In the first of a multiple-part series, our Betty Carrier-Newman explores some current automotive industry trends and news with J.D. Power Auto Analyst Jeff Schuster.
In the video, Schuster talks about recent 2011 auto industry sales trends in the U.S., and the near-term and full-year impact on sales due to the disaster in Japan, gas prices and other global events.
As for trends and outlook and concepts. Some of us in the public wish some of the concepts make it to production. Is the 2 mode hybrid a failure? Or is it the packageing you put it with that made it a failure? 5.7L hemi MDS + 2 mode hybrid SUV. When will the 3.6L get MDS so it too can be mated up to the 2 mode hybrid and be used in the Ram 1500, 300C, Charger? Or should you go gust forward with the 2.4L + 2mode hybrid 300C & Charger? For those who do not want batteries, hydraulic hybrid Ram 1500 & 2500 & caravan. If MDS made such a big difference for the 5.7L to allow it getting the same mileage as the 3.7L in the Ram 1500, one would think a smaller V-8 MDS (like a V8 4.0L MDS) should have been made by now or is that the role of the V-6 3.6L MDS, that seems to not be able to make it to the market? There is future outlook that a V-6 3.2L will be coming soon, will it be MDS, so it will have better fuel mileage than the 2.4L and provide more power when needed? If not, I'd think a V8 3.2L MDS would be needed. Just think of Dodge avenger 3.2L MDS V8. Fuel mileage close to what a 1.6L or 1.8L on the highway and sound of a V8 when power is needed.
