PRODUCT

Solstice Verdict Coming

Expect a decision on whether General Motors Corp. will build the supercharged Pontiac Solstice concept car within two months.

“Hopefully before the end of the year,” Mark Hogan, GM vice president-Advanced Vehicle Development, tells Ward's. “I can't confirm anything yet.”

Sources indicate Solstice work is focused on converting GM's global front-wheel-drive Delta small car platform to rear-wheel drive. The architecture is called “Delta with a tunnel,” Ward's is told. GM wants to sell the 2-seat roadster for “about $20,000,” Hogan says.

Lincoln Banks On LS Sales

Banking on more power and more interior space, Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln division expects its '03 LS to outsell the previous model.

The auto maker promises a production run in the mid-30,000 range. Sales of the '02 midsize luxury car were 16.3% behind the '01 model year entering buildout. Total sales of the '01 model exceeded 42,000 units.

Production is expected to begin later this year at Ford's plant in Wixom, MI — also home to the Lincoln Town Car and Ford Thunderbird.