Chevy Plans To Reveal Production Volt Later This Month, I’m Too Excited To Be A Smartass

Production Simulation Based On Chevy Volt Spy Shot

According to Auto News, GM announced today that they will reveal a production model of the Chevy Volt later this month in celebration of their 100th birthday on September 16th. The Volt preview will be granted to GM employees at headquarters in Detroit, and has been confirmed by a source within GM to be a “true representation of what the production version looks like.” The source added, “[it will be] somewhat different from the concept versions.”

I admit I came down a little hard on Chevy when spy shots of the Volt on the set of Transformers 2 were leaked, but that was just the initial shock talking. Now that I’ve had time to digest reality, I’m once again excited about flaunting some American innovation under Japan’s nose. Now the biggest item on my agenda is begging and pleading for the privilege of eventually taking the Volt for a spin. As a matter of fact, at this point I think it’s safe to say I’d do just about anything to get behind the wheel of a Volt, and I do mean anything [ha ha! Just kidding Mom!] [No I'm not, GM]

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Chrysler Aims To Reduce Production Costs With 10-Hr Work Day

Already making headlines for its unorthodox decision to terminate its leasing program, Chrysler LLC is again making headlines, this time with labor unions. According to reports, Chrysler is currently negotiating with the UAW [International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America] to implement four, 10-hour workdays as opposed to the traditional 5-day workweek.

The ultimate goal of the schedule change is to reduce costs, a familiar theme with auto manufacturers these days, and is not a completely foreign concept. According to manufacturing chief Frank Ewasyshyn, there are similar practices already in place in other businesses that serve the common goal of trimming the cost of operation.

While negotiating with local labor union representatives, Chrysler is giving the plan a dry-run in a distribution center in Atlanta. If all goes well, Ewasyshn said that the new scheduling changes could reduce production costs by about $10 million annually.

[Source: Autmotive News]

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The Detriot 3 Credit Crunch/Lease-Purchase Donkey Punch

Chrysler, ostracized earlier last week for its unorthodox decision to end its leasing program, has apparently started a maelstrom of similiar acitivty. Completing The Detroit 3 panic trifecta, both Ford and GM-controlled GMAC are planning to throw in the credit towel – sort of. Not quite willing to make the huge commitment made by Chrysler to completely eliminate leasing programs, both Ford and GMAC have announced plans to significantly distance themselves from the leasing industry.

GMAC, a financing company who owns controlling stock in both Chrysler and GM, has already ordered the end of its subsidized leasing program in Canada [effective Friday]. Although spokespeople for GMAC won’t disclose whether this initiative is U.S.-bound, GM dealers in the U.S. admit they have already been notified of the pending policy change.

Ford, adding to its growing list of unprecedented inter-company changes, has also made the decision to alter its leasing policy. According to Ford Motor Credit, in order to protect themselves from further financial loss, leasing prices on Ford vehicles will go up – way up. The theory behind Ford’s defensive action might prove to be the smartest one made by the Detroit 3. Said Ford retailer Group 1 Automotive Inc. CEO Earl Hesterberg, “They’re going to do some things to reduce their percentage of leasing, but I think Ford has understood more than anyone through thick and thin that there’s a leasing market there for certain types of vehicles.”

Also introducing plans to end auto leasing-programs are two auto-financing titans, Wells Fargo and Chase Bank. Cue total banking crisis in 5, 4…

[Source: Autmotive News]

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Pimp My Ride: Law Enforcement Edition

In a contest sponsored by the publication “Law & Order”, law enforcement vehicles throughout the nation compete for the “best design” award. This year, a police cruiser from Newport News, Virginia took first place; largely because, said judges; “It’s got bling.”

The cruiser is not a standard issue Virginia patrol car (I can personally attest to this fact inasmuch I, personally, have had the luxury of closely observing quite a few of them in my rear view mirror) but actually a recruiting tool used by the Newport News Police Department – thereby accounting for its “flash”.

The cruiser itself is a 2008 Dodge Magnum (“Man Wagon”) outfitted with the factory standard HEMI V8 engine and 425 horsepower – so even without the exterior accoutrement, it’s still a fairly impressive vehicle.  In addition to its performance under the hood, the Magnum also features a rather spacious interior - the ability to seat 5-7 passengers coming in handy for larger-scale dope busts.

A photograph of the vehicle along with the full article can be viewed here.

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“Espionage” Makes It Sound So…Important

In 2007, alleging industrial espionage, French automobile manufacturer Renault, filed a lawsuit against the European Publication, Auto Plus. The lawsuit was apparently a response to an article published in 2006 by Auto Spies which contained unreleased photos of the pre-production Renault Megane. On Tuesday, according to Automotive News Europe, French officials confiscated the publication materials and detained the journalist responsible for questioning.

The article causing the uproar:

 

I think Renault is suffering from illusions of grandeur, it’s not like Auto Plus leaked Ferrari blueprints. Come on now…

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