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2 G.M. Brands, a Similar Car, but Very Different Results

DETROIT — When General Motors first showed off the Pontiac Solstice, the low-slung, head-turning roadster, it seemed the perfect antidote for the brand, whose flagship sedan had become known as the “Bland Am," according to the New York Times.
But the car, while a hit, did not generate much more interest in the Pontiac brand over all, and as a result even the Solstice itself appears to be hurting, just two years into its lifespan.

Meanwhile, demand for the Solstice’s fraternal twin, the costlier and more angular Saturn Sky, has shown no signs of subsiding. G.M. has about one month’s worth of the Sky available, and many buyers still have to wait several weeks or months for their Sky to arrive.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:18 AM to GM , Sales | Permalink | Comments 0

Mulally upbeat despite setbacks

DETROIT - Ford missed a key target for sales of new cars and trucks in the United States last month, according to the automaker's latest internal report card, which was released to employees Wednesday and obtained by the Detroit Free Press.

Cost savings are on track despite challenges, the report says, and employee optimism continues to grow, "but sales in July did not meet expectations."

Still, Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally remains optimistic about Ford's future.

At a dinner with journalists Wednesday night -- set, in part, to commemorate Mulally's first year as the company's CEO -- Mulally said his vision for a new Ford, which is more centered than ever on the namesake blue-oval brand worldwide, is taking root.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:08 AM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0

Chrysler to cut body weight by 13%

DETROIT - Using advances in high-strength steels and new design techniques, Chrysler LLC expects to improve fuel efficiency by reducing vehicle body structure weight by 13% over the next three to six years, a company executive said Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The reduced weight -- 120 pounds from the vehicle's skeleton -- should improve fuel efficiency by 1%, said Bill Grabowski, Chrysler's director of body core engineering.

The method also will improve vehicle safety by strengthening its structure, the company said.

The move comes as Chrysler takes other steps to improve fuel efficiency, such as investing $3 billion in more efficient engines, axles and transmissions.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:02 AM to Chrysler | Permalink | Comments 0

High-tech lights could save gas

In a big garage-size laboratory in Ford’s sprawling research complex in Dearborn, Mich., Mahendra Dassanayake stands beneath a planetarium-like dome that can replicate the sun.

It can surround new cars and trucks with an eye-squinting 5,000 watts of light. Or mimic the fading light of dusk. Or make the room turn black, like a backwoods street where there are no city lights or ambient light from the stars or moon.

The research here is about improving fuel economy with more efficient lights, such as those that use light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, according to the Detoit Free Press.

About 5% of fuel consumption goes directly to power a vehicle’s interior and exterior lights, said Dassanayake, a senior staff technology specialist at Ford. So, more efficient lighting systems, which offer good luminosity with less power, could ultimately save consumers at the gas pump.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:51 AM to Ford , Technology | Permalink | Comments 0

GM Cuts Production at 6 Plants

DETROIT -- General Motors said Wednesday it has cut production at six plants that make large sport utility vehicles and pickups, citing fuel prices and competition in the market, according to the Associated Press.

The largest U.S. automaker did not specify how deep the production cuts were.

But GM spokesman Tom Wickham said that starting this past Monday, the company eliminated previously scheduled overtime production at plants in Arlington, Texas; Janesville, Wis.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Flint, Mich.; Silao, Mexico; and Oshawa, Ontario.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:44 AM to GM | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil Prices Climb to $69.68 a Barrel

Oil prices rose Thursday after hitting eight-week lows in the previous session on news of increased U.S. stockpiles, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. Energy Department reported that crude inventories rose 1.9 million barrels to 337.1 million barrels last week, sending light sweet crude down 31 cents to $69.26 a barrel.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:59 AM to Oil | Permalink | Comments 0