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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    Yesterday we reported that Nissan may be cutting up to 10,000 jobs.... we were short by about 2,500. Nissan Motor Company's CEO Hiroto Saikawa said "The results were really more negative than we expected" in a financial briefing at Nissan Headquarters. Operating profit was nearly wiped out, falling to just $14.8 million in the first fiscal quarter ending June 30th. Operating margin shrank from 4.0 percent last year to barely 0.1 percent this year. Global retail volume fell 6.0% to 1.23 million vehicles. On the back of these poor results. Nissan has annouced job cuts of up to 12,500 worldwide as part of a plan to revive the company. Of that, 6,400 job cuts are already underway with 1,420 jobs lost in the U.S. An additional 6,100 job cuts are planned over the next 4 years. Most of the job cuts will be at plants that are working below capacity. In the U.S., Nissan is trying to move away from fleet sales and focus on increasing retail sales, with the goal of boosting retail sales by 100,000 units. View full article
  2. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Nissan Profit Plunges 99%; 12,500 Job Cuts Eminent"
    Yesterday we reported that Nissan may be cutting up to 10,000 jobs.... we were short by about 2,500. Nissan Motor Company's CEO Hiroto Saikawa said "The results were really more negative than we expected" in a financial briefing at Nissan Headquarters. Operating profit was nearly wiped out, falling to just $14.8 million in the first fiscal quarter ending June 30th. Operating margin shrank from 4.0 percent last year to barely 0.1 percent this year. Global retail volume fell 6.0% to 1.23 million vehicles. On the back of these poor results. Nissan has annouced job cuts of up to 12,500 worldwide as part of a plan to revive the company. Of that, 6,400 job cuts are already underway with 1,420 jobs lost in the U.S. An additional 6,100 job cuts are planned over the next 4 years. Most of the job cuts will be at plants that are working below capacity. In the U.S., Nissan is trying to move away from fleet sales and focus on increasing retail sales, with the goal of boosting retail sales by 100,000 units.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    The Elon Musk for Mercedes right here... making big promises but delay after delay... and then the eventual goal post shift.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Ford's Q2 Net Income Fell 86 Percent on One Time Charges"
    Ford's second quarter 2019 income fell 86 percent to just $148 million. The result is largely due to one-time charges related to its restructuring of operations globally. Excluding the one-time items, Ford's income before interest and taxes fell just 2% to $1.65 billion. Global revenue was flat year over year at $38.9 billion. The charges are primary caused by plant closures in Europe and South America. Ford has said it would cut 12,000 jobs in Europe by the end of 2020. Ford's sales in the US have fallen 7 percent, including a large decline in Ford Explorer sales as the company moves the nameplate to a new rear wheel drive platform. Ford CEO Jim Hackett said that the changover was a "bigger endeavor" than overhauling the F-150 to an aluminum body.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    Ford's second quarter 2019 income fell 86 percent to just $148 million. The result is largely due to one-time charges related to its restructuring of operations globally. Excluding the one-time items, Ford's income before interest and taxes fell just 2% to $1.65 billion. Global revenue was flat year over year at $38.9 billion. The charges are primary caused by plant closures in Europe and South America. Ford has said it would cut 12,000 jobs in Europe by the end of 2020. Ford's sales in the US have fallen 7 percent, including a large decline in Ford Explorer sales as the company moves the nameplate to a new rear wheel drive platform. Ford CEO Jim Hackett said that the changover was a "bigger endeavor" than overhauling the F-150 to an aluminum body. View full article
  6. Drew Dowdell
    The solution to saving Chrysler is clear to anyone who isn't actually at Chrysler. Take the Pacifica platform and build premuim crossovers out of it. Build a premium crossover out of the Cherokee. Notice I didn't say full luxury, but at least take on Buick and some of Lincoln (though I think Lincoln is moving up fast in the world)
  7. Drew Dowdell
    Once the diesel rolls out for the 2020 Silverado, it will take the title of most fuel efficient full-size truck on the market with an EPA rating of 23 City / 33 Highway / 27 Combined. The 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder diesel generates 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and also features a start stop system. In the Silverado, the price of the diesel engine is the same as upgrading to the 6.2 liter gasoline V8. It adds, $2,495 to the price of an LTZ or High Country model, or $3,890 to the cost of an LT or RST. Naturally, the engine will be available in the GMC Sierra as well. For those counting, this means the Sierra diesel is more efficient than the 4-cylinder diesel in the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. It is also a less costly upgrade than on the two smaller trucks, there costing $5,745 on an LT GM is likely to hold the MPG title for a while as Ford's F-150 diesel was just released for 2019 and is rated for 22 City / 30 Highway / 25 Combined. Ram hasn't sold their 3.0 V6 Ecodiesel since 2017, but it was rated at 20 City / 27 highway / 23 combined. Honda does not field a full size truck. Nissan does, but does not offer a diesel in their standard duty models. Toyota does not offer a diesel at all, though it is rumored that the next Tundra will be coming with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid. The Silverado Diesel arrives in dealerships this fall. View full article
  8. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Chevrolet Silverado Diesel Gets 33mpg Highway"
    Once the diesel rolls out for the 2020 Silverado, it will take the title of most fuel efficient full-size truck on the market with an EPA rating of 23 City / 33 Highway / 27 Combined. The 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder diesel generates 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and also features a start stop system. In the Silverado, the price of the diesel engine is the same as upgrading to the 6.2 liter gasoline V8. It adds, $2,495 to the price of an LTZ or High Country model, or $3,890 to the cost of an LT or RST. Naturally, the engine will be available in the GMC Sierra as well. For those counting, this means the Sierra diesel is more efficient than the 4-cylinder diesel in the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. It is also a less costly upgrade than on the two smaller trucks, there costing $5,745 on an LT GM is likely to hold the MPG title for a while as Ford's F-150 diesel was just released for 2019 and is rated for 22 City / 30 Highway / 25 Combined. Ram hasn't sold their 3.0 V6 Ecodiesel since 2017, but it was rated at 20 City / 27 highway / 23 combined. Honda does not field a full size truck. Nissan does, but does not offer a diesel in their standard duty models. Toyota does not offer a diesel at all, though it is rumored that the next Tundra will be coming with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid. The Silverado Diesel arrives in dealerships this fall.
  9. Drew Dowdell
    The next generation Durango is going to be a Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    That may be the case... but what kind of cost cutting and shortcuts are they going to take to drive down costs?
  11. Drew Dowdell
    Rumor has it that that Nissan is about to report that its first-quarter profit fell by nearly 90%. Nissan has yet to recover from the financial scandal caused by Carlos Ghosn. Additionally, years of chasing volume over profits in the U.S. has damaged the brand, requiring heavy discount and cheap financing to move metal. Investors are also worried that the alliance with Renault is breaking down. Friction with France's Renault over the failed merger with Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles has brought tensions between the two companies to an all-time high. Reports are that due to the falling profits, Nissan will be cutting up to 10,000 jobs, primarily in Asia and South America. In doing so, Nissan would join the ranks of Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Honda, and others with global layoffs in the five digit range. Nissan/Infiniti sales in the US are down 8.9 percent year to date as of June. View full article
  12. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Rumorpile: Is Nissan Preparing to Announce Huge Job Cuts?"
    Rumor has it that that Nissan is about to report that its first-quarter profit fell by nearly 90%. Nissan has yet to recover from the financial scandal caused by Carlos Ghosn. Additionally, years of chasing volume over profits in the U.S. has damaged the brand, requiring heavy discount and cheap financing to move metal. Investors are also worried that the alliance with Renault is breaking down. Friction with France's Renault over the failed merger with Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles has brought tensions between the two companies to an all-time high. Reports are that due to the falling profits, Nissan will be cutting up to 10,000 jobs, primarily in Asia and South America. In doing so, Nissan would join the ranks of Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Honda, and others with global layoffs in the five digit range. Nissan/Infiniti sales in the US are down 8.9 percent year to date as of June.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    The picture of the blue minivan in the article is the Voyager.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    Daimler AG says it has lost €1.2 billion ($1.3 Billion) in quarter two 2019. This is the company's first quarterly loss since 2009. Daimler says the primary causes for the loss are airbag recalls and lawsuits and investigations regarding its diesel engines. U.S. and European regulators have gone after diesel engine emissions after Volkswagen AG was caught in 2015 with cheat software in their engine control computers. The fallout has caused Daimler and other manufacturers to recall those vehicles and update the engine control software. Daimler has previously announced cost cutting efforts, including laying off up to 10,000 employees globally. Further cost cutting efforts are pending, however, Daimler declined to comment on such measures until an investor presentation in November. The company did say that it would be reviewing its product portfolio and cutting where needed. Models that have already seen cuts are the Mercedes-Benx X-Class truck and the Mercedes Benz SLC. View full article
  15. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Daimler Books First Quarterly Loss in Ten Years"
    Daimler AG says it has lost €1.2 billion ($1.3 Billion) in quarter two 2019. This is the company's first quarterly loss since 2009. Daimler says the primary causes for the loss are airbag recalls and lawsuits and investigations regarding its diesel engines. U.S. and European regulators have gone after diesel engine emissions after Volkswagen AG was caught in 2015 with cheat software in their engine control computers. The fallout has caused Daimler and other manufacturers to recall those vehicles and update the engine control software. Daimler has previously announced cost cutting efforts, including laying off up to 10,000 employees globally. Further cost cutting efforts are pending, however, Daimler declined to comment on such measures until an investor presentation in November. The company did say that it would be reviewing its product portfolio and cutting where needed. Models that have already seen cuts are the Mercedes-Benx X-Class truck and the Mercedes Benz SLC.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    The Dodge Caravan is one of the vehicles that helped saved Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s. Introduced in November 1983, the Caravan, along with the Plymouth Voyager, was based on the K-Car platform championed by Lee Iaccoca. Chrysler recently re-introduced the Voyager under the Chrysler brand as the low cost entry into the minivan market. The Voyager is a low cost version of the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan that was introduced in 2016. Dodge continued production of the Grand Caravan as the low-cost model while the Pacifica aims for higher end customers. The Voyager, starting at $26,958, will come in three trims, L, LX, and LXi, the last one reserved for fleet buyers. Chrysler has previously taken this two-prong approach of Voyager being the value option and Town & Country being the premium offering during the 2001 - 2007 time frame. Voyager production begins in August 2019 at Chrysler's Windsor Ontario plant and will run alongside the Grand Caravan for now. If you're looking for a Grand Caravan, you have some time left. The Grand Caravan is scheduled to go out of production in May 2020. View full article
  17. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Chrysler Voyager To Replace Dodge Grand Caravan"
    The Dodge Caravan is one of the vehicles that helped saved Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s. Introduced in November 1983, the Caravan, along with the Plymouth Voyager, was based on the K-Car platform championed by Lee Iaccoca. Chrysler recently re-introduced the Voyager under the Chrysler brand as the low cost entry into the minivan market. The Voyager is a low cost version of the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan that was introduced in 2016. Dodge continued production of the Grand Caravan as the low-cost model while the Pacifica aims for higher end customers. The Voyager, starting at $26,958, will come in three trims, L, LX, and LXi, the last one reserved for fleet buyers. Chrysler has previously taken this two-prong approach of Voyager being the value option and Town & Country being the premium offering during the 2001 - 2007 time frame. Voyager production begins in August 2019 at Chrysler's Windsor Ontario plant and will run alongside the Grand Caravan for now. If you're looking for a Grand Caravan, you have some time left. The Grand Caravan is scheduled to go out of production in May 2020.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    I'll expand on this for the latest Lambdas. They all (of the ones I've driven) drive exactly alike when comparing like for like engines. The only one I haven't been in yet is the XT6. But as it is less than a 10th of an inch or so of the Acadia's wheelbase, I don't expect it to drive any better or worse. The outgoing Ford Explorer felt heavier and more solid... primarily because it was. The Durango and Grand Cherokee get the handling benefits of longer wheelbases and rear wheel drive. They ride like luxury cars. The Telluride you saw my thoughts on already. The Atlas is a lot like the Explorer. The Pilot is loud inside, needs sound deadening. Also is a lot faster than numbers suggest. The Highlander I haven't driven in a while, but I would expect it, like the Camry, to be exactly mid-pack. The pathfinder is soft and wallowy. Good for long distance road trips where you need smooth and comfort.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    Nissan - The CVT is the first major difference you'll notice. Handling is neutral and the ride on the softer side. The noise from either of the 4-cylinder engines choices is ugly. Toyota - About as mid-pack as you can get. The V6 is a lot faster than it's numbers suggest, and because Toyota has lightened the chassis, it sometimes can have difficulty keeping the power on the road. The 4-cylinder is smoother than a baby's bottom. Mazda - Generally unrecognized as a class above the others, but it is. One of the best handling FWD sedans I've driven. The other that gets that nod and was equally ignored was the previous generation Buick Regal. The 4-cylinder is fine, but not as smooth as the Toyota or Honda. The turbo-4 isn't as impressive as it should be. Honda (you didn't ask, but I'll answer the rest anyway) - The latest Accord is the best mid-size sedan on the market in terms of ride and handling. It doesn't quite have the balance of the Mazda, feeling a tiny bit nose heavy even though there is only a 4-cylinder up there. Holy sh!t the 2.0 Turbo is fast as heck. It's one of my few exceptions to the "No more turbo four" rule I have for my household. Chevy - The Malibu is an okay, but not great car. It's eclipsed by those listed above. Two generations ago(the one I think you have/had), it would have ranked higher. Ford - The Fusion is oddly Germanic. Ford did a great job with the chassis. It's a shame they are tossing it in the bin. VW - The Passat is oddly American. It drives and feels big. It's not a handler. Weaksauce engines anymore. Hyunda and Kia - The Sonata and Optima are like every other Hyundai or Kia.... almost there, but not quite. (Exception: Telluride) Engine noise is an issue and the suspension is unnecessarily stiff such that they slam over road imperfections. Subaru - haven't driven one lately. That said, driven in normal traffic, none of the above are going to stand out (in a good way) from the others except maybe the Mazda which puts a tiny bit more fun into cornering. It is only the detractors that you'll really notice. A different class, but I want to point out one standout in the compact class. The Mazda 3. Mazda snuck into Audi's kitchen at night and stole the recipe. The Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, and others are pretty milquetoast. The Sentra is a wreck.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    You are right that they aren't badge jobs like the GMT360s were, but they're still too close for comfort, particularly when they all drive basically the same.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Lawsuit Accuses Ford of Spiking Fuel Economy Ratings"
    In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ford is accused of falsifying fuel economy numbers in the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. The suit is seeking class-action status and aims to collect $1.2 Billion in damages. The law firm, Hagens Berman, says that consumers are spending up to $2,000 more in fuel over the lifetime of the truck due to misleading EPA numbers. Back in February of this year, Ford launched an investigation into its own EPA emissions and fuel economy certification process after an anonymous tip line at Ford received concerns that there were issues with the test. The concern surrounds Road Load, a vehicle-specific resistance level used in dynamometer testing. Too much or too little resistance will alter the results of the emissions and fuel economy. Road load is determined through engineering estimates that are then validated on the track. Ford already hired an outside firm to investigate their testing, with the Ranger the first to go through re-testing. The suit alleges that the F-150, by far Ford's best selling vehicle, is also subject to the same issue as the Ranger. Ford is declining to comment on the lawsuit at this time.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ford is accused of falsifying fuel economy numbers in the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. The suit is seeking class-action status and aims to collect $1.2 Billion in damages. The law firm, Hagens Berman, says that consumers are spending up to $2,000 more in fuel over the lifetime of the truck due to misleading EPA numbers. Back in February of this year, Ford launched an investigation into its own EPA emissions and fuel economy certification process after an anonymous tip line at Ford received concerns that there were issues with the test. The concern surrounds Road Load, a vehicle-specific resistance level used in dynamometer testing. Too much or too little resistance will alter the results of the emissions and fuel economy. Road load is determined through engineering estimates that are then validated on the track. Ford already hired an outside firm to investigate their testing, with the Ranger the first to go through re-testing. The suit alleges that the F-150, by far Ford's best selling vehicle, is also subject to the same issue as the Ranger. Ford is declining to comment on the lawsuit at this time. View full article
  23. Drew Dowdell
    No, it isn't sarcasm. There is no reason a similar sized FWD and RWD crossover can't sit in the same showroom. Ford is doing it. Lincoln is doing it. Infiniti is doing it. The Ford Explorer looks fantastic and has great proportions visually, however the move to RWD made some compromises on interior room. If you want the most space for your dollar, you need a Traverse or Pilot.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    I haven't driven 2.0 yet, as it's only in Japan, and not till fall. It sounds like it is ever so slightly more advanced since it can get instructions from the NAV system. Cadillac's doesn't do that currently and it will just keep you on the same highway until you run out of highway to be on.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    I think GM needs a 3rd (4th?) SUV platform that is RWD.
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