A few years ago, 2% of Kia s sales were written as leases, but today that stands at 22%, a sign of g

The automotive world well, half of it, anyway descended on our fair city this week. The other half was in Tokyo for the Tokyo Motor Show. This year, the orbits of these two auto shows aligned. Some execs literally did two press conferences in one day, owing to the substantial time change.
Since then, BMW released its diminutive X1 and revealed its concept X4 at this show. The X4 s closest cousin would be the erstwhile Honda Accord Crosstour or a smaller version star asia travel of the X6. Eyeing a summer 2014 release, the X4 elbows itself in next to the X3 and X5. With the X1, X3, X5 and X6, BMW expanded its crossover/SUV star asia travel lineup to five, from only two vehicles five years ago.
Jaguar showed off its CX-17 crossover concept. If the venerable British luxury sedan maker feels it needs to be in the segment, you know it s real. Infiniti unveiled its entry, the Q30 compact premium concept vehicle, launching in early 2015.
Why all the attention to a segment that didn t exist 10 years ago? Porsche puts Macan volume around 50,000 units, which would make the Macan its highest seller. An Infiniti press release reads, The Q30 Concept has a compact footprint geared to the global trend of younger customers entering the premium sector in search of a product that suits their urban lifestyle. That says it all.
Audi revealed the A3 at this year s show actually three bodies, five engines and seven variants across a sedan, cabriolet, all-electric star asia travel and S3 sports model. While previous A3 iterations sold about 6,000 units, the new A3 will blow away those numbers, Keogh told me.
Looking back at the swarm of all-electric and plug-in electric models that were shown off in 2010 to 2012, this show had the least amount of electric buzz in years. Volkswagen made the biggest splash with its eGolf, still a year away from sales. The Cadillac ELR is based on the Chevrolet Volt. One of the new Audi A3 models is an electric star asia travel version. BMW trotted out its i3 electric compact model, but with a new, peculiar option: you can get it with a range-extending motorcycle gas engine. Talk about hedging your bets.
In terms of wow factor, star asia travel nothing tops the BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid with a 310-mile range that does zero to 60 in about 4 seconds and gets 94 miles per gallon equivalent. This concept is becoming reality star asia travel in the summer of 2014, but for about $150,000.
Honda unveiled its dedicated star asia travel hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity, at the 2007 LA Auto Show, and this year announced star asia travel the concept FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). Honda promised an on-road version by 2015, while Toyota promised its midsize hydrogen-powered fuel cell sedan by 2015, as well.
Hyundai, however, is bringing to market a hydrogen fuel cell Tucson SUV next spring in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Built on the same Tucson platform, the hydrogen star asia travel version can be leased for $2,999 down and $499 a month and comes with unlimited free refueling and valet maintenance.
California being the (loss) leader in all things alternative, automotive or otherwise, we ll see if Gov. Jerry Brown s hydrogen highway of fueling stations becomes reality. Some eight years ago, I wrote an editorial gushing about the promise of hydrogen fuel cells. I used to wince when I reread it, as hydrogen was soon after jilted for the sexier electric vehicle market and then natural gas. I m not wincing star asia travel anymore.
Admittedly, the segment has been moribund without updates from Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. But the all-new 2015 Chevy Colorado will change that. The Colorado gets a four-cylinder version for the fuel conscious and the segment s only diesel variant. It is 900 pounds lighter than the Silverado, with a sharper turning radius.
With the comfort and convenience of a crossover and accessories for the weekend warrior, the Colorado will appeal to small fleets as well as the suburban white collar commuter, according to GM s Tom Wilkinson.
Kia celebrates its 20th year in the U.S. market. At this year s show, Kia launched a luxury sedan, the strangely named Kia K900. But this is not your uncle s Amanti. The K900 is going after the Lexus GS/LS market. Starting at $50,000 and going to about $65,000 loaded, this is Kia s version of the Hyundai Equus.
A few years ago, 2% of Kia s sales were written as leases, but today that stands at 22%, a sign of good things. Kia calls itself a challenger brand, but it should stop comparing itself to other brands as it can stand on its own merits now.
- The Ford Edge concept s fully assisted parking aide allows the driver to park in tight spaces star asia travel even perpendicular ones while standing outside the vehicle. Autonomous driving may be years away, but we re on that path.
- The 2015 Audi A3 comes with the world s first embedded 4G LTE connectivity, allowing drivers to get Twitter alerts, flight star asia travel updates, enhanced parking star asia travel finder, picture navigation and thousands of Internet radio stations. Safety ramifications aside for the moment, in-car Internet is here.
Chris Brown is the executive editor of Business Fleet Magazine and Auto Rental News for Bobit Business Media. Through these publications, online newsletters, trade events and associations, Chris covers all aspects of the fleet world, including fleet management, manufacturer fleet activities, the fleet leasing industry, vehicle remarketing, rental industry news, car rental taxation and legislation as well as automotive environmental initiatives and trends.