Non-U.S. Automakers Displeased After President Obama Snubs Them at Washington Auto Show

Non-U.S. Automakers Displeased After President Obama Snubs Them at Washington Auto Show - On Tuesday, January 31, U.S. President Barack Obama’s schedule included a visit to the 2012 Washington Auto Show. The White House informed automakers on a two days’ notice to bring their most fuel-efficient models to the show. Naturally, they obliged. For example, Honda flew in the FCX Clarity from California, Kia brought the Optima hybrid and Mercedes-Benz a fuel-cell car. Carmakers also brought along their top brass to discuss green technologies with the President.
As Bloomberg reports, the problem is that Obama, who had half an hour in his disposal, ignored foreign manufacturers.
Instead, he spent most of his time with domestic brands, posing for the press with the Dodge Dart, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Ford C-MAX Energi, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (not pretty fuel efficient those two, by the way…).
“When you look at all these cars, it is testimony to the outstanding work that’s been done by workers, American workers, American designers”, said Obama. “The U.S. auto industry is back. The fact that GM is back, number one, I think shows the kind of turnaround that’s possible when it comes to American manufacturing.”
The Association of Global Automakers’ CEO Michael Stanton said that representatives of non-U.S. manufacturers were displeased with the President’s action.
“Many of our members bent over backwards to meet the request from the White House”, said Stanton. “We were just terribly disappointed that the President refused to recognize the commitment that our members and others have made to the manufacturing base of the United States.”
Stanton added that members of the Washington-based Association, which includes Toyota, Honda and Kia, have made investments in excess of US$43 billion to the country and employ more than 80,000 workers.
Ironically, one day later, Honda announced its plans to invest US$100 million to its Ohio transmission plant, which is part of a total investment of half a billion in upgrading the factory in the last 18 months.
John O’Donnel, executive VP of the show organizers, said, “I don’t believe it was an intentional snub. I think he was checking up on the investment he made in the domestics”, referring to the 2009 GM-Chrysler bailout.
White House spokeswoman Sandra Abrevaya declined to comment.
Published by: carscoop

Jackson - SPEED TV to Give Away Custom 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 at Barrett

Jackson - SPEED TV to Give Away Custom 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 at Barrett - Over the past few years, SPEED TV has encouraged classic car fans to head to the Barrett-Jackson auction, tempting them with the Hagerty Fantasy Bid contest. This is where viewers compete to guess select vehicles' sale prices with prizes awarded to those who accumulate the most points.This time around SPEED have sweetened the deal by offering a customized 750hp 2011 Shelby GT500, which has been upgraded from 550hp courtesy of a Ford Racing supercharger system.

Ford's SVT team also equipped the GT500 with a high performance handling pack made up of Dynamic Suspensions adjustable shocks, front & rear anti-roll bars, and 1.25-inch lower springs. Wilwood brakes round out the package.2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and 2011 NASCAR Nationwide series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. helped out on the car's build, and as such their autographs can be found on a plaque in the car.The Hagerty Fantasy Bid starts on 19 January and you can register via their site from the 13th.

 

source: www.speedfantasybid.com

Ford's European Sales Rise Slightly but Company Warns Decision Makers

Even though Europe is experiencing economic instability, Ford saw its year-to-date sales from January to November in the 51 European markets increase by 2.5 per cent, or 35,500 units, to 1,451,000 cars. In November sales in these markets dropped by one per cent, or 1,300 units, to 123,700 vehicles. While overall sales in Ford’s traditional 19 European markets fell in November by 4.4 per cent to 95,700 units compared to the same month last year, the Blue Oval increased its market share in five of these markets as well as Turkey, Russia and Romania.
Ford warned European decision makers to act swiftly as the economic situation is getting worse.
“We’re pleased that we continue to see strong demand for new products like the Focus and C-MAX, and have been able to take advantage of growth opportunities in Germany and key Eastern European markets”, said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Services, Ford of Europe.
“But the overall market in Europe remains challenging as consumer confidence has been dampened by the economic turmoil in the region. We urge decision makers to move quickly and decisively, even if the actions are painful in the short term, to begin reducing volatility in the markets and rebuilding consumer and market confidence,” de Waard added.

China Slaps New Duties on U.S.-Made Cars because it’s Damaging its Domestic Industry !

Another chapter in the tense relationship between the world’s two biggest economies, those of the United States and China, has opened today with the announcement by Chinese authorities of new duties on U.S.-made cars that are imported into the country. Reuters reported that the Commerce ministry of China said on its website that the measure, which imposes “anti-dumping” and “countervailing” duties on cars with an engine capacity of 2.5-liters and above, is effective tomorrow, December 15, and will last for two years.
The reason cited is that U.S.-based manufacturers have been, according to the statement, “dumping cars into the China market, causing damage to China’s domestic industry”.
It’s not just American carmakers but also foreign manufacturers that build cars in the U.S. that will be affected by this new tax.
GM, which has sold more than 2 million vehicles in China for the second year in a row, will have to face duties ranging from 8.9 to 12.9 percent. Chrysler’s duties range from 6.2 to 8.8 percent, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be hit with 2 and 2.7 percent respectively.
This movement is considered a retaliation against the U.S. government filing 12 trade cases against China since the latter joined the World Trade Organization on December 11, 2001.
China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming had said in late November that his country would fight back if other countries resort to trade protectionism.

Published by: Carscoop

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Ford Introduces C-MAX Hybrids, Claims They Outperform Toyota's Prius and Prius V - Cars photos

Along with the Focus Electric, the Blue Oval also announced two more new models today, the C-MAX Hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which Ford claims will allow operation in all-electric mode at higher speeds than any other hybrid currently in production. Ford is willing to compare its new cars, which will be launched in North America in 2012, with the competition and in particular, Toyota’s Prius models.
According to the company, the plug-in C-MAX Energi will deliver a better fuel economy equivalent (MPGe) in all-electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid along with a 500 miles (800 km) driving range, while the Hybrid is said to be more fuel efficient than the Prius V.
“C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota”, said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s Electrification Programs and Engineering.
Both hybrid versions of the C-MAX feature a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine that operates on the Atkinson-cycle, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Ford says that its next-generation ‘powersplit’ architecture allows the two motors to operate separately or in parallel, with the electric motor being capable of powering the car in low-speed conditions and the gasoline engine kicking in and/or charging the battery when necessary.
In the C-MAX Hybrid, the battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. A regenerative braking system also recovers more than 95% of the braking energy and helps charge the battery.
The C-MAX Energi plug-in can also be charged by connecting the vehicle’s charge port to either a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt charging station.

Published by: Carscoop

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