Autoblog

REPORT: Chevrolet Malibu to join Volt in Detroit-Hamtramck plant

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's long been presumed that the Chevrolet Volt (and its Opel/Vauxhall Ampera twin) would not be the only car rolling out of General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant after late 2010. After all, Volt volumes are unlikely to be sufficient in the first several years to justify an entire plant. However, when a future product plant was leaked out after the 2007 UAW contract was signed, it was assumed the new Chevy Orlando would join the Volt. After all, the Orlando shares the Delta platform with the Volt and Cruze.

Following the announcement Monday of the investment in the Detroit factory to build the Volt, The Detroit News believes it has learned that the next-generation Malibu will also be built in Detroit. The new Malibu is slated to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model. Current Malibu assembly takes place in Fairfax, Kansas. The General's Orion, Michigan plant had also been building the mid-sized sedan, but it is now being re-tooled build the next generation Aveo. With Fairfax now also building the Buick LaCrosse, a second plant may be needed to meet demand if the new model is successful.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: The Detroit News]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

REPORT: Chevrolet Malibu to join Volt in Detroit-Hamtramck plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's RenCen headquarters in Detroit 'at risk' without tax credits?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

According to The Detroit News, General Motors has gone on record as suggesting that without state tax credits designed to keep 2,500 employees ensconced at its Detroit Renaissance Center headquarters, the automaker could pull out of Motown's skyline and into the suburbs and surrounding areas.

As the story goes, transcripts from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. say that the Michigan Economic Growth Authority needs to amend a slate of already-approved tax credits to include the Renaissance Center. The requested amendment reportedly includes a provision that GM would need to keep at least 2,500 employees working at the RenCen with a total payroll of $60 million in order to qualify for the incentives.

If GM does not receive the tax breaks, it could disburse the approximately 1,500 additional workers at its headquarters to other offices in the metro Detroit area.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

GM's RenCen headquarters in Detroit 'at risk' without tax credits? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Volkswagen Touareg successor headed for Detroit

Michael Harley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Hybrid, SUV, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Click above for high-res image gallery

January's North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) is expected to host the debut of Volkswagen's all-new third-generation Touareg SUV (the facelifted "second-gen" arrived in the States as a 2008 model). While details are few, rumor has it that VW will introduce its new Touareg with a variety of powerplant choices during its first model year, including a hybrid variant.

As previously reported, the hybrid is expected to combine the supercharged 3.0-liter TSI V6 from the Audi S4 mated to a 38 kW electric motor. An all-new eight-speed automatic transmission wraps up the package. Total combined power is 374 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. With an all-wheel drive powertrain, the Touareg Hybrid should sprint to 60 mph in less than seven seconds and return a combined EPA fuel economy figure of about 26 mpg. While it debuts in just two months, the new Volkswagen Touareg isn't expected in showrooms until the second half of 2010.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Volkswagen Touareg successor headed for Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Are you the 2011 Audi A8? Or are you the 2011 Audi A6?

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Videos, Audi, Luxury

2011 Audi A6 or 2011 Audi A8 - Click above to watch the video

Well, is it? Hard to say. We do know that both a new Audi A8 and A6 are headed our way sooner rather than later. Sooner, as in the South Florida International Auto Show for one of the new Audis, and/or Geneva for the other. We're pretty sure that the car captured in the video you'll soon be watching after the jump is the same sedan wearing the BMW-style psychotropic body wrap in our earlier post. Only now, watching the car in motion and especially seeing it next to other vehicles, we're just not sure the Audi in question is large enough to be an A8.

Which means we might just be looking at the 2011 Audi A6. And we have to say, it almost looks too small to be an A6. Watch as the test mule passes various hatches and economy cars and seems to be about the same height, if not over all size. Maybe the mule's black paint is playing tricks on us. Or maybe - just maybe - the new A6 is going to be smaller than the current car. Time will tell. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Are you the 2011 Audi A8? Or are you the 2011 Audi A6?

VIDEO: Are you the 2011 Audi A8? Or are you the 2011 Audi A6? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant

Alex Nunez — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Videos, Work, Humor

This dump truck is going to take a dive - Click above to watch the video

In future Detroit, pushing a junked dump truck out of a fourth floor window at the old Packard plant might result in a swarm of gen-1 Taurus police cars surrounding the building, and, if you're particularly unlucky, intervention by ED-209. ("You have 20 seconds to comply...").

In the present day, this creative bit of criminal mischief gets you featured on The Wall Street Journal website. Go figure! Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant

VIDEO: Fun, frolic and destruction with a dump truck at Detroit's Packard plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fitting Irony: Detroit Mayor Bing's own auto supply company hurting and on the block?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM

No one is allowed to escape the grinding maw of Detroit's woes -- not even Detroit Piston extraordinaire and hometown mayor Dave Bing. The mayor owns an automotive supplier called The Bing Group that provides stamped parts for carmakers. The recession has put the company on such slippery footing that it told GM it couldn't provide any more parts, and it's looking to sell itself.

As part of assuming the position of mayor, Bing stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the company by creating a blind trust. Or at least, he was supposed to -- Bing remains the registered agent for the company, and that makes him the first person the state would go to for information on the firm, which suggests that he should know something about how its currently run.

Regardless, Bing is still considering whether to sell and will decide early next year. GM has told the company that as a condition of GM's bankruptcy its suppliers are compelled to keep sending parts even if GM didn't pay them, but that didn't appear to take into account the supplier nearly going bankrupt without that money. In the interim, GM is moving toward paying its suppliers on a weekly basis, which should help The Bing Group (and others). Yet in spite of the talked-about economic rebound, Detroit still hurts.

[Source: Detroit News | Image Credit: Dave Hogg via CC2.0]

Fitting Irony: Detroit Mayor Bing's own auto supply company hurting and on the block? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Moore screens new film Capitalism: A Love Story at GM RenCen [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., GM, Celebrities

As Michael Moore Tweeted, "Here's a video of my first official visit inside General Motors headquarters." For you youngsters out there, before Michael Moore made Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 911, and Sicko, twenty years ago, he made a little film called Roger & Me. That film, Moore's first, chronicled the extreme hardships in Moore's native Flint, Michigan after CEO Roger Smith decided to move most of General Motors' jobs out of town and down to Mexico, laying off some 30,000 American workers during a time of massive profitability.

As you may then imagine, Michael Moore is not exactly beloved by GM. Which is why it's all the more ironic that Moore decided to premiere his new film, "Capitalism: A Love Story" on four screens inside the GM-owned Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit this past weekend. GM didn't like that. In fact, after realizing what they had scheduled, officials apparently tried to have the shows canceled. A compromise was eventually worked out where the film could be screened, but Moore himself could not be on the premises. Neither could his cameras or any media.

Moore is forced to conduct his post-screening interviews at the nearby Marriott (not the Marriott in the RenCen, but the one across the street). However, he does eventually walk into GM headquarters and addresses the people that watched his film. And unlike twenty years ago, Moore is not escorted out. How times change, and don't really change at all. Buncha videos after the jump.

[Source: Mediaite]

Continue reading Michael Moore screens new film Capitalism: A Love Story at GM RenCen [w/VIDEO]

Michael Moore screens new film Capitalism: A Love Story at GM RenCen [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorsports Hall of Fame welcomes seven new inductees

Noah Joseph — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

2009 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductees - Click above for high-res image gallery

Talk to most gearheads about induction and they'll be picturing turbos and superchargers. But at this year's Woodward Dream Cruise, seven legendary figures from American racing were chosen for induction of another kind - into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Not to be confused with the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is located in Novi, Michigan, on the outskirts of Detroit. This year's induction ceremony, however, was held at the old Fillmore Theater in Detroit proper, where Kenny Bernstein, David Hobbs, Scott Parker, Les Richter, Al Unser, Jr., H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler and Joe Weatherly were officially inducted.

Known as the King of Speed, Bernstein is a four-time Funny Car champion and was the first in NHRA history to break 300 mph. Bernstein was inducted by NHRA president Tom Compton. A former SCCA Trans Am champion and F1 driver, David Hobbs was inducted by his fellow Speed Channel presenter Bob Varsha. Scott Parker scored 94 wins and nine dirt track championships for Harley-Davidson, whose chief Willie G. Davidson inducted him. Former pro football player Les Richter was inducted by Roger Penske for his revival of the Riverside International Raceway and activities as a race organizer.

Former CART champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser, Jr. was inducted by his father. Humpy Wheeler's management of Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte earned him his place, presented by racing broadcaster Ken Squier. And finally, Joe Weatherly was posthumously induced by stock car legend Ned Jarrett for his numerous titles both on motorcycles and in NASCAR. Follow the jump for more details in the full press release.

Gallery: 2009 Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees

[Source: Motorsports Hall of Fame]

Continue reading Motorsports Hall of Fame welcomes seven new inductees

Motorsports Hall of Fame welcomes seven new inductees originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another blow to Motor City: Detroit's Belle Isle Grand Prix reportedly iced for 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Audi R10 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Roger Penske revived the Detroit Grand Prix in 2007, Michigan race fans turned out in droves and cheered the great job that was done on fixing up the Belle Isle facility. Over 100,000 people showed up for the Labor Day weekend races in both 2007 and 2008. Unfortunately, we all know what happened in the weeks and months following the 2008 event. As the toilet was again flushed on the Michigan economy, Detroit Grand Prix sponsors slashed spending and the prospect of past attendees being able to spend the money on tickets dwindled. As a result, the 2009 race was canceled.

Unfortunately, the prospects for Michigan still haven't recovered sufficiently, so race organizers have decided to wait yet another year before trying to revive the event. The current plan is for the racers to hit the island again in 2011. We'll see if the economy cooperates.

Gallery: Detroit Grand Prix 08: IndyCars

Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Detroit Grand Prix]

Another blow to Motor City: Detroit's Belle Isle Grand Prix reportedly iced for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year nominees leak out

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:55:00 EST

2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year nominees - Click either image to start the list

The 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards are still months away, but the "long list" has leaked out and it's an odd mix of good, mediocre and, in several cases, not-yet-released.

Fifty journalists from around the continent have voted for 37 vehicles, with 12 offerings hailing from Japan, 11 from Europe, another 11 from the U.S. and three from Korea. Strangely, the Suzuki Kizashi, which hasn't even debuted in production guise, is included in the cars list, while the upcoming Honda Crosstour, the pseudo-wagon-cum-crossover, is listed (as a "truck" no less) despite only being recently confirmed by Honda and spied in the Great Smoky Mountains. Also of note, there's not single Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep offering to be found on the long list, which will be whittled down between now and the awards ceremony at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Check out all the contenders for this year's award in both the car and truck categories, and let us know if they missed anything in the comments below.

[Source: InsideLine]

2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year nominees leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline

Chris Paukert — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Classics, Trends, Etc., Videos

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We often think of the 1950's as being the heyday for Detroit's fortunes, but even in the early-to-mid Sixties, it remained something of a modern marvel, thanks largely to its world-leading auto industry. This archival video was apparently commissioned as part of a failed bid for the 1968 Summer Olympics (which went to Mexico City instead). Reportedly filmed in 1965, Detroit - City on the Move shows the area in full bloom - a startling contrast to the shell of an empire that remains just 44 years later.

With the harmonies of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as a backdrop, Mayor Jerome Cavanagh takes us through footage of downtown streets bustling with some of the city's two million residents, shots of a startlingly clean and new Cobo Hall (including scenes of the Detroit Auto Show itself), the crisp campuses of the (then) Big Three, and of the city's once-mighty cultural draws. It even has footage of the late John F. Kennedy talking up its virtues as part of the Olympic bid.

Interestingly (and perhaps tellingly), this sanitized look at Detroit all but glosses over mounting troubles with blustery talks of 'rebirth,' it utterly omits mention of the hitmakers at Motown Records, and in retrospect, it fails to adequately address growing racial tensions in the city (Detroit's infamous riots would lay siege just two years later in 1967).

Admittedly, such promotional films show a city in its best light by design, but even still, there's no getting around the fact that the World's Automotive Capitol ain't what it used to be. This video, part of the Prelinger Archives, gives us a glimpse into what Detroit used to be, and perhaps more than anything, what it sought to be. It's an amazing yet sobering look into mid-Sixties America, and it's worth a look. Take a trip back in time by clicking on the jump.

[Source: Archive.org]

Continue reading VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline

VIDEO: Vintage promo film made for Detroit's 1968 Olympic bid reveals city's precipitous decline originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?!

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Fiat, Lifestyle

It is estimated that up to 200 Fiat executives would relocate to Michigan if Fiat ends up owning Chrysler, and the city of Birmingham, Michigan wants them. It's gearing up for something like an Olympic bid to attract prosperous Continental types, and is joined in the effort by nearby city Bloomfield Hills. The two cities are regular landing spots for top level execs -- Zetsche, Wagoner, Henderson and Nardelli, among others -- with beautiful real estate, high property values, and a high school founded to serve transplanted kids.

A Birmingham real estate agent is planning to present its relocation services to the local Italian consulate. and the Bloomfield Hills International Academy is considering an Italian extracurricular program. To sweeten the deal, the owner of a boutique shoe store pitches the fact that only she and the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas sell $1,595 Chrissie Morris high heeled sandals. No, it's not Turin and the surroundings are the Piedmont -- but a fresh million in Birmingham will get you 3,000 square feet more living space and a yard, and if you're going to be in Michigan anyway...

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warren, MI mayor offers GM deal to move headquarters, Detroit officials counter

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

Earlier this month, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson said in reference to the possibility that the automaker may move its headquarters from Detroit: "We're looking at, frankly, everything within our business, but it's not like we have that queued up at the top of our list. We don't have any such plan... but if we did it would be motivated by business rationale, which would be cost, efficiency and speed."

Apparently, Jim Fouts, mayor of the city of Warren, Michigan, was paying attention. In an effort to lure General Motors from its current Renaissance Center headquarters in the heart of Detroit. The Detroit News reports that Fouts has hand-delivered a letter to the automaker's top brass outlining what he describes as "an offer they will find hard to refuse." Fouts goes on, "I've done everything I can humanly and legally do to induce General Motors to make this wise, economical move." That offer reportedly includes the largest set of tax breaks ever offered in the state of Michigan.

Not surprisingly, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Governor Jennifer Granholm and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano are less than enthused about the idea of GM moving to Warren. Ficano says, "We got together and asked what tools we have in our toolbox to tell the rest of the world that we're really open for business." Apparently, that toolbox holds its own set of tax incentives and abatements designed to keep GM in the RenCen.

All things being equal, it seems unlikely that General Motors would vacate its current headquarters to move to Warren, especially with an expected bankruptcy filing waiting in the wings. Either way, the ball is now firmly in GM's court.

[Source: The Detroit News | Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Warren, MI mayor offers GM deal to move headquarters, Detroit officials counter originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Panel okays money for added exhibition space for relocated Detroit Auto Show - if Cobo talks fail

Chris Shunk — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

The North American International Auto Show is the biggest event to hit the state of Michigan in any given year, but the location of the event has come under fire due to the advanced state of disrepair of Detroit's Cobo Hall. Earlier in the year, the state of Michigan and representatives from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties approved up to $299 million to repair and expand Cobo in exchange for the facility being turned over to a regional authority run by all three counties.

Even though the city of Detroit would be relieved of $15-20 million per year in repairs and a $20 million cash payment, the city council turned down the Cobo expansion deal. The defeat of the proposal left the future of the show in the state of Michigan in doubt, so Oakland County executive L Brooks Patterson offered up the Rock Financial Showplace as a future site of the auto show.

According to The Detroit Free Press, that idea is one step closer to reality as a state senate panel has approved up to $135 million to expand the much newer convention center to accommodate future auto shows. The money for the proposal would come from hotel and cigarette taxes, and the money officially goes to the Novi, MI facility if a deal on Cobo isn't reached by July 1.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

REPORT: Panel okays money for added exhibition space for relocated Detroit Auto Show - if Cobo talks fail originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warren mayor wants requirement for all municipal works to 'Buy American'

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Calling it "economic and consumer patriotism," the mayor of Warren, Michigan wants to make it compulsory for city officials to buy American cars. Jim Fouts says that 15% of his fiscal budget depends on the auto industry, and the city's two most lucrative tax payers are General Motors and Chrysler. Therefore, in order to support the folks who support the town -- and in turn, take care of the taxpayer -- he's trying to expand the order he gave last year that required his appointees to Buy American.

The mayor hasn't said he'll fire or lay off someone who doesn't buy American. Yet when asked if he would, he has said things like "they are at-will employees in a strong mayor form of government... and they can be terminated at any time. I believe they know that and with that in mind I strongly urge that they buy American."

Of course, at least one person has come out and rung the constitutional bell, saying "It comes down to liberty... I don't see how they can tell you how to spend your money." However, Fouts says he has had no complaints so far.

[Source: Freep]

Warren mayor wants requirement for all municipal works to 'Buy American' originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Slim Shady plays an assembly line worker in 8 Mile

Sure, thousands of auto workers may be losing their jobs, but don't think they've got nowhere to go. Following similar overtures made by Jay Leno and Michigan restauranteur A.J. O'Neil, Slim Shady will be putting on a free concert for Detroit's unemployed auto workers. But on top of playing for the downtrodden in his home town, Eminem will also be sayin' hello to Hollywood with 200 of his fellow Detroiters.

The concert is a joint effort between Slim (who played an assembly-line worker in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile) and Jimmy Kimmel, on whose show Eminem will be appearing and performing (presumably and somewhat ironically, in the Pontiac Garage). Kimmel and Matthers felt it was important to show the world how the Detroit 3 crisis is affecting "real people" while showing them a good time in the process. It'll be back to MoTown following the performance where Shady is scheduled to put on another exclusive show for auto workers in their natural habitat, where the entertained laid-off workers will hopefully be able to lose themselves in the music... at least for the evening.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Eli Reed/Universal Studios]

The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will GM consider moving its headquarters out of Detroit? [w/POLL]

Chris Paukert — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Earnings/Financials

Yesterday's media question-and-answer session with General Motors' CEO Fritz Henderson didn't reveal much in the way of actual news, but at least one question raised a few eyebrows: "Is GM considering moving its corporate headquarters?"

While that's an unlikely scenario, Henderson stopped short of denying the possibility, saying: We're looking at, frankly, everything within our business, but it's not like we have that queued up at the top of our list." Henderson also admitted: "We don't have any such plan... but if we did it would be motivated by business rationale, which would be cost, efficiency and speed."

So, where might GM defect to? Detroit Free Press scribe Tom Walsh suggests that Wilmington, Delaware (the city where GM is incorporated) could be a possibility, or even just down the road to Warren, MI near GM's Tech Center complex is located.

Admittedly, a move by GM out of its Renaissance Center headquarters remains unlikely, but Detroit's already skittish residents and politicians are already bristling on the city's airwaves at Henderson's less-than-firm response to the question. What do you think? Answer our poll below.

View Poll

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Will GM consider moving its headquarters out of Detroit? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Henderson says GM bankruptcy decision still in doubt; Hummer decision expected before month's end

Chris Paukert — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Earnings/Financials

We were on General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson's teleconference with reporters this morning, and while the proceedings were light on revelatory news (okay, there really wasn't any), some important things were clarified:

Namely, Henderson denied that the company has reached a decision on whether to pursue bankruptcy, and officials are still hard at work on a two-track strategy (one with, and one without), with the company's preference still being to keep matters out of the courts. When it comes time to make a decision (June 1), Henderson admitted that "The Treasury would be a key player in that decision," though he didn't rule out his company's own role as being part of the process.

Additionally, Henderson said that the company is still pursuing a "four-core brand strategy," meaning that it plans to keep Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC, with Pontiac still in the mix as a niche brand. Henderson called both GMC and Buick "very profitable," and added that some of the products that GM has in its pipeline that it is most excited about are slated to carry the Buick badge. When asked point blank as to the security of the two brands, however, he declined to guarantee survival of any particular marque in the company's portfolio.

Henderson all but confirmed that the company plans to keep the likewise "highly profitable A.C. Delco parts business, but he acknowledged that a decision looms for Hummer, with final bids from three purchasers expected by next week. The company expects to make a sale decision on the SUV brand by month's end.

In regards to Saab, the GM CEO reiterated that a number of parties are interested in the Swedish brand, and that their "books are open" to serious bidders. Unsurprisingly, Henderson also acknowledged that it is pursuing buyers for Saturn, but he denied that there was only one serious bidder in the mix.

On its European front, Henderson says that "well more than six" parties have expressed interest in Opel, which he characterized as financial and industry players. Henderson said GM expects work to get done within the next two-to-three weeks, and he acknowledged that Germany's cash-for-clunkers and the early success for the new Insignia have helped liquidity issues. As such, Opel can now evidently sustain itself through late in the second quarter, if not further.

[Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Henderson says GM bankruptcy decision still in doubt; Hummer decision expected before month's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michigan's Oakland County to grab NAIAS from Cobo?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Government/Legal

We can't blame Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson one bit for thinking the North American International Auto Show might be better served by moving locations away from Detroit's troubled Cobo Center. The building itself has been in disrepair for years, with a leaky roof and a poor electrical system generally cited as its most urgent needs. When an agreement was finally reached that would have fixed most of Cobo's many woes and expanded it with an additional 166,000 square-feet of floorspace, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, in what our own John McElroy called "a stupefying move at the 11th hour," the Detroit City Council voted down the proposed plan by a five-to-three tally, saying that the $20 million the city would be paid to give up power over the dilapidated building wasn't enough. Naturally, this action drew ire from a number of important sources, not the least of which being the automakers who are growing increasingly fed up about the horrid state of affairs at the Detroit Auto Show.

Here's where Patterson comes into play: "If this thing goes down, I'm done," Patterson has told The Detroit News. "I'm not going to go back to Detroit to try to resurrect the deal. Five years is enough." Unfortunately, Patterson's plan to move the annual event to another location in the Detroit area has a few potential snags of its own. The next largest nearby venue is the Pontiac Silverdome, which is about two-thirds the size and has been empty since the Detroit Lions left the stadium in 2002.

And what does the embattled Detroit City Council have to say about Patterson's proclamations? "He's bullying us as usual... he just wants everything on his own terms" says councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins.

This is one sordid affair that seems likely to drag on for years with no end in sight.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Michigan's Oakland County to grab NAIAS from Cobo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit-area caf� hosting 240-hour-long concert for auto workers

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, UAW/Unions, Lifestyle, Event Alert

In case you didn't know this was going on, Detroit is in the grips of the Assembly Line Concert, a 240-hour non-stop shebang that still has more than 100 hours to go. A. J. O'Neil, a Detroit-area coffee shop owner, decided to attempt a record-breaking charity event that would assist, support, and call attention to the American auto worker.

He's done it by trying to line up 240 acts -- from professional bands to politicians (no, really) to Detroiters who just want to play a ditty to show their love -- that will perform one hour sets for ten straight days. And even though the folks in the logo are obviously listening to Skynyrd, the Free Bird folks won't be appearing. So far there are 213 acts scheduled. There's still time to play if you've got the feeling, and if you just want to watch, you can head down any time of the day or check out the concert's live feed.

[Source: Assembly Line Concert]

Detroit-area caf� hosting 240-hour-long concert for auto workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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