The people involved are NOT actors, and yes, it IS that cold and snowy in Michigan right now.
Welcome to Gladwin, Michigan, folks–home of the two season year. Namely, winter and road construction. Sorry, old Michigan joke there, but the video you’re about to see today is none other than recent Ford convert and Hitler annoyance Ken Block, tearing through the ice and snow of Gladwin in his Ford Fiesta. Locked in sixth gear, he’s going to do some absolutely amazing things in this vehicle.
This is all being done in advance of Block’s first race with the Ford Fiesta, in the Rally America series.
Needless to say, most of us here in Michigan wouldn’t dream of driving like that down our ice-slick roads, but that’s what separates rally drivers like Ken Block from the rest of us on our way to the grocery store for hot chocolate and popcorn. So enjoy the video, because it really is something else.
Fiat has recently let us know that they will officially be building the 1.4-liter 92 horsepower engine found in their 500 in a plant in Dundee, Michigan.
For those of you paying attention, this will net them a 5% stake in Chrysler as they struck a deal that will increase their stake in the automaker when they build a fuel efficient engine in the U.S., build a 40 mpg car in the US and “expand Chrysler’s international reach”.
Let’s hope Fiat has what it takes to save Chrysler.
Last weekend we let you know that GM would announce the location of their lithium ion battery plant sometime this week. Well, right on queue, the automaker has issued a press release stating that their new battery plant will call Brownstown Township, Michigan its home. This plant will not only make lithium ion batteries for the Chevy Volt but also for other GM vehicles utilizing the Voltec powertrain system.
After the lithium ion batteries are manufactured, they will be shipped to GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant where they will then be installed in the cars.
In terms of the economy, this new plant will employ around 100 new people to man the 160,00 sq-ft facility with further employment plans being announced at a later date.
Rebuilding and restoring old and classic cars is a hobby for most and apparently Karmann USA is ready to aid the people who are into it. Karmann USA is launching a new aftermarket group to rebuild and restore convertible tops for vintage cars in the United States.
Headquartered in Plymouth Township, Karmann Classics will offer a variety of services including: standard roof repair for vehicles in daily service; original or “authentic” restoration for show models, and a wide range of other customization options to suit specific customer needs.
“Karmann’s new aftermarket division initially will focus on restoring VW Karmann Ghias and VW Beetle convertibles,” said Erik Roeren, president and CEO of Karmann USA. “As the original manufacturer of the VW Karmann Ghia and VW Beetle convertible, Karmann is uniquely positioned to rebuild convertible roof systems for these vehicles.”
Karmann Classics initially aims to serve customers in a four-state region of the Midwest, including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as well as convertible owners in Ontario, Canada. During its launch phase, Karmann Classics will have the capacity to work on three to four vehicles at a time.
The company plans to expand nationwide and eventually will provide restoration services for all convertibles, in addition to Karmann Ghias and Beetle convertibles. Karmann Classics is partnering with local VW dealerships, which also will handle vehicle restoration.
Seeing that the auto industry isn’t showing any sign of improvement, nearly 7,500 workers have opted to grab early retirement options, leaving the big three auto companies (Chrysler, General Motors and Ford), in a move that seems to be better for their end.
Since 2006 General Motors Corporation (GM) (Detroit, Michigan) has made early retirement and buyout offers to its workers three times, with more than 60,000 employees accepting. Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, Michigan) and Chrysler LLC (Auburn Hills, Michigan) have also made similar offers during this time period.
During the latest round of buyout and early retirement offers at GM however, the majority of the employees who have accepted, 7,500 to be exact, will take early retirement rather than the buyout.
