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Fox Car Report checks out the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show with the latest from Ford, Chevy, Fiat and Jaguar.
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What Gary yes Hulu with -- this week from the Los Angeles auto show small -- But the new.
Fourth -- but the big thing.
Mark feels the CEO Gary it's your recovery great to see you.
The kids today there actually like -- these days everybody's got small arms absolutely you know you look at the small car segment of the cars and ends up like points on percent between BMC statement.
Is the biggest segment in the industry -- it matters -- This car also I guess brings the kind of customer -- want want to.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- But this this this fiesta has really opened them forward to a whole generation which would -- organized in mobile access to.
Josef first and operate -- -- product.
Very satisfied that's a really excited about this new pressure mounts and here we designed the outside more important.
Well.
For its first three cylinder engine out.
This has its recent -- himself and as we're ready we're gonna Seles and you know it's written it's it's a great question here because people used to think.
Displacement size and cylinders.
And these days more more consumers are thinking about I want fuel economy and I want great performance.
And this one liter engine in line for people you don't -- when it is beginning.
And -- smiles gonna come on your face you're going to be thinking you're driving a much bigger engine and it's just it's it's it's a heck of a ride and it's -- get.
You more than forty miles per gallon she'd get the performance -- -- right hand and under drive and you yet.
Great fuel or paragon of -- -- -- is is you're still going to be a standard.
Soldiers just and is now obviously this is going to be the new standard program offer obviously one point six liter -- boost as well.
But I think is gonna change a lot of people's minds about -- you know he won leaders like it's I think actually get.
And accelerate when we're getting on the on the highway on ramp or when it from my foot on the gas pedals are gonna sound like sewing machine.
And I think this is gonna change a lot of people's minds around.
One person you mentioned -- point six -- that's going to be this high performance test version.
-- suggesting that focuses to -- right now -- disorder facility is just a smaller but we've.
More affordable package well what we're trying to do is put.
Performance.
He put it into the into the east and we think this is the first true performance car.
In the season it's has -- point six liter eco boost engine and it puts out a 197.
Horsepower so it gets up and goes.
And it is a heck of a lot of fun to drive so -- put the message really sending here we're trying to combine you know.
High fuel economy and high performance you get both in Pakistan.
Really turns its 34 miles do you expect on its gonna get.
Among the amongst the best in terms of fuel economy in the -- so you're gonna get that.
High performance you get that high and penalties one other small.
Car you know it's called the -- -- -- is.
Now it's not a -- it is -- who -- vehicle as the alternative connect American compact seven C.
You're the -- -- -- yeah yeah.
You saw the cargo versions of that you were versions of this in the last years this -- -- Redesign.
That is still with a passenger versions yeah I think at the end of the day will probably so our projections as well probably so about maybe 60% of the way in some 40% hands and the reason -- is we were offering in five and seven passenger versions.
And we think it's a really unique and and creative product that is an alternative to conventional minivans are people there's.
And we we're we're so excited to offer our customers and see what they think and we're really excited about -- -- -- music -- I just.
This spring snowstorm that something like it on the -- -- close to -- here's the Mazda.
And if I fly out that's always expensive right -- -- -- Well can't really speak to other auto makers but you know we're continuing challenging ourselves saying you know we area is where can we -- -- 14 strategy which is all -- our global products.
You know where can we find white space opportunities it's the same thing we did for example we.
Original transit connect are small -- that we -- marketplace nobody had anything like it.
It's now a big part of our portfolio particularly in commercial and for business.
2012 we introduced in 2009 this past year it's having its best year ever.
Same thing with the C acts and the C Max hybrid you know it was a little bit of question about why would you offer product like that dedicate conventional hybrid with -- you know more performance -- -- Prius more courtroom progress bases -- really a market for that and it's off to a great start actually outsold the Prius -- last month so.
We're continuing to challenge ourselves as a company.
You know in terms of what consumers want and how -- we deliver that in a unique way.
Lot of these vehicles sheer power trains and platforms to some extent.
It's easy test version of -- -- to connect you know that's.
Let's get there on time -- well -- make sure they don't get tickets as they do that but.
It's a good point and what we're trying to do with the S team -- Is show that you can have a performance you can have performance in small cars and compromise and that's over so excited to offer the fiesta instituted to compliment the focus -- -- which wants the summer off.
Great stuff.
If you think this yes it's -- -- they've got nothing on this.
The microphone that Chevy spark this presents a success this year for General Motors.
This -- different sparked V battery powered version.
All of this car more -- president General Motors North America.
It is good to see -- the -- -- It really well -- really well you probably as surprised how well that's our -- we don't know because we've never sold a car that size than any EV one we've got plan which was about that size but it is class yours is.
-- we don't have any idea that says that.
People really want something like this at this price point.
So you know it's a global platforms that we're gonna give it try here because it is that really happy -- that are really happy -- -- -- -- and it's it's just lifeline out of the -- so it's great.
-- did this what's the latest battery powered version of it real heroes -- people.
Again as this to each other things that that you know you can -- and that's what you know always we say we take that the gas kind of rein in here but we really wanted to.
This.
We wanted to get it in the California.
Because it's a car that's quite different from what you've seen an electric market yourself quite -- that's was -- the sisters at a very high price points in the leaf.
Salute better price point here -- an extended range vehicles like the -- And now you're gonna see something like this which you know it's 80% of the battery charged in twenty minutes.
400 foot pounds of -- More than a lot of the Ferrari's out there today.
And then if you look at this.
From a price standpoint -- 125000.
Dollars we think we have something here.
It is a beautiful little commuter car that is a lot of fun to drive it looks good feel good about.
And we put theory and a seven inch screen inside here from human vehicle -- on media bring your phone ring.
What you live with every day into the car and -- California is -- mandating electric cars -- the big companies like -- -- Would this have happened if that -- -- I think it it could happen I'm not sure what would've happened this way.
But this guy right here I think.
Is something that we really want to attack this market because people -- really enjoy it.
And we're gonna -- -- and see how it does here and look at the other markets around it but I'm not.
Zero emissions market and see what the demand is we don't know and so we're gonna see what the economy is what people can actually afford.
Their ability offices of -- sustainable vehicle like this and cheaper electric aren't exactly cheap though to a program after that fair tax credits -- what are the other advantages to this.
Why I again I think this is something that you can carry people in really well I'm like.
Just -- -- exterior probably read on the same size.
We could both sit in the back of this to be very comfortable and I'm very happy there's -- There's enough Carter a minute this is something you can you can drive every day.
You know within the range boundaries that -- haven't.
And be very satisfied with the way it drives you get the -- -- capability that's an important -- from a card acceptance but you went crazy at this point you -- More that's up for hours almost as much as the view that can narrow right right look at those little tires -- actually handle that they can.
And because there's no torque converter gear shifts where the opportunity for traction.
And breakage of that happens.
You've got almost see what you do have seamless delivery of -- uninterrupted.
-- -- And so and then when you get onto an you know an entrance ramp odds -- that you don't have those ships have been so this is a very.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Attraction standpoint what attraction standpoint typically if you look at the things when you develop -- -- And -- fighter chart you have opposing things on traction ride handling and rolling resistance -- work and opposite way.
We have a tire here that those holes so the -- piece of that was for -- pounds of -- Has to be really -- and -- is because it's yours.
We we are always looking how to do fun things and Chevrolet for performance.
There's this -- would be right in the woods has been a big year for small cars yes this dishonest selling very well you compact.
Is they -- more room -- that small car segment for GM to grow.
I think so it if you look at the way position these guys use it once and SS cruise -- you know that's the question analog watch that.
Really -- performance we're going to race it will have to do with the signing.
That's the -- the cards.
We don't have a big wide and with the price and performance in each one of these models.
We've got a position very distinctly -- very distinctly we don't see a lot of overlap we're still run and cruised very strong sales and act -- 34%.
Us or run in the -- at a -- that.
We're gonna keep doing that and that strategy I think is really the way we've got to -- these small cars they have to have their own personality price and distinct differences from each one around.
-- the -- -- small cars nobody doesn't like Fiat but the company's brand is growing very quickly.
Actually doubling here to show for new models on display including -- new electric version.
The 580.
-- this is the head -- Fiat USA.
We've got the electric car we've also got this your first completely -- -- the 500 Al is Fiat.
Gonna grow into a bigger car company -- just small lots of small cars that.
-- items that we'll ever have a big power but we're expanding our -- dramatically today.
-- in the market for us into your -- in the market analyst here.
Which is unheard of you want to all the -- -- accident occurred at war I with a special series.
Which is big -- -- The biggest news for them today is now because people have really been attracted work.
Quickly adopted quickly through our -- but some people and they figured out of the is it a little worse case that -- we've lots of 500 hell.
Which is the five or -- I'm sure everything that the Ivan was through the DNA that are.
A little bit bigger.
We -- it point six inches longer six inches wider -- it's only a lot and now.
But we did that he might read through your acting patients.
Increase future -- point -- percent.
-- our wallets but we think we are.
As future won't -- things that -- person 300 accurately -- that is very large part in this packaging.
This carrier.
Two different versions of this -- -- tracking kind of rugby and slightly off roads are open and then there's the standard book when we're in development of -- -- this affectionately.
As we learned something very important from 500.
We have nine variations.
Excellent today five markets -- -- segment about 300000.
That's a very small thing when compared to.
A c.'s dancing like would work.
At one point he believes.
So it's easy to have good better best.
You -- to segments and that thousand you've got to have something.
We had wide variations in the 500.
Home runs this works.
We've got a 151000 dollar -- model 127000.
Dollars that you got to up our.
Got a team.
That's something forever.
Let's do the same thing what the hell we have the regular 500 -- which has everything that I just talked about and again it's got to if -- actually put a fun to drive our treatment.
It's you know -- -- in this -- aren't sixty horsepower hundred people were talking to her and -- sixty he -- -- we said it's a really clean modern look.
Only time segment.
It has a full blast -- -- it.
And deep -- so when you -- inside actually feels even larger here at 360 degree.
The last few outside the city how can we do something even more -- weeks and so we came up with -- trust.
Tracking it this is that he and potter stylistic -- this is the war adventurous.
We kept the black bodies that only we -- planning on seventeen inch wheels.
Different unique front rear fascia and take a look at future report interiors to really -- -- -- everything that.
And mechanical changes to the -- in all mechanical changes the -- it's.
All appearance but we think -- it if a person.
You mentioned you -- engine.
Over there were got a good showing review or convertible that's another one of the new models as -- -- you want we want him -- back here.
Huge success -- of the 2012 model year we sold out two months.
Howard did thirteen collier quickly -- and a production -- we can't meet the demand but that it would launch and the person says these are going to be -- hard.
We worked -- bring it to market right now here in the first quarter of next year.
We know it's going to be and its success as one of the things won't let that parents.
Actually has no -- off there's no off on our Wall Street I've always out.
And it sounds unbelievable some value haven't dropped after that.
It's it's going to be that is what -- -- -- -- on the flip side this would probably has no -- coming out of the 500 he electric bird full battery electric.
Silence.
But what we -- -- something different.
-- is elected -- -- from the -- we don't outlaw what it's done what we've looked at what they.
They picked -- the electric car.
We tried it it was let's build yet -- first picture that everything that -- -- -- and then an electric power -- and so we want it to be for the guy who wants 500 lots of friends loves the car was open have you checked out.
Instead of trying to -- -- that little sliver.
Of the market that is.
A dedicated elect by.
It is targeted though here -- the California mar California will be the first place watches -- makes sense most electric cars are so California today and by definition.
Infrastructures the past here so we'll watch your first.
Look like electric cars and small cars as much as anybody but this is the LA auto show and nothing beats a convertible sports car like this the new jaguar F type.
The long awaited successor to the legendary type jaguar here's the data -- Design this thing yeah I'm -- and a design -- you have -- lucky but I have to imagine.
Living up to type name.
With the successor must have been some damage out.
Yes a challenge that you know you must let it sit and even some sort of to distillate challenge you know you have to come from the principles would -- the suns thought.
Thank you keep to those principles you end up with the right and so and you do and double -- tonight because of the ten is one of an era which had different objectives -- is a quite different so.
This is a very modern looking -- of course I hope so are there any design elements that do hearken back -- And of course passed there are because any jagged hospice is beautiful classic lines -- level of the classic as the old that just collect.
The -- -- this very very classy beautiful lines but that -- didn't -- -- -- And oh what a TD it feels like both in the blinds those jags you know you used them -- still did still -- It's allowed some particular.
Crisis by the -- -- -- -- but the important days put that is that.
It has to stand it but today he did what any type -- you have to still like two months.
You're launching this is convertible firstly what did you draw offers the convertible -- -- -- -- so -- it's but actually kibbutz was -- difficult designs -- difficult and it is so.
It's good to get to -- to -- car right because if we have -- -- -- -- it's.
But did you guys say.
It's a much easy transition going.
-- -- for the interiors well yeah there -- some of the reasons there was this GA is that intentional no it's not busted into said that to me -- Notices about it ability to cope Cleveland is something that we sat because of driver a unit cynical they had a few that the in the tabloids the inspiration -- designs.
Because it's it twenty -- it crops to you know very high tech stuff.
And if you look at this we want to something such as a as a piece of technology that -- but he mechanical ability you know it's not so votes to provide plus plus.
It's about switches can do.
But this -- -- bit -- to drive it that quote it is it a coincidence that switched their expert when it -- that's that's the jet -- Does detract bullet did you put this on that the tablet -- to sequence that theory that some versatility rules.
It's been since -- It is that you wouldn't drive modes if you -- You've been reinventing jaguars went over the past few users except -- the -- -- today and now this I'm.
Guessing I'm assuming at some point there will be -- new XK.
The bigger -- yes.
It's been a coming book list of debate what that cause she's done flawed because it -- the smallest -- It would have been the real key to see what she did she keeps him going through that stuff.
Does this set the tone for what that might look like or are you get remember the real -- -- until it for what that might like to certain degree.
But that given a discussion in the confident that -- it -- look news stations.
Perhaps.
You know plays -- -- justices it.
Brings its first of all places at this unless everybody they see it jagged isn't it.
-- heads a project -- thanks very much for talking to us that's it for -- -- from the LA auto -- over to fox -- dot com.
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