William Maley

hitch

Daimler & Aston Martin Partnership, Possibly Not Happening William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 28, 2011 When we last heard about Daimler and Aston Martin going into talks, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said talks have taken place and were close to a decision. Reports coming from Germany this week says the talks between the two has broken down. The reason is reportedly due to Aston Martin asking for more money than Diamler was willing to hand over. The proposal that was under negotiation was to have Aston Martin work on the next generation of Maybach vehicles. In return, Daimler would give Aston Martin platforms and engines from Mercedes-Benz. Reports say Daimler could work on Maybach in house, making it a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz. Source: Auto Motor Und Sport

GM: We Still Have Too Many Pickups William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 27, 2011 GM still has a problem of too many pickups. Supplies of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have been going down from a high of 122 days in June to 108 days in August by idling plants over the summer. However this isn't enough as GM wants a 90 day supply of trucks by the end of the year. To help reach that goal, GM will be idling their Fort Wayne, Ind for a week in November. “We make adjustments at our plants based on demand, whether it means adding overtime or in this case taking a down week,” said GM spokesman Chris Lee. Sales of the two trucks have been going up with the Sliverado seeing a 7% increase in August and the Sierra seeing a 18% increase. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Mini Lineup To Grow William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 26, 2011 Mini's current line stands at 5 models with the hardtop, convertible, Clubman, Countryman crossover, and new coupe. But, U.S. brand CEO Jim McDowell told the press at the introduction Mini Coupe said the lineup will be doubled within a few years. Two vehicles have been confirmed; a convertible version of the Coupe called the Roadster and a two-door version of the Countryman. A possible third model is a version the Mini Rocketman concept, but that is being debated for the US. As for the other two models, no one is talking. Source: Auto Guide

Rumorpile: C7 Getting A Seven Speed Manual? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 26, 2011 Following the trail of a certain of German sports car manufacturer, General Motors could be adding a seven-speed manual transmission to the next generation Corvette. Inside Line reports that a source on the C7 team has confirmed that seven-speed manual will be offered. This comes on the heels of Porsche making the announcement of the a seven-speed manual along with its seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The added transmission cog will improve fuel efficiency and give engineers a chance to play with the lower gear ratios to improve lower end speed. Source: Inside Line

Saab Museum Seized By Swedish Enforcement Office William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 23, 2011 Saab has escaped bankruptcy for the time being but not without a few bumps and scratches. This week, the Swedish Enforcement Office (Kronofogden) seized Saab's museum in Trollhättan. The museum includes, 109 Saab vehicles including their first car, 13 exhibits, 22 engines and six workshop tools. The SEO was forced to start the collection process against Saab back in late August when the company couldn't pay its suppliers in time. The SEO was likely to begin selling off parts of the museum to help pay debts until Saab got court protection. Saab reportedly owes $31 million to it's suppliers. Currently, the museum is safe for now. But that doesn't mean the museum is long for this world. The SEO could begin selling off parts if Saab doesn’t successfully complete its reorganization. Source: goteborgdaily.se

UAW Extends Chrysler Talks, Focus Turns To Ford William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 23, 2011 The United Auto Workers have finished their first contract negotiation with General Motors last Friday. Now, Chrysler and Ford go for their turns with the UAW. Chrysler and the UAW have agreed to extend contract negotiations for an additional four weeks. Previously, the two had a one week extension to hammer out a new deal. The negotiations are centered around a new wage and benefit pack that will impact around 23,000 workers. This four week extension will help the UAW focus more on the most difficult negotiation, Ford. The UAW wants the blue oval to give back many of the concessions that union workers made in 2007 and 2009 due to money problems. The concessions include a wage freeze and a stop on any cost of living increases. Ford on the other hand wants to increase profit sharing and bolster its signing bonus to workers. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Subaru BRZ To Come To LA Auto Show; Now With Body Panels William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 22, 2011 Almost one month ago, Subaru released the name of their version of the Toyota FT86 Coupe that the two companies are working called the BRZ. Today, we've learned some new information about the mysterious Subaru coupe. Sources at Subaru have told Car and Driver the car will make an appearance at November's LA Auto Show wearing some concept sheetmetal. Sources also say the two companies have agreed on not showing any production sheetmetal until December's Tokyo Motor Show. The Subaru version is expected to identical to the Toyota/Scion version except for fascia and badging swaps, even though rumors have the two being completely different. The base engine will be a 200 horsepower four-banger engine from Toyota and a rumored STi model with a 2.5-liter boxer engine that is good for 305 HP. We'll find out if any of these come true over the next couple months. Source: Car & Driver

Vauxhall Astra VXR Seen Driving Around With Some Camo William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 22, 2011 Ford has had it share of being in the sport compact spotlight with the new Focus ST and Fiesta ST concept being shown at Frankfurt and the Focus RS rumors swirling around. But now it's General Motor's turn to be in the spotlight with some new spy shots of the Vauxhall Astra VXR. Using the Astra GTC as a base, Vauxhall added a new bodykit, large alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Power will come from a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0L engine producing around 300 HP, with power going towards the front wheels. A limited-slip differential and GM's HyperStut suspension will be standard to help cope with understeer and torque steer. The Astra VXR is expected to go on sale early next year with a base price around £25,000 ($38,500). Source: Auto Express

Audi Promises New Models Will Be Put On A Diet William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 21, 2011 There is a problem in the automotive industry named fatititus. Essentially cars are getting heavier and heavier due to all equipment that are put into vehicles. But with new fuel standards coming, automakers realize they need to cut the weight out. One automaker, Audi has made the ambitious announcement that every next generation Audi will be lighter than the model it replaces. Speaking with Car & Driver, Audi’s global marketing chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said the next generation Q7 SUV will lose 700 lbs. How will it be done? Using more aluminum and lessons from the new A6 and A7. Audi hopes the diet will help with their next generation vehicles meet the tougher fuel economy standards. Source: Car & Driver

China Wants To Know Volt's Secrets William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 21, 2011 General Motors has wanted to sell the Chevrolet Volt to China since it's the largest and the fastest growing market for automobiles. Also, China's big cities have seen pollution increase exponentially within the past few years. To fight back, China will offer automakers who offer electric vehicles, subsidies of as much as $19,300. There's a catch if you're a company like GM. In order to get the the subsidy, China wants the automaker to share proprietary technology with the government. GM isn't too keen on the idea and neither are international trade experts saying China could risk violating World Trade Organization rules if it imposed that. Raymond Bierzynski, Executive director of electrification strategy at GM China wants the Chinese government to offer the subsidy w/o transfer of technology. “We’ll bring it up in every conversation we have.” GM isn't the first company to be bullied by the Chinese government. The Nissan Leaf isn't on sale in China. When asked why, Nissan didn't go into any detail. Source: The New York Times

Rumorpile: Dodge Getting A Durango SRT8? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 21, 2011 With the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Chrysler's SRT Group is wondering if they should share the love with the Jeep's platform mate, the Dodge Durango. Chrysler isn't saying anything but a source tells Inside Line a Durango SRT8 is being seriously considered. It will have the 470 HP 6.4-liter Hemi V8, adjustable suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and huge Brembo brakes. And that's where the idea of the Durango SRT8 begins to hit the skids. All the hardware in the Grand Cherokee SRT8 has boosted the pricetag to $54,470 and has cause some heat. In a recent web chat, SRT CEO Ralph Gilles says the company is planing to "decouple" some of the features to reduce the price of the Grand Cherokee. Also, sales of the Durango R/T have been disappointing. Of the 30,227 Durangos sold when the R/T was launched in March, only 2,418 have been R/Ts. But if the Durango SRT8 is given the green light, it could arrive to dealer showrooms in 2013. Source: Inside Line

BMW Quietly Says Good Bye To The X6 ActiveHybrid William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 20, 2011 The BMW X6 is an odd vehicle; a coupe-shaped, four-door, SUV thing that appeals to small group of people. Sales in North America have reflected this and now one of its variants is being shown the door. That variant is the X6 ActiveHybrid. Shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the X6 ActiveHybrid used two electric motors to produce 91-hp and 86-hp. Combined with the 4.4L V8, the hybrid produced 480 HP and 575 lb-ft of torque. That gave the X6 ActiveHybrid a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed at 130 MPH, but the fuel economy was rated at 17 City/19 Highway, poor for a hybrid. Combined with the starting price tag of $88,900 and the technology being dated, it's understandable why BMW decided to it the door. Source: BimmerFile

The Details About The UAW Contract For GM William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 20, 2011 Related: GM & UAW Reach An Agreement Over Labor Contracts Today, the United Auto Workers released details of their agreement with General Motors and it appears the Union came out pretty good. General Motors has reportedly agreed to retain or create 6,400 union jobs as part of a $2 billion investment for in future products and the plants that build them. The investments include, Two new midsize vehicles to be built at Spring Hill New transmission program at the company's Warren, MI powertrain plant New engine program at the company's Romulus, MI powertrain plant New casting operation at a plant in Saginaw, MI Additional production shift at GM's Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant (Expected to build a new compact truck) GM and the UAW have also agreed to offer a $10,000 buyout to eligible employees who retire over the next two years and a eye watering $65,000 (or a Cadillac CTS-V) to skilled trades workers who retire between November 1 and March 31, 2012. GM also raised the minimum wage for for entry-level workers from $14/hour to $15.78/hour, as well as improving their health insurance and offering tuition assistance. Current Workers will be able to get a $5,000 bonus if the agreement is ratified. Workers will also get a minimum profit-sharing payment in early 2012 of $3,500 based on GM's profits through June 2011, an annual award of $250 if the company meets certain quality goals, and a lump-sum of of $1,000 in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for cost-of-living adjustments. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Rumorpile - How Toyota Got It Sportiness Back William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 20, 2011 Toyota, the company best known for their best selling and boring Camry is going to their darker side. The company which has released the Lexus LFA supercar and fifteen iterations of the FT-86 concept looks to continue down with this path. Car Magazine has learned Toyota plans on releasing a special edition LFA at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Called the LFA Tokyo Edition, the car will have an exposed carbon fiber roof, spoiler, and a larger price tag. There was also a LFA convertible on the table but has been canned due to the economic uncertainty around the world according to sources. Also, Toyota is busy at work on two other projects. The first one is a front wheel vehicle (possibly a CT200hF model). The other one is a return of the Supra that is currently in skunkworks. Sources says the car could appear sometime in 2014. Source: Car Magazine

GM & UAW Reach An Agreement Over Labor Contracts William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 19, 2011 This morning, General Motors and the United Auto Workers announced they have reached a tentative four-year labor agreement. The agreement, which will effect about 48,500 GM employees in the US, will begin to be to ratify over the next seven to ten days. GM is being mum on the details on the contract, but The Detroit News and Automotive News has uncovered some parts of the contract. The contract gives a $5000 signing bonus to eligible UAW-represented GM employees. Also, the contract raises the pay of entry-level workers by $2 to $3 more per hour, and more experienced Tier 2 employees will see their pay raise by $16 and $19 per hour. The UAW also reportedly scored an extension of profit-sharing agreements, rehire laid-off workers, transfer jobs from overseas back to the U.S., and give buyout offers to skilled trade workers. GM reportedly agreed to agreed to restart production at Spring Hill, Tennessee, and to start assembly of new products at factories in Romulus, Michigan; Wayne, Michigan; and Wentzville, Missouri. “This contract will get our members who have been laid off back to work, will create new jobs in our communities and will bring work back to the United States from other countries,” UAW president Bob King said in a statement. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News

US Fiat Dealers Worried About Alfa Romeo Delay William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 19, 2011 Alfa Romeo is currently in a state of chaos. Last year, Alfa's parent company, Fiat promised the brand would make it's debut in the US in 2012. Then earlier this year, news came about CEO Sergio Marchionne wasn't happy with the designs of the new Giulia midsize sedan and wagon, causing the car to be delayed to mid-2013. Then in June, a new Alfa Romeo product plan for the US came to light, showing the majority of products would arrive sometime in 2013. Now, Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester tells Automotive News that there will not be an Alfa Romeo model on US soil until 2013. What makes this even worse? Fiat forgot to tell their dealers in the US about this. Dealers were expecting Alfa Romeo to help broaden their offerings. Most dealers aren't exactly pleased with the delays. "Right now I'm pretty disappointed because I have a pretty big investment in Fiat. I built my store predicated on the fact there would be more than Fiat." said Carl Galeana, owner of Fiat of Lakeside in suburban Detroit and a member of the Fiat Advisory Committee, the dealer council. A CEO of a dealer group said, "This delay is not positive for dealers who have invested and committed to the Fiat franchise." Other dealerships aren't worried about the delays. "Most of my customers are just happy with what we have. Fiat is a stand-alone vehicle anyway, and it works out well. We'll have an Abarth coming," said Louis Perez, lead salesperson at Fiat of Portland in Maine. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Jeep Pickup Possibly Coming In Four Years William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 19, 2011 Related: Jeep's CEO Wants A Pickup, But Does Chrysler? Jeep CEO, Mike Manley is still interested in a pickup for the brand. Speaking with reporters at Frankfurt, Manley said if a Jeep Pickup was approved, it could take four years for it to come to market. "It is too late in Wrangler's product cycle to add a pickup. The 2015 or 2016 time frame makes more sense. That's when we will refresh the Wrangler." Rumors of a Jeep pickup have been growing since last fall, when dealers saw a concept of a Jeep truck. Also, Manley has been keeping a close eye on the Mopar JK-8 Independence kit which allows owners of the Wrangler to change it into a pickup. "Initial sales projections were not huge because it is an aftermarket product. But the orders from the dealers are very strong." So far, 300 JK-8 Independence kits have been sold. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Diesels And Names Make Their Way To Land Rovers In The US William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 18, 2011 Car & Driver has found out some information about Land Rover's plan for the future. At Frankfurt, executives told them they will begin offering diesel engines for US models in the next few years. The reasons for the diesel option is due to meeting long-term fuel-economy standards and to appealing to SUV buyers who want to take some of the sting out of their fuel bill. Currently, three luxury automakers offer a diesel option in their SUVs; Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Which engine will make into the US is being debated. The old 3.0L V6 is likely to make it for the LR4, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport. Also, a brand new 2.2L four-cylinder diesel is also being talked about for the LR2 and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover is also changing their naming structure so each model has one name worldwide. That means the LR2 and LR4 sold in the US will go back to their regular names of Freelander 2 and Discovery 4. The name change will be coming within the next five years. Source: Car & Driver, 2

Daimler Has A Chat With Aston Martin Over Maybach William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 17, 2011 Related: Mercedes-Benz Close To A Decision With Maybach Back in June, we reported on Daimler looking for a partner for their poor selling Maybach brand. The possible partner being thrown around at the time was Aston Martin. Well, we have an update on this story. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, CEO Dieter Zetsche said, “We are close to a decision.” Talks with Aston Martin “have taken place,” Aston Martin's Spokesman, Matthew Clarke said to Bloomberg, “We’ve been talking to them for quite some time on various topics, but have nothing new to report.” Source: Bloomberg

I would assume so, but not for a few years. They're testing the next RS4 at the moment. Autoblog: Audi RS4 Pics I've done the same thing.

November Is The Date For Fisker Karma Deliveries (We Think) William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 16, 2011 Even though Fisker has already delivered a few of their Karma Plug-In vehicles, it’s still not technically ready for the road. Sources inside Fisker tells Ward's Auto the problem lies in the Karma not being certified by the EPA. Without the certification, it cannot be registered or driven on public roads here in the U.S. Fisker says they're waiting on the EPA to do the certification and hopes to get demos for dealers out by the end of September. However, dealers are saying vehicles ordered by buyers aren't expected to arrive by November. “Not soon enough,” says Mark Harding, sales manager at Fisker Santa Monica. Source: Ward's Auto

clearly

Ram To Get Version Of Ducato William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 16, 2011 Following the news of Ram getting a version of Fiat's Doblo small van, sources from suppliers at the Frankfurt Motor Show told Automotive News that the brand will get a version of the Ducato to take on the Ford's Transit and the Chevrolet Express. The sources tell Automotive News that Chrysler will build the vans at their plant in Saltillo, Mexico. Chrysler plans on building 30,000 Ducato vans per year. The powertrain is unknown at this time. When asked, Ram had no comment. Source: Automotive News