Premium small cars next big thing?

John LeBlanc, For CanWest News Service Published - - mid the layoffs, plant closings and general hand-wringing surrounding Ford's Way Forward turnaround plan, according to The car Connection, it could also mean accelerating the impending release of some interesting rides.

During the presentation of Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, clay models of the Fairlane people-mover (a Wind-, er, Freestar replacement concept shown at the 2005 Detroit auto show) and the Refl ex coupe concept (a small, rear-drive coupe from the Detroit show) were front and centre.

And with Ford telling anyone within earshot that premium small cars are the next big thing, it's likely the current European Ford focus (which shares its mechanicals with the Mazda3/5 and Volvo S40/ V50) is on its way to North America earlier than 2010, as planned.

HEAVY DROOLERS WELCOME
If the Chrysler Group's newly announced Chrysler Aspen, Dodge Caliber or Jeep Wrangler had you drooling with anticipation, no worries -- they can take it.
All three will be the fi rst in the company to offer YES Essentials seat fabric, which repels stains, controls odours, reduces static electricity and takes out the garbage (OK, that last feature I made up).

According to Chrysler, the fabric has something called "dual-action technology" to repel such nasty stains as coffee, red juice, lipstick or even permanent marker.

So, if personal hygiene isn't one of your roommate's strong suits, you can now offer him a ride, as the upholstery also controls bacteria-based odours inside the vehicle, inhibiting the growth of mould, mildew and germs.

NEW BOND, FAMILIAR CAR
It really isn't fair, is it? In the next Bond fl ick, a remake of Casino Royale coming in November, not only does the new 007, Brit Daniel Craig, get both great gadgets and babes to play with, once again, he's also getting an Aston Martin to drive. Craig will be at the wheel of the new Aston DBS in the fi lm, which he's already taken for a spin at Aston headquarters in England.
Except for brief stints with BMWs and Lotuses, an Aston has been Bond's usual ride since 1964 with Goldfi nger.