Automotive News - January 7, 2008 - (Page 24)

24 • JANUARY 7, 2008 DETROIT AUTO SHOW PREVIEW Ford goes global in styling its B-cars Amy Wilson awilson@crain.com Concept offers a peek at Explorer’s likely successor Ford will unveil its crossover of the future — and the likely successor to the Explorer SUV — at the Detroit show. The Explorer America concept hints at Ford’s plans for its larger vehicles. The unibody vehicle also is a design study for the next-generation Explorer, which is expected to move to a front-drive car platform early next decade. The all-wheel-drive Explorer America seats six. It is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine with turbocharging and direct injection. To improve fuel efficiency and maintain performance, Ford plans to expand that engine technology across much of its lineup. The Explorer America also could be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and direct injection, said Ford’s global product chief, Derrick Kuzak. The vehicle can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Ford officials declined to say whether such a vehicle would go into production, but consumers can expect to see elements of the vehicle in showrooms eventually. Said Kuzak: “The intention of this concept vehicle is to explore design language for the utility vehicle of the future.” — Amy Wilson After toying with a number of design concepts for subcompact cars, Ford appears to be settled on a plan: a global B-segment vehicle shared largely across its European, North American and Asian units. Ford is teasing the public with its Verve family, a trio of subcompact concepts. A sedan concept is expected to debut in Detroit. Ford showed the first Verve, with its large trapezoidal lower grille, at the Frankfurt auto show in September. That three-door hatchback foreshadows the next-generation Ford Fiesta, which goes on sale in Europe in late 2008. The second Verve, a four-door notchback, was unveiled at the Guangzhou, China, auto show in November. Ford’s first Verve, above, was featured at the Frankfurt auto show. The latest version will be displayed in Detroit. The final Verve shows up at the Detroit auto show as a teaser to the subcompact that Ford plans to introduce in the United States by the end of 2010. The vehicle will be positioned below the Focus. The concept will share the sleek “kinetic” styling theme developed at Ford of Europe. c Chinese automakers increase their presence Alysha Webb alyshawebb@yahoo.com SHANGHAI — Chinese automakers will have their largest presence at the Detroit show. The companies expect to gain valuable insight into the U.S. market and stake a small claim on the minds of U.S. dealers and consumers. If their cars are unrefined, though, they risk planting a poor impression of Chinese cars in the minds of those dealers and consumers. The five companies are small by Chinese standards and completely untested in Western markets. The presence of more Chinese brands in Detroit certainly will generate buzz among auto dealers, says Albert Gallegos, director of international affairs for the National Automobile Dealers Association. NADA will try to temper that excitement with a workshop on Chinese brands at the NADA convention in San Francisco in February. Gallegos wants U.S. dealers to make informed choices. He advises viewing the Chinese brands in Detroit with a skeptical eye. Says Gallegos: “You have to do your complete due diligence.” Here is a summary of the five automakers that will be at Cobo Center for the show. Geely Automobile Group Geely founder Li Shufu was a pioneer when he put one of his small, cheap cars in the lobby of Cobo Center in 2006. In China, the automaker is known for low prices, not quality. Geely will need to improve its models for export before it can hope to do well in the United States. In China, the small automaker’s sales rose by only 9.0 percent to 149,843 units in the first 10 months of 2007. The overall market grew by 26.3 percent. Zhongxing Automobile Co. and China America Cooperative Automotive Inc. (Chamco) Chamco, a distributor based in Parsippany, N.J., showed some Zhongxing models to dealers in the Renaissance Center during the 2007 Detroit show. This year will be a test for Zhongxing, to see whether it can meet the quality and styling standards needed to succeed in the United States. Zhongxing remains a small player in the China market. It sold only 31,334 pickups and SUVs in 2006; that should rise by about 5.3 percent in 2007, says Zhongxing. BYD Auto Co. BYD’s parent company makes batteries, so you might think that BYD would be showing an electric car in Detroit. Not so. BYD begin selling gasoline-powered small cars a few years ago. It will bring those models to the United States. Although BYD sold only 80,588 units in the first 10 months of 2007, that was up 63.5 percent from the same period in 2006. BYD says it eventually wants to concentrate on electric models. The company plans to launch a plug-in hybrid model in the second half of 2008 and a pure electric model in 2009. Changfeng Motor Co. Changfeng Motor Co. made history last year as the first Chinese brand to exhibit inside Cobo, albeit in the basement. Reactions were mixed to the tiny SUV maker, which sold only 33,000 units in 2006. Changfeng faces the same challenges all Chinese automakers face in coming to the United States: making high-quality models that meet U.S. emissions and safety standards, building brand recognition, and dealing with warranty and after-sales service issues. Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design Co. Li Shi Guang Ming, basically a company still in startup mode, doesn’t even have a license to sell cars in China. But it wants to sell them in the United States. Li Shi Guang Ming may find a receptive audience in Detroit. It is showing a small electric vehicle to be used as a golf cart or for similar off-road transportation chores, and the company is looking for investors. Li Shi Guang Ming also will show the quirkiest car from China at the show, a four-seat amphibious vehicle with a propeller. The vehicle is powered by a lithium ion battery. c Lan Lan, Kevin Huang and Namrita Chow contributed to this report TIM DEESE’S Not enough NET in 2007? Huge 2007 write down Make 2008 you’re most profitable year The Answer USED CARS!! Let us show you how!! Training Used Car Managers for over 26 years Call Joan 904 264 7408 or visit www.probac.com http://www.probac.com http://www.probac.com http://www.redflagrulescompliance.com http://www.redflagrulescompliance.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 7, 2008

Caddy V-8 is endangered species An industry turns green -- let's talk JAPAN TRIUMPHANT Ford, Microsoft to offer 911 service in Sync GPS will track fuel price Brose buys Siemens motor unit as step toward N.A. growth Expanding Meridian sees bright future Federal-Mogul CEO to stay Harbour Consulting sold Soft market threatens Tundra sales goal Ford dumps volume targets for dealer bonuses How HCCI engines work Visteon: 'We're leaner and smaller' Ford doubles regional promo money Gasoline-diesel combo moves closer to reality Rethinking retail: A hot topic at World Congress Denso expands hybrid plant CAFE fines may yield meager grants Some pay raise: To $8.3 million from $1 New Chrysler purchasing chief looks to Asia BMW adds jobs to boost S.C. output Continental layoffs follow production cuts at Chrysler Study: Indirect loan delinquencies soar No more peekaboo for Camaro Saturn's Lajdziak: GM is 'where I wanted to be' LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why buy Japanese? Here's an answer CAFE will put new entrees on auto show menu What an exciting way to start 2008 LETTER TO THE EDITOR 84-month financing is nothing new LETTER TO THE EDITOR GM ad policy shift is good for dealers JAMES B. TREECE Detroit show gets back on a global track LETTER TO THE EDITOR Too many dealers: Blame greed LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why not learn from Toyota? LETTER TO THE EDITOR A hot news item? Nah; it's 9 years old Suppliers to the 2008 Saturn Vue Supplier personnel Haldex farms out brake work The theme: Green and mean Dodge Ram gets interior upgrade BMW's 1-series coupe gets a soft-top counterpart Chrysler eye candy includes green jelly bean Chinese automakers increase their presence Concept offers a peek at Explorer's likely successor Ford goes global in styling its B-cars Forum concept is a clubhouse on wheels Dealers Simple safety: Green, amber, red Lexus SUV luxury will grow on you Personnel Gas prices boost Nissan car sales as trucks tank This year's U.S. sales forecast: Gloomy Ford: Tata is lead bidder for 2 brands Ex-Toyota manager goes to Audi Hyundai has new N.A. chief TRW buys Delphi brake assets Who's No. 1? Time for an official review Waning interest Solstice outguns Miata - again Once more into the legal fray? Lifan is the latest Chinese wannabe Things are looking up (and down) for MG Who has 1st Mustang - and what's it worth?

Automotive News - January 7, 2008

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