The Chicago auto show comes hot on the heels of Detroit, but it is traditionally the place where import brands make major debuts. Only Toyota and Hyundai had global launches of all-new models.
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Toyota proved this point. It showed the all new Tundra, which replaces the first evolution of the model first launched in 1999 as a 2000 model. The new Tundra will arrive in showrooms early in 2007, and will be built at two US plants, the existing Princeton, Indiana plant and the new San Antonio, Texas plant. The new model is larger than its predecessor and will have a choice of three engines – a new 5.7 litre V8, a 4.7 litre V8 and a 4.0 litre V6, all built at Toyota’s engine plant in Alabama.
Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, launched the 2007 ES. :Lexus hopes to sell around 70,000 units of this model a year.
Hyundai launched the Entourage MPV, aimed at the Honda Odyssey. The Entourage is based on the new Kia Sedona platform and is produced in South Korea. Hyundai had planned not to offer a minivan and instead focus on the new Santa Fe SUV , built at its new plant in Alabama. A second as yet unnamed model is just going into production at the plant will be a six-person crossover vehicle. Meanwhile Kia showed a crossover concept called MultiS.
The Big Three did have some new things to offer. Ford announced that the Zephyr will be renamed MKZ, in line with a new policy for all Lincoln models to adopt MK* names.
Dodge showed a new pick-up concept called the Rampage, designed to combine the functional benefits of a truck with more striking, car-like design, while Chevrolet showed an up-dated Avalanche.
Other revamps included a new interior for the Nissan Quest.
