by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 3, 2009
Let’s play a game of word association. We’ll say the name of a brand, and you respond with the first word that comes into your head. Ready? Volvo… If you said “boxy,” you’re not alone. That’s the classic shape most of us have grown up knowing. And it’s why a lot of...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 3, 2009
Tight credit, slow showroom traffic and a precipitous drop in fleet business reduced new vehicle sales in the U.S., during January, by 37 percent, to an annual rate of less than 10 million units – the lowest level since the early 1980s. It was the fourth month...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 3, 2009
Despite the doom and gloom sounded by ratings agencies and Southern Senators, Chrysler is preparing to ride out the worst the economy can throw at it, and will be able turn a reasonable profit even in a long recession, the automaker’s vice chairman told reporters...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 3, 2009
“It’s all about design.” As an automotive journalist, you hear that phrase a lot, especially at auto shows and new product previews, whether you’re looking at the latest luxury car or something more basic. Yet, by and large, designers are a relatively anonymous lot,...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 2, 2009
Nobody ever suggests that Honda isn’t anything but well run company, but even the best automakers can’t seem to escape the fallout from the plunge in global auto sales, which has left even the Japanese makers arch-rival, Toyota, struggling for footing. The rating...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 2, 2009
These are uncertain times, in the auto industry. And nowhere is that more obvious than at Volvo. The Swedish automaker could soon go on the auction block, a victim of the financial crunch facing its American parent, Ford Motor Co. Even if Ford opts to keep Volvo in...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 2, 2009
Fiat won’t be able to touch any of the “bailout” loan money provided by the U.S. government if it decides to move forward with its alliance with Chrysler LLC, says Chrysler Chairman Robert Nardelli. In addition, Chrysler also said it is going ahead with a sweeping...
by Marty Bernstein | Feb 2, 2009
Thirty seconds at a hundred-thou per second for 3 million bucks per commercial is a carefully considered advertising expenditure (some call it an investment) anytime, but especially in to-day’s gloomy economic environment. Commercials have become almost as important...
