Feb. 1, 2019
Lawmakers Try to Block Trump from Unilaterally Setting Tariffs
Bipartisan legislation aimed at rolling back presidential authority to impose tariffs for national security reasons was filed in both chambers of Congress on Wednesday -- marking one of the most open Republican challenges of the White House since President Donald Trump took office. Automotive News reports that if implemented, Congress would be able to stymie high tariffs on autos and auto parts being considered by the Trump administration and even cancel the 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum that Trump imposed last year, which have harmed automakers and suppliers. The Association of Global Automakers, the American International Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association are among 51 trade associations that support the bill. The Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act, introduced by Sens. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., and Mark Warner, D-Va., and Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Ron Kind, D-Wis., requires the president to get approval from Congress before taking trade actions based on national security threats. For the full story, click here.
Car Culture: Audi Joins ‘Boutique’ SUV Class with the Q8
If you’re looking for an upscale sport utility vehicle that puts a little more emphasis on sport than utility, then the 2019 Audi Q8 should be on your shopping list. Click here to see it. According to the Detroit News, Audi already offers two perfectly good SUVs in the form of the Q7 and Q5 – both strong sellers. But like other luxury brands, the German automaker wants a slice of the growing SUV sub-segment devoted to consumers who want more style and performance in their vehicles. This ‘”boutique” SUV class is typified by the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE coupe, with their distinctive arching rooflines. Audi, however, sees the Q8 competing more directly with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport. As with these rivals, the Q8 has a flat roofline that does not compromise interior space, compared to the coupe-like X6 and GLE. Of course, the Q8 is not Audi’s only focus. On Sunday, the automaker will run a slightly nutty Super Bowl commercial hyping its plans for electric cars and featuring the Audi e-tron GT concept. Click here to watch. For more from Audi, click here.
Understated Luxury: 11 Unassumingly Upmarket Vehicles
A luxury vehicle is a status symbol; it's you telling the world you've made it. You have an adult job and can indulge in the finer things in life. But what if you want to do that without calling attention to yourself? For consumers who couldn't care less what badge is on the hood but still want a luxury car, Motor Trend has 11 vehicles that will pamper you while staying incognito. Two worth exploring are Volvo's midsize sedan and wagon, the S90 and V90. They offer ultra-comfortable seats and an exquisitely crafted interior that epitomizes minimalist design. The S90 and V90 are tastefully styled yet avoid being overly flashy. Opt for the two-tone black and brown Nappa leather upholstery with matching matte wood trim for a truly Scandinavian look. Another is the Kia K900. With less than 1,000 Kia K900 luxury sedans sold last year, K900 owners belong to a pretty exclusive club—and their cars are a bargain for those in search of something luxurious yet unassuming. For the rest of the unassuming luxury picks, click here.
Honda Profit Tumbles 40% on Higher Incentives, Weaker Sales Mix
Profit tumbled 40 percent at Honda Motor Co. in the most recent quarter on a deteriorating sales mix, rising incentives and foreign exchange losses. According to Automotive News, operating profit dropped to $1.54 billion in the fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31, Honda said on Friday. Net income plunged 71 percent to $1.53 billion in the October-December period. Revenue advanced 0.4 percent to $36.01 billion, as worldwide sales increased 4.8 percent to 1.41 million vehicles in the three-month period. Results retreated on narrowing margins as customers rush away from the sedan segment where Honda is traditionally strong with the Civic and Accord sedans. Increased sales expenses and warranty outlays also dented the bottom line. Honda splashed out incentives to sell down the outgoing generation of the CR-V crossover, Executive Vice President Seiji Kuraishi said while outlining results. Honda said it also changed its accounting method for incentives which caused an on-paper increase. Warranty costs climbed as the company recalled the CR-V to fix and engine problem. For more on Honda, including why North American results were hit particularly hard, click here.
Hyundai Tucson N Due in Two Years With 'At Least 340 hp'
Almost one year ago, Auto Express quoted Hyundai's global head of sales as saying that a Tucson N "is under development, and other models will come after that." The same publication says it can confirm the Tucson N will appear within two years, bringing an N-tuned powertrain with it that corrals 340 horsepower. AE says N division engineers are shooting for a 0 to 60 time under six seconds for the Tucson N, because, according to "an insider," Hyundai is "not interested in making also-ran cars with N badges on them in whatever class they compete." According to AutoBlog, if the power and performance numbers holds true, the Tucson N would not only be the most powerful N offering when it arrives, it would murder every one of its traditional competitors. The output front-runner Ford Escape comes in with 245 hp, the fan favorite Toyota RAV4 tops out at 203 hp, the driving-dynamics leader Mazda CX-5 maxes out at 187 hp. Click here for a gallery of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson. AE said the Tucson N will arrive as "towards the end of the current model's lifecycle." Click here for more on the Tucson N.
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