2006 Detroit Auto Show Index by TCC Team (1/7/2006)

2006 Lincoln MKS Concept
The MKS is one of “two examples of how we’re sharpening and redefining the

2007 Lincoln MKX
Preview: 2007 Lincoln MKX (1/9/2006)
Ford Motor's luxury brand joins the hot crossover segment
Lincoln MKS: Becoming LS? by Bengt Halvorson (1/9/2006)
All-wheel-drive concept prefaces new division flagship.
How Much Upside at Chrysler?
The only American automaker to post a sales gain in 2005, DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group is looking for ways to grow. While there are some weak spots in the lineup, the company is nonetheless on a roll, analysts generally agree, as it enters 2006. Most of its factories are operating at or near normal capacity, so CEO Tom LaSorda is looking for ways to squeeze even more out of those plants, rather than adding facilities in a market with severe over-capacity issues. His goal? Add third shifts wherever possible and move increasingly to flexible facilities that can allow Chrysler to shift production to respond to swings in market demand. Adding that capacity “is free,” he said, at least if you don’t count the added workforce. Going to third shift operations could boost output to as much as 3.5 to 4.0 million, LaSorda said. The automaker isn’t likely to need that much any time soon, however. Sales last year just nudged the 3.0 million mark.
But added capacity will certainly be needed at a few key plants, such as the one in
LaSorda was asked about the new joint venture with Volkswagen, which will take a version of the next-generation Chrysler minivan. VW’s global brand czar, Wolfgang Bernhard, hinted there could be future projects in store for the partners, and LaSorda cautiously agreed. “Obviously, we want to open the doors to more cooperation and work,” not only with Volkswagen, but other potential partners. LaSorda said that Chrysler likely couldn’t have developed its next-generation of small and compact cars without sharing development costs with the Japanese maker, Mitsubishi. And with the automotive market continuing to fragment, such ventures will be critical to building a business case for lower-volume products in the future.
Jeep Breaks Out with New Wrangler

2007 Jeep Wrangler
Preview: 2007 Jeep Wrangler (1/9/2006)
Squared off, powered up, and ready to rocks.
MINI Confirms Traveller

2006 MINI Traveller Detroit concept
MINI conformed that a production version based on this estate concept will hit the market by the end of 2008. The longer version should have enough space for four passengers and their luggage. The
MINI has been very successful in the past year with sales of more than 200,000 units. Its largest market was the
Infiniti G35 Coupe Concept

2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe Concept
The Coupe Concept is in fact an evolution of the G35, but the handsome car does not need many changes to carry it into the next era. It has large LED headlights and rear lights with a specially treated surface. The exterior includes a full-length glass panel roof and a more pronounced shoulder line, emphasized by bare-metal-look paint. The taillights received a special sunglass-style multi-layered surface treatment.
The door handles are hidden and compact cameras replace the traditional rearview mirrors; their images are projected on flip-up screens on each side of the instrument cluster. The concept car is equipped with 25/35 R20 rubber up front and 275/35 R20 in the rear.
In the interior Infiniti combines a performance-oriented cockpit with a luxury atmosphere. A long full-length center console houses the leather/aluminium shifter knob and other controls, including Infiniti’s Human Machine Interface controller, similar to that on the Infiniti M and FX. The steering wheel has paddle shifters and control buttons. The interior incorporates special textures like aluminum accents in the style of traditional Japanese washi paper. The concept car was designed at the
Kabura Anything But Straight and Narrow

2006 Mazda Kabura concept
The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car—with dimensions that land between those of the MX-5 and RX-8—has an innovative, if odd, 3+1 seating arrangement rather than the usual 2+2, which, Mazda claims, allows more comfort for all passengers without adding overall space. The seating arrangement has the front-seat passenger sitting ahead and to the right of the driver, and the other seats are staggered for equal space. All the passenger seats can fold flat when needed, with space for snow boards or other cargo. Rear-hinged “lifestyle doors” and a two-piece glass hatch provide better access to the back.
The Kabura was designed at Mazda’s
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part I by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Car and Truck of the year, Lexus LS has eight speeds, Enclave concept..
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part II by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Shelby GT500, Ford Reflex, predictions for 2006 and Lutz on GM financials.
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part III by TCC Team (1/8/2006)
Hyundai HCD-9 Talus, Santa Fe, and the death of the five-day car.
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part IV (1/8/2006)
Nissan's next steps, Benz GL-Class, GM hybrids.
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part V by Bengt Halvorson (1/8/2006)
Honda Fit, Ford Edge, and more from Bill Ford.
2006 Detroit Show, Part VII by TCC Team (1/9/2006)
GM planning big price cuts, Aston Rapide, Volvo C30, XK pricing.
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part VIII by Bengt Halvorson (1/9/2006)
Jeep Compass, Toyota Camry, Nissan Sentra and Urge.
2006 Detroit Auto Show, Part IX by TCC Team (1/10/2006)
Camaro by the numbers, Acura RDX, Jaguar gets Ford help.
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