VW, Audi product planners think big, not small, for U.S.

While their competitors add compacts, hybrids and electric cars, Volkswagen and Audi are pursuing a different product strategy in the United States. Both VW Group brands want the volume and higher profits that go with larger vehicles.... Read More »

VW weighs U.S.-built crossover

Volkswagen is likely to add a mid-sized crossover that would be built at its factory in Chattanooga, Tenn. And a small four-door wagon concept called the Bulli that has Microbus-like styling cues may also be on the way.... Read More »

Audi A3 sedan due in 2014

A new Audi A3 sedan designed for the United States will arrive in 2014 as a replacement for the A3 hatchback.... Read More »

Sports car, crossover may join Bentley's lineup

Bentley may add a sports car and crossover to its lineup. Both vehicles would use Volkswagen Group platforms and powertrains.... Read More »

Porsche to add small SUV, future entry-level roadster

Porsche plans a major expansion of its product range by the middle of the decade. CEO Matthias Mueller has promised at least one new model a year, starting with the redesigned 911 that arrives in February.... Read More »

Lambo's choice: New SUV or a 4-door sedan

Lamborghini may add an SUV to its three-car range rather than the four-door sedan that had been on the drawing board. The reason: The brand wants to grow in China and Russia, where big SUVs are popular.... Read More »

European luxury brands to roll out smaller cars, engines

Will Americans spend big money on small cars? It's a question European luxury-brand executives are pondering as they get set to launch compact models in the United States.... Read More »

Saab's plans hinge on investment

Saab's product strategy is up in the air pending a resolution of financial woes that threaten the company's existence. A $326 million rescue of Saab by Chinese partners Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co.... Read More »

Aston Martin's plans depend on Daimler

Aston Martin and Daimler AG have been discussing a product development tie-up that would help the British company redesign its aging performance coupes and give it a platform for a large sedan and SUV.... Read More »

M-B to grow with fwd A and B class

Mercedes-Benz's U.S. executives expect to add volume with a new range of front-wheel-drive compact cars that arrive starting in 2013 and new derivatives of the redesigned C class due in 2014 or 2015.... Read More »

Mini will extend lineup with help from BMW

Mini's range will grow in the coming years as it makes use of a new BMW Group front-wheel-drive architecture. It is unclear how many models based on the architecture Mini will get, but the first will be the redesigned Cooper due in 2014.... Read More »

Geely aims to move Volvo upmarket

Volvo's Chinese owner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., aims to elevate the Swedish brand to the top-tier luxury ranks by 2020.... Read More »

Jaguar to offer small sedan and 'spiritual successor' to E-Type

Jaguar is expected to add a sports car based on the C-X16 concept shown last month at the Frankfurt auto show. Executives said the car is nearly ready for production.... Read More »

Range Rover redesigns are in the works

Land Rover is launching its all-new Range Rover Evoque compact SUV this month. The Evoque will be followed by a redesign of the Range Rover, expected in 2013, and a redesign or re-engineering of the Range Rover Sport, expected in 2013 or 2014.... Read More »

Rolls to get Ghost derivatives -- someday

The Rolls-Royce Ghost, known as the "baby Rolls," debuted in the United States last year. There will be Ghost derivatives eventually, although Rolls takes its time bringing out new products.... Read More »

Smart will replace ForTwo and add 4-seater to lineup

Mercedes-Benz, which took over U.S. distribution of its Smart brand in July, is working with Renault on a replacement for the tiny ForTwo. The new Smart two-seater and the successor to the Renault Twingo will share the same platform.... Read More »

The experts

Veteran New York reporter Diana T. Kurylko has been digging up details about European import brands for many years.... Read More »

BMW plans small models, family of EVs

BMW wants to retain its new position as the best-selling luxury brand in the United States by adding electric models and a range of smaller, less expensive vehicles.... Read More »