Posts Tagged ‘north american international auto show’

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Daimler Betting Small Can Be Big

Maker looking for more downsized Mercedes, Smart models.

by on Jan.22, 2013

Perhaps nothing symbolizes the Mercedes-Benz brand like its classic S-Class model. But while the big sedan is set for a remake next year, expect Mercedes and the sibling Smart brand to put an increasing emphasis on downsized products that reflect the ongoing shift in the global luxury market.

Nonetheless, downsized doesn’t have to mean down-market, emphasized Dieter Zetsche, CEO of parent company Daimler AG.

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While Zetsche stresses it is “very important to maintain and strengthen our role in traditional segments,” he is quick to add that, “If we want to grow and don’t want to lose our customers, we have to downsize.”

Mercedes offered a hint of what’s to come during a sneak preview at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this month, providing reporters a brief look at the all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA.

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Cadillac ELR, Ford Atlas, Nissan Resonance Win Auto Show Design Awards

Former GM “car czar” Lutz honored for design role.

by on Jan.17, 2013

Team members celebrate the EyesOn Design Production Car Award for the Cadillac ELR.

According to the latest consumer surveys, good fuel economy is the number one factor for potential car buyers.  But put two vehicles with similar mileage together and you can be all but certain most customers will opt for the more stylish model.

No wonder good design plays such a significant role in drawing the public to an auto show like the North American International Auto Show, or NAIAS, in Detroit.  And a group of professional stylists have weighed in on which of the nearly 60 cars, trucks, crossovers and concepts had the most visual appeal.

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The 2014 Cadillac ELR, the luxury maker’s new plug-in hybrid, got the nod winning the EyesOn Design Award for Best Production Vehicle.  And in a first-ever tie, the Ford Atlas and Nissan Resonance shared honors with the EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle.

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VW R-Line adds More Performance to Model Mix

Performance model could add to record Passat sales.

by on Jan.17, 2013

The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the newest models to get the R-Line treatment.

In recent years, the Detroit Auto Show has threatened to turn into the battery-car show.  But while there are plenty of hybrids, plug-ins and the like waiting on the Cobo Center floor this year, there’s a clear revival of performance.

And while the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is clearly one of the show’s stars, Detroit makers aren’t the only ones emphasizing muscle. Volkswagen is expanding its R-Line and showed the Passat Performance Concept at the North American International Auto Show.

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With the Passat setting a record with more than 117,000 sales in 2013, a performance-oriented model could help add to that total. But VW isn’t waiting to give some of its existing models a boost.

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Shelby Focus ST and GT500 Wide Body Unveiled

Performance tuner thinks the late founder would have approved.

by on Jan.15, 2013

Shelby American introduced two cars at the Detroit Auto Show: The Shelby GT500 Wide Body and the Shelby Ford Focus ST.During his exile from Ford, Carroll Shelby worked with Dodge on hopped up hatchbacks, like the Dodge Omni GLH-S and the Dodge Shelby Charger.

Now just months after founder Carroll Shelby’s death, the company is carrying on the pocket rocket tradition with a new Shelby Focus ST, unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Power! Power! Power!

Also at the Detroit Auto Show, Shelby showed its new Wide Body version of the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake.

“I think what you’ll see today are two cars that represent the spirit of Shelby,” Shelby President John Luft said.

Click below for a look at the new creations from the longtime Ford tuner.

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Furia Suggests Toyota’s Future Design Direction

Detroit auto show concept provides a glimpse of next Corolla.

by on Jan.14, 2013

Toyota introduced the Furia Corolla Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Toyota is hinting at its future design direction for small cars with its Corolla Furia Concept, unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

Toyota calls the concept a styling study that builds on brand’s priority to develop “more dramatic, expressively designed vehicles.” The concept will be on Toyota’s stand at the North American International Auto Show.

Iconic!

“The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. “It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people.”

Toyota calls the theme of the new design language “Iconic Dynamism.”

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Honda Urban SUV Concept Introduced

Honda’s smallest crossover will be built alongside Fit in Mexico.

by on Jan.14, 2013

Honda's Urban SUV Concept is a sleek departure for the company that previously brought us the boxy Element.

What, you were expecting an Element redux?

Two years after ending production of the intentionally ugly-duckling boxy Element, Honda showed the Urban SUV Concept, a thinly disguised look at a new small crossover that will slot in below the CR-V in the Honda lineup at the Detroit auto show. Key competitors will be the quirky Nissan Juke and the Fiat 500L, a supersize version of the diminutive Fiat 500.

Sleek and Modern!

While the trucklet’s profile is similar to many other small crossovers – including big brother CR-V – a unique, upswept character line that suggest speed.

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BMW Reveals M6 Gran Coupe in Detroit

by on Jan.14, 2013

BMW's M6 Gran Coupe brings the M treatment to BMW's entry in the category it shares with other coupe-like sedans.

Coupe-like sedans are all the rage and now BMW is bringing the M treatment to its 6-Series Gran Coupe.

The Bavarian automaker unveiled the M6 Gran Coupe today at the North American International Auto Show.

The M6 Grand Coupe will fill one of the few blank spaces left in the Bavarian maker’s performance line-up. Of all its wide range of offerings, BMW has said it has no intention of adding an M7 – instead turning to Alpina for a performance version of its flagship sedan.

Ian Robertson, a member of BMW’s Board of Management, said the car provides a sports car experience with elegant ambiance of a luxury interior.

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Detroit Auto Show: All You Need to Know

Press Preview ends today; show opens to public on Saturday.

by on Jan.14, 2013

The press previews are over but there’s still a lot more news to come from the 2013 North American International Auto Show and TheDetroitBureau.com will continue bringing you the latest product news, concept close-ups and interviews with the industry newsmakers down at Cobo Hall.

Stay with for our latest updates:
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BMW 4-Series in the Flesh in Detroit

Bavarian automaker spins the coupe off from the 3-Series sedan line.

by on Jan.14, 2013

BMW is spinning off its 3-Series Coupe into a separate model called the 4-Series.

Is there some danger in moving the coupe version of the BMW’s vaunted 3-Series to a new nomenclature?

Probably not.

BMW pulled the cover off the 4-Series Concept Coupe today at the Detroit Auto Show.

Ian Robertson, member of BMW AG’s Board of Management, said the new car offers a new level of presence, elegance and dynamics.

“In designing the Concept 4 Series, we were determined to make a Coupe that stands above all others in its class,” Robertson said. “The result is an entirely new Coupe with more aesthetic differentiation and more product substance.

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BMW’s 4-Series is the coupe counterpart to the 3-Series, just as the 6-Series is to the 5-Series and the 8 is to the 7. Apparently, in BMW-ese, even numbers signify two doors rather than four.

While BMW is calling the car it is showing at the North American International Auto Show a concept, the production version will likely be very close to the show car.

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Show Brings World-class Automotive Art to Detroit

Co-organizers hoping to turn show into an international art display.

by on Dec.31, 2012

While you’re downtown for this year’s Detroit auto show, make some time to stop by the Compuware Building, to see works by some of the world’s best automotive artists.

This will be the second-annual Detroit Knows Cars Automobile Art Exhibit. It runs Jan. 10-27 in the Compuware lobby.

Automotive artistry!

“More than a dozen artists for whom the automobile is a central theme present their amazing works in this free public space,” co-organizer Steve Purdy said.

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