Toyota News

Toyota 2008 Highlander And Highlander Hybrid Debut

At The 2007 Chicago Auto Show

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., unveiled the all-new next-generation Highlander and Highlander Hybrid mid-size sport utility vehicles (SUV) at a press conference today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

"Highlander holds a unique distinction within the Toyota brand and within the industry," said Don Esmond, TMS senior vice president, automotive operations. "Along with the 4Runner and the FJ Cruiser, it anchors one of the industry's only three-vehicle, mid-size SUV line-ups. Equally important, along with Prius and Camry Hybrid, it is a key component in the industry's only three-vehicle hybrid strategy."

The 2008 Highlander is significantly larger, roomier and more powerful than the vehicle it replaces. Yet its fuel efficiency will be virtually unchanged. It is noticeably quieter, smarter, with improved versatility and ride comfort. It will offer the highest level of standard safety equipment in a segment where safety is at the top of purchase considerations. And, it's all wrapped in a package designed for buyers who want to stand out and make a statement.

Highlander will have no equal to its comprehensive list of standard safety features. It will provide a segment-leading total of seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows.

As with all Toyota SUVs for the last three years, Highlander will provide Toyota's STAR safety system, featuring:

• anti-lock brakes
• traction control
• electronic brake-force distribution
• brake assist
• and for the first time, enhanced vehicle stability control
• with electronic power steering.

On all models except the base models, it will provide a stand-alone backup camera with a multi-information screen, not tied to a navigation system. And, Highlander will have the distinction of being the first Toyota division vehicle to feature both active head restraints and a new hood and fender system designed to crumple on impact with a pedestrian.

On the outside, Highlander moves away from traditional SUV styling cues with a statement of strength instead of ruggedness; of intelligence over toughness. Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif. sculpted clean, crisp lines, a wide, stable stance and muscular contours to give Highlander an advanced, contemporary, forceful and dynamic personality.

Highlander rides on an all-new chassis derived from the current Camry and Avalon. It is nearly four inches longer and three inches wider, with an inch more ground clearance and three inches of additional wheelbase.

Interior designers took full advantage of Highlander's substantial dimensions. Design intelligence is carried through to the refined interior, where smart and sophisticated blend with practical, flexible and versatile.

The passenger compartment is open and airy. Convenient and innovative interior features such as flexible seating arrangements, and ease of entry and exit, were directly related to customer input.

For example, Highlander's second-row features captain's chairs with armrests that, if needed, can be converted to a bench seat for three passengers. A "Center Stow" seat, when not in use, is hidden in a compartment under the front center console. In its place, passengers can easily snap in the provided center stow center console or choose to leave the area open as a walk-through to the third row. The second row also slides forward and back 4.7 inches and reclines.

Clever and convenient standard features include:

• a third-row bench seat with foldable headrests for a flat rear cargo area,
• a rear glass hatch for quick access to the back (optional on base grades),
• and Smart Start and Entry for Limited and all hybrid models.

When Highlander arrives in July, it will be offered in Base, Sport and Limited grades. All three grades will be powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 that delivers an impressive 270 horsepower -- a 55 horsepower gain over the previous generation's 3.3-liter engine.

Two months later, the all-new Highlander Hybrid will arrive at dealerships. Offered in both Base and Limited grades, all Highlander hybrids will feature Toyota's advanced VDIM stability system. The system integrates:

• full-time four-wheel drive with intelligence,
• electronic brake and throttle control,
• with true electronically-controlled active steering.

Highlander's advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive system has been extensively upgraded and refined for 2008 for both power and economy. The new Highlander gained about 500 pounds, growing significantly in every dimension and receiving extensive body and chassis reinforcement, aimed specifically at achieving best-in-class crash ratings. Not only were engineers able to increase output to 270 net horsepower, they were able to maintain Highlander Hybrid's impressive fuel economy at 31 city and 27 highway.

The Highlander will be loaded with standard-equipped comfort and convenience features. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels will be standard on both Sport and Limited gas models and both hybrid models.

An array of options and accessories will be offered, such as a power backdoor that can be opened and closed with a key fob, a navigation system with an eight-inch screen, a rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, and three-zone air conditioning.

Other options include:

• JBL audio with six-disc changer and nine speakers with Bluetooth,
• third-row seat delete to create a second-row model,
• leather seat trim and heated seats,
• and a tow package with a 5000-lbs. maximum towing capacity (class-leading for car & van-based mid SUVs).

"The 2008 Highlander takes the car-based SUV concept to a new level," said Esmond. "I say that with conviction, because it's a category we invented."

The Toyota RAV4, now in its third generation, was the world's-first car-based SUV. In 1998, Lexus established a whole new category of car-based luxury SUVs when it launched the RX300. The debut of Highlander in 2001 marked the beginning of a shift in the mid-size SUV segment, from truck platforms to car platforms.

"As you can see, the new Highlander has raised the bar significantly," said Esmond. "Last year we did the same with RAV4. And in about a year, we'll do the same with both Land Cruiser and Sequoia. The Toyota division now markets a six-vehicle SUV lineup that appeals to specific buyer demographics and life-stages. It is a lineup that gives us enormous flexibility in responding to shifts in the marketplace. We are committed to keeping our products fresh and at the front of the pack."

TOYOTA 2008 HIGHLANDER PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
3.5 Liter V6 – 270 hp
249 ft.-lbs. torque
5-speed automatic
4WD or 2WD

3.3 Liter V6 Hybrid – 270 net hp
Torque not available for hybrid powertrain
ECVT
4WD-i

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 188.4
Overall Width: 75.2
Overall Height: 69.3
Wheelbase: 109.8
Ground Clearance: Gas 8.1 / Hybrid 7.3
Seating Capacity: 5 or 7 passengers
Wheels: 17- or 19-inch wheels

Mazda News

Mazda Hakaze Design Concept to be Launched at Second Life

Mazda’s latest concept car Mazda Hakaze will soon be driving through cyberspace on Nagare Island at Second LifeTM and Mazda Motor Europe wants you to join in the fun.

Mazda Hakaze expresses an exciting new design language called Nagare (pronounced na-ga-reh), created by Mazda’s new global design director, Laurens van den Acker. It was designed at Mazda’s European Design Centre near Frankfurt, Germany, and is the third concept to be shown this auto show season – following Mazda Nagare (shown at the LA Auto Show this past November) and Mazda Ryuga (shown at the Detroit Motor Show just one month ago).

“Nagare is about expressing motion, energy and beauty, in ways that people connect with, and Second Life™ is one of the Internet’s best interactive venues,” said van den Acker. “Of course we love the idea of giving people the chance to connect with and drive our latest concept – virtually, rather than in reality, of course.”

In 2003, the US company LindenLab created Second LifeTM, a virtual 3-D continent that now has about 3 million inhabitants from around the globe. It is one of the fastest-growing “countries” in cyberspace and boasts an average of 15,000 users at any given moment. You can find more details at www.secondlife.com.

“Mazda Hakaze and Second Life™ are a perfect match,” says Peter Birtwhistle, Chief Designer at Mazda Motor Europe. “Hakaze is a cool, compact crossover with roadster feel, and Nagare Island will be a great place for people to do a virtual drive and just chill out with others. And there are several exciting surprises in store as well.”

Jeep News

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Pricing Announced

Starting at $38,475

• Full-size, diesel-powered sport-utility vehicle for under $39,000
• Up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions
• Class-leading torque and driving range (450 miles); outstanding towing

Chrysler Group announced today at the Washington Auto Show pricing for its first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will begin to arrive at Jeep dealerships in March.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD will begin at $38,475, including $695 destination. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland 4x2 and 4x4 models.

“The Chrysler Group is leading the way to bring the advantages of diesel to various U.S. vehicle segments,” said Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group. “Chrysler Group will continue to build upon our diesel leadership in the years to come. We believe that clean diesel technology can and should be a part of the national energy solution. It’s crucial that our country’s policymakers set regulations that encourage a diversity of approaches to reducing our dependence on oil.”

The new 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3,800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1,600-2,800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 miles city and 25 miles highway for 4x2 models and 20 miles city and 24 miles highway for 4x4 models. Most recently, the engine earned a spot on “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 pounds), and class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles. Clean diesel technology also improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD

With an MSRP of $38,475 for 4x2 models and $41,715 for 4x4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD includes Sirius Satellite Radio, Quadra-Drive II®*, five-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum wheels, memory system (seats, mirrors, pedals, etc.), air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, rain sensitive windshield wipers, premium leather seats, SmartBeam headlamps, tire pressure monitor, engine block heater, and AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 radio. (*4x4 models only)

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD

With an MSRP of $41,960 for 4x2 models and $45,395 for 4x4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD includes a five-speed automatic transmission, Quadra-Drive II*, 17-inch chrome clad wheels, ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense® rear back-up system, skid plates*, trailer tow package, tow hooks*, engine block heater, Sirius Satellite Radio, DVD-based AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 navigation radio and UConnect® hands-free communication system. (*4x4 models only)

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer excellent performance, increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and a driving range of 450 miles – the equivalent of driving from Washington D.C. to Boston,” said Craig Love, Vice President--Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Unlike past experiences Americans may have had with diesel engines 20 years ago, the 3.0-liter CRD available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is engineered to be a smooth-running, quiet, clean engine. Consumers may forget that they are driving a diesel vehicle.”

The Jeep brand also announced last year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.

More than 60 percent of the Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel powered. Between 2003 and 2007, the Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be fueled with B5 (5 percent) biodiesel at the assembly plant to help increase the awareness of biodiesel. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Pricing

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2	$38,475 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4	$41,715 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2	$41,960 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4	$45,395 (including $695 destination)

Dodge News

All-new 2008 Dodge Avenger Production Launched

• New Dodge Avenger is second vehicle to be manufactured at Chrysler Group’s Sterling Heights facility

• Dodge Avenger expands Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy, allowing multiple products to be produced at one plant

• Dodge Avenger combines bold, aggressive Dodge styling making a powerful statement in the mid-size segment at an affordable price

The Chrysler Group today announced the production launch of the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger at its Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant (SHAP). The Dodge Avenger was recently unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Mich.

The manufacturing launch of the Dodge Avenger represents the next stage of Chrysler Group's expanding Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS) which allows the Company to bring new vehicles to market more quickly and gives assembly plants the ability to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line. The all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger will be built alongside the Chrysler Sebring Sedan, which began production in September 2006.

Production of the Dodge Avenger follows an extensive plant retooling which included multiple upgrades improving quality, productivity and worker ergonomics. SHAP is now able to vary the production mix between three products and pilot a fourth.

"We are now seeing the success of our $500 million investment in SHAP and Sterling (Heights) Stamping Plant," said Fred Goedtel, Vice President – Small/Premium/Family Vehicle Assembly.

"The plant enhancements have made the facility both more flexible and efficient. The assembly operation now has the capability to build multiple upper bodies and multiple vehicle families or architectures, which will allow for the flexibility to add new models or models from other plants in order to better meet the dynamics of the market."

Since the rollout of Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy in 2000, it has been the template for Chrysler Group's rolling plant modernization activities. Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and Sterling Stamping, along with Belvidere Assembly Plant, represent the current archetypes of Chrysler Group's flexible capabilities.

"In addition, the Sterling Stamping Plant can weld and assemble more than one product on the same line. These new capabilities will support the company's pursuit of product leadership by providing flexibility to efficiently manage increased distinction between the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands," said Goedtel.

$278 million was invested at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to overhaul the body shop and improve the paint shop and assembly areas, including new tooling and about 620 new welding and material-handling robots. The Trim, Chassis and Final (TCF) areas received a new glass-installation cell, windshield decking, chassis-insertion loop system, fluid-fill equipment and rolls-test machines. Each of these improved processes has contributed favorably to the plant's overall productivity and efficiency efforts.

Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy allows the company to produce a higher quality product faster, and for a lower cost. In order to balance production with demand, the FMS approach allows the company to efficiently build lower-volume vehicles that take advantage of market niche, and to quickly shift production volumes between different models within a single plant or among multiple plants.

FMS is being implemented product by product and plant by plant across the Chrysler Group. New investment is introducing state-of-the-art technology to Chrysler Group plants allowing the company to produce more than one vehicle on a production line and conduct rolling launches of new models. Additionally, Chrysler Group's workforce is becoming more flexible with the implementation of team concepts and an increased emphasis on supporting assembly line operators.

Robotics

At the core of the new manufacturing process is a body shop comprised of 620 new robots instead of the vehicle-specific heavy tooling that was previously used, for a total of 784 robots in the Body Shop. Only the robots' end effectors, or "hands," need to change in order to build the different models. That tool change is done automatically, within the time it takes to cycle from one vehicle to the next. A fourth model can also be piloted – or test-built – at the same time, helping reduce the time needed to make new-model changeovers.

Smart Manufacturing

A new Workplace Organizational Model, coined "Smart Manufacturing'" is increasing the flexibility of the SHAP workforce, while fostering greater creativity and innovation from plant employees. This model is being implemented throughout the Chrysler Group's Manufacturing organization in conjunction with the UAW. In addition to extensive training, the new workplace model promotes employee involvement in all facets in the design and processing of the work stations. These changes provide a better work environment for employees and give increased support to assembly line team members while improving the Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM) principles.

The all-new Dodge Avenger has plenty of Dodge Charger DNA, and with aggressive Dodge styling that makes a powerful statement in the mid-size segment at an affordable price. Muscular rear shoulders, sleek rear spoiler and modern, yet menacing, quad headlamps embody the Dodge brand attributes of bold, powerful and capable.

The new Dodge Avenger rivals the quickest mid-size sedans in the segment based on 0-60 mph tests. The Dodge Avenger offers class-leading performance with an available 3.5-liter engine coupled with a six-speed automatic. It will produce approximately 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2.4-liter all-aluminum four-cylinder World Engine provides a 15 percent increase in horsepower (173-horsepower vs. 150 horsepower) and 8 percent improvement in fuel economy over the 2.4-liter engine it replaces. An enhanced flexible-fuel 2.7-liter V6 produces 189 horsepower and 191 lb.-ft. of torque, providing more low-end torque (at 850 rpm lower) compared with the 2.7-liter engine it replaces.

The 2008 Dodge Avenger will be available in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2007 and in global volume markets later in the year.

Chrysler Group is the city of Sterling Heights second-largest employer and has more than 4,800 employees working in two plants. The three million square-foot Sterling Heights Assembly Plant occupies 286 acres. In total, the Chrysler Group provides $150 million in annual wages and more than $5 million in taxable income to the state of Michigan.

Sterling Heights Assembly Plant opened in 1953 as a jet engine factory. The plant was purchased by Chrysler Group in 1983. SHAP is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1700, 889 and 412.

Sterling Stamping is 2.7 million square feet and employs 2,300. The plant is home to UAW Locals 1264, 889 and 412. The plant investment is just the latest in a long, cooperative partnership with the City of Sterling Heights.

General Motors News

GM Opens Interactive "Fuel For Thought" Exhibit

General Motors will bring the wonder of fuel cell technology, hybrid vehicles and ethanol-powered cars and trucks to life with the newly opened “Fuel For Thought” display at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot® theme park near Orlando, Florida. The exhibit features unique, interactive components to provide edutainment for visitors of all ages about advanced automotive technology and the road to a greener future.

“Epcot® is an amazing imaginative theme park,” said Betsy Lazar, executive director of advertising and media operations for General Motors. “With the addition of ‘Fuel For Thought,’ visitors will now have an opportunity to explore innovative aspects and applications of automotive technology through a fun-filled experience.”

“Fuel For Thought” is comprised of interactive kiosks and games, a special floor projection, plasma wall elements, bright graphics and messaging, vehicle displays with information conveyed through lighting and video, and live narrated presentations.

The walk through “Fuel For Thought” begins down a livegreengoyellow.com pathway designed with brilliant graphics and a plasma wall with an expansive photo of a cornfield. As visitors pass by, they will see the cornstalks parting in a wavelike fashion. The opposite wall is dotted with porthole-like windows that provide an introduction to different GM environmental activities throughout the world.

The yellow pathway leads up to the exhibit’s open bi-level space filled with a variety of activities to enjoy.

Five touch-screen games are stationed in the backside of the porthole-like windows, including a trivia game about hybrid technology, a Stalk Car racing game, and a memory game where one matches the photos from a fuel cell marathon.

Three free-standing kiosks have numerous buttons, dials, video screens, lighting effects, factoids and more for interactive learning about fuel cells, hybrids and E85. The kiosks provide learnings such as how a hydrogen atom is used ultimately in a fuel cell stack to create energy and eventually exhaust made of water.

The main exhibit space floor is highlighted by a giant projected circular graphic controlled by motion sensors. At one point the circle appears to hold corn kernels and as someone walks across it, the kernels pop into popcorn while E85 messages traverse the area. The themed graphic also presents an electricity show while emphasizing hybrid technology and a pool of water is at the forefront when fuel cell messages are shared.

An actual FlexFuel E85 compatible vehicle is housed on the main floor for visitors to climb in and out of, while one wall houses a Chevy Tahoe chassis that demonstrates through vibrant lighting effects how a two-mode hybrid works.

Upon exiting “Fuel For Thought,” the future of the automotive industry is expanded upon with a display featuring the AUTOnomy. The AUTOnomy, first introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2002, marked a bold push from GM to reinvent the automobile. The world’s first vehicle designed from the ground up around a fuel cell propulsion system is viewable in a display surrounded by extensive graphics and looping video to watch, and features a live presentation narrator four times per hour.

“Epcot® is a place of endless possibilities for adults and children, and ‘Fuel For Thought’ provides a fun, interactive experience that shows the endless creativity of the General Motors team,” said Brad Rex, vice president of Epcot®. “We share GM’s passion for preserving our environment and are thrilled with this wonderful addition to Epcot®.”

The “Fuel For Thought” exhibit is easily accessed upon exiting the thrill ride “Test Track presented by General Motors” in the park’s “Future World” section. Theme park admission is required to experience “Fuel For Thought.”

General Motors has been an active partner at Epcot® (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) since the theme park opened its doors October 1, 1982. Epcot® was the second theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The first thrill attraction at Epcot® – “Test Track presented by General Motors” – was added on March 17, 1999. Test Track takes riders through the hair-raising world of auto testing on one of the longest, fastest attractions in Disney history. The ride races up a bumpy terrain, roars around hair-pin turns, travels through freezing cold chambers, and rushes onto 50-degree banked curves at 60 miles an hour. “Fuel For Thought” is the most extensive interactive exhibit attached to “Test Track presented by General Motors” to date.

Chrysler News

Chrysler Voyager RHD Underachieves in Crash Rating

Chrysler Voyager RHD crash test

Some manufacturers still lazy about safety

Euro NCAP today releases test results for its latest car line-up and is shocked to find that certain manufacturers are still ignoring Euro NCAPs call for stronger safety measures in family cars. An MPV, the Chrysler Voyager has again been awarded a poor safety score of two stars with the last star struck through, seven years after it originally received a two-star result.

Euro NCAP first tested a collection of MPVs, including the Voyager, back in 1999. Only two out of eight cars received a four-star rating, the maximum available at that time. In its testing, Euro NCAP noted that MPVs were weaker in frontal impact tests. Consequently, many manufacturers have made great improvements to their vehicles since then, particularly in this area. In August 2006, Euro NCAP awarded the Ford S-MAX 36 points and a five-star rating, making it the best performing MPV to date.

However, as the Chrysler Voyager shows, despite this progress, some manufacturers are continuing to sell cars that are little changed from those tested in 1999. In this months results, the right hand drive Voyager did not meet the minimum score for a three star Adult Occupant Protection rating. The Voyagers results also indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury, resulting in the last star being struck through.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Claes Tingvall, said, I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV - a car that is clearly targeting families. Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in the UK whilst a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left hand drive across the rest of Europe. I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future.

Todays results also include some disappointing pedestrian protection scores. Again, the Chrysler Voyager is the worst performer, scoring no points at all and being awarded no stars. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, also made by Chrysler, performed equally poorly in 2005.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Claes Tingvall, said, I am continually disappointed by the lack of commitment and effort shown by manufacturers to improving the level of pedestrian protection in their vehicles. This is an area where there are few front-runners and massive room for improvement.

Results released today are in the MPV, Small Off-Roader and Small Family categories. The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com.

Chrysler Group Safety Performance Statement in Response to Results Published by Euro NCAP

The left-hand-drive version of Chrysler Grand Voyager achieved a four-star Adult Occupant Protection rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash test, and a five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest possible score.

Since 1999, Chrysler Group has made significant improvements to the safety components and features of the Chrysler Grand Voyager, including an enhanced safety cage, multi-stage front air bags, full-length inflatable side curtain airbags, front seatbelts with constant force retractors and many additional safety features. It is incorrect to assume that no changes were made to a vehicle as the result of a single crash test. Moreover, no single test can predict the overall safety performance of a vehicle.

The Chrysler Grand Voyager meets or exceeds all of the regulatory and safety requirements in markets where it is sold both in right- and left-hand-drive, and both models performed equally as well in homologation tests conducted by a European government agency.

Ford News

Ford Taurus X Unveiled at Chicago

• 2008 Ford Taurus X is a full-size crossover with three rows of seating and Ford Edge-inspired exterior styling.

• Must-have features include one-touch, flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate.

• 44 percent better acceleration than the outgoing Freestyle, thanks to new 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed-automatic transmission.

• Standard electronic stability control and available all-wheel drive provide confident ride and handling in all weather conditions.

• Ford Sync™ offers new levels of connection, control, simplicity and personalization for electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players.

• New Taurus X will reach showrooms late this summer.

Unveiled today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, the 2008 Ford Taurus X is a full-size crossover that offers three rows of seating, a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine with six-speed automatic transmission and a long list of standard safety equipment – including side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control.

Innovative convenience features on the Taurus X include one-touch, flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate.

The 2008 Taurus X will reach dealer showrooms in late summer 2007.

“The three-row Taurus X is a key element in o ur broad crossover lineup and is a great complement to the popular, two-row Ford Edge,” says Cisco Codina, Ford’s group vice president of North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “Like Edge, the new Taurus X delivers confident design, good power and handling, and plenty of standard safety equipment. With Taurus X, customers get a roomy, interior that is flexible, functional and comfortable – in all three rows.”

Bold, new look inspired by the Ford Edge

The exterior design of the Taurus X picks up design cues from the Ford Edge, including the

step-up headlamps and distinctive Ford three-bar chrome grille. The Taurus X also features a restyled hood, newly shaped front fenders and fascia along with headlamps and fog lamps mounted in new chrome surrounds.

Taurus X sports a new rear fascia, Fusion-inspired taillamps, chrome dual exhaust tips and an available reverse sensing system. A new roof rack up top features a tougher, more rugged design.

Also available for the first time on Taurus X is an Eddie Bauer branded series. Ford's relationship with Eddie Bauer over the last two decades has proven to be very popular with customers with a nearly 40 percent take rate of the series on both the Ford Explorer and Expedition. The Eddie Bauer series includes a unique two-tone paint scheme, standard 18-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels, wiper activated headlamps and an Eddie Bauer badge.

Innovations improve an already versatile interior

The 2008 Taurus X delivers the interior space and convenience features that customers shopping for a three-row crossovers are known to prioritize. Two new features set Taurus X apart: one-touch, flip-and-fold second row seats that provide easy access to the third row and an available power rear liftgate. Controls for the power liftgate are located on the center console, rear cargo area and on the key fob.

With the Taurus X, the interior is as large and comfortable as it is flexible. It is available in 5- and 7-passenger configurations and offers exceptional visibility and space for all passengers because of the stadium style seating that places the third row higher than the second row.

It can haul cargo as well. With the second and third row folded flat, Taurus X offers 85.2 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the first row. Fold the front passenger seat flat and Taurus X can accommodate items up to nine feet long.

Must-have features include an available voice activated DVD-based navigation system and SIRIUS satellite radio. For entertainment, rear seat passengers can enjoy an available DVD player with a large, eight-inch screen and a clearer, brighter picture.

Taurus X is also one of 12 new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products to offer Ford Sync™ – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, this Ford-exclusive system fully integrates mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle.

New powertrain transforms Taurus X

At the heart of the 2008 Taurus X is Ford’s 3.5-liter Duratec 35 V-6 engine. It delivers an estimated 260 horsepower – an increase of nearly 30 percent over the previous engine. To manage the additional power and deliver sharper performance, the continuously variable transmission has been replaced with a six-speed-automatic gearbox that was developed in tandem with the Duratec 35.

Even with the increase in power and torque, the 2008 Taurus X is expected to post real-world fuel economy numbers similar to the 2007 Freestyle, thanks to a more efficient powertrain and technologies like a fuel-saving electric power steering system. Final numbers, measured under the new-for-2008 EPA standards, will be released closer the vehicle’s on-sale date.

Taurus X’s available intelligent all-wheel-drive system, new for 2008, is less complex than the system it replaces and similar to the Ford Edge AWD system. It incorporates an active, on-demand electro-mechanical center coupler to allocate a precise amount of torque from front to rear, up to 100 percent to either axle. This system can also anticipate wheel slip before it happens. Under heavy acceleration, for example, the system will proactively allocate torque to the rear wheels before the front wheels begin to slip.

Taurus X features a long list of standard safety features

Taurus X is expected to earn five star ratings in all four categories of government crash tests, giving it leadership in passive safety. In terms of active safety, every 2008 Taurus X has standard anti-lock brakes and AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, a feature nearly 70 percent of car shoppers are interested in according to Ford customer research.

The AdvanceTrac system can predict the vehicle’s path using a sensor to detect and measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss of traction, the system reduces engine torque and applies braking where needed to keep the car tracking safely on its intended path.

The 2008 Taurus X features standard dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger and Ford’s Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags for all three rows. The advance side air curtains feature “roll-fold” technology to enhance protection during an extended crash event. New reinforcements in the foot well area provide for better crash protection, while side impact protection is improved with pressurized crash sensors in the doors and redesigned interior door panels.

The rise of the crossover segment

Crossovers are part of the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States, outpacing even the remarkable growth SUVs achieved in the 1990s. CUVs surpassed traditional SUV sales for the first time last year, and they are on the way to 3 million sales annually by the decade’s end.

Two distinct consumer trends have helped fuel the explosive growth of the CUV segment: car buyers seeking more spacious and flexible interiors along with the security of all-wheel drive, and traditional SUV buyers seeking more maneuverable and fuel-efficient vehicles that still make an active lifestyle possible.

The three-row Taurus X will complement the sporty and popular two-row, five-passenger Ford Edge in the lineup. To further underscore Ford’s commitment to leadership, the two crossovers will be joined by yet another large Ford crossover – based on the Ford Fairlane concept vehicle – which will debut later this year and go on sale in 2008.