Recent Comments:
Hyundai crossover concept coming to Geneva {Autoblog}
Mar 3rd 2007 4:25PM INFINITI REALLY NEEDS TO BRING IT:
I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT INFINITI KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE GETTING THEMSELVES INTO WHEN THEY RELEASED THEIR "GESTURE" THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SPARK INTEREST IN THEIR UPCOMING CROSSOVER COUPE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT SINCE THAT TIME, EVERYBODY AND HIS BROTHER HAS RELEASED FAR MORE CONVINCING INDICATIONS THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR IN MIND; SOMETHING DESTINED TO BE A SERIOUS PLAYER. AND ALTHOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY CRUDE, NOISEY AND RAUCUS COMPARED TO ANY INFINITI PRODUCT, THE NEW DODGE CALIBER SRT4 IS GUARANTEED TO CAUSE A SEIZMIC SHIFT IN THE DEFINITION OF EXACTLY WHAT CONSTITUTES A "HOT" CROSSOVER; SERVING TO PUSH EXPECTATIONS TO SEEMINGLY UNATTAINABLE LEVELS. AND IF I HAVE A REASONABLY GOOD FEEL FOR EXACTLY WHAT HYUNDAI IS ALL ABOUT, AND I LIKE TO THINK THAT I DO..., THEIR CROSSOVER COUPE BOWING AT GENEVA WILL STAKE OUT A POSITION COMFORTABLY SHY OF THE PERFORMANCE EXTREME, BE SOLIDLY ENGINEERED, WELL TRIMMED OUT, PROVOCATIVELY STYLED AND DEFINITELY PRICED TO SELL. AND DON'T FORGET THAT LANDROVER IS ALSO LOOKING TO JUMP INTO THIS SAME END OF THE POOL WITH A PERFORMANCE VARIANT OF THEIR SOON TO BE RELEASED LR2; POSSIBLY OFFERED AS A COUPE. PLUS, ACURA'S OWN RDX IS NO SLOUCH EITHER, TOYOTA'S V6 POWERED RAV4 IS A REAL PLAYER, AND FORD'S CX7, EDGE AND MKX ARE STILL OCCUPYING A LARGE PIECE OF GROUND RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS ACTIVITY; AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRUMPED ANYTIME SOON. SO, EXACTLY WHAT CARDS DOES INFINITI HAVE TO PLAY, ANYHOW? THERE'S EVERY INDICATION THAT THE GUYS JUST MIGHT HAVE OVERPLAYED THEIR HAND. THE WATERS ARE ALREADY CHUMMED, THE SHARKS ARE SWARMING, AND THE FEEDING FRENZY IS ABOUT TO START. SO, GUYS; HERE'S THE QUESTION. ARE YOU A REAL PLAYER, OR ARE YOU JUST A PRETENDER? IT'S TIME TO LAY YOUR CARDS ON THE TABLE. THIS AIN'T NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN, GIRLSCOUTS OR NURSEMAIDS. COME CLEAN. NOW, ALL OF THIS ALREADY ADDS UP TO A HARROWING ENOUGH SITUATION FOR NISSAN'S LUXURY ARM TO BE IN. BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED YET. THE COMPANY'S FRANCHIZEES NEARLY REVOLTED EN MASS WHEN THEY WERE TOLD IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO SELL THE INCREDIBLY HOT SKYLINE GTR. EVEN THOUGH THE ICONIC LUXURY TOURING CAR WOULD DOVETAIL NEATLY INTO THEIR WELL ESTABLISHED MENUE OF HIGH END LUXURY PERFORMANCE VEHICLES. ONE VERY BIG REASON FOR INFINITI HAVING THROWN THE "GESTURE" OUT THERE TO BEGIN WITH, WAS TO CALM DOWN THEIR ANGRY DEALERSHIP OWNERS. SO, IF YOU THINK YOU'RE A TOUGH CUSTOMER, THINK WHAT THESE FRANCHISE OWNERS HAVE ON THE LINE. THEY ALREADY FEEL AS THOUGH THEY'VE BEEN DUPED AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL, AND UNLESS THIS NEW PRODUCT LOOKS TO BE A GENUINE MOVIESTAR, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE ON THE VERGE OF BAILING OUT. SO THE HEAT IS GENUINELY ON, AND ITS TIME TO PAY UP. IT SHOULD ALL ADD UP TO SOME VERY DRAMATIC THEATER OVER THE NEXT TEN MONTHS OR SO. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Geneva Leak: Opel Gran Turismo Coupe Concept {Autoblog}
Mar 3rd 2007 2:41PM FORSTER'S UGLY STICK:
PARDON ME FOR SAYING SO, DAN. BUT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE THE GUYS AT ADAM OPEL AG HAVE LOST THEIR COLLECTIVE MINDS. FIRST, THEY BRAZENLY POACH THE HEAVILY COPYRIGHTED "GRAN TURISMO" NAME RIGHT OFF WHAT IS ARGUABLY GOING TO BE THE BEST LOOKING CAR TO BOW AT GENEVA; ANYBODY EVER HEAR OF THE MASERATI GRAN-FRICKING-TURISMO? THAT'S BAD ENOUGH. I'M PRETTY CERTAIN THAT THE NECESSARY PAPERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED WITH THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO INITIATE SOME INCREDIBLY PUNITIVE LITIGATION. AND IF THEY'RE ABLE, I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE GOOD FOLKS AT MASERATI WILL MERRILY SUE THE GERMANS DIRECTLY INTO THE STONEAGE. BUT EVEN WITH ALL THAT, I STILL WOULD HAVE DONE IT IF I WERE OPEL..., IF MY CAR WAS AN ABSOLUTE KNOCKOUT AND DESTINED FOR SUPERSTARDOM IN THE MARKETPLACE. AFTER ALL, NOTHING GENERATES PUB LIKE A MESSY LAWSUIT INVOLVING HUGE DOLLARS, OPENLY HOMICIDAL LITIGANTS, SWARMS OF PAPARAZZI, SECRET CLANDESTINE MEETINGS, AND A 24-HOUR, SCANDAL DRIVEN NEWS MEDIA RABIDLY SEARCHING FOR ANYTHING THAT WILL FILL GAPING CHUNKS OF DEAD AIR FOR MONTHS AT A TIME. YOU KNOW, KIND OF LIKE THE WHOLE ANNA NICCOLE SMITH CIRCUS. BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENTIRE SCHEME. THE OPEL GRAN TURISMO IS AN UNCONSCIONABLY HORRIBLE LOOKING PIECE OF PIGIRON THAT ONLY NEARSIGHTED MIDGETS WOULD EVEN THINK OF BUYING... AFTER THE PRICE HAD BEEN DRASTICALLY SLASHED. JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE SHORT, DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE STUPID. THE COMPANY HAS PRETTY MUCH TAKEN THE OPEL INSIGNIA CONCEPT AND STRIPPED AWAY VIRTUALLY EVERY REDEEMING FEATURE THAT THE HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE AND EQUALLY MARKETABLE LUXURY PERFORMANCE CROSSOVER VEHICLE POSSESSED, AND ARRIVED INSTEAD AT AN UNREMARKABLE COUPE DOOMED FOR A BRIEF LIFE IN TOTAL OBSCURITY. IF GM HAD ANY MARKETING SAVVY AT ALL, THE INSIGNIA WOULD ALREADY BE IN FULL PRODUCTION AT THE LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY PLANT, RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE AND CADILLAC XLR. ALL THREE USE THE SAME CHEVY PROVIDED LS2 V8 ENGINE, AND THE MAX-LUX AWD INSIGNIA SHOULD ALREADY BE ACTING AS THE ASPIRATIONAL FLAGSHIP FOR THE SATURN BRAND. WHAT REALLY SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME, THOUGH, IS THE FACT THAT THIS WHOLE GRAN TURISMO FIASCO WAS PROBABLY INTENDED AS A SUREFIRE HOMERUN THAT WOULD PROPEL FORSTER TO DETROIT AS BOB LUTZ'S IMMEDIATE SUCCESSOR; AND INSTEAD, THE CURRENT HEAD OF OPEL AG WILL LIKELY HAVE TO SNEAK OUT OF THE COUNTRY LIKE A GIPSY RUNNING FROM THE LAW. I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Alan Mulally making friends fast, receives a raise {Autoblog}
Mar 1st 2007 4:57PM GOOD THINGS:
HERE'S AN IDEA. BIG AL MULALLY SEEMS TO BE MAKING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES, BUT HERE'S ONE THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MISSED. IT'S CALLED THE FORD TERRITORY TURBO, AND IT'S CURRENTLY BEING MANUFACTURED BY FORD OF AUSTRALIA. IT'S A SMALLISH CROSSOVER WITH AWD, A 6-SPEED ZF AUTOMATIC TRANNY AND A T-CHARGED 4.0 LITER V6. IT SEATS 5 COMFORTABLY, BUT HAS OPTIONAL COUCHES FOR TWO MORE, VERY SMALL SMALL PERSONS. IT'S NEW TO MARKET, AND APPARENTLY IT'S REALLY TURNING HEADS. IN A HOME MARKET JOURNAL, THE WRITER WAS COMPARING IT FAVORABLY TO A V8 POWERED BMW X5; AND AT LEAST IN HIS MIND, THE BIMMER COULDN'T JUSTIFY ITS 200% PREMIUM OVER THE LOCALLY MANUFACTURED FORD PRODUCT; BIG SURPRIZE THERE. BUILD QUALITY, INTERIOR TRIM AND SMOOTH, STRONG PERFORMANCE WERE ALL PART OF THE TERRITORY'S IMPRESSIVE RESUME,' BUT ITS MPG NUMBERS WERE A BIT SOFT FOR FORD'S PERFORMANCE MODEL; KEEP IN MIND THAT GASOLINE IS CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE DOWN UNDER, AND MUCH LESS READILY AVAILABLE AS WELL. NOW, I FULLY REALIZE THAT EVERYBODY AND HIS BROTHER HAS BEEN JUMPING OUT OF THE WOODWORK, TELLING FORD WHAT SADLY OVERLOOKED MODELS SHOULD BE IMPORTED FOR SALE IN THIS MARKET. BUT AT LEAST I HAVE THE GREAT SATISFACTION OF KNOWING JUST HOW RIGHT I AM. A LOT OF YOU MIGHT BE SAYING TO YOURSELVES THAT FOMOCO IS ALREADY GROSSLY OVERBURDENED WITH SUVs, CROSSOVERS AND TRUCKS. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MERCURY IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF SOMETHING TO SPARK INTEREST IN THEIR LINEUP, AND THE TERRITORY TURBO MIGHT JUST HAVE THE KIND OF GOOD PERFORMANCE, GOOD LOOKS, GOOD BUILD QUALITY AND REAL WORLD PRACTICALITY REQUIRED TO SPARK A SERIOUS INCREASE IN FLOOR TRAFFIC. AND FOR THOSE BUYERS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS FLASHY, THEY CAN ALWAYS STEP DOWN TO THE CUSHIER BUT FAR LESS DYNAMIC MARINER.
THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING THE TERRITORY TURBO IN MERCURY'S LINEUP, THOUGH WOULD BE ITS ABILITY TO GIVE THE COMPANY INSTANT CREDIBILITY IN THE FRESHLY DEVELOPING "PERFORMANCE CROSSOVER" SEGMENT, WITH THE ABILITY TO GO NOSE-TO-NOSE WITH THE LIKES OF BMW'S NEWLY HOTTED UP X3, ACURA'S RDX, INFINITI'S ALL NEW CX25 AND CX35, AS WELL AS AUDI'S UPCOMING Q5 AND VOLVO'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED XC60. THE TERRITORY TURBO IS A SERIOUS CONTENDER IN WHAT IS SURELY GOING TO BECOME A HIGHLY LUCRATIVE PART OF THE MARKET. SO, WHILE FORD'S CEO IS ALREADY UP IN THE AIR LOGGING MASSIVE FREQUENT FLIER MILES ON THE COMPANY JET ANYWAY, WHY NOT LAYOVER IN SIDNEY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND ALLOW FORD OF AUSTRALIA TO MAKE A CASE FOR MASSIVE EXPORT OF THEIR DOMESTIC PRODUCTS TO THE STATES. THE PRODUCTION PLANTS ARE ALREADY UP AND RUNNING, AND ALL THAT'S LEFT TO DO IS TO MEET CRASH TEST AND EPA MANDATES. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING DRIVING THAT BUSINESS MODEL, OTHERWISE GM WOULDN'T BE SOURCING THEIR NEW PONTIAC G8 FROM THE LAND THAT BROUGHT US PAUL HOGAN, FOSTER'S LAGGER IN GIANT CANS AND THE VEGEMITE SANDWICH. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE. AUTOMOTIVE.
Infiniti releases brushstroke art of crossover concept {Autoblog}
Feb 28th 2007 2:52PM BACKLASH:
FIRST OF ALL, I'M BEGINNING TO HAVE MY DOUBTS ABOUT INFINITI'S DAZZLING NEW CROSSOVER COUPE. I RECENTLY SAW A POSTING ABOUT THE COMPANY'S UPCOMING CX25 AND CX35 MODELS; BUT THESE INCREDIBLY TEPPID LOOKING CROSSOVERS RESEMBLED NOTHING MORE THAN NISSAN ROGUES WITH A HIGHLY UNDERWHELMING NOSE JOB. I HAVE JUST ONE THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS DEVELOPING STORY. AFTER RELEASING THAT HIGHLY EXPRESSIVE SO-CALLED "GESTURE" THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FORESHADOW A NEAR FUTURE INFINITI CROSSOVER COUPE, THE COMPANY HAD BETTER BRING THEIR "A" GAME TO NEW YORK IN EARLY APRIL. COMPETITION IN THIS MARKET SECTOR IS REALLY STARTING TO HEAT UP, AND INFINITI CERTAINLY DOESN'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF "GESTURE" THEY'RE GOING TO BE GETTING FROM THE COLLECTIVE BUYING PUBLIC IF THEY FAIL TO BRING SOMETHING TRULY AWESOME; NOT TO MENTION THE HELL THAT FRANCHISE OWNERS WILL BRING TO BEAR. AS FAR AS THEY'RE CONCERNED, IT'S MORE THAN BAD ENOUGH THAT ONLY NISSAN IS GOING TO GET THE HIGHLY PUBLICIZED SKYLINE GTR MODEL TO SELL. THAT INFORMATION ALONE, NEARLY STARTED AN OPEN REVOLT. BUT IF THEY THEN GET STIFFED WITH NOTHING BUT A TARTED UP MINI UTE THAT JUST TAKES UP SPACE ON THE SALES LOT AND ADDS TO THEIR DEBT LOAD, THERE'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE ASSAULT ON NISSAN'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN TENNESSEE, AND CARLOS GHOSEN WILL BE LEFT DEARLY REGRETTING THE TRANSFER OF HIS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FROM LOS ANGELES TO NASHVILLE. RIGHT NOW, ONLY A VERY SMALL CIRCLE OF INFINITI EMPLOYEES KNOW THE REAL INSIDE SKINNY, BUT WE'LL ALL BE PRIVY TO THE TRUTH IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS. PERSONALLY, I HAPPEN TO LIKE THE INFINITI BRAND. BUT IF THIS EFFORT FALLS FLAT AND IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY SURGERY ISN'T PERFORMED ON THE FX TWINS, I THINK THE BRAND MIGHT BE IN REAL TROUBLE. INFINITI'S DEALERSHIP NETWORK IS AMONG THE VERY BEST. BUT UNLESS THEY HAVE A FRESH LINEUP OF VEHICLES, NO ONE'S GOING TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE IT. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Mugen goes Crossroading {Autoblog}
Feb 28th 2007 1:21PM GET A CLUE:
HONDA MOTORS AMERICA NEEDS TO SNAP OUT OF IT. I USED TO THINK THAT ONLY SOMEONE AS STUPID AS MARK FIELDS COULD MISS JUST HOW FAVORABLY AMERICAN BUYERS WOULD RESPOND TO THE HONDA CROSSROAD HERE IN THE STATES. BUT IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE I WAS WRONG. BOTH IT AND THE ELEMENT SHOULD ALREADY BE ROLLING OUT OF THE SAME HONDA ASSEMBLY PLANT HERE IN THE U.S., WITH THE CROSSROAD SHARING THE SAME DRIVETRAINS WITH THE PILOT. WHY ISN'T HONDA ALREADY ON TOP OF THIS...? WAIT JUST A MINUTE, HERE. HAS TOM LASORDA ALREADY SET UP CAMP AT HMA? I WONDER... I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
In the UK? Drive a Caliber, get a Binky. If you're lucky. {Autoblog}
Feb 27th 2007 12:14AM %^&*!! THE BINKY:
I'M JUST WONDERING IF THIS SAME WARM AND FUZZY APROACH TO MARKETING IS GOING TO WORK ALL THAT WELL ONCE THE BAD ASS CALIBER SRT4 FINALLY HITS THE SHOWROOM IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. I DO BELIEVE THAT ANY PROPER BINKY WOULD ABSOLUTELY BLOW ITS BREAKFAST MERELY AT THE SIGHT OF ONE OF THESE 300 HP BRUTES. I'LL EVEN WAJOR THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE WHINING ABOUT THE CALIBER'S LACK OF POWER WILL VANISH AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS WE SEE THE LAST OF THE BINKIES.
I SUPPOSE THE NEXT COMPLAINT WE'LL BE HEARING ABOUT THE NEW SRT4, IS THAT IT'S JUST WAY TOO POWERFUL AND NOT AT ALL ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE. IF THAT'S HOW YOU FEEL, GO BUY A PRIUS AND CHECK YOUR MANHOOD AT THE DOOR. DODGES WERE NEVER MEANT FOR THE CABERNET/BRIE CROWD, ANYWAY. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Geneva Preview: Cadillac goes to Switzerland {Autoblog}
Feb 26th 2007 10:46PM SKINNING THE CAT:
CADDY IS GOING TO HAVE A HARD ROW TO HOE IN EUROPE, BUT I THINK THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT. JUST LOOK WHAT'S CURRENTLY HAPPENING TO THE CADILLAC BLS. IT'S BARELY CAUSING A RIPPLE.
THE EUROS HAVE ROUTINELY ADOPTED A HAUGHTY, ARROGANT POSTURE TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES ACROSS A VERY BROAD SPECTRUM OF ISSUES; ALWAYS SLAPPING US AROUND FOR NOT BEING AS ERUDITE, SOPHISTICATED OR NUANCED AS THEY ARE. AND AT LEAST IN THE AREA OF CARS, AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT, THEY'VE BEEN ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. OUR MASS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES HAVE SIMPLY LEFT WAY TOO MANY ROUGH EDGES AND UNEVEN BODY PANELS TO SUIT THEIR MORE DISCERNING TASTES; ESPECIALLY WHEN WE VENTURE INTO THE HIGHER REACHES OF THE LUXURY/PERFORMANCE SECTOR. OUR CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY HAVE SIMPLY CONSIDERED THAT MARKET TO BE TOO TOUGH A NUT TO CRACK WITH PRODUCTS DESIGNED, AT LEAST INITIALLY, FOR OUR OWN HOME MARKET.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE THAN JUST VALUE PRICING TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFFICANT AND SUSTAINED MARKET PENETRATION FOR GM'S PREMIER LUXURY BRAND. ALL YOU REALLY HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE JUST HOW HIGH THE BAR IS, IS READ SOME OF THE FOREIGN PRESS'S CAUSTIC REVIEWS OF HOME MARKET PRODUCTS THAT WE WIDELY THINK OF AS BEING UNASSAILABLE ICONS.
WHAT'S SURPRISING TO ME, IS JUST HOW POPULAR DCX'S CALIBER HAS BEEN IN EUROPE. ITS COMBINATION OF RELATIVELY SMALL SIZE, GOOD GAS MILEAGE, LONG LIST OF OPTIONS AND RELATIVELY ROBUST CHARACTER SEEM TO HAVE FOUND THE SWEET SPOT FOR MANY EUROPEAN BUYERS. AND IT CERTAINLY HELPS THAT MOST OF THE HOMEGROWN COMPETITION IS DRAPED IN SHEETMETAL THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS EXUDING MEGA DOSES OF ESTROGEN. IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE JUST HOW THE DODGE NITRO IS RECEIVED, AS WELL AS THE SOON TO BE RELEASED DODGE CALIBER SRT4. THE LATTER IS CERTAINLY GOING TO PACK ONE HECK OF A WALLOP.
THE SRT MODEL WILL CERTAINLY LACK THE HIGH LEVELS OF POLLISH AND REFINEMENT THAT "TYPICAL" EUROPEANS CLAIM TO CHERRISH, BUT THERE'S NO DENYING THE ALLURE OF RAW, BRUTE POWER; THIS TINY, HIGHLY MUSCLED BULL WILL COME EQUIPPED WITH 300 HORSEPOWER, STANDARD. AND ANYONE WHO IS IGNORENT OF ITS POTENTIAL IS IN FOR A NASTY SURPRIZE. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES IN AN EXTREMELY DISTINCTIVE, AND AFFORDABLE PACKAGE, STILL GETS REASONABLY GOOD GAS MILEAGE AND POSSESSES A SURPRISINGLY HIGH DEGREE OF PRACTICALITY. THE ULTIMATE KICKER, THOUGH, IS THE FACT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE READILY AVAILABLE, AND BRAZENLY FLIES IN THE FACE OF RIGIDLY HELD CONVENTION. AND WHAT RED BLOODED, NONCOMFORMIST, EURO HARD ASS COULD POSSIBLY RESIST TAKING THIS RABID ASSAULT MACHINE ON REPEATED HIGH SPEED RUNS UP AND DOWN THE CHAMPS ELISE` IN THE SMALL HOURS OF A FRENCH SUMMER MORNING? ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN EASILY AND RESOUNDINGLY STOMP WELL ESTABLISHED HOT HATCHES LIKE VOLKSWAGEN'S R32 AND RENAULT'S CLIO CLUB SPORT. IN THAT PART OF THE PLANET, IT'S GOING TO FEEL AS THOUGH THE WORLD'S BEEN TURNED ON ITS EAR. I JUST WISH I COULD BE THERE WHEN THE PAINFUL REALIZATION FINALLY COMES TO LIGHT. THE TINY AMERICAN CROSSOVER SIMPLY KICKS EUROPEAN ASS, AND MAKES IT LOOK EASY. GRUDGING RESPECT IS SURE TO FOLLOW, ALONG WITH AN ALARMING UPTICK IN SALES.
IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE DODGE NAME HAS COME TO REPRESENT A DISTINCTLY AMERICAN BRAND OF MASCULINITY. REMEMBER; THE VIPER HAS BEEN OFFERED ON THAT SIDE OF THE POND FOR SOME TIME NOW, AND I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE THAT ANY PROUD OWNER OF A SHINEY NEW PORSCHE CAYMAN-S WANTS TO SEE THE BIG SNAKE REELING HIM IN FROM BEHIND LIKE A HAPLESS MINOW. THAT WOULDN'T EVEN QUALIFY AS A LIGHT WORKOUT FOR THE DODGE PRODUCT. THE VIPER CAN HUMBLE OR AT LEAST HANG WITH ALL BUT THE UPPER CRUST OF SUPERCARS THAT EVEN EUROPE'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS MANUFACTURERS HAVE TO OFFER, AND DO IT AT A PRICE POINT THAT REPRESENTS LESS THAN 30% OF THE TARIFF BEING DEMANDED BY THE LOCAL TALLENT. EVEN A LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO OWNER, AND CERTAINLY THE PILOTO OF A FERRARI F430 HAD BETTER KEEP A SHARP EYE ON THEIR REARVIEW MIRRORS. THE VIPER OUTMUSCLES THE FERRARI PRODUCT BY MORE THAN 100 HORSES, AND ONLY SOMEONE AS GOOD AS MICHAEL SCHUMACHER COULD POSSIBLY OVERCOME A DEFICIT LIKE THAT, AND EVEN THEN, ONLY UNDER THE MOST IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO GET A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF EXACTLY WHAT CADILLAC NEEDS TO OVERCOME IN EUROPE, THE COMPANY HAS TO BITE THE BULLET AND HAND OVER THE KEYS TO SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES TO THE EDITORS OF VARIOUS RESPECTED EUROPEAN AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALS FOR A THREE-WEEK TEST DRIVE. RICK WAGONER AND HIS PALS CERTAINLY WON'T BE GETTING REAMS OF POTENTIAL AD COPY IN RETURN, BUT AT LEAST THEY CAN TRUMPET THE FACT THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PUT THEIR CARS AND SUVs TO THE ULTIMATE ACID TEST. THIS ISN'T THE TIME OR PLACE FOR PSYCHOPHANTIC BACK SLAPPING AND UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH AT STAKE HERE, AND SUCCESS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION WOULD REPRESENT A MASSIVE SEA CHANGE IN AMERICA'S EFFORT TO BECOME A TRUE WORLD PLAYER. BECAUSE, UNTIL WE CAN GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE EUROPEAN COMPETITION ON AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD AND LEGITIMATELY HOLD OUR OWN, WE WILL ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED A SECOND OR THIRD TIER AUTOMOTIVE PLAYER. AND IT CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE A BAD IDEA TO START PURCHASING AND CUTTING UP BMW 6-SERIES CARS FOR VALID SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISONS WITH THE GENERAL'S BEST. I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT THE DETROIT CROWD IS EXTREMELY FOND OF EXCUSING THEIR SHORTCOMINGS DUE TO PRICE DIFFERENTIATION, BUT THE DAYS FOR EXCUSES ARE OVER. IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS. A WELL EQUIPPED CADILLAC XLR-V NOW STICKERS AT MORE THAN 100,000 LARGE. IT'S TIME TO DELIVER THE GOODS. IT'S TIME TO ENTER THE LION'S DEN AND SLAP HIM DOWN ON HIS OWN TURF. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Subaru confirms Impreza WRX and sedan are safe {Autoblog}
Feb 24th 2007 11:44PM REINCARNATION:
IN THE HINDU RELIGION, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU LIVE A VIRTUOUS AND VICE FREE LIFE, YOU COME BACK IN A FAR BETTER FORM. WELL, APPARENTLY THE IMPREZA WRX SPORTWAGON HAS LIVED A REMARKABLY VIRTUOUS LIFE, BECAUSE IT'S COMING BACK AS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 4-DOOR HATCH. SO NOW THE STEADFAST AND INCREDIBLY LOYAL LITTLE BURRO GETS TO COME BACK AND KICK SOME SERIOUS AUDI S-3 ASS. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Why was the Honda Crossroad in L.A.? Here's why... {Autoblog}
Feb 24th 2007 11:27PM BAIT AND SWITCH:
APPARENTLY THOSE MARKETING WIZARDS AT HONDA AREN'T SMART ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT A CROSSER LIKE THIS WOULD BE FAR BETTER RECEIVED HERE IN THE STATES THAN THE ELEMENT, AND GENERATE MORE MONEY PER UNIT AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH THE CROSSROADS DOES LOOK LIKE THE LOVECHILD FROM A ZESTY SESSION BETWEEN THE NOW DEFUNCT MERCURY VILLAGER AND HUMMER H3. I GUESS IT SHOULDN'T COME AS MUCH OF A SURPRIZE TO LEARN THAT SUZUKI IS NOW OUTSELLING DOCTOR HONDA'S COMPANY IN THE HOME MARKET. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE.
Why was the Honda Crossroad in L.A.? Here's why... {Autoblog}
Feb 24th 2007 11:10PM GINZA STRIP, ANYONE?
HERE IN THE STATES, SOME LOCATIONS LIKE RODEO DRIVE, SOUTHBEACH, HOLLYWOOD, ASPEN, WEST PALM AND A LOT OF OTHERS, HAVE CAREFULLY MANICURED REPUTATIONS THAT ARE BEING ACTIVELY GLAMOURIZED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ALL OVER THE PLANET; SO MUCH SO, THAT IT'S NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL FOR ON-THE-GROUND REALITY TO FALL WELL SHORT OF THE IMAGE CREATED INSIDE THE GLOSSY PROMOTIONALS. IT HELPS A LOT, IF THE PEOPLE YOU'RE TARGETING LIVE FAR AWAY; PREFERABLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET. SO IT'S REALLY NO SURPRIZE TO FIND HONDA SHOOTING A JDM-ONLY PRODUCT HERE IN LA. EVEN A "HIGHLY DISCERNING CROWD" IN HIP, DOWNTOWN TOKYO CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING THAT THE CITY OF ANGELS IS UTTERLY FREE OF ZITS AND BLEMISHES. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT THE ADVERT SHOWED THE DIRTY HEROINE NEEDLES PILED BEHIND THE DUMPSTER AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE, OR THE UNCONSCIOUS, THREADBARE WINO LAYING FACE DOWN IN A POOL OF HIS OWN VOMIT ON THE FRONT SIDEWALK OF THE STAPLE CENTER. YOU SEE, IN A NATION OF MORE THAN 300,000,000, EVEN A TINY PERCENTAGE OF ABJECT LOSERS CAN CONSTITUTE AN UNSIGHTLY MESS OF FRIGHTENING DIMENSIONS. EXPERIENCED AD AGENCIES JUST HAVE AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE NOT TO SHOOT THEIR COMMERCIALS. I'M PRETTY CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE SOME LOGATIONS ALONG THE GINZA STRIP THAT YOU'D RATHER NOT FIND YOURSELF VISITING AT 5:27 OF A MONDAY MORNING. I'M DAN SMITH FROM SQUARE-ONE AUTOMOTIVE. AUTOMOTIVE.
