Translogic hangs out with Daimler’s Zetsche and Ford’s Mulally at CES
Filed under: CES, Technology, Videos, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Infotainment
Usually our sister publication Translogic is out putting futuristic transportation hardware through the paces or talking to geeks who are trying to reimagine the very infrastructure of our world. But this week, the show has a decidedly more conventional subject: Interviews with Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Ford CEO Alan Mulally.
Both of these automotive bigwigs were wandering the halls of the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month (Zetsche was the keynote speaker, a job Mulally performed two years ago), which is where Translogic caught up with them for a chat and demonstration of their CES wares. Zetsche showed off a new gesture-based in-car interface, as well as some new active safety technology for Mercedes-Benz. Mulally plugged Ford's new hybrid and plug-in hybrid Fusion, as well as showing off the Ford Evos concept's fancy infotainment system. Give it a watch after the jump.
Continue reading Translogic hangs out with Daimler's Zetsche and Ford's Mulally at CES
Translogic hangs out with Daimler's Zetsche and Ford's Mulally at CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsEditors’ Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Crossover, Hatchback, Cadillac, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Luxury, Fiat
We're packing up our cameras and laptops and heading out of the Los Angeles Convention Center, but before we seal the lid on the 2011 LA Auto Show, it's time to reflect on our staff's favorite debuts of the past two days. Unlike previous shows, there was nothing here in LA that truly stood out as the clear Best In Show winner, but because of that, there were plenty of good arguments amongst the staff about the five best cars on display in Los Angeles.
We won't give away the winner just yet (you'll have to click past the break to see the results), but we'll say that the first and second place cars were nearly tied, with the Number One car only winning by one vote. But enough with this fluff - hit the jump to see Autoblog's picks for the five best debuts of the 2011 LA Auto Show.
Continue reading Editors' Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts
Editors' Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsChina finds that U.S. automakers received unfair subsidies
Filed under: China, Government/Legal, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz
While many in the U.S. think trade between the home team and China is a one-way street, the truth is that exports to The Land of the Great Wall was worth $91.9 billion in 2010 alone. The auto industry makes up $3.4 billion of that total, as automakers have been making vehicles in the U.S. and shipping them overseas.
That sounds like great news for automakers and the blue-collar workforces who build those vehicles, but China's Commerce Ministry says that some of the American vehicles benefited from unfair subsidies. The ministry issued a statement that U.S. automakers that produce sedans and utility vehicles of 2.5 liters and larger "engaged in dumping and were given subsidies." The term "dumping" details an instance where an automaker will "dump" overflow capacity into another country, which in turns hurts that country's local auto industry. China also alleges that the vehicles in question were given subsidies by by the federal government and the state of Michigan. General Motors, Chrysler and U.S.-built BMW and Mercedes-Benz models were among those cited in the statement.
Despite objections from the Ministry, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council has decided not to levy a duty against the automakers for their alleged wrongdoing. China's announcement came within days of the annual Strategic and Economic Dialog meeting.
Continue reading China finds that U.S. automakers received unfair subsidies
China finds that U.S. automakers received unfair subsidies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCadillac cleans up with three KBB Brand Image Awards
Filed under: BMW, Cadillac, Ford, GM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
Kelley Blue Book has announced the winners of its 2011 Brand Image awards, which are given out based on KBB data culled from a survey taken by over 12,000 in-market shoppers. Cadillac's image must be rather strong with said shoppers, because it took home KBB hardware in three out of the 10 award categories.
Constantly citing the CTS family of vehicles, KBB handed Cadillac the awards for Best Exterior Design, Best Comfort and Best Interior Design. Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Honda, Toyota and BMW snagged the rest of the 2011 Brand Image trophies. BMW and Ford received two nods apiece, but Caddy is still king of this particular hill for 2011. Click past the jump to read the full list of categories and winners.
Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]
Continue reading Cadillac cleans up with three KBB Brand Image Awards
Cadillac cleans up with three KBB Brand Image Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsJ.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports
Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, Acura, Ford, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Porsche has earned back the top spot that was occupied by Lexus in last year's study. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) - a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). "Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This year may mark a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle against lingering negative perceptions of their quality." According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010.
Acura made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). Mercedes-Benz (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. Ford (93 PP100) and Lincoln (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, Toyota (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]
J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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