Autonews: Honda Civic rated least toxic car
A Honda that won't make you gag; glass-half-full automakers; aging car fleets; a new Mini van; a fleet of new S-Classes; and a hint of Kia's next compact—it's all in my weekly Autonews column at Toronto Star Wheels, or after the jump.
By John LeBlanc
Although the revamped 2012 Honda Civic compact has come under criticism for its lack of innovation, at least the car’s interior won’t make you sick. That’s the summation from the U.S.-based Ecology Center’s report on the levels of toxicity in new 2012 model interiors. Of the cars tested, the Civic emitted the least amount of “off-gassing” plastics that have been linked to health problems.
The worst vehicle tested was the 2011 Mitsubishi RVR.
According to Honda, it does not use bromine-based flame-retardants in the Civic, specifies PVC-free interior fabrics and trim, and removes most heavy metals from the car’s interior.
Automaker sales projections may be too optimistic
When you add up the industry total for new car sales forecasts for 2012 you get 14.3 million cars and trucks in the U.S.—well above the 13.6 to 13.8 million most industry analysts have forecast, says a report in Automotive News.
In a U.S. market that has been projected to grow by 8 per cent compared to 2011, American Honda is shooting for a 25 per cent gain this year; Nissan, 18 per cent; and General Motors, Toyota and Chrysler are hoping for around 15 per cent. Ford seems to be less optimistic. Its executives told dealers they expect growth in the 13.4 to 13.9 per cent range.
While the sales optimism is U.S-based, more realistic sales results may have an impact on the Canadian auto industry.Volume targets drive parts and production plans for many of the Canadian factories that rely on U.S. car buyers. If the goals aren’t met, the result could be an oversupply of vehicles and a return to expensive purchase incentives to empty dealer lots.
Car buyers hanging onto their cars longer
Another reason why industry insiders don’t share the same level of optimism as the automakers is this tidbit: American drivers are holding on to their new vehicles longer than ever.
A study from the U.S. research firm Polk says from data compiled in September 2011, U.S. consumers kept their new vehicles an average of 71.4 months — almost six years, which is up 4.7 months from last March.
The U.S. car fleet is already at a record-high age. And the study not only illustrates the growing reliability of new cars but also new car buyers’ reluctance to not make another long-term, financial commitment.
Small businesses may get Mini van model
Just when you thought BMW’s Mini brand could not offer another body style, here comes the Clubvan concept, a commercial take on the existing four-passenger Clubman demi-wagon. The Clubvan concept will debut at next month’s Geneva auto show. It’s targeted at “premium small businesses that want to make a style statement.”
The five-door subcompact has two seats up front and a partition grille to separate passengers, and a new cargo area that now resides where the current Clubman’s rear seats are. If the Clubvan gets the go-ahead for production, it will join the Cooper hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, Coupe, Roadster, Countryman, and forthcoming Paceman in Mini’s burgeoning lineup.
2014 ’Benz S-Class to spawn a quintet of cars
According to the U.K.’s Autocar magazine, on top of the expected regular-length and stretched S-Class sedans, a pair of Pullman-branded limo versions will fill in for the departing Maybach ultra-luxury sedans, and new S-Class coupe and convertible models will replace the respective current CL two-doors.
The idea of an S-Class convertible was floated with the four-door Ocean Drive open-air from the 2006 Detroit auto show. But the production S-Class cabriolet will stick with two doors and a large fabric top. The first of the new S-Class full-size models is expected to debut in 2013.
Next Kia Forte hinted at with new European Cee’d
Here’s another Geneva debut that will likely end up in Canada, but with a different name. Kia has released images of its next European-market Cee’d compact ahead of its Swiss debut in March. And as the sister model to the just-released Hyundai Elantra GT four-door hatchback, the new Cee’d gives big clues to what to expect when the next Kia Forte arrives for 2014.
Not only does the Cee’d’s more aggressive styling further distinguish the Kia from its Hyundai platform-mate, the Korean automaker is promising higher perceived levels of quality both inside and out.