2012 Chicago Auto Show  – February 11-20

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What to See at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit

Reported by Susan Frissell

A partial list of vehicles not to miss, exhibited at this year’s NAIA auto show in Detroit:

*2013 Hyundai Velostar Turbo (with more power)
*2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe ( a facelift)
*2012 Acura NSX Concept
*New Toyota Prius C
*2013 Cadillac ATS Compact Sedan
*2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept (cues the brand’s new direction)
*Chevrolet Tru 140S Concept and Code 130R Concept
*2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 (longer, newer, lighter and more nimble)
*2013 Nissan Pathfinder Concept
*Nissan e-NV200 Electric Van Concept
*Scion’s sporty new FR-S (sports car aimed at the younger buyer)
*Hyundai Elantra Electric Concept
*Lexus LF-LC Concept (2+2 hybrid)
*Honda Accord Coupe Concept
*Volvo XC60 Plug-in hybrid
*Audi’s new Z3
*VW E-Bugster Concept
*VW Jetta Hybrid
*Debut of the Mini Roadster

Making debuts at this year’s 2012 NAIA Auto Show in Detroit are old-school muscle cars and fuel-efficient electric cars, as well as upscale sedans. Something for everyone.

On another note, the sales war between BMW and Mercedes-Benz is ongoing. The saga continues with Mercedes and BMW duking it out. BMW outsold M-B this year, by 2,715 vehicles, ending Lexus’s 11-year run as the annual luxury sales leader. Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz expect to continue to fight for the lead in 2012. Mercedes forecasts their sales to rise at least 10 percent in 2012, aided by the refreshed C-Clas. BMW, on the other hand, predicts a rise in U.S. sales, helped by the intro of their redesigned 3-Series compact sedan. Deliveries of the 3-Series fell 6.5 percent to 94,371 last year.

Compared to last year, however, BMW’s vehicle sales rose 13 percent to 247,907 vehicles, boosted by the redesign of the X3 SUV. Lexus sales fell 13 percent to 198, 552 vehicles.

As Chrysler sales continue to improve, it’s obvious that both Fiat and Chrysler need each other. CEO Sergio Marchionne admits this fact, as he appears somewhat surprised at Chrysler’s strong double-digit sales rise for 2011. Marchionne says he has no doubt about investing in the Chrysler brand 30 months ago. Expected to reduce the number of underlying “architectures” from 12 to five, Fiat will enhance economies of scale while at the same time, improve quality.

No shortage of challenges ahead of him, Marchionne admits sales forecasts of 50,000 sales of the new Fiat were naive. After reassessing the figures, he has admitted sales of 20,000 in the U.S. and 5,000 units in Canada are a bit more realistic.

This is a critical time for Chrysler and Fiat, notes Marchionne. The new Dodge Dart will be the first test car, trying to find a place in the competitive compact segment, alongside such notables as Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra (winner of this year’s North American Car of the Year), and Ford Focus.

Other challenges remain for Chrysler, including reviving it’s ever-popular minivan. At one time the minivan leader, Chrysler has lost market share to Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. In need of fixing quality problems, Chrysler is considering new, distinct models to separate themselves from the other brands. One possibility may resemble Chrysler’s 700 Concept vehicle, on display in Detroit this year.

Originally given 20 percent stake in Chrysler, Fiat has steadily upped its holdings and will get another 5 percent, raising its stakes to 58.5 percent. Marchionne would like to increase Chrysler holdings to 70 percent.

Vehicle Finalists for 2012 Car of the Year

The Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat are the finalists for the 2012 North American Car of the Year. The annual award, given by a group of 50 automotive journalists, is a feather in any auto manufacturer’s cap and was revealed December 15 at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit. Signifying value and fuel efficiency, the three contenders have a lot to offer in a smaller package, including affordable pricing. Sales of the Hyundai Elantra have increased 45.5 percent through November of 2011. At VW, Passat sales have leaped 29.9 percent in the same month. The finalists for the 2012 North American Truck of the Year are the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

Big News Chrysler to come out of the NAIA Show

Come January, Alfa Romeo will announce its return to the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the introduction of the 2013 Dodge Dart. While few pictures are circulating now, the 2013 Dodge Dart will have some Italian heritage and will make its debut at NAIA in 2013. The Dart will have a U.S. badge while based on the Alfa Romeo Giulieta.

Three engine options will be available: two Tigershark and one low volume MultiAir. Buyers will have a choice of the Tigershark 16-valve, 2.0-liter, a 16-valve, 1.4-liter Intercooled Turbo, and the new Tigershark 16-valve, 2.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder. Three transmissions choices will also be available.

Borrowing from the Dodge Charger and other cars, the Dodge Dart will have full-width LED “racetrack” taillamps, integrated dual exhaust tailored split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps, fog lamps and accentuated fenders. Stay tuned.

GM to offer Loaner Cars to Chevrolet Volt Owners

General Motors is offering loaner cars to Chevrolet Volt owners who are concerned about safety after fires occurred in crash-testing of the Volt.

Mark Reuss, President of GM North America told the press “Our customers’ peace of mind is the most important thing.”

All Volt owners will be contacted to reassure them that the electric Volt is safe and will not spontaneously catch fire, even if involved in a crash. Federal officials put out a formal safety-defect investigation into the plug-in hybrid car after the crash tests resulted in battery fires. The problem appears to occur when electricity is left stored in the batteries following a crash.

GM has sold about 6,000 Volts which can travel 40 miles on battery power before the gasoline engine takes over and functions as a generator to extend the Volt’s range another 300 miles.

GM engineers are working with safety regulators to understand the problem, including depowering the battery.

Ford Ecoboost 2011
Posted on November 27, 2011
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Ford Expands its Range of Vehicles

Susan Frissell

Rochester, MI. In and around Ford’s proving ground we sampled the relatively new to Ford engines Ecoboost I4. A greener alternative to the V6 engines in the 2012 Ford Edge (30 mpg) and 2012 Ford Explorer (28 mpg.), the Ecoboost 4-cylinder offers 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft.torque. Driving this I4 is deceiving as it provides plenty of needed pep to power these SUV’s.

The Ford Ecoboost engine boasts a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy, while also assuring Ford honors its four pillars: Quality-Green-Safe-Smart. From a green perspective, the Ecoboost I4 offers “best-in-class” fuel efficiency (along with Ford models Fiesta and Fusion Hybrid), offering better than 30 miles per gallon.

Ford introduced the Ecoboost technology in the Explorer America Concept at the NAIA auto show in 2008. The features direct injection-fuel is injected into each cylinder of an engine in small,precise amounts. Different from the conventional port injection, direct injection produces a cooler, denser charge while delivering better fuel economy and performance.