The SUV market is getting crowded indeed, but there’s to be no abatement of buyers flocking to and buying one. There are currently seven 7-seat SUVs in the market, from Japanese (Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Isuzu Alterra) to Korean (KIA Sorrento, Hyundai Santa Fe), and now American (Ford Everest and Chevrolet’s all-new Trailblazer) manufacturers.
Today’s crop of premium SUV buyers want it all: style, sophistication, on-road performance to rival that of a sports car, offroad prowess that can survive the nuclear holocaust, and yes, diesel because filling up is cheaper.
Global and Chinese automakers showcased family-friendly sedans and SUVs targeting China’s coveted urban buyers Saturday ahead of its biggest auto show as competition intensifies in this huge but crowded market.
Why should we all be interested in what SUV Chevrolet will roll out these days? Firstly, it was that Chevrolet pioneered the SUV concept when it introduced the Suburban Carryall in 1935. This all-metal body (the trend then was to use metal over wood on the side frames) rode on a half-ton commercial truck chassis that could seat eight passengers or work crews and was powered by a 3.4-liter straight six, 60 HP gasoline engine.
Think of Angelina Jolie finally deciding to become a mother and Heidi Klum showing how to get back in shape in just six weeks after childbirth for a Victoria Secret fashion show and you get validations to the renaissance of the image of mothers. Although our responsibilities are the same—grocery shopping, going to varsity training, ballet practice, bringing the dog to the vet, having numerous things repaired—looking drab is no longer standard. Now shopping in Forever 21 or Topshop are not just for teenagers, nor is immaculate upkeep just for the mistress. Letting yourself go is no longer the badge of good motherhood. Now if we are able to sport the Herve Leger bandage dress without batting an eyelash, shouldn’t we drive something that does not scream soccer mom but instead a sexy soccer mom?
To grab market share in the fiercely competitive and crowded compact SUV segment, a car manufacturer must introduce a product with a new winning formula that sets it apart from the rest. Mazda Motor Corp., Japan’s fifth-biggest car maker by volume, has come up with a formula called SkyActiv Technology in a brand-new crossover model, the CX-5, to challenge the long-established market leaders.
THE brand name today conjures up images of reliable and sensible sedans, MPVs, pickups, and SUVs. And hybrids. Sporty is one of the last adjectives that one would associate with the Japanese car giant. Yet a long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, Toyota has always had an interesting sports car in its lineup. Sean Connery’s James Bond got infatuated with the exotic 2000GT. The Celica gained legions of fans during its seven generations of existence. And the MR2—a compact sports car that shared the mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of all the best exotics, but at the mere gasoline budget of those cars—who else but Toyota competently did that?
Every time I see a big lumbering American SUV, I always have to wonder at why the poor old fellow who paid for it even bothered to buy one. Pose value perhaps? Compensation?
Stepping up the pace after an aggressive year when most of its branches worldwide surpassed sales targets, Ford introduced Thursday the All-New Ford EcoSport in a global reveal at the Auto Expo 2012 here.
Let’s face it, we cannot be a safe driver all the time. There will be moments when our attention will be lured away from the road by our ringing mobile phone or a scantily-clad model on the highway billboard. And even if we’re focused on the road, what about the other drivers who may not [...]
If Beeboy Bargas says this particular vehicle could do it, then don’t hesitate to play around and experiment with it. Indeed, the off-road expert and managing director of Landcraft Adventures Inc. has so much confidence in the X-Trail CVT 4WD that he allowed the Nissan compact SUV to go traipsing around one of his “playgrounds,” [...]
The compact SUV market is burgeoning these days. With every car company having at least one to offer, most of the car brands are on their toes to make their models look better or even more attractive price wise. So it is a bit puzzling why Nissan’s latest X-Trail hasn’t changed much since its last [...]
