Suzuki Prices XL7, SX4

Suzuki says its new XL7 and SX4 crossover vehicles, large and small, will carry base prices of $22,899 and $14,999 when they go on sale. The larger XL7, a derivative of the GM Equinox/Torrent platform, carries an MSRP of $22,899 and comes with a standard 3.6-liter V-6 with 252, along with front and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control. Three trim levels are offered, as are either five- or seven-seat capacity; all-wheel drive is an option. The smaller SX4 has a base price of $14,999 and carries a 143-hp four as standard equipment along with all-wheel drive. Six airbags are standard, along with anti-lock brakes and a CD player with MP3 capability.

MORE ON XL7: 2006 New York Auto Show, Part V by Marty Padgett (4/17/2006)
Hyundai Elantra, Honda Element SC and Suzuki XL7.

Toyota Gives Farley More Duties

Toyota's Jim Farley will become an even busier guy. The Japanese automaker said on Tuesday that it would make him a group vice president and corporate officer, in addition to his duties as head of the Toyota division. Farley reports to Jim Lentz, who now heads Toyota Motor Sales, with Jim Press leading the corporation's North American efforts as a whole.

Museum Hawk: Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg

Despite the limited production not only of Cords but its sister Auburns and mighty Duesenbergs, there's a bright corner of mid-America where you can view a plethora of them in all their glory - and right in the factory home of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg company in Auburn, Indiana. The A-C-D Museum, owned by the non-profit Auburn Automotive Heritage, Inc., dates to formation of the organization in 1969 by local volunteers and contributions as well by members of the ACD Club. The museum opened to the public in 1974. Indeed, as far as I know, this is the only significant marque-special car museum located in the original factory.

And from August 31 through September 4, the Museum and community will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ACD Festival. Included will be the 51st National Reunion of the ACD Club - so there will be lots more glorious cars to see - and a collector-car auction conducted by Kruse from August 31 to September 5.

Excerpt: Branding Iron

The American auto industry is hurting-and two authors say they know why. Charlie Hughes, former head of Land Rover and Mazda, and veteran auto journalist William Jeanes, both friends of the house, outline the failures of the domestic industry in Branding Iron, a new book about "the devaluing of American auto brands, the pitfalls of following conventional wisdom and the need for courage to build a world class brand in an over-branded world." Hughes and Jeanes boil the domestic's downfall down and give a precise recipe for recovery, including differentiation, brand-centric cultures, new and innovative products, and above all, passion.

FROM THE SOURCE headlines from the latest press releases

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Providing High Levels of Customer Satisfaction Has Clear Financial Implications for Auto Insurers

Name	Symbol	Last	Change
Autobytel, Inc.	ABTL	2.77	-0.07 (-2.46%)
Autoliv Inc.	ALV	56.75	+0.72 (+1.29%)
AutoNation Inc.	AN	19.37	+0.25 (+1.31%)
ArvinMeritor Inc.	ARM	14.66	+0.35 (+2.45%)
American Axle & Mfr. Holdings Inc.	AXL	15.68	+0.14 (+0.90%)
Ballard Power Systems Inc.	BLDP	6.12	+0.04 (+0.66%)
BorgWarner Inc.	BWA	56.11	+0.53 (+0.95%)
Cummins Inc.	CMI	114.99	-0.20 (-0.17%)
DaimlerChrysler AG (ADR)	DCX	52.80	+0.39 (+0.74%)
Dura Automotive Systems	DRRA	0.433	-0.047 (-9.79%)
Eaton Corporation	ETN	65.69	-0.22 (-0.33%)
Ford Motor Company	F	8.26	+0.21 (+2.61%)
General Motors Corporation	GM	29.45	+0.02 (+0.07%)
Gentex Corporation	GNTX	14.44	+0.10 (+0.70%)
Goodyear Tire & Rubber	GT	13.22	+0.62 (+4.92%)
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR)	HMC	33.88	+0.48 (+1.44%)
Johnson Controls Inc.	JCI	70.71	-0.73 (-1.02%)
Lear Corporation	LEA	19.43	+0.46 (+2.42%)
Magna International Inc.	MGA	72.01	+1.13 (+1.59%)
Motorola Inc.	MOT	23.44	+0.28 (+1.21%)
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (ADR)	NSANY	22.44	+0.12 (+0.54%)
Sonic Automotive Inc.	SAH	21.16	-0.24 (-1.12%)
Siemens AG	SI	85.11	+0.37 (+0.44%)
Sirius Satellite Radio	SIRI	4.09	-0.02 (-0.49%)
Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR)	TM	108.03	+0.89 (+0.83%)
TRW Automotive Holdings	TRW	24.10	+0.06 (+0.25%)
Tower Automotive Inc.	TWRAQ.PK	0.095	0.00 (0.00%)
United Auto Group Inc.	UAG	20.38	+0.05 (+0.25%)
Visteon Corporation	VC	8.32	+0.23 (+2.84%)
XM Satellite Radio Hold.	XMSR	12.81	-0.26 (-1.99%)