Leasing making a comeback?
Motor Matters reports that GMAC has rolled out new lease offers for General Motors vehicles. The GMAC leases are for 2009 models of the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu and Traverse, and 2010 versions of the Buick Enclave and LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Acadia. "While we do not expect leasing to return to its heyday levels across all models, it remains an attractive financing tool for certain segments, particularly new launch vehicles and select models in the luxury market," said GMAC president Bill Muir.
Chrysler: Made in Italy?
Auto Week reports that Fiat will produce Chryslers at a recently acquired former Carrozzeria Bertone plant in Italy. Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Chrysler's new, five-year, post-bankruptcy business plan will be released in November, so he declined to reveal just which cars will be built at the plant, in Grugliasco, near Turin, or when production will start. Auto Week speculated that the first model built there will most likely be the replacement for the European version of the Chrysler 300C. The large sedan's U.S. launch is planned for early 2011.
Interested in a new minivan ... by Ford?
Ford is stepping back into a U.S. segment it abandoned in 2007 - minivans. Auto Week reports that Ford is re-entering this market segment with the small, seven-passenger 2012 C-Max. The U.S. version of the Ford C-Max goes on sale in late 2011. No word yet on price. Ford's first minivan was the rear-wheel-drive Aerostar, offered from 1985 to 1995. It introduced the front-drive Windstar in 1995 and later re-engineered the vehicle and changed its name to Freestar before abandoning the segment in 2007.
