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Country_Bookie wrote:What are the options for hybrid sedans locally? Just the Nissan note or the Hyundai lonic?
Any alternative dealers bringing the civic hybrid new?
agent007 wrote:Isn’t the Nissan Note e-Power an EV? If so, this is directly compared to the Hyundai Ioniq EV.
Capleton wrote:Country_Bookie wrote:What are the options for hybrid sedans locally? Just the Nissan note or the Hyundai lonic?
Any alternative dealers bringing the civic hybrid new?
There is also the Toyota Prius C, which you can get new from the firm. Last I saw the starting price was $162,500 for the fully loaded model. It's a hatch though, so not a sedan.
agent007 wrote:Sadly mid-size sedans across the globe are slowly dropping off the radar, thanks to the world-wide trend of purchasing more crossovers/SUVs. Locally, mid-size sedans are pretty much dead or extremely slow in sales. Let's consider some current happenings:
Toyota Camry - status? Not imported anymore or relegated to special order. AFAIK, the only current-gen Camry they imported was the 2.5 Hybrid model that the head of TTTL currently drives. In other words, they absorbed it internally and not for sale to the general public. Those 2.5 and 3.5 models are not practical to import anymore due to the increased heavy taxes imposed on them or unless the TTPS passes an order to TTTL to replace written-off/aged 3.5 V6 escort vehicles attached to Special Branch, don't keep your hopes up.
Honda Accord - status? I have no idea. There's a new model launched in NA and it doesn't appear we here in T&T would get a RHD replacement anytime soon. Those 2.0 and 3.5 models are not practical to import anymore due to the increased heavy taxes imposed on them. The new Accord launched in NA does have a 2.0T engine that can make it an attractive alternative to entry-level European sedans but unless Honda sends this in RHD for us, the Accord could be history locally.
Nissan Altima - status? Like the Accord, there is an all-new model launched in NA but in other markets, they still get the Altima/Teana as in the L33 body-style we got but we're not sure if this would be imported going forward because those 2.0, 2.5 and 3.5 models would not make any sense. This new Altima launched in NA does have a 2.0T engine that can make it an attractive alternative to entry-level European sedans but unless Nissan sends this in RHD for us, the Altima (like the Accord) could be history locally.
Mazda 6 - status? SS still imports them in very few numbers. The 2.5 is impractical because of the increased taxes so unfortunately that model is discontinued for us and it's a stretch to ask if we would even get that new 2.5T Signature version that is making waves amongst the automotive press. In the meanwhile, we get a basic 2.0 model with leather and BOSE. Take it for what its worth.
Subaru Legacy - status? The last time Massy imported a Subaru mid-size sedan wearing a Legacy badge was probably 2012-2013. Subaru sedans are dead locally and would only exist thanks to grey market dealers. Massy is focusing on the XV and Forester to float that brand and the odd WRX sale. The current-gen model was never imported and don't expect the all-new 2019/20 model to be seen here either.
Hyundai Sonata - status? Things were nice for Sonatas back in PAZ-PBD days, remember those?. Then we got the newer models that trickled in and sold a handful over the years. Things then looked better when we got the 6th gen model back in 2010 with a striking design called fluidic design sculpture. It sold okay and then in 2014-2015 there was a model change to the 7th gen. Less than 30 were sold locally according to a source of mine (subject to confirmation). Hyundai-Kia realized in terms of mid-size sedans, they would push the Optima for us and close the Sonata chapter. Besides, Massy imported the 2.0 and 2.4 models and the latter would not make any sense as no-one will pay $400k+ for a South Korean sedan. So, to see the 8th gen in T&T is like asking to see a unicorn in the emperor valley zoo.
Kia Optima - status? SS still imports these sedans priced around $320k and they're fully loaded. It's basically a Sonata with a different body. For those who can't stretch to the $400k territory to purchase an entry level european luxury car will find that the Optima is good value for money. It means SS has cornered the mid-size car market with the 6 and Optima. Good for them.
Ford Fusion - status? You could have purchased a bare bones basic 1.5t Fusion from as low as $270 to $299k. But Ford locally is a dead brand. Only the Ranger floats them and as such, the rest of the line-up suffers as I don't think they sell Fiestas and Focuses anymore. Ford and GM announced that they're discontinuing several models and IIRC, the Fusion is one of them so this chapter is almost at a close. The last I saw they had in the showroom was absorbed in a fleet sale to Europcar.
Volkswagen Passat - status? The B5 and B6 is what really made it locally. The price BA asked in relation to the power, features and safety you got was better than many other premium European offerings such as C180, 316i and A4 1.8T Ambient. But quality issues plagued them and the mechatronic issue apparently went viral. So, VW locally is almost a dead brand and as such there are only literally a handful of B8 Passats locally. 1 Owner is already parting ways with his, if not parted ways already. What happens next for VW and Passats locally is anyone's guess.
Some notable mid-size market failures in T&T are:
Toyota Avensis/Corona, Peugeot 406/407, Renault Laguna, Citroen Xantia, Chevrolet Epica and Ford Mondeo. Notable mention is the Mitsubishi Galant which is currently RIP more than a decade and a half ago.
Last 2 standing are the Mazda 6 and Kia Optima. It should be noted that the Mazda 6 is a new direction for Mazda started in 2002 because the 626 which was once a really competitive car became a pile of junk in the years 1997-2001. If Mazda did not make a 6/Atenza then like the Galant, a Mazda mid-size sedan would have been history by now.
DevilZ wrote:What vehicle gives you the most airbags for least money?
Change your oil when it supposed to be changed, same goes for all CVT, not just Toyotaaaron17 wrote:I hear cvts are bad....in corollas
aaron17 wrote:I hear cvts are bad....in corollas
Well played btwAllergic2BunnyEars wrote:aaron17 wrote:I hear cvts are bad....in corollas
More reliable than a VW mechatronic.
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