Saab Ownership Autonews

Buddhism preaches that karma passes from one life to another in reincarnation and that the outcome is based on what deeds are done in previous lives.

Now, Saab must have a really bad karma. There’s really no other explanation for the constant problem that arise, preventing the ailing Swedish carmaker from finding peace in securing its existence.

This time it’s not the Chinese government, the creditors, the suppliers, the workers’ unions, the Swedish debt office or the court-appointed administrator. All of the aforementioned parties have given their approval. Instead, in a surprising move, it's the company's former owner and current preference shareholder, General Motors, that’s may try to block the sale to Pang Da and Youngman.

"GM would not be able to support a change in the ownership of Saab which could negatively impact GM's existing relationships in China or otherwise adversely affect GM's interests worldwide," GM spokesman Jim Cain said in a statement today.

The two Chinese companies plan to invest a significant amount of cash into the company and even begin production in China, doubling Saab’s production from as early as 2013.

Reality check: if the new owners’ plans come into fruition, it is obvious that GM’s luxury brands will have a new, revitalized competitor not just in China, but in most world car markets. Therefore, the General may veto the deal.

GM has already tried to kill Saab once in 2010, before Spyker and Victor Muller came to the brand's rescue. As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, then try again…

Story References: Autonews [Sub. Req.]

Ford’s drop from 10th to 20th place among 28 carmakers

Consumer Reports has published its 2011 annual auto survey in which the main point of interest, as the report states, is a sharp decline in Ford’s so far “solid reliability record”: the Detroit carmaker dropped 10 places in the overall reliability ranks.

According to CR's survey, which is based on responses from 1.3 million vehicles owners, Ford’s drop from 10th to 20th place among 28 carmakers can be attributed to two main factors. The first is that all three of Ford’s new models, i.e. the Explorer, Fiesta and Focus, scored below average in reliability in their first year on the market.

“We have often found that new or revamped models have more problems in their first year than in subsequent model years”, commented the senior director of Consumer Reports’ Automotive Test Center, David Champion. “Ford’s problems illustrate why we recommend to our subscribers to hold off buying a first-year model.”

The second factor that contributed to Ford’s decline is problems with new technologies, such as the MyfFord Touch infotainment system and the new PowerShift semi-automatic gearbox used in the Focus and Fiesta. The similar MyLincoln Touch system’s problems even affected Lincoln’s MKX, even though the brand was ranked above Ford. On the positive side, the Fusion Hybrid scored very well, and its other versions were above average.

Contrary to Ford, Chrysler has seen its reliability record improve significantly: Jeep is now the most reliable domestic brand in the U.S., having risen from 20th to 13th place. Dodge and Chrysler did not do badly either, moving up 12 and 3 places respectively.

Predictably, it is the Japanese that continue to dominate the reliability survey, securing the top nine positions of the scoreboard since of the 91 models that CR had sufficient data, 87 ranked average or better and 24 cars earned top marks. Scion (with two models ranked) led the pack, followed by Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Honda and Toyota.

Despite Chrysler’s improvement, the Detroit Big Three still haven’t caught up with their rivals, ranking not only below the Japanese but also the two Korean brands, Hyundai and Kia. GM’s Buick and Cadillac did worse than in 2010, with the LaCrosse, Enclave AWD and SRX scoring lower than last year and losing the “recommended” tag.

General Motors' best result was the Chevrolet Volt that was the group’s most reliable car, even though the sample was barely larger than the 100-unit minimum required by the survey and the cars were owned for only a few months.

European carmakers were, as always, a mixed lot: the highest-ranking brand was Volvo, at 10th spot, while VW retained its 16th place, and both BMW and Mercedes-Benz improved, though their line-up reliability was inconsistent.

The biggest loser was Porsche: in 2010 it was second best but this year it is second worst, due to only two models being ranked one of which, the second-generation Cayenne SUV, suffered many reliability problems.

Not surprisingly, given its record of accomplishment and decades-old bad reputation, Jaguar finished dead last as its XF and XJ luxury sedans were the two least reliable models in the entire survey.

Chrysler LLC and UAW Reach an Agreement over New Contract

After General Motors and Ford, Chrysler is the last of Detroit's Big Three to reach an agreement with the United Auto Workers union.

The new four-year contract, which is the first after Chrysler’s 2009 bailout and the Fiat deal, covers UAW’s 26,000 Chrysler workers and will create 2,100 new jobs, with Chrysler committing to invest US$4.5 billion in its US plants.

“This agreement is the latest in a remarkable turnaround for Chrysler”, said UAW vice president General Holiefield. Chrysler and UAW wouldn’t comment further on details of the new contract, which still has to be ratified by the UAW members.

The deal, however, is expected to be similar to the ones UAW made with Ford and GM. It will probably be less lucrative, though, as in contrast to the former two, which posted profits in 2010, Chrysler reported losses.

Story reference: CBC News

Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac Videos, Cadillac XTS, GM, Reports, Video

There was a time when premium car buyers were content with full leather upholstery, plenty of wood trim, plush carpets and a great sound system. That time is long gone. Nowadays the latest fad is infotainment systems.

Cadillac may have lagged in this department, especially when compared to its top rivals, but from next year, the Detroit company plans to more than make up for it.

Today, Cadillac unveiled the first interior shots of its DTS- and STS-replacing saloon, the upcoming XTS. However, contrary to standard practice, it didn't focus on the quality or the abundance of space. Instead, it revealed its new CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment, navigation and communication system that will launch in 2012 in the XTS, the ATS and the SRX crossover.

“CUE will transform personal transportation by simply and efficiently integrating luxury design and instinctive technology with unparalleled levels of customized connectivity”, said Cadillac’s vice president of marketing Don Butler.

Cadillac’s new system is based around an 8-inch LCD touch screen (a 12.3-inch screen is optional) located at the top of the center console that does away with the large number of buttons used by competitors’ systems: instead of around 20, it has only four.

CUE’s menu resembles that of a smartphone with large icons, and the system offers connectivity with up to 10 Bluetooth devices, USBs, SD cards, and MP3 players.

“It doesn’t replace your smartphone or your iPod”, explains Micky Bly, executive director of global electronic systems, infotainment and electrification. “Rather it allows consumers to securely store those devices and receive all information through a central port, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

VIDEO

Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen Common EV Charging Protocol

ACEA, the European car manufacturers’ association, recently called for a common electric vehicle charging standard to be adopted by all automakers. This would be the ideal solution for a unified infrastructure, which in turn, would further boost EV sales.

No sooner had the association’s call been published and seven major manufacturers from Europe and the U.S. but oddly enough, not from Japan, namely Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, announced an agreement to support “a harmonized single-port fast charging approach” for electric vehicles in Europe and North America.

The seven companies agreed to use the "HomePlug Green Phy" as the common communication protocol for charging their EVs, as it will facilitate easy integration in future “smart” grid applications.

The carmakers say that their decision was based on analysis of existing charging strategies, ergonomics of the connector and preferences of US and European customers.

This charging solution is backwards compatible both with the J1772 connector that is standard in the US and the European IEC 62196 Type 2.

Missouri, and Two New Mid-Size Models at Former Saturn Plant

[Chevrolet Colorado Concept from 2011 Bangkok Motor Show pictured above]

General Motors has revealed plans to build a new mid-size pickup truck at its Missouri plant as well as to reopen a former Saturn assembly plant in Tennessee for the production of two new mid-size models.

A GM representative declined to provide further information, saying that the company will not comment on its future products, however, the most likely candidates for the pickup truck model are the successors to the Chevrolet Colorado or the GMC Canyon.

While the Detroit automaker has released details on the Asian Pacific and South American region 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, which will be manufactured in Thailand, GM has not clarified if the pickup truck will be available in the States as well.

Whatever the new mid-size pickup truck may be, it will be built at the Wentzville plant where GM will invest around $380 million, according to details released as part of the labor pact signed between GM and the UAW, in which the company has also agreed to invest $2.5 billion in new products thus retaining or creating new jobs.

As for the two unnamed new mid-size passenger cars, they will be manufactured at GM's Spring Hill facility in Tennessee, which has been idle since 2009 after the company shut down the Saturn brand.

Story Source: Autonews [Sub. Req.]

Chevrolet Cruze Tops US Compact Car Sales Chart in July

Chevrolet Cruze was the best-selling compact car in the US in July, with 24,648 deliveries, while in June, Chevy’s compact sedan beat not only its segment rivals like the Toyota Corolla and the Hyundai Elantra, but also all cars irrespective of size.

The Cruze has proven a huge success for GM, helping it raise its share considerably in the small-car market, where in recent years it didn’t have a serious contender. It also helped its market share in the US rise to 20% in the first seven months of the year, compared to 19.2% in the same period of 2010.

“We are competitive for the first time ever,” said GM’s chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick. “The buyers are completely different than the ones we have seen before”.

The main reasons consumers cite for buying the Cruze are its affordable price, which starts at $16,525, its design inside and out, its fuel economy (30 mpg or more) and its comprehensive list of standard equipment.

Chevrolet has sold 147,620 of its new compact sedan from January until the end of July. Though it hasn’t overtaken the Corolla, which sold 154,324 units in the same period, the Japanese model has seen its sales decrease by 8.1%.

GM has also regained the top spot in car sales worldwide, ahead of VW and Toyota. But this is attributed not just to its products like the Cruze but also to the shortage of Japanese carmakers, such as former sales leader Toyota, due to the March 11 earthquake that seriously hampered production, and the negative reviews of competitors like the new Honda Civic.

Story Source: Bloomberg News

PHOTO GALLERY

GM aims to sell around 20,000 Baojun 630 Sedan in China this year.

Not content with being China's largest foreign automaker, General Motors hopes to further increase its sales in the country with its newly launched low-cost Baojun brand, which the Detroit automaker developed with local partners SAIC and Wuling.

With the Baojun brand, GM wants to compete in the fast-growing market for new cars in smaller Chinese cities targeting first-time buyers with a budget of around $10,000. Domestic Chinese rivals include Chery Automobile, Geely Automobile Holding and BYD.

Following the presentation of the Baojun's first model, the 630 compact sedan in November of 2010, the four-door car went on sale today in China.

“We are proud to be bringing our much-anticipated midsize sedan to the people of China,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “The launch tour gives those who are looking for high-quality, affordable personal transportation the opportunity to get to know and appreciate the Baojun 630.”

GM said the Baojun 630 is initially being targeted at consumers in China’s second- and third-tier cities, but will gradually be rolled out in first- and fourth-tier cities nationwide. Upon launch, more than 120 Baojun 4S retailers opened their door around China.

At launch, Bajoun offers three variants of the 630 sedan at a retail price of between RMB 62,800 and RMB 73,800 (US$9,757 - $11,466 or €6,859 - €8,060)

The compact size model features a 450-liter trunk capacity and is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 109-horsepower (81kW) at 5,800 rpm and a peak torque of 146Nm (107.7 lb-ft) at 4,200. A five-speed manual gearbox transfers power to the front wheels, with GM stating that it returns a combined fuel economy of 6.9lt/100km (34.1mpg US).

GM aims to sell around 20,000 Baojun 630s in China this year.

PHOTO GALLERY