Chrysler Calls Out Dealers for Shady Hellcat Sales Practices

Chrysler Calls Out Dealers for Shady Hellcat Sales Practices
Lexus LF-SA Mini-Car Concept Leaked
Rolls-Royce ‘Al-Adiyat’ Edition is Over-the-Top
Ford Performance is Key to Better Mainstream Models
Jeep Renegade Hard Steel Shows Off Custom Style
Kia Sportspace Concept Previews Next Optima

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is warning consumers that its own dealers could up to some shady, if not illegal, tactics.

With the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models in high demand, FCA is warning that some of its dealers are engaging in "unscrupulous" and perhaps illegal practices. The company's vice president of communications, Gualberto Ranieri, has said that a handful of dealers have accepted large number of orders "without regard to available supply and without advising their customers that orders may not be filled, if at all, for many months or longer."

Dodge is trying its best to be as transparent as possible when discussing how its allocating the supply for the Hellcat models, which is based on total Dodge sales and how long previous Hellcats have remained in inventory. Through this strategy, the company hopes to at least curb dealers that are holding the popular cars for themselves of marking them up way above retail, slowing sales to consumers.

Ranieri is urging customers to ask pointed questions to dealers before placing an order on a Hellcat model, including whether a deposit is required and whether the deposit is refundable.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story at our Dodge forum

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Lexus LF-SA Mini-Car Concept Leaked

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Lexus continues to surprise with dramatic new designs and its latest concept car is certainly a shock.

While brand representatives have been quoted in the past as saying they have no intention of competing in lower segments of the market, this new concept is a clear indication that previous statements were a ruse.

SEE ALSO: Geneva Motor Show Preview

Not only that, but the mini coupe-styled crossover is the furthers departure yet from the tame Lexus designs of old.

Lexus' position in the European marketplace was mostly irrelevant until the launch of the CT200h hybrid hatchback. This car could significantly bolster the brand's offerings overseas, taking on the likes of MINI with a small premium product.

More details on the car, including the powertrain, are expected with the official debut to take place at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

[Source Carscoops]

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Rolls-Royce ‘Al-Adiyat’ Edition is Over-the-Top

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Rolls-Royce isn't afraid to go over-the-top with its limited-edition models.

The British automaker has revealed the Al-Adiyat edition in the Middle East, which according to Rolls-Royce, refers to the noise made by a powerful horse when its hooves strike stone. The Al-Adiyat collection will include nine Wraiths and one Phantom coupe and is embellished with motifs of reigns and horses while gold-plated horseshoe stamps make a real statement on the clock and treadplates.

The car Rolls-Royce is using to show off the collection features a bright red paint job while the inside sports plenty of red leather, carpets and headliner. One thing's for sure, this creation may not be for everyone but the company won't have a hard time selling all 10 units.

Discuss this story at our Rolls-Royce forum

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Ford Performance is Key to Better Mainstream Models

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Mirroring its One Ford corporate strategy the blue oval has brought all of its global racing and motorsports divisions under one roof. The company's SVT, Team RS and Ford Racing subsidiaries now operate under the unified banner of Ford Performance.

This new go-fast division is directed by Dave Pericak, former Mustang chief engineer and a veteran of the Dearborn-based car company. Speaking at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit earlier today he gave members of the media a glimpse inside this new organization.

He said Ford plans on bringing 12 new performance models to market by the year 2020, giving enthusiasts a broad array of hopped-up vehicles to choose from. But Pericak posed the question, "Why all the investment in performance." Surprisingly there are several reasons.

"This is very profitable for us," said Pericak. "The sales of performance vehicles [have] been growing." But there's more to it than just more money and greater volume. "It's [also] about attracting new customers to our brand," noted Pericak, adding that high-performance models help them retain existing owners and attract new ones, especially younger motorists.

"The STs [Fiesta and Focus], ever since we introduced them the sales have been out of this world," said Pericak. Some 65 percent of these customers are conquests, that is, new to Ford. Additionally millennials are buying ST models at twice the rate of the overall brand. In fact, 50 percent of Fiesta ST customers are younger than 35, a coveted demographic; additionally many are quite affluent.

In addition to all of this Pericak said, "Our investment in performance is really to serve the much larger goal of driving innovation through the rest of the company." He likened it to a technology exchange between different groups within Ford.

Pushing forward, the company just opened a new technical center down in Charlotte, North Carolina. "It's a state-of-the-art facility," said Pericak, one that should help both product-development and race teams.

But don't expect the company to share its go-fast goodies. Ford Performance will remain true to its name, exclusive to the blue-oval brand. This means Lincoln will not be getting any hopped-up models for the foreseeable future. Pericak said they're working on resuscitating this troubled division and performance is not part of that strategy at this time. "We're not going to confuse that," he said.

Discuss this story on our Ford Forum.

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Jeep Renegade Hard Steel Shows Off Custom Style

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Jeep has revealed a custom Renegade that will be on display at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

The Renegade Hard Steel is finished in brushed steel to give it an aviation-inspired look, contrasted by matte black roof bars, mirror covers, wheels, side rubbing strip, fenders and bumpers. The brushed steel continues on interior appointments like the vents and glove compartment, contrasted by light-grey stitching. Special Frau Century lead-coloured leather wraps the seats.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Geneva Motor Show

The show car is based on a Renegade Trailhawk that gets some added extras like BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires, raised suspensions, engraved skid plate and a performance hood.

A custom trailer that uses the Renegade's design has been designed special for the show car. It houses a set of display screens that will show off the UConnect live system, which allows users to access internet music through the infotainment unit.

Discuss this story our Jeep Renegade Forum

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Kia Sportspace Concept Previews Next Optima

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The next-generation Kia Optima is being previewed in the new Sportspace Concept, set to be revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Kia designed the Sportspace to bring new sexy style to the European wagon segment with its aggressive face and sloping angles. Power comes from the Korean brand's diesel-electric T-Hybrid system which includes a 1.7-liter diesel that is now twin charged, with a conventional turbo that is supported by an electric booster. Kia says the booster helps produce torque at low speeds. An active multi-link rear axle is also used on this concept to allow temporary all-wheel drive.

Power to all four wheels will be necessary when heading to the ski slopes, something the Sportspace is designed to do. Skis can be stored between the rear seats, using the arm rest as a ski rest. A clamp that holds a tablet at eye level is also fitted in to the back of the front seats.

A unique idea for loading the trunk has been implemented in the concept. There are 28 roller balls that help with sliding things into the back, all of which retract when the car is started to make sure your luggage doesn't slide around.

Leather, carbon fiber and anodized aluminum are found throughout the interior, which also features some new high-tech goodies. A new highly-configurable digital gauge cluster is found in front of the driver, while a rear view camera replaces the conventional mirror.

Even if Kia does offer a wagon version of the Optima for Europe, we aren't likely to get the wagon in the U.S. Even so, most of the styling cues will probably carry over from the European production model to North America.

Discuss this story at our Kia Optima Forum

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Car Reviews

Saturday, 28 February 2015

Chrysler Calls Out Dealers for Shady Hellcat Sales Practices

Chrysler Calls Out Dealers for Shady Hellcat Sales Practices

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