Archives: February 2008

Geneva Auto Show: Ford Fiesta

Posted by: David Kiley on February 27

Ford is showing the Ford Fiesta world car at the Geneva Motor Show. That’s because it will go on sale in Europe for the 2009 model year, while U.S....

Labor's Dark Days

Posted by: David Welch on February 26

Here we go again. The United Auto Workers walked out on American Axle yesterday amid a dispute over wages and benefits. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said in a statement...

The importance of Asia for Japan's automakers

Posted by: Ian Rowley on February 25

Can Japan's automakers withstand a slowdown or worse in the U.S. Japan and Western Europe? You bet they can. Hot on the heels of healthy quarterly results for the three...

Does Porsche's Wiedeking Now Have a Bullseye on His Back

Posted by: David Kiley on February 19

Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen AG and a major shareholder in Porsche AG, VW’s largest shareholder, may think Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has become too powerful and wants to oust...

Ford Names World Car "Fiesta". Let the Boo-Birds Start Singing

Posted by: David Kiley on February 15

Ford Motor Co. said it will name the Verve world-car concept the Fiesta worldwide. The boo-birds in the U.S. who think this is a bad idea will start singing...

Mahindra Going For Hyrbrid-Diesels in U.S. in 2010.

Posted by: David Kiley on February 13

Global Vehicles USA Inc., the U.S. distributor of Mahindra brand pickups and SUVs, says it will offer hybrid diesel engines as an option on its vehicle line here starting in...

Kia Execs Done In By Soap on a Rope?

Posted by: David Kiley on February 12

Kia dealers are angry over the unexpected and swift departures of Kia Motors CEO Len Hunt and marketing chief Ian Beavis just a week after the arrival of Kia group...

Global Vehicles/Mahindra Taps Strawberry Frog To Launch Indian Autos in the U.S. In Quiet Ad Review

Posted by: David Kiley on February 11

Global Vehicles, the Georgia-based company that plans to launch Mahindra branded pickup trucks and SUVs next year has tapped New York-based Strawberry Frog as its ad agency of record....

Take 2: Car Country Looms Large Against Obama and For Clinton

Posted by: David Kiley on February 11

If you want to see just how incompetent politicians can be, come to Michigan. Sen. Carl Levin, Debbie Dingell (wife of powerful Democratic Congressman John Dingell)and Governor Jennifer Granholm all...

Another Korean Carmaker Gets Its House Cleaned

Posted by: David Kiley on February 11

If I'm one of the Big Three automaker, or one of the leading Japanese auto companies, I'm showing very limited fear of Koreans Hyundai and Kia. Kia's Korean management over...

Keep Your Dogs In My Lead

Posted by: David Kiley on February 08

From the department of "Who Knew?", I stumbled on to http://dogcars.com/blog, a site devoted to pet-friendly vehicles. Turned up in my e-mail box when a colleague saw that their...

Chrysler's Dangerous Game

Posted by: David Welch on February 07

The new Chrysler is playing a dangerous game. When the carmaker’s new management decided to cancel contracts with troubled Plastech Engineered Products—which makes dashboard and cabin parts for Chrysler...

Chicago Auto Show: New Acura RL Tries Harder

Posted by: David Kiley on February 07

The Acura RL has long been a neglected entry in the luxury segment. It always seems to be a little too small, a little under-powered. And the brand doesn't...

Chicago Auto Show: VW Routan Unveiled

Posted by: David Kiley on February 06

When I interviewed VW executives recently, none of them seemed very excited about the VW Routan, a minivan borrowed from Chrysler. It's no wonder. The Germans are very particular...

Chicago Auto Show: Denali XT

Posted by: David Kiley on February 05

Five years ago, I doubt a business case could be made for an El Camino comeback. But as the auto industry gets more and ore fragmented into niches, it's...

Aston Owners Thinking Bigger

Posted by: David Kiley on February 05

DUBAI (Reuters) - Aston Martin could co-operate with Daimler AG's Mercedes on ventures ranging from engines to new models, the British luxury carmaker's majority shareholder, Kuwait's Investment Dar, said...

VW Looking To Beetle To Save Its Brand Again

Posted by: David Kiley on February 01

Volkswagen, once again, appears to be turning to the Beetle to boost its fortunes. Automotive News reported that a new brand campaign from Volkswagen hitting the airwaves and other...