Tag Archives: naias

Ford Shows F150 Atlas Pickup Concept

Posted on 15 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Notably missing was any mention of the extensive weight saving materials that are under exploration at the Dearborn engineering center. Industry insider know that Ford has locked in the purchase of large quantities of aluminum, and are assuming that the next F150 when it appears in 2015 will use the weight-saving, but expensive material to increase efficiencies. How that goes over with conservative truck buyers, remains to be seen, but the time they are a changin’. Continue reading →

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Production Version of Sub-Compact Buick Encore SUV at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Buick is exploring unknown territory with the production version of what it is calling the Encore SUV on display at NAIAS. Last year the tiny Encore concept – 168.5 inches long – also debuted in Detroit. The Encore SUV is about 10 inches shorter than the production Honda CRV. Continue reading →

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Tiny Honda Urban SUV Concept Makes World Debut at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

An all-new Honda “Urban SUV Concept” vehicle made its world debut today NAIAS. The concept points to styling direction of an all-new small SUV slated to launch in Japan by the end of 2013, followed by the U.S. market in 2014. Continue reading →

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BMW Shows a “Concept” 4-Series at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Over the past year, BMW has introduced 14 new and renewed vehicles, the most ever in the U.S. Today in Detroit at the NAIAS BMW unveiled what it says is a Concept 4-Series Coupe that looked production ready. It’s another formidable car from Bavaria. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLA-Class Unveiled in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

“In 2012, we sold more than 274,000 cars in the U.S. and thus achieved a new sales record for Mercedes-Benz. Because we are bringing so many new models to market in 2013 – the new E-Class line, the new CLA-Class and the new S-Class – we anticipate that sales will again increase in 2013,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Continue reading →

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2014 Q50 Infiniti Sedan Appears in Detroit at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Infiniti unveiled an all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan at a press conference at the 2013 North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – today. Q50 takes many of its exaggerated styling cues from the Infiniti Essence concept, with swooping curves and angular accent lines, in an attempt to separate itself from more traditional German designs, which is not necessarily a good thing. Inside, the Q50 interior offers a driver- oriented cockpit with communications system that has large dual touch-screens. Continue reading →

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2014 Grand Cherokee has a new V6 Diesel, Eight-Speed Transmission

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Jeep revealed a heavily revised 2014 Grand Cherokee with a new V6 diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A new 3-liter “EcoDiesel” V6 engine is claimed to deliver a “best in class” 30 miles per gallon, with a driving range of more than 730 miles, best-in-class towing at 7,400 pounds is also claimed for Jeep’s flagship crossover. Continue reading →

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Revised 2014 Jeep Compass SUV Unveiled at NAIAS in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Jeep debuted a mildly revised Compass SUV at NAIAS today. The Belvidere, Illinois-built compact has a new 6-speed automatic transmission with claimed fuel economy up to 30 mpg. The electronic transmission is mated to either a 2-liter or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. There is no transmission dipstick and transmission filter or fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions.
Continue reading →

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2014 Corvette Sting Ray Builds on C6 with a new 7-Speed Manual, Cylinder Deactivation for a Front Engine, Rear-Drive V8 Sports Car

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

Seven better be a lucky number for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The so-called C7 – for the seventh generation of the fabled – and now fading – All-American sports car is an attempt to revive interest in what might be a dissolving market, the 2-seat, front engine, rear drive American sports car. Continue reading →

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Grand Cherokee Freshening Caught in Spy Shots Ahead of NAIAS

Posted on 11 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

This is a camouflaged version of a revised 2014 model Jeep Grand Cherokee that will be revealed next week at NAIAS in Detroit. Three years after the launch of one of Fiat’s most profitable vehicles, the SUV will get a facelift and add a couple of new models. Continue reading →

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Non-Spy Shot – Cadillac ELR Photographed in Southern California

Posted on 8 January 2013 by Kenneth Zino

General Motors has released this photograph of a Cadillac ELR hybrid electric vehicle, which will be revealed with nicer paint at the 2013 North American International Auto Show next week. Continue reading →

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Next Generation Chevrolet Silverado Pickup to Debut in December

Posted on 22 October 2012 by Kenneth Zino

Chevrolet will unveil what is calling the all-new Silverado 1500 full-size pickup on 13 December at a special event in the Detroit area. In a release, Chevy claimed, “bold exterior design of the new Silverado reflects the enhanced capabilities of the truck while features such as jewel-like, projector beam headlamps showcase the careful attention given to every detail.” Presumably, this also means a “bold new grille.” Continue reading →

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Dodge Dart Debuts Using First Fiat Architecture. More on Way

Posted on 12 January 2012 by Kenneth Zino

The U.S. Dart is in many ways similar to the original Ford Focus (C170) that was derived from a European Ford design a decade ago. And Dart faces the same challenges as well. Though bigger than that Focus – a decided plus in North America, and with much more content – it remains to be seen if Dart’s U.S. suppliers can rise to the quality challenge posed by competing small Japanese and Korean cars. Continue reading →

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Honda Accord Coupe Concept – Its 2013 Comeback Car?

Posted on 11 January 2012 by Kenneth Zino

Given the competitiveness of the segment – accounting for ~20% of the cars sold in the U.S., Honda is currently behind in technology. This is an unexpected lag for what normally is a company that resides at the top of the innovation column of the scorecard is puzzling. Continue reading →

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Lincoln MKZ Concept Derived off Ford Fusion Debuts at NAIAS

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Kenneth Zino

Lincoln needs some sales successes and in the U.S – virtually its only outlet for this fading regional brand – where luxury car sales range from ~10-13% of the market annually. There’s an enormous opportunity now posed by Generation Y types, 80% of whom say they would consider a luxury car in the $30,000 range, which hasn’t escaped impending product actions at Lexus, Acura, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others. Continue reading →

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