OCTOBER 12, 2016

Cadillac Dealers. Editor-In-Chief's Note: There has been talk in certain quarters that Johan de Nysschen now has a mandate with his "Project Pinnacle" dealer incentive program because an overwhelming majority of dealers have signed up for it despite a notable level of seething resentment that resides just below the surface of the discussion. Let's not get carried away here, folks. An overwhelming majority of Cadillac dealers approved the program because they simply had no other choice. They've ridden the few peaks and deeper valleys over the years that have come with owning a Cadillac franchise, and at this point they simply had no other choice but to accept de Nysschen's program and count the days until the new crossovers arrive that they've been promised and so desperately need. This isn't a cheery situation. It is just the business as it's defined in the fall of 2016. -PMD


The Biz. Editor-In-Chief's Note: As I said in my column this week, we've officially entered the Dark Period of the auto business, with car companies piling incentives upon incentives to maintain market share. What FCA did with its Ram Trucks last month was the tip of the iceberg of how nasty - and stupid - it's about to get. -PMD

(BMW)
Following the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Vision Vehicles, the BMW Group has introduced the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. BMW's take on a futuristic, motorcycle was unveiled on October 11 at the “Iconic Impulses. The BMW Group Future Experience” exhibition in Los Angeles. “The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 embodies the BMW Group’s vision of biking in a connected world – an analogue experience in a digital age. Motorcycling is about escaping from the everyday: the moment you straddle your bike, you are absolutely free. Your bike is The Great Escape,” says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad. The outward appearance of the "engine" changes depending on the circumstances: when the bike is resting, the power unit is compact, extending outwards only when the bike sets off, to enhance aerodynamics and protect the rider from the elements. "Normally, when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think 5 to 10 years in advance. On this occasion, we looked much further ahead and found the experience especially exciting. There are some very attractive prospects. I firmly believe the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 sets out a coherent future scenario for the BMW Motorrad brand," explains Heinrich. The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 rights itself while even stationary, remaining upright when the rider has dismounted. The balancing systems also work out on the road to ensure a particularly agile and dynamic riding experience with even lighter handling, which seasoned riders will appreciate, and all the benefits of assistance systems to enhance their capabilities even further. BMW says that the iconic elements of the bike make it immediately recognizable as a “genuine BMW” and include the black frame triangle, white lines and classic, boxer engine forms. The bike itself, however, is powered by a zero-emissions solution. Yes, you guessed it, that means all-electric power.

(BMW)
This is the all-new 2017 BMW 5 Series. Lighter (up to 137 lbs) due to the the use of magnesium, aluminum and high-strength steel and loaded to the gills with even more driver aids like available Integral Active Steering, Driver and Parking Assistance Systems and Adaptive Mode with Dynamic Damper Control, BMW insists that its new 5 Series is a true sport sedan, even though the press release goes on and on about the car marking "a new era of personalized connectivity" with features like a new user interface (iDrive 6.0), Gesture Control, the latest generation of Head-Up Display, Remote 3D View and an improved Voice Control with natural voice input. BMW goes on to say that the new 5 Series "is the most innovative BMW 5 Series to date, combining unique driving dynamics using Remote Control Parking and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems clearing the way towards semi-automated driving." Oh, joy. The all-new BMW 5 Series will be available at U.S. dealers in February 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch.

(Honda images)
Honda unveiled its all-new, fifth-generation CR-V in Detroit on Friday. The completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 CR-V features edgier styling, a more premium interior, the model's first-ever turbocharged engine and new features and technologies aimed at maintaining CR-V's status as the best selling compact SUV over the last 20 years. The 2017 CR-V in EX and higher trims will feature a 1.5-liter DOHC, direct-injected, turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine rated at 190HP. Combined with the CR-V's more aerodynamic body, the new turbo will achieve the highest EPA fuel economy ratings in the compact SUV class, according to Honda. It will arrive at Honda dealerships over the winter.

Editor-In-Chief's Note: So where is the "connected car" movement going? PricewaterhouseCoopers seems to have a handle on it and they have just released their study on how connected cars are totally shaking up the way business is done in the auto industry. The 2016 Global Connected Car Study from PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Strategy& takes an in-depth look at how the car is being transformed through technology and answers questions about the opportunities and risks to be found in the industry’s business models, ecosystem, market growth, geographic distribution and technologies, and what it will take to emerge on top. Some of the key findings include: The value of connected mobility services will grow threefold within the next five years, from US$52.5 billion in 2017 to US$155.9 billion in 2022 (24.3% AGR). Partnerships and M&A are expected to increase. Why?  Industry players are striving for the newest technology; in order to succeed, they are more likely to build, buy, or partner to create the latest connected features. And finally, seismic growth of connected mobility is expected to reach 50% in 2022 (up from 35% in 2017), with two in every three cars worldwide equipped with connected car packages. You can read the full study here. -PMD

Editor-In-Chief's Note: A bit of advertising brilliance from Apple, "Practically Magic." Just because. -PMD

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