The Malaysian Insider

LOS ANGELES, Nov 20 - Chrysler and General Motors are still showing off their newest vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but their displays were noticeably quiet Wednesday while Asian and European companies unveiled new models that will likely chip away at the US market share.

Casting a shadow on the annual event’s glitz was the absence of press conferences or new vehicle debuts from GM or Chrysler, whose top executives were in Washington pleading for $25 billion in loans they say the need simply to stay in business.

“Most of the events here seem to be not a lot of razzle dazzle; it’s more of a somber, ’Here’s the car, we know we’re in tough times, we’re going to make it through,”’ said David Champion, director of Consumer Reports’ auto test centre.

General Motors Corp’s space showcased its Chevrolet Volt, the extended-range electric vehicle expected to go on sale in late 2010. Chrysler LLC’s display includes its three electric prototypes — a Dodge, Jeep and Town & Country EV — one of which it plans to put in showrooms around the same time.

Normally, however, they would have a stronger presence, unveiling important new models and concept cars and sending top executives to meet the press.

“Quite frankly, I applaud them,” said Al Castignetti, a Nissan vice president. “They are in survival mode, and if I were in survival mode I’d do the same damn thing.”

A year ago, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz introduced a new hybrid Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, its first full-size hybrid truck and the concept version of the now much-anticipated Volt. In 2006, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner was the keynote speaker, and the company unveiled a hydrogen-powered concept vehicle.

Chrysler last year introduced hybrid versions of its full-size Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicles.

Ford Motor Co maintained a larger presence at the Los Angeles show, although its CEO, Alan Mulally, also appeared before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday. His company unveiled the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, and new hybrid gas-electric versions that the Dearborn, Michigan, company hopes will take sales away from the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Chrysler brushed aside criticism for not revealing a new model after announcing its electric models at its Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters in September.

“The auto show gave us some flak, ’You should do an unveiling,”’ Chrysler spokesman Scott Brown said. “Why? They’ve already unveiled (the electric vehicles).”

Chrysler product development chief Frank Klegon said all the company’s major new product development is still on schedule. “That includes car renewals, sport utility renewals and importantly, powertrain and component renewals,” he said.

The lack of unveilings is likely to go unnoticed by most people who will visit the show when it opens to the public Friday, said Brendan Flynn, a spokesman for the auto show.

“GM and Chrysler ... their displays are the same, their vehicles are here, they just aren’t having any press conferences,” he said.

Nissan Motor Co and Renault SA Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn kicked off the show’s two days of media previews with a somber warning that he expects the crisis in the auto industry to knock out some competitors.

“We’re still stuck in a situation where credit is not flowing normally, and the recession that began in the United States is not only deepening but spreading across the globe,” Ghosn said. “It’s fair to say that no one, no one had predicted how the global economy would be so volatile in 2008.”

The auto industry’s health is worst in the US, where high gas prices sparked a sales decline leading to last month’s worst sales rate in 25 years. But foreign companies also are starting to see sharp sales decreases as the economic slowdown spreads globally.

Nissan and its Japanese rivals, including Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co, have cut their production plans and have slashed their profit estimates for the year.

But that didn’t stop them from introducing new innovation Wednesday. Honda showed off a version of its new Insight gas-electric hybrid, which it plans to put on sale early next year. It also unveiled a concept car that uses the company’s hydrogen fuel cell technology in a lightweight, three-seat sports car with high performance potential.

Volkswagen AG unveiled a Touareg V-6 TDI sport utility vehicle as part of a showcase of diesel-powered technology it hopes will overcome tough emission requirements — and Americans’ memories of the smelly, noisy diesel vehicles of decades past.

Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, held the world premiere of its top-selling RX-series crossovers, including an all-new RX 450h hybrid with new features that improve fuel-efficiency.

And BMW’s Mini brand started things a day early by showing off an all-electric version of its eye-catching compact cars. More than 10,000 people have already inquired about leasing one of 450 that will hit roads in California, New York and New Jersey next year as part of a one-year test programme.

GM had planned to unveil its new Buick LaCrosse sedan at this week’s show, and Lutz was supposed to be back, but the Detroit automaker scaled back its presence to focus on the company’s financial problems.

The Detroit Three are seeking a federal rescue after GM and Ford reported burning through a combined $14.6 billion in the third quarter. GM has said that it may not have enough cash to survive into next year, and the situation for Chrysler appears similarly dire.

Nissan debuts 370Z and Cube

WHILE US automakers scale back their presence at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nissan Motor Co was determined to make a splash, unveiling three new vehicles Wednesday.

Nissan debuted the 2009 model of the 370Z — the first redesign of the roadster since its reintroduction in 2003. Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager of Nissan North America’s Nissan division, said the vehicle is lighter with a shorter wheelbase than its predecessor. It’s 3.7-litre V-6 engine produces 332 horsepower, 26 more than the last model.

There’s a new seven-speed automatic transmission, and what Nissan says is the world’s first synchronised downshift rev matching system for the six-speed manual gearbox.

The new 370Z is scheduled to go on sale in North America in January with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $29,990.

The No. 3 Japanese automaker also unveiled its 2009 Cube, which goes on sale in the US this spring. The name describes the vehicle’s boxy, low-riding design, which fits the recent wave embraced by Toyota Motor Corp’s Scion vehicles and Honda Motor Co’s Element.

The five-passenger Cube’s styling features an asymmetrical body, wide doors, a wraparound rear window, and a refrigerator-style rear door. The standard 122-horsepower 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine is paired with either an Xtronic continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox.

Nissan says it expects the CVT model to get more than 13 kpl on the highway. Pricing information wasn’t released.

Nissan also spotlighted its 2009 Versa sedan, which it is touting as the lowest-priced new car in the North American market. The automaker is starting the Versa with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $9,990.

Volkswagen shows off new diesel Touareg

VOLKSWAGEN of America Inc debuted its Touareg V-6 TDI clean diesel sport utility vehicle Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show as part of a showcase of its diesel-powered technology.

The diesel Touareg meets emission requirements in all 50 states and averages 11 kpl on the highway. It includes a 3-litre, turbocharged six-cylinder engine that can produce 221 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque.

While diesel vehicles have long been popular in European markets, they have been slow to catch on in the United States. That’s partially been a result of tough emission requirements in states such as California, along with American memories of the smelly, noisy diesel vehicles of decades past.

The German company also unveiled its Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, which will run this years Tecate Score Baja 1000. It’s powered by a 5.5-litre V-12 clean diesel engine that produces 550 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque.

Honda to introduce Eco Assist system next spring

AMERICAN Honda Motor Co said it plans to introduce its Ecological Drive Assist System, a new interactive fuel-economy enhancement technology, on the new Honda Insight this spring.

Honda said the new gasoline-electric hybrid model’s design and styling will be similar to that of the Insight Concept that which made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday.

Eco Assist combines Honda’s driver-activated “Econ” mode that optimises control of the vehicle’s transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel, along with a feedback function that uses speedometer background color to provide guidance on environmentally responsible driving.

Also included is a scoring function that provides feedback about current driving practices, as well as cumulative, long-term feedback tracking progress, Honda said.

“Hybrid drivers enjoy trying to get the most fuel economy from their vehicles,” Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda, said in a statement. “The visual nature of Eco Assist is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making the hybrid experience more fun and rewarding.”

American Honda also unveiled its FC Sport design study model, which reconfigures the fuel cell technology from the company’s FCX Clarity into a lightweight, three-seat sports car concept.

Honda officials said the car offers a powerful electric motor performance with zero emissions.

“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” Dan Bonawitz, vice president for American Honda, said in a statement. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”

Honda said the concept’s fuel cell powertrain and aerodynamic body boost its performance potential, while its modular fuel cell component packaging and electric drivetrain help create a low center of gravity and a balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars. - AP