Audi Q7 4.2 late to the party?

This from Autoweek

HART: This is a fine luxury ute, if that is what you’re looking for, with all the accoutrements of Audi’s full-size car offerings. The execution, especially inside the cabin, is top-notch. I’m guessing the Q7 would be okay for some moderate to heavy off-roading, and this V8 is certainly potent enough, but after looking at the mpg, I’d much rather have a copy of the Euro-spec diesel model we had in here a few months ago; $50 fill-ups are a big wakeup call.

This quote is from the Autoweek test driver who seems to feel that Audi may be late to the party with this one, I happen to agree, with the price of gasoline helping to dampen the publics enthusiasm for large and thirsty Suv's, why Audi would introduce this large (not to mention expensive)truck into what looks to be a shrinking market segment looks questionable at best. Then again considering the lead times required to bring one of these beasts to market, Audi may have thought the good times would never stop rolling.

J.

UAW won't give Chrysler breaks.

In today's Automotive news...

DETROIT -- The UAW won't agree to concessions on health care costs with the Chrysler group as it did with General Motors and Ford Motor Co. in the past year, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said today.
Gettelfinger said the union's financial advisers had looked at the Chrysler group's financial situation, and he didn't see a way the UAW would go forward with concessions on health care.

This doesn't surprise me, the UAW always picks not to work with

the Detroit car makers any chance it gets, while the Asian car makers have refused to allow the unions into their ranks, and continued to gain market share at the same time, the UAW continues to behave like it's still the only game it town, it's time for the UAW and the American car makers to drop their adversarial relationships and work together, I'm not advocating that unions go away, on the contrary,

I believe that unions have a very important role to play, we need union representation in certain industries that would otherwise take unfair advantage of certain situations.

We need Unions in the world more than ever,it's just that the way the unions and the companies they work with, must change the way they relate to the other.

J.

G.M. Upping Powertrain warranties

DETROIT -- General Motors is increasing the Powertrain warranty on all its 2007 model vehicles sold in the United States and Canada to 5 years or 100,000 miles, the automaker said today.
The Powertrain warranty is transferable, without a fee, and has no deductible, GM said. Previously, GM's Powertrain warranty typically was for three years or 36,000 miles.
GM said the new warranty terms would apply to 2007 models already sold. The automaker is also extending the terms of its roadside assistance and courtesy transportation programs along with the new warranty coverage.

This is a great move on their part, considering the quality and reliability gains made over the last years, this is just another step that's needed to regain the momentum to capture market share.

 

J.

Bill Ford Announces New CEO

DETROIT -- After five years as CEO of the troubled automotive giant founded by his great grandfather, Bill Ford today ceded operational control to a company and industry outsider, Boeing Co. Executive Vice President Alan Mulally.
The 61-year-old veteran of the airline business was named president and CEO of Ford Motor Co. Mulally, a newcomer to the auto industry, has also been elected to the Ford board of directors.
The move to appoint an industry outsider as CEO comes as Ford is under growing pressure from analysts and investors to right the ship after a $1.44 billion loss in the first half of this year and a nearly 10 percent decline in sales through August.

 

This Comes as a shock to me, Mulally is a Boeing Veteran who was the leader of the 777 wide body jet program, While I don't see how

he would fit into Ford, he is a very charismatic person and he brought

the 777 into production on time.  This looks like a very intresting move on Bill Fords part.

 

J.

New Jaguar XKR available in December

Autoweek has a review of the new Jaguar XKR and the car looks

to be solid, I personally would prefer one of these beautiful cars

over some of the competitors, the cars are gorgeous with the sort of

timeless styling that Jaguar seems to pull off quite easily.

 

J.

Visteon still on the Block

After 11 months of trying, Ford Motor Co. has yet to sell a single one of the former Visteon Corp. factories it absorbed last fall.
With each passing day, the unprofitable former Visteon assets, now known as Automotive Components Holdings LLC, risk losing value as Ford concedes market share and cuts production.

 

No surprise here, there's so much bloat that comes with buying

Visteon that no one wants to, I have no Doubt that Ford will

clean things up here, but it will take some time to do so and in

the mean time they have to pump money in that they don't have.

 

J.

Aston Martin on the Block

LONDON -- Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez is planning a management buyout of the luxury sports car maker, put up for sale by Ford Motor Co. last week as it frees up funds to invest in other brands, weekly newspaper the Sunday Times said.
The paper, quoting senior sources at Ford, said Bez was likely to front a consortium bidding for Aston Martin.

 

The faster Ford unloads this boutique maker the better, Aston Martin

has done nothing to really add to Fords bottom line after some 20 plus years of ownership, but hey at least they get to brag that they make the car James Bond drives.

 

J.