International Auto Industry, Detroit True "SURVIVORS!"

Images from the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit set to "Survivor - Victor Calderone Club Mix" by Destiny's Child.

Following the 2008 economic downturn and the current municipal bankruptcy situation in Detroit, both have proven to be true survivors.

Photos: Mike Woolfolk/TWG Media
Music: "Survivor-Victor Caldrone Club Mix" by Destiny's Child/Copyright 2001/Columbia Records

All-New 2015 Mercedes Benz C-Class

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class at North American International Auto Show
Photo: NAIAS

Here's the next generation C-Class from Mercedes-Benz.  Lighter, sleeker and more efficient, according to Mercedes-Benz officials, while offering a new level of high-class interior design to underscore the luxurious comfort and refined sportiness of the Three-Pointed Star's entry level sedan in North America and top-selling model, globally.  The new C-Class made its US debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Photo: MBUSA

The U.S. market launches with two C-Class models:  C300 4MATIC with a 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection in-line four cylinder engine delivering preliminary power figures of 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of    torque and a C400 4MATIC with a 3.0L turbocharged direct-injection V6 at 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.

On a visual level, the new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor.  Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and arouses emotions.  

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class interior
Photo: MBUSA

The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. Here the designers combine in accomplished style the architecture of Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a totally new center console featuring flowing lines.  A large one-piece center console panel performs an elegant sweep from the center air vents to the armrest.  These seamless clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a thrillingly purist and modern feel.

The new 2015 C-Class should arrive in Mercedes-Benz showrooms this summer.

See the new C-Class in motion.

Redesigned Cadillac CTS Scores Second Motor Trend Car of the Year Award

Great news for General Motors and its Cadillac luxury brand.  Motor Trend has announced that the 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan, the third generation of the popular model, is its Car of the Year for 2014.

Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh
presents Car of the Year Award to CTS
Chief Engineer Tony Roma.
Photo: Jeffrey Sauger for Cadillac

“The all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS prevailed over one of the most competitive fields in recent memory because it best met our award’s key criteria. Our judges were particularly impressed by the CTS’s responsive powertrains and masterful balance of smooth ride and sporty handling,” said Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh.

Motor Trend’s Car of the Year program is open to any all-new or substantially upgraded 2014 automobile. Rather than being compared against one another, contending vehicles are first put through Motor Trend’s full battery of performance tests to measure acceleration, braking, and limit handling.

2013 North American International Auto Show

Slideshow of photos from Media Preview of the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.  (All photos courtesy of NAIAS)

2013 Detroit Auto Show

A Show to Remember: NAIAS 2012 Closes with Smiles, High-Fives, and Optimism

Detroit, MI (NAIAS) - After a spectacular nine day run, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 is in the books. Today's attendance of 101,141 topped last year's final day numbers of 98,106, bringing total attendance of the 2012 show to 770,932, the highest since 2005.

2012 NAIAS at Cobo Hall
Detroit, Michigan

Bill Perkins, chairman, NAIAS, said the show lived up to its reputation of being one of the top in the world.

"From the press to the public, everyone realized that this was a very special show," said Perkins. "People want to feel good again about the industry, which is now obviously in a better place than it was a few years ago. As a result, this year's show was a 'must-see' event, as the attendance numbers indicate," he said. "Everything that could go right.did."

GM Kicks-Off 2012 NAIAS with Debut of New ATS Sedan

The eyes of the automotive world are focused on the Motor City as the 2012 North American International Auto Show gets underway in Detroit this week.  The official media previews begin on Monday morning.  However, General Motors kicked things off on Sunday night with a special media event at the College for Creative Studies, home to one of the world's most recognized programs for transportation design.

GM-North America President
Mark Reuss unveils all-new
Cadillac ATS in Detroit on
January 8, 2012.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the all-new Cadillac ATS sedan, which GM officials say will challenge the world's best premium cars.

The rear-drive ATS brings Cadillac’s blend of technologically driven performance, elegance and design to a new audience of spirited drivers. Its sophisticated driving experience is enhanced with Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

“Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, ATS expands Cadillac’s portfolio into a crucial global segment,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo.”

Next Generation Mercedes-Benz CLS

Second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS (European Model)
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz

The revolutionary Mercedes-Benz CLS gets its first major redesign since being introduced in 2003.  The production version of the second generation CLS was recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.  Mercedes-Benz calls the new CLS "refined sportiness" citing a new design language, more efficiency and more safety among other features.

Mercedes created a new category when it introduced the CLS, combining the sportiness and elegance of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan.  The German automaker has sold approximately 170,000 CLS models globally.

Going Green: Clean Diesel Technology

As America works to reduce and eventually eliminate its dependence on foreign oil, there is a push to bring alternative fuel vehicles to market. Electric, compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are under development but will not be major players for several years. Diesel, while derived from oil, can serve as a bridge because of its efficiency. Vehicles travel farther on diesel, thus consuming less oil.

Diesel has not been popular on the U.S. consumer market because the engines were significantly noisier and produced smelly, soot-filled exhaust. However, new federal guidelines have produced new technology that nearly eliminates all of those concerns.

I recently tested the 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d, a clean diesel powered sports utility vehicle. Compared to its gasoline powered version, the X5 diesel is much quieter than expected, produced no noticeable odor, and achieved significantly better fuel economy.



Clean Diesel Information

BMW Advanced Diesel

BMW offers diesel engines in the 335d sedan and X5 xDrive35d activity vehicle.

Mercedes Benz BlueTEC
Mercedes Benz offers diesel engines in ML, GL and R class models.

Volkswagen Clean Diesel

Volkswagen offers diesel engines in the Jetta, Jetta Sportswagon and Touareg 2 models.