Last Cars Reviews Blog: auto industry

I’m totally for conserving the environment and saving the seals and everything, just so long as I get to ride in his car

On October 6th, Audi will kick off the Mileage Marathon, a cross-country trek spanning from the East to the West coast, aimed at promoting their fuel efficient diesel model lineup. Over 187 drivers will participate [including the auto bloggers at AutoBlogGreen], and rewards will be given daily to the drivers who managed to consume the least amount of fuel. More than just clever way to advertise Audi’s enviro-friendly technology, the Mileage Marathon is rumored to also serve as a preview for Audi’s future North American line-up. Audi’s marathon fleet will be comprised of 23 TDI engine-equipped vehicles, including the Audi Q7, Q5, A4, and A3 models. Of the four TDI’s, only the Q7 and the Q5 have concrete timetables for an American debut. The Q7 is slated for U.S. release in 2009, while both hybrid and diesel versions of the Q5 are scheduled for an appearance in early 2010.

[News & Photo Source: AutoBlogGreen]

On July 25, 1945, the Kaiser-Frazer automobile manufacturer was born. The namesake of its co-founders, Henry Kaiser (of Kaiser Industries) and Joseph Frazer (pre-WWII president of defunct Graham-Paige Motor Co.), Kaiser-Frazer was one of the only post-war independent automobile company success stories, albeit a brief one.

With ample funding from private investors and labor unions encouraging competition with The Big Three (also, “The Detroit Three” – Chrysler, Ford, GM), Kaiser-Frazer leased the Ford Willow Run Plant in Michigan and began production. In 1946, Kaiser-Frazer produced 11,000 cars, posted a $19 million profit loss, and watched its stock value sink. While financial-backers began to doubt the wisdom of investing so heavily into a small, fledgling corporation attempting to take on the nation’s three largest, most successful automobile manufacturers, Kaiser-Frazer worked hard to turn their ship around.

In 1947, Kaiser-Frazer produced 100,000 cars, and this time with a profit gain of $19 million. Shareholders momentarily pacified, Kasier-Frazer entered into its third year of production in 1948 and again pulled in a profit, but this time the tune of only $10 million. The sizable profit decrease and news that new model releases from The Big Three were on the horizon soured K-F financers quickly. With no money with which to fund new production, K-F posted a $30 million loss in 1949, causing Frazer to throw in the towel, leaving Kaiser to fend for himself.

Changing the name to simply Kaiser Motor Corporation, Henry Kaiser remained at the helm of the struggling company until 1953 when he merged with Willys-Overland. Now operating under the name Willys Motor Corp, the decision was made to cease production of passenger cars and instead focus on utility vehicles – or “Jeeps” as they were called. In 1963, the name “Willys” was phased out from the Jeep line and replaced with “Kaiser”. In 1970, Kaiser-Jeep was purchased by American Motor Corporation and the line of utility vehicles became officially known as simply “Jeep”. In 1987, Jeep was purchased by Chrysler were it remains the oldest and most successful sport utility vehicle in production.

Last Cars Reviews Blog

Blog Archive

Audi Globe Trotters Gear Up For Mileage Marathon, Sweet Lou Dunbar Unavailable For Preseason Commentary

Related posts:

Related posts:

Today In History: Birth of Kaiser-Frazer Auto Company

Related posts:

Related posts: