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VIDEO: What Will Happen if the Big Three U.S. Automakers Collapse?

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

GM has put together an informational video of what it predicts will happen if the Big Three automakers all fail next year.

Some highlights:
-If all three fail next year it will result in 3 million U.S. jobs lost in the first year
-Total governement tax loss over three years = $156.4 billion
-The U.S. GDP would drop 4 percent, compare that to the fact that the current economic downturn was caused by a .3 percent drop
-One out of every ten jobs in the U.S. relies on the U.S. auto industry

Today In History: Birth of Kaiser-Frazer Auto Company

Автор: RaymondLilly | понедельник, 7 сентября 2009 г.

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.

Chrysler Cuts Jobs and Officially Kills Four Models

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 8 августа 2009 г.

There has been speculation that Chrysler is going to start killing off its slower selling models.

AEV Brute Jeep Conversion: Utilitarian Style

Автор: RaymondLilly | воскресенье, 26 июля 2009 г.

AEV Brute Jeep Conversion: Utilitarian Style
American Expedition Vehicles give the venerable Jeep a utilitarian makeover. The new Brute Jeep Conversion turns your TJ Jeep Wrangler into a pickup. Why the need for such mods? Well, for people who need a bigger space or a different look for their Jeeps, that’s why. The complete Brute kit includes the mid and rear frame extensions with winch mounts, a cab closeout so your Jeep’s now a hardtop, tailgate, fuel and brake lines, body mounts, and of course, the instructions for the truck transformation. Total conversion can take up to 60 hours, depending on the skill level of the mechanic of course. $9000.