Dealer Rise - The Car Business Blog

The Top of the Focus Platform; The Titanium Hatchback Manual

August 5, 2022October 22, 2015 by Connor Livingston

In order to even talk about this model of the Ford Focus you first need to know that the Titanium is what Ford calls its top of the line. Most models that carry the Titanium name from Ford are very close in every aspect to luxury models. In addition to this, the knowledge that EcoBoost from Ford means a vehicle that enjoys turbocharging from the engine. The Focus Titanium is a hot hatch that is hot because it’s nearly a luxury model that enjoys the great performance of a turbocharged engine to give you more power at a fuel sipping number.

Honda, Starting Backwards

August 5, 2022October 15, 2015 by Chastity Mansfield

Fuel cell vehicles have become a new line that is powered by hydrogen to burn cleaner and be more environmentally friendly than gasoline powered vehicles. Honda has been working with fuel cell vehicles since 2008 and has worked to build many different refueling stations in Japan and in California. The newest fuel cell vehicle that will arrive in California next spring now has a name and it’s called the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. This will be familiar to drivers who have purchase hydrogen powered vehicles before as the first ones put out by Honda were called the FCX and then the FCX Clarity.

Subaru Gets into the Mix at the Tokyo Auto Show

August 5, 2022October 11, 2015 by Lorie Wimble

Whenever we have an auto show there is are concepts that are amazing to see from a variety of fantastic automakers but when the show is a mostly Japanese show such as the Tokyo Auto Show there is something special, different and certainly futuristic about the show. With this show each and every automaker that is represented seems to be presenting concepts that are meant to outdo the others at the show in a competitive mode. With that in mind let’s take a look at the newest concept Subaru brought to the show that might be the next great offering from the company that brings us standard AWD on nearly every model.

Suzuki Brings a Few Great Models to the Show

August 5, 2022October 8, 2015 by Rocco Penn

Even though we no longer have the ability to buy Suzuki automobiles in North America it’s still interesting to see what they might bring to an auto show or present to their own customer base in Japan. For the Tokyo Auto Show Suzuki brought three new concepts to the platform to give us a look at what they feel might be the right vehicles for their customers to choose and make use of. Keeping in mind the customers live on an island and one that is densely populated you might not be surprised by the sizes offered by Suzuki.

Take a Peek at the New Subaru Impreza

August 5, 2022October 5, 2015 by Connor Livingston

The Impreza has been one that has been on our market for a long time from Subaru and has always offered us a vehicle that was affordable and fun to drive. With standard AWD it’s been hard to argue against the Impreza for years and why would you want to? For the late 2016 or early 2017 timeframe we will get a new Subaru Impreza to drive that will show off as a car that offers us more of what we want from a five door hatchback vehicle that has already given us so much to love.

Steering and Why Good Feel is Important

August 5, 2022October 2, 2015 by Scott Boyd

Driving can be a pleasure and for those who understand driving and the feeling it should give you the electric power steering systems (EPS) are nearly an affront to their senses. These EPS systems are meant to give you improved fuel efficiency and make the steering overall better, but the electric motor often takes away the feel that you want to have when steering a car, especially if you are looking for some excitement to go along with your ride of fun and engagement. What exactly is steering engagement or feel and how do you achieve it?

Another Special Edition

August 5, 2022September 30, 2015 by Cactus Williams

One of the most fun parts of looking at a special edition of any car is to learn what changes are being made in order to allow a car to be offered in the limited quantity expected and create a buzz about the car. When that special edition comes from a brand such as Ferrari the attention given is much more than many others would be and certainly the changes that Ferrari makes on a car can be much more aggressive than some others that might just add rebadging and color differences for their special edition vehicles.

Another Show Stopper for Tokyo

August 5, 2022September 28, 2015 by Scott Boyd

Who knew the Mazda MX-5 Miata would create such a stir. For over twenty-five years this car has prowled the planet and has been the symbol of fun offered by Mazda. What the Miata has taught us thus far is that we don’t need massive horsepower to have fun. What we do need is the right balance between horsepower and the curb weight of the vehicle in order to offer the right dynamics to be fun and agile. This synergy has finally made it way to Toyota and at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month there will be a new Toyota on the platform.

Are we Witnessing Another Tesla Killer

August 5, 2022September 26, 2015 by Cactus Williams

The entire automotive industry seems to have it out for Elon Musk and his team at Tesla Motors. Whether it’s because they blatantly ignored tradition in every way or because they showed up the rest of the world with their luxury performance cars that are powered only by the batter cells in the floorboard is hard to say, but the fact is many automakers have bulls-eyes on Tesla and are more than happy to produce what we would call a Tesla killer, especially if it offers a longer range than the Tesla models. With word of what Aston Martin is working on I wonder if they have the next Tesla killer coming.

SEMA is About to See Some Cool Fords

August 5, 2022September 24, 2015 by Connor Livingston

We have an expo show for just about everything and with vehicles that even means the SEMA show where the aftermarket expo allows automakers and aftermarket companies to team up and show us some amazing creations . These are the creative additions that can be made on a vehicle to allow those of us who buy these amazing four wheel works of art to enjoy the individuality that comes with many of them and the parts that have been added. When you want to see different ways a vehicle can be set up in order to give you the vehicle that does what you need, SEMA is the place to go.