ON THE TABLE

January 16, 2013

 Sergio Marchionne. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Telling the assembled media how great the new Alfa Romeo will be - now officially the unicorn brand of the auto industry, by the way - he said, "I cannot come up with a schlock product, I just won't. I won't put an American engine into that car. With all due respect to my American friends, it needs to be a wop engine. There are some things that are well-done in Italy." Really, Sergio? Have you secretly attended the Dan Akerson school of insulting your own product development troops? And wait a minute, aren't you and your marketing boy, Olivier "I'm a genius just ask me" Francois, the guys who spend half their time in your commercials lecturing us Americans on how to be Americans? Wow. What a monumentally stupid statement and a dick-ish move. There's just no other way of explaining it. - PMD

Nissan. Well, the new show "fragrance" - labeled thé vert oriental in French -  unveiled in Detroit that the brand hoped would become its trademark smell was a nonstarter. But at least Nissan's zoomy new display looked really good.

 GM. In a frantic rush to answer Nissan's show fragrance, GM operatives came up with a smell of their own that would be comforting to Captain Queeg and his Telecomie minions at the Detroit show, so as you walked through GM's vast display a slight whiff of burnt wires could be discerned.

 Bob Ferguson. GM's newly anointed head of global Cadillac was all shiny and happy at the unveiling of the ELR. He spent most of his time telling us how great Cadillac was going to be, and that he would lead the brand to the automotive Promised Land. "That's why I'm here," he said, cheerfully. Thanks, Bob, because for a second there we thought an Amway meeting was about to break out.

 Dan Akerson. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The fact that Captain Queeg feels compelled to comment about product is one of his most annoying traits. His latest missive? He called the new Corvette "one of the most beautiful cars" the company has ever made. And that is a true - and safe - statement, but does he have even half a clue as to what the other "most beautiful cars" in GM history might be? No, of course not, but he just can't let the True Believers in the Corvette program and at GM Design have their day in the sun without weighing in, can he? Not even for one minute. Alas, I don't call him the "Accidental Tourist" of a CEO for nothing. - PMD

 Acura. They showed the NSX concept. Again. For the second year in a row. And since it's not hitting showrooms until 2015, we'll probably see it in the next two Detroit Auto Shows as well. Memo to Ford: Take copious notes from Acura on how it's not done and apply those lessons learned to the upcoming intros for the new Mustang and the F-150 Atlas pickup. Please. Because we don't want to be sick of those two vehicles before they even hit the streets.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Get more videos from the Detroit Auto Show at our local NBC affiliate, WDIV Channel 4, here. - PMD

(BMW)
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed the launch of its next model, Rolls-Royce Wraith. The launch will revive one of the most famous Rolls-Royce names that was first used in 1938. The ethereal name Wraith "perfectly expresses the character of the new Rolls-Royce," according to the luxury automaker. “Wraith alludes to an almost imperceptible but powerful force, something rare, agile and potent, a spirit that will not be tethered to the earth. It is the perfect name for our new model,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The car will be presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5, 2013, with first deliveries to customers expected in the fourth quarter of 2013. "Wraith will be the most dynamic, powerful and beautiful Rolls-Royce in the company’s history. It is a breathtaking car that will set a new benchmark in the ultra-luxury segment and will reaffirm the position of Rolls-Royce at the absolute pinnacle of automotive luxury," according to the automaker.

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