The Car Exam News #28: Mercedes to sell smaller cars in U.S., Chrysler's lofty 4th Q expectations, & better U.S. sales helps Honda recover

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Smaller M.B.'s on the way to U.S. market?

Mercedes-Benz is getting serious about selling smaller cars in the United States: Automotive News is reporting that M.B. will sell smaller vehicles in the U.S.--an SUV targeted at the BMW X1, a small coupe, and maybe a FWD-based car if the demands calls for it here in the U.S. (a compact hatchback or small wagon) within the next three years.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/OEM01/301319941/1193) 1/31/11



How was Chrysler in the Fourth Quarter?

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Chrysler will report its 4th Quarter financial results today (we'll update this later after the results are revealed). U.S. sales where 23% higher than the year before, production rose 6%, and retail sales accounted for more profit than fleet sales did. Sergio Marchionne and his company would like investment banks to refinance its higher-cost government loans, and making a decent profit would go a long way of convincing them to do so.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20110131/BUSINESS01/101310413/Expectations-high-Chrysler-s-4Q-results-today?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News) 1/30/11



Honda Sales Recovering?

Automotive News is reporting that Honda has increased the expectations of its profits. Stronger earnings and growth in the United States and Asia, and model updates of the Civic and CRV models are just some of the reasons why Honda may have a brighter financial outlook moving forward.

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110131/COPY01/301319876/1401) 1/31/11

P. Scott

Chrysler desperately needed government cash

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http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110128/OEM05/301289960/1429

Ford posts huge fourth quarter profit; Earned 6.6 Billion Dollars in 2010

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http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110128/OEM01/110129842/1424

EPA rates Fiat 500 to get close to 40 MPG

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110128/OEM04/110129848/1247

BMW may consider a Sportswagon for the M3

http://www.autoblog.com

P. Scott

VW's U.S. Chief says Phaeton and Scirocco could return to U.S. product line

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http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110127/OEM04/110129858/1294

Ford could post its most profitable year in 11 years

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110127/OEM01/110129870/1254

Sergio Marchionne: Fiat has money to raise its share in the Chrysler Group

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110127/RETAIL01/110129856/1424

Chrysler to post Fourth Quarter Loss

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-27/fiat-s-chrysler-may-report-fourth-quarter-net-loss-on-debt-interest-costs.html

GM Says the Chevrolet Volt will make it to all 50 States by the end of the year

http://www.freep.com/article/20110127/BUSINESS0101/110127025/GM-Volts-dealerships-nationwide-by-end-2011?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Auto News

The Car Exam News #27: Another Toyota/Lexus recall, and the 2010 Ford Fusion investigated

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Another recall for Toyota, Lexus

More woes for Toyota, Lexus: It's the first edition of The Car Exam News for 2011, and it's starting with yet another Toyota recall: Automotive News is reporting that Toyota recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide, including 245,000 Lexus models here in the United States. The problems entail a variety of fuel system problems; Some U.S. Lexus models are being recalled to inspect for possibly faulty installation of fuel pressure sensors. If dealers find gasket leaks around the fuel pressure sensors, they will replace the gaskets and tighten the sensors. In the the U.S., Lexus models are being recalled (2006-2007 Lexus GS300/350; 2006-early 2009 Lexus IS250; and 2006-early 2008 Lexus IS350).

Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110126/OEM/110129904/1292)



2010 Ford Ford Fusion wheel studs being investigated by NHTSA

Flaws with the 2010 Ford Fusion? The Detroit Free Press is reporting that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received four complaints of wheel studs fracturing on some 2010 Ford Fusion models (about 280,000 Fusions are being investigated), and those fractures could cause drivers to lose control of the car.

Source: The Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20110126/BUSINESS01/101260324/1014/business01)

P. Scott

The Car Exam Review: The 2011 Ford F-150 Series Pickups: a range of power for every need

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The 2011 F-150 Series: "More Power for the People."




It's the first new review for The Car Exam in 2011, and its theme should be, "More Power for the People," because that's what Ford is giving its pickup customers for the 2011 model year F-150 Series of pickups. Let's start with the base engine, the new 3.7 liter V6 (that's also used in the Mustang--but the specs are different for truck use). The 3.7 has 302 hp and 278 ft. lbs of torque @ 4000 RPM. For basic duty, it has adequate power--nothing exhilarating about it, just good enough for light duty applications.




The next engine choice I'm listing is the 5.0 Liter V8, also used in the Mustang.
It has 412 hp and ft. lbs of torque 380 @ 4250 RPM. While this engine felt strong, I expected it to feel much stronger than it did. In the Mustang, however, I suspect that feels even stronger and offers quicker off-the-line performance.




I saved my two favorite engine choices for last: first, the turbocharged, 3.5 liter Ecoboost V6 engine with 365 hp and 420 ft lbs. of torque at @ 2500 RPM. When you first step on the gas pedal of the Ecoboost engine, it feels like you're going to get the performance of the more tepid 3.7 Liter V6--but then the turbo boost suddenly kicks in--and a furious rush of power and torque pushes you back in the driver's seat. It's a blast to drive! If I wanted power with some added fuel economy, the Ecoboost engine would be my choice in the F-150--it's that versatile--and that impressive.



My other favorite engine in the group was the 6.2 Liter V8 I drove in the Harley Davidson Model. It packs 411 hp and 434 ft. lbs. of torque @ 4500 RPM. Unlike the Ecoboost V6 engine, it feels strong and powerful from start to finish. But you pay the price with less fuel economy than the Ecoboost V6 engine.



The interiors range from spartan in the Base 3.6 Liter V6 models to upscale leather materials found in the higher-end F 150's. The gauges are clear and easy to use, but some smaller buttons on the dash can take some getting used to--just as the turn signal stalk, which instant returns back into it's original place after you move it to turn left or right. I thought it was broken at first, only to realize that was what Ford intended it to do. The seats offer good comfort and good support, overall. Outward visibility is also good in every model I tested.



Overall, the styling of the 2011 F-Series is nice and clean, and looks very good. I'd have to say it's one of the better-looking pickups on the market. Handling feels decent in every model I tested. However--it's a shame, though, that Ford is replacing the aging Ranger Model in other countries, but not here in the United States. Ford hopes buyers who would have chosen the Ranger in the past will opt for the 3.7 Liter V6 base model, but I'm not convinced that's going to happen. If I were buying a midsized truck today, I wouldn't go for the 3.7. V6 model at all, because it would still be too large for me.



I think Ford is making a mistake by not offering an all-new Ranger in the United States, but that remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the 2011 Ford F-Series is impressive (especially the automatic step that goes up and down on some models for entry and exit ease), and it looks like Ford has another winner with its 2011 F-150 pickups. Well done, Ford.

The Car Exam Grade: A

The First New Review of 2011 for The Car Exam is on Monday--catch it!

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Check The Car Exam out on Monday, January 24, 2011--the first review of the new year will be posted! The Ford F-150 Series will be reviewed. Look for it!!

P. Scott

New Reviews Coming soon to The Car Exam!

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Look for new reviews coming soon from The Car Exam!

Look for new reviews coming soon from The Car Exam! What's coming? Reviews on the 2011 Ford F-Series of Pickups, The Hyundai Sonata, and even an Audi review--plus more reviews and news for 2011!