Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program
I thought overseas delivery programs were dead. Volvo still has one, and it looks pretty nice -- if you are in the market for a Volvo. You get a discount on the car, a free trip to Sweden to pick it up, a factory tour and overall VIP treatment. You can expand your vacation to a European driving extravaganza.
I wonder when GM will adopt a similar program for Chevrolet Cobalt buyers. Just think of it, airfare to Lordstown Ohio, one night of deluxe accommodations there at the Comfort Inn, and options to extend your stay. Perhaps you could even visit Newton Falls.
Inside Line: Home
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Latest Reports - The Detroit News Online
UAW is Set to Vote on GM Healthcare Cut Proposal
I think it's going to pass. Under the circumstances, it's hardly draconian. Here's how it is described in this AP article carried by the Detroit News:
GM pays for health care for 750,000 U.S. hourly employees, retirees and their dependents. Under the proposed agreement, GM retirees would have to pay up to $752 annually for families and $370 for individuals for their health care. Right now, retirees pay no monthly premiums and pay a small fraction of the rest of their health care costs.
The agreement would exclude around 74,000 low-income retirees whose GM pension is $8,000 a year or less.
The agreement would require GM hourly workers to contribute $1 per hour in future pay increases to a new fund to help pay for retirees' coverage. GM would contribute $3 billion to that fund over the next six years. It also would require hourly workers and retirees to pay slightly more for their prescription drugs.
Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group have already said they will seek similar concessions from the UAW. The Big Three's combined health care costs are expected to top $11 billion this year, versus $10 billion in 2004.
Latest Reports - The Detroit News Online
I think it's going to pass. Under the circumstances, it's hardly draconian. Here's how it is described in this AP article carried by the Detroit News:
GM pays for health care for 750,000 U.S. hourly employees, retirees and their dependents. Under the proposed agreement, GM retirees would have to pay up to $752 annually for families and $370 for individuals for their health care. Right now, retirees pay no monthly premiums and pay a small fraction of the rest of their health care costs.
The agreement would exclude around 74,000 low-income retirees whose GM pension is $8,000 a year or less.
The agreement would require GM hourly workers to contribute $1 per hour in future pay increases to a new fund to help pay for retirees' coverage. GM would contribute $3 billion to that fund over the next six years. It also would require hourly workers and retirees to pay slightly more for their prescription drugs.
Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group have already said they will seek similar concessions from the UAW. The Big Three's combined health care costs are expected to top $11 billion this year, versus $10 billion in 2004.
Latest Reports - The Detroit News Online
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
It's the Cars, Stupid: Part Two
Mazda Posts Record 2nd-Quarter Profit
Nearly universal praise has kept demand for the Mazda 3 compact at or ahead of supply all year.
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
Mazda Posts Record 2nd-Quarter Profit
Nearly universal praise has kept demand for the Mazda 3 compact at or ahead of supply all year.
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
Goodyear expects union cooperation in '06 talks - 11/03/05
Goodyear Pressures Union for Cuts
Goodyear wants to use the steel industry as a model. The goal: lower pay, cut out retiree benefits completely. The carrot: increased profit-sharing and worker say in operations.
Goodyear expects union cooperation in '06 talks - 11/03/05
Goodyear wants to use the steel industry as a model. The goal: lower pay, cut out retiree benefits completely. The carrot: increased profit-sharing and worker say in operations.
Goodyear expects union cooperation in '06 talks - 11/03/05
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
It's the Cars, Stupid: Part Three
Volkswagen Net Profit Triples
Revamped Golf and Passat models plus cost cuts have tripled profits at Volkswagen. (Keep in mind last year was awful, so tripling may call for polite applause rather than a standing ovation.)
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
Volkswagen Net Profit Triples
Revamped Golf and Passat models plus cost cuts have tripled profits at Volkswagen. (Keep in mind last year was awful, so tripling may call for polite applause rather than a standing ovation.)
Bloomberg.com: Top Worldwide
Demand for Solstice prompts third shift - 11/03/05
It's the Cars, Stupid: Part One
Demand Prompts 3rd Shift for Pontiac Solstice Plant
Demand for Solstice prompts third shift - 11/03/05
Demand Prompts 3rd Shift for Pontiac Solstice Plant
Demand for Solstice prompts third shift - 11/03/05
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Christian Slater's Roof Goof - Nov 01, 2005 - E! Online News
Christian Slater: I can fly I can fly! I can't!
Apparently Christian Slater has gotten so experienced at Jumping the Shark that he thinks he can fly. At least he thought he could fly. He fell off the roof of a house owned by Paris Hilton's neighbor.
This also goes to show that even though she's been domesticated somewhat, Paris Hilton can still throw a party.
Christian Slater's Roof Goof - Nov 01, 2005 - E! Online News
Apparently Christian Slater has gotten so experienced at Jumping the Shark that he thinks he can fly. At least he thought he could fly. He fell off the roof of a house owned by Paris Hilton's neighbor.
This also goes to show that even though she's been domesticated somewhat, Paris Hilton can still throw a party.
Christian Slater's Roof Goof - Nov 01, 2005 - E! Online News
A rugged drive through Laos and Thailand in a Range Rover Sport
What is a Tak-Tak - and would you want to drive one?
Edmunds.com has a feature story by Alistair Weaver about driving a Range Rover from Laos to Thailand. On the way, the author encounters a form of transportation unique to Laos. Here's how he describes it:
The Tak-Tak features a simple internal combustion engine and can serve as transportation, a plough, a water pump or even as a generator. It's a one-stop shop for all your automotive needs, and it's brilliant.
Oh, he doesn't stop there, he includes a "restaurant" review:
We stop for refreshment in the market town of Ban Tha. With little or no meaningful refrigeration available, the local traders sell most of their food live. I'm offered an iguana with its legs tied together, and a bowl of frogs with wooden spikes piercing their limbs. Southeast Asia is not for the queasy.
A rugged drive through Laos and Thailand in a Range Rover Sport
Edmunds.com has a feature story by Alistair Weaver about driving a Range Rover from Laos to Thailand. On the way, the author encounters a form of transportation unique to Laos. Here's how he describes it:
The Tak-Tak features a simple internal combustion engine and can serve as transportation, a plough, a water pump or even as a generator. It's a one-stop shop for all your automotive needs, and it's brilliant.
Oh, he doesn't stop there, he includes a "restaurant" review:
We stop for refreshment in the market town of Ban Tha. With little or no meaningful refrigeration available, the local traders sell most of their food live. I'm offered an iguana with its legs tied together, and a bowl of frogs with wooden spikes piercing their limbs. Southeast Asia is not for the queasy.
A rugged drive through Laos and Thailand in a Range Rover Sport
Random.org - Heads or Tails Service
Virtual Coin Flip Page
Let's say you have to settle a dispute. You don't have a coin to flip. Do you have to resort to pistols at 20 meters? Nope, just go to the Virtual Coin Flip page from random.org. There are lots of different coins to choose from.
Random.org - Heads or Tails Service
Let's say you have to settle a dispute. You don't have a coin to flip. Do you have to resort to pistols at 20 meters? Nope, just go to the Virtual Coin Flip page from random.org. There are lots of different coins to choose from.
Random.org - Heads or Tails Service
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
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