Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek
Thursday, January 31, 2008
AWEA Thanks Senate Financial Committee
The threat of global warming is very serious and it is a good thing that industries are taking the right attitude towards protecting the environment. Automakers have started producing fuel efficient vehicles which will reduce the consumption of non-renewable petroleum fuel and production of greenhouse gas which contributes heavily to global warming.
The American Wind Energy Association is one industry that is helping to promote the use of eco-friendly energy sources. Recently, the association thanked the Senate for extending the expiring tax credits for companies which are developing eco-friendly technologies.
According to The Auto Channel, the group issued a statement through AWAE Executive Director Randall Swisher. "The American Wind Energy Association, on behalf of our more than 1200 member companies, commends the Senate Finance Committee for including an extension of the expiring tax credits for wind, solar, and other renewable energy technologies as part of its economic stimulus package," reads the statement.
"The extension of the production tax credit (PTC) is urgently needed to protect tens of thousands of
"We urge the full U.S. Senate to move quickly to adopt the Finance Committee stimulus package that includes the PTC extension. Rapid action is pivotal if wind, solar and other renewable energy industries are to continue to grow, attract large-scale manufacturing investment and create jobs for Americans across the country."
Hopefully, the AWEA will soon power all homes in the
Thursday, January 24, 2008
2009 Ford F-150... “Most Significant”
Since the opening day of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, all we did was drool over several stunning concept cars and new production vehicles unveiled by the world’s greatest automakers. It was indeed a crazy week!The show was also highlighted by a number of awesome performances from popular artists and celebrities. But the main highlight of the show is the awarding of few of the most significant vehicles showcased in the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
One of the recognized vehicles is the 2009 Ford F-150. This radical and powerful ride won the “Most Significant" vehicle of this year's North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit. AutoWeek Magazine’s editors picked the winner for the said award.
"We're very pleased that AutoWeek's selected our new 2009 F-150 as this year's most significant vehicle at the show. It's exciting to begin the launch of the new F-150 with media honors, and it further recognizes the work we put into understanding our customers and always delivering the best truck on the market," says Patrick Schiavone, the design director of Ford Trucks.
“From the Explorer America, a unibody-constructed, friendlier sport/utility vehicle, to the Verve, the best-looking small car Ford has built for America in generations; the F-150 is Most Significant for what it means not only to the company but to the American ethic. The F-150 is Ford tough - and so was this decision among quite an impressive lineup of products Ford has on display.” This is an actual quote from Automobile Magazine.
So now you know what you should expect from this vehicle, right?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
TMS Announces Management Changes
It’s high time for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. to do some management changes. So who made it to the most-coveted TMS seats?The executive appointments are as follows:
With the recent retirement of Bob Pitts, administrative services will now report to Tracey Doi, the group vice president & CFO.
Chris Hostetter, vice president of advanced product strategy and product planning, is promoted to group vice president of advanced product strategy and product planning. Hostetter continues to report to Dave Danzer, group vice president, corporate strategy and product planning.
Randy Pflughaupt, vice president of marketing, is promoted to group vice president of marketing, Toyota Division. Pflughaupt continues to report to Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division.
Bill Fay, vice president of sales, is promoted to group vice president, sales administration, replacing Al Cabito. A distinguished 36-year veteran of Toyota, Cabito elected to retire, effective January 2008. Fay reports to Don Esmond, senior vice president of automotive operations.
Jim Colon, vice president of Lexus sales and dealer development, is appointed vice president of sales, Toyota Division, replacing Fay. Colon reports to Carter.
Brian Smith, corporate manager, marketing/SUV, is promoted to vice president of Lexus sales and dealer development, replacing Colon. Smith will report to Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of the Lexus Division.
Kevin Higgins, national sales and product planning manager, is promoted to corporate manager, marketing/SUV, replacing Smith. Higgins reports to Pflughaupt.
Mike Reding, vice president of corporate accessories, is appointed to the new position of vice president, sales support and international operations, with responsibility for Fleet/Toyota Rent a Car/Toyota Certified Used Vehicles and international operations. Reding reports to Fay.
Elaine Matsuda, corporate manager of customer relations, is promoted to vice president of corporate accessories, replacing Reding. Matsuda continues to report to Jane Beseda, group vice president and general manager, customer service division.
Nancy Fein, vice president of Lexus customer service, is appointed vice president of customer relations, replacing Matsuda. Fein reports to Beseda.
Al Smith, corporate manager of Fleet/Toyota Rent a Car/Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, is promoted to vice president of Lexus customer service, replacing Fein. Smith reports to Templin.
Scott Heyer, national fleet sales and marketing manager, is promoted to corporate manager of Fleet/Toyota Rent a Car/Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, replacing Smith. Heyer reports to Reding.
Barbara Arnold, assistant general counsel, is promoted to vice president of ethics, compliance, and enterprise risk management, with added responsibility for environmental, health and safety, which currently reports to administrative services. Arnold continues to report to Chris Reynolds, vice president and general counsel.
Ginger Bauer, managing counsel, legal services group, is promoted to corporate manager, assistant general counsel. Bauer assumes responsibility for the business operations legal support group previously managed by Arnold. Bauer reports to Reynolds.
More TMS appointments here.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Crossover Leads The Way For Ford
The price of petroleum fuel is on the rise and consumers are looking for vehicles which are fuel efficient. But it cannot be denied that Americans love roomy cars. Thus, automakers came up with the idea of creating a vehicle that is large enough to be considered as an SUV in its own right, but has the fuel efficiency and the handling dynamics of a small car. The result is the crossover.
Ford is one automaker which has invested heavily in the development of crossover utility vehicles. And their investment is now reaping them success as the automaker sets the highest sales increase for crossover utility vehicles for the year 2007 at 62 percent increase.
According to The Auto Channel:
- Ford, Mercury and Lincoln crossover utility vehicles paced the industry's fastest-growing segment with a gain of 62 percent in 2007; Ford Edge challenged entrenched foreign models for supremacy among mid- size crossovers.
- Lincoln posts 9 percent increase in 2007, owing to new MKX crossover and higher sales for MKZ sedan.
- New Ford Focus up 3 percent in December (9 percent at retail).
- Ford's F-Series truck was America's best-selling truck in 2007 - the 31st year in a row.
- Ford's 2007 sales totaled 2.57 million, down 12 percent compared with 2006; more than two-thirds of the decline reflected discontinued models.
Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president for Marketing and Communications had this to say: "Ford Edge is a great example of our plan to build products people really want to buy. Demand is growing at a fast pace beyond the nation's heartland, our traditional region of strength."
Crossover utility vehicle sales for 2007 being very high, Ford is hoping to continue their success this year. Farley said: "We are restructuring our business to be profitable at lower demand and changed mix and accelerating the development of new products people want to buy. We have more work to do to reach our ultimate goal - profitable growth for all. But we have made progress in a short amount of time in several key areas."
