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[Hummer grinds gears: production of 2010 H3 and H3T resumes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/hummer-grinds-gears-production-of-2010-h3-and-h3t-resumes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/hummer-grinds-gears-production-of-2010-h3-and-h3t-resumes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/hummer-grinds-gears-production-of-2010-h3-and-h3t-resumes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2010 Hummer H3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although the Hummer sale isn't officially official - which is to say, the Chinese authorities haven't told Tengzhong "Proceed!" - it is official enough that GM has restarted production of the 2010 H3 and H3T at its Shreveport, LA plant. General Motors didn't want to be stuck with dead models, so it closed the Hummer spigot while its side of the deal with Tengzhong was finalized. By the beginning of this month, though, the bottom of the inventory barrel was starting to peek through, with just 1,183 units on hand.

Even though Hummer sales are down more than 50 percent, nevertheless people are still buying, and the company's two H3 models are obviously the most popular. According to Automotive News, a Hummer spokesman reports that the 2010s should be arriving in dealerships in December - and as we reported earlier, you may even find them in two new colors and with biofuel capability.


Gallery: 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T


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

Hummer grinds gears: production of 2010 H3 and H3T resumes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 h32010 h3t2010 hummer2010 hummer h32010 hummer h3t2010H32010H3t2010Hummer2010HummerH32010HummerH3th3tmanufacturingplantssuvtruckWed, 11 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Mini 'Countryman' crossover skipping Detroit for Geneva?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-mini-countryman-crossover-skipping-detroit-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-mini-countryman-crossover-skipping-detroit-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-mini-countryman-crossover-skipping-detroit-for-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mini Countryman concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Everyone is getting ready for the Mini Countryman -- including, perhaps, the WRC -- but everyone is going to have to wait, according to a report by those Mini-mad folks at Motoring File. The holdup is the upcoming BMW X3, which is BMW's foremost concern right now as the little crossover is practically as important to BMW as a Euro print plate is to the European Central Bank.

The Mini will be produced at Magna's plant in Austria, but first BMW has to complete the shift in X3 production from that plant to its facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Until that's done, Countryman production can't begin. That has observers figuring that the production Mini crossover won't meet the public until next year's Geneva show, instead of Detroit.

The other Countryman-related news is that, like SH-AWD and Quattro and Symmetrical AWD, Mini plans on a specific brand for its flavor of all-wheel drive. The name is said to be "All4." Yes, our minds are already agog at the ways in which Mini will be spinning that little moniker...


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept LIVE


[Source: Motoring File]

REPORT: Mini 'Countryman' crossover skipping Detroit for Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwcountrymancrossovermanufacturingminimini countrymanMINI CrossoverMiniCountrymanMiniCrossoverplantsMon, 26 Oct 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Labor unrest in India to cause Ford to idle key NA crossover plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-labor-unrest-in-india-to-cause-ford-to-idle-key-na-cross/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-labor-unrest-in-india-to-cause-ford-to-idle-key-na-cross/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-labor-unrest-in-india-to-cause-ford-to-idle-key-na-cross/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Rico Auto Industries in India makes transmission parts for Ford's Flex and Edge, along with its upscale Lincoln MKT and MKX twins. Unfortunately for the Blue Oval, Automotive News is reporting that Rico's operations are in flux because of persistent troubles between labor and management. A few weeks ago, some of the supplier's workers went on strike after members were suspended and fired by management. On October 18, the striking workers marched to the factory and got involved in an altercation with "unidentified men" supposedly "acting at the behest of Rico Auto's management." During the brawl, a 26-year-old worker was killed.

In the meantime, Ford reportedly hasn't got the parts it needs to build the crossovers it makes at its Oakville, Ontario plant and will be forced to idle the key facility next week. Ford is watching the situation in India closely - if production isn't restored soon, the lack of parts could impact other plants in addition to Ontario and its 3,000 workers.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd. | Image: Simon Hayter/Getty]

REPORT: Labor unrest in India to cause Ford to idle key NA crossover plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Edgeflexfordford edgeford flexford indiaFordEdgeFordFlexFordIndiaindiaindian laborIndianLaborlabor disputelabor disturbancelabor unrestLaborDisputeLaborDisturbanceLaborUnrestlincolnlincoln mktlincoln mkxLincolnMktLincolnMkxmanufacturingMKTMKXplantsRico autorico auto industriesRicoAutoRicoAutoIndustriesSun, 25 Oct 2009 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Shreveport, LA mayor lobbies D.C. to close the HUMMER deal, already]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/shreveport-la-mayor-lobbies-d-c-to-close-the-hummer-deal-alre/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/shreveport-la-mayor-lobbies-d-c-to-close-the-hummer-deal-alre/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/shreveport-la-mayor-lobbies-d-c-to-close-the-hummer-deal-alre/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Cedric Glover, the mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, went to Washington, D.C. to plead his case for the sale of Hummer to Tengzhong. The only thing is, we're not sure why he went. To be more precise, we do know that he wants to protect jobs at GM's Shreveport plant that builds Hummers. The plant has about 800 workers who build some of The General's pickup trucks and Hummer models, and the loss of The Big H would undoubtedly put people out of work.

What we're not sure of is what he thinks Washington has to do with it. He did ask that a couple of D.C. muckety-mucks "consider reaching out to the Chinese government to urge immediate approval of the Hummer deal," but Washington hasn't expressed any opposition to the deal and probably couldn't get the deal concluded on the Chinese side any sooner -- never mind the fact that Hummer is the least of Washington's concerns as far as China goes.

We've been told by one source at Hummer that although nothing is final until it's signed, they feel good about the deal, and Tengzhong must have known what it was doing when it made the bid in the first place. Yet beyond all that, as it stands today the Shreveport plant has three years to live at most: the facility wasn't part of the Hummer sale, and GM said it would shutter the place by 2012 at the latest. Mayor Glover wants to save jobs in his town, which is great, but unless GM starts going gangbusters (and soon) then Glover could be playing the Deck Chair and Sinking Ship game.

[Source: HummerGuy]

Shreveport, LA mayor lobbies D.C. to close the HUMMER deal, already originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cedric gloverCedricGloverchinageneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgovernmenthummerLAmanufacturingplantsshreveportshreveport assemblyShreveportAssemblysuvtengzhongtengzhong hummerTengzhongHummertruckuawunionSat, 24 Oct 2009 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota adding 850 jobs in San Antonio truck factory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-toyota-adding-850-jobs-in-san-antonio-truck-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-toyota-adding-850-jobs-in-san-antonio-truck-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-toyota-adding-850-jobs-in-san-antonio-truck-factory/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Toyota's arrangements for its San Antonio plant are coming together after the closure of NUMMI and the announced relocation of Tacoma pickup production. The company will be adding 850 permanent and temporary workers to its labor force in Texas, taking the number of associates from 1,850 to about 2,700 - and that doesn't include increases in the supplier workforce. For those with an eye on the employment scene, Toyota posted the job openings in August and 14,000 people applied.

The assumption of Tacoma duties will put the San Antonio plant on a schedule of two shifts per day for the first time since last year's plant idling. When the $100 million retooling is finished, the plant will be able to produce 200,000 Tacomas every year. Toyota engineers are preparing the assembly line now and Tacoma production is scheduled to being next spring, with 100,000 units projected annually.

[Source: My San Antonio]

REPORT: Toyota adding 850 jobs in San Antonio truck factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manufacturingnummipickupplantssan antonioSan Antonio TexasSanAntonioSanAntonioTexastacomatexastoyotatoyota tacomaToyotaTacomaMon, 19 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/ford-fiesta-u-s-spec-gets-caught-in-mexican-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/ford-fiesta-u-s-spec-gets-caught-in-mexican-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/ford-fiesta-u-s-spec-gets-caught-in-mexican-factory/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford Fiestas being built in Mexico -- Click above for high-res image gallery

What is reported to be the coming U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta has been photographed during assembly in Mexico, and the minor changes we can glean so far center around the grille. Compared to its European counterpart, the American version gets a much chunkier front end which has pushed the leading edge of the hood back. The Ford emblem is now completely surrounded by the front clip.

Below that, the central opening is larger, ringed with chrome, and the bisecting bar on the Euro version has been moved up and fitted with a U.S. license plate holder. Outside, the single fog light has been reworked into a giant, glass covered alien eye. Make no mistake - it's still hot, and we still can't wait to see it when it's unveiled at the LA Auto Show next month.


Gallery: Dummies Ford Fiesta americano


[Source: Autoblog Spanish (translated)]

Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 fiesta2010 ford2010 ford fiesta2010Fiesta2010Ford2010FordFiestabudgetfiestafordford fiestaFordFiestahatchbackla 2009la auto showLA Auto Show 2009La2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2009manufacturingmexicoplantsspy shotsSpyShotsMon, 12 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It is a travesty that the initials "MG" are coming to be a convenient epithet for the term "woe." The British sportscar maker has had an exceedingly trying history recently, and things haven't got any better with word that its owner, MG Motor UK Ltd. (which is really Nanjing Automobile Corporation), is reportedly closing the company's Longbridge plant.

Production of the MG TF was back in order early last year, but economic turbulence made the factory's fortunes equally bumpy. It hasn't helped that the last couple of special editions the company has put out, the MGTF LE500 and the 85th Anniversary MGTF, haven't been so well received. MG Motor said it couldn't guarantee stability and now, 2009 production has ceased. There were rumors of a new 2010 MG model coming out... but that was a long time ago, and things have lately been as quiet as the now-shuttered Longbridge factory.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainconvertiblelongbridgemanufacturingmgmgtfnacNanjingperformanceplantssportsukTue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-gm-halting-duramax-production-for-10-weeks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-gm-halting-duramax-production-for-10-weeks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-gm-halting-duramax-production-for-10-weeks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The revamped 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine will go into production in April 2010 and the current Duramax, which doesn't meet emissions requirements that go into effect January 1, 2010, will cease production the day before the new year begins. In the interim, GM will be retooling the factory and won't be producing any of the engines to go in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

This has some dealers and outside observers wondering if GM will run out of 2009 Duramax engines before the new ones are built and installed in engine bays. One dealer says GM will take orders for extended cab models with the big diesel, but no longer accepts orders for Duramax regular cabs. Analysts believe that with the car and work truck market showing some recovery, that demand will grow just as GM is trying to play the inventory game.

While the General prepares it's urea-infused powerplants, any engines that GM builds through the end of 2009 can be installed in vehicles even if those vehicles are ordered and built next year. For now, GM says it is padding its stocks of Duramax engines and is confident about being able to meet the need.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 chevrolet2010 chevrolet silverado2010 gm sierra2010Chevrolet2010ChevroletSilverado2010GmSierra6.6 liter duramax6.6LiterDuramaxchevroletchevrolet silveradoChevroletSilveradochevyduramaxduramax dieselDuramaxDieselfalsegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgmcgmc sierraGmcSierramanufacturingpickupplantsWed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Fiat to close Bertone purchase this week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-fiat-to-close-bertone-purchase-this-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-fiat-to-close-bertone-purchase-this-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-fiat-to-close-bertone-purchase-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



On Thursday, Fiat is expected to put its John Hancock on a preliminary agreement to close its purchase of Carrozzeria Bertone, the coachbuilding arm of the Bertone company. In August Fiat won the right to acquire the builder, and it will throw €150 million at its operations over the next three years to return it to glory... or at the least allow it to begin producing new models.

Specific vehicles haven't been mentioned, but when (if) the Bertone factory reopens in late 2011, it's expected the production center will make the car that replaces the Euro-spec 300C. As a side note, that could be interesting because the European 300C is currently built by Magna, in Austria, and if Fiat brings production in-house that would mean more contract work taken from Opel's new papa. Jeep knockdown kits could also be shipped over and built for European consumption.

The purchase gives Fiat no stake in Stile Bertone, the now independent design firm that brought out the Mantide, so don't get your hopes up about wildly styled Chrysler supercars being built in northern Italy. Yet.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Fiat to close Bertone purchase this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionsbertonechryslerfiatitalymanufacturingplantsWed, 30 Sep 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mercedes-Benz C-Class - click above for high-res image gallery

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's biggest seller Stateside, and a report in a Stuttgart newspaper indicates the company could be looking to stabilize the revenue from its bread-and-butter sedan. The C-Class is currently produced in Sindelfingen, Germany, and that makes it prey to currency swings on the trip across the pond. If Mercedes transferred production to its plant in Vance, Alabama, the company would also pay lower labor costs than it does in Europe.

The Alabama plant currently makes the M, GL, and R-Class vehicles. In March of this year, Mercedes allotted $290 million to expand the facility but didn't name any vehicle that would be added there, only saying it would be "future product." The German report mentioned that Mercedes could move some SL production from Bremen to Sindelfingen to make up for the shift, but a Mercedes spokesman said there is nothing in the works and nothing to comment on at the moment.

A German labor representative said that if such a move were to come, he would expect Mercedes to have a plan to save the 3,000 jobs that would be jeopardized at Sindelfingen, and protect production at Bremen as well. If Mercedes does move the C-Class here, it would become the first of the German players to build its highest volume car in the States.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class


[Source: WGAL]


Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamabremenc classc-classCClassfalsemanufacturingmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz clase cmercedes-benzmercedes-benz c-classMercedes-benzC-classmercedesbenzMercedesBenzClaseCplantssedansindelfingentuscaloosavanceSun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[FYI: UAW releases list of 2010 cars and trucks made in union shops]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/fyi-uaw-releases-list-of-2010-cars-and-trucks-made-in-union-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/fyi-uaw-releases-list-of-2010-cars-and-trucks-made-in-union-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/fyi-uaw-releases-list-of-2010-cars-and-trucks-made-in-union-sho/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There's "Buy American!" and then there's "Buy Union!" If you're among the most serious about keeping your red-white-and-blue money in the U.S. of A North America and organized labor is close to your ticker, then you'll want to check out this list put together by the United Auto Workers. It lists all of the vehicles made in America and Canada by union labor -- either UAW or CAW.

Naturally, it's heavy on domestic offerings, but if you're devoted to imports you can still avail yourself of a few Toyotas, Mazdas, Mitsubishis, and a VW Routan, and support "workers who enjoy the benefits and protections of a union contract." Nevertheless, knowing how some feel about unions all we ask is please stay on topic and please be kind to your virtual neighbor. Let the comments begin...

[Source: UAW]

FYI: UAW releases list of 2010 cars and trucks made in union shops originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacawmanufacturingplantplantsuawunionunionsusaThu, 24 Sep 2009 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: ,



BMW invaded the South in 1993, and it's first U.S.-made product was popped out in September a year later. Fifteen years after that there have been five factory expansions, 5,000 jobs created, a methane gas pipeline installed, a center for automotive research created, a golf tournament started, and 1.5 million combined versions of the 318i, Z3, Z4, X5 and X6 run over the factory threshold. The 1.5 millionth vehicle was an Oyster Blue and Ivory X6 for a Hong Kong customer. Just goes to show those Confederates might have been right: the South is rising again... You can read all about it in the presser after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle

BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw x5bmw x6bmw z3bmw z4BmwX5BmwX6BmwZ3BmwZ4factoriesmanufacturingmilestonesplantssouth carolinaSouthCarolinaspartanburgx5x6z3z4Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota moving Tacoma production to San Antonio]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/toyota-moving-tacoma-production-to-san-antonio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/toyota-moving-tacoma-production-to-san-antonio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/toyota-moving-tacoma-production-to-san-antonio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Now that Toyota has decided the fate of the NUMMI plant, the company has to decide where to move production of the Tacoma and Corolla models built there. The Corolla hasn't been spoken for yet, but Toyota is confirming that its Tacoma line is moving to the San Antonio factory that currently makes the Tundra pickup.

Toyota will spend $100 million on tooling for the Tacoma, and city and county officials guess that annual units will number about 100,000. It is also estimated that 1,100 new hires will be added to the factory employment rolls, which includes the 21 suppliers on the campus. Building the new truck will give the plant the second shift it's been missing since last summer, when it went down to a single shift as auto sales declined.

For the NUMMI workers, Toyota's announcement only makes the finality all the more real. Discussions with NUMMI laborers remains ongoing, and it has been mentioned that Toyota could move some California workers to Texas. However, with San Antonio offering tax breaks based on hiring some local workers, the chances of that are probably slim. Thanks for the tip, Tony.

[Source: My San Antonio]

REPORT: Toyota moving Tacoma production to San Antonio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manufacturingnummiplantssan antonioSanAntoniotacomatexastoyotatoyota tacomaToyotaTacomatundraunionsFri, 28 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[After divorcing Daimler, going steady with Fiat and cutting off Nissan, Chrysler looking for Chinese partner?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/after-divorcing-daimler-going-steady-with-fiat-and-cutting-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/after-divorcing-daimler-going-steady-with-fiat-and-cutting-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/after-divorcing-daimler-going-steady-with-fiat-and-cutting-off/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2006 Dodge Hornet concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Over the past couple of years, Chrysler has been in discussion with seemingly every carmaker in the world about some sort of tie-up to achieve some particular end. Before it was battling for its very survival, it was in serious talks with Chinese automaker Chery about building a car or two, including a vehicle based on the 2006 Hornet concept car (pictured) and the A1. Fast forward to today, when everything has fallen away - including its collaboration with Nissan - and now news agency Reuters says that Chrysler and Fiat are headed back to the People's Republic.

Neither company has any noteworthy presence in China, a situation that both companies are desperate to change. According to Reuters, they want to find a Chinese maker to build something on Chrysler's C Platform, which underpins the Jeep Compass and Patriot, and Dodge Caliber.

Chrysler currently exports ten of its models to to China. Fiat has a partnership with Chinese car company Guangzhou - which, in turn, is also allied with Honda and Toyota - to build a factory where Guangzhou will build cars on Fiat platforms. Guangzhou is a company that Chrysler has already approached, and the easiest route appears to be to simply expand the partnership via Fiat. No matter how it gets done, just give us a Hornet that looks like a Hornet... and not an A1.


Gallery: Dodge Hornet Concept


[Source: Reuters]

After divorcing Daimler, going steady with Fiat and cutting off Nissan, Chrysler looking for Chinese partner? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachryslerfiatguangzhoumanufacturingplantsThu, 27 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/ford-boosts-production-slightly-of-f-150-escape/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/ford-boosts-production-slightly-of-f-150-escape/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/ford-boosts-production-slightly-of-f-150-escape/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Two of Ford's vehicles are moving well enough that the automaker is adding production to its plants in Missouri and Michigan. Ford says its F-150 and Ford Escape are looking to earn their highest sales of the year in August, with the F-Series truck line looking good for its first year-on-year sales jump since October 2006 and the Escape knocking on the door of its own sales record. Of course, August sales number are expected to be wildly inflated by the success of the government's Cash for Clunkers program, so Ford is also taking into account the sales rates of these two vehicles before August and only boosting production by a smidge in response.

Thus, 2,800 workers at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will go back to full-time work at the end of September, which will raise production of F-150s by 10,000 units through the end of the year. A third shift added to the Kansas City plant in October will raise production of Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners by 2,400 through year-end. If production details are your cup of tea, you can read all of Ford's good news in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape

Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 f-1502009 ford escape2009 ford escape hybrid2009 ford f-1502009F-1502009FordEscape2009FordEscapeHybrid2009FordF-150dearborn truck plantDearbornTruckPlantescapeescape hybridEscapeHybridf-150fordford escapeford f-150FordEscapeFordF-150hybridkansas city assembly plantKansasCityAssemblyPlantmanufacturingplantsproductionsuvtruckThu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Japan's Nikkei has reported that Toyota is will cut production by 10% in its next fiscal year, from ten million to nine million vehicles. To do that, Japan's largest automaker is said to be shutting down an entire production line in its home country for a year-and-a-half starting next spring. There is also speculation that Toyota will shut down a production line in the U.K. as well.

The news come even as Toyota has been putting out more cars due to global scrappage schemes and incentives, and some of its products, like the Lexus HS 250h, can't be made fast enough.

If Toyota does cease production on both lines and close the endangered NUMMI plant in California, that will eliminate 700,000 cars from its annual tally - which would mean more painful measures to be taken, according to the Nikkei report. But unlike its Japanese compatriots at Honda and Nissan, Toyota is still writing in red ink, and it doesn't expect to fully turn the corner in the near term. Toyota's official statement is that it hasn't yet decided on the depth of the cuts.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmanufacturingplantsproductiontoyotaukThu, 27 Aug 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Opel labor union goes on the offensive, GM negotiator meets with German feds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/opel-labor-union-goes-on-the-offensive-gm-negotiator-meets-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/opel-labor-union-goes-on-the-offensive-gm-negotiator-meets-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/opel-labor-union-goes-on-the-offensive-gm-negotiator-meets-with/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The battle for Opel has added another front: Opel labor unions at two of the company's German factories retracted an agreement made last year to forgo vacation bonuses. The move demands that General Motors pay the laborers €70 million ($100.2M U.S.) by next week, the amount that they agreed to give up when GM was trying to rescue itself. Workers at two other Opel factories in Germany are expected to make the same move some time this week. The workers want GM to sell to Magna, and if The General doesn't make its intentions plain soon, the next step will be for Opel labor to demand the wage hike they waived last year, which would see the automaker owe another several hundred million euros.

According to Automotive News, GM's board met to discuss which bidder, Magna or RHJ, it would go with, but instead of making a decision it sent its lead negotiator back to Germany to talk to government officials. As of last week, there were rumors of GM wanting a buyback option for Opel, which could get GM quickly back into Europe when the company restores its fortunes. The option seemed to make RHJ the leading bidder, but not the one German government or labor wants.

If RHJ wins, it will get no state aid. If Magna wins, it has been pledged €4.5B ($6.4B U.S.) in government loans. The disadvantage could cause RHJ to deal with Opel drastically, which would greatly displease a whole lot of Germans. Perhaps that is why there is now talk of GM not selling Opel at all, instead looking to raise $4.3 billion to keep Opel in the family. With GM barely out of bankruptcy, and with economies still shaky, observers aren't sure where GM would get that kind of money. It is thought that GM will announce its intentions in the next day or so.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

REPORT: Opel labor union goes on the offensive, GM negotiator meets with German feds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgermanygmmagnaopelplantsrhjrhj internationalRhjInternationalunionsvauxhallWed, 26 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



It's a little difficult to keep track of what's happening at Tata and JLR these days. While the XF sales continue apace and the XJ is promising, the JLR division lost £673.4 million pounds ($1.11B U.S.) last year, and parent company Tata was $520 million in the red at the end of its 2008 fiscal year. Due to those numbers and a so-far unfulfilled quest for financing, Tata has been relentlessly talking up the need to shed production workers.

A report today, however, says that because of "forecasts of strong demand" for the refreshed Land Rover Discover and Range Rover Sport, the Solihull plant will increase production. Workers who've been on shortened hours since the spring will now go back to a five-day work week. That's good news for the employees and hopefully for Tata. Worker at Land Rover's Halewood plant don't fare so well: the Freelander factory will be shut down intermittently because of low demand.

[Source: What Car?]

Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 discovery2010 land rover discovery2010 range rover2010 range rover sport2010Discovery2010LandRoverDiscovery2010RangeRover2010RangeRoverSportdiscoveryhalewoodland roverland rover discoveryLandRoverLandRoverDiscoveryluxurymanufacturingoff-roadplantsrange roverrange rover sportRangeRoverRangeRoverSportsolihullsuvtataukMon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GM gets out from under its polluted sites scot-free]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-gm-gets-out-from-under-its-polluted-sites-scot-free/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-gm-gets-out-from-under-its-polluted-sites-scot-free/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-gm-gets-out-from-under-its-polluted-sites-scot-free/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Among those clamoring for attention and payouts from Motors Liquidation Co., the company that assumed General Motors' unwanted assets after its Chapter 11 filing, are the environmental and economic redevelopment departments of state governments. According to reports, when GM exited bankruptcy, its polluted factory and land sites were consumed by the Motor Liquidation, allowing the automaker to avoid the responsibility of cleaning up its mess, and state leaders fear there won't be any money to clean the locations.

Before bankruptcy, GM estimated it had $1.9 billion in environmental issues and litigation liabilites. Motors Liquidation Co., though, has only about $1.2 billion to manage the entire wind-down of its affairs -- and as one might expect, attorneys handling the matter are expected to get a huge chunk of that. The figure to clean up sites in places like Buick City (pictured, before the buildings were demolished), Michigan and Massena, New York has been pegged at $530 million. However, the way it's looking, there won't be anywhere near that much money to get the job done.

The affected areas are afraid they will have to pay for the clean ups or simply let the land go unused. The problem with that: those local governments don't have the money. And they can't expect a developer to spend millions to clean up an old mess. If not Motors Liquidation or GM, civic representatives want the government to foot the bill since the current administration orchestrated the deal. No one knows how it will -- or won't -- be resolved, but the EPA has said that it's in touch with states and Motors Liquidation to "identify any environmental cleanup requirements that existed at the time of bankruptcy."

[Source: Freep | Photo Credit: Plan59]

REPORT: GM gets out from under its polluted sites scot-free originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are five noteworthy parties involved in the negotiations over Opel's fate: GM, the German government, the Opel trust, states with Opel manufacturing plants, and the Opel labor union. The Opel trust is the body created to run Opel after GM's bankruptcy, and consists of five members: a chairman, a representative for the German states with Opel plants, a representative for the German government, and both the CFO and chief negotiator for GM Europe. Got all that?

At this point Opel's future looks to have three possible trajectories: a sale to Magna, a sale to Belgian investment bank RHJ, or bankruptcy. Beijing Automotive also bid on Opel but it hasn't been mentioned in any recent discussions. The negotiating parties, however, haven't come to a decision on which future is the best for the German brand.

GM is still negotiating with Magna, but Magna apparently made promises to its Russian backers -- Sberbank and GAZ -- regarding "intellectual property and [GM's] Russian operations that simply could not be implemented." GM says it doesn't have a preferred bidder, but it's working with Magna to make the Austrian company's bid acceptable. The German states' rep on the Opel trust, and labor are said to prefer Magna win.

On the other hand, the German government rep is said to prefer the offer from RHJ or letting Opel declare insolvency. GM's negotiator said the RHJ tender is "a much simpler structure and would be easier to implement." The hitch could be that the German government's financial assistance to Opel is dependent on a the new buyer having a long term plan for the company and saving German jobs. Those aren't the kinds of terms usually associated with investment banks. According to one German premiere, though, a "clear decision" on Opel should come next week.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Opel, waiting on GM and the German government, heading toward bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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