Report: Did BMW and Mercedes engage in a game of sales chicken?

Filed under: Car Buying , Europe , Plants/Manufacturing , BMW , Mercedes-Benz , Earnings/Financials , Luxury BMW and Mercedes-Benz took a bit longer than other manufacturers to report their final sales figures for 2011, and some analysts believe the delay may have something to do with the fact that both automakers were vying for the sales crown among luxury makes. Long-time champion Lexus suffered production setbacks at the hands of the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan last March, which left the door open for the two German companies to make a move for the top slot. In the end, Mercedes-Benz announced its numbers first.

More:
Report: Did BMW and Mercedes engage in a game of sales chicken?

Official: Lexus releases official LF-LC image

Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Coupe , Lexus Thanks to the folks at Road & Track , we got our first glimpse at the Detroit -bound Lexus LF-LC concept yesterday, and to follow suit, Lexus has released its first official image showing the new two-plus-two in all its glory. We don’t know much about the new coupe, except that the design was “crafted from a clean sheet of paper,” and that “the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine.” Alright then. We’ve suggested that the LF-LC could be a Lexus LS-based coupe to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL and BMW 6 Series , but we won’t know exactly what’s in store until the concept car is revealed next month.

Read the original post:
Official: Lexus releases official LF-LC image

Autoblog Podcast #260

Filed under: Podcasts , Acura , BMW , Buick , Chevrolet , Dodge , Infiniti , Land Rover , Scion , Fiat Dodge Dart teased, Scion FR-S First Drive, Fiat 500 crash test, Acura NSX and ILX, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Episode #260 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach this week. Topics include the teaser images Chrysler has released of the 2012 Dodge Dart, our first drive of the Scion FR-S, the Fiat 500 crash test aftermath, A new Acura NSX and ILX, and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel , thanks for taking the time.

http://www.autoblog.com/podcasts/12-13-11-autoblog-E260.mp3

Read the original here:
Autoblog Podcast #260

Official: Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll]

Filed under: Sedan , Performance , Videos , BMW , Design/Style , Luxury We got our first taste of the 2013 6 Series Gran Coupe this weekend, but BMW has since released over 100 new photos of the car, plus some video. We’ve got all the images right here in one monstrous gallery , which also includes some behind-the-scenes shots of the car during development. (Yes, we love seeing BMW stylists’ sculpting clay.) The video is after the jump , so get clicking, then be sure to participate in our poll below. View Poll Continue reading Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll] Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Read more here:
Official: Pics Aplenty: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe [w/video and poll]

Official: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes its debut

Filed under: Sedan , Geneva Motor Show , BMW , Design/Style , Luxury Better late than never, right? We’re now on the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS , the luxury sedan that kicked off the whole “four-door coupe” craze. Since then, Volkswagen countered with the CC , Porsche launched the Panamera , and Audi won us over with its A7 . So what about BMW

See the article here:
Official: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe makes its debut

Report: New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first

Filed under: Coupe , Sedan , Performance , BMW , Luxury Typically, when BMW releases a new M3 , it launches it in coupe form first. (In fact, sales of the M3 sedan have, in North America at least, slowed to such an extent that BMW NA was tempted to stop bringing it here altogether.) But not the new model – according to the latest intel, the next-gen M3 will arrive in four-door guise first. Sources indicate a couple of reasons for that: First, the new 3 Series (pictured above in M Sport guise) on which it’ll be based has so far has only come out in sedan form.

Follow this link:
Report: New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first