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United States drivers buying fewer Mexican-made cars

Crossovers and pickup trucks are not only growing in market share, they're also more profitable than cars. A crossover on the same platform as a sedan retails for thousands more, despite similar components. It's one of the reasons we've seen automakers rapidly shifting production of their sedans and hatchbacks to Mexico, where cheap labor preserves the thin profit margins on these inexpensive vehicles. But as the market continues to shift in the United States, Mexico is getting burned by its lack of product diversity. The country's auto exports, which are heavy on cars, suffered a 16-percent drop last month, Automotive News reports. In total, year-over-year exports fell from 233,515 to 197,020 last month, while year-to-date exports are down by 7.4 percent, from 922,029 to 854,118. The number one culprit? America – which usually accounts for 75 percent of Mexico's exports – and its appetite for crossovers and pickup trucks bolstered by cheap gas prices. While Mexico does build some light truck models – AN specifically calls out the Ram 2500, Honda HR-V, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tacoma as export leaders – the vast majority of vehicles rolling out of its factories are sedans and hatchbacks. In fact, the three biggest drops in Mexican exports came from companies whose south of the border factories only build cars – Ford (Fusion/Lincoln MKZ and Fiesta), Mazda (Mazda3), and Volkswagen (Golf and Jetta). Mexican Automotive Industry Association President Eduardo Solis told AN the export shortfall will likely be sorted out sooner rather than later, thanks to a pair of new factories – a Kia car factory and an Audi SUV plant – that are coming online by year's end. The two facilities will add around 100,000 vehicles to the country's export totals, which Solis said should leave the industry on the verge of breaking another export record in 2016. But how sustainable will these record-breaking years be? Slapping an "Hecho en Mexico" sticker on a new German SUV won't be enough to change the fact that Mexico's product mix is tilted too heavily towards body styles that are not growing in volume. Mexico's record-breaking export years probably aren't at an end, but we'd argue they're certainly under threat. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Omar Torres / AFP / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Ford GMC Honda Mazda RAM Volkswagen Truck Crossover SUV Mexico

2022 GMC Sierra AT4X First Drive Review | Luxury off-roader

BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. – What does the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X have in common with the Aston Martin Vulcan, Mercedes-AMG GT, Camaro ZL1 and Ford GT? The answer: Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers. These dampers – or shock absorbers as theyÂ’re also called – are a lot like the adaptive dampers found in many sport and luxury vehicles. In a general sense, they allow drivers to select how soft or firm a ride they want, but the Multimatic dampers are quicker to respond and have additional benefits related to off-roading.  Off-roading is the main reason this new AT4X model has been added to the Sierra lineup this year, along with its elevated levels of luxury. ItÂ’s a big step up from the existing less-capable AT4 trim, which misses out on the DSSV dampers, electronically locking front and rear differentials, and 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires. The timing of this debut coincides with a significant overhaul for the entire 2022 Sierra lineup, including revised styling, a more muscular 2.7-liter turbo-four engine, and most notably, an interior overhaul that replaces this generationÂ’s dull and outdated dashboard with a fresh, modern and more competitive interpretation bolstered by a large 13.4-inch touchscreen powered by the Android Automotive OS. Upping the luxury further is a new, fully-loaded Denali Ultimate trim that includes the Super Cruise automated driving system, though our time in the revised 2022 Sierra was almost entirely in the AT4X. In addition to the off-road equipment and interior improvements listed above, the Sierra AT4X features the 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 as standard equipment, improved underbody skid plates, and a new Terrain drive mode. But thatÂ’s not all, because the AT4X is also differentiated by the X-less AT4 with a cabin thatÂ’s almost as extravagant as that luxurious Denali model, minus the availability of Super Cruise. Ventilated seats with massage functions, premium leather upholstery, wood trim and Bose audio are all standard. Altogether, this big truck could be the perfect way to get to your next glamping adventure. We had the opportunity to check out the AT4XÂ’s capabilities within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a few hours east of San Diego. There, we encountered long stretches of dried riverbeds, narrow chokepoints as well as steep climbs and descents. After dropping pressures in the Goodyear mud-terrain tires to a flaccid 15 psi, we skimmed through the silted riverbeds with ease.

Polestar 3 and 5 updates, and a compact Toyota pickup? | Autoblog Podcast #733

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. First, they discuss the news, including the possibility of a compact Toyota pickup, new details about the Polestar 3 and Polestar 5, whether Tesla needs a PR department and fresh info about the 2023 Honda HR-V. They also review the GMC Sierra, Kia EV6, Hyundai Kona Electric and Buick Enclave Avenir. Next, Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski reports from the ground at the first drive of the Ford Bronco Raptor, and Multimedia Producer Erik Maier joins in to talk about Autoblog's Father's Day gift guide and other deals. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #733 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Toyota looking hard at compact pickup market Polestar 3 shows itself and looks good Polestar 5 electric sedan outed in EU patent images (and now we have spy shots) Does Tesla need a PR department? (via Automotive News) 2023 Honda HR-V pricing and specs revealed Cars we're driving: 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate 2022 Kia EV6 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric 2022 Buick Enclave Avenir Dispatch: 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Father's Day gift ideas straight from the Autoblog staff Five excellent Father's Day deals for dads Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: