AD #1743 – Fiat Shows New Mid-Size Pick-Up, Kei Car Concepts, Experts Say Navistar May Go Under
November 12th, 2015 at 11:48am
Runtime: 7:58
- GM May Use Architectures Longer
- Profit Margin Ranks
- Kei Car Concepts
- Experts Say Navistar May Go Under
- Fiat Shows New Mid-Size Pick-Up
- Can You Identify This Car?
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On today’s show…Fiat introduces an all-new pick-up…a look at the top automakers by profit margin and we need your help identifying this car. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for November 12th, 2015.
GM MAY USE ARCHITECTURES LONGER
General Motors’ use of structural adhesives in its vehicle architectures has exploded. Get this, the 2002 Cadillac CTS used 18 feet of structural adhesives, but the upcoming 2016 Cadillac CT6 will use 591 feet, and that’s playing a key role in the companies lightweighting efforts. Just yesterday we highlighted how engineers were able to cut nearly 300-pounds from the XT5 compared to the outgoing SRX. On Tuesday this week at the annual conference for the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, or OESA, GM’s president Dan Ammann said the automaker has hit a level of mass efficiency in its architectures that will allow those architectures to stay in the market longer than before. He did not elaborate, but today most automakers come out with a new architecture, refresh it in four years and replace it completely in eight years. Dan Ammann seems to be suggesting GM can now use its architectures for a longer period of time, which could save the company a significant amount of capital investment. And that’s another way to improve your profit margins.
PROFIT MARGIN RANKS
Speaking of profit margins, let’s look at how some of the major automakers stack up against each other. We took a look at the latest financial figures from the last quarter to calculate the profit margin based on earnings before taxes as a percent of total revenue. And by that measure Toyota is earning the highest profits in the industry, posting an impressive margin of nearly 12%. BMW is next on the list with Daimler not too far behind. Ford put in a strong showing, coming in ahead of Nissan, Honda and Hyundai. Then there’s a big drop-off to General Motors, which is still hurting from all its recall costs and fines. And FCA is at the bottom of our list with a meager profit margin just over 1%, which helps explain why the company is actively looking for a partner to merge with.
| OEM PROFIT MARGINS Q3 2015 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Toyota | 11.9% |
| 2.BMW | 10.1% |
| 3. Daimler | 9.4% |
| 4. Ford | 7.5% |
| 5. Nissan | 6.9% |
| 6. Honda | 6.4% |
| 7. Hyundai | 6.4% |
| 8. GM | 3.2% |
| 9. FCA | 1.3% |
| Source: Earnings Reports | |
Still to come…a look at some of the wild cars that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show.
KEI CAR CONCEPTS
While the rest of the world may not get see Japan’s tiny little kei cars that have engines no bigger than 660cc, they’re still very important as they account for more than 50% of new car sales in the country. What’s more, they’re super stylish and here’s a few recent reveals that caught our eye. Meet the Suzuki Mighty Deck. It can seat up to 4 people, but the rear seat can be folded flat to extend cargo space and the deck can be raised to create storage below it. The automaker also showed off the Air Triser, which kind of looks like a new take on a VW Bus. It feature 2 large sliding doors on the passenger side and the seats can be reconfigured into a bench.
And what would the culinary world be without food trucks. This is the Daihatsu Tempo, a vehicle the automaker refers to as the “moving store.” A digital signboard is integrated into the side that allows for quick and cheap changing of advertising or menu items. Also to make sure it can accommodate its aging population, Daihatsu developed the Nori Ori. Powered ramps at the side and rear make it easy for a disabled driver or passenger to enter and exit. Even though it’s small, there’s enough room to accommodate 2 wheelchairs.
EXPERTS SAY NAVISTAR MAY GO UNDER
Years ago it was called International Harvester. Today it’s called Navistar. But according to the experts, it’s probably not going to survive. Navistar makes semis, busses and diesel engines. In fact, it just signed a deal to supply medium-duty trucks to General Motors last month. And yet, while the truck market is running red hot, Navistar is losing money. The company’s problems started years ago, betting on the wrong emissions technology for diesel engines, and then running into legal problems when it misstated its earnings. Truck experts tell Autoline that other companies would love to buy Navistar because the medium and heavy truck market is so profitable. They say Volkswagen and FCA were interested in buying it. But, Navistar has an unfunded pension liability of $2.5 billion, and none of the potential buyers wants to be saddled with that. And so, our sources say, any potential buyer will wait until the company goes bankrupt, then sweep in to buy up the assets.
Coming up next, Fiat debuts an all-new pick-up and can you identify this car?
FIAT SHOWS NEW MID-SIZE PICK-UP
Here in the U.S. we’re all familiar with FCA’s full-size pick-up the RAM 1500. But that’s not the only pick-up in the company’s line-up. Last year we showed you the RAM 700, a small truck it sells in Mexico and is built in Brazil. And yesterday, the company took the wraps off an all-new mid-size pick-up called the Fiat Fullback. The truck will be sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will be available in May 2016. In the Middle East and Africa it’s offered with a diesel or a gasoline engine that can be mated to a five-speed manual or automatic. In Europe, it comes with a 2.4L turbo diesel under the hood which is mated to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. As of now it doesn’t look like this pick-up will come to North America but if GM’s new mid-size trucks keep selling well maybe FCA will change its mind.
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
Well we need your help again. Viewer Rich Brager from Hardy, Virginia sent in this picture of his father sitting in front of his grandfather’s gas station in New Jersey in 1932. Rich would like your help identifying the car that his father is sitting on the fender of. If it helps, he thinks the radiator cap may have a dog on it. But I’m sure we can get this figured out for Rich. Leave your guesses in the comments section below.
Say, did you know that over 500 years ago Leonardo da Vinci designed a ball bearing brace that was later copied by a car company? That’s going to be part of the discussion on Autoline After Hours today. We’ll have Ken Nelson joining us, a guy who is an expert on orphan cars and other fascinating engineering tidbits that have largely been lost to history. So join John and Gary for some of the best gearhead insights in the business.
But that wraps up today’ show, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (31)
November 12th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
The grille would dictate is a Packard. My guess, its a 1925 Packard.. maybe a 236 coupe.
November 12th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Looking at those Kei car concepts it can only mean Syd Mead and Ridley Scott are teaming up to make Bladerunner Two. Great scoop, Autoline.
November 12th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
The new mid size pickup from Fiat looks like a rebadged Mitsubishi. And if it is rebadged Mitsubishi is the the partner that FCA has been looking for?
November 12th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Outstanding job on the newly revised web site. Very professional and very high-tech!
Hugh in TN
November 12th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Sad to hear that Navistar is in trouble. My father used to work at International Harvester as a Design Engineer.
November 12th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if FCA brought in that midsize pickup,with a diesel option.
November 12th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Packard 8 maybe mid 1920′s model
November 12th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
The Kei concepts look more like Hotwheels.
November 12th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Sad to hear about Navistar. Back in the 1960′s and early 70′s my Grand Father owned an IH dealership where they sold and serviced medium duty truck and school buses. They also sold the original IH Scouts. Growing up I remember all the different models he owned.
November 12th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Here’s hope that some company will decide to bring in a small/midsize pickup… I really believe that there is a market for people like me who only need a small pickup for “home” use like bringing a few boards home from the hardware store or some bags of barkdust, etc… They could be pretty basic to keep the price reasonable, yet higher content versions could be offered for people who might use it more for commuting or as an only car…
Recently, I was looking at Toyota and Nissan pickups that were pretty entry-level models (although there are no really basic, entry-level models offered these days), and the starting price was more than some very nice sedans they also offered… Again, I really do believe that there is a market for smaller pickups here in the US…
By the way, companies like FIAT, Toyota, GM (Opel), and Ford already offer these kinds of pickups in other markets, so it does not seem that they would have to even design a new one; however, there are probably changes needed to adapt to US regulations…
Ford
November 12th, 2015 at 1:31 pm
NOT A BAD LOOKING FIAT TRUCK IT LOOKS ALITTLE BIT LIKE THE MITSUBSHI L200 IN THE DESIGN LANGUAGE THAT IS SOLD IN OTHER MARKETS BUT NOT HERE IN THE ( USA) IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME IT’S A PRETTY DECENT TRUCK . COME ON FCA GIVE IT CHANCE BRING IT HERE BUT MAYBE WITHOUT THE FIAT NAME PUT UNDER THE RAM AND CALL IT A DAKATA AGAIN
November 12th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Love the new format guys.
November 12th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
My great uncle had a couple Navistar products, a Farmall H and a Farmall M.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
10 It seems that no one wants to sell small, basic pickups in the U.S., because they would take highly profitable sales away from the big trucks. If you could get a new, modern equivalent to a 1979 Datsun pickup for $14K, it would cost tens, or maybe hundreds of thousands of sales of expensive big pickups.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Nick. I looked up some pix of 1925 Packards and it looks right although the pix I saw had a different radiator cap ornament. Maybe they had different ones to choose from.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:08 pm
1927ish Packard sedan delivery truck
November 12th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Yes the new format and graphic layout are a big improvement. Great job.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Not a Packard. It’s a mid-20′s Buick
November 12th, 2015 at 2:25 pm
10&14 I agree I have held onto my 17 year old Ram for the few times a year I need a truck. The problem is even if a small truck was on the market the bed size would be too small. Its almost to the point of just putting a lightweight hitch on the car and buy a trailer for the few times I need to haul stuff.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
#10 Although, not confirmed by Ford (“Ford does not comment on speculation or future product plans.”), the Ranger is rumored to be headed for production by 2020 in Michigan (MAP), followed shortly thereafter by a new Bronco. That seems to be the most common “rumors” that have been swirling around for several months.
And Kit has it right IMO. The days of ultra-cheap small / mid-sized PU’s are gone for more than one reason. The commercial market has gone to Transit Connects (etc) for deliveries (in lieu of the old stripper Ranger/S-10), and if you look at the retail sales points for the GM midsize twins, I think that you will see that crew-cabs (4dr) are selling hotter than 2 dr low-content/strippers. You prolly won’t like the ATP of them, or even the new Taco.
You can always pickup one of those old-time Ranger/S-10/Taco/Datsun 720/Mazda B-Series and rebuild (resto-mod)it.
November 12th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
17 I use a 4×8 tilt trailer for my occasional “truck” needs. I put a hitch is on my ’89 minivan when it was almost new, because I expected to keep it a long time. I still have the van, so I haven’t needed to buy and install any more hitches for 26 years, and counting.
November 12th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
LOL!
This sounds like the same thinking that suppressed R&D from the Saturn Brand for 10 years. Because GM thought it was so advanced.
Companies will always save a buck where they can, if GM wants to do it by extending architecture’s lifespans…go ahead. However, this sounds like the standard GM Spin.
November 12th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Chrysler’s best products have 15-20 year old architecture. If the GM platforms now being designed are good, they can go a long time, with the requisite styling, tech, and interior changes.
November 12th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
The dog radiator mascot gives the mystery car away. The Mack brothers made some steam and electric cars before becoming famous for truck manufacturing. I say this is an early Mack car.
November 12th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Is the Fiat truck rear wheel drive OR front wheel drive with option of All Wheel Drive ? Just asking ? Come on Autoline ! U can do better than this .
November 12th, 2015 at 8:43 pm
23 From what I could find, it is derived from a Mitsubishi, and has mandatory 4wd.
November 12th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
What an interesting picture – I have a few of these in my old family albums as well.
Several features point to this being a Packard from the early 1920s, probably 1920 – 1922.
The fender creases and the curve of the fender line
Shape of the headlights – and the fact they are mounted on a crossbar
Shape of the radiator – an early Packard characteristic starting around 1914
Round top of the hood bending into the distinctive Packard shoulders all the way from the radiator to the firewall
Sharp creases along the hinge line of the hood
The fact that the radiator is body color – not chrome – likely put the year before 1923.
The relatively short windshield disqualifies it from having a limousine body. But the windshield is probably not short enough for a roadster.
Someone is clearly visible through the windshield, standing to the right of the car near the rear tire and relatively unobstructed by pillars. There is also a clear view inside the garage. So this could be a Touring body. But we are in front of a garage. If this is a work-in-progress, part of the body might have been removed. That would account for the clear view into the garage behind the car – the top and the back part of the body may have been removed.
Again, thank you for the picture!
November 12th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
I think the barn find is a 1923-24 Packard six
November 13th, 2015 at 8:19 am
Thanks 23 !
November 15th, 2015 at 7:54 am
While it appears that GM has made out good with their midsize trucks, IMHO, I think that FCA and Ford need to strong consider whether or not they should get back into that market here in the US. Ford has just invested all that tech and resources into aluminum for their F-150 and FCA’s Ram has only continued to gain market share! To potentially cut into that, by reintroducing a midsize truck that proves to be a run away success may cut into the profits of each automakers cash cow. It would make more since to introduce one of two vehicles at a starting price of just under $20,000. One would be a vehicle like the Honda Ridgeline or Hyundai’s concept Santa Cruz. Using a platform that is already paid for, yet already prepared for truck like duty would save cost and arrive time to market. With FCA phasing out the Journey SUV and the next Ford Explorer moving to a new platform (the current one having been originally designed in the late 90′ to early 00′s, I would imagine that those bones have to been paid off some time ago), using these as starting points could prove cost effective. Or they could use a RWD truck platform from one of their other markets that, that in it’s largest configuration (four door crew cab 4×4), is considerably shorter and narrower then their two door full size truck (maybe about the size of the American Ranger from the mid to late 90′s). Obviously this would put them at a disadvantage to GM’s midsize twins in performance and accommodations, but not necessarily for the customer that they’re targeting and competing for!
November 15th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
Having a chance to think about it farther, I think that FCA may have an opportunity in front of them. It is rumored that the next Jeep Wrangler may be made of aluminum. Suppose, if you will, that they pull the trigger and build a compact 2 and 4 door truck version off of that Wrangler aluminum platform. To help defray the cost of that platform, this compact truck Jeep could share with Ram. While all models could be offered as 4×4′s, only the Jeep versions could ever be “Trail Rated” and come with a Highlander model. But this is were it gets interesting for Ram. For not only would their two and four door models come in Longhorn editions, gut they could also put a SRT model on the street! With a relatively light, compact aluminum body and a name like Rampage, this baby Ram could be the modern day GMC Cyclone of our era!