JANUARY 16, 2019

Phoebe Wall Howard, The Detroit Free Press. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Phoebe Wall Howard's lengthy - probably 7,500 words - cover story on Kumar Galholtra, the new president of Ford North America in the Sunday edition of the Freep was a remarkable piece in a number of ways. The inside story is that it almost didn't happen, as Galholtra wasn't sure he was all that interesting of a subject. (He is, of course; frankly he's the most interesting top-level executive at Ford.) Howard pressed for the story against all odds, and fortunately she was granted the kind of access that is absolutely essential to pull this kind of piece off. Galholtra was presented as "a man of the people," the kind of new breed of multi-dimensional executive that will play a key role in the future of Ford. How key? Read between the lines - and seeing Galholtra's presence at the Ford show on Monday - this piece reveals that internally Galholtra is being considered as a future replacement for Jim Hackett, a CEO who has distinguished himself for doing nothing in particular. So that's the rest of the story, keep your eye on Galholtra, he is ascending in the Ford-ness of it all. -PMD 

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Cadillac has unveiled the 2020 XT6 crossover at the Detroit Auto Show. Not as big as the King Kong Escalade. but bigger than the brand's XT5, this all-new three-row crossover shares underpinnings with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. Given that, why did it take so long to get to market? Only GM knows for sure, but if Johan de Nysschen had had this product entry in-market eighteen months ago, he'd probably still be there. The Stuff: The new XT6 "offers a comprehensive suite of standard and available driver assistance and safety technologies, along with generous cargo capacity," according to Cadillac PR minions. Premium Luxury and Sport models offer customers more customized looks with distinctive exterior and interior trim, so there's that. The overall design language of the XT6 is consistent with the new, contemporary Cadillac design signature, meaning, the front end is somewhat interesting, and then it looks like the designers phoned it in the rest of the way, with nothing worth talking about from the other angles. Uninspired doesn't even begin to cover it, let's just say that this SUV is a major design disappointment. Power comes from GM's now obligatory 3.6L DOHC V6 engine with 310HP (231 kW) backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission featuring next-generation Electronic Precision Shift. Active Fuel Management technology enables V-4 operation when V-6 power is not required. But where is the signature Cadillac power that would distinguish this SUV from its GM siblings? Like a twin-turbo V6 with 400HP+? I mean, WTF? I am not going to regurgitate all of the features on the XT6 because it will bore me (and you) to death. Suffice to say, it has everything you'd expect in the competitive segment. But the fact that Cadillac is sticking to its nonsensical naming regimen is a huge turn-off to me and borderline absurd, as in, really? That's the best they can do? Will they sell it? In this SUV/Crossover/Truck-obsessed market we're living in, if they don't I will be shocked. But any outcome is possible with the stumblebums in GM marketing. The 2020 XT6 will be manufactured in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and available for ordering this spring (meaning you'll see it in showrooms mid- to late-summer, at best). Pricing and additional information will be announced closer to the start of production. This just in: Cadillac is in serious, big-time trouble. -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.

(Ford images)
Ford introduced the all-new new 2020 Ford Explorer in Detroit last week. 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.