Auto News For Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - We're Getting A Better Idea Of What The New Top Gear Will Be Like

Just finished in Venice with this crew. pic.twitter.com/l4gjJCuymu

— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) March 22, 2016

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories and videos for Wednesday, May 11, 2016. 

BUICK
Buick isn't going to renew the Verano. And with Buick about to source an even greater percentage of its sales via utility vehicles thanks to the Envision's arrival, does Buick need to bother with any of its cars in the U.S.? – TTAC

BMW
U.S. sales of the BMW Z4 tumbled 91% between 2003 and 2015. Lest you think there's a reason for BMW to give up on its roadster, there will be a next-gen Z4. Will anybody buy it? – Automobile

FORD
Canadian sales of the Ford F-Series climbed to an all-time monthly record in March. And that record was broken just one month later by the F-Series, which produces 7% of the Canadian auto industry's volume. – Autofocus

FCA
By January 2018, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will be building the next-generation Ram P/U. Production of the Chrysler 200 may end before 2016 closes. – Reuters

CASCADA
"If GM had built the Cascada on the Alpha platform (Cadillac ATS), and stuck a proper engine in it, well, we wouldn’t be here now, roasting the product-planning department’s innards over a fire." Wall Street Journal

WATCH
Of course it won't be the same. Stop saying, "It won't be the same." The globally infamous host trio is gone. But that doesn't mean that Top Gear doesn't know how to put a picture together, and it doesn't mean Chris Harris isn't great. Here's the newest new Top Gear extended trailer.

Auto News For Monday, June 29, 2015 - Finally A New Audi A4

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories, review and videos for Monday, June 29, 2015.

FUTURE
No surprises here. In keeping with Audi's handsome but conservative design ethos, the 2017 Audi A4, the first all-new A4 since the fourth-gen B8 was introduced nearly eight years ago, looks a lot like the previous car. Although its dimensions have increased marginally, the new A4 will weigh approximately 265 pounds less than the outgoing car. The wagon is gorgeous, but we're more likely to receive a slightly elevated, be-cladded Allroad version of the Avant. Audi USA sells an average of 38,000 A4s per year.

TTAC
2015 will be the seventh consecutive year that Ford's Fiesta ends a calendar year as the United Kingdom's best-selling car. The Fiesta's lead over the second-ranked Vauxhall Corsa stands at 18,883 units through just five months. The Fiesta outsold the second-ranked car, Ford's own Focus, by 46,114 units in 2014.

REVIEW
Is the iM the answer to Scion's problems? Not if the market agrees with Car & Driver. Calling it the iMeh, C/D says, "The segment is also full of cars offering better performance," and, "If Scion is going to survive, it needs a following. And at first blush, the iM doesn’t seem good enough to build one." U.S. sales at the Scion brand are down 19% so far this year.

RECALL
In a recall not yet posted to NHTSA's main recall page, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says 65 owners of Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos must stop driving their vehicles. The Durangos and Grand Cherokees were built in early June the recall is taking place, "because they may have been inadvertently equipped with improperly heat-treated suspension components. This condition, which was not apparent during the assembly process, could lead to component breakage, rear-end instability and/or reduced braking power." You can read more about the specifics and the means of discovering if your vehicle is involved at FCA's website or by calling FCA's U.S. customer care centre at 1-800-853-1403.

WATCH
Is the new HR-V the spiritual successor to the CRX, Civic hatch, Prelude, Accord wagon, del Sol, S2000, and Element? That's the story Honda is telling in this terrific commercial.

Auto News For Monday, June 22, 2015 - Current Dodge Grand Caravan Lives Through 2017

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, review and videos for Monday, June 22, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO INDUSTRY
Why were auto industry observers, including GCBC, skeptical of any plan that said the Dodge Grand Caravan was about to die? Windsor, Ontario's, FCA minivan plant has undergone renovations in order to build the next generation of Chrysler's minivans, but now we learn from Automotive News that Dodge will build the current, value-priced Grand Caravan for the 2016 and 2017 model years.

INSIDE THE CANADIAN AUTO INDUSTRY
The Globe & Mail makes rather obvious the point that FCA Canada isn't really selling quite as many vehicles as they say. The problem? It's not really an apples to apples comparison. We don't know what tactics other automakers are employing. We also know that no automaker's sales figures are directly comparable to another's at the best of times, since their lineups, outlets, prices, and incentives don't line up. 

INSIDE CANADA'S FASTEST-GROWING AUTOMAKER
No automobile manufacturer is growing at a faster clip in Canada than the Volkswagen Group: Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. Autofocus.ca's Timothy Cain, the founder of this site, has details on the year-to-date Canadian sales of every VW Group product.

REVIEW
Automobile Magazine compares the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, and Subaru Legacy and finds that the best-selling Camry was the worst of the bunch while the Mazda 6 buyers ignore is the best. 

RECALL
72 Dodge Challengers (model year 2015) are being recalled by FCA because of a loose or missing rear mounting bolt in the driver's side air bag.

Toyota is recalling 1,973,468 Tundras, Sequoias, Corollas, Matrixes, Lexus SCs, and Pontiac Vibes from assorted model years between 2002-2007 "to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag."

WATCH
The upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK-replacing GLC is more offroadable than you'd expect. That doesn't necessarily make it a modified Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, of course.

Auto News For June 12, 2015 - GM Rejects Possibility Of FCA Merger

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Friday, June 12, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO INDUSTRY
The response of GM boss Mary Barra to FCA’s Sergio Marchionne: “A firm no.” GM wants no part in a merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Sergio is off to talk to the other kids at the playground. 

TTAC
U.S. sales of the Cadillac CTS are down 41% so far this year and have fallen below 2000 units in each of the last five months. 

AUTOFOCUS
The Mazda CX-3 arrived to acclaim and instantaneous success in Canada. In its first month, the CX-3 outsold most of its rivals. 

REVIEW
GCBC’s review of a heavily optioned, crew cab, V6-powered, long box GMC Canyon will likely be published later next week. And the subject matter is in keeping with many of the GM midsize truck reviews you’ve read. But Automobile Magazine just spent time with a basic Chevrolet Colorado: extended cab, WT trim, ghastly wheels, four-cylinder engine, manual transmission. 

RECALL
No new recalls since those detailed in Wednesday's news. 

WATCH
The new Honda Civic Type R is still not for sale in North America - though a version will eventually arrive. But as you’ll see in CarBuyer’s video review, it's ridiculously quick and ridiculously crazy to look at, too. And it costs £29,995.

Auto News For Thursday, May 28, 2015 - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Reducing Its Warranty

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Thursday, May 28, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO BUSINESS
Following GM’s move from a couple months ago, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will reduce its 5-year/100,000 U.S. powertrain warranty of in favour of a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty. The change applies to Chryslers, Jeeps, Dodges, and Rams. Fiat’s powertrain warranty stretches only to four years or 50,000 miles.

TTAC
Can Hyundai USA really sell 50,000 copies of the Santa Cruz per year if, in fact, they bother to build it? The case for and against.

REVIEW
It’s comically low to be considered anything but a car. But the Mazda CX-3, a Nissan Juke fighter that’s joining the Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X, and Jeep Renegade in challenging the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore and Subaru XV Crosstrek and the front-wheel-drive-only Kia Soul, will be labelled as an SUV or crossover by both observers and buyers. That’s essential if the CX-3 is going to be successful. Here’s CarAdvice’s thorough Aussie video review  and here’s the text version.

RECALL
GM is recalling 126 Chevrolet Impalas (model year 2014) because, “the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.”

GM is also recalling 40 Chevrolet Colorados and GMC Canyons (model year 2015) because, “the affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate.”

WATCH
CarBuyer.co.uk’s video reviews tread the middle ground between the typical brief-with-beauty-shots of many publications and Alex Dykes’ long but wonderfully detailed reviews. Here’s CarBuyer’s look at the 2015 Volvo XC90.

Auto News For Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - Mazda USA Won't Sell The New 2

Here are the five must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

INSIDE THE LUXURY AUTO BUSINESS
If, as Automotive News is reporting, the Ford Explorer is moving further upmarket than ever before in its new-for-2016 $50K+ Platinum trim, what does that say about Lincoln? And if, as Automotive News is reporting, Nissan wants to sell more upper-trim Maximas now that the new generation is launching, what does that say about Infiniti?

INSIDE THE AUTO BUSINESS
The New York Times calls him, "Detroit's Chief Instigator." He's Sergio Marchionne, and the lengthy NYT profile on the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss reveals details of an email he sent GM CEO Mary Barra and plays up Sergio's sweaters. 

TTAC
Mazda USA won't be importing the new, Mexico-built 2 hatchback. Here's the numerical explanation. The 2 will still be sold in the U.S., but only as a Scion iA sedan.

REVIEW
evo says the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is, "a hugely compelling fast saloon and estate." But Antony Ingram's verdict also says, "the engine delivers a knockout punch but the chassis can't quite match the M5."

WATCH
You know the Ariel Atom. But this is the Ariel Nomad. 

Auto News For Friday, May 22, 2015 - Mazda Says Driving Matters, Not Zoom Zoom

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, reviews, and videos for Friday, May 22, 2015.

INSIDE THE AUTO BUSINESS
GM's poor safety record related to the company's recent ignition issues has caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to mandate  monthly meetings between government officials and the automaker for at least another year. Call it oversight; call it babysitting; call it what you may. The GM ignition switch failure is now tied to 104 deaths, and a NHTSA lawyer called the order to disclose and meet, a "productive and effective tool," according to The Detroit News.

INSIDE THE AUTO MARKETING BUSINESS
Remember Zoom Zoom? It didn't make you buy enough Mazdas. So on the same line of thinking, Mazda now says, "Driving matters." According to an ad for the new MX-5 Miata, "You might not need it. But can you live without it?" Should an automaker be telling me I don't need their product? Or should they be, "You can't live without it," a nice declarative, affirmative statement?

INSIDE THE MINIVAN BUSINESS
Is Stow'N'Go a no go? If Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is going to install the hideaway third and second row seats and install all-wheel-drive, the AWD system may need to use electric motors to power the rear wheels. Now that workers are back on the job at FCA's minivan factory in Windsor, Ontario, it's probably about time FCA decides what they're doing with the new vans.

RECALL
The Ford Motor Company is recalling 21,435 Lincoln MKZ sedans (model year 2015) because, "the parking lights do not reduce their light output from a DRL level when used in conjunction with the headlights."

REVIEW
In a Car & Driver comparison test between Mercedes' new 2016 AMG GT S, the Porsche 911 GTS, and the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, the winner is.... not the Jag.

WATCH
The era of David Letterman's Late Show on CBS is over. But Letterman was more than just a comedic talk show host, he's also a car nut. Here he is with Maximum Bob Lutz looking at a then new Chevrolet Volt on the Late Show stage.