by Ken Zino | Nov 9, 2009
While Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was briefing reporters on his plans for turning around the ailing automaker last week, members of the Teamsters union were protesting at the Italian embassy in Washington D.C. Shouting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, bailout bandits got to go”...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 9, 2009
Yet another Detroit advertising agency has taken a bullet as the Big Three makers rethink and realign their marketing strategies. BBDO Detroit, one of the largest agency serving the domestic makers, has been unable to reach what will, at best, be a scaled-back...
by Ken Zino | Nov 9, 2009
Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling more than 2100 of its latest 2010 XF models with the 4.2-liter gasoline engine because of a “kinked” fuel pipe. The problem may stop fuel from being transferred from one side of the fuel tank to the fuel pump and cause fuel...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 9, 2009
Though no one is going on the record – yet – reports have surfaced suggesting General Motors is ready to give Cadillac the go-ahead to put the highly-regarded Converj concept vehicle into production. First shown at the January 2009 North American International Auto...
by Ken Zino | Nov 9, 2009
It seemed like a victory for safety advocates when the Obama Administration agreed to review the rule that increased the hours truck drivers could be on the road while reducing their rest time. Critics have contended since 2003 that this Bush Administration regulation...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 9, 2009
Citing 16 deaths and hundreds of injuries allegedly caused by a defect that can cause “runaway” vehicles, a California law firm has filed a national class action suit against Toyota. The lawsuit is the latest twist in a story the Japanese maker had hoped would go away...
by Ken Zino | Nov 9, 2009
Nissan North America is recalling more than 10,000 2009 Model year Nissan Sentra vehicles because of a defective master cylinder from Robert Bosch. Sentras manufactured from February 23, 2008 through April 18, 2008 are affected. This latest recall expands a previous...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 9, 2009
Despite taking more than eight hours to brief the news media on its plans for the future, Chrysler and its new masters, Fiat, left some gaping holes, last week – notable among them, the company’s intentions, post-bankruptcy, for electric vehicles. Now, it seems, that...
by Ken Zino | Nov 6, 2009
Carl-Peter Forster will be leaving his role as head of European operations and “will advise” the company during the transition to find a new CEO, it was announced by GM today. Insiders say Forster was taken by surprise by the sudden reversal on Monday by...
by Ken Zino | Nov 6, 2009
Renault will manufacture starting in 2011 an electric vehicle (EV) based on Twizy Z.E. concept at Valladolid, 150 km north west of Madrid. The company says the EV is compact, nimble and practical, and will “fully meet all sustainable urban mobility needs.” Technical...
by Marty Bernstein | Nov 6, 2009
Bring back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Please! It’s been nine years since Philip Guarascio retired as vice president of corporate advertising and marketing of General Motors and, in my opinion, that void has never been filled. Phil was and is an...
