Chrysler

What’s Behind Eastwood’s Super Bowl Ad?

It is mostly unanimous that Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl ad appearance was a stirring and emotional tribute to America and Detroit. The ad was heartfelt, despite the fact that bailed out Italian-owned auto company, Chrysler, paid for it. Unless NBC offered some significant discounts to their ad rates, the ad cost Chrysler about $14 million. Considering the political nature of the ad and the fact that Chrysler vehicles were not touted in the ad, I must ask the cynical question; what's in it for Italian-owned Chrysler?

Shafted Delphi Retirees Suing Treasury, Auto Task Force

GM UAW Delphi logosThe unprecedented intrusion of the executive branch of the US government into the American auto industry when the Obama Administration orchestrated the General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcy processes is now leading to unprecedented responses. Groups that were clearly discriminated against and had their rights subordinated to politically powerful unions may actually have a winnable case against our own government as lawsuits are being brought against the US Treasury Dept. and others.

Bailed-Out UAW Workers (Again) Caught Drinking, Getting High

The UAW and Chrysler are once again embarrassed as Chrysler workers were caught on camera for the second time in 10 months smoking pot and drinking beer before heading back to work.

Auto Bailout Czar: We Did It All for the Unions

Ron Bloom photoThe Detroit Free Press reports that the House committee holding hearings on the auto bailout process wants clarification from former head of President Obama's Auto Task Force, Ron Bloom, regarding testimony he gave about a statement he allegedly made at a 2009 celebratory dinner. According to a news article written at the time and fellow ex-car czar, Steve Rattner, Bloom stated that he "did this all for the unions." Bloom denied making the statement while under oath. The congressional panel isn't buying it and has written a letter to Bloom requesting that he amend his testimony.

Let's Not Forget Ethical Shortcomings of Auto Bailout

The auto bailouts are now being touted by President Obama as a "success" even though the taxpayer is about to take at least a $10 billion hit when the government sells its remaining GM shares. There is, however, a missing dimension in this debate. It is the moral one.

Prior to General Motors filing for bankruptcy in June of 2009, I was involved as a GM bondholder advocate for a group called the Mainstreet Bondholders. Attempts were made by my group to bring about fair negotiations for creditors of GM, attempts that were ignored by the Obama Administration's Auto Task Force, headed by Steven Rattner. The Task Force stated that their goal was to restructure GM outside of bankruptcy as they laid out a "take it or leave it" bond exchange offer that was supposedly designed to keep GM out of bankruptcy.

When Will Media Report That Corporate Cash is Behind Green Activism?

light bulb/moneyPolitico reported yesterday that "it's not easy being green anymore," allegedly because of environmental groups' failure to score political victories even when news events are in their favor, such as the BP Gulf of Mexico oil disaster and the Japan nuclear reactor drama. And initiatives such as cap-and-trade failed despite the environoiacs' having a Democrat-dominated Congress and executive branch in 2009 and 2010. From the news story:

Are Ad Dollars Influencing Auto Bailout Coverage?

The Detroit News was recently involved in a controversy surrounding a negative Chrysler 200 review by auto critic, Scott Burgess. Jalopnik.com reported that after receiving a complaint by an advertiser identified as a Chrysler dealership, the Detroit News softened the criticism on an online version of the review. Mr. Burgess displayed journalistic integrity by resigning over the incident. Since that time, the Detroit News has apologized and Burgess has returned to his position. This affair may just be a small scale indicator of a much wider flaw in the quality of journalists' coverage of the auto industry, particularly regarding General Motors.

Consumer Reports Puts GM, Chrysler at Bottom; Chevy Volt 'Doesn't Make Sense'

auto breakdownThe media may want to take a break from its rooting for General Motors, not to mention its hype surrounding the Chevy Volt. USA Today recently summarized Consumer Reports' ranking of automakers based on performance and reliability. Of the 13 automakers receiving report cards, GM and Chrysler received the worst rankings.

The number one performer according to CR was Honda, followed by Subaru. Strong reliability contributed to the high overall scores. GM was number 12 on the list with only Chrysler receiving a lower score. It should not come as a surprise that the bottom two performers were the automakers that ended up bankrupt and receiving taxpayer funded bailouts.

Chrysler Loses Money, Gives UAW Bonuses

bailout graphicChrysler recently reported a 4th quarter loss of $652 million. So what does a UAW majority owned company that is losing money do? How about a bonus for UAW workers?

Current Chrysler ownership breakdown puts the UAW at a 63.5% ownership stake while the US Treasury holds a 9.2% stake. Italy's Fiat currently owns 25%. Bonuses planned for UAW workers are estimated to average $750.

Corporate America's Carbon Offsetter Wants U.S. Out of Cancun

Cancu photoThe 13th annual global warming alarmism fiesta is well underway in Cancun, but Eric Carlson, president of carbon offset organization Carbonfund (whose corporate partners include Hyundai, Motorola, Volkswagen, Staples, JetBlue, Dell, Virgin America, Avis and Amtrak), wants the United States to just go away:

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