Underscoring the excellent quality and safety of Toyota automobiles, the Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV recently earned top honors for side/front crash safety. The two Toyota vehicles dominated the other models evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Other models tested included the latest versions of the Dodge Caliber, Kia Optima, Lincoln Zephyr, and Hyundai Tucson SUV. All six vehicles garnered “good” or “acceptable” ratings in front crash tests. However, five of the six vehicles got a poor rating in rear-end collision protection. Only the Kia Optima got a good rating for rear crash safety though it was not tested for side impact crash. The tests involve crashing the vehicles into a barrier at a speed of 40 mph as well as hitting the vehicle from behind at 20 mph.

The vehicles with side air bags got the highest marks. This bodes well for the NHTSA’s mandate for industry-wide use of side airbags. Apparently, side air bags can save up to 1,200 lives in the US every year. However, side airbags remain as an option (priced at about $650) in most vehicles today. Only 38% of current vehicles come with standard side airbags, while another 30% offers the safety feature as an option.

Ford North America president Mark Fields announced that the automaker will delay the production of a subcompact B-car for two years or more although Japanese competitors are unveiling new models in this segment. Fields opted instead for redesign, with emphasis on bolder styling. Updates on the Mustang were also delayed while one or two large sedans for the Lincoln marquee as well as a Mercury version of the Freestyle were cancelled.

The subcompact category is the fastest growing segment in the industry today even though it accounts for only 1.2% of new vehicle sales. Ford is eyeing a big share in the subcompact segment. The automaker also wants to ease its dependence on big trucks which account for 67% of its sales for 2005. Revising the ‘Way Forward’ plan, however, will leave gaps in the company’s product line.

Source: Automotive Digest

Halo cars are designed to showcase what an automaker can offer in terms of design, engineering and technology. Usually a halo vehicle will feature all the talent and resources that the automaker has. Halo cars are special vehicles, typically sporty or a luxury model designed not really to sell but to draw in more customers who will hopefully believe in what the company can offer and purchase a vehicle, albeit a more practical one. However, putting out a halo car also has its risks. If the vehicle fails to live up to its promises and the expectations of the customers, these buyers will likely stay away from the automaker.

Halo cars have been around for quite a while in the automotive industry. For instance, the Corvette was Chevrolet’s halo car back in the ‘50s. It transformed the company’s image to sportiness. The Ford Mustang has played the role of halo car for Ford along with other models such as the Thunderbird and the GT. However, among these three models, only the Mustang has had a smashing success.

Meanwhile, the Pontiac Solstice played as a highly successful halo car for the GM marquee, named as one of the automaker’s ‘damaged brands’. Recently, another GM brand offered the Sky, featuring the brand’s future design direction and critics love it.

Here’s a list of the halo cars from both the past and present. So, what’s your favorite ‘halo’ car?

Pontiac Solstice
Saturn Sky
Ford Thunderbird
Ford GT
Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
Dodge Viper
Mazda Miata
Lincoln Navigator
Chrysler 300
Volkswagen Phaeton
Toyota Prius
Chevrolet Corvette
Oldsmobile Aurora
Studebaker Avanti
Honda/Acura NSX

Luxury automaker Lexus took home AutoPacific’s 2006 Vehicle Satisfaction Rating for Top Brand on account of the solid performance of its LS 430 premium luxury car and excellent ratings of other models in its lineup. Meanwhile, Lincoln Navigator Luxury SUV owners were the most satisfied with their vehicle, while the Hyundai Azera was the highest rated car. The auto consulting firm’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards aims to objectively gauge owner satisfaction with their new car or light truck. Six automakers were honored in eighteen Vehicle Satisfaction categories. The results were calculated according to owner satisfaction in different areas including vehicle operation, comfort, and safety. This year’s top performers are the following:

Top Brand: Lexus

Top Passenger Cars:

Premium Luxury Ca: Lexus LS
Entry Luxury Car: Cadillac CTS
Luxury/Large Car: Hyundai Azera
Premium Mid-Size Car: Volkswagen Passat
Mid-Size Car: Mercury Milan
Image Compact Car: MINI Cooper
Compact Car: Honda Civic
Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette
Sporty Car: Acura RSX

Top Light Trucks:

Large Light-Duty Pickup: Nissan Titan
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD
Sport Utility Truck: Honda Ridgeline
Compact Pickup: Mitsubishi Raider
Luxury Sport Utility: Lincoln Navigator
Large Sport Utility: Nissan Armada
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility: Mitsubishi Endeavor
Mid-Size Sport Utility: Hyundai Santa Fe
Compact Sport Utility: Suzuki Grand Vitara
Minivan: Honda Odyssey

For many years, automakers have created the identity of their vehicles through comprehensible, even prestigious, names. Most of these names have become legendary such as Mustang, Corvette, Explorer, Civic, DeVille, Camry and many more. Now, the trend of giving cars real names is starting to fade and automakers now favor letter combinations. However, the letters of the alphabet it seems is a precious resource that is increasingly becoming inadequate to satisfy the needs of the auto world.

This has caused a number of legal spats between some automakers. For instance, Acura and Lincoln almost went to court due to possible name infringement – Acura’s MDX (see above photo) and Lincoln’s MKX (see below photo) was apparently too similar for comfort. Fortunately, the two automakers settled before any lawsuit was filed. BMW and Infiniti also had a tiff over the letter ‘M’ which figures prominently in both BMW’s M-Series and Infiniti’s M35 and M45.

Meanwhile, this problem is not only between automakers. Cadillac had to change the XLR’s original name CLR because it was already used as a name for a bathroom cleaner. Also, Toyota’s MR2 had to be renamed to Coupe MR in France since MR2 when pronounced, sounds like a common vulgar expression there. Amongst the letters, X is quite popular among automakers while Y, P, U, and O are not. The letters S and Z are also in great demand.

The use of alphanumeric names is not exactly an innovation, Ford called his first car the Model A. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also well-known for giving alphanumeric names to its vehicles such as S-Class, M-Class and the like. In the ‘90s, many automakers began to follow suit. All Lexus vehicles also have alphanumeric names. The reason why automakers are picking vague letters and numbers as vehicle names is to build up the image of the whole brand, not just that particular model. For example, Lincoln has been changing their vehicle names as part of its turnaround plan last year. “We were in a situation where people were saying, ‘We drive a Town Car,’ and we want people to say, ‘We drive a Lincoln,’ ” explains Sara Tatchio, a Lincoln spokeswoman.

Addicted to chrome? Better check out the new Lincoln navigator at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show. Making its world debut last Thursday as one of the last few Lincoln’s to retain its original name for the 2007 model year, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator surprised the media with a massive chrome grill up front. In fact, the grille occupies about three quarters of the vehicle’s header panel.

According to Navigator designer Peter Horbury, the new chrome grille and other new styling cues were aimed to give the vehicle a lot more attitude. Additionally, he said that the design was meant to deliver a sense of “confidence and power”. To some critics, however, the inclusion of the huge chrome grille was simply a design consideration that went overboard.

But while the enormous chrome grille is the most noticeable modification for the new Lincoln Navigator, it is not the only new feature for the luxury SUV. In fact, a lot of other exterior features are new, like the newly designed HID headlights on both sides of the grille, the spruced-up taillights with a genuine Lincoln look, and the optional 20-inch chrome wheels. The vehicle’s interior also received a couple of modifications, the most noticeable of which are the extensive use of wood for the dash area, higher-grade leather for the seats, new set of gauges for the instrument panel, and a reshaped steering wheel.

Aside from new interior and exterior features, the 2007 Lincoln Explorer also comes with a new trim: the Lincoln Navigator L. Compared to the base Navigator, the L is 14.7 inches longer and rides on a wheelbase that is 12 inches longer. This provides the new trim level with an additional 25 cubic feet of storage behind the third row of seats, and even more with the third row seats folded down.

Both the regular Navigator and the Navigator L will be equipped with a 300 hp, 5.4-liter V8 engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. This is actually the same configuration used for the 2006 model, which puts the new vehicles in a bit of disadvantage because both are heavier. On the good side of things, the 2007 models are stiffer, thanks to the adoption of the Ford F-150’s front frame stub. Interiors are also expected to be quieter with the vehicle’s acoustic windshield, thicker glass and tuned mirrors.

According to Lincoln, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator would be on showrooms starting September this year while the Lincoln Navigator L will be available by January 2007.

The Lincoln Zephyr, the entry level luxury sedan from the Ford Motors brand is set to receive significant upgrades and new features and will be reintroduced as the new MKZ. The new name is part of Lincoln’s controversial new strategy in naming their vehicle lineup. Ford’s luxury brand will drop the traditional nameplates of most of its cars except the Navigator. Lincoln will start using the Mark nameplate with the letters MK (pronounced as Mark) as a prefix to all its vehicles’ names. Lincoln’s next generation flagship sedan will be named the MKS while the successor to the Aviator is dubbed the MKX crossover.

Meanwhile, the erstwhile Lincoln Zephyr now called the Lincoln MKZ will see more than just a change in its nameplate. The new Lincoln MKZ gets a major upgrade through a more powerful 3.5 liter V6 engine, all wheel drive, more traction and a redesigned front fascia. The Lincoln MKZ will draw its power from Ford’s new 35 Duratec V6 engine mated with a six speed transmission that will provide 250 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is expected to improve the car’s fuel efficiency, refinement, and power.

The exterior of the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ will see a newly designed front end. Lincoln’s traditional waterfall grille is refined and improved in the MKZ with additional bright work and distinctive lighting added for a more distinct and stand-out look. The MKZ will also offer other new features such as Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth compatibility and an Ipod jack. All these new features are intended to increase customer demand for the luxury carmaker. “We have taken a brand-new, well-received car and significantly improved it to draw a new generation of customers to the Lincoln brand”, explained Al Giombetti, Marketing and Sales President of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.

The new Lincoln MKZ will be introduced at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show. It still remains to be seen, though, whether the shift in nomenclature will get positive results. The erstwhile Zephyr has sold reasonably well in the short run it had at showrooms despite being widely considered as underpowered and overpriced compared to rivals in the sporty luxury sedan segment such as the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and Cadillac CTS.