The “BEHIND THE WHEEL VIDEO - CNBC” plus 4 more |
- BEHIND THE WHEEL VIDEO - CNBC
- Walker boys bring life back to Highland Plaza - Nashville Tennessean
- Vehicle Diagnostics Expert Ben Johnson Joins ALLDATA(R) - StreetInsider.com
- WRAPUP 1-U.S. steelmakers beat estimates but outlook gloomy - CNN Money
- Changing gears? Pursue passion as auto technician - NASCAR
| Posted: 27 Oct 2009 10:29 AM PDT The latest Consumer Reports survey of people who have bought more than 1.4 million vehicles, is further proof of the gulf between Ford and its fellow Big 3 auto makers, GM and Chrysler. While Consumer Reports now lists Ford as being on par with Asian automakers, GM and Chrysler continue to struggle. Just compare the Consumer Reports numbers: Ford: 46 of 51 models (90%) have average or better then average quality. GM: 21 of 48 models (44%) have average or better than average quality Chrysler: 1 of 26 models (4%) has average or better than average quality. Need further proof of the split in quality in Detroit? Consumer Reports says only the Toyota Prius beat out the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan for reliability among family sedans. By comparison, 1/3 of the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models have much worse than average quality. So how do you explain why Ford is building better cars with fewer complaints than GM and Chrysler? * Stability The stability at Ford played a huge part. The workers at Ford clearly went through a trying year, but nothing compared to the folks at GM and Chrysler who pretty much knew they were headed for bankruptcy or worse. That's not to say the folks at GM and Chrysler threw in the towel and stopped caring, but it doesn't take a rocket science to figure out quality slips at companies in duress. * Tweaking established platforms, not starting new When you look at the Ford platforms and vehicle lines, they tend to be older ones the company has steadily improved in recent years. Take the Fusion. Not a lot has changed with the model line in terms of how the car is built, etc. So Ford has been able to concentrate on refining the process, not starting from scratch. When you look at GM and Chrysler, it's a different story. And there will be even more change as the companies transition into their new lives. * Ford fit and finishes improving It's taken some time, but Ford finally has a family of cars with the fit and finish to compete with the Asians. For years, Ford interiors looked cheap and felt cheap. Not anymore. Sit in the Lincoln MKS or Ford Flex and you'll see how much Ford has improved its interiors. There's still room for improvement, but it's clear Ford builds a better car and truck. _____________________________________ - Ford Motor [F Loading... () - Toyota Motor [TM Loading... () - Nissan [NSANY Loading... () - Honda Motor [HMC Loading... () _____________________________________ Questions? Comments? This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Walker boys bring life back to Highland Plaza - Nashville Tennessean Posted: 27 Oct 2009 10:57 AM PDT Located just off Pinewood Road near the intersection with Highway 100, Highland Plaza Auto Body Shop was originally built in 1972 with 12-inch concrete blocks, stretching 100 feet long and 30 feet wide, and a concrete floor six inches thick. However, it's history goes deeper than the concrete floor, according to original owner Carl Walker Sr. James, often called Jim by family and friends, opened a shop in the small town of Linton on the west bank of South Harpeth River in Davidson County (near the Williamson County line on Highway 100). This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Vehicle Diagnostics Expert Ben Johnson Joins ALLDATA(R) - StreetInsider.com Posted: 27 Oct 2009 09:31 AM PDT ELK GROVE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALLDATA LLC, the leading provider of vehicle manufacturers' service and repair information for professional repair shops, is pleased to welcome Ben Johnson as Senior Product Marketing Manager. His immediate responsibilities will include the company's core product, ALLDATA Repair, as well as development of new diagnostic tools, enabling greater efficiencies for automotive service professionals. Johnson comes to ALLDATA from Delphi in Troy, Michigan, where he was Director of Global Product Development for Service Tools and Educational Products. Among his many achievements at Delphi, he helped architect their service business expansion into Europe, South America and Asia. Prior to joining Delphi, he was a project manager for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). While at AAIA, he helped develop the i-SHOP connectivity standard, which allows different computer systems within a repair shop to seamlessly interact. Johnson is a recognized expert in the field of automotive diagnostics, with an understanding of the entire product development process from inception to launch. Johnson's broad-based experience also includes several years with SPX Corporation as product manager for diagnostic platforms. At SPX, he managed an engineering team, while also engaging directly with customers. He is named in two patents awarded to SPX. For nine years, he owned his own auto repair center. He frequently speaks on vehicle technology at automotive industry events and serves on industry boards and committees. "ALLDATA was created by visionaries 23 years ago," said Johnson, "and I joined the company because it still retains that clear sense of where the market is heading. I am excited to be involved with the expansion of our product opportunities, while leveraging on our core competencies. Our overarching goal is to help shops realize the promise of ALLDATA's products, and I am happy to play a part in that." "Over the years, ALLDATA's reputation and leadership in the automotive aftermarket has attracted top-tier individuals to the company," said ALLDATA Vice President of Product and Business Development, Steve Gill. "Ben Johnson is well regarded throughout the industry and he will add a new perspective to our evolving product lines and our strategies for delivering solutions to our customers." Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Northwood University. About AutoZone and ALLDATA As of August 29, 2009, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 4,229 AutoZone stores in 48 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 188 stores in Mexico. AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. ALLDATA is an AutoZone company. With more than 70,000 repair shops as subscribers, ALLDATA is the leading provider of manufacturers' service and repair information, shop management software and customer relations tools for the automotive repair and collision industries. CONTACT: ALLDATA, LLC Media Contact: Helene Ton 888-892-2332 Fax: 916-684-6933 press.relations@alldata.com www.alldata.com AutoZone Financial: Brian Campbell 901-495-7005 brian.campbell@autozone.com Media: Ray Pohlman 901-495-7962 ray.pohlman@autozone.com www.autozone.com Related CategoriesPress Releases
Stocks MentionedSign up for StreetInsider Free!Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more! This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| WRAPUP 1-U.S. steelmakers beat estimates but outlook gloomy - CNN Money Posted: 27 Oct 2009 07:58 AM PDT * U.S. Steel Q3 loss narrower-than-expected * AK Steel posts Q3 profit, beats estimates * Steelmakers' shares down in morning trading By Steve James NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. steelmakers reported better-than-expected third-quarter results Tuesday but they restated their gloomy short-term views for the industry and the economy and their shares fell. U.S. Steel Corp posted a narrower third-quarter loss than Wall Street expected and AK Steel reported a profit as both steelmakers saw a pickup in shipments that had slumped in the past year. But U.S. Steel said it was still cautious about demand, especially for flat-rolled steel from U.S. automakers following the expiration of Detroit's "Cash for Clunkers" program and expects to report a fourth-quarter operating loss and idle two blast furnaces to lower production. AK Steel said that while it expects to post an operating profit in the fourth quarter, it anticipates a decline in average selling prices. Both companies' stock fell in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. Steel was down 4.4 percent at $38.78 and AK Steel was down 5.5 percent at $17.76. The Dow Jones Steel Index fell 3.16 percent. The results came a day before the world's biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal is expected to report its fourth quarterly loss in a row. "U.S. Steel did better than expected, especially in its shipments. That shows orders came back, not necessarily demand," said analyst Charles Bradford, of Affiliated Research Group. Last week, Nucor Corp posted a third consecutive quarterly loss and gave a negative outlook for any short-term improvement and Steel Dynamics Inc said it expected a sequential drop in fourth-quarter production and shipments, saying weakness in the construction market and falling scrap prices may continue till the end of the year. BY THE NUMBERS U.S. Steel's third-quarter net loss was $303 million, or $2.11 per share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $919 million, or $7.79 per share. Revenue dropped 61 percent to $2.82 billion, but was 32 percent higher than in the second quarter, the Pittsburgh-based company said. Excluding a one-time currency gain, the loss was $2.43 per share versus analysts' average forecast of a loss of $2.87 and revenue of $2.72 billion, said Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. "We expect improvement in our overall fourth-quarter results mainly as a result of increased demand for flat-rolled products in North America, driven primarily by automotive markets," said Chairman and Chief Executive John Surma. "However, we expect to report an overall operating loss in the fourth quarter due primarily to continued low operating rates and idled facility carrying costs for our flat-rolled and tubular segments." He said the company was cautious in outlook for end-user demand as customer order rates in flat-rolled and U.S. Steel Europe have decreased from the third quarter, partly due to seasonal slowdowns. "We will continue to adjust production to meet our customers' demand," said Surma, adding that U.S. Steel would idle its No. 14 blast furnace at its Gary, Indiana, mill for repairs, as well as one furnace at its Granite City Works. AK Steel's third-quarter net earnings were $6.2 million, or 6 cents per share, compared with earnings of $188.3 million, or $1.67 per share, in the same quarter last year. Revenue fell more than half to $1.04 billion, the West Chester, Ohio-based company reported. Analysts on average were expected a profit of 1 cent per share. (Reporting by Steve James; editing by Patrick Fitzgibbons, Dave Zimmerman) This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Changing gears? Pursue passion as auto technician - NASCAR Posted: 27 Oct 2009 07:44 AM PDT Thinking about changing careers? Perhaps work circumstances have changed or you've recently returned from active duty and thinking about next steps? Historically, in a down economy, individuals return to school to improve skills and earning potential at their current company, after a layoff or when faced with a dead-end job. If you have an aptitude for technology, science, math, maybe a passion for cars or racing, technical training can put you on track in as little as 12-18 months. Demand Demand for skilled technicians is based on the number of vehicles -- new and old -- in service, a retiring workforce and rapidly changing technology. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of automotive technicians will increase 14 percent by 2016 and most employers regard the successful completion of a vocational program as the best preparation for trainee positions. In addition, these jobs are not outsourced or limited to repair work. Qualified technicians can pursue careers in research and development, parts and accessories, as well as insurance adjusters, designers, help desk agents, manufacturer representatives, pit crew members and shop owners, to name a few. Dispelling the myth Gone are the days when just knowing how to handle a wrench is enough to repair and maintain modern vehicles. To use the tools of the trade, including sophisticated computerized systems that use complex diagnostic equipment, requires in-depth training. Today's technician is a far departure from the decades-old perception of the greasy mechanic. They are highly skilled professional men and women of all ages, who are able to solve challenging technical problems using the latest technology. Act now, get training Through a balance of classroom and hands-on learning, automotive training focuses on fundamentals, diagnostics, demonstrations and lab work using diagnostic, repair and maintenance equipment. By enrolling in a top-notch technician training program, like the one offered by Universal Technical Institute, you can learn the basics of engine construction, lubrication systems, chassis fabrication, dyno testing, racing theory principles, as well as the teamwork needed in today's automotive and racing industries. Get on the right career path today! For more information, visit www.uti.edu. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
.gif "OBAT KUAT")
.gif)
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar