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[REPORT: Obama dropping "car czar" in favor of task force]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/report-obama-dropping-car-czar-in-favor-of-task-force/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/report-obama-dropping-car-czar-in-favor-of-task-force/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/report-obama-dropping-car-czar-in-favor-of-task-force/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



While there have been rumors and suggested candidates floated for the so-called federal "car czar" post, it now no longer looks like that position will be filled. That's because President Barack Obama has apparently gone cold on the idea. Instead, new reports suggest that he will look to a select group of senior economic advisers for guidance.

In lieu of appointing a single authority to help guide the restructuring of the Detroit Three, a senior adviser is suggesting that Obama instead plans to look to Treasury Secretary, Timothy F. Geithner; National Economic Council chairman Lawrence H. Summers, and Ron Bloom, a labor union and corporate restructuring expert. The three men will work with a presidential auto industry oversight panel, with Obama "reserving for himself any decision on the viability of GM and Chrysler."

The aforementioned panel will be known as the Presidential Task Force on Autos, and will incorporate officials from various government agencies, including commerce, energy, labor, transportation, and Treasury. A number of panel members are already embedded in the project, helping to develop viability plan proposals with the automakers themselves,

Both General Motors and Chrysler are scheduled to file restructuring plans with the Treasury in time to meet a Tuesday deadline, at which point Obama and his newly-assembled team are expected to review the plans for one-to-two weeks before issuing a public statement. More details at the link below. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: The New York Times | Image: AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Obama dropping "car czar" in favor of task force originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BailoutBig 3Big3Car CzarCarCzarchryslercommerce departmentCommerceDepartmentDetroit 3Detroit threeDetroit3DetroitThreeenergy departmentEnergyDepartmentGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMlabor departmentLaborDepartmentNational Economic councilNationalEconomicCouncilObamatransportation secretaryTransportationSecretarytreasurytreasury departmentTreasuryDepartmentMon, 16 Feb 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama faces immediate challenges with Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/obama-faces-immediate-challenges-with-detroit-3/#commentsFiled under:

To be fair, the new president faces a lot of immediate challenges. But when it comes to the auto industry, the biggest four challenges could be the bridge loans, fuel economy mandates, the EPA vs The California 14, and the board of czars that will oversee the fortunes of GM and Chrysler. The similarity between these challenges and others on the domestic and global agenda: he doesn't have a lot of time to get them right.

It was clear that the $17.4 billion granted to GM and Chrysler was just the beginning of a process needing a well thought out and long term endgame. Part of that endgame involved the two automakers coming up with viability plans, which are due on February 17. Then Congress and the president will need to decide, based on those plans, whether the car companies should receive more money.

Should the carmakers get more money, the necessary car czar position is looking like a body-of-car-oligarchs instead, which sounds like a more reasonable idea. One name that has popped up to head the group is Steven Rattner, a former NYT reporter turned private equity fund founder. What hasn't been explained yet is how this board of overseers is meant to work with the car companies.

On the issue of fuel economy, some of Obama's campaign pledges might cause additional consternation. He had said he wanted to double the CAFE standard in 18 years, which would mean a 50 mpg average by 2027. He has backed off of that to the more generic "I want to raise fuel economy standards." His other campaign trail pledge was to review the EPA not granting California and 13 other states a waiver to set their own emission standards. His EPA designee has said one of her first priorities will be to review that decision, and she sounds like she intends to overturn if she can. If that happens, as the Obama administration lifts up the industry with one hand, the industry will probably feel itself being choked by the other hand.

[Source: Detroit News]

Obama faces immediate challenges with Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto industryAutoIndustrybarack obamaBarackObamabridge loansBridgeLoanscaliforniacar czarcarbCarCzaremissionsenvironmentepagovernmentlegalobamaFri, 23 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Mulally: Car Czar should keep hands off product decisions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/mulally-car-czar-should-keep-hands-off-product-decisions/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/mulally-car-czar-should-keep-hands-off-product-decisions/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/mulally-car-czar-should-keep-hands-off-product-decisions/#commentsFiled under: ,



Now that General Motors and Chrysler have accepted Federal assistance in the form of low-interest bridge loans, the two companies may not have many choices available to them if a Fed-appointed individual were to make product recommendations to senior management. In fact, that's exactly what the so-called car czar would likely do, under the guise of keeping an eye on the interests of the taxpayers who funded the automakers' revival. Ford, though, has not accepted any assistance yet, and it hopes not to.

Recent comments made by CEO Alan Mulally may offer a glimpse as to why the Blue Oval's so hesitant to take a handout. After expressing that he's looking forward to working with the incoming Obama administration, Ford's CEO said, "My god, I hope that a car czar does not get into the product strategy of the companies," specifically referring to whether the car czar should decide who makes police cars and taxis. Hopefully, whoever is appointed to the position (if anybody is at all) would have abundant experience in the American automotive world, lest something really bad should happen.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Mulally: Car Czar should keep hands off product decisions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyAlanMulallycar czarCarCzarobama administrationObamaAdministrationWed, 14 Jan 2009 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>MotorTrend</i> nominates Roger Penske for car czar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/motor-trend-nominates-roger-penske-for-car-czar/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/motor-trend-nominates-roger-penske-for-car-czar/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/motor-trend-nominates-roger-penske-for-car-czar/#commentsFiled under:

If an emergency loan for the Detroit 3 makes it through Congress, part of the deal will be an overseer for the industry to make sure the money is spent wisely. Of course, the question is who will fill the car czar's slippers? MotorTrend editor Angus McKenzie has come out in favor of Roger Penske, an interesting choice particular considering his successful at the helm of various business endeavors, not to mention his racing teams. In the past, Penske has even been mentioned as a potential CEO of General Motors.

Naturally, since this makes so much sense, it'll never happen. Most likely, either some clueless bureaucrat or a crony of the current administration will get the job. But there's a distinct possibility that whoever fills the position will carry over to the Obama administration.

[Source: MotorTrend | Image: A. Messerschmidt/Getty]

MotorTrend nominates Roger Penske for car czar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car czarCarCzarroger penskeRogerPenskeThu, 11 Dec 2008 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[First draft of Automaker Bailout Bill is out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/first-draft-of-automaker-bailout-bill-is-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/first-draft-of-automaker-bailout-bill-is-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/first-draft-of-automaker-bailout-bill-is-out/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The House of Representatives and the Senate will discuss and likely vote on the Automaker Bailout Bill (we know, it's not technically a bailout, but rather loans that will be paid back) tomorrow, and the first discussion draft of the bill has hit the internet. The discussion bill is 31 pages long, and like you we're not about to spend our Monday evening reading through the whole thing. Thankfully, some real auto journalists over at The Detroit Free Press have done that for us.

They report that the bill contains provisions for a federal official, or "Car Czar" as the position will no doubt be referred to, who would oversee distribution of the funds and have authority to yank them back if an automaker is deemed to be using them ineffectively. The bill also requires automakers to submit another restructuring plan by March 31, 2009, after which the Car Czar could use his or her powers to reopen negotiations with the company, its creditors and the United Auto Workers union.

Part of the bill also stipulates that if the Detroit 3 accepts these loans, they must promise to stop pursuing litigation aimed at striking down California's right to set its own emissions standards and other states' right to adopt them. The California Air Resources Board has created emissions standards the are generally more strict than federal standards, and so far 17 states have chosen to adopt the Golden State's measures.

Detroit is backed into a corner, however, and will likely accept any conditions that Congress attaches to the bailout bill. With that in mind, Democratic leaders in Congress and the White House say that approval for the bill is likely, which would see around $15 billion in federal loans granted to the Detroit 3 as soon as December 15th.

[Source: CNN Money, The Detroit Free Press]

First draft of Automaker Bailout Bill is out originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automaker bailoutautomaker bailout billAutomakerBailoutAutomakerBailoutBillcar czarCarCzarchryslerfordgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmMon, 08 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Georgetown professor could land position as 'car czar' in Obama administration]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/georgetown-professor-could-land-position-as-car-czar-in-obama/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/georgetown-professor-could-land-position-as-car-czar-in-obama/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/12/georgetown-professor-could-land-position-as-car-czar-in-obama/#commentsFiled under:

Soon after President-elect Obama and still-President Bush sat down on Monday, reports began to surface that the Obama camp was considering the appointment of a "Car Czar." The position would provide the new administration with analysis and advice on the auto industry and the financial (and product?) perils faced by Detroit Big 3(ish).

The original report by the Detroit News said that both Bush and Obama could be in favor of appointing an auto czar to oversee Federal efforts to provide emergency assistance to domestic automakers, and now Automotive News has thrown a name into the ring; Daniel Tarullo, a law professor at Georgetown University and expert on international economics.

Tarullo has held a number of positions outside of his teaching duties, including serving under the Clinton administration, acting as chief counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and working with the Brookings Institute on its Council for Foreign Relations. That's all well and good, but what's his background with the auto industry? In short, nada. Which makes us wonder: is it better to have someone who's had their hands in the industry for decades or a fresh mind that hasn't been sullied by time on the inside? And more to the point, do we even need a "Car Czar?"

[Sources: Detroit News, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Georgetown professor could land position as 'car czar' in Obama administration originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto czarAutoCzarbushcar czarCarCzardaniel tarulloDanielTarullogeorgetown professorGeorgetownProfessorobamaWed, 12 Nov 2008 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GM 'car czar' Lutz says it's the design, stupid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/27/gm-car-czar-lutz-says-its-the-design-stupid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/27/gm-car-czar-lutz-says-its-the-design-stupid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/27/gm-car-czar-lutz-says-its-the-design-stupid/#commentsFiled under:

When Bob Lutz became GM's car czar last year, he kept telling workers that they couldn't keep doing things the same way if they wanted different results. Seems obvious, and that philosophy is considered one of the litmus tests for being sane. Although there's still a long way to go, and GM might slip to the #2 spot in global production before it gets sorted, it seems the message is getting through.

The 2005 bankruptcy fears are gradually fading, mainly because of CEO Rick Wagoner's budget-slashing, but also due to the Lutz cheerleading that has seen good product pushed to quicker release. The new Silverado/Sierra, for instance got into showrooms a full 3 months ahead of projections and, more importantly, hit before Toyota's much-hyped Tundra.

Most analysts will tell you it's Lutz who will ultimately get GM back to form. And the reason Lutz is so important is that he recognizes that good product is the only way out. He's telling everybody who will listen that better design, higher quality interiors, and quicker concept-to-sales floor development times are what GM needs.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req]

Continue reading GM 'car czar' Lutz says it's the design, stupid

GM 'car czar' Lutz says it's the design, stupid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bob LutzBobLutzcar czarCarCzarRick WagonerRickWagonerWed, 27 Dec 2006 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Derrick Kuzak to become global Car Czar for Ford]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/derrick-kuzak-to-become-global-car-czar-for-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/derrick-kuzak-to-become-global-car-czar-for-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/14/derrick-kuzak-to-become-global-car-czar-for-ford/#commentsFiled under: ,



By now we're all aware what a good Car Czar can do for an automaker. Bob Lutz is often referred to as the Car Czar at General Motors who banned body cladding on Pontiacs, brought over the Aussie-sourced GTO (that really opened the door for the upcoming Chevy Camaro revival) and pushed Cadillac further upmarket where it belongs. Last year Lutz officially became GM's global product Czar, no doubt on account of Saturn's transformation into an imported brand with the addition of rebadged versions of the Opel Antara, Astra and eventually the next generation Vectra sedan.

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford is also keen on integrating its global units and that CEO Alan Mulally will appoint current Group VP of Product Development Derrick Kuzak as the company's new Global Product Development Czar. Ford knows the path to efficiencies lies in coordinating and sharing product on a global level, but up to this point could not reorganize its structure fast enough to make that happen. Kuzak's job will be to oversee the company's product programs on a worldwide level, hopefully ensuring that we don't end up with another "My Focus is better than yours" situation in the future. Mullaly will also likely appoint a global Manufacturing Czar to also integrate the production side of things on a global scale.

We heard Kuzak speak this week at Ford's Showroom of the Future event, and, while we don't know the guy personally, hear that he's not only an accomplished executive but also a respected engineer. Engineering Ford's vast product development programs around the world into a well oiled and single focused machine is a job we don't envy, but we hope Kuzak's up to the task.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Derrick Kuzak to become global Car Czar for Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car czarCarCzarczarderrick kuzackDerrickKuzackkuzackThu, 14 Dec 2006 14:29:00 EST