ON THE TABLE - JANUARY 22, 2014

  Fiat-Chrysler. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Now that The Great Sergio has brilliantly engineered one of the grand thefts of the modern techno-industrial age by absconding with Chrysler for around $6 billion, all in, thus saving (at least for now) that Monument to Automotive Mediocrity - aka Fiat - from certain oblivion, the hand-wringing by the media has begun as to what the new company will be called, where it will be located, what its stock symbol will be, etc., etc., etc. Since Sergio Motors would be too much even for Sergio's considerable ego (although admittedly it does have a nice ring to it), here's what will happen: 1. It will be called Fiat-Chrysler, with or without the word "Motors" attached to it and with or without the "-". What, do you think it will be called Chrysler-Fiat? Not a chance. 2. And don't kid yourselves, folks, because this new corporate entity will be controlled from Auburn Hills, period. Oh, Sergio is already talking a good game about how power travels and how in this modern technologically connected world the notion of a "headquarters" is obsolete, but the Italians got into this for the money, pure and simple. Not for the noble notions of doing The Right Thing for the people of Chrysler or for this region, no, but for the ca$h-ola that the relentless bumblers at Fiat couldn't generate anymore (well, except for Ferrari, although all signs indicate that given enough time they may screw that up too).  And where do those piles of money originate? Not in a bunch of Fiat 500s, I can assure you. No, the cash machine is in Auburn Hills, from the sales of Jeeps and Ram Trucks right here in the good old U.S. market. So whatever Sergio and his minions tell the media to assuage feelings back at home don't you dare believe it for one second. Fiat-Chrysler will be run by the Italian interlopers camped out in Auburn Hills, and as long as the cash keeps flowing from Jeeps and Ram Trucks, it will be a beautiful, espresso-fueled world. - PMD

  Infiniti. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Nissan's luxury division is considering a more aggressive sub-brand here in the U.S. that will allow it to follow in the path of Mercedes AMG and BMW's M cars. That's a predictable desire, but the question remains whether or not Nissan even has the chops to pull it off. Infiniti's current product lineup is devoid of expressive, alluring cars, and its fundamental design integrity suffers from the disease that's affecting all of Nissan and Infiniti design right now - and that is the fact that it veers from flat-out embarrassing (Nissan Sports Sedan Concept) to relentlessly uninspired (Infiniti Eau Rouge Concept). Jump-starting Infiniti has become one of the most daunting challenges in the business right now and on every level too - product, design, engineering and marketing. Where Infiniti is as opposed to where it wants to be is a huge leap, one that will take years - not quarters - to rectify. One wonders how long Infiniti dealers will keep buying into this program, especially when they're looking at their watches every five minutes already? - PMD

(Images courtesy of The Lincoln Motor Company)

Lincoln will introduce the new 2015 Navigator at the Chicago Auto Show on February 6. A classic entry in the full-size luxury SUV segment since the late 1990s, the freshened Navigator offers nearly two dozen upgrades from the current model, from a redesigned exterior - incorporating Lincoln’s split-wing grille - to an updated, more luxurious interior. A new, more powerful 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 engine is projected to deliver at least 370 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque and offer best-in-class towing. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Lincoln’s SelectShift. The vehicle is available in both four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive configurations, and like its predecessor, the 2015 Navigator will be available in standard-length (207.4 inches) and extended-length (222.3 inches) versions. The Reserve Package introduces a new level of refinement inside and out, from its 22-inch polished aluminum wheels to the extensive use of ultra-luxurious leather on all three rows of seats, armrests, center console and transmission shifter, plus the use of Ziricote wood trim, a natural-grain wood most commonly used in yachts. “Navigator has retained some of the most loyal following in the segment for more than a decade,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Ford global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. “Among Lincoln owners, more than 70 percent have been return customers – purchasing the vehicle for its power, for its beauty and for its capability, and this new Navigator gives them more on all three fronts.” The 2015 Navigator will be in Lincoln showrooms early this fall. 

(Nissan images)

Nissan has announced pricing for the 2015 Nissan GT-R as follows - Premium: $101,770 USD; GT-R Black Edition: $111,510 USD and GT-R Track Edition: $115,710 USD. The major changes for the 2015 Nissan GT-R include a recalibrated suspension for a more sophisticated ride and better road holding; enhanced exterior appearance with LED headlight technology and distinctive front and rear designs – plus a carbon fiber trunk lid on Track Edition models; a more premium interior feel with enhanced appointments and improved quietness, including a standard Bose® Active Noise Cancellation system and a carbon-style instrument cluster and new Ivory interior color option (with Premium Edition). The GT-R Premium and GT-R Black Edition grades are on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. The GT-R Track Edition and a fourth grade level, the new GT-R NISMO, are scheduled to join the lineup in summer 2014 – with GT-R NISMO pricing to be announced closer to that time.