'2012 Detroit Auto Show' Edition: 2013 Dodge Dart And Other Cars Critical To The Big 3's Success

Remember when Dodge stopped making the Neon back in 2005. there were a LOT of sour and sad faces, regardless of sluggish sales upon Neon's exit. Then came the Dodge Caliber, a tall, lackluster, boxy contraption that Dodge thought would kill the small car segment. WRONG.

Now, I'm so happy to see the Chrysler brand coming back stronger than ever with updated cars like the Chrysler 300, 200, Dodge Charger, Durango, and most recently, the 2013 DODGE DART (above). The inner workings and chassis is shared with stellar European brand FIAT, while the exterior styling is actually reminiscent of the DODGE NEON SRT-4 upon its exit.

The Big 3 are really counting on their cars to take back their would-be sales from the fast-growing European market. Let's check out what each American (Detroit) company is counting on:



2013 Ford Fusion

A lucrative car for Ford. Why? This could pass off as an Aston Martin!

2013 Buick Encore

A small, volume sales leader for Buick

2013 Cadillac ATS

The BMW 3-Series Killer?

2013 Lincoln MKZ

The HEAD-TURNER that Lincoln was looking for

Find your way to the auto show or your local dealership to take a look at these exciting cars!

I'm heading to the Detroit Auto Show this weekend; stay tuned for THE ONLY JAIDEN coverage!

Pic: Google/ Leftlane News / Motor Trend

'2012 Detroit Auto Show' Edition: Harald Wester of Maserati and Sergio Marchionne of Fiat Pic

Just a quick pic... BOYY do I love cars! Cars are FASHION, too!

Check this picture of Harald Wester, CEO of Maserati, and Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and reviver of the Chrysler brand, at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS).

Guess what they're posing next to?

It's the Maserati Kubang crossover concept. Beautiful, beautiful!

Pic: Freep (Detroit Free Press)



'2012 Detroit Auto Show' Edition: BMW Outsells More Than Other Luxury Brands

This is a special editon post in relation to the DETROIT AUTO SHOW, professionally named North American International Auto Show. Lots of news will be posted about cars because I not only am a fashion buff, but I'm a car buff too!

Check the latest: It's been reported that BMW outsold more than any other luxury brand in the U.S. See the press release below:

The Wall Street Journal reports that BMW and rival automaker Mercedes-Benz both delayed sharing sales figures for December 2011. While most brands released those numbers on Wednesday, BMW and Mercedes held their stats for an extra day. Both knew that they were contenders for the top luxury spot in the U.S., and each wanted the other to announce figures first, in hopes of following up that announcement with a triumphant "We're #1" press release.

It was a very close race -- not as close as Romney and Santorum in Iowa, but still neck-and-neck. In the end, BMW sold 247,907 luxury vehicles over the course of the 2011, while Mercedes sold a couple thousand less, ringing in at a very respectable 245,231. (The race was closer back in May, when the two were separated by just 29 sales.) Both companies' year-end figures represent double-digit increases over 2010.



And Lexus? Lexus came in much further down the chart, at 198,552, more than 13% below 2010.

Wow. And that goes to say that BMW is my favorite of the 'domestic' (sold in the U.S.) luxury brand. It'll be real interesting and uplifting to see the 2012 recovery rate of the auto industry as a whole.

Pic: the car connection; Source: TCC



'2012 Detroit Auto Show' Edition: 2012 Chevy Corvette Centennial

Here in Detroit is the season of not just COLD WEATHER, but it's AUTO SHOW season! Today marks the first day of 2012 for press releases, reviews, and reveals of new vehicles for the 2012-2013 model year.

Please note that the North American International Auto Show located in Detroit, MI is THE PLACE TO BE to see the automakers put their best foot forward, as Detroit is still considered the AUTOMOTIVE HUB of the world.

One of the cars that grabbed my attention was the 2012 CHEVY CORVETTE CENTENNIAL. On the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, the company released this black-on-black-on black Corvette that is just stunning all over. Here are some of the specs from the press release:

• Bose premium sound system, with one-year XM subscription, navigation and USB
• Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
• Power-adjustable and heated seats
• Memory package, home remote, Head Up Display and power-telescoping steering wheel
• The Custom Leather Wrapped Interior Package, with leather-wrapped upper instrument panels, upper door trim panels and console storage cover and red contrasting stitching
Z07 performance package, including Brembo ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control and 19-inch/20-inch wheels and Michelin tires
• CFZ package includes carbon fiber rockers, front splitter and roof
• New Carbon Fiber raised hood option for Z06, which was introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition.

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette expresses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-looking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette models.

The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Cars are FASHION, too!

Pic: Serious Wheels

2011 Detroit Auto Show Spotlight: BUICK VERANO

Another thing that caught my eye during the 2011 Detroit Auto Show preview is a new small car from General Motors that set the bar high with its style standards, the 2012 Buick Verano. Verano means Summer and this car is hott. Since I have an eye for fashion and style, I can tell you that this exterior is very Lacrosse-like and does not sacrifice on style as most small cars do. The interior blows me away, with a look similar to the Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, even Lexus, and also a vibe from the Audi A8s center dash.

So check out the rest of the pics, and decide for yourself on whether General Motors pushes the envelope to break down the great wall of "BUICK IS FOR OLD PEOPLE." To me, The Verano just might be that little wrecking ball to do that. See more pics:

                   



The 2011 DETROIT AUTO SHOW Welcomes The World

It is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS an exciting time when the North American Int'l Auto Show comes to Cobo Hall in Detroit, MI. We are the Motor City. Even though I do love fashion, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of cars of all kinds: SUVs, luxury cars, superexotic cars. And I have what I call a 'AUTO FETISH' for muscle cars hee-hee.

But PRESS RELEASE and the unveiling of several new models, especially coming from the Big 3 because they are on the comeback. There are so many things I want to talk about when it comes to car so I will not make this into one big blog post; I'll divide it into about 5--no, maybe 10 *smirk*.

Before press release starts at the Detroit Auto Show, I want to do my own lil' release of one of the cars that I've been watching, and that's the 2011 CHRYSLER 300. It has a brand-new redesign that maximizes its sexy appeal yet tones down the gangsta look (which I didn't think there was anything wrong with it).

I don't even have to tell you but The 300 was the hottest thing and talk of the town when it first came out in 2005. Designed once again by Ralph Gilles, he socks it to us with a lot of improvements with this car. Take a look at the photos released by MOPAR and lick your fingers 'cuz this car is YUM-YUM-YUMMY!

Short Stats:

Base and Limited:

-3.6. Liter, 292 HP Pentastar V6

-Touchscreen Radio

-LED Daytime running lamps/taillamps

-Complex passive and active systems

-Starting at $27,995

300C:

(All features in Base/Limited including:)

-5.7 Liter, 363 HP Hemi V8

-LED illuminated footwells and door handles

-High amp subwoofer

-Improved gas mileage

-Starting at $38,995

I can't wait....