EcoBoost goes global! Europeans get first four-cylinder EcoBoost models
Ford has announced that 2.0L and 1.6L four-cylinder EcoBoost engines will be available for the first time in Europe this summer. The engines will produce power ranging from 200 horses down to 148. These engines will debut in the updated S-Max and Galaxy MPVs and also the C-Max and Grand C-Max. This 2.0L will also show up in the revised 2011 Edge sometime later this year, as well as potentially making an appearance in the next generation Explorer (as previewed by the Explorer America concept.) For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
Sales of the Cadillacs and Corvettes to resume in Europe!
General Motors has had a rough go at it these past few years. What with the need for government bailouts and then filing for bankruptcy, things haven’t been harder really. On top of that, GM’s distributor for Cadillacs and Corvettes in Europe went bust, meaning those cars haven’t been available in Europe for almost a year. Well it now appears that GM has corrected that issue, reportedly in talks with about 30 dealerships around Europe to bring over the entire Corvette lineup, as well as the Cadillac CTS (coupe, sedan and wagon,) Escalade, CTS-V and SRX. No word on pricing or availability yet, so stay tuned for more. Until then, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Caradvice.com)
German Chancellor angry at GM’s decision to not sell Opel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs to settle down now. The chancellor is bitter at GM’s reversal of decision to sell Opel in Europe to Magna and Gaz. Her fear is that GM is going to cut too many jobs at Opel, as compared to Magna’s plans.
GM decided to not sell Opel because of its small car platforms and also the improving global economy. This is a smart move in my opinion; how else would GM be a global company if it sold off most of its operations in Europe?
Does Angela Merkel actually think that Opel can be more successful under the ownership of Magna and Russia’s Gaz? She should relax.
Read the full article at New Europe.
Opel-lac Insignia (Photo-chop courtesy of Autoblog)
Earlier we posted an article which stated that future Buick models would share parts and platforms with Opel from Europe. Apparently, according to the Detroit Free Press, General Motors is now considering offering the Opel Insignia in the U.S. as a Cadillac. The Insignia is a very bold, attractive looking car with tons of high tech features, including a camera that can read speed limit signs and display the speed in the instrument panel. It was originally believed that the Insignia would be the next Saturn Aura here in the States, but with the planned demise of Saturn, GM is probably looking at other options, including this one. For more, head on over to the Detroit Free Press.
