Minggu, 29 Juli 2007
Toyota Camry Black
Toyoto Formula 1
US automakers head for union showdown
As financial losses mount, US automakers are headed for a showdown with the United Auto Workers union in contract negotiations this summer.
While the United Auto Workers (UAW) made major concessions last year as General Motors and Ford began racking up multibillion dollar losses, dissent is brewing among the rank-and-file.
One issue which has drawn significant union ire is that Ford is considering giving bonuses to executives while it is in the midst of laying off 44,000 workers and shuttering 16 plants across North America.
Ford Motor Co. chief executive officer Alan Mulally defended that decision in a conference call last week discussing the automaker’s 12.7 billion dollar (9.8 billion euro) annual loss in 2006, saying that “competitive” compensation packages were necessary to retain top management.
Meanwhile, investors are pressuring automakers to make sweeping changes to the contracts, which include some of the highest wages in industrial America as well as generous health-care and pension benefits.
“A lot of investors believe really that to make the significant gains in a business, a company needs to take a strike,” Bank of America Securities analyst Ron Tadross told Mulally in a conference call last week.
Mulally, who presided over a strike when he was head of Boeing, noted that Ford had a good relationship with the UAW but said his first priority would always be increasing the competitiveness of the company.
“I have always been very respectful of the union as an institution and either one of us, the union or Ford, can destroy the Ford company,” he said. “So it is not about taking a big stance.”
General Motors, which lost more than 2.5 billion dollars in 23 strikes between 1990 and 1998 as it battled with the union over downsizing, is more strike adverse.
The toughest talks may be at DaimlerChrysler where executives from the Chrysler Group have been frustrated by the UAW’s refusal to approve contract modifications on health care similar to those the union made at GM and Ford in 2005.
The union’s refusal meant Chrysler’s 55,000 workers got a raise of roughly one dollar per hour in September while GM and Ford workers gave up a pay increase as part of the health-care concessions.
Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group chief executive officer, has insisted the union must grant concessions. So far, however, the UAW has balked and the dispute over concessions continues to simmer, though the union agreed to take another look at DaimlerChrysler’s financial reports.
A UAW spokesman declined to comment on the negotiations over the union’s current four-year contract which runs out September 14.
Harley Shaiken, a labor expert from the University of California-Berkley with close ties to the UAW, said 2007 contract talks in Detroit could wind up being far less dramatic than some analysts anticipate.
“Clearly these are trying times,” Shaiken said. “The general sentiment inside the union is to do something to help the companies.”
However, the UAW isn’t willing to give up on key principles, such as making sure it protects the incomes of long-time employees idled by management, Shaiken said.
And some union members are actively pushing for a tough stance. “Should workers volunteer to bankrupt themselves to save the company? Or should the companies and the unions together demand a solution that benefits all Americans by leveling the playing field with our European and Japanese competitors?” noted Greg Shotwell, a GM worker in Lansing, Michigan.
“The UAW has bargained too narrowly for too long. We deserve a strategy of confrontation that connects the struggle of union members with the struggle of all Americans,” Shotwell said in recent e-mail to Soldiers of Solidarity, which he founded in 2005 to prod the union into greater militancy.
While the United Auto Workers (UAW) made major concessions last year as General Motors and Ford began racking up multibillion dollar losses, dissent is brewing among the rank-and-file.
One issue which has drawn significant union ire is that Ford is considering giving bonuses to executives while it is in the midst of laying off 44,000 workers and shuttering 16 plants across North America.
Ford Motor Co. chief executive officer Alan Mulally defended that decision in a conference call last week discussing the automaker’s 12.7 billion dollar (9.8 billion euro) annual loss in 2006, saying that “competitive” compensation packages were necessary to retain top management.
Meanwhile, investors are pressuring automakers to make sweeping changes to the contracts, which include some of the highest wages in industrial America as well as generous health-care and pension benefits.
“A lot of investors believe really that to make the significant gains in a business, a company needs to take a strike,” Bank of America Securities analyst Ron Tadross told Mulally in a conference call last week.
Mulally, who presided over a strike when he was head of Boeing, noted that Ford had a good relationship with the UAW but said his first priority would always be increasing the competitiveness of the company.
“I have always been very respectful of the union as an institution and either one of us, the union or Ford, can destroy the Ford company,” he said. “So it is not about taking a big stance.”
General Motors, which lost more than 2.5 billion dollars in 23 strikes between 1990 and 1998 as it battled with the union over downsizing, is more strike adverse.
The toughest talks may be at DaimlerChrysler where executives from the Chrysler Group have been frustrated by the UAW’s refusal to approve contract modifications on health care similar to those the union made at GM and Ford in 2005.
The union’s refusal meant Chrysler’s 55,000 workers got a raise of roughly one dollar per hour in September while GM and Ford workers gave up a pay increase as part of the health-care concessions.
Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group chief executive officer, has insisted the union must grant concessions. So far, however, the UAW has balked and the dispute over concessions continues to simmer, though the union agreed to take another look at DaimlerChrysler’s financial reports.
A UAW spokesman declined to comment on the negotiations over the union’s current four-year contract which runs out September 14.
Harley Shaiken, a labor expert from the University of California-Berkley with close ties to the UAW, said 2007 contract talks in Detroit could wind up being far less dramatic than some analysts anticipate.
“Clearly these are trying times,” Shaiken said. “The general sentiment inside the union is to do something to help the companies.”
However, the UAW isn’t willing to give up on key principles, such as making sure it protects the incomes of long-time employees idled by management, Shaiken said.
And some union members are actively pushing for a tough stance. “Should workers volunteer to bankrupt themselves to save the company? Or should the companies and the unions together demand a solution that benefits all Americans by leveling the playing field with our European and Japanese competitors?” noted Greg Shotwell, a GM worker in Lansing, Michigan.
“The UAW has bargained too narrowly for too long. We deserve a strategy of confrontation that connects the struggle of union members with the struggle of all Americans,” Shotwell said in recent e-mail to Soldiers of Solidarity, which he founded in 2005 to prod the union into greater militancy.
Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all are bracing for shocks
Is this Ford's last chance? Some observers think so. In fact, a number of auto industry watchers believe that each of the Big Three American automakers has only one restructuring left. After that, one or more of them will be gone.
Ford Motor Co. shocked workers and Wall Street alike with news last week that its losses for 2006 will exceed $12.7 billion. A large part of that is due to buyouts and other one-time expenses.
Another shock last week came from General Motors, which announced it would delay its 2006 results because of accounting irregularities. This isn't good for GM's reputation. It has had this problem before.
Wall Street analysts expect Chrysler to report 2006 losses as well. That company's massive -- and some expect drastic -- restructuring will happen next month.
The American auto industry is running out of options. Dealers, once their captives, are no longer beholden to a single Detroit company and are now selling Asian-produced cars too.
Parts suppliers can't be squeezed any more. Detroit's recent cost cutting has come largely at their expense. Now that some of the suppliers have been forced into bankruptcy, Detroit has to look elsewhere to save money.
Finally, American auto makers must produce cars that customers want to buy. If they can't do that, the game is over.
Optimistic industry insiders and outside observers say Ford, GM and Chrysler can do it -- with two years' grace. The pessimists say -- well, let's hope they're wrong.
Restructuring will be hard and painful. But signs are that industry leaders, despite their record, get it this time. Ford's CEO Alan Mulally was asked what his priorities for saving the company are. He said, "At the top of the list, I would put dealing with reality."
Ford Motor Co. shocked workers and Wall Street alike with news last week that its losses for 2006 will exceed $12.7 billion. A large part of that is due to buyouts and other one-time expenses.
Another shock last week came from General Motors, which announced it would delay its 2006 results because of accounting irregularities. This isn't good for GM's reputation. It has had this problem before.
Wall Street analysts expect Chrysler to report 2006 losses as well. That company's massive -- and some expect drastic -- restructuring will happen next month.
The American auto industry is running out of options. Dealers, once their captives, are no longer beholden to a single Detroit company and are now selling Asian-produced cars too.
Parts suppliers can't be squeezed any more. Detroit's recent cost cutting has come largely at their expense. Now that some of the suppliers have been forced into bankruptcy, Detroit has to look elsewhere to save money.
Finally, American auto makers must produce cars that customers want to buy. If they can't do that, the game is over.
Optimistic industry insiders and outside observers say Ford, GM and Chrysler can do it -- with two years' grace. The pessimists say -- well, let's hope they're wrong.
Restructuring will be hard and painful. But signs are that industry leaders, despite their record, get it this time. Ford's CEO Alan Mulally was asked what his priorities for saving the company are. He said, "At the top of the list, I would put dealing with reality."
Auto Racing: Rundown of the best at Motorsports 2007
Motorsports 2007, held Jan. 11 to 13, was a "huge success," said show promoter Ernie Saxton. The event was held for the first time at the Atlantic City Convention Center and coincided with the Atlantic City Indoor Races at Boardwalk Hall Jan. 12 and 13.
Several national racing stars made appearances, including NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin, 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine, Nextel Cup star Dave Blaney, Craftsman Truck Series standout Erin Crocker, former Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope and NHRA drag racing star Ron Capps.
More than 250 race cars were on display and more than 600 vendors filled the 300,000 square-foot show area. Several race cars won awards, including:
* Best appearing stock car: Frank Guidace's dirt modified.
* Best appearing open cockpit car: Jason Warfield's micro-sprint.
* Best appearing drag-racing car: "The Beast" truck (Englishtown, N.J. Raceway).
* Best race car display: Jammerson Motorsports' NASCAR Busch Series East car driven by Dion Ciccarelli.
* Best Speedway or club display: Wall Township Speedway, which featured one vehicle from every class that races at the track on a regular basis.
* Best commercial display: Speedway Entertainment/Slingshots by Tobias, which featured a hand-built wooden display and one of their new spec midgets.
* Best quarter-midget club display: Doylestown Quarter Midget Club (Honeybrook, Chester County).
* Best vintage stock car display: The Dick Cozze No. 44 coach that was part of the Diamond State Vintage Motorsports display.
* Best vintage open cockpit display: The Chris Krumeracker No. 6 quarter-midget that was part of the Phoenix Raceway display.
* Best vintage club display: The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club display featuring a large display on the old Atlantic City Speedway.
Lynn Miller of Langhorne was crowned Ms. Motorsports. She will appear at various events in 2007.
Motorsports 2008 is scheduled for Jan. 11 to 13, also at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Suggestions and comments can be sent to motorsports@aarn.com. Visit www.aarn.com for more information.
URC will open schedule at Bridgeport
The United Racing Company Sprint Series was well represented at Motorsports 2007. URC drivers Junior Martin, Brian Seidel and Prospect Park's Mares Stellfox were on hand throughout the three-day show.
The URC opener is set for Saturday, April 14 at Bridgeport Speedway. Visit www.urcsprints.com for more information.
The URC Sprints are scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Speedway April 14, May 26 (tentative) and July 28; at Grandview Speedway June 16 and Oct. 20 (features only and non-winners' race); Delaware International Speedway April 21, May 12, June 2, June 30, Aug. 4, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Nov. 3; and New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway April 28, June 23, July 14, Sept. 1 and Oct. 13.
The URC series also competes at Selinsgrove, Williams Grove, New Diamond, Hagerstown (Md.) and Lincoln.
The annual URC Awards Banquet is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Lancaster.
To contact Matt Hasson, e-mail thehassman@earthlink.net
Several national racing stars made appearances, including NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin, 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine, Nextel Cup star Dave Blaney, Craftsman Truck Series standout Erin Crocker, former Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope and NHRA drag racing star Ron Capps.
More than 250 race cars were on display and more than 600 vendors filled the 300,000 square-foot show area. Several race cars won awards, including:
* Best appearing stock car: Frank Guidace's dirt modified.
* Best appearing open cockpit car: Jason Warfield's micro-sprint.
* Best appearing drag-racing car: "The Beast" truck (Englishtown, N.J. Raceway).
* Best race car display: Jammerson Motorsports' NASCAR Busch Series East car driven by Dion Ciccarelli.
* Best Speedway or club display: Wall Township Speedway, which featured one vehicle from every class that races at the track on a regular basis.
* Best commercial display: Speedway Entertainment/Slingshots by Tobias, which featured a hand-built wooden display and one of their new spec midgets.
* Best quarter-midget club display: Doylestown Quarter Midget Club (Honeybrook, Chester County).
* Best vintage stock car display: The Dick Cozze No. 44 coach that was part of the Diamond State Vintage Motorsports display.
* Best vintage open cockpit display: The Chris Krumeracker No. 6 quarter-midget that was part of the Phoenix Raceway display.
* Best vintage club display: The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club display featuring a large display on the old Atlantic City Speedway.
Lynn Miller of Langhorne was crowned Ms. Motorsports. She will appear at various events in 2007.
Motorsports 2008 is scheduled for Jan. 11 to 13, also at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Suggestions and comments can be sent to motorsports@aarn.com. Visit www.aarn.com for more information.
URC will open schedule at Bridgeport
The United Racing Company Sprint Series was well represented at Motorsports 2007. URC drivers Junior Martin, Brian Seidel and Prospect Park's Mares Stellfox were on hand throughout the three-day show.
The URC opener is set for Saturday, April 14 at Bridgeport Speedway. Visit www.urcsprints.com for more information.
The URC Sprints are scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Speedway April 14, May 26 (tentative) and July 28; at Grandview Speedway June 16 and Oct. 20 (features only and non-winners' race); Delaware International Speedway April 21, May 12, June 2, June 30, Aug. 4, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Nov. 3; and New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway April 28, June 23, July 14, Sept. 1 and Oct. 13.
The URC series also competes at Selinsgrove, Williams Grove, New Diamond, Hagerstown (Md.) and Lincoln.
The annual URC Awards Banquet is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Lancaster.
To contact Matt Hasson, e-mail thehassman@earthlink.net
Sabtu, 28 Juli 2007
Honda Civic Hybrid
Renault Diesel
Honda Jazz White
Jumat, 27 Juli 2007
Suzuki Swift Red
Kamis, 26 Juli 2007
Wilson Auto Group Gives Big for Holidays, Big Stores, Boutiques at Woodbury Town Center
Christopher Gardner, the inspiration for the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” left the Orange County Auto Dealers Association’s annual meeting a happy man.
He drove to the airport in a borrowed orange Lamborghini LP 640. Gardner was the guest speaker at the meeting held recently at Joe’s Garage at the Tustin Auto Mall.
Gardner was appreciative of the loaner car. His speech’s opening words: “I just met two women named Sossi and Nora, who gave me the keys to a Lamborghini,” he said, referring to sisters Nora and Sossi Keuylian, co-owners of Lamborghini Orange County. “You have no idea.”
In the movie, a red Ferrari spurred Gardner to become a stockbroker.
You’ve got to hand it to the Keuylians. Maybe that’s why their dealership outsold all the other Lamborghini dealers in 2006, selling 130 cars.
For those who haven’t seen the movie (including me), Gardner was homeless at one point with his then 2-year-old son while he tried to break into Wall Street. In the end, he made millions. He still keeps a room in his house filled with bags, a reminder of his homeless days.
“I can not throw a bag away,” he said.
How did he get homeless? “Life happens,” he said.
The story’s more intense and complex, of course. But you’ll have to see the movie. The dealers left with signed copies of Gardner’s book, “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Gardner, who now has fame to go along with money and more offers than he can consider, didn’t rush in at the last minute to speak when it was his turn. He showed up early, humbly mingled and ate lunch with the dealers. He also stuck around and answered questions.
Dressed like a million bucks in a gray suit and pink shirt with a hot pink hankie in his pocket, he told his rags to riches story. Gardner’s message perhaps wasn’t one the dealers were expecting: Be a good father by being present. He said even though he and his son were homeless for a time, he was always there.
“We were together every day,” he said.
That’s the part his now 6-foot, 8-inch 290-pound son remembers, he said. Gardner also has a daughter.
“Being a man is being responsible,” he said.
Gardner, who had an abusive stepfather, decided at age 5 to be a different kind of father. His mission was “to break the cycle of men who are not there for their children,” he said.
“Some of you guys in here might have the opportunity to do the same thing,” he said.
In association business at the meeting, out with the old, in with the new—president, that is. Mark Parkinson takes over from Mark Dershem as head of the association.
The association gave $50,000 to 49 pro-dealer political candidates in OC, of which 81% went on to win, according to the group.
The annual Orange County Auto Show in October saw a double-digit increase in attendance, according to the association. The group also boasted its sales and marketing training, a program that recruits and trains students to work at local dealerships. Students attend for free. Dealers pay $250 a month.
Wilson Donation
Wilson Automotive Group, an Orange-based chain of 16 dealerships, recently gave more than $255,000 to local charities.
“All from the pockets of employees. That’s why it’s so remarkable,” said Vikki Murphy, a Wilson vice president.
Every year the company sends out a letter that says in lieu of gifts to managers or owner David Wilson, please donate to charities, she said. The company’s employees donate some of the money to the David Wilson Endowment Fund, which helps out the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
Wilson and the company do their share, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. One of its recent contributions was $2 million for Wilson Field at Chapman University.
New Shopping Center
The 450,000-square-foot Woodbury Town Center recently opened at Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon Avenue with Staples and Home Depot. Another main store, Trader Joe’s, is set to open later this year.
Woodbury Town Center’s European-inspired architecture has received design awards.
Other stores that have opened include Panera Bread, Starbucks, Hoag Health Center, Sports Clips and Yakety Yak Wireless.
Planned to open soon: El Pollo Loco, Walgreens, Piccomolo, Nail & Spa Co., Thai Spice and GNC. This spring and summer: Chick-fil-A, Rock N’ Road Cyclery and Ralphs Fresh Fare.
Brick and Mortar
Pink Mascara, an online boutique, is set to open its first store at Woodbury Town Center. Pinkmascara.com, run by mother and daughter team Carol and Renee McCracken, began selling handbags online in 2002.
In 2004, the McCrackens opened a showroom/warehouse in Costa Mesa. Carol handles operations. Renee is the buyer. They’ve since expanded their product offerings to include shoes and other items.
The Pink Mascara boutique plans to sell brands such as Ya-Ya Clothing, Joe’s Jeans, Rebecca Taylor, Splendid and Kooba.
He drove to the airport in a borrowed orange Lamborghini LP 640. Gardner was the guest speaker at the meeting held recently at Joe’s Garage at the Tustin Auto Mall.
Gardner was appreciative of the loaner car. His speech’s opening words: “I just met two women named Sossi and Nora, who gave me the keys to a Lamborghini,” he said, referring to sisters Nora and Sossi Keuylian, co-owners of Lamborghini Orange County. “You have no idea.”
In the movie, a red Ferrari spurred Gardner to become a stockbroker.
You’ve got to hand it to the Keuylians. Maybe that’s why their dealership outsold all the other Lamborghini dealers in 2006, selling 130 cars.
For those who haven’t seen the movie (including me), Gardner was homeless at one point with his then 2-year-old son while he tried to break into Wall Street. In the end, he made millions. He still keeps a room in his house filled with bags, a reminder of his homeless days.
“I can not throw a bag away,” he said.
How did he get homeless? “Life happens,” he said.
The story’s more intense and complex, of course. But you’ll have to see the movie. The dealers left with signed copies of Gardner’s book, “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Gardner, who now has fame to go along with money and more offers than he can consider, didn’t rush in at the last minute to speak when it was his turn. He showed up early, humbly mingled and ate lunch with the dealers. He also stuck around and answered questions.
Dressed like a million bucks in a gray suit and pink shirt with a hot pink hankie in his pocket, he told his rags to riches story. Gardner’s message perhaps wasn’t one the dealers were expecting: Be a good father by being present. He said even though he and his son were homeless for a time, he was always there.
“We were together every day,” he said.
That’s the part his now 6-foot, 8-inch 290-pound son remembers, he said. Gardner also has a daughter.
“Being a man is being responsible,” he said.
Gardner, who had an abusive stepfather, decided at age 5 to be a different kind of father. His mission was “to break the cycle of men who are not there for their children,” he said.
“Some of you guys in here might have the opportunity to do the same thing,” he said.
In association business at the meeting, out with the old, in with the new—president, that is. Mark Parkinson takes over from Mark Dershem as head of the association.
The association gave $50,000 to 49 pro-dealer political candidates in OC, of which 81% went on to win, according to the group.
The annual Orange County Auto Show in October saw a double-digit increase in attendance, according to the association. The group also boasted its sales and marketing training, a program that recruits and trains students to work at local dealerships. Students attend for free. Dealers pay $250 a month.
Wilson Donation
Wilson Automotive Group, an Orange-based chain of 16 dealerships, recently gave more than $255,000 to local charities.
“All from the pockets of employees. That’s why it’s so remarkable,” said Vikki Murphy, a Wilson vice president.
Every year the company sends out a letter that says in lieu of gifts to managers or owner David Wilson, please donate to charities, she said. The company’s employees donate some of the money to the David Wilson Endowment Fund, which helps out the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
Wilson and the company do their share, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. One of its recent contributions was $2 million for Wilson Field at Chapman University.
New Shopping Center
The 450,000-square-foot Woodbury Town Center recently opened at Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon Avenue with Staples and Home Depot. Another main store, Trader Joe’s, is set to open later this year.
Woodbury Town Center’s European-inspired architecture has received design awards.
Other stores that have opened include Panera Bread, Starbucks, Hoag Health Center, Sports Clips and Yakety Yak Wireless.
Planned to open soon: El Pollo Loco, Walgreens, Piccomolo, Nail & Spa Co., Thai Spice and GNC. This spring and summer: Chick-fil-A, Rock N’ Road Cyclery and Ralphs Fresh Fare.
Brick and Mortar
Pink Mascara, an online boutique, is set to open its first store at Woodbury Town Center. Pinkmascara.com, run by mother and daughter team Carol and Renee McCracken, began selling handbags online in 2002.
In 2004, the McCrackens opened a showroom/warehouse in Costa Mesa. Carol handles operations. Renee is the buyer. They’ve since expanded their product offerings to include shoes and other items.
The Pink Mascara boutique plans to sell brands such as Ya-Ya Clothing, Joe’s Jeans, Rebecca Taylor, Splendid and Kooba.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)
