|
|
|
As clues go, it was a big one. Revealed with much pomp and ceremony at the Geneva motor show in 2004, Rolls-Royce’s spectacular 100EX concept car was created to celebrate the famed British car maker’s centenary. That was the official line, at least. When probed, the only thing officials would reveal was that there were [...]
BMW of North America is on track to set a sales record this year, despite the changeover of its X5 crossover. “The 2007 model year cars are just coming onstream now,” said Tom Purves, CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. “It’s tough to predict. But we will be better than last year, and the momentum [...]
Audi’s return on capital this year will exceed 10 percent for the first time, company sources have told Automobilwoche. Last year the figure was 9.7 percent. That will approach the returns of rival BMW. Given Audi’s heavy spending for new models and the expansion of its dealer network, says Albrecht Denninghoff, an analyst at Commerzbank, [...]
Mazda blew it big time 15 years ago when it tried to cram its dealerships full of flashy new models without the marketing muscle to back them up. The brand has been paying the price ever since. So is Mazda on the brink of repeating that mistake in 2007? Not if David Klan can help [...]
Combining traditional off-road features with refined on-road cruising capabilities, Jeep builds on the new Wrangler Unlimited platform to bring us a new take on open-air motoring. Removable tinted glass panels cover the first- and second-row seats, over the cargo compartment and swing-up backlight. When removed, passengers enjoy the same open-air experience found in traditional soft [...]
Chrysler’s four-door, four-passenger concept embodies a visually compact appearance, while possessing SUV-like interior space thanks to a silhouette recalling old English shooting brake design (Editor’s note: a traditional “shooting brake” design is a two-door wagon; this is Chrysler’s PR-speak calling it a shooting brake). Interior design draw inspiration from contemporary computers, cell phones and music [...]
About a year ago, Toyota asked its designers and engineers a simple question: “What would be a suitable and appropriate Toyota sports car for the 21st century?” The result is the car you see on these pages, the FT-HS concept. FT-HS is a hybrid sports car designed at Toyota’s Calty design center in Newport Beach. [...]
Dodge dealers love the new Nitro SUV’s looks and price. But many complain about the edgy Nitro ads created by the agency BBDO. One TV ad shows a Nitro jump-starting another car. The Nitro driver guns his engine, and the other car blows sky-high. Another ad shows a Nitro falling through the center of the [...]
It isn’t often that an exotic brand offers a big bargain, but Maserati North America has 1.9 percent financing for 60 months on its flagship Quattroporte sports sedan. The deal marks the debut of Maserati’s new captive finance arm. Maserati says it’s a one-time deal on the car – the equivalent of a year-end sales [...]
With the MKR concept, Lincoln revisits a proud heritage, hints at its design future and kicks off what could be a final effort to survive in the increasingly tough luxury market. Ford Motor Co. is counting on North American styling chief Peter Horbury to right Lincoln’s sinking ship with a new design theme. And the [...]
Can’t bring the E class in for service? Beck Imports will bring the service to you. The Mercedes-Benz dealership in Charlotte, N.C., now offers mobile maintenance and repair. Two Sprinter vans, each carrying $30,000 worth of service equipment, meet customers at their homes or offices — or, in one recent instance, the golf course. Other [...]
Breaking a long-held advertising taboo, Volvo is bringing to the United States a campaign that dares to show consumers disrespecting its brand. The push asks consumers whether they love or hate the all-new Volvo C30 — and goes so far as to show a theater audience booing and throwing tomatoes at a woman onstage unveiling [...]