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As the Big 3 CEOs come under fire from Congress, FoMoCo dealers are showing support for their leader by writing a letter to Congress. Ford and Lincoln/Mercury dealers are defending Mulally and asking government to provide assistance to help stabilize the auto industry, reports Automotive News.

50 dealers wrote in the letter sent in by Brian Jarret, chairman of Ford council. "Since he's been here, he has been transforming Ford and doing the kind of things that the lawmakers say that the industry needs to do," Jarrett said. "I just don't think he's getting the credit he deserves." 

Follow the jump to read the letter and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Letter from Dealers:

As Chairmen of the Ford National Dealer Council and the Lincoln Mercury National Dealer Council, we would like to pass along our support for Alan Mulally and the Ford management team. The commentary on our industry has been highly critical of past management's mistakes and some have called for the removal of current management. While we can't speak for our competitors, we can say that during the last two years under Alan's management we have seen a complete transformation of Ford Motor Company. Our product is at an all time high with regards to quality and we are rapidly transforming from a Company largely dependent upon trucks and SUVs to a company delivering world class fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars, the same cars that Ford has proven as winners in other parts of the world.

Since Alan's arrival we all have been working under the One Ford plan which aggressively restructured the Company while accelerating the development of new products that our customers want and value. Our product led initiative was gaining traction until this year's credit and housing crisis deflated our progress. We have all been impacted by the significant challenges in the economy and we know that further deterioration of the auto industry would be catastrophic for not only the Dealers but the local economies as well. Dealers represent some of the largest employers in cities and towns all across America. The demise of the industry would be devastating from coast to coast. It is critical that government assistance be given to help stabilize the industry and help us emerge from the current recession and credit crisis.

The Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealer Councils stand behind Ford management and the One Ford plan as the right strategy to make Ford Motor Company once again a world class leader in automobile manufacturing.

Sincerely,

Brian Jarrett
Chairman, Ford National Dealer Council
Jarrett Gordon Ford, Winter Haven, FL
In Business since 1978

Mike Adamson
Chairman, Lincoln Mercury National Dealer Council
Adamson Lincoln Mercury,
Rochester, MN
In Business since 1990

2009 Ford and Lincoln Mercury National Dealer Council Members

Over the weekend we saw a 'leak' of the 2010 Porsche Panamera. We still have no idea when Porsche originally planned to reveal the car but the Stuttgart automaker has decided to drop the press release along with a new video of its new four-door Gran Turismo.

The fourth-model in the Porsche lineup will be available in three different versions including Panamera Turbo, Panamera 4S and the Panamera Hybrid which will arrive in 2010. Porsche says that the V engines will be available with 6 and 8 cylinders with output ranging from 300 to 500-hp. All models are mated to a 6-speed manual or the new 7-speed automatic double clutch gearbox - otherwise known as PDK (Porsche-Doppelkupplung). In addition to rear-wheel-drive, the 2010 Porsche Panamera will be available with all-wheel-drive.

The new Panamera will be built at Porsche's Leipzig plant with an annual sales target of 20,000 units. The first 2010 Panamera models will arrive in dealerships in late summer of next year.

Follow the jump for the high-res photo gallery and a video of the 2010 Panamera in action.

2010 Porsche Panamera:

Press Release:

Porsche Presents First Photos of Four-Door Panamera Gran Turismo

Stuttgart. Roughly nine months before the actual market launch, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has released the first official photos of the Panamera in its final look. In its design, profile and silhouette, Porsche's unique four-seater stands out clearly as a new member of the Porsche family. Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, the Panamera combines numerous talents in typical Porsche style: sporting driving dynamics, a generous and variable interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo. Joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars as well as the sporty SUV Cayenne, the Panamera is Porsche's fourth model series.

The designers of the Panamera have succeeded in positioning this unique car as a brand-new and truly different model while nevertheless retaining the looks of a typical Porsche. Through its proportions alone, the Panamera stands out clearly in its market segment: measuring 1931 millimetres or 76.0 inches in width, the Panamera is wider, and measuring 1418 millimetres or 55.8 inches in height, lower than comparable four-door models. The unmistakable, sleek GT silhouette is created by the car's overall length of 4970 millimetres or 195.7 inches and short, sporting overhangs front and rear. In its styling and details, the Panamera follows the design philosophy refined over decades on the 911 and successfully implemented also on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.

Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment versus the competition. The symbiosis of sports car DNA derived from the looks of a coupé, the unique interpretation of the classical saloon body and the benefits of a variable space concept give the new Porsche its truly unmistakable appearance. As an example, the Panamera comes with highly individual, strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille. Striking wheel arches and the long and sleek engine compartment lid create that typical 911 "landscape" at the front end of the car the Porsche customer has appreciated for no less than 45 years, with the distinctly contoured wings as flanks bordering on the flat front lid. The V-shaped seams along the engine compartment lid and the rear window tapering out like an arrow to the rear convey the features characteristic of a sports car to the new, highly individual Panamera class. The striking, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roofline, and the visible tailpipes again bear out all the DNA so typical of a thoroughbred Porsche.

The elegant roof arch extends stylishly over the generous interior, simply begging the beholder to get inside. Like all Porsche models, the Panamera is oriented in every respect to the needs and wishes of the driver. But now, thanks to the new concept of space and the sporting architecture of the interior, the car's occupants are also able to experience this special "pilot feeling" on all four seats. All four occupants enjoy supreme ergonomic comfort on both the front seats and the two firmly contoured single seats at the rear. The luggage compartment easily takes up all the passengers' luggage. The variable space concept with its folding rear seat backrests enables the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually to their personal requirements. And last but not least, the coupé tailgate in the sporting rear end combines superior suitability for daily use with stylish elegance.

Porsche has developed superior and up-to-date power units for the Panamera again reflecting all the qualities typical of the brand – the V-engines within the engine compartment come with six and eight cylinders and range in power from 300 to 500 bhp. Some of the engines use turbocharger technology, Direct Fuel Injection making them both fuel-efficient and powerful all in one. The flow of power to the wheels goes either through a manual six-speed gearbox or the new seven-speed Double-Clutch Gearbox, the so called Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK).

In addition to sporting rear-wheel drive, the top version of the Panamera comes with even more sophisticated all-wheel drive, which is also available for the other versions as an option. As a further highlight, Porsche is preparing a particularly fuel-efficient version of the Panamera with hybrid drive. Further details on the engines, transmissions, performance, prices and equipment will be disclosed next spring.

The Porsche Panamera will be built at Porsche's Leipzig Plant, where a production hall measuring some 22,000 square metres or almost 237,000 square feet and a logistics centre are currently under construction. While the engines featured in the Panamera are built at Porsche's Main Plant in Zuffenhausen, the painted bodyshells will be supplied by the Volkswagen Plant in Hanover. The Leipzig Plant will then assemble the Panamera for final delivery, with an annual sales target of some 20,000 units. Porsche is once again cooperating largely with German suppliers in the production of the Panamera, with some 70 per cent of the car's overall value being created domestically. Hence, the Panamera is most definitely a car "Made in Germany".

The Panamera will be making its world debut in spring 2009 and the first models will be at dealers worldwide in late summer of next year.

The new battery-powered MINI E is very important to BMW - well at least its drivetrain and lithium-ion battery pack are. According to AutoExpress, while the MINI E plays a major role in BMW's conquest for a future zero-emissions range, it is not being considered for mass production.

Of the 500 units of the MINI E on the road, 450 will be sent back to BMW engineers after current owners complete their one-year leases. With engineering insight and customer feedback, BMW bosses will plan the perfect lineup of electric cars which will be more practical than the two-seater MINI E.

"As the rear seats and cargo carrying space are lost [because of the battery pack], the MINI is not a candidate for mass production," said a BMW spokesman. He said that the drivetrain is likely to appear on the 5-Series or 7-Series. The new electric-system will also find its way under the hood of the 3-Series and the X1 and X3 SUVs.

Check out our review of the 2009 MINI E.

Remember the Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV? Yes, it's the SUV you saw earlier this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and if you happened to join your significant other for the most popular chick flick of the year, Sex and the City, you saw some rich lady driving it too. If you're interested in getting one and wondering how much it'll cost - we have some good news for you. Mercedes-Benz has just dropped the pricing info on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 (the only variant that will be offered in the U.S.)

Power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine making a total of 268-hp with a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft. That allows for a 0 to 60 mph run in 6.5 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. Fuel-economy wise the 2010 GLK 350 returns an estimated 16/22 mpg (city/highway) while the 2010 GLK 350 4MATIC returns an estimated 16/21 mpg.

Oh, we almost forgot to tell you the pricing info. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 starts at $33,900 for the rear-wheel-drive model which will go on sale in April. The 2010 GLK 350 4MATIC starts at $35,900 and will go on sale in January. A diesel version of the GLK is expected to arrive in 2010.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and pricing info on the 2010 GLK options.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK:

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Packages:

Premium 1 Package: $1,950
Full Leather Seating Package: $1,750
Lighting Package: $970
Multimedia Package: $3,350
Appearance Package: $970

2010 Merecedes-Benz GLK Options:

Universal media interface: $1,350
iPod integration kit: $375
Illiminated door sills: $700
Parktronic: $790
Tele Aid: $650
In-dash 6-disc CD changer: $470
iPod/MP3 media interface: $300
Trailer hitch - 3,500 lb (Class II): $540
Brushed-aluminum running boards: $660
Rear-Seat Entertainment Package: $1,880
Rear-Seat Entertainment Pre-Wiring: $160
Heated front seats: $740

The Toyota RAV4 is Toyota's smallest in their line of SUVs. In its third generation, the RAV4 was one of the first small, car-based SUVs on the market. It's been around since 1996 - a time when gasoline cost around $1.15/gallon and Americans were starting to fall in love with large, truck-based SUVs. My, how the times have changed. People got used to having gobs of room in your every day driver, but now cannot pay over $100 for a tank of gas. This is where the small SUV thrives, and the 2009 Toyota RAV4 has the upper-hand.

New for 2009

The RAV4 has been around for 13 years, which has given Toyota plenty of time to tweak, tune, and refine the RAV4 into perfection, and offer class-leading options and features that competitors don't offer. The changes for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 include a larger, more powerful four-cylinder engine (see below,) a redesigned front grille and bumper, four new colors, and some new options (including a very cool back-up camera located in the rear-view mirror.)

Options and Trims

Trim Levels

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 offers three trim levels - Base, Sport, and Limited. The Base model comes well-equipped with Toyota's Star Safety System, power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry, 16″ wheels, and a six-speaker audio system with an auxiliary jack. Stepping up into the Sport trim gets you 18″ wheels, fog lights, tinted rear glass, heated side mirrors, and a sport suspension which is too rough. The Limited model brings the wheel size back to 17″ (smoother ride,) dual-zone climate, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

If you opt for the AWD V6 Sport trim, you can also get the Appearance package which forgoes the RAV4 signature spare tire in the rear and gives you a new, smoother looking rear hatch door. The spare tire isn't relocated, however, as you now have run-flat tires and won't need the spare.

Options, depending on trim level and region, include heated leather seats, sunroof, a cool backup camera mounted inside the rear-view mirror, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and an upgraded 9-speaker sound system with satellite radio and bluetooth.

Engines and Drivetrain

After choosing the trim, you can opt for the new 179 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, or the 269 hp, 3.5-liter V6. Both engines come with your choice of FWD or AWD layouts. Our review model had the V6, which we thought was a very good engine.

Fuel Economy

MPG (city/hwy)

Our review model was equipped with the AWD V6 and averaged about 24 mpg with mixed driving.

Design

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 wasn't changed much from the 2008 model, which means it keeps its modern but conservative styling. The signature spare tire mounted to the rear door stays except in the Sport AWD V6 model, which gets run-flat tires instead. The front-end has changed a little bit, giving it a slightly more aggressive face.

I love the interior of the RAV4 - the stacked dash design gives a rugged and modern feel while logically separating the audio system and climate control. The sliding storage area above the glovebox gives some welcomed extra room for gadgets, and the large "triangle" door handles make you feel like you're driving a more rugged SUV. The gauges are very nice - not your standard boring orange cluster.

Driving

Our review model was a 2009 RAV4 Sport AWD V6 with the Appearance Package. The 269 horsepower V6 is very capable and smooth. If you think you might need the extra power, go ahead and get the V6 - the fuel economy difference is minimal (see above,) but the power difference is huge.

Overall comfort in the RAV4 is good, with plenty of space for passengers. Tall drivers might be slightly uncomfortable, and the seating position for both driver and passenger is too high, even with the seat height adjustment available on the Premium package. The side-hinged rear door is nice, but I could see it becoming a nuisance in curb-side loading situations.

Our Sport-trimmed review model came with large 18″ wheels and a sport-suspension which gave it a tight-handling but annoyingly bumpy ride. Make sure to go over a bumpy area in your test drive before you buy. That same tight handling gave the RAV4 a surprisingly sporty ability under tight turns and windy roads. It was…dare I say…fun.

Pricing and Warranty

Pricing this year hasn't changed for the Base model, but went up slightly from 2008 for both the Sport and Limited trims. Prices start at $21,500 for the Base FWD 4-cylinder, and go up to $27,800 for the Limited V6 AWD, plus options and packages. You'll pay $1,400 more to go from FWD to AWD on any trim, and upgrading packages (Base to Sport or Sport to Ltd) will cost anywhere from $1,300 to $1,700, depending on other choices.

· 3-year/36,000-mile Comprehensive Warranty
· 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain
· 5-year/unlimited-mileage Corrosion Perforation

Before You Buy

A few things to keep in mind when on your test drive: Options add up quickly, so make sure there's nothing on the car that you don't need. Make sure the high seating position is OK with you, especially if you're tall. Check the center console - it's kind of small, so make sure you don't need a bigger one (but remember the extra storage area above the glovebox.) Finally, if you opted for the Sport trim, make sure the rougher ride will be OK with you every day.

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is an excellent choice for a small SUV, gives you plenty of choices to suit your lifestyle, and gets good fuel economy. However, there are some other players in the game you'll still want to check out:

Nissan Rogue or Murano
Hyundai Santa Fe
Honda CR-V
Ford Escape
Mitsubishi Outlander

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German tuner Edo Competition has announced a new tuning program for the Porsche Cayenne GTS, which offers more power and an improved aerodynamics kit for the German SUV. By fitting the car with new high-flow catalytic converters, performance air filter inserts and new ECU calibration, Edo managed to take the engine up to 450 hp (331 kW) and a maximum torque of 530 Nm (391 ft-lb) at 3,800 rpm. This means the Cayenne GTS goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds an up to a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).

Other mechanical upgrades include a new brake system with huge six-piston fixed mono-block calipers, new sport suspension system adjustable in height, compression and rebound damping (14 settings). The bodu kit includes a new hood featuring power domes and a new lower front skirt with 4 fog lights and mesh inserts, plus 22 inch forged wheels with stainless steel outer rims (can also be ordered custom painted).

Check out more photos after the jump.

Photo Gallery: Porsche Cayenne tuning by Edo Competition

In an effort to stay afloat while congress decides on a bailout plan for The Big 3, GM has decided to sell its entire stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. for 22.37 billion yen ($230 million).

Suzuki is going to buy back the 3.02 percent stake from GM. Suzuki stated that it is necessary for the automaker to buy back the stake from GM to help the ailing automaker. Although Suzuki is buying the 3.02 percent stake, the two automakers will continue to have a partnership in the future, which includes the development of hybrid vehicles and SUVs in Canada.

Yesterday we showed you BMW's teaser video for the X1, but that really didn't reveal much. Now here's a little more detail courtesy of a rendering from AutoBild. The X1 will go into production in the fall of 2009 and will compete with SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan.

In America we will see the 2.5 liter version delivering 218 hp. Europe on the other hand will also get the X1 30i with 265 hp and the 30d, whose engine delivers 245 hp.

More details on the future small SUV from BMW will likely be available after the concept is officially shown at the Paris Auto Show in October.

Exterior

The design of the car is definitely Volvo – distinctly European but more serious than a German. The XC70 uses the V70 wagon as a base, and then adds all-wheel drive, eight inches of extra ground clearance, and tougher plastic coating for the bottom of the lower body panels. The overall effect takes your parents wagon and transforms it into something that commands respect at the ski lodge.

Part of Volvo's traditional design means the doors and lower panels bow out from the bodywork, which makes the upper half of the car look distinct. This somewhat segments the design of the car and contributes to the boxy image that Volvo has earned. This "yin and yang" idea of hard edges with curves makes the design likeable. Following this same idea is the minimal use of chrome on the paintwork. Most of the car is in a singular deep color, which lets the grille and wheels stand out.

As far as function goes, if you don't need a full SUV, the XC70 just makes more sense. Because the XC70 is basically a wagon, the tailgate is much easier to access and the load floor is much lower than an SUV.

Interior

The interior is what sells this car. Everything that was not in wood or silver was covered in a light tan color (known as Sandstone). This color was part of the leather wheel and seats as well in the places where leather is not necessary (like the dash panel or door handles.) The feel is absolutely premium and it made us feel a little more comfortable about the over $44,000 price of our tester ($37, 250 base price). Our only concern is that all the dirty/sticky little hands of soccer kids may pollute this great look.

The controls were very intuitive. The climate control system is one of the best around. For over a decade, Volvo has you choose where want the air to go by simply pressing the part on their person-like diagram. Our premium sound system included a center channel speaker and was both clear and deafeningly loud — a nice surprise from a Volvo. The only piece missing that we would expect on a premium car is a navigation system. It is available as an option, and its absence left the dash and center console area free to have a much cleaner look.

Safety is Volvo's hallmark, and the inside screams it. The doors close with a heavy "thunk" that makes you feel like you've entered a cage. There are airbags for the front passengers, front seat side airbags and side curtains for everybody. Volvo has a whiplash protection system where the front head rests move during impact speeds to cradle people as they return to the seat. The rear seats even have adjustable height settings for younger/shorter passengers.

Test Drive

This car handles like an agile tank. The all-wheel drive and extra safety features makes this a heavy car. Our XC70 tipped the scales at over 4,000 lbs, which is hard to mask in how it feels on the road. Think of a BMW carrying a load of bricks.

The extra weight is felt in road manners. The steering doesn't require much effort, but you can feel there is a power assist necessary to turn the car. The best way to describe the steering is light and deliberate. The same can be said for the braking. It doesn't take much effort to stop the car, but when you hit the brakes hard, you can feel that there is a lot of heft coming to a halt. All of this extra mass doesn't detract from the car; it actually adds to the feeling of security.

One place where the wagon doesn't seem as big is the turning radius. For all the feel of added mass, it can surprisingly go around tight corners.

The only real problem where the weight may be felt is in the acceleration. The 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine makes 235 horsepower and 236 ft. lbs. of torque, which is matted to a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup may leave a few feeling a little lean on power. This is a Volvo and the focus is on safety before acceleration. But if you decide you need to go faster, the simple fix is to delete a few options and upgrade to the T6 model that adds an extra 46 horses.

Conclusion

We liked our family wagon. It looks different than a SUV, it rides taller than a wagon, and it makes us feel distinguished. The XC70 is the anti-SUV. Most SUVs have go anywhere styling but usually just go to the supermarket. The XC70 has everyday styling of its V70 sibling, but because it has the all-wheel drive, it's more likely to climb a snowy hill or run the dirt roads.