Automotive News - October 6, 2008 - (Page 33) OCTOBER 6, 2008 • 33 Maybach adds open-top 62S Landaulet Saab gets a crossover in 2009; everything else is on hold Jamie LaReau The 62S Landaulet: $1.35 million sticker. jlareau@crain.com The Maybach luxury range continues on the old Mercedes-Benz S-class platform. Two models are offered: the 57 and the stretched-wheelbase 62. The only change is the addition of the 62S Landaulet open-top car, which features a soft top that rolls open for the passengers. A handful will go on sale in December for $1.35 million each. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of parent company Daimler, says Daimler won’t kill the Maybach brand because it is not losing money. — Diana T. Kurylko Land Rover aims to boost the fuel economy of its SUVs Mark Rechtin mrechtin@crain.com India’s Tata Motors Ltd. is the new owner, but Land Rover will have ties to Ford Motor Co. well into the next decade. Two SUVs will share Ford’s EUCD global vehicle platform. Ford engines will be under the hood of some vehicles for at least eight years. Meanwhile, Land Rover faces the dilemma of selling only SUVs at a time when the high cost of fuel is turning global consumer sentiment against those vehicles. Land Rover plans to counter by increasing the use of lightweight materials, such as aluminum, to boost fuel economy. Also, Land Rover and sister brand Jaguar are spending $1.5 billion on hybrid-powertrain development for vehicles that will arrive starting in 2012. Land Rover’s version, called eTerrain, will use electric motors to drive the rear axle. LR2: No major changes are expected in the near future for Land Rover’s compact SUV, which is based on Ford’s EUCD platform. LR3: Expect an improved on-road ride and bolder styling when the re- engineered LR3 debuts in the fall 2012. Because the LR3 and Range Rover Sport share many components, the two vehicles are being developed simultaneously. LRX: The angular crossover, darling of the 2008 Detroit auto show, will fill idle capacity at the Halewood assembly plant in England as the Jaguar XType fades away. The two-door vehicle will debut in spring 2011. It will share the LR2’s Ford EUCD platform roots. Range Rover: The organizational chaos from the sale to Tata this year pushed the redesign to the spring of 2011. That means a 10-year product cycle. Initially, Land Rover and Ford had hoped for an eight-year cycle. Range Rover will abandon the vehicle platform developed by BMW when that company owned Land Rover. Instead, the LR3’s monocoque body structure, which is combined with a hydroformed steel chassis, will be adopted. A new 5.0-liter V-8 from Jaguar will be under the hood. Range Rover Sport: The new one is due in the fall of 2013. The vehicle already is on the LR3 platform, so this is more of a re-engineering than a redesign. c Saab might be born from jets, but General Motors is struggling to get the brand’s sales off the ground. One way GM plans to revive sales is through new products, including a crossover and compact hatchback. Through September, Saab’s U.S. sales were down 32.4 percent from the year-ago period to 17,362 vehicles. Despite the numbers, GM hopes that Saab someday will be more than a niche player. Here are some of Saab’s plans. 9-X BioHybrid concept: Saab revealed this compact hatchback concept at the Geneva auto show in March. If it goes into production, the 9-X likely would be dubbed the 9-1 and compete with the Audi A3 and Volvo C30. With the spike in fuel prices this year, GM is considering the car for the United States. But spending priorities have pushed a production version “way down the queue,” said a source familiar with GM’s product plans. GM needs other small cars to fill out its other brands first. If GM brings it here, the car would go on sale in 2011. 9-3: GM is working on the nextgeneration 9-3, but it has been pushed back to 2011. The car will be re-engineered and restyled using GM’s front-drive Epsilon 2 vehicle architecture. Initially, the new 9-3 would have come in 2010, but GM held it up because of concerns about If Saab builds the 9-X BioHybrid concept, it would go on sale in 2011. federal corporate average fuel economy regulations. The company will engineer and assemble the car in Ruesselsheim, Germany, not Sweden. 9-5: Saab is working on a redesigned 9-5 sedan that GM could show at next year’s Geneva auto show. For 2010, the 9-5 will switch to the re-engineered Epsilon 2 architecture. 9-4X: Saab plans to debut a medium-sized, five-seat crossover in 2009 or 2010, depending on what fuel economy rules are in place. GM showed a concept of the 9-4X at the Detroit auto show in January. It would be developed on the re-engineered Theta Premium architecture, essentially developed using elements of the Theta and Epsilon 2 architectures. That architecture also will be shared with the Cadillac SRX crossover. GM has not said which of its North American assembly plants would build the vehicle. But assembly in the United States will help GM overcome the weak dollar, helping the 9-4X compete with the BMW X3 crossover. 9-7X: The SUV shares a platform with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, both of which are being phased out. U.S. sales of the 9-7X have been lackluster, and the vehicle is likely to be phased out next year. The 9-7X is built at GM’s Moraine, Ohio, plant, scheduled to close in 2010. c Jaguar regains its focus on low volume, high end Mark Rechtin mrechtin@crain.com Free of Ford Motor Co.’s volume aspirations, Jaguar is returning to an earlier mission: building low-volume, high-end luxury cars. At least that’s what Jaguar is asking of its new owner, Tata Motors Ltd. Gone are Ford’s V-6 engines. Now Jaguar only offers V-8s, at least in America. A re-engineered line of larger and more powerful V-8 engines is in the works. The new V-8s will be used across the lineup, starting in fall 2009. Those engines are being developed with Ford’s help, and will be built by Ford in Bridgend, Wales. But Jaguar executives insist the new V-8s are made to order for their brand. The separation agreement with Ford means Jaguar will have a powertrain source until at least 2015. After that, Jaguar will need a new engine partner. XE: Jaguar’s bosses want Tata to fund development of a two-seat coupe and convertible. The models would be an answer to the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster/Cayman. Even if Jaguar fast-tracks the car’s development, the soonest it could happen would be late 2010. At issue is whether to use a shrunken version of the XK aluminum platform rather than the XF’s steel underpinnings. Another option would be to partner with a third party, such as Lotus Engineering. Engine plans are unsettled. Jaguar filed for a trademark for the XE nameplate last year. XF: The replacement for the S-Type sedan went on sale last spring. Although a supercharged model already is in the lineup, Jaguar plans to sell a higher-powered XF-R model in mid-2009. Hiding in plain sight at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England this summer, the XF-R did a lap of the Duke of Richmond’s estate to startled onlookers. The XF-R will have its offi- cial debut at the Detroit auto show in January. The rest of the XF lineup will get the new, larger V-8 engine next year. A coupe derivative is being studied as a 2013 model. But some insiders note the XF sedan already looks enough like a coupe, so why bother? XJ: Jaguar will re-engineer the existing aluminum unibody construction and restyle the flagship sedan for a more modern look in early 2010. An unveiling is expected next summer. Ford and Alcan did the deal to supply the aluminum for the current XJ, and the agreement will live on with Jaguar. The new sedan, code-named X351, will feature a new 5.0-liter V-8 base engine generating about 500 hp. XK: Larger engines coming for the 2010 model year will give the grandtouring coupe more power. A highperformance XK-R model will arrive in 2009 as a 2010 model. A redesign likely won’t happen until 2012. c OPEN THE DOOR TO MORE CUSTOMERS! We approve every customer in writing in 30 seconds or less… so you can convert your turndowns into approvals and sales. Our Guaranteed Credit Approval Program allows you to eliminate customer turndowns and provides 3 different financing programs to meet your customers’ needs and your profit requirements. Isn’t it time you opened your door to more customers and greater profit potential with Credit Acceptance? 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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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