Recent Comments:
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 2:28PM I thought that the Chery QQ was a copy of the Chevy Spark, not Matiz.
2008 International Engine of the Year awards announced... {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 11:53AM What about the new Corvette ZR-1 engine (LS7?)?
Strike forces GM to suspend truck and SUV orders {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 11:51AM Just one question: Are these striking workers getting paid? I know that the UAW has a reserve fund, to pay striking workers a stipend, but it is not the same pay rate of their salaries and for how long can they do that before they deplete their money chest and striking workers start maxing out credit cards for living expenses?
I guess it is a battle who can withstand the bleeding the longest.
Ford stock up thanks to Kerkorian, Volvo remains "not for sale" {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 10:56AM Mercury should become Ford's American-style car division and leave the "Ford" brand to sell Euro-style cars (Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, etc...).
Mercury should concentrate in getting a competitor for the Challenger. Call it the Cougar, with RWD, 4.6L V-8 (with 3.5L EcoBoost for entry-level and 5.4L for XR-7 versions).
Then a RWD sedan with the same engine options of the above Cougar to compete with 300C and G8. Call it the Marauder.
A larger RWD sedan with plush ride for those that love the "yacht-feel" and for fleet and livery sales. This should replace the Grand Marquis. Name TBA.
Dump all other SUVs/CUVs and Milan. Leave the rest of the segments to both Ford and Lincoln. Such a reinvigorated Mercury will have an identity and purpose and help add sales to the Lincoln sales channel to keep dealers (as well as Ford) profitable.
UAW strikes GM Malibu plant {Autoblog}
May 5th 2008 12:34PM GM should ramp production of its main products as high as possible. Run the plant at 100% capacity and build huge inventories.
Then shut the plants down, truck all the machinery to Southern States in new plants in a huge D-Day like invasion. Heck, build the plant buildings and just move in the machinery, paint shop etc... I am sure the Southern Statesw will throw in some incentives that would basically make the move almost cost-free to GM.
While the plants are being assembles, GM will have about 150 days of inventory to sell-off before new production begin. Offer some retired UAW workers, part-time jobs as consultants to help the new work force get up to speed in auto assembly.
Mazda creates disassembly line in wake of Cougar Ace capsizing {Autoblog}
Apr 29th 2008 4:55PM They could have hired some "chop-shop" experts from New York, Miami, L.A, Detroit and some other inner-cities. Those thousands of cars would have been disassembled in no time.
Lexus files trademarks for IS Coupe {Autoblog}
Apr 25th 2008 12:21AM I am with you. They should have called it, the IC250/IC350.
Or better yet, get a better design with better lines, and start a new family vehicle such as RC, or AC.
Mercedes offers up C63 AMG as Official Safety Car of DTM {Autoblog}
Apr 22nd 2008 1:39AM Sorry for the stupid question, but what is the purpose of the "Safety Car"?
Chrysler planning stand-alone service centers {Autoblog}
Apr 18th 2008 3:39PM This could be a great idead if the service centers are also used to service any other brand. Perhaps Chrysler could by a national chain (such as NTB) and merge with the dealers that they have to buy out. Then follow Gillette's and HP's business: Make a kiling servicing the product (selling razors and toners). Boeing and GE makes a lot of money servicing their aircraft and engines respectively. Why shouldn't servicing be a source of income for automakers.
Officially Official: Opel Insignia revealed {Autoblog}
Apr 17th 2008 9:49PM In Brazil the name Vectra has a lot of cache and is considered a "prominent" car. Perhaps in Europe, Vectra is the same as a Taurus for them? Why else dump this valuable name brand for Insignia?
