more COMMENTARIES

Why should Chinese automakers be in such a hurry?

It's conventional wisdom in some parts of the United States that Dodges and Chryslers built by Chery Automobile Co. are likely to be the first Chinese vehicles sold in North America Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 11:34 am U.S. ET | April 18

Keeping the Alfa legend alive

As the saying goes, if you have a finicky Italian car to fix, it makes sense to take it to a Scotsman. OK, so it's not a saying. All I know is that my recently acquired -- and mortally wounded -- 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider was in the care of one Stewart Sandeman, the Scottish proprietor of Alfa Performance Connection Mark Rechtin is Los Angeles bureau chief for Automotive News. [SUB] 3:29 pm U.S. ET | April 17

Chrysler, the multilegged stool

Just hours after a labor protest halted Alfa Romeo production at a factory in southern Italy, reports began circulating in Europe that Fiat is talking with Chrysler LLC about producing Alfas in North America. How convenient Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:05 pm U.S. ET | April 17

The age of fuel innovation is here

One of the basic reasons that we don't have much in the way of oil reserves is that there was no point in searching for oil when you had 10 years of development ahead of you. That may not be the case any longer, but it was very real for many years Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 14

Buick: As Chicago goes, so goes the nation

How bad are Buick sales? Nationwide, Buick sales plummeted 24.1 percent in March compared with the previous March. Just 12,317 retail and fleet vehicles were sold. It was a dismal month for a brand that has three solid products: the LaCrosse, Lucerne and Enclave. In fact, that's all it has -- three vehicles. That's hardly a product line. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 14

SALES TALES: What they're buying -- and what they're not

With gasoline heading for $4 a gallon and the U.S. economy slipping deeper into the doldrums, it's time to look at what new-vehicle customers are and are not buying John K. Teahen Jr. is the senior editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 14

Cadillac's ad agency savors the sweet life

It took a while, but the head of Cadillac's advertising agency says its work for the brand has hit "the sweet spot." Lance Jensen, co-founder of Modernista, says the well-received campaign that his agency created last year for the Cadillac CTS sedan has set a tone for the luxury marque. He describes it as "young, sexy and energetic, with a bit of an attitude." Special Correspondent Laura Clark Geist writes a monthly column on trends in automotive advertising and marketing. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 14

Hybrids' silence could spur a loud debate

On the eve of the SAE International confab in Detroit next week, there's more buzz about how to protect visually impaired pedestrians from noiseless vehicles Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 3:46 pm U.S. ET | April 11

Can the Greens slow down the autobahn?

Don't look now, but Bremen town is back in the news. This time it's about politicians who have imposed a 75 mph speed limit on 37 or so miles of autobahn that run through their part of the world Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:24 pm U.S. ET | April 10

Confused: Do the Brits drive too much?

This just in: The average car-owning Brit will drive more than 507,000 miles in a lifetime -- all on the wrong side of the road. Hey, just kidding! Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:10 pm U.S. ET | April 8

A UAW board seat? It might help

All the niff-nawing about how much financial and operational information American Axle should share with the UAW makes a strong argument for having a union representative on the company's board of directors Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:12 pm U.S. ET | April 7

Time to go back to the basics

This isn't the first time the U.S. automobile industry has seen a sales downturn. I pity dealers who have never seen a downturn. They might have thought that the market would be going up forever. Well, it's time to go back to the basics Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 7

In the United States, BMW is a victim of its own success

There was a surprise in last year's financial results, though. Audi's profit margin topped BMW's. BMW's comparatively bad showing demonstrates just how right CEO Norbert Reithofer has been in pursuing drastic cost reductions Guido Reinking is editor of Automobilwoche, a Crain publication that covers the German auto industry. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 7

Who will cool states' fuel economy fervor?

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., ought to be re-elected easily. That leads me to this sobering thought: A year from now, with a new president in the White House and a new Congress in session, Dingell could be the lone voice crying in the wilderness, imploring the nation to understand the madness Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 7

A rivet for your thoughts

It's probably a coincidence, but this year Porsche and Harley-Davidson each plan to finish museums honoring their respective heritages. Talk about megadoses of testosterone and brand equity, eh? Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:29 pm U.S. ET | April 4

Ford 2000 plus One

This week's reorganization of Ford's global product development and purchasing operations is a logical step in CEO Alan Mulally's campaign to forge one global Ford Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:26 pm U.S. ET | April 3

Will there be a lone voice of reason in Washington in 2009?

Rep. John Dingell's decision to run for re-election this fall really wasn't much of a surprise. A staunch ally of the auto industry -- especially the Detroit 3 -- Dingell shows no apparent desire to retire. Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:41 pm U.S. ET | March 31

It's time to break the glass ceiling

Electing the first female chairman of NADA should be more than just an isolated incident. It ought to be the beginning of a trend. NADA should recognize the potential among its female members. It's about time Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 31

Yanase opened Japan to Western cars

For more than half a century, Jiro Yanase personified the import-car market in Japan -- for better and worse. He opened the door to foreign cars at a time when tariffs and, later, nontariff barriers kept the Japanese market closed. But after opening it a crack, he then plastered it in place so it wouldn't open any wider James B. Treece is industry editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 31

N.Y. show suggests a future of smart powertrains, muscle

The eclectic array of muscle cars and advanced-technology microcars on display at the New York International Auto Show provided a good glimpse of the future. Here's a look at some of the hits and one miss at the New York show Richard Truett is a reporter for Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 31

Land Rover in good shape, but challenges remain

Business is booming at Land Rover, and that's good news for soon-to-be owner Tata. Land Rover appears to be solidly profitable, according to what can be gleaned from Ford's financial statements. Jaguar has not been profitable since Ford bought it in 1989, and in most years its sales have fallen Tony Lewin is an Automotive News Europe correspondent. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 31

Tip for Tata: Let British brands be British brands

It would have been interesting to see what former Ford CEO Jacques Nasser might have done with Jaguar and Land Rover if given another chance. But it's probably just as well that Tata Motors outbid Nasser's One Equity Partners and the other private equity groups being advised by former Jag/Ford execs Nick Scheele and Bob Dover. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 31

Camaro's generational buzz -- from Reuss to the road

Maybe it has something to do with the warm promise of yet another spring and another opening day of Major League Baseball. Or maybe it's just the byproduct of auto show hoopla Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [REG] 12:41 pm U.S. ET | March 28

Mercedes limo service? Zetsche might try it

How is this for irony? Just months after Daimler peddled the Chrysler group, CEO Dieter Zetsche has the German automaker looking for ways to expand sales and profits Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:30 pm U.S. ET | March 27

Some advice for Tata: Let the British brands be British brands

It would have been interesting to see what former Ford CEO Jacques Nasser might have done with Jaguar and Land Rover if given another chance. But it's probably just as well that Tata Motors outbid Nasser's One Equity Partners as well as the other private equity groups being advised by former Jag/Ford execs Nick Scheele and Bob Dover Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:20 pm U.S. ET | March 26

BMW falls victim to U.S. success

If there were an award for last year's most profitable premium brand, it would be an unequivocal victory for Mercedes-Benz. After cutting Chrysler loose, profits at Daimler, Mercedes' parent, have shot upward like an untethered balloon. None of its rivals could keep up Guido Reinking is editor of Automobilwoche. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 24

Chinese cars? Dealer beware

Everybody knows that the Chinese are coming and that they'll be looking for dealers and possibly distributors. The challenge is that no one knows who's coming. It's anybody's guess which automaker will show up on our shores with a real car and a real distribution company Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 24

Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame

Sure, I remember Bob Irvin. I've been in the news business for 62 years (53 with Automotive News), and Bob is the best I've ever worked with. Last week we learned that Bob will be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame on Oct. 7. Bob could do it all John K. Teahen Jr. is senior editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 24

Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man

For more than 30 years, the tobacco and auto industries have faced tons of bad publicity about their products and their motives. In their responses to political and public pressure, one industry might learn from the travails of the other Barrett Kalellis is a Detroit-area freelance writer. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 24

Selling Fords to Joe, Sally, Biff and Buffy (and Ma and Pa, too)

Marketing execs use Joe and Sally Sixpack or Biff and Buffy Latte as shorthand for certain demographic and psychographic stereotypes. Europe has its own marketing stereotypes, and Ford is using a couple in its efforts to sell the Kuga and Fiesta. Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 1:16 pm U.S. ET | March 21

Ford buyouts II: Less pressure this time around

Reports of Ford Motor Co.'s second round of buyouts and the sign-up deadline for employees this week created a sense of deja vu for me. Just 13 months ago, I separated from the company, unsure about the future Bernadine Williams is a reporter intern for Automotive News. [SUB] 4:04 pm U.S. ET | March 21

Hot products could lift Lincoln overseas

Could you imagine how well Lincoln would be doing overseas -- thanks to the weak dollar -- if it only had a suitable brand image? Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 20

It's time for dealer-factory collaboration

Ford has decided to get the ball rolling and has offered some of its U.S. dealers the opportunity to fold their tents. But Ford doesn't have enough money to buy out all the dealers that need to be eliminated. Nor does anyone else for that matter Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 17

SALES TALES: Mercedes again is true-luxury king

Here we go again with the column guaranteed to anger every manufacturer, importer and dealer of "luxury" vehicles. It angers them because this analysis shows that many -- in some cases, most -- of their car-and-truck sales are not in the luxury class at all. For our purposes, a luxury vehicle is one with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $42,000 or more John K. Teahen Jr. is senior editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 17

Politics can age a car overnight

Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen AG's supervisory board, once observed that cars are holding up longer mechanically but age more quickly politically. He arrived at that conclusion at the end of the 1990s, when he was still CEO of VW. It's becoming clear today how right Piech was and how quickly cars age politically Guido Reinking is editor of Automobilwoche, a Crain publication that covers the German auto industry. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 17

Suppliers seek to protect intellectual property

Life is rough for an automotive supplier these days. There are two tectonic plates on a collision course in the automotive supply world. One is the persistent push by purchasers for lower costs. The counter-push is technology Steven Susser is a shareholder in the Southfield, Mich., firm Young & Susser P.C. [SUB] 3:06 pm U.S. ET | March 14

China automakers need more international managers

China's automakers face various hurdles as they strive to become world-class. One of the biggest is a lack of managers with international experience Alysha Webb is the China Bureau Chief of Automotive News. [SUB] 11:13 am U.S. ET | March 14

Russia not always hospitable to outsiders

It shouldn't surprise anyone that Chrysler is thinking about building vehicles in Russia, which seems to be one of the fastest-growing global markets for Western cars and trucks Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 10:06 am U.S. ET | March 14

No California dreaming for PAG siblings

Don't be surprised if the U.S. operations of Jaguar and Land Rover pack up and move back to the East Coast after the brands are sold Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 4:36 pm U.S. ET | March 12

GM, Ford should bring Euro cars here

Ford, General Motors' Opel and many other manufacturers around the world have been designing and building small, fuel-efficient vehicles for years. It shouldn't be rocket science to import those vehicles or manufacture them in the United States Keith Crain is publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 10

Germany's labor setup just doesn't work

The waste bin of corporate governance is filled with stories of things that somehow just go wrong. But there isn't a waste bin large enough for the story that wrapped up last month in Germany Jason Stein is publisher of Automotive News Europe. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 10

Who says Americans don't want hatchbacks?

As far as Ford Motor Co. is concerned, Europe has become a laboratory for the U.S. market. This occurred to me last week in the basement of the Hotel Woodrow Wilson, where Ford unveiled production versions of the redesigned three- and five-door Fiesta David Sedgwick is editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 10

Currency crunch time

One of the major undercurrents this week at the Geneva auto show was the weakness of the dollar, which was a topic of conversation almost everywhere you went Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 2:43 pm U.S. ET | March 7

Parent's love: Will GM aid American Axle?

Will General Motors come to the aid of another of its once-in-house, now-independent parts making companies? Maybe -- if it wearies of a UAW strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. that has shut seven GM plants to date David Barkholz is a reporter covering labor for Automotive News. [SUB] 4:19 pm U.S. ET | March 5

The style at Geneva

It's all about style at the Geneva auto show. Style is a defining characteristic of the best products and concept vehicles that you see on the stands. It also is a defining attribute for the executives you see on the show floor Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 11:32 am U.S. ET | March 5

When cars age politically

Ferdinand Piëch, chairman of Volkswagen AG's supervisory board, once observed that cars are holding up longer mechanically but age more quickly politically. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 4

What Ford needs is Ford of Europe

The news that Ford Motor Co. trimmed its second-quarter North American production schedule by 10 percent isn't a good sign, even when compared with the struggles of other automakers trying to wade through a shaky U.S. economy Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [REG] 9:00 am U.S. ET | March 4

Saving Alfa Romeo -- one Spider at a time

Don't do it. Really. Save yourself the heartache. The advice -- nay, pleas -- came from several people whose mechanical acumen and knowledge of automobilia far exceed mine Mark Rechtin is Los Angeles bureau chief for Automotive News. [SUB] 2:31 pm U.S. ET | March 3

A banner for every brand

When you go to an auto show overseas, you expect to see a lot of unfamiliar brands and models. That's especially true in Geneva, which is neutral territory because there are no major automakers with headquarters here Edward Lapham is executive editor of Automotive News. [SUB] 2:09 pm U.S. ET | March 3

When Lutz dumps on global warming ...

Bob Lutz's team is turning out one terrific vehicle after another, and General Motors is also earning some credibility in fuel economy.And then Bob Lutz tells a bunch of reporters, supposedly off the record, that human-caused global warming is "a total crock of shit." Imagine the cringing over in Steve Harris' public relations department Peter Brown is associate publisher and editorial director of Automotive News. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 3

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