For 2013 Toyota Avalon goes fastback

NEW YORK -- Toyota unveiled a redesigned 2013 Avalon today that departs dramatically from the full-size sedan's previous styling.
With fastback lines penned by Toyota's Calty design studio in Southern California, and engineered at the automaker's technical center in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Avalon is the first Toyota vehicle developed entirely in North America, said Bob Carter, Toyota Division general manager.
The new Avalon "will lead an exciting new era of design and driving excitement for Toyota," Carter said.
The full-sized sedan market continues to shrink but automakers such as Hyundai and Chevrolet are targeting the segment with new or redesigned models.
The large-sedan segment is forecast to shrink further as a percentage of the overall U.S. market, to 2.9 percent in 2017 from 3.6 percent in 2011, AutoPacific Inc. says.
U.S. sales of the Avalon rose 2 percent last year to 28,925 units.
Among the revamped Avalon's features are 10 standard airbags, blind-spot warning system, preclusion warnings, a hand-stitched instrument panel and a sport-driving mode with quicker throttle response and more dynamic steering inputs.
The 2013 Avalon will carry a price similar to its current $33,955 sticker, including shipping, when it goes on sale this fall, Carter said.
The Avalon will ride on a 111-inch wheelbase, the same as the current model, but will have a 2.3-inch shorter overall length because of shorter front and rear overhangs. Although slightly narrower and shorter in height, rear-seat legroom is still spacious.
Toyota said the redesigned Avalon will be powered by a V-6 engine, but did not give performance specifics.
Toyota estimates it reduced the weight of the Avalon by 120 pounds over the current model.Automobile News

From marketing overhaul GM expects $2 billion in savings

DETROIT -- Over the next five years General Motors projects will save $2 billion by sharply consolidating its worldwide marketing and advertising agencies.
In coming days, GM is expected to announce that it will give a few major agencies nearly all Chevrolet creative ad duties, shedding dozens of smaller firms that do Chevy work around the globe.
Its part of a broader effort that in January resulted in GM awarding most of its $3 billion media-buying and planning activities to one firm: Aegis Group's Carat unit of London. That move also shed dozens of agencies.
Joel Ewanick, GM's global marketing  chief, believes that streamling the Chevy ad work and GM's media-planning budget should save the automaker about $2 billion over five years, a spokesman said.Automobile News