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SECTION
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Autos plus
SUNDAY JANUARY 26 2014
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
NEW YEAR, GM NEW YEAR, NEW WHEELS! H&H Chevy OWNER
NEW WHEELS! New 2014 CRUZE
New 2013 SONIC LT Stock#13014 MSRP GM Rebate GM Owner Loyalty H&H Reduction
$18,955 -$1,500 -$500 -$1,600
ONLY
$ 15,355 SAVE $3,600
TURBO DIESEL • Stock#14030 Sunroof, Enhanced safety package, 2LT Driver Convenience Package MSRP GM Rebate GM Owner Loyalty H&H Reduction Auto Show Bonus Cash
ONLY
$24,890 SAVE $3,015
New 2014 EQUINOX LS AWD Stock#74082 MSRP GM Rebate GM Owner Loyalty H&H Reduction Auto Show Bonus Cash
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NewAWD2014 TRAVERSE LT All Star Edition • Stock#74089
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Autos Plus
E2 • The Sentinel
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Tundra is work worthy, yet fit for family The third-generation Toyota Tundra builds on the ruggedness, power, performance and style that the previous two generations exhibited and this year’s allnew half-ton pick-up adds a bold new exterior with a larger grille, a refined and functional interior and useful and entertaining tech features including segmentexclusive standard backup camera and Bluetooth on all grades and models. The Platinum trim, which I tested has been redesigned for the next generation of personal-use truckers. It features perforated, diamond pleated premium leather seats, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging. Platinum also uses premium leather never before used on a Toyota truck and comes with many standard amenities including a 12-speaker touchscreen Entune Premium JBL Audio system with navigation, and heated and ventilated front seats.
A variety of choices The 2014 Tundra has a grade strategy consisting of the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the wellappointed Limited, and two premium grades: “Platinum” and the all-new “1794 Edition.” The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, named for the year the land on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio was founded. Tundra is offered in three cab styles, twodoor Regular Cab, fourdoor Double Cab and fourdoor CrewMax, all available in 4x2 and 4x4. Tundra also offers three engine choices, a 270horsepower 4.0-liter V-6, a 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8, and the power-plus 381-hp 5.7-liter V-8. These options allow Tundra buyers to address work, play, performance or economical considerations.
By Mike Blake
New bold architecture The new Tundra exterior is bold with a wide stance. The forward edge of the hood has been raised 1.5 inches, the front fascia has been increased in size and the surfaces and character lines have been tightened up to exude a powerful demeanor. The headlights are larger, the front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for lower replacement costs and the fenders and wheel wells have been squared-off. A new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tail gate, with an integrated spoiler and “TUNDRA” stamped into the sheet metal, creating a one-piece forged look. The integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency, while the tail lamps express a tool-like quality to match the appearance of the body. My test Tundra Crew Max Platinum measured 228.9 inches long with a standard bed . My Tundra’s width was 79.9 inches, height was 75.8 inches and the wheelbase measured the same 145.7 inches as the previous generation. The bed depth remains 22.2 inches and inside width at the tailgate is 66.7 inches — 50 inches between the wheel wells — while ground clearance measured 10.4 inches. Tundra Crew Max Platinum’s Curb weight was 5,860 pounds for the 4x4 version, about 300 pounds heavier than the 2x4 and a gain of 235 pounds over last year. Towing capacity is
The third-generation Toyota Tundra comes in a variety of trims, including two premium grades. Submitted photos
7,200 pounds.
Big truck power My test truck was outfitted with a 5.7-liter DOHC EFI V-8, 32-valve aluminum block engine with aluminum alloy head and Dual VVT-I. The system produces 381hp and 401 lbs.-ft. of torque, and runs on 87-octane fuel, though it is E85 capable. My 4x4 test truck was EPA rated at 13 city/17 highway, and in snowy conditions, I averaged 15.0 mpg during a week of mixed-use driving. Low-end torque is strong enough for nearly any job necessity and acceleration is smooth and steady, with a zero-to-60 mph run accomplished 6.9 seconds. My quarter-mile track was closed due to exces-
sive snow, but a mid-15 run seems doable. Tundra’s rack-and-pinion hydraulic power steering has improved, and is truckappropriate though not fully responsive. Quick turning shows some top wobble, but breaking power is confident and the suspension is relatively tight and road-leveling. A perennial top safety choice, Tundra is equipped with eight standard air bags including front seatmounted side air bags, front and rear roll-sensing side curtain air bags, driver and front outboard passenger air bags with an advanced air bag system; as well as the segment’s only standard driver and front outboard passenger knee air bags.
2014 JANUARY KICK OFF EVENT OVER 90 IN
STOCK
Trendy, tech-filled cabin Tundra’s interior is hip, ergonomic, refined and packed with tech and comfort Its new instrument panel features individual gauges grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design with a center-mounted multi-information (LCD) display screen, Sightlines are clear and accommodations are roomy. Tundra’s Crew Max Cab provides 39.7 inches for front headroom and 38.9 inches for rear cab passengers. Legroom is 42.5 inches up front and 42.3 for second-row passengers. Shoulder room is 65.7 and 65.5 inches. 2014 Toyota Tundras start at $25,920 plus $995 for handling and delivery for the
SR grade 4x2 Regular Cab and move up to $27,885 for a Double Cab with 4.6-liter engine and $31,825 for a 4x2 Crew Max, topping out at $34,875 for a base 4x4 with a 4.6. The Limited trim ranges from $36,940 to $41,895 and the Platinum trim increases to $44,270 with the 5.7 V-8 providing power. A cool dual exhaust pipe added $1100; a functional bed extender was $320; bedliner with a deck rail system added $365; a cargo net added $49; black running boards added $345; all-weather floor mats with door sill protectors added $165 and $995 for handling and delivery put the final sticker at $47,609. 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.
L.B. SMITH
2014 FORD ESCAPES from
$19,495 OR LEASE FOR plus tax
6 AT THIS PRICE
$149*/MO
*Escape MSRP $23,595, 24 Months 10,500 miles per year. Savings on Escape includes $1,500 Red Carpet Lease Cash, $500 Auto Show Bonus Cash & L.B. Smith Discount. $3,200 Cash or Trade Equity Due at signing. Security deposit waived, tax & tags extra. Offer expires Jan 31, 2014. Savings in lieu of 0% Financing, must finance through Ford Motor Credit.
All* 2014 FORD
FUSION SEs
$4,500
OVER 75 IN
STOCK
OFF MSRP
*ON IN STOCK ONLY
*Fusion SE MSRP $24,650, 24 Months, 10,500 per year. Savings on Fusion includes $1,000 Red Carpet Lease Cash & L.B. Smith discount, $1,500 Ford Customer Cash, $500 Ford Credit Cash, $500 Auto Show Bonus Cash. $3,200 Cash or Trade Equity due at signing. Security deposit waived tax & tags extra. Offer expires Jan 31, 2014. Savings in lieu of 0% Financing, must finance through Ford Motor Credit.
OR LEASE FOR plus tax
$149 /MO *
761-6700 1110 MARKET STREET, LEMOYNE
www.lbsmithford.com
Autos Plus
E2 • The Sentinel
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Tundra is work worthy, yet fit for family The third-generation Toyota Tundra builds on the ruggedness, power, performance and style that the previous two generations exhibited and this year’s allnew half-ton pick-up adds a bold new exterior with a larger grille, a refined and functional interior and useful and entertaining tech features including segmentexclusive standard backup camera and Bluetooth on all grades and models. The Platinum trim, which I tested has been redesigned for the next generation of personal-use truckers. It features perforated, diamond pleated premium leather seats, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging. Platinum also uses premium leather never before used on a Toyota truck and comes with many standard amenities including a 12-speaker touchscreen Entune Premium JBL Audio system with navigation, and heated and ventilated front seats.
A variety of choices The 2014 Tundra has a grade strategy consisting of the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the wellappointed Limited, and two premium grades: “Platinum” and the all-new “1794 Edition.” The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, named for the year the land on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio was founded. Tundra is offered in three cab styles, twodoor Regular Cab, fourdoor Double Cab and fourdoor CrewMax, all available in 4x2 and 4x4. Tundra also offers three engine choices, a 270horsepower 4.0-liter V-6, a 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8, and the power-plus 381-hp 5.7-liter V-8. These options allow Tundra buyers to address work, play, performance or economical considerations.
By Mike Blake
New bold architecture The new Tundra exterior is bold with a wide stance. The forward edge of the hood has been raised 1.5 inches, the front fascia has been increased in size and the surfaces and character lines have been tightened up to exude a powerful demeanor. The headlights are larger, the front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for lower replacement costs and the fenders and wheel wells have been squared-off. A new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tail gate, with an integrated spoiler and “TUNDRA” stamped into the sheet metal, creating a one-piece forged look. The integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency, while the tail lamps express a tool-like quality to match the appearance of the body. My test Tundra Crew Max Platinum measured 228.9 inches long with a standard bed . My Tundra’s width was 79.9 inches, height was 75.8 inches and the wheelbase measured the same 145.7 inches as the previous generation. The bed depth remains 22.2 inches and inside width at the tailgate is 66.7 inches — 50 inches between the wheel wells — while ground clearance measured 10.4 inches. Tundra Crew Max Platinum’s Curb weight was 5,860 pounds for the 4x4 version, about 300 pounds heavier than the 2x4 and a gain of 235 pounds over last year. Towing capacity is
The third-generation Toyota Tundra comes in a variety of trims, including two premium grades. Submitted photos
7,200 pounds.
Big truck power My test truck was outfitted with a 5.7-liter DOHC EFI V-8, 32-valve aluminum block engine with aluminum alloy head and Dual VVT-I. The system produces 381hp and 401 lbs.-ft. of torque, and runs on 87-octane fuel, though it is E85 capable. My 4x4 test truck was EPA rated at 13 city/17 highway, and in snowy conditions, I averaged 15.0 mpg during a week of mixed-use driving. Low-end torque is strong enough for nearly any job necessity and acceleration is smooth and steady, with a zero-to-60 mph run accomplished 6.9 seconds. My quarter-mile track was closed due to exces-
sive snow, but a mid-15 run seems doable. Tundra’s rack-and-pinion hydraulic power steering has improved, and is truckappropriate though not fully responsive. Quick turning shows some top wobble, but breaking power is confident and the suspension is relatively tight and road-leveling. A perennial top safety choice, Tundra is equipped with eight standard air bags including front seatmounted side air bags, front and rear roll-sensing side curtain air bags, driver and front outboard passenger air bags with an advanced air bag system; as well as the segment’s only standard driver and front outboard passenger knee air bags.
2014 JANUARY KICK OFF EVENT OVER 90 IN
STOCK
Trendy, tech-filled cabin Tundra’s interior is hip, ergonomic, refined and packed with tech and comfort Its new instrument panel features individual gauges grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design with a center-mounted multi-information (LCD) display screen, Sightlines are clear and accommodations are roomy. Tundra’s Crew Max Cab provides 39.7 inches for front headroom and 38.9 inches for rear cab passengers. Legroom is 42.5 inches up front and 42.3 for second-row passengers. Shoulder room is 65.7 and 65.5 inches. 2014 Toyota Tundras start at $25,920 plus $995 for handling and delivery for the
SR grade 4x2 Regular Cab and move up to $27,885 for a Double Cab with 4.6-liter engine and $31,825 for a 4x2 Crew Max, topping out at $34,875 for a base 4x4 with a 4.6. The Limited trim ranges from $36,940 to $41,895 and the Platinum trim increases to $44,270 with the 5.7 V-8 providing power. A cool dual exhaust pipe added $1100; a functional bed extender was $320; bedliner with a deck rail system added $365; a cargo net added $49; black running boards added $345; all-weather floor mats with door sill protectors added $165 and $995 for handling and delivery put the final sticker at $47,609. 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.
L.B. SMITH
2014 FORD ESCAPES from
$19,495 OR LEASE FOR plus tax
6 AT THIS PRICE
$149*/MO
*Escape MSRP $23,595, 24 Months 10,500 miles per year. Savings on Escape includes $1,500 Red Carpet Lease Cash, $500 Auto Show Bonus Cash & L.B. Smith Discount. $3,200 Cash or Trade Equity Due at signing. Security deposit waived, tax & tags extra. Offer expires Jan 31, 2014. Savings in lieu of 0% Financing, must finance through Ford Motor Credit.
All* 2014 FORD
FUSION SEs
$4,500
OVER 75 IN
STOCK
OFF MSRP
*ON IN STOCK ONLY
*Fusion SE MSRP $24,650, 24 Months, 10,500 per year. Savings on Fusion includes $1,000 Red Carpet Lease Cash & L.B. Smith discount, $1,500 Ford Customer Cash, $500 Ford Credit Cash, $500 Auto Show Bonus Cash. $3,200 Cash or Trade Equity due at signing. Security deposit waived tax & tags extra. Offer expires Jan 31, 2014. Savings in lieu of 0% Financing, must finance through Ford Motor Credit.
OR LEASE FOR plus tax
$149 /MO *
761-6700 1110 MARKET STREET, LEMOYNE
www.lbsmithford.com
Autos Plus
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Toyota named world’s top-selling car maker By Yuri Kageyama Associated Press
Associated Press file photo
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. Toyota recaptured the global sales crown in 2012 from GM, which had been the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, had strong sales growth last year in overseas markets, although sales fell in long stagnant Japan. Toyota’s U.S. sales totaled nearly 2.24 million vehicles, up 7 percent from the previous year. Its China sales
were also strong, surging 9 percent to 917,000. Toyota remained optimistic about prospects this year for both regions, expecting sales to grow 3 percent in the U.S. to 2.3 million vehicles, while adding 20 percent in China sales to 1.1 million. The company was typically low-key about the bragging rights for being No. 1, reiterating its comments from previous years that it was merely making one car at a time to appeal to global consumers. GM has also expressed
similar sentiments, but being the top seller is a key morale booster for the employees and related companies. The healthy results at the three rivals reflect the momentum of growth in the auto industry. Toyota has undergone tough times in recent years, such as a massive recall fiasco in the U.S. involving more than 14 million vehicles for sticky gas pedals, faulty floor mats, problematic brakes and many other defects, spanning several years from 2009.
Minicars are worst performers in small-overlap front crash test By Cheryl Jensen New York Times News Service A group of 11 minicars did the worst of any class of vehicles tested so far in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s newest and toughest trial, the smalloverlap front crash test. Of the 11 minicars tested, none achieved the institute’s highest rating of “good.” Only one — the Chevrolet Spark — achieved the next highest rating of “acceptable.” The others received ratings of either “marginal” or “poor,” the lowest rating. The two worst-performing vehicles were the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500, although a completely redesigned Fit goes on sale this spring. To date, the insurance institute has tested small cars, midsize cars, midsize luxury sedans, compact crossovers and SUVs. The organization, which is financed by the insurance industry, noted that cars in its “small” category, which are just a bit bigger than the minicars, achieved much better scores. The tested minicars were all 2013 or 2014 models, although in some cases the ratings apply to earlier models as well. Minicars that received an overall rating of “marginal” in the institute’s test were the 2014 Ford Fiesta (built after August 2013), the 2012-14 Kia Rio, the 2011-14 Mazda 2 and the 2012-14 Toyota Yaris. Those given a “poor” rating were the 2013-14 Fiat 500, the 2009-14 Honda Fit, the 2013-14 Hyundai Accent, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2012-14 Nissan Versa sedan and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Honda Fit during a crash test. 2012-14 Toyota Prius C. (The Versa sedan ratings do not apply to the Versa Note hatchback.) The new small overlap evaluation, which the institute added to its repertory of crash tests in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole at 40 mph. It is especially difficult to get a good rating on this test because the impact bypasses most of the vehicle’s front-end crash-absorbing structure, meaning it is difficult for a vehicle to absorb crash energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. As a result, the compartment can collapse in a crash. And every mini-
car, including the Spark, was rated “marginal” or “poor” for structural integrity, which is one component of the overall rating. “Automakers need to invest in making changes to these vehicles that they have been making to their h i g h -vo l u m e m o d e l s,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute. “This is a relatively new test, and it requires in many cases a redesign, and some of these haven’t been through a complete makeover. And, when you are talking about a vehicle that weighs less than 2,500 pounds, there is an inherent disadvantage to riding in a small, lightweight car. If safety is a priority, it’s better to move
up even one class size.” In both the Fiat 500 and the Fit, the driver’s space was “seriously compromised” by the intruding structure, according to the report. The driver’s door of the Fiat 500 opened after it tore apart at the hinges, increasing the risk of ejection. In the Fit, Accent, Prius C and Yaris, the seatbelts allowed the crash test dummy to move too far forward, so the dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag and then slid off. This combination resulted in the head hitting the instrument panel. In eight vehicles, the side curtain air bag did not extend far enough forward to provide adequate head protection. In the Yaris, it did not deploy at all.
a few weeks. The decision ends an unusually public struggle between Chrysler and NHTSA. The agency asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps last June, contending that their gas tanks — which are positioned behind the rear axle — were at risk of rupturing and catching fire in rear-end crashes. Involved were Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 1993 to 2004 model years and Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler initially refused
to recall the vehicles. The company said the rate of fuel leaks and fires after crashes was similar to comparable vehicles that were sold during the time in question. It was the first time in two years that an automaker had refused NHTSA’s request for a recall. Chrysler later agreed to recall 1.56 million of the Jeeps and install trailer hitches on them to help protect the gas tanks. The company sent notices to the remaining customers saying their ve-
hicles were fine if they have factory-installed or Chrysler-made trailer hitches. NHTSA said late Friday that it has been in close contact with Chrysler and will monitor the recall as it continues. Chrysler has told customers that it will start installing the hitches soon. “Consumers should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive final notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA said in a statement. Associated Press
autos brief Government ending Jeep investigation DETROIT — The government is closing its investigation into older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has “no reservations” with Chrysler Group’s plans to recall the vehicles. The agency is expected to release a report on its investigation in
Barra to stay the course at GM, but accelerate By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press
The automaker earned the honor for the second consecutive year
TOKYO — Toyota remained the top-selling automaker for a second year in a row, beating U.S. rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 million vehicles this year. That would mark a milestone as no automaker has ever topped annual worldwide sales of 10 million. Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 2 percent from the previous year. The Japanese automaker has made an impressive comeback from an earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011, damaging auto suppliers and hobbling production. Toyota also outlined plans to sell 10.32 million vehicles and produce 10.43 million vehicles in 2014. General Motors Co. sold 9.71 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, outselling Volkswagen AG of Germany at 9.5 million.
The Sentinel • E3
DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s new CEO, Mary Barra, says she will largely keep in place the plans of her predecessor, from a restructuring in Europe to a focus on improving profit margins. But she hopes to accelerate that progress. Barra held a 50-minute session a small group of reporters Thursday, her first interview becoming CEO on Jan. 15. Barra, 52, joked that the quiet conference room at GM’s Detroit headquarters was a better place to talk than last week’s Detroit auto show, where she was mobbed by hundreds of reporters. Barra promised “no right or left turns” from the path laid out by former CEO Dan Akerson, who stepped down to care for his ailing wife. Under Akerson, GM rebounded from a 2009 trip to bankruptcy court. It became a publicly traded company again and reported a profit for 15 straight quarters, racking up almost $20 billion in net income thanks to stronger sales in the U.S. and China. GM restored its quarterly dividend on Akerson’s last day. “We’re no longer just looking for viability, but we’re looking for growth and leadership in the operations we have around the world,” Barra said. “Now that some of those things have gotten the attention and are righted, let’s take it and go.” Barra is going ahead with a European restructuring plan that will cost the automaker $1.1 billion this year. GM still expects to achieve 10-percent pretax profit margins in North America and break even in Europe by the middle of this decade, she said. It also wants to increase annual sales in China to 5 million by next year, up from 3.1 million last year. Barra was Akerson’s global product development chief and part of a team that helped him develop this strategy, so she’s comfortable sticking with his goals.
“That’s why we can keep the momentum going and look to accelerate it because there’s no, ‘Hey, we’ve got to pause and look at this,’” she said. Barra says GM — which was the world’s secondlargest automaker by sales last year after Toyota, with 9.7 million vehicles sold — is making strong products, but customers don’t always know that. In Europe, for example, she’s heard drivers express surprise at the quality of Opel cars when they finally drive them. Among her priorities is making GM’s brand messages clear and consistent worldwide. New vehicles like the Cadillac ATS sedan — which goes on sale in China this year — can help Cadillac become a global luxury brand. Chevrolet needs to show that it provides a lot of value to buyers. The new Chevrolet Corvette — a relative bargain with a starting price of $52,000 — is proof of that, she said. Barra will ask employees to focus on innovative ideas that will add value to vehicles and delight customers, whether it’s a new program to help dealers or an unexpected feature like the rain-sensing rear wiper on the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. Barra, a 33-year veteran of the company, said she has always had a collaborative leadership style from her earliest days as an engineer at GM’s plants. She said she works well with Dan Ammann, GM’s new president, and Mark Reuss, GM’s new head of global product development. “I’ve always been focused on winning the hearts and minds of the employee base,” she said. Barra, the first female CEO of a major automaker, said she is happy if her appointment helps motivate others. But she doesn’t give much thought to her gender. “I never approached any job as, ‘Oh, I’m a woman doing this job,’” she said. “I want to be valued for leading the team and the results we achieve.”
Nissan settles with government over deceptive pickup ad By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press WASHINGTON — Nissan went too far with a TV commercial that depicts its Frontier pickup truck powering up a sandy hill to save a struggling dune buggy, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In an announcement Thursday, the commission said Nissan has agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges over the 30-second ad. In it, a little black dune buggy can be seen stuck in sand on a steep hill. Suddenly, a red Frontier speeds to the rescue of the dune buggy and pushes it up and over the hill, to the cheers of amazed onlookers. The “Hill Climb” ad was shot in a realistic-looking YouTube style. And no, the Frontier pickup can’t really do that. In fact, the FTC complaint says both the truck and the buggy were dragged to the top of the hill by cables. In a statement, Nissan said it takes its commitment to truthful advertising seriously. “The company has been and remains committed to complying with the law,” said spokesman Travis Parman. Also named in the complaint is advertising agency TBWA Worldwide Inc. The FTC says both Nissan and TBWA are barred from making deceptive demonstrations in future ads. “Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but
advertisers can’t use them to misrepresent what a product can do,” said Jessica Rich, head of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau. The ad did have a disclaimer that briefly flashed on the screen at the beginning — saying it was a “fictionalization” and that viewers should “not attempt.” But that didn’t work for the commission. “The disclosure that was on the screen was neither clear nor conspicuous,” said Matthew Gold, an FTC attorney in San Francisco. “Even if what was being portrayed was understood to be fictional, consumers could still believe that what was shown was an actual stunt instead of something achieved through special effects.” The proposed settlement does not prohibit the use of special effects, the commission said, as long as they don’t misrepresent the qualities or features of the pickup truck. The ad aired in late 2011. A more recent Nissan ad, for the automaker’s new Rogue SUV, has been the subject of a somewhat intense social media campaign. The ad shows a woman driving a Rogue, swerving and speeding up a ramp, launching the car into the air and then managing to land on the top of a train to avoid traffic and arrive at her destination early.
Autos Plus
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Toyota named world’s top-selling car maker By Yuri Kageyama Associated Press
Associated Press file photo
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. Toyota recaptured the global sales crown in 2012 from GM, which had been the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, had strong sales growth last year in overseas markets, although sales fell in long stagnant Japan. Toyota’s U.S. sales totaled nearly 2.24 million vehicles, up 7 percent from the previous year. Its China sales
were also strong, surging 9 percent to 917,000. Toyota remained optimistic about prospects this year for both regions, expecting sales to grow 3 percent in the U.S. to 2.3 million vehicles, while adding 20 percent in China sales to 1.1 million. The company was typically low-key about the bragging rights for being No. 1, reiterating its comments from previous years that it was merely making one car at a time to appeal to global consumers. GM has also expressed
similar sentiments, but being the top seller is a key morale booster for the employees and related companies. The healthy results at the three rivals reflect the momentum of growth in the auto industry. Toyota has undergone tough times in recent years, such as a massive recall fiasco in the U.S. involving more than 14 million vehicles for sticky gas pedals, faulty floor mats, problematic brakes and many other defects, spanning several years from 2009.
Minicars are worst performers in small-overlap front crash test By Cheryl Jensen New York Times News Service A group of 11 minicars did the worst of any class of vehicles tested so far in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s newest and toughest trial, the smalloverlap front crash test. Of the 11 minicars tested, none achieved the institute’s highest rating of “good.” Only one — the Chevrolet Spark — achieved the next highest rating of “acceptable.” The others received ratings of either “marginal” or “poor,” the lowest rating. The two worst-performing vehicles were the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500, although a completely redesigned Fit goes on sale this spring. To date, the insurance institute has tested small cars, midsize cars, midsize luxury sedans, compact crossovers and SUVs. The organization, which is financed by the insurance industry, noted that cars in its “small” category, which are just a bit bigger than the minicars, achieved much better scores. The tested minicars were all 2013 or 2014 models, although in some cases the ratings apply to earlier models as well. Minicars that received an overall rating of “marginal” in the institute’s test were the 2014 Ford Fiesta (built after August 2013), the 2012-14 Kia Rio, the 2011-14 Mazda 2 and the 2012-14 Toyota Yaris. Those given a “poor” rating were the 2013-14 Fiat 500, the 2009-14 Honda Fit, the 2013-14 Hyundai Accent, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2012-14 Nissan Versa sedan and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Honda Fit during a crash test. 2012-14 Toyota Prius C. (The Versa sedan ratings do not apply to the Versa Note hatchback.) The new small overlap evaluation, which the institute added to its repertory of crash tests in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole at 40 mph. It is especially difficult to get a good rating on this test because the impact bypasses most of the vehicle’s front-end crash-absorbing structure, meaning it is difficult for a vehicle to absorb crash energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. As a result, the compartment can collapse in a crash. And every mini-
car, including the Spark, was rated “marginal” or “poor” for structural integrity, which is one component of the overall rating. “Automakers need to invest in making changes to these vehicles that they have been making to their h i g h -vo l u m e m o d e l s,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute. “This is a relatively new test, and it requires in many cases a redesign, and some of these haven’t been through a complete makeover. And, when you are talking about a vehicle that weighs less than 2,500 pounds, there is an inherent disadvantage to riding in a small, lightweight car. If safety is a priority, it’s better to move
up even one class size.” In both the Fiat 500 and the Fit, the driver’s space was “seriously compromised” by the intruding structure, according to the report. The driver’s door of the Fiat 500 opened after it tore apart at the hinges, increasing the risk of ejection. In the Fit, Accent, Prius C and Yaris, the seatbelts allowed the crash test dummy to move too far forward, so the dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag and then slid off. This combination resulted in the head hitting the instrument panel. In eight vehicles, the side curtain air bag did not extend far enough forward to provide adequate head protection. In the Yaris, it did not deploy at all.
a few weeks. The decision ends an unusually public struggle between Chrysler and NHTSA. The agency asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps last June, contending that their gas tanks — which are positioned behind the rear axle — were at risk of rupturing and catching fire in rear-end crashes. Involved were Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 1993 to 2004 model years and Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler initially refused
to recall the vehicles. The company said the rate of fuel leaks and fires after crashes was similar to comparable vehicles that were sold during the time in question. It was the first time in two years that an automaker had refused NHTSA’s request for a recall. Chrysler later agreed to recall 1.56 million of the Jeeps and install trailer hitches on them to help protect the gas tanks. The company sent notices to the remaining customers saying their ve-
hicles were fine if they have factory-installed or Chrysler-made trailer hitches. NHTSA said late Friday that it has been in close contact with Chrysler and will monitor the recall as it continues. Chrysler has told customers that it will start installing the hitches soon. “Consumers should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive final notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA said in a statement. Associated Press
autos brief Government ending Jeep investigation DETROIT — The government is closing its investigation into older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has “no reservations” with Chrysler Group’s plans to recall the vehicles. The agency is expected to release a report on its investigation in
Barra to stay the course at GM, but accelerate By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press
The automaker earned the honor for the second consecutive year
TOKYO — Toyota remained the top-selling automaker for a second year in a row, beating U.S. rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 million vehicles this year. That would mark a milestone as no automaker has ever topped annual worldwide sales of 10 million. Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 2 percent from the previous year. The Japanese automaker has made an impressive comeback from an earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011, damaging auto suppliers and hobbling production. Toyota also outlined plans to sell 10.32 million vehicles and produce 10.43 million vehicles in 2014. General Motors Co. sold 9.71 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, outselling Volkswagen AG of Germany at 9.5 million.
The Sentinel • E3
DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s new CEO, Mary Barra, says she will largely keep in place the plans of her predecessor, from a restructuring in Europe to a focus on improving profit margins. But she hopes to accelerate that progress. Barra held a 50-minute session a small group of reporters Thursday, her first interview becoming CEO on Jan. 15. Barra, 52, joked that the quiet conference room at GM’s Detroit headquarters was a better place to talk than last week’s Detroit auto show, where she was mobbed by hundreds of reporters. Barra promised “no right or left turns” from the path laid out by former CEO Dan Akerson, who stepped down to care for his ailing wife. Under Akerson, GM rebounded from a 2009 trip to bankruptcy court. It became a publicly traded company again and reported a profit for 15 straight quarters, racking up almost $20 billion in net income thanks to stronger sales in the U.S. and China. GM restored its quarterly dividend on Akerson’s last day. “We’re no longer just looking for viability, but we’re looking for growth and leadership in the operations we have around the world,” Barra said. “Now that some of those things have gotten the attention and are righted, let’s take it and go.” Barra is going ahead with a European restructuring plan that will cost the automaker $1.1 billion this year. GM still expects to achieve 10-percent pretax profit margins in North America and break even in Europe by the middle of this decade, she said. It also wants to increase annual sales in China to 5 million by next year, up from 3.1 million last year. Barra was Akerson’s global product development chief and part of a team that helped him develop this strategy, so she’s comfortable sticking with his goals.
“That’s why we can keep the momentum going and look to accelerate it because there’s no, ‘Hey, we’ve got to pause and look at this,’” she said. Barra says GM — which was the world’s secondlargest automaker by sales last year after Toyota, with 9.7 million vehicles sold — is making strong products, but customers don’t always know that. In Europe, for example, she’s heard drivers express surprise at the quality of Opel cars when they finally drive them. Among her priorities is making GM’s brand messages clear and consistent worldwide. New vehicles like the Cadillac ATS sedan — which goes on sale in China this year — can help Cadillac become a global luxury brand. Chevrolet needs to show that it provides a lot of value to buyers. The new Chevrolet Corvette — a relative bargain with a starting price of $52,000 — is proof of that, she said. Barra will ask employees to focus on innovative ideas that will add value to vehicles and delight customers, whether it’s a new program to help dealers or an unexpected feature like the rain-sensing rear wiper on the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. Barra, a 33-year veteran of the company, said she has always had a collaborative leadership style from her earliest days as an engineer at GM’s plants. She said she works well with Dan Ammann, GM’s new president, and Mark Reuss, GM’s new head of global product development. “I’ve always been focused on winning the hearts and minds of the employee base,” she said. Barra, the first female CEO of a major automaker, said she is happy if her appointment helps motivate others. But she doesn’t give much thought to her gender. “I never approached any job as, ‘Oh, I’m a woman doing this job,’” she said. “I want to be valued for leading the team and the results we achieve.”
Nissan settles with government over deceptive pickup ad By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press WASHINGTON — Nissan went too far with a TV commercial that depicts its Frontier pickup truck powering up a sandy hill to save a struggling dune buggy, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In an announcement Thursday, the commission said Nissan has agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges over the 30-second ad. In it, a little black dune buggy can be seen stuck in sand on a steep hill. Suddenly, a red Frontier speeds to the rescue of the dune buggy and pushes it up and over the hill, to the cheers of amazed onlookers. The “Hill Climb” ad was shot in a realistic-looking YouTube style. And no, the Frontier pickup can’t really do that. In fact, the FTC complaint says both the truck and the buggy were dragged to the top of the hill by cables. In a statement, Nissan said it takes its commitment to truthful advertising seriously. “The company has been and remains committed to complying with the law,” said spokesman Travis Parman. Also named in the complaint is advertising agency TBWA Worldwide Inc. The FTC says both Nissan and TBWA are barred from making deceptive demonstrations in future ads. “Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but
advertisers can’t use them to misrepresent what a product can do,” said Jessica Rich, head of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau. The ad did have a disclaimer that briefly flashed on the screen at the beginning — saying it was a “fictionalization” and that viewers should “not attempt.” But that didn’t work for the commission. “The disclosure that was on the screen was neither clear nor conspicuous,” said Matthew Gold, an FTC attorney in San Francisco. “Even if what was being portrayed was understood to be fictional, consumers could still believe that what was shown was an actual stunt instead of something achieved through special effects.” The proposed settlement does not prohibit the use of special effects, the commission said, as long as they don’t misrepresent the qualities or features of the pickup truck. The ad aired in late 2011. A more recent Nissan ad, for the automaker’s new Rogue SUV, has been the subject of a somewhat intense social media campaign. The ad shows a woman driving a Rogue, swerving and speeding up a ramp, launching the car into the air and then managing to land on the top of a train to avoid traffic and arrive at her destination early.
Autos Plus
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Toyota named world’s top-selling car maker By Yuri Kageyama Associated Press
Associated Press file photo
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. Toyota recaptured the global sales crown in 2012 from GM, which had been the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, had strong sales growth last year in overseas markets, although sales fell in long stagnant Japan. Toyota’s U.S. sales totaled nearly 2.24 million vehicles, up 7 percent from the previous year. Its China sales
were also strong, surging 9 percent to 917,000. Toyota remained optimistic about prospects this year for both regions, expecting sales to grow 3 percent in the U.S. to 2.3 million vehicles, while adding 20 percent in China sales to 1.1 million. The company was typically low-key about the bragging rights for being No. 1, reiterating its comments from previous years that it was merely making one car at a time to appeal to global consumers. GM has also expressed
similar sentiments, but being the top seller is a key morale booster for the employees and related companies. The healthy results at the three rivals reflect the momentum of growth in the auto industry. Toyota has undergone tough times in recent years, such as a massive recall fiasco in the U.S. involving more than 14 million vehicles for sticky gas pedals, faulty floor mats, problematic brakes and many other defects, spanning several years from 2009.
Minicars are worst performers in small-overlap front crash test By Cheryl Jensen New York Times News Service A group of 11 minicars did the worst of any class of vehicles tested so far in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s newest and toughest trial, the smalloverlap front crash test. Of the 11 minicars tested, none achieved the institute’s highest rating of “good.” Only one — the Chevrolet Spark — achieved the next highest rating of “acceptable.” The others received ratings of either “marginal” or “poor,” the lowest rating. The two worst-performing vehicles were the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500, although a completely redesigned Fit goes on sale this spring. To date, the insurance institute has tested small cars, midsize cars, midsize luxury sedans, compact crossovers and SUVs. The organization, which is financed by the insurance industry, noted that cars in its “small” category, which are just a bit bigger than the minicars, achieved much better scores. The tested minicars were all 2013 or 2014 models, although in some cases the ratings apply to earlier models as well. Minicars that received an overall rating of “marginal” in the institute’s test were the 2014 Ford Fiesta (built after August 2013), the 2012-14 Kia Rio, the 2011-14 Mazda 2 and the 2012-14 Toyota Yaris. Those given a “poor” rating were the 2013-14 Fiat 500, the 2009-14 Honda Fit, the 2013-14 Hyundai Accent, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2012-14 Nissan Versa sedan and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Honda Fit during a crash test. 2012-14 Toyota Prius C. (The Versa sedan ratings do not apply to the Versa Note hatchback.) The new small overlap evaluation, which the institute added to its repertory of crash tests in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole at 40 mph. It is especially difficult to get a good rating on this test because the impact bypasses most of the vehicle’s front-end crash-absorbing structure, meaning it is difficult for a vehicle to absorb crash energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. As a result, the compartment can collapse in a crash. And every mini-
car, including the Spark, was rated “marginal” or “poor” for structural integrity, which is one component of the overall rating. “Automakers need to invest in making changes to these vehicles that they have been making to their h i g h -vo l u m e m o d e l s,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute. “This is a relatively new test, and it requires in many cases a redesign, and some of these haven’t been through a complete makeover. And, when you are talking about a vehicle that weighs less than 2,500 pounds, there is an inherent disadvantage to riding in a small, lightweight car. If safety is a priority, it’s better to move
up even one class size.” In both the Fiat 500 and the Fit, the driver’s space was “seriously compromised” by the intruding structure, according to the report. The driver’s door of the Fiat 500 opened after it tore apart at the hinges, increasing the risk of ejection. In the Fit, Accent, Prius C and Yaris, the seatbelts allowed the crash test dummy to move too far forward, so the dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag and then slid off. This combination resulted in the head hitting the instrument panel. In eight vehicles, the side curtain air bag did not extend far enough forward to provide adequate head protection. In the Yaris, it did not deploy at all.
a few weeks. The decision ends an unusually public struggle between Chrysler and NHTSA. The agency asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps last June, contending that their gas tanks — which are positioned behind the rear axle — were at risk of rupturing and catching fire in rear-end crashes. Involved were Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 1993 to 2004 model years and Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler initially refused
to recall the vehicles. The company said the rate of fuel leaks and fires after crashes was similar to comparable vehicles that were sold during the time in question. It was the first time in two years that an automaker had refused NHTSA’s request for a recall. Chrysler later agreed to recall 1.56 million of the Jeeps and install trailer hitches on them to help protect the gas tanks. The company sent notices to the remaining customers saying their ve-
hicles were fine if they have factory-installed or Chrysler-made trailer hitches. NHTSA said late Friday that it has been in close contact with Chrysler and will monitor the recall as it continues. Chrysler has told customers that it will start installing the hitches soon. “Consumers should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive final notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA said in a statement. Associated Press
autos brief Government ending Jeep investigation DETROIT — The government is closing its investigation into older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has “no reservations” with Chrysler Group’s plans to recall the vehicles. The agency is expected to release a report on its investigation in
Barra to stay the course at GM, but accelerate By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press
The automaker earned the honor for the second consecutive year
TOKYO — Toyota remained the top-selling automaker for a second year in a row, beating U.S. rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 million vehicles this year. That would mark a milestone as no automaker has ever topped annual worldwide sales of 10 million. Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 2 percent from the previous year. The Japanese automaker has made an impressive comeback from an earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011, damaging auto suppliers and hobbling production. Toyota also outlined plans to sell 10.32 million vehicles and produce 10.43 million vehicles in 2014. General Motors Co. sold 9.71 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, outselling Volkswagen AG of Germany at 9.5 million.
The Sentinel • E3
DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s new CEO, Mary Barra, says she will largely keep in place the plans of her predecessor, from a restructuring in Europe to a focus on improving profit margins. But she hopes to accelerate that progress. Barra held a 50-minute session a small group of reporters Thursday, her first interview becoming CEO on Jan. 15. Barra, 52, joked that the quiet conference room at GM’s Detroit headquarters was a better place to talk than last week’s Detroit auto show, where she was mobbed by hundreds of reporters. Barra promised “no right or left turns” from the path laid out by former CEO Dan Akerson, who stepped down to care for his ailing wife. Under Akerson, GM rebounded from a 2009 trip to bankruptcy court. It became a publicly traded company again and reported a profit for 15 straight quarters, racking up almost $20 billion in net income thanks to stronger sales in the U.S. and China. GM restored its quarterly dividend on Akerson’s last day. “We’re no longer just looking for viability, but we’re looking for growth and leadership in the operations we have around the world,” Barra said. “Now that some of those things have gotten the attention and are righted, let’s take it and go.” Barra is going ahead with a European restructuring plan that will cost the automaker $1.1 billion this year. GM still expects to achieve 10-percent pretax profit margins in North America and break even in Europe by the middle of this decade, she said. It also wants to increase annual sales in China to 5 million by next year, up from 3.1 million last year. Barra was Akerson’s global product development chief and part of a team that helped him develop this strategy, so she’s comfortable sticking with his goals.
“That’s why we can keep the momentum going and look to accelerate it because there’s no, ‘Hey, we’ve got to pause and look at this,’” she said. Barra says GM — which was the world’s secondlargest automaker by sales last year after Toyota, with 9.7 million vehicles sold — is making strong products, but customers don’t always know that. In Europe, for example, she’s heard drivers express surprise at the quality of Opel cars when they finally drive them. Among her priorities is making GM’s brand messages clear and consistent worldwide. New vehicles like the Cadillac ATS sedan — which goes on sale in China this year — can help Cadillac become a global luxury brand. Chevrolet needs to show that it provides a lot of value to buyers. The new Chevrolet Corvette — a relative bargain with a starting price of $52,000 — is proof of that, she said. Barra will ask employees to focus on innovative ideas that will add value to vehicles and delight customers, whether it’s a new program to help dealers or an unexpected feature like the rain-sensing rear wiper on the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. Barra, a 33-year veteran of the company, said she has always had a collaborative leadership style from her earliest days as an engineer at GM’s plants. She said she works well with Dan Ammann, GM’s new president, and Mark Reuss, GM’s new head of global product development. “I’ve always been focused on winning the hearts and minds of the employee base,” she said. Barra, the first female CEO of a major automaker, said she is happy if her appointment helps motivate others. But she doesn’t give much thought to her gender. “I never approached any job as, ‘Oh, I’m a woman doing this job,’” she said. “I want to be valued for leading the team and the results we achieve.”
Nissan settles with government over deceptive pickup ad By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press WASHINGTON — Nissan went too far with a TV commercial that depicts its Frontier pickup truck powering up a sandy hill to save a struggling dune buggy, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In an announcement Thursday, the commission said Nissan has agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges over the 30-second ad. In it, a little black dune buggy can be seen stuck in sand on a steep hill. Suddenly, a red Frontier speeds to the rescue of the dune buggy and pushes it up and over the hill, to the cheers of amazed onlookers. The “Hill Climb” ad was shot in a realistic-looking YouTube style. And no, the Frontier pickup can’t really do that. In fact, the FTC complaint says both the truck and the buggy were dragged to the top of the hill by cables. In a statement, Nissan said it takes its commitment to truthful advertising seriously. “The company has been and remains committed to complying with the law,” said spokesman Travis Parman. Also named in the complaint is advertising agency TBWA Worldwide Inc. The FTC says both Nissan and TBWA are barred from making deceptive demonstrations in future ads. “Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but
advertisers can’t use them to misrepresent what a product can do,” said Jessica Rich, head of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau. The ad did have a disclaimer that briefly flashed on the screen at the beginning — saying it was a “fictionalization” and that viewers should “not attempt.” But that didn’t work for the commission. “The disclosure that was on the screen was neither clear nor conspicuous,” said Matthew Gold, an FTC attorney in San Francisco. “Even if what was being portrayed was understood to be fictional, consumers could still believe that what was shown was an actual stunt instead of something achieved through special effects.” The proposed settlement does not prohibit the use of special effects, the commission said, as long as they don’t misrepresent the qualities or features of the pickup truck. The ad aired in late 2011. A more recent Nissan ad, for the automaker’s new Rogue SUV, has been the subject of a somewhat intense social media campaign. The ad shows a woman driving a Rogue, swerving and speeding up a ramp, launching the car into the air and then managing to land on the top of a train to avoid traffic and arrive at her destination early.
Autos Plus
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Toyota named world’s top-selling car maker By Yuri Kageyama Associated Press
Associated Press file photo
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. Toyota recaptured the global sales crown in 2012 from GM, which had been the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, had strong sales growth last year in overseas markets, although sales fell in long stagnant Japan. Toyota’s U.S. sales totaled nearly 2.24 million vehicles, up 7 percent from the previous year. Its China sales
were also strong, surging 9 percent to 917,000. Toyota remained optimistic about prospects this year for both regions, expecting sales to grow 3 percent in the U.S. to 2.3 million vehicles, while adding 20 percent in China sales to 1.1 million. The company was typically low-key about the bragging rights for being No. 1, reiterating its comments from previous years that it was merely making one car at a time to appeal to global consumers. GM has also expressed
similar sentiments, but being the top seller is a key morale booster for the employees and related companies. The healthy results at the three rivals reflect the momentum of growth in the auto industry. Toyota has undergone tough times in recent years, such as a massive recall fiasco in the U.S. involving more than 14 million vehicles for sticky gas pedals, faulty floor mats, problematic brakes and many other defects, spanning several years from 2009.
Minicars are worst performers in small-overlap front crash test By Cheryl Jensen New York Times News Service A group of 11 minicars did the worst of any class of vehicles tested so far in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s newest and toughest trial, the smalloverlap front crash test. Of the 11 minicars tested, none achieved the institute’s highest rating of “good.” Only one — the Chevrolet Spark — achieved the next highest rating of “acceptable.” The others received ratings of either “marginal” or “poor,” the lowest rating. The two worst-performing vehicles were the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500, although a completely redesigned Fit goes on sale this spring. To date, the insurance institute has tested small cars, midsize cars, midsize luxury sedans, compact crossovers and SUVs. The organization, which is financed by the insurance industry, noted that cars in its “small” category, which are just a bit bigger than the minicars, achieved much better scores. The tested minicars were all 2013 or 2014 models, although in some cases the ratings apply to earlier models as well. Minicars that received an overall rating of “marginal” in the institute’s test were the 2014 Ford Fiesta (built after August 2013), the 2012-14 Kia Rio, the 2011-14 Mazda 2 and the 2012-14 Toyota Yaris. Those given a “poor” rating were the 2013-14 Fiat 500, the 2009-14 Honda Fit, the 2013-14 Hyundai Accent, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2012-14 Nissan Versa sedan and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Honda Fit during a crash test. 2012-14 Toyota Prius C. (The Versa sedan ratings do not apply to the Versa Note hatchback.) The new small overlap evaluation, which the institute added to its repertory of crash tests in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole at 40 mph. It is especially difficult to get a good rating on this test because the impact bypasses most of the vehicle’s front-end crash-absorbing structure, meaning it is difficult for a vehicle to absorb crash energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. As a result, the compartment can collapse in a crash. And every mini-
car, including the Spark, was rated “marginal” or “poor” for structural integrity, which is one component of the overall rating. “Automakers need to invest in making changes to these vehicles that they have been making to their h i g h -vo l u m e m o d e l s,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute. “This is a relatively new test, and it requires in many cases a redesign, and some of these haven’t been through a complete makeover. And, when you are talking about a vehicle that weighs less than 2,500 pounds, there is an inherent disadvantage to riding in a small, lightweight car. If safety is a priority, it’s better to move
up even one class size.” In both the Fiat 500 and the Fit, the driver’s space was “seriously compromised” by the intruding structure, according to the report. The driver’s door of the Fiat 500 opened after it tore apart at the hinges, increasing the risk of ejection. In the Fit, Accent, Prius C and Yaris, the seatbelts allowed the crash test dummy to move too far forward, so the dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag and then slid off. This combination resulted in the head hitting the instrument panel. In eight vehicles, the side curtain air bag did not extend far enough forward to provide adequate head protection. In the Yaris, it did not deploy at all.
a few weeks. The decision ends an unusually public struggle between Chrysler and NHTSA. The agency asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps last June, contending that their gas tanks — which are positioned behind the rear axle — were at risk of rupturing and catching fire in rear-end crashes. Involved were Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 1993 to 2004 model years and Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler initially refused
to recall the vehicles. The company said the rate of fuel leaks and fires after crashes was similar to comparable vehicles that were sold during the time in question. It was the first time in two years that an automaker had refused NHTSA’s request for a recall. Chrysler later agreed to recall 1.56 million of the Jeeps and install trailer hitches on them to help protect the gas tanks. The company sent notices to the remaining customers saying their ve-
hicles were fine if they have factory-installed or Chrysler-made trailer hitches. NHTSA said late Friday that it has been in close contact with Chrysler and will monitor the recall as it continues. Chrysler has told customers that it will start installing the hitches soon. “Consumers should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive final notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA said in a statement. Associated Press
autos brief Government ending Jeep investigation DETROIT — The government is closing its investigation into older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has “no reservations” with Chrysler Group’s plans to recall the vehicles. The agency is expected to release a report on its investigation in
Barra to stay the course at GM, but accelerate By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press
The automaker earned the honor for the second consecutive year
TOKYO — Toyota remained the top-selling automaker for a second year in a row, beating U.S. rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 million vehicles this year. That would mark a milestone as no automaker has ever topped annual worldwide sales of 10 million. Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 2 percent from the previous year. The Japanese automaker has made an impressive comeback from an earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011, damaging auto suppliers and hobbling production. Toyota also outlined plans to sell 10.32 million vehicles and produce 10.43 million vehicles in 2014. General Motors Co. sold 9.71 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, outselling Volkswagen AG of Germany at 9.5 million.
The Sentinel • E3
DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s new CEO, Mary Barra, says she will largely keep in place the plans of her predecessor, from a restructuring in Europe to a focus on improving profit margins. But she hopes to accelerate that progress. Barra held a 50-minute session a small group of reporters Thursday, her first interview becoming CEO on Jan. 15. Barra, 52, joked that the quiet conference room at GM’s Detroit headquarters was a better place to talk than last week’s Detroit auto show, where she was mobbed by hundreds of reporters. Barra promised “no right or left turns” from the path laid out by former CEO Dan Akerson, who stepped down to care for his ailing wife. Under Akerson, GM rebounded from a 2009 trip to bankruptcy court. It became a publicly traded company again and reported a profit for 15 straight quarters, racking up almost $20 billion in net income thanks to stronger sales in the U.S. and China. GM restored its quarterly dividend on Akerson’s last day. “We’re no longer just looking for viability, but we’re looking for growth and leadership in the operations we have around the world,” Barra said. “Now that some of those things have gotten the attention and are righted, let’s take it and go.” Barra is going ahead with a European restructuring plan that will cost the automaker $1.1 billion this year. GM still expects to achieve 10-percent pretax profit margins in North America and break even in Europe by the middle of this decade, she said. It also wants to increase annual sales in China to 5 million by next year, up from 3.1 million last year. Barra was Akerson’s global product development chief and part of a team that helped him develop this strategy, so she’s comfortable sticking with his goals.
“That’s why we can keep the momentum going and look to accelerate it because there’s no, ‘Hey, we’ve got to pause and look at this,’” she said. Barra says GM — which was the world’s secondlargest automaker by sales last year after Toyota, with 9.7 million vehicles sold — is making strong products, but customers don’t always know that. In Europe, for example, she’s heard drivers express surprise at the quality of Opel cars when they finally drive them. Among her priorities is making GM’s brand messages clear and consistent worldwide. New vehicles like the Cadillac ATS sedan — which goes on sale in China this year — can help Cadillac become a global luxury brand. Chevrolet needs to show that it provides a lot of value to buyers. The new Chevrolet Corvette — a relative bargain with a starting price of $52,000 — is proof of that, she said. Barra will ask employees to focus on innovative ideas that will add value to vehicles and delight customers, whether it’s a new program to help dealers or an unexpected feature like the rain-sensing rear wiper on the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. Barra, a 33-year veteran of the company, said she has always had a collaborative leadership style from her earliest days as an engineer at GM’s plants. She said she works well with Dan Ammann, GM’s new president, and Mark Reuss, GM’s new head of global product development. “I’ve always been focused on winning the hearts and minds of the employee base,” she said. Barra, the first female CEO of a major automaker, said she is happy if her appointment helps motivate others. But she doesn’t give much thought to her gender. “I never approached any job as, ‘Oh, I’m a woman doing this job,’” she said. “I want to be valued for leading the team and the results we achieve.”
Nissan settles with government over deceptive pickup ad By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press WASHINGTON — Nissan went too far with a TV commercial that depicts its Frontier pickup truck powering up a sandy hill to save a struggling dune buggy, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In an announcement Thursday, the commission said Nissan has agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges over the 30-second ad. In it, a little black dune buggy can be seen stuck in sand on a steep hill. Suddenly, a red Frontier speeds to the rescue of the dune buggy and pushes it up and over the hill, to the cheers of amazed onlookers. The “Hill Climb” ad was shot in a realistic-looking YouTube style. And no, the Frontier pickup can’t really do that. In fact, the FTC complaint says both the truck and the buggy were dragged to the top of the hill by cables. In a statement, Nissan said it takes its commitment to truthful advertising seriously. “The company has been and remains committed to complying with the law,” said spokesman Travis Parman. Also named in the complaint is advertising agency TBWA Worldwide Inc. The FTC says both Nissan and TBWA are barred from making deceptive demonstrations in future ads. “Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but
advertisers can’t use them to misrepresent what a product can do,” said Jessica Rich, head of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau. The ad did have a disclaimer that briefly flashed on the screen at the beginning — saying it was a “fictionalization” and that viewers should “not attempt.” But that didn’t work for the commission. “The disclosure that was on the screen was neither clear nor conspicuous,” said Matthew Gold, an FTC attorney in San Francisco. “Even if what was being portrayed was understood to be fictional, consumers could still believe that what was shown was an actual stunt instead of something achieved through special effects.” The proposed settlement does not prohibit the use of special effects, the commission said, as long as they don’t misrepresent the qualities or features of the pickup truck. The ad aired in late 2011. A more recent Nissan ad, for the automaker’s new Rogue SUV, has been the subject of a somewhat intense social media campaign. The ad shows a woman driving a Rogue, swerving and speeding up a ramp, launching the car into the air and then managing to land on the top of a train to avoid traffic and arrive at her destination early.
Autos Plus
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Toyota named world’s top-selling car maker By Yuri Kageyama Associated Press
Associated Press file photo
Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. Toyota recaptured the global sales crown in 2012 from GM, which had been the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed by Toyota in 2008. Toyota, which makes the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, had strong sales growth last year in overseas markets, although sales fell in long stagnant Japan. Toyota’s U.S. sales totaled nearly 2.24 million vehicles, up 7 percent from the previous year. Its China sales
were also strong, surging 9 percent to 917,000. Toyota remained optimistic about prospects this year for both regions, expecting sales to grow 3 percent in the U.S. to 2.3 million vehicles, while adding 20 percent in China sales to 1.1 million. The company was typically low-key about the bragging rights for being No. 1, reiterating its comments from previous years that it was merely making one car at a time to appeal to global consumers. GM has also expressed
similar sentiments, but being the top seller is a key morale booster for the employees and related companies. The healthy results at the three rivals reflect the momentum of growth in the auto industry. Toyota has undergone tough times in recent years, such as a massive recall fiasco in the U.S. involving more than 14 million vehicles for sticky gas pedals, faulty floor mats, problematic brakes and many other defects, spanning several years from 2009.
Minicars are worst performers in small-overlap front crash test By Cheryl Jensen New York Times News Service A group of 11 minicars did the worst of any class of vehicles tested so far in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s newest and toughest trial, the smalloverlap front crash test. Of the 11 minicars tested, none achieved the institute’s highest rating of “good.” Only one — the Chevrolet Spark — achieved the next highest rating of “acceptable.” The others received ratings of either “marginal” or “poor,” the lowest rating. The two worst-performing vehicles were the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500, although a completely redesigned Fit goes on sale this spring. To date, the insurance institute has tested small cars, midsize cars, midsize luxury sedans, compact crossovers and SUVs. The organization, which is financed by the insurance industry, noted that cars in its “small” category, which are just a bit bigger than the minicars, achieved much better scores. The tested minicars were all 2013 or 2014 models, although in some cases the ratings apply to earlier models as well. Minicars that received an overall rating of “marginal” in the institute’s test were the 2014 Ford Fiesta (built after August 2013), the 2012-14 Kia Rio, the 2011-14 Mazda 2 and the 2012-14 Toyota Yaris. Those given a “poor” rating were the 2013-14 Fiat 500, the 2009-14 Honda Fit, the 2013-14 Hyundai Accent, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2012-14 Nissan Versa sedan and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Honda Fit during a crash test. 2012-14 Toyota Prius C. (The Versa sedan ratings do not apply to the Versa Note hatchback.) The new small overlap evaluation, which the institute added to its repertory of crash tests in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole at 40 mph. It is especially difficult to get a good rating on this test because the impact bypasses most of the vehicle’s front-end crash-absorbing structure, meaning it is difficult for a vehicle to absorb crash energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. As a result, the compartment can collapse in a crash. And every mini-
car, including the Spark, was rated “marginal” or “poor” for structural integrity, which is one component of the overall rating. “Automakers need to invest in making changes to these vehicles that they have been making to their h i g h -vo l u m e m o d e l s,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute. “This is a relatively new test, and it requires in many cases a redesign, and some of these haven’t been through a complete makeover. And, when you are talking about a vehicle that weighs less than 2,500 pounds, there is an inherent disadvantage to riding in a small, lightweight car. If safety is a priority, it’s better to move
up even one class size.” In both the Fiat 500 and the Fit, the driver’s space was “seriously compromised” by the intruding structure, according to the report. The driver’s door of the Fiat 500 opened after it tore apart at the hinges, increasing the risk of ejection. In the Fit, Accent, Prius C and Yaris, the seatbelts allowed the crash test dummy to move too far forward, so the dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag and then slid off. This combination resulted in the head hitting the instrument panel. In eight vehicles, the side curtain air bag did not extend far enough forward to provide adequate head protection. In the Yaris, it did not deploy at all.
a few weeks. The decision ends an unusually public struggle between Chrysler and NHTSA. The agency asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps last June, contending that their gas tanks — which are positioned behind the rear axle — were at risk of rupturing and catching fire in rear-end crashes. Involved were Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 1993 to 2004 model years and Liberty SUVs from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler initially refused
to recall the vehicles. The company said the rate of fuel leaks and fires after crashes was similar to comparable vehicles that were sold during the time in question. It was the first time in two years that an automaker had refused NHTSA’s request for a recall. Chrysler later agreed to recall 1.56 million of the Jeeps and install trailer hitches on them to help protect the gas tanks. The company sent notices to the remaining customers saying their ve-
hicles were fine if they have factory-installed or Chrysler-made trailer hitches. NHTSA said late Friday that it has been in close contact with Chrysler and will monitor the recall as it continues. Chrysler has told customers that it will start installing the hitches soon. “Consumers should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive final notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA said in a statement. Associated Press
autos brief Government ending Jeep investigation DETROIT — The government is closing its investigation into older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it has “no reservations” with Chrysler Group’s plans to recall the vehicles. The agency is expected to release a report on its investigation in
Barra to stay the course at GM, but accelerate By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press
The automaker earned the honor for the second consecutive year
TOKYO — Toyota remained the top-selling automaker for a second year in a row, beating U.S. rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 million vehicles this year. That would mark a milestone as no automaker has ever topped annual worldwide sales of 10 million. Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles worldwide last year, up 2 percent from the previous year. The Japanese automaker has made an impressive comeback from an earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011, damaging auto suppliers and hobbling production. Toyota also outlined plans to sell 10.32 million vehicles and produce 10.43 million vehicles in 2014. General Motors Co. sold 9.71 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, outselling Volkswagen AG of Germany at 9.5 million.
The Sentinel • E3
DETROIT — General Motors Co.’s new CEO, Mary Barra, says she will largely keep in place the plans of her predecessor, from a restructuring in Europe to a focus on improving profit margins. But she hopes to accelerate that progress. Barra held a 50-minute session a small group of reporters Thursday, her first interview becoming CEO on Jan. 15. Barra, 52, joked that the quiet conference room at GM’s Detroit headquarters was a better place to talk than last week’s Detroit auto show, where she was mobbed by hundreds of reporters. Barra promised “no right or left turns” from the path laid out by former CEO Dan Akerson, who stepped down to care for his ailing wife. Under Akerson, GM rebounded from a 2009 trip to bankruptcy court. It became a publicly traded company again and reported a profit for 15 straight quarters, racking up almost $20 billion in net income thanks to stronger sales in the U.S. and China. GM restored its quarterly dividend on Akerson’s last day. “We’re no longer just looking for viability, but we’re looking for growth and leadership in the operations we have around the world,” Barra said. “Now that some of those things have gotten the attention and are righted, let’s take it and go.” Barra is going ahead with a European restructuring plan that will cost the automaker $1.1 billion this year. GM still expects to achieve 10-percent pretax profit margins in North America and break even in Europe by the middle of this decade, she said. It also wants to increase annual sales in China to 5 million by next year, up from 3.1 million last year. Barra was Akerson’s global product development chief and part of a team that helped him develop this strategy, so she’s comfortable sticking with his goals.
“That’s why we can keep the momentum going and look to accelerate it because there’s no, ‘Hey, we’ve got to pause and look at this,’” she said. Barra says GM — which was the world’s secondlargest automaker by sales last year after Toyota, with 9.7 million vehicles sold — is making strong products, but customers don’t always know that. In Europe, for example, she’s heard drivers express surprise at the quality of Opel cars when they finally drive them. Among her priorities is making GM’s brand messages clear and consistent worldwide. New vehicles like the Cadillac ATS sedan — which goes on sale in China this year — can help Cadillac become a global luxury brand. Chevrolet needs to show that it provides a lot of value to buyers. The new Chevrolet Corvette — a relative bargain with a starting price of $52,000 — is proof of that, she said. Barra will ask employees to focus on innovative ideas that will add value to vehicles and delight customers, whether it’s a new program to help dealers or an unexpected feature like the rain-sensing rear wiper on the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. Barra, a 33-year veteran of the company, said she has always had a collaborative leadership style from her earliest days as an engineer at GM’s plants. She said she works well with Dan Ammann, GM’s new president, and Mark Reuss, GM’s new head of global product development. “I’ve always been focused on winning the hearts and minds of the employee base,” she said. Barra, the first female CEO of a major automaker, said she is happy if her appointment helps motivate others. But she doesn’t give much thought to her gender. “I never approached any job as, ‘Oh, I’m a woman doing this job,’” she said. “I want to be valued for leading the team and the results we achieve.”
Nissan settles with government over deceptive pickup ad By Jennifer C. Kerr Associated Press WASHINGTON — Nissan went too far with a TV commercial that depicts its Frontier pickup truck powering up a sandy hill to save a struggling dune buggy, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In an announcement Thursday, the commission said Nissan has agreed to settle deceptive advertising charges over the 30-second ad. In it, a little black dune buggy can be seen stuck in sand on a steep hill. Suddenly, a red Frontier speeds to the rescue of the dune buggy and pushes it up and over the hill, to the cheers of amazed onlookers. The “Hill Climb” ad was shot in a realistic-looking YouTube style. And no, the Frontier pickup can’t really do that. In fact, the FTC complaint says both the truck and the buggy were dragged to the top of the hill by cables. In a statement, Nissan said it takes its commitment to truthful advertising seriously. “The company has been and remains committed to complying with the law,” said spokesman Travis Parman. Also named in the complaint is advertising agency TBWA Worldwide Inc. The FTC says both Nissan and TBWA are barred from making deceptive demonstrations in future ads. “Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but
advertisers can’t use them to misrepresent what a product can do,” said Jessica Rich, head of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau. The ad did have a disclaimer that briefly flashed on the screen at the beginning — saying it was a “fictionalization” and that viewers should “not attempt.” But that didn’t work for the commission. “The disclosure that was on the screen was neither clear nor conspicuous,” said Matthew Gold, an FTC attorney in San Francisco. “Even if what was being portrayed was understood to be fictional, consumers could still believe that what was shown was an actual stunt instead of something achieved through special effects.” The proposed settlement does not prohibit the use of special effects, the commission said, as long as they don’t misrepresent the qualities or features of the pickup truck. The ad aired in late 2011. A more recent Nissan ad, for the automaker’s new Rogue SUV, has been the subject of a somewhat intense social media campaign. The ad shows a woman driving a Rogue, swerving and speeding up a ramp, launching the car into the air and then managing to land on the top of a train to avoid traffic and arrive at her destination early.
Autos Plus
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850
Public Notices Announcements Bargain Basement
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Classieds 880
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ACURA, 2005 TL
Blue/gray, 61k miles. Stock #LX18476A $14,388
White/black, 18k miles. Stock #LX17923A $14,788
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
SATURN, 2008 VUE
White/tan, 48k miles. Stock #LX18369 $12,388
1-800-778-0850 www.bobbyrahallexus.com
White/black, 81k miles. Stock #LX18383B $23,988
be our friend.
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SAAB, 2005 92X Aero, AWD. Auto., A/C, turbo, heated seats, silver, 88k mi. Asking $6,900. Call 717-776-7452 or 717-448-2892.
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“Cleanest Cars in Town” Celebrating 60 Years!
www.martysinc.com
Owned & Operated by a Veteran
07 Hyundai Accent Cpe., AT,1Owner,4cyl.$5,995 07 Saturn Ion 2 AT,4cyl..............................$7,995 05 Honda CR-V EX SR,AT,4cyl, 1owner.....$10,995 05 Ford Focus SE ZX4,Auto,4Cyl. ...............$6,995 05 Honda Accord LX AT,1owner,4cyl..........$8,995 04 Ford Focus ZTS autoleatherSR,4cyl.............$6,495 04 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT................$6,995 04 Ford Freestar SEL...............................$6,995 04 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl, 1owner...............$7,995 03 Ford Focus SdnAT,4cyl.........................$5,995 03 Hyundai Elantra AT4cyl......................$5,995 02 Chevy Tracker auto,4wd,1owner, ........$5,995 02 Honda Civic AT,4cyl.............................$5,995 02 Toyota Camry......................................$7,595 01 Hyundai Elantra AT,4cyl........................$5,595 00 Honda CR-V AT,4cyl...............................$3,995 99 Lincoln Town Car CartierEdition.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,595 98 Chevy Prizm AT,4cyl. .......................... $3,595 Financing Available 471 E. NORTH STREET, CARLISLE
Autos
249-5418
ALL2013Models
500
$
BelowInvoice AutoShow BonusCashisHere! ’14 Equinox LS
LEASE FOR ONLY
$
FWD STK# 140112
’14 Silverado Double cab 4 x 4 STK# 140152
199
LEASE FOR ONLY
259
$
’14 Cruze LT
*
*
STK# 140163
We’re so confident in our Low Everyday Pricing, We’ll BEAT any other Chevy Dealer’s written offer by $250!
LEASE FOR ONLY
$
129
’14 Impala LS
LEASE FOR ONLY
229
$
STK# 140235
Must be bona-fide written offer on in stock vehicles.
*$3,500 due at signing / 36 month lease / 12K mi/yr *For Well Qualified Leasees - Sales Tax not Included.
’13 Chevy Silverado 1500 #665334 $35,328
’06 Chevy Silverado 2500 #1402401 $12,999
’12 Dodge Ram 1500 #1308931 $35,138
’11 Chevy Silverado #665356 $26,036
*
*
Let Us Show You How a Business Elite Dealer Can Benefit You and Your Business!
’12 Chevy Equinox LT #665348 $22,232
’10 Dodge Journey SXT #1302821 $14,999
’12 Chevy Captiva Sport #665321 $19,015
’10 Chevy Equinox LT #1309761 $13,293
’13 Chevy Traverse LT #665360 $28,148
’10 Honda CR-V LX #1308811 $16,499
New ‘13 2500 Silverado 2WD
’13 Ford Mustang #1400882 $18,517
’12 Chevy Avalanche #665337 $36,547
* Rebates are subject to change without prior notice. Not all customers will qualify for all applicable rebates and incentives.
’06 Chevy Equinox LT #6653531 $10,155
’13 Chevy Cruze LTZ #665358 $18,499
See Our Entire Inventory at:
6445 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg
Ready to make the move? Find the new home of your dreams in The Sentinel Classifieds.
’12 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE #665365 $31,999
Go to the jobsite with the whole crew in one truck! Up to $1000 in GM Accessories included for businesses MSRP: $35,763 #130680, Sale Price
27,959
$
* 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