Redesigned Cadillac introduced at auto show

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp. introduced its redesigned Cadillac CTS on Monday. The four-door sport luxury sedan is being built in Lansing and is to be released in the fall as a 2008 model.

A new engine choice is a 300-horsepower direct-injection version of the CTS’s 3.6-litre V6. Cadillac will offer rear- or all-wheel drive versions of the vehicle.

The CTS has a larger sunroof that offers a view of the sky to passengers in both the front and back seats. Sculpted fenders emphasize the car’s wider track, and a side air extractor, a styling element from Cadillac’s past, has been added.

Inside is a new design theme with metallic finishes, chrome accents and available wood. Instrument panels and door trims are hand-crafted, Cadillac officials said.

Mazda unveils new flex-fuel concept car

DETROIT (AP) — Mazda Motor Corp. showed off a sporty, sleek-looking car Monday with its introduction of the Mazda Ryuga flex-fuel concept vehicle.

The ultra-low-slung Ryuga features a 2.5-litre flex-fuel engine that can use either gasoline or E85, a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline. It has a six-speed automatic drive train and headlights that use advanced LED and fluorescent tube technology.

Each side has a large, gull-winged door that allows access to both the front and rear seats. The Ryuga, which is Japanese for "gracious flow," resembles a two-seater on the outside but actually seats four.

There are no immediate plans to release the Ryuga, although Mazda plans to incorporate many of its advanced features in other vehicles.

Auto dealers head says U.S. consumers win again

DETROIT (AP) — Mike Jackson, head of the largest U.S. auto dealership group, loves what he’s seeing at the North American International Auto Show.

"The American consumers win again," he said Monday after spending some time on the show’s floor in Detroit.

Jackson, chief executive of Auto-Nation Inc., said he is impressed with the new technology unveiled at the show as well as the car and truck designs.

He said the Chevrolet Volt, an electric car prototype unveiled by General Motors Corp. on Sunday, could make history once battery technology hurdles are overcome.

The Volt, which can travel 65 kilometres on its battery and has a small gasoline engine to power the car and recharge it after that, could be the solution to high gasoline prices.

"Technical solutions are on the way," he said.