Inside The Rise of Stealerships and The Shady Economics of Car Buying

Recently, my truck was stolen, forcing me to get some new wheels. And, for the first time in my life, I’ve been looking to buy a new car. The process has involved hours of searching. Painful haggling. And encounters with many dealerships that, quite frankly, have been downright duplicitous. The whole thing has been kind of a nightmare.

Cars are, of course, expensive, especially with the supply chain fiasco creating shortages. But it’s more than that. Shopping for cars is not like shopping for most other products. Unlike, say, computers or refrigerators, cars are typically not sold for one standard price. Ten people could go into a dealership and each pay a wildly different amount to buy the same exact vehicle.

Economists call this sort of pricing strategy “price discrimination.” That’s when, instead of charging everyone the same price, sellers charge people different prices based on their willingness to pay. In simpler terms, it means that the seller milks as much money as they can out of you. Not all dealerships engage in this pricing strategy, but many do it aggressively, often with snake oil-style salesmanship, deceptive marketing tactics, hidden fees, and overpriced add-ons, like floor mats, alarm systems, or anti-rust undercoating. Some consumers call the outfits that employ these tactics “stealerships.”

The tricky pricing strategy used by dealerships can be maddening for consumers, and I’ve personally found haggling over the price of a new truck with slick, commission-seeking salespeople to be exhausting (Fortunately, my partner has proved herself to be a talented haggler).

A slew of economic studies has found patterns in who bears the brunt of this pricing strategy. It’s not pretty. For example, a number of studies find that dealerships tend to charge people of color more than white folks. Another study finds that older people tend to be charged higher prices than younger people, and that older women tend to be charged the highest price of all.

One study found that dealerships tend to treat a buyer’s decision to trade in their used car like a neon sign on their foreheads, flashing, “Charge me more!” That’s because trading in your used car, while easier than selling it directly, also fetches less money. Dealerships apparently see this as an indicator that you’re either unsavvy or willing to burn cash — so they jack up the price of the car they sell to you. The type of car you trade in also offers a wealth of information on how much they can charge.

In normal times, when supply is ample and dealerships are more worried about getting cars off the lot, it’s common for them to charge less than the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). But with supply-chain problems creating shortages of new vehicles recently, many dealerships have been charging much more than MSRP. Meanwhile, the dealerships that don’t add markups to MSRP are seeing their inventory depleted quickly, and often have wait times of months or even years for coveted vehicles.

Michelle Krebs is a longtime automotive researcher who serves as the executive analyst of Cox Automotive, which owns brands like Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. “This is the first time in my career — and it’s a long career — that I’ve seen most dealerships charging at list price or over,” she says. “And it’s simply because there’s high demand, low inventory, and they can do it.” Krebs says she’s seen some cases where dealerships have charged buyers literally tens of thousands of dollars over MSRP.

Automakers vs. dealerships

Dealerships are usually independent franchises of their affiliated automaker, which means they are autonomous businesses that can basically do what they want when it comes to setting prices. But many automakers are not happy with their franchises charging crazy high markups. A recent study from the consumer group Growth for Knowledge suggests that excessive price gouging sours consumers on not just a particular dealership, but the car brand as a whole.

At least some automakers know this. Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Company sent a letter to its dealerships urging them to end deceptive practices, such as advertising a low price online and then charging a much higher price when customers go into the store. The company complained that sky-high markups were “damaging our brands’ long-term ability to capture new customers and retain loyal ones.”

Likewise, Ford Motor Company urged its dealers to cut down on markups and threatened to cut back on sending them Ford’s most coveted vehicles if they didn’t. And yet the new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck and the Ford Bronco are some of the most marked-up vehicles on the market, regularly being priced at much higher levels than what Ford has said they should be sold for. The problem for Ford: dealerships are independent and the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price is just that, suggested.

Newer automakers like Tesla and Rivian have been trying to build distribution and service networks that jettison the use of independent dealerships. They are building a direct-to-consumer retail model in which consumers custom-design their vehicles on the internet and receive them directly from the manufacturer — without dealership middlemen and exhausting haggling over price with commission-seeking salespeople. For in-person needs, these automakers provide their own dealerships and service centers.

However, there are state franchise laws across the country that protect independent dealerships — and these laws have made it difficult to disrupt the dealership system and offer consumers potentially a better way of buying a vehicle.

A V8 political engine

To be fair to dealerships, they do provide important services. They offer a distribution and service network, which is vital to both manufacturers and car buyers. They offer buyers the ability to check out, test drive, and learn about cars at their facilities, which really do cost a lot when it comes to real estate, inventory, and manpower. If the manufacturer recalls something, there are thousands of local dealerships across the nation there to fix the problem. They also, of course, create tons of jobs in local communities.

But, while having a sprawling network of local dealerships may be valuable, this geographic reach also gives them outsized political power. Spread out all over the place, local dealerships are important constituents for a whole slew of federal, state, and local politicians. That — together with the fact that they’re a trillion-dollar-plus industry — makes them an effective lobbying force. And opponents argue that the protective franchise laws they’ve worked to erect and maintain thwart entrepreneurs’ ability to create new, more efficient business models that better serve consumers.

We reached out to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), which represents more than 16,000 dealerships across America, and they provided a statement. “State legislatures passed franchise laws — and continue to overwhelmingly support franchise laws — to separate car sales from manufacturing, prevent monopoly pricing by factories, promote competition in auto sales and service, and keep jobs and investment local,” says NADA Vice President of Communications Jared Allen. “The franchise system delivers these tremendous benefits better than anyone.”

Some of these claims — like the fact that local dealerships create jobs — are undeniable. Others are highly debatable. First of all, there are more than a dozen automakers in the United States, so no single carmaker comes close to being a monopoly. And it’s not clear how adding a middleman to the process reduces prices for consumers, especially when you consider that this middleman often resorts to a slew of tactics that tends to raise prices. Many of these dealerships, by the way, are not mom-and-pop shops; the industry is seeing growing consolidation, with multibillion-dollar corporations now owning hundreds of dealerships across the nation.

For years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency tasked with looking out for American consumers, has advocated relaxing state franchise laws so that companies like Tesla or Rivian can create new, direct-to-consumer business models. “States should allow consumers to choose not only the cars they buy, but also how they buy them,” FTC officials wrote in 2015. But franchise laws continue to protect the dealership model and thwart innovation.

Earlier this summer, the FTC proposed new rules aimed at combating the graft and skulduggery found at many dealerships. “As auto prices surge, the Commission is seeking to eliminate the tricks and traps that make it hard or impossible to comparison shop or leave consumers saddled with thousands of dollars in unwanted junk charges,” the FTC said.

The new rules the FTC proposes include a ban on deceptive advertising in which dealerships market cars as way cheaper than they actually intend to sell them for; a ban on “junk fees for fraudulent add-on products and services that provide no benefit to the consumer”; and a requirement that dealerships disclose upfront all costs and conditions for buying their vehicles.

NADA, not surprisingly, opposes these proposed rules. “The FTC’s proposed rules would cause great harm to consumers by significantly extending transaction times, making the customer experience much more complex and inefficient, and increasing prices, and NADA again urges the FTC to go back to the drawing board before forcing implementation of a series of unstudied and untested mandates that will have such significant negative impacts on customers,” says NADA Vice President of Communications Jared Allen.

Buying a car in this bonkers market

We asked Michelle Krebs, the longtime automobile industry analyst, if she had any advice for me — and, more importantly, you, our cherished Planet Money newsletter readers — about buying a car in this bonkers, supply-constrained market. “I always say pack your patience and persistence,” Krebs says. “You have to keep looking, keep shopping. You have to be flexible on your choice. You may not get the brand or car style you want. And, importantly, expand your geographic search. Most people don’t want to shop more than 25 miles away, but you may need to go farther than that.”

In trying to find my new truck, I spent hours searching online and corresponding with dozens of dealerships located up and down the West Coast and farther inland. I found some trucks that were literally priced $10,000-$15,000 over MSRP, and I encountered many of the shady business practices that the FTC is now trying to ban. I also found honest, “no haggle” dealerships willing to sell the truck at MSRP. The catch: I’d be forced to wait at least six months for a truck from them to arrive, and with the theft of my old truck leaving me without a vehicle, I didn’t have that kind of patience.

Luckily, my partner ended up finding the exact truck I wanted, located more than 400 miles away, in Southern California, near her parents’ house. The dealership initially wanted $5,000 over MSRP. But thanks to her fierce negotiations (she’s a lawyer), we were able to talk them down to only $2,000 over. In normal times, that would be a rip-off. But these are not normal times.

Anyways, at least I have a truck again — and, unlike the last one, this one has an immobilizer that might prevent it from being stolen.

By:

Source: Inside the rise of ‘stealerships’ and the shady economics of car buying : Planet Money : NPR

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Critics by ResonantOne

I want to start off with a disclaimer: I understand that businesses are called “businesses” and not “charities”, and that there are more costs associated with running a business than just paying your employees: there is facility overhead, lease costs, insurance, paying the boss and hopefully making some sort of profit. That being said, there is also a line between “making a profit” and “trying to rob somebody blind”.

A couple weeks ago my mother in law’s Accord starting making some bad popping sounds whenever the car went into a turn. After driving it, I told her it sounded and felt like a CV joint going bad, but I couldn’t really get a good enough look at the axle without a lift so I told her she should go ahead and take it up to the dealership to have them check it out. But, and I stressed this, I said to give me a call after the diagnosis.

So she took it up and sure enough they found the driver and passenger side boots were cracked and leaking grease, which in turn was letting grit in and chewing up the joints. No problem, that’s what I told her to expect. Then came the quote: $1600 to replace the two axles. Now, I had researched this a bit ahead of time and had already told her that if it was the axles I could get two new ones with lifetime warranties for about $80 a piece. So she told them that she wanted to call her son in law to talk it over, and that’s when they started to get really pissy. “Well what do you mean? Why do you need to call him? How much do you think you should pay?” and so on.

Well, she did call me, very upset because she is on a fixed income and now she thinks she’s looking at a $1000+ repair bill. I immediately told her to get her car back because it would take me about two hours to put those axles in and that the price they quoted was beyond any semblance of fair labor.

So she goes back to the service desk and what has happened in the five minutes in between? Somehow the price of the repair has now dropped to $900. She said no thank you and got her car back- among much protest and several dirty looks from the service department. I told her to bring it by this weekend where I will put in the new axles for the price of dinner and a new ratchet.

I guess I’m just left with a question: does anyone that has worked at a dealership want to try to justify how $160 worth of parts and not even three hours of labor gets turned into a $1600 price tag?

I want to start off with a disclaimer: I understand that businesses are called “businesses” and not “charities”, and that there are more costs associated with running a business than just paying your employees: there is facility overhead, lease costs, insurance, paying the boss and hopefully making some sort of profit. That being said, there is also a line between “making a profit” and “trying to rob somebody blind”.

A couple weeks ago my mother in law’s Accord starting making some bad popping sounds whenever the car went into a turn. After driving it, I told her it sounded and felt like a CV joint going bad, but I couldn’t really get a good enough look at the axle without a lift so I told her she should go ahead and take it up to the dealership to have them check it out. But, and I stressed this, I said to give me a call after the diagnosis.

So she took it up and sure enough they found the driver and passenger side boots were cracked and leaking grease, which in turn was letting grit in and chewing up the joints. No problem, that’s what I told her to expect. Then came the quote: $1600 to replace the two axles. Now, I had researched this a bit ahead of time and had already told her that if it was the axles I could get two new ones with lifetime warranties for about $80 a piece. So she told them that she wanted to call her son in law to talk it over, and that’s when they started to get really pissy. “Well what do you mean? Why do you need to call him? How much do you think you should pay?” and so on.

Well, she did call me, very upset because she is on a fixed income and now she thinks she’s looking at a $1000+ repair bill. I immediately told her to get her car back because it would take me about two hours to put those axles in and that the price they quoted was beyond any semblance of fair labor.

So she goes back to the service desk and what has happened in the five minutes in between? Somehow the price of the repair has now dropped to $900. She said no thank you and got her car back- among much protest and several dirty looks from the service department. I told her to bring it by this weekend where I will put in the new axles for the price of dinner and a new ratchet.

I guess I’m just left with a question: does anyone that has worked at a dealership want to try to justify how $160 worth of parts and not even three hours of labor gets turned into a $1600 price tag?

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BMW To Test Long Range Battery Made By Michigan Based Startup In Its Electric SUV

BMW will test a long-range battery made by Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy in the car manufacturer’s iX electric SUV, the companies announced Tuesday. ONE’s Gemini battery will use two types of battery cells, including one featuring advanced chemistry that can store more energy and enable vehicle range of at least 600 miles between charges, the company said.

The prototype automobile is expected to be finished by the end of the fiscal year, ONE said. The Gemini battery looks to cut down on the use of traditional electric vehicle battery materials like cobalt, nickel, graphite and lithium, ONE founder and CEO Mujeeb Ijaz said. Ijaz said ONE is testing a range of different electrode chemistries in Gemini while also analyzing possible tradeoffs in cost, energy and sustainability.

ONE may offer a production version of the battery in three varying sizes and prices. This would include a low-end version costing the equivalent, or potentially lower, as nickel- and cobalt-based batteries, Ijaz said. A BMW iX Flow with color-shifting material is displayed during CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 6, 2022.

The battery maker is talking to other companies about similar prototype testing of its Gemini battery. BMW’s corporate venture department in March led a $65 million funding round in the battery company. The round’s other investors included Coatue Management, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Assembly Ventures, Flex and Volta Energy Technologies.

ONE said in December that an early prototype of the Gemini battery modified in a Tesla Model S offered more than 750 miles of range, significantly more than the best production electric vehicles on the market. The logo of German car manufacturer BMW is pictured on a BMW car prior to the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

After ONE was founded in 2020, the company has centered its attention on a long-range battery that uses safer and more sustainable materials while also putting more energy into a smaller, cheaper package. BMW executive Juergen Hildinger said in a statement that the automaker is looking for opportunities “to integrate ONE’s battery technologies into models of our future BEV (battery electric vehicle) product lineup.”

Source: BMW to test long-range battery made by Michigan-based startup in its electric SUV | Fox Business

Carmakers grapple with conflicting goals in designing electric-car batteries. They want high energy density for long range, but they also want to reduce the costly metals that provide that capacity.

Michigan battery startup Our Next Energy (ONE) claims to have a better way to optimize across all these factors. Now, BMW will fit an early prototype of ONE’s Gemini “Dual-Chemistry” battery into a test version of its iX EV luxury SUV to see if the claims—a heady 600 miles of range, nearly double the stock iX xDrive50’s EPA range estimates—are borne out in a variety of real-world uses. The test iX will be on the road by the end of this year, both companies say.

BMW is the logical vehicle partner to test ONE’s technology, because its investment arm—BMW i Ventures—was one of several backers in a $25 million round of financing for the battery startup last October.

Traction + Long Range

The Dual-Chemistry label on ONE’s Gemini battery refers to the pairing of two different types of battery cells, each with a different purpose.

The “Traction” portion has cells that use a lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) cathode, known to have a lower energy density than chemistries based on cobalt, nickel, manganese, or aluminum. LFP batteries are rare in North America, but common in Chinese EVs. Their use of cheap and easily available iron in the cathode leads battery analysts to suggest LFP cells will surge in popularity as their energy density rises, even though it remains below that of advanced cobalt-nickel cells.

The “Long Range” portion of ONE’s Gemini battery, on the other hand, uses a higher energy-density chemistry based on a proprietary material rich in manganese, with only minimal cobalt and nickel. During the current R&D phase, ONE founder and CEO Mujeeb Ijaz told Car and Driver, the company is still experimenting with blends of the three metals to enhance performance. Unusually, it has only a bare copper current collector—rather than separate anode material—a design known in academic circles as “anode-free.”

The LFP “Traction” cells will provide close to 99 percent of the vehicle’s overall miles, Ijaz said, while the “Long Range” cells kick in for the 1 percent of usage that requires extreme power, reducing stress on and deterioration of the LFP cells.

ONE says it can thus provide a battery with energy density that’s claimed to be double that of those in today’s EVs, while focusing on “safer” and “sustainable” battery chemistries created via a “conflict-free supply chain” that includes appropriately sourced and inexpensive manganese.

Lab Tests, Meet Real World

Hundreds of battery chemistries show at least some promise in lab tests, but far fewer make it into production—or even extended testing. The Gemini-powered BMW iX prototype will hit the road by the end of this year. It will be used as a demonstrator first, to prove the Gemini battery concept can store and deliver energy.

After that, BMW and ONE will work together on further testing. As Ijaz notes, ONE needs to “work with BMW to understand their requirements” for his company to become a long-term supplier. That’s an arduous path, but one every battery startup needs to travel before its products find a market.

The ONE-powered BMW iX will mark a new milestone for the company: Powering an actual vehicle, rather than simply showing bench-test results. The actual cells that will go into this early prototype pack will be fabricated by one or more of four separate supplier partners, both in Asia and North America, that are working with ONE on prototyping and production scale-up of its new cells.

When the iX is shown to run, charge, and cover the promised distances, ONE will have moved a large step away from its press stunt last December. In that effort, which ONE called a proof of concept, it stuffed cells with twice the energy capacity as a standard Tesla Model S into that car’s pack and ran it for more than 750 miles—or twice the usual range.

But those weren’t Gemini cells, whereas the BMW iX coming by the end of the year is expected to use very early and experimental versions of ONE’s new cells. This will count as definite progress, presuming it happens on schedule. Stay tuned.

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Volvo’s Hottest New Models For 2020 – V60, XC60, XC90 – What You Need To Know

The Volvo brand has been on fire lately, coming out with exciting new models as well as smashing sales goals at a time when many manufacturers sales are slowing. There is a focus for 2020 on sportier SUV variants like the XC60 Polestar Engineered and active lifestyle cars such as the V60 Cross Country. So let’s take a close look at three of Volvo’s hottest new models.

2020 XC60 Polestar Engineered

The XC60 is one of Volvo’s most popular SUVs and for good reason. It has a reasonable starting price of around $40,000 which is comparable with many midsize luxury SUVs and it offers plenty of interior space without being cumbersome to drive.

Today In: Lifestyle

For 2020 however, Volvo decided to cozy up with high-performance German rivals like the Audi SQ5 and BMW X3M, by giving the XC60 Polestar Engineered their potent T8 powertrain which is actually a plug-in hybrid, but one that generates a staggering 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque.

That’s enough power to get it from 0-60 in just 4.9 seconds, which is a hair quicker than the SQ5 rated at 5.1 seconds 0-60. It’s worth mentioning base SQ5 starts around $55,000 but with options you’re hitting the $67,000 dollar mark where as the XC60 PE is just a few thousand more and comes fully loaded with all but two options which are a 22” wheel upgrade and metallic paint, both priced at $800 or less. So when you consider pricing, the XC60 has more capabilities plus it’s faster for about the same money.

2020 V60 Cross Country

The V60 Cross Country is now in its second generation and adds more capability off the beaten path than what its sibling the V60 offers. The Cross County model gets 2.5″ more ground clearance, all-wheel drive is standard, plus there are a few added exterior design elements which make it stand out, such as rugged wheel arches and moldings. If you’re a big fan of mountain biking, hiking, camping or kayaking and need a vehicle that isn’t afraid to get a little dirty and offers plenty of cargo space, then the V60 Cross Country could be the perfect option for you.

There is only one engine option available, which is Volvo’s turbocharged T5 powertrain creating 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It feels more than adequate, with plenty of low-end torque and solid fuel economy rated at 22 city and 31 highway.

2020 XC90 Inscription

The XC90 is the most popular Volvo in the United States and while it hasn’t gotten a major redesign since it was introduced in 2015, it has gotten many small updates to keep it competitive with everything else on the road. The XC90 was such a revolutionary vehicle in terms of design and quality when it came out in 2015, there just hasn’t been a need for a full redesign and it can still keep with the best of the best in the segment today.

However, there are a few new changes for 2020 which include a new 6-passenger seating configuration, which is great for families with kids. They’ve also added a new concave front grill design, new wheel designs, high-end wool seats, and additional wood trim options.

Final Thoughts

Volvo is keeping the brand fresh with fun new models like the XC40 and XC60 Polestar Engineered while keeping their most popular XC90 updated with unique trim options and updated seating configurations. But they haven’t forgotten the adventure seeker either with the V60 Cross Country, which would also work well for people with kids who don’t want to drive an SUV. We’re excited to see what the Volvo brand has instore for us next, regardless it should be exciting.

Having been born in the Detroit area, I grew up with motor oil running through my veins. Wanting to put my passion to good use, at age sixteen I co-founded and hosted an automotive-focused YouTube channel, the Oakland Car Review, which garnered millions of views during its run. Transitioning toward written content, I was an early-stage partner in DRIVE Magazine and eventually oversaw its conversion to a fully digital platform. I now lead web operations at ThisIsDrive.com. My work extends to other outlets as well, these include some well-known names, such as Kelly Blue Book’s technology-focused Ride.Tech website. I remain up-to-date on the latest industry happenings by doing hours of research per week so that I can keep you informed. I am pleased to have been published on automotive topics for over five years and I look forward to bringing my passion for the industry and cars themselves to Forbes readers.

Source: Volvo’s Hottest New Models For 2020 – V60, XC60, XC90 – What You Need To Know

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Small Luxury SUV with Scandinavian Premium Feel from Inside and Modern Robotic Look from Outside! New XC40 completes global Volvo line-up for fast-growing premium SUV segment Volvo Cars, the premium carmaker, today further expands its line-up of SUVs with the launch of its new XC40 small premium SUV in Milan, Italy. At the same time as it introduces the XC40, Volvo Cars also reinvents the traditional model of car ownership with its new ‘Care by Volvo’ subscription service. Care by Volvo, first available on the XC40 from launch, makes having a car as transparent, easy and hassle-free as having a phone. A monthly flat-fee subscription means down payments, price negotiations and local price differences belong to the past. Depending on regional availability, Care by Volvo will also include access to a range of digital concierge services such as fuelling, cleaning, service pick-up and e-commerce delivery to the car. The XC40 with Care by Volvo is available to order online from today in selected markets. XC40 drivers will also be the first Volvo customers who can share their car with friends and family via Volvo on Call with a new digital key technology. Car sharing comes as standard for Care by Volvo customers. The arrival of the XC40 means that for the first time in its history, Volvo Cars has three new, globally available SUVs in what is the fastest growing segment of the automotive market, paving the way for further growth in terms of sales and profitability. The new XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars’ new modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which will underpin all other upcoming cars in the 40 Series including fully electrified vehicles. Co-developed within Geely, CMA provides the company with the necessary economies of scale for this segment. “The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president, and chief executive. “It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up. So it only feels natural to reveal the XC40 here in Milan, a buzzing European hotspot for fashion, art, design, and lifestyle.” In terms of technology, the XC40 brings the award-winning safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies known from the new 90- and 60 Series cars to the small SUV segment. Like its larger siblings, the XC40 highlights the transformational effect of these new, in-house developed technologies on brand and profitability. These technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped small premium SUVs on the market. Safety and driver assistance features on the XC40 include Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off-Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support and the 360° Camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces. The XC40 also offers a radically new approach to storage inside the car. Ingenious interior design provides XC40 drivers with, among other things, more functional storage space in the doors and under the seats, a special space for phones including inductive charging, a fold-out hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. From start of production, the XC40 will be available with a D4 diesel or a T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain. Further powertrain options, including a hybridized as well as a pure electric version, will be added later. The XC40 will also be the first Volvo model to be available with Volvo Cars’ new 3-cylinder engine. Production of the new XC40 starts in Volvo Cars’ plant in Ghent, Belgium in November, while order books and the Care by Volvo subscription package are open for customers now. SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/pL84j2 New Car Videos: https://goo.gl/5nPYXv YouTube: https://goo.gl/eSkzhw Facebook: https://goo.gl/3AZk9U Twitter: https://goo.gl/kj00z5 Instagram: https://goo.gl/zAOTrp Google+: https://goo.gl/QWO4jX Website: http://www.alphasquadofficial.com Submit Your Video: as.official2015@gmail.com

 

2019 Lexus ES 350 F-Sport – 3 Things You Need To Know

The Lexus brand has worked hard over the past few years to redesign it’s lineup in accordance with a bold new design theme. The ES is now the latest model to receive a full redesign, effectively turning the look into that of an entirely different car: and for the better. The ES offers a refined ride, quiet interior, and a hybrid powertrain if you’d like to add some electrification to your drive. It competes with cars like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, and while those models are arguably a bit sportier, neither can match the calming ride of the ES.

Attractive New Exterior Design

The new ES is built on the all-new Global Architecture – K (GA-K) platform, which Lexus engineered to make vehicles more agile, comfortable and striking.  There is no doubt that the all-new ES is a visually appealing vehicle, and it is easy to spot even in a long lineup of Mercedes and BMW’s. While some people have criticized Lexus for such a daring new design standard, I commend them.  Brands must take big risks to set themselves apart from the competition, or risk fading to the middle of the pack. Thanks to the adventurous decisions Lexus has made, the ES stands out with both instant brand recognition and an iconic look… and that’s exactly how it should be.

Today In: Lifestyle

Updated Engine & New 8-Speed Transmission

The ES only offers one petrol engine, a 3.5-liter V6 producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, it will accelerate the ES350 from 0-60 in around 6.6 seconds. While it’s not going to win many races, it is more than enough to feel confident and content while driving. It would be nice however, if more potent engines were offered, and it may be something for Lexus to consider adding in the future.  There is nothing to complain about in the new eight-speed transmission either, it’s an incredibly refined gearbox, offering smooth shifts under any and all conditions.

Upgraded Interior

Perhaps the biggest change on the all-new ES is in the interior.  Lexus has employed the latest signature design attributes and technology to make it feel and look like a true luxury car.

When it comes to the F-Sport model’s interior design, Lexus created an all-new kind of metallic cabin trim inspired by the making of a traditional Japanese sword.  Hadori aluminum trim features fluctuating wave patterns that give a three-dimensional appearance that varies depending on the viewing angle.

The seats are some of the most comfortable in-class, offering a unique and sporty design without sacrificing comfort. Even the seat controls and done in a metal finish making the cabin feel refined along with other soft interior elements and real metal trim.

Final Thoughts

The ES F-Sport focuses on comfort first, which is ideal if you are looking for something with a more aggressive look but don’t want to sacrifice comfort for it.  The refined powertrain, coupled with the new 8-speed, is incredibly smooth, though it also makes the ES one of the slowest vehicles in-class. Especially when compared against the base BMW 5 series, which has a 0-60 time of under 6 seconds and offers more power from a standstill, the ES can seem a bit slow. But, it is incredibly important to keep in mind that the ES starts at just $39,500, while the BMW and Audi equivalents are in the mid $50k range, a giant price gap which gives the ES a significant advantage.

Having been born in the Detroit area, I grew up with motor oil running through my veins. Wanting to put my passion to good use, at age sixteen I co-founded and hosted an automotive-focused YouTube channel, the Oakland Car Review, which garnered millions of views during its run. Transitioning toward written content, I was an early-stage partner in DRIVE Magazine and eventually oversaw its conversion to a fully digital platform. I now lead web operations at ThisIsDrive.com. My work extends to other outlets as well, these include some well-known names, such as Kelly Blue Book’s technology-focused Ride.Tech website. I remain up-to-date on the latest industry happenings by doing hours of research per week so that I can keep you informed. I am pleased to have been published on automotive topics for over five years and I look forward to bringing my passion for the industry and cars themselves to Forbes readers.

Source: 2019 Lexus ES 350 F-Sport – 3 Things You Need To Know

For nearly 30 years, the Lexus ES has consistently attracted luxury sedan shoppers wanted comfort, space, and value. Over the years, Lexus followed that same formula and the result in the best-selling Lexus sedan despite its very humble FWD Camry based roots. For 2019, Lexus hopes to inject a healthy dosage of youth to the mix with the very first F-Sport ES. It takes the sleek design from the flagship LS with nearly as much rear seat space as its much larger sibling. The 302 HP V6 still drives the front wheels, but the result of the new GA-K platform makes this 2019 model the sportiness ES Lexus has ever built.

The History of Rolls-Royce

A century of perfection

The turn of the 20th century marked the beginning of an extraordinary partnership between two of the most innovative minds of the moment. Henry Royce, a successful engineer and Charles Rolls, owner of one of the UK’s first motor car dealerships, agreed to sell motor cars under the name Rolls-Royce.

At that moment, a new company was born: Rolls-Royce.

The Best Motor Car in the World

In 1907, the Silver Ghost was declared ‘The Best Car in the World’ after its record breaking success. Travelling from London to Glasgow 27 times – covering 14,371 consecutive miles – the iconic motor car broke the world record for a non-stop motor run while demonstrating unrivalled reliability and comfort.

1930s

In the 1930s, Rolls-Royce broke world records on land and sea. And automation saw the arrival of Phantom III – the first ever Rolls-Royce to be built with a V12 engine.

1940s

The 1940s saw new developments in craftsmanship and design. Until 1959, each Silver Wraith had an individual, coach-built body.

1950s

The 1950s marked the start of a long-standing relationship between Rolls-Royce and the royal family.

1960s

By the time the Swinging Sixties began, Rolls-Royce had begun to appeal to a new breed of owner. Actors, rock stars and celebrities chose the marque as a symbol of their success.

1970s

The 1970s was a challenging decade for Rolls-Royce but, following re-launch as two separate companies, the decade saw the arrival of two exciting new motor cars.

1980s

By 1980, British defence company Vickers had bought Rolls-Royce Motors Limited, producing Rolls-Royce alongside Bentley motor cars. The new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1985.

1990s

The 1990s marked a new chapter in the marque’s history when the BMW Group bought the rights to produce Rolls-Royce motor cars. With the change came a brand new manufacturing facility: the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. It was here that an exciting new chapter would begin.

On the day it acquired the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars brand, BMW Group said it intended to build a plant in England. From a shortlist of possible sites, Goodwood in West Sussex in the south east of England emerged as the natural choice.

Tucked away in the heart of the South Downs National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Goodwood is a quintessentially English setting. Perfectly in tune with our brand values and customer expectations. Despite it being an entirely new location for Rolls-Royce manufacturing, Goodwood has a strong historical connection to the brand. Sir Henry Royce, one of the company’s founders, lived less than 10 miles away in the charming village of West Wittering from 1917 until his death in 1933.

Starting with a blank sheet of paper, the project was approached in light of one of Sir Henry Royce’s famous quotes: “Strive for perfection in everything you do.” Not only did the facility have to be an extension of the brand, we also wanted to have minimal impact on the environment. So we brought in renowned British architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, whose portfolio includes the Eden Project in Cornwall, the International Terminal at London’s Waterloo Station and the National Space Centre in Leicester.

Built over four and a half years, the award-winning manufacturing facility opened its doors on 1 January 2003. Designed on a 20 x 20 metre grid with steel columns supporting roof lights, the main building is set two metres below the surrounding ground level, to blend into the landscape.

The floor-to-ceiling windows run the length of the Assembly Hall, providing essential natural light for our craftspeople and – for visitors who come to Goodwood – a front-row view of the entire production line. We like to call it ‘the glass mile’.

But, much like the design of a Rolls-Royce motor car, there’s more to our Goodwood home than first meets the eye. The eight-acre curved living roof – the largest in the UK – is home to hardy sedum plants. The green coverage improves the building’s insulation and reduces rainwater runoff, while also acting as an effective camouflage.

After being fully operational for nine years, we extended the Assembly Hall in 2012. By adding an extra 2,500 square metres, we were able to add new space to the Surface Finishing Centre and also to our Bespoke service, which has more than doubled in size since 2003.

As well as blending into its rural surroundings, Goodwood is designed to have the smallest possible impact on the environment. The exterior is clad with a mix of limestone and cedar wood, both from sustainable sources. And the timber louvre panels, activated by a weather station on the roof, control how much light enters the building and reduce our demand for electricity.

The large central lake attracts numerous wild birds, and also guards against flooding by storing excess water. Across the 42-acre site, we’ve established over 400,000 plants and trees of more than 120 species. We also compost all our green waste.

Source: The history of Rolls-Royce

Rory is let loose inside the Rolls-Royce factory in West Sussex, England, and discovers how the Wraith, Phantom and Ghost Series II are built. Subscribe for more great content: http://bit.ly/1f3dxSq

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