Nissan is reportedly going to show their light commercial vehicle (or vehicles), otherwise known as LCV(s), at the next Detroit auto show in January. As has been reported, Nissan plans on introducing three LCVs in the United States within the next few years. One is expected to be a van, quite possibly based on their Primastar van (pictured), which is sold in many other markets worldwide. If so, it's most direct competitor here would the the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans, which have proven so popular with delivery services and tradesmen.

As to the other two LCVs? Nothing certain has been announced to date, but there's certainly a lot of speculating going on. One such speculation centers around a heavy duty pickup (Nissan truck news), which I think is a pretty safe bet. The big question is, will it be a Detroit-style pickup, fashioned along the lines of the very successful Ford Duper Duty? Or will it be more of an "international style" of truck? By that I mean a vehicle that is totally unlike that coming from the domestic truckmakers. Perhaps something like the Primastar, but with a pickup bed and/or dump body instead? That leaves the third truck up for grabs. A small box van perhaps? Almost certainly these trucks will be diesel-powered.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Nissan Reveals Light-Commercial Direction at Next Detroit Auto Show

Recently Straightline confirmed that the next Titan and Dodge Ram are going to be kiss'n cousins. Now we have some more info on that model, as well as some new info on the yet-to-be-seen HD Nissan pickup.

As to the Titan, the doors and roof panels will be shared by the Titan. Other exterior body panels will be unique. Like the current Titan, it will only be offered in extended cab and crew cab versions. One good feature coming over from the Ram is the lockable in-fender storage compartments.  Also, as per the Ram 1500, a new Cummins diesel is in the cards.

One piece of news I'm not happy about hearing is that it will likely get the Dodge Hemi engine. Now before everyone jumps all over me here, my feeling the equally good (and arguably better) Titan 5.6 engine would clearly set it apart from the Ram—which I think is very important. The Titan will likely also share other Ram 1500 engines. Good news, however, is the (next-generation) Nissan 5.6 engine will live on in future Amardas and Infiniti SUVs.

Now as to the heavy duty Nissan pickup, it will not be Ram-based, but instead will be a 100% Nissan effort. It will be offered in both single-rear wheel and dual-rear wheel configurations. A concept version of this truck is expected to be shown at next year's Detroit auto show next January.

Full story here.

Bugatti brought their Veyron to the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, and sold one within two hours.

The buyer put forth $3.6 million—which is more than twice the asking price to be the first on the block to own one; actually, to be the first in the country; to own one. Must be nice...

Full story here.

Now before anyone screams that it's just another Chinese rip-off, remember that Beijing Jeep was a joint venture that was originally set up by Beijing Automobile Works and the then-owner of Jeep, American Motors Corporation (AMC), in the early 1980s.

Frankly, I'm pretty impressed by this B40, at least in terms of styling. I think it's way better looking than the current Wrangler. Not much has been reported as to what's under the skin, but it's probably pretty similar to what Jeep offers.

Full story here.

China's auto industry is picking up steam, and is about to launch its products upon the global marketplace.

Well, they're almost ready to do so, as AutoObserver elaborates on in today's editorial on the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. The show is almost world-class, and the cars that they are planning to export are almost world-class. Well, maybe not quite  "world-class," but at least almost ready for prime time.

Beijing Auto Show and China's Auto Industry: Life in Fast-Forward

So today the operative word is "almost." Next year don't be surprised if we hear that replaced with "lead, follow, or get out of the way."

Resurrecting a name from the 1960s, and playing upon stying cues from from its past, Buick debuts the Invicta Concept at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents bold direction for Buick’s new generation of vehicles in the world’s two biggest automotive markets, the United States and China.

While its looks may speak to both Buick and Detroit's past; the powerplant, a 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder, direct injection turbo, and hooked up to a 6-speed automatic; is clearly more global in scope. The car resides on a 114.5-inch wheelbase and is 194.2 inches long.
 
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Beijing Auto Show: Buick Resurrects an Invicta That Straddles Two World

In a related story from AutoObserver, Buick has introduced a LaCrosse Hybrid in China, which will go on sale in July.

GM to Introduce Buick LaCrosse Hybrid in China

Image: General Motors

Forget the silly name 'Wingle,' just look at this thing—a factory-built 6-door pickup. It's powered by a 2.8L diesel, and has a top speed of 120 kph. It will debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show.

There have been affermarket 6-door pickups before, but never has one been offered from the factory; at least not one that I'm aware of. I suspect that in China this makes sense, as so many people (workers) are without transportation.

Does anyone think that Ford, GM or Dodge should consider offering 6-door pickups? Or is the market just too small for this type of vehicle? Keep in mind that 4-door pickups have been around for decades, but just recently just caught on with the public. Now I don't ever expect a 6-door pickup to be used as a family vehicle (unless, or course, you're Catholic), but what about for for job sites?

Full story here.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

A Chinese car that's not a blatant rip-off of some other worldly car? A Chinese car that's actually really good looking?

Yep, that's what we have here with this Geely CE Concept which will debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Ah, my hope for humanity has just been given a much needed boost...

Full story here.

We're so used to Land Rover as being a luxury brand that we sometimes forget that its roots are strictly utilitarian. Remember the anvil-like Land Rover Defender? While certainly "premium, it's hardly "luxurious."

So now we have this Land Rover Freelander 2 Commercial, which is aimed at "commercial" customers. Think of our LR2, but without a rear seat and minus all of the luxury items. What it does have is a fixed head bulkhead behind the front seats, a rubber floor mat in the back, fixed and blacked out rear windows, side window guards and rear lashing points to secure cargo.

It will be introduced at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in a few weeks. As you might expect, it's for the UK market, and probably the rest of Europe as well. Don't expect it here, however.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Land Rover Introduces Freelander 2 Commercial

This sort of fell between the cracks in our Geneva show coverage. It's an Opel GT with a V8 of unspecified origin by performance enhancer Irmscher, and is called the Irmscher GT i40.

Now we know there's a 6.0L GM V8, and I wonder if it could fit under the hood of the Pontiac Solstice? Mr. Lutz, are you reading this? ...And thanks for the tip estreka. :)

Full story here.