Subaru Prices The 2014 Forester
With a fresh design for the new model year, the 2014 Subaru Forester hopes to strike a balance between keeping repeat customers happy while attracting new compact crossover buyers to the fold.When Subaru last revamped the Forester, for the 2008 model year, the changes were substantial. The crossover grew in size and scope, as Subaru “ruggedized” the Forester to broaden its appeal.
This time around, the changes are more evolutionary, and the Forester grows by just an inch in height and an inch in wheelbase. Subaru took steps to improve the Forester’s fuel economy and drivability, but was careful not to impede the crossover’s functionality. Like all Subaru models except the BRZ sport coupe, it benefits from all-wheel drive, too.
Subaru will offer the 2014 Forester in a total of six trims, beginning with the base 2.5i, priced from $22,820 including a destination charge of $825, an increase of just $700 over last year’s base model. Stepping up to the 2.5i Premium gets you amenities like a panoramic moonroof, a power drivers seat and roof rails, for a list price of $25,820.
Next in the lineup is the 2.5i Limited, which boasts Subaru’s X Mode electronic differential management system for optimized traction, along with a power rear liftgate and a rear spoiler for a sticker price of $28,820.
Atop the 2.5i range is the 2.5i Touring, which adds features like HID lighting and automatic climate control and sells for $30,820.
All 2.5i models come with a 2.5-liter, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, rated at 170 horsepower and mated to the buyer’s choice of a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
If more power is your thing, you’ll want to step up to the Forester 2.0XT models, which get a turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine rated at 250 horsepower. No manual transmission option is available with this engine, meaning that buyers get a CVT, like it or not.
Pricing for 2.0XT models starts at $28,820 for the XT Premium version (equipped similarly to the 2.5i Premium), while the range-topping 2.0XT Touring sells for $33,820.
Generally speaking, the Forester is priced comparably to front-drive models from the competition, making its all-wheel drive layout a solid value-add. Look for the 2014 Forester to hit Subaru dealers in March.
For complete details on the range of 2014 Subaru Forester models, see our comprehensive review of this model.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Dodge Dart Registry: Kickstarter-Like Crowdfunded Purchasing
Are you longing for the new 2013 Dodge Dart, but just don't have the funds to buy one right now? The new Dodge Dart Registry program may just be your answer.Launching January 20 with a new commercial during the NFL's NFC championship game, and backed by crowdfunding service RocketHub, the Dodge Dart Registry allows interested Dart shoppers to register and then receive donations from, presumably, friends and family.
Tied into social networks Facebook and Twitter, the Dodge Dart Registry seeks to help make the purchasing process both more social and more affordable. Dodge explained the registry in a release to media: "Like any registry, friends and family can ensure they’re giving a gift that someone really wants, whether it is for birthdays, graduations or any other gift-giving moments throughout the year."
The goal, obviously, is to help secure cash for younger buyers to purchase a new Dart. For Dodge, the goal is more than just selling more Darts. The brand wants buyers and gifters to join in the social promotion of the car, too. The release continues, "Once registered, an individual has the option to connect to Facebook and Twitter to spread word about their desire to own a new Dodge Dart or, perhaps, thank anyone who has contributed to the effort, all the while communicating and sharing key features of the vehicle through their social channels."
The registry program also plays on the "New Rules" slogan associated with the Dart. "Now, ‘New Rules’ transcends not only how we design, build and market a car, but redefines how consumers can purchase a new vehicle by mobilizing friends and family to help," said Oliver Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC.
Once registered, contributors to the purchase can sponsor by the part--paying for the steering wheel, shifter, seat, or engine, for example.
The Kickstarter-like model isn't new, but an official association with a carmaker is, and it's certainly a novel approach to boosting both sales and buzz around Dodge's product. Will it get off the ground and help hordes of younger people into new cars? Perhaps. On the other hand, it might just be a new way for the freeloader in your life to find their way into your wallet.
For more details, or to register for the program yourself, visit the official Dodge Dart Registry site.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
J.D. Power: Fuel Economy Is #1 Car Criteria, But Bad Styling Can Keep Customers Away
J.D. Power and Associates' annual Avoider Study offers an interesting look at car shoppers' habits. The study not only asks customers why they were drawn to certain vehicles, but also -- as you might guess from the survey's name -- why they avoided others.
According to a press release, Power interviewed roughly "31,000 owners who registered a new vehicle in May 2012" to generate results for the 2013 Avoider Study. Here are some of the key findings.
STYLING IS A MAJOR FACTOR
Power found that the look of a car, inside and out, has a major effect on consumers' reaction to it. A hefty 33% of those surveyed said that they'd avoided a certain model because they didn't like its exterior styling. Another 19% turned their back on a potential purchase because they disliked the interior.
A vehicle's brand -- that is, the image it conveys -- also has a major impact on whether customers take a shine to it. For example, while some consumers like the eco-friendly image put forward by the Toyota Prius, others find it a turn-off. The same can be said of many SUVs (some see them as rugged, others as wasteful), compacts (small vs. fragile), and even midsize sedans (practical vs. dull). All told, 17% of those that Power surveyed avoided certain vehicles because of the image they conveyed.
Power's research director, Jon Osborn, says that "The impact that design and brand image have on new-vehicle shoppers is substantial. Shoppers are concerned about what the vehicle says about them as people and how it can express their individual tastes, just as much as it is about being reliable or holding its value throughout the tenure of ownership."
RELIABILITY IS BECOMING LESS OF AN ISSUE
Today's cars last longer than their predecessors. Dependability and initial quality keep edging upward, and as a result, the average age of vehicles on U.S. roads now sits at about 11 years. Not surprisingly, reliability is becoming less of a concern for new-car shoppers. Chances are, customers will get tired of their vehicle long before it wears out.
Power's survey verifies this. In 2008, 21% of shoppers avoided certain vehicles because of their dodgy reputation for reliability. By 2011, the number had fallen two points to 19%. When responses were fielded in 2012, the number had slipped again to 17%.
This has a downside for dealers, though: it means that shoppers are perusing more vehicles before they buy because the playing field is more level. The consumers that Power surveyed last year looked at an average of 3.3 vehicles before making their decision. That's up from 3.1 in 2011 and 2.9 in 2009. Only 21% of those surveyed bought a vehicle without cross-shopping, which is down from 29% of those surveyed in 2009.
FUEL ECONOMY IS KING (WHEN COMBINED WITH GOOD LOOKS AND LOW PRICE, ANYWAY)
Across all age groups, shoppers said fuel economy was their #1 concern when purchasing a new vehicle. However, that doesn't mean that consumers are flocking to hybrids and electric vehicles. In fact, 36% of those surveyed said that they avoided hybrids and electric cars because of their sticker price, and 25% did so because of such vehicles' exterior styling.
That said, among those who did purchase a hybrid or electric car, 95% did so on the basis of the vehicle's fuel economy, and 62% were attracted to the car's minimal environmental impact.
Do these findings jibe with your own car-shopping tendencies? Sound off in the comments below.
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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Ford Trounces The Competition When It Comes To Brand Loyalty
Brand loyalty is a big deal in some industries. When it comes to cell phones and soft drinks, for example, people can come to blows debating the merits of the iPhone and the Galaxy S3, or Coke Zero and...well, whatever the Pepsi equivalent is.
For auto shoppers, though, brand loyalty isn't the driving force it once was. Some consumers, once fiercely loyal to Detroit, have slowly crossed over to Asian or European brands -- and vice versa.
But that doesn't mean that loyalty is dead and buried. According to Experian Automotive, some automakers do well at keeping shoppers in the fold. Others, not so much.
WHAT COUNTS AS LOYALTY, ANYWAY?
Brand loyalty is when customers continue buying products from a company, year after year, regardless of what critics or the media or friends may have to say about that company. For example, when massive Toyota recalls made headlines a couple of years ago, Toyota's brand loyalty suffered because some longtime fans became disheartened by the news. Those who never stopped buying Toyotas are what we'd call hardcore loyalists.
Today, Experian Automotive completed its review of new-car sales from the third quarter of 2012, and the firm found that Ford did better than any other automaker at keeping customers coming back for more.
All told, a very impressive 44.1% of customers who bought Fords between July and September 2012 owned another Ford at the time of purchase. (Whether they traded in that vehicle to buy their new Ford, or whether they were simply adding to their household fleet isn't tracked.) Toyota was the only other company to break the 40% mark, coming in at 43.3%.
Rounding out the top ten brands were Kia (39.9%), Hyundai (38.6%), Honda (38.1%), Chevrolet (38.0%), Subaru (35.7%), Nissan (34.7%), Mercedes-Benz (34.6%), and Lexus (34.1 %). Keep in mind: these sales pre-date the fuel economy fiasco that hit Hyundai and Kia in October and November. It will be interesting to see if their loyalty figures remain high in Q4.
Experian also measured brand loyalty as inspired by specific models. On that count, Ford scored well, too, with a staggering seven vehicles in the top ten list.
In the #1 spot, we find the Ford Fusion: 56.4% of Fusion owners who shopped for a new car in Q3 purchased another Ford (though not necessarily a Fusion). Taking the #2 spot was the Ford Flex (55.3%), and the leader from Q2, the Chevrolet Sonic, came in at #3 (54.3%).
Also inspiring brand loyalty were the Ford Edge (53.8%), the Kia Forte (52.7%), the Ford Five Hundred (51.0%), the Ford Fiesta (50.7%), the Ford Escape (50.1%), the Ford Focus (49.7%), and the Cadillac DTS (49.1%). Of course, the new Fusion and Escape have seen their share of troubles in recent months, so we wouldn't be surprised if those models slipped off Experian's list when Q4 results come out.
OUR TAKE
To generate brand loyalty, companies have to create a product or an experience that can't be found anywhere else. Whether you know it or not, you keep tabs on dozens upon dozens of these preferences: it's why you buy the same soda and eat at the same restaurants time and time again.
Brand loyalty begins to wear off when consumers become disenchanted with a product -- either because they've had a lousy experience with it (e.g. Apple Maps) or because the media has made them rethink their devotion (e.g. the massive Firestone recall from earlier in this century).
Automakers have had a tough time maintaining brand loyalty over the past few decades. As the world has shrunk, consumers have become less wary of foreign brands, and an onslaught of recalls has made shoppers understand that every car -- even those from their favorite company -- comes with flaws.
Bottom line: brand loyalty depends on differentiation, but when it comes to cars, the differences between vehicles have become much harder to spot. Ford deserves credit for being able to distinguish its products so well among an increasingly jaded public.
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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
NADA: U.S. Auto Sales Should Reach 15.4 Million In 2013
Automakers sold roughly 14.5 million new cars during calendar year 2012 -- up 13% over 2011. Will that kind of growth continue in 2013? The Wall Street Journal and marketing firm Polk have already said "Yes, indeed", and now the National Association of Automobile Dealers has announced its own rosy predictions.
NADA's chief economist, Paul Taylor, predicts that new-car sales will reach 15.4 million by December 31. To prove it, he identifies seven factors fueling America's current craze for new cars:
1. Pent-up demand: According to Taylor, Americans are still recovering from the belt-tightening of the Great Recession. The average age of cars on the road in the U.S. now hovers around 11 years. True, that's partly because cars are built to last longer than they once did, but it's also because of self-imposed austerity measures imposed on family budgets. In other words, people have been waiting a long time for new wheels, and 2013 may be the year they indulge.
2. Credit availability: When banks failed during the Great Recession, credit became much harder to find. That, in turn, made it difficult for shoppers to purchase big-ticket items like automobiles. Now that credit restrictions are loosening, customers can return to showrooms with confidence that they'll be approved for a loan -- and at very low interest rates.
3. New vehicles: Sure, that old car may be running just fine, but there's nothing like the sight of a shiny vehicle on TV (or in the driveway next door) to get consumers thinking about a new ride. New cars generate excitement, and excitement generates sales. Given that some 50 new models are set to debut at this week's North American International Auto Show, chances are good that consumers will be eager to get their hands on something fresh this year.
4. Improving employment figures: It should be obvious that when more people have jobs, more people will be inclined to purchase expensive goods like automobiles.
5. "Fiscal cliff" avoided: Though politicians in Washington turned the negotiations into a nail-biter, tax rates will remain low for most Americans, which will keep more money in their pockets and inspire more confidence.
6. Improving home values: Homes are a major investment, so when the real-estate market tanked, the net worth of American families took a real hit. Now that the market is on the upswing, family nest eggs are looking much better, making consumers more comfortable with the idea of shelling out for a new ride. (Added bonus: all that new construction should be especially beneficial for the truck market.)
7. Shortage of used vehicles: When sales slumped during the Great Recession, automakers stopped producing so many vehicles. In other words, the number of potential buyers continued to grow, but the supply of vehicles shrank, which helped set us up for today's used-car shortage. As we told you last year, the difference in price between some new cars and their one-year-old equivalents is almost negligible. As a result, Taylor thinks that many consumers will opt for the brand-new version.
Are you in the market for a new car? Are any of these factors weighing on your decision? Sound off in the comments below.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Ford F-150 Atlas Concept: A Transit Pickup Truck Stays In Step In Detroit
The 2013 Detroit Auto Show has already seen the world debut of the 2014 Chevy Silverado and the 2014 GMC Sierra--and to keep itself in the headlines along with its arch-rival, Ford will show a new Atlas truck concept that could predict a new pickup truck to come in the near future.
The Atlas concept is all about the future of Ford's big pickup trucks--how they'll look, and how they'll improve fuel economy. Atlas is the mythological figure that has the strength to carry the world on his shoulders, and Ford says that's how the people who'd drive one see themselves.
To fit that role, the Atlas has conveniences built into the cargo bed. A fold-out step can double as a cargo retainer, for example. In the same way the flip-out bed extenders on vehicles like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac have done in the past, the step slides and rotates upward to lock in place, forming a loading surface atop the vehicle. The roof is made tougher for that reason, to hold equipment like ladders.
A few touches come from commercial vehicles. The Atlas' cargo ramps are tucked away under the tailgate, like those on moving trucks. They're meant to be useful for weekend fun, too--for rolling an ATV into the pickup bed.
Other features fitted to the concept include active aero shutters for the grille and wheels, and deployable air dam and running boards, all to smooth out the truck's profile and to net 2 mpg in fuel economy as a result, Ford says. The Atlas also has a 360-degree camera system with guidelines to assist in trailer hitching, as well as LED exterior lighting.
The Atlas suggests that Ford is at least considering a commercial-duty pickup truck derived from its upcoming Transit van. The Transit goes on sale next year, and will eventually replace the E-Series full-size vans after production is up to speed in Kansas City. The Wall Street Journalhas reported that the Ford F-150 will turn to intensive aluminum construction to reduce weight and boost fuel economy; if that version could appeal to more upscale truck users, a Transit-based truck like the Atlas could be paired with the F-150 in the truck lineup, as a more utilitarian alternative.Why have two truck lines? The commercial models could boost Ford's truck fuel economy by making use of EcoBoost turbocharged engines with stop/start, or diesel engines, while making a better financial case for building the Transit in the U.S.
We'll have more on the Atlas concept, including live photos from today's press conference. Stay with us as we cover the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, live from Cobo Center--follow our show pages on The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports, and follow us on Twitter @CarConnection @MotorAuthority @GreenCarReports .
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept: High Tech, High Design
Updated with live images from the global unveiling at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.
Hyundai has become a force in the mainstream car market that few would have predicted a decade a go. Despite some issues with gas mileage ratings, the brand appears to be headed nowhere but up. In the premium segment, the Genesis and Equus have also been making significant inroads, with the company claiming a 9 percent market share in their respective segments. The HCD-14 Genesis Concept car revealed today at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show previews where Hyundai is headed in the near future of its premium offerings.
Styled as a four-door coupe, the HCD-14 Genesis presents clean, smooth surfaces and crisp lines, molding into the increasingly popular coupe/sedan shape without looking overtly derivative. It's the latest interpretation of Hyundai's theme, which it's calling a "fluidic-precision, liquid-metal design language." A relatively rearward-set cabin and very short rear deck emphasize the car's coupe-like nature, as well as is sporing intentions.
The HCD-14 Genesis is still a concept car, however, so it needs at least a few concept-specific design elements. The most notable is the rear-hinged rear door setup, which allows unhindered access to the cabin with both front and rear doors open. This feature is unlikely to make it to production, however, if only due to side-impact crash protection considerations.
Inside, the center console features a "double-cresting-wave" design, carrying from the instrument panel in the front through to the rear seats. The wave theme is echoed in the door handles and rear headrests. In front of the driver, the instrument panel offers a mix of both digital and analog displays, set in an asymmetrical driver-focused layout. The center console includes an iPad storage station, to hold your tablet in place during "spirited driving."
Hyundai says the HCD-14 Genesis is built around the idea of driving dynamics and a driver-centric experience. While part of that experience is improving handling and sportiness, part of it is about reducing driver distractions, thereby increasing safety, through high technology.
An eye-tracking system combines with 3D interactive gesture technology and a head-up display (HUD) to help keep the driver's eyes on the road. A yaw-control system (with driver-selectable modes) helps improve vehicle stability while allowing for more spirited drives. A stiff chassis and lightweight suspension and wheel components help improve ride quality and comfort while also delivering a better balance to the driver--with the feel communicated through a new multi-mode electronic power steering system.
Hyundai hasn't yet indicated just how much of the HCD-14 Genesis Concept's technology and design preview will make it into the next round of premium products, but if we were to place bets, we'd put our money on "most of it."
For more information and live photos of the Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept and much more at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, head over to our sister site, Motor Authority.
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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Honda Urban SUV Concept: 2013 Detroit Auto Show
A new subcompact Honda crossover due in 2014 will take its cues from the Urban SUV Concept, shown for the first time at the 2013 Detroit auto show.
The concept SUV is just 169.3 inches long, making it nine inches shorter than the compact Honda CR-V crossover. It's styled without any overt SUV influences--instead, the rear doors have hidden handles to give the concept a more coupe-like look.
Honda promises the production version of the Urban SUV Concept will highlight fuel efficiency and flexible interior space, with the Magic Seat from the Fit hatchback an integral part of the package. There's also "next-generation connectivity" on deck; how it will build on Honda's standard Bluetooth and touchscreen interfaces on its current Civic and CR-V compacts hasn't been outlined.
Honda says its new small utility vehicle will go on sale late this year in Japan, with U.S. sales joining in next year, but the new crossover won't be built in either place. Since it's spun off from the next Honda Fit, it will share an assembly line with that hatchback at Honda's new assembly plant in Mexico, under construction and set to open early next year.
Expect a production version to be revealed later this year, at either the New York or Los Angeles auto show.
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Stay with us as we cover the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, live from Cobo Center--follow our show pages on The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports, and follow us on Twitter @CarConnection @MotorAuthority @GreenCarReports
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2014 Chevrolet Corvette: The Stingray Is Back
Among iconic automotive names, few conjure up the visceral reaction of the Corvette Stingray. Originally applied to the short-lived C2 Corvette (built for the 1963-1967 model years), the Stingray name came to be associated with advances in both styling and performance.
It’s fitting, then, that Chevrolet is applying the Stingray name to the 2014 Corvette, as the seventh-generation (or C7, to the Corvette faithful) represents perhaps the most significant change in styling since the second generation was launched.
There are big gains in performance, too, with the base model’s 6.2-liter V-8 now producing 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. That’s good enough for sub-four-second 0-60 mph times, and when fitted with the optional Z51 Performance Package, the new Corvette can exceed 1 g in cornering grip.
As impressive as those numbers may be, it’s the 2014 Corvette’s shape that has people talking. Up front, the rounded intake in the lower fascia is reminiscent of the original 1953 Corvette, while the car’s fastback style seems to tie it directly to the C2 models. There’s enough of the current car’s shape in the C7 to be familiar, too.
Out back, the square tail lights tie the car to the Chevrolet Camaro (and, oddly enough, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu), but these are offset by details like the vented and finned hood, or the vertical details of the join between rear fenders and rear bumper. You’d expect this on a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, but not on a Corvette.
Inside, Chevy has listened to owner complaints about the previous model’s lackluster interior. Gone are the inadequate seats, replaced by the buyer’s choice of GT seats for comfort or Competition Sport Seats, with additional bolstering, for track use. Both look to be a giant improvement over the chairs available in the C6.
The interior is wrapped in soft-touch materials, too, with material choices (depending upon trim level) including Napa leather, carbon fiber, aluminum and micro-suede. There’s also the latest Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, which is shown on a pair of eight-inch displays including one (in the center stack) with gesture recognition.
Adding to the concept of driver-focused technology is the Corvette Stingray’s Drive Mode Selector, which allows drivers to choose between five settings based on conditions. There are Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track setting, with each adjusting engine, transmission and chassis parameters accordingly.
Look for a full drive report from Motor Authority in the near future. The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is expected to go on sale in the third quarter, with pricing to be announced closer to the car’s launch.
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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Cadillac ATS, Ram 1500: North American Car & Truck/Utility Of The Year
The 2013 Cadillac ATS and the 2013 Ram 1500 have been named as the North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year.
The awards were presented this morning at Cobo Center, at the kick-off of the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.
The award is presented this year by 49 jurors, who judge the list of new or significantly updated vehicles each year, culling the list of nominees to a short list and then down to three finalists among both the cars and the utility vehicles/trucks.
This year's finalists counted four domestic nameplates and two import brands among them, though only one vehicle is built outside the U.S. The field included on the car side, the winner of The Car Connection's Best Car To Buy 2013 award, the 2013 Ford Fusion; the 2013 Cadillac ATS; and the 2013 Honda Accord.
On the Truck/Utility side, the category reflects a name change this year--it's added "utility" to highlight the SUVs and crossovers that have driven home with the award in most recent years. The entrants in the category are based largely on EPA classifications, though that has led to some discussion over what constitutes a "truck."
The truck/utility finalists included the 2013 Ford C-Max hybrid; the 2013 Mazda CX-5 crossover; and the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck.
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Stay with us as we cover the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, live from Cobo Center--follow our show pages on The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports, and follow us on Twitter @CarConnection @MotorAuthority @GreenCarReports
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
