Top 10: Future Collectibles

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By John LeBlanc

A new vehicle — no matter how rare, technically exotic, historically significant, or blindingly quick — is an investment. In the short term at least. Who would have thought, however, back in 1953 that those first 300 hand-made polo white six-cylinder Chevrolet Corvettes would become one of the most collectible cars on the planet over 50 years later? So lets break out the crystal ball and take crack at predicting the most promising future collectible cars from the current 2010 crop. Read more

2010 Beijing: BMW jumps on oxymoronic four-door coupé bandwagon

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By John LeBlanc

BEIJING – In addition to a stretched wheelbase version of the 5 Series for the Chinese market, BMW debuted its Concept Gran Coupé, er, concept car here at Auto China 2010. If you haven’t guessed already, it’s a near-production version of Concept CS show car that was shown at the Shanghai show three years ago (designed by Canadian Karim Habib, who has moved on to rival Mercedes and recently penned the F800, a precursor to a C Class four-door coupé that look eerily similar to the CS) and allegedly a thinly-veiled version of the four-door 2012 BMW 6 Series. If you think the Gran Coupé looks like a Mercedes CLS by BMW, get in line. Read more

2010 Beijing: The land where Saabs go to retire

By John LeBlanc

BEIJING – It’s the first of two media days here at Auto China 2010. And while trolling the massive halls of the China International Exhibition Center, about an hour’s drive outside of China’s capital city, I stumbled across the ghosts of Saab past. Read more

2010 Beijing: Mercedes stuns with future CLS five-door

By John LeBlanc

BEIJING – Alternating between the two major Chinese cities each April, it’s Beijing’s turn this year to host China’s annual international show. And so far during day One of two days of media presentations, the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept looks to be the stunner of the show. With its fifth door, the Shooting Break looks like a car for those who don’t want the formality of an E Class wagon and definitely better-looking rival to BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo. Read more

The Crank: Despite headlines, Government Motors still has our money

By John LeBlanc

Interpreted one way, General Motors chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre’s announcement this week that the U.S. automaker has paid back $8.1 billion in government loans a full five years ahead of schedule could be considered “good” news. Especially considering where GM was less than a year ago. Read more

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