truth about domestics

So, we’ve all seen the “rice-enriched” foreign cars out there.  Subie’s and Evo’s with spoilers so high, they actually obstruct your view, and end up providing little if any downforce.  Well the Dodge Viper ACR has a wing, and it’s the mother of all wings.  Made from a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) the wing weighs only 7.5 lbs yet it can support the weight of say, it’s owner standing on it.  This new manufacturing technique allows the wing to remain extremely strong yet only requiring 4 layers of carbon weave.  The wing and serveral other add-ons like the front-splitter and dive planes allow the car to produce 1,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph.  For more, head on over to Autoblog or check out the full article at CompositesWorld.com.

(Source Chrysler LLC.)

My how the times will change!  The second half of 2008 saw drastic production cuts as the automotive industry basically screeched to a halt.  The beginning of 2009 wasn’t much better, until the Cash for Clunkers program came along to “save the day.”  Sales have been so strong, the Detroit 3 have had to increase production at several plants to meet demand.  Ford has two vehicles running near the head of the pack in the Focus and Escape, both of which have seen increases in production.  Chrysler has said they will be increasing production of its minivans and pickup trucks.  GM has announced production increases but hasn’t given a time-table or what vehicles it will involve.  For more, head on over to the Wall Street Journal.

Back in my day we didn’t have all this fancy-schmancy Internet thingy.  When we wanted to surf something we had to find a large body of water with waves on it…huh what?  300 posts!  That’s amazing!  It seems like just yesterday I was sitting back, drinking a beer and thinking, man this website thing is a lot of work…and it still is, but it’s totally worth it!  I would like to thank everyone out there who made this possible!  The writers (Alex, Ben and our newest Mike), the IT support (Alex), and oh yea, me ha ha.  Please work on spreading the word everyone!  We’re starting to increase traffic month over month, now we just need to do it faster!  The more people we inform, hopefully the more cars the Domestic Three will sell.  Most importantly, I would like to thank all our regular visitors out there in the Internet machine.  Without you, well, we’d be nothing!  So thanks again!

If you don’t know what to say to people, just ask them, “do you want your tax money back?  You know, the money we gave to GM and Chrysler?  Do you think you’ll get it back if you keep buying Toyota’s????”  That should really get them thinking.  Now where was I…oh yes…napping…

J.D. Power and Associates has just released the results from it’s Initial Quality Study and the results are mostly good for the Domestic Three.  GM, Ford and Chrysler saw their quality improve by an average of 10%, while the industry as a whole only improved by 8%.  Cadillac was the number three brand, while Chevrolet, Ford and Mercury all performed above the industry average.

For full details, head on over to the Monterey Herald.

General Motors has announced that it plans to make cuts across the board in all areas of NASCAR, due to it’s dire financial situation.  Teams owned by stars like Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kevin Harvick have been notified that they will lose funding but to what extent is unknown.  Chrysler has already announced cuts to it’s Dodge programs, and Ford has also cut back its support of the truck series heading into this season.

For more, head on over to the Associated Press via Google.

According to an article in the Financial Post Alfa Romeo will build its upcoming 169 sports sedan at Chrysler LLC’s Brampton, Ontario assembly plant.  It would be the first time a high-end European car will be made in Canada, something both Chrysler/Fiat and the CAW have to be proud of.

While not a volume model (sales rates estimated at 10,000 maximum annually) the car will be important to both companies, as it will help out with cost sharing for Chrysler models, and increase the productivity at the plant.  Hopefully the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat produces more sporty, rear-wheel drive vehicles such as this one.

Chrysler Union workers (mlive.com)

A lawyer for Jones Day said in a court filing that around 38,500 jobs would be lost if Chrysler were to liquidate.  Not only this, but employees of the 83-year-old car company would also stand to lose $9.8 billion in benefits and $2 billion in pension payments.  I wish all of the Chrysler employees, past and present, the best of luck in this very difficult time.  For the full story, head on over to Bloomberg.

Fiat Bravo (Fiat)

Chrysler has until midnight tonight (I think) to put together a merger with Fiat in order to avoid bankruptcy.  The key to this merger is that Chrysler will gain instant access to a large fleet of small vehicles, thus helping to fill a fairly large gap in Chrysler’s lineup.  Well apparently now The Wall Street Journalhas it that Chrysler is planning several models to be based off Fiat platforms but with unique sheet metal.  I for one am hoping that a deal goes through, because otherwise, it would most likely spell the end of Chrysler for good.

Gm / Chrysler logos (Motor Trend)

According to a story in the Detroit Newsby David Shepardson, GM and Chrysler will be getting additional loans from the Federal government in the near term.  The amounts?  General Motors will reportedly receive $5 billion and Chrysler LLC around $500 million.  These amounts were released in a 250-page government report.

Also included in the report is that the Obama administration plans to set aside $1.25 billion to pay for warranty programs should either automaker go under.  In my opinion, this is yet another example that Washington does not know what the heck it is doing when it comes to the auto industry.  Sure, I don’t have the exact numbers, but I used to work in a quality department, and I know that GM and Chrysler’s warranty costs per year greatly exceed that number.  The government would have to cover the warranty on millions of cars sold within the last 5 years or so that had any warranty left.  Maybe the government should have focused on protecting the manufacturing base in this country so that we would have never ended up in this mess…oh well, wishful thinking right?  It’s way too early for me to be this worked out…*deep breaths…1…2…3…4…*

Chrysler Circuit ENVI concept (Chrysler)

Chrysler has chosen to work with A123Systems on it’s ENVI autos, both pure electric (BEV) and range-extended models (like the Chevrolet Volt.)  The reasoning behind this, according to Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa, is that Chrysler liked A123′s modular battery technology.  They also liked the fact that A123 plans to build a production facility right here in the good old mitten (Michigan for those of you who didn’t catch the reference.)  For more of the good news on Chrysler, head on over to the Boston Globe.