Out with the old and in with the new – that seems to be GM’s philosophy as it undergoes dramatic restructuring in order to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a profitable business. Perhaps the most important of these changes is the hiring of Edward E. Whitacre, former AT&T chairman, as its own chairman.
With an obvious lack of experience in the auto industry, Whitacre may seem to be a strange choice, but the fact remains that both GM and the federal government have been trying to reinvent the auto industry and that executives from the outside would be the …read more

If you are looking for a new car, you might be able to find a startlingly good deal at your local Chrysler dealership this week. According to Chrysler officials, about 800 dealerships nationwide have been informed that they will no longer be able to sell new cars after next week.
 
Fortunately for the bargain hunter in need of a car, this means that you can expect huge discounts from car retailers who need to get rid of their new cars before they are stuck with them. Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles are all expected to receive these discounts. Also ending this …read more

It’s no big news that business in Asia-Pacific is booming. Growth rates have been very high for a number of years. But a couple of recent articles about the auto industry in Asia caught my eye. It’s time to look for a replacement to the phrase “emerging markets”.
Just a few years ago, people in many countries took to the streets to protest against globalization. One of the rallying cries: “Globalization takes away our jobs”. It’s true, many factories have moved to low-cost countries (LCC) in order to remain competitive. But personally, I believe that it won’t take long before globalization …read more