European and Asian Automakers to Build More Cars than Detroit's Big Three in N. America by 2012

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit's 'Big Three' by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

At the same time, all other foreign automakers combined are expected to increase their North American production by around 1.5 million a year or 20 percent, to more than 8 million units.

"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton LLP Principal Kimberly Rodriguez, co-leader of the firm's global automotive practice.

Grant Thornton LLP reports that Volkswagen and BMW will nearly double their combined production, increasing their output capability to around 1 million units a year while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are projected to expand their combined production by 20 percent, or nearly 1 million units.

The study finds that the dramatic shift in production will have a large impact on North American parts suppliers that will need to secure more business from European and Asian makers.

"Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming," said Kimberly Rodriguez.

Ford Gets $5.9 Billion Gov. Tech Loans, Says Electric Focus will Arrive in 2011, Plug-in Hybrid by 2012

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Ford has been approved for a $5.9 billion government loan to develop fuel-saving technologies that will reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil. Ford, which is the only American automaker not to receive emergency federal aid, said that it intends to apply the loans on a variety of fuel-saving technologies.

These include the development of hybrid-electric systems, alternative-fuel power plants, direct-injection engines as well as new dual clutch transmissions, aerodynamic improvements and weight reduction measures through platform efficiencies and greater use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel.

Ford also outlined its electric and hybrid car strategy that accelerates with the introduction of a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010 and a BEV Focus in 2011, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012.

Both the electric Transit Connect, which Ford is developing with Smith Electric U.S and the electric Focus that will be produced in collaboration with Magna at the Michigan Assembly Plan, are expected to have a range of up to 100 miles or 160 kilometers.

"This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. "Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years."

"Our partnership with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements," Mulally concluded.

Lee Iacocca's Ford Mustang 45th Anniversary Silver Edition with up to 400HP

The father of the Ford Mustang, Lee Iacocca, has introduced a coach-built version of the American pony car called '2009 1/2 Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang' that will be produced in a strictly limited run of 45 units. Now in his mid-80s, Lee Iacocca was the president of the Ford division when the company introduced the original Mustang in 1964. The special edition Mustang is the result of the collaborative work of Iacocca, designer Michael Leone, and California-based coachbuilder, Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters.

The limited production model that is based on the 2009 Mustang platform will be offered with two power plant options, a normally-aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 rated at 320 horsepower and an optional supercharged version delivering 400 horsepower. Both V8s are linked to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Sliver Mustang's suspension has been uprated with a Ford Racing Handling Package that adds firmer springs and re-valved shock absorbers while an optional 14-inch Ford Racing Braking Package is also available.

Designer Michael Leone reworked the car's exterior that features a unique front-end treatment with deep-set headlights and a more prominent fastback look. As the Mustang's name suggests, the only available exterior color is silver.

Inside, the Iacocca Silver Mustang gets special Iacocca Diamond Design leather seats, an Iacocca signature dash plaque with serial number, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with the "I" logo and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates.

All 45 units of the Iacocca Silver Mustang will be offered exclusively at Southern California's Galpin Ford dealership, with prices set to be revealed at a later date.

Source: iLegacy , Via: Autoblog.com

Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang – Specifications

Engines

4.6-liter V8 with 320 HP (Ford Racing Cold Air - under WARRANTY)

4.6-liter V8 with 400HP Supercharger Optional (Ford Racing Supercharger - under WARRANTY)

Drivetrain

5-speed stick shift transmission (there might be automatics)

Suspension

Ford Racing Handling Package (Ford Racing Package - under WARRANTY)

14-inch' Brakes Optional (Ford Racing Package - under WARRANTY)

Wheels & Tires

Iacocca Design 20" Chrome wheels with "I" Design center cap

20''x 9 ½ " (F), 20"x 9 ½ " (R)

Goodyear Eagle RSA 245 X 45 X R20

Interior

Iacocca Diamond Design Leather Seats with Embroidery Stitching

Iacocca Signature Dash Plaque with Serial Number

Iacocca Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with "I" badge

Iacocca Aluminum Door Still Plates

One-Touch Up/Down power Windows

Two Power Outlets

Variable-Speed Windshield Wipers

Rear Window Defroster

Air-Conditioning

Exterior

Iacocca DESIGN FASTBACK

Iacocca Design Hood Emblem

Iacocca Design Trunk Cap "I" Emblem

Iacocca Design Trunk Lettering

Next Lincoln Models to get Unique Designs and Different Technology than Fords

According to an Automotive News report, future Lincoln vehicles will be heavily differentiated from their Ford counterparts, as the two brands will no longer share design cues and technology.

“The strategy isn't just new products, but full differentiation from the Ford brand in not only design, but in technology”, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development, on the sidelines of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Kuzak also said that Ford would achieve this by modifying the existing platforms in order to create unique Lincoln products. That could be the case with Ford’s power steering or chassis electronic control, for example.

“Imagine adding suspension control to that and what would happen to the platform if you did that on Lincoln only”, he added.

Scott Tobin, Lincoln's director of product development, told Automotive News that future Lincoln products will have newly designed interiors, an extended V6 engine line-up and other features, such as paddle shifters and all-wheel drive systems, with no rear-wheel drive variants in the works.

Lincoln also plans to reorganize its dealer network by eliminating at least 200 franchises in the top 130 U.S. markets. Furthermore, remaining dealers must agree to thoroughly upgrade their facilities and implement other changes.

Source: Autonews

Caterham-Lola SP/300R: British Sportscar Maker Reveals its First Ever Prototype Racer, Road Going Model a Possibility

The Autosport International Show in Birmingham, UK, welcomed the world premiere of Caterham's first ever sports prototype racing car, the Caterham-Lola SP/300R. Created in partnership with legendary British racing and engineering brand Lola, the SP/300R is currently in the final stages of development and will be ready for a one-make championship in 2012, with the company planning to build up to 25 examples per year. Caterham said that a road-legal version of the sports car is also being considered.

The prototype model features the debut of Caterham's new supercharged version of the Ford 2.0-liter Duratec power plant, expected to produce around 300bhp. A Hewland-sourced paddle-shift sequential gearbox transfers power to the rear wheels.

Caterham said that the prototype weighs under 600kg [1,322 lbs] translating into 500bhp-per-tonne, and is capable of completing the 0-60mph [96 km/h] sprint in around 2.5 seconds, while reaching a top speed of around 170mph [273 km/h].

The SP/300R is built on a bespoke chassis designed by Lola. The basic chassis is an aluminium tub with a longitudinally mid-mounted engine, coupled to a stress-bearing rear transaxle. A forward splitter and large rear wing reduce lift, while a flat underbody maximizes ground effect benefits.

The prototype's bodywork also features an F1-style raised nose section and sectioned panels, which are said to help reduce repair costs, ease maintenance and more importantly, allow single-handed removal of body panels track-side.

The front and rear suspension are dual wishbones with pushrod dampers and adjustable ride height, with the design of the rear axle derived from that used at the rear end of the Lola Formula 3 and World Junior cars. The car rides on bespoke racing tires fitted to 13-inch race rims.

Prices for the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R will start at £60,000 [~US$94,300 or €72,200], excluding local taxes.