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With ATS, Caddy gets serious about challenging BMW 3 series

Posted 3:34 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 23
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Mark Reuss: “We will go head-to-head with the competition and we are going to win.”
RICK KRANZ:  DETROIT -- It's no secret Cadillac's ATS is taking aim at the BMW 3 series.
But the similarity between the two models is striking.
Cadillac has been touting the ATS' driving dynamics on its Web site with video of high-speed maneuvers at Germany's legendary Nürburgring racetrack. That's the same track Audi, ...
     Continue reading "With ATS, Caddy gets serious about challenging BMW 3 series" » Jan 23, 2012 3:34 pm U.S. ET
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Why a big, light pickup didn't make sense to GM

Posted 4:08 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 18
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The mid-sized Colorado will provide “90 percent of the size and 120 percent of the efficiency because of the powertrains," says GM's Mark Reuss.
RICK KRANZ:  DETROIT -- Interested in owning a lighter, less capable light-duty full-sized pickup?
I didn't think so.
But General Motors seriously considered developing such a truck in an effort to boost the fuel economy of its pickups.
"We have studied this extensively," Mark Reuss, GM ...
     Continue reading "Why a big, light pickup didn't make sense to GM" » Jan 18, 2012 4:08 pm U.S. ET
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Lincoln's missed opportunity

Posted 4:09 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 13
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Did the Fusion adopt the MKZ's sloping roofline or did the MKZ concept, pictured, adopt the Fusion's? (RICK KRANZ)
RICK KRANZ:  The 2013 Ford Fusion was the most talked-about car at the Detroit auto show this week. And for good reason.
The exterior styling is terrific -- there's not a bad line to be found. Ford's design team deserves all the applause it's been getting.
And then there's Lincoln …
...
     Continue reading "Lincoln's missed opportunity" » Jan 13, 2012 4:09 pm U.S. ET
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Mood in Detroit: Anticipating ’12 but remembering ’09

Posted 4:23 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 12
blogs Jesse Snyder is senior writer for Automotive News.
 
The Detroit auto show started on a high note and as the week progressed from media days to industry days the mood has been rising.
Peter Fuss, German-area auto leader for Ernst & Young, noticed it as soon as he got off the flight from Stuttgart. “Everybody arrived happy and they get happier after talking to others.”
Continue reading "Mood in Detroit: Anticipating ’12 but remembering ’09" » Jan 12, 2012 4:23 pm U.S. ET
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Calling out the other guys

Posted 1:40 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 11
blogs Lindsay Chappell is the Mid-South bureau chief for Automotive News
 
"Our noble competitors" is how automakers traditionally referred to rival manufacturers in speeches of the past, just before plunging in the knife.
Or at worst, an executive might cast aspersions on competitors by alluding to them only as "certain other automakers who shall remain nameless," no matter how specific and obvious the allusion was.
...
     Continue reading "Calling out the other guys" » Jan 11, 2012 1:40 pm U.S. ET
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Why Marchionne needs the Dodge Dart to be a success

Posted 2:08 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 11
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Marchionne on the Dodge Dart launch: "There's a danger that if this thing flops, that it's going to taint everything I do from here on in..." (Bloomberg)
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE:  DETROIT -- When the 2013 Dodge Dart rolled out at the Detroit auto show for its worldwide debut Monday, the compact sedan seemed to score a bull's-eye with the hundreds of media people gathered around it.
Seated in the front row, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler/Fiat, looked as proud as a shaggily-bearded new grandfather.
...
     Continue reading "Why Marchionne needs the Dodge Dart to be a success" » Jan 11, 2012 2:08 pm U.S. ET
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Chevy TrailBlazer to skip U.S. showrooms in global rollout

Posted 8:17 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 10
blogs Rick Kranz is product editor for Automotive News
 
Does Chevrolet plan to expand its SUV lineup in the United States? Some Chevrolet dealers think so.
Over the past several months several Chevy dealers have indicated they expect General Motors' new mid-sized TrailBlazer to join the brand's U.S. lineup.
The good-looking concept debuted in November at the Dubai I ...
     Continue reading "Chevy TrailBlazer to skip U.S. showrooms in global rollout" » Jan 10, 2012 8:17 pm U.S. ET
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Dodge Dart will have a complex life

Posted 6:08 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 10
blogs Lindsay Chappell is the Mid-South bureau chief for Automotive News
 
The return of the old Dodge Dart nameplate for the 2013 model year will be a big deal for the Chrysler-Fiat partnership.
It gives Dodge a serious compact-segment product beside big-volume contenders like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
But it also represents a modern-era challenge for Chrysler, the manufact ...
     Continue reading "Dodge Dart will have a complex life" » Jan 10, 2012 6:08 pm U.S. ET
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Ford fires a salvo at Camry and Accord

Posted 10:39 am U.S. ET, Jan. 10
blogs Bradford Wernle covers Ford Motor Co. for Automotive News.
 
DETROIT -- In introducing the 2013 Ford Fusion mid-sized sedan at the Detroit auto show, Ford fired a blistering shot right across the bow of its competitors: the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
As suspenseful, digital music thrummed in a darkened auditorium at Joe Louis Arena just prior to the unveiling of the Fusion to hundreds of global reporters ...
     Continue reading "Ford fires a salvo at Camry and Accord" » Jan 10, 2012 10:39 am U.S. ET
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Buick's mini crossover enters a white space that could be red hot

Posted 12:59 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 10
blogs Jamie LaReau covers Ford Motor Co. for Automotive News
 
At auto shows I often eye vehicles and ask myself if they might one day be my next ride.
Sometimes the answer is: definitely, maybe.
General Motors introduced the Buick Encore compact crossover at the Detroit auto show today and I had that definitely, maybe feeling.
I'm not ...
     Continue reading "Buick's mini crossover enters a white space that could be red hot" » Jan 10, 2012 12:59 pm U.S. ET
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Maserati SUV is for real -- this time

Posted 11:19 am U.S. ET, Jan. 10
blogs Larry P. Vellequette covers Chrysler Group for Automotive News
 
For the second time in nine years, Maserati execs showcased a luxury SUV at the Detroit auto show -- but this time, they plan to build it.
The luxury Kubang SUV, which will share a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, will be built at Chrysler Group's Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit and exported worldwide.
...
     Continue reading "Maserati SUV is for real -- this time" » Jan 10, 2012 11:19 am U.S. ET
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GMC drops plan to bring Granite concept to showrooms

Posted 7:28 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 9
blogs Rick Kranz is product editor for Automotive News
 
One of the stars of the North American Auto Show two years ago has faded away.
The GMC Granite was a compact, stylish, van-like concept that was intended for young, urban buyers.
It was aimed at consumers who considered the GMC Terrain or Chevrolet Equinox way, way too big for their neighborhoods. A 2013 debut ...
     Continue reading "GMC drops plan to bring Granite concept to showrooms" » Jan 9, 2012 7:28 pm U.S. ET
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Behind Chevy's search for some Apple magic

Posted 4:21 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 9
blogs Mike Colias covers General Motors for Automotive News.
 
DETROIT -- General Motors has a big obstacle to overcome to reach its goal of elevating the Chevrolet brand to Apple status: Young people simply are more interested in iPhones and iPads than Camaros and Cruzes.
At least, that's one conclusion GM drew from talking to some 9,000 young people over the past year to get feedback for two new Chevy concep ...
     Continue reading "Behind Chevy's search for some Apple magic" » Jan 9, 2012 4:21 pm U.S. ET
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Lincoln stand gets a touch of old-school luxury from an Edsel

Posted 12:01 am U.S. ET, Jan. 9
blogs Bradford Wernle covers Ford Motor Co. for Automotive News
 
One of the stories of the Detroit auto show will be Lincoln's high-stakes effort to reinvent itself as a luxury brand that appeals to a new breed of "culturally progressive" customers. In Lincoln's view, these customers love the finer things in life and are tuned in to art, culture and design.
Lincoln's flashy new auto show stand, designed to resemble an art gall ...
     Continue reading "Lincoln stand gets a touch of old-school luxury from an Edsel" » Jan 9, 2012 12:01 am U.S. ET
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Show mood driven by the survivor mentality

Posted 10:46 am U.S. ET, Jan. 9
blogs Jesse Snyder is senior writer for Automotive News.
 
There’s a different mood at this year’s Detroit auto show. Upbeat to be sure, but calm, more restrained than bubbly. I haven’t seen anything quite like this in 30-some years on the auto beat. It seemed familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Then I got it. Everybody gathered here in the Motor City has the attitude I sa ...
     Continue reading "Show mood driven by the survivor mentality" » Jan 9, 2012 10:46 am U.S. ET
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Why GM means business with the Cadillac ATS

Posted 9:37 am U.S. ET, Jan. 9
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Mark Reuss acknowledged that GM could have decided to build the ATS on the same platform that underpins the CTS.
MIKE COLIAS:  DETROIT -- In the past, General Motors has tried and failed to transform Cadillac into a global luxury player on par with the German stalwarts. So what's different this time?
GM execs have fielded that question a lot lately, since CEO Dan Akerson began touting the goal early last year. The execs gave their most convincing answer last night at the u ...
     Continue reading "Why GM means business with the Cadillac ATS" » Jan 9, 2012 9:37 am U.S. ET
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Caddy ATS platform may spread to other GM brands

Posted 8:42 am U.S. ET, Jan. 9
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Cadillac's styling team has created an exciting design for the ATS -- a car that will draw new buyers to the brand.
RICK KRANZ:  DETROIT -- The 2013 Cadillac ATS sends a signal about General Motors' future product strategy.
Simply, GM now has a compact rear-wheel-drive platform that's available to other brands.
The ATS is Caddy's BMW 3-series fighter. The ATS' driving dynamics were groomed on the legendary Nurburgring race track in Germa ...
     Continue reading "Caddy ATS platform may spread to other GM brands" » Jan 9, 2012 8:42 am U.S. ET
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VW to Detroit: We're out for our share

Posted 7:12 am U.S. ET, Jan. 9
blogs Lindsay Chappell is the Mid-South bureau chief for Automotive News.
 
DETROIT -- Jonathan Browning had just one message for the party Sunday night at Detroit's downtown bar, Cliff Bell's.
"For those of you who don't recognize this voice, this is Jonathan Browning," the CEO of Volkswagen Group of America croaked over the noisy room, a bad cold making it difficult to talk. After waiting patiently for his German board o ...
     Continue reading "VW to Detroit: We're out for our share" » Jan 9, 2012 7:12 am U.S. ET
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A former star of the show shines again -- on the sales chart

Posted 12:01 am U.S. ET, Jan. 8
blogs David Phillips is deputy managing editor of autonews.com.
 
The SUV, a star of past North American International Auto Shows, is getting second billing at the 2012 edition.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Grand Cherokee's glass-shattering debut at the Detroit auto show.
Barring any last-minute surprises, just two SUVs -- Nissan's Pathfinder concept and Masera ...
     Continue reading "A former star of the show shines again -- on the sales chart" » Jan 8, 2012 12:01 am U.S. ET
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Volkswagen E-Bugster concept hints at future of Beetle

Posted 8:37 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 8
blogs
The E-Bugster suggests future possibilities for VW's iconic Beetle.
GREG MIGLIORE:  Combining electric power and a curvy two-seat configuration, the E-Bugster concept for the Detroit auto show offers a sporty, futuristic take on the Volkswagen Beetle.
The name blends "E" (for electric), "Bug" (for obvious reasons) and "speedster" to form the rather unusual moniker. The car is based on the latest edition of the Beetle, which launch ...
     Continue reading "Volkswagen E-Bugster concept hints at future of Beetle" » Jan 8, 2012 8:37 pm U.S. ET
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Volkswagen E-Bugster concept hints at future of Beetle

Posted 8:37 pm U.S. ET, Jan. 8
blogs
The E-Bugster's powertrain is called "Blue e-motion," and it uses a 114-hp electric motor that runs on a lithium-ion battery stored under the floor.
GREG MIGLIORE:  Combining electric power and a curvy two-seat configuration, the E-Bugster concept for the Detroit auto show offers a sporty, futuristic take on the Volkswagen Beetle.
The name blends "E" (for electric), "Bug" (for obvious reasons) and "speedster" to form the rather unusual moniker. The car is based on the latest edition of the Beetle, which launch ...
     Continue reading "Volkswagen E-Bugster concept hints at future of Beetle" » Jan 8, 2012 8:37 pm U.S. ET
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Lincoln concept must wow the show crowd

Posted 10:45 am U.S. ET, Jan. 5
blogs
The concept is essentially the next-generation MKZ, Lincoln's lowest priced sedan. Pictured is the 2012 MKZ. (Lincoln)
RICK KRANZ:  "Hold your breath, cross your fingers and pray -- pray that we did it right."
That might be the mantra on the lips of the folks at Ford Motor Co. and the Lincoln brand.
Tuesday morning, the wraps come off the Lincoln concept that shows the new styling direction for the brand. Insiders at the Blue Oval say the c ...
     Continue reading "Lincoln concept must wow the show crowd" » Jan 5, 2012 10:45 am U.S. ET
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