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Interests ranged from automobiles to the NFL.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.10, 2014
William Clay Ford Sr. with the then-new Continental Mark II that is considered his most successful car.
To most of those who knew him, he was simply “Mr. Ford,” the dignified yet surprisingly modest man who had a long and surprisingly varied career that ranged from the automotive design studio to the football field – as well as a wide range of community activities.
William Clay Ford Sr. passed away on Sunday at his Michigan home after suffering from pneumonia, six days before his 89th birthday. The father of current Ford Motor Co. Chairman Bill Ford Jr., he was also the last surviving grandchild of the company’s founder, Henry Ford, and a bridge between two very different generations.
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“My father was a great business leader and humanitarian who dedicated his life to the company and the community,” son William Clay Ford Jr., said in a statement. “He also was a wonderful family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.”
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Tags: Bill Ford, Ford Motor Co., William Clay Ford Sr., auto news, bill ford sr., car news, ford news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau, william clay ford, william ford
Posted in Automobiles | No Comments »
Maker has high-profile presence in Geneva.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.07, 2014
Apple is gaining ground in the automotive marketplace with its CarPlay infotainment system.
While its lost ground to rival Google’s Android smartphone operating system in recent years, you’d hardly have been able to tell during this week’s Geneva Motor Show. Indeed, it seems like the brand name most commonly spoken during the well-attended event was that of Apple, as a wide assortment of manufacturers announced plans to build the high-tech firm’s new CarPlay system into their vehicles.
The list of makers who unveiled Apple-based infotainment systems this week included Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, with Ford, Honda, Toyota and another dozen signed on to use the technology when it appears later this year.
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“We’re moving to an era of seamless integration of digital devices and the digital automobile,” proclaimed Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and brand boss of Mercedes, which showed off the CarPlay system in its new C-Class line. The maker is expected to eventually expand its use to other model lines. (more…)
Tags: 2014 geneva motor show, Apple, Apple Car Play, Apple-based infotainment system, Car Play, TheDetroitBureau.com., apple news, auto show news, car infotainment, in-car entertainment systems, infotainment systems, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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Move runs counter to trend.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.07, 2014
Buyers take the heavy-duty F-Series chasses and add customized configurations such as tow trucks and bottle haulers.
With the launch of new factories by the likes of Nissan and Honda, Mexico has become one of the world’s largest automotive exporters. In fact, the U.S. now imports more vehicles from its neighbor South of the Border than it does from Japan – which is why it might come as a surprise to see Ford pulling back production of its biggest F-Series models from Mexico to the U.S.
The maker today will announce plans to invest $168 million to expand its truck plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, to handle the added production of those F-650 and F-750 models, starting early next year. Going forward, that means that all F-Series production – from the smallest F-150 to the biggest commercial versions – will be based in the States.
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“Shifting production of the 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks to Ohio Assembly Plant helps secure a solid future for the dedicated workers at this facility,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “Building these trucks in-house will utilize our expertise from our other tough truck and commercial vehicle lines to give our customers a better product at a competitive price.”
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Tags: auto news, car news, ford f-650, ford f-750, ford f-series, ford f-series mexico, ford heavy duty truck, ford news, ford returns f-series to us, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
A resurgent midsize pickup segment could draw new contenders.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.06, 2014
The current VW Amarok is not sold in the U.S. market and may be too small to import.
Only a few years ago, the pundits were writing off full-size pickups as dinosaurs set to vanish from the market. But last year they set their best sales mark since the crash of the U.S. automotive market. Now, many analysts are starting to rethink forecasts predicting the demise of the midsize truck segment. That apparently includes product planners for both Volkswagen AG and Jeep.
In recent years, the segment has dwindled to insignificance and key players like Ford and Chrysler have abandoned their entries. Ford actually developed a new version of its Ranger for global markets but decided against bringing it to the States.
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But with General Motors counter-programming, as it were, with the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models, might other manufacturers follow?
There are several who continue to consider their options, including both of the Korean carmakers, Hyundai and Kia. But the makers most likely to take some action could be Detroit-based Jeep, and German giant Volkswagen AG — which already has an option available, the midsize Amarok pickup it sells in a wide range of overseas markets.
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Tags: auto news, car news, compact pickups, jeep comanche, jeep mighty fc, jeep news, jeep pickup, jeep scrambler, midsize pickups, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau, volkswagen pickup, vw amarok, vw news, vw pickup, vw rabbit pickup, vw us pickup
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
Edgier look, more room, new engine.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.06, 2014
The updated Nissan Juke has been generating a wide range of opinions about its updated styling.
One thing about Nissan, the maker doesn’t shy away from edgy designs. And that’s especially true when it comes to the maker’s various crossover models. Case in point: the newly updated Juke that made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
The original version of the compact crossover was arguably the edgiest of the Nissan CUV designs, opting for a more youthful, funky approach than the more elegant – shall we say “mature” – Murano. It appears Nissan has decided to push the needle quite a bit further with a design already polarizing the media covering the Geneva Show.
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The 2015 update features updated split headlamps framing a beefed-up chromed grille that almost appears to be grinning. There are even more pronounced flares to the wheel arches, and the even more angular tail gets distinctive boomerang-style taillamps. The overall look is decidedly more angular than before.
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Tags: 2014 geneva motor show, Nissan Juke, auto news, car news, juke nismo rs, nissan crossover, nissan geneva motor show, nissan juke NISMO, nissan news, nissan suv, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.06, 2014
The updated Q50 Eau Rouge 2.0 in Geneva.
As we reported earlier this week, Infiniti brought an updated version of its Q50 Eau Rouge Concept to the Geneva Motor Show – but a subsequent conversation with the Japanese maker’s CEO offers a more in-depth glance at how the maker plans to move from concept to production.
“I would build it right away,” says Infiniti’s Hong Kong-based boss, Johan de Nysschen, though he cautions that the project still faces a number of hurdles before we’re likely to see the premium sport sedan can roll into showrooms, stressing that the program is “still very much up in the air.”
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Originally unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show two months ago, the blood red Eau Rouge Concept added some dynamic details to the Q50 sedan Infiniti rolled out last year, including some carbon-fiber aero enhancements – such as the front splitter, rear diffuser and side sill skirts, as well as the roof and door mirror casings – along with the 21-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels and a dual-exit exhaust sports system mounted below the show car’s integrated rear spoiler.
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Tags: 2014 geneva motor show, auto news, car news, concept cars, infiniti eau rouge, infiniti geneva motor show, infiniti news, infiniti q50, infiniti q50 eau rouge, johan de nysschen, luxury performance sedan, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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Downsized X6 to debut at NY Auto Show.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.06, 2014
BMW adds another Sports Activity Vehicle to its line-up, the new X4 Sports Activity Coupe.
If you’re having a hard time keeping up with all the SAVs, GTs, Gran Coupes and Active Tourers, here’s a spoiler alert: the BMW line-up is about to get bigger still.
Barely had we finished writing about the maker’s Geneva Motor Show additions, including the new 2-Series Active Tourer, before we received an e-mail advising us of yet another debut, this one the Bavarian maker’s latest Sports Activity Coupe, the X4.
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Think of it as a downsized version of the X6 and, as BMW has changed the definition, this Coupe actually has four doors. Make that five with the big rear hatch.
We’ll have to wait until next month’s New York Auto Show to see this one in the sheet metal – which may give us a chance to digest all the other recent BMW offerings. But here’s what the maker is telling us ahead of time.
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Tags: BMW SAV, BMW SUV, auto news, bmw news, bmw x4, bmw x4 pics, bmw x4 sports activity coupe, car news, coupe-like suv, german suv, luxury suv, new york auto show, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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Reverses recent upward trend.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.05, 2014
Efforts to reduce pedestrian deaths are working as the number in 2013 dropped. Honda's pedestrian detection system is one more attempt to improve safety.
The number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roads dropped sharply during the first half of 2013, according to a new report, reversing a three-year upward trend.
The decline was a notable 8.7%, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, or GHSA, for a total of 1,985 pedestrians killed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. By comparison, 2,175 were killed during the first half of 2012. After dipping between 2006 and 2009, pedestrian fatalities had risen by 15% between 2010 and 2012.
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“The preliminary findings are good news, but it’s too soon to celebrate,” said Kendell Poole, GHSA chairman and director of the Tennessee Office of Highway Safety. “With distraction an increasing issue for both pedestrians and motorists, pedestrian safety continues to be a priority in many areas of the country.” (more…)
Tags: GHSA, Governors Highway Safety Association, Kendell Poole, TheDetroitBureau.com., highway safety, paul a. eisenstein, pedestrian deaths, pedestrian deaths decline, pedestrians killed, thedetroitbureau, traffic deaths
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
Air Bumps offer ding and dent resistance for urban drivers.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.05, 2014
The Citroen C4 Cactus features air bumps on the doors and bumper designed to cut down on dents.
We’ve long been fans of the eccentric French auto industry, a nation that can replace the traditional brake pedal with a button called the champignon, or mushroom, or proudly fall in love with a car whose name, the 2CV, roughly translates into “two horses.”
There are models with names like the Renault Twingo and Twizzy, and some of the most distinctive, if not off-the-wall, designs we have seen short of the concept cars at the biennial Tokyo Motor Show. And once again, the French are pushing the envelope with the new Citroen C4 Cactus. But despite what the name might suggest, there are no pricks on the outside of these cars.
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In line with the French maker’s “Creative Technology” mandate, both the front and rear door panels of the Cactus, as well as the back bumper, are, instead, covered with a material that looks almost like oversized bubble wrap. (more…)
Tags: 2014 geneva motor show, Citroen, Citroen C4 Cactus, Citroen Cactus, Citroen air bumps, French automakers, TheDetroitBureau.com., Twingo, Twizy, auto show news, french cars, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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European launch comes this year; State-side edition likely over a year away.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.05, 2014
BMW's 2-Series Active Tourer made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show; however, it won't be coming to the U.S. for a while, an official said.
BMW continues to fill seemingly every possible niche in the luxury market, from top to bottom and a surprising number of places in-between. And it has global plans for some of the newest members of its fast-expanding line-up.
That includes models such as the 4-Series Gran Coupe and the 2-Series Active Tourer on display at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the latter model making its world debut at the annual European event.
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But while U.S. buyers will find the 4-Series Gran Coupe in showrooms in the near future, they’ll have to wait for the smaller Grand Tourer, perhaps as much as two years, a well-placed BMW source told TheDetroitBureau.com. (more…)
Tags: 2-Series Active Tourer, 2014 geneva motor show, 4-Series Gran Coupe, BMW, BMW 2-Series, BMW line-up, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto show news, bmw 4-series, bmw news, german automakers, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
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