Stallius
This blows. CNN/Money reports: Toyota recalling Prius. Kinda weird to read these cars have safe modes like them remote-controlled dealies on Mars.
Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it will notify about 160,000 Prius owners around the world about a potential software problem that may cause the popular hybrid cars to suddenly stall or shut down.Oh, we get it: something mucks up, the car stalls, and it turns into a Pontiac. Neat!Japan's top auto maker said the fault may cause warning lights in the cars to illuminate. That can prompt the vehicles to enter a "fail safe" mode that may cause their gasoline engines to stall.
Saab: Will Someone Please Build Us A Car?
Autoblog reports: Saabaru 9-6X gone, to be replaced by Cadillaab 9-4X*. Poor Saab. First, GM buys them. Second... well, that's pretty obvious. The last new Saab car was based on a model from Fuji Heavy Industries for cryin' out loud! But since GM sold off their stake in FHI Saab is left with a partner in car making. Never fear, however! GM has another platform for Saab to sorta, kinda, maybe use. Hope that doesn't get pulled out from under Saab, too. BTW, we just read the comments section on Autoblog and, heh, someone referred to the new car as a Sadillac and that's a lot funnier than we'da come up with. Nice work!*We edited this headline because we think there was a typo.
Ford: Check Out The Names Of Our New Management Team!
The Detroit News reports: Ford confirms management shakeups. But, really, what are we talking about here? How about: Take over of the Eastern Europe Blockade? Eh? Eh?
The company also confirmed the promotion of Derrick Kuzak to group vice president of product development for the Americas, David Szczupak to group vice president of manufacturing and Barb Samardzich to vice president of powertrain operations. Additionally, it confirmed the retirement of Roman Krygier, group vice president of global manufacturing.Look at this list:Ford also named Joseph Hinrichs, current CEO of Ford Canada, as the new vice president of North American vehicle operations.
Kuzak
Szczupak
Samardzich
Krygier
Hinrichs
What, do you have to have a K, S or Z in your freakin' name to work at Ford, comrades? Okay, so Anne Stevens was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company's Americas division. So... all you guys gonna buy a car from a lady?
Delphi: Our Goal is NO Employees
The Detroit News reports: Salaried jobs also may go at Delphi.Is anyone paying attention here? What happened to the deal where you hold up your end of the deal and the company holds up their end of the deal?
Delphi is expected to ask the unions for 60 percent wage cuts, the elimination of retiree benefits and permission to close, sell or wind down a "substantial portion" of its U.S. plants.This is also the start of something bigger in the U.S. Not just the airlines or the auto industry. This kind of action is going to grow and grow until we don't (hell, no one) report on it anymore.
The New Age Of Negotiation
CNN/Money reports: GM to union: Take cuts or else?Ah, GM is taking a plan from its lesson book on "How To Build Cars That Everyone Will Want" and applying it to negotiations. Like Delphi (above), GM is setting the tone for the future of the U.S. where your word means nothing. Hey old people, you're screwed. Uh, us young'uns, too.
SAAB must die!
SAAB
Posted by: john | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 02:30 PM