If you have been watching The Jay Leno Show, the guest appearances are sure to be one of the most anticipated segments you would want. Guests are normally celebrities or famous personalities. But a car? Apparently there is a new twist on the next show via NBC. This time it is not a human celebrity but a car celebrity. And that car celebrity is the electric Ford Focus.

The appearance of the electric Ford Focus is actually part of the “Green Car Challenge”. Jay Leno will make use of the electric Ford Focus as the official vehicle that will be driven by the rich and famous and find out who can lap a track at the quickest time. With the Ford Focus scheduled to be unveiled by 2011, this may be a good teaser and publicity gimmick to build on the fortunes of Ford Motors.

The prototype vehicle that will be used on The Jay Leno Show was developed by Ford in partnership with Magna. Tune in to NBC and watch the Jay Leno Show at 10 p.m./ 9p.m. central and see which personality can drive the electric Ford Focus the fastest!

(Source) Automobile Mag

Tags: car challenge, celebrities, famous personalities, ford focus, ford motors, fortunes, gimmick, green car, guest appearances, Jay Leno, jay leno show, m central, magna, NBC, new twist, prototype vehicle, publicity, segments

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Count another falling brand under the GM logo sold. The latest car brand made famous by General Motors has been officially sold to Koenigsegg Automotive AB, a tiny company that produces only a dozen custom-made super cars a year.

GM bought a 50 percent stake in Saab for $600 million in 1990 and acquired the rest for $125 million in 2000. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said GM could build another car for the Saab brand. “Based on the preliminary plan, we expect the buyer to ask GM to build the 9-4x,” Henderson told reporters during an online chat Tuesday. “We will also provide support in terms of powertrain and other technologies.”

While the task to rebuild the Saab brand seems like a daunting task, Koenigsegg has been known to be successful without the expensive modes of advertising and promotions. Can you imagine a car company that does not advertise prices but is doing good in the business? That alone speaks highly of what the company can do to turn around the sagging fortunes of the Saab.

No financial figures have been revealed but many speculate the deal to be a virtual giveaway. The deal is expected to be finalized by the third quarter of the year.

(Source) CBS News

Tags: car brand, car company, Cars, daunting task, fortunes, General Motors, GM, gm logo, koenigsegg, modes, percent stake, powertrain, promotions, Saab, tiny company

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General Motor employees who have been laid off may be down and gloomy these days. Now that they have lost their jobs, life becomes harder for them in sustaining their needs. However, Spartan Stores may have something that should be a big help to their fortunes.

Spartan Stores throughout Michigan will be offering the Michigan Proud Card where former GM employees who avail of them would get 10% off on groceries and 3% on fuel until June 12, 2009 when scanned prior to a transaction at any D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen’s Markets, Glen’s Fresh Marketplace or VG’s Michigan location.

We all know the American Auto Industry is going through a difficult period,” noted Alan Hartline, Executive Vice President Merchandising and Marketing Spartan Stores. “Yet we believe the American Spirit will prevail and the industry will come out of this difficult time a new and stronger entity. We in Michigan appreciate the contributions the auto industry has made to our country, communities and families and wish to assist with the MICHIGAN PROUD card.

(Source) Press

Tags: american auto industry, american spirit, card source, communities and families, difficult period, executive vice, family fare, fortunes, GM, gm employees, groceries, hartline, jobs, marketplace, michigan location, spartan stores

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Perhaps Midas knows something that other car manufacturers don’t. Regardless, it is preying on the embattled dealers, employees and customers to try out what they have to offer, promoting their company as the alternative towards the sagging fortunes of companies like GM and Chrysler.

There are a lot of people affected by the debacle hitting the automotive industry and while the cloud of gloom roams over the dealerships, employees and customers, Midas plans to turn all that into brighter days ahead.

“Midas shops provide a full range of services on domestic and foreign vehicles, so there are employment opportunities for auto dealership service staff regardless of their specific vehicle brand or system repair experience,” Feldman said.

Call it taking advantage or not, Midas may have something to offer that auto dealers don’t know. Whatever that may be, you can bet they will get a lion share of these befuddled people. Besides, if you were among the dealers, employees and customers, what have you got to lose by checking out the Midas offer?

(Source) Press

Tags: Auto Dealers, auto dealership, auto dealerships, automotive industry, car manufacturers, Chrysler, employment opportunities, fortunes, GM, midas, repair experience

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If you think the Honda Insight is the only thing that is making Honda hot these days, check the studies and records. It seems that Honda has scored another feather to its cap by being the preferred Supplier Working Relations.

Since 2002, Toyota has been lording it over as the best in the automaker circle. But apparently, Honda has been busy working on all aspects of its operation, including supplier working relations which is probably the reason for overtaking Toyota Motors this time around.

“Toyota supplier relations have lost significant ground in the last two years and it has slipped out of first place in our Study – a position it held since we started measuring the supplier working relations of the six automakers in 2002 with our Working Relations Index. Suppliers suggest a potential reason for this drop is a younger, less experienced staff in Toyota’s purchasing group for whom the ‘Toyota Way’ is not yet the way of doing things.”

Is Toyota slipping or are they just playing it safe? Remember, Toyota reported a first ever loss earlier this year and it seems that their fortunes are falling one after another. What could possibly be next?

(Source) Press

Tags: automakers, fortunes, Honda, honda insight, preferred supplier, purchasing group, Toyota, toyota motors, toyota way

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It is no secret that General Motors is trying to offer its other car product lines to groups that can finance and manage them. After the Hummer, it looks like its other brand, Swedish brand Saab has found no takers to date. And based on their analysis, no one seems to be interested in taking the chance on this Swedish-based car.

The lack of interest makes Saab the second brand GM has been unable to shed as the global financial crisis curbs merger and acquisitions. The automaker has also failed to find a buyer for Hummer, which was put under review in June.

Could we see this GM brand shut down? If not, perhaps a new take-off for the Swedish brand Saab can help revive its fortunes. With proper analysis and planning, Saab can make a comeback. But with factors like the economic crunch around and lack of focus, the road towards achieving that is not going to be easy.

(Source) Autoweek

Tags: automaker, fortunes, General Motors, GM, HUMMER, lack of interest, Saab

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