Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyundai increases U.S. production to meet demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/hyundai-increases-u-s-production-to-meet-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/hyundai-increases-u-s-production-to-meet-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/hyundai-increases-u-s-production-to-meet-demand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai Sonata production in Alabama

Hyundai's U.S. dealers are finding popularity to be bittersweet. While sales are at record highs, supplies are tight. Labor strikes at the company's South Korean plants have cut as many as 10,000 U.S.-bound vehicles.

Though union workers reached an agreement with Hyundai last week, the new contract cuts the two 10-hour work shifts to an eight-hour day shift and a nine-hour night shift. That's about a 15 percent reduction in production hours beginning in March. Union officials say productivity will improve and that no loss of output is expected.

Hyundai's largest South Korean plant currently builds 300 cars an hour, totaling 1.5 million cars a year. Automotive News estimates that a 15-percent reduction at that plant alone would be a loss of 234,000 units a year.

To make sure U.S. demand is fully met, Hyundai's Alabama plant has added a third shift that is expected to churn out an extra 20,000 Sonata and Elantra models by the year's end.

"Hyundai has been running flat out," Automotive News quotes Chris Richter, an auto analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific in Tokyo. "They don't have spare capacity lying around. It's going to put pressure on them to start adding capacity somewhere. Their investors and dealers are going to be screaming for more product."

Hyundai increases U.S. production to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamageorgiahyundaikiaproductionsouth koreastrikeunionWed, 12 Sep 2012 09:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20319869/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/12/hyundai-increases-u-s-production-to-meet-demand/20319869/article-detail.xml 20319869 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/3341811_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/3341811.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai gets 20,000 applicants for 877 jobs in Alabama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/hyundai-gets-20-000-applicants-for-877-jobs-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/hyundai-gets-20-000-applicants-for-877-jobs-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/hyundai-gets-20-000-applicants-for-877-jobs-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama - line worker

Less than a month ago, Hyundai announced it would be adding a third shift at its Alabama assembly plant, resulting in an additional 877 jobs. You'd imagine with Alabama running a 7.2-percent unemployment rate in April - ranking right in the middle of the 50 states - competition for those jobs would be pretty serious. But nobody, least of all Hyundai, expected this. As of May 22, the automaker had received some 18,500 applications, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

To put that into perspective, the Montgomery metropolitan area has an adult population of just over 282,000, meaning the applicant pool at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama represents more than six percent of nearby residents. Hyundai was so flooded with applicants that it temporarily shut down the process on May 18, warning job seekers that any applications it received after that date would likely go unprocessed. Hyundai only expects to screen between 6,000-7,000 applicants according to the report.

The company began seeing applicants on May 14, and by working 13-hour days, it has been processing roughly 200 each day. Applicants are asked to take a multiple-choice test during the 90-minute interview and those that get asked back will be given a six-hour training course, according to the report. Hyundai expects the hiring process to be completed by mid-July, in advance of launching the third shift after Labor Day.

Hyundai gets 20,000 applicants for 877 jobs in Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamahmmahyundaihyundai alabamahyundai employmenthyundai jobshyundai motor manufacturing alabamajobsunemploymentFri, 01 Jun 2012 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20248642/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/01/hyundai-gets-20-000-applicants-for-877-jobs-in-alabama/20248642/article-detail.xml 20248642 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/hmma-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/hmma-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/#commentsFiled under: ,



Toyota's Huntsville, Alabama production facility, which makes the company's four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines, is getting a couple of big boosts: $80 million and roughly 125 new jobs. When the spending and hiring is complete, the enlarged factory and the plant's 1,150 workers will raise engine-production capacity to more than 700,000 units, with V6 production more than doubled from 146,000 engines per year to 362,000.

Toyota's been spending and hiring all this year, with $645 million invested in growth and 1,100 jobs added to the rolls. "This V6 line addition," said a company EVP, "continues to reflect our growing optimism for an improving North American market." Toyota's press release is posted below.

Continue reading Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs

Toyota boosting V6 production in Alabama, adding 125 jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamahuntsvillemanufacturingplantstmmaltoyotatoyota v6v6Sat, 19 May 2012 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20240546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/19/toyota-boosting-v6-production-in-alabama-adding-125-jobs/20240546/article-detail.xml 20240546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotav6hiring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotav6hiring.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan breaks ground on new engine plant in Tennessee]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/nissan-breaks-ground-on-new-engine-plant-in-tennessee/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/nissan-breaks-ground-on-new-engine-plant-in-tennessee/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/nissan-breaks-ground-on-new-engine-plant-in-tennessee/#commentsFiled under: , , ,




Nissan breaks ground today on an expansion to its Decherd, Tennessee engine plant and will start churning out powerplants for Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz models in about four years.

The plant already builds four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines for several Nissan models as well as the Infiniti JX SUV. In 2011, the Decherd plant built 580,000 engines. The expansion will boost production capacity by as much as 250,000 units per year.

Nissan's partnership with Mercedes-Benz, announced in January, has the Decherd facility supplying engines to Merecedes' only North American plant in Vance, Alabama. The four-cylinder will be installed in the German company's C-Class sedans.

"This is the newest milestone in our pragmatic collaboration and our most significant project outside of Europe so far," said Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn in a January press release. "Localized capacity reduces exposure to foreign exchange rates while rapidly enabling a good business development in North America - a win-win for the Alliance and Daimler."

Nissan breaks ground on new engine plant in Tennessee originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamac-classdecherdengine plantenginesInfinitimercedes-benznissantennesseeFri, 11 May 2012 10:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234530/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/nissan-breaks-ground-on-new-engine-plant-in-tennessee/20234530/article-detail.xml 20234530 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/decherd-expansion-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/decherd-expansion-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai adding third shift, nearly 900 jobs in Alabama [UPDATED]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/hyundai-adding-third-shift-nearly-900-jobs-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/hyundai-adding-third-shift-nearly-900-jobs-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/hyundai-adding-third-shift-nearly-900-jobs-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

Hyundai sales are up 10 percent already this year, after ending 2011 on a 20-percent uptick. With its Alabama assembly plant already running over capacity, something had to change. In response, the Korean automaker will be adding 877 jobs at its Montgomery assembly plant to begin a third shift, starting in September 2012.

Hyundai said the plant is now responsible for creating over 3,000 total jobs, with the latest expansion adding some 20,000 units of annual capacity this year. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama builds both the Sonata and Elantra sedans.

While this move will work as a short-term solution to Hyundai's capacity restraints, if the company continues to grow sales as it has in the past few years, it will soon be faced with the necessity of building another new production facility, as has been rumored for months.

Scroll down to read the full press release.

UPDATE: The third shift will actually give Hyundai 20,000 more cars to sell in 2012, but its effect on the plant's annual capacity will be much larger. While Hyundai would not specify what HMMA's total annual capacity running all three shifts would be, we would expect it to hit 385,000. The plant was originally slated to produce 300,000 vehicles, but Hyundai had managed to increase production by an extra 25,000 before adding the third shift.

Continue reading Hyundai adding third shift, nearly 900 jobs in Alabama [UPDATED]

Hyundai adding third shift, nearly 900 jobs in Alabama [UPDATED] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaelantrahmmahyundaihyundai motor manufacturing alabamasonataWed, 02 May 2012 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20228359/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/hyundai-adding-third-shift-nearly-900-jobs-in-alabama/20228359/article-detail.xml 20228359 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---01-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---01-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Civil rights and labor groups urge Hyundai to fight Alabama immigration law]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/civil-rights-and-labor-groups-urge-hyundai-to-fight-alabama-immi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/civil-rights-and-labor-groups-urge-hyundai-to-fight-alabama-immi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/civil-rights-and-labor-groups-urge-hyundai-to-fight-alabama-immi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hyundai Motors Manufacturing USA

Hyundai, one of the largest employers in the state of Alabama, has been urged by a group of 15 civil rights organizations and labor unions, including the United Auto Workers and NAACP, to help overturn Alabama's immigration law.

The law was put into effect in September of 2011, and it requires police, among other things, to check the identification and immigration status of anyone detained and suspected of being an illegal immigrant. At least two employees of foreign automakers in Alabama have had run-ins with the police over the law. Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said this in a statement:

"We came today as shareholders working within the company to press our case. By [Hyundai's] silence in Alabama, it is acquiescing to a human rights disaster. We hope we will engage leaders in thoughtful conversation about taking steps to repeal this law."

According to Automotive News, Hyundai executives in Korea have "agreed to consider the matter." That doesn't sound particularly meaningful to us, and, for that matter, we're not entirely clear on what the groups expect Hyundai - or Mercedes-Benz or Honda, other large automakers with operations in Alabama - to do about the controversial law anyway.

Civil rights and labor groups urge Hyundai to fight Alabama immigration law originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaalabama immigrationalabama immigration lawhyundaihyundai alabamahyundai motor manufacturing alabamahyundai usaimmigrationimmigration lawuawSun, 18 Mar 2012 12:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20195298/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/18/civil-rights-and-labor-groups-urge-hyundai-to-fight-alabama-immi/20195298/article-detail.xml 20195298 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/hmmusa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/hmmusa.jpg <![CDATA[Mahindra's U.S. plans on indefinite hold, Alabama plant denied]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/mahindras-u-s-plans-on-indefinite-hold-alabama-plant-denied/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/mahindras-u-s-plans-on-indefinite-hold-alabama-plant-denied/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/mahindras-u-s-plans-on-indefinite-hold-alabama-plant-denied/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mahindra pickup

Fans of small, fuel-efficient pickup trucks: We hate to tell you this, but it's becoming increasingly clear that Mahindra's long-awaited entry into the United States market just isn't going to happen anytime soon. We're just as disappointed as the rest of you - with the recent demise of the Ford Ranger, there simply aren't any truly compact trucks left in American dealership showrooms.

We got a wee bit of unfounded hope when rumors began swirling that Mahindra was in the midst of closing a deal with Navistar, a longtime partner in its home market of India, to manufacture the T20 and T40 trucks in a new plant in Alabama. According to the Indian automaker, that's not going to happen. Here's a snippet from Mahindra's statement on the matter:

There have been reports in certain quarters of media and online space stating that Navistar USA will produce Mahindra's T20 and T40 pickups in Alabama, USA in 2012, which are completely baseless & incorrect. If and when there are any material developments, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited will communicate them directly and transparently.

So there you have it. To put it mildly, we've lost nearly all hope of seeing these small diesel-powered pickup trucks in American driveways, which is a shame.

Mahindra's U.S. plans on indefinite hold, Alabama plant denied originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamadiesel pickupmahindramahindra and mahindramahindra pickupmahindra tr20mahindra tr40navistartr20tr40Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20134639/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/23/mahindras-u-s-plans-on-indefinite-hold-alabama-plant-denied/20134639/article-detail.xml 20134639 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/mahindra-pickup_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/mahindra-pickup.jpg <![CDATA[Alabama strikes again: Second foreign autoworker has run-in with police]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/03/alabama-strikes-again-second-foreign-autoworker-has-run-in-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/03/alabama-strikes-again-second-foreign-autoworker-has-run-in-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/03/alabama-strikes-again-second-foreign-autoworker-has-run-in-with/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Police Interceptor

Something tells us this isn't what the Alabama legislature had in mind when it created a new anti-illegal immigration law. A Honda worker on temporary assignment in Alabama was recently ticketed in Talladega County at a checkpoint for not having an Alabama driver's license. The individual provided both a Japanese passport and an international driver's license, but still caught flak from local authorities. According to reports, the Honda employee hasn't been authorized to speak about the charges and has asked not to be named. The individual is currently working with authorities to find a satisfactory solution to the situation.

This is the second foreign autoworker that has run into trouble over the Alabama illegal immigration legislation. Last month, a German manager with Mercedes-Benz was arrested after he was stopped and failed to produce any ID beyond his German identification card. The issue was later resolved when a colleague provided the man's passport and a separate driver's license.

Alabama strikes again: Second foreign autoworker has run-in with police originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaalabama illegal immigration lawarrestarrestedhondahonda worker arrestedillegal immigrationpoliceSat, 03 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20118994/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/03/alabama-strikes-again-second-foreign-autoworker-has-run-in-with/20118994/article-detail.xml 20118994 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/vicinterceptor2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/vicinterceptor2.jpg <![CDATA[German Mercedes manager arrested in Alabama under new illegal immigration law]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/german-mercedes-manager-arrested-in-alabama-under-new-illegal-im/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/german-mercedes-manager-arrested-in-alabama-under-new-illegal-im/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/german-mercedes-manager-arrested-in-alabama-under-new-illegal-im/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Alabama's strict immigration laws have helped land a Mercedes-Benz executive in jail. The Associated Press reports that an unnamed Mercedes executive was arrested after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop.

The arrest came after the 46-year-old exec was unable to produce any identification other than his German ID card. The executive was pulled over because his rental car reportedly did not have any tags, but he was later released after an associate was able to present his passport for inspection. Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Felyicia Jerald called the incident "unfortunate," and added that the incident was resolved once a colleague was able to produce a driver's license.

When Alabama Governor Robert Bentley heard of the executive's arrest, he reportedly contacted State Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier to get details. We're guessing that doesn't happen when most other immigration arrests in Alabama, but Mercedes-Benz has a substantial footprint in the state. Mercedes has built vehicles in Tuscaloosa since 1993, and the facility currently produces the ML, R-Class and GL.

German Mercedes manager arrested in Alabama under new illegal immigration law originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaimmigrationimmigration lawmercedes-benzrobert bentleyspencer colliertuscaloosaMon, 21 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20110590/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/21/german-mercedes-manager-arrested-in-alabama-under-new-illegal-im/20110590/article-detail.xml 20110590 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/mercedes-benz-drive-sign-tuscaloosa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/mercedes-benz-drive-sign-tuscaloosa.jpg <![CDATA[Honda to boost vehicle and engine production in Alabama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/15/honda-to-boost-vehicle-and-engine-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/15/honda-to-boost-vehicle-and-engine-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/15/honda-to-boost-vehicle-and-engine-production-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Honda seems to believe that America's car-buying slump is coming to a close. According to Automotive News, the automaker has announced that it will spend $84 million to grow engine and light truck production at its Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant. The money will be used to help create an additional 100 jobs and should see the facility increase its total output from 300,000 units per year to 340,000 in anticipation of a sales recovery in the States. Automotive News suggests that may be a smart move. Consumer demand for new cars and trucks has grown by around 10 percent through October of this year.

Honda expects that demand to translate into greater Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline sales. Each of those models is produced at the Alabama facility, though the Acura RDX may join that mix as part of the new investment.

The Japanese automaker has also said that it will resume its normal production schedule at its North American facilities as its supply line continues to recover from the impact of flooding in Thailand.

Honda to boost vehicle and engine production in Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acura rdxalabamahonda alabamahonda alabama assembly plantodysseypilotrdxridgelineTue, 15 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20107028/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/15/honda-to-boost-vehicle-and-engine-production-in-alabama/20107028/article-detail.xml 20107028 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/honda-ridgeline-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/honda-ridgeline-628.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai, Kia boost U.S. sales goals, additional plant speculated anew]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/hyundai-kia-boost-u-s-sales-goals-additional-plant-speculated/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/hyundai-kia-boost-u-s-sales-goals-additional-plant-speculated/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/hyundai-kia-boost-u-s-sales-goals-additional-plant-speculated/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chung Mong-koo

Hyundai Motors' forward momentum has certainly captured a lot of headlines, and in lieu of all the positive praise and sales improvements, the Korean automaker is raising its 2011 United States sales goal by 18.2 percent. This means that, between both of the Hyundai and Kia brands combined, the Korean automotive group hopes to sell 1.06 million vehicles in the U.S. this year.

The company's chairman, Chung Mong-koo (pictured), delivered this statement during a visit to the company's manufacturing facilities in Alabama and Georgia. To make up that 1.06-million-sales goal, Hyundai is targeting sales of 624,000 units, while Kia is anticipating 433,000 sales. Combined, the automakers sold 894,496 vehicles in 2010.

Mong-koo's visit to the U.S. also created speculation that the automaker may be looking to add another manufacturing facility here in the States. Currently, Hyundai/Kia has a plant in Alabama that manufacturers the Sonata and Elantra sedans, as well as a facility in Georgia that produces the Sorento and Santa Fe crossovers. According to Reuters, Hyundai has denied plans for an additional U.S. factory.

Hyundai, Kia boost U.S. sales goals, additional plant speculated anew originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamachung mong-koogeorgiahyundaikiaThu, 30 Jun 2011 18:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19980515/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/30/hyundai-kia-boost-u-s-sales-goals-additional-plant-speculated/19980515/article-detail.xml 19980515 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/dvtogetty25754180_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/dvtogetty25754180.jpg <![CDATA[Kia hit with $40M judgment in faulty seatbelt death case]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/kia-hit-with-40m-judgment-in-faulty-seatbelt-death-case/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/kia-hit-with-40m-judgment-in-faulty-seatbelt-death-case/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/28/kia-hit-with-40m-judgment-in-faulty-seatbelt-death-case/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Kia Sephia

Alabama teen Tiffany Stabler got a 1999 Kia Sephia for her sixteenth birthday in 2004. After her father purchased the car, he took it to a Kia dealership to have all of the maintenance and recall work completed. In 2002, Kia had recalled seatbelt buckles on 1995-1998 Sephias and Sportages for a condition called "false latching," wherein a belt appears to be locked into the buckle but actually isn't. Stabler's car wasn't part of the recall, even though the 1999 and 2000 Sephias used the same buckle as the 1995-1998 models.

Just four months after receiving the car, Stabler got into an accident, was ejected from the car and later died from her injuries. Stabler's mother sued Kia, Kia Motors America and Celtrion, the Korean maker of the seatbelt, for wrongful death. After five years in trial and two visits to the Alabama Supreme Court, a lower-court jury decided for the plaintiffs and issued a $40-million judgment against Kia.

Whether or not Stabler was wearing her seatbelt was disputed: plaintiff's witnesses said she was, Kia said there was evidence that she wasn't. A lawyer for Celtrion said "the seatbelt system in her vehicle was not defective when put to normal use," even though the 1995-1998 recall was occasioned by inquiries by the U.S. government about the belts. The 1999-2000 cars were recalled in 2004, after the U.S. inquired again as to why they weren't included the first time. Kia has said it will petition the court to set aside the verdict.

Kia hit with $40M judgment in faulty seatbelt death case originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1999 kia sephiaalabamacourtcourt casejudgmentkiakia sephialawsuitsephiatiffany stablerTue, 28 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19978475/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/28/kia-hit-with-40m-judgment-in-faulty-seatbelt-death-case/19978475/article-detail.xml 19978475 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kiasephia1999suit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kiasephia1999suit.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan donates cash, offers employee pricing and delayed payments to Southern storm victims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/nissan-donates-cash-offers-employee-pricing-and-delayed-payment/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/nissan-donates-cash-offers-employee-pricing-and-delayed-payment/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/nissan-donates-cash-offers-employee-pricing-and-delayed-payment/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan

Nissan Americas is offering employee pricing and delayed finance payments to victims of the recent tornadoes and floods across the southeastern U.S. The latest gesture comes after the company donated $115,000 to the Red Cross to help with the relief efforts.

Qualified buyers, meaning those from the southeast who were left without a mode of transportation after the storms, will be offered Nissans at a price normally reserved for company workers and their immediate families. To be eligible for the program, you have to live in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi or Alabama and be able to provide proof of damage to your primary vehicle. Check out Nissan's full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan donates cash, offers employee pricing and delayed payments to Southern storm victims

Nissan donates cash, offers employee pricing and delayed payments to Southern storm victims originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 May 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaarkansasdisasterfemafloodgeorgiakentuckymississippinissannissan americastennesseetornadoSun, 22 May 2011 15:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19946510/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/22/nissan-donates-cash-offers-employee-pricing-and-delayed-payment/19946510/article-detail.xml 19946510 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/nissan-logo-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/nissan-logo-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/ford-mustang-emerges-from-tornado-devastation-under-its-own-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/ford-mustang-emerges-from-tornado-devastation-under-its-own-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/ford-mustang-emerges-from-tornado-devastation-under-its-own-powe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tornado damaged Ford Mustang, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ford Mustang drives out of the rubble in Tuscaloosa, AL - Click above to watch the video after the jump.

The death toll from Wednesday's tornadoes has reached a staggering 204 in the state of Alabama alone. The once proud university town of Tuscaloosa, home to the multi-time NCAA National Champion Crimson Tide football team, lies in ruin. For now, there isn't much in the way of inspiring news from the state.

This morning, though, a video hit the web of a Tuscaloosa resident driving his Ford Mustang convertible out of the wreckage. The Mustang is far from a pretty sight, and likely won't be moving anywhere else under its own grunt any time soon, but it's inspiring nonetheless - a small glimmer that not all is lost.

True, a ragged, fifteen-year-old Ford dragging itself from the ruins of a terrible natural disaster isn't exactly the feel-good hit of the summer. True, the car's miraculous survival doesn't serve as a sign that Alabama's return to normal is right around the corner. What it does show, on however small a level, is that there's always hope, no matter how bleak things get. Check out the video after the break. Thanks for the tip, Douglass!

[Source: WFAA]

Continue reading Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamaalabama tornadoconvertiblecrimson tidefordmustangtornadotornadoestuscaloosatuscaloosa alabamaFri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19928024/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/29/ford-mustang-emerges-from-tornado-devastation-under-its-own-powe/19928024/article-detail.xml 19928024 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tuscalossa-mustang_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tuscalossa-mustang.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/mercedes-benz-and-toyota-plants-halted-by-tornado-outage/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/mercedes-benz-and-toyota-plants-halted-by-tornado-outage/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/mercedes-benz-and-toyota-plants-halted-by-tornado-outage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

tornado damage in alabama

Tornadoes are wreaking havoc in the southern United States, causing Mercedes-Benz and Toyota to put the brakes on production at each of their respective Alabama manufacturing facilities. Mercedes-Benz builds GL-Class, M-Class and R-Class vehicles in Tuscaloosa, while Toyota's Huntsville plant produces V6 and V8 engines for the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and the Sequoia sport utility vehicle.

Both facilities are closed at the moment, and power outages are affecting many areas in the South. Reps for Toyota and Mercedes have stated that their plants will remain closed through the weekend.

[Source: Automotive News | Image: Butch Dill/AP]

Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamagl-classhuntsvillem-classmercedes-benzr-classsequoiatacomatornadotornado damagetoyotatundratuscaloosaFri, 29 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19927135/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/29/mercedes-benz-and-toyota-plants-halted-by-tornado-outage/19927135/article-detail.xml 19927135 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tornado-damage-alabama_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/tornado-damage-alabama.jpg <![CDATA[USF1 to test, launch car in Alabama with special FIA dispensation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/usf1-to-test-launch-car-in-alabama-with-special-fia-dispensatio/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/usf1-to-test-launch-car-in-alabama-with-special-fia-dispensatio/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/usf1-to-test-launch-car-in-alabama-with-special-fia-dispensatio/#commentsFiled under:


While the rest of the teams competing in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship will be launching and testing new cars together at European tracks, America's own will launch and test its car right in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Due to the team's location across the Atlantic, the FIA selected Barber Motorsport Park, the 740-acre facility in Birmingham, Alabama, set to host an IRL grand prix this year on its 2.3-mile road course, as the designated test track. After conducting three test sessions at Barber, USF1 will ship its car to Spain for the final group test prior to the season opener in Bahrain on March 14.

Team principal (and longtime motorsport journalist) Peter Windsor says the team will soon announce its driver line-up. Contrary to earlier reports that the team would employ American drivers (like Danica Patrick or Kyle Busch), it now appears most likely the team will use whatever drivers it can get its hands on. Among the current front-runners include Argentine pay-driver Jose Maria Lopez and British aspirant James Rossiter, a former ALMS driver and Super Aguri tester.

[Source: ESPN]

USF1 to test, launch car in Alabama with special FIA dispensation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamabarber motorsport parkBarberMotorsportParkf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneus f1UsF1Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19310768/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/13/usf1-to-test-launch-car-in-alabama-with-special-fia-dispensatio/19310768/article-detail.xml 19310768 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/usf1_busch_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/usf1_busch.jpg <![CDATA[Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/confirmed-mercedes-to-shift-some-production-of-next-gen-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/confirmed-mercedes-to-shift-some-production-of-next-gen-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/confirmed-mercedes-to-shift-some-production-of-next-gen-c-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Fluctuations and disparities in currency exchange rates have grown to become a significant factor in determining where foreign automakers in particular assemble their vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is among those carmakers most cognizant of these effects, and it has been assembling select models in the United States to meet local demands. Now the German automaker has announced that, for the next generation of its popular C-Class sedan due in 2014, partial production will shift to its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class crossovers are already built.

The shift in production - which is set to comprise no more than one-fifth of global C-Class production - will not only help offset currency rates, but also afford greater flexibility in meeting local customer demand. The move is expected to further upset Germany's automotive workforce, which has grown restless in the wake of General Motors' collapsed sale of Opel.

In addition to the partial shift to Alabama, German production of the remaining four-fifths of C-Class production is set to switch places with the SL-Class roadster, the former moving from Sindelfingen to Bremen and the latter vice-versa. Full details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama

Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mercedes c-class2014 mercedes-benz c-class2014Mercedes-benzC-class2014MercedesC-classalabamabremenC 230C 250C 300C 350c-classC230C250C300C350mbusimercedesmercedes c-classmercedes-benzmercedes-benz c-classMercedes-benzC-classMercedesC-classsindelfingentuscaloosaThu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19262255/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/03/confirmed-mercedes-to-shift-some-production-of-next-gen-c-class/19262255/article-detail.xml 19262255 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/mb-bremen_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/mb-bremen.jpg <![CDATA[Hammond says <i>Top Gear</i> crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear's Rednecks in Alabama USA - click above to watch the videos

Seems like forever since we've run a Top Gear post, no? And hey, when the world's most popular car show is on hiatus we tend to get a bit... withdrawn. Because, well, we just love the antics. Like the time Clarkson had a Bugatti Veyron and Hammond was stuck in the back of May's Cessna as they raced back to London. Brilliant, right? Or how about the £1,500 Porsche challenge. We try to watch it once a month. And let's not forget the time they bought a bunch of used cars in Florida and drove 'em across the South. Actually... was that even real? Like, did Confederate Flag crazed rednecks really try to kill all three of them? Here's what the tiniest but toughest member of Top Gear has to say about it:
It's a pretty lengthy story, but in the course of our trip, by way of an entertaining diversion to keep up our spirits during an especially lengthy drive, we had devised a plan whereby we would each try to get the others killed.
Hmm, okay, yes - very funny, but really? Like, for reals?
[W]e all felt that we would cause, at worst, a ripple of offence no deeper than that which might be generated among the residents of Cornwall by three visitors driving their cars through Truro with "Cream teas are rubbish" painted down the sides. We covered three miles before being placed in genuine fear for our lives.
Fun! And then they pulled into that gas station where they were approached by a woman that asked, "Y'all queers trying to see how long you can last in a hick town?" If you've seen the episode, you know how it ends. And if you haven't, we've got it after the jump. And we strongly advise you to read the rest of Hammond's remarks, as they are quite, um, enlightening.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Hammond says Top Gear crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO]

Hammond says Top Gear crew's scariest moment was infamous Southern U.S. episode [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlabamaBBCJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonredneckRichard HammondRichardHammondSouthern U.S.Southern USSouthernU.s.SouthernUsTop GearTopGearWed, 07 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19187855/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/07/richard-hammond-says-i-top-gear-i-crews-scariest-moment-was/19187855/article-detail.xml 19187855 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/topgear_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/topgear_lead.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mercedes-Benz C-Class - click above for high-res image gallery

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's biggest seller Stateside, and a report in a Stuttgart newspaper indicates the company could be looking to stabilize the revenue from its bread-and-butter sedan. The C-Class is currently produced in Sindelfingen, Germany, and that makes it prey to currency swings on the trip across the pond. If Mercedes transferred production to its plant in Vance, Alabama, the company would also pay lower labor costs than it does in Europe.

The Alabama plant currently makes the M, GL, and R-Class vehicles. In March of this year, Mercedes allotted $290 million to expand the facility but didn't name any vehicle that would be added there, only saying it would be "future product." The German report mentioned that Mercedes could move some SL production from Bremen to Sindelfingen to make up for the shift, but a Mercedes spokesman said there is nothing in the works and nothing to comment on at the moment.

A German labor representative said that if such a move were to come, he would expect Mercedes to have a plan to save the 3,000 jobs that would be jeopardized at Sindelfingen, and protect production at Bremen as well. If Mercedes does move the C-Class here, it would become the first of the German players to build its highest volume car in the States.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class


[Source: WGAL]


Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamabremenc classc-classCClassfalsemanufacturingmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz clase cmercedes-benzmercedes-benz c-classMercedes-benzC-classmercedesbenzMercedesBenzClaseCplantssedansindelfingentuscaloosavanceSun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19175138/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/19175138/article-detail.xml 19175138 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/mb-c350-carbon-lead-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/mb-c350-carbon-lead-630.jpg <![CDATA[Another Alabama force gets Porsche police car... this time a "935" Slantnose?!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/another-alabama-force-gets-porsche-police-car-this-time-a-935/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/another-alabama-force-gets-porsche-police-car-this-time-a-935/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/another-alabama-force-gets-porsche-police-car-this-time-a-935/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We're not sure what's in the water in Alabama lately, but we've just received word that the YellowHammer State is getting its second Porsche police car in about a month. Back in late February, it was announced that the Hoover PD had obtained a newer 911 thanks to drug seizure laws. This time, the car in question was a donation and the constabulary recipients are the boys and gals in blue at Homewood Police.

This time, new cruiser is a bit more interesting than a garden-variety 911, too - it's a 1981 930 Slantnose (the source article calls it a 935) - and reportedly it's a genuine example, not a conversion. As with Hoover's 911, the 930 has been given a police-spec stripe job, and it will likely lead a reserved life on parade and school tour duty. One interesting note is that Police Chief Phil Dodd is hoping to get the two patrol Porsches together for charity events - and potentially even dice it up at Barber Motorsports Park.

Alabama authorities, we'll be happy to get pulled over when you get yourselves a 917.

[Sources: Birmingham News; Al.com]

Another Alabama force gets Porsche police car... this time a "935" Slantnose?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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