Industry

2016 Volkswagen Passat Launched in New York City

September 24, 2015 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

September 21, 2015

Amidst plummeting stock and other corporate chaos from the recent scandal involving Volkswagen’s TDI emissions testing fakery, a refreshed 2016 Passat was launched in New York.

From the mouth of Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn – “…we have totally screwed up.” The very contrite executive was frank in admitting the multinational corporation’s dishonesty, and pledged that the company would fix the problems the affected cars – VW and Audi models with 2.0 liter turbocharged TDI engines sold from 2009 – 2013 and 2015. It’s a screw up that will cost the company billions of dollars and untold reputational damage reverberating through Europe and Asia, and has triggered the resignation of CEO Martin Winterkorn. But business is business, and Mom always said that the best way to confront your problems is head-on, so Volkswagen did just that.

Most obvious in the refresh is ridged hood and thinner headlights, giving it a sleeker look. The four bar grille is more prominent and squared off, geometric fog lamps integrated below.

In back, chrome, chrome, chrome. North America likes chrome, and chrome accents were added between the tail lights and along the back bumper.

The 2016 model will be the first Passat available with an R-Line® version. Black accents, rocker panels… sporty.

The diesel dust-up will hopefully be settled for the 2016 Passat with a 2.0 liter TDI, but the 1.8 liter four-cylinder and the 280 hp 3.6-liter VR6® engine are out of the scope of the emissions issue.

While pricing for the full 2016 Passat line will be released later in the year, the Chattanooga-produced base 1.8T S model starts at $22,440.

: Michael Horn

: 2016 VW Passat

: 2016 VW Passat

: 2016 VW Passat

: 2016 VW Passat R-Line

: Lenny Kravitz on a 2016 Passat

: 2016 VW Passat R-Line

: 2016 VW Passat

: 2016 VW Passat

: 2016 VW Passat

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

: Lenny Kravitz 2016 Passat Reveal

Further With Ford 2013 Trend Conference: Day One

July 10, 2013 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

For the second year in a row, The Garage was invited to be the guest of Ford Motor Company for the annual ‘Further With Ford’ Trend Conference. On a blistering Monday morning in late June, I dropped off my son for his first day of summer camp, and headed off for the airport in my test car of the week, ironically the new Ford Escape Titanium. The Escape whisked me to Bradley International Airport just north of Hartford in cool, calm comfort. I was excited, and eager to see and hear what insights Ford would reveal to how they are approaching the future of the car business.

It turns out I would have more time to ponder this than planned, thanks to numerous flight delays. Finally arriving in Detroit, I essentially threw my suitcase into my hotel room and booked it to the bus. To kick off the conference, Ford was hosting dinner for us at The Henry Ford, possibly one of the most remarkable museums I have ever visited. There is something for everyone. The limo JFK was assassinated in? It’s here. Parked in front of it is the limo Ronald Reagan was pushed into after he was shot. I haven’t even scratched the surface of what the museum has to offer.

It was almost time to get down to business, and as I sat down at a table, none other than Ford CEO Alan Mulally starts introducing himself to some of the Ford execs seated near me. Next thing I know a hand is extended to me, I look up, and he says “Hi, I’m Alan, nice to meet you.” I stood up, introduced myself, and he asked what The Garage was about. I told him, and mentioned I had just had the Fusion, C-Max and currently the Escape. Mulally wasted no time, and immediately asked me my impression of the Fusion. I told him, and when I was finished, he said good-bye, walked up to the stage to greet the audience, and introduced Bill Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford.

Bill Ford is widely known for being pro-environment. In speaking to us, Ford emphasized his pride in the fact that over the course of the past seven years Ford has moved from being one of the worst car companies in terms of fuel economy to one of the best. Ford seemed excited to be offering EV’s (electric vehicles), but conceded it will be a slow build-up, as consumers deal with range anxiety, and spotty charging station locations. Ford perceives the Federal government’s lack of a national energy plan and proper infrastructure as hindrances to the success of making EV’s a success in America.

Finally, Ford brought up the company’s relationship with ZipCar. For those not familiar, ZipCar is a car sharing service operating out of major US and UK cities, as well as universities. Ford, as The Garage learned last year, is closely monitoring the changing car habits of Generation Y. This generation is slower to get a driver’s license, leaving the suburbs for the city, and postponing new car purchases moreso than any generation before. But let’s face it, sometimes you simply need a car. Bill Ford rationalized the relationship with ZipCar very simply. Eventually, members of Generation Y will need to buy a new car. If they had a good experience driving a Ford from ZipCar, they will be that much more inclined to buy a Ford for themselves. Simple, but very smart.

If Bill Ford is a member of automotive family royalty, our next speaker helped to define the world we live and work in today. Alan Mulally introduces Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer. Dressed in black head to toe with the exception of a pair of funky blue sneakers, 250 hand-picked bloggers sit in stunned silence in front of the man many simply call ‘Woz’. I realize I am dating myself, but I have used Apple Computers since the Apple II came out, and before me is the man who helped make it. Amazingly, Woz acts like a regular guy, albeit a brilliant one. A little goofy, completely down to earth, listening to this man was mesmerizing and truly unforgettable. Wozniak seemed enthusiastic about EV’s, going so far as comparing it to Apple’s progression from floppy disks as a means of propulsion to computers than run themselves with internalized software. Without the floppy disk, the computer could not do anything. And to read the floppy disk, you needed mechanical parts that make noise and can break. Wozniak sees the advent of the EV in exactly the same light. For sure, I pray at the alter of the internal combustion engine, but I’m a car nut. But that’s old fashioned. Steve Wozniak is an innovator, and to him the EV is simply The Next Step for the automobile. I found it a profoundly interesting observation and comparison. I got the feeling Woz was ready and willing to talk for another hour but I could tell his handlers were getting antsy and rushing him to finish up.

Following a delicious dinner seated next to one of the curators of the museum, a British ex-pat who came to Dearborn, I had the pleasure of walking around the museum, taking in its vast auto collection of everything from a Dodge Omni, VW Microbus to a genuine Ford GT-40 Le Mans race car to a Bugatti. Enormous locomotives, a full replica of a 1960’s Howard Johnson’s hotel room. The bus Rosa Parks entered where she decided she would not sit in the back seat. It’s all there. I’d need at least a day, but I did my best with a couple hours.

Full and tired from a long day of traveling and an exhilarating night the The Henry Ford, we filed on to the bus back to our hotel in relative silence. I am back in my hotel room just in time to phone my wife and very tired seven year old son to say goodnight. My room is right at the airport, and thankfully heavily soundproofed, as I watch planes taxi in silence. Restless, I head to DEMA Lounge, grab a USA Today, local brew Crooked Tree IPA and a leather chair while I take in the indoor pond and towering bamboo trees. I’ve been on the go for fourteen hours, and finally get to take a breath and relax. But that 6:45am wake up is coming, and I know I have a very busy day ahead. Time for bed. Stay tuned for my coverage of Day Two of Further With Ford!

When the Car Dealer Loses the Script: A Buick Sob Story

June 4, 2013 by Tom Williams 3 Comments

Sure, we’ve all seen them-the cheesy tv commercials the local car dealership puts on your local tv station. Gimmicks, cheap suits you wouldn’t wish your worst enemy to be buried in, godawful production values and ad copy written by an eighth grader fronted by car salesmen whose acting is so wooden they would not stand a chance of landing a role even the smallest town’s local theater group. You either cringe, or laugh out loud at just truly awful it is. It’s one thing when the ad is by your local Honda, Chevy or Toyota dealer. The cars speak for themselves, and in many cases, sell themselves based on reputation alone. The buyer can laugh off those horrible commercials.

That’s fine when you are one of the best selling brands out there, but what if you are a brand trying to establish a new identity? A brand trying to come off as a premium one at that? That changes things. As automotive journalists, myself and Founding Editor Gary Grant have seen firsthand just how hard car companies try to foster a certain image to their prospective buyers. The work they do is exhaustive, I assure you. You, the car buyer, or casual enthusiast, many not see it, but major car manufacturers today have entire departments focused solely on social media, public perception, and are constantly trying to find new ways to reach out to new car buyers.

Take, for example, Buick. After GM’s restructuring, Buick stands alone as the gap between Chevy and Cadilliac, but was saddled with an aging buyer demographic and somewhat stale cars. Not the sort of thing that gets your adrenaline pumping. Buick’s current line, with the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano are all fine cars seeking a new, younger, yet affluent audience. The cars are good, but Buick has a long way to go of changing the mindset of car buyers under the age of 60 to want their car.

Buick fully understands the image problem. A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to attend a special event in Boston, the hippest, most vibrant city in all of my native New England. In an effort to tap into Boston’s young, affluent car buying market, the idea was to combine the allure of fine cuisine with the opportunity to see, touch, and sample the latest and greatest Buick has to offer. Not an inexpensive undertaking, but fine food is a clever way of attracting the desired crowd. And hey, even if they do not actually buy a Buick, the casual Bostonian foodee is surely going to tell his/her friends and family that the new Buicks are actually pretty cool cars.

So, you see, Buick is trying their hardest with updating their image, with quality cars to back it up. But…those dealer ads. I won’t name them, but the local Buick dealer is airing a promotion called ‘A Buick for a Buck.” That is, a one dollar down payment for your brand new Buick. The advertisements are relentless, but the tagline on each commercial is the dealer ‘just wants to get you a loan.’ It brings the car down to the lowest common denominator. That it isn’t even about the car anymore.

And therein lies the problem. Buick is trying their hardest to build good cars, and rebuild their image with the aim to appeal to a broader audience-namely, a more affluent audience. But the local Buick dealer is the face of your company, and their message to the car buying public in your area is we will get you a loan as long as you have a pulse. In thirty seconds, the millions of dollars Buick has invested in their cars, and their marketing efforts have instantly evaporated. Buick wants to be an aspirational brand, but with tv commercials like these, they cannot. Buick, as a company, has set its sights on Lexus, but with ads like these, it literally leads a path to Lexus’ door, since they never put junk like this on the air.

Buick, you’ve done the hard work of building a good car. You know you need to reach out the the buyer you want, and you are. But the dealer is where the money changes hands. Sure, I could have gone to Boston, enjoyed the beautiful city and fine food as a backdrop to your cars and come away impressed. But my local Buick dealer keeps telling me if my credit is awful, or if I have one dollar, I can have a new Buick. And to the dealer, don’t tell me you can just get me a loan, tell me you can sell me an awesome car.

The Future of the Auto Industry: A Panel Discussion

November 8, 2012 by ponycargirl 1 Comment

As part of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) Annual Conference at Deutsche Bank, a panel discussion was held titled titled “The Future of the Auto Industry.” Taking place on a rainy Tuesday, October 23, in New York City’s financial district, the panel featured six executives from automotive manufacturers: Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America; Hans-Ulrich Engel, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, CFO, BASF SE; Martin Jäger, Vice President, Head of Global External Affairs and Public Policy, Daimler AG; Timothy Manganello, Chairman and CEO, BorgWarner Inc.; Rodney O’Neal, President and CEO, Delphi; John Plant, Chairman, President and CEO, TRW Automotive, and moderated by Rod Lache, Deutsche Bank Auto Manufacturing Equity Research Analyst. It was a great opportunity to hear some candid, pointed opinions on the auto industry from the executives of these very successful companies.

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Fashion’s Night Out with the Ford Fusion

September 9, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

On a warm late summer night last Thursday, The Garage was invited by Ford to be a part of Fashion’s Night Out with the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion. The event was called a ‘pop-up’ and was no simple display of just a new car. The concept originated from Donna Karan as a means to show how sustainability and environmental friendliness are working in the fashion industry…and the new Ford Fusion. This is actually a part of a web series known as Random Acts of Fusion. If the notion of high fashion and a mid-size American car sound, well, odd, bear with me.

New York City has been an easy train ride away my entire life, but I’ve never been to the Meatpacking District where Ford was hosting the event. I’m no stranger of the intensity of NYC, but that night it was times two. In talking with Ford’s PR staff, I was told the emphasis was on the topic of sustainability. What the means in real talk is Ford is taking lengths to use more environmentally friendly and renewable resources in constructing their cars. And it just so happens the new Fusion is, in my opinion, drop dead gorgeous, so the car hardly looked out of place in the midst of high fashion and models.

Ford has flown me to their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan twice this year. First to see the global reveal of the new Fusion, and again for the Go Further conference. This was the first time I have seen what Ford had been telling me from the comfort of their home office in person. Ford feels the next generation of car buyers see cars differently from anyone currently above the age of 30, and they are right. Stats show younger generations are gravitating to the city. Technology is a must, not a luxury.

Back to Gansevoort Plaza in the heart of the Meatpacking District. Next door, TV’s Oxygen Network is having a private party for a show I know nothing about, but there are velvet ropes, red carpet and people holding clipboards. Everywhere there are huge men in black suits. Across the street there is a club with a line 50 people deep waiting to get in. And then some random protest group making noise, about what, I could not tell you. Music was pounding from all directions. I had spoken to Ford, taken my pictures. I needed a break.

I found a place around the corner without a line, and sat with a $9 pint of Heineken, and tried to contemplate what just happened. Across the street from me stood a fleet of Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series awaiting their owners. The Ford Fusion competes against the most common cars sold, the Camry, Altima, and Accord. Yet, at what seemed to be the epicenter of hip New York social life, people were checking out the Fusion. In droves. What struck me was that people were checking out a car that will sell just fine in Kansas City, Missouri to an average middle class working family, but some of these people were dressed in outfits that probably cost as much as my first Volkswagen.

I had time to spare, but I wanted to go home. Back to my family and bungalow by Long Island Sound. I hailed a cab, and when I told him to take to me Grand Central Station, he sighed ‘Thank God, I have got to get out of here!’ That says a lot from a NY cabbie. Even sporting my trusty Doc Martens and a sharp plaid shirt, I was hopelessly out of place. We cruised through Chelsea, where I’ve attended other auto events, which were much more my speed.

If it sounds like I had a bad experience, I did not. I was here for an assignment, and I learned a lot about how Ford is marketing their pride and joy. I questioned if they expected any of these socialites would buy a Fusion. But if anything, they are aware of it, and that it appeared to seamlessly meet their extremely high standards of style and fashion speaks volumes of the work J Mays and his design team has put into the Fusion. In my opinion, it was a success, and raised an awareness of a car this crowd never would have given a second thought to.

On my quiet train ride home, surrounded by exhausted New York businessmen playing with their smartphones, I am again impressed at the lengths Ford is going to reach out to new markets, and especially the ever elusive Generation Y. Having a plush Lincoln MKT awaiting me made the quick ride to home all the better, where I comfortably slipped back into my family life again.

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Going Further With Ford Part II

August 7, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

Sorry for the delay folks, but I am pleased to report my second installment for the Go Further With Ford trend conference. In case you missed it, The Garage was chosen from an elite group of bloggers to attend this year’s Go Further With Ford event. Day one consisted of a series of interesting panel discussions which provided a glimpse of where Ford is headed.

For Day Two, Ford drove us to Dearborn proving grounds-the test track. Just to be there was a thrill. The cars you buy from the dealer are tested and fine-tuned right here. You get a sense of the seriousness of the facility with a control tower, much like an airport, overseeing all track activity.

As a car guy with some, but limited race track experience, my hopes of being unleashed on the proving grounds were dashed. Which I can understand. As a car guy, I was in the minority here, with bloggers representing subjects from the environment, fashion, parenting, etc. Ford would be nuts to let them loose.

But to keep things fun and interesting, we had to complete four tasks. My first challenge was to autocross the all-new 2013 Ford Escape. Our bogey time was 38 seconds, with a two second leeway. Ford’s intent was for us to push the Escape hard, which I did. I just made the cut, and have the I Love Pandora t-shirt to prove it. In my 40 seconds of driving it, the Escape was nimble and quick off it’s feet, but look for a full, proper review in the future. In fact, the new Escape will be in my driveway for Labor Day weekend.

Next up was the 2013 Ford Mustang GT. We had three choices. You could drive a Mustang with an automatic. You could drive a Mustang with a manual. You could be driven by a pro driver in a Mustang Boss 302. I’ll lay out the conversation:

Ford: “Mr. Williams, do you want to be driven on the course by a driver?”

Me: “No, thank you, I would prefer to drive myself.”

Ford: “Manual or automatic?”

Me: “Manual”

It was a brief stint, but the Mustang GT was a hell of a ride. I never got higher than third gear on the course Ford provided us. While I’ll always prefer driving myself, I have to say the drivers Ford had on hand to give rides on the Boss 302 ‘Stang put on one hell of a show. Full-on power slides and burning rubber was the order of the day for the Boss cars.

And from brute-force muscle car Ford takes me to the new Focus EV for a drive. On a short road course the Focus EV has buckets of torque, rides just as well as the conventional Focus The Garage tested, but what impressed me most was it’s greater range over the Nissan Leaf. I have been to events where EV’s were present, and there was always a desperation to keep a car plugged in. Not so with the Focus. The car simply kept plugging along.

My next challenge was to experience Ford’s latest technology. I tag-teamed another fellow. His task was to run to a Ford Escape, sync his phone and make a call. Once done, he passes a baton to me where I have to use a Ford Flex to park itself. I confess, I have had cars with this technology but was too fearful to use it. Under the eyes of Ford, I had to, and by golly, it worked. All it took was simply line up near a parking space, and the Flex uses its sensors to ‘find’ the opening. With nothing more than simple brake modulation, the Flex, by golly, parked itself. My task complete, I hand the baton back to my teammate, who samples another nifty Ford technology with the Escape. With a key on you, all it takes is a swipe of your foot to open and close the rear liftgate. Ingenious stuff for when you’re carrying a child or groceries. Yes, it was silly, but a fun way to sample the latest technology available in Ford vehicles.

Last event was an offroad romp in a 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. With a mighty 6.2L V-8 belting out 411hp, the Raptor is the ultimate truck for a muscle car fan. No, we would not be able to drive them-instead members of the Ford SVT team would take us out on Ford’s off-road course, and positively punish and beat the living snot out of the Raptor. Yes, there were some slow, and extreme angle off-roading that would match any Land Rover, but the emphasis was on the brutal power of the Raptor, as we drifted in a cloud of dust, its V-8 wailing as we pounded the truck. This was no burst of the throttle, dog and pony show. No. I had to wear a race helmet. By the time my ride was over, hanging on for dear life, my camera, cell phone, and car keys had been thrown from my pockets throughout the Raptor’s interior. In other words, way harder than I ever would have driven it. When I asked the driver after a long morning of punishing the Raptor if it was getting tiring, he simply replied ‘Hey, any other day I’d be sitting in a cubicle!’

After a catered lunch and some formalities, that pretty much closed out Go Further With Ford for 2012. Leaving Ford’s proving grounds, I looked on as cars continued to race around the track, the new Fusion more than any other car. For a moment I thought ‘This car is ready for production’, but in reality development and fine-tuning never stops. And I did a double take when I saw a car I’d never seen before with no badges whatsoever as it made its way to the track as we pulled out. Hmmm….

With a couple hours to spare at the Detroit Airport, I contemplated the Go Further event. It was my second trip to Dearborn this year, having been in Detroit for the global reveal of the Fusion. There were fewer of us then, and a pronounced international presence. This time around, with about 250 of us who mostly seemed to be American. As a car guy, again, it was interesting to be hosted by a car company with a group of people who have nothing to do with cars. If that doesn’t make sense to you, hear me out. Ford is using social media to promote its product, and as a fellow blogger told me, not all car buyers seek out automotive media outlets to learn about cars, and he is absolutely right.

In the span of two days Ford not only showed the technology they have now, but are fully prepared for a car market that is changing, and by all accounts Ford seems ready for it. Exhausting, yes, but extremely informative and entertaining. It was an honor to be Ford’s guest, and receive a front row seat to where the company is headed. It was a pleasure sharing the experience with you.

Ford Motor Company paid my airfare, hotel room and meals for this media event, but I was not compensated monetarily.

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The Garage Goes Further with Ford

July 9, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

After being a guest of Ford for the global reveal of the new 2013 Ford Fusion in Detroit this year, Ford called on The Garage again to attend a two-day forum, ‘Go Further with Ford’. Along with over 250 bloggers covering auto, fashion, environment, parenting, marketing and a myriad of other subjects, we all descended upon Dearborn, Michigan, where we arrived for dinner at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions and host to Super Bowl XL. We were treated to a speech from none other than Bill Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford. Known for being an ‘industrial environmentalist’, Mr. Ford’s concerns and thoughts on the environment and future of the car would underscore what our next two days would reveal to us.

I had the opportunity to kick a ten yard field goal on Ford Field, and failed miserably. Check the gallery below for a pic of Ford social media chief Scott Monty kick a three-pointer, wearing a suit and dress shoes, no less.

Back to business the next day, we would be taken to four different forums, covering distinct subjects. The first for me was the Age of Accessible Design, and easily my favorite. Faced with a panel of people completely immersed in design, yet in worlds not related to cars, with one exception. Ford’s chief designer, J Mays was on hand, as well as Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. In addition, an architect and furniture designer were there to offer their point of view.

The discussion was riveting, and Mr. Siriano was entertaining and informative, but offered a different view from automotive design. Mr. Siriano can change trends instantly with his fashion design. With cars, as J Mays pointed out, it is completely different. Instead of next week, Mays is working on designing cars we won’t see until five years from now. J Mays was quite candid, emphasizing that each new car design is essentially a multi-million dollar gamble. You don’t often think of it from that angle, but it is absolutely true. But the most telling piece of info I got out of the forum was this. J Mays actually spends most of this time in the UK. Mays spoke about the ‘Europeanization of America’ in terms of design. That large cars are wasteful and status driven. In other words, don’t expect another mammoth Ford Excursion super-size SUV. Instead, Mays sees an America that is concerned about fuel cost and efficiency, which have driven the European car market for decades. It is now upon us.

Another forum focused on Eco Psychology. This is the motivation of Bill Ford, and he is intensely focused on being green, even if Ford’s board of directors are intent on only profits. To that end, Ford is doing extensive research on using natural and organic materials in building their cars. At the same time, Ford is adamant in letting the customer decide, not dictate their options. Be it gas, gas-hybrid, or EV, Ford is allowing the customer to make the choice.

Ford is also keenly aware of the shift in car buyer’s mentality. As a member of Generation X, mine is the last generation where getting a license to drive was viewed as a rite of passage, as a means to see something greater than what was in the confines of my hometown. Generation Y, or Millenials, see the world far differently from me and generations prior. They are in no hurry to get a license. The internet satiates their need for exploration. They gravitate to urban centers where everything they need is within walking distance. Having graduated to an unstable economy, Gen Y is driven to access to local amenities and superior public transit rather than a car. Still, a car is needed, which explains Ford’s relationship with Zipcar, a company that offers rental cars in major American cities by the day our hour.

What was most telling was Ford telling us Generation Y’s feeling disconnected while on the road-unable to text or web surf. While that sounds pretty pathetic to me, I suppose that is the new reality. Which brings me to the final forum of the day, focusing on technology. Ford, in conjunction with Microsoft has come under some fire about its MyTouch infotainment package, but strides seem to have been made to improve it. Ford seems to recognize that too much tech can overwhelm or confuse a driver. It intrigued me that Ford is currently developing software that reads from the steering wheel a driver’s heart rate and sweat to decide if it is not a good time to relay a text message or other info. It is not currently available, but it is cutting edge technology.

Personally, it was a thrill to hear Bill Ford tell all of us we were invited to Dearborn because we were the elite bloggers in our respective fields. As East Coast Editor for The Garage, I sincerely hope you enjoy and are informed by the material we provide here. for you. Our busy day was capped off with a reception at Tech Shop Detroit, followed by a live concert by indie rock/folk band Blind Pilot.

*Editor’s Note: Ford Motor Company paid for my travel expenses and accommodations, but I was not compensated by Ford monetarily.

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Inside the Ford Brain Trust, The Garage in Detroit Part III

January 13, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

Compared to the day before, waking up at 8:00am was a luxury! While media days continued at Cobo Hall, we would be spending the morning inside Ford. After meeting several of the fellow bloggers invited by Ford, all had told me they had never been to an auto show before. Having met bloggers who focus on car design, art, architecture, tech, and the environment, this is the day they were waiting for.

Bags packed, and finally in casual dress, I hopped the bus to Ford’s design studio. A plain, sprawling two story brick building, from the outside it looks like 1950’s corporate America, with no hint of the innovation going on inside its doors. We’re escorted into a large circular showroom, with breakfast on hand. I’m glancing around, and again, I’m thinking how dated this all looks. I later learn there is a reason for that. Since the 1950’s, this is the room Ford execs have been shown prototypes, concept cars from its design team. I am seated where the original 1964-1/2 Ford Mustang was first seen by Ford management, and the room is the same then as it is in 2012. A lesson in respect is learned, dear readers.

The program kicks off an “Innovation through Design” panel discussion. With all due respect to Ford, it was an utter disaster. For over half an hour I listened to topics that beared no relationship to anything going on at Ford, innovation or design. I just sat and suffered through a few guys blowing hot air, generally feeling how impressed they were with their intellectuality. While pontificating about nothing in particular, the audience duly responded by closing their eyes, working their iPads or smartphones.

With the painful panel discussion now behind us, I’m back on the bus to a nearby Ford laboratory. As a car journalist who has a regular rotation of new cars on a constant basis, I confess I give little thought as to what work and research actually goes in to designing a car-I just review the final product. And for those of you out there who still think American automakers are sloppy and lazy, take note. Ford first ushers us to a laboratory that serves one sole function: measuring how you get into a car. Ford has constructed an easily configurable steel cage to replicate how one would enter and exit any sort of car or truck it builds, taking into consideration door size, steering wheel position, and seating. Ford then uses several people of all body sizes who are hooked up to a computer to monitor their movements, and are asked about how easy or difficult it was to get in or out of the car. If that isn’t attention to detail, then I don’t know what is.

Next, we’re shown a different lab, pictured above. This is where people test current Ford technologies such as Sync and MyTouch, where you drive in a virtual world. While voice command for changing songs, making calls or navigation are available now, Ford let us in that they are testing expanding on voice commands to include seating adjustments. Other notable stops were Ford’s use of sustainable materials and Ford’s Sync technology in action.

But what I was hankering for was back at Ford’s world headquarters design studios. And I was granted access to what no one else can see. I enter the clay studio, and there is a silver colored, full-size clay model of the Ford Mondeo. Surrounding the Modeo are tables of smaller clay models. On the walls, artists renderings of concept cars these craftsmen carefully sculpt. And in the corner, my jaw drops. It is a clay model of the next Ford Mustang. I’m able to chisel and scrape as I wish, but more than anything, I am stunned I am getting a firsthand hint at where Ford is taking the Mustang design. And, I am sorry folks, but cameras were banned, and I cannot tell you any detail of what I saw.

If clay modeling is considered old-fashioned, what lay in store for us next will convince you Ford is on the cutting edge of design. What you see above is akin to a small movie theater, but in 1080p HD. The tech Ford has boggles the mind. With no photos involved, Ford showed us a last generation Fusion, fully computerized. Ford had the ability to set this car in any setting, say, in Las Vegas, or the woods, and see how light reflects off the car in any angle. Dealers can see how the car will look in the showroom.

I met with an interior designer. Seated at a Dell with a 42″ HD monitor, on the fly he could change interior colors on whim-seat color, seat material, wood grain finish. The possibilities were endless. Another programmer had software solely meant to view how the new Fusion looked while driving at different speeds and angles. Again, the investment Ford has made in technology blew my mind.

But, all good things must come to an and. We were escorted back to the room we started off in, and treated to lunch. Enjoying one last meal with my new daddy blogger friends, I enjoyed Chilean sea bass with none other than J Mays, Chief Creative Designer of Ford as a speaker. His speech was brief, and took few questions, but he’s rightfully proud of the new Fusion, and has indicated the focus is now on restoring Lincoln to its former glory, an effort he feels will take at least a decade. On parting with us, J Mays remarked on how positive us bloggers were, unlike the ‘cynical auto press’. Guess he didn’t know there was an auto journo in the crowd.

And that was basically it. Ford herded us onto buses straight to the Detroit airport. I had a couple hours to kill, and I observed film crews and other auto journos make there way back home. Once boarded on my flight, we were stuck on the tarmac for a half hour. Finally underway, our flight was pleasant. I arrived back in Bradley International, which was a ghost town save for a delayed flight to Baltimore. Sitting in the parking garage was my trusty Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, ready to whisk me back home to my family.

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2012 NAIS Part II: The Show in Detroit

January 12, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

I awoke in a pitch black hotel room. Rolling over to check the clock, it’s 5:42am. My wake up call is coming in 18 minutes. And my cell phone alarm. I close my eyes, relishing the last few minutes of peace and serenity ahead of what will be a fun but very busy day. Soon enough, time to get ready. I walk into the reception room to see that I’m the only person dressed in a suit. Why is this? You see, bloggers hate suits, but I’m easily traumatized. When I covered my first auto show in New York City, I showed up in khaki pants, shirt and a blazer, and everyone else had on a suit. Never again, I vowed.

We quietly staggered onto the bus that would take us to Detroit at 6:30am sharp. It’s still dark, and a blogger from Long Island is chatting me up. Ford has a room reserved for us at Cobo Hall with breakfast served. Standing in front of a wall of windows overlooking the Detroit River, with Canada just on the other side staring back at me. Press credentials in hand, it’s time to go to the Joe Louis Arena for an 8:00am press conference. That’s right, Ford is premiering the 2013 Ford Fusion where the Detroit Red Wings play.

No, we’re not on ice-in fact, Ford constructed their own circular arena for the audience to sit and witness the debut. There is a good crowd turn-out for such an early press conference, and I count at least 20 TV crews on the upper perimeter. The show begins.

This isn’t my first time at a world premiere, but I’ve never witnessed something like this. Ford made sure the audience knew that the Fusion’s main competition, the Accord and Camry have never recovered from pre-recession sales levels, while 2011 was the best selling year for the Fusion yet. Ford is aiming at the jugular, and I’m at the edge of my seat. Hairs on he back of my neck raised, music pounding, we meet the new Fusion, and it is…stunning. This is why Ford brought us here, for this moment. It is a radical departure from the prior Fusion. The car has a distinctly European flair to it, with a very Aston Martin inspired front end. The car drips class, and it an absolute knock-out. Checking other online car sites, it’s pretty much unanimous the Fusion stole the show. I agree, but there is a very close second.

I make the Dodge press conference just in time. And this was major because it was the world debut of the 2013 Dodge Dart. In stark contrast to Ford, Dodge was eating humble pie, openly admitting they had failed at offering a competitive compact car. While it’s known that Chrysler’s parent, Fiat, has fallen short of sale expectations with the Fiat 500, with the Dodge Dart, I think we’re going to finally see a payoff here. With Alfa Romeo DNA built-in, I’m ready to get out my checkbook. Throughout the day, attention on the Dart never tapered off-the Dart stand was packed with journos and film crews all day, non-stop. The Garage will be following the Dodge Dart closely. Watch this space.

Back to Ford, we were reminded that between them and Lincoln, they boasted the biggest exhibit at the show. Not only the largest, but the grandest. In the past shows I’ve attended in New York, Lincoln is usually tucked away in a corner, but not this time around.

Staggering in size and execution, the Lincoln stand was a two level display with two separate mezzanines. One was the Lincoln Lounge, offering crab cakes, veal meatballs, salmon and duck gourmet appetizers, full bar, newspapers, and charging stations for phones, tablets and laptops. On the opposite side, a display of Lincoln accessories, and a very special one-off custom hot rod built for Edsel Ford. With Ford now running on all cylinders, the attention now is to get Lincoln back into shape, and to be a legitimate contender to Cadillac once again.

At the Ford stand, us blogger guests had our own area, where we would be able to have Q&A sessions with top-level Ford execs, including CEO Alan Mulally. An enormous screen above showed each time anyone used the hashtag #FordNAIAS, a reminder of just how seriously Ford is taking the power and potential of social media.We were being heard.

As for duds and thuds, yes, there were some. Detroit was the North American debut of the Subaru BRZ, the sportiest Subie of all time. And barely no one noticed. Acura showed a larger RDX that nearly put me to sleep. Honda was exceptionally timid this year. I could sense the shame in the new Civic, as it was parked in a corner. GM covered plenty of space, but the mood was, in comparison, far more subdued than the other Big Three.

All the while my feet are killing me, and I’m cursing out my blogger counterparts for their casual dress. Until I hit the Bentley booth. Media days at Detroit are private, but Bentley is invitation only. And I’m waved in. Next thing I know I’m offered champagne and being shown the ultra-luxe Mulsanne. I’m maintaining my suit policy for auto shows.

Although the show continues all day, Ford has us leaving back to the hotel at 3:00. Fine by me, since I am positively wiped out. I board the bus, and as we pull out of Cobo, I am seeing the city of Detroit for the first time in daylight. I knew it was bad here from what I heard in the news….but wow. In the city, just towering shells of empty brick buildings. Once on the interstate back to Dearborn, it was no better. All along the highway, looking at the houses, everywhere homes were boarded up, our just empty shells, or burned out. It was a sight that I’ve never seen for all the 38 years I’ve lived in America. For the opulence I experienced at Cobo Hall to the luxury hotel that awaited in Dearborn, the sights in between painted a disturbing picture of the Motor City.

Once back at the hotel, it was time to kick off my shoes and get some rest. That evening we would be dining at Ford’s global headquarters. Considering the size and importance of Ford, it was very unassuming in appearance. No cascading waterfalls or art galleries in the lobby. Just a simple entry, although around the corner, a trio of vintage Boss Mustangs were on display. Dinner was great, as was an entertaining series of Ignite presentations. What’s an Ignite presentation? A speaker can pick any topic, speak for five minutes, with a changing slideshow to go along with it. It was funny, entertaining, and informative. Again, another insight that Ford is on the cutting edge of social media trends, yet without any self-promotion.

After an exhaustive day, I was only too happy to return to the hotel. A majority of us retired to the lounge, where we shared an exciting exchange on blogging in general. All in all, a great day. Headed back to the room, exhausted. Packed up some items, tried to watch some TV but was too tired to stand it. Lights out.

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Nissan Looking to Trim Models?

November 28, 2011 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

In an article from Automotive News, an organization that caters to automotive media and industry types, reported that Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has hopes of raising Nissan market share here in North America, but not by adding models for greater appeal, but by possibly scrapping some. He did not name any models, but the bottom line as I heard it was looking for overlap, and weeding out undesirable cars. Which got me thinking-what Nissan cars could be at risk? And what are their chances of survival?

Pathfinder

It’s hard to believe, I know. The Pathfinder was huge for Nissan, and a significant player in the SUV market throughout the 1990’s. But that was when the SUV reigned supreme. Buyer’s preferences have shifted, however. Realizing that off-roading is an unlikely venture, buyers have migrated to the more car-like crossover, and the proof is in the numbers. For every Pathfinder Nissan sells, more than two Muranos go out the dealer’s doors. Considering the current Pathfinder has been with us since 2005, the vehicle is practically ancient, and seemingly forgotten by Nissan. That lack of development is a troubling sign that Nissan may be on the fence of the future of the Pathfinder.

Xterra

The Xterra is just as old as the current Pathfinder-the last time a new model was introduced was in 2005. So, once again we have a relic residing in the Nissan line, with no news of an upcoming replacement. It’s also the slowest selling SUV/CUV in Nissan’s line. But the Xterra sits on the same platform as the Frontier and Titan, which makes it cheaper to keep on going.Ã‚Â While a slow seller for the brand, the Xterra gives Nissan some street cred for being a legit old school SUV capable of doing off-road duty. Given its ties to Nissan’s trucks, and the rugged image it provides the brand, I stand to reason that the Xterra’s future may not be guaranteed, but the reasons for keeping it around outweigh forgo scrapping it.

Maxima

Like the Pathfinder, the Maxima is a long-time member of the Nissan family, and it’s hard to imagine not having it around. But the Altima has taken the place as Nissan’s mainstream mid-size sedan, easily outselling it by a 2:1 margin. Given the raging success of the Altima, I’m left a bit confused of where the Maxima fits in Nissan’s portfolio. While the Altima dukes it out with the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry, does the Maxima go head on with their larger cars, namely the Taurus and Avalon? The message from Nissan is blurred, since it continues to market it as a ‘four door sports car’, a tag that fit years ago. But today, with front-wheel drive and a boring CVT transmission, the Maxima hardly comes off as to what I’d consider to be an honest sports sedan today.

Nissan airs a TV commercial where a guy awakes to find his wife is expecting a baby. He then stands in the driveway, gazing longingly at his Nissan 370Z. He then ‘pulls’ the car, transforming it into a Maxima. Let’s be real. If I owned a 370Z and needed a car with a back seat, and did not want to give up on performance, Nissan already builds that car, and it is not the Maxima. It’s called the Infiniti G37. Rear or all-wheel drive? Option of a manual tranny or a 7-speed automatic? The G37 is the obvious choice. If Nissan wants to continue with the Maxima, it needs to seriously rethink just who they are targeting.

cube

The cube is a tough one to figure out. We sampled one, and generally came away impressed. But I’m an automotive journalist who tends to like something new and different, and the cube does just that. While I applaud the cube for its individuality, it is the market that ultimately speaks. The notion of a small, boxy utility vehicle is a distinctly Asian innovation that did get some traction in the North American marketplace. But Honda has abandoned the Element, and the once popular Scion xB has seen its sales dwindle. The Kia Soul enjoys a good level of success, and is highly promoted by Kia with their catchy hamster TV commercials. In comparison, Nissan does little to promote the cube. Despite its lack of sales volume, Nissan indicated they remain committed to keeping the cube in the current product line, for now at least.

Murano CrossCabriolet

Again, a vehicle that really leaves us scratching our heads. The Murano CrossCabriolet, the first convertible crossover looks like an answer to a question no one ever asked. While The Garage has yet to sample one, the automotive media has bashed the car in reviews. While I’m all for niche marketing, this car just goes to an extreme that I simply cannot rationalize. If Nissan wanted to add a drop top to its line, I feel their money would have been much better spent on taking the Altima Coupe and turning that into a convertible, not to mention filling the void when Toyota cancelled the Solara coupe and convertible.

Mr. Ghosn’s remarks struck me as quite interesting, not because Nissan is not selling well, but because they are. As a whole, Nissan is a fairly successful car company. In the small sedan market, the Versa completely dominates. Nissan is on a roll with the Altima, selling over 222,000 cars in the US by the end of October, an increase of 18% from a year ago. The Rogue and Murano crossovers are also sales successes. But in the hyper-competitive car business, there is always room for improvement, and I can see where Mr. Ghosn is thinking of the ‘less is more’ concept. What vehicles remain is unknown, but it is definitely food for thought.

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