Latest news with #Michigan-made
Business Insider
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I drove the $55,000 Chevrolet Traverse. It's a roomy family SUV with cool tech that's held back by a noisy engine
The Michigan-made Chevy Traverse starts at $40,700. My range-topping Traverse High Country test car starts at $53,800 in front wheel drive guise. Shipping fees pushed the as-tested price for my High Country FWD to $55,295. The Traverse is handsomely styled with design elements inspired by Chevrolet's Silverado pickup. Like other recently introduced Chevy SUVs, the Traverse draws upon the brand's popular pickup trucks for its rugged, squared off looks. It's a much welcome departure from the previous generation's rounded, less defined aesthetic. At 17 feet long and 6.6 feet wide, the Traverse is one of the largest offerings in the segment. It's three inches longer and 1.5 inches wider than the Grand Highlander and four inches longer and 1.5 inches wider than the Pilot. Chevy's new turbo four produces a stout 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful standard engines in the segment. The four-cylinder offers a modest 18 horsepower improvement over the outgoing V6 and a significant 60 additional lb-ft of torque. My front wheel drive test car boasts EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, which is a 2 mpg improvement over the comparable previous generation Traverse with a V6. The Traverse's driving experience was spoiled by excessive engine noise and a drivetrain tuned to save fuel. The Traverse has the potential to be a pleasant driving family SUV. Sadly, the big Chevy is let down by the way its drivetrain is tuned. A big reason for downsizing from the V6 to the turbo four was to take advantage of its superior fuel economy, but there's also the added benefit produced by forced induction engines. Unfortunately, the Traverse's drivetrain prioritizes efficiency and doesn't really let the punchy motor shine. In its default "Tour" driving mode, the throttle feels laggy and slow to respond. There's often an unnerving delay between the time you step on the gas and the arrival of power. Things are a bit more responsive in sport mode, but still far from "sporty." According to Car and Driver, the turbo Traverse can do 0-60 in a respectable 7.3 seconds, which is half a second slower than the old V6-powered version. And then there's the engine noise. Under hard acceleration, the decided lack of sound-deadening material means the pint-size powerplant makes an unacceptably harsh racket. Even when cruising along, a disconcerting amount of engine noise manages to find its way into the cabin. The Traverse's cabin is roomy and attractively designed, but is plagued by poor material and build quailty. Climb inside the Traverse and you'll find a modern and extremely spacious cabin. Ergonomics are solid and almost all of the controls and button are where they should be with the only glaring exception being the drive mode selector buried on a panel low down between the steering wheel and driver's door. My biggest gripe with the cabin is the lackluster material and build quality. The plastics used in the front dash and center console look and feel cheap. In addition, the pieces also don't feel very well put together. Lightly nudge the center console, and visible gaps appear in the seams where the various sections are clipped together. The two sections that comprise the front and rear of the housing for the large infotainment screen pinch easily and feel like they're a broken plastic clip away from separating. The Traverse's suite of driver assistance and infotainment tech is truly impressive. The massive 17.7-inch central infotainment touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument display are not only impressive to look at but the Google-based infotainment system is also highly responsive and easy to navigate. In addition to the standard driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, the Traverse can also be optioned with GM's outstanding Super Cruise system, which allows for hands-free highway driving. The Traverse comes standard with second-row captain's chairs, although lower trims can be had with a bench seat as well. The heated Sky Cool Gray leather captain's chairs were comfortable and stylish. The Traverse's third row is quite possibly the roomiest I've come across and could actually be comfortable for the average adult. Beyond the impressive 32.1 inches of legroom, the seats are also mounted high enough so that your knees are not pushing up against your chest. With 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row seats, the Traverse is one of the best cargo haulers in the segment. My verdict: The Chevrolet Traverse is rough around the edges but remains a compelling family SUV with cool tech, a cavernous interior, and delivers solid value. Chevy's family hauler comes with loads of advanced assistance and infotainment tech, a punchy turbo engine, room for the whole family and all of their stuff, as well as cool pickup-truck styling. In addition, the $40,000 starting price and extensive array of standard features make it a solid value proposition. But the Traverse still needs extra sound insulation, some drivetrain tuning, and a higher-quality interior.
Business Insider
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I drove a $65,000 Cadillac CT5 to see how it stacks up against rivals from BMW and Mercedes
The Michigan-made CT5-V starts at $56,995 The base four-cylinder CT5 starts at $47,595 while the fire-breathing, supercharged V8 CT5-V Blackwing ups the asking price to $95,595. My mid-tier CT5-V starts at $56,995, about $3,000 less than the comparable BMW M340i and $5,000 less than the Mercedes-AMG C43. With fees, the addition of all-wheel drive, and a host of premium upgrades, the as-tested price rose to $65,160. The CT5-V's refreshed styling is headlined by a new front end The new front fascia, which includes a redesigned mesh grille and new stacked LED headlights framed by vertical waterfall running lights, gives the CT5-V a lower, wider, and more athletic front profile. At 195 inches long, the Caddy is about six inches longer than the Mercedes C-Class and nearly a foot longer than the BMW 3-Series At just under 4,000 lbs, the base CT5-V is about 100 lbs heavier than the comparable M340i and 100 lbs lighter than AMG's C63 which comes standard with AWD. Under the hood lurks a powerful twin-turbo V6 The CT5-V is powered by a 3.0, twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum V6 producing 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. It's paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. However, my test car came with all-wheel drive, a $2000 option. The turbo six fits between the 237 horsepower turbo-four-cylinder and 335 horsepower V6 that power the regular CT5, and the 668 supercharged V8 that lives under the Blackwing's hood. The CT5-V boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, two and nine mpg below the more powerful offerings from Mercedes and BMW, respectively. The Caddy handles beautifully Cadillac spent a lot of time and money on the CT5-V's suspension, and it shows. Through the corners, the Caddy feels remarkably surefooted, even for a sports sedan. The car feels balanced and neutral with only minor hints of oversteer, helped greatly by its standard limited-slip differential that moderates power delivery to the rear wheels to optimize traction, and its magnetic dampers that make constant adjustments based on road conditions. Stomp on the gas and the CT5-V launches without hesitation. The twin-turbo V6 delivers plenty of oomph while the 10-speed automatic shifts quickly and crisply. The engine and quad-exhaust also team up to produce a very pleasant rumble. According to Cadillac, the rear-wheel-drive CT5-V can do 0-60 mph in a solid 4.6 seconds, on par with the comparable BMW and AMG's respective 4.4-second and 4.3-second manufacturer-claimed times. My only real complaint is that the CT5-V could use some more power to fully take advantage of its excellence handling, without upgrading to the Blackwing and its six-figure price tag. For a sports sedan, that's a good problem to have. My test car came with GM's Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system The CT5-V functioned perfectly on the highway as a quiet and relaxed luxury cruiser. That experience was certainly helped by its hands-free driving capabilities. Super Cruise proved incredibly easy and intuitive to use while cruising and in stop-and-go traffic. It operated like a normal adaptive cruise control system until it detected a stretch of highway suitable for hands-free driving. At that point, it gave me the green light to take my hands off the steering wheel. The CT5-V's cabin boasts classy design and easy-to-navigate controls. The cabin's black soft-touch surfaces and gray carbon fiber accents give off a very business-like feel. There aren't many design flourishes; the only pops of color come from the massive 33-inch digital screen on the front dash. However, as monotone as the interior may be, it's very well designed with a good mix of logically placed digital controls and easy-to-use physical controls. Build and material quality are both solid. The centerpiece of Caddy's tech suite is a massive 33-inch screen mounted atop its front dash. The screen is home to Cadillac's Google-based infotainment system, which allows for integration of helpful features like Google Maps on the instrument display in front of the driver. The system, found on many recently updated GM products, is very sorted. It's highly responsive, easy to navigate, and packed with features. The massaging black leather front seats were comfortable with aggressive side bolstering to hold you firmly in place while cornering. My test car's heated and ventilated seats looked elegant but a bit plain. Fortunately, Cadillac does offer different colors and designs, including a lovely quilted leather option. The CT5-V's rear seats are pretty standard issue for a sports sedan of its stature, with contoured leather seats and dedicated charging sockets. Behind the driver is a moderately sized 11.9 cubic foot trunk that's on par with the Mercedes C-Class, but trails the BMW's 16.9 cubic foot compartment. My verdict: The Cadillac CT5-V is a fun, high-tech, American alternative to the German status quo. The Cadillac CT5-V is a true sleeper. It doesn't get nearly the attention of its Teutonic rivals nor does it garner the praise of its pricier, fire-breathing Blackwing sibling. But make no mistake, the CT5-V is a fine sports sedan that handles like it's riding on rails and is packed with industry-leading tech. All that for thousands less than the Mercedes. Count me in.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Suspends Shipments of Vehicles to China Amid US-China Trade War
Ford Motor Company F has suspended shipments of several of its flagship vehicles to China due to rising challenges linked to the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict and increased retaliatory tariffs on American-manufactured cars. The company has confirmed that the current trade climate has disrupted its export plans, prompting it to scale back shipments from the United States to China. Affected models include the F-150 Raptor pickup, Mustang sports car, Michigan-made Bronco SUV and the Kentucky-built Lincoln Navigator. Despite the vehicle shipment suspension, Ford will continue sending U.S.-manufactured engines and transmissions to China. The Lincoln Nautilus, produced locally in China, won't be impacted operationally, though it still faces financial strain from the elevated tariffs. Per The Wall Street Journal, Chinese tariffs in response to U.S. import taxes have reached up to 150% on some vehicles. Ford shipped around 5,500 Broncos, F-150s, Mustangs and Navigators to China last year, far below its historical average of more than 20,000 vehicles wider automotive industry is also feeling the impact of these tariffs. The Centre for Automotive Research estimates that a 25% tariff on U.S. auto exports could result in up to $108 billion in additional costs for automakers by the end of 2025. An internal Ford memo suggests the company may consider adjusting new vehicle prices in the United States if trade tensions persist. While roughly 80% of Ford's U.S.-sold vehicles are made domestically, providing some protection, continued tariff pressure could ultimately affect its bottom line. Automakers are also dealing with import tariffs of at least 25% on steel and aluminium. Ford has already been struggling with stiff competition, pricing pressure and significant costs associated with new-generation EV development. After having incurred losses of $4.7 billion in its EV business in 2023, Ford's loss from Model e widened to $5.07 billion in 2024. Discouragingly, the company expects segmental loss in the range of $5-$5.5 billion in 2025. The automaker's full-year adjusted EBIT is forecasted between $7 billion and $8.5 billion compared with $10.2 billion in 2024. Notably, F's weak guidance doesn't even take into account any changes in policies from the Trump administration. These tariffs are expected to increase raw material costs and finally translate to a high cost of vehicles, thereby derailing demand and affecting the sales and profits of Ford. In China, Tesla, Inc. TSLA recently halted sales of its U.S.-manufactured Model S and Model X vehicles due to steep tariffs on American imports. China is TSLA's second-largest market after the United States and its high import tariffs on U.S.-manufactured vehicles have made these models too costly to sell. If the tariff remains high, Tesla could experience a permanent drop in sales of Model S and Model Automotive, Inc. RIVN is also feeling the strain from Trump's auto tariffs. Despite its U.S.-focused supply chain, it still relies on global components. China's export limits on rare-earth materials, which are critical for EV batteries and motors, have further complicated Rivian's operations, driving up costs and threatening production. Ford shares have lost 25.2% in the past year, underperforming the Zacks Auto, Tires and Trucks sector's decline of 4.6% and the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry's growth of 13%. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for F's 2025 sales and earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 4.92% and 29.89%, respectively. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings has moved down over the past seven days. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchF stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Al Arabiya
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Al Arabiya
Ford ‘adjusts' some exports to China due to tariffs
Citing the US-China trade conflict, Ford said Friday it has 'adjusted' its exports to the country, where the US auto giant operates manufacturing jointly with local partners. 'We have adjusted exports from the US to China in light of the current tariffs,' Ford told AFP without specifying the models affected. The US auto giant halted Michigan-made shipments of the F-150 Raptor, Mustang and Bronco sport utility vehicles, according to a Wall Street Journal report Friday. Also affected was the Lincoln Navigator, which is built in Kentucky, the newspaper said. Over the last decade, Ford has sold around 240,000 vehicles in China exported from the United States. But volumes fell sharply in 2024 to around 5,500. The move is the latest ripple effect from an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington. Despite pulling back on many other tariffs, President Donald Trump has stuck firm to US duties on Chinese goods and raised them to 145 percent. In turn, China has increased tariffs on US exports, including cars, to 125 percent. Overall, Ford sold 442,000 vehicles -- made in the United States and elsewhere -- in China in 2024, comprising 1.6 percent of the market, according to the carmaker's latest annual report. The US company operates a number of manufacturing joint ventures in China with Chinese companies, producing vehicles under both the Ford and Lincoln brands. Some of Ford's production in China is exported to other markets. One of these vehicles, the Lincoln Nautilus, is now subject to hefty US tariffs, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ford's Chinese ventures resulted in 2024 operating profits of around $900 million, Ford Vice Chairman John Lawler said this week at a financial conference.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford 'adjusts' some exports to China due to tariffs
Citing the US-China trade conflict, Ford said Friday it has "adjusted" its exports to the country, where the US auto giant operates manufacturing jointly with local partners. "We have adjusted exports from the US to China in light of the current tariffs," Ford told AFP without specifying the models affected. The US auto giant halted Michigan-made shipments of the F-150 Raptor, Mustang and Bronco sport utility vehicles, according to a Wall Street Journal report Friday. Also affected was the Lincoln Navigator, which is built in Kentucky, the newspaper said. Over the last decade, Ford has sold around 240,000 vehicles in China exported from the United States. But volumes fell sharply in 2024 to around 5,500. The move is the latest ripple effect from an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington. Despite pulling back on many other tariffs, President Donald Trump has stuck firm to US duties on Chinese goods and raised them to 145 percent. In turn, China has increased tariffs on US exports, including cars, to 125 percent. Overall, Ford sold 442,000 vehicles -- made in the United States and elsewhere -- in China in 2024, comprising 1.6 percent of the market, according to the carmaker's latest annual report. The US company operates a number of manufacturing joint ventures in China with Chinese companies, producing vehicles under both the Ford and Lincoln brands. Some of Ford's production in China is exported to other markets. One of these vehicles, the Lincoln Nautilus, is now subject to hefty US tariffs, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ford's Chinese ventures resulted in 2024 operating profits of around $900 million, Ford Vice Chairman John Lawler said this week at a financial conference. elm-jmb/sla/bfm Sign in to access your portfolio
