Autoblog

Turning scrap metal into German classics is our kind of recycling program

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Classics, Etc., Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Design/Style

There were plenty of curiosities to see art the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. City cars converted into beach buggies. Electric supercars. Exotics with trick folding roofs. Even a tuner Porsche crossover posing as a new vehicle. But few were as intriguing as what we found in one of the back halls of the Frankfurt Messe.

What you see here is a pile of scrap metal transformed by artistic vision into a full-scale replica of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing." It's made entirely of reclaimed car parts and random pieces of scrap by German firm Giganten Aus Stahl, which roughly translates as Giants of Steel. It's just one of a number of creations the studio offers to those with enough, um, "scrap" to buy the unique creations.

Other projects have varied to include full-scale replicas of famous movie characters - from Peter Fonda in full Easy Rider glory to Aliens and Predators - as well as animals, athletes, even pieces of furniture. Of course we were most interested in the cars, and in addition to the Gullwing we found similar replicas of a classic Porsche Spyder and pre-war Auto Union grand prix racer.

You can check 'em out in our trio of high-resolution image galleries, but if you like what you see, don't expect them to come cheap: the Gullwing fetches a princely €69,000 ($96k), while the Porsche and Auto Union are available for €39,000 ($54k) and €54,000 ($75k), respectively. Head over to Classic-Sportwagen.de and Giganten-Aus-Stahl.de for more information.

Turning scrap metal into German classics is our kind of recycling program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford UAW workers approve strike authorization as bargaining tool

Chris Shunk — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Ford, GM, UAW/Unions

We haven't heard much concerning the contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and Detroit automakers, but that's probably by design. The UAW is looking to expand, and it probably wouldn't hurt organized labor's chances to do so if these talks went smoothly. Still, what would negotiations be without the threat of a strike?

The Detroit Free Press reports that at least four Ford UAW locals have overwhelmingly voted to authorize leadership to call a strike. The move, which is considered to be routine, comes only two weeks before the contracts with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler run out on September 14. The UAW has asked all local units to hold strike authorization votes by Friday.

Ford UAW workers approve strike authorization as bargaining tool originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: UAW to hold sympathy strike for Hyundai workers in Korea

Zach Bowman — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Hyundai, UAW/Unions, South Korea

The UAW has announced its support for Hyundai workers in South Korea who have been on strike since November 15. The employees are all temporary and contract workers who receive lower pay and fewer benefits compared to their full-time counterparts, and their strike has managed to shut down a production facility. According to the Detroit Free Press, the UAW says that at least one fifth of Hyundai workers are temporary and that those workers deserve the same pay and benefit as the automaker's full-time employees. In addition, the UAW says that many of the Hyundai temporary workers are often hired by false contractors.

To that end, the UAW plans to hold a rally outside of Hyundai's technical center in Superior Township, Michigan. The union also said that other organizations around the globe will stage similar protests, though where those rallies will take place and who will take part remains unclear.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Report: UAW to hold sympathy strike for Hyundai workers in Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2009 UAW membership fell to lowest figure since WWII

Chris Shunk — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, Ford, GM, UAW/Unions

The U.S. auto industry has been bottomed out since the fall of 2008; a fact that is reflected by the falling membership of the United Auto Workers. The Detroit Free Press reports that membership fell by 18 percent from 2008 to 2009, with current membership at 355,191 men and women. The job losses came courtesy of several plant closings around the country as domestic automakers struggled to right-size a footprint that was too big to sustain.

And the UAW isn't just losing people, the labor organization is also losing cash and political influence. The UAW lost a total of $69 million in assets in 2009, as cash reserves are now down to $1.12 billion. The UAW is spending less money in Washington as well, as the rank and file spent $9.7 million on lobbying efforts in 2009, down from $10.6 million in 2008. Even long-time union boss Ron Gettelfinger took a bit of a haircut in 2009 as his pay was cut by $1,000 to $173,069.

So is the UAW on its way to oblivion? Probably not, but the U.S. auto industry is going to have to turn around before more union dues starts pouring into UAW headquarters again.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: 2009 UAW membership fell to lowest figure since WWII originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Maserati 8CM number 3011 from Legendary Race Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

Confused as to what to do with all the Barnes & Nobles and Amazon.com gift cards your in-laws pelted you with this Holiday season? Be confused no more! Legendary Race Cars is the book every pistonhead needs sitting on their night stand in 2010. We really hope you haven't gone all Kindle on us, because Basem Wasef's coffee table-sized book is loaded bow to stern with gorgeous photographs of some of the most desirable cars ever built, let alone raced. Wasef took all the non-vintage pictures, too, and they're quite stunning.

What cars? Well, that's the really fantastic part. Put it like this: had we been asked to write such a book, our choices wouldn't have been much different. There are 25 legendary racers in all, spanning from motorsports earliest days right on up to the present. In truth, a great mix of racing machines.

The first car discussed is the Ford GT40 and the last is Sterling Moss's Mercedes-Benz 300SLR - the No. 722 car. In between you get Carroll Shelby's Aston Martin DBR1 and Cobra Daytona Coupe, all the Auto Union Grand Prix Cars, Senna's McLaren MP4/4, Fangio's Maserati 250F and of course the brutally awesome Porsche 917. Each car is discussed in informative, enthusiastic and playful detail, yet the text is never slavish or obsessive. If you want to know who cut the Maserati 8CM's splines, look elsewhere.

And that's not even the half of it, as Legendary Race Cars is loaded with more winners like Richard Petty's Plymouth SuperBird, the first round the world winner, the Thomas Flyer, the Indy-dominating Marmon Wasp (first car to ever employ a rear-view mirror!), Audi's Group B killer S1 Quattro, Schumacher's Ferraris, McRae's Subarus and even Ecurie Ecosse's Jaguars.

Some of you might be familiar with Basem Wasef's first book, Legendary Motorcycles. If you are, you'll no doubt remember that Jay Leno wrote the introduction to that one. Not bad for your first book. For his second book, Basem got none other than Sir Stirling Moss to pen the foreword, which, for you whippersnappers who have no clue who Sir Stirling is, would be like getting Snoop Dogg to help you write an essay about gangsta rappers and marijuana.

Here's part of what Moss has to say, "Selecting these 25 legendary cars cannot have been easy. Automobiles, like paintings and other works of art, have different effects on different people... I would hate to have been making the choice - but I am enormously proud and happy to have been invited to write the foreword for this book." All we can do is say wow. For his third book, Mr. Wasef will no doubt be writing it in Colin Chapman's blood. Until then, pick up a copy of Legendary Race Cars (It's $23.10 right now at Amazon). You won't regret it one iota. Make the jump to watch Basem Wasef discuss Legendary Race Cars with none other than Jay Leno, and don't forget to check out the gallery that's filled with some choice stills from the book.

Gallery: Legendary Race Cars

Continue reading Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO]

Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:19:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Videos, Audi

The search for the last Horch -- Click above to watch video

You have August Horch to thank for Audi. A former engineer for Karl Benz, Horch started the second oldest company of the original four companies that merged to form Auto Union (the first was Wanderer). But it was Horch whose name, translated into Latin, became "Audi."

The last Horch was built in Ingolstadt in 1953, and Audi wanted to find it. They put their vintage car locator, Ralph Hornung, on the case and he ended up in a field in West Texas. Follow the jump to view a video explaining the search and how the once mighty V8 found its way to a lonely Lone Star pasture. And on a side note, Hornung has a most awesome job... Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: Audi TV via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas?

VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Auto Union could be reborn out of VW-Porsche merger

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

In yet another strange twist of fate to the whole Porsche buys Volkswagen buys Porsche saga, the Auto Union name could end up being revived as a name for a combined company. The two companies have reportedly come to terms on a value for what the car business of Porsche AG is worth and a deal could soon be consummated. The VW supervisory board is expected to meet today to decide on moving forward with an acquisition valued at €8-11 billion.

Auto Union is best known for the remarkable grand prix cars that wore the four ringed badge in the 1930s. The ~~all-wheel-drive~~ (Audi didn't start working on AWD until the late '70s) monsters were designed by Ferdinand Porsche (the original) for the company born of the merger of Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer. That same Dr. Porsche, of course, is publicly credited (although disputed) with developing the original Volkswagen. Eventually, all of Auto Union but the Audi brand faded away by the late 1960s, but the VW-owned company retained the icon.

Complete integration (or assimilation) of the companies is expected by late 2011 with current VW CEO Martin Winterkorn at the helm.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Auto Union could be reborn out of VW-Porsche merger originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow back on the auction block at Bonhams in August

Noah Joseph — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Audi

Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The history of the notorious Silver Arrow racers parallels that of the nation which bore its birth. In the years leading up to WWII, Adolf Hitler was bent on world conquest - not just on the battlefield, but on the race track as well. Convinced that motor racing was the perfect venue to exhibit what he viewed as Germany's superiority, the Fuhrer commissioned Germany's top engineers at both Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union to develop a generation of advanced racing machines that would later become known as the Silver Arrows. The 1938 Auto Union D-Type was Hitler's favorite.

The cars reigned victorious in the 1930s, but with the outbreak of the war, racing in Europe ground to a halt. The following decade Nazi Germany lay in ruins, Hitler was dead, and the Soviets seized the D-Types from the Auto Union factory in East Germany. With an Iron Curtain cutting off contact between the Soviet Bloc and the Western world, enthusiasts and historians were convinced the Silver Arrows remained intact somewhere in the Communist empire, but all the while they were being brutally dismantled. Although many of the Mercedes pre-war racers survived, few of the Auto Unions did. Only three of these D-Types are known to remain intact.

The example you see here, Chassis 19, was painstakingly restored to original condition, and was set to hit the auction block at Christie's two years ago until it was withdrawn at the last minute due to unanswered questions over its heritage and provenance. With the questions answered and its pedigree assured, Bonhams is now offering this extremely rare and most desirable piece of automotive history at its upcoming auction at the Quail Lodge this coming August, where it is expected to fetch in excess of $8 million. But with previous estimates having placed it closer to $12 million, it stands a real chance of breaking the $12.2 million record set by the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa at the RM Auction in Maranello just last month. Check out the press release after the jump and the high-res pictures in the gallery below.

Gallery: Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow back on the auction block at Bonhams in August

Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow back on the auction block at Bonhams in August originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are GM, UAW close to concessions agreement... or are they at odds over China?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Earnings/Financials, UAW/Unions

Depending on who you choose to listen to, General Motors and the United Auto Workers are either close to forging an important concessions deal, or they're still squabbling over GM's plans to sell imported vehicles to U.S. consumers.

GM and the UAW are in talks trying to slash $1 billion in annual labor costs, with reports stating that the plan would give the union a 39% stake in GM to help fund the Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) health care trust. GM already has around $15 billion invested in the VEBA, but it is still on the hook for some $20 billion. If reached, the new deal would reportedly cut that figure in half.

The agreement, which the Wall Street Journal says could be reached as soon as this week, will still need to be voted on by the UAW's 60,000 GM employees, who themselves also face upwards of 20,000 more job layoffs as well as more wage and benefit cuts.

Conversely, the Associated Press is reporting that the issue remains very much in doubt, with GM and UAW negotiators battling over GM's plans to sell vehicles built overseas - namely those from China - in the U.S. While GM officials reportedly say that the balance of vehicles it makes and sells in the U.S. will not change, UAW officials are rankled that its members face 16 more plant closures and a slate of givebacks. In fact, according to the AP, the UAW is so upset that it has sent an email to its members asking them to voice their displeasure by contacting President Obama.

[Sources: The Wall Street Journal; The Associated Press | Image: Spencer Platt/Getty]

Are GM, UAW close to concessions agreement... or are they at odds over China? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Auto Union name could be revived with Porsche-VW merger

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

Auto Union Silver Arrow Type-D - Click above for a high-res image

According to a report by 4Car, the Auto Union name could be revived with the merger of Porsche and Volkswagen. For those unfamiliar, the Auto Union moniker was coined during the Great Depression in 1932, when four German automakers - Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer - merged to create what's now present-day Audi. The four interlocked rings of the Audi logo represented the alliance, but the Auto Union name carries some baggage.

Made famous by the Silver Arrow grand prix cars of the '30s, and made infamous when Adolf Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche in 1933 to create a German competitor to dominate the series, the name still carries a stigma post-WWII. Chairman of the Volkswagen Group, Dr. Ferdinand Piech, is said to have suggested the title as an umbrella corporation that would incorporate the two automakers, but considering its history and reputation, the name's resurrection may be ill-advised.

[Source: 4Car]

REPORT: Auto Union name could be revived with Porsche-VW merger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pedal to the Metal: Audi offering Auto Union Type C pedal car

Alex Nunez — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Audi, Toys/Games

Click image to enlarge

Audi's quattro GmbH line of lifestyle items and accessories has a new flagship -- and it's a toy. Behold the Auto Union Type C pedal car. This isn't some plastic thing you go pick up at Toys 'R Us on a lark, either. It's a scaled-down replica, complete with an aluminum space frame, aluminum bodywork, leather seat and trim, hydraulic dual-disc brake, a removable steering wheel, and bespoke spoked wheels. It's limited to 999 units, which can be ordered directly through your country's respective Audi importer. Those parties will also be able to inform prospective buyers of the price, which may or may not surpass that of a Toyota Yaris. Your guess is as good as ours, and really, nothing would surprise us. We just wonder what happens if junior accidentally puts one into the garage door and mucks up that gorgeous bodywork. Are Audi dealers equipped to handle the repairs? Is a fleet of R8 pedal cars standing by for use as service loaners?

Audi's full press release is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Audi AG]

Continue reading Pedal to the Metal: Audi offering Auto Union Type C pedal car

Pedal to the Metal: Audi offering Auto Union Type C pedal car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So lonely: Auto Union D-Type fails to sell at auction

John Neff — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Audi

The lone remaining Auto Union D-Type, surmised by many to be the most valuable car in the world, failed to sell at a closed-bid auction that was finally held by Christie's Auction House in late February-early March. The car was expected to go for around $12 million USD before it was yanked off the block by Christie's to further research its history. It was found that this Type D was not the one originally thought to have won the French Grand Prix, but another car with a less illustrious racing history. Though Christie's didn't think the revelation would alter the value of the car considering its rarity, apparently bidders disagreed.

Christie's stopped accepting bids for the auction on March 4th, though it won't release the number of bids that were given or the highest amount. At this point, we suggest using eBay Motors to unload this thing. The header could read "Rare Audi D Type - LOW MILES, CLEAN CARFAX".

Thanks for the tip, Peter!

So lonely: Auto Union D-Type fails to sell at auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: Christies explains pulling Auto Union D Type from auction block

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

We recently reported that famed auction house, Christies, had pulled one of its Retromobile headline vehicles in the 11th hour. The Auto Union D Type Grand Prix car was expected to draw bids as high as $12 million, so the withdrawal was quite shocking. We guessed that the decision to pull had something to do with the validity of the catalog claims about its racing history, and that guess ended up being pretty accurate, but with a twist. In a statement just released, Christies announced that there were a couple of reasons for its decision. You can read the whole press release after the jump, but basically they determined that rather than this car being chassis number 21, it is in fact chassis 19. That makes this car the only known Type D with a racing history at all, but takes away the reported French GP win attributed to chassis 21. In lieu of bringing it to a future auction, Christies will be accepting sealed bids for the next week. We'll keep you posted on the outcome.

[Source: Hemmings]

Continue reading UPDATE: Christies explains pulling Auto Union D Type from auction block

UPDATE: Christies explains pulling Auto Union D Type from auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Christies postpones Auto Union auction

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Audi

Wow. This is kind of a letdown. What was expected to be among the most valuable vehicles ever sold at auction, the Auto Union Type D, has been pulled at the 11th hour. Auction house Christie's made the announcement that they had postponed the Auto Union's sale "pending further exploration into the car's race history." No other explanation was given. The Auto Union GP car was expected to draw insane bids at the upcoming Retromobile auction in Paris.

While we wouldn't want to make any assumptions about the vehicle's authenticity, that is frequently the cause of lots being pulled or vehicles failing to attract interest from bidders. Hemmings relates the words of Philip Powell at Classical Drive who supports the notion that the postponement could be a sign that the Type D is not 100% kosher.

The car's history is known, from being totally rebuilt after being reduced to just a driveline in an accident, to being found in the former Soviet Union, but the questions can linger in the minds of potential owners. It should be noted, however, that Christies is investigating the car's race history, not its authenticity, per se. We saw something similar in Arizona last month when a rare Ferrari Dino SP failed to crack the $1 million mark and didn't meet its reserve, going unsold. The car had been well-documented, but because it had been nearly totaled in a racing incident, the rebuilt car can sometimes raise doubts among buyers who would rather have the genuine article than one rebuilt by a non-factory team years after its birth.

[Source: Hemmings]

Christies postpones Auto Union auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Supercars, Audi

Four days ago we brought you in-depth coverage of Audi's publicity parade on Park Avenue, featuring the new R8 supercar, the R10 Le Mans racer and the 1938 Auto Union Type-D "Silver Arrow". The attention-grabbing event marked the North American debut of the R8 as well as the opening of Audi's new high-tech 6,400-square-foot "Forum" showroom on Park Avenue in mid-town Manhattan.

For your viewing pleasure we have for you today an impressive and dramatically-filmed video of the R8 making its way down Park Avenue, driven by none other than New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The video not only captures the finer details of Audi's new range-topping halo model, but the overall mood and atmosphere created by the high-octane spectacle.

Not only is this video definitely worth watching, but you'll probably go back to the start and watch it again (and think you're watching HBO).

Related posts:

(Bonus: catch Audi's press release after the jump for more staggering details on the NYC Audi Forum.)

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan

VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mesh with Success: In.Pro's Audi A6 grill

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Audi

Some love it, others hate it, but everyone must concede that the dominant deep grill that has formed Audi's new corporate image is a distinctive styling feature. In.Pro takes the look a step further with its emblem-less mesh grill that gives the A6 an even bolder front fascia.

The look of In.Pro's aftermarket grill is thoroughly modern, but draws its inspiration from the Auto Union race cars that dominated competition in the 1930's.

Beyond imbuing your Audi with extra style, the stainless-steel grill also conducts more cool air into the engine bay than the standard one. The diamond-pattern mesh forms a strong and durable shape with a chrome frame and installs real easy-like.

We'll take ours on the front of a V10 Gallardo-powered S6, thank you very much.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Mesh with Success: In.Pro's Audi A6 grill originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi bringing a history of motorsport to Goodwood

Alex Nunez — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:23:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Audi

When the Goodwood Festival of Speed begins on July 7, Audi will have possibly the most impressive vehicle roster from a single marque on hand.

Every era of motorsport will be represented, and almost all the cars will be driven. Like its motorsport efforts, Audi takes Goodwood seriously and the fans will be the beneficiaries. The list of vehicles headed to the Festival of Speed include 3 Auto Union cars, 3 rally cars, a Trans Am car, and the reigning Le Mans-winning R10 TDI.

Of the Auto Union cars, one is the 16-cylinder "Silver Arrow" C-Type. The other two are a mid-engined V12 D-Type, and a recently completed recreation of the 1939 twin-supercharger D-Type. The latter will be on display only. The rally cars are the original 1980 quattro, a 1983 Group B quattro A2, and the 1985 Pikes Peak-winning quattro S1. They're all joined by the 1988 Audi 200 quattro Trans Am racer and the mighty 2006 R10 TDI.

Sadly, no R8s are scheduled to be on hand. Maybe next year.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from July 7-9 and, as evidenced above, really does have something for everyone (especially if you're a follower of Audi Motorsport).

(Detailed press release, photos after the jump)

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi bringing a history of motorsport to Goodwood

Audi bringing a history of motorsport to Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A UAW-free General Motors: the consequences

Joel Arellano — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., GM

George Reisman, professor of Economics at Pepperdine University and author of the book Capitalism: A Treatise on Economics, attempts to answer the question of where would General Motors* be today without the United Auto Workers. Some of his ten conclusions include:

#1. GM management could fire inefficient employees without worrying about a strike, resulting in higher quality vehicles.

#2. GM would be able to use more efficient, lower-cost methods in building their products instead of negotiating it with the union to the point of creating 'phony' jobs to placate the membership.

#6. GM would not be paying $140,000 per employee to leave.

#10. GM workers, without the union benefits, would be motivated to consider saving for the future instead of threatening for more money from an already financially-strapped company.

Hmmm. A bit harsh but perhaps there are some grains of truth in there. Opinions? Shout out in comments.

*Reisman does state his analysis also applies to Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler. He chose GM for his example since it's the largest automaker.

[Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute]

A UAW-free General Motors: the consequences originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota toots horn on billboards across America

John Neff — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Toyota

Toyota has launched a new advertising campaign aimed at educating Americans about the company's involvement in and importance to the U.S. economy. The billboards highlight such facts as 386,000 jobs have been created in this country by Toyota and the company's invested $13 billion in the U.S. since it arrived over 35 years ago. The ads have been placed along highways in two dozen markets where Toyota operates factories or has supplier operations.

Reactions to the ads are obviously varied depending on who you ask. The general consumer these days who cares more about "Bang for the Buck" than "Buy American" is comfortable with the Japanese automaker's increasing presence in the U.S. economy. Members of the UAW and other organized unions, however, whose domestic employers have been losing marketshare to Toyota at a rapid rate are not pleased. The linked NewsDay article points out that the UAW in particular has been weakened by the presence of Toyota's and other foreign automakers' nonunion operations.

[Source: NewsDay]

Note - No pics of the actual billboards were available, so we had some fun in Photoshop above.

Toyota toots horn on billboards across America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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