Archive for the ‘Mini’ Category
New JCW models run 0 to 62 mph in as little as 4.9 seconds.
by Michael Strong on May.15, 2019
For 2019, the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman gets its most powerful engine yet: a 301-horsepower turbocharged four cylinder.
Mini keeps adding more fun to its small, but mighty, line-up through its John Cooper Works specialty brand. The company’s newly updated JCW Clubman and JCW Countryman are the most powerful Mini’s unleashed in 60 years.
The two new entries are powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 301 horsepower.
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The new powerful engine is mated as standard with a new 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission, including mechanical differential lock on the front axle, an ALL4 all-wheel drive system, a specifically engineered chassis, and additional reinforcement modifications for the body structure, engine connection and chassis fastenings, the company notes. (more…)
Tags: JCW Clubman and Countryman, John Cooper Works news, Mini John Cooper Works Clubman, Mini John Cooper Works Countryman, Mini's most powerful JCW models, Mini's new JCW entries, bingdb.info., auto news, michael strong, mini news, new Mini John Cooper Works models, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, China, Coupes, Crossovers/CUVs, Europe, Markets, Mini, NAFTA, Sales, South America, U.S./North America | No Comments »
No plans to purchase stake in rival Daimler, says CEO.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on May.07, 2019
BMW's earnings fell despite a global increase in sales.
BMW earnings tumbled 75% for the first quarter, its automotive earnings plunging into the red, due to a $1.6 billion set-aside to cover fines resulting from a European antitrust probe, as well as higher investments in autonomous and electrified vehicles.
BMW actually saw an increase in vehicle deliveries during the first quarter of the year, but revenues slipped 1% to 22.5 billion euros, or $25.1 billion. Meanwhile, the anticipated antitrust fine and other factors drove group earnings down to 561 million euros, or $627 million.
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Separately, the Bavarian automaker’s CEO Harald Kruger said he “can rule out” the possibility of taking even a small stake in its German rival Daimler, despite the two companies announcing a series of recent joint ventures, including one designed to share self-driving vehicle development efforts.
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Tags: BMW Q1 earnings, BMW sales, Mini sales, auto news, bmw antitrust, bmw daimler, bmw eu anti-trust, bmw fine, bmw loss, bmw news, car news, harald kruger, mini news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Autonomous Driving, BMW, Business, China, Daimler, Driverless Vehicles, Earnings, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Executives, Financials, Investors, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mercedes, Mini, Monthly Results, Personalities, Regulatory, Sales, Sales, Semi-autonomous Driving, Technology, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off
Majority see the need for just 75 miles of daily range.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Apr.12, 2019
One of several recent Mini electric vehicle concepts.
Sales of battery-based vehicles have finally begun to escalate as their availability – along with public awareness – grows. But a new survey suggests that consumers are pigeonholing them into a niche that could limit their popularity.
Nearly two out of three American consumers said they saw the best way to use a battery vehicle was for commuting or as a city car, according to the survey by Mini USA, the British automaker that is itself preparing to enter the electric vehicle market.
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“It is important for us as a brand to understand how consumers want to use their electric vehicles, and what they know and don’t know about them as we move closer to the launch of the MINI Cooper S E electric vehicle in the U.S.,” said Andrew Cutler, Head of Corporate Communications, MINI USA.
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Tags: auto news, battery car, car news, commuter car, electric vehicle, ev study, mini, mini electric, mini ev, mini news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Business, Chevrolet, Concept Cars, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Environment, Fuel Cell, Fuel Economy, Markets, Mini, Nissan, Regulatory, Sales, Technology, Tesla, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Set to become one of market’s most affordable utes.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Apr.09, 2019
This rendering suggests the new Hyundai Venue will lift key design cues from the Kona model.
After years of rapid growth, Hyundai sales hit an unexpected speed bump a couple years ago, the automaker failing to anticipate the explosive growth of the utility vehicle market.
As these teaser images suggest, that’s a mistake Hyundai is rapidly aiming to rectify. In little more than a year, the Korean carmaker has radically shaken up its line-up, adding models like the compact Kona, the big Palisade, and even the hydrogen-powered Nexo. Now, however, it’s preparing to add its smallest crossover ever.
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Set to debut at the New York International Auto Show next week, the Hyundai Venue will also become the carmaker’s most affordable utility vehicle once it rolls into U.S. showrooms later this year.
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Tags: 2019 NYIAS, 2019 ny auto show, 2020 Hyundai Venue, Hyundai NYIAS, auto news, car news, hyundai ny auto show, hyundai suv, hyundai venue, kia signature, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, First Look, Hyundai, Infotainment, Kia, Markets, Mini, New York, Product Reveals, SUVs, Sales, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Buick takes top honors in non-premium segment.
by Michael Strong on Mar.14, 2019
Porsche took first place in JD Power's 2019 Customer Satisfaction Index, ahead of Lexus and Cadillac.
Communication is key to the success or failure of any relationship, and perhaps nowhere is that more true than in the service department of an auto dealership.
Auto dealers that communicate the best, i.e. the way consumers want, finished atop J.D. Power’s new Customer Service Index ranking. This year, that means Porsche, Lexus and Cadillac took the top three spots in the luxury car rankings.
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In the mainstream results, Buick, Mini and somewhat surprisingly, Mitsubishi took the first three spots. Mitsubishi’s third-place finish came as a result of the greatest improvement (27 points) in the entire study year-over-year. (more…)
Tags: Customer service issues, J.D. Power Customer Service Index, Porsche tops Power Customer Service Index, bingdb.info., auto news, dealers make difference for brands, j.d.power, michael strong, strong customer service, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Buick, Business, Cadillac, Executives, Lexus, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mini, Mitsubishi, Personalities, Porsche, U.S./North America | 1 Comment »
Chevy delivers a surprise in J.D. Power 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Feb.13, 2019
The Prius is one of the vehicles that helped Toyota lead the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.
Toyota and its luxury arm Lexus captured the top spots among mainstream and premium brands in the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, but the 2019 VDS also delivered more than a few surprises when it comes to how three-year-old vehicles are holding up.
The study placed Lexus at the top of the charts, followed by Porsche and then Toyota, but Chevrolet nabbed the fourth spot, a significant turnaround for a brand struggling to convince potential buyers it has overcome the quality and reliability issues of the past.
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The new Power VDS shows that Japanese automakers no longer have a lock on vehicle dependability. Tellingly, only Toyota and Lexus landed in the top 10 this year, while the list also included two American brands, four from Germany and both of the South Korean carmakers operating in the U.S.: Hyundai and Kia. (more…)
Tags: J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, J.D. Power news, Japan out of vehicle dependability, Lexus and Toyota top vehicle dependability, Lexus leads Power VDS, bingdb.info., auto news, paul a. eisenstein, power vds, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Buick, Business, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Executives, Hyundai, Lexus, Markets, Mini, Personalities, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Sales, Toyota, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Fun brand also showing off four new customized models.
by Michael Strong on Nov.20, 2018
The new Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition will make its debut at the L.A. Auto Show.
With the recent focus on “hot hatches,” it would be fair to assume that ever-popular Mini would be among the leaders in the segment. Not only is it fair, but also it’s correct with the brand’s John Cooper Works edition vehicles.
At this year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show next week, Mini’s going to roll out a series of new vehicles looking to generate some excitement, especially within the “need for speed” crowd.
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Starting with the Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition, which will make its North American premiere starting Nov. 28. Joining that is the Mini John Cooper Works GP – first shown as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year – ready for launch in 2020. (more…)
Tags: Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition, Mini Knights edition, Mini Los Angeles International Auto Show, Mini reveals custom accessories, bingdb.info., l.a. auto show, michael strong, mini news, new Mini, new sporty Mini, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, China, Concept Cars, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Events, Executives, Los Angeles, Markets, Mini, NAFTA, Personalities, Product Reveals, Sales, South America, Technology, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Survey shows that dealers who text secure more deals.
by Michael Strong on Nov.14, 2018
Porsche took first place in JD Power's 2018 Sales Satisfaction Index, ahead of Infiniti and Lexus.
New car customers rated Porsche as the top brand in J.D. Power released its annual Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study today and Porsche took top honors overall while Mini was the leader in the “mass market” category while Porsche is considered a luxury car.
The study reviews the sales process, such as how the customer and the dealer interact. The average score was an 823. The big take away from this year’s study? Despite recent claims that people want to haggle face-to-face, Power’s results reveal that customers prefer to be ed via digital communications such as text message, but it happens less often than desired.
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“These aren’t apples to apples comparisons by any means, but the scores are clear indicators of where shoppers and buyers are going, especially as the consumer base gains a larger mix of younger customers,” said Chris Sutton, Vice President of the Automotive Retail Practice at J.D. Power. (more…)
Tags: 2018 JD Power Sales Satisfaction Index, JD Power honor, JD Power news, Mini takes Power's mass market crown, Porsche Power winner, Porsche tops 2018 Power SSI, bingdb.info., auto news, michael strong, mini news, porsche news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Advocates, Automakers, Automobiles, Chevrolet, Executives, GMC, Infiniti, Lexus, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mini, Personalities, Porsche, Sales, Sports Cars, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Domestic brands struggled in this year's survey.
by Joseph Szczesny on Oct.25, 2018
Toyota and its luxury sibling topped this year's Consumer Reports reliability survey of 29 brands.
Toyota and Lexus came out on top in Consumer Reports annual reliability survey thanks in large part to a cautious approach to adapting to new technology.
However, the Toyota Tundra, the automaker’s entry into the full-size truck segment, slipped off Consumer Reports list of recommended vehicles, Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports director of automotive testing, disclosed during a meeting of Detroit’s Automotive Press Association.
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Fisher said overall it was a difficult year for domestic brands as Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Chrysler were among the brands that dropped in the Consumer Report’s new car reliability survey. Honda, which performed well in earlier years, also has slipped, he said. (more…)
Tags: APA Detroit, Automotive Press Association, CR reports Toyota and Lexus most reliability, Consumer Reports news, Consumer Reports reliability survey, bingdb.info., auto news, domestic automaker reliability down, joseph szczesny, new vehicle reliability, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Audi, Automakers, BMW, Buick, Business, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Crossovers/CUVs, Dodge, FCA, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infotainment, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Minivans, Nissan, Pickups, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Ram, SUVs, Sedans, Technology, Tesla, Toyota, U.S./North America, Volkswagen, Volvo | Comments Off
Sixteen auto brands make Top 100 — GM and FCA brands not on the list.
by Michael Strong on Oct.11, 2018
Toyota was the top automotive brand in this year's Best Global Brands Top 100 list, taking seventh overall.
A quick poll of people asking what automaker is the best might net several folks saying “Tesla!” and while it does have a massive market cap, they’d be wrong. The best brand? Toyota.
According to Interbrand’s 2018 Best Global Brands report, Apple was the top company on the list with a valuation of $214 billion. Toyota was seventh on the list at $53 billion, which was up 6% over last year’s result.
Insight!
Overall, 15 automotive brands made the Top 100 list and while there aren’t really any surprises about what ones are on the list, those that are not on the list may be reason to take pause. None of the General Motors brands made this year’s list. The aforementioned Tesla did not make the list either. Nor did any of Fiat Chrysler’s brands. (more…)
Tags: 16 auto brands make Top 100, 2018 Best Global Brands, GM brands not on brand list, bingdb.info., Toyota top auto brand, auto news, automotive brands, interbrand, michael strong, thedetroitbureau, top 100 brands
Posted in Asia Pacific, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, China, Europe, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Markets, Mercedes, Mini, NAFTA, Nissan, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Safety, Sales, South America, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off
