Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Canadian railroad strike could pinch U.S. car supply]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Canadian Railway strike - locomotives in yard

TheDetroitBureau.com reports 5,000 Canadian Teamster union members moved to strike against the Canadian Pacific Railroad after last-minute negotiations failed to reach a fruitful agreement. As a result Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Honda and Toyota have all seen their vehicle shipments bottlenecked. The railroad company has closed a full 15,000 miles of track across both Canada and the U.S., and the Canadian government has already threatened take action to put an end to the standoff. Those tracks typically handle a large portion of vehicle commerce, including moving both complete cars and components to and from manufacturing facilities.

According to TDB, Canadian Pacific Railroad serves auto manufacturing facilities across Ontario and the U.S. Midwest, helping to link those plants with sister locations in Mexico. Chrysler says the company is currently investigating alternative shipping methods in the event the strike continues much longer. Honda, meanwhile, has said CR-V shipments have already been impacted by the issue.

Canadian railroad strike could pinch U.S. car supply originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadian pacificcanadian pacific railroadcanadian pacific railroad strikechryslerfordgeneral motorsgmhondamexicoontariorailroad strikestriketeamstertoyotaMon, 28 May 2012 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20245854/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/28/canadian-railroad-strike-could-pinch-u-s-car-supply/20245854/article-detail.xml 20245854 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/canada-rail-strike_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/canada-rail-strike.jpg <![CDATA[What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GrabCAD 500 Group Supercar Body Challenge street winner

Often, engineers are forced to sit and watch as accountants and stylists wreak havoc on a vehicle's design. GrabCAD recently decided to turn the tables by giving engineers the chance to pen a body for a ready-made chassis by 500 Group. The site was flooded with 200 unique designs completed in just 40 days. The top quarter of those went on for final judging in two categories: street and track. 500 Group will then actually produce one or more of the designs through a General Motors Special Projects agreement.

The chassis makes use of a number of GM Performance parts, and is set up to make use of the E-Rod LS3, LS7 or supercharged LS9 V8 engines. One skinless chassis has already been completed for testing.

Each concept body has plenty of renderings as well as full description. Be sure to check out the full press release below, as well as a video of the chassis on track. Then, head over to the GrabCAD site for a deeper dive.

Continue reading What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video]

What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500 groupbodychassisconceptdesigne-rodgeneral motorsgeneral motors special projectsgmgrabcadSat, 26 May 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20244668/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/20244668/article-detail.xml 20244668 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-500-group-body-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-500-group-body-628.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac Escalade to get new lease on life in 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/cadillac-escalade-to-get-new-lease-on-life-in-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/cadillac-escalade-to-get-new-lease-on-life-in-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/cadillac-escalade-to-get-new-lease-on-life-in-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cadillac Escalade

Known for unmitigated excess to some, the Cadillac Escalade embodies over-the-top transportation for oil barons and high-rolling hip-hop stars. TheDetroitBureau.com quotes an unnamed senior Cadillac official as saying, "We were finding that for everyone turned on by that image there were four (potential luxury buyers) who were [turned off]." Add in national gas prices flirting with $5 a gallon, and the Escalade seemed destined to join the flamboyant fins of the 1959 Eldorado.

But TDB says General Motors saw too much profit in the tanker-sized truck and plans to refresh it in early 2014 as a 2015 model. The Bureau predicts the SUV will continue to be body-on-frame with the new 2013 Chevrolet pickup underpinnings holding it all together. It's probably safe to assume the luxury will be upsized, the engine uptuned and the price upjacked.

Cadillac Escalade to get new lease on life in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 cadillac escaladecadillacescaladegeneral motorssladeWed, 23 May 2012 10:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243195/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/cadillac-escalade-to-get-new-lease-on-life-in-2014/20243195/article-detail.xml 20243195 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum.jpg <![CDATA[GM pulls advertising from next Super Bowl after Facebook exit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/image-needed-gm-pulls-advertising-from-next-super-bowl-after/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/image-needed-gm-pulls-advertising-from-next-super-bowl-after/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/image-needed-gm-pulls-advertising-from-next-super-bowl-after/#commentsFiled under: ,

General Motors logoThe overhaul of General Motors' marketing battle plan isn't finished. The Wall Street Journal reports that Joel Ewanick, GM's global marketing chief, is giving the brand a hiatus from Super Bowl advertising, believing it's just got too expensive and that variety is called for. Thirty-second spots for next year's big game are projected to cost $3.8 million.

The development comes quickly after GM decided to stop buying ads on Facebook citing a lack of effectiveness (to which Ford responded), and comes during a year of realignment efforts throughout the company: a global review of accounts began earlier this year and some were quickly let go, a brand new agency was created for Chevrolet and set up shop in Detroit, and personnel are being realigned.

The General's global ad spend in 2011 was $4.7 billion, and word is that GM doesn't plan on spending less, it only wishes to spend better - Ewanick says the changes made so far will net the company $2 billion in savings over the next five years. It's clear he's looking to unlock more efficiencies; observers say that GM is also trying to improve its ad performance overseas and find better ways to reach demographics that have migrated in all directions and to all media.

GM pulls advertising from next Super Bowl after Facebook exit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ad agencyadvertisinggeneral motorsgmjoel ewanickmarketingsuper bowlsuper bowl adssuper bowl commercialsMon, 21 May 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20241095/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/21/image-needed-gm-pulls-advertising-from-next-super-bowl-after/20241095/article-detail.xml 20241095 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gm-logo-nov2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gm-logo-nov2010.jpg <![CDATA[Car Wars report predicts Hyundai, Kia will lose market share]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/car-wars-report-predicts-hyundai-kia-will-lose-market-share/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/car-wars-report-predicts-hyundai-kia-will-lose-market-share/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/car-wars-report-predicts-hyundai-kia-will-lose-market-share/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



The annual "Car Wars" report by Merrill Lynch analyst John Murphy predicts that, despite their seizing of U.S. market share over the last few tumultuous years, Korean brands Hyundai and Kia will give it all back and then some to companies like Ford, General Motors and Toyota by 2016.

Murphy bases his predictions not on tea leaves or crystal balls, but rather the rate at which automakers launch new products. Ford will replace 26 percent of its product line over the next four years, a number that represents 46 percent of its volume, while General Motors will replace 25 percent and Toyota 24 percent. On account of these new product launches, Murphy says Ford can expect to add 0.8 percentage points of market share, General Motors will recover 0.5 points and Toyota will add another 0.3 points.

Other automakers that won't be so aggressive in turning over their lineups with new models include Chrysler, Honda, Nissan and the European brands, which Murphy surmises will all remain flat in terms of market share.

Hyundai and Kia, meanwhile, will be introducing fewer new models than the rest and therefore, Murphy predicts, will see a 0.5 decline in U.S. market share.

Of course, these are all just predictions and can be blown to bits with the next unforeseen economic crisis or natural disaster, just like the last three years were. And there are other factors that might affect market share for each automaker during the next three years, including the availability of raw materials, exchange rates, union contracts, recalls and a million another minor things that might grow to become big things, not the least of which is consumers deciding they actually like all those new products being launched.

Car Wars report predicts Hyundai, Kia will lose market share originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2012 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bank of americacar warsfordgeneral motorsgmhyundaijohn murphykiamarket sharemerrill lynchtoyotau.s. market shareFri, 18 May 2012 18:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20240741/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/car-wars-report-predicts-hyundai-kia-will-lose-market-share/20240741/article-detail.xml 20240741 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gyi0062947481-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gyi0062947481-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford and GM in Twitterfight over Facebook advertising?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/ford-and-gm-in-twitterfight-over-facebook-advertising/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/ford-and-gm-in-twitterfight-over-facebook-advertising/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/ford-and-gm-in-twitterfight-over-facebook-advertising/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford's Twitter jab at GM's Facebook ad pullout
Frenemies Ford and General Motors have taken to cyberspace for a little verbal sparing, trading snarky shots this week over which company is more likeable on Facebook.

GM set itself up Tuesday after news broke that the carmaker decided not to spend $10 million on Facebook advertising the same week the social media juggernaut prepares for its initial public offering expected to raise $100 billion dollars.

Ford used the opportunity to tweak its crosstown rival, tweeting: "It's all about the execution. Our Facebook ads are effective when strategically combined with engaging content & innovation."

GM couldn't leave that alone, going onto its Facebook page, "Just wanted to let our millions of Facebook fans know, we're still here, and we 'like' you back!"

Both carmakers will continue to use Facebook, where both have millions of followers of their brands and vehicles. And, really, they are both right.

Ford has done an extremely good job incorporating Facebook into its marketing strategy. When it came time to launch the new Ford Explorer, it did it through Facebook reaching millions of people.

GM has determined its money will be better spent in other areas. A recent Associated Press-CNBC poll showing more than half of all Facebook users never click on sponsored ads and only 12 percent said they felt comfortable to buy anything over Facebook. Google, The Wall Street Journal points out, is much more effective.

Ford and GM in Twitterfight over Facebook advertising? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfacebook advertisingfacebook ipofordford motor companygeneral motorsgmsocial mediatweettwittertwitter fighttwitterfightThu, 17 May 2012 10:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20239690/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/ford-and-gm-in-twitterfight-over-facebook-advertising/20239690/article-detail.xml 20239690 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ford-tweet-gm-facebook_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ford-tweet-gm-facebook.jpg <![CDATA[GM says Facebook ads not effective, pulls campaign ahead of IPO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/gm-says-facebook-ads-not-effective-pulls-campaign-ahead-of-ipo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/gm-says-facebook-ads-not-effective-pulls-campaign-ahead-of-ipo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/gm-says-facebook-ads-not-effective-pulls-campaign-ahead-of-ipo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Facebook

The Internets are buzzing over the upcoming initial public offering of Facebook, but General Motors doesn't seem all that impressed. The Huffington Post reports that The General has pulled its Facebook ad campaigns just days before the social media site is scheduled to officially hit the stock market.

The pricey ad buy reportedly wasn't paying sufficient dividends for GM, which spends billions of dollars on advertising every year. GM Spokesperson Pat Morrissey confirmed that Facebook was being reassessed, but added that the automaker routinely reviews where it is spending its ad dollars. Morrissey then added that GM is looking for effectiveness when it doles out marketing cash, which doesn't bode well for Facebook's ability to draw clicks.

If GM's decision sounds at all irrational, the statistics seem to show that Facebook isn't exactly an ad-click magnet. A recent CNBC poll showed that 50 percent of all Facebook users never click on any ads, and only 12 percent of those polled feel comfortable purchasing anything through Facebook. Google appears to be more effective at attracting clicks, as The Wall Street Journal cites a click-rate that is seven times that of Facebook.

Regardless of GM's decision to break up with Facebook, we're guessing that the news probably won't drown out much of the anticipation for the IPO. After all, it isn't every day that an Internet site with 900 million mostly addicted users goes public.

GM says Facebook ads not effective, pulls campaign ahead of IPO originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingfacebookfacebook adfacebook adsgeneral motorsgmgm facebookipostock priceWed, 16 May 2012 10:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20238929/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/gm-says-facebook-ads-not-effective-pulls-campaign-ahead-of-ipo/20238929/article-detail.xml 20238929 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/facebook_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/facebook.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota, Honda top supplier survey with lower results, GM and Chrysler improve]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/toyota-honda-top-supplier-survey-with-lower-results-gm-and-chr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/toyota-honda-top-supplier-survey-with-lower-results-gm-and-chr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/toyota-honda-top-supplier-survey-with-lower-results-gm-and-chr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Toyota and Honda auto show signs overlapping

Before financial Stargate opened in September of 2008 and transported us to an entirely new economic dimension, it was oh so common to read about domestic automakers hammering Tier One suppliers to lower their prices. Of course, suppliers are still asked to find efficiencies, but pre-2008, it seemed a point of honor to hold a supplier's feet to the fire. No more: in the latest Working Relations Index survey of suppliers by Detroit firm Planning Perspectives Inc., General Motors and Chrysler rocketed up the charts to bring the bunch much closer together.

Admittedly, the two companies are still in last place, with GM just ahead of Chrysler and Toyota and Honda still up top. But perspective and improvement is the issue here: in 2005, Toyota scored 415 and GM scored 114. In this year's survey, Toyota scored 296 and Chrysler scored 248. It is the first time in the 12 years of the survey that the six automakers covered have been separated by less than 50 points. Chrysler's jump was led by the efforts of the the late Dan Knott, whle GM's improvement has been led by Bob Socia.

And yes, this is also a matter of the perennial leaders, Toyota and Honda, suffering a dip: in 2010 Toyota scored 327 and Honda 309, two years later, Toyota has dropped 31 points. Every automaker, however, from top to bottom acknowledged that they still have work to do with supplier relations. The benefits of good feelings are that suppliers tend to present their newest tech to, and make better parts for, the automakers with whom they have the best relationships. Naturally, it has been found that the reverse is true as well.

Nissan and Ford make up the middle two spots, where they've been for years. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Hyundai aren't on the list yet; PPI feels it doesn't have enough data on the Germans to yet to officially include them, and it doesn't have enough data on Hyundai to rank it at all. If the data gathered on the Germans was included, though, they would sandwich the rest of the field: BMW and Mercedes at the top, Volkswagen at the bottom a point shy of Chrysler.

Toyota, Honda top supplier survey with lower results, GM and Chrysler improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchryslerfordgeneral motorshondamercedes-benznissanplanning perspectivessuppliersupplier relationssupplierssurveytier 1toyotavolkswagenworking relations indexTue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20238179/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/toyota-honda-top-supplier-survey-with-lower-results-gm-and-chr/20238179/article-detail.xml 20238179 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-honda-sign-overlap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-honda-sign-overlap.jpg <![CDATA[Saab union asks Obama to pressure GM for licensing deal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/saab-union-asks-obama-to-pressure-gm-for-licensing-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/saab-union-asks-obama-to-pressure-gm-for-licensing-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/saab-union-asks-obama-to-pressure-gm-for-licensing-deal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

President Obama

The door has not yet closed on Saab. Hoping for yet another 11th hour stay of execution, the defunct carmaker's chief union, IF Metall, has written directly to President Obama, asking him to intervene, according to Just-Auto. While on the surface, this may seem silly, it's actually rather clever, even if it has little likelihood of working.

With the United States government still owning 26 percent of General Motors, the Swedish union is hoping it can appeal to Obama to pressure General Motors into granting licenses to continue manufacturing Saab vehicles, according to the report. It's this sticking point that has torpedoed every attempt to forestall Saab's dissolution, as GM fears that were it to allow continued production of Saabs developed under GM's ownership, it would open up the possibility of intellectual property conflicts, particularly if a Chinese manufacturer that competes with GM's own Chinese partner, SAIC, acquires Saab.

You have to admire Saab loyalists, as they clearly have not given up hope. But in this case, they just don't have any other options: Unemployment in the Saab hometown of Trollhättan has hit 40 percent, according to the report.

Saab union asks Obama to pressure GM for licensing deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamachinachinese automakersgeneral motorsgmif metallintellectual propertyobamapresident of the united statessaabsaictrollhattentrollhättanunionsTue, 15 May 2012 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20238573/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/saab-union-asks-obama-to-pressure-gm-for-licensing-deal/20238573/article-detail.xml 20238573 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/president-obama-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/president-obama-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Treasury has no plans to sell remaining GM stock quite yet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/treasury-has-no-plans-to-sell-remaining-gm-stock-quite-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/treasury-has-no-plans-to-sell-remaining-gm-stock-quite-yet/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/treasury-has-no-plans-to-sell-remaining-gm-stock-quite-yet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors headquarters

General Motors stock has been languishing for months, failing to climb past $30 per share since July of last year. Trading at around $22 per share today, the optimism that surrounded the company's emergence from bankruptcy and initial public offering in November 2010 has all but vanished. So it's no wonder that the United States Treasury has decided to sit on its GM shares, with no plans to sell of its remaining 26 percent stake in the automaker.

According to The Detroit News, the Treasury believes that GM is underpriced given the changes that have happened at the company. Assistant Treasury Secretary Time Massad told the News, "Our perspective is that the company has made real progress, but the market hasn't given them as much credit for that as it might."

The government stands to lose $15 billion on the bailout at today's stock prices, according to the report. Of the $49.5 billion spent on the bailout, the government has already recouped roughly $23 billion in reducing its stake in GM from the 61 percent it once held. GM shares would have to more than double in value to $53 for the Treasury to break even in liquidating the 500 million shares it still owns, according to the report.

Treasury has no plans to sell remaining GM stock quite yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto bailoutbailoutgeneral motorsgmgm ipogm stockUS TreasuryFri, 11 May 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20236222/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/treasury-has-no-plans-to-sell-remaining-gm-stock-quite-yet/20236222/article-detail.xml 20236222 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gmrexterior02-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gmrexterior02-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota takes title of World's Largest Automaker... again, for now]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/toyota-takes-title-of-worlds-largest-automaker-again-for-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/toyota-takes-title-of-worlds-largest-automaker-again-for-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/toyota-takes-title-of-worlds-largest-automaker-again-for-no/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota badge

Now that the title of world's largest maker has become a clear and eager battle, we can expect more regular updates on the progress of the combatants. Bloomberg reports that Toyota snagged the #1 crown in Q1, taking it away from General Motors with 2.49 million units sold across its five brands compared to 2.28 million for GM. Volkswagen was just another tenth down at 2.19 million units sold.

What all three might appreciate even more than the crown - except for VW, who is monomaniacal about the No. 1 tag - is that sales volumes and profitability are up, at least in America. Toyota's sales rebound from the catastrophes of last year (and indeed, the last few years) is being underlined by its performance here, where the Prius Plug-In is the third-best seller against a background of the nation's best car sales market in five years. Even with double its usual fleet sales in Q1, Toyota expects this financial year's profits to double.

The year isn't over yet and it remains close, but for now it looks like there'll be good news for everyone. Well, until 2016, when Volkswagen is predicted to vanquish all challengers at the top of the podium, two years ahead of its own ridiculously ambitious schedule.

Toyota takes title of World's Largest Automaker... again, for now originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsglobal salesgmsalestoyotavolkswagenvwworlds biggest automakerFri, 11 May 2012 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20236085/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/toyota-takes-title-of-worlds-largest-automaker-again-for-no/20236085/article-detail.xml 20236085 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/11-2011-toyota-highlander-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/11-2011-toyota-highlander-review.jpg <![CDATA[2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-u-s-auto-sales-on-pace-to-be-best-in-five-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-u-s-auto-sales-on-pace-to-be-best-in-five-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/2012-u-s-auto-sales-on-pace-to-be-best-in-five-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford new car lot

Bloomberg reports that if U.S. auto sales continue at their current pace, 2012 will mark the best year for the industry since 2007. The news comes after word that both Ford and Chrysler have slimmed or entirely eliminated the traditional summer shutdown at their manufacturing facilities to keep pace with demand.

All told, sales may reach 14.3 million cars and light trucks, according to analysts, thanks to factors like a gradually improving economy and easier credit. If the pace continues, 2012 will mark the third year of 10-percent gains, which marks only the fourth time that's happened since the Great Depression.

Car sales stalled in 2008, and 2009 saw manufacturers move just 10.4 million units. As Bloomberg points out, that's the lowest number since 1982, but buyers took home 11.6 million vehicles in 2010 and 12.8 million in 2011. The industry saw a 10.3-percent increase through the first four months of this year. As a result, General Motors, Ford and Toyota have adjusted their yearly sales forecasts accordingly.

2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 auto salesauto sales figureschryslerfordgeneral motorsgmsales figurestoyotaus auto salesus auto sales figuresThu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20235610/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/2012-u-s-auto-sales-on-pace-to-be-best-in-five-years/20235610/article-detail.xml 20235610 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ford-car-lot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ford-car-lot.jpg <![CDATA[Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,



When General Motors put down several of its brands in recent years, it also let loose thousands of brand-loyal customers who will eventually need another car.

R.L. Polk Associates estimates there are more than 18 million cars from 16 discontinued makes on the road today. Those "orphan owners" have sales-hungry competitors seeing dollar signs. GM is offering Saturn owners $1,000 cash toward a Chevy Cruze, Cadillac CTS or a GMC Acadia. Ford is giving its Mercury lease customers a chance to get out of their contracts with no early-termination penalty and offering to waive six remaining payments if they drive off in a Ford or Lincoln.

Edmunds.com research shows the efforts are paying off somewhat for GM, with 39 percent of Pontiac owners, 37 percent of Hummer owners and 31 percent of Saturn owners taking delivery of another GM-branded vehicle. But that leaves as much as 69 percent of owners going elsewhere. Ford, Honda and Toyota seem to be attracting many former GM owners.

As Forbes points out, if you're driving an orphaned nameplate, you just might be able to use that to your advantage when shopping for a new vehicle.

Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordgeneral motorshummerlincolnmercuryorphanorphan carspontiacThu, 10 May 2012 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20233204/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/automakers-tussle-over-owners-of-orphan-makes/20233204/article-detail.xml 20233204 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/solsticecoupe-rev2000-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/solsticecoupe-rev2000-opt.jpg <![CDATA[GM trademarks Riviera name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/#commentsFiled under: ,



Autoblog reader Ed sent us this screen shot from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, showing that General Motors has apparently trademarked the name Riviera for use on automobiles. It's no secret that the Riviera name resonates well with anyone familiar with Buick's history, and since the production coupe's death in 1999, the name Riviera has only been resurrected once for the 2007 concept car you see here.

So, why is GM registering the Riviera name again? Your guess is as good as ours. As GM Inside News points out, it could be nothing - automakers will, from time to time, trademark a host of words or alphanumeric sequences (Ford, for example, has trademarked everything from MKA to MKZ for potential Lincoln use). But then again, this isn't the first (or second, or third) time that we've heard rumors about Buick potentially adding a coupe to its lineup, and the Riviera name would certainly be appropriate.

GM trademarks Riviera name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickgeneral motorsgmpatentrivieratrademarkWed, 09 May 2012 15:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234952/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/20234952/article-detail.xml 20234952 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/riviera_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/riviera.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Buick Verano]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/2012-buick-verano-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/2012-buick-verano-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/2012-buick-verano-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Baby Buick Makes Quiet Case As An Almost-Luxury Car

2012 Buick Verano

It's no secret that Buick is one of the most prominent automakers in China, but the vehicle that's leading the charge in the People's Republic may come as a surprise. The top-selling car in the world's largest auto market last year was the Buick Excelle, a C-segment sedan that just so happens also to be a version of the 2012 Buick Verano that's now on sale here in the United States.

The Verano has only been on sale here for a few months, but as you might expect, U.S. buyers aren't quite as excited about the latest Buick offering as our Chinese counterparts, at least not in the early going. March sales came in at a modest 2,497 units (the Excelle family scored 23,179 April sales in China), making the Verano the least-purchased Buick for that month, while April's 2,989 units were just enough to beat the Regal in Buick's sales portfolio. Do Chinese buyers know something that we don't, or does the littlest Buick just need time to win us over?

Continue reading 2012 Buick Verano

2012 Buick Verano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 buick veranobuickfeaturedgeneral motorsgmreviewreviewsveranoWed, 09 May 2012 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234068/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/2012-buick-verano-review/20234068/article-detail.xml 20234068 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/03-2012-buick-verano-review-1336572086_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/03-2012-buick-verano-review-1336572086.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat.

We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletchevyfeaturedgeneral motorsgmmalibumalibu ecoreviewreviewsMon, 07 May 2012 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20231452/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/20231452/article-detail.xml 20231452 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review.jpg <![CDATA[Legal loophole allows GM to avoid paying federal taxes... still]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/legal-loophole-allows-gm-to-avoid-paying-federal-taxes-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/legal-loophole-allows-gm-to-avoid-paying-federal-taxes-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/legal-loophole-allows-gm-to-avoid-paying-federal-taxes-still/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors LogoThe United States tax code will never be accused of being simple or easy to comprehend. With a tangle of exceptions and loopholes, individuals and corporations can work their way around paying their full income tax rate with ease.

According to The Detroit News, General Motors continues to avoid paying its federal income taxes since the company exited bankruptcy. In 2008, the Treasury Department ruled that the automaker could use $18 billion in losses from "old" GM to offset any profits. That means from a tax perspective, GM still hasn't earned enough money to overcome its losses. The automaker has raked in more than $13 billion since 2009.

Of course, GM isn't the only company dodging the federal income tax. Ford, for example, payed $268 million in worldwide income taxes last year, despite claiming an income of $7.8 billion. Likewise, since Chrysler Group, LLC. is a limited-liability partnership, it isn't required to pay federal income taxes. According to The Detroit News, very few companies pay the full 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate.

But that doesn't mean GM or other companies get off entirely. GM says it pays considerable state taxes, and the company reports that its global tax rate for 2012 may jump to 12 or 13 percent, up from an earlier estimate of 10 percent.

Legal loophole allows GM to avoid paying federal taxes... still originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corporate income taxfederal income taxgeneral motorsincome taxtaxtreasury departmentMon, 07 May 2012 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232156/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/legal-loophole-allows-gm-to-avoid-paying-federal-taxes-still/20232156/article-detail.xml 20232156 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gm-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gm-logo.jpg <![CDATA[GM Europe headed for another restructuring after disappointing losses]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-europe-headed-for-another-restructuring-after-disappointing-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-europe-headed-for-another-restructuring-after-disappointing-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-europe-headed-for-another-restructuring-after-disappointing-l/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Opel dealership

General Motors is having a hard time nailing down its European operations. The automaker reported its first-quarter earnings slid by $1 billion, down from $3.2 billion in the first quarter of last year. The drop was partially attributable to a one-time loss that included changes in accounting for the automaker's European pensions.

While GM earned $1.69 billion in North American before taxes, Opel lost $246 million in the first quarter. Surprisingly, that marks the second best quarter for the automaker in a year. Even so, GM CEO Dan Akerson said that the manufacturer's European operations are headed for substantial revision.

Akerson said the situation is a "four-alarm fire" while speaking during a public radio interview. The executive declined to elaborate on any plans to help stem Opel's losses beyond saying "We're going to have to restructure again."

In 2011, GM lost $747 million on its European operations, and with the looming debt crisis continuing to undermine consumer confidence in the EU, the company is desperate to ward off a repeat performance. Analysts believe that yet another restructuring will be a lengthy, drawn-out process, but likely won't result in any actual plant closings.

GM Europe headed for another restructuring after disappointing losses originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan akersonearningsgeneral motorsgmgm earningsgm europe restructuringopelopel restructuringrestructuringThu, 03 May 2012 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20230174/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/gm-europe-headed-for-another-restructuring-after-disappointing-l/20230174/article-detail.xml 20230174 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/opel-dealership_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/opel-dealership.jpg <![CDATA[GM considering RWD wagon and ute for U.S. market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-considering-rwd-wagon-and-ute-for-u-s-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-considering-rwd-wagon-and-ute-for-u-s-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/gm-considering-rwd-wagon-and-ute-for-u-s-market/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The General wants more rear-wheel drive vehicles in its lineup and has plans to bring a few more to America, including a sedan and possibly a wagon and sport utility, according to Car and Driver.

GM already sells a rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet sedan in the U.S., but only sworn law enforcement officers are allowed to drive it: The Chevrolet Caprice PPV.

Now, GM will reportedly build a civilian offshoot of the the PPV and market it as the SuperSport sedan, as we reported last week. Under the hood would be GM's 6.2-liter V-8 creating more than 400 horsepower. That SuperSport badge will also go onto Chevrolet's NASCAR entry next year.

Car and Driver reports that after the V8 SuperSport launches, a milder 300-plus-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 model will follow. By 2015, when the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform is improved, production of this vehicle (as well as the PPV) will come to America, thus opening up the market for more police car sales, as some local governments can only buy American-made cruisers.

Furthermore, GM is considering building a rear-wheel-drive wagon as well as a sport-utility (read: ute) model. The updated Zeta II platform can handle both vehicles, especially since the next-generation Camaro will be shifting to the new Alpha platform that will underpin the Cadillac ATS and next-gen CTS.

Really, all of these vehicles are derivatives of the Pontiac G8, which is still on sale as the Holden Commodore in other markets. It was, arguably, the best Pontiac ever made. Bringing cars, wagons and utes like that to America, under any name or brand, is an immigration policy we can fully endorse.

GM considering RWD wagon and ute for U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphacapricechevroletchevrolet caprice ppvgeneral motorsgmsssupersportutewagonzeta iiThu, 03 May 2012 13:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20229978/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/gm-considering-rwd-wagon-and-ute-for-u-s-market/20229978/article-detail.xml 20229978 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-caprice-ss-rendering-1336060626_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-caprice-ss-rendering-1336060626.jpg <![CDATA[GM first proposed $3B controlling stake in Isuzu]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/gm-first-proposed-3b-controlling-stake-in-isuzu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/gm-first-proposed-3b-controlling-stake-in-isuzu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/gm-first-proposed-3b-controlling-stake-in-isuzu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Isuzu i-series pickup playing in the sand

General Motors initially wanted to buy one-third of Isuzu Motors Ltd, which would give it the right to veto board decisions, but has scaled back how much of the Japanese company it might try to buy, according to a new Reuters report.

At current stock prices, GM would have paid more than $3 billion for a controlling share of the truckmaker, which specializes in small trucks and diesel powertrains. GM is now considering buying a 10 percent share, anonymous sources tell Reuters, which would make it the largest single owner of stock in the company. Toyota and Volkswagen both have smaller shares of Isuzu.

GM once owned nearly half of Isuzu but sold off its last 7.9 percent of the company in 2006.

The GM/Isuzu partnership helped bring vehicles to the U.S. like the Geo Storm, Chevrolet LUV, GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. But there's no reason to expect a new small pickup for America this time around.

The potential deal, which sources tell Reuters is "very much preliminary", could open up the Southeast Asia market, where GM is currently a bit player. Additionally, GM could help Isuzu develop a hybrid or other environmentally friendly vehicles. It's almost enough to make us wonder why they ever sold it in the first place.

GM first proposed $3B controlling stake in Isuzu originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmgm isuzuisuzuWed, 02 May 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20229058/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/gm-first-proposed-3b-controlling-stake-in-isuzu/20229058/article-detail.xml 20229058 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/isuzu-1335970918_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/isuzu-1335970918.jpg -1 2