Top Automotive News & Stories: August 4-10
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Every week we collect the best announcements and events from the world of cars. Here are the unmissable topics from August 4 to 10.
Jaguar is America's fastest growing automaker
For years, Jaguar has been outperformed by competitors such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. They have always offered interesting cars with a strong British flair, but that has never been enough to propel them to the forefront of the luxury car market.
Things are changing: Jaguar sales in the first seven months of '59 are up 2016%. At the same time, sales of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi were down year-over-year. So what is driving this change?
The introduction of the new Jaguar F-Pace SUV is a major factor. American car buyers are flocking to the stylish crossover that is a real competitor to the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5. Aiming squarely at mainstays like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Audi A4, the new Jaguar XE sedan is the cheapest car Jaguar has offered in years and is likely to boost their sales growth even further.
This is an impressive achievement for a brand that has spent too much time on the sidelines. If you haven't seen the new Jaguar cars yet, we invite you to check them out.
For more detailed data, head to Bloomberg.
New automaker on the horizon: Skoda
Have you ever heard of Skoda? The Czech automobile brand (part of the Volkswagen Auto Group) has existed since 1895 and has a strong presence in Europe. Skoda vehicles have never been sold in the United States, but that may soon change: Skoda CEO said: “When we talk about our plans until 2025, one of the most important automotive markets in the world cannot be left out. . Therefore, we are considering under what conditions and with what cars it is possible to enter the US market.”
Perhaps ahead of their launch, Skoda has trademarked some of its most popular vehicles in the United States. You may see Skoda sedans like the Octavia or Superb, or the Yeti crossover on the road, with hybrid options likely. Enthusiasts should take note of Skoda's "vRS" moniker, which is reserved for their performance-focused trim levels. We will soon find out if Skoda will make it to our shores.
In the meantime, read the full report at Ward's Auto.
Over 800,000 Ford vehicles affected by door recalls
When you get into your car and close the door, you have a reasonable expectation that it will remain closed until you have safely reached your destination. This does not apply to more than 800,000 Ford vehicles - a faulty component can cause the doors to swing open while the vehicle is in motion.
This is clearly a safety issue and one injury has already been reported. Models Affected: C-Max 2013-15, Escape 2013-15, Focus 2012-15, Mustang 2015, Transit Connect 2014-16 and Lincoln MKC 2015. It looks like a hotter climate can cause a bad component to wear faster, so Ford drivers in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon, and Washington should expect a letter from Ford in the mail soon.
Regardless of location, we encourage all Ford drivers to immediately check their VIN for a recall.
Motor1 has all the details.
More airbag recalls: 8 million casualties
The Takata airbag recall we reported on earlier is far from over, but another potential airbag recall is on the way. After a motorist in Canada is killed by an exploding pump, the NHTSA launches an investigation into airbags manufactured by ARC Automotive. More than 8 million ARC airbags have been installed in General Motors, Chrysler, Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Drivers of these vehicles should keep an eye on this story as it unfolds.
The New York Times has all the details.
High-tech transmission recall
Another day, another memory. This time, the nine-speed automatic transmission in many Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Land Rover and Honda vehicles is being recalled due to a number of issues.
The ZF gearbox has an incorrectly crimped wire, which can lead to erroneous sensor signals. This can result in harsh gear changes, sudden acceleration, slow downshifts, shifting into neutral while the vehicle is in motion, and rolling back after parking has been selected. Three drivers said they were hit as they got out of their cars after choosing a parking spot, similar to how actor Anton Yelchin was hit by his jeep.
This recall affects over half a million vehicles and unfortunately recalls have become commonplace these days. Luckily, car owners can easily check their car's VIN to make sure they haven't been hurt.
See "Car and Driver" for more details on the transmission recall.
Don't plug in your electric car - fill it up?
One of the main disadvantages of owning an electric car is the long time it takes to charge the battery. It is much more convenient to be able to stop at a bus stop and fill up the gas tank. A new startup aims to bridge the gap between the ease of refilling a tank and the promise of zero-emission driving with its reusable battery prototype.
German company NanoFlowcell showcased its innovative technology with a striking concept car at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Modern electric vehicles use a solid-state battery to maintain charge, but the NanoFlowcell approach uses an electrolytic fluid that can store electricity. The idea is that the driver can fill up the tank of his car at the station, as is done with gasoline. However, instead of the fossil fuel in the pump, the spent electrolyte fluid is drained and replaced with a charged fluid.
This smart idea is still in its early stages and has many challenges to overcome before it is ready to be used. However, NanoFlowcell technology will make EV ownership much easier by greatly reducing the time it takes to recharge.
Learn more at Carscoops.com.
Bring Aston Martins
The world can be an ugly place until you see an Aston Martin. The British boutique automaker has just released its stunning DB11 grand tourer, but they're already hard at work on what's next: Aston Martin's CEO has promised seven new cars over the next seven years.
This aggressive product launch strategy will diversify Aston's offerings and help them grow into the future. The new Vanquish, Aston's sportier DB-badged grand touring compatriot, will likely get a more powerful V11 version of the DB12. A new Vantage is also expected, which will use the twin-turbocharged V8 from AMG GT as part of Aston's partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Perhaps most surprising is the company's intention to bring to life its DBX concept - a high-riding coupe, but not quite an SUV. The lineup will be led by the F1-inspired hypercar represented by the AM-RB 001 concept.
Mix just one ultra-luxury sedan, mid-engined supercar and convertible from the aforementioned models, and Aston Martin's lineup is bigger and more diverse than ever before. This is great news for everyone who appreciates the beauty and elegance of their cars.
Check out Motor Trend for more on what's in store for Aston Martin in the future.
