Toyota News - Official: Toyota to build Highlanders in Mississippi
February 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota
As expected, Toyota officially announced its plans to build the Highlander in northeast Mississippi. The company will invest $1.8 billion in the project and initially employ 2,000 workers. Toyota officials, along with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (speaking in photo), made the announcement this morning at a press conference in Tupelo, Miss.
“We in Mississippi and especially north Mississippi are excited to have been chosen by Toyota as its partner,” Barbour said at the conference. “Toyota is the world’s premiere auto manufacturer and our state will be the best partner the company has.”
Plans are for the plant to be up and running by 2009, producing as many as 150,000 gasoline-powered 2010 model Highlanders a year. Hybrid Highlander production will remain in Japan. With an incentive package somewhat smaller than the state offered Nissan in 2003, Toyota will acquire the entire 1,500 acre site that straddles three counties.
[Sources: The Clarion-Ledger, The Commercial Appeal, Sean P. Thompson]
Continue reading Official: Toyota to build Highlanders in Mississippi
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[tags]toyota cars, toyota news, toyota suv, toyota[/tags]
DaimlerChrysler News - BREAKING: Chrysler Group reveals details of union worker buyouts
February 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
This afternoon the Chrysler Group and the UAW released a statement revealing details of the early retirement and separation programs that will help the automaker reach its goal of shedding 13,000 jobs. Two-thousand jobs being eliminated are salaried positions, and we brought you details on those early retirement and buyout packages last week. Today’s announcement affects the 11,000 hourly workers who the Chrysler Group hopes will choose to leave the company on a voluntary basis.
There are two plans available to hourly workers, which include an Incentive Program for Retirement (IPR) and an Enhanced Voluntary Termination of Employment Program (VTEP). The IPR allows hourly workers with 30 or more years of service with the company to accept early retirement in exchance for a lump sum of $70,000. It is presumed these retirees would keep all the benefits that are granted to a normal retiree. The VTEP, however, is available to any hourly employee with at least one year of credited service with the company. In exchance for leaving the company, the Chrysler Group is offering a lump sum payment of $100,000.
Any employees eligible for these programs were notified of their options via a letter today .
[Source: the Chrysler Group]
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[tags]daimlerchrysler cars, daimlerchrysler news, daimlerchrysler models[/tags]
Ford News - Aw, Snap! Ford supplier stops production of Super Duty’s Power Stroke diesel engine
February 27, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Ford
If it weren’t for bad luck, Ford would have no luck at all. The single largest profit-source for Ford Motor Company would be the F-Series Pickup and the Power Sroke diesel Super Duty is a huge chunk of that revenue. Navistar International Engines has powered the Super Duty since 1979, which makes them a large component of Ford’s success in the market. The good Karma between Ford and International started to go sour with the quality issues surrounding the 6.0L Power Stroke diesel in the last generation of Super Duty trucks. Relations got worse when Ford recently sued International, saying it was not complying with warranty cost-sharing agreements. Ford also contended that International unjustifiably raised prices on its engines. Now International has decided to stop supplying the all-new 6.4L engine that powers the 2008 Super Duty, claiming that Ford is not honoring the contract terms under which the engines are built.
Navistar has given no indication how long this impasse could last, but every second a Super Duty isn’t being assembled by Ford workers is money down the drain. With the cash problems Ford already has, this could get ugly quick. We’re guessing Ford doesn’t have much choice but to kiss and make up with International in order to keep these too-important Power Stroke Super Duty trucks rolling off the assembly line.
[Source: Yahoo]
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Mitsubishi News - Mitsubishi offering Dakar Rally replica Pajero in Japan
February 27, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, SUVs, Japan, Mitsubishi
Click image to enlarge
To celebrate its seventh consecutive (and twelfth overall) Dakar Rally victory, Mitsubishi is selling a rally-replica version of the short-wheelbase Pajero 2-door in Japan. Plans call for a 20-vehicle run, all of which will be fully decked out in the rally car’s red finish and full Repsol/Valeo/Ralliart racing livery. A skidplate package, red mudflaps and dark gray aluminum wheels with Ralliart centers complete the road-ready race replica.
Power comes from Mitsubishi’s 3.8L DOCH V6 coupled with a 5-speed automatic and 4WD. Stability control is also standard. Orders for the special-edition SUV will be taken from February 23 to March 31. Buyers have to pony up 3,801,000 (around $32,200 and change) for the privilege.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
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420 HP, DSG-equipped M3 Concept coming to Geneva? (BMW Cars News)
February 27, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Coupes, Geneva Motor Show, BMW
Over the past three or four days, there have been a lot of rumors running through the tubes of the interwebs about BMW’s surprise unveiling of a concept version of the M3 uber-coupe during next week’s Geneva motor show. We had been holding off on posting anything about it, but thought that if it does come to fruition, you might like to know in advance.
The latest bit of news comes courtesy of Motor Authority, that points to last year’s unveiling of the M5 in Geneva just as sales were about to begin a few months later. According to MA, the M3 will be powered by an all-new 4.0L V8 that will send 420 HP through a newly developed dual-clutch DSG-like transmission. Knowing that lightweight materials are essential to beat out rivals like Audi’s RS4, the upcoming IS-F and the forthcoming C63 AMG, BMW may employ carbon fiber in some of the M3’s body panels.
Our crew is beginning to pack our bags, power adapters and photo equipment for our jaunt to Switzerland, so rest assured that if BMW does drop the M3 next week, you’ll be looking at pictures and reading the details shortly after the veil is lifted.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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