Rumored: Euro Fords In The US

It has been rumored that Ford will convert at least three truck/SUV production facilities in North America as soon as possible to produce Ford models currently sold in Europe.

Auto Savant claims that sources at Ford tell that another plan being considered is to keep making the first-generation Ford Focus currently sold here in the States, and also make the second-generation Ford Focus currently sold in the rest of the world and sell the two alongside each other in the US for a while before moving to the second-generation Focus exclusively. The original plan was to wait until the next-generation (third-generation) Focus was released in 2011 or 2012 to accomplish the synchronization of the Ford Focus on a global basis, but it appears that plan has succumbed to defenestration at Dearborn.

Well i think Euro Focus looks much better than the US one. But i'm not sure if they can sell both models side by side. What's your opinion?

Mahindra's Diesel Truck Comes Without Appalachian Name

That's clear that Mahindra's upcoming diesel pickup for the American market is not a heartbreaker. But this truck still can take some buyer's interest with its price tag. Although the new truck referred as Applachian by most of the auto press some reports indicate that it is not going to be called Applachian.

The Indian company wants to highlight its own name in an effort to build some brand recognition in a market it has never been in before. For that reason, a nondescript name made from numbers and/or letters is to be expected.

2009 Honda Fit To Debut At New York

The 2009 Honda Fit is ready to make its American debut at the upcoming New York Show. The new car, which made its world debut last October at the Tokyo Motor Show gets a makeover that gives it interior space equal to that of a midsizer.

While the Japanese version is available with 1.3L and 1.5L engines, the 1.5 i-VTEC will be the only engine in the US. In Japanese trim, it's good for 118 horsepower (120 PS) -- a 9-horse bump over what the engine in the current car delivers. The Japan-spec 1.5L Fit can achieve fuel economy of 46 mpg (19.6 km/l).

Rumored: VW Phaeton To Return To The US Market

Motor Authority is reporting that VW's chief Stefan Jacoby mentioned that it was a mistake to end the Phaeton in North America and that it could make a return.

The Phaeton would likely fit somewhere between the Audi A6 and Audi A8, as opposed to a cheaper and cooler alternative to the A8. Motor Authority says the car will make its return in 2010.

Confirmed: Isuzu Abandoning U.S. Market

Isuzu has officially announced that it's leaving the U.S. market and discontinuing sales of its i-Series pickup and Ascender SUV. Both vehicles are produced via a joint venture with General Motors, the i-Series is based on the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups and the Ascender is a rebadged version of the Chevy Trailblazer.

Reuters reports that it will cost Isuzu aroud $37 million to leave the U.S. market, mostly in dealer buyouts and other move-related costs. Though the Japanese automaker will not be selling vehicles in the States, it will continue to provide parts for service. The biggest reason for leaving is basically that GM has no plans to replace the Colorado/Canyon and Trailblazer with models that Isuzu could rebadge, and the automaker has no plans to develop its own new models for North America. With the discontinued of many models, Isuzu sales in North America only rebadged GM cars for years.

Isuzu's sales have been extremely weak in the U.S. these past few years. Last year it sold just 7,906 units, down from 15,751 units in 2006. - Official press release after the jump...


PRESS RELEASE:

Isuzu to End North American SUV Sales

Isuzu Motors Limited (President Susumu Hosoi; "Isuzu") has decided to end its North American SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) new vehicle sales business as of January 31. 2009.

This decision to end the SUV new vehicle sales business was made because there are no forecasts for continuation of the SUV business through introduction of a next-generation vehicle model or a Isuzu-made model to replace the GM-OEM vehicle currently being marketed (Ascender and i-series pick-up trucks). The SUV parts and service business will continue.

Currently, Isuzu's North American business comprises the three businesses of CV (trucks), SUV and PT (diesel engines and components).

In the CV business, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) carries out sales primarily of light duty vehicle as N Series (ELF in Japan). In the SUV business, Isuzu Motors America (ISZA) carries out sales of OEM vehicle from GM, and in the PT business, ISZA carries out sales of industrial diesel engines and components. With this decision to end SUV operations, Isuzu's North American business will focus on the CV and PT businesses.

Isuzu's North American SUV business began with the establishment of American Isuzu Motors Inc. in 1980 (AIMI later merged with ISZA), and in 1999 sales surpassed 100,000 units annually. In 2002, Isuzu introduced GM-OEM vehicle. However, by 2007, the total number of units sold fell to around 7,000 units for the year.

In the CV business, Isuzu last year implemented measures to strengthen its North American sales structure as part of its efforts to strengthen cab over truck sales globally, and aided in part by the expansion of CV units sold in North America, in the mid-term management plan that commences this year, Isuzu is targeting overseas truck sales of 350,000 units.

Toyota Celebrates 50 Years Of U.S. Sales

When the first Toyota car hit the U.S. shores, the Toyopet Crown, GM was the king and Ford and Chrysler were very strong. But in 1957 nobody was taking seriously the Crown. In fewer than ten years the Japanese Automaker refined the Toyopet into the Corona, a far more luxurious and modern car than the import VW Beetle. Toyota was gaining fast on other import makes, and aggressively improving its products.

The Corolla debuted in 1968 and became marque's best selling model. With its inexpensive and reliable small cars and pickups, Toyota has crushed VW Beetle's dominance by the time 1979 enden. The 1980s were banner years for Toyota. Camry has debuted in in 1983, there are more Camrys than any other car in U.S.

With its luxury brand Lexus, made Toyota German luxury car brands rethink about their cars. Toyota created technological innovations like Hybrid Synergy Drive and more. Now it's on the way to become world's biggest automaker.

Gallery: Toyota Chronology