Recent Comments:
Fiat posts another profitable quarter, raises forecast {Autoblog}
Jul 24th 2006 9:06PM If you're going to charge someone with ignorance, you might want to check the facts first.
First, GM paid Fiat the $2b, or the first part of it anyway, just a bit over a year ago. Lead times being what they are, Fiat's current products, including the new ones, were already paid for or in the process of being paid for at that time. To the extent GM's money has a positive impact on Fiat's performance, it will be further down the road.
TCC article at the time:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Auto_News/GM_Buys_Off_Fiat_For_2B.S175.A8121.html
One thing I hadn't realized was that not only did GM pay Fiat almost $2b, but it also gave up it's ten percent share of Fiat. What's that worth now?
Second, "Maserati" (check the spelling) and "profits" are two words you'll rarely find associated with one another. In the first quarter of 2006 it LOST 19 million Euros, and it lost another 7 million in the second quarter.
Third, these results for Fiat Auto don't include Maserati's losses. And both Maserati's AND Ferrari's results are included in the Fiat Group's overall auto results.
Details: http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=B9EP2XPH82R4BRQFAMER
So, who's ignorant?
Fiat posts another profitable quarter, raises forecast {Autoblog}
Jul 24th 2006 7:19PM Good thing GM paid two billion to get out of the planned merger...
Ford announces pricing for 2007 Expedition models {Autoblog}
Jul 24th 2006 3:57PM The cost reduction will come from beating the tar out of HUGE rebates (often $5000+) and likely from cutting dealer margins, which are quite large on this model.
Can anyone point me toward a full price list, including options, if one exists? I'm not even seeing the release on the Ford media site.
My page for the Expedition, only 2006 prices at this point:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Expedition.php
Official Volvo C30 info {Autoblog}
Jul 24th 2006 2:58PM Five door? If so, then I might be interested. Although Volvo usually manages to kill all steering feel even when working from a platform shared with Mazda.
Lincoln MKZ gets another name change {Autoblog}
Jul 24th 2006 12:38PM They'll all end up with names again in a few years. Alphanumerics only work if there are just a handful of models and you've been doing it forever--i.e. BMW and Mercedes. And I suspect even Mercedes customers are becoming confused, that line has gotten so large.
At some point one of these brands will get a lot of attention for launching its first car in recent years with a real name, then most of the others will follow.
Weber looks to bring V4 engine to the masses {Autoblog}
Jul 23rd 2006 4:37PM This isn't good. If this engine enjoys some success, people who claim to have a V4 under the hood might actually have a clue what they're talking about.
Jeep believes bobbleheads will help sell the Compass {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2006 4:50PM Do some people find this vehicle remotely attractive?
Maybe bobbleheads could have sold the Aztek.
Hybrid tax credits hit the redline {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2006 7:22PM Bush has already asked Congress to extend the hybrid tax credit, so I wouldn't be surprised if this happens before October 1st.
Price comparisons at my site include the tax credits, which in some cases make a hybrid close in price to its non-hybrid counterpart. But can you get a similar discount from the dealer?
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
Barabus TKR: 0-60 mph in 1.67 secs, 270 mph top speed {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2006 1:19PM Must hit sixty in first gear. And how large and sticky are those rear tires?
How long before someone produces a street legal top fuel dragster that'll hit 300 in the quarter?
Forbes digs on domestics with Worst American Cars of 2006 {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2006 1:14PM Lists, in general, are lazy journalism. And Forbes seems intent on being the King of Lists.
Given the rapid depreciation of the Grand Prix, and the fun-to-drive factor of the supercharged V6 and V8 versions, it should be a great value as a used car. The styling and packaging are iffy, but they're more fun to drive than the RWD but much larger Chrysler V8s.
People who talk about junk American quality are usually shooting from the hip. The real difference should be known within a year.
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
