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Official NAIAS 2002 Site:
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Copyright
Automotive Intelligence
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All Rights Reserved.
For questions please contact:
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DAY TWO :
Monday, January 7 - Part 2
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"Customers want better fuel
economy and a cleaner environment," said Larry Burns, GM's Vice
President of Research and Development and Planning. "However,
they do not expect to pay more for sustainable mobility. It is
incumbent on the auto industry to invent vehicles that are
sustainable but do not impose tradeoffs on customers."
Fuel cell vehicles consume hydrogen, the most
abundant element in the universe, and emit only water vapor and
heat. Emissions such as carbon dioxide are removed from the picture.
However, AUTOnomy is much more than just a clean
air vehicle. The GM concept provides much more value than just zero
emissions and twice the fuel economy. |
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The new Volvo XC90, the first SUV from Volvo Cars,
had its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show.
"SUV buyers are a natural part of Volvo's
customer base, not least because a large proportion of these
customers are women. We know that many customers have waited for us
to make an SUV", said Hans Wikman, Project Director for the
Volvo XC90.
The Volvo XC90 is a genuine Volvo down to the
smallest detail, developed with a firm focus on the company's core
values: safety, environmental consideration and quality. |
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Chrysler Group not just came with one
new concept, but presented three fresh and exciting car
studies:
The Jeep Compass, in its world premiere at
the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is a
concept that feels at home in an urban environment while possessing
the free spirit of a performance rally car. Inspired by the 1998
Jeep Jeepster concept and built on a Jeep Cherokee platform, Compass
also offers a great combination of on-road dynamics and off-highway
capability.
The
Dodge Razor concept car is a joint effort between the
Chrysler Group design studios in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and
Carlsbad, California. Dodge Razor's exterior was developed by Akino
Tsuchiya and Kevin Verduyn, while its interior was executed by Chris
Schuttera and John Sodano. They were inspired by classic European
sports cars of the 1960s, which brought a modern minimalist design
philosophy to the project. The Dodge
M80 is a small, affordable truck with a design loaded with
character and intrinsic value. Minimalist, new, neat design details
are abundant as stand-out design elements include the
satin-stainless steel-look signature Dodge crosshair grille and
headlamp surrounds, classic round lamps and the metallic slate-gray,
moulded-in-colour PET-plastic fenders and bumpers with integrated
tow-hooks. |
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Infiniti presented the at
the new FX45 and the G35
"This exciting new FX45 has the agility of a
sports car, the versatility of an SUV, and the luxury of Infiniti. In
the growing pack of crossover SUVs, it has an distinctive, powerful
presence. For Infiniti, it represents a promise realized", said
Jed Connelly, Senior Vice President, Nissan North America, Inc.
"With the design of the G35, like the FX45, we
followed our own path, giving it a strong sense of
"Infiniti-ness"... graceful and strong styling, a powerful
elegance inside and out, and advanced technology.
To get a sense of the "seriousness" of the
G35, you need look no further than its racing-influenced FM platform -
a platform the G35 shares with the upcoming FX45", said Mark
McNabb, Vice President and General Manager, Infiniti
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The clear
highlight of Acura's presentation was the introduction of the Acura
RD-X concept.
The Acura RD-X concept SUV, designed and developed by Honda R&D
Americas and made its world debut at the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit, combines the street performance of the RSX sports coupe
with the 4-wheel drive capability of the MDX and adds high-tech
functionality.
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A tandem of Mitsubishi executives
presented the stunning concept vehicles to the press; Rolf Eckrodt,
Chief Operating Officer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Pierre
Gagnon, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mitsubishi Motor
Sales of America, Inc.
"You'll see the vision of a new global design
team with a fresh perspective and a new identity," said
Gagnon.
The three designs appearing in Cobo Hall embody
this exciting spirit by combining sporty appeal, maximum utility,
and environmental friendliness. The goal of Mitsubishi Motors' new
chief of design, Olivier Boulay, is to visually instill a passion
and enthusiasm for driving in every design as part of this new
global identity. High impact aesthetic approaches meet with cutting
edge mechanical technologies and manufacturing techniques to create
vehicles that compel drivers to get behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi
model. |
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Bentley/Rolls Royce brought two new
cars to the show: the Bentley Arnage T and the Rolls Royce Park
Ward.
The Series Two Bentley Arnage is the result of a
three year project to re-engineer the outstandingly successful
Arnage saloon from bumper to bumper. And by introducing the 450bhp,
168 mph Arnage T, Bentley has made not only the most powerful car in
its history, but also strengthened further its position as the
manufacturer of the fastest production saloon in the world. |
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