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Detroit automakers gain market share simultaneously for first time in 20 years

While monthly sales figures might be an easy way of tracking the progression of the auto industry and individual automakers, looking at market share might be more indicative of how each company is actually standing up against its competitors. For the Detroit Three automakers, they have collectively lost almost 30 percent of the market over the last 20 years, but now, for the first time since 1993, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have each posted market share gains at the same time.
According to Automotive News, Ford's share increased the most by 0.7 percent, GM was up 0.5 percent and Chrysler rose marginally by 0.2 percent, giving the Detroit automakers a total market share of 45.6 percent. As for the Japan's Big Three, the article reports that Toyota is up by 0.7 percent, Nissan is down the same amount and Honda has seen "little change."

2017 Chrysler Pacifica will start at $29,590

Early reports suggested the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica would be more expensive than the outgoing model, but that's not entirely the case. The new minivan's base LX trim starts at $29,590 (after $995 destination) versus $30,990 for the 2016 Town & Country. The latest vehicle's prices are also in line with its competitors. All Pacificas have amenities like Active Noise Cancellation and the model's famous Stow 'n Go seats. For $31,490, customers can upgrade to the Touring trim to get SiriusXM satellite radio, power sliding doors, and automatic headlights. The Touring-L adds a little more luxury for $35,490 with features like rear parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and leather seats, which are heated for the front row. The Touring-L Plus at $38,80 includes even more useful items like a seven-inch driver display, 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and an upgraded stereo. The top of the Pacifica range is the Limited trim for $43,490, which piles on even more luxuries to haul the family around in style. The amenities include Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, an integrated vacuum, 3D navigation, HID headlights, LED foglights, panoramic sunroof, and hands-free doors and liftgate. It seems perfect for a road trip. Compared to the competition, the Pacifica has good fuel economy and similar pricing (all of which include destination). For example, the 2016 Honda Odyssey starts at $30,300 and can go up to $45,775 for the top Touring Elite model. The situation is similar with the Toyota Sienna, which ranges between $29,750 and $46,170 for the most expensive two-wheel drive version. The rapidly aging Nissan Quest starts out cheaper at $27,480 but tops out at $44,130. However, the Kia Sedona is significantly cheaper than the Pacifica, starting at $27,295 and going to $40,795 for the highest trim. The only potential downside to the Pacifica's pricing is FCA's discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan. The model started at just $23,090 and topped out at $31,990, which gave the automaker a range of less expensive trims to lure price conscious customers. The company has lost that market advantage. We look forward to spending more time with the 2017 Pacifica when it arrives at dealers this spring. The Hybrid joins the lineup in the second half of the year.

FCA-Renault merger talks: France wants job guarantees and Nissan on board

PARIS — France will seek protection of local jobs and other guarantees in exchange for supporting a merger between carmakers Renault and Fiat Chrysler, its finance minister said on Tuesday, underscoring the challenges facing the plan. Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard arrived in Japan to discuss the proposed tie-up with the French company's existing partner Nissan — another potential obstacle to the $35 billion-plus merger of equals. Renault and Italian-American rival Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) are in talks to tackle the costs of far-reaching technological and regulatory changes by creating the world's third-biggest automaker. Nissan found out about Renault's merger talks with Fiat Chrysler only days before they became public, four sources told Reuters, stoking fears at the Japanese carmaker that a deal could further weaken its position in a 20-year alliance with Renault. A deal between Renault and FCA would create a player ranked behind only Japan's Toyota and Germany's Volkswagen and target 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) a year in savings. Some analysts, however, say the companies face a challenge to win over powerful stakeholders ranging from the French and Italian governments to trade unions and Nissan. Patrick Pelata, a former Renault chief operating officer, also criticized the deal plan for undervaluing Renault and threatening to overstretch its engineering resources. By valuing Renault at its market price, the all-share offer attributes a negative 6 billion euro value to Renault operations after deduction of its 43.4% stake in Nissan and 3.1% Daimler holding, Pelata told BFM radio. "That's hardly reasonable," he said. "And I think that shareholders, including the French state, are bound to take issue with this sooner or later." Pelata added: "FCA has big problem because they haven't invested for the future — they have no electric vehicle platform and they've done nothing in autonomous cars." French finance minister Bruno Le Maire told RTL radio on Tuesday that the plan was a good opportunity for both Renault and the European car industry, which has been struggling for years with overcapacity and subdued demand. France sets conditions Le Maire also said the French government would seek four guarantees in exchange for backing a deal that would reduce its 15% stake in Renault to 7.5% of the combined entity. "The first: industrial jobs and industrial sites.