Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - (Page 22) 22 • OCTOBER 6, 2008 EUROPE BRANDS AISA BRANDS FUTURE PRODUCTS CALENDAR YEAR 2009 2010 8C Spider debuts 2011 Possible large sedan, coupe C X-over debuts (or 2012) 2012 Alfa Romeo Sales soft, but Europeans plan to expand lineups Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com Aston Martin Audi A7 sedan debuts R8 convertible Q5 mid-sized crossover debuts Bentley BMW GTC freshening Z4 redesigned X4 crossover debuts Rapide debuts debuts A8 restyled, re-engineered A5 freshened A4 freshened A6 redesigned Small Q3 crossover debuts TT redesigned (or 2012) Arnage redesigned Possible Azure convertible Glossary What do the terms mean? ■Freshened: First, it was the strong euro that slammed U.S. sales of Europe’s automakers. Next, the steep jump in petroleum prices. Today, it’s a battered economy triggered by the collapse of some of Wall Street’s icons. These are the very companies whose personnel likely used a portion of their big bonuses to buy a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche — maybe all three. While Europe’s automakers are scaling back U.S. sales forecasts, plans to expand product lines during the next four years remain in place. This year alone, Volkswagen is adding three nameplates, including a minivan. Three additional nameplates are penciled in for 2011. Crossovers will expand the model lines at Audi, BMW and Mercedes. BMW plans to create derivatives off its 3-series platform. Porsche’s much-anticipated and — for some Porsche purists — controversial four-door, front-engine sedan debuts next year. Aston Martin will follow with a sedan, too. Rolls-Royce wants to expand its buyer base by offering a smaller, lower-priced sedan, somewhere around $250,000. So does Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes also will woo buyers at the bottom of its line with subcompact, front-drive models priced below its C class. The list of redesigned models arriving in 2009 and beyond includes the Audi A6, BMW 3 series, Mercedes-Benz E class, Porsche Cay- 3 series redesigned 5 series redesigned 6 series redesigned CS sedan debuts (or 2011) Small X1 crossover debuts X3 redesigned X6 freshened Sheet metal untouched; changes may include new grille, front and/or rear fascia, headlight and taillight modules Minor changes to overall sheet metal; may include new hood, front and/or rear fenders ■Restyled: ■Reskinned: Extensive changes to exterior and interior ■Re-engineered: Platform and components receive an extensive makeover to reduce noise, vibration and harshness; improvements made in ride, handling, braking and steering, and in some cases safety ■Redesigned: Bugatti Ferrari Veyron 16.4 targa debuts F430 redesigned Limited-edition car debuts (or 2011) 612 Scaglietti redesigned New platform; new interior and exterior; but engine and transmission could be carried over Jaguar Possible XE convertible, coupe debuts XJ restyled, re-engineered Possible XK redesigned enne, Saab 9-5, Volkswagen Rabbit and Volvo S60. Finally, there’s a newcomer of sorts heading back to the United States. Alfa Romeo’s first model goes on sale this month, and several additional models are planned for the coming years. Alfa left the United States in 1995. The following pages cover highlights of the vehicle plans of Europe’s automakers through 2012. c Lagonda Lamborghini Land Rover Sporty sedan debuts Luxury sedan debuts Possible sedan debuts LRX SUV debuts Range Rover redesigned Murcielago redesigned LR3 restyled, re-engineered VW seeks excitement with Routan, CC, Rabbit Diana T. Kurylko dkurylko@crain.com Ambitious. That sums up the Volkswagen group’s plans to sell 1 million vehicles a year in the United States by 2018. The VW brand is ex- pected to sell 800,000 of those units. Talk about a challenge — last year, the VW brand sold 230,572 vehicles here. VW aims to hit that target with an expanded product line. For example, the company’s long-term forecast includes substantial sales from an allnew medium-sized sedan. That car is being designed for U.S. tastes and will be built at VW’s new factory in Tennessee. U.S. sales begin in 2011. VW may bring over a new family of small vehicles based on its space up! concepts. Short term, VW will try to generate excitement this year with the introduction of the Routan, a minivan with Chrysler roots, and the CC, a stylish sedan with a coupelike roof. Next year, the redesigned Rabbit reaches showrooms. Here are highlights of VW’s U.S. product plans through 2012. Rabbit, GTI: U.S. sales for the redesigned Rabbit hatchback begin next year. The car is based on the European Golf, which debuted last week at the Paris auto show. The redesigned Rabbit is shorter but wider The CC, above, with coupelike styling and four doors, is slotted above the Passat but not as a luxury car. than the current car. The sportier GTI model also will debut in 2009. The sixth-generation Golf has an all-new interior. Such upmarket options as touch-screen navigation, automatic climate control, parking assist and a rear camera will be offered. Although the sheet metal is new, some potential buyers may have a difficult time distinguishing the new car from the old. New Beetle: The second-generation New Beetle, due in 2011, will adopt the new Golf/Jetta platform. There is talk of adding New Beetle variants such as a crossover, wagon and perhaps a pickup. The size is not expected to change significantly, but the strong retro styling is likely to be de-emphasized. New compact sedan: VW wants a compact sedan that would directly compete with the Honda Civic in size and price. If approved, the car might be assembled in VW’s Chattanooga, Tenn., factory sometime after 2012. Jetta: The Jetta and SportWagen TDI models debuted this summer with a 50-state, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel. The redesigned Jetta debuts in 2010. The SportWagen isn’t likely to arrive here until 2012 because the variant based on the current model
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - October 6, 2008 Automotive News - October 6, 2008 Many dealers floored by floorplan limits, costs THE GREAT COLLAPSE September was awful, and 2009 looks ugly GMAC is out of leasing — at least for now Versical, Nussel take new Automotive News posts GM to shut Ohio SUV plant 2 years ahead of plan VW commits to minority purchasing goals in Tenn. Chrysler exec to outline EV strategy at green conference Automakers are high on electrics Dealers give mixed reactions to Chrysler incentive program Chrysler boosts 2009 vehicle prices Lenders move fast to liquidate Heard's stores Mazda Kiyora Toyota, Audi mull tiny cars for U.S. Audi to decide next year on U.S. production Volvo plans diesel hybrid by 2012 Coupelike styling is back in a big way Honda Insight target price: Around $19,000 Mercedes plans U.S. sales of hybrids in S, E, C classes BMW is working on 2 small crossovers VW-Porsche feud risks growth plans Let's get clunkers off the road and spur the economy Europe: Still very different from us It could improve Caddy's image Shouldn't Cadillac try something new? A 4-cylinder is just what Cadillac needs Government's a player in Europe, too The Chevy Cruze should be big news Simple steps would revive industry Ford stops buying nonessential factory supplies Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress Automakers find India tough market to conquer Mahle CEO: Most engines will be smaller by 2012 GM begins streamlining purchasing TL stretches factory's flexibility Personnel Study: Dealers gain on independent shops Chrysler offers service contracts on certified vehicles No label Flashes of genius, years of turmoil VW seeks excitement with Routan, CC, Rabbit Sales soft, but Europeans plan to expand lineups 2010 redesign planned for Bentley flagship Alfa beyond Competizione Ferrari: Recession-proof and turning ... green? Maserati: Sporty gets even sportier Uncertainty surrounds Volvo's product plan Rolls-Royce goal: Add customers Panamera: Can Porsche defy skeptics again? Audi longs to join luxury big-leaguers in U.S. BMW plans more variants beyond sedans, wagons Under new owner, Aston Martin back in the race Lagonda's forte: Luxurious sedans that go very fast Couped-up? Lamborghini considers a sedan 250-mph Bugatti boosts the excitement Mercedes returns to the luxury suite Mini follows BMW's lead Smart ambitions, like car, remain small Suppliers cut staff, output to cope with downturn Driver monitoring systems differ High-tech mirrors are poised to make big gains IAC will open first India plant Supplier personnel Engineers call for common electric car standards Land Rover aims to boost the fuel economy of its SUVs Maybach adds open-top 62S Landaulet Saab gets a crossover in 2009; everything else is on hold Jaguar regains its focus on low volume, high end Dealers Economic winds batter Sept. sales Jaguar Land Rover joins group Ford aids minority suppliers CarMax plans 600 job cuts Ruling could ease disputes Feds seek more time for roof strength rule Suzuki seeks floorplan credit partner for dealers Toyota battles Detroit 3 with cheap loans $25 billion: How'd they do that? Peapod: Innovator's little big idea FOR SALE: Heard condos, mansion, jet Is film a flash in the pan? Ford hopes so VW: Next New Beetle will be 'more mature' Renault's U.S. ally of choice? Probably not Chrysler Automotive News - October 6, 2008 Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - GMAC is out of leasing — at least for now (Page 1) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - GMAC is out of leasing — at least for now (Page 2) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Automakers are high on electrics (Page 3) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Lenders move fast to liquidate Heard's stores (Page 4) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Lenders move fast to liquidate Heard's stores (Page 5) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Volvo plans diesel hybrid by 2012 (Page 6) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Volvo plans diesel hybrid by 2012 (Page 7) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - BMW is working on 2 small crossovers (Page 8) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - BMW is working on 2 small crossovers (Page 9) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - VW-Porsche feud risks growth plans (Page 10) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - VW-Porsche feud risks growth plans (Page 11) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - A 4-cylinder is just what Cadillac needs (Page 12) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - A 4-cylinder is just what Cadillac needs (Page 13) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Simple steps would revive industry (Page 14) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Simple steps would revive industry (Page 15) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page 16) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-1) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-2) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-3) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-4) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-5) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page S-6) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chevy, Mazda execs to speak at congress (Page 16A) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Automakers find India tough market to conquer (Page 16B) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Automakers find India tough market to conquer (Page 16C) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - GM begins streamlining purchasing (Page 16D) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Personnel (Page 17) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Personnel (Page 18) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Personnel (Page 19) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Chrysler offers service contracts on certified vehicles (Page 20) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Flashes of genius, years of turmoil (Page 21) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Sales soft, but Europeans plan to expand lineups (Page 22) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Alfa beyond Competizione (Page 23) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Alfa beyond Competizione (Page 24) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Alfa beyond Competizione (Page 25) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Rolls-Royce goal: Add customers (Page 26) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Rolls-Royce goal: Add customers (Page 27) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Panamera: Can Porsche defy skeptics again? (Page 28) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Panamera: Can Porsche defy skeptics again? (Page 29) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - BMW plans more variants beyond sedans, wagons (Page 30) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Couped-up? Lamborghini considers a sedan (Page 31) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Smart ambitions, like car, remain small (Page 32) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Suppliers cut staff, output to cope with downturn (Page 32A) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Driver monitoring systems differ (Page 32B) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - High-tech mirrors are poised to make big gains (Page 32C) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Engineers call for common electric car standards (Page 32D) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Jaguar regains its focus on low volume, high end (Page 33) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 34) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 35) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 36) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 37) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 38) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 39) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Dealers (Page 40) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Economic winds batter Sept. sales (Page 41) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Economic winds batter Sept. sales (Page 42) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Feds seek more time for roof strength rule (Page 43) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Toyota battles Detroit 3 with cheap loans (Page 44) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Toyota battles Detroit 3 with cheap loans (Page 45) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Renault's U.S. ally of choice? Probably not Chrysler (Page 46) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Renault's U.S. ally of choice? Probably not Chrysler (Page 47) Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - Renault's U.S. ally of choice? Probably not Chrysler (Page 48)
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