Ford CEO Has Harsh Words for Employees After 'Mediocre' 2018

Alanis KingFriday 9:57amFiled to: FORD129.6K3461Photo: Getty Images
The Morning ShiftAll your daily car news in one convenient place. Isn't your time more important?PrevNextView AllFord’s CEO isn’t mincing words when he wants to turn things around, Cadillac wants to do the same, and Nissan CEO’s said he plans to step down too. All of this and more in The Morning Shift for Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.

1st Gear: No More Mr. Nice Guy

Ford CEO Jim Hackett is about done with all of this losing-money stuff and said so in an email he sent to employees, as seen and reported on by Reuters. Hackett said in the email that 2018, a year in which Ford got hammered money-wise, was “mediocre by any standard,” and that it was time to improve things.

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

7.4 / 10The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a distinctive pick for a luxury SUV. For starters, there's the styling. Thanks to its swept-back exterior, it avoids the blocky look of many other SUVs. It's also atypical in terms of size and price since it splits the difference between small and midsize luxury SUVs.

Land Rover lets you pick among three available engines and gives you plenty of interior options to choose from. But equipping a Velar to your taste can be a daunting — as well as an expensive — task. A fully optioned Velar can cost as much as luxury SUV stalwarts such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which offer more power and interior space. Another drawback is the Velar's infotainment system. It looks great thanks to its dual-screen setup, but operating it frequently leads to driver frustration.

The luxury SUV market is a varied one, and each offering has its own particular set of strengths. If you like the Range Rover Velar's modern style, as well as its multitude of options for personalization, it's definitely worth a look.

2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar configurations

The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is available in four trim levels, each with a greater number of standard features throughout. The undesignated base trim Velar is only available with one engine offering, but it has dual-zone climate control and adaptive suspension dampers. The S offers two additional engine choices along with more comfort and utility features. The R-Dynamic SE and the R-Dynamic HSE flaunt more stylish bodywork and bigger wheels.
The base Velar starts with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (247 horsepower, 269 pound-feet of torque) that's connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights include adaptive suspension dampers, 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, keyless ignition and entry, and LED headlights. Inside you'll find dual-zone climate control, simulated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, two 10-inch infotainment touchscreens, two USB ports and an eight-speaker sound system.

Standard driver assistance systems include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, hill start assist, automatic emergency braking, and driver-adjustable drive settings for different surfaces including mud, sand and rocks.

The S adds two engine choices to the mix — a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (380 hp, 332 lb-ft of torque) and a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel-powered four-cylinder (180 hp, 317 lb-ft of torque). The S also includes 19-inch wheels, a power tailgate with a hands-free opening, auto-dimming side mirrors, leather upholstery, power-reclining rear seats, an 11-speaker Meridian sound system navigation, Jaguar InControl smartphone app integration, and traffic sign recognition.

Along with 20-inch wheels, the R-Dynamic SE receives more aggressive-looking bodywork and special exterior trim. The interior is swathed in perforated leather with microfiber-suede seat material and trim-specific finishes. Entertainment upgrades consist of a full-digital gauge cluster and a 17-speaker Meridian sound system. Driver assistance additions include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, and a surround-view parking camera.

The R-Dynamic HSE looks similar to the SE, but it rides on 21-inch wheels. The interior gains extended leather trimming and upgraded front seats (with massage, heating and ventilation functions). Adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency braking and blind-spot assist are standard as well.

For 2019, every trim has the option of the smartphone package with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Most of the extra standard features of the higher trim levels are offered as options on the lower trims. And many optional packages are available across most of the trim levels. Notable picks include the On/Road package, a towing package and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Land Rover Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE (turbodiesel 2.0L inline-4 8-speed automatic AWD).Read More

Driving

7.0Its relatively svelte and aerodynamic body lines suggest speed, but this diesel-powered Velar's best performance attribute is its brakes. Despite good thrust from a stop, the powertrain lacks responsiveness and feels anemic at speed. Meanwhile, its quick steering and soft suspension don't mesh well.Read More

Comfort

7.0The Velar's wonderfully comfortable seats make its stiff ride more tolerable. Adjusting the tire pressures can help, but it's only recommended under specific light-load situations. Diesel clatter is mostly absent, but other noises permeate the cabin.Read More

Interior

7.0