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Chrysler Explores Sale of Dodge Viper Unit
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:41:47 -0000
The automaker said it was considering options for the sports car unit as it tries to raise cash to ride out a deepening industry downturn in the United States.
Currents: Events: Mini Creates Rooftop Event Space in Manhattan to Promote Its Cars
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:09:05 -0000
During daylight hours, the Mini Rooftop, a design and marketing experiment from the German car brand Mini, will function as a park.
Well: Teen Drivers Buckle, but Passengers Don’t
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:23:30 -0000
Teen passengers are far less likely to buckle their seat belts than teen drivers, a new study shows.
L.A. Times - Auto Industry News
Brand DNA and the prototypical Porsche
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:59:00 -0700
Despite evolution, the 001 is recognizably a Porsche in the transcendent gestalt of the thing. At every news conference for every new car or truck introduction since the days of, say, Watson and Crick, an eager and sweaty brand manager has stood up and said something to the effect of: "The Durango 95 Mark III is a reflection of who we are as a company, our brand DNA."
Phil Hill, 81; first U.S.-born driver to win Formula One title
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The racer, who was raised in Santa Monica, won the F1 championship for Ferrari in 1961 and was a three-time winner at both Le Mans and Sebring. He never suffered a serious injury. Phil Hill, a reserved Californian who became a gifted race-car driver and the only U.S.-born driver to win the Formula One international auto-racing championship, died Thursday. He was 81.
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:32:56 -0700
Keeping the same 2003 body style, the re-worked 2009 SL is a driver's car again.
Daily automotive news and comment - from just-auto.com
UK: Staff told of Toyota cuts last month
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:52:00 -0000
Reports last night that Toyota is cutting a shift making its Auris [aka Corolla] hatchback line at Burnaston in the central England county of Derbyshire stem from an announcement made to workers last month, a Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK spokeswoman said on Friday.
JAPAN: New Honda plant employs those with disabilities
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:51:00 -0000
Honda Sun, the automaker's subsidiary established to employ people with disabilities, has held a ceremony to mark the completion of its new plant in Hijimachi, Oita prefecture.
CHINA: Ricardo completes half of 2008 expansion
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:31:00 -0000
Ricardo has completed half of a planned a two-phase development of its Shanghai-based operations this year, underscoring the company's commitment to the fast expanding Chinese automotive market.
Comments for AutoReport
Comment on Mergers Redux by Andrew Charles
Andrew Charles Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:24:11 -0000
In the years since I wrote this, there have been a number of changes, some minor, and others quite major. Going down the list: DaimlerChrysler de-merged into Daimler AG and Chrysler LLC, and sold its stake in Mitsubishi. Daimler AG retains its truck and bus brands (including Mitsubishi Fuso), and Mercedes-Benz and smart in the car group. A cross-licensing agreement with Jaguar covers the use of the Daimler name. Chrysler LLC retains the active Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler brands, and has re-affirmed its ownership of the defunct Willys brand. Hyundai has kept out of the merger game since acquiring Kia, but has added a new brand in the Korean domestic market with its Genesis luxury sedan (in other markets sold as a Hyundai). Fiat has ended its alliance with GM after extracting a hefty divorce settlement. The company's subsequent success makes this one of GM management's worst decisions in recent years. After dropping Autobianchi, last seen in the Italian domestic market, Fiat is said to be exploring a new low-cost brand. Maserati, formerly owned by Ferrari, is now allied with the group's main auto operation, now known as Fiat Group Automobiles. Ford has unwound several key acquisitions in the last few years, first selling Aston Martin Lagonda to an Anglo-Arab investment syndicate, and most recently Jaguar Land Rover to Indian automaker Tata Motors. Rumors persist that Ford is either interested in selling Volvo, or has been approached by other automakers seeking a luxury acquisition, but the company is far more integrated into the Ford organization, with common powertrains and platforms underlying every model. GM has also unwound several equity investments, although not on the scale of Daimler and Ford. Its minor interests in and alliances with Fiat, Isuzu and Subaru have been ended, and engine development centers in Germany and Japan previously controlled by GM returned to Isuzu. Its alliance with Suzuki remains, on a smaller scale, but its equity interest has been reduced. The company is now evaluating the future of the Hummer brand, acquired from AM General, and despite denials rumors persist that other brands are also being evaluated for sale or closure (fueled by an active and even malicious campaign by disaffected members of middle management). Phoenix Group, which acquired MG Rover, predictably imploded, with government investigations continuing at enormous expense into the reasons. Its assets have been divided among several parties, Chinese automakers SAIC Motor and NAC acquiring the main carmaking operations, and a scion of the Riley family acquiring MG Sport and Racing and the X80 project. The Rover brand, and associated trademarks, previously licensed from BMW, were then sold by the German company to Land Rover. As a result Tata Motors has acquired not only Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover, but also Daimler, Lanchester, Rover and Sterling. Having lost the chance to acquire Rover, SAIC established its own Roewe brand as an alternative, and subsequently acquired NAC and its NAC MG operations, including the Austin, MG, Wolseley and Austin-Healey brands. An alliance with HFI Automotive and the Healey family supports the possible revival of the latter marque. Peugeot SA has augmented its non-equity alliances with Ford in diesel engines and Fiat in commercial vehicles. It now produces small cars in co-operation with Toyota, 4-cylinder gasoline engines in alliance with BMW, and SUVs in alliance with Mitsubishi. The Panhard et Levassor operation has since been sold to military 4×4 specialist Auverland. Renault's most recent activity has been an alliance with Russian automaker AutoVaz, owner of the Lada brand. German automaker Volkswagen, after acquiring a number of other companies over the years, has most recently found itself the target of long-term partner Porsche, whose founder was responsible for the original Volkswagen prior to WWII.
Comment on Mazda Kazamai Concept to Premiere at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2008 by VW Informer
VW Informer Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:27:52 -0000
That's a really awesome concept; but I just don't see it going into production without a lot of alterations, especially given the practical considerations of a grill-less design. --- Working with VW to spread the word about the new Tiguan. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
Comment on New Ford Focus RS On Track as First Details Confirmed by Ken MacDaniel Sr
Ken MacDaniel Sr Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:24:11 -0000
Please bring it to the US. The Mustang GT and GT 500's are great but.................................
Auto news - CNNMoney.com
2009 models worth waiting for
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:35:22 -0400
5 really cost-effective fuel savers
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:59:54 -0400
Surprisingly, some fuel efficient vehicles aren't the most economical choices out there. Here are some that are.
GM unveils new compact car
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:40:48 -0400
Slated to enter the U.S. market for the 2011 model year, the Cruze could replace the Cobalt small car.
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