| Each year come autumn, automakers can shrug off | | | | struggle to determine whether it's a wagon, or |
| mistakes of the previous model year, and look forward | | | | crossover SUV. Buyers can choose from four-cylinder |
| to the start of a fresh new model year. | | | | economy, or V6 power. |
| Fall 2008 is particularly interesting, since the industry | | | | On the American front, Ford's Flex already is selling for |
| sustained a historically poor year for new-car sales. | | | | those who need space but want a crossover instead |
| Consumers get to see how each automaker | | | | of a minivan; and its unique styling and ceiling window |
| responds, how auto executives plan to rebound, or | | | | have attracted attention. Old-timers might want to |
| how others see it fit to stand pat. | | | | check out the new glass roof option for the Mustang. |
| For what the industry calls model year 2009 - which | | | | New Cars and Models to Cause Head-Scratching |
| begins in 2008, of course - what might we expect in | | | | Some new products can trigger a "Say, what?" |
| terms of new cars? | | | | reaction. |
| What we'll see in 2009 was actually designed the | | | | Chevrolet is introducing a hybrid version of its big |
| previous year and, often, years before that. Early | | | | Silverado pickup, and it will be interesting how many |
| indications are the industry, from America to Europe to | | | | buyers trust its power. |
| Asia, plans to unveil a significant amount of new | | | | Chevy also blows off fuel efficiency with its new |
| products. | | | | 638-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. Cadillac |
| Many are designed to address record-high gas prices, | | | | follows suit with its new 556-horsepower, V8 engine in |
| but some automakers still hope to sell new | | | | the CTS-V. |
| horsepower-heavy sports cars. Here's a look at | | | | Strangely, Kia introduces a V8 sport-ute, the Borrego. |
| what's new, or not, for 2009. | | | | And Saab will push a 280-horsepower beast that is |
| New Models Causing a Buzz | | | | essentially a station wagon, the Turbo X SportCombi. |
| Following are changes that have attracted some | | | | Much of what is new follows the Silverado trend, that |
| industry buzz and media attention. | | | | is, known names coming out in hybrid versions. These |
| Hyundai is rolling out its Genesis sedan and coupe, | | | | include the Cadillac Escalade, Chrysler Aspen SUV, |
| gearing to compete directly with European luxury | | | | Dodge Durango, and GMC Sierra pickup. It's as if the |
| imports. With its 290-horsepower V6, or even a | | | | industry wants to give SUVs one last chance, with |
| 375-hp V8, the South Korean automaker ventures into | | | | gas-sipping engine options. |
| a market segment it's never explored. | | | | Perhaps most surprising are automakers that are |
| Mercedes-Benz will deliver its BlueTec diesel engine to | | | | changing little, despite the miserable 2008 model year. |
| several sport utility vehicle models. By the first quarter | | | | Those would include Buick, Mercury, Jeep, Lexus, |
| of '09, the GLK, a new crossover SUV, is expected to | | | | Scion, Smart, Land Rover and Volvo. Hummer is just |
| arrive. | | | | adding the new H3T pickup version to its H3; and |
| Toyota unveils its Venza, a brand new model. It's | | | | Saturn simply added an upgraded hybrid option to the |
| based on the Camry platform, and industry journalists | | | | Vue. |