US Market Model Plans: Three US Auto Makers, GM/Ford/Chrysler Revive High-Performance Models
Toyota/Nissan/Honda to also introduce the next generation Toyota Supra/Nissan GT-R/Acura NSX

  Wishing to improve brand images in North American markets, three US automakers, GM, Ford and Chrysler, plan to revive the old performance model names; i.e., Chevrolet Camaro, Mustang-based Shelby Cobra GT500 and Dodge Challenger, respectively. The Camaro was launched in 1967, the Shelby Mustang in 1965 (a racing car model of the Mustang launched in 1964), and the Challenger in 1970. Each of them was a hallmark of high-performance sports cars from these three US automakers.

  Japanese automakers also plan to introduce the next generation performance models; Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R and Honda NSX successor model equipped with V10 engine. Other new performance models such as the Lexus LF-A, M-Benz P8 (a small car model of the SLR McLaren as a project name) and Audi RS4 will be launched.

  Passenger car-based crossover models and new sport wagons have become a staple among newly introduced models. Introduction of such new models shows a continuous trend. As part of the expansion of these model lines, GM and DCX will begin the introduction of passenger car-based models under the GMC and Jeep brands, respectively.

  As to minicar plans, Ford will launch a new Fiesta class model competitive with Toyota Scion brands. For competitive cars with the Scion brand, Honda launched the new Fit in 2006, while Nissan plans to launch a new March-class model in 2007.

  Hyundai Motor, which began production in North America, will expand product lines by introducing a new high-end car/sport wagon/pickup models in Hyundai brands and new pickup/coupe/convertible models in Kia brands.

■GM will revive the high performance model, Chevrolet Camaro, while expanding passenger car-based Crossover models

  GM considers full-size pickups/SUVs, the Saturn brand and passenger car-based crossover models as the three key segments in North American model plans. GM plans to launch the next generation Chevrolet Camaro as a high-performance model in winter 2008, which will use a modified Pontiac Solstice platform for FR and be equipped with a V8 engine.

  In early 2006, GM already launched new models of full-size pickups/SUVs based on the newly developed GMT900 platform under the brands of Cadillac/Chevrolet/GMC/Hummer, sequentially. GM will apply European brand-taste design to Saturn brands, mostly to models sharing the platform with Opel. It plans to develop crossover models based on the two platforms of the Lambda and the Theta, and sell them under the respective brands.

■Full-size SUV/Pickup models to employ the GMT 900 platform

Segment	Models
SUV	Cadillac Escalade/Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
extended SUV	Cadillac Escalade ESV/Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL
Pickup/SUV	Cadillac Escalade EXT/Chevrolet Avalanche
Pickup	Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra/Hummer H2/SUT

■GM: More exploiting platforms of the Saturn/Opel brand vehicles

Saturn		Opel		Remark
Models	Launch year	Models	Launch year
Sky	2006	GT	2007	The Pontiac Solstice shares the same platform.
Aura	2006	Vectra	2008	The Aura/the next Vectra will share part of the design.
Outlook	2006	(New Flagship)	2009	Opel will develop a new crossover based on the Outlook.
Vue	2008	Antara	2006	Opel will develop on the GM Daewoo vehicles.
Ion	2009	Astra	2010	Opel will develop the next platform.

Source: Automotive News 2006.01.30, etc.

■GM's new passenger car-based crossover model plans

Platform	Crossover vehicles
Lambda architecture	Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave
Theta architecture	Cadillac BRX/Chevrolet new vehicle/Buick new vehicle/GMC new vehicle

■Outline of GM's US market model plans

(calendar year)

	2006	2007	2008	2009~
Cadillac	CTS/CTS-V (M/C), Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT,		CTS/CTS-V, New BRX	Next BLS, SRX
Chevrolet	Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche, Silverado	Aveo, Equinox (M/C)	Malibu, Cobalt (M/C), Next Camaro, TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT	(New crossover), Colorado, Uplander
Buick		New Enclave	(New crossover)
Pontiac	New G5	Grand Prix (M/C), Vibe	Solstice hardtop
Saturn	New Sky, New Aura, New Outlook		Vue	Ion, Relay
GMC	Yukon/Yukon XL, Sierra	New Acadia	Envoy	(New crossover), Canyon
Hummer			H2, H3 SUT	H1, H3 pickup

Source: GM press releases, Automotive News, Motor Trend, edmunds.com, etc.
Note:	The years of release are calendar years. For example, both MY2008 and MY2009 models are mingled in the field of 2008. Models in blue letters are those to be newly introduced in the US market. Others show full-remodeling, while "M/C" stands for minor change. "Addition" means the addition of body types. (This will be applied to the tables below).

Cadillac	1. The new BRX is a crossover smaller than the SRX. It employs the same platform for the Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent/Saturn Vue except for the longer wheel base. 2. GM plans to add a hybrid model to the next Escalade in 2007.
Chevrolet	1. GM will discontinue the TrailBlazer XL, which is a long-wheel base model of the TrailBlazer. 2. A hybrid model will be added to the next Tahoe in 2007.
Buick	1. The new Enclave will be a crossover vehicle sharing the platform with the new Saturn Outlook. It will succeed the minivan Rendezvous and the SUV Rainer. Eventually, sales of both the minivan and the pickup will be discontinued. 2. GM plans to launch a new crossover sharing the platform with the Cadillac BRX in 2008.
Pontiac	1. The new G5 will share the platform with the Chevrolet Cobalt. 2. GM will discontinue sales of the Montana SV6 in 2006.
Saturn	1. The new Aura positioned as a successor of the L-Series will share the platform with the Chevrolet Malibu/Pontiac G6. 2. The new Outlook will share the platform with the Buick Enclave. 3. The Vue will have a mild-hybrid model additionally in summer 2006. The next Vue will share the platform with the Opel Antara. The Antara is a two-door model, while the next Vue will be a four-door model.
GMC	1. The new Acadia will share the platform with the Buick Enclave/Saturn Outlook. 2. GM will discontinue the Envoy XL in 2006, which is a long-wheel base model of the Envoy. 3. GM plans to add a hybrid model to the next Yukon in 2007.

■Saab: GM will discontinue a plan to develop a Subaru-based vehicle

  Termination of the alliance between GM and Fuji Heavy Industries leaves an impact on Saab's North American market model plans. GM discontinued development of the Subaru B9 Tribeca-based Saab 9-6X, of which the release was planned for 2006. Instead, GM plans to market a Cadillac BRX-based light SUV as 9-4X, and a new sport wagon around 2009. GM will develop the Saab 9-2X changing the base from the Impreza WRX to the Opel Astra.

■Suzuki will produce the next midsize SUV, XL-7, at CAMI in Canada

  Suzuki will produce the next XL-7 at CAMI in Canada from August 2006. The next XL-7 will share the platform with the Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent manufactured at CAMI, and will be equipped with the Suzuki-made 3.8-liter V6 engine. The current XL-7 is a long wheel base model of the Grand Vitara, while the next generation will be fully remodeled to a completely different model.

■Ford: Reviving the performance model Mustang, while expanding Ford minicars and the Lincoln

  In summer 2006, Ford will launch the Shelby Cobra GT500, a performance model of the Mustang, which is said revival of the high-performance model Mustang in 1960s.

  From 2008, Ford will begin production of new minicar/small sport wagon at the Cuautitlan Plant in Mexico, which will share the platform with the Ford Europe's Fiesta. Ford revealed that it is expanding development of minicars through the exhibition of the Reflex coupe concept of the 2+2 coupe at the Detroit Motor Show in 2006, of which class is equal to these models (Ford said that the Reflex-based cars will be released in three years at the earliest).

  For the Lincoln brand, Ford is developing two new sedan models employing the D3 platform and Volvo technologies. The one is MKS (read as Mark S) which succeeded the LS, and the other is a large-size sedan to be released around 2009 (it is said that Ford plans to revive the model name Continental).

■Mazda will newly introduce crossover models, CX-7/CX-9 from 2006 to 2007

  Mazda will launch the new model CX-7 in 2006 and the new model CX-9 in 2007. The CX-7/CX-9 are crossover models positioned as Mazda's strategic vehicles for North America. Mazda began producing the CX-7 at the 2nd Ujina Plant in February 2006. Both models are based on the Mazda 6. The CX-7 is a two-row five-seater, while the CX-9 is a three-row seven-seater.

■Volvo: newly introducing the light hatchback C30 and the classy wagon V90 in 2008

  Volvo will expand its product line through the introduction of a new 3-door hatchback model smaller than the S40, and the new classy wagon V90. The C30 will share the platform with the S40; however, the wheel base will be shorter. The V90 is based on the new S80 launched in 2006 and uses the D3 platform which Ford will employ for Lincoln brands.

■Jaguar: Introducing a light wagon equal to the new Focus class

  Jaguar plans to add a small wagon sharing the platform with Europe Ford's Focus to the product lines in 2009.

■DaimlerChrysler: Reviving Dodge Challenger, while introducing a passenger car-based Jeep for the first time

  DaimlerChrysler will introduce the new Dodge Challenger equipped with 6.1-liter V8 engine by 2010. The release will take place in early 2008, if it employs the platform of the current Dodge Charger, or otherwise it will be in around 2010, if it develops a new platform.

  As to Jeep brands, DaimlerChrysler will launch new models of the Compass/Patriot as an entry level vehicle, which will share the platform with the Dodge Caliber. It will be the first passenger car-based model among the Jeep brands. In addition, DaimlerChrysler plans to add a Wrangler-based pickup to the product lines.

■M-Benz: Introducing a high performance small sports car manufactured by McLaren

  For M-Benz brands, Mercedes Benz plans to launch the new P8 (project name) in 2008, which is a small model of the SLR McLaren (the SLR McLaren is a street-legal racing car, which McLaren produces under consignment in England. It was launched in 2004).

■BMW: Introducing a US-made new wagon

  BMW plans to launch a new wagon sharing the platform with the X5. Production of the new wagon will start at the Spartanburg plant in the US in 2007 or 2008.

■VW: Launching a new minivan developed for the US market in 2008

  VW will launch a new minivan for the US market developed with the Chrysler Group of DCX in 2008. The new minivan is a replacement model for the Microbus concept which was once planned to be introduced in the North American market. The minivan shares the platform with the next Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Caravan which will be produced from autumn 2007, while VW will develop its exterior and interior for differentiation. VW plans to have DCX's Windsor Plant in Canada manufacture and supply the VW's minivan to VW from 2008. The plant produces the Town & Country/Caravan.

  VW plans to launch a new model of the Marrakesh in 2007, which will be a smaller SUV than the Touareg and share the platform with the Golf.

  Audi will launch the new model RS4 as a high-performance model of the A4. It will be equipped with a 4.2-liter direct gasoline-injection V8 engine.

■Toyota: Introducing the new LF-A for the Lexus brand, and high-performance model of the next Supra for the Toyota brand

  Toyota will expand the Lexus model lines by introducing performance vehicles, i.e., the new VX sport wagon model larger than the RX in 2007 and LF-A sports car in early 2009 (in 2007 if all goes smoothly). In addition, Toyota plans to launch a new SUV model JX in 2008 as a successor of the SUV LX based on the next Toyota Tundra which will be launched in 2007.

  The Toyota brand has not had a sports car type model since Toyota discontinued sales of the Celica and the MR2 Spyder in 2005. Thus, Toyota plans to add a performance vehicle, the next Supra to the Toyota brand in 2007.

■Outline of Fuji Heavy Industries' US market model plans

(calendar year)

	2006	2007	2008	2009~
Subaru		Impreza	Forester	Legacy/Outback

■Nissan: Introducing two models of minicars, while adding a new sport wagon to the Infinity

  Nissan plans to introduce a smaller sport wagon than the FX to expand the Infiniti product lines.

  The Nissan brand will be increased with smaller models than the Sentra. Nissan plans to release the Versa in the US, which has been produced at the Mexican plant since spring 2006. It also plans to launch a small model for the March class vehicles in 2007. It will introduce the next GT-R in 2008.

■Honda: Beginning production of the Acura RDX in the US, while installing a V10 engine on the NSX successor model

  Honda announced in early 2006 that it will launch a new SUV, Acura RDX, in summer 2006. For the newly designed small SUV, Honda will employ a platform, and install the newly developed 2.3-liter i-VTEC turbo engine and the SH-AWD (Supper Handling-AWD) system which was installed first on the Acura RL (Japanese name: Legend). It will be produced at the Marysville plant in Ohio.

  The successor model of the NSX is said to be under review over an engine layout and so forth. It plans to launch the successor model as a performance vehicle equipped with a V10 engine in 2008 or 2009.

  Under the Honda brand, it plans to launch the new Latitude sport wagon in 2008, which will be based on the next Stream.

■Mitsubishi Motors: Introducing the new Lancer sharing the platform with the new Outlander

  Mitsubishi Motors will launch the new Outlander in autumn 2006, while it will discontinue sales of the Montero (Japanese name: Pajero). It plans to apply the platform of the Outlander to the next Lancer planned to be introduced in 2008.

■Hyundai Motor: Newly introducing high-end car/sport wagon/pickup in Hyundai brands, while introducing coupe/convertible in the Kia brand

  In 2007, Hyundai Motor will introduce a high-end car, the Equus, developed for North America. The Equus will be an FR model equipped with 3.8-liter V6 engine, while Hyundai may create a V8 engine-equipped model.

  In 2008, Hyundai Motor will newly introduce a sport wagon sharing the platform with the Sonata/Azera, while planning to newly introduce a pickup around 2009 (it plans to introduce the pickup under the Kia brand as well).

  Kia Motors will expand the product line by introducing new models of coupes and convertibles sharing the platform with the Hyundai Tiburon, and a minivan the next Carens.

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