The Game Changer

On occasion, it seems that the traditional domestic vehicle manufacturers are playing a game that we can call “Almost.”  In this game, they develop and build vehicles that are “Almost” as good as their competitors.  They never actually “win” playing “Almost.”  That’s because in order to stay in the game they have to continually put in antes in the form of (a) selling with remarkably good deals—for their customers or (b) producing lots of cars for fleet sales—not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with fleet sales, except that if you’re selling in bulk, you get significantly reduced margins compared with selling to individuals.

This is certainly not the case in the light-truck category.  The Biggish Three (not as big as they once were, and arguably getting smaller) are superb when it comes to full-size pickups and SUVs.  Many of the manufacturers against whom they play “Almost” in the car segment, try though they may, have yet been able to capture the - Read More..

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2008 Saturn Astra XR 5-Door

2008 Nissan Pathfinder SE V8 All Wheel Drive

2008 Audi R8 Coupe quattro R tronic

2009 Dodge Journey

2008 Volkswagen Eos 2.0T

Driven Archives

Carefree? Not so much.
Volkswagen’s 2009 models will come with a no-charge "Carefree Maintenance Program." Under this plan, there are no charges to the customer for any of the scheduled maintenance outlined in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the new vehicle limited warranty. – View More

Yo Ma-Ma!
This May 13, Honda’s ASIMO robot will conduct the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as it performs Impossible Dream with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. ASIMO also will demonstrate its capabilities for Detroit-area schoolchildren the following day. This is the second Detroit appearance for a musically inclined Japanese robot in recent months. - View More

A Hearse is a Hearse
You almost have to wonder if the folks at Carbonyte didn’t drink a bit too much of the sponsor’s product. That might explain why they stretched a smart car over 106 inches to create a rolling advertisement for Red Bull. It’s complete, down to the pop top on the rear. - View More

What? No Five Hundred?
This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ford’s Model T and the 40th anniversary of the launch of the European Escort. Taking advantage of these celebrations, Ford will display a number of significant and successful Ford race cars from the past. - View More

A Logistical Nightmare
Thursday, April 17th was Logistics Day in Germany. On that day, visitors to Audi got an insight into the processes and professions of one of Germany’s "core areas of industrial expertise in order to enhance the public perception of the logistics sector." Yeah, right. As if logisticians weren’t already the life of the after-work party. - View More

Upcoming Industry Events:
Pittsburgh Chemical Day – May 6
3rd Automotive Congress: Plastics-in-Motion - May 14 – 16
Lean Design: Addressing Manufacturing Variation Upfront, Early in Design
E-Coat  – May 14-16
Eastec – May 20-22 

"Chrysler & Rule #1 "
The people at the top of Chrysler are more clever than some car company pundits may have given them credit for being. Bob Nardelli may actually be the best thing that’s happened to the company in quite some time.- Read More...