There's a commercial for an insurance company where a driver wrecks his car when his GPS tells him "turn right…" and he does so before it can add "…in fifty feet."  As Computerworld reports, these kind of incidents actually happen in real life. There've been several reports of trains hitting cars after the Darwin Award candidate behind the wheel followed the sat-nav's directions to turn onto the railroad tracks (the drivers managed to escape unharmed). Others have driven into ponds and lakes, sandpiles at construction sites or gone the wrong way down one-way streets because they trusted their GPS and ignored road signs. It's gotten so bad in England that they've started posting "ignore your sat-nav" signs in the areas where the problems occur the most. Of course, if the idiots don't believe a sign that says "one way" or "road closed," why would they pay attention to one telling them to ignore their electronic back-seat driver? [Thanks to KixStart for the link]

When I get press releases, there's always an "about whatever manufacturer" paragraph at the bottom. Normally I don't read it; it's just marketing hyperbole. But today, Chevy's 'claimer" caught my eye. "With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $83,175." Huh? Why's the Bow Tie brand– GM's supposed entry-level, value-oriented division– bragging that they sell the most vehicles in the "$35k and above" category? With the median new car price hovering around $27K, that's a whole lot of high-priced rides the "value division" is selling. Yes, much of what Chevy sells at the $35k and up price point are trucks and SUVs. But the fact that the spinmeisters view Chevy's $73k price span as a virtue reveals the depths of GM's non-existent branding strategy.

GM wants to greenwash the youth of America. Today's "Chevy Rocks the Future" event at Disney Studios "for celebrities and young influencers" features performances by pre-pubscent fan favorites the Jonas Brothers and Hanna Montana (a.k.a. Daddy's little cash cow). More than 150 LA-area kids scored tickets to the exclusive event, many by attending the Chevy's public school-based "Promise to Live Better!" propaganda educational program.  "Chevy Rocks the Future" will showcase the Aveo5, Malibu Hybrid-lite, Camaro "Bumblebee" from the "Transformers" movie (a real fuel miser, that), Equinox Fuel Cell, Tahoe Hybrid and, of course, the "this isn't what it will look like but we're not going to talk about that because we wouldn't want to miss Hannah Montana now would we children" Volt. But that's not all! The lucky kids will learn all about automotive technology via a "car that pops popcorn using biofuel technology" and a "'hybrid laboratory that mixes chocolate and peanut butter for a winning combination." For more PC fun, read the full press here. 

Chrysler's standing by. At 4pm EST, a federal judge will rule whether or not the American automaker owns the tooling that makes the plastic parts they need to build cars. Should the court rule against bankrupt parts supplier Plastech and green light a Chrysler reclamation, a fleet of trucks are ready to swoop in, grab the tooling and whisk it off to other suppliers. According to Automotive News [sub], Chrysler has already signed letters of intent to relocate production with three of their other suppliers, with more sub-contractors "angling" for a piece of the Plastech pie. Wherever the toolings end up, ALL Mopar assembly lines will shut down while they're installing the equipment in its new homes– which could take as long as a week. Or… a year if Plastech's testimony to the judge is accurate. Which would kill Chrysler dead. If you're going with the former scenario, a shutdown could be a blessing in disguise; Chrysler's inventory levels are too high as it is.

Thanks to the rapidly expanding Chinese and Indian automotive markets, iron ore prices are soaring. CNNMoney reports Asia's three largest steelmakers have been hit with a 65 percent increase in iron ore prices from Brazil's Vale (the world's largest ore producer). Unsurprisingly, other large ore producers are expected to follow suit. Even though the trend will increase steel prices and thus production costs, Toyota says prevailing economic conditions (a.k.a. a stagnant Japanese new car market) means they can't hike up prices at home. ToMoCo Prez Katsuaki Watanabe says "It's hard for us to pass on the impact of higher steel material costs to our product prices under current circumstances. We have to cope with increased material costs by reducing our product costs." Translation: either Toyota will have to to cut other operating expenses or use profits from overseas operations to keep the home operations afloat. Sound familiar? [Props to starlightmica for the link]

As reported by Forbes and many others, Chyrsler CEO Bob Nardelli attended yesterday's 50th anniversary running of the Daytona 500. In a magna-nimous moment, Boot 'em Bob told the teams with Dodge decals on their cars (ostensibly, Dodge Chargers) that if any of them won the race, he'd give the team an extra $1m. After last year's pitiful performance by the Mopar racers, it looked like Cerberus' money was safe. And so it was, until the last lap, when Penske' Racing's Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch came from behind and blasted past leader Tony Stewart in his Toyota, grabbing first and second places for Dodge. In fact, Dodges were in six of the top eight places. While the finishes were impressive, you have to wonder how Chrysler can afford to keep pouring money into racing. With all the factories they're closing, all the jobs they're cutting and all the suppliers they owe, you'd think they'd need every spare buck they could find. Still, an execs gotta get out of the office every now and then…

Hello, thank you to read me. I bring news of glorious nation of US and A. In US and A, everyone is paying big fast car but this they not know in Kyrgyzstan where drive yaks. Is clear they not understanding America way in US of A using credit like we know in Kazakstahn. Here for reading is big article from Kyrgyzstan News about pay for car in America.

US car buyers take out longer loans. Longer loans are being offered to car buyers to counter an anticipated slow down in U.S car sales.Toyota is now offering up to 84 months amortization and GMAC is considering offering a 102 month deal. Financiers say people who take the longer terms are the type who wait until a car is worn out before seeking a replacement or those who are not financially solid and are looking for low monthly instalments. The average car depreciates mostly over the first three years. After 36 months it can normally only be sold for half its purchase price.

You seeing they in Kyrgyzstan not knowing of US in A same good like me. Thanking you to read me.

The Detroit automakers aren't the only ones feeling the cost crunch in Canada. The London Free Press reports our neighbor to the north is also the most expensive place Toyota assembles vehicles– in spite of a distinct lack of Canadian Auto Workers' union members. And yet, in spite of higher operating costs, ToMoCo may be looking to expand their RAV-4-producing Woodstock assembly plant even before it opens next fall. Toyota's playing down the rumored expansion. They're declaring that the plant must first open and perform before they'll consider adding more capacity. When asked why they'd consider spending more on a plant that already costs so much to operate, Toyota Canada's president Yoichi Tomihara replied "Toyota's philosophy is to make the investment in the long term, not the short term." Toyota executives also said they don't let current market conditions sway their strategy; economic conditions can change. Besides, they added, they like making vehicles in Canada. I'm thinking ToMoCo likes it anywhere where they don't have to deal with a labor union.

In January '08, GM told the world that Buick sold 12,749 vehicles, an increase of 6.1 percent over last year. But wait a minute– if you look at sales per franchise, they racked-up just four sales each (three cars and one truck) in January of both years. Multiplying the four sales per franchise by the 2700 dealers Autoweek says hang out the Buick shingle gives a total of 10,800 sales in January. So where did the other 2k cars go? My bet's on fleets, even though GM says their sales numbers are dropping because they're going through fleet withdrawal. You also have to wonder about the other lot queens that suddenly had a sales spike in January, like the Pontiac G5 (up 50.2 percent) or the Chevrolet Equinox (up 47.7 percent). Further stretching GM's tenuous credibility: their insistence that the Buick Enclave is such a hot seller they can't produce enough and have to put customers on waiting lists. If that's so, why did they start January with a 26-day supply on the dealer lots and end the month with a 41-day supply? I know: looking for transparency from GM is like fishing in a pile of dirt.

After Tesla Motors chairman Elon Musk got the first production Roadster earlier this month, Tesla Founders Blog reader Pete asked the ex-jeffe when he'd receive his (he's supposed to get Roadster number two if/when they ever get it built). Martin's response:

I don't yet have a date for my car, Founders Series number 2, though they say the next cars will be delivered in March. I was the second person to deposit $100K, well over a year ago, and I have a certificate signed by Elon stating that the second production car is mine. As of today, I am a bit worried that they will pull something on me. I hope I am wrong, but I recently got a very bad signal from them.

Musk asked a reader to inquire into the delivery date for his car. No such answer was forthcoming. On February 10, "Yanquetino" wondered if Tesla was muzzling Musk:

I am fairly confident in my ability to read between the lines of previous posts, but now I'm just going to ask point blank: is Tesla suing you? Only a negative answer is warranted, i.e., "NO, Telsa is NOT suing me." If, after a couple of days, you still haven't given said reply, or have removed this post from the blog, well… then we'll know how to call a spade a shovel.

As of today, Martin has not responded, even though he has replied to other comments posted after that date and the post is still on the blog.

Audi is in a quandary. Just Auto [sub] reports that the German automaker has reached their quota of SUV names starting with "Q." Nissan quarreled over Ingolstadt's use of Q7 for their Toureg/Cayenne-based SUV, claiming it impinged on the quintessence of their Infiniti "Q" model names. Then Nissan quickly reached an agreement to let Audi use Q5 and Q7. But Nissan now wants to quell Audi's plans to add Q3 to their model queue, saying it's time for them to remain quiescent. Audi has no qualms about pressing on, saying they've had quiet discussions about achieving their quest for the Q. Only one question remains unasked: when it comes to increasing the world's quantity of SUV's, why doesn't Audi just quench their plans and call it "Quits?"

If anyone has a spare $6.1b or so laying around, former GM division Delphi would like you to give them a call. According to the Detroit News, that's how much dinero the struggling parts maker needs to exit bankruptcy. However, because of the poor credit market, they're having trouble raising the money. If they don't get it, they'll have to rework their plan and head back to bankruptcy court– and continue paying professional and legal fees totaling around $10m per month. Delphi has few options; they're probably asking GM to foot the bill or using pension funds in return for a stake in the company. Despite GM's insistence that they're sitting on a healthy cash pile, the beleaguered automaker's hardly in a position to shell-out that kind of "investment." As far as using pension funds in concerned, Ron Gettelfinger is opposed. Even though the United Auto Workers (UAW) boss has had no discussions with GM or Delphi on the matter, Automotive News [AN, sub] reports that Gettelfinger asserted "we're not going to let Delphi rape a pension fund." You might wonder if Big Ron should have added "That's OUR job," but I couldn't possibly comment.

It sucks to be a parts supplier to the auto industry. The Houston Chronicle reported yesterday Blue Water Automotive Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. CEO Michael Lord said this would give the thermoplastic auto-parts manufacturer "the breathing space necessary to continue its operations while reviewing all aspects of (its) businesses for reorganization." They'll be assisted in their efforts by a $1.4m "progress payment" from their largest customer, Ford. There was no indication whether Blue Water's actions would affect Ford's assembly plants. Meanwhile, the AP (via MSNBC) reports spokesmen for Ford and GM told the court handling Plastech's bankruptcy that they support Chrysler's move to get their tools back from the floundering parts company. Neither company has experienced any disruption in their Plastech parts supply, but they're not taking any chances. GM spokesman Frank Sopata told the court "GM does strongly support Chrysler's position regarding the tooling since we have entered into the same agreement as Chrysler and the other major customers of Plastech to reclaim our tooling should it be necessary." What's the bet they'll find it "necessary" very soon?

For want of a nail, the battle was lost, and for want of a gear the plant was idled. The Chicago Tribune reports this week's cessation of activities at Chrysler's Belvidere assembly plant was due to a broken gear in a stamping press used to make body parts. Belvidere's boffins are taking the dies from the press to another location to try to get the lines moving while they effect repairs. Apparently, no replacement parts for the broken gears are available, and no one at The Crisis Corporation will give an estimate on how long the repairs will take. This is the third time the plant has been idled. Chrysler shut down the plant in January "to adjust inventory." Last week, the Plastech parts embargo idled lines. As several TTAC commentators have pointed out, Chrysler is not exactly hard pressed to get the presses pressing. At the beginning of this month, they had a 45-day supply of Calibers, a 75-day supply of Compass' and an 83-day supply of Patriots. 

GM's record losses last year is Canada's fault– at least part of it anyway. GM CFO Fritz Henderson told Financial Post "three-tenths of a billion" of the $38.7b loss was due to foreign exchange losses. In other words, "This is largely driven by the strengthening C-dollar versus the U.S. dollar and the impact on our balance sheet through the 2007 calendar year." And in spite of CAW president Buzz Hargrove's insistence he will give no concessions in the upcoming contract negotiations, the handwriting is on the wall; Canada is now the most expensive place in North America to build cars. David Healy, an analyst at Burnham Securities: "[GM]'s strategy would likely be to do some hedging and hope that everything settles down. But Mexico and the U.S. are looking more attractive than they were to build future product." Looks like Buzz may be reconsidering his stance, if he wants to keep his union's members employed and paying their dues.