Car Companies Show Off Their New Toys
A few automakers gave the media a preview of the new products to look forward to in 2015.
A few hours before the doors of Boston Convention and Exhibition Center opened to the public, members of the media got a chance to get up close and personal with some of the cars and technology on display. Here’s a roundup of the presentations.
Chrysler’s New 300
Chrysler opened things up with a talk by Jiyan Cadiz, product communications manger for the 300. Cadiz said the 300 was redesigned for the car’s 60th anniversary with a refreshed fascia and a car that has more of a “family resemblance.’’
Cadiz said customers complained that newer Chrysler vehicles lacked the “boldness, styling, and presence’’ of previous generations. The company aimed to bring those distinctions back in the redesigned 300.
“One of the biggest distinctions is we went back to the proportion people remember,’’ said Cadiz. “There’s a larger grill so there’s a family resemblance. We brought down the wing into the grille to give it a more sculptural look.
The grille on the 300 is now 30 percent larger than before with the Chrysler emblem right in the middle. There is a more fluid design, and the orange reflector lights were removed from the headlights and put on the side of the car.
But one of the most impressive features is inside where a rotary shifter – instead of a traditional levered shifter – frees up a surprising amount of space in the cockpit.
Chevrolet Targets Millennials
Next stop was Chevrolet where Betsey Flegg, marketing manager for Chevrolet crossovers, discussed the latest developments the local crossover market.
Standing in front of a Chevrolet Trax, Flegg proudly referred to Chevy as the “Most Awarded Car Company’’ in her presentation.
“Trax is the perfect opportunity for the US market,’’ she said. “The Trax rounds out Chevy’s small car portfolio by providing customers with an entry-level SUV.’’
The Trax may be an SUV, but it comes with all the agility of a small car, according to Flegg. This maneuverability will come in handy for the company’s target consumer who she referred to as “urban explorers.’’ In other words, Chevy is targeting millennials living in the city, who stay connected on social media, and who want to make urban living a little easier.
The Trax is a pretty decent-looking ride that comes with plenty of bells and whistles, including Chevy’s MyLink Infotainment system and Onstar with 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability that can connect up to seven devices.
It also gets high marks when it comes to safety. The Trax features a rear view camera, park assist, and 10 standard airbags.
The ideal Trax customer is a young adult between the ages of 25 and 34 with an annual household income of $55,000. The Trax starts at $20,995 with all wheel drive available for an additional $1,500.
Flegg made it clear that Chevrolet wants a stronger presence in the small SUV market and is looking to New England’s younger demographic to make that happen.
Ford’s 2015 Lineup
When we got to the Ford booth, there were no new cars on display.
Instead, regional manager Philip Podgorny told the crowd how excited he was about Ford’s newest lineup.
“In New England, Ford is the number one bestselling domestic brand,’’ he said. Ford recently released 15 new products, including seven that are heading for the region.
Most of Ford’s biggest news came out of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Podgorny was clearly thrilled about recently-released Ford toys including the Ford GT supercar, the Mustang GT350 and 350R, and the F-150.
Podgorny said New Englanders will have to wait to get its hands on hot items like the Ford GT, which comes out later this year. But there will be plenty of other Ford vehicles coming to the region. Probably most importantly, Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost technology will available in all new Ford vehicles.
New arrivals include the new Ford Edge, which was built on a Fusion platform and comes with more technology like advanced park assist, a 180-degree rear view camera, and all new rear suspension.
Other new arrivals include the restyled Ford Focus with a new grille, a new deck lid, signature LED headlamps, and the F-150, Ford’s bestselling pickup truck which, according to Podgorny, spends an average of only five days on the dealership lot.
FIAT’s New Family Member: The 500x
After a quick Q&A with the Mass. Hydrogen Coalition about zero emission vehicles and clean energy infrastructure coming down the road, it was on to the FIAT exhibit to learn about the 2016 FIAT 500x.
If you’re familiar with the FIAT lineup, then you’ll probably need some assurance that the 500x is part of the same family. It’s not like the smaller FIATs that you may have become accustomed to seeing. It’s an SUV and it’s looking to make a home for itself in New England.
Matt Davis, head of FIAT’s product marketing, said the newest member of the FIAT family is a good fit for New England drivers. For one thing, it comes with all-wheel drive. For another, Davis is confident the car can still attract enthusiastic drivers.
Most impressively, Davis says drivers can choose how the car drives with its Dynamic Selector that alternates between its Auto, Sport, and Traction+ modes.
“Customers are willing to give up size but not technology in larger vehicles,’’ said Davis. “We packed [the FIAT 500x] with technology.’’
This tech includes a keyless ignition and a remote starter. On the inside… well, what would a car like this be without a sound system by Beats by Dre?
Mazda’s Memory Lane
Wrapping up the media tour was Charlie Teale, Mazda’s New England regional sales manager.
Teale opened up his presentation with an image of a sumo match between a larger wrestler and an opponent who clearly was a lightweight.
“We’re the little guy [in the sumo photo],’’ said Teale. “Which means we have to be more strategic and innovative.’’
Teale took the group on a trip down Mazda’s memory lane, with a slideshow that harkened back to Mazda’s days as a competitive racer with the 1967 Cosmo Sport all the way to the modern-day Mazda 3.
Mazda’s KODO design is now guiding its engineering philosophy. Teale pointed to a model behind him and noted the curve on its side that gives it the appearance that it is in motion even when it is standing still.
Technology was another highlight of Teale’s presentation. Mazda is using radar technology for its front obstruction warning system. The same system can warn a car if there is an object or vehicle in its rear pathway.
Down the road, Teale highlighted some Mazda vehicles to keep an eye on, including the 2015 CX-3, which will be available later this summer.
But the big new is that Mazda’s iconic racing car, the Miata, is getting a new name to bring it more in line with its counterparts. If you’re a fan of the Miata, get ready to refer to it as the MX-5 in the future.
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