Inside the Industry

Hyundai to sell sedan to rival Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series in U.S. in 2010

(August 12, 2009) PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Hyundai is shaking things up at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by announcing its intention to launch its most premium luxury sedan in the U.S. next year.

Hyundai’s flagship, badged as the Equus in the Korean market, will be on display and on the roads surrounding the annual gathering of collectible classic luxury automobiles throughout the week, giving attendees a glimpse of the company’s most prestigious model. 

Next Cadillac flagship sedan to be built on Buick LaCrosse platform

(August 10, 2009) It was reported Monday that Cadillac's next flagship sedan, the XTS, will be built on the Buick LaCrosse platform.

The XTS is due in 2011 as a replacement for both the mid-sized rear-drive STS sedan and the full-sized front-drive DTS. The platform will be wider than the LaCrosse's and fitted for a more luxurious Cadillac ride, according to Automotive News. It's expected that the XTS will offer all-wheel drive.

A domestic, two Asians post best July sales results

(August 10, 2009) Detroit automaker Ford Motor and Asian manufacturer Hyundai Motor in addition to one independent — Fuji Heavy Industries’ Subaru brand — sold more new vehicles in July 2009 than in the same month last year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report.

Obama signs extension for 'Clunkers' program

(August 8, 2009) President Obama signed into law Friday morning legislation infusing the "cash-for-clunkers" with another $2 billion in hopes of extending a wave of trade-in deals that buoyed car sales and boosted demand for fuel-efficient vehicles in late July.

2011 E-Class wagon powered by a V-6 to reach U.S. showrooms in June 2010

(August 5, 2009) A new Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon will reach U.S. showrooms in June 2010, Daimler reported this week. The 2011 E-Class wagon is headed for a world debut next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. For U.S. shoppers, there will be a single version of the wagon, the E350 4Matic, powered by a V-6 with all-wheel drive.

Nissan to mass produce affordable electric car by 2012

(August 3, 2009) Nissan introduced its all-electric vehicle to the public in Yokohama, Japan, this past weekend indicating it will be sold to the public worldwide including North America as early as 2012.

"This is not a niche car," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. "We didn't make it unusual looking. It had to be a real car."

Lutz speaks — ad agencies safe (for now), leasing at GM will resume

(July 2009) General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz is back in the news. This week he has discussed leasing and advertising.

With the uproar over the Buick LaCrosse ad featuring the trendy West Coast director, Lutz — who now has the final say in advertising for GM — has left the ad agency people responsible for the ad quaking in their boots.

Honda to sell natural gas Civic in Utah

(July 2009) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda today announced that dealers in Utah will have the option of selling the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis, beginning today.

Jaguar joins Bentley, Porsche using Monterey as launch platform for new vehicles

(July 2009) The Monterey, California Peninsula's Classic Car Week (August 9-16) that includes the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Monterey Historics and the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will be the backdrop for introductions by three European brands, themselves historic in their own right.

Nissan and JATCO develop next-generation CVT


(July 2009) Most of Nissan's American lineup operates with CVTs or continually variable transmissions — transmissions that have an infinite number of gear ratios.