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North American Auto News 5/8/95 (2/2)




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16  Land Rover.  Baby sport ute still under wraps.  Car talk.
    Detroit News | p 1D | 95:05:03

Land Rover Ltd's new "baby" sport utility vehicle, Project CB40, will
function as an off roader and a "people mover."  It will cost between
US$30,000 and US$40,000 and will be marketed mainly in North America in the
fall of 1997.  The US version will be powered by a DOHC 2.5L V6 engine that
produces 165 hp, and the engine is linked to an electronic 4 speed
automatic transmission.

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17  Saab-Scania to recall total of 26,467 cars for range of problems.
    Wall Street Journal | p A4 | 95:05:01

Due to a range of problems on its 900 and 9000 models, Saab-Scania AB is
recalling 26,467 of these vehicles.  Of the recalled vehicles, 12,091
1992-1994 Saab 9000s need to be inspected by the dealers for possible
corrosion on the antilock braking system's (ABS) pressure switch terminal
connection.  Owners of these vehicles will be notified in June 1995.  Also,
8,993 1994 - 1995 Saab 900 5 door and coupe models with manual
transmissions will  be recalled to repair a pair of faulty washers in the
gearbox that causes slack in the shift linkage, which could make the
reverse gear inoperable.  Over 5,000 early production 1995 900 models
equipped with 2.3L 4 cylinder engines could have a problem that can result
in engine idle fluctuation.  Dealers will update engine management system
control modules in July 1995.

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18  Bit players in Seoul.  Importers gain foothold in Korean market, auto
    show.
    Automotive News | n 5602 p 3, 45 | 95:05:01

The Seoul Motor Show, which begins on May 3, 1995, and runs for 1 week, is
a sign that the Korean government might not be discouraging imports,
according to David Jerome, vice president of GM Korea.  The Korean
government has blocked imports in the past by "threatening to audit the
taxes of imported car buyers and requiring a special 'O' license plate for
non Korean vehicles."  Korea no longer uses these tactics, but Korean car
buyers might still be afraid of the negative image of buying imported
vehicles, even though imported vehicle sales have increased over 50%
through March 1995, from the same period in 1994.  Importers are upset at
the amount of space they have been given at the show, which is about 10% of
the space given the Korean automakers.  The Korea Automobile Manufacturers
Association says that the show was originally planned as a domestic only
event, but the plan was revised to include a pilot for an international
show it hopes to have in 1997.  Hyundai Motor Co Ltd will display its
HCD-III concept sport utility vehicle (SUV), a wagon version of its
Elantra, a step up version of its Sonata, and its FGV-I, which is a hybrid
electric vehicle.  Kia Motors Corp will introduce its new G-car, a 2.0L
engined midsized sedan, and its KMX-3; and it will show the KEV-4, a hybrid
concept car that runs off an 800cc gasoline engine and 50 kilowatt electric
motor.  Daewoo Motor Co will show its Bucrane sedan concept car, and
Ssangyong Motor will introduce its Istan commercial van, codeveloped with
Mercedes-Benz AG.  General Motors Corp will show its Blazer, Camaro,
Corvette, and Cadillac STS, which it hopes to start selling in Korea in
1995; and it will show its special edition Cadillac Concours, which
includes rear adjustable seats, reading lamp, rear audio controls, and
writing desk.  Ford Motor Co will show the Ford Mustang, Explorer, and
Windstar, as well as the Mercury Sable (currently sold in Korea through
Kia), and the Lincoln Town Car.  Chrysler Corp will display its Caravan,
LHS, Stratus, and Viper.

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19  Honda advances plan for bigger minivan for US.
    Automotive News | n 5602 p 10 | 95:05:01

Honda Motor Co is considering a "full sized" minivan to complement its new
Odyssey.  The minivan would be equipped with a V6 engine, and "be larger
than the Accord based Odyssey."  According to Tomoyuki Sugiyama, an
executive chief engineer for product planning of the Accord and its
derivatives, the full sized minivan would be made at a new or renovated US
plant.  Honda has yet to approve the project.  The new minivan could
feasibly be ready in 3 years, according to Sugiyama, and some suppliers
believe that it could be ready by 1998.  There is only speculation as to
where the new plant would be, what platform the new minivan would use, and
what manufacturing processes would be used.  Includes a front three quarter
photograph of the Honda Odyssey EX.

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20  Suzuki introduces new Esteem into jam packed sedan segment.
    Automotive News | n 5602 p 18 | 95:05:01

In early May 1995, American Suzuki Motor Corp will unveil its first
subcompact 4 door sedan - the Esteem.  The Esteem GL, the base model, is
priced at US$11,399, and the step up GLX model is US$12,699.  An optional
package would increase the GLX price to US$14,399 and would include air
conditioning, antilock brakes, and cruise control.  For an automatic
transmission, US$1,000 will be added to all models.  The Esteem is expected
to compete with the Geo Prizm, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan
Sentra.  It features a "snub nosed" hoodline and a short rear deck and,
according to Suzuki, it has the largest interior volume in its class (97.5
cu ft).  It is powered by a 1.6L 16V 4 cylinder engine that produces 98 hp
and 96 lb-ft of torque and gets an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg
on the highway.  It has front and rear independent suspension with
MacPherson struts and rack and pinion steering.  The GL comes with standard
dual air bags, intermittent windshield wipers, a standard trip meter, power
steering, rear window defogger, and tinted glass.  The GLX comes with those
standard features, plus power windows, door locks, and mirrors; split
folding rear seats; a stereo cassette player; and colored keyed bumpers.
Includes side and rear three quarter photographs.



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