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[Dodge-Eat-Dodge: Dropped Chrysler dealer sues competitor that's staying open]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/dodge-eat-dodge-dropped-chrysler-dealer-sues-competitor-thats/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/dodge-eat-dodge-dropped-chrysler-dealer-sues-competitor-thats/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/dodge-eat-dodge-dropped-chrysler-dealer-sues-competitor-thats/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Accusing a cross-town rival of influencing Chrysler to shut down its business so they could acquire the customers, Florida's Monarch Dodge has filed a civil suit against Massey-Yardley Dodge. The two Sunshine State dealerships will meet in court to determine whether Massey-Yardley Dodge contacted Monarch Dodge employees with job offers - before Chrysler LLC had announced its closure list. The suit alleges that Massey-Yardley and its "agents engaged in a campaign with agents of Chrysler LLC to acquire Monarch" while actively convincing the bankrupt automaker to close the Lauderdale Lakes dealership.

Regardless of the pending litigation, Monarch Dodge joins hundreds of other dealerships still coming to terms with their closures. Not only is Monarch the only new car dealer in the small city (employing 67 people), but it says it has consistently ranked as the ninth most profitable out of 26 dealers in South Florida. To bolster its cause, the 35-year-old dealership is rallying local support among the community and may even appeal to Congress. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: TCPalm]

Dodge-Eat-Dodge: Dropped Chrysler dealer sues competitor that's staying open originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusinessClosureCongressLawsuitLitigationMassey-Yardley DodgeMassey-yardleyDodgeMonarch DodgeMonarchDodgeSueTue, 02 Jun 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Those cheering for Detroit's demise may want to reconsider]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/those-cheering-for-detroits-demise-may-want-to-reconsider/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/those-cheering-for-detroits-demise-may-want-to-reconsider/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/those-cheering-for-detroits-demise-may-want-to-reconsider/#commentsFiled under:



Many analysts and commentators have seemingly been cheering for the imminent demise of the Detroit-based automakers. Something that needs to be realized amidst all this talk of low-interest loans and bailout money is how interconnected the auto industry is and how it affects our economy as a whole. Just like the global economy where the health of one country impacts all others, the same is true of the auto industry. It's been estimated that if General Motors fails, it will quickly cost the United States anywhere from 2.5-3 million jobs. Beyond the people directly employed by the automakers are direct suppliers and their sub-suppliers, many of which have been on the brink for years already. In addition, there are the tens of thousands of small and large businesses in Michigan communities and elsewhere whose existence depends on patronage from the people working in auto factories.

Even foreign automakers will feel the pain of Detroit's demise in a big way. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have all been hammered by the credit crunch in the last couple of months and their sales will likely drop further if people lose their jobs due to the failure of one or more of the Detroit automakers. The suppliers that will surely fail also supply Japanese-, German- and South Korean-owned factories in the U.S., so their collapse will have a huge impact on companies not based in Detroit.

Yes, the Detroit 3 have made a lot of stupid product decisions over the years and wasted a lot of money, but allowing the free market to pull them under will create a ripple effect that reaches more than just the shores of the Detroit River.

[Source: Detroit News, Photo by Paula Bermudez | CC 2.0]

Those cheering for Detroit's demise may want to reconsider originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness failureBusinessFailureWed, 12 Nov 2008 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[A Towering Figure: Schumacher lends name to skyscraper in Dubai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/a-towering-figure-schumacher-lends-name-to-skyscraper-in-dubai/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/a-towering-figure-schumacher-lends-name-to-skyscraper-in-dubai/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/23/a-towering-figure-schumacher-lends-name-to-skyscraper-in-dubai/#commentsFiled under:

Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Michael Schumacher, a veritable landmark in motor racing history, is to become an actual landmark.

To enable Schuey to continue to tower over the rest of the field, so to speak, a German company undertaking construction projects in the Gulf emirate of Dubai is building the Michael Schumacher Business Avenue. The construction project is to be highlighted by a 29-floor dual-purpose commercial/residential tower. The champion himself is expected to fly out to Dubai - where he already has his own island - to kick-start the project, which is expected to begin construction within the next three months.

Believe it or not, Schumacher won't be the first German-speaking, former Ferrari-driving, multiple-world-championship-winning F1 driver to get a complex named after him in the Dubai development: the Niki Lauda Twin Towers are located nearby.

[Source: Motor Authority]

A Towering Figure: Schumacher lends name to skyscraper in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avenuebuildingbusinessdubaischumacherskyscrapertowerFri, 23 Nov 2007 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW mulls selling engines to other automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/26/bmw-mulls-selling-engines-to-other-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/26/bmw-mulls-selling-engines-to-other-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/26/bmw-mulls-selling-engines-to-other-automakers/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Don't go getting too excited, it probably won't mean a crate version of the S65 or N54 for Roundel fans. Running an automaker is expensive, especially a manufacturer that leans more toward niche status than casting a wide net. BMW is looking at all options for future revenue, and one of the thoughts that's occured to the well-respected manufacturer of cars with chutzpah is to bank on its engineering chops and sell engines to other carmakers. Lotus has pimped themselves out for years to other automakers, and the Porsche name has ended up on things like hard drives, so BMW selling their award-winning engines to gain an extra stream of return on their investment is a far less radical move. Hey, if selling their more mundane powerplants to emerging markets like India and China keeps the coffers full and awesome performers rolling our way, we're all for it.

[Source: Motor Authority]

BMW mulls selling engines to other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 May 2007 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbusinesscarmakersdiversificationdiversifyengineeringenginesmotorotherrevenuesellSat, 26 May 2007 14:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheaper by the Dozen: the race for the $3000 car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/cheaper-by-the-dozen-the-race-for-the-3000-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/cheaper-by-the-dozen-the-race-for-the-3000-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/23/cheaper-by-the-dozen-the-race-for-the-3000-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Reporting on one luxury car hitting the market after another and a seemingly endless race for the latest in technological breakthroughs, it seems hard to believe, but the fiercest competition in the automotive industry is emerging in the ultra-low cost segment. As markets like India and China continue to develop, their billions of citizens are moving up from bicycles and scooters to low-cost cars, and the sticker prices keep getting lower and lower.

Four years ago, India-based Tata Motors vowed to make a car which will sell for $2500. It seemed like a joke at the time, but that car is almost ready to hit the market, and the competitors are getting ready to put up a fight. With its bare-bones Logan sedan, Renault has the leg up on other automakers including Toyota, Volkswagen, Fiat, PSA and GM Daewoo, which are all preparing to get in on the low-cost market.

Carmakers are keeping costs down by developing the cars in India, and though the profit margins are dramatically lower than in premium segments, the companies are clamoring to establish their footholds in the emerging markets and hope that the volume will make it all worthwhile.

While the ultra-affordable subcompacts are being designed with developing countries in mind, automakers are surprised to find their no-frills offerings are being received well even in Europe, where customers see the savings as a worthwhile alternative to spending thousands more on higher-priced cars. Standard safety features and emissions control mean that a car that would cost $3000 in India costs $6-7000 in a Western country, but even at those prices the cheap imports undercut anything else on the market by thousands. It's being hailed as an impending revolution in the automotive industry every bit as pivotal as was the Ford Model T.

[Source: Business Week]

Cheaper by the Dozen: the race for the $3000 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$2500$3000affordablebusinesscarcheapchinadaciaindialogantataweekMon, 23 Apr 2007 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Magna confirms interest in Chrysler, visits Auburn Hills]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/10/magna-confirms-interest-in-chrysler-visits-auburn-hills/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/10/magna-confirms-interest-in-chrysler-visits-auburn-hills/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/10/magna-confirms-interest-in-chrysler-visits-auburn-hills/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The ups and downs of the rumored Chrysler sale are a better soap opera than NASCAR.

Now, Magna International, one of the reported suitors, has confirmed that the supplier is interested in exploring the purchase of the Chrysler group and has recently met with officials at the automaker. The main reason for the small fish eating the big fish would be mutual preservation. By propping up Chrysler, Magna keeps one of their large customers humming, and the continuation of contracts will keep Magna employees busy.

Other companies are exploring the option of acquiring Chrysler, as well. Private capital firms the Blackstone Group and Cerberus Capital Management have paid visits to Auburn Hills recently, and General Motors has reportedly been examining the possibility of a lash-up, as well. We hope that GM has decided not to move forward, as there are seemingly more overlaps than synergies between the two automakers, and we worry for the future of jobs, platforms, plants and workers should the very strange marriage between two of the Big Three goes forward.

[Source: Detroit News]

Magna confirms interest in Chrysler, visits Auburn Hills originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackstonebusinesbusinesscerberus capitalCerberusCapitalchryslerfinancialgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsmagnasalespin offSpinOffSat, 10 Mar 2007 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA[The plot thickens; Hyundai may be angling for Chrysler]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/the-plot-thickens-hyundai-may-be-angling-for-chrysler/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/the-plot-thickens-hyundai-may-be-angling-for-chrysler/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/the-plot-thickens-hyundai-may-be-angling-for-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Hyundai and Chrysler already share their 2.4 liter "world engine" (along with Mitsubishi), and they may share much more in the future. Rumors are trickling in from all quarters about potential suitors for Chrysler, should DCX decide to cut loose its American vessel, and Hyundai is the latest one to grab headlines. The main value in purchasing Chrysler, which is suffering from crippling pension and healthcare costs, geriatric factories and indifferent product, is the dealer network.

Hyundai is making an aggressive effort in the US. The oldest thing in their fleet is the Tiburon (though it is newly-facelifted), and quality is way up. Hyundai and Kia vehicles represent good value for the money, and the instant sales organization they'd gain from a potential purchase of Chrysler would give Hyundai a further toe-hold. We're not sure how the brand change might play in Peoria, but we very seriously doubt that the rest of the Chrysler brand would be discarded just to acquire the sales organization.

There's a lot of value in Auburn Hills besides sales mooks. The Caravan and Voyager vans have been redone and are back in the game, and the LX cars still carry cachet, if not sales volume. Were the arranged marriage to occur, there would be some redundant products - such as the aforementioned vans. We're not sure how that would shake out. We bet that it costs Chrysler more to build a car than Hyundai spends, but we'd hope that the better car would win out in the corporate joust. A Sonata wearing a Chrysler badge (with some restyling, of course) wouldn't be such a terrible thing, would it?

Thanks to tipster Avinash!

[Source: timesonline]

The plot thickens; Hyundai may be angling for Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbuyoutchryslerdaimler chryslerDaimlerChryslerhyundaikiamergersaleSun, 18 Feb 2007 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Fiat puts the Auto in Autonomy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/fiat-puts-the-auto-in-autonomy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/fiat-puts-the-auto-in-autonomy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/fiat-puts-the-auto-in-autonomy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Changes are coming to the family as the Fiat automotive empire alters its structure to give several of its divisions more autonomy. While the Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Fiat auto and Fiat light commercial vehicles have all been divisions within the same corporate hierarchy (not unlike the structure at its one-time potential partners at General Motors), each of those brands is now being spun off and individually incorporated.

The result is the creation of four new companies: Lancia Automobiles SpA, Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA, Fiat Automobiles SpA and Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles SpA. This also means that the executives who were simply brand managers before are getting promoted to chief executive officer of their new corporations. All four will still be fully owned by the parent company, which is changing its name from Fiat Auto to Fiat Group Automobiles SpA. For those Tifosi left wondering, Fiat's precious baby Ferrari remains unaffected by the restructuring since it was already separately incorporated and is partially owned by Fiat with some shares owned by other interests.

What practical implication does this have? None to the American market where, until Alfa Romeo returns to the US, none of these brands are sold. Meanwhile, Fiat insists the restructuring will actually enable each unit to cooperate with the others more effectively. We'd bet this gives each of the brands the freedom to make independent strategic decisions, including the Fiat brand itself. The move comes shortly after Fiat Group head Sergio Marchionne stepped down as chief of the Fiat brand to concentrate on managing the group. With sales up and its financial health looking better than ever, the Fiat empire -- or whatever you want to call it -- looks poised to continue its climb upward.

[Source: Fiat via Italiaspeed]

Fiat puts the Auto in Autonomy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfabusinesscorporatefiatlanciarestructuringromeoSpAThu, 25 Jan 2007 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[The boss just wants a simple ride]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/the-boss-just-wants-a-simple-ride/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/the-boss-just-wants-a-simple-ride/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/the-boss-just-wants-a-simple-ride/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Think captains of industry are all driving top-of-the-line luxury sedans like the Mercedes S-Class or Jaguar XJ8? Think again. Business Week theorizes that most CEOs just want a simple set of wheels that will reliably get them to and from the corner office and to their next appointment with a minimum of fuss.

According to a pole conducted jointly by Cars.com and CareerBuilder.com, the average CEO spends less than $25,000 on a car, while only 19% of those poled drive luxury cars. The largest portion is driving run-of-the-mill passenger cars (29%), followed closely by SUVs (24%). Some, like the heads of construction companies, prefer the utility of a pick-up truck (13%) or vans (9%), while a small percentage opt for sports cars (6%). (The size of the companies whose CEOs were surveyed was not specified.)

Related post:

[Source: Business Week via StraightLine]

The boss just wants a simple ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bossbusinessceocompanycorporatecorporationThu, 12 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST