Automotive News - January 4, 2016 - Supplement - 16S

16S * JANUARY 4, 2016

BATTLE OF THE

brands
The U.S. auto market is expected to peak as high as 17.7 million sales in 2016 before slipping in 2017.
Incentives and production are rising, too. But this rising tide won't necessarily lift all boats. Here's a look at the year
ahead for 41 brands in the U.S.: their key products, challenges and strategies.

index
Acura ............... 20S
Alfa Romeo ........39S
Aston Martin .....24S
Audi ..................35S
Bentley..............32S
Buick ................26S
BMW.................28S
Cadillac .............34S
Chevrolet...........18S
Chrysler ............16S
Dodge ...............30S
Fiat ...................28S
Ferrari ...............37S
Ford ..................36S
GMC .................26S
Honda ...............36S
Hyundai.............30S
Infiniti ...............24S
Jaguar ...............37S
Jeep .................18S
Kia....................32S
Lamborghini.......39S
Land Rover ........38S
Lexus................32S
Lincoln ..............37S
Maserati ...........34S
Mazda...............20S
Mercedes-Benz ..39S
Mini ..................24S
Mitsubishi .........20S
Nissan ..............35S
Porsche.............38S
Ram..................36S
Rolls-Royce........39S
Scion ................38S
Smart ...............26S
Subaru ..............28S
Tesla.................35S
Toyota ...............34S
Volkswagen .......16S
Volvo .................39S

CHRYSLER
A new minivan and a few sedans
● Detroit debuts: 2017 Chrysler minivan and a
plug-in electric hybrid version
● 2016 pipeline: New minivan as well
as compact Chrysler 100 sedan
● New face: Tim
Kuniskis, head of
passenger car
brands for FCA,
including
Chrysler.
● 2015 share:
1.9% (Jan.-Nov.); 1.9%
(Jan.-Dec. 2014)
Kuniskis
● Sales trend: The brand's U.S.
sales rose last year on the strength of the Chrysler
200 midsize sedan, which grew enough to offset a
100-day shutdown of production this spring on the
Town & Country minivan, to prepare for the model
changeover.
● Challenges: The sedan business isn't going so well
right now, and Chrysler has two sedans and another
on the way. The Chrysler brand said in December it
was rethinking its product strategy. Still, much rides

VOLKSWAGEN
Challenging tasks ahead
● Detroit debuts: Off-road concept variant of a
production crossover
● 2016 pipeline: Beetle Dune, Beetle Denim,
Golf SportWagen Alltrack
● 2015 share: 2.0% (Jan.-Nov.); 2.2% (Jan.Dec. 2014)
● Sales trend: VW struggled last year even
before the disclosure of diesel emissions
violations sent it reeling. The Golf family was a
definite bright spot and saw strong growth, but
the rest of VW's aging, car-heavy lineup
struggled to gain significant sales
traction. VW sales were down
more than 4% through
November and U.S.
incentives are rising faster
than the industry's
average deal.
● Challenges:
There's no chance
of a turnaround
until VW resolves
the diesel
emissions crisis.
It's a pox that
must be cured
before

on a
strong launch of
the redesigned and reengineered minivan this year, as
Chrysler tries to cover the whole minivan price point
spread with one nameplate.
● Strategy: FCA wants the Chrysler brand to expand
into crossovers as well as sedans and minivans, in
order to take on Chevrolet and Ford.
- Larry P. Vellequette

Volkswagen of America and its dealers,
growing restless, can begin rebuilding the
brand and return to the business of selling
vehicles. Some diesel owners feel the
company's goodwill gesture - $1,000 in gift
cards - doesn't go far enough to counter the
loss in vehicle value.
● Strategy: A top priority is receiving regulatory
approval for a fix on 2.0-liter diesel engines in
the hands of customers via a recall. VW also
needs to obtain EPA approval for sales of new
diesels to get back on a normal track. Those
challenges make the launch of the Golf
SportWagen Alltrack, which VW sees as its
Subaru fighter, all the more important.
- Ryan Beene
2016 Beetle
Dune

The 200 drove
the brand's
sales, but the
sedan business
is tough.

Giulia

Key launches
in 2016
Ⅲ Alfa Romeo Giulia
Ⅲ Buick Envision
Ⅲ Cadillac CT6
Ⅲ Chrysler minivan
Ⅲ Genesis G90
Ⅲ Honda Odyssey
Ⅲ Honda Ridgeline
Ⅲ Hyundai Ioniq
Ⅲ Lincoln Continental
Ⅲ Jaguar F-Pace
Ⅲ Jaguar XE
Ⅲ Jeep Compass replacement
Ⅲ Kia Niro
Ⅲ Mercedes-Benz E class
Ⅲ Toyota Prius
Ⅲ Volvo S90

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 4, 2016 - Supplement

Nouveau riche collides with old money at Cobo
Cadillac's edgy exterior styling evolves
Design boss Wagener maps out M-B's turnaround
Chevrolet, Toyota raise game in green battle
FCA designer Gilles: People should order their cars
A new minivan and a few sedans
Challenging tasks ahead
Ain't no mountain high enough
Big car launches pose test
Betting on NSX glory
Crossovers are crucial
Flying fashionably under the radar
Bigger, more luxurious
Heating up in '16
Hitch revival on a crossover
Fresh sheet metal ends product drought
New variants coming
Trucking along amid redesigns, cheap fuel
Striving for the luxury crown, again
The good times just keep rolling
Treading water with a stylish life jacket
Onward to luxury cars
Performance overtakes lost volume
Banking on a first: An ultraluxury crossover
Bargain brand no more
Turbos, high-end luxury in the mix
A few big launches in '16, then a lull
Rebooting with an SUV
Waiting for more trucks
Charging up the cheaper EV
Content, volume, profit focus
Major launches on deck
A major truck launch holds the key
Keep the momentum going and win back share
New global boss for growing automaker
Building on Continental buzz
Crucial launches are on the horizon
Ready to fly solo
Crossovers keep sales surge rolling
Finally, some fresh products
Riding the light-truck wave
A new Dawn, crossover
Banking on new models
Key launch year ahead
Selling style and story, but not cars
Waiting for an SUV
Former Detroit stars (and where they are now)

Automotive News - January 4, 2016 - Supplement