Small Things Do Come In Nice Packages: Buick Encore

The small SUV market has been boiling over for a decade or so now and everyone has jumped on the band wagon trying to catch segment leaders like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

Buick, that small upstart that is reinventing its own image before our eyes, has brought something new to the table in Encore. It’s a “cute ute” fit for breaking the hearts of those who didn’t choose it.

With its great looks and equally great features, Encore is poised to set new ground in the SUV world.

Cute is the word for Encore with its curvy body and pleasing demeanor. It starts up front with the now-familiar Buick grill and flows outward from there into the arched wheel wells and contoured body ending is an attractive rear end with rounded rump, sunken liftgate and faux metallic skid plate.

Inside, Encore is all about coddling with flowing dashboard, premium seats, ten airbags, seven-inch display and even blue ambient lighting.

Like most SUVs, Encore’s strength is in the various configurations the seats can be put in to maximize people and cargo carrying.

Encore gets around with a 138 horsepower inline four cylinder 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine that generates 148 lb.-ft. of torque and is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission that promises 25 city and 33 highway miles per gallon.

Encore is on sale now with prices starting at $24,950.

Focus ST Gets Some Needed Focus

Ford is on a roll with its current lineup and the hits just keep coming. Take the Focus, you can get it in a sedan, hatchback or wagon and it looks the part of a sporty vehicle with flared fenders, cool wheels and an aggressive look. Add to those looks a blacked-out grill, monochromatic exterior colors and a big rear wing and you’ve got a recipe for a hot hatch posed to take on the likes of the VW GTI, MazdaSpeed3 and Honda Civic Si.

ST, which stands for Sport Technologies, packs a peach of an engine; a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four cylinder with 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque; all of which is due to high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbo charging and variable cam timing. Coupled with a six-speed manual, Ford expects the ST to 23 city and 32 highway miles per gallon.

As a five-door only, ST encompasses comfort and sport in a compact design that is made to enthrall the driver while still having the ability to pick up the kids from school and a bunch of groceries from the supermarket.

Like most of the newest sports cars today, Focus ST had the pleasure of cutting its teeth on the Nürburgring. It should handle with the best of the sport-compact class, maybe even better than most since this ST is based on the European version which is historically a great handler.

Good looks, great handling and a sweet engine makes for a righteous ride for any discerning automobile lover.

Versa Note Sings A Good Song

Car makers are always trying to differentiate their models and that has even trickled down to the difference between sedans and hatchbacks. Take the Ford Fusion and C-Max or the Mazda Protégé and Protégé5 from the early Oughts.

Nissan is continuing in this trend with the 2014 Versa sedan and Versa Note 5-door hatchback.

According to Nissan, here are some of the Note’s key design features (directly from Nissan):

• Energetic new exterior styling with steeply sloped windshield and sculpted body panels
• Available Active Grille Shutter for enhanced fuel economy
• 40 miles per gallon highway fuel economy (CVT-equipped models)
• Smart packaging and class-leading cargo space*, with available adjustable rear load floor height
• Available NissanConnect^SM with Navigation System with Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, RearView Monitor and Around View^® Monitor
• Starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)** of $13,990 USD

With four different content packages (S, S Plus, SV and SL), two transmissions and one engine, the Versa line is set to take on the world. That engine is a 1.6-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder with 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Those transmissions are a five-speed manual (on the S model only) and a continuously variable one that will help get miles per gallon of 31 city and 40 highway.

 

\\

2013 NAIAS Is In The Books

January 27, 2013 — The 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) saw a strong finish today after a spectacular two week run filled with worldwide product reveals, industry news, and a welcome sense of optimism for those touched by the auto business.

Today’s attendance of 103,897 topped last year’s final day numbers of 101,141, bringing total ticketed attendance of the 2013 show to 795,416 compared to 770,932 in 2012. NAIAS Chairman Jim Seavitt said the 2013 total is the highest since 2004 when 808,833 attended.

“This was a true celebration of the automobile, and a demonstration of the strength and resiliency of the auto business,” said Seavitt. “The Detroit show is a true reflection of a strong, vibrant and more confident industry. The manufacturers made it abundantly clear that this show, and the global stage it provides, is of critical importance to their vehicle launch strategies.”

Seavitt said the NAIAS continues to be positioned along with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo because of the number of journalists that attend, and the number of worldwide product introductions that are made in Detroit.

“Twenty-five years ago the Detroit Auto Dealers Association made a promise to the global manufacturers,” said Seavitt. “We said, ‘you bring the unveilings, and we’ll bring the media.’

“I think it’s safe to say,” he said, “we kept our promise.”

NAIAS 2013 Highlights:

Total Vehicle Introductions: 59 (50 Worldwide; 9 North American)
Total Press Preview Attendance: 5,212 journalists from 60 countries
Total Industry Preview Attendance: 28,326 people from 30 countries
Total Charity Preview Attendance: 13,069 people ($3.9 million raised)
Total Ticketed Attendance: 795,416 (incl. Industry Preview, Charity Preview & Public Show)
Total Economic Impact: $365 Million

2013 NAIAS Education Day

Auto Show “Education Day” Brings Youth, Industry Together
Detroit, Mich., Jan. 21, 2013 – With the rapidly growing use of wireless technology, smart phones and the Internet, today’s youth are more connected and tech-savvy than ever. The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will focus on the various automotive-related technologies for students at all levels at its annual Education Day, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

Now in its eighth year, NAIAS Education Day is a back-to-basics hands-on experience designed to attract students to the vibrancy of today’s automotive industry. NAIAS provides an in-depth auto show experience where students can view more than 500 new vehicles on display, and explore various industry-related subjects they are studying (e.g., technology, graphic design, culinary arts, journalism, etc.) through tours and hands-on activities facilitated by experts in their particular fields.

New for NAIAS Education Day 2013, the National Defense Education Program and STARBASE One will host student workshops for selected high school students focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education. Also, Ally Bank will host workshops on credit and vehicle financing as part of its Ally Wallet Wise free financial education program. Wallet Wise teaches financial education basics in the areas of budgeting, credit, banking and investing, and financing a vehicle via in-person sessions and through online courses at AllyWalletWise.com. Selected NAIAS Education Day high school students are invited to participate in a Wallet Wise credit and vehicle financing session, which will teach the fundamentals of applying for and maintaining good credit, as well as the different payment options available when buying or leasing a vehicle.

“Ally is committed to advancing financial literacy through its Wallet Wise program, and we are pleased to be able to offer information on personal finances to high school students,” said Gina Proia, Chief Communications Officer and head of Ally’s community programs. “Financial literacy is an important aspect of consumer education at any age and the partnership with NAIAS is allowing us to help spread this knowledge to members of our local Detroit community.”

NAIAS 2013 Chairman Jim Seavitt says he believes Education Day may help inspire some of the next generation of automotive leaders.  

“STEAM education is vital to our domestic automotive industry,” said Seavitt. “It’s one of the many aspects that students can explore at this unique educational event, and NAIAS is pleased to provide this opportunity to our community of young people.”

NAIAS Education Day is open to students of all ages, including college level.  Companies involved include the National Defense Education Program, STARBASE One, Ally Bank, Automation Alley and The PNC Foundation, which specializes in early childhood education.

Also, with the support of the PNC Foundation, the NAIAS Education Day promises to bring STEAM education to more students than ever. As part of its “Grow Up Great” initiative, more than 200 select Detroit Public Schools preschoolers will attend Education Day.

“PNC’s signature philanthropic initiative, ‘Grow Up Great,’ is one of the most comprehensive early childhood education programs in the nation,” said PNC Regional President Ric DeVore. “PNC’s support of NAIAS Education Day will help to provide learning opportunities at the very start of the educational process.”

Details
NAIAS Eduation Day – Wed., Jan. 23, 2013
Arrival: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Show floor access: 9:00 am
Departure: Noon – 3:00 pm

2013 NAIAS–Day One!

The first day of the press preview is always the longest…waiting for the press conferences to finish so you can see the newest products as they are announced.

Yes, the show has begun and in the next few days and weeks, expect to see an onslaught of introductions like the newest Chevy Corvette:

 

…and concepts like the BMW i8:

Pics and stories coming soon!!!!

2013 NAIAS

Global Stage is Set as 50+ Vehicle Unveilings are Prepared for Detroit

NAIAS a reflection of positive industry changes

Detroit, Mich., Dec. 20, 2012 – Global automakers have saved their best for the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and with less than one month to go before the curtain rises, the industry remains focused on one of the top automotive events in the world.

“This show is a reflection of the positive changes that are occurring in our industry,” said Jim Seavitt, chairman, 2013 NAIAS. “Automakers from around the world continue to place NAIAS at the top of their global auto show strategies, and have committed to more than 50 vehicle debuts with the majority being worldwide unveilings.”

Seavitt said the official NAIAS Press Conference Schedule, which was released today, reads like an automakers ‘Who’s Who’ and features nearly 40 official events to be held at Press Preview, Jan. 14-15, 2013.

“Our hotels are filling up, our international media registration is up 15 percent, and the energy is back,” he said. “Our city, state and industry are in a better place. It’s show time in Detroit.”

Together, the more than 50 worldwide and North American unveilings are a major demonstration of confidence in the NAIAS, which is frequently compared with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo, and Beijing/Shanghai.

Most NAIAS press conferences will take place at Detroit’s Cobo Center, which is currently in the second of a three-phase expansion plan. Some events will take place in the new three-story glass atrium facing the Detroit River. The lone offsite press conference will be presented by Ford Motor Company at neighboring Joe Louis Arena on Jan. 15.

With more than 6,000 journalists from around the globe expected to attend NAIAS, the show continues to be at the forefront as a venue for manufacturers and Tier One suppliers to announce new vehicles and make industry news.

I can’t wait!!!!!!!