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General Motors Corp. said on Monday it will cut more than a quarter of its North American manufacturing jobs and slash the number of vehicles it produces as the world's No. 1 automaker struggles for survival.

The 30,000 job cuts represent 27 percent of the company's total North American manufacturing work force, using GM data from the end of last year. It is the largest GM cut since December 1991, when it said it would close 21 plants and eliminate 74,000 jobs.

The latest plan, which affects at least a dozen plants in the United States and Canada, would allow the company to achieve $7 billion in cost reductions by the end of 2006 -- $1 billion above its previous target and represents 5,000 more job cuts than the auto maker had previously indicated.

GM warned that it will need to take a "significant restructuring charge" associated with this plan, but did not spell out how large a charge it would be or when it would be taken.

GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said he was not prepared to discuss the company's 2006 profit outlook.

"Fundamentally, if you look at our liquidity structure, we're on very sound financial footing," he said.

In Monday trading, General Motors shares were up 20 cents, or 0.8 percent, at $24.25 on the New York Stock Exchange. The auto giant has lost nearly $4 billion this year, while its shares have lost more than 40 percent of their value and hit a 14-year low last week.

The plants affected include those in Doraville, Georgia; an Oklahoma City plant that makes mid-size SUVs; plants in Ontario, Canada, Pittsburgh and Portland, Oregon; and its Lansing, Michigan Craft Center which makes a pickup truck.

Wagoner earlier this year said he planned to cut manufacturing capacity to match demand by 2008.

"It's a big move ... We're confident that this is what it's going to take to get us going," Wagoner said at a press conference in Detroit.

GM said it hoped to be able to achieve much of these cuts through attrition and buyouts.

The new closings are in addition to the three assembly plants that GM has already closed or stopped production at this year: a car plant in Lansing, Michigan; an SUV plant in Linden, New Jersey; and a van plant in Baltimore.

Wagoner said the company has informed the leadership of the United Auto Workers union of the moves, calling it "tough medicine for us and it's tough medicine for everyone involved."

ON THE FIRING LINE

As GM tries to turn itself around, the pressures on Wagoner have mounted amid concerns that nothing short of a change at the top will help improve the automaker's fortunes.

Wagoner rose to the helm of the company in 2000 and took control of daily operations at its struggling North American unit in April 2005. On Monday, he discounted the notion of stepping aside.

"I haven't given any consideration whatsoever to that. I wasn't brought up to run and hide when things get tough," he said. "We're on the battlefield, we're taking the actions we need to and I'm convinced that's the way the company is going to get righted."

Wall Street remained uncertain about his strategy.

"The CEO is effectively trying to calm the markets and show that he's still in control," said Richard Steinberg of Steinberg Asset Management. "We would anticipate management changes over the next couple of years if they don't figure out a game plan."

Wagoner has also been under pressure from investor Kirk Kerkorian, who owns 9.9 percent of GM's stock, and may demand a seat on the board next year.

"I don't want to comment on specific conversations with Mr. Kerkorian, as we don't with any other shareholders," Wagoner said on Monday.

GM has been grappling with high health-care and commodities costs, loss of U.S. market share to foreign rivals, and slumping sales of large sport utility vehicles that used to be its profit centers, but have now lost popularity due to high gasoline prices.

To make matters worse, GM's main parts supplier -- bankrupt Delphi Corp. -- is battling with its unions and will ask the court to void its labor contracts if a deal is not reached by mid-December. A strike at Delphi could shut down some GM and Delphi plants and could force the automaker to burn through billions of dollars a week, analysts have said.

Posted by Casey at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (2)

2006 Pontiac Solstice - Review

According to AutoWeek the highly anticipated Pontiac Solstice is a winner. They found that the car was very fun to throw around corners and was light on its feet. The Ecotec four cylinder was able to provide enough power to keep the Solstice fun but could use more torque at lower speeds. The only complaints were wind noise with the top up and some minor fit and finish issues. If you really need some horsepower you could always get the Mallet Solstice!

Price: $22,700
Powertrain: 2.4-liter I4; rwd, five-speed manual
Output: 177 hp @ 6600 rpm,166 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Curb weight: 2860 lbs

[AutoWeek]

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November 20, 2005

PPI Audi RS TT - Review

Audi tuner PPI has announced their new Audi RS TT. PPI is a new firm from Ulm Germany who has been successful with its Audi tuning parts and body kits but this is the first attempt at a complete car. The PPI TT gets upgraded turbo charger, intercooler, brakes, and a completely redesigned interior that is color matched to the exterior.

PPI AUDI RS TT
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $44,000 (est. for full RS conversion, not including donor car)
POWERTRAIN: 1.8-liter, 350-hp, 325-lb-ft turbocharged I4; awd, six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 3285 lbs
0 TO 62 MPH: 4.9 seconds (mfr.)

[PPI Automotive Design]

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November 18, 2005

Siruis partners up with Mercedes

Sirius has gone up scale and partnered with Mercedes to provide satellite radio equipment in all models starting in 2007. You’ll only be able to get the service with 2007 year SL-Class and CL-Class vehicles, and all AMG and 600 model vehicles at first. The deal is slated to last until 2012.

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November 17, 2005

Ford Announces another recall

Thursday Ford announced that they would be recalling 224,000 vechicles due to windshield wiper malfunctions.

Vehicles affected, all from the 2006 model year and mostly in the United States, include the Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, Ranger, Taurus, Mark LT, Navigator, Mariner, Mountaineer, E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450.

The recall follows a report on Wednesday that Ford was recalling nearly 226,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada, including its flagship Ford Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle wagon, because of fire risks.

[Reuters]

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Porsche Cayman S - Multimedia

Motor Trend has a nice gallery of wallpapers featuring the new Porsche Cayman S.

Cayman S wallpapers

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Audi R8 power plant details

Eurocarblog and Autoblog have some good details of what is going to be powering the soon to be unveiled Audi R8. True to the concept that was shown at the 2003 Frankfurt auto show it looks as if the R8 will be powered by a 5-liter, twin-turbo V10, with four valves per cylinder and continuously variable valve timing. This should produce around 610 bhp and rocket the car from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Posted by Casey at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 16, 2005

Honda Accord Hybrid - Review

With gas at record prices lately the idea of a hybrid has most likely crossed your mind. But to many of us the word hybrid conjures up images of slow, boring, and unusual looking cars (Toyota Prius / Honda Insight). This is about to change thanks to Honda's new Accord Hybrid. This hybrid looks like a "normal" sedan and has more then enough power; in fact it's the fastest Accord that you can buy. With 255 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 15 hp and 20 lb-ft over the gasoline-only V6 Accord. That power translates into a strong 7.64-second 0-to-60-mph sprint and a 15.98-second quarter-mile time at 88.8 mph. With an EPA combined rating of 32.12 mpg it's well above average for a car of its size and power but it will also cost you an additional $3,200 over its equivalent gasoline only model. AutoWeek has a full review after the jump.

[AutoWeek]

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November 15, 2005

205 MPH Porsche - Video

This is an incredible video of a 911 Turbo blasting through a highway tunnel at 205 mph (328 km/h).

[205 mph Porsche]

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Audi announces new S car

Audi has announced they will be adding an A3 S to there current lineup of performance models. Powered by a 3.2L 250 hp V6 it will propell the small wagon from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Standard equipment will include quattro all wheel drive, 6-speed DSG gearbox, with 18 inch wheels being optional. The A3 S will sticker at $33,980 and should arrive by the 1st of the year.

14 November 2005
AUDI ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE 2006 A3 3.2 QUATTRO S-LINE

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The highly acclaimed 2006 Audi A3 line-up will receive a formidable addition in mid-November: the A3 3.2 quattro S-line. Audi’s premium compact will now have even more sporting pretensions with a high-power V6 engine, quattro all-wheel drive, and aggressive exterior styling. The 2006 A3 3.2 quattro S-line will be available at a base price of $33,980 ($44,990 in Canada). A destination charge of $720 is not included in the base price.

The heart of the new A3 3.2 quattro S-line is the narrow-angle 3.2L V6 engine producing 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 ft.-lbs. of torque from 2800-3200 rpm. A 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission is standard, as is Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive. This drivetrain propels the A3 3.2 quattro S-line from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and through the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds.

A standard sport suspension and 17-inch Excalibur 5-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 all-season tires ensures that the A3 3.2 quattro S-line has a dynamic ride with sporty handling. Optional 18-inch 20-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 performance tires are available for drivers who demand the ultimate in traction.

The exterior styling has been changed to distinguish the A3 3.2 quattro S-line as the sportiest of A3s. The front bumper now features larger air intakes that terminate into a new lip spoiler. The rear bumper has been restyled to feature a sporty and more pronounced lower valence. These features, along with the 17 or 18-inch wheels, gives the A3 3.2 quattro S-line an outwardly aggressive road presence that matches its driving dynamics.

Other standard features on the S-line package include fog lights, roof spoiler, S-line badging, alloy air vents and door inlays, leather clad sport seats with special stitching and a power adjustable driver’s seat, 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with alloy shift paddles, Bose Symphony audio system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, illuminated vanity mirrors, and driver and passenger reading lights.

The Audi A3 will be backed by the Audi Advantage, an outstanding combination of warranties and protection that includes:

Four-year/50,000 mile no-charge scheduled maintenance

Four-year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty

12-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation

24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years provided by Road America

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November 14, 2005

Ferrari design contest

The dream of most automobile design students would be to one day work for Ferrari or Pininfarina. Thanks to a new contest being held by these legendary companies this dream may be closer then ever. Beginning last January a challenge was issued to create quarter-size clay models of what they envision as a future V8 or V12 model Ferrari. The winning designer will be offered an internship with either Pininfarina or Ferrari and they will have the chance to have their design influence future Ferrari models. All 20 models can be seen here.

[Times Online UK]

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November 12, 2005

New Z06 truely a Super Car

Most people wouldn't classify any type of Corvette as a Super Car but the new Z06 Corvette will change that forever. With a dry-sump 7-liter (427 cubic inch) engine pumping out 505-horsepower and 475-lb-ft this Corvette can be propelled from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds! The car has been developed in tandem with the C6R factory race team’s new cars and it shows in the level of refinement that this car display's on the track. The new Z06 has actually recorded the second fastest lap by a production car ever at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. With Jan Magnussen, winner of the 2004 and 2005 Le Mans 24 Hour, at the helm, the Z06 clocked a seven-minute, 42.99-second lap of the 13-mile Green Hell, 16 seconds faster than a Z51-equipped C6. Porsche’s $440,000, 604-hp Carrera GT, with a seven-minute, 32.44-second lap, is the only production car to have gone quicker. For perspective, Lamborghini’s $283,000, 580-hp Murciélago clocked in at seven minutes, 50 seconds, and the $452,000, 671-hp McLaren-Mercedes SLR at seven minutes, 52 seconds. The new Z06 is priced at $65,800.

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November 09, 2005

Ford hybrid to get new 3.5 V6

Ford Motor Company announced that it has begun engineering a hybrid transaxle for its next generation of hybrid vehicles and revealed that its new 3.5-liter V-6 engine will be hybrid capable. Both components will play key roles in the company's commitment to increase hybrid production to 250,000 by 2010.

"We are ramping up our capacity for hybrids and working to improve the business equation for hybrids," said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "This involves not only the new transaxle, but continuing to research advanced technologies to improve hybrid technology to make our vehicles even more efficient."

The new 250 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, also known as the Duratec 35, will be built at the Lima (Ohio) Engine Plant. In addition to offering hybrid capability, the new engine also is capable of meeting the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standard and can easily accommodate other technologies, such as gasoline direct-injection and turbo charging with direct-injection. It will debut in conventional gasoline-internal-combustion form in the all-new 2007 Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossover utility vehicles. By the end of the decade, the new 3.5-liter V-6 architecture will power more than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossover and car lineup.

The new 3.5-liter V-6 represents Ford's first use of Design For Six Sigma (DFSS) in a major powertrain program. Traditionally used as a find-and-fix, data-driven methodology, DFSS utilizes Six Sigma principles in the design phase to produce more robust components and systems from the very beginning.

The Lima Engine Plant will use two innovative environmental manufacturing technologies to help produce the new engine. Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) will be used for the machining of crankshafts. The MQL process uses far less coolant than conventional wet-machining, provides a cleaner plant environment, improves the longevity of machining equipment and saves a significant amount of money.

[Ford]

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November 08, 2005

Chevy HHR vs Chrysler PT Cruiser

The battle of the retro cruisers has begun and Motor Trend has a good article comparing this pair of retro rides. Overall the two car's truck's vehicle’s are very evenly appointed and but the HHR slightly edges the PT for driving fun and provides more utility with it's slightly larger size.

[Motor Trend]

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Nissan Wins Super GT........Again

For the thrid year in a row NISIMO (Nissan Motorsports) has won the Japanesse Super GT championship . NISMO team cars finished 2nd and 6th, garnering enough points to win the championship with a total of 86 points to Team Honda’s 82 points. Rumor has it that the Super GT series might come to North America in 2006 for a demonstration race.

[Auto Blog]

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997 Turbo Cabriolet spied.

The new 997 Turbo Cabriolet was recently spied outside of Weissach, Germany during road testing. Sources are saying that this new 997 will make its debut at the 2006 Geneva show. The turbo retains its distinct looks with a wider body, deeper front bumper and large air ducts for the front-mounted radiators. The 997 Turbo will ride on standard 19-inch wheels and will enjoy a slightly lower ride height then the standard 997. It's expected that the Turbo Cabriolet won't join the Porsche lineup until 2007. Horsepower is still a mystery but the outgoing Turbo cranks out 420 hp, and sources have rumored that out the new car could produce 450 hp.

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November 07, 2005

2005 Mitsubishi Concept X

This is the car that Mitsubishi unveiled at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show that has the entire automotive world drooling. Called the Concept X it's show casing the next Lancer sedan body style. The Concept-X is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four, the same motor that is found on the current Lancer Evolutions. Featuring dual overhead cams, MIVEC variable valve timing, and a variable geometry turbocharger to deliver crushing performance regardless of engine speed or gear. At 300-horsepower, its more than plenty to move the sedan.

[Automobile.com]

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November 05, 2005

Mallet V8 Solstice!?!

Your new Pontiac Solstice's not have enough under the hood?
Well the boys from Mallet Cars have the cure for that. Some how they have managed to stuff a 6.0L 400 HP LS2 small block in this thing. The crazy part is it almost looks stock!

Posted by Casey at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (3)

November 03, 2005

Super Jag

Have an extra $116,000 lying around? Do you need a 400hp luxury sedan with a dash of British sophistication? If the answer is yes then you need the 2006 Jaguar Super V8 Portfolio in your garage. With a supercharged V8 producing 400hp and 408-lb-ft of torque backed by a six speed automatic this will get you from the office to the links in a hurry! Joe Greenwell, chairman and CEO of Jaguar Cars - "It takes the Jaguar XJ long-wheelbase experience to new heights, reinforcing the contemporary luxury and technology credentials of our flagship sedan while adding even greater exclusivity. It’s a car with a real sense of occasion and one that demonstrates perfectly just how capable the XJ is right across the board.”

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