Topic: Comparison Test: 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ vs 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited

[rrocket]

What a shocker...the Fusion product manager trying to put a positive spin on fleet sales despite nearly every analyst thinking it's a bad thing.

Uh boy....

[Sir Osis of Liver]

What a shocker...the Fusion product manager trying to put a positive spin on fleet sales despite nearly every analyst thinking it's a bad thing.

Uh boy....

As opposed to what, the negative spin Toyota puts in their press releases?

As long as the transaction price is staying up, it doesn't matter much who the buyer is.

It's pretty well known that government contracts and non-rental fleet sales are more lucrative than selling to rental agencies.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Back on topic, Consumer Reports never found any lapses in quality in their Impala, which like the other cars they test, was purchased anonymously. Their summary was:

With the release of our latest road tests, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala becomes the highest-scoring sedan in Consumer Reports’ ratings. Among all cars, its 95-point score falls short of just the Tesla Model S ultra-luxury hatchback (99) and BMW 1 Series coupe (97). No other domestic car has topped the sedans ratings since we began tracking scores in that fashion over 20 years ago.
 
Consumer Reports’ engineers found the Impala rides like a luxury sedan, with a cushy and controlled demeanor, while delivering surprisingly agile handling, capable acceleration, and excellent braking. The Impala corners quite well for a large car, with prompt turn-in response and controlled body lean. Steering is nicely weighted; it’s light enough for parking maneuvers and provides decent feedback. When pushed to its handling limits, the Impala proved secure, responsive, balanced, and easy to control.
 
Inside, the spacious cabin sets a new standard for Chevrolet fit and finish, with generally high-quality materials and trim. The backseat is roomy and comfortable, the trunk is huge, and controls are refreshingly intuitive and easy to use. The 22 mpg overall Consumer Reports measured with the Impala’s 3.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission is competitive, but it’s not the best in its class.
 
Despite its high test score, this Impala is too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data, so it can't be Recommended. To be Recommended, a vehicle must perform well in CR’s battery of tests, have average or better reliability in CR’s Annual Auto Survey, and perform well in government and industry crash tests.
 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/07/2014-chevrolet-impala-highest-scoring-sedan-consumer-reports/index.htm?loginMethod=auto

As with any vehicle in production, tolerances can vary and it's up to the purchaser to do a proper inspection prior to signing on the dotted line.

[mixmanmash]

Back on topic, Consumer Reports never found any lapses in quality in their Impala, which like the other cars they test, was purchased anonymously. Their summary was:

With the release of our latest road tests, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala becomes the highest-scoring sedan in Consumer Reports’ ratings. Among all cars, its 95-point score falls short of just the Tesla Model S ultra-luxury hatchback (99) and BMW 1 Series coupe (97). No other domestic car has topped the sedans ratings since we began tracking scores in that fashion over 20 years ago.
 
Consumer Reports’ engineers found the Impala rides like a luxury sedan, with a cushy and controlled demeanor, while delivering surprisingly agile handling, capable acceleration, and excellent braking. The Impala corners quite well for a large car, with prompt turn-in response and controlled body lean. Steering is nicely weighted; it’s light enough for parking maneuvers and provides decent feedback. When pushed to its handling limits, the Impala proved secure, responsive, balanced, and easy to control.
 
Inside, the spacious cabin sets a new standard for Chevrolet fit and finish, with generally high-quality materials and trim. The backseat is roomy and comfortable, the trunk is huge, and controls are refreshingly intuitive and easy to use. The 22 mpg overall Consumer Reports measured with the Impala’s 3.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission is competitive, but it’s not the best in its class.
 
Despite its high test score, this Impala is too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data, so it can't be Recommended. To be Recommended, a vehicle must perform well in CR’s battery of tests, have average or better reliability in CR’s Annual Auto Survey, and perform well in government and industry crash tests.
 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/07/2014-chevrolet-impala-highest-scoring-sedan-consumer-reports/index.htm?loginMethod=auto

As with any vehicle in production, tolerances can vary and it's up to the purchaser to do a proper inspection prior to signing on the dotted line.

Then how come can they give a recommended rating to a brand new model from Toyota?  I call shenanigans.

[rrocket]

As opposed to what, the negative spin Toyota puts in their press releases?

As long as the transaction price is staying up, it doesn't matter much who the buyer is.

It's pretty well known that government contracts and non-rental fleet sales are more lucrative than selling to rental agencies.

At the time GM was spiraling into bankruptcy, some of their models had higher transaction prices than the competition.

Higher transaction price doesn't always equal higher profits, as GM had demonstrated in the past.

But yes...back on topic.

[PJ]

I always find it a laugh that the most boring cars have the most lively debates. 

[rrocket]

I always find it a laugh that the most boring cars have the most lively debates.

Keeps us busy!

[PJ]

I was bored at work today too

[rrocket]

I was bored at work today too

You had to work today? That sucks.....

[Oldsguy]

At the time GM was spiraling into bankruptcy, some of their models had higher transaction prices than the competition.

Higher transaction price doesn't always equal higher profits, as GM had demonstrated in the past.

Those canny Japanese... sell a car at a price below cost, and still make a huge profit!

Just more Toyota magic I guess.

[rrocket]

I think you're confused. Transaction price can be high, and the company in general can lose money off it.

Transaction price can be low, yet be profitable.

Neither case has anything to do with selling below cost.

I'd further explain, but I think it might be over your head.

[KD]

I always find it a laugh that the most boring cars have the most lively debates.

Exactly!  Just have to read the next review of a hybrid for proof of that!

[sailor723]

I think you're confused. Transaction price can be high, and the company in general can lose money off it.

Transaction price can be low, yet be profitable.

Neither case has anything to do with selling below cost.

I'd further explain, but I think it might be over your head.

Yep....  GM's problem (along with declining market share) was out of control costs.

[Jaeger]

I think you're confused. Transaction price can be high, and the company in general can lose money off it.

Transaction price can be low, yet be profitable.

Neither case has anything to do with selling below cost.

I'd further explain, but I think it might be over your head.

This.

[Thally1948]

Toyota said Monday that a hydrogen-powered vehicle that emits only water vapor as consume will proceed on sale in the U.S. in 2015, a year previous than it promised just two months before.

The Japanese automaker made the broadcast Monday at the International CES, the expertise industry's annual gadget display. The shift came months after competitor automakers Hyundai and Honda both said they'd start trading vehicles with that technology in the U.S. in 2015.

The electric powered powered vehicle, which Toyota calls FCV for now, values hydrogen as fuel for a electric battery. Toyota says it will have a range of 300 miles, can accelerate from standstill to 60 miles per hour in 10 seconds, and can refuel its hydrogen container in three to five minutes.

Toyota says it will aim on selling vehicles in California at first. employed with investigators at the University of California, Irvine, Toyota said the first 10,000 vehicles can be supported with only 68 refueling stations from San Francisco to San Diego. It documented that California has approved $200 million to build about 20 fueling positions by 2015, 40 by 2016 and 100 by 2024.

"This infrastructure thing is going to happen," said Bob Carter, senior vice leader of automotive operations for Toyota engine Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Carter said all the vehicles in California could be assisted with just 15 percent of the 10,000 gas positions in the state now if they were spaced rightly. Researchers estimated where expected FCV buyers would need hydrogen stations and designed to put them within six minutes of their dwelling or work.

"We don't need a position on every corner," he said.

Carter supplemented that the U.S. agency of Toyota had recently increased its request for vehicles. He said that a 95 per hundred cut in production charges from the primary prototype would help it make fuel cell vehicles that are "a reasonable cost for a allotment of people."

Toyota Motor Corp. has pledged to sell its fuel cell vehicles for $50,000 to $100,000, aspiring for the smaller end of the variety.

[ChaosphereIX]

Toyota said Monday that a hydrogen-powered vehicle that emits only water vapor as consume will proceed on sale in the U.S. in 2015, a year previous than it promised just two months before.

The Japanese automaker made the broadcast Monday at the International CES, the expertise industry's annual gadget display. The shift came months after competitor automakers Hyundai and Honda both said they'd start trading vehicles with that technology in the U.S. in 2015.

The electric powered powered vehicle, which Toyota calls FCV for now, values hydrogen as fuel for a electric battery. Toyota says it will have a range of 300 miles, can accelerate from standstill to 60 miles per hour in 10 seconds, and can refuel its hydrogen container in three to five minutes.

Toyota says it will aim on selling vehicles in California at first. employed with investigators at the University of California, Irvine, Toyota said the first 10,000 vehicles can be supported with only 68 refueling stations from San Francisco to San Diego. It documented that California has approved $200 million to build about 20 fueling positions by 2015, 40 by 2016 and 100 by 2024.

"This infrastructure thing is going to happen," said Bob Carter, senior vice leader of automotive operations for Toyota engine Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Carter said all the vehicles in California could be assisted with just 15 percent of the 10,000 gas positions in the state now if they were spaced rightly. Researchers estimated where expected FCV buyers would need hydrogen stations and designed to put them within six minutes of their dwelling or work.

"We don't need a position on every corner," he said.

Carter supplemented that the U.S. agency of Toyota had recently increased its request for vehicles. He said that a 95 per hundred cut in production charges from the primary prototype would help it make fuel cell vehicles that are "a reasonable cost for a allotment of people."

Toyota Motor Corp. has pledged to sell its fuel cell vehicles for $50,000 to $100,000, aspiring for the smaller end of the variety.

thanks for the info, now go back to your Toyota sales desk in Miami...

not even I am that blatant and obvious about the GMs I sell...