Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rendered speculation: 2011 Passat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/rendered-speculation-2011-passat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/rendered-speculation-2011-passat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/rendered-speculation-2011-passat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The rendering specialists at AutoBild have come up with images of the next Passat. It gets a bit more character in the twin swage lines running down the side of the body, a feature that is looking like the next big design thing. The front end continues the tripartite bumper design VW has recently taken up, but swaps the giant headlamps for some sleek, stylized numbers reminiscent of Audi.

We aren't sure about the sedan design. It looks like it could be a contender with character... or it could be a sedan just trying to be fancy. The wagon, however, looks pretty sexy. We'll know when we see it in the flesh, but the Passat CC is probably a good indicator in the mean time, so if you like that, then you'll probably like this.

[Source: AutoBild via German Car Blog]

Rendered speculation: 2011 Passat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011new modelsNewModelsnext generationnext-genNextGenerationpassatvolkswagenvolkswagen passatVolkswagenPassatvwMon, 05 May 2008 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Decision on CTS siblings coming soon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


PHOTOS UPDATED

Cadillac is already on the upswing here in the US, and has been for some time. The image repair that GM has been able to carry out is impressive, and the rebirth is poised to enter phase two. GM Vice Chair Bob Lutz and Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor both commented at the Geneva Motor Show that Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are in their gunsights, and that a 3-series-esque family of models could emerge from the CTS. A wagon version of the CTS is getting serious consideration as Cadillac looks at taking the fight to European turf.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading Decision on CTS siblings coming soon

Decision on CTS siblings coming soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benzblsbmwcadillaccompetitioncompetitorctsdtsestateeuroeuropeanfront wheel driveFrontWheelDrivefwdlexusmercedesmercedes benzMercedesBenznew modelsNewModelsrear wheel driveRearWheelDriverwdwagonMon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford, Lincoln and Mercury will be redesigned by 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In the interest of not going belly-up, Ford will be hard at work over the next three years to remake their entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury fleet. We've got high hopes that the Bold Moves will start to come at us quickly now, and that great new product will offer significant improvements over their current offerings. It makes us wonder how long we'll have to live with the Five Hundred's rhinoplasty and the newly penned Focus. Ford also indicated an interest in selling "B" segment cars, which are sub-Focus size. Along with offering new small cars, technology integration will play a role in revamping the offerings. The newly unveiled and very cool Sync system is another way Ford will add value and substance to their wares. We also expect to see interesting developments on the hybrid and fuel-cell (and fuel-cell powered hybrid) fronts.

Our hope is that a little attention be given to the house of Lincoln Mercury first. The recent introduction of the Fusion, along with the refresh of the Focus and Five Hundred has bought Ford a little time, but the Town Car's looks have not aged well, and it's the odd-man-out styling-wise. The bold lines of the MKR concept bode well for some style to return to the long barren flanks of the bulbous Town Car. Mercury could stand some strategic focus. More effort should be paid to further differentiate Mercury, rather than just being tarted-up Fords. There has to be a reason for people to wander into the showrooms. We'll see in the coming months the fruits of Dearborn's labor, as they've got a lot of dedicated people working extremely hard at stanching the bloodflow at the Blue Oval.

[Source: Automotive News sub req'd]

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury will be redesigned by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010bold movesBoldMovesFordLincolnMercurynew fordnew fordsnew lincolnnew lincolnsnew mercurynew mercurysnew modelsNewFordNewFordsNewLincolnNewLincolnsNewMercuryNewMercurysNewModelsreplacerevampthe way forwardTheWayForwardMon, 08 Jan 2007 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford's Way Forward: it's a long and winding road]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/31/fords-way-forward-its-a-long-and-winding-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/31/fords-way-forward-its-a-long-and-winding-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/31/fords-way-forward-its-a-long-and-winding-road/#commentsFiled under:

As recent financial results have shown, reviving Ford Motor's North American operations is about more than just downsizing production capacity and increasing efficiency. Disappointing sales results are focusing the spotlight increasingly on Ford's promises of new, innovative products.

Ford is in a deep hole, with its minivans out of favor with consumers, only its aging Focus to combat the small car onslaught from other manufacturers, and even its stalwart F-150 pickup under fire from newer competitors.

Ford's problems with B-segment small cars highlight the automaker's challenges. Ford Americas president Mark Fields promised an aggressive attack on the booming small car market segment as recently as his keynote address at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show in January, but Automotive News reported Monday that Ford's current product plans show that new B-segment cars will not debut until the 2010 and 2011 model years. Among other things, Ford is struggling with defining the target markets for its small cars, with options ranging from low-priced, entry-level models to more upscale competitors for BMW's MINI. Or... Ford could simply rebadge a B-segment import, as Chevy did with its Aveo, in which case a 2007-2008 launch is possible.

[Source: Automotive News - sub required]

Continue reading Ford's Way Forward: it's a long and winding road

Ford's Way Forward: it's a long and winding road originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford focusford mustangnew modelsproduct plansrestructuringway forwardWayForwardMon, 31 Jul 2006 18:04:00 EST