Toyota Tundra

Friday, June 21, 2013 0 comments
Toyota Tundra

Talk that Toyota is planning to discontinue its big Tundra pickup truck are premature, at least that is the thinking of analysts with Left Lane News, Tundra Headquarters and Auto Trends. All three have reported that Toyota has visited the issue of discontinuing the Tundra, but agree that when 2014 rolls around a new Tundra is likely to surface.

The Toyota Tundra has fallen far short of sales expectations, but there are several good reasons for that including:
No Diesel Option -- Unlike Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge Ram, the market leaders, Toyota does not offer a diesel option with its pickup truck. That puts it at a disadvantage especially where fleet operators are concerned. Diesels are more fuel efficient and better at pulling loads than gas engines, something not lost on American truck buyers.

American Dedication -- A significant number of Tundra buyers are previous Toyota owners, many of whom have upgraded from the Tacoma. Brand loyalty amongst Ford, GMC, Chevrolet and Dodge truck owners runs deep with very small amounts of people willing to give up their truck brands in favor of something new.

Japanese Competition -- Though not much of a competitor, as long as Nissan offers the Titan, don't look for Toyota to drop the Tundra. Toyota simply does not back out of a segment and certainly won't cede sales to a Japanese rival. Though Honda's Ridgeline is built on a car chassis, it too presents competition for Toyota. If the Ridgeline and Titan stay in production, Toyota will keep the Tundra and find a way to put a diesel engine underneath the hood.

Sequoia SUV -- If Toyota discontinues its Sequoia SUV, built on the Tundra chassis, then the Tundra's demise could be around the corner. The Sequoia's demise seems likely or at least the big SUV could transition to a modified car chassis much in the same way Ford has moved its Explorer to a crossover model. Certainly, Toyota could build the Tundra without the Sequoia, but if Tundra sales continue to fall justifying the big truck would be nearly impossible to do.

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra

2014 Kia Cadenza

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 0 comments
2014 Kia Cadenza

Kia Motors America evidently will make good on its plans to bring its premium Cadenza sedan to the North American market, unveiling this long awaited and much delayed model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. This front-wheel-drive five-passenger sedan will slot above the Kia Optima and bring a level of refinement not offered previously by this Korean car manufacturer.

European Styling
Kia is banking on customers finding the Cadenza's European styling appealing as a reason to look closer at this sedan. Figure that the new product will help Kia will keep some of its current customers including those that may have purchased the Optima SXL, its current flagship model.

One trim level will be offered when the Kia Cadenza goes on sale this spring. Its standard features match well against premium models and may best compete against models such as the Lexus ES and the Buick LaCrosse, front-wheel-drive sedans too. This sedan will also match up against the Hyundai Azera, a sedan from Kia's corporate cousin.

Cabin Amenities
Standard equipment includes soft leather seating, wood and chrome accents, ambient lighting, power accessories including power heated automatic folding side mirrors. SiriusXM satellite radio with traffic reports, telematics service, a 550-watt Infinity audio system with 12 speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, dual zone climate control and keyless entry with push button start are included.

Premium and technology packages allow for further customization of any Cadenza. The premium package includes upgraded leather seating, a heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping, a power retractable sun shade, heated front and rear outboard seats and a power rear window sunshade. Choose the technology package and your Cadenza is outfitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, an electric parking brake, smart cruise control and a hydrophobic windshield.

Engine and Transmission
One engine and transmission offering will be available with the 2014 Kia Cadenza. This model is powered by a 3.3-liter gasoline direct injection V-6 engine making 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 255 foot-pounds of torque at 5,200 rpm. Kia pairs this 24-valve engine with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring manual shifting capabilities. Steering wheel mounted paddle shifters are included.

Cadenza Dimensions
The 2014 Kia Cadenza sits on a 112-inch wheelbase and is 195.9 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 58.1 inches tall. The Cadenza has a sport-tuned suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-like rear set up in the rear.

Pricing has not been announced yet for the 2014 Kia Cadenza, but we expect it to come in slightly below the Azera's $32,250 tag. With premium and technology packages included, a fully equipped Kia Cadenza might retail for upwards of $40,000. That's a price point where Kia has not gone before. Then again, the Cadenza is unlike any Kia product to date.

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

v

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

2014 Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

0 comments
Kia Cadenza

Kia Motors is not known for building upscale cars. Long considered the poor cousin of Hyundai, itself a budget automaker, Kia has been following Hyundai's steps in recent years to upgrade its image and product line. No doubt, the Kia Optima is a now a beautiful midsize sedan, priced right and offering many of the amenities today's car buying consumers desire.

Kia Mystique
Along with the Optima, Kia sells other popular models including its line of Forte compact models, the youthful Soul and its Sorento crossover. Next up is the Kia Cadenza, a large car powered by four and six cylinder engines. It won't fill the bill of what traditional large car buyers want and that is a V-8 engine which leaves open the possibility that an even larger and more luxurious sedan may follow.

Rumors that Kia would follow Hyundai in offering a top of the line model have surfaced in recent months following Hyundai's successful launch of its Equus line beginning in late 2010. Prior to that, Hyundai had introduced the Genesis coupe and sedan, the latter proving to be a strong competitor to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, but priced lower than a Cadillac CTS.

Though some have theorized mixing luxury with Hyundai would be a worthless effort, sales have proven otherwise. Consumers have shown that they're ready to embrace all things Hyundai, a brand now known for delivering rock solid quality, excellent value, state of the art styling and offering the best warranty in the business.

Kia will have to overcome similar obstacles to bringing a luxury or premium full size sedan to the market, along with some other factors too including:

High gas prices - As of this publication, $4 per gallon for gasoline is a challenge for drivers. Still, when it comes to full size luxury, the V-8 rules. If the big Kia delivers 25 miles to the gallon it may have a shot. Then again, at that price would drivers prefer an Audi or a Cadillac?

Stiff competition - A big Kia must be priced to get the attention of drivers who might otherwise purchase a Buick Lucerne or who had previously shopped for a Mercury Grand Marquis. The former model is aged and soon to be discontinued; the latter model ceased production in 2010. Can Kia grab these car owners before others step in?

Residual values - Hyundai new car values are holding up better than ever, but can the same be said of Kia? That's something hard to quantify with a vehicle that isn't even sold yet. If Kia prices its big sedan smartly, then it may attract buyers who won't worry about sharply falling car values a few years down the road.

Hyundai competition - The Kia Optima is a formidable competitor to the outstanding Hyundai Sonata, but hasn't siphoned sales from Hyundai yet. With a full size sedan, that could change if the Kia model goes after the same customers. The luxury market is profitable, but it is also a fairly small market too.

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza

Kia Cadenza