According to dealers and others who are in-the-know, Chrysler is planning on not only changing the “look” of the Sebring (halleluiah), but also the name. Nassau will be the new name and was the name of a Chrysler concept vehicle at the 2007 Detroit auto show. The Sebring’s image has been greatly tarnished because of its cheap interior and poor quality (I’d even throw in exterior styling). Every other automaker has a competitive mid-size sedan in the marketplace; therefore it is very important for Chrysler to get the Nassau right – as younger buyers upgrade from smaller cars, they look at this segment.
The Nassau and the new Dodge Avenger are expected to have completely new exterior styling, new fuel efficient powertrain options (2.4 liter four cylinder or the new V6 Pentastar), and vastly improved interior quality. The new vehicles are expected to launch towards the end of this year – they cannot come soon enough!
Read the full news story at the Detroit Free Press.
The Cadillac CTS has been a pretty big success, proving that the Americans can build a luxury car to compete with the foreign automakers. Well this year the CTS sedan will be joined by two more body styles; the Sportwagon and Coupe. Both the Coupe and Sportwagon variants have been shown, but at the Detroit Auto Show, GM is rolling out the big guns. They are showing the CTS-V version of the coupe.
For all of the details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: GM)
Ford Motor Company has joined the ranks of only two other automakers in 17 years by winning both the Car of the Year and Truck of the Year awards. The Car was not really a shock to me, as the Ford Fusion hybrid was part of the winning team for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. The Truck of the Year was the new runabout on the scene, the Ford Transit Connect. Both of these vehicles bested cars (or trucks) from the best automakers in the world and came out on top, proving yet again that Detroit can compete and it CAN WIN!!! For more, head on over to Autoblog.
Check out the hot new Ford Focus! Man does it look sharp!
The all-new Ford Focus has been shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show and boy does it look good! Not only is the exterior design outstanding, but the interior reportedly raises the bar for not only the C-segment, but cars in more premium segments as well! Autoblog even goes so far as to say the interior is something you would expect in a Lexus or Audi, it’s that good! For more details and official shots, head on over to Autoblog.
Or, to see a video of the unveiling, head on over here.
(Image source: Ford)
Now I’m not totally sure, but I think the teaser above is a concept for GMC’s version of the Chevrolet Orlando. The Orlando is a new crossover that will seat 7 and be built on the new Delta platform that underpins cars like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze. For more details…well you’ll just have to wait until our coverage of the Detroit Auto Show!
(Image source: GM)
GM to offer test drives at the North American International Auto Show!
General Motors has some extra room this year at the Detroit Auto Show since Saturn, Pontiac and Saab will not be there, so it has decided to do something innovative. The General will offer test drives at the show for the nearly 1 million people who will come through the show this January. With sales down in 2009, automakers are trying to figure out anything they can do to boost sales. This will give potential customers the opportunity to try out one of the many new cars from GM and then talk to sales people on the show floor! For more details, head on over to the Detroit News.
(Image source: GM)
Jalopnik takes a look at the inner workings of GM’s NAIAS display!
Have you ever attended an auto show and wondered what went into the display you were standing on? Well Jalopnik has taken a behind the scenes look at the General Motors display for the North American International Auto Show and it is actually quite interesting. GM has plans to use 100,000 square feet of Cobo Hall, and will display around 60 vehicles during the public days. For more details and photos, check out Jalopnik.
(Image source: NAIAS)
Chrysler will not have a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show!
Chrysler has decided to keep things low key at this January’s Detroit Auto Show by skipping a press conference altogether. This seems odd to me, as well as many auto industry insiders who feel that Chrysler needs to start talking about new product in the pipeline. Last year saw some very sharp concepts roll out, such as the 200C above, but this year the best we can hope for are several limited edition models. For more, head on over to the Detroit News.
(Image source: Chrysler)
GM and Ford score nominations in the North American Car AND Truck of the Year awards!
Out of all the new cars and trucks released in the past year, only 3 each are chosen as the finalists for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards that will be presented at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The interesting news here is that both GM and Ford managed to get a nominee in the car and the truck categories! For GM, the car is the Buick LaCrosse and the truck is the Chevrolet Equinox. The Ford nominees are the Fusion hybrid and the Transit Connect. For more, head on over to Autoblog or the North American Car and Truck of the Year site.
