Sergio Marchionne, the executive hailed as the man who heroically prevented the death of two ailing companies and transformed them into Fiat Chrysler, an automotive behemoth selling automobiles that have distinct, individual identities apart from their competitors who pulled two ailing carmakers from the brink of collapse and led the improbable transformation of Fiat Chrysler into an automotive, giant, died on Wednesday in Zurich. He was 66.
Mr. Marchionne was the chairman of CNH Industrial, the chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the chairman and CEO of FCA US LLC, the chairman and CEO of Ferrari, and the chairman of Maserati. John Elkann, the chairman and chief executive of Exor, the holding company controlled by the Agnelli family, which founded Fiat in 1899, announced the death in a statement.
By Don Hammonds
This is a big year for Subaru, the industry’s fast growing, strong selling producer of all-wheel drive vehicles that are comfortable, durable as all-get out, and are prized possessions passed down to generations in many families.
The biggest news is the newest Subaru, the 2019 Subaru Ascent, a square-jawed, roomy, all-wheel drive SUV that seems to be matching the brisk sales path of its Subaru peers.
Powered by a 260 horsepower turbocharged, flat four cylinder engine, the Ascent puts Subaru …
Lexus:
The Lexus cars and SUVs of today may have the same flawless quality, remarkably comfortable cabin and iron tough reliability of those products that bore the label years ago…but that’s where the similarity ends.
Lexus, once chided by car enthusiasts as being appliances on wheels with “meh” styling, now helps set the trend for automotive designs which thrill, draw attention and yes–stir up more than a little controversy. Wild as some of the styling may be, they do bear the test …
By Don Hammonds
Only one word describes Kia’s vastly upgraded 2019 Forte sedan.
Wow!
The Forte is sporty on the outside, yes. So much so that you will probably think it looks like a smaller version of the vaunted, well regarded Kia Stinger sport sedan.
It gets good fuel economy, of course. And it has just about everything you will ever need in a four door sedan, and given Detroit’s sudden aversion to sedans, Kia (and other imported brands) stand to make a bundle from consumers who …
By Don Hammonds
Toyota’s 2019 Highlander is a whole new ball game for this writer.
It has been at least eight years or more since I have driven a Highlander, so I had absolutely no idea how this product has matured and transformed into one of the top products in its mid-sized SUV corner of the market, if not THE best of the bunch.
First, the 2019 Highlander looks vastly different and feels larger than the generation model I tested. And I could …
By Don Hammonds
Toyota has transformed itself in recent years from a popular maker of pleasant, but nondescript products, to a leader in style, designs—and still kept its reliable, pleasant reputation.
For 2019, that trend, which began with the ubiquitous Camry midsized sedan last year, now continues with fresh looks and features all around.
Here’s the scoop:
Avalon, which pretty much has been the beauty queen in past years for Toyota’s sedans lineup, continues that role with an elegant,contemporary luxury sedan with all kinds …
