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Porsche, Jaguar continue dominance in 2015 JD Power APEAL study

The top of JD Power's 2015 APEAL Study has not changed much in the last year. Porsche remains No. 1 with Jaguar nipping at its heels, although both premium brands saw their overall score fall compared to 2014. For those that need a refresher, the APEAL Study looks at how "gratifying" a vehicle is to own and drive, rating cars and brands on a 1,000-point scale. The industry average for 2015 has increased from 794 to 798, while the total number of automakers that finished above the curve increased from 16 to 20. While Porsche and Jaguar finished at the top, their scores dropped eight and seven points, respectively, to 874 and 855. The top "non-premium" brand was Mini, which scored an impressive 825, up from 795. If the BMW-owned British marque is still a bit too premium for your tastes, last year's non-premium winner, Hyundai, did climb five points and is this year's runner up. At the opposite end of the scale, Smart sits at the very bottom of the rankings, with a score of 683 (it didn't appear on the 2014 rankings). Fiat also dropped, from fourth worst in 2014 to second worst in 2015, despite the 500 being named most appealing city car. Subaru made an impressive climb, from third worst to seventh, falling just 10 points shy of the industry average and two points south of the non-premium average. In the individual vehicle segments, eight brands earned multiple awards, with Ford, Chevrolet, and Porsche earning three apiece. Surprise segment victories included the new Ford Expedition, which beat out Chevy's popular Suburban. The Infiniti QX80 bested the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover for best large luxury SUV, and the Dodge Challenger beat its muscle car rivals from Ford and Chevy. Most of the victories, though, were quite predictable. The Mazda6 and CX-5 took wins for the midsize sedan and compact SUV categories respectively, while the Volkswagen Golf captured the compact car win. The Ford F-150 won the large pickup category, while the Porsche Cayman was named most appealing compact premium sporty car. Check out the official release on the 2015 APEAL Study, available below, from JD Power. 2015 U.S. APEAL Study Results The latest safety-related technologies are among the drivers of customer satisfaction with new vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2015 U.S.

Recharge Wrap-up: TRD Toyota Prius, new Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell dealer

A new study predicts that biofuels capacity will grow to 61 billion gallons per year by 2018. The findings from Lux Research also suggest that biodiesel and ethanol will make up 96 percent (about 5.76 billion gallons) of that. Sixty-four percent of biofuels will come from the Americas, led by the US and Brazil, but with Colombia and Argentina emerging as important producers. Other large emerging producers are China, Indonesia, and Thailand in Asia, and Portugal, Poland, and France in Europe. A large share of next-generation biofuels are expected to come from waste oils. Read more at Domestic Fuel. Images of Toyota Racing Development equipment for the 2016 Prius have leaked. The images show what are likely cosmetic upgrades for the JDM version of the hybrid, including a rear spoiler, front spoiler lip, extended side skirts and a selection of wheels ranging from 15 to 18 inches. Also shown are LED daytime running lights and a dual-tip, centrally mounted exhaust. Expect to see the official reveal of the TRD Prius at the Tokyo Motor Show, where there will surely be more details about the add-ons, including the possibility of some interior features. See the leaked images and read more at Motor1. A fourth Hyundai dealer in southern California now sells the Tucson Fuel Cell. Keyes Hyundai in northern Los Angeles has met the requirements to sell the hydrogen-powered CUV. So far, Hyundai has delivered more than 75 Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles, which have logged almost 700,000 miles on southern California roads. "Keyes Hyundai is thrilled to be added as a qualified dealer for Hyundai's zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle," says David Kohan, the dealership's general manager. "Our location in the northern Los Angeles region makes it even more convenient for local residents to conveniently acquire their new Tucson Fuel Cell CUV, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions." The other qualified dealerships are located in Anaheim, Carson and Tustin. Read more in the press release below. Keyes Hyundai In Los Angeles Added To Growing Collection Of Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Dealers Keyes Hyundai Joins Tustin Hyundai, Win Hyundai in Carson and Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim as a Qualified Hydrogen Fuel Cell Dealer LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Keyes Hyundai in Los Angeles became the fourth qualified dealer for Hyundai's zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle today. Hyundai is the only manufacturer in the U.S.

Hyundai opens up European Test Centre at N"urburgring

Anyone who's anyone among automakers tests at the Nürburgring, and the latest to join them is Hyundai. After fifteen months of construction and a €6.6-million investment - just shy of $9M USD - the Korean automaker has finally completed its new trackside testing center that was initially announced back in January.
Hyundai's new European Test Centre encompasses nearly 40,000 square feet of floor space on four levels in a glass and steel building that houses workshops, offices and hospitality areas. Acting as an extension of the company's European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Nürburgring test center will allow Hyundai to conduct more regular and rigorous testing around the 73 corners and 13 miles of tarmac that make up the famous racetrack - definitely a good thing for a powerhouse brand that still sometimes fumbles when it comes to the dark arts of suspension and steering tuning.