Autos plus
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 2013
SECTION
S E A R C H B U Y S E L L L E A S E T R A D E CUMBERLINK.COM/AUTOS
SMACK SMACK DOWN DOWN SALES SALES EVENT EVENT 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS
SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
2013 MAZDA3
$14,535*
SAVE $3,000 S or
$159*/mo. *MSRP $17,495. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7637
2013 MAZDA CX-9 SAVE $4,500 or
*MSRP$19,645. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $1,210, HMF $1,500, Value Owner $500, Competitive Owner $500, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7594
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WD SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
$20,699*
$269*/mo. *MSRP $40,055. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $2,799 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7107
2014 MAZDA6 $219*/mo. *MSRP $32,740. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7549
AREAS #1 CERTIFIED DEALER
*MSRP $26,710. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $2,111, Hyundai Bonus Cash $1,000, Value Owner $750, Competitive Owner $750, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7516
GOOD-BAD-OK CREDIT! EVERYONE DRIVES! GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM
**Hyundai defers HMF auto loans or lease payments to furloughed workers during government shut down. See salesperson for details.
100%
100% GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM! EVERYONE DRIVES!
6251 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG
1.800.560.8422
SHOP US 24/7 AT: WWW.FREYSINGER.COM
Bob Hefflefinger
Brad Watson
Chris Manga
Derek Crane
Bob Oley
Jim Leggett
Josh Freysinger
Keith Hostetter
Shawn Bender
(717) 620-0394 • www.freysingerhyundai1.com
Autos plus
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 2013
SECTION
S E A R C H B U Y S E L L L E A S E T R A D E CUMBERLINK.COM/AUTOS
SMACK SMACK DOWN DOWN SALES SALES EVENT EVENT 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS
SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
2013 MAZDA3
$14,535*
SAVE $3,000 S or
$159*/mo. *MSRP $17,495. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7637
2013 MAZDA CX-9 SAVE $4,500 or
*MSRP$19,645. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $1,210, HMF $1,500, Value Owner $500, Competitive Owner $500, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7594
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WD SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
$20,699*
$269*/mo. *MSRP $40,055. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $2,799 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7107
2014 MAZDA6 $219*/mo. *MSRP $32,740. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7549
AREAS #1 CERTIFIED DEALER
*MSRP $26,710. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $2,111, Hyundai Bonus Cash $1,000, Value Owner $750, Competitive Owner $750, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7516
GOOD-BAD-OK CREDIT! EVERYONE DRIVES! GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM
**Hyundai defers HMF auto loans or lease payments to furloughed workers during government shut down. See salesperson for details.
100%
100% GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM! EVERYONE DRIVES!
6251 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG
1.800.560.8422
SHOP US 24/7 AT: WWW.FREYSINGER.COM
Bob Hefflefinger
Brad Watson
Chris Manga
Derek Crane
Bob Oley
Jim Leggett
Josh Freysinger
Keith Hostetter
Shawn Bender
(717) 620-0394 • www.freysingerhyundai1.com
Autos plus
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 2013
SECTION
S E A R C H B U Y S E L L L E A S E T R A D E CUMBERLINK.COM/AUTOS
SMACK SMACK DOWN DOWN SALES SALES EVENT EVENT 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS
SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
2013 MAZDA3
$14,535*
SAVE $3,000 S or
$159*/mo. *MSRP $17,495. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7637
2013 MAZDA CX-9 SAVE $4,500 or
*MSRP$19,645. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $1,210, HMF $1,500, Value Owner $500, Competitive Owner $500, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7594
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WD SMACK DOWN SALE PRICE
$20,699*
$269*/mo. *MSRP $40,055. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $2,799 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7107
2014 MAZDA6 $219*/mo. *MSRP $32,740. 36 month lease. 12,000 miles per year. $1,999 due at signing. Plus tax and tags. With qualified credit. Stock #ZZ7549
AREAS #1 CERTIFIED DEALER
*MSRP $26,710. Sale price includes Freysinger Discount $2,111, Hyundai Bonus Cash $1,000, Value Owner $750, Competitive Owner $750, Military $500, Motozuma $500, and College Grad $400. Plus tax and tags. Stock #HH7516
GOOD-BAD-OK CREDIT! EVERYONE DRIVES! GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM
**Hyundai defers HMF auto loans or lease payments to furloughed workers during government shut down. See salesperson for details.
100%
100% GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL PROGRAM! EVERYONE DRIVES!
6251 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG
1.800.560.8422
SHOP US 24/7 AT: WWW.FREYSINGER.COM
Bob Hefflefinger
Brad Watson
Chris Manga
Derek Crane
Bob Oley
Jim Leggett
Josh Freysinger
Keith Hostetter
Shawn Bender
(717) 620-0394 • www.freysingerhyundai1.com
Autos Plus
E2 • The Sentinel
Sunday, October 20, 2013
2013 Maxima offers power, refinement
Maxima, the original “4door sports car,” is in its seventh generation as Nissan’s full-size flagship, and after 37 years in the line-up, Maxima continues to set the bar for entry-luxury sedans, combining breakthrough sports sedan styling, a driver-oriented cockpit, ample comfort and luxury for passengers and an advanced drivetrain anchored by Nissan’s VQ-series V-6 engine. Assembled at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn., plant, Maxima was tweaked last year in terms of its sporty sedan styling, drivability and luxury upgrades. This year, Maxima’s enhancements include a new SV Value Package featuring a 9-speaker Bose audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated outside mirrors and a new Bose Audio Package. The Sport Package has been revised to add Monitor Package content (7-inch color monitor, USB connectivity, iPod net in center console, RearView Monitor), plus climate-controlled driver’s seat and Dark Hyper Silver-finished 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The 2013 Maxima continues with its heralded 290horsepower VQ engine, a sport-tuned chassis with the quickest steering ratio of any Nissan sedan (15.2:1) and Sport seats with driver’s thigh extension and contrasting stitching.
Aggressive and sculpted exterior design
Maxima is an eye-pleaser with its sports car demeanor and aggressive and sculpted body cues. It begins with large wraparound L-shaped h ea d l i g h ts w i t h “ t u rbine” light surrounds, wide grille, large bumper opening and “catamaran-style” hood, and moves to a deeply sculpted body/fender treatment similar to that of exotic sports cars. Maxima conveys strength with distinctive C-pillars and high trunk lid, dual exhaust with chrome finishers, available rear spoiler, fixed translucent rear panel with front and rear power retractable sunshades; available power rear sliding sunshade, available High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, available fog lights and manual folding outside mirrors; and power outside mirrors with available reverse tilt-down feature, turn
By Mike Blake
signal indicators. Maxima weighs in at a confident 3,568 pounds (curbweight) with a weight distribution of 61 percent up front and 39 percent in the rear – heavy up front even for a front-wheel drive vehicle. The four-door full-size is 190.6 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 57.8 inches high on a 109.3-inch wheelbase with minimum ground clearance of 5.6 inches. Maxima’s step-in height is 15 inches. The Nissan flagship incorSubmitted photos porates unibody construcNissan tweaked the Maxima in 2013 to feature more sporty styling and luxury upgrades. tion, with corrosion-resistant high-strength steel, an aluminum-alloy hood and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with a silver painted finish.
Engine delivers 290 responding horses Nissan’s VQ35 engine (3.5-liter) is a V-6 that delivers 290 hp and 261 lbs-ft of torque. The sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection system is coupled with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission with adaptive shift control, manual shift mode, drive support mode and downshift rev matching. Using the recommended Premium unleaded fuel, the power system is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. My mixed-use driving examination of a test Maxima 3.5 SV yielded an average of 22.7 mpg. It may not have sports car acceleration, but Maxima certainly picks it up when asked, and the 290 horses galloped unhesitatingly at all speeds. In a zero-to-60mph test dash, the 1.8-ton sedan completed the run in 6 seconds flat and was able to increase speed to finish off a quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds. Maxima showed precise steering on the highway, with only some understeer evident during quick auto-cross maneuvers. The sport-tuned suspension — independent strut front with coil springs and stabilizer bar and multi-link independent rear with stabi-
lizer bar — was a bit rough for passengers, but handled road irregularities well … perhaps giving it more of a driver’s feel than an entry luxury ride for those aboard.
Interior pampers with its styling The Max cabin seats five and pampers with styling, though not in spaciousness. Headroom is a scrunching 38.5 inches in row one and 36.4 in row two; legroom is a comfortable 43.8 inches for the first row, but a cramped 34.6 in row two and shoulder room is accommodating for all at 56.3 and 55.1. Maxima’s interior is tailored and refined, utilizing premium materials such as
metallic-finish trim and Atlantic Cherry wood-tone trim. Its luxury amendments include premium leather-appointed seats, 8way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seats, heating/cooling controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth handsfree phone system, dualzone air conditioning with automatic temperature control and rear vents, cruise control and Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start. Maxima is recognized for its safety attributes and has
been awarded a perfect 5 stars in National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration rollover tests. Safety items that are part of the 3.5 SV include Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain sideimpact supplemental air bags, front-seat active head restraints and Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System. My 2013 Maxima 3.5 SV in Tuscan Sun Metallic
(red) paint and a Café Latte (black and cream) interior base priced at $33,240. A 7inch monitor package added $700; the Bose audio entertainment package added $1100; a rear spoiler added $380; the loaded tech package was $1150; and Destination charges of $810 brought the final sticker price to $37,380. Visit www.CarlisleEvents. com for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’s been a “car guy” since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
4 file complaints GM boosts prices as pickup battle rages about union at VW plant By Tom Krisher Associated Press
Associated Press
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Four workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board saying the company is coercing employees into approving the United Auto Workers as their bargaining agent. Volkswagen’s top labor official, Bernd Osterloh says that Chattanooga would need to organize in order to compete for a new SUV that VW hopes to build in the U.S., requiring 800 new workers. Matt Patterson leads the anti-union Center for Worker Freedom at the Americans for Tax Reform. Patterson told WPLN-FM in Nashville that comment sounds like a threat to him. UAW Regional Director Gary Casteel told the Chattanooga Times Free Press the cards signed by the workers clearly state the workers are supporting the UAW’s effort to represent them. “It’s as binding and legal as any vote,” he said. For three of the four workers who signed onto this complaint, it’s their second grievance filed with the NLRB. The first alleged that the UAW bribed employees to sign their union cards. However, the union cards specifically say that anyone is welcome to re-
voke them at any time. In the charge, the workers said VW’s alleged threat “interfere(s) with Chattanooga facility employees’ rights to choose whether or not to engage in self-organization to form, join, or assist labor organizations.” Mark Mix, president of the foundation that has attorneys working with the workers, said in a statement that with reports that VW is considering Chattanooga to build its new sport utility vehicle, “this is no idle threat.” “If VW management was discouraging workers from joining the UAW with threats, there’s little question that an NLRB prosecution would have already begun at the UAW’s behest,” Mix said. A VW plant spokesman said Wednesday the company had no comment on the NLRB filing. “We know how important that (second) vehicle is for Chattanooga,” said Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s global works council, in Germany. Eight VW workers had earlier filed NLRB charges against the UAW, alleging coercion and intimidation related to authorization cards the union is asking employees for the automaker to sign. The UAW has denied those charges.
DETROIT — General Motors is adding a twist to the fight for supremacy in the red-hot U.S. pickup truck market: It’s raising prices. GM is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. That’s 8.5 percent above the price when the truck hit showrooms in the spring. Other versions of the Silverado, as well as the GMC Sierra, will see similar percentage increases. Raising prices sounds like an odd way to boost sales. But industry analysts suspect it’s a marketing ploy. They expect GM to raise incentives starting next month so dealers can advertise big discounts. Customers will feel they’re getting a deal — whether they do or not depends on the size of the discount. T h e m ove co m e s a fter GM’s pickup sales fell 8 percent in September while its two biggest competitors saw increases. Sales of Ford’s F-Series, the best-selling pickups in the U.S., rose 10 percent and Chrysler’s Ram posted an 8 percent increase. The Detroit Three dominate U.S. full-size pickup truck sales with 90 percent of the market. The Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan make up the remainder. GM didn’t offer the sweet deals Ford and Chrysler did last month, said Jesse Toprak, an analyst for the TrueCar.com auto pricing website. Raising prices and then adding incentives is common in the business.
Associated Press file photo
The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 debuts in Pontiac, Mich. General Motors is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. And truck buyers especially like to get deals, Toprak said. “This whole change in pricing strategy for trucks at GM is really meant predominantly as a sales closing tactic for dealerships,” he said. The increase covers trucks built after Oct. 7, so pickups now on dealer lots won’t be affected. GM officials may also be counting on a recent change in buying habits: Consumers now pay less attention to the sticker price. Toprak says most buyers now research their cars and trucks online before buying. Many thirdparty auto websites suggest prices that people should pay that are below the sticker price, he said. “Savvy customers know how to look beyond this and go to net pricing,” he said. In May, Nissan Motor Co. took the opposite strategy.
The Japanese automaker cut prices and incentives so its cars showed up in Internet searches done by price-sensitive buyers. Nissan sales are up 13 percent since then. GM spokesman Jim Cain wo u l d n ’t co m m e n t o n whether the company would increase discounts when its current incentives expire Oct. 31. But he said that incentives do give dealers flexibility to promote sales, allowing cash-strapped customers to use rebates as down payments. “That does help customers purchase a vehicle from time to time if they’ve got no money down,” said Tom Kool, who runs a small Chevrolet dealership in Sturgis, Mich., just north of the Indiana border. Last month, GM spent about 18 percent less on pickup discounts than a
year earlier — an average of $3,430 on the Silverado and $3,339 on the Sierra, according to TrueCar. Ford, which has an older truck with a lower base price, spent about $100 more discounting the F-150, while Chrysler spent nearly $700 more than GM. Both Chrysler and Ford offered bigger discounts on outgoing 2013 models last month, while GM essentially sold out of last year’s models during the summer. Under the increases, the base sticker price on the Silverado will rise from $24,585 to $26,670, including shipping, according to GM’s website. A base crew cab will go from $33,195 to $35,095. When the trucks were introduced, GM kept sticker prices the same as 2013 models, Cain said. The increase has been planned for a long time, he said.
Autos Plus
E2 • The Sentinel
Sunday, October 20, 2013
2013 Maxima offers power, refinement
Maxima, the original “4door sports car,” is in its seventh generation as Nissan’s full-size flagship, and after 37 years in the line-up, Maxima continues to set the bar for entry-luxury sedans, combining breakthrough sports sedan styling, a driver-oriented cockpit, ample comfort and luxury for passengers and an advanced drivetrain anchored by Nissan’s VQ-series V-6 engine. Assembled at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn., plant, Maxima was tweaked last year in terms of its sporty sedan styling, drivability and luxury upgrades. This year, Maxima’s enhancements include a new SV Value Package featuring a 9-speaker Bose audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated outside mirrors and a new Bose Audio Package. The Sport Package has been revised to add Monitor Package content (7-inch color monitor, USB connectivity, iPod net in center console, RearView Monitor), plus climate-controlled driver’s seat and Dark Hyper Silver-finished 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The 2013 Maxima continues with its heralded 290horsepower VQ engine, a sport-tuned chassis with the quickest steering ratio of any Nissan sedan (15.2:1) and Sport seats with driver’s thigh extension and contrasting stitching.
Aggressive and sculpted exterior design
Maxima is an eye-pleaser with its sports car demeanor and aggressive and sculpted body cues. It begins with large wraparound L-shaped h ea d l i g h ts w i t h “ t u rbine” light surrounds, wide grille, large bumper opening and “catamaran-style” hood, and moves to a deeply sculpted body/fender treatment similar to that of exotic sports cars. Maxima conveys strength with distinctive C-pillars and high trunk lid, dual exhaust with chrome finishers, available rear spoiler, fixed translucent rear panel with front and rear power retractable sunshades; available power rear sliding sunshade, available High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, available fog lights and manual folding outside mirrors; and power outside mirrors with available reverse tilt-down feature, turn
By Mike Blake
signal indicators. Maxima weighs in at a confident 3,568 pounds (curbweight) with a weight distribution of 61 percent up front and 39 percent in the rear – heavy up front even for a front-wheel drive vehicle. The four-door full-size is 190.6 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 57.8 inches high on a 109.3-inch wheelbase with minimum ground clearance of 5.6 inches. Maxima’s step-in height is 15 inches. The Nissan flagship incorSubmitted photos porates unibody construcNissan tweaked the Maxima in 2013 to feature more sporty styling and luxury upgrades. tion, with corrosion-resistant high-strength steel, an aluminum-alloy hood and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with a silver painted finish.
Engine delivers 290 responding horses Nissan’s VQ35 engine (3.5-liter) is a V-6 that delivers 290 hp and 261 lbs-ft of torque. The sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection system is coupled with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission with adaptive shift control, manual shift mode, drive support mode and downshift rev matching. Using the recommended Premium unleaded fuel, the power system is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. My mixed-use driving examination of a test Maxima 3.5 SV yielded an average of 22.7 mpg. It may not have sports car acceleration, but Maxima certainly picks it up when asked, and the 290 horses galloped unhesitatingly at all speeds. In a zero-to-60mph test dash, the 1.8-ton sedan completed the run in 6 seconds flat and was able to increase speed to finish off a quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds. Maxima showed precise steering on the highway, with only some understeer evident during quick auto-cross maneuvers. The sport-tuned suspension — independent strut front with coil springs and stabilizer bar and multi-link independent rear with stabi-
lizer bar — was a bit rough for passengers, but handled road irregularities well … perhaps giving it more of a driver’s feel than an entry luxury ride for those aboard.
Interior pampers with its styling The Max cabin seats five and pampers with styling, though not in spaciousness. Headroom is a scrunching 38.5 inches in row one and 36.4 in row two; legroom is a comfortable 43.8 inches for the first row, but a cramped 34.6 in row two and shoulder room is accommodating for all at 56.3 and 55.1. Maxima’s interior is tailored and refined, utilizing premium materials such as
metallic-finish trim and Atlantic Cherry wood-tone trim. Its luxury amendments include premium leather-appointed seats, 8way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seats, heating/cooling controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth handsfree phone system, dualzone air conditioning with automatic temperature control and rear vents, cruise control and Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start. Maxima is recognized for its safety attributes and has
been awarded a perfect 5 stars in National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration rollover tests. Safety items that are part of the 3.5 SV include Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain sideimpact supplemental air bags, front-seat active head restraints and Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System. My 2013 Maxima 3.5 SV in Tuscan Sun Metallic
(red) paint and a Café Latte (black and cream) interior base priced at $33,240. A 7inch monitor package added $700; the Bose audio entertainment package added $1100; a rear spoiler added $380; the loaded tech package was $1150; and Destination charges of $810 brought the final sticker price to $37,380. Visit www.CarlisleEvents. com for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’s been a “car guy” since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
4 file complaints GM boosts prices as pickup battle rages about union at VW plant By Tom Krisher Associated Press
Associated Press
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Four workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board saying the company is coercing employees into approving the United Auto Workers as their bargaining agent. Volkswagen’s top labor official, Bernd Osterloh says that Chattanooga would need to organize in order to compete for a new SUV that VW hopes to build in the U.S., requiring 800 new workers. Matt Patterson leads the anti-union Center for Worker Freedom at the Americans for Tax Reform. Patterson told WPLN-FM in Nashville that comment sounds like a threat to him. UAW Regional Director Gary Casteel told the Chattanooga Times Free Press the cards signed by the workers clearly state the workers are supporting the UAW’s effort to represent them. “It’s as binding and legal as any vote,” he said. For three of the four workers who signed onto this complaint, it’s their second grievance filed with the NLRB. The first alleged that the UAW bribed employees to sign their union cards. However, the union cards specifically say that anyone is welcome to re-
voke them at any time. In the charge, the workers said VW’s alleged threat “interfere(s) with Chattanooga facility employees’ rights to choose whether or not to engage in self-organization to form, join, or assist labor organizations.” Mark Mix, president of the foundation that has attorneys working with the workers, said in a statement that with reports that VW is considering Chattanooga to build its new sport utility vehicle, “this is no idle threat.” “If VW management was discouraging workers from joining the UAW with threats, there’s little question that an NLRB prosecution would have already begun at the UAW’s behest,” Mix said. A VW plant spokesman said Wednesday the company had no comment on the NLRB filing. “We know how important that (second) vehicle is for Chattanooga,” said Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s global works council, in Germany. Eight VW workers had earlier filed NLRB charges against the UAW, alleging coercion and intimidation related to authorization cards the union is asking employees for the automaker to sign. The UAW has denied those charges.
DETROIT — General Motors is adding a twist to the fight for supremacy in the red-hot U.S. pickup truck market: It’s raising prices. GM is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. That’s 8.5 percent above the price when the truck hit showrooms in the spring. Other versions of the Silverado, as well as the GMC Sierra, will see similar percentage increases. Raising prices sounds like an odd way to boost sales. But industry analysts suspect it’s a marketing ploy. They expect GM to raise incentives starting next month so dealers can advertise big discounts. Customers will feel they’re getting a deal — whether they do or not depends on the size of the discount. T h e m ove co m e s a fter GM’s pickup sales fell 8 percent in September while its two biggest competitors saw increases. Sales of Ford’s F-Series, the best-selling pickups in the U.S., rose 10 percent and Chrysler’s Ram posted an 8 percent increase. The Detroit Three dominate U.S. full-size pickup truck sales with 90 percent of the market. The Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan make up the remainder. GM didn’t offer the sweet deals Ford and Chrysler did last month, said Jesse Toprak, an analyst for the TrueCar.com auto pricing website. Raising prices and then adding incentives is common in the business.
Associated Press file photo
The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 debuts in Pontiac, Mich. General Motors is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. And truck buyers especially like to get deals, Toprak said. “This whole change in pricing strategy for trucks at GM is really meant predominantly as a sales closing tactic for dealerships,” he said. The increase covers trucks built after Oct. 7, so pickups now on dealer lots won’t be affected. GM officials may also be counting on a recent change in buying habits: Consumers now pay less attention to the sticker price. Toprak says most buyers now research their cars and trucks online before buying. Many thirdparty auto websites suggest prices that people should pay that are below the sticker price, he said. “Savvy customers know how to look beyond this and go to net pricing,” he said. In May, Nissan Motor Co. took the opposite strategy.
The Japanese automaker cut prices and incentives so its cars showed up in Internet searches done by price-sensitive buyers. Nissan sales are up 13 percent since then. GM spokesman Jim Cain wo u l d n ’t co m m e n t o n whether the company would increase discounts when its current incentives expire Oct. 31. But he said that incentives do give dealers flexibility to promote sales, allowing cash-strapped customers to use rebates as down payments. “That does help customers purchase a vehicle from time to time if they’ve got no money down,” said Tom Kool, who runs a small Chevrolet dealership in Sturgis, Mich., just north of the Indiana border. Last month, GM spent about 18 percent less on pickup discounts than a
year earlier — an average of $3,430 on the Silverado and $3,339 on the Sierra, according to TrueCar. Ford, which has an older truck with a lower base price, spent about $100 more discounting the F-150, while Chrysler spent nearly $700 more than GM. Both Chrysler and Ford offered bigger discounts on outgoing 2013 models last month, while GM essentially sold out of last year’s models during the summer. Under the increases, the base sticker price on the Silverado will rise from $24,585 to $26,670, including shipping, according to GM’s website. A base crew cab will go from $33,195 to $35,095. When the trucks were introduced, GM kept sticker prices the same as 2013 models, Cain said. The increase has been planned for a long time, he said.
Autos Plus
E2 • The Sentinel
Sunday, October 20, 2013
2013 Maxima offers power, refinement
Maxima, the original “4door sports car,” is in its seventh generation as Nissan’s full-size flagship, and after 37 years in the line-up, Maxima continues to set the bar for entry-luxury sedans, combining breakthrough sports sedan styling, a driver-oriented cockpit, ample comfort and luxury for passengers and an advanced drivetrain anchored by Nissan’s VQ-series V-6 engine. Assembled at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn., plant, Maxima was tweaked last year in terms of its sporty sedan styling, drivability and luxury upgrades. This year, Maxima’s enhancements include a new SV Value Package featuring a 9-speaker Bose audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated outside mirrors and a new Bose Audio Package. The Sport Package has been revised to add Monitor Package content (7-inch color monitor, USB connectivity, iPod net in center console, RearView Monitor), plus climate-controlled driver’s seat and Dark Hyper Silver-finished 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The 2013 Maxima continues with its heralded 290horsepower VQ engine, a sport-tuned chassis with the quickest steering ratio of any Nissan sedan (15.2:1) and Sport seats with driver’s thigh extension and contrasting stitching.
Aggressive and sculpted exterior design
Maxima is an eye-pleaser with its sports car demeanor and aggressive and sculpted body cues. It begins with large wraparound L-shaped h ea d l i g h ts w i t h “ t u rbine” light surrounds, wide grille, large bumper opening and “catamaran-style” hood, and moves to a deeply sculpted body/fender treatment similar to that of exotic sports cars. Maxima conveys strength with distinctive C-pillars and high trunk lid, dual exhaust with chrome finishers, available rear spoiler, fixed translucent rear panel with front and rear power retractable sunshades; available power rear sliding sunshade, available High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, available fog lights and manual folding outside mirrors; and power outside mirrors with available reverse tilt-down feature, turn
By Mike Blake
signal indicators. Maxima weighs in at a confident 3,568 pounds (curbweight) with a weight distribution of 61 percent up front and 39 percent in the rear – heavy up front even for a front-wheel drive vehicle. The four-door full-size is 190.6 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 57.8 inches high on a 109.3-inch wheelbase with minimum ground clearance of 5.6 inches. Maxima’s step-in height is 15 inches. The Nissan flagship incorSubmitted photos porates unibody construcNissan tweaked the Maxima in 2013 to feature more sporty styling and luxury upgrades. tion, with corrosion-resistant high-strength steel, an aluminum-alloy hood and 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with a silver painted finish.
Engine delivers 290 responding horses Nissan’s VQ35 engine (3.5-liter) is a V-6 that delivers 290 hp and 261 lbs-ft of torque. The sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection system is coupled with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission with adaptive shift control, manual shift mode, drive support mode and downshift rev matching. Using the recommended Premium unleaded fuel, the power system is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. My mixed-use driving examination of a test Maxima 3.5 SV yielded an average of 22.7 mpg. It may not have sports car acceleration, but Maxima certainly picks it up when asked, and the 290 horses galloped unhesitatingly at all speeds. In a zero-to-60mph test dash, the 1.8-ton sedan completed the run in 6 seconds flat and was able to increase speed to finish off a quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds. Maxima showed precise steering on the highway, with only some understeer evident during quick auto-cross maneuvers. The sport-tuned suspension — independent strut front with coil springs and stabilizer bar and multi-link independent rear with stabi-
lizer bar — was a bit rough for passengers, but handled road irregularities well … perhaps giving it more of a driver’s feel than an entry luxury ride for those aboard.
Interior pampers with its styling The Max cabin seats five and pampers with styling, though not in spaciousness. Headroom is a scrunching 38.5 inches in row one and 36.4 in row two; legroom is a comfortable 43.8 inches for the first row, but a cramped 34.6 in row two and shoulder room is accommodating for all at 56.3 and 55.1. Maxima’s interior is tailored and refined, utilizing premium materials such as
metallic-finish trim and Atlantic Cherry wood-tone trim. Its luxury amendments include premium leather-appointed seats, 8way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, 4-way power-adjustable passenger seats, heating/cooling controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth handsfree phone system, dualzone air conditioning with automatic temperature control and rear vents, cruise control and Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start. Maxima is recognized for its safety attributes and has
been awarded a perfect 5 stars in National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration rollover tests. Safety items that are part of the 3.5 SV include Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain sideimpact supplemental air bags, front-seat active head restraints and Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System. My 2013 Maxima 3.5 SV in Tuscan Sun Metallic
(red) paint and a Café Latte (black and cream) interior base priced at $33,240. A 7inch monitor package added $700; the Bose audio entertainment package added $1100; a rear spoiler added $380; the loaded tech package was $1150; and Destination charges of $810 brought the final sticker price to $37,380. Visit www.CarlisleEvents. com for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’s been a “car guy” since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
4 file complaints GM boosts prices as pickup battle rages about union at VW plant By Tom Krisher Associated Press
Associated Press
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Four workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board saying the company is coercing employees into approving the United Auto Workers as their bargaining agent. Volkswagen’s top labor official, Bernd Osterloh says that Chattanooga would need to organize in order to compete for a new SUV that VW hopes to build in the U.S., requiring 800 new workers. Matt Patterson leads the anti-union Center for Worker Freedom at the Americans for Tax Reform. Patterson told WPLN-FM in Nashville that comment sounds like a threat to him. UAW Regional Director Gary Casteel told the Chattanooga Times Free Press the cards signed by the workers clearly state the workers are supporting the UAW’s effort to represent them. “It’s as binding and legal as any vote,” he said. For three of the four workers who signed onto this complaint, it’s their second grievance filed with the NLRB. The first alleged that the UAW bribed employees to sign their union cards. However, the union cards specifically say that anyone is welcome to re-
voke them at any time. In the charge, the workers said VW’s alleged threat “interfere(s) with Chattanooga facility employees’ rights to choose whether or not to engage in self-organization to form, join, or assist labor organizations.” Mark Mix, president of the foundation that has attorneys working with the workers, said in a statement that with reports that VW is considering Chattanooga to build its new sport utility vehicle, “this is no idle threat.” “If VW management was discouraging workers from joining the UAW with threats, there’s little question that an NLRB prosecution would have already begun at the UAW’s behest,” Mix said. A VW plant spokesman said Wednesday the company had no comment on the NLRB filing. “We know how important that (second) vehicle is for Chattanooga,” said Bernd Osterloh, head of VW’s global works council, in Germany. Eight VW workers had earlier filed NLRB charges against the UAW, alleging coercion and intimidation related to authorization cards the union is asking employees for the automaker to sign. The UAW has denied those charges.
DETROIT — General Motors is adding a twist to the fight for supremacy in the red-hot U.S. pickup truck market: It’s raising prices. GM is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. That’s 8.5 percent above the price when the truck hit showrooms in the spring. Other versions of the Silverado, as well as the GMC Sierra, will see similar percentage increases. Raising prices sounds like an odd way to boost sales. But industry analysts suspect it’s a marketing ploy. They expect GM to raise incentives starting next month so dealers can advertise big discounts. Customers will feel they’re getting a deal — whether they do or not depends on the size of the discount. T h e m ove co m e s a fter GM’s pickup sales fell 8 percent in September while its two biggest competitors saw increases. Sales of Ford’s F-Series, the best-selling pickups in the U.S., rose 10 percent and Chrysler’s Ram posted an 8 percent increase. The Detroit Three dominate U.S. full-size pickup truck sales with 90 percent of the market. The Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan make up the remainder. GM didn’t offer the sweet deals Ford and Chrysler did last month, said Jesse Toprak, an analyst for the TrueCar.com auto pricing website. Raising prices and then adding incentives is common in the business.
Associated Press file photo
The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 debuts in Pontiac, Mich. General Motors is adding almost $2,100 to the sticker price of the base 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. And truck buyers especially like to get deals, Toprak said. “This whole change in pricing strategy for trucks at GM is really meant predominantly as a sales closing tactic for dealerships,” he said. The increase covers trucks built after Oct. 7, so pickups now on dealer lots won’t be affected. GM officials may also be counting on a recent change in buying habits: Consumers now pay less attention to the sticker price. Toprak says most buyers now research their cars and trucks online before buying. Many thirdparty auto websites suggest prices that people should pay that are below the sticker price, he said. “Savvy customers know how to look beyond this and go to net pricing,” he said. In May, Nissan Motor Co. took the opposite strategy.
The Japanese automaker cut prices and incentives so its cars showed up in Internet searches done by price-sensitive buyers. Nissan sales are up 13 percent since then. GM spokesman Jim Cain wo u l d n ’t co m m e n t o n whether the company would increase discounts when its current incentives expire Oct. 31. But he said that incentives do give dealers flexibility to promote sales, allowing cash-strapped customers to use rebates as down payments. “That does help customers purchase a vehicle from time to time if they’ve got no money down,” said Tom Kool, who runs a small Chevrolet dealership in Sturgis, Mich., just north of the Indiana border. Last month, GM spent about 18 percent less on pickup discounts than a
year earlier — an average of $3,430 on the Silverado and $3,339 on the Sierra, according to TrueCar. Ford, which has an older truck with a lower base price, spent about $100 more discounting the F-150, while Chrysler spent nearly $700 more than GM. Both Chrysler and Ford offered bigger discounts on outgoing 2013 models last month, while GM essentially sold out of last year’s models during the summer. Under the increases, the base sticker price on the Silverado will rise from $24,585 to $26,670, including shipping, according to GM’s website. A base crew cab will go from $33,195 to $35,095. When the trucks were introduced, GM kept sticker prices the same as 2013 models, Cain said. The increase has been planned for a long time, he said.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Autos Plus
The Sentinel • E3
Audi adds diesel to compact Toyota marks
first decade in Alamo City
By Ann M. Job Associated Press Audi’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, the Q5, gets even better in 2014 with the addition of a six-cylinder, diesel engine that is fuelthrifty yet muscular. The federal government mileage ratings for the newfor-2014 Q5 TDI with turbocharged and direct-injection V-6 — 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on highways — rival those of many SUVs with smaller, four-cylinder, gasoline engines. It’s even rated 1 mpg more in highway driving than the gasoline-electric hybrid Audi Q5. At the same time, Audi’s powerplant generates loads more torque and at low engine speeds — an astounding 428 foot-pounds starting at just 1,750 rpm. So the Q5 can accelerate quickly in traffic-merging situations and zip efficiently past slower vehicles. Plus, Audi’s Q5 is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine, where reliability is listed as average. All models of the 2014 Audi Q5 retain the features that have been attracting increasing numbers of buyers: handsome and distinctive exterior, compact size, well-crafted interior, luxury appointments and sport sedan ride and handling. To be sure, the starting retail price for the 240-horsepower, diesel V-6 of Q5 is $9,200 higher than that for the base, 2014 Q5 with 220-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $47,395 for a 2014 Q5 TDI also is more than the starting retail price of $39,905 for a base, 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec SUV with diesel engine. But the GLK250 Bluetec has a smaller, 200-horsepower, 2.1-liter, four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel powerplant generating a maximum 369 foot-pounds of torque. Plus, the base, diesel GLK comes with fewer standard features than the Q5. For example: • The base Q5 TDI has standard leather-covered seats, while leather seats are part of a $1,850 option package on the base GLK250 diesel. • The Audi comes with three-zone, automatic climate control, not two-zone. • It has a standard, large, panoramic sunroof and power rear liftgate. A panorama roof and power tailgate on the GLK diesel model are part of a $3,450
Associated Press
This undated image made available by Audi shows the 2014 Audi Q5 TDI.
Fact sheet 2014 Audi Q5 TDI quattro Tiptronic BASE PRICE: $37,300 for base, 2.0T Tiptronic; $41,200 for 2.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $44,400 for 3.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $46,500 for TDI Tiptronic.
sport utility vehicle. ENGINE: 3-liter, double overhead cam, turbocharged, TDI V-6 with FSI direct injection.
CURB WEIGHT: 4,475 pounds. BUILT AT: Germany.
LENGTH: 182.6 inches.
OPTIONS: Audi MM navigation plus package (includes navigation system, voice control, color driver information display, parking system with rearview camera) $3,550; Glacier White metallic exterior paint $500.
TYPE: Front-engine, allwheel drive, five-passenger, compact, luxury, crossover
WHEELBASE: 110.5 inches.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $895.
premium package. • The Q5 diesel with eight-speed transmission comes standard with roof rails, while they are extra on the base GLK250 diesel with seven-speed tranny. • T h e Me rce d e s a l so doesn’t have the impressive, 505-watt, Bang & Olufsen, 14-speaker audio system that comes with the Q5 TDI. Still, there’s no denying that many drivers are more comfortable and familiar with gasoline engines, and this continues to fuel the success of the top-selling compact, luxury, crossover SUV, the Lexus RX. Starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a 2014 RX250 with 270-horsepower, gasoline V-6 is $40,670 with front-wheel drive and $42,070 with all-wheel drive. The Q5 TDI and GLK250 Bluetec come standard with all-wheel drive. Audi continues to offer the Q5’s other power choices in 2014: The base turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder; an uplevel, supercharged, 272-horsepower, gasoline V-6; and the 245horsepower hybrid. And besides the diesel, Audi adds
a sporty, 354-horsepower, SQ5 model for 2014. But the Q5 TDI, while having peak 240 horses, beats the SQ5 in torque, which is that accelerative power that’s demanded in pedalto-the-metal driving. In the test Q5 TDI, the force pushed passengers’ backs into the seats, and the Q5, solid and stable, rushed forward. Intriguingly, while recognizable diesel engine sounds at idle could be heard by people outside this Audi, passengers inside didn’t hear this. Steering effort was well weighted and felt neither flimsy nor heavy. Inserts of black plastic at the inside door handles were a smooth and nice contrast to the textured armrests, and the textured fabric ceiling material was upscale. Fit and finish — from gaps between sheet metal pieces on the outside of the Q5 to the stitched seams on the seats inside — were excellent. The Q5 body was tightly controlled. Its stick-to-thepavement posture endured during cornering. The tester did not exhibit tippiness
that might be expected in long sweeping curves. Indeed, despite its tallish, SUV stance and nearly 8 inches of ground clearance, the Q5’s drove a lot like a sport sedan. Fuel economy averaged 25.7 mpg, which compares with the federal government rating of 27 mpg in combined city/highway travel. This translated into a travel range of more than 500 miles on a single tank and is nearly on par with the 28 mpg combined mileage rating for the four-cylinder GLK diesel. The Q5’s back-seat legroom of 37.4 inches is comfortable for most passengers. Rear doorways are narrowed by intrusion of the rear wheel wells, and the middle person in back has to deal with a sizable hump in the floor. Red interior lighting highlights most all buttons and knobs at night. The panorama roof was one of the easiest to control, as it opens to preset stopping points via a dial on the ceiling. With the sunroof, headroom of at least 39 inches in front and back seats is commendable.
PRICE AS TESTED: $51,445.
MILEAGE: 24 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway). TOP SPEED: 130 mph.
Leases for plug-in cars may offer savings By Alex Veiga Associated Press Automakers have sweetened deals in recent months for plug-in electric cars in a bid to boost sales and move the vehicles off dealer lots as the end of the year nears. General Motors knocked off $5,000, or 13 percent, off the sticker price of the Chevrolet Volt this summer. Earlier in the year, Nissan dropped the price of its electric Leaf, helping boost its sales. It’s now offering a three-year lease at $199 a month. You can drive around in a plug-in hybrid for next to nothing if you were already spending $200 a month on gas, says John O’Dell, a senior editor at auto site Edmunds.com. For drivers enticed by the possibility of dramatically reducing their reliance on gasoline, the discounts on plug-in electric cars — particularly when leasing — are worth considering. But owning an electric car has limitations that may not make them a wise choice for many drivers, nor ultimately translate into big savings. Here’s a checklist of factors to consider:
gasoline prices. But electric cars have limits on how far they can go before they need to be recharged. For the 2013 Leaf, that’s 75 miles. If you need to drive more than that a day, without access to a public charging station, it’s not going to do you much good. (One place to locate battery recharging stations is on Plugshare.com) Plug-in electric cars, which have a gasoline engine that can kick in when its batteries run down, offer more versatility. For all electrics, you need to have access to a power outlet, and ideally a 240volt charger, which can cut the time it takes to recharge electric car batteries to as little as four hours. That typically means being a homeowner, as apartment tenants may not have the means to plug in their car overnight.
2. Know the car types
If you haven’t looked closely at fuel-efficient and electric cars before, the process can be confusing and rife with technical jargon. But understanding the different types of cars is essential in determining whether one will be right for you. Generally, there are three 1. Do you fit the profile? categories: • Hybrids run on a gasoThe most immediate potential cost-savings can line engine, but use a batstem from avoiding volatile tery driven motor to assist at
lease, says Jesse Toprak, senior analyst for auto pricing portal TrueCar.com. “We’re sort of in the middle of a perfect storm for leasing,” he says, citing low interest rates and the more aggressive lease offers by electric car manufacturers. For a $28,000 Leaf, Nissan is offering a 36-month lease for $199 a month, with a down payment of $1,800. Chevrolet is advertising a $299 a month lease for 36 months on a 2014 Volt priced at $34,995. Those terms require $2,499 upfront. There are often some fineprint restrictions on such offers, but like any lease 3. Lease, don’t buy transaction, customers can Although leasing some- try to negotiate better terms. times gets a bad rap, when it comes to electric cars, it’s 4. Review potential the way to go — assuming tax incentives the typical 10,000-12,000 The federal government mile per year limit fits your and some states offer tax inneeds. centives to electric car buyA big reason is electric car ers. If you lease, the benefit technology is evolving. That is generally used to lower the means if you own a car for lease cost. several years, your trade-in At the federal level, there’s value will be limited because a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the availability of more ef- for cars sold after Dec. 31, ficient and advanced mod- 2008. The amount depends els. Plus, there is concern on the size of the battery. that electric car batteries The credit is applied against will degrade over time and your tax bill, or as a refund, charge at diminished levels provided you have at least after several years. Leasing the equivalent amount in tax for three years, for example, liabilities. Here’s a list of all the allows you to avoid this issue tax incentives, by state: altogether. It’s also a good time to Pluginamerica.org/incentives. times, such as from a standstill. The engine recharges the battery. • Plug-in electric cars have electric engines that run on battery power charged from an electrical outlet. When their charge runs out, the car switches over to a gasolinepowered engine. • Full-electric cars only operate on electric power. Try this online calculator on the U.S. Department of Energy’s page on fuel economy to compare fuel cost savings for different models: www. fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find. do?action=phev1Prompt.
By Neal Morton point,” he said. This year, he estimated San Antonio Express-News total new vehicle sales in SAN ANTONIO — It the U.S. will reach about hasn’t been an easy decade 15.5 million units, still befor Toyota’s truck plant on low a market record of 17 the South Side. million. On Oct. 17, 2003, the For every 1 million units Japanese automaker broke in industry increase, Lentz ground on the 2.2 mil- added, the pickup market lion-square-foot campus grows by about 125,000 — a milestone the company more trucks sold. marked with an elaborate “Given our current share ceremony Thursday. of the market, that means “Ten years ago, this for every million units in plant’s mission was to build total industry growth . . . trucks exclusively for the we sell about 10,000 more,” U.S. market, and today this he said. “To double a plant mission’s been expand- size, (that) would require ed,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of us to conquest an enorToyota’s North American mous number from the Big region. Three” in Detroit. Toyota’s troubles began “With very loyal buyers almost immediately after in a very entrenched marthe first full-size Tundra ket, (that’s) very difficult to pickup rolled off the as- do.” sembly line in 2006. In September, the TaMassive safety recalls coma dominated the comthreatened the company’s pact truck segment with a new position as the world’s more than 66 percent share biggest automaker and of the market, according shook its reputation for to Kelley Blue Book. The making reliable vehicles. full-size Tundra, however, And in 2011, an earth- barely topped a 6 percent quake and tsunami dis- share of its segment. rupted Toyota’s supply Toyota hopes to change chain in Japan, tightening that percentage with its production of its popular redesigned 2014 Tundra, cars and trucks in North which it offers in two new, America. high-end editions. The global economic criProduction on the new sis that took hold in 2008 full-size pickup began in decimated the nation’s auto July, and Lentz said sales of market, and truck sales, inthe luxury models already cluding that of the San Andoubled expectations that tonio-made Tacoma and they would account for 10 Tundra pickups, plummetpercent of new orders. ed. “Right now, the No. 1 isToyota officials didn’t sue among dealers,” Lentz ignore those stumbling said, “is getting more Tunblocks Thursday during dras.” the 10th anniversary celDuring the anniversary ebration of the factory’s event, Bexar County Judge groundbreaking. But they highlighted other mile- Nelson Wolff said critstones — such as the plant’s ics described San Antonio recently produced one- leaders as foolish for trymillionth truck — as proof ing to pursue a Toyota plant the automaker’s estimated more than a decade ago. “ We ’ v e n o w g o n e $2.2 billion investment in through 10 years of marSan Antonio has paid off. riage,” he said, noting the “By the end of this year, (the plant) will have helped “tough, tough times” of the us export Tundras and Ta- recalls, natural disasters comas to some 11 countries and recession. “But Toyota around the world,” he add- stayed with us throughout ed. “It is safe to say (the) the whole difficult era. “We look forward to an number of countries and the number of exports will easier 10 years of marriage,” continue to grow well into Wolff added. Before the plant’s nearly the future.” 2,700 workers returned to Flanked by state and lothe assembly line, Toyota cal leaders who helped convince Toyota to move officials announced they to San Antonio, Lentz said would donate 10 pickups the plant’s future growth to local school districts and will play into the compa- nonprofit groups. About 3,000 other emny’s plans to make North America a major manufac- ployees work for 21 onsite suppliers, six of which are turing hub. The South Side facto- locally owned. Mayor Castro, who also ry, which for the first time broke its annual produc- spoke at the event, recalled tion capacity of 200,000 when he was a “20-somelast year, currently sits on thing” member of the City 2,000 acres and has the Council, listening to Toyspace to essentially double ota representatives explain how the truck plant would in size. Later this month, May- help cultivate a first-rate or Julián Castro will meet workforce. Since then, Toyota has with Toyota executives as part of a trip to Japan, and partnered with the Alamo local leaders recently have Colleges and school disbeen pressing for the auto- tricts to develop science maker to build on its pres- and math training programs. The company also ence here. However, in an interview lobbied in Austin this year with the San Antonio Ex- to support reforms to the press-News, Lentz indicat- state’s public education ed it could take some time system. “San Antonio loves to call before executives in Japan decide to expand opera- itself Military City U.S.A.,” Castro said. tions in the Alamo City. “Today, we call ourselves “Look at the numbers from an industry stand- Toyota City U.S.A.”
Love food? So do we.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Autos Plus
The Sentinel • E3
Audi adds diesel to compact Toyota marks
first decade in Alamo City
By Ann M. Job Associated Press Audi’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, the Q5, gets even better in 2014 with the addition of a six-cylinder, diesel engine that is fuelthrifty yet muscular. The federal government mileage ratings for the newfor-2014 Q5 TDI with turbocharged and direct-injection V-6 — 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on highways — rival those of many SUVs with smaller, four-cylinder, gasoline engines. It’s even rated 1 mpg more in highway driving than the gasoline-electric hybrid Audi Q5. At the same time, Audi’s powerplant generates loads more torque and at low engine speeds — an astounding 428 foot-pounds starting at just 1,750 rpm. So the Q5 can accelerate quickly in traffic-merging situations and zip efficiently past slower vehicles. Plus, Audi’s Q5 is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine, where reliability is listed as average. All models of the 2014 Audi Q5 retain the features that have been attracting increasing numbers of buyers: handsome and distinctive exterior, compact size, well-crafted interior, luxury appointments and sport sedan ride and handling. To be sure, the starting retail price for the 240-horsepower, diesel V-6 of Q5 is $9,200 higher than that for the base, 2014 Q5 with 220-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $47,395 for a 2014 Q5 TDI also is more than the starting retail price of $39,905 for a base, 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec SUV with diesel engine. But the GLK250 Bluetec has a smaller, 200-horsepower, 2.1-liter, four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel powerplant generating a maximum 369 foot-pounds of torque. Plus, the base, diesel GLK comes with fewer standard features than the Q5. For example: • The base Q5 TDI has standard leather-covered seats, while leather seats are part of a $1,850 option package on the base GLK250 diesel. • The Audi comes with three-zone, automatic climate control, not two-zone. • It has a standard, large, panoramic sunroof and power rear liftgate. A panorama roof and power tailgate on the GLK diesel model are part of a $3,450
Associated Press
This undated image made available by Audi shows the 2014 Audi Q5 TDI.
Fact sheet 2014 Audi Q5 TDI quattro Tiptronic BASE PRICE: $37,300 for base, 2.0T Tiptronic; $41,200 for 2.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $44,400 for 3.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $46,500 for TDI Tiptronic.
sport utility vehicle. ENGINE: 3-liter, double overhead cam, turbocharged, TDI V-6 with FSI direct injection.
CURB WEIGHT: 4,475 pounds. BUILT AT: Germany.
LENGTH: 182.6 inches.
OPTIONS: Audi MM navigation plus package (includes navigation system, voice control, color driver information display, parking system with rearview camera) $3,550; Glacier White metallic exterior paint $500.
TYPE: Front-engine, allwheel drive, five-passenger, compact, luxury, crossover
WHEELBASE: 110.5 inches.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $895.
premium package. • The Q5 diesel with eight-speed transmission comes standard with roof rails, while they are extra on the base GLK250 diesel with seven-speed tranny. • T h e Me rce d e s a l so doesn’t have the impressive, 505-watt, Bang & Olufsen, 14-speaker audio system that comes with the Q5 TDI. Still, there’s no denying that many drivers are more comfortable and familiar with gasoline engines, and this continues to fuel the success of the top-selling compact, luxury, crossover SUV, the Lexus RX. Starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a 2014 RX250 with 270-horsepower, gasoline V-6 is $40,670 with front-wheel drive and $42,070 with all-wheel drive. The Q5 TDI and GLK250 Bluetec come standard with all-wheel drive. Audi continues to offer the Q5’s other power choices in 2014: The base turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder; an uplevel, supercharged, 272-horsepower, gasoline V-6; and the 245horsepower hybrid. And besides the diesel, Audi adds
a sporty, 354-horsepower, SQ5 model for 2014. But the Q5 TDI, while having peak 240 horses, beats the SQ5 in torque, which is that accelerative power that’s demanded in pedalto-the-metal driving. In the test Q5 TDI, the force pushed passengers’ backs into the seats, and the Q5, solid and stable, rushed forward. Intriguingly, while recognizable diesel engine sounds at idle could be heard by people outside this Audi, passengers inside didn’t hear this. Steering effort was well weighted and felt neither flimsy nor heavy. Inserts of black plastic at the inside door handles were a smooth and nice contrast to the textured armrests, and the textured fabric ceiling material was upscale. Fit and finish — from gaps between sheet metal pieces on the outside of the Q5 to the stitched seams on the seats inside — were excellent. The Q5 body was tightly controlled. Its stick-to-thepavement posture endured during cornering. The tester did not exhibit tippiness
that might be expected in long sweeping curves. Indeed, despite its tallish, SUV stance and nearly 8 inches of ground clearance, the Q5’s drove a lot like a sport sedan. Fuel economy averaged 25.7 mpg, which compares with the federal government rating of 27 mpg in combined city/highway travel. This translated into a travel range of more than 500 miles on a single tank and is nearly on par with the 28 mpg combined mileage rating for the four-cylinder GLK diesel. The Q5’s back-seat legroom of 37.4 inches is comfortable for most passengers. Rear doorways are narrowed by intrusion of the rear wheel wells, and the middle person in back has to deal with a sizable hump in the floor. Red interior lighting highlights most all buttons and knobs at night. The panorama roof was one of the easiest to control, as it opens to preset stopping points via a dial on the ceiling. With the sunroof, headroom of at least 39 inches in front and back seats is commendable.
PRICE AS TESTED: $51,445.
MILEAGE: 24 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway). TOP SPEED: 130 mph.
Leases for plug-in cars may offer savings By Alex Veiga Associated Press Automakers have sweetened deals in recent months for plug-in electric cars in a bid to boost sales and move the vehicles off dealer lots as the end of the year nears. General Motors knocked off $5,000, or 13 percent, off the sticker price of the Chevrolet Volt this summer. Earlier in the year, Nissan dropped the price of its electric Leaf, helping boost its sales. It’s now offering a three-year lease at $199 a month. You can drive around in a plug-in hybrid for next to nothing if you were already spending $200 a month on gas, says John O’Dell, a senior editor at auto site Edmunds.com. For drivers enticed by the possibility of dramatically reducing their reliance on gasoline, the discounts on plug-in electric cars — particularly when leasing — are worth considering. But owning an electric car has limitations that may not make them a wise choice for many drivers, nor ultimately translate into big savings. Here’s a checklist of factors to consider:
gasoline prices. But electric cars have limits on how far they can go before they need to be recharged. For the 2013 Leaf, that’s 75 miles. If you need to drive more than that a day, without access to a public charging station, it’s not going to do you much good. (One place to locate battery recharging stations is on Plugshare.com) Plug-in electric cars, which have a gasoline engine that can kick in when its batteries run down, offer more versatility. For all electrics, you need to have access to a power outlet, and ideally a 240volt charger, which can cut the time it takes to recharge electric car batteries to as little as four hours. That typically means being a homeowner, as apartment tenants may not have the means to plug in their car overnight.
2. Know the car types
If you haven’t looked closely at fuel-efficient and electric cars before, the process can be confusing and rife with technical jargon. But understanding the different types of cars is essential in determining whether one will be right for you. Generally, there are three 1. Do you fit the profile? categories: • Hybrids run on a gasoThe most immediate potential cost-savings can line engine, but use a batstem from avoiding volatile tery driven motor to assist at
lease, says Jesse Toprak, senior analyst for auto pricing portal TrueCar.com. “We’re sort of in the middle of a perfect storm for leasing,” he says, citing low interest rates and the more aggressive lease offers by electric car manufacturers. For a $28,000 Leaf, Nissan is offering a 36-month lease for $199 a month, with a down payment of $1,800. Chevrolet is advertising a $299 a month lease for 36 months on a 2014 Volt priced at $34,995. Those terms require $2,499 upfront. There are often some fineprint restrictions on such offers, but like any lease 3. Lease, don’t buy transaction, customers can Although leasing some- try to negotiate better terms. times gets a bad rap, when it comes to electric cars, it’s 4. Review potential the way to go — assuming tax incentives the typical 10,000-12,000 The federal government mile per year limit fits your and some states offer tax inneeds. centives to electric car buyA big reason is electric car ers. If you lease, the benefit technology is evolving. That is generally used to lower the means if you own a car for lease cost. several years, your trade-in At the federal level, there’s value will be limited because a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the availability of more ef- for cars sold after Dec. 31, ficient and advanced mod- 2008. The amount depends els. Plus, there is concern on the size of the battery. that electric car batteries The credit is applied against will degrade over time and your tax bill, or as a refund, charge at diminished levels provided you have at least after several years. Leasing the equivalent amount in tax for three years, for example, liabilities. Here’s a list of all the allows you to avoid this issue tax incentives, by state: altogether. It’s also a good time to Pluginamerica.org/incentives. times, such as from a standstill. The engine recharges the battery. • Plug-in electric cars have electric engines that run on battery power charged from an electrical outlet. When their charge runs out, the car switches over to a gasolinepowered engine. • Full-electric cars only operate on electric power. Try this online calculator on the U.S. Department of Energy’s page on fuel economy to compare fuel cost savings for different models: www. fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find. do?action=phev1Prompt.
By Neal Morton point,” he said. This year, he estimated San Antonio Express-News total new vehicle sales in SAN ANTONIO — It the U.S. will reach about hasn’t been an easy decade 15.5 million units, still befor Toyota’s truck plant on low a market record of 17 the South Side. million. On Oct. 17, 2003, the For every 1 million units Japanese automaker broke in industry increase, Lentz ground on the 2.2 mil- added, the pickup market lion-square-foot campus grows by about 125,000 — a milestone the company more trucks sold. marked with an elaborate “Given our current share ceremony Thursday. of the market, that means “Ten years ago, this for every million units in plant’s mission was to build total industry growth . . . trucks exclusively for the we sell about 10,000 more,” U.S. market, and today this he said. “To double a plant mission’s been expand- size, (that) would require ed,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of us to conquest an enorToyota’s North American mous number from the Big region. Three” in Detroit. Toyota’s troubles began “With very loyal buyers almost immediately after in a very entrenched marthe first full-size Tundra ket, (that’s) very difficult to pickup rolled off the as- do.” sembly line in 2006. In September, the TaMassive safety recalls coma dominated the comthreatened the company’s pact truck segment with a new position as the world’s more than 66 percent share biggest automaker and of the market, according shook its reputation for to Kelley Blue Book. The making reliable vehicles. full-size Tundra, however, And in 2011, an earth- barely topped a 6 percent quake and tsunami dis- share of its segment. rupted Toyota’s supply Toyota hopes to change chain in Japan, tightening that percentage with its production of its popular redesigned 2014 Tundra, cars and trucks in North which it offers in two new, America. high-end editions. The global economic criProduction on the new sis that took hold in 2008 full-size pickup began in decimated the nation’s auto July, and Lentz said sales of market, and truck sales, inthe luxury models already cluding that of the San Andoubled expectations that tonio-made Tacoma and they would account for 10 Tundra pickups, plummetpercent of new orders. ed. “Right now, the No. 1 isToyota officials didn’t sue among dealers,” Lentz ignore those stumbling said, “is getting more Tunblocks Thursday during dras.” the 10th anniversary celDuring the anniversary ebration of the factory’s event, Bexar County Judge groundbreaking. But they highlighted other mile- Nelson Wolff said critstones — such as the plant’s ics described San Antonio recently produced one- leaders as foolish for trymillionth truck — as proof ing to pursue a Toyota plant the automaker’s estimated more than a decade ago. “ We ’ v e n o w g o n e $2.2 billion investment in through 10 years of marSan Antonio has paid off. riage,” he said, noting the “By the end of this year, (the plant) will have helped “tough, tough times” of the us export Tundras and Ta- recalls, natural disasters comas to some 11 countries and recession. “But Toyota around the world,” he add- stayed with us throughout ed. “It is safe to say (the) the whole difficult era. “We look forward to an number of countries and the number of exports will easier 10 years of marriage,” continue to grow well into Wolff added. Before the plant’s nearly the future.” 2,700 workers returned to Flanked by state and lothe assembly line, Toyota cal leaders who helped convince Toyota to move officials announced they to San Antonio, Lentz said would donate 10 pickups the plant’s future growth to local school districts and will play into the compa- nonprofit groups. About 3,000 other emny’s plans to make North America a major manufac- ployees work for 21 onsite suppliers, six of which are turing hub. The South Side facto- locally owned. Mayor Castro, who also ry, which for the first time broke its annual produc- spoke at the event, recalled tion capacity of 200,000 when he was a “20-somelast year, currently sits on thing” member of the City 2,000 acres and has the Council, listening to Toyspace to essentially double ota representatives explain how the truck plant would in size. Later this month, May- help cultivate a first-rate or Julián Castro will meet workforce. Since then, Toyota has with Toyota executives as part of a trip to Japan, and partnered with the Alamo local leaders recently have Colleges and school disbeen pressing for the auto- tricts to develop science maker to build on its pres- and math training programs. The company also ence here. However, in an interview lobbied in Austin this year with the San Antonio Ex- to support reforms to the press-News, Lentz indicat- state’s public education ed it could take some time system. “San Antonio loves to call before executives in Japan decide to expand opera- itself Military City U.S.A.,” Castro said. tions in the Alamo City. “Today, we call ourselves “Look at the numbers from an industry stand- Toyota City U.S.A.”
Love food? So do we.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Autos Plus
The Sentinel • E3
Audi adds diesel to compact Toyota marks
first decade in Alamo City
By Ann M. Job Associated Press Audi’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, the Q5, gets even better in 2014 with the addition of a six-cylinder, diesel engine that is fuelthrifty yet muscular. The federal government mileage ratings for the newfor-2014 Q5 TDI with turbocharged and direct-injection V-6 — 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on highways — rival those of many SUVs with smaller, four-cylinder, gasoline engines. It’s even rated 1 mpg more in highway driving than the gasoline-electric hybrid Audi Q5. At the same time, Audi’s powerplant generates loads more torque and at low engine speeds — an astounding 428 foot-pounds starting at just 1,750 rpm. So the Q5 can accelerate quickly in traffic-merging situations and zip efficiently past slower vehicles. Plus, Audi’s Q5 is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine, where reliability is listed as average. All models of the 2014 Audi Q5 retain the features that have been attracting increasing numbers of buyers: handsome and distinctive exterior, compact size, well-crafted interior, luxury appointments and sport sedan ride and handling. To be sure, the starting retail price for the 240-horsepower, diesel V-6 of Q5 is $9,200 higher than that for the base, 2014 Q5 with 220-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $47,395 for a 2014 Q5 TDI also is more than the starting retail price of $39,905 for a base, 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec SUV with diesel engine. But the GLK250 Bluetec has a smaller, 200-horsepower, 2.1-liter, four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel powerplant generating a maximum 369 foot-pounds of torque. Plus, the base, diesel GLK comes with fewer standard features than the Q5. For example: • The base Q5 TDI has standard leather-covered seats, while leather seats are part of a $1,850 option package on the base GLK250 diesel. • The Audi comes with three-zone, automatic climate control, not two-zone. • It has a standard, large, panoramic sunroof and power rear liftgate. A panorama roof and power tailgate on the GLK diesel model are part of a $3,450
Associated Press
This undated image made available by Audi shows the 2014 Audi Q5 TDI.
Fact sheet 2014 Audi Q5 TDI quattro Tiptronic BASE PRICE: $37,300 for base, 2.0T Tiptronic; $41,200 for 2.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $44,400 for 3.0T Tiptronic Premium Plus; $46,500 for TDI Tiptronic.
sport utility vehicle. ENGINE: 3-liter, double overhead cam, turbocharged, TDI V-6 with FSI direct injection.
CURB WEIGHT: 4,475 pounds. BUILT AT: Germany.
LENGTH: 182.6 inches.
OPTIONS: Audi MM navigation plus package (includes navigation system, voice control, color driver information display, parking system with rearview camera) $3,550; Glacier White metallic exterior paint $500.
TYPE: Front-engine, allwheel drive, five-passenger, compact, luxury, crossover
WHEELBASE: 110.5 inches.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $895.
premium package. • The Q5 diesel with eight-speed transmission comes standard with roof rails, while they are extra on the base GLK250 diesel with seven-speed tranny. • T h e Me rce d e s a l so doesn’t have the impressive, 505-watt, Bang & Olufsen, 14-speaker audio system that comes with the Q5 TDI. Still, there’s no denying that many drivers are more comfortable and familiar with gasoline engines, and this continues to fuel the success of the top-selling compact, luxury, crossover SUV, the Lexus RX. Starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a 2014 RX250 with 270-horsepower, gasoline V-6 is $40,670 with front-wheel drive and $42,070 with all-wheel drive. The Q5 TDI and GLK250 Bluetec come standard with all-wheel drive. Audi continues to offer the Q5’s other power choices in 2014: The base turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder; an uplevel, supercharged, 272-horsepower, gasoline V-6; and the 245horsepower hybrid. And besides the diesel, Audi adds
a sporty, 354-horsepower, SQ5 model for 2014. But the Q5 TDI, while having peak 240 horses, beats the SQ5 in torque, which is that accelerative power that’s demanded in pedalto-the-metal driving. In the test Q5 TDI, the force pushed passengers’ backs into the seats, and the Q5, solid and stable, rushed forward. Intriguingly, while recognizable diesel engine sounds at idle could be heard by people outside this Audi, passengers inside didn’t hear this. Steering effort was well weighted and felt neither flimsy nor heavy. Inserts of black plastic at the inside door handles were a smooth and nice contrast to the textured armrests, and the textured fabric ceiling material was upscale. Fit and finish — from gaps between sheet metal pieces on the outside of the Q5 to the stitched seams on the seats inside — were excellent. The Q5 body was tightly controlled. Its stick-to-thepavement posture endured during cornering. The tester did not exhibit tippiness
that might be expected in long sweeping curves. Indeed, despite its tallish, SUV stance and nearly 8 inches of ground clearance, the Q5’s drove a lot like a sport sedan. Fuel economy averaged 25.7 mpg, which compares with the federal government rating of 27 mpg in combined city/highway travel. This translated into a travel range of more than 500 miles on a single tank and is nearly on par with the 28 mpg combined mileage rating for the four-cylinder GLK diesel. The Q5’s back-seat legroom of 37.4 inches is comfortable for most passengers. Rear doorways are narrowed by intrusion of the rear wheel wells, and the middle person in back has to deal with a sizable hump in the floor. Red interior lighting highlights most all buttons and knobs at night. The panorama roof was one of the easiest to control, as it opens to preset stopping points via a dial on the ceiling. With the sunroof, headroom of at least 39 inches in front and back seats is commendable.
PRICE AS TESTED: $51,445.
MILEAGE: 24 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway). TOP SPEED: 130 mph.
Leases for plug-in cars may offer savings By Alex Veiga Associated Press Automakers have sweetened deals in recent months for plug-in electric cars in a bid to boost sales and move the vehicles off dealer lots as the end of the year nears. General Motors knocked off $5,000, or 13 percent, off the sticker price of the Chevrolet Volt this summer. Earlier in the year, Nissan dropped the price of its electric Leaf, helping boost its sales. It’s now offering a three-year lease at $199 a month. You can drive around in a plug-in hybrid for next to nothing if you were already spending $200 a month on gas, says John O’Dell, a senior editor at auto site Edmunds.com. For drivers enticed by the possibility of dramatically reducing their reliance on gasoline, the discounts on plug-in electric cars — particularly when leasing — are worth considering. But owning an electric car has limitations that may not make them a wise choice for many drivers, nor ultimately translate into big savings. Here’s a checklist of factors to consider:
gasoline prices. But electric cars have limits on how far they can go before they need to be recharged. For the 2013 Leaf, that’s 75 miles. If you need to drive more than that a day, without access to a public charging station, it’s not going to do you much good. (One place to locate battery recharging stations is on Plugshare.com) Plug-in electric cars, which have a gasoline engine that can kick in when its batteries run down, offer more versatility. For all electrics, you need to have access to a power outlet, and ideally a 240volt charger, which can cut the time it takes to recharge electric car batteries to as little as four hours. That typically means being a homeowner, as apartment tenants may not have the means to plug in their car overnight.
2. Know the car types
If you haven’t looked closely at fuel-efficient and electric cars before, the process can be confusing and rife with technical jargon. But understanding the different types of cars is essential in determining whether one will be right for you. Generally, there are three 1. Do you fit the profile? categories: • Hybrids run on a gasoThe most immediate potential cost-savings can line engine, but use a batstem from avoiding volatile tery driven motor to assist at
lease, says Jesse Toprak, senior analyst for auto pricing portal TrueCar.com. “We’re sort of in the middle of a perfect storm for leasing,” he says, citing low interest rates and the more aggressive lease offers by electric car manufacturers. For a $28,000 Leaf, Nissan is offering a 36-month lease for $199 a month, with a down payment of $1,800. Chevrolet is advertising a $299 a month lease for 36 months on a 2014 Volt priced at $34,995. Those terms require $2,499 upfront. There are often some fineprint restrictions on such offers, but like any lease 3. Lease, don’t buy transaction, customers can Although leasing some- try to negotiate better terms. times gets a bad rap, when it comes to electric cars, it’s 4. Review potential the way to go — assuming tax incentives the typical 10,000-12,000 The federal government mile per year limit fits your and some states offer tax inneeds. centives to electric car buyA big reason is electric car ers. If you lease, the benefit technology is evolving. That is generally used to lower the means if you own a car for lease cost. several years, your trade-in At the federal level, there’s value will be limited because a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the availability of more ef- for cars sold after Dec. 31, ficient and advanced mod- 2008. The amount depends els. Plus, there is concern on the size of the battery. that electric car batteries The credit is applied against will degrade over time and your tax bill, or as a refund, charge at diminished levels provided you have at least after several years. Leasing the equivalent amount in tax for three years, for example, liabilities. Here’s a list of all the allows you to avoid this issue tax incentives, by state: altogether. It’s also a good time to Pluginamerica.org/incentives. times, such as from a standstill. The engine recharges the battery. • Plug-in electric cars have electric engines that run on battery power charged from an electrical outlet. When their charge runs out, the car switches over to a gasolinepowered engine. • Full-electric cars only operate on electric power. Try this online calculator on the U.S. Department of Energy’s page on fuel economy to compare fuel cost savings for different models: www. fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find. do?action=phev1Prompt.
By Neal Morton point,” he said. This year, he estimated San Antonio Express-News total new vehicle sales in SAN ANTONIO — It the U.S. will reach about hasn’t been an easy decade 15.5 million units, still befor Toyota’s truck plant on low a market record of 17 the South Side. million. On Oct. 17, 2003, the For every 1 million units Japanese automaker broke in industry increase, Lentz ground on the 2.2 mil- added, the pickup market lion-square-foot campus grows by about 125,000 — a milestone the company more trucks sold. marked with an elaborate “Given our current share ceremony Thursday. of the market, that means “Ten years ago, this for every million units in plant’s mission was to build total industry growth . . . trucks exclusively for the we sell about 10,000 more,” U.S. market, and today this he said. “To double a plant mission’s been expand- size, (that) would require ed,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of us to conquest an enorToyota’s North American mous number from the Big region. Three” in Detroit. Toyota’s troubles began “With very loyal buyers almost immediately after in a very entrenched marthe first full-size Tundra ket, (that’s) very difficult to pickup rolled off the as- do.” sembly line in 2006. In September, the TaMassive safety recalls coma dominated the comthreatened the company’s pact truck segment with a new position as the world’s more than 66 percent share biggest automaker and of the market, according shook its reputation for to Kelley Blue Book. The making reliable vehicles. full-size Tundra, however, And in 2011, an earth- barely topped a 6 percent quake and tsunami dis- share of its segment. rupted Toyota’s supply Toyota hopes to change chain in Japan, tightening that percentage with its production of its popular redesigned 2014 Tundra, cars and trucks in North which it offers in two new, America. high-end editions. The global economic criProduction on the new sis that took hold in 2008 full-size pickup began in decimated the nation’s auto July, and Lentz said sales of market, and truck sales, inthe luxury models already cluding that of the San Andoubled expectations that tonio-made Tacoma and they would account for 10 Tundra pickups, plummetpercent of new orders. ed. “Right now, the No. 1 isToyota officials didn’t sue among dealers,” Lentz ignore those stumbling said, “is getting more Tunblocks Thursday during dras.” the 10th anniversary celDuring the anniversary ebration of the factory’s event, Bexar County Judge groundbreaking. But they highlighted other mile- Nelson Wolff said critstones — such as the plant’s ics described San Antonio recently produced one- leaders as foolish for trymillionth truck — as proof ing to pursue a Toyota plant the automaker’s estimated more than a decade ago. “ We ’ v e n o w g o n e $2.2 billion investment in through 10 years of marSan Antonio has paid off. riage,” he said, noting the “By the end of this year, (the plant) will have helped “tough, tough times” of the us export Tundras and Ta- recalls, natural disasters comas to some 11 countries and recession. “But Toyota around the world,” he add- stayed with us throughout ed. “It is safe to say (the) the whole difficult era. “We look forward to an number of countries and the number of exports will easier 10 years of marriage,” continue to grow well into Wolff added. Before the plant’s nearly the future.” 2,700 workers returned to Flanked by state and lothe assembly line, Toyota cal leaders who helped convince Toyota to move officials announced they to San Antonio, Lentz said would donate 10 pickups the plant’s future growth to local school districts and will play into the compa- nonprofit groups. About 3,000 other emny’s plans to make North America a major manufac- ployees work for 21 onsite suppliers, six of which are turing hub. The South Side facto- locally owned. Mayor Castro, who also ry, which for the first time broke its annual produc- spoke at the event, recalled tion capacity of 200,000 when he was a “20-somelast year, currently sits on thing” member of the City 2,000 acres and has the Council, listening to Toyspace to essentially double ota representatives explain how the truck plant would in size. Later this month, May- help cultivate a first-rate or Julián Castro will meet workforce. Since then, Toyota has with Toyota executives as part of a trip to Japan, and partnered with the Alamo local leaders recently have Colleges and school disbeen pressing for the auto- tricts to develop science maker to build on its pres- and math training programs. The company also ence here. However, in an interview lobbied in Austin this year with the San Antonio Ex- to support reforms to the press-News, Lentz indicat- state’s public education ed it could take some time system. “San Antonio loves to call before executives in Japan decide to expand opera- itself Military City U.S.A.,” Castro said. tions in the Alamo City. “Today, we call ourselves “Look at the numbers from an industry stand- Toyota City U.S.A.”
Love food? So do we.
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NEW CAR GUIDE
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E4 • The Sentinel Classic 810 Specialty Autos
870
TOYOTA, 2005 Sienna Sand/tan, 75k miles. Stock #LXP894 $12,488
C HEVY, 1931 Sedan. Black, unrestored condition. $4,900. Call 717-766-3481 or 717-439-0888.
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
W ILLYS, 1948 4x4 Delivery, all original, new metal. $3,900. Call 717-249-6109.
880
Parts & 825 Accessories
BUICK, 2008 Lucerne
RV / 840 Travel Trailers
Gold/tan, 53k miles. Stock #LX17940A $11,988
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
C OACHMAN, 2010 Travel Trailer, 22’, sleeps 6, 2 flat screen TVs, $15,000. Call 717-776-9631.
CHRYSLER, 2006 300 Green/gray, 75k miles. Stock #LXP833A $12,488
Motorcycles / ATVs
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
S UZUKI, 2011 GXR 750, Good condition, inspected & registration. 1,200 mi. 717-440-3608 after 1pm.
HYUNDAI, 2012 Genesis Silver/black, 22k miles. Stock #18017A $23,488
855 Sport Vehicles
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
E SCALADE & SCOOTER, Cadillac, 2003 Escalade ESV. Excellent running condition. Equipped with lift for electric scooter, 96k mi. $11,500/obo. Call 717-737-1849.
LEXUS, 2008 GX470
Silver/gray, 71k miles. Stock #LX18035A $29,488
JEEP, 2011 Grand Cherokee Gray/black, 24k miles. Stock #LX17846A $31,488
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com LEXUS, 2009 RX350
Silver/gray, 74k miles. Stock #LX17814A $21,488
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
M ERCURY, 2001 Mountaineer. 5.0 V8, auto., A/C, AWD, 61k mi., new inspection. $5,200/obo. 919-7853.
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
Autos
CHEVY, 2000 Lumina 6 cylinder, 3.1L, 181,984 mi. $2,000/obo. Good shape & runs good. Call 609-3864 or 241-2163.
880
880
Autos
LINCOLN, 1989 Mark VII LSC. 1 owner, 56k mi., dark blue. Very good condition! $6,495. Call 717-486-5597.
MAZDA, 2012 Three
880
Autos
SCION, 2006 XB, grey, 4 cylinder, auto., fully equipped, low miles. $7,400. Call 717-432-5839.
Autos
VW, 2001 New Beetle, 2.2 engine, 5 speed. fully equipped, $2995. Call 717-432-5839.
2014 AUTOS
White/black, 18k miles. Stock #LX17923A $17,488
Autos
ABSOLUTE MINIMUM $300+ PAID ON MOST JUNK VEHICLES! Higher cash paid on re-sellable vehicles. Free towing. Licensed dealer. Call 717-324-9395.
W HEELS (4), Summit Torque Thrust. 5 on 41/2"/18"x81/2" Pirelli tires P-Zero Nero. P235-50ZR18, 1000 mi. on all. $850. 717-580-8050.
850
880
Vans
Sunday, October 20, 2013
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
NEW CAR GUIDE
VOLVO, 1985 Turbo Diesel 740 6 cyl., 4-door sedan, 28 mpg, 180k mi. Good shape; I drive it everyday. RARE! $2,950. Call 717-258-6416.
“Cleanest Cars in Town” Celebrating 60 Years!
www.martysinc.com
07 Hyundai Accent Cpe., AT,1Owner.........$5,995 07 Saturn Ion 2 AT4cyl...............................$7,995 05 Honda Accord LX AT,1owner4cyl..........$9,595 04 Toyota Camry LE4cyl, 1owner.....................$8,995 04 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT................$7,595 04 Ford Freestar......................................$6,995 03 Ford Focus ZTS5spd.,1owner...............$5,995 03 Saturn Ion AT4cyl..................................$5,995 03 Ford Focus SW 67K,4cyl.,1owner..........$6,995 03 Ford Focus SdnAT4cyl.........................$5,995 03 Honda CRV4cyl(AWD)...............................$8,995 03 Ford Focus CPAT,1owner4cyl...............$5,595 03 Hyundai Elantra AT4cyl......................$5,995 02 Honda Civic AT....................................$5,995 02 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport..............$5,595 01 Hyundai Elantra AT4Cyl........................$5,595 99 Lincoln Town Car CartierEdition.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995 Financing Available
COMING OCTOBER 25
471 E. NORTH STREET, CARLISLE
249-5418
We’re so confident in our Low Everyday Pricing, We’ll BEAT any other Chevy Dealer’s written offer by $250! Must be bona-fide written offer on in stock vehicles.
’14 Silverado
’14 Impala LS
Double cab LT 4 x 4 LEASE FOR ONLY
STK# 140151
’14 Cruze LS
OR TAKE OVER
359 5000 OFF!
$
*
268
$
$
STK# 140220
’13 Volt
LEASE FOR ONL
LEASE FOR ONLY
165
$
STK# 140014
*
STK# 140218 STK# 140117 FWD
’14 Equinox LS
299
$
FOR ONLY
LEASE FOR ONLY
219
$
*
STK# 130732
*
*$3,000 due at signing / 36 month lease / 12K mi/yr *For Well Qualified Leasees - Sales Tax not Included.
Let Us Show You How a Business Elite Dealer Can Benefit You and Your Business!
’12 Kia Sorento EX #6652951 $19,999
’10 Chevy Malibu LT #1305241 $11,999
’12 Mazda 2 Sport #1309185 $14,999
’04 Chevy Cavalier LS #1307692 $6,499
’12 Chevy Captiva Sport #665285 $24,499
’11 Chevy Equinox LT #665303 $21,399
’09 Saturn Outlook XR #1307291 $15,999
’08 Chevy Impala LT #1309461 $14,499
’11 Buick LaCrosse CXS #665300 $26,999
’08 Chrysler Aspen LTD #1305962 $17,999
New ‘13 3500 Silverado 4WD Dump Truck ’11 GMC Terrain SLE-2 #6652875 $22,499
’12 Chevy Avalanche #665337 $38,999
* Rebates are subject to change without prior notice. Not all customers will qualify for all applicable rebates and incentives.
’10 Toyota Prius III #1303801 $17,999
’11 Honda CRV EXL #1306492 $22,999
’10 Chevy Equinox LS #665298 $18,999
See Our Entire Inventory at:
6445 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg
F R E E I N E V E R Y S U N D AY S E N T I N E L
#130178, Sale Price
35,610
$
Not all customers eligible for this pricing. Come in for details.
* Taxes, Tags and Transfer Fees additional. You may choose Rebates OR new car financing as low as 0% up to 72 mos. on select models with financing approval.
766-0284 800-427-4505