A light at the end of the tunnel

It seems that most of the news, lately, concerning the 2009 North American International Auto Show (the Detroit Auto Show for many of us who have been around long enough to remember) has been, shall we say, less than exuberant. With 7 manufacturers taking a pass (including Nissan/Infiniti), organizers have had to resort to calling up the Chinese from the minors (read: the basement) in order to fill the park.

So it had to be with some sense of relief when they heard the news that Mazda would be showcasing the new Mazda3 sedan (unveiled earlier this year at the L.A. Auto Show) along with its 5-door brother that has yet to see the shores of North America, having been revealed at the Bologna Motor Show just 2 weeks ago.

New Mazda3

According to Mazda3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “”We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of Mazda. On the heels of the original MAZDA3’s success, we aimed to again exceed the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in the MAZDA3’s cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside.”

Mission accomplished. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts a completely-new body and interior design. Unmistakably a Mazda, the new sedan receives styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give the new 3 a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

To give this flavor substance, a new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps has been added as standard equipment on Grand Touring models – the first compact offered for sale in the U.S. with such an advanced lighting system.

Inside, front seat cushions have been extended by nearly an inch for improved thigh support while backrests are taller by almost an inch and a half and have been recontoured for improved driving posture. In another first for its segment, on vehicles equipped with power seats, a three-position memory function has been added and, on approach to the car, the left-front seat will automatically adjust to the settings chosen by up to 3 different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob.

It’s all about the zoom-zoom

The first generation 3 was a perennial leader in its segment due to its handling and road presence and the new version promises more of the same. The base engine, with 148 hp and 135 lb.-ft. of torque is a carry-over from the previous generation. Uplevel models will benefit from Mazda’s new MZR 2.5 liter I-4 borrowed from the new 2009 Mazda6 with an output of 167 hp and maximum torque of 168 lb.-ft. Putting this power to the pavement is a 5-speed manual in the base “i” version and a 6-speed manual for the uplevel “s”. An optional 5-speed automatic is available for both trim levels.

2009 Nissan Cube

Even Detroit’s auto show can’t catch a break

Things are tough in Detroit – no question about it. Just ask the organizers of the North American International Auto Show. Porsche, a brand that wasn’t there last year, made the decision to skip the show again this year. Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari felt the Detroit market was too small for their brands and backed out and both Mitsubishi and Suzuki took a pass as well. Then just last week, Nissan (along with premium brand Infiniti) announced that it was pulling the plug on both Detroit and Chicago.

At least with Nissan, the NAIAS had the consolation of knowing that it was not alone. But just as quickly, it now appears that Nissan will return to the Windy City.

2009 Nissan 370Z

Back in the game

Nissan Vice President of Corporate Communications, Alan Buddendeck, explained Nissan’s original position by stating that the company had already reached its intended audience at the unveiling of the 370Z roadster and the new Cube at the L.A. Auto Show in November.

So what caused the company to change its mind? According to Buddendeck:” Given the extraordinary economic and industry climate, all well-managed companies have a fiduciary responsibility to review strategies and tactics for going to market. As everyone knows, the automotive industry is facing severe and prolonged headwinds in North America and around the world. It’s a climate that demands decisions that are often difficult and even controversial.”

“At the national level, Nissan North America decided to withdraw from both the Chicago and Detroit shows. After a careful review of this decision with our North Central Region management and our Chicago dealers, we have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers, while still demonstrating the fiscal responsibility required by these challenging times. The decision outlined for Chicago does not affect our decision to withdraw from the 2009 North American International Auto Show.”

Chicago Auto Show Co-Chairman John Phelan put it this way, “To be sure, talking about our current economic conditions isn’t going to turn our industry around. But showing and talking about great new products, technology and breaking automotive news will help turn it around—and we want to help.”

BYD F3R

Chinese go upstairs and join the party

Meanwhile, back in Motown, all that extra floor space means it has to be filled by someone. So after two years spent in the basement as the red-headed stepchild, the Chinese automakers (so far, BYD and Brilliant) finally get their chance to join in the big dance on the main floor. Who knows, if anyone else drops out, even the boys from DUB magazine may get their big break. This could get interesting.

How about a DUB Rolls-Royce?

The Deals just keep on coming

With the economy in a tailspin, LotPro.com has come up with some unbelievable car deals. The only problem – you can’t drive any of them.

Volvo Cars gives away 10,000 vehicles

In collaboration with noted Swedish toy manufacturer Viking Toys Ltd, Volvo Car Thailand announced that it would be giving away over 10,000 model cars of the Volvo XC90, XC70 and C30 to underprivileged pre-school Thai children through a partnership with both governmental and non-governmental organizations in Thailand. Called the “My First Volvo” project, the program was, according to Paul Stokes, president of Volvo Car (Thailand), “an obvious route to turn a commercial decision into a way to give a little something back to the youngest members of our society, particularly those from a less affluent background who need every ray of sunshine and every chance to smile.”

Hot Mustang from Mattel

Ford’s latest Mustang model will be the most affordable and, unfortunately, also the smallest. As the latest ‘stang to be immortalized as a Hot Wheels® model, the 2010 model will be, like the others, 1/64 the size of the original. Weighing less than a pound, the two vehicles do share some similarities.

The same digital data that Ford’s designers use to create the original car is used by Hot Wheels designers to model the toy version. According to Alec Tam, director of design for Hot Wheels (whose background is in car design), “We share Ford’s CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data, but we reinterpret it into a format that works for us because there is a lot of extraneous information that we don’t necessarily need for a 1/64 model — like a headlight lens or a door handle or a trim piece.”

Modifications are made for safety (no outside side mirrors or sharp edges) as well as for performance. According to Tam, “The real full-size vehicle wasn’t designed to work on our tiny little orange track. I don’t think Ford planned for the car to go through a loop,” (ya think?). “We have to adjust certain things on the car so that it will perform well on the track.”

While certain things, such as the mirrors, are eliminated in the name of safety, other design features, such as door handles and the nose, are actually larger so the new version can easily be differentiated from the older model. Once a resin model is created and final approval is given, the tooling process begins so that engineers car create the interior, windshield and chassis. Once the production prototype is approved by Ford, the vehicle is sent to production.

This year, a limited number of vehicles was given out at the Ford stand at the L.A. Auto show, while the production version should be at retailers today.

Current News

According to BMW, 500 of the electric MINIs will be built before the end of this year. Due to their unique nature, the production will be split between the MINI assembly plant in Oxford, England and Munich, Germany. What this means is the entire vehicle, sans drive components and the lithium-ion battery, will be assembled in England. Once this is completed the unit will then be transferred to Munich where a special manufacturing complex will install the electric motor, battery units, performance electronics and transmission.

Switching to the coasts

Once the MINI E is unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show on November 19th and 20th, it will become available to “select private and corporate customers” as part of a pilot project in California, New York and New Jersey. Why these three states? It would seem that California is a given, since it is the largest market for BMW here in the states and home to more celebrities per square foot than any other location on the planet – select, indeed. As for New York and New Jersey, both states are within spitting distance of BMW’s Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey headquarters.

BMW also had to limit the number of locations due to the unique nature of the drivetrain and the need to set up a service base on both coasts. These locations will be staffed by BMW personnel familiar with the MINI E’s electrical components that can provide technical support at the customer’s local MINI dealer or the workshop at the service base, itself.

The MINI E’s will be offered on a one-year lease with an extension option and the lease payments (not yet disclosed) will cover all parts and service for the lease duration. When the lease is completed, the MINI E will be returned to BMW engineering for testing and evaluation.

From duplex to single

Although the exterior dimensions remain the same, the interior of the MINI E is even smaller than its gasoline counterpart. While front seat occupants will notice no difference, the entire back seat is gone – replaced by the requisite 5,088 lithium-ion storage cells grouped into 48 modules. Placing the batteries where the rear passengers would normally reside allows for better weight distribution while still leaving space for nominal storage between the usurped seating area and the rear hatch.

According to BMW, the 204 hp electric motor, located under the hood, produces 162 lb-ft of torque and will accelerate from zero to 62mph in 8.5 seconds, while top speed will be electronically limited to 95mph. To maintain agility and handling, BMW has re-tuned the suspension to account for the E’s altered weight distribution and, ahem, weight (the E tips the scales at 3230 pounds, a hefty 507 more than an automatic-equipped S).

A plug for your local utility company

Outside, there’ll be no mistaking the E for your run-of-the-mill MINI. Sporting an exclusive dark silver body and light silver roof, the E will be emblazoned with a stylized power plug on the front, back and charger port lid (a spot formerly reserved for the gas filler door). To top things off, so to speak, BMW has also placed a version of the plug on the roof large enough so as to confuse low-flying aircraft that this MINI might actually belong to the local utility company fleet.

Speaking of your local utility, BMW will also furnish those lessees fortunate enough to be chosen with a special wallbox that will be installed in the customer’s garage. Designed to provide higher amperage, the box will fully recharge the E’s batteries in less than three hours, drawing 28 kilowatt hours and giving the E a range of 150 miles (you can also plug the E into any standard power outlet).

Watt comes standard?

Each MINI E will come standard with dynamic deceleration (75% of all deceleration can be done without the brakes), stability control, electric a/c compressor, unique instrumentation and interior trim and, of course, zero emissions. Well Sparky, are you ready?

Press release outlines marketing plans

Here at LotPro.com, many of us are fans, if not aficionados, of the original pony car. In a recent press release, Ford Motor Company laid out its plans surrounding the introduction of the 2010 Ford Mustang, set to debut at the L.A. Auto Show this November. In addition to short stories submitted by Mustang fans, the intro web site has been expanded to include independently developed short films. Portions of these films will also be shown during weekly episodes of the “Knight Rider” series.

Here is the release:

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 23, 2008 – With worldwide Mustang enthusiasts anticipating the reveal of the 2010 Ford Mustang, those passionate about the iconic pony car are using the time before launch to tell their stories about their favorite muscle car through the essay contest at www.the2010mustang.com.  Filmmakers also now get to share their “Mustang Stories,” thanks to an innovative campaign recently launched between Ford, JWT Team Detroit, and Filmaka, a global digital entertainment studio and celebrated online creative community.

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to connect with our customers,” said Caroline Pernot, Ford car communications manager.  “We wanted to see how filmmakers interpreted our ‘Mustang Stories’ contest and are delighted to be able to reach an even wider audience through the new Knight Rider TV series, which stars our Shelby GT500KR.”

Video clips – essentially 30- to 60-second “trailers” – will be shown on NBC’s Knight Rider TV series, which debuts on Wednesday, Sept. 24 (8 p.m. EST).   Viewers then can watch the films, which last from 45 seconds to five minutes, in their entirety exclusively at www.the2010mustang.com.

Nearly 400 scripts were submitted by filmmakers from 28 countries on six continents, and 22 semifinalists received $5,000 to produce their short films in two weeks.  Ford, JWT and Filmaka then selected 10 winners who received additional $5,000 prize money. A new film will be introduced each week during Knight Rider episodes.  The grand-prize winner receives the chance to direct a promotional film for the 2010 Mustang launch.

The first winning film, “Numskull,” is directed by Zack Resnicoff and written by Sonny Calderon, who are based in New York and Los Angeles, respectively.  More winning filmmakers will be announced soon.

“Working with Ford gives us the opportunity to help a powerhouse brand connect with its consumers through high-quality, original content,” said Sandy Grushow, president, Filmaka.  “Meanwhile, our winning filmmakers got to have their creative vision seen by one of the world’s most respected agencies as well as millions of television viewers.”

How to enter:

To enter the “Mustang Stories” contest, enthusiasts should visit www.the2010mustang.com for details.  Submissions must be received by midnight EST on Oct. 15.  Voting will take place from October 18-30, with the winner announced Oct. 30.  The grand prize winner receives a 2010 Mustang and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Los Angeles International Auto show in November.