Industry News
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LANSING, Mich. - As a 10-year-old, Rollin Green was awestruck when he saw the line of hulking orange-and-silver robotic arms swinging with rhythmic precision during his first visit to an auto plant. But something impressed him even more: His dad worked there. As a fifth grader, Rollin didn't daydream about becoming a baseball player or an astronaut. He wanted to be an autoworker. Just like his father, Mike. And grandfather, Richard. And great-grandfather, Kenneth. And grandmother, Janice. And step-grandmother, Connie. And aunt, Cindy. And great uncles, Bob and Tom, among others. Over seven decades and four generations, the Greens have together poured nearly 300 ye…
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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1.4L Still on Track for Volt and Cruze Yesterday it was reported that construction of GM's new Flint engine plant had been canceled, and with it the prospects of US built 1.4L engines for the Volt and Cruze. GM has since stated that while the construction contracts have been canceled, the engines are still on track to be built here. However, they are looking at various options, such as building the new engines in an existing plant. Since they have the extra capacity, the engines will be built in Europe until US production is ready. Follow the jump to learn more. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27961
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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As if the auto industry isn't already burdened to the breaking point and beyond, it appears the EPA will be directed to allow states to set their own emissions standards for motor vehicles. So we will then have the potential for FIFTY DIFFERENT STANDARDS. How does this even remotely make any sense? By their very definition, motor vehicles are made to TRAVEL. If I buy a car in PA, and I travel to CA, what then? Will I be fined? What about dealerships near state borders? What about commuters who travel daily to neighboring states? What about used cars? Can they not be sold out of state? Not to mention prevailing winds... "OMG we will sue Ohio because their emissio…
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Opel Ampera Teased Ahead of Geneva GM has released a teaser image of Opel's upcoming Ampera concept ahead of its Geneva debut. Based on GM's Voltec platform, this will be the third vehicle to be shown using the architecture, although unlike the Converj, this looks more closely based on the Volt. Follow the jump to find out the details. Ampera
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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22 January 2009 To alleviate for those who have chrome allergy, all leather used in Volvo car interiors has been treated in a chromium-free tanning process, using either natural or synthetic tanning materials. This benefits both man and nature. Chrome is a frequent skin sensitiser and for those with chrome allergy, touching leather tanned with chrome may cause contact eczema - a rash which itches and persists for several days. Avoidance is the only long-term management strategy for chrome allergy. All leather used in Volvo car interiors has been tanned in a chromium-free tanning process, using either natural or synthetic tanning materials. In addition to benefiting …
Last reply by Justin Bimmer, -
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Lutz Voices his Thoughts on the Future of GM's Brands Bob Lutz, never afraid to speak his mind, told the press his thoughts on the future of GM's brands. Most of what he stated we've already known about, however some added detail, and hearing it from Lutz himself, makes this an important read. Follow the jump to see the full article. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...mp;#entry464865
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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Nobody is immune to this horrid economy. It's just too bad the Big 3 were already so weak before this hit. Hopefully it is just the medicine they need to get their $h! together and turn things around quickly.
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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C&G Goes VPS Well, this was a fun three days. To make a long story short, Bluehost kicked us off their shared server on Wednesday, which left us scrambling to save C&G's files and find a new host. We decided it was time for C&G to graduate to Virtual Private Server hosting. So here we are, in our new digs. Here's to a future with no more "CPU Quota Exceeded" messages. C&G Goes VPS
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GM confirms 9-3X, Next 9-5 for 2009 GM has confirmed that the Saab 9-3X and redesigned 9-5 are still set to debut for 2009. Follow the jump for full details and press release. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27830
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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Ed Peper: Chevrolet to gain market share in 2009 Ed Peper, VP at Chevrolet, predicts that the brand will gain market share in 2009. He sites the fact that despite the horrible year, the Bowtie brand's market share was up six tenths of a point in 2008. He also sites that the updated Equinox will help the Malibu lead the sales gains. Don't forget about the Camaro Ed! Follwo the jump to read the full story. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27828
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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GM prepping Saab to stand alone It seems that GM's plan to rid itself of Saab is being put into motion. GM plans to grant Saab control over its finances and decisions. The idea is to make it looks more appealing to potential buyers, and more than just a bunch of Opels in Swedish attire. Follow the jump to learn more about this development. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...c=27803&hl=
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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Low funds may keep Converj from seeing production GM's low reserves of cash could hurt the prospects of the Converj concept being green lighted for production. Bob Lutz explains, "Ready to go? Well, first we have to prove to ourselves that we have the money... and then that it's a high enough priority to displace something else, and that we can actually make money on the vehicle, and that there is potential customer interest and so forth. We haven't done any of that work yet." It only seems logical to build it, as it would help offset cost of the Volt and it could be sold at a profit. Follow the jump to get the full story. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.ph…
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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GM plans to double sales in Japan by 2011. If you think GM's sales have been on the decline in the US, it's even worse over in Japan. This year saw sales decline to a mere 2,000 units, down from 50,000 in 1996. GM plans to address the issue and aims for a modest increase of 2,000 units for by 2011. Follow the jump to find out how they plan to do it. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27789
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First Production Camaro goes for $350,000 One of Barrett-Jackson's most anticipated auctions this year was the first retail production Chevrolet Camaro, which sold for $350,000 and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. This it people, the Camaro is just weeks from hitting the dealerships! Follow the jump to read get all of the details of the Camaro's auction. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...c=27782&hl=
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G8 ST Winner Gets Torrent GXP Instead Joseph Warren, the winner of the naming contest, was originally going to get a new G8 ST as his prize for choosing the right name for the Sport Truck. Unfortuneately for him, GM decided to kill the ST, so this left him with a problem. GM told him he could choose any other Pontiac so long as the price was equal or less. What did he choose? a Torrent GXP. Yeah, I don't get it either. Follow the jump to see the full article. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27758
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The Spark That Didn't in Detroit Apparently there was a bit of confusion at this year's NAIAS regarding the Chevy Spark. Despite releasing official photos of the car while the auto show was takimng place, it seems the actual vehicle GM had on display was the Beat. GM admits that they were planning to show the actual Spark in Geneva, and as it turns out the car on display at Detroit was the Beat concept. Seems like a good way to confuse a lot of people. Follow the jump to read the details. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27755
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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C&G Brief Review of NAIAS 2009 by NOS NOS2006 had the opportunity to go to this year's NAIAS, and shared with us some insight as to what the mood is like on the showroom floor: depressing. All of the excitement and glitz that usually accompanies Detroit was missing, and with the exception of Ford, the stands were bare and basic. NOS also shares with us his impression of the preproduction Camaro's interior, and his concern about the cheap, hard plastic that covers it. Hopefully the production versions will be better. Follow the Jump to read more. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...c=27734&hl=
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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GM Kills Zeta and future RWD plans, Camaro and G8 only Zetas to make it to US, Sigma to soldier on. Nothing like some bad news to be announced just when things are looking positive. On the heels of the Detroit Auto Show. GM has announced that Zeta is officially dead, and only the G8 and Camaro will see American shores. Bob Lutz stated that Sigma will have to solider on, blaming the cancellations and halted development on increasingly tough fuel economy standards. He even goes so far as to say traditional RWD companies may have to rethink which wheels power the car to meet fuel economy standards: “And I suspect the same thing is going to start to bite the tradition…
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An American Tradition Continues: New Presidential Era Begins With a New Cadillac Presidential Limousine With President Elect Barack Obama's Inauguration less than a week away, Cadillac has finally released teh first official photos of the President's thoroughly reworked new ride. Sporting Cadillac's latest front and rear design cues, this heavy duty Cadillac will be equipped with everything the President needs to stay in touch, get around, and be safe. Follow the jump for more photos and official press release. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27722
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Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Car Concept Proving designers can have a sense of humor when naming their creations, this futuristic Cadillac is designed to provide its own power and last 100 years before maintenance. Follow the jump to see Loren Kulesus's futuristic creation. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...mp;#entry461949
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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LG Chem to build Volt Battery Packs in Michigan GM announced at the New England International Auto Show that LG Chem would provide the battery packs for the upcoming Volt. The Korean based battery supplier will build a plant in Michigan at a yet to be confirmed location, with GM handling the responsibility of building the complete packs and for all the battery management systems and power electronics. Follow the jump for full details and press release. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...c=27681&hl=
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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NAIAS 2009 Despite the doom and gloom the auto industry is facing, the North American Internatinal Auto Show has seen quite a turnout and even a few surprises. GM came out swinging with the production LaCrosse, Equinox, SRX, and Spark. It also surprised us all with the Converj concept, the drop dead gorgeous Cadillac version of the Volt as well as showing the Orlando concept. NAIAS 2009: Buick LaCrosse NAIAS 2009: Chevy Equiniox NAIAS 2009: Chevy Spark NAIAS 2009: Chevy Orlando Concept NAIAS 2009: Cadillac SRX NAIAS 2009: Cadillac Converj Concept Other debuts worthy of mention are Ford's redesigned Taurus which is shaping up to be a class leader, and Chrysler…
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It's Official: GM to Shrink to Four Brands ~January 12, 2009~ GMNA President Troy Clare, in an interview with Automiotive News, has said that GM will make good on its promise to Congress to drastically cut costs. The company will focus its efforts on Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. Fans of Pontiac, Saab, and HUMMER should probably start worrying now. GM to Shrink to Four Brands
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081226/as_japan_economy.html Enjoy. I don't like seeing anyone suffer, but it seems the Japanese might be in for some real trouble. Chris
Last reply by MyerShift, -
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Link to Autoblog article
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2010 Buick LaCrosse Revealed ~January 8, 2009~ Image Courtesy of Autoblog GM took the wraps off the production 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Little appears to have changed from the Invicta concept that was shown last year at Beijing. With not much good news emanating from Camp GM these days, it's somewhat refreshing to see that they still can build a drop-dead gorgeous car that's got the goods to blow the doors off the competition. 2010 Buick LaCrosse: Official Photos
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http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/27/seattle...-roads-by-desi/ Not long ago, Washington state's Department of Ecology was making noises about not letting people wash their cars at home because "what goes on the street goes into the creek." Now the state is on the opposing side of Seattle's efforts not to let harmful chemicals wash into the freshwater streams feeding into Puget Sound. Seattle is not using salt to clear the roads because it doesn't want the salt flowing into waterways. As well, the city's snow plows have rubber-edge blades that can clear snow, but can't get the ice off the road. Seattle's DOT cheif says the city is trying to "create a hard-packed surface"…
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Read about this awhile back, but here and article and some pics of a full working concept..... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465329,00.html
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Never new about this.... The UAW is a dragging anchor for the big 3 and needs to be cut loose. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472304,00.html
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Few are being hired, leaving some students to switch focus. By Ken Bensinger December 15, 2008 On the same night that the Senate was killing legislation to bail out U.S. automakers last week, seniors in vehicle design at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design were putting on what should have been the show of their young lives. Standing in suits beside sleek, carefully constructed models of futuristic-looking cars and video screens with 3-D renderings, they smiled and handed out resumes, hoping to catch the eye of a car company recruiter Almost none were to be found. "Normally there are a lot of designers from the big companies, but with all that's going on, n…
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081216/wl_can..._ontario_report Enjoy! Chris
Last reply by GXT, -
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50 worst cars ever according to time
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http://www.canadiandriver.com/thenews/2008...e-uaw-nader.htm nader as an ally?
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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http://www.canadiandriver.com/thenews/2008...-jobs-first.htm this is what needs to get out to the general public Washington, D.C. - The U.S. non-profit research centre Good Jobs First said that foreign-owned auto assembly plants in that country have received a total of US$3.6 billion in state and local subsidies, mostly from southern states. “As elected officials debate aid for the Big Three, taxpayers have the right to know the full extent of government involvement in America’s auto industry,” said Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First. “And while proposed federal aid to the Big Three would take the form of a loan, the vast majority of subsidies to fore…
Last reply by CARBIZ, -
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Can these people really be so dumb? Car and Driver Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the automotive crisis is not so much the specter of impending financial doom, overcrowded bread lines, or the end of Automotive Life As We Know It. No, it’s the up-close and too-personal look at the men and women who run our country, and, by extension, at some members of the mainstream media who report stories now and ask questions later, if at all. Public-spirited citizens that we are, let us detail for you 10 lies that pinhead legislators—and, by extension, the mainstream media—believe about the car industry. Lie 1: American companies don’t sell fuel-efficient cars. Trut…
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465524,00.html good the whole way through.
Last reply by BuddyP, -
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The Obamobile being prepared for the president-elect is said to be a monster gas-guzzler made by General Motors, the troubled car giant. It will look like a black Cadillac but is built like a tank. A spy photographer who tracks down future car models for magazines snatched pictures of the heavily disguised first-car-in-waiting when it was being road-tested last summer. full story here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle5213322.ece
Last reply by ShadowDog, -
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...opinion/columns great article
Last reply by balthazar, -
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This bad
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Big 3 are Primary Sources for Green and Fuel-Efficient Technologies By James E. Malackowski General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are collectively one of the world's primary sources for the research and development of green and fuel-efficient technologies. As Washington decides on aid to the ailing auto industry, top consideration should be given to the significant potential of these Big 3 technologies for stimulating economic and job growth and creating a greener and more fuel-efficient world. In fact, much of the privately funded green and energy innovation in the United States will stall or likely never come to fruition if the domestic automobile industry fails. Th…
Last reply by Sixty8panther, -
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The Plan! The Plan! ~December 2, 2008~ GM took the wraps off of its massive restructuring/cost saving plan that it will present to Congress when it pleads its case for a bridge loan. Some of the details include Focusing on "core brands": Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Launching predominately high mileage, energy-efficient cars and crossovers Selling Saab, HUMMER Selling or kill Saturn Reducing Pontiac to a "niche" brand So, what do you think? Is it enough? Discuss at the link below. The Plan for a Leaner GM
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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http://www.autoextremist.com/current/ New Detroit vs. Old Detroit in Washington. By Peter M. De Lorenzo Detroit. In the last week I have done several live and taped radio interviews across the country and with the BBC in London, a spirited interview with Diane Tucker appearing in The Huffington Post entitled, “Journalist to GOP: You're 100 Percent Wrong About U.S. Automakers,” and I have several national and international TV appearances slated for the next few days too. The subject? The looming implosion of Detroit, of course. People want to know the who, what, when, where, why of this whole thing, and they want to know about the cost, both in terms of taxpayer mone…
Last reply by Camino LS6, -
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Insideline
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Ouch! This is bad news... hopefully for this year only. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/dropout...n-still-needed/
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Link to Article AP The lessons of the 1979 Chrysler loan guarantee Sunday November 23, 11:34 am ET By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer Chrysler's 1979 loan guarantee offers lessons for troubled US automakers WASHINGTON (AP) -- When Chrysler teetered on the brink of bankruptcy in 1979, the automaker spent months building support for a $1.5 billion loan guarantee that helped save the company and tens of thousands of jobs. Nearly 30 years later, the U.S. auto industry is getting only weeks to make its case. Still, the Chrysler chapter offers lessons to the executives of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC -- the private equity successo…
Last reply by CARBIZ, -
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DC or Bust!! November 24, 2008 Word has it that when the Big 3 CEOs return to Washington to plead their case for a $25B loan, they will do so not via private jet, or by commercial jet, or bus, or taxi, or bicycle, or hitchhiking. They'll arrive via a caravan of Detroit's best, brightest, and most fuel efficient vehicles. There will be many stops along the way to generate support and interest in the Big 3 and its products, which sadly seems to be nearly nonexistent these days. This sounds like a great idea, especially since it was mentioned here last week. Just goes to show that, even in troubled times such as these, the folks at GM still check out places like C&…
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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There are just too many competitors in the North American automobile market. And we need to decide which ones we want to survive. Maybe if someone put it to congress that way, it might have an impact on the numbskulls.
Last reply by Sixty8panther, -
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If i recall, one of the big reasons SUV sales of a certain vehicle weight or higher were so high was because of the accelerated tax credit for buying such vehicles. Um, the government is responsible for driving SUV sales and now they are using those sales as a reason to lynch the domestics? Despite toyota and Nissan expanding their full size truck and SUV offerings immensely? Kia too? WHat am I missing?
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Capesize ships now go for $6365 a day, $365 above the average daily cost of crew and fuel. There is so little shipping to be done that ports around the world are filling up with empty ships - and full ships that won't unload because no letters of credit are being accepted. No shipping, no trade. No trade, no globalization.
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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What if, because we all re-adjust to a new, more cautious, economic reality people begin to keep their cars longer? Domestic cars tend to last an enormous length of time. In a society that starts to treat cars as less disposable with owners keeping them for a decade or so, might not the domestics start to look better to the general public? I didn't quite put this the way I wanted, so I hope the meaning comes across. EDIT: I guess what I'm saying is that I remember when people used to keep a car until it was completely hopeless, and that a time like that seems to be returning. Domestic cars tended to fare very well in that sort of market, they kept going until the b…
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http://www.autoextremist.com/ All I can say is A-freakin-men! November 12, 2008 Tick, tick, tick... By Peter M. De Lorenzo Detroit. So it has come down to this for General Motors: 100 years of living, breathing American industrial and social history is on the precipice of total disaster, with the once-glittering corporate icon facing certain collapse if some sort of government financial aid package is not put together in the next 60 days. Think about that for a moment. The company that basically powered this nation through a century of progress and helped this country muster the strength to fight world wars - while contributing immeasurably to the fabric …
Last reply by CARBIZ, -
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BREAKING NEWS: Bailout Update ~November 20, 2008~ The US government has postponed the vote on a potential aid package for GM, Ford and Chrysler, in order to give them enough time to come up with a plan for using the money. THe vote will occur sometime in December. Big 3 Bailout News --- GM Needs Your Help ~November 16, 2008 During World War II, when America needed all the help it could get building war machinery to help fight off the Axis Powers, GM stepped up to the plate and offered its factories and workers to support the war effort. When 9/11 occured and sent the American economy and consumer confidence into a tailspin, GM again answered the call, off…
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_cont...wNnYXMtY2FyZA-- Now this sounds interesting! I wonder how well this will work out...
Last reply by Satty, -
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[ Link: http://www.autoextremist.com/ After the smoke clears, it's time for America, Inc. By now it should be obvious to even the most casual observers that the domestic automobile industry is on the verge of total collapse. Already reeling from the gas spike earlier in the year and the subsequent decimation of the light truck and SUV markets, the national financial and credit crisis has conspired to cut the amount of survival time for two of the three domestic automobile makers from years to just months, leaving General Motors and the Cerberus-owned Chrysler LLC on the brink of bankruptcy. And it has also finally become obvious to even the most jaded anti-Detroit z…
Last reply by prinzSD, -
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081111/ap_on_...r_wh/bush_obama See Obama does want to help the car industry out... Change is coming!
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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By Christopher S. Rugaber, The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential race will give labour unions and the embattled U.S. auto industry a strong ally in the White House, and likely will put pressure on oil and gas producers and pharmaceutical companies. His election Tuesday also makes congressional approval of a fresh economic stimulus package - perhaps as large as $150 billion - more likely, economists said. "There is a general consensus that some kind of stimulus plan is called for," said Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics. The new president's biggest challenge will be to turn around an economy that many analysts…
Last reply by 2005 EquinoxLS, -
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James B. Treece Automotive News November 3, 2008 - 1:59 pm ET Dear Mr. President: Please raise the gasoline tax. The country needs to keep moving toward using less imported oil, which means less use of oil -- period. The federal government has mandated higher fuel economy standards. That's a first step. But we tried that before in an era of cheap gasoline, and it failed. You can take fuel-efficient cars to the consumers, but you can't make shoppers open their wallets. They need a reason to want those cars. For a while this year, we had that. With gasoline prices up around $4 a gallon (still a bargain by world standards), consumers wanted fuel-efficient …
Last reply by 2005 EquinoxLS, -
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Mitsuoka, that tiny Japanese manufacturer who makes the wonderfully wacky Orochi sea monster, has introduced its latest automotive mash-up, just in time to give us a Halloween fright. It is a derivative of the company's Galue III (the return of the shapeshifter) and is known as the Galue Limousine S50. This shouldn't be confused with the company's Galue 204 Toyota Corolla rebody, or the Galue Convertible, which is based on the Ford Mustang. Instead, this limo is based on the Infiniti M, but incorporates styling touches from such classic designs as the '94 Cadillac Fleetwood, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Apple iPhone. While that might not sound too offensive, trust us, …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Buick News November 1, 2008~ Some news bits are trickling in about a couple of future tri-sheilds. Firstly, Autoblog has spilled some of the beans on the next-gen LaCrosse. Engine options will include a 290hp version of the Direct Injection 3.6L V6 and an all-new 3.0L DI V6 that should be good for 240hp and around 30mpg. Other options certain to make their way into the LaCrosse include HID headlamps, a heads-up display, rear view camera and all-wheel-drive. Secondly, GM appears to be putting the finishing touches on the Opel Insignia-based Buick Regal. Thoigh it's not slated to come to the US, the Regal certainly does look the part of the LaCrosse's half-brother, and…
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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We're Back! ~October 22, 2008~ We're on the air again. C&G's database crashed yesterday, but the host was able to get us up and running again with no apparent loss of posts. Now that you're all just now getting back into the swing of things, what better time to announce that there'll be some PLANNED downtime after 9:30EST tonight? We'll be upgrading to the latest version of IP Board, which boasts of, among other things, some improvements in speed and reliability. DOWNTIME ANNOUNCEMENT: 10/22/08 @ ~9:30PM EST --- Get Your Orders In ~October 20, 2008~ It's nice to write about something positive - it seems like forever since we've been able to do that. …
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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I'm copying this straight from the thread in BON to save time, but it appears GM had the greatest fleet sale marketshare drop (7.66% points) and Toyota had the largest gain (2.06% points). Nissan increased and is almost poised to surpass Ford, which actually decreased its fleet share by 1.4%.
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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September 12, 2008 - 12:01 am ET UPDATED: 9/12/08 1:31 p.m. EDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. government should not back $25 billion or more in loans to help General Motors and the other domestic auto companies, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee said on Friday. "I would say no to them," Richard Shelby of Alabama said as Democratic leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate seek to push through a measure in the coming weeks that is necessary to put the credit program in motion. "I don't see this as a national problem," Shelby said in an interview on CNBC television. "I see this as their problem." He also noted the government -- which …
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A Recipe for a New GM ~September 25, 2008~ Unless you've been under a rock the past 18 months or so, you know that GM is a company that's in a constant state of flux. Amidst the turmoil, rumors are constantly flying about the viability of certain brands and models. Well-respected C&G forefather FUTURE_OF_GM has come up with a comprehensive, well laid out, five-part plan for GM to organize itself to best serve its customers now and in the future. We invite you to spend time reading each section and adding your comments. Section 1: Divisional Goals and Notes Section 2: Platforms and Models Section 3: Divisional Breakdown Section 4: The Sales Channels Section 5: P…
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How do you feel about the current Wall Street Welfare taking place, with Fanny, Freddy, AIG, Bank of America, etc. Will it affect the 25 billion the big 3 are seeking from the Federal Government? If the big 3 go belly up, will the Federal Government come to their rescue or let the big three wither on the vine and die? Should the Federal Government let the big 3 die, if so, why not let the banks and insurance companies die too? What's the difference between the American auto industry and Wall Street? What are your thoughts?
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Meet the Volt ~September 19, 2008~ What better way for GM to celebrate its 100th birthday than to show off a vehicle that will no doubt have a crucial role in defining GM's next 100 years. Today, GM dropped official, unobstructed views of the production Volt. No Camo, no tarps, no GM executives standing in front of it. While much has changed from the concept car, the production Volt is quite a looker in its own right. Prius, you've been served! Official Production Chevrolet Volt Photos --- Happy Birthday, GM! ~September 19, 2008~ Cheers and Gears takes this opportunity to wish Genreal Motors a happy 100th birthday! Thank you, GM, for a century of beautifu…
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Yesterday I received a letter in the mail saying: Dear EDS stockholder: I am pleased to inform you that a merger of EDS with a subsidiary of HP has been completed in accordance with the agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 13, 2008. The merger was effective as of August 26, 2008. As a result of the merger, EDS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of HP and each holder of shares of common stock of EDS became entitled to receive $25.00 in cash, without interest, for each share of EDS common stock they held as of the merger date. We refer to this amount collectively as the Merger Consideration. Please note EDS stockholders will not become stockholders of HP as a result o…
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http://wardsauto.com/commentary/detroit_de...es_help_080904/ Detroit Three Deserve Help By Jerry Flint WardsAuto.com, Sep 4, 2008 8:42 AM Email a link to this articleEmail a link to this article Printer-friendly version of this articlePrinter-friendly version of this article Commentary Finally, Detroit’s auto makers are asking for help. The good news is Washington is starting to listen – even the presidential candidates. They are talking about everything: loan guaranties, direct loans and grants to help Detroit retool plants and develop advanced technologies. They also are talking about tax credits for car buyers to help offset the high cost of new fuel-sa…
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10 best and worst value holders after 5 years.
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http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080829.003/vo...rgest-automaker Volkswagen Overtakes Ford as World's Third Largest Automaker Next up: GM August 29, 2008 2:00 PM by Clinton Deacon Filed Under: Corporate/Financial Ford Volkswagen Volkswagen has a long term plan to become the world's largest automaker and it appears stage one has been completed after the German company overtook Ford to take third place in global vehicle sales rankings. The VW Group announced that they had sold 3.31 million vehicles in the first six months of 2008 representing an increase of 7.2 percent, it puts them healthily ahead of the their American counterparts who sold 3.22 million vehicles d…
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http://chemicallygreen.com/california-gas-usage/
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When times were good, Detroit's Big Three minted cash with big gas guzzlers and protested fuel-efficiency mandates. Now gas prices are soaring, customers are turning their backs and efforts to retool may be too little, too late. By Ernest Beck, MSN Money The news from Detroit just gets grimmer. With gas prices soaring, sales of fuel-guzzling SUVs and trucks are plummeting. The Big Three that once ruled the industry -- General Motors, Ford and Chrysler -- are cutting costs, shuttering plants and laying off workers. GM's share price is hovering near its lowest point in half a century; the company announced a whopping $15.5 billion loss in the second quarter of 2008. …
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2011 Chevy Volt Revealed!! ~September 8, 2008~ Volt Reveal Thread - from AutoBlog Production Volt Spotted ~August 29, 2008~ The cat's finally out of the bag. Autoblog obtained images of the production Chevy Volt with no camo on the set of the upcoming Transformers 2 movie. While the production car's design appears to have succumbed to the realities of aerodynamics, the car is nonetheless quite the looker that proves that an environmentally friendly car doesn't have to induce vomiting. Clck the link below to view the pics and discuss them Production Chevy Volt Caught Naked --- C&G Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible ~August 25, 2008~ …
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A Global Revolution ~August 22,2008~ Image Courtesy of Autoblog Chevrolet took wraps off its global compact car, the Cruze. Schedled to eventually replace the Cobalt in the US, On sale beginning in Europe from March next year, Cruze features a dramatic re-interpretation of the traditional sedan featuring Chevrolet's new global design language that is becoming a signature on all new products carrying the gold bowtie. At launch in Europe, Cruze will be available with 16-valve, 1.6-liter (112 hp/82 kW) and 1.8-liter (140 hp/103 kW) gasoline engines featuring variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust sides, giving more power as well as better fuel economy an…
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Harry Stoffer Automotive News August 20, 2008 - 12:15 am ET WASHINGTON -- Crash tests of eight small crossovers and SUVs produced clear winners and losers, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group for auto insurers. The institute gave its "top safety pick" label to four vehicles that got "good" scores in all test categories: front impact, side impact and rear crash protection. They are the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape. The results also apply to the Escape's siblings, the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute, and the hybrid versions of all three models, the institute said. The institute assigns …
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By Hannah Elliott updated 10:43 a.m. ET, Fri., Aug. 15, 2008 It might sound surprising, but all-electric vehicles are already on American roads. They just haven't quite made it to the highway yet. A growing cottage industry of Neighborhood Electric Vehicle manufacturers is spurring the development of cars like the Zenn, which has reached a state of vehicular enlightenment so advanced it doesn't even need a tail pipe. "We saw this car in May of '06, and all of us were just freaking out: 'Finally, a car!'" said Steve Mayeda, sales manager at Seattle-based MC Electric Vehicles, which sells 30 percent of Zenn's U.S. inventory, in addition to electric vehicles made by …
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CTS Sport Wagon and Next Generation SRX Based on the hot-selling CTS sport sedan, and a sister vehicle to the CTS Coupe Concept, the Sport Wagon extends the design-driven renaissance of Cadillac. Following this special premiere at Pebble Beach, the CTS Sport Wagon moves to the worldwide auto show circuit this fall – and into Cadillac dealerships in spring 2009. More after the jump “The next-generation SRX, along with the new CTS Sport Wagon, showcases Cadillac taking its dramatic design into new directions, particularly cars and crossovers that are the right size at the right time for today’s luxury consumers,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. Link t…
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Source: Autoblog
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CTV News Article Canadian car sales post ‘gravity defying' rise By Romina Maurino, The Canadian Press TORONTO — Auto sales in Canada were up 5 per cent in July, with General Motors and Toyota posting increases despite high gas prices and pressure from a weak U.S. economy. Passenger car sales were up 10.2 per cent, while light trucks were down 1.4 per cent, according to auto sales figures released by analyst Dennis DesRosiers. General Motors Canada posted a 5.2 per cent increase, with dealers delivering 33,893 units in July, up from 32,205 a year ago. Toyota Canada posted record sales in July, with 21,990 Toyota and Lexus cars and trucks purchased in July, up …
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Jesse Snyder Automotive News July 28, 2008 - 12:01 am ET Plunging Toyota sales paced a dreary June for Europe. All mass-market auto groups lost volume in 28 European markets last month as sales fell 7.9 percent to 1.43 million passenger vehicles, said ACEA, the European automakers association. June results pushed Europe's first-half sales to a 2.0 percent decline, to 8.34 million units. But the Toyota brand's 17.7 percent decline in June, coupled with an even steeper 25.6 percent loss at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus luxury brand, was the worst result for the month. For the first six months, Toyota Motor was the only automaker with a double-digit loss in Europe…
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Link
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A glimspe into the designers behind the Camaro project... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1213115275...=googlenews_wsj Korean Car Designers Make Their Mark On the U.S. Auto Industry Growing Influence in Detroit and Beyond Is Evidenced by Sangyup Lee's Camaro By NORIHIKO SHIROUZU July 22, 2008 These days the Motor City seems to have a Korean accent. In a bid to reconnect with consumers, the Big Three auto makers have been emphasizing bold designs that hark back to Detroit's glory days. But some of the most eye-catching "American" vehicles they've created are actually products of a growing cadre of auto designers born and raised in South Korea that is gaining in…
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By Warren Brown Sunday, July 20, 2008 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Getting here on "the 405," that north-south stretch of interstate running through the greater Los Angeles area, is hell. But it's also instructive agony for anyone trying to understand the problems of General Motors in North America. My assessment is based on empirical observations made on a drive from the Los Angeles International Airport to this resort/bedroom community straddling the Ventura and Los Angeles County line. Did I say "drive"? Allow me to correct that. No one drives on the 405. They sit. They park. They creep. They attempt to make forward progress, only to be blocked by one obstruct…
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I just found this link on yahoo, sadly the GM Hybrids are at the very bottom of the list in terms of value. See the chart/story here!
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WASHINGTON - The political vision of a summer gas tax holiday died a quick death in Congress, losing to a view that federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will have to go up if they go anywhere. Despite calls from the presidential campaign trail for a Memorial Day-to-Labor Day tax freeze, lawmakers quickly concluded — with a prod from the construction industry — that having $9 billion less to spend on highways could create a pre-election specter of thousands of lost jobs. Now, lawmakers quietly are talking about raising fuel taxes by a dime from the current 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents on diesel fuel. With gas prices setting records daily…
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Production Camaro Revealed ~July 21 2008~ (Image from Edmunds) GM officially pulled off the wraps of the production Camaro today, releasing official photos, and powetrain specs. How's this for a base engine: 300 screaming horses and 26MPG!!! This isn't your father's Camaro folks. Comparing this car to the Mustang would be selling it short. Click the links below to talk about the '10 Camaro. Major Camaro Announcement, 7.21.08 4PM Eastern Production Camaro Revealed
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Link: http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/trek/
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http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20080718?rpc=44 *continued here
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US crossover vehicles go into sales slump July 14, 2008 5:47 PM ET DETROIT (AP) - When Ford Motor Co. came out with its new Edge crossover in 2006, the company hoped the truck-like vehicle built on a car frame would attract longtime Ford buyers trading in their inefficient sport utility vehicles. For a while, it worked well. But last month, sales of the Edge and nearly all crossover vehicles dropped dramatically, causing another worry for automakers struggling with the dramatic shift by U.S. auto buyers from trucks to cars. Automakers and some industry analysts say it's a temporary lull due to a combination of economic worries, sliding SUV values that pr…
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The Cars.com American-Made Index What Are the Top American-Made Cars? Cars.com's American-Made Index rates vehicles built and bought in the U.S. Factors include sales, where the car's parts are made and whether the car is assembled in the U.S. Models that have been discontinued are disqualified, as are those with a domestic-parts content rating below 75 percent. Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Location Last Rank 1. Ford F-150* Claycomo, Mo.; Dearborn, Mich. 1 2. Chevrolet Cobalt Lordstown, Ohio 2 3. Chevrolet Malibu** Kansas City, Kan. 9 4. Pontiac G6 Orion, Mich. 5 5. Toyota Tundra Princeton, Ind.; San Antonio 4 6. Toyota Sienna Princeton, Ind. 6 7. Hon…
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http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_li...foreign_feature
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now we base laws on something not definatively backed by scientific proof? OAKLAND, Calif. -- California is making it mandatory for cars to be labeled with global warming scores, figures that take into account emissions from vehicle use and fuel production. The law requiring the labels goes into effect at the start of next year for all 2009 model cars, though its expected the labels will be popping up on cars in the coming months. The labeling law forces cars for sale to display a global warming score, on a scale of one to 10, which is based on how vehicles in the same model year compare to one another. The higher the score, the cleaner a car is. The score takes i…
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GM closed at $9.98 per share Ford closed at $4.36 per share Just for reference Toyota closed today at $91.40
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June 27, 2008 - 2:15 pm ET WARREN, Ohio (Reuters) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Friday he would oppose a government bailout of the ailing auto industry and voiced strong support for free trade in the hard-hit state of Ohio. The Arizona senator toured General Motors' Lordstown auto plant and watched as high-mileage Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 economy cars rolled down the assembly line, cars that are suddenly popular at a time of record-high gasoline prices. Economic concerns dominated a town-hall meeting McCain held at the GM plant as he campaigns against Democratic nominee Barack Obama before the Nov. 4 election. Ohio's economy lags…
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Harry Stoffer Automotive News June 26, 2008 - 3:21 pm ET WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's plan to raise fuel economy standards 25 percent over five model years isn't tough enough, a group of lawmakers said today. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House committee on climate change and energy independence, said high gasoline prices should compel the administration to go even higher. Markey said pending fuel economy rules should require cars and trucks to average 35 mpg by 2015 -- about 40 percent higher than today. He and other lawmakers will be making that point in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Markey said. Th…
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The 2008 results are out for the J.D. Power APEAL Study and "Buick, the domestic nameplate traditionally known for its understated designs, is the most improved nameplate in this year’s APEAL study, thanks to a boost from its stylish new Enclave crossover utility. Buick’s 20-point index score increase was tops among the 36 nameplates in this year’s study, as was its eight-position jump in the rankings." (I added the bold.) All this good from just one vehicle! Buick needs more class-leading and competitive product! To view more from J.D. Power's APEAL Study, click here
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The next major development in the hybrid space is expected in 2010, when GM’s Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is expected to go into production. The vehicle can charge off a common household outlet. By Roland Jones Associate editor MSNBC Time was when hybrid gas-electric vehicles appealed only to the greenest car consumers more concerned about saving the environment than saving on gasoline bills. Gas prices hitting $4 a gallon have changed all that. Now there’s an out-and-out stampede to buy hybrid vehicles, as drivers downscale from large SUVs to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Popular models like the Honda Civic Hybrid are in short supply, an…
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http://www.economist.com/specialreports/di...ory_id=11565627 NOTHING ages faster than the future. A few years ago there was general agreement that if the internal-combustion engine ever was replaced by something clean, that something would be the fuel cell. A fuel cell is a way of reacting hydrogen and oxygen together in a controlled way and extracting electricity from the process. It was to be the precursor of what was known as the hydrogen economy, in which that gas would replace fossil fuels and power almost everything. Leaving aside the problems of transporting and storing a light and leaky gas, what no one was very clear about was where the hydrogen itself would …
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DETROIT -- In another blow to beleaguered U.S. automakers, Standard & Poor's on Friday said it may cut its ratings on Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Chrysler LLC, citing financial damage resulting from high gasoline prices. Bonds and shares of Ford and GM extended losses, while the cost of protecting their debt rose. S&P said it was concerned about cash outflows from all three automakers as high gas prices erode demand for sport utility vehicles and pickups. The "dire state" of the vehicle finance market was also worrisome, S&P said. The rating agency also said it may cut its ratings on automakers' finance units Ford Motor Credit Co. and DaimlerChrys…
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For those living close to the U.S.-Mexico border, buying gas down south could prove a plausible way to beat the current fuel price hikes felt across the nation. With the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas topping out at $4.08, the practice of travelling down south is quickly gaining popularity among drivers near the border. By living near one of the largest border cities in the U.S., residents of San Diego are now willing to wait upward of three hours to cross in and out of Mexico to purchase their share of gasoline at significantly cheaper prices. Currently a gallon of regular unleaded in San Diego costs on average $4.61, while in Tijuana, Mexi…
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I think we are seeing the following in their last gasp for air and on their way out: Chrysler Dodge Hummer Mercury Saturn Only Jeep, I think will survive, will GM buy it, once Hummer is discontinued?
Last reply by FAPTurbo,
