A small break in Chrysler’s streak of silence since filing chapter 11 in March will be realized when they share a booth with Fiat at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

During Chrysler’s bankruptcy protection filing and even after emerging a short period later, they still operate under strict rules of privacy and silence while sorting out the future of the business.  The nine member board of directors are new, the CEO is new, the manufacturing process of the vehicles, is new.

Both Chrysler and Fiat are known for extravagant auto show antics, killer concepts, publicity stunts and unique model launches, so the critics don’t know what to expect at Frankfurt from this newly formed alliance.  I doubt Chrysler will launch any models designed mainly for the US market and I further doubt that you will see one of the concepts that blend the two companies technologies just yet.

We will probably see a launch of the two companies working together and maybe a few hints about the future during the media day speeches.

I just hope to see the Fiat booth girls hanging around the Mopars, at least.

VW top executives have just lined out a strategy to sell 800,000 VW’s in the United States by 2018.  Thats 3 times as many as they will sell in the US market this year.

In order to do this, they will design product specifically catered to the US market and have them built in North America.  VW currently imports most of its models from Europe and has been losing billions in the process due to currency fluctuations.

VW will invest 1 billion dollars to build a plant in Chattanooga, TN that will produce a Passat sized sedan but be less expensive in order to compete with the Accord, Malibu and Camry directly.  An engine plant to accommodate this vehicle will be built somewhere in North America as well, said the VW executives.

They also pointed out that their entire line-up will be refreshed by 2011 and that the new Beetle and Jetta would reflect American tastes more so than ever.  A seven-passenger SUV will also be added to the mix in order to penetrate that segment which is currently populated by the Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

“We want to be the No. 1 automaker globally,” Jacoby said at VW’s U.S. headquarters in Virginia. “Not everybody believes in this goal. We believe in this vision we have, and we are working very hard on its realization.”

Set to celebrate MINI’s 50th anniversary, they will be pulling the cover off this MINI coupe concept at next months Frankfurt Motor Show.

The two-seat MINI is based on the high-zoot John Cooper Works model and its 1.6L Turbocharged 4 cyl pumps out 211 horsepower.  MINI also engineered changes to reduce its drag coefficient  and reduce weight for an optimal power to weight ratio.

Although MINI has not stated whether they plan to produce such a model, rumor is that you can expect to see these on the streets in about 3 years.

The RS version of the A3 (as we in North America know it) will be unveiled at Frankfurt in a few short weeks.

The new RS3 will be powered by the 340HP and 332lb-ft Audi TT RS sourced Turbo 2.5L five cylinder engine.  With that kind of power in an optimum weighing chassis, expect 0-60 times in the 4.5 second range.  Plenty quick to keep up  the Audi RS legacy.

Expect better suspension, bigger brakes and other RS specific touches to put this one over the top.

GM Performance parts announced that they would be offering Camaro bodies in white at the Performance Racing Industry show in Orlando back in December.

They have just recently began shipping the bodies to chassis shops Nationwide and more than a few of the elite chassis builders are said to be on the list.  The long list of back orders are said to begin shipping this week.

Although GM has not offered a Camaro “Drag Pack” like the Challenger and Mustang, these body shells will enable chassis builders to build their own examples.  That means that not only will we be able to witness all three pony cars doing battle in the NHRA, you will now see new Camaro race cars popping up in all forms of racing, no matter the sanctioning body.

Pricing is said to be in the $7000.00 USD range and they are available from your local GM Performance Parts dealer.