JANUARY 9, 2019

   Mark Reuss. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The leader of GM's True Believers has been elevated to be president of the company. Reuss, who currently leads GM's Global Product Group and Cadillac, will now assume responsibility for the Quality organization. “Mark’s global operational experience, deep product knowledge and strong leadership will serve us well as we continue to strengthen our current business, take advantage of growth opportunities and further define the future of personal mobility,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Mark has played a critical role in leading the development of the company’s award-winning vehicles while transitioning his team to prepare for growing electrification and autonomous technologies.” Reuss is one of the most passionate and engaging product people in this business, and he has led GM's True Believers in Design, Engineering and Product Development for years. In that time GM has unleashed some exceptional vehicles into the market, only to be consistently let down by the piss-poor marketing efforts that have become GM's calling card. The lack of a Chief Marketing Officer and a cohesive plan is absolutely killing the company and its products in the market. If Reuss wants to change this, I would recommend initiating an immediate search for a CMO, a true image-wrangler of the first order. Then I would have all of the company's image efforts - including marketing, advertising and PR - report to that person. GM's image, despite some excellent products, is on the ropes. This needs to change right now. -PMD

   FCA. The automaker will pay around $800 million to settle lawsuits from the U.S. Justice Department and diesel owners over claims it used illegal software to allow 104,000 diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions, according to Reuters. The company still faces an ongoing criminal investigation by the Justice Department. Time of your lives, eh kids?

   Porsche. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Yes, it stopped being the little sports car company that could a long time ago, but just how successful is Porsche? The automaker formerly known as a builder of exclusive sports cars sold 256,255 vehicles worldwide in 2018 - the highest total in its history. This represents a growth of four percent compared to the previous record the year before. Panamera recorded an increase of 38 percent to 38,443. Deliveries of the 911 increased by ten percent to 35,573 vehicles. The Macan was still the most successful model by volume with 86,031 vehicles, just ahead of the Cayenne with 71,458 deliveries. Porsche sales grew twelve percent in its biggest market - China - to 80,108 units. In the United States - Porsche's second largest market - sales increased three percent to 57,202 vehicles. Deliveries in Europe were slightly below the previous year's figures. Porsche's immense profits fuel its sports car and racing programs, and its new BEV programs as well, starting with the Taycan. But where does Porsche go from here? It is the second most profitable automaker in the world - after Ferrari - and unless the powers that be there completely screw things up, its upward trajectory will continue. But there's no question that Porsche is a different company now and its burgeoning success is undeniably altering its image in real time as well. The old timer Porsche enthusiasts are slowly fading away, so it behooves Porsche operatives to continue to fiercely defend the brand's image any way they can. A tall order to be sure, and a giant "we'll see." -PMD

(Infiniti images)
Get ready for electric-vehicles-all-the-time from here on out. Infiniti will preview the brand's electrified future when it unveils its new QX Inspiration concept at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show next week. The concept represents the direction for Infiniti’s future high-performance electrified vehicles, according to its PR minions.

(Porsche images)
The eighth-generation Porsche 911 debuted in Los Angeles late last year, and now Porsche is taking the wraps off its latest generation of the 911 Carrera S and 4S Cabriolet. Similar to the new 911 Coupe, both the 911 Carrera S and 4S Cabriolet have the wider body adopted from the previous generation 911 Carrera 4 and GTS models. The flat-six turbocharged engines make 443HP in the S models and power is delivered by a new eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The PASM Sport Suspension featuring stiffer springs and sway bars as well as a 0.39 inch (10 mm) lower ride height is optionally available on the new 911 Carrera S and 4S Cabriolet models for the first time. The new 911 Cabriolets feature a solid glass rear window and integrated magnesium support elements, and the automatic fabric top opens or closes in approximately 12 seconds at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.

(Ford images)
Ford introduced the all-new new 2020 Ford Explorer in Detroit tonight (1/9). It's lighter, leaner and stronger, according to Ford PR minions due to the fact that it's - finally - on an all-new rear-wheel-drive unibody architecture. Improved off-road capability for the new Explorer comes from its intelligent four-wheel drive and an available new Terrain Management SystemTM that features seven drive modes. Powertrain offerings include a 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 projected to produce 365HP and 380 lb.-ft. of torque using 93-octane gas, making it the most powerful Explorer ever. The Explorer lineup now features standard, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST and Platinum models.

(Lexus images)
The Lexus LC coupe made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show three years ago, and now the brand will take the wraps off its LC Convertible Concept in Detroit next week. Lexus PR minions are calling it an "aspirational halo vehicle for the entire Lexus lineup." “This concept takes the unmistakable design of the LC coupe and reimagines it as a future convertible,” said Tadao Mori, chief designer of the LC Convertible concept. “It blends all the best aspects of the original coupe with the dynamic design of an open-air convertible.” Chances of production? 100 percent.