[Shotimes] (OT) Save Jobs By Building Great Cars

[Ron Nottingham]

Quote, Jerry Flint: "To save money on product costs, many GM models have 
four-speed automatic transmissions, while rivals have gone to five or even 
six speeds, as old engines are cheaper to use than new ones."

OK, this guy must have skipped English class. Starts off by talking about 
transmissions, then changes it to engines in mid-sentence.

I do agree with what he has to say, however, as the automakers need to focus 
on the core and make them top notch in their class. Ford introduced the Five 
Hundred, which is about 350 pounds heavier (FWD model, AWD is about 500 
pounds heavier) than the Taurus it will replace, coupled to the same power 
plant (well, nearly; I don't think.3hp will make a dent in the weight gain). 
On top of that, the styling is one which the public has already shown that 
it does not particularly care: the Infiniti M45. The similarities are 
startling between the two models, almost as if the M45 and the current 
Taurus mated. It's not a bad idea to steal some design ideas from a more 
expensive model, but make sure its a pleasing design (even Nissan agrees, as 
the M45 will get a make over to make it more appealing). I do applaud Ford, 
though, as they are using a 6-speed automatic in the FWD models, while their 
domestic competitors are using 4-speed autos.

Ron Nottingham - Dalton, GA
89 325i
90 SHO

"It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Porter" <ronporter@prodigy.net>
To: "Shotimes" <shotimes@autox.team.net>; "V8List SHO" <v8sho@v8sho.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 11:55 AM
Subject: [Shotimes] (OT) Save Jobs By Building Great Cars


> FYI,
>
> Here is a Forbes article by Jerry Flint, who used to be the "imbedded" NYT
> Automotive writer in Detroit, and now just writes a column on the auto
> industry for Forbes.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/4hr7f
>
> Ron Porter
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
>


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