Having done their best to give splashy introductions to new models, carmakers now have to hold their breath to see whether the new cars, trucks and SUVs prove popular with the public.
A Tesla Inc. Model 3 vehicle stands on display during AutoMobility LA ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Photo: Bloomberg
In 2018, they’ll have a bevy of new models, skewing heavily to pickups and SUVs that have been favourites this year. Veteran car executives know that the industry’s history is an unpredictable mix of hits and duds.
The most noticeable introductions will come at the opposite ends of the spectrum: two of the best-known pickup trucks and the new mass-market electric car from Tesla. The pickup wars will be especially vicious.
“You can’t ignore a big truck,” says Jessica Caldwell, analyst for Edmunds.com, the car-buying website. “Any time there’s a truck, it’s a big deal.”
She thinks Tesla’s new Model 3, priced at US$35,000 before incentives, which is roughly half the cost of the brand’s existing luxury sedan and SUV, could finally bring electric cars to the masses.
“If they do 20,000 [deliveries to customers] a month, that is going to change the landscape,” Caldwell says. By the end of 2018, the Model 3 could power electric-car sales to the point that they pass gas-electric hybrids for the first time.
Here is a list of some of the most important models coming to showrooms in 2018:
Tesla Model 3 Photos: MCT
Tesla Model 3
All eyes will be on the Model 3, the test of whether the Silicon Valley carmaker can attract drivers from their gasoline-powered cars and into a futuristic vehicle. A few are already on the road, mostly in the hands of Tesla employees. Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the car is running late because it’s in “production hell”. The real question is whether the 400,000 admirers who paid US$1,000 reservations will still be there when more roll off the assembly line.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. PHOTO: FCA US LLC
Jeep Wrangler
This go-anywhere vehicle is the symbol of the Jeep brand, one of the most important assets of its owner, Fiat Chrysler. It is a direct descendant of the Army jeep that helped win the second world war. Jeep has re-engineered it for 2018, using aluminium in some components, and added new engine choices while keeping its iconic look. Coming in the first three months of the year, it looks like Jeep has successfully walked the tightrope of improving Wrangler while staying true to its roots.
Chevrolet Silverado
General Motors’ full-size pickup is the nation’s second-most-popular vehicle of any sort behind Ford’s F-150. Chevy did not follow Ford’s lead in making extensive use of aluminium to lighten the vehicle and improve fuel economy. Chevy is sticking with steel and promoting it as tougher than aluminium.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.
Ram 1500
The nation’s other popular pickup will debut at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ram, another Fiat Chrysler division, faces the same challenge as GM and Ford: winning over hidebound pickup buyers by adding capability and ruggedness while improving fuel economy. The new 1500 will arrive in the first half of the year.
Subaru Ascent
The Ascent fixes a big problem for Subaru, a brand that won over buyers with its outdoors image and all-wheel drive vehicles. Subaru buyers loved their vehicles, but outgrew them as their families got larger. Ascent takes over the large SUV space that Subaru left behind with the oddly-styled Tribeca.
The Subaru Corp. Ascent sports utility vehicle (SUV) Photo: Bloomberg
Lexus RXL
“The luxury mummy-mobile is getting bigger,” Caldwell says. Lexus created a devoted following with its two-row RX midsize SUV. Now it is extending it by 4.3 inches to create a three-row model with a name aimed at capturing the warm feelings for the RX. It will also come in a hybrid version.
Toyota Avalon
Cars are out of favour with buyers compared with SUVs, and large cars haven’t caught fire either. Toyota’s Avalon has done better than most. A new version comes to the auto show in Detroit and it will hit showrooms later in the year. It will give Toyota a fresh product to go up against other full-size competitors Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima.
Ford EcoSport
Ford was late to the party when it brought a small SUV, the EcoSport, to the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. The SUV finally comes to showrooms early next year. It will be imported from India.
Honda Accord Hybrid
The latest version of the Accord has been drawing rave reviews since the turbocharged 1.5-litre version went on sale in October, followed a month later by one with a turbocharged 2-litre engine. Now comes the hybrid, which should combine the best of the car with better fuel economy.
Nissan Kicks
The 2018 Infiniti QX50 Photo: AP
The Kicks, which just made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, has the right combination for success in the small SUV category: a peppy yet frugal engine, maximum inside space and lots of connectivity options. It also looks more normal than Nissan’s small SUV, the quirky Juke. Kicks arrives in June.
Infiniti QX50
The QX50 is a nice, normal luxury SUV midsize SUV that will stand outwith its breakthrough engine technology. It has the industry’s first variable-compression engine, which changes the way the pistons work in the cylinders in a way that could give the QX50 a hybrid-like fuel economy without the need for large, expensive batteries.
Mazda6
Where are all the midsize cars? Until fuel prices dropped, they were the industry’s largest segment. Then came the SUV onslaught. The Mazda6 hasn’t been a huge seller, but it’s one of the nicer sedans out there. The even nicer new one goes in sale in April or May.
Volvo XC40
Volvo’s entrant into the small SUV race looks like a downsized version of the midsize XC60 SUV. The all-wheel drive version will be followed a front-wheel drive model, due next summer.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai’s small SUV will stand out with its styling. It has bold, eyebrow-shaped black cladding over the wheel wells. It’s an important model for Hyundai as it tries catching up to rivals that offer more SUV choices. Hyundai has done well, but it’s car-based line-up has dragged it down. Kona will have two engine choices. It’s due in March.
Jaguar E-Pace
The Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc E-Pace sports utility vehicle (SUV) Photo: Bloomberg
Having already launched its first SUV, the F-Pace, Jaguar adds a smaller version. It comes in early 2018 at a starting price of US$38,600. There will be a choice of two four-cylinder engines.
Audi A8
The German luxury brand has redesigned its flagship car, adding an air quality filtration system and a rear-seat foot massager. The A8 launch is followed by a slew of other new Audis, including the A7, A6 and the Q8 in the latter half of 2018.
Source: http://www.scmp.com
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