Here's Detroit's Answer To $3.50 Gas - New Muscle Cars - NYT

[hatrack]

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 9 — As gasoline prices surge past $3 a gallon in most of the country and closer to $4 in some cities, sales figures show Americans are snapping up small cars that go easier on fuel and on their wallets. But none of the smallest cars are designed or developed by Detroit companies, which in the face of high gas prices are now highlighting another kind of automobile not usually thought of as energy efficient: the muscle car.

Ford Motor said Wednesday that it planned to build a 325-horsepower version of the Ford Shelby GT. It also plans a big luxury car, the Lincoln MKS, which will become the struggling brand’s flagship sedan. The announcement came at an industry conference here sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research. On Thursday, General Motors is expected to confirm that it will resurrect one of its most famous muscle cars, the Chevrolet Camaro, which was a hit at the Detroit auto show in January.

To be sure, automotive executives, who have watched cars take four market share points away from light trucks this year, are emphasizing their commitment to building more fuel-efficient vehicles, and talking up the ones they already sell. On Wednesday, G.M. told analysts in Detroit that its market share gains in the last three months reflected the popularity of its car models. “We do have great car products; we do have great fuel performance,” said Mark R. LaNeve, a vice president for North American sales, service and marketing. Though 60 percent of the models G.M. sells are light trucks, including pickups and sport utility vehicles, it offers the only subcompact car sold by a Detroit company: the Chevrolet Aveo, which is built for G.M. by its Korean partner, Daewoo.

Ford or Chrysler sell no subcompacts in the United States, even though they or their corporate parents sell them in other global markets.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/automobiles/10auto.html

[pooja]

1. how exactly are they coming up with better ideas for Americans

These companies market and sell abroad compact fuel efficient cars, yet here they want big, why?

[n2doc]

2. Exactly why Toyota and Honda are kicking their A** n/t

[HongKonger]

3. Morons

Here's what we drive in other parts of the world.

[Initech]

4. Almost makes me want to sell my GM for a Honda just to say "fuck you GM"!

[JohnWxy]

5. and Toyota has passed Ford - next in line GM.