Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/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/<![CDATA[SNL takes on the Detroit 3 bailout]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/snl-takes-on-the-detroit-3-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/snl-takes-on-the-detroit-3-bailout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/snl-takes-on-the-detroit-3-bailout/#commentsFiled under:


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Saturday Night Live has been on a roll of late, with a string of strong skits centered around the Presidential election and the ongoing financial crisis. So it was only a matter of time before SNL took on the auto industry to task, using last week's Congressional hearings as the backdrop. As one might expect, SNL writers showed no mercy for Allan Mulally, Bob Nardelli, and Rick Wagoner, and Congress didn't look too bright, either. The omnipresent joke of the entire eight-minute skit was a long, consistent shot at the quality of Detroit 3 products. Even though it's an obvious exaggeration, we're guessing the shots are a sure-fire sign that commercials touting the quality improvements at Ford and GM have fallen on deaf ears. Hit the jump to view SNL's latest.

[Source: DKKonservo]

Continue reading SNL takes on the Detroit 3 bailout

SNL takes on the Detroit 3 bailout originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allan MulallyAllanMulallyAuto industryAutoIndustryBob NardelliBobNardellicongressRick WagonerRickWagonerSaturday Night LiveSaturdayNightLiveTue, 25 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pelosi, Congress consider more money for U.S. automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/pelosi-congress-consider-more-money-for-us-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/pelosi-congress-consider-more-money-for-us-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/pelosi-congress-consider-more-money-for-us-automakers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



House leader Nancy Pelosi may have given the beleaguered U.S. auto industry it's biggest and best hope yet after the leading Congressional Democrat told NPR that Congress is considering more loan money for the ailing industry. Pelosi and House leadership met on Monday about a second $25 billion bridge loan that would buy the Detroit Three time during a brutal downturn. Pelosi is also meeting with management from each domestic automaker plus UAW President Ron Gettelfinger today to discuss possible loan packages. Pelosi said the potential loans are about "saving an industry," which goes a long way towards showing just how dire the situation has become. Government help for the U.S. auto industry likely won't get resistance from President Elect Barak Obama, as the new Pres has stated publicly in the past that he wants to help get Detroit automakers back on their feet.

This second round of money would come in the form of a low interest loan similar to the $25 billion that has already been approved for more efficient car tech. Washington will likely demand that executive compensation be curtailed as part of any deal, if only to keep shell-shocked Americans from blowing a gasket over the kind of money that is being thrown about our nation's capital. The Detroit News is reporting that further details of these new potential loans may be available as soon as Friday, as Congressional leaders plan to put out a statement. That's the same day third quarter financial results are due to come from Ford and GM, and those numbers aren't likely to be good at all.

[Source: The Detroit News, Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty]

Pelosi, Congress consider more money for U.S. automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allan mulallyAllanMulallygettelfingerjim nardelliJimNardellinancy pelosiNancyPelosirick wagonerRickWagonerThu, 06 Nov 2008 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford CEO Alan Mulally to keynote CES]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-to-keynote-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-to-keynote-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-to-keynote-ces/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Looks like the biggest gadget convention on Earth is becoming the place for big automotive announcements. You'll remember that two years ago at the Consumer Electronics Show, Ford and Microsoft announced their partnership on Ford's SYNC system, and last January General Motor's CEO Rick Wagoner chose Las Vegas to unveil the all-electric Cadillac Provoq concept. It was the first time in the convention's 40-year history an automaker had revealed a concept car to the world there.

This year it's Ford's turn again at CES, with CEO Alan Mulally taking the keynote spot. CES runs January 8-11 next year, but there's no word yet on what day Mulally will make his appearance. There's also no word on what he'll be saying or revealing to the thousands of people gathered in that Vegas ballroom. New SYNC features are a given, but will Ford also choose CES to roll out its plug-in hybrid project? Stay tuned for full coverage from the Autoblog team.

Gallery: CES 2008: Cadillac Provoq Live reveal


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty]

Ford CEO Alan Mulally to keynote CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyalan mulally cesAlanMulallyAlanMulallyCesallan mulallyAllanMulallycesconsumer electronics showConsumerElectronicsShowfordmulallyFri, 29 Aug 2008 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: 2010 Ford Focus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Ford Verve conceptFor over three years, US car buyers have soldiered on with variations on the aged first-generation Ford Focus architecture while Europeans have moved on to enjoy the much better-looking and more refined gen-two model. Ford CEO Allan Mulally has officially confirmed that the upcoming 2010 Focus will be global, meaning that our interest in the Ford compact should grow considerably. The web scribes at FoMoCo News have popped up a possible sketch of the next Focus (source unknown, so take with a grain of salt), and the three-door rendering shares a lot of design elements with its smaller sibling, the Verve (shown at right). The taut, flowing headlamps and aggressive fender bulges are similar, as is the trapezoidal theme for the lower intake. The contour of the two vehicles is also a near perfect match, with the hatch and rear windows receiving very similar angles. The Focus sketch has more pronounced side panels with a flare that stretches from behind the front wheel well all the way to the hatch, giving the larger three-door a more athletic appearance.

We're still a year or two from seeing the next Focus in the flesh, and although the FoMoCo News sketch is far from official, it's probably as reasonable a forecast as any, since we know the Verve's design language is on the way. You can check out more sketches of this possible next-gen Focus by clicking the "Read" link below. Thanks for the tip, Mbuku!

[Source: FoMoCo News]

Rendered Speculation: 2010 Ford Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allan MulallyAllanMulallyEuro FocusEuroFocusFord FocusFord VerveFordFocusFordVerveSat, 09 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Mulally (again) professes faith in Mercury]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/mulally-again-professes-faith-in-mercury/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/mulally-again-professes-faith-in-mercury/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/mulally-again-professes-faith-in-mercury/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Every product forecast for FoMoCo shows new products for Ford and Lincoln, but other than the Milan Hybrid, the shelf is bare for Mercury. To make the situation more dire, sales are down 11-percent this year, and last year was the worst for the beleaguered waterfall in 44 years. Regardless of the grim statistics for Mercury, CEO Allan Mulally insists that there is a place for Mercury at the Blue Oval. Mulally sees a "great set of products" at Mercury, but the 1,900 Mercury dealers must be wondering when help is on the way.

We'd love to see a Saturn-like situation at Mercury, where Euro products come to the States donning the waterfall grille. Failing that, without products differentiated further from their Ford counterparts, Mercury is destined to fade off into the sunset whether Ford wants to keep the brand or not.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mulally (again) professes faith in Mercury originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allan MulallyAllanMulallyFord Motor CompanyFordMotorCompanyLincolnMercuryMilan HybridMilanHybridTue, 16 Oct 2007 08:25:00 EST