All Entries in the "FEATURED" Category
Scotiabank Sees Auto Growth For Q2
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG ADL
A ray of hope beamed into the news cycle recently when Scotiabank analysts took a good look at the sickly auto industry and gave it a conservative thumbs up. Forecasts for output in the second quarter are reported to be set to improve for the first time since 2007. The Canadian bank also sees US auto sales settling this year at 10.5 million units and Canada’s auto sales at 1.38 million units.
[Linked: Reuters]
Ever Heard of “Porsche Consulting”?
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Porsche Consulting
NOW you have. In ’94 Porsche executed a co. turnaround after a 3- yr crisis. The division that engineered the revival became its own company. As of ’06 the subsidiary expanded opening a sub-HQ in Milan. So, in addition to producing efficient cars, lifestyle accessories, and hot laps at ALMS, Porsche will teach your business the science of being lean and mean. In homage, this post’s length was reduced by 20%.
RetroClassics in Stuttgart: W126 Fest!
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Fuenfkommasechs
OUR friend Johannes Schlorb is at it again. Equipped with a fish-eye lensed camera, he recently set about taking some smart shots of a “RetroClassic” event in Stuttgart – featuring mostly 80s gems from BMW and Benz. The W126 Sonderklassen appear in brilliant form. Look carefully through the fotos, and you’ll spy the Silver Spur that found its way onto the floor.
[Linked: Fuenfkommasechs.de]
BMW Unleashes M Powered X5 and X6
By Gunnar Heinrich
BOTH powerful and powerful ugly, BMW has announced its plan to scratch the itch that never was – a 555 hp / 500 lb-ft torqued crossover – or “Sports Activity Coupe” to use BMW speak – and unleash the X6 M onto the world this week at NYIAS. Also on the cards is an M tuned variant of that most “active” of soccer mom ‘utes – the X5. Armed with pulse-tuned exhaust manifolds, now she really will be the first to the game.
Saab Lives To See Another Day
By Gunnar Heinrich
SAAB almost died yesterday. That quirky, lovable icon that helped pioneer FWD, the turbo, invented the heated & cooled seat, along with overly complicated cupholders -now free floating from GM could’ve perished from the Earth in court proceedings held yesterday in Vanersborg, Sweden. According to SaabsUnited, here’s how the mortal wound could’ve been inflicted -but wasn’t:
Car Sales Are Better Up North, Eh?
By Gunnar Heinrich
WHILE auto makers lick their wounds from March’s sour US sales, North of the border some car co.’s actually fared better this year than the same time last year. Ottawa has been trumpeting the relative durability of Canada’s economy lately. And it does show in their car market’s upper echelon – sales are up for everyone from Audi to Volvo. Except for Acura and Jaguar to which well-to-do Canadians apparently show a bitter cold apathy.
[via SaabsUnited.com]
Dropping The Hammer: E63 AMG
By Gunnar Heinrich
HUNKERED low with the same time melding intensity as a racecar, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG has made its debut. It’ll be a miracle if the air dam clears a speed bump without popping the LED accent lights. Forward lean aside, Sir Isaac would praise the AMG’s 630 newton meters of torque. Oh, and there’s no torque converter – co. statement after jump.
ChryCo Power: March Sale Madness
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG TIME
NEW YORK magazine that cosmo swilling socialite of gossip rags, reported recently in a brilliant new series called The Downturnaround (highlighting how things aren’t actually that bad when you really look at it) that the same Chrysler that has 30 days to partner up with Fiat or die moved 101,001 cars and trucks in March.
“If a company like Chrysler still moved 100,000 cars in a single month during the Worst Recession Since the Great Depression™, well…
Benz’s New Patent Car: The F-CELL
By Gunnar Heinrich
DISPLAYING a unique sense of wit , a signature knack for engineering, or at the very least a sense of showmanship, Benz has issued a statement showcasing a new Fuel Cell project called the F-CELL Roadster – built by the co. interns. The open air roadster strikes visual ties with Benz original patent car from A.D. 1886 by employing spoke rims – sure to become hot in LA. Release following the jump.
Bentley Helps Keep Austin Weird
By Gunnar Heinrich
AUSTIN, TX is known for a lot of things: bats under bridges, a thriving Bohemian culture, a lively jazz scene and Ann Richards.
But what the Texan capital isn’t really known for is its predilections for Bentleys. Well, that’s about to change (somewhat)…
