Porsche GT2 vs. Nissan GT-R at the ‘Ring Explained
By Robert FaragoNovember 27, 2008 -
Posted in Marketing | Media | News Blog | 12 comments 
Question Of The Day: What’s your “Automotive Turkey” of 2008?
By Edward NiedermeyerNovember 26, 2008 -
In honor of the imminent celebrations, Consumer Reports has picked its “Automotive Turkeys” of 2008, and they got some good ones. Tax credits for Hybrid Tahoes, Chrysler’s four-week Aspen/Durango Hybrid reign of terror, Acura’s styling, the Smart’s pricing and much more get the thumbs down from CR’s Mike Quincy. In advance of TTAC’s Ten Worst awards, I’m asking: what makes your list of automotive blunders for 2008? Personally, the Volt transformation, the bailout beggary and Chrysler’s Project D(isaster) would be near the top of my list. Yours?
Posted in Customer Relations | Media | News Blog | PR | 42 comments
Detroit Auto Show Dies Another Day
By Robert FaragoNovember 26, 2008 -
We’ve already reported Nissan’s decision to take a powder from the hugely expensive business of cock-walking at Cobo. As the Brits would say, the other shoe has dropped. Honda has announced that it will announce bupkis at this January’s North American International Auto Show. It’ll show show-goers what it’s got– and that’s it. Bloomberg reports the reason: “The Asian brands are mired in the industrywide slump that cut U.S. auto sales by 15 percent through October. U.S. automakers led by General Motors Corp. are seeking $25 billion in federal loans to help stave off a financial collapse.” Cutbacks fer sure, but the missing message is clear enough: Detroit’s auto show is fading fast. The fact that unions have driven-up the cost of the show is one show-collapse-related irony. Toyota’s decision to stay the course and unveil new models is another.
Posted in Marketing | Media | News Blog | 11 comments
New 2010 Mazda3 Reviews Hitting the Web
By Justin BerkowitzNovember 24, 2008 -
The night before the LA Auto Show, Mazda had a select group of journalists drive the new Mazda3. We from TTAC were not among them. But digital buff book (buff site?) Edmunds’ InsideLine was, and so were the very graphic-saavy guys at Motive Magazine. Overall they both seem to like the car, though in all honesty the assessment is predictable. Bigger, better MPGs, not as sharp as the original. I’m more troubled that an “economy” car has a 2.5 liter engine. Yes, the 2.0 is still standard, but seriously 2.5? Mazda3? I mistakenly presumed that Japan’s engineers believed there is a replacement for displacement. In any case, check out the reviews if you dare at Edmunds and Motive.
Posted in Media | New Cars | News Blog | 23 comments
Porsche GT2 vs. Nissan GTR Ring Rematch Part 2: 7:55:09
By Robert FaragoNovember 21, 2008 -
Posted in Marketing | Media | News Blog | 7 comments
China to Pick GM’s Bones?
By Bertel SchmittNovember 21, 2008 -
Seeking Alpha prides itself “the premier financial website for actionable stock market opinion and analysis.” When it comes to what should happen with GM, they are on our side: “Buyout better than bailout,” writes Seeking Alpha. Roger that. We have been picking-up indications that Chinese automakers SAIC and Dongfeng may have plans to buy assets of GM (and while they are at it, maybe even of Chrysler). China would get what it badly needs for its thriving domestic car industry to become an even more thriving international car industry: accepted brands, a worldwide distribution network and know-how necessary to comply with US and worldwide standards. Apparently, private equity firms are keen to aid this “transfer.” Behind all of this (of course) stands the Chinese government. The People’s Republic owns most of automakers SAIC and Dongfeng, along with a good chunk of the private equity firm Blackstone, a good chunk of Morgan, and a good chunk of T-bills (to the tune of $585b).
Posted in China | High Finance | Media | News Blog | Overseas | 3 comments
AN’s Edward Lapham Has Lost the Plot
By Robert FaragoNovember 20, 2008 -
These are stressful times for Detroit. All that Motown’s mavens held dear is dead or dying. The shock is equally brutal for the town’s cheerleaders, whose teams have all been routed and now, publicly humiliated. Automotive News’ [sub] Edward Lapham has snapped. The Executive Editor has penned a column that sounds not a small amount like a suicide note: “See! See what you’ve made me do! Well, I’ve done it. I’ve killed myself. NOW how do you like it?” To wit: “Those of us who want the Detroit 3 to avoid bankruptcy need to think outside the box. I hate to admit it, but there’s some hidden wisdom among the silly things said by politicos and others who don’t understand the auto industry. No, not all the talk about letting General Motors, Ford and Chrysler use Chapter 11 as a kind of boot camp to whip themselves into shape; that’s just too asinine to consider. I mean the admonishments to be more like Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Think about it. Now that the Detroit 3 have narrowed the gaps in productivity, quality and labor costs, the transplants have one obvious advantage: Their headquarters, engineering staffs and main product development operations are all overseas. To them, America is a colony. So GM, Ford and Chrysler ought to move. Great! That’s settled. Now the only question is: Where should they go?” Some outside observers who’ve listened to the domestics’ camp followers unseemly combination of whining and bullying– as expressed here– might suggest some place consistently hot. But I couldn’t possibly comment.
Posted in Media | News Blog | 10 comments
Toyota’s “Saved By Zero” Ad Will Kill You Dead
By Robert FaragoNovember 20, 2008 -
Posted in Media | News Blog | 14 comments
ABN is PR BS: CBS News in the Tank for Car Dealers
By Robert FaragoNovember 20, 2008 -
What does “fuelled by CBS” mean to you? In this case, it’s the Automotive Broadcasting Network, run by the good folks who bring you the Nightly News. OK, not exactly the same folks. (”I didn’t go to J School to tell people to put nitrogen in their tires!”) But CBS anchor Katie Couric’s happy to lend her face, name and voice to the cause, as you can see if you [dare] click on this dealer-enticing video presentation, introed by the divine Miss C herself. For those of you with a weak constitution (especially the bit about freedom of the press), consider: “ABN™ and CBS™ will revolutionize the experience your customers have at your dealership by delivering high quality, custom programming.” As one of TTAC’s resident pedants, I’d like to point out that the term “broadcasting” does not apply here. At all. In any way, shape or form. As someone who remembers the legacy of Edward R. Murrow (no, not the interview with Marilyn Monroe), this 24-7 pimpatorial channel is a complete and utter betrayal of CBS’ hallowed history of perptuating liberal cant. I mean, upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics. And it sure makes me wonder about CBS’ coverage of the auto industry.
Posted in Media | News Blog | 4 comments
Bailout Watch 221: Mitt Mauls Motown
By Robert FaragoNovember 19, 2008 -
Mitt Romney reckons Detroit’s bailout brigade should get bupkis from Uncle Sam. Squat. Zero. Zilch. The big goose egg. Writing in The New York Times, the failed Republican presidential candidate and former Bay State gov leave no word unminced, claiming “Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.” Quick digression. If that’s the quality of Mitt’s sound bites, it’s no wonder he got gunned down by Maverick. How about “Detroit needs root and branch revision, not more fertilizer?” No? OK, where was a I? Right… Romney exercises his CEO chops, giving readers of the Gray Lady a double dose of paternal hagiography and a lesson in economics they will soon forget. And then, the money shot. “A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.” Take away the craven “may”– call it a political reflex– and it looks like Mitt’s been reading TTAC. “In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check.” True dat.
Posted in Bailout Watch | Media | News Blog | 15 comments
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