Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motors boasted in April that it would double sales in China by 2013 with the introduction of 30 new or upgraded models over the next five years.

Last month, GM forecasted that its vehicle sales in China would grow 10% this year alone and now it seems those numbers may have been a bit conservative. Kevin Wale, GM's China Group President, has just announced that the company expects vehicle sales in the region to grow by a little more than 20% in 2009.

While the rest of the global automotive industry is stuck in a rut, the emerging Chinese market seems largely unaffected by stagnant North American sales or GM's bankruptcy filing in early June. As of now, China is the company's second largest market (thanks in part to their insatiable appetite for Buicks).

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20 percent20PercentChinaChineseGMincreaseKevin WaleKevinWaleRiseSalesvehiclesWaleFri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Most of the world has been knee deep in a wicked recession for quite a while, and auto sales have been hit especially hard. Here in the U.S., the numbers have been abysmal, as the first half of the year saw only 4.8 million sales through June. China, on the other hand, is running away with the overall sales lead, as the emerging emerged market has added 6.1 million cars and trucks to its still developing roadways. According to The Associated Press, June sales were up 36% over the same period in 2008, and they're up 17% on the year.

The big winner in the market so far this year appears to be General Motors. The struggling Detroit, MI-based automaker has seen its China sales jump by 38% this year; while its U.S. sales have tanked. Industry analysts are predicting that the overall market for passenger cars in China will be between 10 and 11 million units.

Most experts weren't expecting China to pass the U.S. in overall sales for another decade, but the crumbling American auto industry has expedited the power shift, at least for the short term. With 1.3 billion people and a healthy economy, this day was destined to come.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google]

REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto salesAutoSalescar salesCarSaleschinachina car saleschina salesChinaCarSalesChinaSaleschinesechinese car salesChineseCarSalesus salesUsSalesThu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: 'Personality traits' of automobiles studied]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Reader-submitted "Cars" Photoshops - Click above for image gallery

The styling of your vehicle makes a statement, of course. Designers spend years perfecting the craft of automotive sculpture, and are finely attuned to what types of shapes and conventions send a given message. Now, the researchers want to move in and figure out how to express what the artists already know with a scientific approach called morphometrics. The practice of shape analysis, usually used for more classical studies like medicine and biology, is useful in improving healthcare equipment or possibly aiding in the identification of unknown remains.

People inherently look for faces and patterns, and the front of a car lends itself to being anthropomorphized. Professor Dennis Slice and his colleagues at Vienna University think the information gleaned from looking deeper into what the "faces" of various cars say - meek or mild appearance, for instance - and how to zero in on just what features will send the automaker's intended message. Of course, design teams already seem to be doing a good job of telling a story with design, with or without the newfangled algorithm. Possibly harder to nail down is the answer to the question of whether styling makes drivers behave differently, the next topic Slice and his team are tackling. Hat tip to Matt.


Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops

REPORT: 'Personality traits' of automobiles studied originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto designAutoDesignautomotive design personalityAutomotiveDesignPersonalitycar designCarDesignvienna university auto designvienna university morphometricsViennaUniversityAutoDesignViennaUniversityMorphometricsThu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Canada pondering Cash-For-Clunkers too?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/canada-pondering-cash-for-clunkers-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/canada-pondering-cash-for-clunkers-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/canada-pondering-cash-for-clunkers-too/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Historically speaking, Canada has gotten the blunt end of the stick when it comes to new car pricing compared to its southern neighbors. Pricing on many vehicles versus an otherwise identical U.S. counterpart has long been comparatively inflated, and America's recently passed Cash-For-Clunkers bill has left many Canadian consumers feeling even more short-changed than normal.

But help may be on the way. The Vancouver Sun reports that Jim Prentice, Canada's environmental minister, is reviewing whether the Great White North should get a Cash-For-Clunkers scrappage incentive program of its own. According to the story, Prentice has met with "a number of auto manufacturers over the past few months" in order to discuss whether the government should issue its own $3,500 incentives to junk old vehicles and purchase new ones.

Interestingly, before a decision is made, Prentice plans to analyze whether a small, existing auto salvage trade-in program in Alberta has had any effect. That program apparently gives eligible owners a comparatively modest sum - $300 - for scrapping their 1995 or older vehicles. Instead of the cash incentive, alternative awards for the current program include up to $490 toward a new bicycle or as much as a year's worth of mass transit passes.

A decision on a Cash-For-Clunkers program for Canada will likely be handed down in the next 60 days.

[Source: The Vancouver Sun | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]

Canada pondering Cash-For-Clunkers too? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingCarBuyingCash for clunkersCashForClunkersjim prenticeJimPrenticenew car incentiveNewCarIncentivescrappageMon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: China rolls out 89 new models in six months - <i>that's one every two days</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Geely GE - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've been hearing Chinese officials say for quite some time now that there are far too many automakers in the country for a healthy market in the long-term, but we didn't realize until today just how out-of-hand it may be. According to state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, China has seen an unprecedented 89 new automobile launches so far this year.

That's surely a big number, but it doesn't really hit home until you consider that 89 vehicles in the first half of 2009 averages out to a new or heavily revised vehicle appearing in China once every two days. Of those new designs, 73 were cars, nine were SUVs, six were MPVs and - in contrast to typical American vehicle launches over the same period - only one was a crossover.

As you're surely aware, 2009 is only half over, and there are reportedly some 50 new vehicles still slated for introduction before the end of the year, equaling about 140 new models introduced in 2009. The good news, at least as far the bottom line goes, is that the new releases have translated into sales. The 4.96 million vehicles sold between January and May of this year represent a 14.29-percent increase over the same period in 2008. Still, considering the glut of new models hitting the market, one has to figure that a goodly number of those vehicles will go begging.


Gallery: Geely GE


[Source: Gasgoo]

REPORT: China rolls out 89 new models in six months - that's one every two days originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 chinese cars2009ChineseCarschinachinesechinese carchinese car marketchinese carsChineseCarChineseCarMarketChineseCarsnew chinese carnew chinese carsNewChineseCarNewChineseCarsFri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/diesels-grab-81-of-june-volkswagen-jetta-sportwagen-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/diesels-grab-81-of-june-volkswagen-jetta-sportwagen-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/diesels-grab-81-of-june-volkswagen-jetta-sportwagen-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Honda and everyone else may not think there is much of a market for mainstream diesel vehicles in the United States, but Volkswagen would beg to differ. Since it launched its new generation diesels last fall in the Jetta and earlier this year in the Touareg, they have been selling like hotcakes with June being its best month yet. Last month was the best sales month to date for the Sportwagen with 1,982 sales and a whopping 81% of those were equipped with the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder.

Among the 8,431 Jetta sedans sold in June, 40% were diesel powered. And while the Touareg followed most other SUVs with a 41% overall decline to only 330 units in June, 29% of those had the 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine. Rabbit sales were down 69% in June, but a redesigned Golf is arriving in September, including a TDI - and if fuel prices keep climbing through the summer, it could see a huge sales spike as well.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June

Diesel TDI model grabs 81% of VW Jetta Sportwagen sales in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselsportwagenTDITouaregvolkswagenvolkswagen golfvolkswagen jettavolkswagen jetta dieselvolkswagen jetta tdivolkswagen jetta tdi salesvolkswagen jetta wagonvolkswagengolfVolkswagenJettaVolkswagenJettaDieselVolkswagenJettaTdiVolkswagenJettaTdiSalesVolkswagenJettaWagonWed, 01 Jul 2009 18:39:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Chevrolet Camaro outsells Ford Mustang in June]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/breaking-chevrolet-camaro-outsells-ford-mustang/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/breaking-chevrolet-camaro-outsells-ford-mustang/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/breaking-chevrolet-camaro-outsells-ford-mustang/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Despite having fewer model variations on the market, pent up demand for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro appears to have been enough to send the bad Bowtie past Ford's redone Mustang in June. Sales figures for the month are beginning to trickle in today, and General Motors says it shifted 9,320 Camaro units last month, as compared to the Blue Oval's 7,632 Mustangs.

Whether Chevrolet's victory will be sustainable over the long haul remains to be seen, but as The General has a backlog of 10,000 sold orders to fill (equating to less than a seven day supply), the streak is likely to continue for at least the next few months. Presently, GM offers just two main Camaro models, the V6 RS and the V8-powered SS, while the Ford Mustang has more bodystyles and trims than you can shake a stick at (arguably making the Camaro's achievement seemingly that much more impressive).

Sales of the third leg of 2009's pony car table, the Dodge Challenger, trail far behind, with just 1,369 units cleared last month.

As the industry heads into the dog days of summer, it looks like America's renewed pony car war is just heating up. Who will take the crown for the whole year? Sit tight, muscle fans.


Gallery: One Night Stand: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Alex Nunez / Weblogs, Inc.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Mustang GT


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

BREAKING: Chevrolet Camaro outsells Ford Mustang in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Camaro2010 Mustang2010Camaro2010MustangbreakingbreakingnewsCamarocar salesCarSalesChevrolet CamaroChevroletCamaroChevyMustangpony carpony carsPonyCarPonyCarsShelbyStangWed, 01 Jul 2009 14:42:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Analysts suggest new vehicles sales could rebound to 10M pace in June]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-analysts-suggest-new-vehicles-sales-could-rebound-to-10m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-analysts-suggest-new-vehicles-sales-could-rebound-to-10m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-analysts-suggest-new-vehicles-sales-could-rebound-to-10m/#commentsFiled under: , ,



June auto sales will no doubt be ugly. In all likelihood, the sixth month of the year will be the 24th month in the past 25 to see a year-over-year sales decline. June could also bring a bit of good news, though, as an Automotive News poll of nine different industry analysts shows that sales may hit an annualized rate of 10 million, up from the 9.1-9.9 levels of previous months this year.

The slight pickup in June sales verses May numbers would suggest that the market for new cars and trucks has likely bottomed out. Edmunds predicts that the automaker likely to gain much share in June is Ford, as the car research site predicts sales that its sales are down only 15.6%. The next smallest decline is predicted to be Nissan at 24.2%, and then Toyota, Honda, GM, and Chrysler are all guesstimated to be between 28-32%. The June 2009 sales figures will likely be a bit skewed for Honda, though, as the Japanese automaker had an unusually strong June 2008 because of a big-time push for fuel efficient vehicles due to $4 per gallon gas.

Deutsche Bank analyst Rod Lache has told Automotive News that the second half of the year could see even more of an upward trend due to the freshly minted Cash-for-Clunkers law. Lache says sales could hit 11 million on an annualized rate, though it's likely that most people driving junkers can't afford a new car payment along with increased insurance rates.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd | Image: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Analysts suggest new vehicles sales could rebound to 10M pace in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car salesCarSaleschryslerfordgmhondajune 2009 car salesJune2009CarSalesnissantoyotaWed, 01 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: BMW threatening to oust Lexus as #1 luxury automaker in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/report-bmw-threatening-to-oust-lexus-as-1-luxury-automaker-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/report-bmw-threatening-to-oust-lexus-as-1-luxury-automaker-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/report-bmw-threatening-to-oust-lexus-as-1-luxury-automaker-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Life is hard at the top, whether that precipice happens to be at the zenith of the overall sales chart or of a specific market niche, such as Lexus' position as the best-selling luxury automaker in the United States. Toyota's posh brand has held the top spot since the year 2000, with BMW perpetually trailing in second place. Could 2009 finally be the year that BMW breaks through to number one?

So far this year, Automotive News is reporting that BMW's 76,819 total sales in the States puts the German brand slightly ahead of Lexus, which has moved a total of 73,186 units thus far in '09. Both brands are down somewhat from 2008, though BMW's 30.5% decline is not quite as severe as Lexus' 37.2% fall. Neither automaker is interested in boasting of its successes in this market, though BMW will gladly accept the extra market share. Speaking to Automotive News, Jan Ehlen, a spokesman for BMW of North America, said:
This year's emphasis is on maintaining our market share and even growing our share a bit. If this results in remaining in the top spot of the premium market, that would be a nice bonus.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo


[Source: Automotive News]

REPORT: BMW threatening to oust Lexus as #1 luxury automaker in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best sellingbest selling luxury automakerbest selling luxury brandBestSellingBestSellingLuxuryAutomakerBestSellingLuxuryBrandbmwbmw salesBmwSaleslexuslexus salesLexusSalesTue, 30 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the graphtastic images from J.D. Power and Associates

J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Lexus has taken the top spot away from Porsche, the initial quality leader for the past three years. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) -- a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

This year, the industry average is 108 PP100, demonstrating a steady improvement from 118 PP100 in 2008, and 125 PP100 in 2007. In addition to the marked improvement by the industry overall, many brands continued to perform well in 2009. Following Lexus and Porsche is Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (jumping from 13th rank position in 2008 to 4th in 2009) and Honda (up from 7th in 2008 to 5th in 2009). Infiniti, second in last year's study, drops to 11th overall, while Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to 9th in 2009. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power IQS Results



[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study

Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingCadillacInitial QualityInitial Quality StudyInitialQualityInitialQualityStudyIQSJ.D. PowerJ.D. Power and AssociatesJ.d.PowerJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesJDPALexusPorscheQuality RankingQualityRankingMon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GM cutting executive pensions, ex-CEO Wagoner to get pinched the most]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-gm-cutting-executive-pensions-ex-ceo-wagoner-to-get-pin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-gm-cutting-executive-pensions-ex-ceo-wagoner-to-get-pin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-gm-cutting-executive-pensions-ex-ceo-wagoner-to-get-pin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



With General Motors in bankruptcy, it was only a matter of time before pensions came under scrutiny. The Detroit News is reporting that GM CEO Fritz Henderson has confirmed that executive pensions beyond $100,000 per year will be cut by two-thirds. Recently defenestrated boss Rick Wagoner will likely take the biggest hit of all - he was supposed to receive $22 million over five years as part of his retirement package, but that number will reportedly drop by up to $15 million.

The move by GM mirrors closely that of Chrysler, which also took an axe to its executive retirement pay structure. Ex-CEO and one-time company savior Lee Iacocca lost his company car and may lose some or all of his monthly stipend, and he is now representing 1,200 ex-Pentastar employees protesting the move. Chrysler retirees have been lumped together with the Pentastar's other creditors, and it will be up to a judge to determine what amount they will receive in the months and years ahead.

[Source: Detroit News | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: GM cutting executive pensions, ex-CEO Wagoner to get pinched the most originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptbankruptcyexecutive payexecutive pensionsExecutivePayExecutivePensionsFritz HendersonFritzHendersongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmIacoccapensionpensionsrick wagonerRickWagonerTue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/video-vintage-promo-film-made-for-detroits-1968-olympic-bid-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/video-vintage-promo-film-made-for-detroits-1968-olympic-bid-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/video-vintage-promo-film-made-for-detroits-1968-olympic-bid-re/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

We often think of the 1950's as being the heyday for Detroit's fortunes, but even in the early-to-mid Sixties, it remained something of a modern marvel, thanks largely to its world-leading auto industry. This archival video was apparently commissioned as part of a failed bid for the 1968 Summer Olympics (which went to Mexico City instead). Reportedly filmed in 1965, Detroit - City on the Move shows the area in full bloom - a startling contrast to the shell of an empire that remains just 44 years later.

With the harmonies of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as a backdrop, Mayor Jerome Cavanagh takes us through footage of downtown streets bustling with some of the city's two million residents, shots of a startlingly clean and new Cobo Hall (including scenes of the Detroit Auto Show itself), the crisp campuses of the (then) Big Three, and of the city's once-mighty cultural draws. It even has footage of the late John F. Kennedy talking up its virtues as part of the Olympic bid.

Interestingly (and perhaps tellingly), this sanitized look at Detroit all but glosses over mounting troubles with blustery talks of 'rebirth,' it utterly omits mention of the hitmakers at Motown Records, and in retrospect, it fails to adequately address growing racial tensions in the city (Detroit's infamous riots would lay siege just two years later in 1967).

Admittedly, such promotional films show a city in its best light by design, but even still, there's no getting around the fact that the World's Automotive Capitol ain't what it used to be. This video, part of the Prelinger Archives, gives us a glimpse into what Detroit used to be, and perhaps more than anything, what it sought to be. It's an amazing yet sobering look into mid-Sixties America, and it's worth a look. Take a trip back in time by clicking on the jump.

[Source: Archive.org]

Continue reading VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline

VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>19651968Big 3Big3CobodetroitDetroit Symphony OrchestraDetroitSymphonyOrchestraDSOJerome CavanaghJeromeCavanaghJFKJohn F. KennedyJohnF.KennedyKennedymotor cityMotorCitymotownNAIASolympic committeeOlympicCommitteeolympicsprelinger archivesPrelingerArchivespromotional filmPromotionalFilmvintage filmvintage videoVintageFilmVintageVideoMon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Putting It In Perspective: Largest bankruptcies in U.S. history displayed graphically]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/putting-it-in-perspective-largest-bankruptcies-in-u-s-history/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/putting-it-in-perspective-largest-bankruptcies-in-u-s-history/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/putting-it-in-perspective-largest-bankruptcies-in-u-s-history/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view Good Magazine's largest bankruptcies in U.S. history infographic

The benevolent-minded folks over at Good Magazine have commissioned infographic specialists Always With Honor to give us a little perspective on America's recent rash of bankruptcies. Using the 'sinking ship' metaphor to graphically show where the Chapter 11 filings of General Motors and Chrysler sit among the 20 biggest bankruptcies in U.S. history provides some interesting perspective on the ailments affecting America's auto industry and the economy at large.

Included in the graphic are high-profile filings like Lehman Brothers, Worldcom, and Enron, along with lesser-known companies like Calpine and General Growth Properties. Soberingly, Good notes that eight of the largest bankrutpcies in American history have come in the last two years.

Click on the image above to see the infographic in its entirety.

[Source: Good Magazine]

Putting It In Perspective: Largest bankruptcies in U.S. history displayed graphically originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptciesbankruptcychapter 11chapter 7Chapter11Chapter7ChryslerGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMGood MagazineGoodMagazineFri, 12 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kuwaiti Oil Minister reportedly says OPEC won't increase production until prices hit $100/barrel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/opec-well-let-oil-get-to-100-a-barrel-before-we-increase-prod/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/opec-well-let-oil-get-to-100-a-barrel-before-we-increase-prod/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/opec-well-let-oil-get-to-100-a-barrel-before-we-increase-prod/#commentsFiled under: , ,



America might get most of its oil from Canada, but the moves that OPEC makes still reverberate here. Thus, a statement by the Kuwaiti Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmed al-Abdullah al-Sabah to reporters yesterday probably won't help decrease domestic gasoline prices any time soon. OPEC's al-Sabah said that the organization will not consider increasing production until the price of a barrel of oil reaches $100.

Currently, the price is around $70 a barrel - up almost 60% this year - but way, way down compared to the highs of 2008. Oh, and when the $100 price per barrel threshold is reached, only then will OPEC "maybe" consider putting more supply into the market. The organization sees the recent rise in prices as the result of investors looking for good places to put their money, not because demand for the product is rising. Over the middle-to-long term, many expect forecasters expect prices to easily surpass $100 a barrel once again.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: David McNew/Getty]

Kuwaiti Oil Minister reportedly says OPEC won't increase production until prices hit $100/barrel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al-sabahbarrel of oilBarrelOfOilgas pricesGasPricesKuwaitKuwaitioil priceoil pricesOilPriceOilPricesOPECSheikh ahmed al-abdullah al-sabahSheikhAhmedAl-abdullahAl-sabahThu, 11 Jun 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Lamborghini sees no recovery until 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/report-lamborghini-sees-no-recovery-until-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/report-lamborghini-sees-no-recovery-until-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/report-lamborghini-sees-no-recovery-until-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce - Click above for high-res image gallery

After several years of record growth, Lamborghini, like most automakers, is struggling in a tough economy. Sales are down 30% so far in 2009, and the Raging Bull even laid off factory workers for seven weeks in an effort to keep down inventories. Chief Executive Stephan Winkelmann told Reuters that he expects the sales slump to continue through 2010, saying that the "crisis is very deep."

Winkelmann points out that sales are down over 40% in the US (Lamborghini's top market), and the company's waiting list has dropped from one year to six months. Lamborghini's struggles closely mirror problems with the economy at large; areas that have been hit by investment banking and real estate woes aren't in the market for Italian supercars.

Regardless of the dim forecast for the next 18 months, Winkelmann is still bullish when it comes to profits. The company cleared 60 million euros in 2008 ($84 million in US funds) and the Italian automaker expects to remain in the black even if sales take a 40% plunge. And the world renown luxury exotic automaker will have to stay solvent while vastly improving its carbon footprint. Lamborghini plans to reduce CO2 emissions coming from its vehicles by 35% in six years.


Gallery: Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce


[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Lamborghini sees no recovery until 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economyitalylamborghiniwinkelmannWed, 10 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[J.D. Power study shows people interested in new car tech, but not if they have to pay for it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/j-d-power-study-shows-people-interested-in-new-car-tech-but-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/j-d-power-study-shows-people-interested-in-new-car-tech-but-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/j-d-power-study-shows-people-interested-in-new-car-tech-but-no/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Smaller, cheaper electronics have been a boon for the auto industry, as car technology has boomed over the past few years. J.D. Power has been studying the tech trend, surveying over 19,000 potential car buyers to gauge interest in new tech like nav systems and infotainment systems. The powerful research company found that customers are now far more tech-savvy than they were in the past, and they're also very interested in adding new features to their next car purchase. That's great news for automakers, but unfortunately (and unsurprisingly), many aren't interested in paying for the new features.

J.D. Powers found that 67% of those surveyed were interested in a navigation system. But when the average price of $1,600 was revealed, the number dropped to only 20%. Luxury buyers were a bit more interested, though only 45% of those surveyed would still opt for the interactive LCD. Cheaper off-board navigation services like On-Star or Ford's SYNC direction service weren't very good alternatives, either. Only one-third of those who were interested in navigation would go the off-board route, even though the systems have proven to be very effective and easy-to-use. We're guessing that part of the allure of the LCD nav is that it makes the whole dash look more high-end.

Customers are also very interested in utilizing their MP3 players in the car. Nearly two-thirds wanted the ability to listen to their music players in the car, while 27% wanted "smart phone" music connectivity. Of those who already use their music devices in their car, over half use an auxiliary jack, and 20% use an FM transmitter. Hit the jump to pour over the J.D. Power press release.

[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading J.D. Power study shows people interested in new car tech, but not if they have to pay for it

J.D. Power study shows people interested in new car tech, but not if they have to pay for it originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infotainmentj.d. powerJ.d.Powerjd powerJdPowernav systemNavSystemon-starTue, 09 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Formula One teams, drivers get serious on break-away series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/#commentsFiled under: ,

FOTA team principals and drivers meet at last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix

It's all or nothing for the Formula One Teams Association. The body representing the majority of the teams is still in the process of negotiating with the FIA over the proposed drastic budget cuts, but insists that the FIA has to take all of them or none of them. If Max Mosley's budget cuts are imposed as planned, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull and Toro Rosso say they will all pick up and leave, and take with them many of the sport's best drivers. Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton, along with Felipe Massa, Nick Heidfeld, Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli have all pledged to follow their teams out from under the FIA's purview. But where will they all go? To a new break-away series.

The teams have threatened to leave the FIA Formula One World Championship before, but this time, things are getting serious. According to the latest reports, FOTA has already begun negotiations with Dorna Sports in anticipation of Mosley's rejection of their counter-proposal. The chief executive of Dorna, the company that runs F1's two-wheeled counterpart MotoGP, has reportedly agreed to run the new series for the break-away F1 teams. A few years ago, Dorna managed to wrestle the rule-making authority away from the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme - the FIA's motorcycling equivalent - and place it in the hands of the manufacturers. That's just what FOTA is looking for, and if Mosley sticks to his guns, it could be exactly what they'll get.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

REPORT: Formula One teams, drivers get serious on break-away series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dorna sportsDornaSportsf1fiafimformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamax mosleyMaxMosleymosleymotogpTue, 09 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2008 Volkswagen Concept Pickup - Click above for a high-res gallery

Remember when Volkswagen just named their cars for different winds? Scirocco, Jetta, Corrado, Santana - they all had a certain clean, sweeping quality about them, even if it wasn't immediately clear where the names came from. More recently, however, VW has gone further afield, invoking cryptic names like Touareg (a nomadic Saharan tribe) and Tiguan (Tiger + Iguana). Add this to the list: Amarok.

That's the official name for VW's forthcoming overseas market pickup truck. According to the automaker's press release, Amarok means "wolf" in the language of the hearty, frigid-dwelling Inuit. Alternatively, VW says the appelation "translates into 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America." We'll have to take their word for it, but we can certainly see some sort of stoning at work here.

For its part, Volkswagen actually hasn't unveiled the production version of the Amarok yet, although it did display the fetching concept version (labeled simply as 'Concept Pickup') seen here at last September's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, and a prototype example was even spotted running around the Nürburgring in April.

In any case, VW promises the Amarok will launch as a double-cab, four-wheel drive pickup, with a smaller single-cab variant to follow. Built in Argentina, the diesel pickup will hit South America early next year, with Central America coming on stream in the spring, followed by Russia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. As expected, North America isn't in the model's plans at this time. Check out the full press release after the jump.


Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup

Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amarokargentinapickuppickup truckPickupTruckVolkswagenVWThu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially, Official: GM files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/officially-official-gm-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/officially-official-gm-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/01/officially-official-gm-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The die is cast: General Motors has filed for bankruptcy. As expected, the automotive giant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning in a New York court, listing $82 billion in assets and $172 billion in debts.

As we told you earlier, the century-old company will gain extensive assistance from the U.S. government, the former chipping in $30 billion in financing (GM has already received over $19 billion), that latter of which is expected to work extensively with the automaker as it goes through bankruptcy proceedings that will see the company's assets split into "Good GM" and "Bad GM," the latter of which will be liquidated.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Obama administration has said that it will manage its holdings in GM (the government gets a 60% stake) in a "hands-off" non-interference fashion, with no White House employees serving on the board or being employed by the automaker. However, Capitol Hill will get the chance to influence company proceedings, as it will vote on core issues of governance that include "selecting the company's board of directors and major corporate transactions." While that may not equate to day-to-day management decisions, the government will certainly have the ability to influence company plans through appointments and such decision-making processes.

You can read more about the filing and the ramifications at the link below.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Michael Heiman/Getty]

Officially, Official: GM files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutbreakingbreakingnewsbridge loanBridgeLoanGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMGovernment MotorsGovernmentMotorsObamaMon, 01 Jun 2009 09:26:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: California still wants EPA waiver to set emissions standards until 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/report-california-still-wants-epa-waiver-to-set-emissions-stand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/report-california-still-wants-epa-waiver-to-set-emissions-stand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/report-california-still-wants-epa-waiver-to-set-emissions-stand/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Even though President Obama's new national CAFE standards will lean on the stricter California standards for support and there was broad agreement that a national standard of this type is the way to move forward, the devilish details could still cause a disagreement or two.

Problem One is that the new CAFE rules don't start affecting new cars until the 2012 model year. Problem Two is that the whole EPA waiver thing hasn't been decided. While California will back down once the 2012 models are here, that state has announced that it still wants to be able to regulate tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions between now and then. The New York Times' Jim Motavalli explains that California doesn't see its rules for the next few years being all that tough for automakers to comply with using existing technology. The battle lines are still drawn, but they're getting a bit scuffed up.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Mel. B under C.C. 2.0)

REPORT: California still wants EPA waiver to set emissions standards until 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CAFEcaliforniacalifornia co2CaliforniaCo2co2corporate average Fuel econonomyCorporateAverageFuelEcononomyFri, 29 May 2009 15:01:00 EST