April 2010

A gut feeling

By Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica Editor

(August 2009) I read comment after comment regarding the auto industry and GM specifically.

On the mass media online sites I see lots of anger, people who don’t understand the big picture, and a lot of vulgarity from folks who seem to like to bastardize the English language. There are some insightful people on the web such as those commenting about the “re-invented” GM TV spot, at Ad Age. But they too, for the most part, tend to look at things with a jaundice eye.

Customer service got us where we are today

By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica

(July 2009) With news that thousands of auto dealers will be closing their doors it reminds me of the sage words when industrial jobs started being shipped overseas: “Some day the United States will be one big service industry.” With America’s shabby record of customer service I grieve for our future.

Toyota issues voluntary recall of nearly 96,000 vehicles in U.S.

(August 29, 2009) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., will launch a voluntary Safety Recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) involving approximately 95,700 Toyota and Scion vehicles sold in the United States. About 10,000 Pontiac Vibe models will also be affected.

Ford, Hyundai tops in Edmunds.com August sales forecast

(August 28, 2009) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This month's new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be around 1.17 million units, nearly a six percent decrease from August 2008 but up nearly 18 percent from July 2009, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information.

Toyota decides to close NUMMI, its oldest U.S. auto plant

(August 27, 2009) Toyota Motor Corp. plans to close its oldest U.S. auto plant, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., a venture that once symbolized Toyota's zeal to learn the art of automaking in America, Automotive News reported Thursday.

Chrysler's decision leaves Nissan with no Titan pickup replacement

(August 27, 2009) Chrysler's decision announced on Wednesday to terminate plans to share vehicles with Nissan Motor Co. leaves Nissan with no replacement for its aging Titan full-sized pickup.

Volkswagen recalling 16,000 Volkswagen, Audi vehicles

(August 28, 2009) Volkswagen is recalling 16,000 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects the 2009-10 Audi A3, 2009 Audi TT, 2009 Audi TT roadster, 2009 Volkswagen Eos, 2009-10 Volkswagen GTI, 2009-10 Volkswagen Jetta and 2009-10 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen.

Volkswagen initiates service program to address Direct Shift Gearbox issues

(August 29, 2009) HERNDON, Va .— Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced it would initiate a new customer service program to address concerns raised by its customers with certain Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSG) in Volkswagen and Audi models, and to affirm its confidence in the sophisticated technology represented by those components.

New Saab 9-5 to be built on General Motor's Epsilon 2 platform

(August 27, 2009) Saab has released details of its new 9-5 flagship, a car crucial to the brand's success as an independent automaker under new ownership, AutoWeek reported on Thursday.

Earlier this month, General Motors Co. reached a deal to sell Saab to Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium of private investors that includes Koenigsegg Automotive AB, a tiny Swedish maker of $1 million supercars.

GM increasing production at several North American assembly plants

(August 18, 2009) General Motors is increasing production at several North American assembly plants in response to increased sales. The company will add shifts, overtime and reinstate forecasted down weeks at select facilities. As a result, GM will add about 60,000 vehicles in the third and mainly the fourth quarter production forecast, ensuring a wide selection of high-quality, fuel efficient cars, crossovers and trucks for customers.