April 30, 2009

A rough road ahead for Chrysler's union with Fiat




Moments ago, President Obama announced that Chrysler will file for bankruptcy today in a New York federal court, then move toward a speedy union with Fiat. But in the rush for a shotgun marriage, there are plenty of hurdles Chrysler has to clear.

March 10, 2009

Ford, UAW cut deal on retiree health benefits


Ford has hit a home run in negotiations with the UAW, setting a precedent for GM and Chrysler and freeing up the cash it needs to stay out of the government bailout cookie jar.

March 5, 2009

Punditry: The top five Fiats that Chrysler needs now



Fiat's recent offer to link up with Chrysler could be silver lining within the Carpocalypse's clouds of doom.

Under the proposed deal, Chrysler gets its cash-starved mitts on Fiat's la bella machinas. And Fiat grabs a minority stake in Chrysler and dibs on Chrysler's distributors and dealerships.

We would get a heaping helping of la dolce automobili, but which cars would head stateside? Presuming all goes well, here's my list of the five Fiats that would save Chrysler's bacon.

February 25, 2009

Swedish customs halts Saab production, citing unpaid taxes



Reuters is reporting that the Swedish customs authority has effectively shut down Saab's Trollhättan factory, citing a "considerable" sum of import duties that have been left unpaid.

February 24, 2009

Saab set to sink as GM steps aside



"Nej tack nu går bort!" (No thanks, now go away!)

Such was the response from the Swedish Industry Ministry, when approached by the General to purchase a majority stake in the ailing automaker.

Now, Saab is mounting its last stand against mounting debts and a critical lack of suitors interested in the struggling automaker.

February 19, 2009

Brabus builds a brazen, ballistic G-Wagen



The Gelandewagen has a long history as a world-conquering off-roader. Now in its 30th year of production, the two ton Benz-built bruiser has conquered the Sahara, straddled the Alps and set dozens of records for going places lesser trucks could not.

But now Brabus has written another record for the G-Wagen: the most powerful production off-roader ever built.

February 17, 2009

GM seeks $16 billion; dire future looms for Saturn, Saab



Today was the due date for GM and Chrysler to turn in their homework -- a plan defining each automaker's long-term viability. And in defining the way forward, General Motors has put the hangman's noose around Saab and Saturn.

And that's just the start.