Lincoln-Mercury - no Money Down Car Leases
It "Worked" for Mitsubishi
I received a direct mail advertisement from Lincoln Mercury the other day touting no down payment lease deals on Lincoln-Mercury products. This seems to be exactly the same type of promotion that almost sunk Mitsubishi a few years back. Mitsubishi sold cars to a lot of folks with no money down, often folks with poor credit. In the short term, it worked, and sales were up. Then - disaster - a lot of repos, and low mileage Mitsubishis were flooding the market. Resale values were in the dirt. Apparently those old Mitsubishi executives finally found new jobs . . .
Automotive News
Monday, March 13, 2006
Toyota will make Camrys in Indiana | IndyStar.com
Lafayette Indiana Subaru Plant to Make Toyota Camrys
It's official, Toyota will make Camrys in the under-utilized Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) plant in Lafayette, Indiana. When GM severed its relationship with Subaru, it gave Toyota a chance to swoop in and fill the gap. Now the taxpayers in Indiana are going to pay Toyota $97 million to crank out 100,000 Camrys a year. (I personally think Toyota would have completed the deal with no taxypayer incentives whatsoever. There was no more cost-effective way to add Camry capacity.)
In addition, Subaru gets access to Toyota's hybrid technology. This is a win-win deal for Subaru, it gets a product to fill in excess capacity, and it gets the technology they need to remain the leader in civilized all-wheel-drive. For passenger cars, hybrid power is the way to go for adding all-wheel-drive capability. Subaru's current system adds about 200 lbs. to the weight of an otherwise fwd sedan, and it also contributes to drivetrain power loss. In contrast, compact electric motors on all four wheels with a hybrid battery pack add about the same amount of weight, but also add additional power. With regenerative regnerative braking, a hybrid drivetrain recycles energy that would otherwise be lost.
Toyota will make Camrys in Indiana | IndyStar.com
It's official, Toyota will make Camrys in the under-utilized Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) plant in Lafayette, Indiana. When GM severed its relationship with Subaru, it gave Toyota a chance to swoop in and fill the gap. Now the taxpayers in Indiana are going to pay Toyota $97 million to crank out 100,000 Camrys a year. (I personally think Toyota would have completed the deal with no taxypayer incentives whatsoever. There was no more cost-effective way to add Camry capacity.)
In addition, Subaru gets access to Toyota's hybrid technology. This is a win-win deal for Subaru, it gets a product to fill in excess capacity, and it gets the technology they need to remain the leader in civilized all-wheel-drive. For passenger cars, hybrid power is the way to go for adding all-wheel-drive capability. Subaru's current system adds about 200 lbs. to the weight of an otherwise fwd sedan, and it also contributes to drivetrain power loss. In contrast, compact electric motors on all four wheels with a hybrid battery pack add about the same amount of weight, but also add additional power. With regenerative regnerative braking, a hybrid drivetrain recycles energy that would otherwise be lost.
Toyota will make Camrys in Indiana | IndyStar.com
Bloomberg.com: U.S.
Blog Drought about to End
A lot of things kept the posting down last week. First of all, it was a relatively slow week in he auto industry. Secondly I had very little time. Finally, Blogger decided to have service outages on the rare occasions when I could actually do anything. Just for that I'm not going to pay my bill. Oh, it's free.
I have a few drafts that I couldn't get posted that I'll probably tidy up and scatter around this week.
Kia to build Georgia Plant
Pretty soon, Kia will employ more people in Georgia than General Motors and Ford. Kia's Georgia plant will be a big one, with capacity up to 300,000 units per year, and it will employ about 2,500 workers.
It would have been nice if they could have taken over at least the site of the closing Ford or General Motors plants to minimize the effect on the environment, or possibly to re-hire displaced workers, but that's not the way things go these days, both the workers and the land are damaged goods.
Bloomberg.com: U.S.
A lot of things kept the posting down last week. First of all, it was a relatively slow week in he auto industry. Secondly I had very little time. Finally, Blogger decided to have service outages on the rare occasions when I could actually do anything. Just for that I'm not going to pay my bill. Oh, it's free.
I have a few drafts that I couldn't get posted that I'll probably tidy up and scatter around this week.
Kia to build Georgia Plant
Pretty soon, Kia will employ more people in Georgia than General Motors and Ford. Kia's Georgia plant will be a big one, with capacity up to 300,000 units per year, and it will employ about 2,500 workers.
It would have been nice if they could have taken over at least the site of the closing Ford or General Motors plants to minimize the effect on the environment, or possibly to re-hire displaced workers, but that's not the way things go these days, both the workers and the land are damaged goods.
Bloomberg.com: U.S.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Some Sleeping Pill Users Range Far Beyond Bed - New York Times
Today's Sponsor: Ambien
- Ambien, the drug that lets you drive without waking up. Take lots today.
Some Sleeping Pill Users Range Far Beyond Bed - New York Times
- Ambien, the drug that lets you drive without waking up. Take lots today.
Some Sleeping Pill Users Range Far Beyond Bed - New York Times
GM to revamp pensions, sells most of Suzuki stake - 03/07/06 - The Detroit News
GM to End Salaried Workers' Pension
GM To Sell Stake in Suzuki
Salaried workers are being shifted from a defined benefit (traditional pension) plan to a defined contribution (401k type) plan. This move is expected to save a bout a half billion dollars.
Yesterday it was announced that GM was selling its stake in Suzuki. Proceeds from the sale of the Suzuki shares should generate about $2 billion.
GM to revamp pensions, sells most of Suzuki stake - 03/07/06 - The Detroit News
GM To Sell Stake in Suzuki
Salaried workers are being shifted from a defined benefit (traditional pension) plan to a defined contribution (401k type) plan. This move is expected to save a bout a half billion dollars.
Yesterday it was announced that GM was selling its stake in Suzuki. Proceeds from the sale of the Suzuki shares should generate about $2 billion.
GM to revamp pensions, sells most of Suzuki stake - 03/07/06 - The Detroit News
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
What is a "spoof site", what is "phishing" and why do I need to know about this stuff?
Phishing and Spoofing for PayPal Users
I recently got a spam e-mail supposedly from service@paypal.com. It said
The only problem is, I don't have a paypal account. That was one factor that led me to believe that these folks weren't legit. The other thing was the e-mail address that comes up when you hit 'reply'. Here it is verbatum:
accunting@paypal.com
I could be wrong, but I don't think that PayPal has an accunting department. I know I never got to take accunting in college.
Anyway, below is a link to paypalsucks.com for more information on paypal spoofers and phishers.
What is a "spoof site", what is "phishing" and why do I need to know about this stuff?
I recently got a spam e-mail supposedly from service@paypal.com. It said
We recently have determined that different computers have logged into your PayPal account, and multiple password failures were present before the login. One of our Customer Service employees has already tried to reach you by phone. As our employee did not manage to reach you, this email has been sent to your notice.
Therefore your account has been temporary suspended. We need you to confirm your identity in order to regain full privileges of your account.
The only problem is, I don't have a paypal account. That was one factor that led me to believe that these folks weren't legit. The other thing was the e-mail address that comes up when you hit 'reply'. Here it is verbatum:
accunting@paypal.com
I could be wrong, but I don't think that PayPal has an accunting department. I know I never got to take accunting in college.
Anyway, below is a link to paypalsucks.com for more information on paypal spoofers and phishers.
What is a "spoof site", what is "phishing" and why do I need to know about this stuff?
Monday, March 06, 2006
Dana Plunges Into Bankruptcy - The Car Connection
Dana Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Dana Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday. Blogger was down, so I couldn't report it then. Interestingly, out of 46,000 employees, only 7,200 are unionized according to the article linked below from thecarconnection.com.
The recent surge in supplier bankruptcies has caused suprisingly little interruption of component supply to US auto makers. Still, one wonders how many more straws can be piled upon the camel's back.
href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Auto_News/Dana_Plunges_Into_Bankruptcy.S175.A10113.html">Dana Plunges Into Bankruptcy - The Car Connection
Dana Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday. Blogger was down, so I couldn't report it then. Interestingly, out of 46,000 employees, only 7,200 are unionized according to the article linked below from thecarconnection.com.
The recent surge in supplier bankruptcies has caused suprisingly little interruption of component supply to US auto makers. Still, one wonders how many more straws can be piled upon the camel's back.
href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Auto_News/Dana_Plunges_Into_Bankruptcy.S175.A10113.html">Dana Plunges Into Bankruptcy - The Car Connection
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
2006 Winnebago View - 17.9 MPG Motorhome
I just posted a reference to Motorweek's long term Sonata returning 19.1 MPG. Consider that the Motorweek also is testing a Winnebago View, and the Winnebago is getting 17.9 (diesel) MPG. Just 1 mpg less than the Sonata!
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
I just posted a reference to Motorweek's long term Sonata returning 19.1 MPG. Consider that the Motorweek also is testing a Winnebago View, and the Winnebago is getting 17.9 (diesel) MPG. Just 1 mpg less than the Sonata!
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
Hyundai Sonata - Real World MPG
Reports are starting to trickle in that the redesigned Hyundai Sonata is falling below its EPA fuel economy ratings. By below, I'm not talking the same amount below that the average car returns, I'm talking considerably less. The Sonat with the six cylinder engine is rated at 22 City and 29 Highway MPG. Autoweek (not your typical racy car mag) has a long-term Sonata, and at last check is reporting 19.1 mpg. Edmunds has a long-termer that is reporting only 18.9.
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
Reports are starting to trickle in that the redesigned Hyundai Sonata is falling below its EPA fuel economy ratings. By below, I'm not talking the same amount below that the average car returns, I'm talking considerably less. The Sonat with the six cylinder engine is rated at 22 City and 29 Highway MPG. Autoweek (not your typical racy car mag) has a long-term Sonata, and at last check is reporting 19.1 mpg. Edmunds has a long-termer that is reporting only 18.9.
MotorWeek: Road Test: Long Term
GM readies buyout of 20,000 workers - Autoblog
GM to Buyout 20,000 GM and Delphi workers
There are multiple news reports of a GM plan to buy out the contracts of 20,000 UAW and Delphi workers who are nearing retirement.
I don't know what the ratio is for GM Employees & retires to UAW-LSP attorneys. I'm guessing that it's about 2000 to one. If my math is right, that would eventually result in the need for 10 fewer UAW-LSP attorneys.
GM readies buyout of 20,000 workers - Autoblog
There are multiple news reports of a GM plan to buy out the contracts of 20,000 UAW and Delphi workers who are nearing retirement.
I don't know what the ratio is for GM Employees & retires to UAW-LSP attorneys. I'm guessing that it's about 2000 to one. If my math is right, that would eventually result in the need for 10 fewer UAW-LSP attorneys.
GM readies buyout of 20,000 workers - Autoblog
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