Slideshow Day 2 North American International Auto Show
Alan Mullaly’s First Big Mistake?
Yesterday during day on of the Detroit Autoshow, Ford’s CEO Allan Mullaly announced that Australian Ford Falcon, would soon be coming to an end. Because he has focused Ford on the One Ford strategy, there is no room according to Mullaly for more than one large car platform, and that platform will be the Taurus going forward.
For 50 years the Falcon has pounded the streets and the outback of Oz, and it’s legend at The Bathurst is long and deep. To may down under killing of the Falcon would be like killing of the Mustang in the US.
Rising gas prices have put a dent into sales of the rear wheel drive car and Ute, but it’s hard to think that “The Last Of The V8’s” could be in sight.
Slide Show Day 1 North American International Auto Show
Here is a slide show of some of the sights from Day 1 of the NAIAS
Quick Morning Notes From NAIAS
We will have a much more in depth review of the day later tonight, but wanted to give you some quick thoughts so far today.
Ford had a nice production for their Focus intro of which you can see a quick blurb here on the blog below, general reaction form the jaded press corps was good.
GMC brought you the Granite, what they call an “Urban Utility Vehicle”, what also could be know as yet another Xb copy. 1.4 liter turbo motor and suicide doors. Interior looks good, this is one of those prototype not announced for production cars.
Buick showed off the new Regal and also the GS “Concept” Look for that to be announced for production shortly. Some big power numbers announced for the GS Regal, 255HP and 290TQ out of a 2 liter turbo motor.
As a side note GM needs to hire some new writers for Mark and Susan, the fake conversation they had to begin the presser was corny and awkward.
We skipped the Toyota presser and by all accounts it was a good thing, reports are people were falling asleep there, also Toyota needs some new writers as well, the jokes wouldn’t have made it at amateur night at the comedy club.
VW showed off a highbrid coupe which has been tagged as the next Jetta and Mercedes touted it’s highbrids, then showed off a Convertible E Class which has a spoiler that comes out over the windshield header to direct air over the back seat passengers. Seems like engineering for engineering sake.
We are taking a break, and will post notes later in the day, pictures to come as well.
Video of the 2011 Ford Focus Intro
Just a quick clip here from the intro of the 2011 Ford Focus at the NAIAS this morning.
2011 Ford Focus
There are a number of us here in the US who have been very envious of our friends in the EU who have the current generation Focus and especially the sporty ST version and then there is the VERY tasty RS version that gearheads in the US have been drooling over since it debuted.
While the ST/RS versions aren’t being announced at the NAIAS, they will be coming soon with the 250HP EcoBoost 4 Banger that will be announced, maybe at this show. This is a mid life refresh, so what that means is that the basic car is the same with some fresh body work, a new interior and some refreshed/refined suspension. What we will get in the US is a two liter direct injection I-4 with 150HP. A 6 speed manual or a 6 speed DSG will be available.
The MyFord evolution of the SYNC system will be available with a Sony stereo system that was shown off last week at CES in Las Vegas.
The US, Russia and China get a version with a trunk, and thankfully the US will also get the 5 door which was STUNNING in person when we saw it at an embargoed event last month. The interior is very well done. Many people agreed with me that the interior of the Focus was more impressive that the Lincoln MKX that was also shown that day.
Have a look at a couple pictures and read through the press releases.
RoundAboutShow #17 2010 Predictions
Every year on New Year’s Day we wake up in a pool of what we hope is our own vomit. Staggering to our feet, we search for our pants, a shred of dignity and a cohesive, Zen-like theme. In the process we also uncover a host of stories and news bites to fit that theme, however hungover or dehydrated they may be. And whatever’s leftover, well, we talk about it anyway because it’s 2010!
Besides the obvious, like more ridiculous airport security hoops to jump through and enviro-nazis wailing about carbon and polar bears, what’s in store for the New Year? Well, this week the RoundAbout crew plays prophet and tries to shed a little light on 2010. The group reaches consensus on some of their predictions, but the automotive oracles are divided on other points – like Chrysler. Even with imported new leadership, will the beleaguered automaker be able to pull through? Has the new century smell worn off already after just one decade? Find out on this week’s installment of RoundAbout!
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RoundAboutShow #16 The Craigslist Episode
Every week like grieving families cleaning out a grandparent’s house after their passing, we find all kinds of old canned goods, birc-a-brac and maybe even a cohesive, Zen-like theme. Sure, some of what we discover is worth keeping, but the rest of it we have no use for, so we’ll post it on Craigslist! After all, we’re too guilty to throw it away. How else are can you get rid of granddad’s clothes, his collection of VHS tapes and portable dialysis machine? And how else can you make money doing it? Now, if we could only wash the smell of old-people and shame from our souls.
That’s right, this is the Craigslist episode that our panel has been performing–albeit informally–before each recording for the last 15 episodes. We’re so enamored with both the awful and wonderful finds that show up on the Internet’s classified free-for-all that we decided to make an entire episode out of it. Among our many gems, you’ll find a Fiat Abarth 850TC (replica), a ’66 Thunderbird Convertible, and a Jeep Comanche that brings back memories for one Jeffrey Ross.
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RoundAboutShow #15 The Holiday Wishlist
Every week we hit-up the discount travel sites in search of the cheapest airfare around. During the hunt, we find a wide range of ticket prices and airlines, and maybe even a cohesive, Zen-like theme. All we want is to make it home for the holidays, and find a few off-putting news bites to fit the theme, but our flight was canceled due to bad weather and we’re stuck in the Minneapolis airport eating stale Cinnabons and sleeping on the floor. Meanwhile, visions of Spykers and Audis dance in our heads.
This week, with a few short buying days left in the holiday season, our esteemed panel assembles its holiday wishlist. Eric yearns for a Tag Heuer watch. Zach has a soft spot for an NSX. Craig asks that we donate to the Focus Fund. And Ben just wants a way to operate his iPhone’s GPS without freezing his fingers off. Plus, ourBlind Spot story, the Lincoln MKT is In the Garage and an atrociously styled G6 inthis week’s Highway Hearsay.
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