truth about domestics

Chrysler

iMotor has designed a game titled, appropriately, The Chrysler Bailout game.  Basically you’re a car on an eight lane highway, avoiding traffic, picking up bailout funds along the way.  Head on over to iMotor for the full game!

Hey look, the master at filing for bankruptcies advises GM to file for bankruptcy on Letterman. What a surprise…

Although Trump says that he is not involved in the management of these companies that have his name on them, he seems to profit quite well from these companies. Donald Trump is #134 on the Forbes 400 Richest in America 2008 list with a net worth of $3 billion. All I can say is: the man is a master at keeping his private bank account separate from his business. I wonder why no one questions his salary after these companies file for bankruptcy?

Saab Concept

In more depressing auto related news, GM has announced this morning that Saab has filed paperwork with courts in Sweden for reorganization that would lead to it’s independence.  This is basically equivalent to Saab filing for bankruptcy and would require GM to come up with $1 billion in order to seperate Saab.  Read the full article, plus GM’s press release at The New York Times.

Chevrolet Colorado SS

It’s a sad, sad day in automotive news.  GM has put all high-performance projects on indefinite hold.  The group that brought such amazing cars as the Cobalt SS, HHR SS, Cadillac CTS-V, STS-V and XLR-V, as well as the Corvette ZR1 has been disbanded.  In a recent Motor Trend comparison, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS beat 6 other competitors to come in second.  Not too shabby for a car that still manages 30 mpg with a 260 hp turbocharged inline 4-cylinder.  Read the report at Jalopnik.

Chrysler Headquarters

In their effort to save as much cash as possible, Chrysler has turned the heat down from 72 to 68 degrees at it’s Auburn Hills, Michigan corporate headquarters.  It’s also removing all wall-mounted clocks to save on the expense of changing the batteries, estimated at $20,000 a yaer.  They will also be removing 50% of all lightbulbs to cut down on the electrical bill.  Stopping snow removal from the top floor of parking garages could net the automaker $350,000 in savings.  The full story can be had at the Detroit Free Press.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Another award for Ford Motor Company.  Kelley Blue Book has named the Ford Escape Hybrid one of it’s 2009 Best New Family Vehicles, citing improvements for 2009 such as a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain.  The 2009 Escape Hybrid is rated at 34 mpg in the city, which is better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, a sedan.  The Escape Hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet.  Head on over to Kelley Blue Book for the full article.

If you’re in the market for a new ride, now is a great time to buy, according to Carlo Dellaverson at CNBC.  He goes on to state that ‘car hopping’, or the act of going from dealer to dealer in search of the best price, is back in style.  Brian Moody, road test editor for Edmunds.com, has found a huge price difference in regional dealers around Dallas.  Prices varied by 31% for a Honda Accord or as much as 35% for a Ford F-150.  For the full story, head on over to CNBC.

2010 Ford Mustang

That’s right folks, America’s Pony Car has been refreshed for 2010, and the price has been recently released in a Ford press release.  A base V6 Mustang will set you back $20,995, making it cheaper than the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which is slated to start at around $22K.  For all of the details, head on over to Autoblog.

Need a Mustang Body Kit? AmericanMuscle.com has you covered!

Chrysler 200C Concept

GM and Chrysler had to present their turn around plans to Congress yesterday, and things are not looking good for the two automakers.  Chrysler’s plan, found here, has been touted as “too little, too late” but you can read for yourself and make your own conclusions.  I found it interesting though that Chrysler posted several facts on the very first page of the document, including the fact that 61% of their vehicle production is in the US, 74% of their employees are based in the US, and 78% of their materials are purchased from US based suppliers.  I point those facts out and ask all the people who don’t believe that the US automakers affect them in some way, to please think again.  As much as many out there dislike that the government gave GM and Chrysler bridge loans, it’s essential to the survival of our economy.  What do you think?  Leave your comments people!

General Motors

General Motors released its viability plan to the U.S. Treasury Department yesterday, February 17. The 117 page report details how the company plans to restructure, turn around, and become profitable again with the loans it receives from the U.S. government. GM also lays out some of its plans for new products and new technologies in the coming years, and there are some pictures relating to that.

Additionally, GM plans on eliminating an additional 47,000 employees globally this year, and closing 14 plants over the next three years. GM plans on focusing on its four core brands, including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC, with three distribution channels for those brands.

There’s obviously more to the plan than the above in the ginormous report, including sales figures, dates and years, multiple plans including bankruptcies, etc., so take a look at your own will.

Unfortunately, I feel a little saddened to see Saab and Saturn go (eventually). I feel that Saturn has a great lineup (currently), and Saab I just like…it’s born from jets! But whose fault is it that Saab hasn’t had a properly refreshed lineup in years? And Saturn was left to dry only until recently? GM has many great products now and I wish them best, but they’re paying for their mistakes, in the worst possible time.

View the viability plan here.