If you missed the Mercury display at the Detroit auto show, that’s understandable. It was tiny (see above).

In fact, rumors have been swirling for several years that the brand’s future is in doubt. However, when asked at the Detroit show if Mercury had a future, Ford CEO Mullaly firmly said yes, according to Edmunds.com. Rumor also has it that the division will get its own version of the new Focus when that vehicle hits the showrooms next year. On the other hand, we do know for (almost) certain that the Grand Marquis will go away in 2011, too.

Stay tuned.

--M.D.

According to Automotive News, Toyota has identified a fix for the most recent sudden acceleration problem which caused the auto maker to cease production and sale of many of its models. The supplier of the affected parts, CTS, is said to be ready to begin shipping replacement parts but it will take some time to make enough for the millions of cars that could be affected. A source indicated that the volume is more than CTS produces in a year.

Once the replacement parts are available, they will have to be installed in the affected vehicles, including those at factories, in transit, in dealer inventory and those in the hands of owners, all of which will take even more time. Toyota announced that it will suspend production for one week beginning February 1st at factories in Kentucky, Indiana, Texas and in Canada while it waits for parts to begin filling the supply line.

--M.D.

As you cruise the car shows this winter, take a look under the hoods of some of the latest models and concept cars. Count the number of V-6 engines you see. Chances are that you won’t find as many as you did last year.

Hyundai pulled the V-6 from the Sonata’s engine line-up. Buick’s new Regal, a fairly large sedan, will only be offered with an I-4. BMW and Mercedes are said to be about to reintroduce 4-cylinder engines in some of their cars. Fiat will begin producing its 1.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder in the U.S., first for Fiat 500s assembled in Mexico but later for Chrysler branded products.

Detroit News columnist Scott Burgess thinks that V-6s may be a vanishing breed. He notes that new technologies are wringing more and more horsepower from smaller engines and offering improved fuel efficiency in the bargain. Buyers may prefer the smoothness and power of a V-6 in mid-size and larger vehicles, but will be perfectly happy with 4-cylinders if gas prices head back toward $4/gallon, especially if they can get the kind of horsepower automakers are now able to offer.

Not to suggest that V-6s will completely go away (heck, you can still buy V-8s and even V-12s) but it seems that I-4s are going to be the dominant power source for automobiles, even here in the good old U.S.A.

--M.D.

When Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy last year, Fiat was standing by to assume a 20% stake in the company without actually putting any immediate cash into the deal. Fiat’s stake can grow to 35% if they introduce new, fuel efficient, American-built technologies to the Chrysler line.

To that end, Fiat announced that it would begin assembly of its new 1.4-liter Multi Air 4-cylinder engine at a plant in Dundee, MI, later this year. Initially, the engines would be installed in Fiat 500s that will be assembled at a plant in Mexico. Later, the same engine would be adapted for use in a variety of Chrysler branded vehicles.

Incorporating a completely new air intake technology, Fiat says that the engine can produce at least 10% more power and 20% fewer emissions than comparable engines with traditional valve controls. The engine, in a radical departure from traditional design, removes all direct mechanical linkages from the intake valves instead utilizing electronically controlled hydraulic valve actuation to more precisely control air intake to the cylinders. The system can control intake to each cylinder independently and vary control from one stroke of the engine to the next.

For a more detailed explanation, follow this link.

--M.D.

Lincoln’s new MKX will come standard with Ford’s new MyLincoln Touch, technology which allows the driver to interact with vehicle controls as well as portable media such as cell phones and iPods. System controls can be accessed via an 8-inch color touch screen in the center stack, multiple switches on the steering wheel or by voice commands.

The system also includes two smaller LCD screens in front of the driver which display traditional vehicle instrumentation as well as the MyLincoln information. The driver can scroll through displays via the steering wheel controls. Ford has eliminated traditional buttons and knobs in the center stack and replaced them with controls on the touch screen and other touch-sensitive buttons. Console bins provide storage areas for mobile devices and includes two USB 2.0 ports, video input jacks and an SD card reader.

Ford intends to eventually incorporate the new technology in most of its models.

--M.D.

The second day of press previews in Detroit was a much lighter schedule. First up was Lincoln which brought out the new MKX. It retains the existing body shell but updates the front and rear styling, giving it the signature Lincoln “split-wing” grille. A new interior and instrument panel are also featured and the center stack does away with traditional knobs, relying on touch sensitive buttons and screen, instead.

Cadillac showed us the CTS-V coupe, due out this summer. They also rolled out the XTS Platinum Concept, a large, four-door sedan powered by a V-6 gas/electric hybrid drive train and all-wheel drive. Interior room, comfort and appointments move way upscale. Both Ed Whitacre and Bob Lutz were on hand afterward and both seemed quite proud of the effort. When asked where this leaves “traditional” Cadillac buyer (think West Palm Beach) Lutz seemed willing to leave them behind. “Cadillac is orienting itself against the European luxury brands, now,” he said.

Subaru revealed that they are working on a diesel boxer engine as well as hybrid drive systems. They showed off their Hybrid Tourer concept, one of the few truly outlandish concepts at the show. Subaru takes bragging rights to having had the best year of any car maker during a disastrous 2009. They posted record sales and boosted their U.S. market share from 1.4 to 2.1%.

--M.D.

Chevrolet released details of the Chevy Aveo RS show car which it will put on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. The model at the show is expected to be an accurate preview of the 2011 Aveo.

The new Aveo is somewhat larger and more attractive inside and out than the current model and features higher quality materials, as well. Motorcycle inspired styling features include exposed tail lamps and interior trim, according to a press release. The car is powered by a 138-horsepower 1.4-liter I-4 turbocharged engine that will also be offered in the upcoming Chevy Cruze and comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. Slated for a 2011 introduction, the Aveo will be built in the U.S. at a GM assembly plant in Orion, MI.

The Aveo will join the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and others in the increasingly crowded “B” segment. Small hatchbacks have never been as popular in the U.S. as they are in Europe and Asia, but buyers here haven't always had such a wide range of high quality models from which to choose. By the end of 2011 this segment will be much more competitive than today and if fuel prices head back toward 2008 levels, these cars could become red hot.

--M.D.

Auto sales totals for 2009 have been tabulated and while it ain't pretty, an improvement in the waning weeks offers a glimmer of hope.

With just 10.4 million cars sold, 2009 will go down as one of the worst years in recent memory. Nearly every manufacturer was down significantly for the year with the exceptions of Subaru, Hyundai and Kia, which were all up relatively strongly. Even Toyota and Honda felt the pain as each posted a 20% decline for the year. Among domestic companies, Ford had the strongest showing with “only” a 15% drop, GM sales fell by 30% and Chrysler was off by 36% from 2008's lackluster total, turning in its worst performance in almost fifty years.

Last summer's “Cash for Clunkers” program provided a mild boost mid-year and an unexpected surge in sales in December has the industry hoping that the worst may be behind it. Here, too, Ford stood out with a 34% increase in sales in December 2009 vs. December 2008, the best of any major car maker, foreign or domestic.

The top ten list holds few surprises. The Ford F-150 remained the number one best selling vehicle for 2009 while the Toyota Camry/Solara rose to number two pushing the Chevrolet Silverado to third place. All of the models in the top ten saw sales declines for 2009 except the Ford Fusion and Escape which saw sales increase by 22% and 10% respectively.

Analysts are guardedly optimistic that December's increases are a sign of recovery and looking for a better year in 2010, though the market isn't expected to reach its recent highs for at least several years.

--M.D.

As expected, Cadillac announced that it will introduce the new CTS-V Coupe at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it has also revealed details of this new model which is based on the CTS-V Sedan. It features a racier windshield angle, a unique grille with much larger air openings, a nearly horizontal rear window and touch pads in place of conventional door handles.

Cadillac has equipped the CTS-V Coupe with its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 from the CTS-V Sedan. At 556 horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque, Cadillac says that it is the most powerful engine it has ever offered and can send the Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It comes standard with a 6-speed manual with dual-disc clutch or can be ordered with a Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. A specially designed Brembo brake system is also comes standard and includes slotted, vented rotors with 6-piston calipers in front and 4-piston calipers in the rear.

The CTS-V Coupe is expected to go on sale early summer 2010. Pricing information was not included in Cadillac’s press release.

--M.D.