Sep 12, 2008 -
News From AutoObserver.com
Hi,
Here are some highlights from Edmunds’ AutoObserver.com this week. As always, there is more available directly on www.autoobserver.com:
Ford's European Models: We Want Them Today -- Even Better, Yesterday!- Because Ford Motor Co. intends to eventually sell the same small Fords everywhere in the world - similar to the ones Ford of Europe has been selling for years - the automaker hosted media from North America, South America, South Africa and Australia to test-drive its current European offerings. At Ford's proving grounds in Lommel, Belgium, journalists test drove the current C-segment Focus and Focus-based models already sold in Europe. For Edmunds’ reviews of these vehicles, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/09/fords-european-models-we-want-them-today----even-better-yesterday.html
Chevy Volt Styling Is A Short-Circuit- If images circulated on the Web this week are representative of the Chevrolet Volt General Motors Corp. plans to deliver in two years, the General had better hope potential customers appreciate the engineering - because the Volt's design is a corporate brownout. AutoObserver's all-day cruise around auto-related Web sites noted heavy-traffic comment about the leaked images of the Volt extended-range electric vehicle; some are mildly complimentary, but critics seem to outnumber approvers by at least four to one. For more reactions to images of the Volt, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/09/chevy-volt-styling-is-a-short-circuit.html
Ford's Mulally: U.S. Recession is Spreading- Everything you read in the media about the poor state of the economy and the struggles of the auto business is true, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally said Monday. "The U.S. economy is in recession and the rest of the world is slowing down," Mulally told members of InForum, a Michigan women's professional group. "The Middle East is slowing down, and Europe is slowing down. It really is tough out there."
For more information on this story and Mulally’s comments, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/09/fords-mulally-us-recession-is-spreading.html
Luxury Brands Gut Out Downturn, Along With Their Customers- Sales of automotive luxury brands are struggling just like the overall U.S. market is. Collectively, so far this year, upscale marques have only managed to hold on to their 11 percent share of the market from 2007. And some of the loftiest brands in the American auto business have been demonstrating some of the least resiliency. Lexus, for example, is off 15 percent in 2008 sales through the end of August, and BMW brand has suffered a decline of 7 percent. For more information on this story, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/09/luxury-brands-gut-out-downturn-along-with-their-customers.html
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