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Toyota President Ken Watanabe Expected To Step Down In 2009 [Industry News]

Автор: DarrenFerris | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting Toyota President Katsuaki "Ken" Watanabe will step down from his post in 2009. We're betting it may be early considering Watanabe turned down his Detroit Auto Show invite.

The CEO of Toyota Motor Company has been at the helm during its rise to market dominance but with yesterdays announcement of a $1.7 billion annual loss, Toyota may be set for a changing of the guard. WSJ goes on to posit that Akio Toyoda, an executive vice president at Toyota and grandson of Toyota's founder Kiichiro Toyoda, will step up to the plate and take over as President. We'll shy away from the easy joke of executive seppuku, since it cannot be argued that Watanabe has served honorably during his lengthy career with Toyota and in his Presidency of the automotive goliath since 2001.The guy is 66, maybe it's just time to retire. [Wall Street Journal]

Toyota To Post Operating Loss Of $1.7 Billion For 2008 [Carpocalypse Now]

Автор: DarrenFerris |

It's official, as we reported unofficially on Friday, Toyota's a real, live flesh-n-blood automaker, posting an operating loss of $1.7 billion in 2008, the first in 70 years at the Japanese automaker.

Again, like he did after Honda's loss, we're waiting for Senator Richard Shelby (R-Hickabama) to verbally abuse Toyota for not making the cars Americans want to buy.

Wait, what was that? Sorry, folks, hold the phones, we're now hearing word Shelby did not say anything about Honda...and wait...yes, he won't be saying anything about Toyota's operating loss either. Hypocrisy you say? Why yes, well, what do you expect? He is a politician. [CNBC]

Photo Credit: Ralph Orlowski / Getty Images News

Red Dawn II: U.S. Defense Contractor, Chinese Company Teaming Up To Buy Hummer, Conquer America? [Carpocalypse Now]

Автор: DarrenFerris | суббота, 26 сентября 2009 г.

Chinese carmaker Changfeng and US defense contractor AM General are looking to team up for a bid to buy Hummer from GM. Feel free to begin construction on that fallout shelter now.

Those paranoid about China's ability to beat us in a war are going to go insane when they find out a Chinese company may team up with a defense contractor to buy Hummer as part of the Carpocalypse.

Zhengchu Chen, General Manager of China's Chengfeng Motors, told reporters the company was in talks with AM General, the original manufacturer of the Hummer brand and a major provider of vehicles for the US military (think HumVees, which AM General still builds for the U.S. military), over acquiring the brand. It is no secret Hummer is for sale, though we'd heard Chinese automaker Chengfeng was no longer interested. Apparently, Chengfeng didn't want to do it alone and the combination of Chinese capital with AM General production capacity is a win-win for the two companies. But who loses?

The idea of a Chinese company buying the exceptionally Amerigasmic brand Hummer is likely to ruffle a nationalistic feather or two, but Chinese currency buying up American property is something that's been going on for some time. The idea of the Chinese hooking up with the same company better known for producing military Humvees and trucks may drive some nuts.

Of course, the Hummer is no longer considered the military vehicle of the future and AM General already signed a contract to build boxy Taxis, an area the Chinese already own. Since the two would more than likely form a joint venture rather than merging, it isn't as if the Chinese would be responsible for making US military vehicles. At least not yet.

Still, this is something to think about when people claim it is better for the US auto industry to fail. What are we going to do when we go to war with China? Ask them to build us our tanks? All we know is we imagine John Milius is probably freaking out by now. Hat tip to Brian!

[Gasgoo via Hummer Guy]

GM To Get Rid Of Their Planes [Carpocalypse Now]

Автор: DarrenFerris | суббота, 5 сентября 2009 г.

GM announced today they will close their air transportation service center at Detroit Metro Airport, sell four of their planes and transfer whatever plane/s they decide to keep to another operator in order to at least appear frugal.

This follows Planegate Part One and Part Two, which didn't go over so well. Having a corporate jet is a justifiable expense for a large, mutli-national organization but a fleet of jets operating as your own private airline is a perk that doesn't hold up well after media scrutiny — especially when Saint Alan decides that a company that makes cars should drive everywhere. The media may appreciate this but the people who work for the Not-So-Big Three's jet companies are going to have a crappy Christmas. Press release below

GM Ceasing Corporate Aviation Operations

DETROIT — GM today announced that it is ceasing operations at General Motors Air Transportation Services (GMATS) at Detroit Metro Airport.

Due to significant cutbacks over the past months, GM travel volume no longer justifies a dedicated corporate aircraft operation.

GM is currently exploring options for transferring its aircraft to another operator. The company is pursuing sale of four of the aircraft so it can terminate the leases.

GM will shutter the facility at Metro Airport effective January 1, 2009. GM will work with the airport to seek a tenant for the balance of the lease, which expires in 2009.

[Source: GM, Photo: IAA via Getty Images]