General Motors press release Dec. 20, 2009: "Following Friday's announcement that GM will begin the orderly wind down of Saab, GM has received inquiries from several parties. We will evaluate each inquiry. We will not comment further until these evaluations have been completed."
Automotive News reports that Dutch car maker Spyker may get back into the running for Saab.
General Motors will start an orderly wind-down of Saab operations after GM failed to complete a sale transaction with Dutch car builder Spyker Cars. Spyker said that during the due diligence, certain issues arose that both parties believe cannot be resolved prior to the December 31st deadline set by GM. Spyker became involved in acquiring Saab after the withdrawal of Koenigsegg Group AB last month.
GM says it "expects Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers. Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world."
Last week, Saab Automobile AB announced that it had closed on the sale of certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd.
BMW Is Favorite To Gain Saab Buyers - AutoTrader.com
With the announcement today that GM will shutter its Saab division, BMW may be a winner, according to cross-shopping data from AutoTrader.com. Thirty-three percent of Saab shoppers also looked at BMW vehicles while researching and comparing new and used vehicles on AutoTrader.com, a larger percentage than looked at any other brand.
31% of Saab shoppers also looked at Audi models listed for sale on AutoTrader.com. 29% looked at Volvo, 27% at VW and Toyota, 24% at Honda and Mercedes-Benz, 23% at Ford and 22% at Chevrolet. Having said that, Saab's year-to-date 2009 sales in the U.S. through November stands at 7,812, a 61.3% drop from 2008, so when that kind of low volume is scattered around, will it really make a difference?
In other GM news, the company says it will begin loan repayments to the U.S. and Canadian and Ontario governments, paying $1.0 billion to the U.S. Treasury and $192 million to Export Development Canada.
A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists has selected the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf/GTI as finalists for North American Car of the Year and the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback as finalists for North American Truck of the Year.
The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. To be eligible, vehicles must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model. This year the jury considered more than 50 vehicles and finally focused on 16 cars and 10 trucks. The selection committee picked from these vehicles:
2010 North American Car of the Year nominees:
BMW 335d, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Fusion, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO, Honda Insight, Kia Soul, Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Porsche Panamera, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf/GTI/TDI.
2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees:
Acura ZDX, Audi Q5, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect, Honda Accord Crosstour, Land Rover LR4, Lincoln MKT, Subaru Outback, Volvo XC60.
We'll get the winners at the Detroit Auto Show in mid-January.
The all new 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet with a sound-dampening soft top goes on sale in the U.S. in May of 2010 replacing the CLK-Class Cabriolet which sells today for $56,100.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet will be offered in two models: the 268 horsepower V6-powered E350 Cabriolet and the 382 horsepower V8-powered E550 Cabriolet.
New features include AIRCAP® automatic draft-stop system which consists of a wind deflector that can be extended by around 2.4 inches with a net in the windscreen frame and a draft-stop between the rear seats. Another new feature is the modified AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system which provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.
Since launching in the U.S. six days ago Ford has more than 1,000 reservations for the new 2011 Ford Fiesta on a new Web site that allows consumers to build, price and reserve the new car. Consumers who reserve a new Ford Fiesta will receive SYNC® and Premium Sound package, a $595 value, at no charge once their vehicle is delivered. The new 2011 Ford Fiesta with its 119 horsepower 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine is expected to deliver to deliver highway fuel economy of 40 mpg.
The new 2011 Ford Fiesta goes on sale in North America next year – available in four- and five-door body styles. More than 500,000 Fiestas have already sold to customers in Europe and Asia.
The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata's North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show topped the list of unveils in my view. The $20,000 four-door coupe flashes the looks of a much more expensive midsize sedan. The sixth generation Sonata launches with a new 198 horsepower Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission delivering fuel economy of 23 mpg city/35 mpg highway. A 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and Hybrid Blue Drive models will debut by 2010 year-end. Production begins at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in December with retail sales beginning in January.
Sonata is the second vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in the next 24 months) following on the heels of the all-new 2010 Hyundai Tucson that also debuted in L.A. but was seen in mid-September at the Frankfurt Auto Show as the ix35. Beginning with the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson projects, Hyundai designers set to work about three and half years ago on Fluidic Sculpture, a design language that will ripple through the entire Hyundai showroom. The 2010 Tucson is 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor, yet 61 pounds lighter. The 2010 Tucson has a longer wheelbase and overall width than CR-V, Escape and Forester.
If the Cash-For-Clunkers program makes a comeback expect the Tucson to be a top choice as a clunker replacement. How can you go wrong with five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Tucson buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.
The all-new Tucson CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle), starts at $18,995 for a well-equipped GLS six-speed, manual-transmission model and $24,345 for the top-of-the-line Limited model. The all-new Tucson arrives at dealerships this month.
GM Chairman Ed Whitacre (pictured below) will assume the duties of CEO until a new President and CEO is found to replace Henderson. Here's the release:
At its monthly meeting in Detroit today, the General Motors Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Fritz Henderson as Director, President and CEO of the company.
Fritz has done a remarkable job in leading the company through an unprecedented period of challenge and change. While momentum has been building over the past several months, all involved agree that changes needed to be made. To this end, I have taken over the role of Chairman and CEO while an international search for a new president and CEO begins immediately. With these new duties, I will begin working in the Renaissance Center headquarters on a daily basis. The leadership team – many who are with me today – are united and committed to the task at hand.
I want to assure all of our employees, dealers, suppliers, union partners and most of all, our customers, that GM’s daily business operations will continue as normal. I remain more convinced than ever that our company is on the right path and that we will continue to be a leader in offering the worldwide buying public the highest quality, highest value cars and trucks. We now need to accelerate our progress toward that goal, which will also mean a return to profitability and repaying the American and Canadian tax payers as soon as possible.
In closing, I want to once again thank Fritz Henderson for his years of leadership and service to General Motors; we’re grateful for his many contributions. I look forward to working with the entire GM team as we now begin the next chapter of this great company.
General Motors dealers in the U.S. delivered 151,427 vehicles in November, a 2.2 percent decline compared with November 2008, GM retail sales were up 1 percent for the month. Total sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac were up 6 percent vs. the prior year. Retail sales for these brands were up 10 percent vs. the prior year, and currently represent 94 percent of GM's retail sales performance. Year-to-date GM has sold 1,875,981 vehicles, down 32 percent from the first eleven months of 2008.
Toyota Motor Sales reported November sales of 133,700, up 11.5 percent from November 2008. Year-to-date Toyota sales are 1,582,289, down 23.3 percent versus 11 months of 2008.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury total U.S. sales were 118,536, down 0.2 percent from November 2008 and for the 11 months of 2009, sales are 1,441,871, down 19 percent from last year. Separately, Ford-owned Volvo Cars North America had November sales of 4,631 up 5.2 percent from November 2008 for a year-to-date total of 55,797, 18.1 percent lower than last year. The Wall Street Journal reports that Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has lined up loans from at least three major Chinese government banks to finance its bid for Ford Motor Co.'s Volvo car unit, according to a person close to Geely. Geely is asking the Chinese government for $1 billion to purchase Volvo for $1.8 billion from Ford.
American Honda posted November sales of 74,003, an increase of 5.5 percent based on the daily selling rate when compared to November 2008. American Honda year-to-date sales of 1,043,641 represent a decrease of 21.7 percent based on the daily selling rate.
Chrysler Group reported total U.S. sales for November of 63,560 units, increasing its market share to 8.4 percent. Sales declined 25 percent versus November 2008. Year-to-date Chrysler sales are 844,879, 38 percent lower than the first eleven months last year.
Nissan North America November 2009 sales of 56,288 units was an increase of 20.8 percent, compared with November 2008. Nissan Division sales rose 29.9 percent for the month, while sales of Infiniti vehicles were 26 percent lower than a year ago. Nissan has sold 696,699 vehicles this year, a 21.7 percent decline from last year.
Hyundai Motor America November sales of 28,045 units, a 46 percent increase compared with November 2008. Calendar year-to-date, Hyundai sales are up 6.2 percent to a total of 401,267 through November. This marks the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year gains in retail market share.
Kia Motors America November sales of 17,955 units was an 18.3-percent increase over the same month last year. Year to date sales totaled 279,015, a 7.8-percent increase over the same period last year. Volkswagen of America November 2009 sales of 16,250 total units, representing a 13.7 percent increase over November 2008. Year-to-dat VW sales are 193,067, down 6.1% from the same eleven months last year. Audi, which is owned by VW but reports separately, had U.S. November sales of 6,810 bringing the 2009 total to 73,686, down 7.9 percent versus the same eleven months of 2008.
The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 18,272 vehicles, a decrease of 7.5 percent from the same month of 2008. The BMW Group year-to-date sales volume of 218,110 vehicles is down 22.5 percent compared to the first 11 months of last year.
Daimler reported U.S. sales for Mercedes-Benz and smart combined of 17,446 units, an increase of 9.1 percent compared to November 2008. Mercedes-Benz USA November sales were 16,797 vehicles, a 19.1% improvement over November 2008 bringing the year-to-date total to 170,403 new vehicles, narrowing the gap versus last year to 17.4%. smart USA recorded 649 sales in November 2009 with a year-to-date sales total of 13,731.
Subaru of America November sales of 16,988 is a 24 percent increase over November 2008 bringing the year-to-date total to 193,578, 14 percent more than last year after 11 months and more than all of 2008.
Mazda North American Operations reported November 2009 sales of 14,255 units, an increase of 9.6 percent versus November of 2008 on a daily selling rate basis (23 selling days in November 2009 compared to 25 selling days last November), up 0.9 percent unadjusted. Overall, total yearly sales are reported at 189,512, down 22.4 percent DSR (23.0 percent unadjusted) compared to 2008. Mitsubishi Motors North America November sales of 2,925 is a decrease of 24.4% from last month's sales of 3,867 (October 2009). Mitsubishi has 2009 sales of 49,631 for 11 months.
American Suzuki had sales of 1,540 in November, a 52 percent drop from a year ago. Year-to-date Suzuki has sold 36,810 vehicles, a 55 percent drop from the first eleven months of 2008.
Sales reports will be added as manufacturers release their figures.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze, already selling in Europe, comes to the U.S. this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show to challenge Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla with more spacious interior and greater cargo room, according to General Motors.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trims and a new family of small-displacement engines, including 138 horsepower Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo which is standard on LT and LTZ models. Along with ten standard air bags, the Cruze should rank high in fuel economy and safety. A stereo system that includes MP3 playback capability, six speakers and an auxiliary jack for personal playback devices is standard.
"Cruze is already a hit across Europe and Asia; and now, it's coming to America to challenge the status quo," said Brent Dewar, GM Vice President, Chevrolet Global brand. "Along with the Volt electric vehicle, Cruze is the latest tangible example of how Chevrolet is working on exciting products that range from gas-friendly to gas-free."
Ten concepts are listed for display at the Los Angeles Auto Show that starts next week. Most of them were at the Frankfurt Auto Show two and a half months ago. The most interesting just may be the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics (pictured above at the Frankfurt Auto Show). It attracted big crowds in Germany.
Seven world debuts are listed for the Los Angeles Auto Show media days next week. Cadillac CTS Coupe, Dodge Viper, Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport, Porsche Boxster Spyder, Toyota Sienna and two Volkswagens. We've had stories on two of them - Porsche Boxster Spyder and the Cadillac CTS Coupe.
The Los Angeles Auto Show website shows at least 30 North American debuts, including the ten concepts, many were on display in Frankfurt two months ago like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Tucson (pictured above as the ix35) to name two.
The Buick Regal, Chevy Cruze, Mazda2, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Tucson and two VW's could all be good volume vehicles. L.A. is important to the luxury car makers, especially Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo which each have multiple debut vehicles. Standby for a really big show from the car-centric home of Hollywood.
The enhanced 2010 LS 600h L premium luxury hybrid sedan will arrive at dealerships later this month and sell for $109,675 (including delivery, processing and handling fee of $875). The “L” signifying the long-wheelbase LS platform. The LS 600h L hybrid powertrain system combines a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with two powerful electric motors and a large-capacity battery pack. The hybrid powertrain generates a peak combined output rating of 438 horsepower and accelerates from zero-to-60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
The 2010 model has such features as standard Intuitive Park Assist with Advance Parking Guidance and Intelligent High-Beam, a driver's seat with auto slide-away that makes ingress/egress more comfortable, rear power sunshade, an LCD instrument cluster, Lexus Navigation system with casual language recognition, Bluetooth phonebook download capability and music playing capability with USB/iPod connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming. The Premium Package II includes butterfly rear headrest and left rear seat with lumbar massage and the Executive Class Seating Package II adds power rear driver's side seat and ottoman with lumbar massage.
Lexus Enform with Safety Connect is standard on all LS 600h L. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform with Safety Connect are included on all purchases of new LS 600h L. The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - every day of the year.
Price increases on other select Lexus models range from $300 for the IS 250 and IS 350 to $900 for the GS 450h and SC 430 will become effective with vehicles produced on December, 2009.
General Motors confirmed today that the proposed sale of its Saab subsidiary to Koenigsegg Group AB was terminated at the discretion of the buyer.
"We're obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase," said GM President and CEO, Fritz Henderson. "Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB. Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week."
So GM somehow foiled the sale of Saturn to Penske, decides to keep Opel rather than sell to Magna and now is stuck with Saab. At least Hummer has a new home with Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. The Saab story continues....
The all-new, second generation 2010 Lexus GX 460 luxury utility vehicle with a new 301 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 329 lb-ft of peak torque will be on display for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.
The GX 460 will be offered in two grades: base, which will carry an MSRP of $51,970, and Premium which will be priced at $56,765 plus a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875. A six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift delivers combined city/highway fuel economy of an EPA-estimated 17 mpg broken down as an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
The second row seat slides 4.1 inches fore/aft and the foldable and reclining second row seats feature a 60/40 walk-in function to access the standard power fold-flat third row seats. Standard features include heated and ventilated front seats, 10 airbags, rear back-up camera (without Navigation), Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System which can reduce maximum body-roll angle by as much as 50 percent to help enhance both on-road handling response and off-highway capability and full-time four-wheel drive. Safety features available include the Pre-Collision System, wide-view front and side cameras, Lane Departure Alert and Intelligent High Beam.
I saw the GX in Frankfurt where it was on display as a Toyota Land Cruiser for the European market. The GX 460 will be in U.S. showrooms in late December.
The 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe unveiled today comes with a 304 horsepower direct injected 3.6-liter V-6 engine which runs on regular unleaded gasoline with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. There are two transmission options: the standard six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel and optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons). There is a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive option. The CTS Coupe's design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS sedan and is approximately two inches lower and two inches shorter and shares the same instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille as the four door version.
Some high tech features include touch-pad controlled doors which removes the need for conventional door handles and a 40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio. Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard. The 2011 CTS Coupe will be in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010.
On September 10, 2009, General Motors announced that it will offer a Satisfaction Guarantee to eligible buyers of new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. The program started Sept. 14. The guarantee allows customers to return their vehicle to their dealer between 31 and 60 days of purchase and receive a refund of the purchase price for the vehicle. That should be plenty of time to evaluate the vehicle, afterall an elite number of journalists usually get a week behind the wheel to generate a vehicle review that may or may not effect the purchase process.
This past Thursday on Nov. 18, or 65 days after the offer started, General Motors issued a press release saying that 653 customers to date have taken the 60-day Money Back Guarantee return in lieu of a $500 discount on a new vehicle purchase. 53 vehicles have been returned and about 140 others are in the process. In October, GM sold 177,603 vehicles so the 193 returns is barely a rounding error. One of the criteria is that customers must take delivery by Nov. 30th, so by early February we should have a good idea of how many people rejected their GM vehicle for whatever reason and returned it.
GM says that "every potential walk away is getting an exit interview from (Vice President of Global Product Engineering Mark) Reuss or one of his engineering leadership team." Now hopefully they'll survey the other 1.7 million plus customers who bought GM vehicles this year and owned them longer than 60 days to get better info on their products. If GM needs help, I have the answer, so send me an email or post a comment.
Frederick (Fritz) Henderson , president and chief executive officer of General Motors - (pictured left at 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show) will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address the morning of Dec. 2, 2009. Henderson was elected GM president and chief executive officer in March 2009. Prior to that, he had been GM president and chief operating officer since March 2008. He was vice chairman and chief financial officer from January 2006 to March 2008.
Henderson started his career at GM as a senior analyst in 1984 and was promoted to several positions of increasing responsibility before becoming GMAC group vice president of finance in Detroit in 1992. He went on to serve as president of GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East, president of GM Asia Pacific, and chairman of GM Europe.
Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC - (in a Frankfurt Auto Show media frenzy) will address the Economic Club of Chicago at the group's annual Chicago Auto Show luncheon meeting on Feb. 11, 2010. Sergio Marchionne serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fiat S.p.A., Turin, and Fiat Group Automobiles. He has been a member of the supervisory board of Fiat S.p.A. since 2003 and has served as CEO of the company since June 2004. He is also a member of Acea (European Automobile Manufacturers Association).
Edmunds.com has created True Market Value® Predicted Price Trends for most models over the next 30-days from the date the information is posted. The November 16, 2009 posting shows just four vehicles expected to increase in price: 2010 Acura RL, 2010 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 and 2010 Volvo XC60. The rest of the vehicles on the current Edmunds.com list will see a flat or declining price.
The Volvo XC60 (pictured at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show) is the only vehicle that gets a big fat up arrow which translates to big increase (2% or greater). (Volvo's union workers are meeting today regarding Ford's sale of Volvo to Geely of China.) I recently drove the XC60 and found the Lane Departure Warning an interesting feature along with Collision Warning with Auto Brake. The Volvo website has the XC60 starting at $32,995 MSRP.
Predicted TMV® Pricing Trends is based on a Edmunds.com proprietary formula that considers:
inventory level history, days-to-turn history, current and historical consideration intent among shoppers on Edmunds.com, prior incentives, past retail unit sales, historical Edmunds.com True Market Value® prices, current actual transaction prices, brand pricing and incentive patterns, scheduled launches of new or revised competitive products and macroeconomic factors that affect the overall market.
Nineteen cars and eight SUVs earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award for 2010. For the first time, good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover is required to win. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control.
Ford and its Volvo subsidiary have six winners: Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80, C30, XC60 and XC90.
Subaru, the only manufacturer with a winner in all four vehicle classes in which it competes, took five awards: Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Forester and Tribeca all earn Top Safety Pick.
Volkswagen/Audi has five: Audi A3, VW Jetta, Passat, Golf and Tiguan.
Chrysler earns four awards: Chrysler Sebring four-door with optional electronic stability control, Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control, Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags.
Honda had two: the Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control and the Honda Element.
GM had two: Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009.
Two new small cars, the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul, join the Top Safety Pick list for 2010 making three boxy-style vehicles earning the distinction Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan was also among the 27 qualifiers.
Toyota and its Lexus and Scion subsidiaries had a strong showing in 2009 with 11 winners but were shut out for 2010. Four other manufacturers whose vehicles have earned Top Safety Pick in the past didn't have a qualifying vehicle for 2010: BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saab.
The hot-selling Honda Accord and Ford Fusion didn't earn the required good roof strength rating to qualify while the Toyota Camry's seats and head restraints are rated marginal for protection against whiplash injury.
Motor Trend Magazine named the 2010 Ford Fusion as their pick for Car of the Year award saying: "Today, the 2010 Ford Fusion's impressive bandwidth as a model range was one of the many factors that helped it earn the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year award."
Motor Trend's Executive Editor Matt Stone goes on to write: "Want an economical midsize sedan that doesn't cost much, yet won't bore you to tears? Need to please your greener side with a high-tech hybrid? Fancy a near-sport sedan with AWD, 18-inch rolling stock, and the latest infotainment and electronics? Depending on which model you choose and how many option boxes you tick, the Fusion can be any of the above."
The 2010 Fusion bested a field of 23 contenders — including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW-7 series and Mercedes-Benz E Class.
The 2011 MAZDA2 will make its North American debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show December 2nd and will be sold in the U.S. and Canada beginning in late 2010.
MAZDA2 has been a sales and media success in markets around the world, winning 48 awards and being recognized as Car of the Year in more than 20 countries. Additionally, MAZDA2 was named "2008 World Car of the Year," besting all other new cars around the world.
Looks like manufacturers are trending small for the traditionally larger vehicle U.S. market.
