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Nissan Says It Will "Plug" Electric Cars In U.S. By 2010
2008-05-13 16:02:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThe future of mass market quantities of electric cars is getting a big push today from one on the more "electric" leaders in the auto industry. Nissan /Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is expected to announce his company plans to sell its first electric cars in the U.S. by 2010--according to the New York Times.    Read More Topics:Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Japan | CEOs and CFOs | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Asia | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | General Motors CorpMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Cars , Plug , Electric

Hybrid Backlash: Your Comments On My "Critical" Post
2008-05-12 15:15:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauI knew there would backlash from my blog on Friday. Listen, any time you write or say something about hybrids, there's a flurry of comments, on both sides, from those who think you have no clue.    Read More Topics:Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsPermalink
More About: Hybrid , Post , Comments , Critical , Backlash

Hybrid Backlash: Your Comments On My "Critical" Post
2008-05-12 15:15:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauI knew there would backlash from my blog on Friday. Listen, any time you write or say something about hybrids, there's a flurry of comments, on both sides, from those who think you have no clue.    Read More Topics:Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsPermalink
More About: Hybrid , Post , Comments , Critical , Backlash

Hot Hybrids: Paying More to Save on Gas
2008-05-09 17:10:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauHere's one to make you scratch your head and say, "what the heck is going on here?" I suspected that higher gas prices have probably kept demand and prices up for hybrids, so I asked the folks at J.D. Power's Power Information Network and Kelley Blue Book to run the numbers.    Read More Topics:Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Asia | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Hybrids , Save

Toyota's Profits Slowing Down, But Don't Write Them Off Yet
2008-05-08 14:47:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThe news out of Tokyo should not come as a surprise. Toyota, running neck and neck with GM to become the world's largest automaker, is running a little slower. The first quarter earnings make sense given the auto market slowing down in the U.S. and Toyota finding fewer markets and segments to enter.     Read More Topics:Earnings | Alternative Energy | Energy | Japan | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Asia | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors CorpMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Write , Profits

Chevy Malibu: A Good (Selling) Car For Tough Times
2008-05-07 16:45:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThere's an old adage in the car business that even in tough times, good cars will still sell. That might explain why certain models continue to fly off dealer lots and even sell at a higher price, even though the overall auto market is down. Perhaps the most interesting example is the new Chevy Malibu .     Read More Topics:Energy | Japan | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Selling , Times , Good , Tough

Chrysler's "Free Gas" Offer: Not Sure I'm Buying It
2008-05-06 14:45:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauSo it's come to this. Giving customers a guarantee they won't pay more than $2.99 a gallon if they buy a new car, truck, SUV. On the surface, it's a smart move by Chrysler. But I'm not sure how much it will help sales at the struggling automaker.     Read More Topics:Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Buying , Free , Offer

Ford And Why I Think It Will Sell Volvo--Do You Agree?
2008-05-05 14:55:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauAsk yourself a question, and be honest: If you ran Ford , would you hang on to Volvo and continue sinking money into turning around the brand or would you unload it as soon as you got a decent price?     Read More Topics:CEOs and CFOs | Economy (U.S.) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sell

Remember Cars? Sales Show Their "Death" Premature
2008-05-02 16:52:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauAfter years of lamenting the "death of the car" and the rise of the SUV and CUV, fans of the sedan are finally seeing things turn their way. Last month, for the first time in roughly 20 years, cars outsold trucks (Pick-ups, SUVs, CUVs and minivans).     Read More Topics:Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Japan | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Hyundai Motor Company | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Cars , Sales , Show , Death , Premature

Truck And SUV Sales Show Drivers Want More Bang For Gas Buck
2008-05-01 20:40:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauAt long last the gas price surge has hit a point where truck and SUV sales are hurting. How bad is it? Look at the awful April numbers for truck sales.     Read More Topics:Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (Global) | Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Drivers , Truck , Sales , Show , Bang

GM--Give Them Credit For Putting Turnaround In Gear
2008-04-30 15:11:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauTake that GM doubters. In the last month there's been a growing chorus of investors and auto industry followers who have started to question if the General Motors turnaround had stalled. It looks like the naysayers are a bit overzealous in their predictions of gloom and doom.    Read More Topics:Marketing | Economy (U.S.) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Credit , Gear , Putting , Give

Ford's Rebound: Something To Believe In Or Not?
2008-04-29 18:32:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauIn one week Ford has gone from being perceived as an automaker struggling to jump start its business, to a company and stock worth betting on. My how things can change in just a few days. So it's time to ask yourself: Do you believe Ford will come back?     Read More Topics:Marketing | CEOs and CFOs | Economy (U.S.) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink

Kerkorian And Ford: Why Does He Want Bigger Stake In Company?
2008-04-28 14:42:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauHow's this for an intriguing move. Tracinda Corp., the investment firm representing the vast interests of billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian is tendering an offer to take a greater stake in Ford Motor Company .     Read More Topics:Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink

Ford's Turnaround Picks up Steam
2008-04-24 16:42:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThis is getting to be a habit for Ford Motor Chief Executive Alan Mulally. Once again, his company has posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings. This time, the company turned a $100 million profit when Wall Street was forecasting a loss of roughly $300 million.    Read More Topics:Marketing | CEOs and CFOs | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Steam

Can Washington Really Push Alternative Cars?
2008-04-23 16:33:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauAre we finally at the tipping point? You know, the point where people are so fed up with spending $40, $60, or $80 to fill up their car, truck or SUV that they clamor for something to be done? If word of mouth is worth anything, I say we've hit that point.    Read More Topics:Consumers | Inflation | Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Cars , Washington , Push

GM's Asian promise
2008-04-22 13:31:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThere is a fondness and attraction to Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet that is helping GM make headway in China.    Read More Topics:Marketing | Japan | CEOs and CFOs | Economy (Global) | Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Asian , Promise

Beijing Auto Show: Is It Bigger Than Detroit?
2008-04-21 16:13:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauTalk about coming of age. The Beijing Auto Show and China's auto market are making a statement this week. It's loud and clear: "We are world players!" In fact, it brings up the question about whether this show and the Chinese market are bigger than the Detroit Show and U.S. Market?     Read More Topics:Western Europe | China | Marketing | Japan | CEOs and CFOs | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Asia | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd.MEDIA:PHOTO Permalink

Chrysler And Nissan Alliance: I Think It's Going To Work
2008-04-16 14:48:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThere are hook-ups that work, and hook-ups that don't. In the car business, there are many that fail to live up to their promise. Which has many people wondering if the partnership formed between Chrysler and Nissan will pay off for both companies. I think it will. In fact, it's a smart move for both companies.     Read More Topics:Energy | Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.MEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Work , Alliance

Covering Asia And The Beijing Auto Show
2008-04-14 18:40:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauI'm in Asia for the next two weeks, covering stories. One of them is the Beijing Auto Show and I hope to have some posts about that. Please look for them in the days ahead.    Read More Topics:Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsPermalink

Toyota To Build Sports Car--And (Surprise!) I Like The Idea
2008-04-11 17:07:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauWhen I heard that Toyota is finally getting into the sports car business two thoughts jumped into my head. First: it's about time. Second: those who accuse me of fawning all over the Japanese automaker will have a field day.    Read More Topics:Japan | Asia | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Toyota Motor CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sports , Idea , Build

Mid-Size Sedan Safety Performance: Do You Really Care?
2008-04-10 17:18:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauFiguring out how crash tests impact consumers is a tricky thing. Yes, if we see a model perform horribly, we'll talk about it and that model will likely see weaker sales. But when models improve, do we notice? What if they only rate as adequate?    Read More Topics:Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Safety , Performance , Sedan , Care , Size

Ford's "Drive One" Campaign: Will It Drive You To Buy One?
2008-04-09 16:46:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThe auto world may increasingly be steering itself towards doing business on the web, but at Ford, it's time to see if TV can still help shape the brand and image of a company. This week, Ford starts rolling out its "Drive One" marketing campaign, with TV spots hitting the airwaves. Ford execs are laying out the campaign for dealers at meeting in Las Vegas...    Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Campaign

Auto Industry Blues: Here's Why Things Are So Bad
2008-04-07 14:39:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauSo I come back from vacation, and while I feel refreshed, I find most of the folks I deal with in the auto industry are tired, sluggish, and looking for a break. I can't blame them. This is a rough time in the car biz, and I don't think it will get better.     Read More Topics:Marketing | Alternative Energy | Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Auto mobile Industry Sectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Tata Motors Ltd | General Motors CorpMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Blues , Things

Luxury Car Sales On The Skids And Could Be For A While
2008-04-03 14:27:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauAfter several years of steady growth, even as the rest of the market slowed down, the luxury auto segment is finally hitting the brakes. I'm not surprised, nor should you be. In fact, I will not be surprised if the slower luxury sales last a while.     Read More Topics:Economy (U.S.) | Economy (Global) | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Automobiles and PartsMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Luxury , Sales , Luxury Car

Setting The Record Straight On Car Deal Incentives
2008-04-01 14:31:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThere are some commonly held perceptions among car buyers that are getting tossed out the window right now. The biggest, in my opinion, involve the incentives dealers and automakers are rolling out to sell cars, trucks, and SUVs. So, with the March auto sales coming out, it seems appropriate to set the record straight.     Read More Topics:Marketing | Japan | Asia | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Toyota Motor Corporation | General Motors Corp | Honda Motor Company, Ltd. | Ford Motor CompanyPermalink
More About: Deal , Record , Straight , Incentives , The Record

Vacation Day
2008-03-28 14:55:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauJust letting you all know that this is a vacation day for me. I'll be back next week with new posts. See you then.    Read More Permalink
More About: Vacation

Electric Cars: Will They Ever Be Ready To Drive?
2008-03-26 14:33:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThe e-mail jumped off the screen at me. It came in earlier this week when I asked you why we have not seen a "game changing" car, truck, or SUV in a while. Ray wrote of his interest in Chevy's electric/gas hybrid Volt currently in development.     Read More Topics:Energy | Economy (U.S.) | Labor Unions | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Oil and Gas | Technology | Automobiles and PartsCompanies:General Motors CorpPermalink
More About: Cars , Drive , Electric , Ready

Ford: Will Anyone Buy One Let Alone "Drive One"?
2008-03-25 14:39:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauThe clock is ticking at Ford . By the end of 2009, the company has targeted that it will be back in the black. That's less than 2 years away and with the economy slowing down, you might be looking at that deadline and wondering if Ford is going to make it.    Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Automobile IndustrySectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:Ford Motor CompanyMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Drive

Auto Industry: Where's The One Car We Can Talk About?
2008-03-24 14:03:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauMojo, Buzz. You pick the adjective. The auto industry is lacking the one car, truck, or SUV that everyone is talking about. You know, the one model getting attention, good or bad. Think Hummer from 5 years ago. Or the Prius 3 years ago.    Read More Topics:Marketing | CEOs and CFOs | Auto mobile Industry Sectors:Automobiles and PartsCompanies:General Motors CorpMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Talk

$10 Million And 100 MPG: It's The Automotive X Competition
2008-03-20 15:00:00
Posted By:Phil LeBeauTalk about an amazing race. More than 65 futuristic, but real cars, will be racing throughout 10 U.S. cities, with the winner getting $10 million dollars. Sounds incredible, and it could be. It's the Automotive X prize competition which just signed on with Progressive Insurance providing $12.5 million dollars as the title sponsor.    Read More Topics:Alternative Energy | Energy | Technology | Automobile IndustrySectors:Technology | Automobiles and PartsMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Competition , Million