Archive for the ‘Concept Cars’ Category
But market has changed radically since coupe-like model first appeared.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Dec.17, 2018
Mercedes has offered a tease of the second-generation CLA ahead of its debut at CES.
The original Mercedes-Benz CLA, in baseball terms, knocked it out of the park, the compact, coupe-like sedan not only generating a massive sales surge but drawing in the sort of hip young buyers that the German brand long had trouble reaching.
Americans are expected to buy about 22,000 CLA sedans this year, a sharp decline from the model’s 2015 peak, when Mercedes delivered about 30,000 of them. That said, considering the rapid shift from passenger cars to light trucks – including the similarly sized Mercedes GLA crossover – the CLA remains an essential part of the brand’s line-up.
Auto Show News!
“We’re still bullish on sedans,” Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, told TheDetroitBureau.com during a Los Angeles Auto Show interview, and the German brand aims to prove that with the upcoming launch of the second-generation CLA.
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Tags: 2019 ces, 2020 mercedes-benz cla, Consumer Electronics Show, auto news, car news, coupe-like sedan, mercedes ces, mercedes cla, mercedes mnux, mercedes news, mercedes vision urbanetic, mercedes-benz cla, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Autonomous Driving, Business, CES, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Electrified Vehicles, First Look, Infotainment, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mercedes, Monthly Results, Product Reveals, SUVs, Safety, Sales, Sedans, Technology, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | No Comments »
“An illustration of where we want to go with the brand.”
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Dec.14, 2018
Infiniti is providing a glimpse of its first all-electric crossover concept, which it plans to debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.
Infiniti has a history of telegraphing its future with a series of intriguing auto show concept vehicles – and we can expect that to happen once again next month as it pulls the wraps off an electric crossover concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The prototype will carry forward the striking and well-received Prototype 10 and Q Inspiration concepts the Japanese luxury brand unveiled over the past year. And it appears quite likely to tease not only an upcoming battery vehicle but an all-new EV architecture that will be used for a variety of future Infiniti models.
Product News!
“The concept car we will show in Detroit is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti, and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand,” said Executive Design Director Karim Habib. “Electrification and other new technologies have given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy.” (more…)
Tags: Detroit Auto Show Infiniti, Infiniti Q Inscription, Infiniti all-electric concept, Infiniti prototype 10, NAIAS 2019, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, infiniti concept car, infiniti news, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Advertising, Asia Pacific, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, China, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Designers, Detroit, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Executives, Infiniti, Markets, NAFTA, Personalities, South America, Technology, U.S./North America | No Comments »
Cars, trucks, crossover and concepts worth a second look.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Dec.03, 2018
The long-awaited Jeep Gladiator pickup made for one of the splashiest debuts at the LA Auto Show.
We’ve been to some dud auto shows over the last year. The Paris Motor Show, which kicked off the 2019 model-year, couldn’t even fill up a half day on the media calendar, and the Detroit Auto Show didn’t stretch much further. But this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show delivered some sweet surprises with its mix of cars, trucks, crossovers and concepts.
As we’ve come to expect from the Tinseltown extravaganza, there were plenty of green machines making their first appearance at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but these weren’t the sort of slow and stodgy sedans and quirky hatchbacks of years past, covering a broad swath of territory including electrified SUVs, pickups and sports cars. And there were plenty of promising products that fell into more conventional categories.
Auto Show News!
Here’s an alphabetical look at 10 of our favorite debuts at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show:
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Tags: 10 best, 10 best of la auto show, 2018 la auto show, Mazda3, Porsche 911, Rivian R1T, audi e-tron gt, auto news, car news, honda passport, hyundai palisade, jeep gladiator, kia soul, lincoln aviator, mercedes-amg gt pro, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, rivian r1s, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Environment, First Look, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrids, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Los Angeles, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Pickups, Porsche, Product Reveals, Rivian, SUVs, Safety, Safety, Sales, Sedans, Sports Cars, Technology, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Autonomous Travel Suites put hotel rooms on wheels using an app.
by Michael Strong on Nov.21, 2018
Designed by Toronto architect Steven Lee, the Autonomous Travel Suite is a self-driving hotel room.
Americans are traveling U.S. roadways with greater frequency than ever, setting new records for miles traveled each of the last three years. Automakers, looking to make those safer miles, are furiously working to develop the first fully autonomous vehicle.
The idea of a fully autonomous car is appealing. Tell the vehicle where you want to go, and then get comfortable with a book, watch a movie or even take a nap. Set it and forget it, if you will.
Insight!
While that may seem like the next greatest thing, it’s not. That distinction belongs to the Autonomous Travel Suite (ATS). (more…)
Tags: ATS, Autonomous Travel Suite, Radical Innovation Award 2018, Steven Lee Aprillli Designs, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, autonomous hotel suite, hotel room on wheels, michael strong, self-driving hotel, self-driving hotel room, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Autonomous Driving, Business, China, Concept Cars, Designers, Driverless Vehicles, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Fuel Cell, Hybrids, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, NAFTA, Personalities, Safety, South America, Technology, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Fun brand also showing off four new customized models.
by Michael Strong on Nov.20, 2018
The new Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition will make its debut at the L.A. Auto Show.
With the recent focus on “hot hatches,” it would be fair to assume that ever-popular Mini would be among the leaders in the segment. Not only is it fair, but also it’s correct with the brand’s John Cooper Works edition vehicles.
At this year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show next week, Mini’s going to roll out a series of new vehicles looking to generate some excitement, especially within the “need for speed” crowd.
Product News!
Starting with the Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition, which will make its North American premiere starting Nov. 28. Joining that is the Mini John Cooper Works GP – first shown as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year – ready for launch in 2020. (more…)
Tags: Mini John Cooper Works Knights Edition, Mini Knights edition, Mini Los Angeles International Auto Show, Mini reveals custom accessories, TheDetroitBureau.com., l.a. auto show, michael strong, mini news, new Mini, new sporty Mini, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, China, Concept Cars, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Events, Executives, Los Angeles, Markets, Mini, NAFTA, Personalities, Product Reveals, Sales, South America, Technology, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Pilot set to launch in San Jose in late 2019.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Nov.09, 2018
Daimler and Bosch will led pilot users ride in comfort, in modified Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans.
Daimler AG, the parent of Mercedes-Benz, has announced plans to launch an autonomous ride-sharing pilot program in San Jose, California starting late next year.
The carmaker, along with one of its lead technology suppliers, becomes the latest to enter a space that is expected to account for a significant share of the miles Americans clock on the roads each year by the end of the next decade. Waymo, the Google spin-off, is set to transition its own pilot program to a commercial venture this year, while General Motors is looking to launch a similar service.
The Last Word!
“The pilot project is an opportunity to explore how autonomous vehicles can help us better meet future transportation needs,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
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Tags: auto news, autonomous ride-sharing, autonomous vehicles, car news, daimler bosch ride-sharing, driverless vehicle, maven, mercedes autonomous, mercedes news, mercedes ride-sharing, mercedes-benz ride-sharing, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, ride sharing, san jose mercedes, thedetroitbureau, waymo ride-sharing
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Autonomous Driving, Business, Chrysler, Concept Cars, Driverless Vehicles, Financials, Ford, GM, Honda, Lyft, Markets, Maven, Mercedes, Ride-Sharing, Sales, Sales, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America, Uber, waymo | Comments Off
Here's our round-up of the coolest, hottest and wackiest concepts to roll into the Las Vegas Convention Center.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Oct.31, 2018
The Honda Rugged Open Air concept.
Trick or Treat? Make that trick and treat, as the annual SEMA Show gets underway in Las Vegas.
Perfectly timed for Halloween, the annual aftermarket event regularly sees the debut of some intriguing concept vehicles from U.S., Asian and European automakers, and this year is no exception.
News You Can Trust!
In fact, there’s a Demon-chaser from Mopar which reveals a 1,000-horsepower crate motor that takes last year’s version of the Hellcat line to new levels. (more…)
Tags: Acura SEMA, Ford SEMA, Kia SEMA, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, automakers flock to SEMA, automakers show off at SEMA, chevy sema, custom cars, dodge sema, honda sema, paul a. eisenstein, sema show, thedetroitbureau, toyota sema
Posted in Acura, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Cadillac, Celebrities, Chevrolet, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Designers, Dodge, Events, Executives, FCA, Ford, GM, Honda, Kia, Markets, Muscle Cars, Nissan, Personalities, Pickups, Racers, Ram, SEMA, SUVs, Sales, Sedans, Toyota, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off
Mopar puts a distinctive spin on a pair of FCA icons.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Oct.30, 2018
Looking to blow away a Dodge Demon? Good news! Mopar has you covered with the Hellephant-powered Super Charger.
You can never be too rich, nor have too much horsepower. And for those who thought the Dodge Demon was pushing the limits, Fiat Chrysler’s Mopar division will deliver a high-performance surprise at this year’s SEMA Show.
Taking things into four digits for the first time, Mopar gave a handful of journalists a sneak peek at three customized models it will bring to the annual accessories show in Las Vegas next week – as well as the most powerful, factory-supplied “crate” engine ever to be offered to serious performance fans.
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And you can be sure that anything using the 1,000 horsepower V-8 will be hitting 60 by the time you pronounce its full name, the Fiat Chrysler 426 Crate Mopar Hellephant. (more…)
Tags: 000-horsepower engine, FCA 1000 horsepower motor, Hellephant debuting at SEMA, Mopar 1, Mopar Hellephant, Mopar SEMA offerings, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, mopar news, paul a. eisenstein, sema news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Automobiles, Concept Cars, Dodge, Events, Executives, FCA, Markets, Motorsports, Muscle Cars, Personalities, Pickups, Ram, Sales, Sedans, Sports Cars, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Ram trucks get massive makeovers.
by Michael Strong on Oct.26, 2018
Mopar's Low Down Ram gets lower and meaner for SEMA. It's one of two Rams heading to the show in Las Vegas.
With SEMA right around the corner, Fiat Chrysler officials are providing an early look at two entries it’s bringing to the Las Vegas show: The Low Down Ram and Ram Rebel.
The pickup trucks, customized with a combination of Mopar production and prototype parts and accessories, are two of 14 personalized rides, as well as hundreds of Mopar products, that will be on display in the brand’s 15,345-square-foot exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Last Word!
“The SEMA Show is truly the greatest stage for our brand to demonstrate what owners and enthusiasts can create with a little imagination and a selection of Mopar parts and accessories,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA – North America. (more…)
Tags: FCA SEMA trucks, FCA attending SEMA, FCA news, Mopar Low Down Ram, Mopar Ram Rebel, Mopar SEMA trucks, Mopar and FCA at SEMA, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, fiat chrysler news, michael strong, paul a. eisenstein, sema news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Advertising, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Concept Cars, Events, Executives, FCA, Markets, Personalities, Pickups, Ram, Sales, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Herbert Diess warns battery-cars could cost jobs – and may not be as clean as promised.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Oct.16, 2018
VW boss Herbert Diess, left,helps unveil the VW BUDD-e and eGolf Touch electric concepts.
When the U.S. economy collapsed a decade ago two of the three Detroit-based automakers plunged into bankruptcy, surviving only with the help of a massive federal bailout – and that’s the fate that could be facing the German auto industry, as well, the CEO of Volkswagen warned today.
The country’s powerful auto industry faces a 50:50 chance of suffering the same fate that nearly destroyed Detroit’s Big Three manufacturers, Herbert Diess said during a supplier conference in Wolkfsburg VW’s home town.
Business News!
“From today’s point of view the chances are perhaps 50-50 that the German auto industry will still belong among the global elite in 10 years’ time,” said Diess, who was appointed VW’s chief executive earlier this year, following a senior management shake-up.
(more…)
Tags: auto news, car news, detroit bankruptcy, diesel cars, electric cars, german auto industry, german auto industry collapse, herbert diess, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, thedetroitbureau, volkswagen news, vw bankruptcy, vw diesel, vw electric, vw news
Posted in Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Business, Concept Cars, Daimler, Diesel, EVs, Earnings, Electrified Vehicles, Environment, Financials, Fuel Economy, Hybrids, Investors, Lawsuits/Legal, Markets, Mercedes, Porsche, Sales, Sales, Technology, Trends, Volkswagen | 3 Comments »
