FREE! Tallahassee's ONLY weekly print source for select Cars.com cars, trucks, SUVs and more!
ON-THE-MOVE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012
Confidence Comes Standard! Visit Cars.com for side-by-side comparisons, consumer, expert reviews and more! For advertising information, contact your local Cars.com On-The-Move Sales Team at 599-2329.
Jaguar hitting the reset button to rebuild the brand By James R. Healey USA TODAY
Storied British brand Jaguar is about to take the boldest steps in its modern life. It will add allwheel drive — which it never has had — on 2013 models and will offer more fuel-efficient super-
"*# "++ /#43+# (4)&%. " "33*4$#1 '4!, 2 ",1 04,#
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
'($####%&!&"&
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
charged V-6s and even turbocharged four-cylinder engines along with the V-8s that have been its stock in trade. It also will try to re-establish its sporting image by launching the F-type two-seater early next year. It’s the brand’s first true sports car since the
XKE that defined Jag in the 1960s and 1970s. The aluminum-bodied car will be unveiled in production form at the Paris Auto Show on Sept. 27. A camouflage-painted prototype made its first public appearance at a U.K. event in June. The hope is for the F-
0?",.=
type to be an “emotional fulcrum” for Jaguar, the way the 911 sports car is for Porsche, says Andy Goss, president of Jaguar Land Rover North America. “People buy (Porsche) Panameras because of the 911.” Jaguar and Land Rover form a single U.K.-
,#"*-+("% ' .$!,& ' )/,
based company, bought from Ford Motor in 2008 by India’s Tata. “We’ve pressed the reset button on Jaguar. We’re trying to dismantle the brand and rebuild it,” Goss says. Jaguar’s remake is a matter of survival. “The vast majority of the mar-
ket, we’ve not even been competing in,” Goss says. The dominance of V-6s and AWD among luxury cars means that Jaguar, without either, is viable in just16 percent of the luxury market, Goss says. “We’ve competed very efSee JAG » 2D
?*$. ' 94334>%B: %A+ @(7:2# /=*&/!=&"?** %,;1%* 5:4&062 -,5&.95$ %,8 -,5&!*#)95$ %'4 /;:%13 %16(2/1* 5:4&062 "*#),5&.95$ %,8 "*#)&+795$ %'4 /;:%13
B7C 2;-:14 -:8 A7>4 >BA-A7B:,
@(7:2#2;4)>BC4A5(726,2B<
9'$> 32 :2622926 3" ).!#,!,;+
6,K [8SNR4WS UQ [%ZB#J%
6,G [8WPS14WQ 7=&->-
6,A [8WPS14WQ 7=&->-
6,A R[712 ;Y
";-)< U;F-%)'-!1 E H''%1 9JS1 J-C'(1 I.E4 5E *BK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ DDI=D@D.
4-#F% ";TF 3F!-;;?)1 E H''%1 9JS1 MFH-(1 E0 M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 G.E4 KB *IK 3O95 27K1 M!')</ DI,>@GB.
JA?!F1 E H''%1 9JS1 MFH-(1 E0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 G.D4 KB *IK 3O95 27K 9;F8?+;F 9TF;1 M!')</ D*IE>=D.
M?;RF% M!%F-< 3?)-1 E H''%1 9JS1 7-!)A+-)<1 D0M&FFH 3-(T-;1 *.>4 5E *BK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ D,IB*E>.
.E0IAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.C0CAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*,0CAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*M0IAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
6,I :3[ NZ?'(
6,C <1SY WLFJ
6** [8WPS14WQ 3->B+Z
6,@ 27RR$2 $>!B=-
OFP!F% 3F!-;;?)1 E H''%1 EJS1 MLK1 E0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 D.G4 K> *BK 3O95 27K 9;F8?+;F 9TF;1 M!')</ DI>I,ID.
NFH6%F 3F!-;;?)1 E H''%1 $JS1 MLK1 B0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 G.D4 KB IEK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ D",@D*G.
M?;RF% 5)F 3F!-;;?)1 E H''%1 9JS1 MFH-(1 B0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 I.E4 5E *BK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ GG@=>D,.
";-)< 2+#?H?-(1 E H''%1 9JS1 MFH-(1 $T!':-!?)1 I.D4 5E *BK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ G*I=>G*.
.*K0AAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*I0,AI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*G0MAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*G0GAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
6** [8WPS14WQ 3->B+Z
6,A Y1Y:W S-= *G,,
6,@ P145RO$:W2 2JV "JJ!>J
6** Y1Y:W S-= *G,,
"%'P(1 E H''%1 9JS1 MFH-(1 B0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 I.E4 5E *BK 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ =*@@D=G.
Q;F)!%?) ";TF1 E H''%1 NJS1 U%FP U-+ O?)<T&1 $T!':-!?)1 D.@4 K> *BK 3O95 27K1 M!')</ D*,=@D,.
M?;RF%1 I H''%1 9JS1 U'(RF%!?+;F1 B0M&FFH $T!':-!?)1 I.D4 5D I,K 3O95 S27U1 M!')</ DE**>BE.
9;-:F NFH1 E H''%1 NJS1 U%FP U-+ O?)<T&1 $T!':-!?)1 E.@4 K> *BK 3O95 M27U 9;F8?+;F 9TF;1 M!')</ GB@E,GG.
.*E0IAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*A0*AI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.*A0EAI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
[DJX%'>J! "ZB)? 'H TZB()9
.M,0,AI
*/AAA/A*,/*M,*
"@' &@7<> 3'" 1@: A2$$= 51 "@' 8-(2 3227 $8@??57/ 1@: - 72& 082("* 3'504* @: /90 % 5 &5AA /5(2 "@' - ?2:$@7-A /'-:-7>22 >8-> "@' &5AA :2025(2 >82 32$> ?:5057/ -76 >82 (2:" 32$> $2:(502 3-: % 7@72
Jag Continued » 1D
fectively in a pond that’s gotten very small.” It’s hard to imagine a Jag buyer shelling out $60,000 or more and worrying about fuel prices, but Jaguar says buyers must appear to friends and neighbors to be concerned about smart, rather than indulgent, choices. “These days, whether
we like it or not, we’re in the game of economic justification,” Goss says. Even among buyers who don’t prefer a six-cylinder — and may not buy one — a brand without one falls off the consideration list, the Jaguar’s internal data show. JLR has in-house proof, too, that small engines can lead a sales surge. The new Range Rover Evoque is a small, stylish crossover SUV that uses the same 2-liter, turbo four-cylinder that
will be the base engine in the 2013 Jag XF sedan. Evoque is about as different as imaginable from the big, blocky, V-8-powered Range Rover and Land Rover models. Evoque won North American Truck of the Year and has propelled sales. Land Rover’s U.S. sales through July were up 21.4 percent, outperforming a new vehicle market up 14.8 percent , according to Autodata. Jaguar sales are up just 1.5 percent in the same period.
The 2013 Jaguar XJ AWD drives onto an indoor skating rink in the midst of an artificial snowstorm Thursday during the launch of Jaguar’s “Chill NY” event. AP
REVIEW
TRENDS
Buick emphasizes safety
FORD MOTOR CO.
Parents would do well to test drive a SuperCab or SuperCrew F-150 pickup.
F-150 makes sense for families seats are roomy and adept at comforting tired parents. Cargo space is extraordinary because, he Ford F-150 in a SuperCab or SuperCrew configuration can han- well, you’re driving a pickup truck. There are eight cupholders dle your family, does a D MORE AT REA and a center console. An 8sound job of hiding the truth inch LCD screen showcasabout your mundane familes the backup camera and ial existence, and even has navigation system images. sex appeal. Go to Cars.com and With a rear-wheel-drive The F-150 SuperCrew is a www.kickingtires.net for F-150, the 302-horsepower, full-four-door model with a more family-oriented news and reviews 3.7-liter V-6 engine gets an full-size backseat. The about cars. EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg SuperCab has an extended cab, which offers a smaller second row city/highway while the 365-hp, 3.5-liter than the SuperCrew, and reverse-hinged EcoBoost V-6 nets 16/22 mpg. You’re rear doors. Technically, the SuperCab and not giving up a great deal of efficiency SuperCrew styles are spacious enough to get a full-fledged truck. After ticking off the important marks for up to six passengers. In reality, this means it easily fits three child-safety on a family’s checklist, the F-150 seems seats across the second row.And the front downright sensible for your test-drive list. By COURTNEY MESSENBAUGH
CARS.COM FAMILY
T
2 » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » ONTHEMOVE
PHOTOS BY GM
Buick offers new safety features on the Encore, above, and Verano, below. KICKINGTIRES.NET
B
uick has added a host of safety features for 2013: a standard backup camera and optional cross-traffic and blind spot alerts to the Verano, a standard front-center airbag for the Enclave and optional forward collision and lane departure warnings for the new Encore, above. Rather than repurposing the radar from adaptive cruise control mounted near or in the car’s grille — often the way collision warning systems work — the Encore sees oncoming obstacles with a windshield-mounted camera that takes 10 to 12 images per second. “It looks at the change in size of (the) object as you approach it,” GM safety engineer Ray Kiefer said. “It works much like the human eye.” The system doesn’t engage automatic braking, which some do. But it could help avoid fender benders and lower repair costs for the ones that happen.
=K? 6-;M-
=K? 6-;M-
=K? 6-;M-
=K? 6-;M-
=K? 6-;M-
=K? 6-;M-
9BB 6$3[$ GNG 7P
9,L 6$3[$ 6P1I 6D-!- 7U
9,J 6$3[$ VP1C =%-(M T'\%D(H
9,G ]<YRV47YT :?&-@- 7U
J!'): /G<G>$. *C<1B,; 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R H@.
R'(OD%!=+9D. J!'): /L<;,. **>1B*C 3=9D#. G P''%. B0J&DDF 3-(Q-9. P26R 5(9=(D C0R79=(FD%.
J!'): /G@*>$. ;B1GE< 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). KD(D#=# K'!-%7.
J!'): /G<EG$. ;,1*B, 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). EB,, 26H H@.
/J2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/C2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/C2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
9,L 7YPSU YU L,, "-#K
9** 5:UU$5 RK%#U W'XK% W@\#
9** 6:TUS":U<: =-@-(! >Y
J!'): /G@G*$. *EC1>G, 3=9D#. C P''%. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R GC0 H-9OD H@.
J!'): /L;,,. CG1<>< 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R *@H 50C.
J!'): /L;,<. E*1,,B 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). J26H 35HNR 50C.
/*,2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/**2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*N2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/B2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J 9,C T4O4T$ T-)'?- "-#K VKH ]-+
J!'): /L;G<. @;1;CC 3=9D#. G P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R *@H HHI05 50C.
=K? 6-;M-
/*N2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
9,J 6:5: ]''&K% U
9,E T4O4T$ W%D\# T'\%D(H
9,C <45[$ ]DZD) YP17
9,G 6:TUS":U<: Y)@D&#K =T
J!'): /G<BE$. <C1*CE 3=9D#. E P''%. @0J&DDF 3-(Q-9. JQ&D%)?-%ADF 50C.
J!'): /L;EG. <@1B<E 3=9D#. B0P''%. NRHI $Q!'8-!=). P26R *@H HHI05 50C.
J!'): /G<@<$. ;,1>GE 3=9D#. C P''%. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). J26R 50HINR *@H 50C.
J!'): /L;*>$. B>1E;@ 3=9D#. G P''%. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). J26R GC0 H-9OD H@.
/*N2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*N2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*L2JBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*L2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
9*, ]<YRV47YT ]'+-@! *7T
9** T4O4T$ ]'%'@@- 7Y
9*, [4[=Y ]-@D+K% V.T
9,I 8YYW Q%-(H@K% U&'%!
J!'): /G>@>". CC1,B@ 3=9D#. G P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). NR2INR P26R *@H HHI 50C.
J!'): /L;,E. EG1<@B 3=9D#. C P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R *@H 50C.
J!'): /G<*,$. ;1;,< 3=9D#. B0P''%. RIHG $Q!'8!=). P26R *@H HHI 50C.
J!'): /GEB,$. B;1*<> 3=9D#. G P''%. 26H L'MD% ID)? *GH 50@. @0J&DDF 3-(Q-9.
/*L2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*J2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*J2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*I2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
9** <45[$ ]DZD) 7P
9,B 5:UU$5 $@!D?N0I U
9,E 6$3[$ ]P1E =%-(M T'\%D(H
9,B 6$3[$ L DT'\%D(H
J!'): /L;,B. E,1;>, 3=9D#. C PK. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). J26R 50HINR *@H 50C.
J!'): /L;GC. EG1<<> 3=9D#. C P''%. RHI $Q!'8-!=). P26R *@H 50C.
J!'): /G<GE".C>1<;G 3=9D#. B P''%. @0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). IQ%+' R?-%ADF P5J5 *@H 50C.
J!'): /G<BB$. C>1@,> 3=9D#. C0P''%. C0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R HHI *@H 50C.
/*I2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*I2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*I2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*I2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
9,C 8YYW =%-(M ]FK%'AKK
9,B <OS5[$: U-(!- >K 7D?D!KM
9*N >4V[ 6\#!-(H RG ]'(Z0
9,B 6$3[$ ]P1B T'\%D(H
4-%DF'. J!'): /G>@G". @B1;<B 3=9D#. B0P''%. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). E.>4 H@ J26R.
J!'): /L;**. C,1,*; 3=9D#. B PK. B0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R GCH H@.
J!'): /L;G@. *C1@>, 3=9D#. G P''%. @0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). I50HRI GCH H@.
J!'): /L;EG. C*1E<* 3=9D#. B0P''%. @0J&DDF $Q!'8-!=). P26R GCH H@.
/*G2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/*B2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/NN2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
=K? 6-;M-
/NN2BBI
*1CCC1JLN1NB*J
()$####&'!'"%
ONTHEMOVE » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » 3
REVIEW
TRENDS
Lexus refreshes flagship car
The 2013 Acura ILX 2.0L version is EPArated at 28 mpg combined.
F Sport model, all-LED interior lighting offered for 2013
PHOTOS BY TOYOTA HONDA
Acura positions 2013 ILX as new entry-level car By JOE WIESENFELDER CARS.COM
W
2013 Acura ILX
Starting MSRP: $25,900 to $29,200
ith its new 2013 ILX sedan, Acura creates a new point of shifts and quicker kickdown when it’s entry for the brand. The ILX’s three versions are the 2.0L, time to pass. Of the three ILX versions, the performance-oriented 2.4L and the ILX 2.0L strikes a good balance of Acura’s first gas-electric model, the power and mileage. It’s EPA-rated 24/35 mpg city/highway and 28 mpg com1.5L Hybrid. The ILX shares its foundation with bined. Premium gas is recommended. The ride quality is pretty the Honda Civic. It’s lower D MORE AT REA good, exhibiting the roadand about 1.5 inches wider surface awareness we than the Civic. The ILX expect from Acura. Hanuses different shock dling is competent, with absorbers typically found For auto reviews and good front/rear balance for in European luxury cars. advice on purchasing The ILX also has a faster a car, go to Cars.com a front-drive car, but there’s noticeable body roll. steering ratio and upgraded The 2.4L, with a 201-hp, 2.4-liter hardware. There’s more noise abatement as well: thicker window glass, four-cylinder engine, is quick, though more insulation and active noise cancel- the torque peak of 170 pounds-feet doesn’t give the car the urgency some lation in models with 17-inch wheels. All ILX versions are front-wheel drivers want off the line. Where the ILX drive. The ILX 150-horsepower 2.0-liter 2.4L is most like the Civic Si is in the four-cylinder engine didn’t feel demon- most disappointing way: body roll. The ILX Hybrid gets EPA-estimated strably quicker than the Civic to me, but it’s quick enough. The five-speed auto- mileage of 39/38 mpg — more than matic is well-behaved, providing smooth respectable, especially in city driving.
4 » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » ONTHEMOVE
Lexus will offer an LS 460 F Sport, above, and new navigation screen. KICKINGTIRES.NET
L
exus’flagship sedan gets fresh styling, a revised interior and more safety features for 2013. The 2013 Lexus LS lineup will include a first-ever F Sport model. It joins LS 460, the long-wheelbase 460 L and the hybrid 600h L. Outside, the sedan looks pretty familiar, though it now wears the brand’s new spindle grille and gets LED headlamps. The LEDs carry over with an allLED interior lighting system. A revised instrument panel makes room for the new standard 12.3-inch navigation screen. The Lexus Enform application arsenal is added to the media system with apps such as Pandora, Bing and Yelp. Newly standard is Drive Mode Select, which offers a choice of three settings: Eco, Normal and Sport. For 2013, suspension tuning and increased body rigidity should
2013 Lexus LS ■ Competes with: BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. ■ Drivetrain: 4.6-liter V-8 and eightspeed automatic (460 and 460 L) and 5.0-liter V-8 and an electric motor (600h L hybrid). ■ Hits dealerships: LS 460 and 460 L go on sale in October, F Sport in November and LS 600h L in December. KICKINGTIRES.NET
enhance stability, Lexus says. A new safety feature for 2013 is the Blind Spot Monitor. Lexus says it uses rear millimeter-wave radar to monitor blind spots at speeds above 10 mph. Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses similar technology. The F Sport model rides on a lowered, sport-tuned suspension and 19inch forged wheels. It stands out from the pack with a unique front end with a mesh grille, larger cooling openings, black grille surround and round fog lamps. Inside, the F Sport gets unique seats with larger bolsters, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and aluminum trim.
Acura, Volvo rated ‘good’ during crash test Of midsize luxury class, those two did best in trials
Detroit Free Press
The Acura TL and Volvo S60 were the only two of 11 midsize luxury cars
to earn a “good” rating on a new partial frontal crash test, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Infiniti G was judged “acceptable,” but the other models were either “marginal” or, in the case of the MercedesBenz C-Class, Lexus IS,
Audi A4 and Lexus ES, “poor.” Partial offset frontal crashes often are fatal. In the test, 25 percent of a car’s driver’s side front end strikes a 5-foot high barrier at 40 miles per hour. The cars are occupied by a dummy wearing a safety belt.
“Nearly every car performs well in other frontal crash tests conducted by the institute and the federal government, but we still see more than 10,000 deaths in frontal crashes each year,” said Adrian Lund, IIHS president. “The new test is based on years of analyz-
TRENDS
ing real-world frontal crashes and then replicating them in our crash test facility to determine why people are being seriously injured.” The good news is the number of fatal frontal crashes involving vehicles three years old or newer have dropped
55 percent since 2001. Lund said the Volvo S60 was the safest structurally of the 11 models tested. “Reinforcement of the S60’s upper rails and a steel cross member below the instrument panel helped to keep the safety cage intact,” he wrote.
TRENDS
Chevrolet’s Spark tops out at 38 mpg
The Juke’s Midnight Edition Package is available for $1,200. NISSAN
Juke adds Midnight Edition The Midnight Edition Package is issan’s quirky little hatchback available on all Juke S, SV and SL already has one of the most models and costs $1,200. New equipment for unique profiles on the D MORE AT regular model-year 2013 road. A new-for-2013 REA Jukes includes the addiaccessory package gives tion of the RearView the Juke an even more Monitoring system to aggressive look. Go to Cars.com for the Navigation Package The Midnight Edition reviews and advice, on SV models. A revised accessory package adds and www.kickingtires. Rockford Fosgate audio specific 17-inch black net for news and updates. system is newly standard wheels, a Sapphire Black on SL models and three rear roof spoiler and matching mirror caps. Horsepower is new colors join the lineup: Atomic unchanged: the 2013 Juke still gets Gold, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White. The 2013 Juke goes on sale in power from a 188-horsepower, turSeptember. bocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder. KICKINGTIRES.NET
N
GM
T
he 2013 Chevrolet Spark gets an EPA-estimated 32/38 mpg city/highway when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, according to the automaker. When equipped with a four-
speed automatic transmission, the Spark gets 28/37 mpg. The Spark is on sale with an initial starting price of $12,995, including a $750 destination fee. KICKINGTIRES.NET
ONTHEMOVE » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » 5
Dealers having their best year since 2007 By Nathan Bomey Detroit Free Press
Boosted by the strongest new-vehicle market since 2007 and with 3,000 fewer competitors, most auto dealers are having their most profitable year since the financial crisis, according to a Detroitbased consulting firm’s annual state of the industry report. Sales per dealership are expected to reach 805 this year, according to Ur-
ban Science, the retail consultant that has tracked auto retailing since 1990. That would be a 12 percent increase from 2011. “I’m probably going to double that average number here,” said Jody Lee, new-car sales manager at Taylor Chevrolet. “We’ve grown the last four years.” Dealers that survived General Motors’ and Chrysler’s bankruptcies and Ford’s close-out of its
Mercury brand are thriving. “It’s very encouraging,” said Cheryl Staples, sales manager at Bob Maxey Ford in Detroit. “Financing is getting a lot stronger, the banks are stepping up, the customers are coming in with a lot more knowledge of the products. The economy is becoming a lot more stable, and it’s driving customers into the stores.” To be sure, there has been a painful shakeout.
The U.S. had 17,770 dealerships at the end of June, unchanged from the end of 2011, but down 15 percent from 20,985 in 2007. Chrysler and President Barack Obama’s auto task force stripped nearly onequarter of the automaker’s dealers of their franchises in 2009. GM severed ties with a smaller number, while Ford bought out more than 100 Lincoln dealers in its ongoing reinvention of the luxury brand.
Some car buyers skip test drives for online research, study shows By Nathan Bomey Detroit Free Press
Call them digital testdrivers. Armed with online research, more than one in 10 new-car shoppers now buy vehicles without taking a test-drive, according to a new study. A marketing manager in Indianapolis, Andy Thedjoprasetyono, was one of them. He bought a new 2008 Honda Fit four years ago without taking a testdrive. Before setting foot in the showroom, he researched his purchase on www.Edmunds.com and www.Cars.com and in Motor Trend and Car & Driver magazines. “Honestly, I hate dealing with car salesmen,” he said in an e-mail.
Online checks Buying a car often is the second-largest purchase most people will ever make. But some consumers are skipping the test-drive, emboldened by familiarity gleaned from online research and previous experiences
with a vehicle. “I just find it quite fascinating and a little baffling,” said Chris Travell, vice president of strategic consulting for Maritz Research, which conducted the survey. “As cliche as perhaps it sounds, there’s that newcar smell that needs to be experienced firsthand and cannot be experienced over the Internet.” It’s not just the Internet influencing car buyers. Some buyers just and want to finish buying e quickly, he said.
Troubling to dealers It’s a potentially troubling trend for dealers, who say the test-drive can be a euphoric experience that often converts a wavering shopper to a committed buyer. It also might convert someone who has settled on a competitor’s vehicle through online research, but then takes several test-drives and finds that something else feels better. The opportunity to move a shopper into a higher price point also is lost. “My manager said,
RESULTS OF THE STUDY
TRYING OUT A NEW VEHICLE
The Maritz Research study, which surveyed 80,219 buyers of 2012 model-year vehicles, found that 11.4 percent didn’t take a test-drive. It’s the first year the study has asked the question. It also found that 9.5 percent of 2012 car buyers used the Internet to schedule a testdrive, up from 7.4 percent in 2010. Overall, it found that about eight out of 10 buyers used the Internet to research their purchase before going to dealership.
Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com, suggests a few things to keep in mind during a test-drive: » Drive the car the way you’d normally drive it. “If you take the car to the mountains, you better find a hill to climb,” Reed said. “If you do a lot of freeway driving, you better merge. Go over some railroad tracks, go over some bumps. Get in and out of the car a few times. Is that easy to do?” » Pay attention to how it feels. “Often a salesperson is hovering,” Reed said. “This isn’t a time to be social. It’s a time to be paying attention to what your reactions are.” » If it’s a used car, have a mechanic check it out before buying. “There are certain things that only become apparent when the car is running,” Reed said.
‘The feel of the wheel will seal the deal,’ ” said Philip Reed, a former dealership representative who now serves as senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com.
Shoppers need test Ken Thomas, general manager of Telegraph Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Taylor, Mich., said a test-drive is in the customer’s best interest. “Everything that you read isn’t necessarily true,” he said. “There’s
6 » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » ONTHEMOVE
nothing online that tells you how that car feels. I enforce it with the salespeople that they have to at least offer a test-drive with every customer.”
Saab, a former GM brand, has closed 59 stand-alone dealerships this year. John Frith, Urban Science vice president, said the market seems to be “settling in” at about 17,770 dealerships after an average annual decline of 2.5 percent since 1990. Dealers say customers are buying because they’re more confident in their job stability, while others need to replace an old vehicle.
SALES, PROFITS INCREASE
» New-vehicle sales are expected to come in between 14.1 million and 14.4 million for 2012, according to Autodata Corp. » Meanwhile, dealers are extracting more profit from each sale. TrueCar.com reported that incentives — the amount automakers spend on rebates, special financing or lease subsidies — represented 8.2 percent of the average transaction in July.
Former chief of Volt named Fisker CEO Young company seeks credibility with executives By Dee-ann Durbin Associated Press
DETROIT — Luxury hybrid maker Fisker Automotive said Tuesday it has named the former head of electric vehicles at General Motors as its new CEO. Tony Posawatz, 52, will become CEO effective immediately. He replaces Tom LaSorda, a former CEO of Chrysler who joined Fisker in February. It’s the latest effort to add some gravitas to the fledgling Fisker, a fiveyear-old, privately held company that makes just one model — the Fisker Karma — and has been dogged by money issues and quality problems. Last month, Fisker named a former Ford Motor Co. executive, Jim Yost, as its chief financial officer. On Tuesday, it named former GM and Chrysler executive Joseph Chao as its CEO of Asia, where it hopes to
start selling cars later this year. The company also recently partnered with actor and Fisker investor Leonardo DiCaprio to help market the brand. LaSorda said finding a long-term CEO was one of his responsibilities when he took the job. He recruited Posawatz after Posawatz retired from GM on July 1. Posawatz spent more than 30 years at GM, where his last job was head of global electric vehicle development. He was the first person named to the development team of the Chevrolet Volt electric car in 2006 and ran that team for the next six years. The Volt went on sale in late 2010. “Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker,” LaSorda said. “He has been at the forefront of the industry’s technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production.” Fisker has sold a little over 1,000 Karmas since last fall. GM has sold 18,678 Volts since the end of 2010.
Ford Europe sales falling while economy struggles Associated Press
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.’s problems in Europe are worsening thanks to the region’s faltering economy. The Dearborn, Mich., company said Thursday that auto industry sales in the region through July were the lowest in 17
years as automakers battled for sales in a declining market. Ford sold 83,100 vehicles last month in 19 European countries, down 12.3 percent from a year earlier. For the first seven months of the year, sales were down 10.6 percent. Total industry sales fell 7.1 percent through July,
the lowest level since 1995, Ford said in a statement. Most automakers are losing sales in Europe as buyers fight shy of making big purchases while the region’s economy continues to slow. The latest economic figures show that Europe is edging closer to reces-
sion, dragged down by the crippling debt problems of the 17 countries that use the euro. Europe’s stumbling economy is making it harder for other economies around the world to recover and policymakers are trying to reach agreement on more decisive action to deal with the debt crisis to re-
TRENDS
store confidence to the global economy. Along with Ford, automakers including General Motors, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat are losing money in Europe and are trying to restructure operations to cut factory capacity and staff levels as the economy continues to slow. But cuts are diffi-
cult because of strong unions and political opposition to job losses in an important sector of the economy. “Overall industry sales remain very weak across much of Europe given the economic environment,” Roelant de Waard, vice president of sales for Ford of Europe, said.
TRENDS
C-Max Hybrid gets incentives KICKINGTIRES.NET
T
he Ford C-Max Hybrid isn’t even on sale yet and it already has cash on the hood. Ford’s first dedicated hybrid has a $1,000 cash-back program or 5.9 percent financing for 72 months in most major markets. That means the $25,995 starting price, including a $795 destination fee, is really $24,995. The C-Max Hybrid, below, comes in SE and SEL models; the SE trim has standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, dualzone automatic climate control and Ford’s Sync system. The SEL trim ($28,995) comes with leather seats, MyFord Touch, a 10-way power driver’s seat and heated side mirrors. The vehicle officially goes on sale in the fall.
HYUNDAI
It took Hyundai an average of only seven days to sell a new 2013 Elantra GT.
Fastest-selling cars in July KICKINGTIRES.NET
J
FORD MOTOR CO.
uly’s fastest sellers include newbies like the redesigned Nissan Altima and two Hyundai Elantra additions — the coupe and GT hatchback — but a number of cars that have been on the market a year or more are flying off lots. The year-old Volkswagen Passat averages just five days to sell. The Kia Soul, which went on sale way back in spring 2009, takes just a week to sell. Cars in July averaged 63 days to turn. That’s up from June’s 53 days. The movers’ list reports the average number of days it takes to sell models from the day they arrive on the lot until the buyer signs the final paperwork.
Top movers in July ■ 5 days: 2013 Volkswagen Passat ■ 6 days: 2013 Hyundai Veloster, 2013 Nissan Altima sedan ■ 7 days: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, 2013 Kia Soul ■ 8 days: 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe, 2013 Hyundai Tucson, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2012 Subaru Impreza hatchback ■ 10 days: 2013 Cadillac XTS, 2013 Kia Optima, 2013 Subaru Outback ■ 11 days: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro coupe, 2013 Dodge Dart, 2013 Ford Escape, 2013 Ford Fiesta sedan, 2013 Hyundai Accent hatchback and sedan, 2012 Toyota Prius c
ONTHEMOVE » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » 7
+++70A>5"/'##>/7!86 7%.I! 4D##.(
7%.I! 4D##.(
7%.I! 4D##.(
7%.I! 4D##.(
7%.I! 4D##.(
7%.I! 4D##.(
9-N ?3V[ Y#).&K
9-* ?3V[ V.(GK%
9-N 8YYW 6D,K%!<
9-L ];VOU6YV T'X( + ]'\(!%<
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1 OM1 E/,4/
J? T69<(FD%1 $"M1 TR1 OM1 E/,4/
OM/
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 CRN 4<8<!DF 7IR1 $"M1 ND-% $<% T'(F<!<'(<(@1 L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 T-##/1 OI1 O41
/F1JCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/E1FCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/E1BCC
7%.I! 4D##.(
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/*-1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
9-B ];YRV36YT ]',.A!
9-F 4:UU$4 UK(!%.
9-H R367UQ$=Y4 4KX "KK!AK
9-E 4:UU$4 RK%#.
C T69<(FD%1 $.T1 L<9!0 $F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 TR1 OI1 O41 OM1 G/G4/
L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 M&F0O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD% M!DD%<(@/
L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 T%S<#D1 OM/
C T69<(FD%1 $.T1 L<9!0 $F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OM1 */;4/
/*-1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*-1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/*-1BCC
7%.I! 4D##.(
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/**1JCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
9-N W34T:$] ?D%K,D%M
9-E ;34[$ $))'%M ]&K
9-C T3O3T$ UDK((.
9** 4:UU$4 UK(!%.
; T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 TR1 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1 OM1 A/=4/
C T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 MS( N''B1 OI1 O41 4D-!>D% MD-!#1 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD%
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 ND-% $<% T'(F<!<'(<(@1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD%
L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI/
/**1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*J1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/*J1BCC
7%.I! 4D##.(
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*H1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
9-F 5YV]Y[YU0 "Y42 V0]A.##
9-E 4:UU$4 P!K%%.
9*- ;34[$ ]DZD) ]&K
9-E ?3V[ YMGK
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 C3$L5T CRN E/A41 $"M1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 TR1 OI1 O41 4D-!>D% MD-!#1 T%S<#D1
L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 M&F0O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD% M!DD%<(@/
C T69<(FD%1 $.T1 GRN $KL2 4H1 $"M1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 TR1 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 7IR CRN MQ4 O4KM1 $"M1 ND-% $<% T'(F<!<'(<(@1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 O41 4D-!>D%
/*F1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*F1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/*E1BCC
7%.I! 4D##.(
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*E1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
9-C ;34[$ $))'%M UM(
9** T3O3T$ ].@%<
9*N ];YRV36YT :@&.A.
9-B 4:UU$4 ?%'(!DK%
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 MS( N''B1 OI1 O41 4D-!>D% MD-!#1 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0
L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0 O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD% M!DD%<(@/
L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 T%S<#D1 OM/
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 TR1 M&DDF0 O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD% M!DD%<(@1 C/,4/
/*E1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*E1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
/*B1JCC
7%.I! 4D##.(
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/*B1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
9** 4:UU$4 8S7Y
9-B 4:UU$4 5.>D@.
9*- 4:UU$4 5.>D@.
9** T3O3T$ JV\((K%
L<9!0$F:S#!-+9D M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 T%S<#D/
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 ND-% $<% T'(F<!<'(<(@1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 MS( N''B1 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1
J? T69<(FD%1 $.T1 $"M1 ND-% $<% T'(F<!<'(<(@1 L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 MS( N''B1 OI1 O41 T%S<#D1
L<9! -(F LD9D#)'&<) M!DD%<(@ I>DD91 OI1 T%S<#D1 M&DDF0 O%'&'%!<'(-9 O'PD% M!DD%<(@/
/*B1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
/NL1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
7%.I! 4D##.(
134)3*()(9*9
&%#((((!"'"$! (!"'"$!
7%.I! 4D##.(
/NF1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*
2&&* ;>->/ :A'.$ @ ?>,,>->##$$% <= 2&242
8 » MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 » TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » ONTHEMOVE
7%.I! 4D##.(
/LL1BCC
CH-0HEF0F*E*