Here are the seven must-read, must-watch auto news stories, review and videos for Wednesday, June 24, 2015.
INSIDE A NICHE AUTO INDUSTRY
Mercedes-Benz’s Unimog – you can call it the U-Class if you like – will return to Canada in non-road applications soon. But don’t expect to see the incredibly capable beast sitting alongside C400 4Matics in Mercedes-Benz Canada’s showrooms.
INSIDE THE PICKUP TRUCK INDUSTRY
Even with the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins combining to outsell the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma, small/midsize pickup trucks only account for 7% of new pickup truck registrations in Canada. That figure was much, much higher in the relatively recent past. Canada’s five best-selling trucks are all full-size models.
INSIDE FORMER AUTO EXECUTIVES MINDS
Is the Cadillac CT6 going to be a success? Not according to former GM product czar Bob Lutz, who believes it’s a terrific car that won’t sell. “Luxury” is becoming more and more difficult to define, Lutz writes for Road & Track, and the Lincoln Continental may stand a better chance than the CT6 and reigniting interest in American luxury. In terms of new car sales in the U.S., Cadillacs currently rank 67th, 68th, 76th, and 137th.
TTAC
Land Rover USA is surging, and the Discovery Sport hasn’t yet ramped up. But the impact Land Rover has in North America still falls far short of what the brand does in its home market, where Land Rover’s market share this year stands at 2.8%. Land Rover earns 0.4% of the U.S. market, where the brand’s sales are up 25% this year.
REVIEW
“For an honest warm hatch experience, we’d look no further.” So says evo’s Sam Sheehan in regards to the Suzuki Swift Sport. Here’s why Suzuki died in North America.
RECALL
Ford is recalling 19,095 Mustang EcoBoosts (model year 2015) because, “Prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures can cause degradation of the fuel tank and/or fuel vapor lines, which may eventually result in a fuel leak. In addition, this condition could cause seals in the parking brake cable to degrade, potentially affecting parking brake function. The Mustang, you’ll recall, is selling like mad.
WATCH
Koenigseggs have always been a little bit crazy. How does the Swedish supercar market then go about making them look even crazier? By accelerating to 300 kmh and coming to a complete stop with, basically, no hands on the steering wheel. Oh, and pay attention to the braking, which seems to only take an instant.
