Show iiJbt US is the most cost-effecti- ve place in the world to build cars We’re in the catbird seat now because we got a lot smarter 7 7 Retort Etta This luxury coupe lights UP wit tto world's toot fidMwtfth idtrahri0 taiHight which comes on tester i conventions! lights Tto V also tat land lighted With AM SMMip V LMCOLN MAIM V ty PONTIAC TRANS SPORT: now sporty minivan with optional loft --OKla passenger otidwg door Five different sooting options lot you carry as many as eight Expected to start at about 20000 Marts at ef Chryalar want a sporty car with room for the entire brood Satan deafen have a smartly restyled coupe with room for four Luxury care haven't been ignored either flliis year the luxury tax for ve- hicles costing more than $34000 dropped to 9 percent) The Cadillac DeVille sedan has Detroit's first airbags mounted in the front side-impa- ct drxjrs Cadillac also is debuting OnStar a mobile phone and global position sensor linked to a customer service center Lincoln's Mark VIII coupe has brighter headlights and faster operating neon taillights Looking for something less expensive but still plush? The 1997 Bukk Park Avenue is now bigger with CM's most modern platform underneath it Ironically the German --built Cater is the sole Cadillac model The $ 30000-plu- s spurt sedan is the first serious attempt at winning ht Lexus BMW and Mercedes-Be- n buyers “'Caters says more about where Cadillac is going than some people suspect” Richard Wagoner says z stuff For the ultimate in DeVille the Cadillac to vote goes my front-wheel-dri- gee-whi- and the Touring versions of Seville sedans and the Eldorado coupe They have a computerized ““integrated chassis control system” that corrects for slides or skids caused by snow ice water or sand by applying one of the front brakes automatically My pick fur the biggest question mark for “97 is the Plymouth Prowler a neo hot rod with an aluminum frame and body panels and tires “Hell no it's not a giant gamble just because it's wild and crazy and no other manufacturer would do it" says Robert Eaton His order is already in It remains to be seen if Plymouth can entice 2999 others when production begins in Detroit this January Alex Trotman says Ford's lack of such niche care is deliberate --We have entire niche companies in Jaguar and Auto Marti " And Wagoner refuses to divulge details about the Corvette that debuts in January It is known that (he car V8 will have a 340-h- p engine in a lighter structure While things look good uneasy rest the heads of our auto companies “Ford people gel up in the morning and worry about whid we're nut doing well" says Trotman “even though we have I think the most competitive products ever— right there with the value leaders" “The economy is the number one thing that affects us" says talon “along with exchange rales and politics We don't FORD TAURUS: The popular airtoga and tdShp Vd angina Wagon alao availaMo Starta at around $tt£00 20-inc- fa king-await- ed fifth-generati- on c rjntinurd The trot compact d door apart utility vehicle its now Expected to otart at ohout tISjOOO lop-1-0 piekiae i Ford Z Chavy CK pndupo Z Ford Cxplarar Dodgi Rom piohm 4Z Honda Accord Vehicles gFordTaurua 7 Toyota Conwy S Oodgo Caravan 0 10 FordEaoort Ford Rangor |