Automotive News - March 10, 2008 - (Page 46)

46 • MARCH 10, 2008 final assembly comment AMERICAN AXLE >> Get live coverage of the ongoing strike at American Axle and the impact on GM's North American manufacturing plants at www.autonews.com. GM’s board: The royal robe fits Fritz G eneral Motors has seen the future, and his name is Fritz. In promoting CFO Fritz Henderson to president and COO last week, GM’s board transferred a ton of responsibility from Rick Wagoner to the former University of Michigan baseball pitcher. If there was any doubt about Wagoner’s anointed successor as chairman and CEO — well, there is no more. The heads of GM operations in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and every other corner of the globe Be it metal or men, Geneva all about style I t’s all about style at the Geneva auto show. Style defines the best products and concept vehicles on the stands. It’s also a defining attribute for the executives you see on the show floor. Some wander the aisles in pairs, occasionally with topcoats draped over their shoulders. Some stroll with a spouse or really close friend. Others march through the show with a posse. But style is especially apparent among EDWARD LAPHAM the execs who IS EXECUTIVE emcee the EDITOR OF unveilings and AUTOMOTIVE press NEWS. conferences. Sometimes it’s the company CEO who does the honors. Or it might be the head of the local sales operation. If there is a protocol or code to determine who gets the nod, I haven’t cracked it. Even if there is entertainment as a warm-up act, the press conferences tend to be straightforward. The executives make a few remarks, then unveil the vehicles. Formats don’t vary much. In Geneva, most press conferences are allotted only 15 minutes. But personal styles do vary. For example, Toshihiro Suzuki, board member and global marketing honcho for Suzuki Motor Corp., was escorted to the microphone by two female dancers — a blonde and a brunette. James Muir, CEO of Mazda Motor Europe, had a casual style. He walked himself out on stage wearing a sport coat, sans tie. It was a bit unusual for a CEO at a European show. At Mercedes-Benz, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche was chauffeured onto the stage in a replica of the first automobile, driven by the great-granddaughter of inventor Carl Benz. Right afterward, on the Chrysler stand, Chrysler LLC co-President Jim Press ran the show. But before he went on stage, Press stopped to say hello to folks he knew at the front of the crowd, which was much smaller than the mob at Mercedes-Benz. Zetsche walked over and sat in the front row. That was Tuesday. Wednesday, I ran into Press standing in the aisle, thanking people for stopping by the Chrysler stand. Not many execs have that kind of style. Fritz Henderson: The CFO job followed a string of overseas heroics. will report to Henderson. So will purchasing chief Bo Andersson and manufacturing and labor relations boss Gary Cowger. Bob Lutz, GM’s vice chairman, will continue to report to Wagoner. Wagoner, 55, will spend more time visiting emerging markets and lobbying. Henderson, 49, has been on a fast track for a long time. The Harvard MBA has roamed the world, handling overseas assignments from 1997 until he was installed as CFO in January 2006 — at the height of GM’s most recent financial crisis. He had just turned around GM Europe and before that helped put things right in the Asia-Pacific region. Ray Young, 46, replaces Henderson as CFO. He had been group vice president of finance. Wagoner has been CEO since 2000 and until now never had a No. 2 man — a president and COO. But he says GM’s top management has become “somewhat stretched.” He deflected questions last week when asked whether Henderson is his heir apparent. Two years ago, the board stood by Wagoner when he was under fire from former investor Kirk Kerkorian. Henderson helped Wagoner survive the crisis and has become a board favorite. Italian cops bust Fiero-aris Y ou know something weird is going on when old, beat-up Pontiac Fieros are being bought up and shipped to Italy. A ring of Italian car counterfeiters has been using the Fiero’s chassis as the skeleton for a knockoff of a Ferrari Modena 360. Italian police recently shut down the operation and seized 14 cars. In Italy, messing with the Ferrari trademark is serious business. With their cheesy 1980s GM parts-bin interiors and wheezing 140-hp engines, the bogus Ferraris were obviously fakes. But the people who bought them for about $30,000 each didn’t care. Italian police said the sleek road machines were bought for their ability to impress neighbors (assuming the neighbors don’t get too close, don’t see very well or aren’t very smart). In the 1980s, Ferrari shut down Buick offers the Cadillac of caddies W ant to impress your golf buddies? Would having Tiger Woods as a caddy do the trick? As part of a new online contest, Buick says Woods “will serve as the winner’s personal caddy” for nine holes at the venerable Torrey Pines course, near San Diego, on Oct. 20. Woods has been a Buick spokesman since 2000. Woods will fill “the traditional caddy role, including carrying the clubs and giving advice,” says Buick spokesman David Darovitz. The online contest begins today at www.teeoffwithtiger.com. Entrants must predict Woods’ hole-by-hole scores during tournaments he plays this year. The contest runs through Sept. 28. Other prizes include the Buicks that Woods is scheduled to drive at tournaments during the contest period. REUTERS Old Fieros get a shiny new skin, top; old engines get a fake plate. an operation in the United States that used the Fiero chassis as a basis of a Ferrari knockoff called the Mera. THE FINAL SAY Consumer Reports’ verdict on Chrysler products: Eeeee-uuw! “ For that price, you get a BMW steering wheel. — BMW executive Stefan Krause, on the $2,500 Tata Nano shown in Geneva last week ” Edward Lapham writes five commentaries each week for autonews.com. Read them at autonews.com/edwardlapham. onsumer Reports’ annual auto issue delivered a bushelbasket of bad news for Bob Nardelli and the makeover crew at Chrysler: The struggling automaker finished at or near the bottom of every segment in which its vehicles compete. In sedans under $20,000, the Chrysler Sebring finished at the bottom. The Dodge Avenger R/T trailed all comers in the $25,000-$30,000 sedan class, and the Sebring Touring was second-tolast. The Dodge Nitro and Jeep Liberty twins brought up the rear in SUVs under $30,000, along with the Jeep Patriot. Ditto the Chrysler Aspen and Jeep Commander, which trailed all comers in the SUVs $40,000-andup category. The Dodge Ram 1500 was last among full-sized pickups. Complaints were similar across the board: Testers docked Chrysler vehicles for fit and finish, road noise, agility and, in several cases, fuel economy. Chrysler’s bread-and-butter minivans, redesigned just last year, finished far behind the classleading Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Bright spots? Almost none. The Chrysler 300C sedan and Dodge Charger, though they were nowhere near the top of their classes, at least got the coveted red “recommended” check marks from the editors, the only two Chrysler vehicles so honored. And, if this passes for a bright spot, Chrysler’s wasn’t alone in the ignominy spotlight: It tied Suzuki for last place on the magazine’s automaker report card with a score of 49 out of a possible 100. Honda finished first with a score of 78. The Ford Flex gives roof options: white, silver or body color. Raising the roof (price) a page Taking the Flexfrom the Mini let will Cooper playbook, buyers of crossover Ford choose the color of their vehicle’s roof when it goes on sale this summer. With its long, flat roof and slab sides, the Flex looks as if it could be a beefy distant cousin of the Mini. On the $18,700 Mini Cooper, there’s no charge for the roof color choice of black, white or body color. Buyers of the $28,995 Flex can choose a roof in body color, white or silver — but those who pick white or silver will be relieved of the burden of carrying $395 in their wallets. http://www.autonews.com http://www.teeoffwithtiger.com http://www.autonews.com http://www.autonews.com/edwardlapham

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 10, 2008

Cheaper small cars are part of VW's U.S. plan Ford offers to buy back 81 stores As dollar dives, automakers juggle global strategies Jaguar-Land Rover deal will be signed within weeks GM Planworks chief leaves Jacoby cites dealer role in VW makeover Slim fast Nissan: Electric car to get here in 2010 Family honor Suddenly, Arkona's a key software player Chrysler may build vehicles in Russia Congress may ban mandated arbitration Volvo signs dealers willing to exit Breeding a hybrid? Prius could be a brand Honda adds benefits for same-sex partners Top China execs to speak at conference Manual for Challenger waits until '09 Ex-Sonic president: Gulf States raided Sonic GM, American Axle: Ties that bind Boardroom coup ousts Chamco executives False data imperil all auto financing Dealers would suffer if Calif. gets its way GM, Ford should bring Euro cars here Fresh ideas are fine, but Chrysler must be wary We need that 10% of useful inventions Safety options: Let consumers decide Tire monitors are full of problems Germany's labor setup just doesn't work Alabama adding auto jobs more slowly Engineer Banks strives to sip fuel, burn rubber Toyota Financial takes risks to aid dealers Honda captive beefs up dealer training in leasing NADA releases 2 subprime guides ADP develops e-sales brochure Credit unions' share of auto loans declines Upgraded auction ID carries a fee Dealers At hard-charging Hyundai, the plan is simple: More — now Genesis sedan's assignment: Boost image of all Hyundais Allied will supply sensing systems to Magna Haldex opens Mexico plant Behr gets Nano pact How Tupelo talked Toyota into building a plant there Infiniti FX showcases new Nissan technology Ford may consider hatchback for U.S. Audi to launch A4 sedan, wagon together BMW M3 convertible Saab hybrid concept has solar roof panels Toyota could bring tiny 4-seater to U.S. Hummer to push H3 pickup's usefulness New look for the SL Tiny Nano makes big waves GM's Opel unveils small hatchback that could become part of Saturn line Who says Americans don't want hatchbacks? 9-3 will dominate Saab marketing Lutz: Green takes greenbacks Leap year added to Feb. misery 9 U.S. Toyota executives will retire Ford gives employees $1,000 bonus Denso picks new N.A. CEO GM extends buyout offers CAW OKs TRW pact Lampert ups AutoNation stake Sagging Chrysler boosts spiffs Feb. output is up slightly Buick offers the Cadillac of caddies GM's board: The royal robe fits Fritz Be it metal or men, Geneva all about style Raising the roof (price) Italian cops bust Fiero-aris Consumer Reports' verdict on Chrysler products: Eeeee-uuw!

Automotive News - March 10, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.