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Jim Wangers Auto Recap
| February 13, 2012
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Bad cars: The top 10 worst sold in America
Every once in a while "little boys" get a chance to act like"big boys" that's what happened recently when the LA Times asked the folks at Consumers Reports Magazine and Website source Edmunds.com to name the 10 worst cars ever sold in America.
Every Pontiac-hair on the back of my neck stood up and screamed when the 2001 Pontiac Aztek was named number one and labeled "the worst car of all time". OK, even us most devout Pontiac enthusiasts will admit that the Aztek was provocatively (no, damn poorly) styled, but other than it's styling deficiency, it was a pretty good vehicle. These same so-called experts went on to indict the Aztek as having poor visibility, a flimsy interior an uncomfortable ride and cumbersome handling. Come on guys, this sounds to me like self-appointed experts who never got any closer than to take an exterior look at this Pontiac.
 Yes, this Pontiac was a styling and sales' flop, but it doesn't belong in the same company as the Yugo, the Edsel, the Cadillac Cimarron or even the GM's disastrous Oldsmobile Diesel.
Nothing like "kicking a guy when he's down" and I think we should ALL let the LA Times, Consumers Reports and Edmunds.com know how we feel. JW
Los Angeles Times | 2/10/2012 |
Fisker, out of government money, begins layoffs
As an automotive observer, I'm getting real tired of reading the PR generated "flak" about all the wonderful plans of EV newbie's' Tesla and Fisker. This to me falls into the world of "Don't talk to me about racing , until you beat somebody".
 It's more painful than satisfying to see what these guys are doing with our money! Admittedly Tesla's in bed with Toyota and Fisker sometimes flirts with Germany's Daimler, I'd like to see some "sheet metal" rather than more PR flak.
USA Today | 2/7/2012
Fisker Automotive, developer of luxury electric cars, halted work at a former GM plant in Delaware and laid off 26 workers there because it ran out of government loan money. Read More...
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Opel's Visser promoted to global marketing role at Chevrolet
While this looks like just another announcement of a Corporate promotion, it bothers me as perhaps an insight into current GM management practice.
 Lets quote from the story itself. Speaking of Opel's Sales and Marketing Chief Alain Visser it says "He joined Opel in 2004 and was appointed to the brand's Management Board in 2006". The article continues to state "He has led the repositioning at Opel and raised the brand image substantially". Alas, the same article continues to state that "Opel is expected to undergo a major new restructuring program to reverse loses. GM is expected to report a loss of $300 million for the Germany based unit next week.Would you promote this guy into another important marketing position? JW
Automotive New Europe | 2/9/2012
FRANKFURT -- Opel's sales and marketing chief Alain Visser has been promoted to Chevrolet's global marketing vice president, Opel said today. Visser will focus on Chevrolet's marketing in all its markets outside North and South America, Opel said in a statement. Read More... |
Chinese carmaker blatantly copies Ford F-150
Although the Chinese Government has recently announced that they "no longer will require foreign automakers to share their technology with their Chinese partners" it looks like even Chinese competitors can "borrow" the American efforts.
In this case, a completely independent carmaker has released a new pick-up which is a mirror carbon copy of the highly successful Ford F-150. Although the power trains will differ, there is no question about the styling duplication.
It's so blatant, it's almost funny. JW
 AutoBlog | 1/31/2012
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Honda speeds up major changes to the Civic
Apparently Honda management was so intimidated by some of the American automotive press reviews of their new Civic models introduced for 2011, that they have literally "demanded a hurry up change" way ahead of it's normal schedule.
Though Honda has had more than its share of setbacks during 2011 (Earthquake, Tsunami, floods) resulting in a significant decline in sales, it would appear it is not the result of a deficient Civic product. Proof of that is the January sales performance which shows almost 22000 Civic sales, dominating their own records and easily leading the Compact segment in the US market. JW
AutoWeek | 2/6/2012
Honda will bring out a significant mid-cycle change to its embattled Civic compact this fall, just 18 months after it launched, a high-ranking executive told dealers here. Read More... |
Hyundai targets Civic, Forte buyers with Elantra coupe
After making a dominant statement in America's Mid-size passenger car market segment, Hyundai follows up with an equally strong product effort in an attempt to gain attention in Compact market segment.
 Bravo! Somebody at Hyundai sure "gets it" ! Look out Honda,we're comin' after your Civic coupe. JW
Automotive News | 2/8/2012
Hyundai is extending its Elantra line with a sporty coupe variant and a practical five-door hatch. The cars are being revealed on Wednesday at the Chicago auto show. Read More...
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2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI heads for Chicago auto show
If VW wants to make the Beetle more appealing to the male buyer this is a very good product move. Unfortunately, it may "hurt" a little, cause we all know that "ladies" don't like Diesels! JW
 AutoWeek | 2/2/2012 The 2013 Beetle TDI is set to be revealed next week at the Chicago auto show, and it will join the naturally aspirated and turbo-powered gasoline variants in the lineup. The 2.0-liter direct-injection diesel is rated at 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and it's estimated to get 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. The unit will work with a six-speed manual or dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic transmission. Read More... |
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