Chrysler, Chery Hook Up
Wonders of wonders, but DaimlerChrysler and China’s Chery Automotive Company are hooking up to produce a low priced compact vehicle for DCX.
For the past year DCX has been looking for a partner to build the vehicle, reportedly the boxy Dodge Hornet, that would retail for about $10,000 in the U.S. Positioned to compete against Toyota’s Scion division, the Hornet is the type of vehicle all automakers are racing to build to provide a cheaper entry level vehicle to match low priced imports expected to arrive from China over the next few years.
Production of the vehicle is expected to start in 2008 according to a published report.
Also Read: The Chinese Are Coming
Mitsubishi Lancer Concept To Make Detroit Debut
Mitsubishi has long been in the shadow of Japan’s larger automakers, but the company has managed to produce a few hit models over the years including the sporty Eclipse and the compact Lancer. At the moment, there is plenty of buzz over a concept vehicle that will debut at next month’s auto show in Detroit and it is a car based on the high performance version of the Lancer called the Lancer Evolution or Evo.
The Evo to be featured, according to Kicking Tires, is the company’s “Prototype X” model replete with multiple hood scoops and a lower stance. At present, only a few sketches of the concept have been shown to the public, but a January 8th press day will likely bring actual photos of the concept forward.
While the standard Lancer has been a decent seller in its own right, the Lancer Evolution has caught the attention of tuners everywhere. The Prototype X, when it finally comes off of the assembly line within the next year or two, will likely do its part to raise Mitsubishi’s visibility one more notch.
PR Folks Name Volvo #1
They don’t build the cars, nor do they provide direct engineering or design input. Yet, journalists do influence the car market on what they say about the vehicles out there.
The Motor Press Guild (MPG) is the largest professional automotive media association and they recently judged the 20 automakers who sell their vehicles in the U.S. market. Basing their survey on seven key elements including the quality of press materials, the accessibility of key company managers, product launch events, and four other elements, the MPG has rated Volvo as the best company from a PR point of view.
Volvo was followed closely by Chrysler and then Toyota, but most of the other automakers in the market were seen as making improvements over the prior year. All automakers appear to benefit from the MPG’s input as journalists are the ones who turn around and share what they know with the buying public.
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