Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Get your free car insurance quotes in minutes
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Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save on your car insurance. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes a few minutes and then we provide rates from multiple insurance companies.You can finish online through CarInsurance.com or licensed agents in our professional sales center are available to help you purchase your car insurance policy. In some states, you are directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in your area.
Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance. We are becoming the Internet's most popular comparison insurance website with the most car insurance resources available!
Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your Online Car Insurance Marketplace
Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save on your car insurance. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes a few minutes and then we provide rates from multiple insurance companies.You can finish online through CarInsurance.com or licensed agents in our professional sales center are available to help you purchase your car insurance policy. In some states, you are directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in your area.
Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance. We are becoming the Internet's most popular comparison insurance website with the most car insurance resources available!
Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your Online Car Insurance Marketplace
Thursday, June 25, 2009
GM Wins Final Approval of $33 Billion Government Loan
General Motors Corp. won approval to borrow the full $33.3 billion available under a bankruptcy loan from the U.S. and Canada.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber in Manhattan gave the Detroit-based automaker approval today after all the objections to the loan and its terms were resolved. Gerber previously gave GM the right to borrow $15 billion on an interim basis June 1.
GM filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection that day with a plan to create a viable business that can compete in world markets. The company reported $82.3 billion in assets and $172.8 billion in debt in its bankruptcy petition.
The ruling included a provision, requested by the U.S. government, that states the Treasury is authorized to spend money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to make the loan.
Amy Caton, a lawyer representing the unsecured creditors committee, said the group will likely seek changes to the loan after a hearing June 30 on the sale of GM’s most profitable businesses to the Treasury. The committee wants to ensure there is enough money left to wind down the GM operations that aren’t being bought.
Adviser Fees
Gerber also approved GM’s retention of AlixPartners LLP after GM resolved an objection from the U.S. Trustee’s Office that said the advisory firm’s fees were too high. GM lawyer Stephen Karotkin said under the agreement with the U.S. Trustee, an arm of the Justice Department, AlixPartners will receive half of a proposed “success fee” related to a sale of the company’s assets on the closing date if its employees file a detailed affidavit of their services.
The remainder of the $13 million fee would be paid in a year, subject to review by Gerber and filing of time records for all the AlixPartners employees. No AlixPartners employee can bill at a higher rate than GM’s restructuring chief Al Koch, Karotkin said. Koch bills at $835 an hour, according to court papers.
The U.S. Trustee had objected to fees for both AlixPartners and another GM adviser, Evercore Group LLC, saying they were “unreasonably rich.” The Evercore retention request was adjourned to next month.
Gerber rejected a request from GM’s salaried retirees to have their own official committee in case. The group, which represents about 122,000 salaried GM retirees and their dependents, said there needed to be an official committee to negotiate with GM over pension and health-care benefits.
Pension Plan
Gerber disagreed, ruling today that GM had the right to alter the plans at any time and that prior court decisions required him to reject their request. Official committee status would have resulted in the group getting their legal and professional fees paid from GM’s bankrupt estate.
New GM intends to assume the pension plan for salaried retirees, GM lawyer Harvey Miller said. Health-care and insurance benefits will be assumed “as modified,” Miller said, and cuts are being made to those benefits.
On June 23, Gerber rejected a request by individual GM bondholders who also sought an official committee in the case.
Separately, groups with product liability and asbestos claims against GM withdrew their requests for official committees in the case. Gerber refused to appoint a “tort czar” sought by lawyers for the asbestos claimants.
The case is In re General Motors Corp., 09-50026, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District, New York (Manhattan).
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber in Manhattan gave the Detroit-based automaker approval today after all the objections to the loan and its terms were resolved. Gerber previously gave GM the right to borrow $15 billion on an interim basis June 1.
GM filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection that day with a plan to create a viable business that can compete in world markets. The company reported $82.3 billion in assets and $172.8 billion in debt in its bankruptcy petition.
The ruling included a provision, requested by the U.S. government, that states the Treasury is authorized to spend money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to make the loan.
Amy Caton, a lawyer representing the unsecured creditors committee, said the group will likely seek changes to the loan after a hearing June 30 on the sale of GM’s most profitable businesses to the Treasury. The committee wants to ensure there is enough money left to wind down the GM operations that aren’t being bought.
Adviser Fees
Gerber also approved GM’s retention of AlixPartners LLP after GM resolved an objection from the U.S. Trustee’s Office that said the advisory firm’s fees were too high. GM lawyer Stephen Karotkin said under the agreement with the U.S. Trustee, an arm of the Justice Department, AlixPartners will receive half of a proposed “success fee” related to a sale of the company’s assets on the closing date if its employees file a detailed affidavit of their services.
The remainder of the $13 million fee would be paid in a year, subject to review by Gerber and filing of time records for all the AlixPartners employees. No AlixPartners employee can bill at a higher rate than GM’s restructuring chief Al Koch, Karotkin said. Koch bills at $835 an hour, according to court papers.
The U.S. Trustee had objected to fees for both AlixPartners and another GM adviser, Evercore Group LLC, saying they were “unreasonably rich.” The Evercore retention request was adjourned to next month.
Gerber rejected a request from GM’s salaried retirees to have their own official committee in case. The group, which represents about 122,000 salaried GM retirees and their dependents, said there needed to be an official committee to negotiate with GM over pension and health-care benefits.
Pension Plan
Gerber disagreed, ruling today that GM had the right to alter the plans at any time and that prior court decisions required him to reject their request. Official committee status would have resulted in the group getting their legal and professional fees paid from GM’s bankrupt estate.
New GM intends to assume the pension plan for salaried retirees, GM lawyer Harvey Miller said. Health-care and insurance benefits will be assumed “as modified,” Miller said, and cuts are being made to those benefits.
On June 23, Gerber rejected a request by individual GM bondholders who also sought an official committee in the case.
Separately, groups with product liability and asbestos claims against GM withdrew their requests for official committees in the case. Gerber refused to appoint a “tort czar” sought by lawyers for the asbestos claimants.
The case is In re General Motors Corp., 09-50026, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District, New York (Manhattan).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ford To Get $5.9B In US Loans For Retooling
Ford Motor Co. will receive $5.9 billion in low-cost loans from a program created by Congress to help auto makers retool their factories to produce advanced-technology vehicles, the Obama administration said Tuesday.
The loans will help Ford "transform factories across Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio to produce 13 more fuel efficient models," the U.S. Energy Department said in a statement.
Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY) will receive $1.6 billion from the program to retool their Smyrna, Tenn., factory, the department said, and Tesla Motors will receive $645 million to manufacture electric vehicles in California.
The loans will help Ford "transform factories across Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio to produce 13 more fuel efficient models," the U.S. Energy Department said in a statement.
Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY) will receive $1.6 billion from the program to retool their Smyrna, Tenn., factory, the department said, and Tesla Motors will receive $645 million to manufacture electric vehicles in California.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Get your free car insurance quotes in minutes
Simple, one process shopping for car insurance is available when you enter your zip code and start your quote. With CarInsurance.com, it is easy to compare our partner’s rates and buy your auto insurance online. In most states, you can complete the process and have your proof of insurance in 20 minutes or less!
Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save on your car insurance. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes a few minutes and then we provide rates from multiple insurance companies.You can finish online through CarInsurance.com or licensed agents in our professional sales center are available to help you purchase your car insurance policy. In some states, you are directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in your area.
Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance. We are becoming the Internet's most popular comparison insurance website with the most car insurance resources available!
Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your Online Car Insurance Marketplace
Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save on your car insurance. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes a few minutes and then we provide rates from multiple insurance companies.You can finish online through CarInsurance.com or licensed agents in our professional sales center are available to help you purchase your car insurance policy. In some states, you are directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in your area.
Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance. We are becoming the Internet's most popular comparison insurance website with the most car insurance resources available!
Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your Online Car Insurance Marketplace
GM, Chrysler retirees rush eye examined, teeth cleaned
General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group retirees are flocking to Detroit optometrists and dental offices for eye exams and teeth cleanings before those longtime benefits vanish July 1.
The benefit cuts are among broader changes approved by the United Auto Workers in May as GM and Chrysler sought to restructure before filing for bankruptcy protection.
The concessions were part of an amendment to the UAW’s 2007 agreement with the automakers establishing a union-run health trust fund for retirees, also known as the Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association or VEBA.
The cuts affect nearly 350,000 unionized GM and Chrysler retirees and will mean painful changes for those used to rich benefits and fewer out-of-pocket medical costs.
Along with losing dental and vision benefits, retirees will shoulder higher copayments for emergency room visits and prescription drugs. Catastrophic plans will no longer be offered to retirees or their surviving spouses. And retirees will lose some drug coverage, including benefits for erectile dysfunction medication.
Retirees are scrambling to get costly dentures and new pairs of glasses, providing a windfall for dental and vision offices.
The benefit cuts are among broader changes approved by the United Auto Workers in May as GM and Chrysler sought to restructure before filing for bankruptcy protection.
The concessions were part of an amendment to the UAW’s 2007 agreement with the automakers establishing a union-run health trust fund for retirees, also known as the Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association or VEBA.
The cuts affect nearly 350,000 unionized GM and Chrysler retirees and will mean painful changes for those used to rich benefits and fewer out-of-pocket medical costs.
Along with losing dental and vision benefits, retirees will shoulder higher copayments for emergency room visits and prescription drugs. Catastrophic plans will no longer be offered to retirees or their surviving spouses. And retirees will lose some drug coverage, including benefits for erectile dysfunction medication.
Retirees are scrambling to get costly dentures and new pairs of glasses, providing a windfall for dental and vision offices.
Chrysler Names Manufacturing, Engineering, Design Leaders
Chrysler Group LLC named new leaders for its manufacturing, engineering and product design segments as it restarts operations after leaving bankruptcy protection earlier this month.
Byron Green, former vice president of truck and activity-vehicle assembly under DaimlerChrysler, was appointed head of manufacturing engineering.
Daniel C. Knott will be head of vehicle engineering, responsible for all vehicle-line platform programs and vehicle development analysis and validation.
As part of an effort to improve each of its brands, Joseph Dehner, Brandon Faurote and Mark Allen were chosen head of design for Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, respectively. Dehner has held posts as vice president for small, premium and family vehicle design and director of truck exterior and interior design. Faurote had been vice president of advance exterior and interior design and director of one of the company's exterior and interior design studios.
Chrysler earlier named new heads for its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep manufacturing and sales operations, as well as for its Mopar parts-and-services business.
On June 10, Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy protection and joined Italian auto maker Fiat SpA (FIATY) in a government-brokered alliance. Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne oversees day-to-day operations.
Chrysler enters this new chapter at a time when continued economic weakness and tight credit conditions make for a bleak industry outlook. The company also faces the challenge of restoring faith among consumers in the quality of its vehicles.
Byron Green, former vice president of truck and activity-vehicle assembly under DaimlerChrysler, was appointed head of manufacturing engineering.
Daniel C. Knott will be head of vehicle engineering, responsible for all vehicle-line platform programs and vehicle development analysis and validation.
As part of an effort to improve each of its brands, Joseph Dehner, Brandon Faurote and Mark Allen were chosen head of design for Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, respectively. Dehner has held posts as vice president for small, premium and family vehicle design and director of truck exterior and interior design. Faurote had been vice president of advance exterior and interior design and director of one of the company's exterior and interior design studios.
Chrysler earlier named new heads for its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep manufacturing and sales operations, as well as for its Mopar parts-and-services business.
On June 10, Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy protection and joined Italian auto maker Fiat SpA (FIATY) in a government-brokered alliance. Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne oversees day-to-day operations.
Chrysler enters this new chapter at a time when continued economic weakness and tight credit conditions make for a bleak industry outlook. The company also faces the challenge of restoring faith among consumers in the quality of its vehicles.
Friday, June 19, 2009
حمل الان احدث افلام عالم السيارات 3
حمل الان احدث افلام
عالم السيارات 3
Fast and Furious 4
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تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
الجزء الخامس
الجزء السادس
الجزء السابع
الجزء الثامن
عالم السيارات 3
Fast and Furious 4
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
الجزء الخامس
الجزء السادس
الجزء السابع
الجزء الثامن
حمل الان احدث افلام عالم السيارات 2
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^
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^
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حمل الان احدث افلام عالم السيارات 2
Tokyo Drift
تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
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حمل الان احدث افلام عالم السيارات 2
Tokyo Drift
تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
حمل الان احدث افلام عالم السيارات 1
حمل الان احدث افلام
عالم السيارات 1
Fast and Furious 2001
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
الجزء الخامس
الجزء السادس
الجزس السابع
الجزء الثامن
عالم السيارات 1
Fast and Furious 2001
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
تورنت
اضغط هنا
رابيد شير
الجزء الاول
الجزء الثانى
الجزء الثالث
الجزء الرابع
الجزء الخامس
الجزء السادس
الجزس السابع
الجزء الثامن
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fiat Outlines Strategy To Cut Costs Amid Recession
Thursday outlined plans to retool its Italian plants as the car maker seeks to cut costs and expand abroad to better cope with the economic crisis.
The Turin-based company, which last week took control of U.S. car maker Chrysler LLC, said it plans to keep the production of cars at its Termini Imerese plant in Sicily only until 2011.
Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne told a meeting with the government and the company's labor unions that the Termini Imerese plant, which employs about 1,700 people, would be retooled from 2012. He didn't elaborate.
Fiat also said it would define a redundancy plan at its agricultural and construction equipment unit CNH. Marchionne told a meeting attended by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi and union officials that it was hard to maintain employment levels due to the recession.
"The global crisis has further aggravated the problem of production overcapacity that has been plaguing the automotive industry for years. A serious restructuring of the automotive industry is now absolutely necessary if it is to be economically viable," Fiat said in a statement.
Hit by the global economic downturn, the Italian economy is expected to contract by more than 5% this year, after shrinking by 1% in 2008, marking the worst recession since World War II.
Workers at the Termini Imerese facility went on strike last month, fearing the closure of their plant. Further protests are likely, according to analysts.
At its Pomigliano plant near Naples, Fiat said it would continue to make its Alfa Romeo cars until at least 2010, with a new car production platform planned afterwards.
The Italian government and Fiat could agree to a EUR900 million financing plan to help keep its plants running near full capacity, daily la Repubblica said Thursday.
Marchionne urged the government to give Fiat continued access to a temporary lay-off plan, allowing it to use funds set aside to pay workers a reduced salary for working fewer hours.
"Fiat confirmed its pledge to maintain the plants in Italy without firing anyone" and by using state-sponsored layoff schemes, Italian Industry Claudio Scajola told a reporters.
The government last month said it would continue to help Fiat only if it kept open its five Italian plants as it seeks to expand to create one of the world's largest automakers.
Fiat last week took a stake and management control of Chrysler after the U.S. car maker emerged from bankruptcy protection.
The alliance with Chrysler, which has created the world's sixth-largest car maker, is a step in the process to increase volumes produced on each platform and expand internationally, Fiat said Thursday.
After a failed bid for General Motors Corp.'s (GMGMQ) Opel unit, Marchionne plans to focus his attention on restructuring Chrysler. Behind the scenes, however, Fiat is expected to keep hunting for another partner that can give it scale in an industry dominated by bigger rivals.
Six months ago, Marchionne set out to double Fiat's production to around 5.5 million cars, compared with the two million it made last year.
"Maintaining equilibrium in employment levels in the face of these extremely difficult market conditions is no easy task," Marchionne said.
The Turin-based company, which last week took control of U.S. car maker Chrysler LLC, said it plans to keep the production of cars at its Termini Imerese plant in Sicily only until 2011.
Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne told a meeting with the government and the company's labor unions that the Termini Imerese plant, which employs about 1,700 people, would be retooled from 2012. He didn't elaborate.
Fiat also said it would define a redundancy plan at its agricultural and construction equipment unit CNH. Marchionne told a meeting attended by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi and union officials that it was hard to maintain employment levels due to the recession.
"The global crisis has further aggravated the problem of production overcapacity that has been plaguing the automotive industry for years. A serious restructuring of the automotive industry is now absolutely necessary if it is to be economically viable," Fiat said in a statement.
Hit by the global economic downturn, the Italian economy is expected to contract by more than 5% this year, after shrinking by 1% in 2008, marking the worst recession since World War II.
Workers at the Termini Imerese facility went on strike last month, fearing the closure of their plant. Further protests are likely, according to analysts.
At its Pomigliano plant near Naples, Fiat said it would continue to make its Alfa Romeo cars until at least 2010, with a new car production platform planned afterwards.
The Italian government and Fiat could agree to a EUR900 million financing plan to help keep its plants running near full capacity, daily la Repubblica said Thursday.
Marchionne urged the government to give Fiat continued access to a temporary lay-off plan, allowing it to use funds set aside to pay workers a reduced salary for working fewer hours.
"Fiat confirmed its pledge to maintain the plants in Italy without firing anyone" and by using state-sponsored layoff schemes, Italian Industry Claudio Scajola told a reporters.
The government last month said it would continue to help Fiat only if it kept open its five Italian plants as it seeks to expand to create one of the world's largest automakers.
Fiat last week took a stake and management control of Chrysler after the U.S. car maker emerged from bankruptcy protection.
The alliance with Chrysler, which has created the world's sixth-largest car maker, is a step in the process to increase volumes produced on each platform and expand internationally, Fiat said Thursday.
After a failed bid for General Motors Corp.'s (GMGMQ) Opel unit, Marchionne plans to focus his attention on restructuring Chrysler. Behind the scenes, however, Fiat is expected to keep hunting for another partner that can give it scale in an industry dominated by bigger rivals.
Six months ago, Marchionne set out to double Fiat's production to around 5.5 million cars, compared with the two million it made last year.
"Maintaining equilibrium in employment levels in the face of these extremely difficult market conditions is no easy task," Marchionne said.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Small Cars Have a Big Bumper Problem
All the talk of small, fuel-efficient cars these days has raised concerns from many of our readers of passenger safety. And while small cars may be easier to park, their bumpers are awfully vulnerable to a tap from the front or rear, according to a test of seven cars conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Although the organization is known for its safety crash tests, its bumper tests examine the damage to an owner’s bank account.
None of the bumpers on the tested cars earned a top rating of Good, and just one, the Smart Fortwo, got an Acceptable rating. The Chevrolet Aveo earned a Marginal rating, and the five remaining small cars (Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris) got the lowest rating of Poor.
The tests replicate a full-width hit, front and back, at six miles an hour, and a front and rear corner hit at three miles an hour.
The Rio had the most expensive single repair as well as the highest total damage ($9,380) for all four repairs. It sustained $3,701 in damage in the front full bumper test alone, which the institute pointed out was 30 percent of the car’s purchase price.
The Smart Fortwo, with $3,281 in total damage in the four tests, did the best over all. The institute said the Smart’s costs were relatively low because its prepainted plastic body panels are dent-resistant, inexpensive and easy to replace.
Things become really expensive if a bumper is not high enough to match and engage the bumper on the vehicle that is hitting it. Then, the bumpers slide over or under one another, resulting in damage to the car’s body rather than the bumper.
In the case of the Rio, the bumper slid under the striking barrier — designed to represent a car bumper — resulting in a kind of grand slam with damage to the Rio’s grille, hood, headlights, radiator, fender and air-conditioning condenser, as well as the bumper reinforcement bar.
The Honda Fit had damage to just about every panel and part on the rear because its bumper is not mounted high enough to protect the tailgate, rear panel and taillights, the institute said.
The institute is using a new ratings protocol in which repair costs are averaged and weighted to reflect real-world damage patterns. Because more insurance claims are filed for full frontal and full rear impacts than for corner impacts, those have more weight. The weighted average must be less than $500 for a vehicle to get a Good rating, less than $1,000 for Acceptable, and less than $1,500 for Marginal. If a repair is more than $1,500, the car gets a Poor.
Bumpers can be designed so there is no damage in low-speed impacts, and at a minimum they should not cost more to repair than the typical insurance deductible, which is why the institute set the limit for a Good rating at $500, said Joe Nolan, a senior vice president at the institute. A new bumper cover, reinforcement bar and paint generally cost $1,000, while replacing vehicle parts like grilles and headlights can cost $1,500.
In the past, the institute published only the amount of damage to vehicles and did not provide ratings. The new ratings protocol is being applied to 54 other vehicles that have been tested since 2007, and those ratings will soon be on the Web site.
Updated: June 11, 2009, 3:17 p.m. As the reader Robert pointed out, none of the 49 vehicles that the institute ran through bumper tests this year have received a Good rating, and only three received an Acceptable. A call to the institute confirmed those numbers.
Although the organization is known for its safety crash tests, its bumper tests examine the damage to an owner’s bank account.
None of the bumpers on the tested cars earned a top rating of Good, and just one, the Smart Fortwo, got an Acceptable rating. The Chevrolet Aveo earned a Marginal rating, and the five remaining small cars (Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris) got the lowest rating of Poor.
The tests replicate a full-width hit, front and back, at six miles an hour, and a front and rear corner hit at three miles an hour.
The Rio had the most expensive single repair as well as the highest total damage ($9,380) for all four repairs. It sustained $3,701 in damage in the front full bumper test alone, which the institute pointed out was 30 percent of the car’s purchase price.
The Smart Fortwo, with $3,281 in total damage in the four tests, did the best over all. The institute said the Smart’s costs were relatively low because its prepainted plastic body panels are dent-resistant, inexpensive and easy to replace.
Things become really expensive if a bumper is not high enough to match and engage the bumper on the vehicle that is hitting it. Then, the bumpers slide over or under one another, resulting in damage to the car’s body rather than the bumper.
In the case of the Rio, the bumper slid under the striking barrier — designed to represent a car bumper — resulting in a kind of grand slam with damage to the Rio’s grille, hood, headlights, radiator, fender and air-conditioning condenser, as well as the bumper reinforcement bar.
The Honda Fit had damage to just about every panel and part on the rear because its bumper is not mounted high enough to protect the tailgate, rear panel and taillights, the institute said.
The institute is using a new ratings protocol in which repair costs are averaged and weighted to reflect real-world damage patterns. Because more insurance claims are filed for full frontal and full rear impacts than for corner impacts, those have more weight. The weighted average must be less than $500 for a vehicle to get a Good rating, less than $1,000 for Acceptable, and less than $1,500 for Marginal. If a repair is more than $1,500, the car gets a Poor.
Bumpers can be designed so there is no damage in low-speed impacts, and at a minimum they should not cost more to repair than the typical insurance deductible, which is why the institute set the limit for a Good rating at $500, said Joe Nolan, a senior vice president at the institute. A new bumper cover, reinforcement bar and paint generally cost $1,000, while replacing vehicle parts like grilles and headlights can cost $1,500.
In the past, the institute published only the amount of damage to vehicles and did not provide ratings. The new ratings protocol is being applied to 54 other vehicles that have been tested since 2007, and those ratings will soon be on the Web site.
Updated: June 11, 2009, 3:17 p.m. As the reader Robert pointed out, none of the 49 vehicles that the institute ran through bumper tests this year have received a Good rating, and only three received an Acceptable. A call to the institute confirmed those numbers.
Friday, June 12, 2009
شيفروليه كروز سيارة جنرال موتورز الجديده
أشاد الخبراء بالإمكانيات الهائلة التي تتمتع بها السيارة "شيفروليه كروز" التي سيتم طرحها في الشرق الأوسط خلال الشهر المقبل.
ودعت شركة "جنرال موتورز" العالمية أبرز الصحفيين في قطاع السيارات من جميع أنحاء الشرق الأوسط لزيارة إقليم "كانتابريا" الإسباني للمشاركة في تجربة قيادة "كروز" على مدار يومين.
وبعد مشاركته في هذه التجربة ، قال بكر أزهر رئيس التحرير مجلة "سعودي أوتو" : "تتمتع شيفروليه كروز بجودة تصنيع ومتانة مذهلة، وتنسجم أحجام المحركات المتوفرة على السيارة بشكل خاص مع هذا السوق، وهي السيارة التي سترفع بالفعل معايير المنافسة أمام شركات صناعة السيارات اليابانية".
وسيؤدي وصول "شيفروليه كروز" إلى الشرق الأوسط إلى رفع المعايير في فئة سيارات السيدان الصغيرة، من خلال حصولها على إشادة الخبراء كمنافسة رئيسية في الفئة.
ومن جانبه ، قال فيليب مور مدير النشر في مجلة "ميدل إيست كار" : "تعتبر كروز بمنزلة جواب جنرال موتورز الرائع على الانتقادات التي تطالب الشركة بصناعة سيارات يحتاجها الناس فهي السيارة الملائمة خلال هذه الأوقات الصعبة من الركود الاقتصادي، والطراز الذي سيدفع جنرال موتورز بكل قوة نحو الأمام".
وتمتد حجيرات المصابيح الامامية المميزة كالسهم لتضيق عند نقطة في أعلى الرفاريف الأمامية، في تصميم يعزز جاذبية كروز الديناميكية. ويأتي غطاء المحرك منحوتاً بشكل كبير على طول جوانبه ليندمج مع الرفاريف والمصابيح الامامية الممتدة إلى الخلف. وتشتمل الأفكار التصميمية المميزة الأخرى على الشبك الأمامي المزدوج والخط المنحني للجانب العلوي.
وسيحظى المظهر الخارجي الديناميكي المذهل ولغة "شيفروليه" العالمية للتصميم المعبر على اعجاب المستهلكين الأصغر سناً، ويحيط بالمقصورة الداخلية ذات الخمسة مقاعد محيط رياضي دافىء من خلال ما تتمتع به من تناغم في الخطوط الانسيابية واستخدام مواد بارزة وناعمة الملمس، في تصنيع عالي الجودة بما يتجاوز كل ما هو مألوف في سوق السيارات الصغيرة ذات القيمة العالية.
وتتوفر "كروز" بخيار بين محركين من أربع إسطوانات مصنوعين بالكامل من الألومنيوم ويعملان بالبنزين أحدهما بسعة 1.6 لتر والاخر بسعة 1.8 لتر ويتمتع كلا المحركين بنظام توقيت الصمامات المتغير على جانبي مدخل الهواء والعادم، وينتج المحرك بسعة 1.6 لتر قوة قصوى تبلغ 109 أحصنة (صافي) عند 6400دورة في الدقيقة وعزم دوران يصل إلى 150 نيوتن/متر (صافي) عند 4000 دورة في الدقيقة.
ويوفر المحرك بسعة 1.8 لتر أداء أكثر تجاوبا، حيث يولد قوة تبلغ 140 حصانا (صافي) عند 6300 دورة في الدقيقة وعزم دوران يصل إلى 175 نيوتن/متر (صافي) عند 3800 دورة في الدقيقة، بما يتضمن 85% انطلاقا من 2000 دورة في الدقيقة فقط إلى 6300 دورة في الدقيقة، ويتوفر كلا المحركين بخيار بين علبتي تروس، يدوية من خمس نسب أو اوتوماتيكية جديدة من ست نسب، لتوفير قيادة أكثر نعومة وكفاءة استهلاك وقود تفوق نظيراتها.
وإلى جانب الأبعاد الخارجية والرحابة الداخلية التي تتفوق بها على معظم منافساتها، تحظى "كروز" بمظهر متميز من خلال موقع عجلاتها على الحواف الخارجية للهيكل الخارجي الانيق، كما يضيف التطابق الاستثنائي للألواح الخارجية المتماسكة مع الهيكل، في جودة تصنيع لا تتوفر سوى في السيارات الأغلى ثمنا، والتصميم الخارجي العصري والخالي من الشوائب والتشذيبات، المزيد من الجودة العالية، ويمنح السيارة مظهرا يوحي بأنها قطعة صلبة ومتماسكة مصقولة.
يذكر أن شركة "جنرال موتورز مصر" قد سبق وأعلنت طرح هذه السيارة في مصر خلال شهر مايو المقبل دون الإفصاح عن سعرها المتوقع.
ودعت شركة "جنرال موتورز" العالمية أبرز الصحفيين في قطاع السيارات من جميع أنحاء الشرق الأوسط لزيارة إقليم "كانتابريا" الإسباني للمشاركة في تجربة قيادة "كروز" على مدار يومين.
وبعد مشاركته في هذه التجربة ، قال بكر أزهر رئيس التحرير مجلة "سعودي أوتو" : "تتمتع شيفروليه كروز بجودة تصنيع ومتانة مذهلة، وتنسجم أحجام المحركات المتوفرة على السيارة بشكل خاص مع هذا السوق، وهي السيارة التي سترفع بالفعل معايير المنافسة أمام شركات صناعة السيارات اليابانية".
وسيؤدي وصول "شيفروليه كروز" إلى الشرق الأوسط إلى رفع المعايير في فئة سيارات السيدان الصغيرة، من خلال حصولها على إشادة الخبراء كمنافسة رئيسية في الفئة.
ومن جانبه ، قال فيليب مور مدير النشر في مجلة "ميدل إيست كار" : "تعتبر كروز بمنزلة جواب جنرال موتورز الرائع على الانتقادات التي تطالب الشركة بصناعة سيارات يحتاجها الناس فهي السيارة الملائمة خلال هذه الأوقات الصعبة من الركود الاقتصادي، والطراز الذي سيدفع جنرال موتورز بكل قوة نحو الأمام".
وتمتد حجيرات المصابيح الامامية المميزة كالسهم لتضيق عند نقطة في أعلى الرفاريف الأمامية، في تصميم يعزز جاذبية كروز الديناميكية. ويأتي غطاء المحرك منحوتاً بشكل كبير على طول جوانبه ليندمج مع الرفاريف والمصابيح الامامية الممتدة إلى الخلف. وتشتمل الأفكار التصميمية المميزة الأخرى على الشبك الأمامي المزدوج والخط المنحني للجانب العلوي.
وسيحظى المظهر الخارجي الديناميكي المذهل ولغة "شيفروليه" العالمية للتصميم المعبر على اعجاب المستهلكين الأصغر سناً، ويحيط بالمقصورة الداخلية ذات الخمسة مقاعد محيط رياضي دافىء من خلال ما تتمتع به من تناغم في الخطوط الانسيابية واستخدام مواد بارزة وناعمة الملمس، في تصنيع عالي الجودة بما يتجاوز كل ما هو مألوف في سوق السيارات الصغيرة ذات القيمة العالية.
وتتوفر "كروز" بخيار بين محركين من أربع إسطوانات مصنوعين بالكامل من الألومنيوم ويعملان بالبنزين أحدهما بسعة 1.6 لتر والاخر بسعة 1.8 لتر ويتمتع كلا المحركين بنظام توقيت الصمامات المتغير على جانبي مدخل الهواء والعادم، وينتج المحرك بسعة 1.6 لتر قوة قصوى تبلغ 109 أحصنة (صافي) عند 6400دورة في الدقيقة وعزم دوران يصل إلى 150 نيوتن/متر (صافي) عند 4000 دورة في الدقيقة.
ويوفر المحرك بسعة 1.8 لتر أداء أكثر تجاوبا، حيث يولد قوة تبلغ 140 حصانا (صافي) عند 6300 دورة في الدقيقة وعزم دوران يصل إلى 175 نيوتن/متر (صافي) عند 3800 دورة في الدقيقة، بما يتضمن 85% انطلاقا من 2000 دورة في الدقيقة فقط إلى 6300 دورة في الدقيقة، ويتوفر كلا المحركين بخيار بين علبتي تروس، يدوية من خمس نسب أو اوتوماتيكية جديدة من ست نسب، لتوفير قيادة أكثر نعومة وكفاءة استهلاك وقود تفوق نظيراتها.
وإلى جانب الأبعاد الخارجية والرحابة الداخلية التي تتفوق بها على معظم منافساتها، تحظى "كروز" بمظهر متميز من خلال موقع عجلاتها على الحواف الخارجية للهيكل الخارجي الانيق، كما يضيف التطابق الاستثنائي للألواح الخارجية المتماسكة مع الهيكل، في جودة تصنيع لا تتوفر سوى في السيارات الأغلى ثمنا، والتصميم الخارجي العصري والخالي من الشوائب والتشذيبات، المزيد من الجودة العالية، ويمنح السيارة مظهرا يوحي بأنها قطعة صلبة ومتماسكة مصقولة.
يذكر أن شركة "جنرال موتورز مصر" قد سبق وأعلنت طرح هذه السيارة في مصر خلال شهر مايو المقبل دون الإفصاح عن سعرها المتوقع.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
فيات الايطاليه تفرض سيطرتها على كرايسلر
انتهت شركه فيات من السيطره على شركه كرايسلر
وقالت كرايسلر إنها أصدرت حقوق ملكية في الشركة الجديدة تمثل حصة 20 % لوحدة تابعة لفيات، يمكن أن تزيد الى 35 % إذا تم تحقيق شروط معينة إتفق عليها لكنها لا يمكنها إمتلاك حصة أغلبية في كرايسلر حتى تسدد الشركة الأمريكية أموال مساعدات حكومية حصلت عليها.
وتبلغ حقوق الملكية الخاصة بالخزانة الأمريكية 8% وتبلغ حقوق ملكية الحكومة الكندية 2% المائة.
بموجب الصفقة تسيطر فيات على 20 في المائة من "كرايسلر" فيما يملك صندوق نقابي 68 %، وتتقاسم الحكومتان الأمريكية والإيطالية 12%.
وقالت كرايسلر إنها أصدرت حقوق ملكية في الشركة الجديدة تمثل حصة 20 % لوحدة تابعة لفيات، يمكن أن تزيد الى 35 % إذا تم تحقيق شروط معينة إتفق عليها لكنها لا يمكنها إمتلاك حصة أغلبية في كرايسلر حتى تسدد الشركة الأمريكية أموال مساعدات حكومية حصلت عليها.
وتبلغ حقوق الملكية الخاصة بالخزانة الأمريكية 8% وتبلغ حقوق ملكية الحكومة الكندية 2% المائة.
بموجب الصفقة تسيطر فيات على 20 في المائة من "كرايسلر" فيما يملك صندوق نقابي 68 %، وتتقاسم الحكومتان الأمريكية والإيطالية 12%.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Chrysler Running Short Of Cash, Options As Sale Delayed
Chrysler LLC is poised to run out of money by July 4 if it fails to complete the sale of its assets to Italian auto maker Fiat SpA (FIATY), a deal that has been delayed owing to opposition from lenders.
A budget, filed with a New York bankruptcy court in early May, shows the auto maker burning through its $4.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing and $400 million in cash collateral by the end of the week of June 29 as it pays employees and suppliers, and maintains its plants.
The budget for Chrysler, which filed for Chapter 11 protection on April 30, took into account that most of the auto maker's production plants would be idled during the bankruptcy process and the salaried work force would take up to two weeks of unpaid vacation.
If the sale doesn't happen by early July, Chrysler would likely be forced to make even deeper cuts and turn to the Obama administration for more help, even as the government has said it won't provide further assistance. Without additional aid, Chrysler would face liquidation, and the economy would be saddled with tens of thousands of job losses.
The fate of Chrysler was thrown into limbo Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court delayed the sale of the U.S. auto maker's assets to Fiat at the request of several Indiana pension funds and consumer groups that oppose the transaction. Should the high court maintain the stay it issued on Monday, the sale process could be delayed for weeks.
Chrysler declined to comment Tuesday on what its options might be if the sale is delayed. In a filing at the Supreme Court Tuesday, the company said "every day past June 15 increases the risk that Chrysler's business will not be able to restart successfully."
Fiat has the option of walking away from the deal on June 15. Following the news from the Supreme Court, Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said his company wouldn't walk away from its deal to buy Chrysler even if the June 15 deadline is missed.
However, in a filing of its own Tuesday at the Supreme Court, Fiat said if the sale isn't completed soon, "there can be no assurance that a replacement transaction could be structured and agreed that would preserve any aspect of Chrysler as a going concern."
Fiat has no plans to infuse Chrysler with cash during the bankruptcy process, and the Obama administration said at the time of the Chapter 11 filing that it wouldn't provide more funding as Chrysler wasn't viable without a partner.
A White House official on Monday downplayed the significance of the latest development, calling it "an administrative extension designed to allow sufficient time for the Court to make a determination on the merits of the request for a stay."
Some experts think the government, which has staked its credibility on getting Chrysler and General Motors Corp. (GMGMQ) quickly through bankruptcy, would have no choice but to provide additional assistance.
"I think the government will give them another $1 billion to keep them going, but keep them on a short leash," said Richard Tilton, a bankruptcy attorney who participated in Chrysler's 1970's restructuring. "What alternative do they have?"
More aid for Chrysler would touch off a firestorm from lawmakers and the public, as well as cast more doubt on the Obama administration's ability to steer GM through a similar "quick" bankruptcy process. GM filed for bankruptcy on June 1.
The government has already injected almost $9 billion in emergency funding into Chrysler since late last year, and more than $20 billion into GM.
A budget, filed with a New York bankruptcy court in early May, shows the auto maker burning through its $4.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing and $400 million in cash collateral by the end of the week of June 29 as it pays employees and suppliers, and maintains its plants.
The budget for Chrysler, which filed for Chapter 11 protection on April 30, took into account that most of the auto maker's production plants would be idled during the bankruptcy process and the salaried work force would take up to two weeks of unpaid vacation.
If the sale doesn't happen by early July, Chrysler would likely be forced to make even deeper cuts and turn to the Obama administration for more help, even as the government has said it won't provide further assistance. Without additional aid, Chrysler would face liquidation, and the economy would be saddled with tens of thousands of job losses.
The fate of Chrysler was thrown into limbo Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court delayed the sale of the U.S. auto maker's assets to Fiat at the request of several Indiana pension funds and consumer groups that oppose the transaction. Should the high court maintain the stay it issued on Monday, the sale process could be delayed for weeks.
Chrysler declined to comment Tuesday on what its options might be if the sale is delayed. In a filing at the Supreme Court Tuesday, the company said "every day past June 15 increases the risk that Chrysler's business will not be able to restart successfully."
Fiat has the option of walking away from the deal on June 15. Following the news from the Supreme Court, Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said his company wouldn't walk away from its deal to buy Chrysler even if the June 15 deadline is missed.
However, in a filing of its own Tuesday at the Supreme Court, Fiat said if the sale isn't completed soon, "there can be no assurance that a replacement transaction could be structured and agreed that would preserve any aspect of Chrysler as a going concern."
Fiat has no plans to infuse Chrysler with cash during the bankruptcy process, and the Obama administration said at the time of the Chapter 11 filing that it wouldn't provide more funding as Chrysler wasn't viable without a partner.
A White House official on Monday downplayed the significance of the latest development, calling it "an administrative extension designed to allow sufficient time for the Court to make a determination on the merits of the request for a stay."
Some experts think the government, which has staked its credibility on getting Chrysler and General Motors Corp. (GMGMQ) quickly through bankruptcy, would have no choice but to provide additional assistance.
"I think the government will give them another $1 billion to keep them going, but keep them on a short leash," said Richard Tilton, a bankruptcy attorney who participated in Chrysler's 1970's restructuring. "What alternative do they have?"
More aid for Chrysler would touch off a firestorm from lawmakers and the public, as well as cast more doubt on the Obama administration's ability to steer GM through a similar "quick" bankruptcy process. GM filed for bankruptcy on June 1.
The government has already injected almost $9 billion in emergency funding into Chrysler since late last year, and more than $20 billion into GM.
قطر تشتري حصة من بورش
تجري شركة بورش الألمانية لصناعة السيارات مفاوضات مكثفة في الوقت الراهن بشأن بيع حصة من أسهمها إلى قطر.
وذكر تقرير إخباري نشرته صحيفة "فايننشيال تايمز" في عدها الصادر يوم الثلاثاء أن الصفقة ستساعد شركة صناعة السيارات الرياضية في سداد ديونها الكثيرة وتعزيز موقفها في معركة الاستحواذ القائم بينها وبين شركة "فولكس فاجن" أكبر شركة لصناعة السيارات في أوروبا.
ونقلت الصحيفة عن مصادر مقربة من الطرفين قولها إن المفاوضات بين رئيس شركة "بورش" وهيئة الاستثمار القطرية تتقدم بشكل ملحوظ وأشارت إلى وجود "تعهد شفهي" بالمساعدة من الجانب القطري.
وأضافت الصحيفة أن الخبراء يفحصون في الوقت الحالي ملفات بورش ، مشيرة إلى إمكانية التوصل إلى اتفاق نهائي خلال الأسبوع المقبل.
من جانبها ، أعلنت فولكس فاجن تأييد حصول قطر على حصة كبيرة تمنحها حقوق تصويت سواء في شركتها الأم "بورش" التي تعاني من أعباء الديون أو في فولكس فاجن نفسها.
وذكر تقرير إخباري نشرته صحيفة "فايننشيال تايمز" في عدها الصادر يوم الثلاثاء أن الصفقة ستساعد شركة صناعة السيارات الرياضية في سداد ديونها الكثيرة وتعزيز موقفها في معركة الاستحواذ القائم بينها وبين شركة "فولكس فاجن" أكبر شركة لصناعة السيارات في أوروبا.
ونقلت الصحيفة عن مصادر مقربة من الطرفين قولها إن المفاوضات بين رئيس شركة "بورش" وهيئة الاستثمار القطرية تتقدم بشكل ملحوظ وأشارت إلى وجود "تعهد شفهي" بالمساعدة من الجانب القطري.
وأضافت الصحيفة أن الخبراء يفحصون في الوقت الحالي ملفات بورش ، مشيرة إلى إمكانية التوصل إلى اتفاق نهائي خلال الأسبوع المقبل.
من جانبها ، أعلنت فولكس فاجن تأييد حصول قطر على حصة كبيرة تمنحها حقوق تصويت سواء في شركتها الأم "بورش" التي تعاني من أعباء الديون أو في فولكس فاجن نفسها.
اكتشف التجهيزات الخارقة في سيارة أوباما
أصبحت السيارة كاديلاك دى تى سى التي استخدمها الرئيس الأمريكي باراك أوباما خلال زيارته الأخيرة للقاهرة وطاف بها شوارع العاصمة من العلامات البارزة في عالم تصنيع السيارات نظرا لما تحتويه على مجموعة من التقنيات العالية وتكنولوجيا العصر لا تتوافر في أي من الطرازات الأخرى.
وذكرت تقارير صحفية عالمية أن شركة "جنرال موتورز" الأمريكية التي أنتجت طراز "كاديلاك DTS" زودتها بدروع تبلغ سمكها أكثر من 12 سنتيمتر في أجزاء عديدة منها وأكثر من 20 سنتيمتر في الأماكن الحساسة مثل الأبواب، كما أن الكابينة الداخلية معزولة تمامًا عن الخارج لحماية الرئيس في حال وقوع أي هجوم كيميائي على سيارته.
وفي حال تعرض السيارة لأي هجوم بأي نوع من الأسلحة فإن الكابينة تقفل تلقائيًا ولا يستطيع أحد فتحها على الاطلاق، أما جسم السيارة فهو مصنوع من الفولاذ والألمنيوم والتيتانيوم والسيراميك، وذلك لصد الصواريخ والقنابل.
وتتمتع "كاديلاك DTS " أيضا بالعديد من المميزات أبرزها خزان وقود مصفح معالج ضد الانفجار، وحجرة قيادة مزودة بمركز اتصالات, ونظام "GPS"، أما إطارات السيارة فهي من نوع "RHS" ويبلغ قطرها 19.5 بوصة، وهى مؤهلة لمقاومة الثقوب، والهرب حتى عند تمزقها.
كما يوجد في السيارة تزويدات خاصة مثل بندقية من نوع "بامب أكشن"، ومدفع غازي وكاميرات رؤية مسائية، ومعدن سمكه خمس بوصات لمنع تفجير السيارة من أسفل، بالإضافة إلى تقنية "واي في" وتليفون ستالايت وخط مباشر بنائب الرئيس والبنتاجون.
ونافذة السيارة معدة خصيصا لتحمل الرصاص الكثيف وتفتح ثلاث بوصات وتستخدم للحاجة فقط، أما سائق السيارة فهو مدرب من "CIA" لمواجهة أصعب حالات القيادة أثناء الهجمات.
وذكرت تقارير صحفية عالمية أن شركة "جنرال موتورز" الأمريكية التي أنتجت طراز "كاديلاك DTS" زودتها بدروع تبلغ سمكها أكثر من 12 سنتيمتر في أجزاء عديدة منها وأكثر من 20 سنتيمتر في الأماكن الحساسة مثل الأبواب، كما أن الكابينة الداخلية معزولة تمامًا عن الخارج لحماية الرئيس في حال وقوع أي هجوم كيميائي على سيارته.
وفي حال تعرض السيارة لأي هجوم بأي نوع من الأسلحة فإن الكابينة تقفل تلقائيًا ولا يستطيع أحد فتحها على الاطلاق، أما جسم السيارة فهو مصنوع من الفولاذ والألمنيوم والتيتانيوم والسيراميك، وذلك لصد الصواريخ والقنابل.
وتتمتع "كاديلاك DTS " أيضا بالعديد من المميزات أبرزها خزان وقود مصفح معالج ضد الانفجار، وحجرة قيادة مزودة بمركز اتصالات, ونظام "GPS"، أما إطارات السيارة فهي من نوع "RHS" ويبلغ قطرها 19.5 بوصة، وهى مؤهلة لمقاومة الثقوب، والهرب حتى عند تمزقها.
كما يوجد في السيارة تزويدات خاصة مثل بندقية من نوع "بامب أكشن"، ومدفع غازي وكاميرات رؤية مسائية، ومعدن سمكه خمس بوصات لمنع تفجير السيارة من أسفل، بالإضافة إلى تقنية "واي في" وتليفون ستالايت وخط مباشر بنائب الرئيس والبنتاجون.
ونافذة السيارة معدة خصيصا لتحمل الرصاص الكثيف وتفتح ثلاث بوصات وتستخدم للحاجة فقط، أما سائق السيارة فهو مدرب من "CIA" لمواجهة أصعب حالات القيادة أثناء الهجمات.
جاجور تتألق فى معرض اوتوماك 2009
وسط أكبر حشد من الأسماء العالمية في مجال السيارات، تشارك " أم تي آى أوتوموتيف " المستورد لسيارات " جاجوار - لاند روفر – فيراري – بنتلي – مازيراتي " في مصر، في معرض "أوتو ماك 2009"، في دورته الخامسة عشر، والتي تقام تحت رعاية مؤسسة أخبار اليوم، فى الفترة من 4 إلى 8 يونيه الحالى ، بأرض المعارض بمدينة نصر.
ويشارك في المعرض أكثر من 400 شركة عالمية في تصنيع وتوزيع واستيراد السيارات، ومن المتوقع أن يصل عدد زوار المعرض إلى 500,000 زائر.
وعن هذه المشاركة قال المهندس / أحمد الغريب، المدير العام لشركة " أم تي آى أوتوموتيف " " لقد حرصنا على توفير أحدث طراز من سيارات " جاجوار" لعملائنا من المصريين، وهو " جاجوار XFR " الذى حاز على العديد من التقديرات الدولية، كما يأتى حرصنا على المشاركة في معرض دولي وهام مثل معرض أوتو ماك، في إطار التواصل المستمر مع الجمهور المصري، الذي يستحق كل ما هو جديد ومتميز في عالم السيارات."
وفي هذا الإطار صرح السيد / مارك ايدل، مديرمبيعات جاجوار بالشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا " تأتى مشاركتنا في هذه الدورة من معرض " أوتو ماك "بأحدث طراز من سيارات جاجوار، وهو "جاجوار XFR ، والذي تم إطلاقه في فبراير الماضي، الذي يعد النسخة المعدلة من سيارة " جاجوار XF " التي سجلت مبيعات وصلت إلى 30,000 سيارة، منذ اطلاقها في العام الماضي، ومن المتوقع أن تتضاعف نسبة المبيعات، خلال هذا العام، وخاصة بعد التعديلات المتميزة التي أدخلتها جاجوار على الطراز الجديد " جاجوار XFR ".
كما تشارك " جاجوار " العالمية من خلال شركة " إم تى آى أوتوموتيف " بثلاثة موديلات أخرى في معرض أوتوماك وهي " جاجوار XKR " و " جاجوار X. TYPE " و " جاجوار XF portfolio " ، وذلك بجانب مشاركتها الرئيسية بأحدث سياراتها " جاجوار XFR ".
ويمتاز التصميم الخارجي لسيارة " جاجوار XFR " بفتحة كبيرة مكسوة بشبكة مطلية باللون الأسود، بالإضافة إلى وجود أنابيب خارجية لسحب الهواء مصنوعة من الكروم، هذا إلى جانب فتحة الشبك العلوية، والغطاء الأمامي المزود بفتحات تهوية.
تتوفر سيارة " جاجوار XFR " ، مزودة بمصد خلفي بلون هيكل السيارة، مما يساعد على تحقيق أعلى درجات الثباث للسيارة عند استخدام السرعات العالية، كما امتدت التعديلات الخارجية لتشمل، التصميمات الجديدة للمرايا الخارجية، لتعبر عن التحسينات الديناميكية الهوائية، إلى جانب توظيفها بشكل أكثر فاعلية بفضل أضواء الإشارة الجانبية الترددية من نوع LED المدمجة بها.
وتتجلى السمة الرياضية لسيارة " جاجوار XFR " في العجلات الفريدة، المتوفرة بمقاس 20 بوصة، كما يتسم التصميم الداخلي بالعصرية والاستقلالية، حيث تم استخدام أفخر أنواع الجلود بأربعة ألوان مختلفة، وتأكيداً على رياضية التصميم، يأتي التحكم الكهربائي بالمقاعد في عدة اتجاهات على وسائد عريضة قابلة للتعديل كهربائياً، مما يوفر أعلى مستويات الراحة والأمان، خاصة عند انحراف السيارة بسرعة عالية.
وحرصاً على توفير مستوى فاخر من الرفاهية للعملاء، تأتي السيارة " جاجوار XFR " بنظام قيادة متطور، يتمثل في برنامج نقل السرعات، وبرنامج تثبيت السرعة، المزود بمحدد سرعة أوتوماتيكي، وكاميرا ركن خلفية، وكذلك النظام الصوتي " باورز – ويلكنس " بقوة 440 وات مع 14 مكبراً للصوت، مع امكانية توصيل أجهزة IPOD و MP3، مع تحكم كامل من خلال شاشة اللمس أو أزرار التحكم المدمجة في عجلة القيادة.
أما عن محرك " جاجوار XFR " فهو فائق الشحن والتطور من " جاجوار " مكون من ثمانى اسطوانات V8 بسعة 5,0 ليتر بقدرة 510 حصان، عند سرعة تتراوح ما بين 6000 و 6500 دورة في الدقيقة، ويتميز المحرك بصغر حجمه وامكانية تسارع تصل إلى 100 كلم / س خلال 4,9 ثواني.
ويشارك في المعرض أكثر من 400 شركة عالمية في تصنيع وتوزيع واستيراد السيارات، ومن المتوقع أن يصل عدد زوار المعرض إلى 500,000 زائر.
وعن هذه المشاركة قال المهندس / أحمد الغريب، المدير العام لشركة " أم تي آى أوتوموتيف " " لقد حرصنا على توفير أحدث طراز من سيارات " جاجوار" لعملائنا من المصريين، وهو " جاجوار XFR " الذى حاز على العديد من التقديرات الدولية، كما يأتى حرصنا على المشاركة في معرض دولي وهام مثل معرض أوتو ماك، في إطار التواصل المستمر مع الجمهور المصري، الذي يستحق كل ما هو جديد ومتميز في عالم السيارات."
وفي هذا الإطار صرح السيد / مارك ايدل، مديرمبيعات جاجوار بالشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا " تأتى مشاركتنا في هذه الدورة من معرض " أوتو ماك "بأحدث طراز من سيارات جاجوار، وهو "جاجوار XFR ، والذي تم إطلاقه في فبراير الماضي، الذي يعد النسخة المعدلة من سيارة " جاجوار XF " التي سجلت مبيعات وصلت إلى 30,000 سيارة، منذ اطلاقها في العام الماضي، ومن المتوقع أن تتضاعف نسبة المبيعات، خلال هذا العام، وخاصة بعد التعديلات المتميزة التي أدخلتها جاجوار على الطراز الجديد " جاجوار XFR ".
كما تشارك " جاجوار " العالمية من خلال شركة " إم تى آى أوتوموتيف " بثلاثة موديلات أخرى في معرض أوتوماك وهي " جاجوار XKR " و " جاجوار X. TYPE " و " جاجوار XF portfolio " ، وذلك بجانب مشاركتها الرئيسية بأحدث سياراتها " جاجوار XFR ".
ويمتاز التصميم الخارجي لسيارة " جاجوار XFR " بفتحة كبيرة مكسوة بشبكة مطلية باللون الأسود، بالإضافة إلى وجود أنابيب خارجية لسحب الهواء مصنوعة من الكروم، هذا إلى جانب فتحة الشبك العلوية، والغطاء الأمامي المزود بفتحات تهوية.
تتوفر سيارة " جاجوار XFR " ، مزودة بمصد خلفي بلون هيكل السيارة، مما يساعد على تحقيق أعلى درجات الثباث للسيارة عند استخدام السرعات العالية، كما امتدت التعديلات الخارجية لتشمل، التصميمات الجديدة للمرايا الخارجية، لتعبر عن التحسينات الديناميكية الهوائية، إلى جانب توظيفها بشكل أكثر فاعلية بفضل أضواء الإشارة الجانبية الترددية من نوع LED المدمجة بها.
وتتجلى السمة الرياضية لسيارة " جاجوار XFR " في العجلات الفريدة، المتوفرة بمقاس 20 بوصة، كما يتسم التصميم الداخلي بالعصرية والاستقلالية، حيث تم استخدام أفخر أنواع الجلود بأربعة ألوان مختلفة، وتأكيداً على رياضية التصميم، يأتي التحكم الكهربائي بالمقاعد في عدة اتجاهات على وسائد عريضة قابلة للتعديل كهربائياً، مما يوفر أعلى مستويات الراحة والأمان، خاصة عند انحراف السيارة بسرعة عالية.
وحرصاً على توفير مستوى فاخر من الرفاهية للعملاء، تأتي السيارة " جاجوار XFR " بنظام قيادة متطور، يتمثل في برنامج نقل السرعات، وبرنامج تثبيت السرعة، المزود بمحدد سرعة أوتوماتيكي، وكاميرا ركن خلفية، وكذلك النظام الصوتي " باورز – ويلكنس " بقوة 440 وات مع 14 مكبراً للصوت، مع امكانية توصيل أجهزة IPOD و MP3، مع تحكم كامل من خلال شاشة اللمس أو أزرار التحكم المدمجة في عجلة القيادة.
أما عن محرك " جاجوار XFR " فهو فائق الشحن والتطور من " جاجوار " مكون من ثمانى اسطوانات V8 بسعة 5,0 ليتر بقدرة 510 حصان، عند سرعة تتراوح ما بين 6000 و 6500 دورة في الدقيقة، ويتميز المحرك بصغر حجمه وامكانية تسارع تصل إلى 100 كلم / س خلال 4,9 ثواني.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Mitsubishi electric car pricey even with subsidies
Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) on Friday priced the world's first mass-produced electric car at $47,580, cheaper than a rival model but still more than double the price of popular hybrid gas-electric vehicles.
Automakers around the world are developing plug-in electric cars, which boast zero emissions from the fuel pipe but are much more expensive to produce than hybrids.
Mitsubishi's i-MiEV and the Subaru Plug-In Stella from Fuji Heavy Industries (7270.T) go on sale next month to domestic fleet customers. Sales of the i-MiEV to general customers will begin next April.
Both qualify for government subsidies amounting up to nearly 1.4 million yen per vehicle as well as tax exemptions of more than 130,000 yen but are still too expensive for most consumers.
"I'm aware that the price is not within easy reach for customers, and we aim to offer a price below 2 million yen as soon as possible," Mitsubishi Motors President Osamu Masuko told a news conference, although he did not give a time frame.
Green car industry leaders Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and Honda Motor Co (7267.T) have said they do not expect electric vehicles to replace hybrids anytime soon, particularly as they do not yet travel as far without having to be recharged.
Honda's Insight hatchback hybrid starts at 1.89 million yen while Toyota's Prius starts at 2.05 million yen. Both were fully remodelled this year, with their prices cut sharply from previous levels.
That has helped boost their popularity, and the Insight became the first hybrid car to head the list of best-selling cars in Japan in April, while Toyota's Prius took the top spot in May. [ID:nT316781]
Mitsubishi aims to sell 1,400 i-MiEVs, priced at 4.6 million yen, in the year to next March. It then hopes to sell 5,000 in Japan and 1,000 overseas the following year before lifting its annual global sales target to 15,000 units the year after that.
Fuji Heavy is less ambitious, having set its sights on just 170 units of the Stella, which is priced at 4.7 million yen, this financial year.
Masuko acknowledged that profits would still take some time to come.
"We need to build 30,000 units a year to be profitable, so we hope to reach that level soon," he said.
Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV travels as far as 160 kilometres per full battery charge. Fuji Heavy says the Plug-In Stella gets up to 90 kilometres.
Shares of Mitsubishi Motors rose 2.3 percent to 175 yen, while Fuji Heavy rallied 7.7 percent to 406 yen, outperforming the Topix auto subindex .ITEQP.T, which gained 1.3 percent. (Additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and Nobuhiro Kubo; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Automakers around the world are developing plug-in electric cars, which boast zero emissions from the fuel pipe but are much more expensive to produce than hybrids.
Mitsubishi's i-MiEV and the Subaru Plug-In Stella from Fuji Heavy Industries (7270.T) go on sale next month to domestic fleet customers. Sales of the i-MiEV to general customers will begin next April.
Both qualify for government subsidies amounting up to nearly 1.4 million yen per vehicle as well as tax exemptions of more than 130,000 yen but are still too expensive for most consumers.
"I'm aware that the price is not within easy reach for customers, and we aim to offer a price below 2 million yen as soon as possible," Mitsubishi Motors President Osamu Masuko told a news conference, although he did not give a time frame.
Green car industry leaders Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and Honda Motor Co (7267.T) have said they do not expect electric vehicles to replace hybrids anytime soon, particularly as they do not yet travel as far without having to be recharged.
Honda's Insight hatchback hybrid starts at 1.89 million yen while Toyota's Prius starts at 2.05 million yen. Both were fully remodelled this year, with their prices cut sharply from previous levels.
That has helped boost their popularity, and the Insight became the first hybrid car to head the list of best-selling cars in Japan in April, while Toyota's Prius took the top spot in May. [ID:nT316781]
Mitsubishi aims to sell 1,400 i-MiEVs, priced at 4.6 million yen, in the year to next March. It then hopes to sell 5,000 in Japan and 1,000 overseas the following year before lifting its annual global sales target to 15,000 units the year after that.
Fuji Heavy is less ambitious, having set its sights on just 170 units of the Stella, which is priced at 4.7 million yen, this financial year.
Masuko acknowledged that profits would still take some time to come.
"We need to build 30,000 units a year to be profitable, so we hope to reach that level soon," he said.
Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV travels as far as 160 kilometres per full battery charge. Fuji Heavy says the Plug-In Stella gets up to 90 kilometres.
Shares of Mitsubishi Motors rose 2.3 percent to 175 yen, while Fuji Heavy rallied 7.7 percent to 406 yen, outperforming the Topix auto subindex .ITEQP.T, which gained 1.3 percent. (Additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and Nobuhiro Kubo; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
معاني أسماء سيارات شركة شيفروليه
من اين جاء اسم الشركة وهو شيفروليه Chevrolet:أخذت الشركة اسمها من اسم عائلة مؤسس الشركة ، حيث ان اسم مؤسس الشركة هو لويس شيفروليه Louis Chevrolet سائق سيارات السباق المولود عام 1878 للميلاد والذي توفي في عام 1941 للميلاد .
لويس شيفروليه
معاني أسماء بعض السيارات التي أنتجتها الشركة
Aerosedan : حرفيا يعني اسمها السيارة الجوية،لأن انفها يشبه الطائرات ذات المحركات المروحية من الخمسينات.
Apache : معنى اسم هذه الشاحنة مشتق من اسم قبيلة الأباتشي المشهورة.وهي قبيلة هنود حمر.
APV : حرف الA يعني All بينما حرف الP يعني Purpose ، اما حرف V تعني Vehicle
Astro : تعني النجم أو الجرم السماوي.
Avalanche : معنى الكلمة هو الانهيار الجليدي.
Bel Air: يشير المعنى التناغم او الانسجام.
Beretta :المعنى مشتق من كلمة beret وهي قبعة فرنسية مستديرة يلبسها الرسامون،وتشبه قبعة الشرطة.اما beretta وُضع لتدليع وتجميل الاسم.
Biscayne : سيارة صالون اسمها مشتق من ولاية بيسكاين الأمريكية التي تقع جنوب ولاية ناشفيل.
Blazer :والمقصود بهذه التسمية الملتهب،حيث ان كلمة Blaze تعني اللهب او الوهج.
Camaro :والمقصود بهذه التسمية كلمة (الصديق) او بالانجليزي pal والكلمة مشتقة من كلمة فرنسية هي comrade.
Caprice : المعنى الحرفي لها هو النزوة.
Cavalier :والمقصود بهذه التسمية الفارس أو الشهم.
Celebrity : الترجمة الحرفية للكلمة هي المشهور.
Chevelle :والمقصود بهذه التسمية (الكابوس) باللهجة الويلزية.
Chevette : تسمية اطلقت على هذه السيارة تصغيرا لإسمها،شغل دلع يعني
Cheyyene : اشتُق هذا الاسم من ولاية نيو يورك..ويعني اسم هذه السيارة النيو يوركي.
Cobalt :هي منطقة تقع شمال ولاية كنتاكي الأمريكية.
Colorado : ولاية أمريكية تقع شمال المكسيك.
Corsica :هي منطقة ضمن ولاية داكوتا الجنوبية.
Corvette : السفينة الحربية،للدلالة على سرعتها الكبيرة.
ElCamino : مدينة تقع ضمن نطاق ولاية تكساس الامريكية.
Epica : الذواقة.مشتقة من كلمة epicure وهي كلمة تطلق على الشخص الذي لديه ذوق مترف في تذوق الطعام.
Equinox : المقصود بها (الاعتدال الربيعي).
Express : يقصد بها (الرسول).أو القطار السريع.
HHR : معنى الأحرف Heritage High Roof ومعناه السيارة التاريخية ذات السقف العالي،تشبهاً بسيارات الأربعينات والخمسينات من القرن الفائت والتي أسقفها كانت عالية بعض الشئ.
Impala : نوع من أنواع الغزلان الوثّابة.
Lumina :كلمة لاتينية تعني الشئ الحقيقي THE REAL THING.
Malibu : منطقة ضمن نطاق ولاية تكساس.
Metro : مستوحاة من اسم المترو وهو قطار الأنفاق او القطار السريع.
Monte Carlo : هي ولاية تقع يمين ولاية شيكاغو.
Nova : هي كلمة اسبانية معناها doesn't go أي التي لا تذهب.
Silverado : كلمة ذات أصل لاتيني يعني top of the line أي مقدمة الخط (خط الانتاج)،فاستحقت فعلا هذا الاسم.
Sprint : معناها (العدو بأقصى سرعة).
SSR : معنى الاحرف هو super sport roadster أي السيارة المكشوفة السوبر رياضية.
Suburban : هي صفة للشخص الذي يسكن في الأحياء suburbs.
Tahoe : هي مدينة تقع شمال بحيرة تسمى أيضا بحيرة تاهو.وهي في نطاق ولاية كاليفورنيا الأمريكية.
TrailBlazer : حرفيا تعني متقفي الآثار.
Uplander : تعني المرتفع.حيث ان upland تعني الارتفاع عن مستوى سطح الارض،فسمّيت السيارة بالمرتفعه للدلالة على مكانتها ومستواها الراقي.
Vega : فيغا هو نجم ساطع شوهد من مقاطعه هامشاير الامريكية.
Venture : المغامره.
لويس شيفروليه
معاني أسماء بعض السيارات التي أنتجتها الشركة
Aerosedan : حرفيا يعني اسمها السيارة الجوية،لأن انفها يشبه الطائرات ذات المحركات المروحية من الخمسينات.
Apache : معنى اسم هذه الشاحنة مشتق من اسم قبيلة الأباتشي المشهورة.وهي قبيلة هنود حمر.
APV : حرف الA يعني All بينما حرف الP يعني Purpose ، اما حرف V تعني Vehicle
Astro : تعني النجم أو الجرم السماوي.
Avalanche : معنى الكلمة هو الانهيار الجليدي.
Bel Air: يشير المعنى التناغم او الانسجام.
Beretta :المعنى مشتق من كلمة beret وهي قبعة فرنسية مستديرة يلبسها الرسامون،وتشبه قبعة الشرطة.اما beretta وُضع لتدليع وتجميل الاسم.
Biscayne : سيارة صالون اسمها مشتق من ولاية بيسكاين الأمريكية التي تقع جنوب ولاية ناشفيل.
Blazer :والمقصود بهذه التسمية الملتهب،حيث ان كلمة Blaze تعني اللهب او الوهج.
Camaro :والمقصود بهذه التسمية كلمة (الصديق) او بالانجليزي pal والكلمة مشتقة من كلمة فرنسية هي comrade.
Caprice : المعنى الحرفي لها هو النزوة.
Cavalier :والمقصود بهذه التسمية الفارس أو الشهم.
Celebrity : الترجمة الحرفية للكلمة هي المشهور.
Chevelle :والمقصود بهذه التسمية (الكابوس) باللهجة الويلزية.
Chevette : تسمية اطلقت على هذه السيارة تصغيرا لإسمها،شغل دلع يعني
Cheyyene : اشتُق هذا الاسم من ولاية نيو يورك..ويعني اسم هذه السيارة النيو يوركي.
Cobalt :هي منطقة تقع شمال ولاية كنتاكي الأمريكية.
Colorado : ولاية أمريكية تقع شمال المكسيك.
Corsica :هي منطقة ضمن ولاية داكوتا الجنوبية.
Corvette : السفينة الحربية،للدلالة على سرعتها الكبيرة.
ElCamino : مدينة تقع ضمن نطاق ولاية تكساس الامريكية.
Epica : الذواقة.مشتقة من كلمة epicure وهي كلمة تطلق على الشخص الذي لديه ذوق مترف في تذوق الطعام.
Equinox : المقصود بها (الاعتدال الربيعي).
Express : يقصد بها (الرسول).أو القطار السريع.
HHR : معنى الأحرف Heritage High Roof ومعناه السيارة التاريخية ذات السقف العالي،تشبهاً بسيارات الأربعينات والخمسينات من القرن الفائت والتي أسقفها كانت عالية بعض الشئ.
Impala : نوع من أنواع الغزلان الوثّابة.
Lumina :كلمة لاتينية تعني الشئ الحقيقي THE REAL THING.
Malibu : منطقة ضمن نطاق ولاية تكساس.
Metro : مستوحاة من اسم المترو وهو قطار الأنفاق او القطار السريع.
Monte Carlo : هي ولاية تقع يمين ولاية شيكاغو.
Nova : هي كلمة اسبانية معناها doesn't go أي التي لا تذهب.
Silverado : كلمة ذات أصل لاتيني يعني top of the line أي مقدمة الخط (خط الانتاج)،فاستحقت فعلا هذا الاسم.
Sprint : معناها (العدو بأقصى سرعة).
SSR : معنى الاحرف هو super sport roadster أي السيارة المكشوفة السوبر رياضية.
Suburban : هي صفة للشخص الذي يسكن في الأحياء suburbs.
Tahoe : هي مدينة تقع شمال بحيرة تسمى أيضا بحيرة تاهو.وهي في نطاق ولاية كاليفورنيا الأمريكية.
TrailBlazer : حرفيا تعني متقفي الآثار.
Uplander : تعني المرتفع.حيث ان upland تعني الارتفاع عن مستوى سطح الارض،فسمّيت السيارة بالمرتفعه للدلالة على مكانتها ومستواها الراقي.
Vega : فيغا هو نجم ساطع شوهد من مقاطعه هامشاير الامريكية.
Venture : المغامره.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Chrysler sale heads to appeals court on Friday
A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday will hear arguments that Chrysler LLC's sale to a group including Italian carmaker Fiat SpA and the U.S. government violates long-standing bankruptcy law and should not be allowed to go forward.
The appeal, which has delayed Chrysler's sale, is likely to be closely watched by General Motors Corp, which filed its bankruptcy case this week in the same court and is pursuing a similar type of sale.
Investors, who fear it upends long-standing assumptions about the safety of secured debt, will also be eyeing the ruling.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez ruled on Monday that the sale could become effective on Friday, saying that no one but the senior lenders was receiving "a penny of value" in the deal.
The deal would bring a "New Chrysler" out of bankruptcy, which will be owned by Fiat, the company's union, and the U.S. and Canadian governments, but that will now depend on the appeal.
A group of Indiana pension funds, which holds about $42 million of Chrysler's $6.9 billion in secured loans, and fought the sale in bankruptcy court, will argue before a three-judge panel for the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on Friday at 2 p.m. EST.
Offering a preview of their arguments, lawyers for the Indiana pension funds, Chrysler, its unsecured creditors committee, union, Fiat, and several other groups filed briefs with the appeals court on Thursday.
"CAN BE SAVED"
The Indiana pension funds have objected to the sale saying it violates laws about the priority of repayment in bankruptcy by favoring more junior creditors over senior secured creditors. The funds argue that Chrysler's plan to distribute stock in the "New Chrysler" to the union and the government, while paying senior lenders only 29 cents on the dollar, is an illegal "sub rosa" reorganization plan, which ordinarily would not be permitted under the bankruptcy code. The funds also claim that the U.S. Treasury did not have authority to offer funds to the automakers under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
"Chrysler, however, can be saved without trampling the law and the rights of the first lien lenders," White & Case lawyers representing the Indiana pensioners wrote in their brief on Thursday. "In any case, the issues on appeal call on the Court to maintain the rule of law, even set against cries from others that the economy as a whole will benefit from the sale."
OppenheimerFunds Inc, an asset management firm which originally opposed the deal through a larger group of secured lenders that later disbanded, filed an "amicus brief" with the court in support of the objectors arguing the sale should not be allowed.
"The funds appeal to this court to set aside the sale order, which undermines well-established principles of United States bankruptcy law and threatens to destabilize American credit markets by subverting the equitable principles of creditors' rights," the Oppenheimer funds wrote in their brief, saying they hold $96 million of Chrysler's secured loans.
Chrysler's lawyers, from the Jones Day law firm, said in a brief filed to the court of appeals that the pensioners trying to block the sale were wrong in arguing that the terms of the deal violated bankruptcy rules by improperly distributing the debtor's assets.
"In the end, the Fiat Sale is precisely that -- a sale of assets for a price that far exceeds liquidation value, to a purchaser who wants to use the assets in a productive enterprise," Chrysler's lawyers argued in court papers.
It also said that the pensioners did not have the standing to argue that the government improperly used TARP funds in the transaction.
Lawyers for United Auto Workers, the union representing Chrysler's workers, disputed the Indiana pensioners' contention that the timeframe for approving was too quick, saying they had had plenty of time to file objections in May.
The union called for the court to affirm the bankruptcy judge's rule that the sale is the only "currently viable" option for Chrysler.
The U.S. government, Chrysler Financial, Fiat and Chrysler's unsecured creditors' committee also filed briefs saying the deal should be closed. The government argued the Indiana's pension funds lacked standing.
Chrysler Financial, an affiliate that financed 62 percent of its dealers and about half of its customers, said its ability to collect money would be "severely prejudiced" if the sale is not closed, because those dealers will be put out of business if Chrysler does not survive as "New Chrysler."
"It's a real threat, if it (the appeals court) overturns the sale or finds it doesn't comply with bankruptcy code," said Stuart Hirshfield, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. "Whatever happens here will certainly help or create a problem for GM."
The appeal is: In re: Chrysler LLC, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, No. 09-2311. The bankruptcy case is In re: Chrysler LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, No. 09-50002.
The appeal, which has delayed Chrysler's sale, is likely to be closely watched by General Motors Corp, which filed its bankruptcy case this week in the same court and is pursuing a similar type of sale.
Investors, who fear it upends long-standing assumptions about the safety of secured debt, will also be eyeing the ruling.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez ruled on Monday that the sale could become effective on Friday, saying that no one but the senior lenders was receiving "a penny of value" in the deal.
The deal would bring a "New Chrysler" out of bankruptcy, which will be owned by Fiat, the company's union, and the U.S. and Canadian governments, but that will now depend on the appeal.
A group of Indiana pension funds, which holds about $42 million of Chrysler's $6.9 billion in secured loans, and fought the sale in bankruptcy court, will argue before a three-judge panel for the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on Friday at 2 p.m. EST.
Offering a preview of their arguments, lawyers for the Indiana pension funds, Chrysler, its unsecured creditors committee, union, Fiat, and several other groups filed briefs with the appeals court on Thursday.
"CAN BE SAVED"
The Indiana pension funds have objected to the sale saying it violates laws about the priority of repayment in bankruptcy by favoring more junior creditors over senior secured creditors. The funds argue that Chrysler's plan to distribute stock in the "New Chrysler" to the union and the government, while paying senior lenders only 29 cents on the dollar, is an illegal "sub rosa" reorganization plan, which ordinarily would not be permitted under the bankruptcy code. The funds also claim that the U.S. Treasury did not have authority to offer funds to the automakers under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
"Chrysler, however, can be saved without trampling the law and the rights of the first lien lenders," White & Case lawyers representing the Indiana pensioners wrote in their brief on Thursday. "In any case, the issues on appeal call on the Court to maintain the rule of law, even set against cries from others that the economy as a whole will benefit from the sale."
OppenheimerFunds Inc, an asset management firm which originally opposed the deal through a larger group of secured lenders that later disbanded, filed an "amicus brief" with the court in support of the objectors arguing the sale should not be allowed.
"The funds appeal to this court to set aside the sale order, which undermines well-established principles of United States bankruptcy law and threatens to destabilize American credit markets by subverting the equitable principles of creditors' rights," the Oppenheimer funds wrote in their brief, saying they hold $96 million of Chrysler's secured loans.
Chrysler's lawyers, from the Jones Day law firm, said in a brief filed to the court of appeals that the pensioners trying to block the sale were wrong in arguing that the terms of the deal violated bankruptcy rules by improperly distributing the debtor's assets.
"In the end, the Fiat Sale is precisely that -- a sale of assets for a price that far exceeds liquidation value, to a purchaser who wants to use the assets in a productive enterprise," Chrysler's lawyers argued in court papers.
It also said that the pensioners did not have the standing to argue that the government improperly used TARP funds in the transaction.
Lawyers for United Auto Workers, the union representing Chrysler's workers, disputed the Indiana pensioners' contention that the timeframe for approving was too quick, saying they had had plenty of time to file objections in May.
The union called for the court to affirm the bankruptcy judge's rule that the sale is the only "currently viable" option for Chrysler.
The U.S. government, Chrysler Financial, Fiat and Chrysler's unsecured creditors' committee also filed briefs saying the deal should be closed. The government argued the Indiana's pension funds lacked standing.
Chrysler Financial, an affiliate that financed 62 percent of its dealers and about half of its customers, said its ability to collect money would be "severely prejudiced" if the sale is not closed, because those dealers will be put out of business if Chrysler does not survive as "New Chrysler."
"It's a real threat, if it (the appeals court) overturns the sale or finds it doesn't comply with bankruptcy code," said Stuart Hirshfield, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. "Whatever happens here will certainly help or create a problem for GM."
The appeal is: In re: Chrysler LLC, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, No. 09-2311. The bankruptcy case is In re: Chrysler LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, No. 09-50002.
Opel and the Kremlin: Risks Ahead for Germany?
Russians soon will own 35% of Opel, and the Kremlin covets the German carmaker's knowhow. An eastward shift could put German auto jobs at risk
Is Opel about to turn Russian? That may seem farfetched, but it is the question that some commentators in Germany are asking following a deal struck on Friday that will see Russian bank Sberbank (SBER.RTS) acquiring a 35 percent minority stake in the carmaker—the number of shares equal to those being kept by General Motors and significantly more than the 20 percent of shares to be bought by Magna (MGA), the Austrian-Canadian auto parts company that had been promoted as the best bet to rescue Opel.
In Moscow, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he would like to see the German carmaker play a future role in developing his own country's automobile industry. "The Russian government has its strategy of developing the car industry and the deal we are discussing must be embedded within the strategy for automobile manufacturing," Putin said at a meeting with officials from Sberbank and Magna on Monday, the Interfax news reported.
Roughly translated: The Kremlin would like to see Opel's know-how pumped into ailing carmaker Gaz (GAZA.RTS), which has suffered immensely as Russian automobile buyers turn to nicer and more technologically advanced models from the West. In addition to his country's European dominance in the gas and oil sector, Putin has also said he would like to build up Russia's automobile, aviation and defense industries. The Opel deal fits nicely with that strategy.
As part of Friday's deal with Sberbank, Opel is expected to cooperate as an "industrial partner" with debt-laden Gaz, which is in desperate need of modernization. Like Sberbank, which is 60 percent owned by the Russian central bank and is often considered the long arm of the Kremlin, carmaker Gaz also has deep ties to the government in Moscow. The carmaker, which produces the Volga brand, belongs to oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a 41-year-old Putin loyalist. For a long time, he was Russia's richest man, but Forbes magazine estimates he lost as much as $25 billion as a result of the financial crisis. He still has considerable influence, but in order to keep moribund carmaker Gaz afloat, he has had to take billions in loans from the government and turn over his shares in the company as collateral on those credit guarantees. For its part, Sberbank is Gaz's single largest creditor.
Putin said his government wasn't playing a direct role in the deal to rescue Opel, but "welcomed the role of Sberbank in this sphere." On Sunday, Sberbank chief German Gref, a former Russian economics minister and close confidant of Putin, said his company would "never" have been capable of closing a contract like that "without the government's support."
"Highly Advanced Technical Production"
Gref has said he wants his company to do its part to help restructure Russia's ossified automobile industry. He said his company was acquiring "highly advanced technical production" at an "unprecedentedly low price."
In Russia, Opel is already a popular brand, and sales could improve if the company is given access to Gaz's broad dealership network. Opel currently has a 3 percent market share in Russia and its new owners would like to see that share grow to 20 percent. Success there, of course, is contingent on a recovery of the Russian automobile market. It's predicted it will become Europe's largest single market for car sales, but it has also suffered radically from the economic crisis, with 44 percent fewer cars sold between January and April than a year ago, according to financial wire service Dow Jones. The Russian economy is also expected to decline by 6.5 percent this year according to the International Monetary Fund.
But the Russians, too, appear to be banking on a turnaround. On Monday, Gaz said it could be capable of manufacturing Opel models within six to nine months at its Nizhny Novgorod-based plant, with a capacity to produce 180,000 cars a year.
Is Opel about to turn Russian? That may seem farfetched, but it is the question that some commentators in Germany are asking following a deal struck on Friday that will see Russian bank Sberbank (SBER.RTS) acquiring a 35 percent minority stake in the carmaker—the number of shares equal to those being kept by General Motors and significantly more than the 20 percent of shares to be bought by Magna (MGA), the Austrian-Canadian auto parts company that had been promoted as the best bet to rescue Opel.
In Moscow, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he would like to see the German carmaker play a future role in developing his own country's automobile industry. "The Russian government has its strategy of developing the car industry and the deal we are discussing must be embedded within the strategy for automobile manufacturing," Putin said at a meeting with officials from Sberbank and Magna on Monday, the Interfax news reported.
Roughly translated: The Kremlin would like to see Opel's know-how pumped into ailing carmaker Gaz (GAZA.RTS), which has suffered immensely as Russian automobile buyers turn to nicer and more technologically advanced models from the West. In addition to his country's European dominance in the gas and oil sector, Putin has also said he would like to build up Russia's automobile, aviation and defense industries. The Opel deal fits nicely with that strategy.
As part of Friday's deal with Sberbank, Opel is expected to cooperate as an "industrial partner" with debt-laden Gaz, which is in desperate need of modernization. Like Sberbank, which is 60 percent owned by the Russian central bank and is often considered the long arm of the Kremlin, carmaker Gaz also has deep ties to the government in Moscow. The carmaker, which produces the Volga brand, belongs to oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a 41-year-old Putin loyalist. For a long time, he was Russia's richest man, but Forbes magazine estimates he lost as much as $25 billion as a result of the financial crisis. He still has considerable influence, but in order to keep moribund carmaker Gaz afloat, he has had to take billions in loans from the government and turn over his shares in the company as collateral on those credit guarantees. For its part, Sberbank is Gaz's single largest creditor.
Putin said his government wasn't playing a direct role in the deal to rescue Opel, but "welcomed the role of Sberbank in this sphere." On Sunday, Sberbank chief German Gref, a former Russian economics minister and close confidant of Putin, said his company would "never" have been capable of closing a contract like that "without the government's support."
"Highly Advanced Technical Production"
Gref has said he wants his company to do its part to help restructure Russia's ossified automobile industry. He said his company was acquiring "highly advanced technical production" at an "unprecedentedly low price."
In Russia, Opel is already a popular brand, and sales could improve if the company is given access to Gaz's broad dealership network. Opel currently has a 3 percent market share in Russia and its new owners would like to see that share grow to 20 percent. Success there, of course, is contingent on a recovery of the Russian automobile market. It's predicted it will become Europe's largest single market for car sales, but it has also suffered radically from the economic crisis, with 44 percent fewer cars sold between January and April than a year ago, according to financial wire service Dow Jones. The Russian economy is also expected to decline by 6.5 percent this year according to the International Monetary Fund.
But the Russians, too, appear to be banking on a turnaround. On Monday, Gaz said it could be capable of manufacturing Opel models within six to nine months at its Nizhny Novgorod-based plant, with a capacity to produce 180,000 cars a year.
Monday, June 1, 2009
As GM says it will close 14 plants, it saves one to build a small car -- not China
In announcing it bankruptcy plans today, General Motors saved one bit of good news amid all the carnage. It officially confirmed what it and the United Auto Workers union hinted at last week: it will build Gmlogopg-vertical a small car in the U.S. It's a reversal from GM's previous plans to build the small car in China and import it into the U.S.
The announcement appeared to be designed to take a little of the edge off of the main announcement, the closing of 14 plants and idling thousands.
"This new small car will play a vital role in GM’s plans to improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet. Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world. The re-tooled assembly plant will be capable of building 160,000 cars annually. Selection of the site will be determined in the future," GM said in a statement.
Small cars typically sell for the smallest prices, making them barely profitable for Detroit automakers, whose costs are generally higher than import brands. GM's smallest car at present, the Chevy Aveo, is imported from South Korea.
The announcement appeared to be designed to take a little of the edge off of the main announcement, the closing of 14 plants and idling thousands.
"This new small car will play a vital role in GM’s plans to improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet. Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world. The re-tooled assembly plant will be capable of building 160,000 cars annually. Selection of the site will be determined in the future," GM said in a statement.
Small cars typically sell for the smallest prices, making them barely profitable for Detroit automakers, whose costs are generally higher than import brands. GM's smallest car at present, the Chevy Aveo, is imported from South Korea.
Notice of appeal filed in Chrysler sale to Fiat
Investors filed on Monday a notice to appeal the bankruptcy court approval of the sale of Chrysler LLC assets to a group led by Italian automaker Fiat SpA, according to court documents.
Three Indiana pension funds, which had invested in Chrysler debt, will appeal to the district court in Manhattan.
Judge Arthur Gonzalez on Sunday approved the sale of most of Chrysler's assets to Fiat, a union-aligned trust and the governments of the United States and Canada. The group paid $2 billion to secured lenders.
The judge said he would enter a final order for the sale on Monday.
An attorney for the funds said that when the final order is entered, they will appeal to district court.
The pension funds have asked that the bankruptcy court deny a request to close the sale immediately to give them time to appeal, said their attorney Glenn Kurtz of White & Case of New York.
Three Indiana pension funds, which had invested in Chrysler debt, will appeal to the district court in Manhattan.
Judge Arthur Gonzalez on Sunday approved the sale of most of Chrysler's assets to Fiat, a union-aligned trust and the governments of the United States and Canada. The group paid $2 billion to secured lenders.
The judge said he would enter a final order for the sale on Monday.
An attorney for the funds said that when the final order is entered, they will appeal to district court.
The pension funds have asked that the bankruptcy court deny a request to close the sale immediately to give them time to appeal, said their attorney Glenn Kurtz of White & Case of New York.
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