Car News
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A decision on the U.S. government's loan package is expected to come from Congress sometime today, but already carmakers are approaching the Canadian government, seeking more aid. The $6.8 billion sought from Canada would still fall short of the $25 billion originally asked for from Congress, even when added to the expected $15 billion loan package. “North American economic conditions now make it necessary for us to seek government assistance to sustain our business and supply chain,” said Arturo Elias, president of General Motors Canada. The total of about $22 billion falls even...
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Terrafugia Transition flying car taking pre-ordersFlying cars have been one of the primary disappointments of the 21st century's expected innovations. The fact remains that nothing approaching what so many enthusiasts had hoped - and been promised - is yet available. We do not fly to work in stylish car-jets, and we do not drive to the shops with...
Ralph Hanson -
Volvo lays off 2,700 workers, in sale talks with China's SAICLabor negotiations between Volvo and Sweden's auto worker union have come to a close today, resulting in the termination of 2,721 emloyees, the vast majority of which are blue collar workers. The layoffs come as Ford has engaged Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in talks to buy the...
Nelson Ireson -
European launch for Chevrolet Cruze on track for April 2009While General Motors’ financial strife may be putting many of its development plans on the back burner for now, a statement from Chevrolet's European Executive Director confirms that the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze will remain on schedule for its debut in the European market in just a few...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Future for Swedish carmakers looks bleak without aidSwedish carmakers Saab and Volvo are in dire straits due to the poor financial performance of their respective parent companies General Motors and Ford. When compared to one another, however, Volvo's future is decidedly rosier due to the fact that it has more models, better research facilities and...
Jeremy Weber -
Panerai releases ‘Ferrari California’ Flyback ChronographFamed watch company Panerai, whose timepieces were once favored by Italian navy commandos for their superior performance, has now released a new chronograph to celebrate the launch of the Ferrari California convertible. Known as the Ferrari California Flyback Chronograph, the new watch will be...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
A senior Democratic Senator has demanded that the CEOs of the Detroit 3 step down if they want their companies to be given federal aid. Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut singled out General Motors’ chief Rick Wagoner as someone that "has to move on". President-elect Barack Obama was not as willing to single out any auto industry executives but he did mention that the current crop of senior management at the Detroit 3 lack a "sense of urgency and the willingness to make decisions". He also added that American auto industry executives are still receiving executive compensation...
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Top five VW execs earn combined $32 million, give 10% to charityFive board members of the Volkswagen Group are donating a total of €2.5 million ($3.2 million) of their personal income to a German charity, 10% of their combined total income for the year. While currently American carmakers are under fire for excessive executive remuneration, the five VW...
Alex Kaufmann -
Fiat CEO predicts only six carmakers will weather the economic stormMass consolidations and a number of major bankruptcies are inevitable says Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne as the auto industry weathers the global economic crisis and experiences one of the worst slump in sales in several decades. Marchionne goes so far as to predict that only six carmakers will...
Kenneth Hall -
Ward’s Auto reveals '10 Best Engines' list for 2009As we approach the next Detroit Auto Show, one of the events mainstays for the past 15 years, the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines awards, has once again been announced. The list, which is the North American auto industry’s only award for powertrains, is selected by Ward’s editors, who...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mitsubishi and Proton to collaborate on new modelsMalaysia’s state-owned Proton has been linked with a number of international carmakers including the likes of General Motors, Volkswagen, and PSA Peugeot-Citroen for the past several years over the possibility of a tie-up, but one carmaker, Mitsubishi, has been working closely with Proton for...
Jeremy Weber -
Congress reaches agreement on $15b to $17b Detroit 3 bailoutDemocratic leaders of Congress revealed late on Friday that they had reached an agreement on a bailout plan for the Detroit 3 ranging in the vicinity of $15 billion to $17 billion, about half what the carmakers were seeking. The plan still needs to be voted on but this is expected to take place...
Ralph Hanson -
Critics of Formula One have long complained that the series is too expensive and lacks real competition. Rule changes, including a ten-year engine development freeze, to help combat those tendencies of the world's premier road racing league have helped, but now the FIA is taking radical steps to help cut costs and improve the level of rivalry between teams. After imposing a standard drivetrain for the 2010-2012 period late last week, the organizing body of F1 has finally picked a company to supply a low-cost engine and transmission package in 2010 and beyond. The teams of manufacturers that...
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GM announces additional 2,000 job cuts, compiling vehicle death listGeneral Motors has confirmed that it will cut an additional 2,000 factory jobs at three of its North American plants early next year, while at the same time asking Congress for a federal bailout package of up to $18 billion. GM Spokesman Chris Lee told the Detroit Free Press that the company is...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Nissan releases 'Stylish Package' for Japanese Fairlady ZThe first official non-Nismo aero package for the 370Z was revealed today, dubbed the 'Stylish Package' and intended for the JDM Fairlady Z. Though the translation may be a bit awkward, the design is less so than the Nismo S-Tune package, finding a happier medium of aerodynamic design and styling...
Kenneth Hall -
Ford appoints new performance vehicles chiefFord Motors is stepping up its efforts in performance vehicles, with a senior employee being appointed to the newly created position of Director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. Jost Capito will be taking up the position at the beginning of next year, and will be...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: Chrysler has hired bankruptcy firm Jones DayThe U.S. Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill are still underway, and thus far no definitive result has been reached. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has at times appeared apologetic and even regretful, but always concerned with securing additional funding for the company. The near-desperation...
Nelson Ireson -
Mitsuoka's Himiko Mimics The Morgan RoadsterMitsuoka, arguably the most interesting car company in Japan, has released another Japanese homage to a classic British automobile, this time their unique take on what appears to be a Morgan Roadster. Sitting on the body of a Mazda MX-5, the Mitsuoka Himiko even manages to squeeze a folding hardtop...
Kenneth Hall -
Shifting demand for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles around the globe, but especially in North America, has hit carmakers hard. Even industry leader Toyota is feeling the pain, announcing shocking profit results for the past quarter on the back of flagging sales for its SUV and pickup models in the U.S. market. The carmaker has responded to the changing trends by announcing today that its midsize Highlander SUV will be available with a new four-cylinder petrol engine in January. Pricing for the 2009 Highlander equipped with the four-cylinder engine will start at $25,705. The new 2.7L...
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Honda announces withdrawal from Formula OneHonda has announced that the 2008 season will be its last in Formula One, and that it is looking to sell the team by the end of the year. If no buyer can be found the outfit may simply be shut down. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui broke the news in a statement today in Japan. Fukui's reasons for the decision...
Jeremy Weber -
Ford ending production of Taurus X and Mercury SableFord’s North American lineup will be experiencing a major overhaul over the next couple of years, with the entire lineup expected to be completely upgraded by 2010 and six new European models set to join the ranks. The biggest impact is the considerable shift towards smaller vehicles and more...
James Martinez -
New survey finds 61% of Americans oppose aid to Detroit 3In the perpetual tug-of-war that is modern opinion polling, a new poll has found that 61% of Americans are opposed to the issuance of federally subsidized loan money to the car industry. The new poll, conducted by CNN/Opinion Research Corp. contradicts an earlier study funded by General Motors...
Ralph Hanson -
Volkswagen Scirocco Cup race car revealed in ChinaAs U.S. and European car sales plummet, developing brand recognition and loyalty in the so-called developing markets of China, South America and Russia is becoming more and more important. To that end, Volkswagen is planning a six-event spec race series in China for 2009, and the company has now...
Alex Kaufmann -
U.S. Department of Energy shoots down $16B in Detroit requestsEven as America's carmakers plead their case before the U.S. Congress today, the executive branch has rejected $16 billion in grant requests through the DOE's retooling program. The rejection came in the form of a letter to the carmakers earlier this week from Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. Of the...
Ralph Hanson