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: Marchionne will choose to lead either Chrysler or Fiat within 24 months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-marchionne-will-choose-to-lead-either-chrysler-or-fiat-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-marchionne-will-choose-to-lead-either-chrysler-or-fiat-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/report-marchionne-will-choose-to-lead-either-chrysler-or-fiat-w/#commentsFiled under: ,



Sergio Marchionne appears to be very well regarded within the auto industry and his work making Fiat a viable automaker has been pretty remarkable overall. Now Marchionne is charged with saving the beleaguered and product-starved Chrysler while also keeping momentum back home in Italy. That's a big job that Marchionne won't be able to do for long. The dualing CEO reportedly said in a speech at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington that he will decide which company to run within the next 24 months. It appears Marchionne is no Carlos Ghosn, for better or for worse.

Marchionne also gave some pretty stark assessments of the Pentastar, as he reportedly told the audience that Chrysler walked away from bankruptcy a cleaner company but "but we ended up with the same stuff we had." Ouch. Marchionne also reportedly used his time at the Peterson Institute to discuss what he calls the industry's overcapacity problem. He said that while Chrysler has the post-bankruptcy ability to pick and choose when to grow, in Europe, overcapacity results in billions in lost revenue. Germany, for example, hasn't shuttered a plant since before World War II.

So Marchionne is going to give up one of his CEO posts within the next two years. On one hand, it's nice to see that the Fiat/Chrysler CEO is a realist who doesn't want to stretch himself too thin, and at the same time we like the fact that he plans to stay at Chrysler at least until it begins to receive some new products via its partnership with Fiat. Do we think he'll choose Chrysler over Fiat? The Fiat that resides in sunny Italy with brands like Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo? We wouldn't, but hey, we're not millionaire CEOs, either.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau | Image: AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Marchionne will choose to lead either Chrysler or Fiat within 24 months originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceoChairmanchrysler ceoChryslerCeoChryslerLlcfiat ceoFiatCeomarchionnePeterson Institute for International EconomicsPetersonInstituteForInternationalEconomicssergio marchionneSergioMarchionneWed, 09 Dec 2009 11:01:00 EST<![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[Former AT&T chief Edward Whitacre, Jr. named chairman of New GM]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/former-atandt-chief-edward-whitacre-jr-named-chairman-of-new-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/former-atandt-chief-edward-whitacre-jr-named-chairman-of-new-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/former-atandt-chief-edward-whitacre-jr-named-chairman-of-new-gm/#commentsFiled under: ,

A new General Motors needs new leadership. So following the replacement of former CEO Rick Wagoner with Fritz Henderson, the General has announced its new incoming chairman: Edward E. Whitacre, Jr.

Whitacre is perhaps best known for his seventeen-year tenure as chairman and chief executive of AT&T, overseeing mergers and expansions that made AT&T the largest telecom company in America. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from Texas Tech, and also serves on the boards of ExxonMobil and BNSF Railway.

Whitacre will take over from interim chairman Kent Kresa once the bankruptcy proceedings wrap up and New GM is launched, at which point several of the current board members will remain, six will depart and a new crop of directors will join the board over which Whitacre will preside. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors | Image: Mark Wilson/Getty]

Continue reading Former AT&T chief Edward Whitacre, Jr. named chairman of New GM

Former AT&T chief Edward Whitacre, Jr. named chairman of New GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairmanedward e whitacre jredward whitacre jrEdwardEWhitacreJrEdwardWhitacreJrgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgm chairgm chairmanGmChairGmChairmankent kresaKentKresanew gmNewGmwhitacreTue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Paolo Pininfarina announced to succeed his late brother]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/paolo-pininfarina-announced-to-succeed-his-late-brother/#commentsFiled under: ,



These are precarious times for European design studios and coachbuilders, with some of the biggest names in the business facing potential closure. Not even Pininfarina is immune, and the storied Italian studio cannot afford to miss a beat. That's why, only days since the tragic death of its CEO Andrea Pininfarina, the company has already announced his successor.

Rather than hiring from outside, control of the carrozzeria will pass to Paolo Pininfarina, brother of the late Andrea, son of Sergio and grandson of founder Batista "Pinin" Farina. He is shown here attending the funeral for his brother that took place just yesterday. As we reported earlier today, the company is scheduled to unveil its first new vehicle since the tragedy next week at Pebble Beach: the Rolls-Royce Hyperion .

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd, Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty]

Paolo Pininfarina announced to succeed his late brother originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrea pininfarinaAndreaPininfarinaceochairmanpaolo pininfarinaPaoloPininfarinapininfarinapininfarina ceopininfarina chairmanPininfarinaCeoPininfarinaChairmanTue, 12 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tom Purves, Chairman of BMW North America, is getting a new desk -- one that is adorned with a silver Flying Lady. As of July 1, Purves will take over as the CEO of BMW's Rolls-Royce brand in Goodwood, England. Replacing Tom Purves as the CEO of BMW's North American Unit will be Jim O'Donnell, who has occupied the No. 2 seat since the beginning of this month.

Purves is no stranger to Rolls-Royce. He spent the first 17 years of his career there occupying several different management positions. The timing for his departure from BMW is interesting, though. BMW has a mandatory retirement age of 60. Coincidentally, that just happens to be the age Purves will celebrate on his birthday this November. Rolls-Royce, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, doesn't have a mandatory retirement age.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWCEOChairmanHiringRolls-RoyceTom PurvesTomPurvesTue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flight of Fancy: Ferrari takes to the sky]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/flight-of-fancy-ferrari-takes-to-the-sky/#commentsFiled under: ,



Like their competitors, Ferrari uses advanced aerodynamics to keep their cars on the ground. But what if they flipped their technology upside down to create an aircraft? The result could very well be this, the Piaggio P180 Avanti II.

Beyond the usual correlation between the automotive and aeronautical industries - especially evident in six-figure sportscars and in formula motor racing - the ties between Piaggio Aero and Ferrari run far deeper. Piaggio, which sponsors the Scuderia, is chaired by Enzo's heir and company vice-chairman Piero Ferrari. The aircraft pictured is the one Ferrari uses to shuttle their executives and star drivers around Europe, if not the world, to unveil new cars, win grands prix and cut ribbons on everything from theme parks to retail stores. Interestingly, instead of jet propulsion, the Avanti II uses backwards-mounted turboprops. With a 450 mph top speed, it's the fastest turboprop in the world. It has a 1,800-mile range and 41,000-ft maximum cruising altitude but uses 30% less fuel than a comparable jet.

Of course this isn't the first time the prancing horse has appeared on an aircraft. The logo, legend has it, was emblazoned on the plane of Italian WWI flying ace Count Francesco Baracca, whose mother presented it to Enzo Ferrari after reportedly being impressed by his driving style while racing towards the checkered flag at the Salvio circuit in 1923. Whether the legend is true or not, the plane makes a more suitable canvas for the Ferrari logo than a Segway scooter.

[Source: Piaggio Aero via Luxurylaunches.com]

Flight of Fancy: Ferrari takes to the sky originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeroairplaneavantichairmancorporateferrarihorsejetp180piaggiopieroprancingMon, 19 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Wolfgang Bernhard to become chairman of Chrysler Group]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/26/wolfgang-bernhard-to-become-chairman-of-chrysler-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/26/wolfgang-bernhard-to-become-chairman-of-chrysler-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/26/wolfgang-bernhard-to-become-chairman-of-chrysler-group/#commentsFiled under: , ,



According to a German magazine referenced by Automotive News, Wolfgang Bernhard is expected to be announced as the Chrysler Group's chairman-in-waiting, pending DaimlerChrysler's sale of the automaker to Cerberus Capital Management. Currently Bernhard is an acting advisor, a consultant if you will, for Cerberus, and spends his days at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters, presumably gathering info for Cerberus on what aspects of the business need the German exec's magic touch the most. When the sale happens and Bernhard officially moves in, the speculation is that current CEO Tom LaSorda will remain in his position and likely report to Bernhard.

Bernhard was formerly VW's brand chief, and before that he worked for Chrysler immediately following the "merger of equals" that resulted in DaimlerChrysler. Other former Chrysler execs are also advising Cerberus at the moment according to Automotive News, including the company's well respected former design chief Tom Gale. Hopefully the news of Bernhard's official return, when it comes, will portend the return of other key Chrysler execs that can aid the company's turnaround efforts.

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

Wolfgang Bernhard to become chairman of Chrysler Group originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernhardcerberuscerberus capital managementCerberusCapitalManagementchairmanchryslerchrysler groupChryslerGroupdaimlerchryslerexpire-images:2008-7-25tom galetom lasordaTomGaleTomLasordawolfgangwolfgang bernhardWolfgangBernhardThu, 26 Jul 2007 12:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Norbert Reithofer to succeed Helmut Panke at BMW's helm]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/norbert-reithofer/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/norbert-reithofer/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/norbert-reithofer/#commentsWe knew that BMW chairman Helmut Panke would go "buh-bye" after his contract expires in 2007 due to BMW's policy to boot any leader over the age of 60, but we weren't sure who would take the helm. BMW has announced that the man for the job is Norbert Reithofer, who has been production manager since 2000. The 50 year-old German has been with BMW since 1987.

Thanks to a stint managing the company's Spartanburg, S.C. plant, Reithofer has some experience with BMW's U.S. operations and the American market, which is of importance to the company.

It has not been reported whether Panke will sit on the supervisory board after he turns over the top spot -- the board does not currently have a seat open.

[Source: Associated Press via the Houston Chronicle]

Norbert Reithofer to succeed Helmut Panke at BMW's helm originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jul 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchairmanhelmut pankeHelmutPankenorbert reithoferNorbertReithoferpankeThu, 20 Jul 2006 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA["Ask Dr. Z" national ad campaign for Chrysler starts tomorrow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/ask-dr-z-national-ad-campaign-for-chrysler-starts-tomorrow/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/ask-dr-z-national-ad-campaign-for-chrysler-starts-tomorrow/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/ask-dr-z-national-ad-campaign-for-chrysler-starts-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Along with the announcement of its summer sales incentives today, Chrysler also unveiled its "Ask Dr. Z" national ad campaign that features the company's Chairman, Dieter Zetsche, as the spokesperson. The ads mark the first time DaimlerChrysler will be communicating what it believes are the benefits of the merger between Daimler-Benz and Chrysler that formed it. That means highlighting the level of both American and German engineering and design in each Chrysler product.

While we think it's fair to say the press knows Dr. Zetsche is a likeable guy, it's unclear how the Chairman's handlebar mustache and German accent will play in Peoria. We'll find out soon enough, as the campaign kicks off tomorrow with 60- and 30-second "tri-brand" commercials, newspaper and magazine ads, internet advertising, and a www.AskDrZ.com url that will be plastered on the hood and side of Dodge Charger NASCAR race cars in the coming weeks.

A full press release can be found after the jump...

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading "Ask Dr. Z" national ad campaign for Chrysler starts tomorrow

"Ask Dr. Z" national ad campaign for Chrysler starts tomorrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jun 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingAsk Dr. ZAskDr.ZCEOChairmanDieter ZetscheDieterZetschespokespersonFri, 30 Jun 2006 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Iacocca to pen new book, address auto industry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/iacocca-to-pen-new-book/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/iacocca-to-pen-new-book/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/iacocca-to-pen-new-book/#commentsFiled under: ,

Retired Chrysler chairman (and Snoop Dogg homey) Lee Iacocca will be releasing a book in approximately one year, tentatively titled "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?". It's said to cover several topics, among them the state of the American auto industry and the threat that the US manufacturing economy faces from China and India.

Iacocca is said to be writing the book because he "flunked retirement" and "there is too much to be done to sit on the sidelines."  The octogenarian has not been quiet since leaving Chrysler in 1992, having attempted a $20B buyout of the automaker in 1995 (with Kirk Kerkorian and current GM board member Jerry York), along with campaigning for George W. Bush in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

[Source: Houston Chronicle]

Iacocca to pen new book, address auto industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookCEOChairmanChryslerDaimlerChryslerDCXGeorge BushGeorgeBushJerry YorkJerryYorkJohn KerryJohnKerryKerkorianLee IacoccaLeeIacoccaSnoop DoggFri, 09 Jun 2006 15:01:00 EST