After eight hours of details on how Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne and his team will save and grow the fresh-from-bankruptcy automaker, it’s tough to assess where the Pentastar is headed. Once a few miles away from the Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters, this much was clear: after nine years of Daimler and two years of Cerberus ownership, what else does Chrysler have to lose?inline_mediumwraptextright26979562/auto_news/112_0911_chrysler_five_year_plansergio-marchionne.jpgFalse

At just about the last minute of the eleventh hour, GM has decided not to sell its European Division, Opel. Well, it had always seemed absurd to sell. Many conspiracy theorists have speculated that this week's outcome was planned all along: GM was just playing brinkmanship to get loans in place from European Governments and concessions from the unions.inline_mediumwraptextright30275751/features/auto_news/2009/112_0911_gm_keeps_opel2010-opel-astra-front-three-quarter-2.jpgTrue

Motor Trend has learned that Mazda will be downsizing its famed softtop and shedding precious pounds off its next-generation MX-5 Miata, currently under development at the company's Hiroshima headquarters in Japan. A source close to Mazda confirmed that the R&D team, now under the leadership of chief engineer Shuko Yamamoto, will be going back to basics to redefine the MX-5 for its proposed 2011 launch.inline_mediumwraptextright24745043/auto_news/112_0911_mazda_mx_5_miata_future_plans2009-mazda-MX-5-miata-grand-touring-front-three-quarters-view.jpgTrue

After years struggling under the slow, dead hand of GM management, Saab is in an expansionist mood once again. Not just to build the cars planned under GM management (9-5 sedan and Sportcombi, and 9-4X crossover), but to do its own replacement for the 9-3. It also wants eventually to do a 9-1 or 9-2 compact car.inline_mediumwraptextright25712819/auto_news/112_0910_saab_future_car_plans2010-saab-9-5-front-three-quarters-view-passenger.jpgTrue

Mercedes is preparing a full model change of its CLS sport sedan-coupe. It will be shown at the end of 2010, and likely go in U.S. sale as a 2012 model.inline_mediumwraptextright25533587/auto_news/112_0910_2012_mercedes_benz_cls_news2012-mercedes-benz-CLS-front-three-quarters-view-passenger.jpgTrue

Last month we showed you Ford's new Focus-based C-Max, a mini-minivan in the mold of the Mazda5, which is coming to the U.S. Ford won't be the only automaker tackling this segment in North America. Chevrolet, which like Ford has stopped trying to compete with Chrysler's minivans, will introduce the 2012 Orlando in '11.inline_mediumwraptextright25374803/auto_news/112_0912_ford_small_car_future_plans2009-ford-grand-c-MAX-side-view.jpgTrue

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - Nissan revealed Tuesday that its new 3-cylinder B-segment hatchback will be built on a low-cost, weight-reduced platform that will serve the Japanese automaker in 150-160 world markets, including North America. The ambitious program takes on One Ford directly, in particular Dearborn's upcoming 2011 Fiesta. Called the V-Platform, it was designed from the get-go to be sold throughout the world, including the United States and its singular crash and emissions standards.inline_mediumwraptextright30977268/auto_news/112_0910_new_nissan_small_car_coming_to_americanissan-global-compact-car-rear.jpgTrue

Amid repeated promises from new president Akio Toyoda that it will start making exciting cars to pull itself out of its slump, Toyota officially unveiled the FT-86 concept edition of its 2012 “affordable” compact rear-drive sport coupe at the 2009 Tokyo show.inline_mediumwraptextright30819192/auto_news/112_0910_toyota_ft_86_could_get_celica_nametoyota-ft-86-concept-front-three-quarter.jpgTrue

SENTRA
Nissan's familial grille and some new wheels are about all that separate the 2010's facade from the 2009's, but the big news with the Sentra is money -- as in how much you'll save. Depending on trim level, Nissan has dropped Sentra prices from $130 to $1100, despite the addition of standard VDC (SE-Rs also get standard traction control). An integrated Bosch nav system with 5.0-inch screen is available for $400 (late availability) and can be paired with an optional back-up camera.inline_mediumwraptextright2010 Nissan Sentra30909432/auto_news/112_0910_2010_nissan_sedan_updates2010-nissan-sentra-front-motion.jpgTrue

HONDA'S "HELLO" NETWORK AIMS AT LOWERING CO2inline_mediumwraptextrightHonda EV-N30727161/auto_shows/tokyo/2009/112_0909_honda_cr_z_concept_2009_official_photoshonda-EV-N-front-three-quarter.jpgTrue

Fuel efficiency has been slipping on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze even before its North American debut. A couple years ago, then-General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced the car would achieve 42 mpg highway with a manual transmission. Since then, GM officials have toned that down just slightly, to "about 40 mpg" on the EPA highway loop. Whatever the actual mileage, the Cruze will achieve it with a 1.4-liter turbo four. But that new engine will be an option over the base 1.8-liter normally aspirated four that powers the European-market Cruze already on sale.inline_mediumwraptextright25147372/auto_news/112_0912_chevrolet_cruze_impalachevrolet-cruze-front-view.jpgTrue

When General Motors entered negotiations to sell a majority stake in its long-time European brands, Opel and Vauxhall, it worried those who remembered how Chrysler Corporation's Carter-era government loans forced it to sell off foreign interests and concentrate on North American production. Could GM become a regional automaker?

In line with the zero emissions focus of its alliance partner Renault, who revealed four electric vehicle (EV) concepts at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, Nissan's 2009 Tokyo Motor Show mix will include two EVs -- the already revealed LEAF, and the Land Glider Concept. Also at the Nissan stand will be the production-ready Fuga (Infiniti M), the stylish two-door Qazana crossover, and a soon to be released 660cc minicar, the Roox.inline_mediumwraptextright25398272/auto_news/112_0910_nissan_at_2009_tokyo_auto_shownissan-land-glider-concept-front.jpgTrue

To help show-goers understand their focus, every Japanese automaker comes to the Tokyo Motor Show with a deep and meaningful 'theme.' And Suzuki is no exception. Under the catchphrase "Small cars, big future," the compact car giant will display a selection of low-carbon concepts, production-ready cars and motorcycles. As Japan's top seller of compact cars, with the Wagon R minicar being its biggest success to date, Suzuki feels that it's time to redefine the 'K-car' -- aka 660cc minicar -- on one side of the coin, and show off its zero emissions technology on the other.inline_mediumwraptextrightSuzuki Alto26564056/auto_news/112_1009_suzuki_marches_toward_zero_emissionsAlto_front_three_quarters.jpgTrue

Say what? A Buick Mini fighter? The set of Buick Avant design study illustrations recently revealed at the General Motors Lab Web site showcased several styling directions a new premium Buick small car might take.inline_mediumwraptextright30762183/auto_news/112_0910_buick_mini_fighterbuick-premium-concept-side-view-driver.jpgTrue

Land Rover has confirmed what we've known pretty much since the Detroit auto show in January 2008: it will build a production version of the LRX concept. The production version will make its auto show debut late next year -- possibly at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show -- and launch in North America and Western Europe, more or less simultaneously, as a 2011 model. For now, it will be a two-door luxury crossover. A four-door version is an all but confirmed certainty later on.inline_mediumwraptextright26422165/auto_news/112_0909_land_rover_range_rover_lrx_confirmedrange-rover-LRX-front-three-quarter-rendreing.jpgTrue

GM design chief Ed Welburn confirmed to us at the Frankfurt Show that the Camaro Z28 program is back on track. As we reported back in April, the Z28 was basically completed, with the design signed off, but the final engineering and certification work was put on hold as GM's financial situation spun out of control.inline_mediumwraptextright26325676/auto_news/112_0909_chevrolet_camaro_z28_is_gochevrolet-camaro-z28-illustration.jpgTrue

Even though Ford's small cars are going global, the European versions are breaking cover ahead of the North American versions. We've caught the five-door hatchback version of the 2011 Focus but not the four-door sedan that will be the bread-and-butter compact in North America (there will be no more two-door coupe). It's the same situation with the Focus-based C-Max multi-activity vehicle, which makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show September 15.inline_mediumwraptextright25331365/auto_news/112_0909_ford_c_max_unveiling_at_frankfurt2012-ford-c-max-front-three-quarters-view.jpgTrue

In an attempt to prod some good-news reporting out of us automedia types, Chrysler LLC held a unique technology press event at its Auburn Hills Tech Center attended by not only the product development EVP Frank Klegon and several of his direct-report veeps, but also president Tom LaSorda, vice chairman Jim Press, and his boss Bob Nardelli. The hourly value of the gathered talent on this one afternoon probably would've paid for a 30-second spot on "Late Night" with Letterman, but it would've just been TiVo'd out anyway. We were introduced to and allowed to experience several announced and pending product innovations the brass assert will help keep Chrysler operating on the industry's leading edge even as the company's headcount shrinks.

Today's C6 Corvette is arguably one of the better designs the brand has ever worn-aggressive, raked, and scientifically sculpted to cheat and exploit the wind. But no matter how successful GM Design Staff's final shape is, there will always be those who feel the need to tamper with it. One of the better firms currently filling that need is Troy, Michigan-based Specter Werkes/Sports. The company provides engineering, design, and prototyping services to the auto industry, but founder Jeff Nowicki's first love is racing and tuning Corvettes. His last magnum opus was the C5 GTR, some 30 copies of which were produced starting in 1998, powered by a 424-horse Katech-modified LS1 V-8 stroked to 6.3 liters.

Like its less powerful SLK siblings, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is newly refined with a number of subtle changes more apparent from the driver's seat than from an exterior visual standpoint.

Chevrolet has revealed two Corvette variants that will serve as pace cars at the 2008 Indy 500 -- a custom Z06 that runs on E85 ethanol that will be driven by two-time Indy 500 champ Emerson Fittipaldi, and a 30th anniversary Corvette that commemorates the Corvette's first appearance as a pace car at the 1978 Indy 500.

Jaguar has gone outside the box with nearly every aspect of the XF. Its look is fresh and bold. The interior design and technology are anything but retro. Unlike its competitors from Germany, there's no six-cylinder "base" model sold in the U.S. Perhaps trying to focus more beginner buyers toward the updated-for-2008 X-Type, you'll find no fewer than eight cylinders beneath an XF bonnet.

Toyota returns to its compact-truck roots with its latest concept vehicle A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) making its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in January. The A-BAT uses a hybrid powertrain reported to provide modern versatility, roominess, and style for a new kind of buyer.

It's called Furai, and designer Franz von Holzhausen says it's supposed to look like streamers fluttering in the wind. It's the fifth concept in Mazda's Nagare (flow) series and the visual realization of zoom zoom. If you say so, Franz.