2011 Minneapolis Auto Sow: The Domestics

With the auto industry in a state of rapid change, it seems as if the "Big Three" are on a roll with quality control and improved ergonomics. There's a catch, though. Most of the cars from the "Big Three" that warrant attention are Euro models that are being sold here for the first time, or models adapted or developed in conjunction with Euro models. That's no bad thing, however. This stark contrast compared to just five years ago signals a drastic change in the global autoconomy. What once were considered the "rental brands" by some are now full-fledged competitors in the industry.

ONE FORD

In late 2008, Alan Mullaly pledged to bring multiple branches of Ford Motor Company together; to have vehicles globally developed and sold in multiple markets, instead of concentrating on Ford's US branch building and developing cars strictly for our market. Instead, the US branch is (finally) adapting its European and British market vehicles to our shores.
Case in point, the new Focus lineup. Since the first generation Focus left our shores in 2007, the model hasn't really garnered much positive attention. The 2008 car was a sour rehash of what once was a stellar car, an economy car, an enthusiast car, a family car, and a college car. When the 2008 model rolled out, the buying public, and Focus fans shunned it. To be blunt, it looked like a hackjob 1991-1996 Escort with a Suzuki Vitara front end grafted onto it. Not quite what Ford USA was expecting. For 2012, it seems Ford has learned their lesson; after twelve years of being let down, the US is finally getting the good Focus. Like the first generation Focus, this one will come in sedan, and hatchback form; sadly with the slow demise of wagons in the US, we will not be getting the wagon this time around. However, we will be getting the ST version and hopefully the RS as well.




In Europe, where smaller vehicles are the norm, there is a category called the MPV; these vehicles pack seating for seven, in a relatively compact space, ala Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista and Mitsubishi Expo of years past. Even 'vans' like the original Honda Odyssey and Isuzu Oasis fall into this category. For 2012, Ford is bring its smallest MPV, the C-Max, to our shores. It's built on the same platform as the Focus, and has seating for up to seven passengers via a unique 5+2 seating arrangement. Since it's a compact vehicle, the MPG should be pretty decent. Expect 40 MPG highway from the 2.5L four cylinder and possibly more from the 1.6L Ecoboost four. Look for Ford's newest vehicle to our shores in late 2011 as a 2012 model.




And what would an auto show be without a new Mustang? Introducing the new Mustang Boss 302. Equipped with the legendary 5.0, this hot coupe is race-ready, and sadly it comes in at a race-car price. $43,000 give or take. Not half bad, considering it is more performance oriented than a Camaro SS, and probably doesn't weigh quite as much. It's out now, so go see your nearest Ford dealer for details.




Okay, so Ford didn't really have much that was unannounced. Can't say I'm surprised, really, but at least it was better than GM's presence. I completely skipped over them save for Cadillac, and even then I was only looking at one car: the CTS-V-- more importantly, the wagon.


SPORT WAGON? YOU BET!
When the second generation CTS bowed in 2007 as a 2008, the automotive press was stunned; GM has actually made a good car even better without compromising it in the process. In addition to the base car, the V Series followed in 2009. In 2010, the CTS wagon debuted, alongside an extremely handsome coupe. These cars would give birth to two more exciting variants to the CTS lineup-- the V coupe and the V wagon. The coupe is self explanatory. Pretty hot, but the wagon is something else. How could you not love a wagon with a six speed stick, 556 horses, and fat rear tires. Oh, and it can haul five people in alcantara-lined comfort, while doing 189 MPH. If a Mercedes E63 is too "slow" for you, and BMW's X5M is too much of an SUV, the CTS-V wagon is your ride. Production is limited, too, so you can guarantee your neighbor's CTS won't be just like yours.












And that brings me to my last tiny bit of the the rest of the "domestics". Okay, so I realize Saab is no domestic, but it does follow the whole "world-car" principle I explained up-top. During the later half of the previous decade, Saab was under a partnership with GM in which Saab was given the Chevy Trailblazer platform in exchange for Saab-built built diesels sold in Europe. Saab's first foray into the SUV market was the illfated 9-7X (a gussied up Chevy Trailblazer) as I mentioned earlier. In 2010, it was canned because it never really met sales expectations. Arch-rival Volvo had wild initial success with its sportwagon, the V70XC. Later, the V70XC would fall into its own model, the XC70; this kicked off a new segment for Volvo, and in 2003, the XC90 premium SUV was launched. So successful was the XC90 that a smaller XC60 was launched last year. In the wake Volvo's success, Saab couldn't just sit back-- they had to act. Based off of GM's Cadillac SRX platform, the smaller Saab uses GM's engines, too. Unlike Volvo's traditionalist SUVs, the Saab is a real looker. Finished with the best quality panel gaps, and a good, wide stance, the new 9-4X marks a sharp return for Saab. Too bad the version on display was a pre-production model, because I actually wanted to sit in it. I don't think I've ever said that about Saabs of a few years ago.






And that's all for now. Stayed tuned for more from the 2011 Minneapolis Auto Show!