Archives: October 2006

Nissan planning big diesels?

Posted by: Ian Rowley on October 29, Categories: New Models

Nissan are keeping quiet but reports in Japan claim that the Japanese automaker is planning to launch six and seven liter diesel heavy duty trucks for the U.S. market by...

We are only scratching the surface...

Posted by: Dexter Roberts on October 29, Categories:

"We are only scratching the surface in China," Bill Ford said in Beijing last Wednesday. This time, he’s talking about sourcing auto parts, not his company’s business selling vehicles to...

I know a good use of gigantic oil company profits and a consumer gas tax

Posted by: David Kiley on October 27, Categories:

The New York Times reports today that gas stations and testing labs are finding some corrosion on pumps dispensing E85 fuel. This is not surprising given the fact that car...

Ghosn scores a few points

Posted by: Ian Rowley on October 26, Categories: Markets and Management

As expected, Nissan's financials for the quarter ending Sept 30, announced today in Tokyo, weren't great. Operating profits were down 4.9% for the quarter and sales slipped 0.9%. But the...

Where was Dr. Z?

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on October 25, Categories: Markets and Management

When things go badly wrong at an automaker, the CEO needs to be especially visible and accountable. So when Chrysler posted a $1.5 billion third-quarter loss Oct. 25, the absence...

Ford's Mulally Could be Excellent Fit For What Ails Big Blue

Posted by: David Kiley on October 25, Categories:

I had a chance to talk with Ford's new CEO, Alan Mulally, yesterday. [See the Q&A on Businessweek.com]. After watching Ford pretty closely for 20 years, my take is...

Jeep's Bobblehead Doppelganger

Posted by: David Welch on October 23, Categories: Brands Under Fire

It used to be that you had to be a super athlete to get a bobble head doll made in your image. Play shortstop like Derek Jeter or slam...

Introducing the Lexus phone

Posted by: Ian Rowley on October 16, Categories: marketing

Will a branded mobile phone help Lexus ring up more sales in Japan? According to reports in the Japanese media, Toyota is working with telephone company KDDI to produce a...

A Slash from the Past

Posted by: David Welch on October 11, Categories: marketing

This past Sunday, I was watching the Steelers turn in what is fast becoming a typically limp performance, and on comes the latest Volkswagen ad. They have Guns 'n...

Chevy Silverado Ad...Take Two

Posted by: David Kiley on October 10, Categories: Brands Under Fire

Okay...I blogged on BW's Brand New Day the other day about this weird Chevy Silverado pickup truck ad. Here is Take Two. I'm clearly not alone in thinking this ad...

Volkswagen's hot news: A 33-hour workweek

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on October 06, Categories: Markets and Management

Volkswagen is like a state unto itself, where the laws of economics don't apply. In Volkswagen land, otherwise known as Wolfsburg, Germany, a new labor agreement signed Oct. 6 by...

Do Rental Fleet Cars Hurt Brands...GM?

Posted by: David Kiley on October 05, Categories: marketing

Forced to rent a car this week after the head gasket on my Subaru went South following a botched radiator flush and fill (i'm withholding the name of the chain...

Diesel gets its day

Posted by: David Welch on October 05, Categories: Auto tech

For about four years, I have been writing columns saying that Americans need to quit taking Toyota's spoon-fed mantra that hybrids are the answer to the fuel economy question...

Nissan stock climbs as GM alliance talks fail

Posted by: Ian Rowley on October 05, Categories:

Nissan, Renault and GM might have failed to forge an alliance, but it hasn’t hit the Japanese automakers stock price. In Tokyo trading today, Nissan’s shares rose 3.4% yen to...

No Ghosn for GM

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on October 04, Categories: Markets and Management

The hottest auto story of summer sputtered out today, as GM and Renault-Nissan reportedly agreed to walk away from a global alliance. The no-go body language was already clear on...

GM Turns To Insanity Hannity And Chrysler Goes To Church. Maybe Detroit Really Is Dying.

Posted by: David Kiley on October 02, Categories: Cars and Politics

Sean Hannity is not just a loud-mouthed blow-hard. He's evil. And I don't say that lightly. I don't think he's evil because I disagree with him about almost everything....