News From the Auto Industry

This was a fast program. A program that consumers have indicated meets the requirement of the new GM mantra: “Gotta-have vehicles.” A program that has used the brainpower of a variety of firms in a seamless manner. A program that is calling upon the manufacturing expertise of AM General–which has been building the original High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) since 1985. and the commercial HUMMER since 1992-an expertise that is supplemented by the implementation of the General Motors Global Manufacturing System (GMS)–the first time a company outside GM has implemented it. This is a program that has resulted in a vehicle that Cowger proudly proclaimed, “Exceeded my expectations.”

Citing a GM spokesman, the Journal said a plant in New Jersey, where the company produces the Chevrolet Blazer, Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma pickup models, will keep running until summer of 2005. Production at the facility was expected to wrap up in the third quarter of 2004. GM will also keep production of a Baltimore plant, where it makes Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari minivan models, until the summer of 2005. The plant’s run was expected to have ended in the third quarter of 2003.

It is a vehicle that was created by a new way of work. One that truly leveraged value-adding brainpower. One that may be indicative of the way things are going to be done at GM. There is enthusiasm evinced by the engineers and the manufacturing people and the marketing people and all others associated with the H2. Which is completely understandable (more about that in a moment). In some regards, the HUMMER is an automotive icon in the sense that the Corvette is. And what automotive engineer wouldn’t want to work on something like that? Cowger said that he is seeing more enthusiasm within GM’s ranks today than he has ever seen before. But even among the engineers who are working on the bread-and-butter vehicles, not just comparatively niche vehicles like the H2? (This is niche because the plant capacity is 40,000 on two shifts–even the Corvette plant puts out more units.) “Absolutely,” Cowger responds. “We have some ways to go with some of the products. But we’re getting there.”

The company said its products are on over 90 percent of all vehicles produced in North America.

Porsche Boxster Service Manual: 1997-2004: Boxster, Boxster S - on sale from $62.97
Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Worst 10 Business Deals of 2007
Worst 10 Business Deals of 2007Worst business deals of 2007 (via Time): Top 10 Worst Business Deals http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686305_1692095,00.html 1. The Public Invests in Blackstone Group 2. Bear Stearns Cancels Everquest Financial IPO 3. DaimlerChrysler Pays to Unload Chrysler 4. Mi…Read the full post from The VC Channel
via Blogdigger blog search for chrysler.

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:25:00 EST
Audi RS6 | Spy Shots | News | Auto Express
“We catch Audi’s RS testing at the ‘ring As a direct competitor to the Mercedes E AMG and BMW M which have both been presented a while ago, Audi is planning …” Posted by audirs66 to rs6 audi on Fri Oct 12 2007

Car sales up on Long Island in first three quarters
Newsday - Also up, by smaller percentages, were Audi, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Cadillac’s, Dodge’s and Jeep’s weren’t the only SUV’s to gain new friends. Hyundai’s SUVs apparently flew out the showroom doors on Long Island — with registrations up 43 percent …

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:56:00 GMT
Audi Thrives Worldwide
Although many question the Volkswagen Automotive Group’s plans to become the world’s biggest automaker, no one can doubt the real potential of its Audi subsidiary in the luxury/near-luxury market. The company reported this morning that …

Also unveiled in LA, the world capital of illusion, were plans for a hybrid-fuel GMC Yukon - another behemoth even by the standards of the average Chelsea Tractor - and a fuel-cell Chevrolet Equinox. However, Wagoner did not specifically mention whether the biofuel option would be available for Humvee stretch limos - a ghastly sight.

At the launch of BT Vision last week, he started his presentation with a rhyming couplet: “Broadband together with TV, Entertained we all shall be.”

Nor did he name a price for another eye-popping GM model, a more futuristic design for a Humvee, the O2, with side panels stuffed with carbon-eating algae, which open up like a flower to catch sunlight when parked.

This is all speculation on the Diary’s part but how did they come up with that name? Do they think anybody in common parlance is ever going to say Bank of New York Mellon Corporation?

I suppose they did want to keep both names for branding reaons but what a moniker.

POETIC VISION Is Ian Livingston, the Scottish chief executive of BT Retail, seeking recognition as the new Robert Burns?

Katlis Entertainment - Turbo Dreams

Turbo Dreams

Author: Angelodanme
Keywords: Katlis Entertainment Turbo super illegal street racing hot car charge burnouts nissan skyline supera 240sx
Added: December 11, 2007

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:50:20 -0800
VW DSG : How It Work ?

The Direct-Shift Gearbox (Direktschaltgetriebe) is a dual-clutch gearbox designed by BorgWarner and initially licensed to Volkswagen Group (which owns the Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and ?koda brands). By using two clutches, fast shifts can be achieved, and the torque converter of a regular automatic transmission is eliminated.

Author: nikonrexx
Keywords: VW vw DSG Direct Shift Gearbox BorgWarner torque converter
Added: December 11, 2007

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:54:46 -0800
Ford Focus Audi ? will Audi rs6 it surprise the customer?
“After several decades of being unnoticed, the given model became interesting for foreign automakers, For today Rs6 Audi rs6 Land Cruiser is a reliable car, more comfortable and with more room inside” Posted by audirs66 to rs6 audi on Fri Oct 12 2007

Firetruck and SUV collide; 3 killed
Baltimore Sun - The firetruck crushed the 2006 Nissan Murano at Park Heights Avenue and Clarks Lane, and rescue crews had to use high-powered cutting tools to get to the victims. Four firefighters were treated at Maryland Shock Trauma Center for minor injuries and …

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:43:00 GMT
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