2003 Los Angeles Auto Show Ford banner with type
The Detroit auto show is underway, and TCC is on the ground to bring you the latest product introductions. Stay tuned today as we update you on the latest from GM, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai and Audi.
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2003 Volvo XC90
Import automakers dominated the prestigious North American
Car and Truck of the Year awards Sunday. The winners? Well, first a tip of the
hat for the finalists. A first-time ever tie put four nameplates into the
running in the truck category, the Honda Element, the Nissan Murano, the Volvo
XC90 and the Hummer H2, the only American model in either category. On the car
side, the Mini Cooper S was challenged by two more Nissan products, the 350Z and
the Infiniti G35. Drumroll, and the winners were the Volvo XC90 and Mini Cooper
S. The XC90 is Volvo's first-ever entry into the truck segment, and was first
shown at the Detroit auto show last January. "To come back one year later and
collect this trophy is a great honor for me," said a clearly ecstatic Volvo Cars
CEO Hans-Olov Olsson. For his part, Mini's U.S. chief, Jack Pitney, noted that
the car ran counter to the advice parent BMW was given by consultants, who said
it would better spend its money on an SUV. "If we'd listened to their advice,
we'd have never launched the Mini." The award is given by a panel of 49 North
American auto writers.
2004 Ford F-150 FX4
Ford’s
next-generation F-150, due in the 2004 model year, represents a major step away
from the soft-sided styling that marked the last generation. Still America’s
best-selling vehicle (Ford sold more than 800,000 of the F-150 again last year,
the fifth year in a row it’s hit that mark), the F-150 will again come in a
bewildering array of bed lengths, cab configurations and drivetrain choices.

2004 Ford F-150 FX4
Stay tuned for more on the 2004 F-150.
FORD CONCEPT SLEW COMING
This afternoon’s introductions include a slew of concepts from Ford Motor Company, which is eager to convince the public that record losses and job cuts in 2001 have led to a leaner, product-driven car company. Among the concepts coming this afternoon:
2003 Ford Mustang GT concept
2003 Ford 427 concept
2003 Ford Model U concept
2003 Ford Freestyle FX
2003 Dodge Durango concept
according to a release; the
interior room is larger thanks to a three-inch stretch in wheelbase and height,
a four and a half-inch stretch in width, and two more inches of width. Several
main styling cues—including the upright grille—are borrowed from the full-size
Ram pickups, but with creased sheetmetal, constant-radius curves, and clear-lens
rear taillights. Inside, new details include a completely redesigned gauge
cluster, various new cupholders and cubbies, and an available navigation system.
Cargo capacity is up 15 percent, too, and
Durango’s flat-folding rear seats carry over with a lower
loading floor.
The concept is powered by a 345-hp version of the 5.7-liter
HEMI V-8 mated to a heavy-duty five-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension is
independent at all four corners (via a Watt’s linkage in back), and the steering is rack
and pinion. On
the concept, ABS is standard and
side curtain airbags extend to all three rows of seats. —Bengt
Halvorson
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