Recent Comments:
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 12:27PM Frank
What I find interesting is that the Chery A1 already exists, and yet Tommy says it will be 3 or more years before it can meet US standards! That seems ludicrous. Chrysler has the know-how to get the job done much faster than that.
Ergo, would it not make sense to re-up the old Neon platform, revise and build up on it first? It's sort of like what Ford is doing with the Focus. Instead of changing over completely to the new platform they are upgrading the old one UNTIL THEY HAVE THE NEW ONE READY.
That makes far more sense to me. Besides it keeps it all in the family, so that no squabbling occurs between Renault, Nissan, Dodge or Chrysler (not to mention their suppliers). That way also all the capital remains in the company and is not split amongst a number of concerned parties. Less legal and tax hurdles that way.
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 12:02PM - Don't hold your breath waiting for an ultra-cheap Chery in the US, though. Chrysler co-pilot Tom LaSorda says Chery has "three or more years" before the Chinese automaker can meet US safety and emissions standards.
Uh-huh.
Brent, It seems like it will 3 or more years before Chery can even meet US safety and emissions standards. I believe a new Dodge Neon could be on the road long before that. Toyota has the capability (and the cash) to get a new vehicle to market in 18 months, while GM takes forever to recreate the old Camaro. Meanwhile the market is saturated with Mustangs and soon to be a few exclusive Challengers. GM is late to the party again. Realistically it takes about two years to complete the process. If it takes longer than that then you end up like GM with a dead horse coming out of the gate. The market changes too quickly nowadays.
DT, There ain't nothing wrong with the Vibe, because it is a Toyota! (in disguise). Everybody knows that. I agree with you that sharing development costs makes a lot of sense in today's economy. However, no way should a Dodge look or perform like a Nissan product. They have to draw a line somewhere in the sand that separates the two brands.
More details on the 2009 Ford Focus {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 11:40AM The people over at Honda are biting their nails. LOL
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 11:18AM I wish Chryslerbus would get its act together today. Outsourcing product lines never worked very well for anyone. Take the Pontiac Vibe vs Toyota Matrix for example. Real winner for GM there.
Dodge should be building on its own inventory, platforms designs and ingenuity. Yeah, I know they're kind of short of bucks (but not stingy tight wad Cerberus though).
What's wrong with re-introducing an updated Dodge Neon? That should eliminate the Renault-Nissan marriage altogether. Then you just downsize that model to bring on a subcompact version. No need therefore for Chery clones either.
Remember all the problems and hassles Chrysler had with Mitsubishi? I guess they still haven't learned their lesson yet. What are the child labor laws like in China? Are you ready for that one?
GM announces plan to close Windsor transmission plant {Autoblog}
May 13th 2008 12:52PM This is SOP for GM, especially when in contract negotiations. They already know which plant will produce the best results, so they announce that it is to be shuttered. The CAW takes the bait and offers concessions to keep the plant open. Buzz may be snookered again, but at least the guys and gals in Windsor will still have a job.
The declining dollar will probably force the Pontiac G8 and Sport Ute to be assembled there as well. Rumors of a RWD Pontiac G6 and possibly a G4 still abound also. The GTO could be revived in a pinch. What about Solstice? Well, that might be stretching it a bit.
Impala should remain FWD.
Buick should forge a different road as AWD.
Now Cadillac is another matter. Ricky MAY consider building the CTS and new RWD DTS in Oshawa. That may be on the drawing board there as well. We'll see. :)
El Capuccino Volvo 'ute spotted outside museum {Autoblog}
May 13th 2008 12:27PM Mike
Ford Falcon Ute is what they are referring to. Only in Australia, eh? Actually Alan is Mulally-ing about importing this cutie from Oz to satisfy the Yankee Doodles with head banger tendencies to compete with GM Holden's Sport Ute which is headed this way already.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon_(Australia)#Falcon_Ute
GM announces plan to close Windsor transmission plant {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 5:27PM Uh-huh
Buzz is that the trannys will keep on rollin'.
Remember not too long ago when GM was going to close one of its auto assembly plants in Ontario? Buzz negotiated the new Zeta platform to be positioned there instead. That's where the Camaro and other RWD GM cars are going to be built.
I wouldn't put it past Buzz to install a new 6 speed tranny line at Windsor for GM. Wait and see.
Obama picks worst car ever to come out of Motown {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 11:35AM BAROQUE? Actually it means Ford lowered the BAR and almost went BROKE!
Ford Europe launches new top shelf Mondeo - the Titanium X Sport {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 12:31PM 45.6 mpg !!! Gawd, I wish we had the Mondeo here. However the price is rather exorbitant....$46,000. YIKES!
Thought it might make a better Fusion if they popped in the 2.3L I4 or 3.0L V6 for stateside entries.
Maybe I like Audi far too much, but I would like to see a larger grille on this puppy also.
GM appoints four "brand czars" as part of realignment plan {Autoblog}
Apr 29th 2008 5:14PM You're right about Chevrolet. Chevy is the only full line brand GM has, and it has to stay that way. GMC is the fly in the ointment that has to removed or modified.
Roger Smith once said that an automobile company needs to produce a million vehicles annually to be a successful brand on the market.
If Chevrolet was only selling the Cobalt, Malibu and 1 crossover, GM would fold within a year. At most GM could only sell about 500,000 copies altogether of these models. Not enough return on investment to remain solvent here.
If Pontiac were only the performance brand, GM would only gain another 240,000 vehicles. Far too expensive to ramp up production for.
Saturn as a Scion counterpart is a good idea, but unfeasible. Saturn's $5 billion legacy debt has been forever hampering the successful launch of this brand. Time to cut loose the dead weight.
Yes, Cadillac should remain the luxury brand and start moving more upscale. All Caddies should incorporate hybrid technology for starters.
Buick, Hummer and Saab each have their unique identities and are essential to the survival of GM. It cost over a billion dollars to liquidate Oldsmobile because of franchising laws. The cost would be unbearable to kill off these three larger entities.
