ötvös said. “For some of the week, he is friendly and nice. But over the weekend, he wants to be something different. He enjoyed playing a different role; how he was dressed, looked and talked.” 

A couple weeks later, Ötvös had similar experiences particularly in the United States, particularly in California. This led to the creation of Black Badge at a time where murdered-out cars weren’t mainstream.

A surprising success

The Ghost Black Badge is revealed for the first time at the Mad nightclub in Miami.

Initially, executives expected Black Badge models to have a 10%-15% take rate. But they were mistaken. It turned out to be a stunning success, with a far higher take rate. Currently, Black Badge represents 40% of Cullinan sales. Black Badge, along with new models like Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, have brought the average Rolls-Royce buyer’s age down to 43, quite a large drop in a little less than a decade. 

“We are even younger than Mini as a brand in the BMW Group,” Ötvös said, who then explained that the type of wealthy car buyer has changed. 

“When you look into ultra-high net worth individuals, those people who are our target group worldwide, they became younger and younger over time because the way to generate wealth is very, very different from what it used to be 15-to-20 years ago.”

Rolls-Royce sees its Black Badge line as one that appeals to iconoclasts, a type of buyer that the brand has always attracted, particularly during the pre-World War II years, when all coachwork was custom built.

“Black Badge was the most instrumental piece we had in an all-new brand strategy to massively decrease the average age and illuminate the brand in a significant way,” Ötvös said. 

Mission accomplished.

First Look: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The new Mitsubishi Outlander already has proven to be one of the most important products the long-struggling automaker has launched in its bid to become relevant to U.S. motorists again. Now, Mitsubishi is hoping to gain even more traction with the upcoming launch of a plug-in hybrid version.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Hero Image
The gas-powered 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander made its debut in February.

The Japanese automaker claims it will yield more range than the old Outlander PHEV, at an estimated 87 km, or nearly 55 miles, per charge — though that’s using the global WLTP test cycle and will likely come down once the American version is tested by the EPA.

“With low (carbon dioxide) emissions and environmental impact from manufacturing and use,” said Takao Kato, MMC’s president and CEO, “the all-new Outlander PHEV model can be considered the best solution for carbon neutrality today.”

Updated, upgraded drivetrain

The Outlander was first introduced in 2001 and, with the fourth generation, it has become a core part of the brand, accounting for about 20% of its global volume. The first plug-in hybrid version was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. It produced a combined 197 horsepower by pairing a 2.0-liter inline-4 gas engine with twin 60-kilowatt electric motors drawing power from a 12 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

The new Outlander PHEV gets numerous powertrain upgrades, though the automaker isn’t releasing hard specs yet. In a statement announcing the new vehicle it said the plug-in gets “an increase of around 40% in the output of the front and rear motors and drive battery.” The lithium-ion pack, it did note, jumps to 20 kWh. The gas engine, added a spokesman, is a “slightly updated” version of the old PHEV’s 2.4-liter package.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV charging port 2022
The new Outlander plug-in hybrid will arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2022.

Mitsubishi also revealed, “The power drive unit for the front motor is newly equipped with a booster function which bolsters driving force by raising the supply of voltage to the front motor while simultaneously improving electricity consumption by raising the efficiency of the generator.”

Third row added

The automaker also took steps to downsize some of the hardware, notably the rear motor and control unit. As a result, the new plug-in will gain room for a third row yielding space for seven occupants.

The drive system now will allow One-Pedal Driving, as well, a feature that effectively allows motorists to minimize the need to jump from throttle to brake when driving in light to moderate traffic. That feature was found to be extremely popular with EV owners, according to the recent J.D. Power Technology Experience Index.

With only modest tweaks, the plug-in adopts the same exterior and interior design as the gas-powered Outlander. The overall strategy is based on a concept dubbed “I-Fu-Do-Do,” which means “authentic” and “majestic” in Japanese.

New design

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV badge 2022
The new Outlander PHEV is expected to travel more than 55 miles in electric-only mode.

The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander adopted a new styling language called “Dynamic Shield.” Up front, it features a more upright nose with a pinched, dual-level grille and stacked headlamps. From the side, the SUV features a more deeply sculpted silhouette with a bit of a floating roof element.

The automaker clearly wanted to give the new Outlander a more solid and robust look, with such touches as 20-inch wheels and tires and what it calls the Hexagon Guard rear end.

The new SUV grew larger in virtually all dimensions, the width expanding by 2 inches. That means the cabin of the new Outlander is both wider and more spacious than the outgoing model, Mitsubishi adopting more upscale materials and features like tri-zone climate controls, real aluminum panels and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

The gas-powered Outlander is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 that bumped up power by 8.9 percent. At the same time, it reduced fuel consumption by 2.6 percent.

Pricing TBD

Many of the features from the current model are expected to carry over into the PHEV, though Mitsubishi hasn’t provided specific details. The gas model offers Hill Descent Control and Trailer Stability Assist. A Multiview camera system helps drivers see what’s around the vehicle, whether on-road or off. Other features for the new Mitsubishi Outlander include a power-operated panoramic roof and an electrically operated tailgate that can be opened with a kick of the foot under the rear bumper.

Pricing for the gas model starts at $25,795 — plus $1,195 in delivery fees. Pricing for the PHEV is expected to run higher, though the numbers won’t be released until closer to sales launch. That holds for a variety of other specs, including U.S. range, power and performance.

“Sales will commence in Japan on Dec. 16, followed by Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2022 and North America in the second half of 2022,” Mitsubishi said in a statement. While it did not offer specifics, that would suggest that the Outlander PHEV will be marketed as a 2023 model in the U.S.

Slow Tease of Fifth-Gen Acura Integra Continues with New Photo

Acura’s move back to the future continued today with another glimpse at the next-generation model of the Integra compact sports car. The second photo released by the brand offers a pretty good look at the rear of the vehicle.

2022 Acura Integra Teaser
Acura’s been teasing the return of the Integra in 2022. The first picture was of the headlight above.

From the photo, it’s easy to see that it will definitely come back offering at least a four-door model, although the original came in both two- and four-door versions. This isn’t a compact car that goes fast, this is a compact sports car based on the long, low roof line.

It’s going to look pretty athletic based on the rear haunch of a quarter panel that blends into the taillights that sweep from the side of the car down across the back. That wide almost-expansive look carries over to the rear bumper runs from partway up each side of the car and across in a simple, sharp curve.

Honda’s sports and luxury brand first reintroduced the idea of the Integra’s return in the middle of August, as part of its return to conventional nomenclature. 

At an event in Monterey, California leading up to the weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Japanese automaker sent a flock of drones into the sky where they formed into the shape of the original 1986 sports coupe. Moments later, they transformed into a silhouette of what will be the next-generation Integra — and the number “2022.”

Soon afterwards, the automaker confirmed, “The Integra is back,” Jon Ikeda, vice president and Acura brand officer, declared. “I’m thrilled to say Integra is returning to the Acura line-up with the same fun-to-drive spirit and DNA of the original, fulfilling our commitment to Precision Crafted Performance in every way — design, performance and the overall driving experience.”

Honda Targets 70,000 Annual Sales for Prologue EV — Depending Upon “Fair and Equitable” U.S. Incentives

Honda expects to sell 70,000 of its Prologue battery-electric vehicles annually after its launch in 2024 — but today warned it could fall short if federal lawmakers fail to take a “fair and equitable” approach to the new EV incentive program now being debated in Congress.

Honda Prologue teaser logo
Honda’s been teasing its all-electric Prologue sport-utility vehicle.

The Honda Prologue will be one of two BEVs that the carmaker plans to launch mid-decade, both developed and manufactured as part of a joint venture with General Motors. That’s part of its goal of having BEVs and other zero-emission vehicles account for 40% of its sales by 2030. Honda plans to subsequently introduce more BEVs of its own design.

“Launching our first volume BEV in 2024 is the start of an exciting new direction for Honda,” Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said in a statement. “We are working with our dealers to plan the transition from sales of primarily gasoline-powered vehicles to selling 100% electric vehicles by 2040.”

Honda wants more money from Congress

President Joe Biden recently set a target that would have BEVs, PHEVs and fuel-cell vehicles, or FCVs, account for 50% of U.S. sales by 2030. To get there, the president is asking Congress to help fund a nationwide network of 500,000 chargers. Congress, meanwhile, is working up new EV sales incentives. But that has generated significant controversy as a plan approved by the House Ways & Means Committee would not only extend the current, $7,500 tax credits but add $5,000 for EVs and batteries built in the U.S. using union labor.

Honda last week condemned those provisions, sending a letter to Congressional leaders arguing that the plan “discriminates among EVs made by hard-working American auto workers based simply on whether they belong to a union.”

While a target of 70,000 Prologues may not seem like much compared to Tesla’s numbers, it equates to an average year for the Honda Pilot.

In the statement issued today, it followed up by saying reaching its 40% zero-emission target for the U.S. is “contingent upon fair and equitable access to state and federal EV incentives intended to encourage American consumers to purchase electric vehicles.”

Coming from behind

Honda was a pioneer of automotive electrification. Its original Insight, a high-mileage two-seater, was the first mass market hybrid to go on sale in the U.S., beating the Toyota Prius to showrooms by several months.

It briefly introduced a limited-volume battery-electric model, the EV Plus, in the late 1990s. And it followed up, nearly two decades later, with a battery-powered version of the Clarity line. That low-range model was dropped in 2020.

The automaker has come under increasing pressure to bring out a long-range BEV with key competitors like Toyota, Ford and even Subaru and Mazda getting into the growing electric vehicle market.

In April, Toshihiro Mibe, who became global president and CEO earlier this year, set a goal of having all Honda vehicles powered by some form of battery and hydrogen drive system by 2030. They are expected to generate 40% of its North American sales by the end of the decade, 80% by 2035, and 100% by the end of the next decade.

Honda turns to its partner

The GM-Honda relationship began more than two decades ago.

To speed up the process, Honda turned to General Motors — the two traditional rivals already having several joint ventures in the works, including one focused on fuel-cell technology, another on autonomous vehicles.

“Leveraging strategic partners to achieve scale and mitigate initial investment requirements” will let Honda bring a competitive battery-car to market sooner than it could on its own, Gardner acknowledged during a media briefing in June. “Our zero-emission focus has begun,” he said.

While the 70,000 sales target might seem modest compared to the volumes some new BEVs — particularly those from Tesla — are generating, the figure is roughly in line with annual demand for the Honda Pilot SUV.

A regional approach to sales

When it launched the original EV Plus, Honda focused primarily on the California market, the largest for BEVs. While manufacturers like Tesla, General Motors, Ford and Nissan now are rolling out their battery-electric cars nationwide, Honda plans to continue focusing on select markets with Prologue.

Honda put an end to its battery-electric Clarity sedan in 2020.

“Honda’s initial approach to selling the Prologue will be regional, focusing on California and the ZEV states, including the BEV-friendly Sunbelt states of Texas and Florida,” it said in a statement today. “Honda anticipates these regions will represent the bulk of sales at the onset of launch due to higher customer acceptance and regulatory requirements.

“As EV infrastructure expands and customer interest grows nationwide, the company will rapidly expand sales and marketing efforts to other areas of the country.”

More to come

The automaker has provided no specific details about Prologue’s drivetrain beyond the fact it will share the Ultium battery technology GM will launch later this year, starting with models like the GMC Hummer pickup and Cadillac Lyriq SUV. That would suggest that Honda’s electric SUV will deliver at least 250 miles or more of range between charges.

Honda has been completely mum about the second vehicle to come from its GM alliance. But it did note that subsequent battery-powered cars will rely on its own new e-Architecture. That is expected to follow the same skateboard-style approach used for Ultium, with its batteries and key drive components mounted below the load floor.

Mercedes Pushes the All-Electric Performance Envelope with AMG EQS

Even as the first new Mercedes EQS begins rolling into showrooms, the German automaker is rolling out two more variants of the flagship sedan at the first-ever Munich Motor Show. And the new AMG EQS highlights the sort of performance Mercedes’ muscle car brand plans to deliver as it shifts to all-electric propulsion.

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS
The new EQS is, like so many other Mercedes models, getting the AMG treatment.

The initial version of the EQS certainly isn’t a slouch, delivering anywhere from 329 to 526 horsepower. But the AMG edition takes that to a new level, the big sedan punching out as much as 751 hp when its boost function is triggered. That’s nearly 25% more than the gas-powered AMG S 63.

“The AMG EQS is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment (and) will undoubtedly appeal to and win over a new clientele for Mercedes-AMG,” Philipp Schiemer, chairman of the performance brand’s board. “It is tailor-made for car enthusiasts who are looking for a combination of innovative electric mobility in a luxurious ambience, coupled with sportiness and agile driving dynamics.”

Taking on Tesla

The decision to deliver an electrified version of the EQS should come as no surprise. The rival Tesla Model S has been stealing buyers from not only the mainstream Mercedes S-Class, but also AMG models like the S 63 with the addition of its Model S Performance and Plaid editions.

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS - rear 3-4
The Mercedes-AMG EQS is expected to race from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

AMG aims to tap into the performance benefits offered by electric motors — which deliver maximum, off-the-line torque the moment they start spinning. That will permit the AMG EQS to launch from 0 to 100 kmh, or 0 to 62 mph, in an estimated 3.4 seconds on models equipped with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Like the initial version of the EQS, the AMG edition will be powered by a 107.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, though it will use modified wiring to increase the amount of power that can be sent to the big sedan’s wheels. That will allow a normal output of up to 649 hp, briefly jumping to 751 hp when in boost mode. That also will bump up torque from 700 to 752 pound-feet.

The system uses twin motors, with the primary one mounted on the rear axle. Along with the increase in wiring capacity, the AMG EQS takes several steps to keep the motors cool under aggressive driving. That includes a “water lance” in the rotor shafts, as well as a transmission oil cooler.

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS - interior
The new AMG EQS features Mercedes’ new Hyperscreen technology.

Range and charging

The automaker isn’t yet quoting range but the AMG model is expected to deliver less than the more mainstream EQS which is rated at 770 kilometers, or nearly 480 miles, per charge using the European WLTP test cycle.

The 400-volt drive system can be charged at up to 200 kW at quick-charging stations, yielding an additional 300 km, or 186 miles, in just 19 minutes.

The AMG EQS rides on a modified version of Mercedes’ new EVA2 architecture, a skateboard-like platform that mounts most of its powertrain components below the load floor. That eliminates the driveshaft tunnel normally required on vehicles with AMG 4Matic all-wheel drive, and allows for more interior space than the conventional S-Class.

The new EQS adopts what might be thought of as a “one-box” or, as Gorden Wagener, Mercedes’ global design director prefers, a “one-bow” design. With only subtle deviation, a single, curved line flows over the top of the vehicle from bumper to bumper.

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS - front 3-4 turning
The AMG EQS rides on a modified version of Mercedes’ new EVA2 architecture, a skateboard-like platform that mounts most of its powertrain components below the load floor.

“It’s all about proportion,” said Wagener, during the launch of the initial EQS last April. “We managed to keep the balance, go to the edge in design and tech, but … not leave anyone behind.”

Unique features

As with other AMG models, the performance version of the EQS features a number of design tweaks. These include:

  • Front splitter in high-gloss black with chrome trim and also flics and fins on the air intakes, with air curtains on the left and right in high-gloss black with chrome trim
  • AMG side sill panels in high-gloss black
  • Rear bumper in the color of the car with aerodynamically optimized diffuser with six longitudinal fins
  • Larger rear spoiler (compared to AMG Line), to improve driving dynamics: rear lift is reduced without increasing drag
  • 21- or 22-inch AMG aerodynamically optimized alloy wheels

Inside, the EQS gets a modified version of the new Mercedes Hyperscreen which stretches virtually pillar to pillar across the instrument panel. The Hyperscreen is optional on the standard EQS but standard here.

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS - rear
The AMG model is expected to deliver less than the more mainstream EQS which is rated at 770 kilometers, or nearly 480 miles, per charge using the European WLTP test cycle.

Enhancing performance and handling

Other standard features include the AMG Dynamic Plus system which not only improves performance and handling but also adds unique “Soundscapes.” These are, essentially, sound tracks specifically designed to enhance the perception of performance driving, replacing the traditional sound of a gasoline engine.

AMG’s Ride Control+ suspension with adjustable damping also comes standard. So does rear-wheel steering which is optional on the “base” EQS.

At speeds below 37 mph, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels. This makes the AMG EQS highly maneuverable, light-footed and nimble” in urban driving, Mercedes explains. While at speeds above 37 mph, “the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels. As a result, the virtually extended wheelbase offers increased handling stability and driving safety at high speeds, and during fast lane changes or sudden evasive maneuvers.”

High-performance compound brakes capable of regenerating energy while slowing or coasting come standard. Among the options offered on the AMG model, buyers can opt for carbon-ceramic compound brakes.

Pricing will be revealed closer to launch. The base Mercedes EQS will reach U.S. showrooms later this year, the EQS AMG set to follow in early 2022.

Ford Puts Kibosh on Possible Bronco Pickup

Some Bronco fans thought the Jeep Wrangler wasn’t the only vehicle Ford would take on with the new Bronco. Upon its return, Ford officials said Bronco would be a “family” of vehicles, leading to plenty of speculation about what that could mean. 

Ford Bronco family
The Bronco and Bronco Sport are just the beginning of a “family” of vehicles, Ford officials said when they debuted.

Apparently, it no longer means a truck to compete with the Jeep Gladiator. The original Bronco from the late ’60s did come with a pickup option, but the new models will not, according to Automotive News. The publication cited two sources “knowledgeable about the decision.”

Ford typically doesn’t comment on future products, but spokesman Mike Levine told Automotive News “we continue to see strong demand for our full portfolio of rugged trucks and SUVs, including our Bronco-brand utilities and our best-selling Ford truck line-up.”

The plans reportedly called for a pickup model to arrive as a 2024 model, built at Wayne (MI) Truck Plant where the Bronco and Ford Ranger midsize pickup are currently produced. Ford officials never formally confirmed the existence of a pickup truck.

A family of vehicles

For now anyway, anyone wanting a Bronco pickup is going to have shop the used market for this 1966 Bronco.

When the Bronco and Bronco Sport were introduced in July 2020, Ford officials noted there were plans for additional vehicles beyond the two- and four-door Bronco and Bronco Sport — a family. Details weren’t provided but there has been plenty of speculation about what it could mean.

At the time, officials suggested they would always sport Ford’s “Blue Oval” badge, but the automaker would push Bronco as its own unique brand. Mark Grueber, the Bronco marketing chief, told TheDetroitBureau.com back then one of its hallmarks will be that every vehicle will be equipped with all-wheel drive, something it believes will give Bronco a leg up on competitors like Jeep and Land Rover.

Naturally, fans were left to explore what that could mean in terms of actual products. Part of that including the now-dead pickup as well as a variety of performance variants, including the Warthog or Raptor (both names have bandied about for the same vehicle), which is akin to the Raptor line-up for the automaker’s F-Series pickups.

Ford Bronco R Baja 1000 Testing
The Bronco Type R racer clearly hints at what a Raptor might look like — albeit without the tube frame.

The company produced a Baja-style model, dubbed the Bronco Type R, that raced in Mexico. That version, if it comes to life, may be called the Wildtrack. Then, there’s the potential for an EV model. Ford’s massively invested in battery electrics to the tune of at least $22 billion. Further, Ford CEO Jim Farley added a little gas to that fire in May via Twitter. 

When asked by a Tesla fan on Twitter about why there isn’t an electric version of more new products coming out, specifically the Bronco, Farley’s response was “Why do you think we dont?” 

Former CEO Jim Hackett confirmed in 2018 that a Bronco hybrid was also coming.

A plug-in would allow Ford to take direct aim against Bronco’s key rival, the Jeep Wrangler. A PHEV model — the Wrangler 4xe — went on sale last month. It can run 21 miles in all-electric mode, according to the EPA, while Jeep noted the 4xe can operate for at least three hours on batteries alone while off-roading.

“I would be shocked” if Ford didn’t electrify the Bronco, Sam Abuelsamid, principal auto analyst for Guidehouse Insights in Chicago told TheDetroitBureau.com in May.

Toyota Giving Avalon Sedan the Ax After ’22 Model Year

Toyota spruced up the Avalon with the Nightshade package for 2021. It’s ending production after the 2021 model year.

Everybody’s buying crossovers, sport-utilities and trucks these days, but officials within Toyota’s North American operations consistently maintain the company is happy to remain one of the top producers of sedans — but it’s cutting the Avalon from its line-up after the 2022 model year.

The move, first reported by Automotive News, was outlined in a letter to suppliers, and later confirmed by the automaker. The sedan is built at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. It will leave the company with four sedans, one of which is the Mirai, the company’s fuel-cell model that sells in very low volume right now.

The Avalon is the Japanese brand’s largest offering in the segment. Refreshed in 2019 and due for an update next year, the fifth-generation model is selling well this year, up 36.6% through the first six months of the year. However, of the five sedans in the company’s line-up, it was the laggard, trailing Camry, Corolla and Prius. 

In fact, the Prius sold 28,000 more units through June than the Avalon. However, it did outperform one four-door model: the aforementioned Mirai. However, the fuel-cell sedan — by percentages — smoked the Avalon, seeing a 664.1% jump in first-half sales.

The Avalon’s been the brand’s flagship model for 26 years.

We like sedans

Last week, Toyota’s U.S. sales chief Bob Carter reiterated the company’s commitment to the segment during an online meeting with reporters.

“As a company — both Toyota and Lexus — we sold nearly 70,000 sedans last month,” he said. “Compare that to the other companies out there, that’s a very dominant number. There are consumers out there, even at 20% of the industry we’re looking at 4, 4.25 million sales out there so there is a market.”

Carter conceded the profits may be lower on those vehicles, but “it is a profitable business for us.” However, it’s the large car segment that may be suffering the most in the sedan market, and the Avalon was also a laggard there too, outselling only the Nissan Maxima in the first half of the year. Plus, the top sellers in the very small segment are essentially muscle cars: the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300C. 

A New Interior for an Iconic Mercedes-Benz Model

Having first divulged the redesigned 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL’s architecture in May, Mercedes-Benz revealed another piece of the product puzzle Tuesday, unveiling the SL’s new cabin, even as test mule photos have already appeared online.

The new Mercedes-AMG SL’s center console.

“This roadster has stood for automotive fascination and desire for decades,” said Gorden Wagener Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. He characterizes the new SL’s interior as, “a great opportunity and challenge for design, because every designer wants to create icons. The result is a revolutionary interior experience caught between digital and analog luxury.”

More space for passengers

For the first time since the 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL R 129 model, the SL boasts a 2+2 seating configuration finished in single- or two-tone Nappa Leather, Nappa Leather with the now-ubiquitous diamond stitching, or a mix of Nappa Leather with Dinamica Race microfiber and contrasting topstitching in yellow or red. The last is, perhaps, the most ecologically sensitive choice, as Dinamica is an Italian-produced recycled microfiber made from polyester fibers and plastic bottles. 

While the addition of rear seats suggests the new model has a more spacious usable cabin, Mercedes-Benz did not provide any specifications. 

A far more refined interior

The new SL boasts a 2+2 seating configuration.

The new instrument panel is anchored by a center-mounted 11.9-inch center-mounted multimedia touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD instrument cluster.

The screen’s massive vertical orientation is a switch from the horizontal one used previously. It’s framed in a gently sinuous motif that envelopes the touchscreen and flows into the center console, offsetting the screen’s rectilinear form.

Mercedes-AMG’s signature air-conditioning vents used in the AMG GT dot the instrument panel, which has a far more integrated appearance, wrapping seamlessly into the doors, unlike the 2021 SL. The design’s finesse possesses an artistry clearly lacking in the previous model, which looked as if an engineer, not a designer, had cobbled together the interior.

The new instrument panel is anchored by a center-mounted 11.9-inch center-mounted multimedia touchscreen.

Technology

For many drivers, the performance of a vehicle’s infotainment system is as important as the car’s overall performance. In the SL’s case, the touchscreen uses the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience software, while the instrument cluster can be customized. A head-up display is optional, and can be personalized to match the instrument cluster’s appearance. Further technology details were not disclosed.

New ways to achieve old objectives

The new interior resides in a vehicle that adheres to the original SL’s goal of being Super Leicht, or Super Light. Engineers are using aluminum, steel, magnesium and composites to shed weight from the vehicle, with its spaceframe weighing in at 595 pounds.

“Compared to the previous model series, the torsional stiffness of the bodyshell structure increased by 18 percent. The transverse rigidity is 50% higher than that of the AMG GT Roadster, while the longitudinal rigidity is 40% higher,” said Jochen Hermann, chief technical officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The first-generation 300 SL roadster interior.

A model steeped in history

The company is calling the 2022 SL a “reinterpretation” of the original coupe from 1954. 

The SL’s life began as a racecar, one built with an innovative spaceframe design to keep weight down. Debuting at 1952 Mille Miglia, the 300 SL came in second, going on to win races at the Nürburgring, Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana.

Its success caught the attention of Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman, who asked Daimler-Benz to make a production version of the 300 SL race car. Debuting at the 1954 New York Auto Show, it featured roof-hinged gullwing doors and thick door sills, as the race car’s space frame design dictated using non-traditional doors.

The new 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL’s interior.

Its design would be built for three years until it was modified into a roadster, beginning the iconic car’s long history.

Mercedes-Benz is looking to reconnect the new model’s aura with that of its long-ago forbearer in the eyes of customers. “The new SL is the rebirth of an icon for the modern era,” said Philipp Schiemer, chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Given consumers declining appetite for coupes and roadsters, fielding a new SL is imperative. Having sold 7,007 units when last redesigned in 2013, last year, the SL found a mere 1,784 buyers, down nearly 75 percent. 

Time will tell if even the best that Mercedes-Benz has to offer is enough to entice buyers to once again consider an SL. 

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL ­— Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a new Mercedes SL coming out?

There’s an all-new redesigned SL-Class debuting for 2022 after a short hiatus. Expect to see it in showrooms by the end of the year.

How much will the 2022 Mercedes SL cost?

Pricing has not been announced, but its closest competitor is the BMW 8 Series Convertible which starts at $94,400.

What does SL mean on a Mercedes-Benz?

SL is an abbreviation from the German term Super-Leicht, or Super Light, and derives from the construction method used on the first SL, built in 1954.

2022 BMW 2 Series Coupes Coming Soon

BMW 2 Series coupes

The 2022 BMW 2 Series coupes are on their way. Dynamic testing, drivetrain, and suspension tuning on the two-door compact are nearing conclusion. Production begins in the late summer of 2021.

BMW 2 Series coupesThe new BMW 2 Series is being described as more nimble, agile, and powerful than previous models.

Tuning and testing at Nurburgring’s Nordschleife and on public roads around Munich, the new 2’s drivability is key.

BMW 2 Series coupes

The 230i and M240i AWD will be the first out of the gate, with the 230i xDrive and M240i to follow.

The M240i xDrive has a 3.0 liter, inline 6-cylinder TwinPower turbo under hood, producing 382 horsepower. Backed up by a standard 8-speed sport Steptronic automatic, alas there’s no mention of a manual transmission option.

xDrive AWD systems have an M sport rear differential to add traction and stability while accelerating, according to BMW.

BMW 2 Series coupes

There’s a front lip spoiler, splitter, air curtains, deflectors, and underfloor covers for the fuel tank and rear differential. BMW attributes a 50-percent reduction in front-end lift to the aerodynamic package.

Twelve percent more torsionally rigid than its predecessor, BMW has also increased front and rear tracks to add rigidity.

BMW 2 Series coupes

New shocks enhance ride comfort, while better responding to road conditions. The optional Adaptive M suspension adds electronically-controlled shocks with settings that are more dynamic or comfort-oriented.

Improved road feel comes from new, stiffer front axle support bearings. Another option, variable sports steering, reduces steering effort while improving driving feel.

Meanwhile, the 2 Series is out there killing cones in pursuit of fine-tuning the suspension. We’ve not yet reached the point of cone conservation.

[Images: BMW]