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[Pischetsrieder to chair Continental supervisory board?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/pischetsrieder-to-chair-continental-supervisory-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/pischetsrieder-to-chair-continental-supervisory-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/pischetsrieder-to-chair-continental-supervisory-board/#commentsFiled under: ,



Emerging reports from the German press suggest that Bernd Pischetsrieder is being considered as a top candidate to lead automotive supplier Continental. The veteran automotive industrialist was chairman of BMW for most of the 1990s and then of the Volkswagen group until three years ago, but continued until two years ago as chairman of VW's truck subsidiary Scania AB. Pischetsrieder is remembered for directing BMW's ill-fated acquisition of the Rover group, but was conversely credited with the creation of the Bugatti Veyron during his tenure in Wolfsburg. He was recently touted as a possible candidate to lead Opel out from under GM's leaky umbrella.

One of the five largest automotive suppliers in the world, Continental makes everything from tires to fuel injection systems from its headquarters in Hanover, Germany. Having started in the rubber business, Conti also trails Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear as the world's 4th largest tire manufacturer.

[Source: Der Spiegel and Auto Motor und Sport | Image: Andreas Rentz/Getty]

Pischetsrieder to chair Continental supervisory board? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berndbernd pischetsriederBerndPischetsriederchairmancontinentalpischetsriedersupervisory boardSupervisoryBoardTue, 18 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[F1's secret safety car showdown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/f1s-secret-safety-car-showdown/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/f1s-secret-safety-car-showdown/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/f1s-secret-safety-car-showdown/#commentsFiled under: ,

On Thursdays before a Formula 1 GP weekend really kicks off, Bernd Maylander, the F1 safety car driver, and Dr. Jacques Tropenat, the F1 medical car driver, check out the trackside cameras and timing equipment. Steering identical Mercedes CLK 63's, they also check out their driving skills by seeing which one of them can set the best lap.

Bernd is a former race car driver who has been doing safety car duty since 2000. When the FIA decided to hire a professional safety car driver instead of using former F1 pilots, Bernd was plucked from the DTM series and given two years of training. Now, the hardest driving he does is when he's called out to parade the racers around during a caution. He knows how slow it looks on TV, but he says "I have to drive 99% up to my limit. I can't drive over my limit - that extra 1% is to make sure I'm safe. The drivers know I have to drive really hard in a much slower car, but if they push me then I know I can drive a little bit quicker. We have to play together." He also wins the award for The Most Obvious Quote of Memorial Weekend when he says "The difference between a safety car and a F1 car is like a jumbo jet and a star fighter. To put it simply, I could never win a Grand Prix in the safety car." That said, his only real competition is the Thursday bout with his medical colleague. Call it Fire Marshall Bill vs. McDreamy.

Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

[Source: BBC]

F1's secret safety car showdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2007 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1berndcarf1formulamaylandersafetySun, 27 May 2007 08:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Wig to Big Rig: Pischetsrieder to oversee truck merger]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/big-wig-to-big-rig-pischetsrieder-to-oversee-truck-merger/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/big-wig-to-big-rig-pischetsrieder-to-oversee-truck-merger/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/big-wig-to-big-rig-pischetsrieder-to-oversee-truck-merger/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The earliest reports on the "resignation" of Volkswagen group CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder indicated that while he'd be replaced as chief executive, he would be retained to take on "special assignments". What such ambiguous duties might entail was a mystery, but it's looking like he may be put in charge of managing a merger between two major European truck companies.

MAN has been maneuvering to buy out Scania with offers over $13 billion, but the Swedish company has been fighting to maintain its independence from the Germans (sound familiar?). Volkswagen AG happens to be the largest shareholder of both companies.

At the moment, Volkswagen is neither confirming nor denying the reports of Pischetsrieder's potential re-assignment. The supervisory board is due to meet on November 17, when they'll make their decision, so we'll just have to sit tight until then.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Big Wig to Big Rig: Pischetsrieder to oversee truck merger originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berndboardbuyoutceomanmergerPischetsriederscaniatakeovertruckvolkswagenvwMon, 13 Nov 2006 19:34:00 EST