Mazda Reveals Recent Record-Breaking Sales

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As Q1 sales numbers reveal, most automakers have bounced back after a slow year in 2020. Big incentives even pushed some automakers, like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, to hit record-breaking sales. Mazda also broke records of its own.

According to a recent Mazda press release, the automaker enjoyed a 58.4 percent increase in sales compared to May 2020. Mazda’s daily selling rate also rose by 69.2 percent. The brand offers quite a few impressive cars, but which models enjoyed the biggest boost in popularity?

Mazda had an exceptional May 2021

Mazda cars | Getty Images

May has been the most successful month for Mazda in 2021, according to GoodCarBadCar. The Mazda CX-9 enjoyed the best month of its entire lifespan, selling 4,409 units. It’s a midsize SUV with an efficient and powerful engine, plus an infotainment interface update for 2021.

The Mazda CX-30 also hit its peak this month with 7,959 units sold. It’s a relatively newer SUV, so it doesn’t have the longstanding reputation of its peers. Still, it comes with a great selection of standard features and a nice optional turbo engine.

What was the best-selling Mazda model in May?

The Mazda CX-5 was the automaker’s most popular vehicle last spring, selling 42,187 vehicles, according to GoodCarBadCar. That’s close to twice the units it sold in May 2020, which amounted to 24,933. The CX-5 was also one of the best-selling models for the month of June, moving 32,605 units off dealership lots.

The Mazda CX-5 has sold a total of 88,113 vehicles for 2021 in the U.S. If it can keep this momentum, it’s well on its way to beating its 2020 record of 146,420 vehicles sold. The CX-5’s Canadian sales have also enjoyed a substantial increase, especially in April.

Is the CX-5 worth buying?

The Mazda CX-5’s base engine has 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD. Its available turbocharged engine makes 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, which can be paired with Mazda’s i-Activ AWD. It works just like traditional AWD. Only it can detect potential terrain changes in real-time.

The Mazda CX-5’s turbo engine is standard on the Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature trims. You get better acceleration with this engine, but Kelley Blue Book says you can get the same results by putting the base engine in Sport mode. Every CX-5 has easy and lively handling.

Sticking with the base engine also gets you the best gas mileage, 25/31 mpg city/highway. Adding AWD only drops its efficiency by one point each. The turbo-four is still conservative on fuel, earning 23/28 mpg at best. 

While KBB didn’t think the ride was the most comfortable, its overall performance makes it worthwhile to drive. The interior also looks stylish and comes with comfortable and supportive seats. Cloth upholstery is standard, but the higher trims come with leather and heated front seats. Legroom isn’t as generous for the second row, but most adults should still feel accommodated.

Even the base trim comes decently equipped with smartphone integration, an HD Radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Drivers can use touch controls or physical knobs to control most functions. It also comes with several essential driver’s aids, like forward automatic emergency braking and lane centering technology.

The Mazda CX-5 is affordable, starting at only $25,370, Mazda shows. Opting for the fully loaded Signature trim will cost $37,505 or above, depending on options. Given these reasonable prices and good qualities, we can see why the CX-5 is so popular this year.

RELATED: The Mazda CX-5’s Depreciation Isn’t the Best or the Worst

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Are New Holland Tractors Reliable?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s not difficult nor rare to spot a blue New Holland tractor in the farmlands of the United States. There are plenty of folks that work their land in a New Holland tractor model. The tractor company is one of the more recognized tractor brands, positioned alongside other tractor brands like Kubota, John Deere, Fendt, and Mahindra. But are New Holand tractors reliable? 

New Holland tractors | Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Are New Holland tractors any good? 

Yes, after perusing the internet for answers, it’s safe to say this is a good tractor. When it’s all said and done, this type of blanket classification of good or bad comes largely down to buyers’ preference. With proper maintenance and mindful usage, most tractors prove to have excellent reliability. 

Of course, the best value will depend on the unique intended use that each buyer has for any prospective farming equipment purchase. Plus, dealer locations and relations make a big difference too. That said, the New Holland Tractor company placed third in this consumer survey. In addition, it’s rated one of the top five best tractor brands in both Australia and in the U.S. Overall, New Holland is considered a reliable tractor.

Are they made in the USA? 

a new holland tractor spreading manure in an agricultural field
Farmer spreading chicken manure | Wayne Hutchinson/Farm Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

With beginnings dating back to 1865, the New Holland brand planted its first roots in New Holland, Pennsylvania. The tractor company saw many corporate and engineering partnerships. A relationship with Ford began in 1917, and Fiat and Sperry also joined the mix over the years. 

Ford actually owned the company from 1986 until 1991. At that time, Fiat purchased New Holland. Fiat Industrial ultimately merged with CNH. To this day, New Holland is still an entity beneath that CNH corporate umbrella. 

The U.S. headquarters for the New Holland tractor company are still located in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Today, the company produces tractors all around the world. This includes manufacturing plants in the USA. 

What are some common problems New Holland tractor owners might run into?

a new holland tractor cutting a hay field
Mowing a meadow with a New Holland T7 tractor | Wayne Hutchinson/Farm Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Even when a brand or product is generally considered reliable, there are still going to be problems from time to time. There is virtually no perfect product––especially when it comes to machinery. The more moving parts there are, the more room there is for error. 

Some common problems that New Holland tractor owners might deal with include things like failure to start or hydraulic issues, according to Reference. Another problem owners tend to run into is faulty glow plugs. 

Common tractor problems

Transmission failure and a broken tractor frame are other problems that arise less frequently. Sometimes, owners have issues with white smoke in the vent. All of these problems, however, are general issues with tractors in general. 

While they do arise in New Holland tractor brand models, these issues are seen across the board regardless of the brand––even those made in the USA. Virtually every major brand makes a reliable tractor. It all comes down to proper handling, care, and maintenance. There’s no perfect tractor. So the choice ultimately comes down to the buyer’s preference and what specific jobs they need their new tractor to be able to perform.

RELATED: This Underdog Won Tractor of the Year for 2021

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Despite This Major Flaw, People Still Love Their 2017 Honda Ridgelines

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a popular pickup truck. It’s a smaller, generally reliable truck with good safety ratings. However, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline also has a noticeable weakness – its transmission. What’s the deal with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline’s transmission problems?

Honda Ridgeline | Honda

What’s wrong with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline’s transmission?

Consumer Reports has generally favorable ratings for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. However, the transmission minor only gets a 2 out of 5 on the Consumer Reports rating scale. The transmission major is only slightly better, at a 3 out of 5.

Consumer reports notes that the 2017 Honda Ridgeline’s transmission has problems with the gear selector or linkage. It notes that it also leaks, and has transmission counter problems. There are also issues with the transmission sensors. The transmission also slips in this truck, which contributed to the low transmission score. 

As far as major transmission issues, some 2017 Honda Ridgeline customers had to have their entire transmissions rebuilt or replaced. Other problems include the torque converter and the clutch. 

Consumer Reports collects information from owners about their trucks

Consumer Reports sends surveys to people about their vehicles and uses this information to assess things like its reliability and owner satisfaction. Here are some of the comments they collected about the 2017 Honda Ridgeline: 

“It happened all at once. Transmission stayed in the lower gear until it shifted harshly into the next gear. It was drivable to the extent I got to the dealer who gave me a loaner and had it fixed by the next morning.”

Anonymous, OR (2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS 3.5-L V6)

“Transmission began slipping on hills. The problem became worse and more frequent until repaired.”

Anonymous, AL (2017 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition 3.5-L V6)

“Major malfunction requiring new transmission from Honda.”

Anonymous, FL (2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS 3.5-L V6)

“the transmission fluid line separated from the transmission for an unexplained reason and I lost all transmission fluid. The transmission was fried and vehicle stopped working. Honda initially said it was not their fault but ultimately replaced the transmission under warrenty.”

Anonymous, NY (2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL 3.5-L V6)

Why do people love their 2017 Honda Ridgelines despite these issues?

Even with all of these transmission problems, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline still has an owner satisfaction score of 5/5. That’s a remarkably high score for a pickup truck with some pretty serious transmission problems. 

So why do people love their 2017 Honda Ridgelines even though they have these problems? Ridgeline owners reported that they were very satisfied with the driving experience that their truck offered. Overall, the driving experience has a score of 84 out of 100. 

Comfort also scored well, getting an 83 out of 100. Customers found the ride comfortable no matter where people were sitting. 

The value was low, at only a 48 out of 100. Some people found it overpriced for the available options. Others were happy with it just as it was. Styling got a decent score, at a 76 out of 100.

Overall, 81% of people said they would buy the 2017 Honda Ridgeline again. That’s not bad for a truck with transmission problems. In fact, more people would buy their truck again than owners of any similar type of pickup truck. Perhaps Honda handles the repairs well, or perhaps the transmission problems aren’t too widespread.

Related: There Are a Whole Bunch of Trucks You Shouldn’t Buy If You Have Little Kids

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Does Lamborghini Make EVs?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When Ferruccio Lamborghini was growing up in Italy in the first half of the 20th century, he could not have imagined that one day, freeways would be filled with vehicles powered by electricity. Even the “perfect car” the former tractor maker created in 1962 ran on gasoline. Today, several automakers offer electric options. But does Lamborghini make EVs yet?

The long road from gasoline to electric

Lamborghini | Getty Images

Some automakers are turning their attention to EVs, or electric cars, as petroleum sources are at risk of becoming depleted. At least they’re making promises to do so. So far, most automotive offerings purported to be electric are actually hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or self-charging hybrids, explains Car and Driver magazine.

The first mass-produced all-electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, made its debut around a decade ago. Remarkable as it may seem, it was not the first electric car in the world. A battery-powered carriage was devised by British inventor Robert Anderson around the time Ferruccio Lamborghini was taking his first steps. It was little more than a buggy, but it was a start along the path to true electric vehicles.

The first electric car was built by a Des Moines chemist named William Morrison and hit American roads around 1890. The six-passenger car could attain a top speed of 14 mph. Not terribly impressive, but it was another push forward for EV technology. Nonetheless, when Henry Ford debuted his mass-produced Model T in 1908, interest in electric cars fell by the wayside, explains the US Department of Energy.

Does Lamborghini make EVs?

The short answer is no. Or maybe it’s “not yet.” At the time of this writing, the esteemed luxury automaker hasn’t put an EV on the market, but this may change soon.

Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, declared earlier this month that the last fully gas-powered Lambo will roll off the production line in 2024, explains Car and Driver. Until then, the carmaker plans to hybridize its roster of vehicles while perfecting the all-electric it promises to debut sometime after 2025.

As for the company’s plan to make hybrid vehicles, Winkelmann had this to say:

“Performance and the authentic Lamborghini driving experience will remain the focus of the company’s engineers and technicians in developing new technologies, and the application of lightweight carbon fiber materials will be crucial in compensating for weight due to electrification. The company’s internal target for this phase is to reduce product CO2 emissions by 50% by the beginning of 2025.”

Don’t expect to see the Terzo Millennio on showroom floors anytime soon, however. Designed in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Dinca Research Lab, the electric concept car features advanced propulsion along with superior battery storage, regenerative braking, and wheels with separate, integrated motors. It may even have the power to fix its own parts, MotorTrend reports.

When Lamborghini finally does start selling an all-electric vehicle, competition in the luxury electric car market may be steep. After all, Ferrari also announced their intention to debut an all-electric car by 2025, Bloomberg News reports.

EV carmakers today

In 2021, global interest in EV technology is surging, and many automakers now make electric vehicles. An Italian-built Aspark will set you back $3 million, and the Buick Velite is only available in China, says MotorTrend, but there are other EV options to choose from.

  • Audi e-tron
  • BMW i3
  • Chevrolet Volt
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Jaguar I-Pace

Many other automakers, including Honda, GMC, and Hyundai, expect to launch an electric line of cars within the next year or two. 

RELATED: Does Volkswagen Own Lamborghini?

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