Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Porsche again staring down another US$1.8B in hedge fund lawsuits]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/porsche-again-staring-down-another-1-8b-in-hedge-fund-lawsuits/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/porsche-again-staring-down-another-1-8b-in-hedge-fund-lawsuits/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/porsche-again-staring-down-another-1-8b-in-hedge-fund-lawsuits/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Volkswagen and Porsche emblems overlayed

The sequence of events from 2007 that began with Porsche's secret attempt to take over Volkswagen, and instead lead to Porsche being taken over by VW, continues to instigate lawsuits against the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer. A group of hedge funds that suffered over US$1 billion in losses sued the car company in New York. Porsche had publicly stated it wasn't trying to buy VW, the hedge funds in question were shorting VW stock, and when Porsche's actual intentions were revealed, the stock shot up and the hedge funds took a beating.

The case was thrown out over the issue of jurisdiction, then appealed, only to see another suit filed on top of that. After that, most of the hedge funds withdrew their claims in New York and Porsche offered a 90-day window to refile in Germany where it is already fighting a number of other suits over the same issue. The hedge funds accepted the offer, refiling in Stuttgart for US$1.8 billion in damages. According to Bloomberg, Porsche hasn't commented on the refiling, but as the same plaintiffs are involved, it's safe to assume that the carmaker still feels the case is "unsubstantiated and without merit." It has fared alright so far even in German courts, with two lesser cases against it thrown out last year.

Click through to watch a video showing classic Porsches.

Gallery: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S






Continue reading Porsche again staring down another US$1.8B in hedge fund lawsuits

Porsche again staring down another US$1.8B in hedge fund lawsuits originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> derivativesgermanyhedge fundslawlawsuitporscheporsche lawsuitporsche volkswagenporsche vwstock marketstuttgartvolkswagenvw Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20572022/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/19/porsche-again-staring-down-another-1-8b-in-hedge-fund-lawsuits/20572022/article-detail.xml 20572022 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vw-porsche-crests_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vw-porsche-crests.jpg <![CDATA[Facebook buying nav/traffic app Waze for US$1B? [w/video]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/facebook-buying-nav-traffic-app-waze-for-1b/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/facebook-buying-nav-traffic-app-waze-for-1b/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/facebook-buying-nav-traffic-app-waze-for-1b/#comments Filed under: ,

Waze

TechCrunch reports that Facebook is moving to purchase the navigation and traffic app Waze for a lofty sum. The buy would be the latest in a long line of high-dollar acquisitions by the social networking site, and both sides of the acquisition have reportedly entered into advanced due diligence after negotiations began six months ago. Early estimates put the payout somewhere between US$800 million and US$1 billion... if both sides can overcome a few stumbling blocks. The biggest of those is whether or not Waze will remain based in Israel or if it will relocate to the North America.

While both companies are remaining silent about the potential purchase, such a move makes sense. Facebook is constantly refining its mobile experience, and the site boasts 751 million active monthly mobile users. That's a jump of 54 per cent over last year, outpacing Facebook's desktop growth by nearly double, and the site would surely benefit by offering its mobile users navigation functionality.

Interestingly, this apparently isn't the first time Waze has found itself the object of a larger entity's lust - Apple reportedly showed interest in the company not so long ago.

Scroll down to watch a news video on the purchase.

Gallery: Top 5 - Worst Traffic in North America

1) Los Angeles, CA2) Vancouver, BC3) San Francisco, CA4) Montreal, QC





Continue reading Facebook buying nav/traffic app Waze for US$1B? [w/video]

Facebook buying nav/traffic app Waze for US$1B? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> appfacebooknavigationwaze Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20570257/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/19/facebook-buying-nav-traffic-app-waze-for-1b/20570257/article-detail.xml 20570257 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/waze-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/waze-628.jpg <![CDATA[Wall Street loves Tesla's Elon Musk, values the brand higher than Fiat]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/tesla-stock-value-extremely-high-elon-musk/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/tesla-stock-value-extremely-high-elon-musk/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/tesla-stock-value-extremely-high-elon-musk/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

Tesla side marker

Tesla's value on the stock market far exceeds the number of vehicles it contributes to the automotive market. According to a report from Automotive News, Tesla is currently valued at US$8.8 billion. Almost unbelievably, though we've never claimed to have a firm grasp on the inner workings of the stock market, that's a full billion dollars more valuable than Fiat and three times more valuable than PSA Peugeot Citroën, says the report.

How unfathomable is that statistic? Consider the fact that Tesla, a ten-year-old company, just managed to turn its very first profit last quarter and has produced fewer than 10,000 vehicles in its lifetime. How does that compare to an automotive giant like Fiat? Well... it doesn't - The brand sold well over 50,000 cars in North America alone in 2012, and it owns or controls the Chrysler portfolio of brands along with Ferrari and Maserati... not to mention the hundreds of thousands of cars Fiat Group sells yearly in the rest of the world.

Granted, the number of vehicles sold by a brand is just a small portion of its value, but you may still wonder, why is such a seemingly small player in the global automotive marketplace such a big deal on Wall Street? According to AN, it has a lot to do with its controversial and headline-grabbing CEO, Elon Musk, and the way he disseminates company information to his investors. How so? We suggest you take a good look at the article here for the whole story.

Click through to get Musk's advice on starting a new business in the following video clip.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport






Continue reading Wall Street loves Tesla's Elon Musk, values the brand higher than Fiat

Wall Street loves Tesla's Elon Musk, values the brand higher than Fiat originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> elon muskfiatmuskstock marketteslatesla motorstesla roadstertesla stockTeslaMotorstsla Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20568101/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/tesla-stock-value-extremely-high-elon-musk/20568101/article-detail.xml 20568101 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-side-marker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-side-marker.jpg <![CDATA[Why Italians are no longer buying supercars]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/why-italians-no-longer-buying-supercars/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/why-italians-no-longer-buying-supercars/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/why-italians-no-longer-buying-supercars/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



Italy is the wound that continues to drain blood from the financial body of Italian supercar and sports car makers. The wound was opened by the country's various financial police who decided to get serious about superyacht-owning and supercar-driving tax cheats a few years ago, by noting their registrations and checking their incomes. When it was found that a rather high percentage of exotic toy owners had claimed a rather low annual income - certain business owners were found to be declaring less income than their employees - the owners began dumping their cars and prospective buyers declined to buy.

Car and Driver has a piece on how the initiative is hitting the home market the hardest. Lamborghini sold 1,302 cars worldwide in 2010, 1,602 cars in 2011 and 2,083 cars in 2012 - an excellent surge in just two years. In Italy, however, it's all about the ebb: in 2010, the year that Italian police began scouring high rolling marinas, Lamborghini sold 96 cars in Italy, the next year it sold 72, last year it sold just 60. The declines for Maserati and Ferrari are even more pronounced.

Head over to CD for the full story and the numbers. What might be most incredible isn't the cause and effect, but where the blame is being placed. A year ago the chairman of Italy's Federauto accused the government of "terrorizing potential clients," this year Luca di Montezemolo says what's happening has created "a hostile environment for ­luxury goods." Life at the top, it ain't easy!

Click here to watch a report on Italy having one of the world's highest rates of tax evasion.

Gallery: Top 10 Supercar Reviews of 2012

2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible2013 SRT Viper2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR12013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider2014 Aston Martin Vanquish

Continue reading Why Italians are no longer buying supercars

Why Italians are no longer buying supercars originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 07 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ferrariguardia di finanzaitalian policeitalylamborghinimaseratisupercarstax evasiontaxes Tue, 07 May 2013 18:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20560985/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/why-italians-no-longer-buying-supercars/20560985/article-detail.xml 20560985 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ferrari-laferrari-geneva-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ferrari-laferrari-geneva-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford, Chyrsler and GM gain market share simultaneously for first time in 20 years]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/04/ford-gm-chrysler-detroit-automakers-gain-market-share-simultaneously-for-first-ti/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/04/ford-gm-chrysler-detroit-automakers-gain-market-share-simultaneously-for-first-ti/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/04/ford-gm-chrysler-detroit-automakers-gain-market-share-simultaneously-for-first-ti/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler logos

While monthly sales figures might be an easy way of tracking the progression of the auto industry and individual automakers, looking at market share might be more indicative of how each company is actually standing up against its competitors. For the Detroit Three automakers, they have collectively lost almost 30 per cent of the market over the last 20 years, but now, for the first time since 1993, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have each posted market share gains at the same time.

According to Automotive News, Ford's share increased the most by 0.7 per cent, GM was up 0.5 per cent and Chrysler rose marginally by 0.2 per cent, giving the Detroit automakers a total market share of 45.6 percent. As for Japan's Big Three, the article reports that Toyota is up by 0.7 per cent, Nissan is down the same amount and Honda has seen "little change."

Scroll down to watch a video showing the history of the 'Big Three.'

Gallery: 2014 SRT Viper TA NYIAS




Continue reading Ford, Chyrsler and GM gain market share simultaneously for first time in 20 years

Ford, Chyrsler and GM gain market share simultaneously for first time in 20 years originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 04 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> big threechryslerdetroit threedomestic automakersearningsfinancial crisisfinancialsfordgeneral motorsgmprofitprofitsus market share Sat, 04 May 2013 16:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20554641/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/04/ford-gm-chrysler-detroit-automakers-gain-market-share-simultaneously-for-first-ti/20554641/article-detail.xml 20554641 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/big-three-logos_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/big-three-logos.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac still planning for big things in China]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/cadillac-still-planning-for-big-things-in-china/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/cadillac-still-planning-for-big-things-in-china/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/20/cadillac-still-planning-for-big-things-in-china/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV Hybrid revealed at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

Despite some hiccups, China remains the auto industry's great hope for new vehicle sales, with significant sales gains and a huge upside. Nowhere is that hope more fervent than at General Motors, which offers eight different marques in the Asian nation. China has been GM's single biggest market the last three years running, and is unlikely to give up that title anytime soon. Yet its premiere brand, Cadillac, has remained essentially stagnant, selling just 30,000 units in China last year. That's in a segment where sales of luxury vehicles has outpaced that of the larger Chinese market. So what gives?

According to Cadillac officials Autoblog spoke with in China this week at the Shanghai Motor Show, it's been a problem of product - they haven't had the right ones. Displacement taxation issues, import tariffs and currency fluctuations have all conspired to make the brand's products less appealing than they might otherwise have been. But GM is stepping on the gas with Cadillac, and executives are eyeballing 100,000 sales by 2016 - more than triple the Wreath and Crest's current volume. And the expectations for the brand only get more ambitious from there - they're shooting for 10 per cent of the luxury market by 2020. Bob Socia, President of GM China, promises that there will be a new Caddy launched in the market each year from now through 2016 and most will be built in China. Characterizing the company's efforts to revive the brand's fortunes as a "relaunch" of sorts, the brand also figures to gain dealers as GM expands its sales outlet footprint westward.

New products like a made-in-China XTS sedan (with a market-specific 2.0-litre four-cylinder to avoid heavy displacement taxes) will help, and Socia hinted that the ATS sport sedan could be next in line for in-country production. The SRX crossover - currently the brand's best-selling model in China - will also likely get a long look for future local production with the next-generation model is introduced. In the meantime, Cadillac unveiled the Escalade ESV Hybrid (shown above) as its latest model addition to capitalize on the market's white-hot luxury SUV segment.

In addition to new products, GM China is also investing in developing market-specific technology at its facilities in Shanghai. Much of that will come in the form of apps for its infotainment systems like Cadillac's CUE, including connectivity for popular social media utilities like Weibo, which executives described as China's Twitter.

Continue reading Cadillac still planning for big things in China

Cadillac still planning for big things in China originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 shanghai motor showbob sociacadillaccadillac atscadillac chinacadillac escaladecadillac xtsgeneral motorsgmgm chinashanghaishanghai motor showweibo Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:27:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20546229/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/20/cadillac-still-planning-for-big-things-in-china/20546229/article-detail.xml 20546229 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/cadillac-escalade-esv-hybrid-shanghai_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/cadillac-escalade-esv-hybrid-shanghai.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota unintended acceleration lawsuit settled for $16M]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/toyota-unintended-acceleration-lawsuit-settled-for-16m/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/toyota-unintended-acceleration-lawsuit-settled-for-16m/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/toyota-unintended-acceleration-lawsuit-settled-for-16m/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Slowly, the many loose threads still dangling after the unintended acceleration issue Toyota faced a few years ago are being resolved. Many have decided to take Toyota to court, their suits alleging that Toyota knew its cars had defects and continued to sell them. A recent suit sought to "permanently enjoin Toyota from continued unlawful, unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices as it pertains to both consumers and competitors" and asked for $2,500 "for every violation of the Unfair Business Practices Act," plus costs.

That suit has now been settled, Toyota - without admitting fault or wrongdoing - agreed to pay US$16 million to the US government after being sued by the district attorney. Half of the money will go to the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership, another four million dollars to the Orange County DA's office to investigate economic crime, the remaining four million being used to pay for the case.

Scroll down to watch a video on the unintended acceleration debacle.

Gallery: 2014 Toyota Highlander






Continue reading Toyota unintended acceleration lawsuit settled for $16M

Toyota unintended acceleration lawsuit settled for $16M originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> californiacourtlawsuitlegalorange countytony rackauckastoyotatoyota accelerationtoyota unintended acceleratonunintended acceleration Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20533527/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/13/toyota-unintended-acceleration-lawsuit-settled-for-16m/20533527/article-detail.xml 20533527 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/gyi0059502379opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/gyi0059502379opt.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Fisker Automotive looks to be headed towards bankruptcy protection and judging by our photo above, it seems someone may have already started digging a grave for the automaker too. Automotive News reports the automaker could file Chapter 11 as soon as this week as the US Department of Energy (DoE) attempts to get the company to give back around US$200 million in federal loans. The manufacturer's lawyers have already drawn up the necessary paperwork and are ready to file within the next few days, according to an unnamed source. The DoE is pushing Fisker toward bankruptcy after months of bickering between the two parties. Fisker had been courting buyers in both China and Europe in an attempt to stay solvent, but failed to bring in the necessary funds.

As a result, Fisker hasn't built a single vehicle since last summer, and no one has stepped up to buy any more of their hybrid vehicles. Last Friday, the company laid off some 75 per cent of its workforce, leaving only around 50 executives behind to avoid breaching its contract with the DoE. Right now, the company has around US$30 million in cash on hand and is staring down the barrel of a US$10 million loan payment in a few weeks.


Gallery: 2013 Fisker Karma

Continue reading Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week

Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> department of energydoefiskerfisker automotivefisker bankruptfisker bankruptcy Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:57:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20535417/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/20535417/article-detail.xml 20535417 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-grave-edit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-grave-edit.jpg <![CDATA[Fuel efficiency, green powertrains on GM agenda with multi-million dollar investment]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/07/fuel-efficiency-gas-save-green-tech-engines-millions-dollars/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/07/fuel-efficiency-gas-save-green-tech-engines-millions-dollars/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/07/fuel-efficiency-gas-save-green-tech-engines-millions-dollars/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2013 General Motors Powertrain Investments - infographic

Not far from Canadian borders, American automakers churn out hundreds of thousands of cars every year. General Motors has announced it will invest around US$332 million to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions. The cash will be split between four manufacturing facilities, including Bedford, Indiana and Toledo, Ohio, as well as Bay City and Flint, Michigan. The plants will use the funds to build a new Ecotec small gasoline engine as well as a new V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission. The cash will also go towards retooling current six-speed transmissions. Flint will receive the bulk of the investment at US$215 million to build the new Ecotec. GM says that engine is part of a new family that will include three and four-cylinder options with displacements ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 litres.

Toledo, meanwhile, will receive US$55.7 million to build the new eight-speed automatic, which is expected to show up in multiple GM vehicles by the end of 2016. The plant will also retool to produce the current six-speed auto. Bay City Powertrain, meanwhile, will use US$31.7 million to produce components for both the new Ecotec and the new V6 engine, while the Bedford Castings facility will use US$29.4 million to build parts for the new eight-speed automatic as well as both engines. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Gallery






Continue reading Fuel efficiency, green powertrains on GM agenda with multi-million dollar investment

Fuel efficiency, green powertrains on GM agenda with multi-million dollar investment originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bay citybedford indianacar plantecotecefficientefficient vehiclesenginesEngineSizeenvironmentflintfuelfuel economyfuel efficiencyfuel efficientfuel saving tipsgeneral motorsgmgm powertrain investmentsgreengreen livinginvestInvestorsObserverplants-vs-zombiespowertraintoledo Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20531598/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/07/fuel-efficiency-gas-save-green-tech-engines-millions-dollars/20531598/article-detail.xml 20531598 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/gm-investments-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/gm-investments-628.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



The entirety of the public relations team at Fisker is about to be laid off. That's according to an email Autoblog received this morning from a credible source stating that the entire PR team, along with a large number of other Fisker employees will be furloughed at 8:00AM PST this morning.

The luxury plug-in-hybrid car startup launched with a splash with the sexy Karma sedan just a few years ago, but since then it has struggled to collect government financing, it has been battered by natural disasters, supplier solvency issues and the recent departure of its namesake, designer and founder Henrik Fisker. The company has been in talks with possible investors, but thus far that has amounted to nothing, and officials are said to be in discussions with bankruptcy experts.

UPDATE: Calling it a "necessary strategic step to... maximize the value of Fisker's core assets," Fisker has confirmed it has laid off 75 percent of its employees. Read more in the official statement by scrolling down and in the Automotive News story linked below.


Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma

Continue reading Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE]

Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> breakingfiredfiskerfisker karmafisker layoffshenrik fiskerkarmalayoff Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:16:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20532286/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/20532286/article-detail.xml 20532286 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-fisker-karma-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-fisker-karma-3.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Canada interview with BMW Canada President and CEO, Eduardo Villaverde]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/autoblog-canada-interview-with-bmw-canada-president-and-ceo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/autoblog-canada-interview-with-bmw-canada-president-and-ceo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/autoblog-canada-interview-with-bmw-canada-president-and-ceo/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Soon after BMW Canada wowed gathered media at the 93rd annual Vancouver International Auto Show with Canadian bronze medal-winning swimmer Brent Hayden while announcing a four-year sponsorship commitment to Canada's Olympic team that will include both vehicle and financial support, we sat down with BMW Canada President and CEO, Eduardo Villaverde to discuss the new sponsorship, BMW Canada's record-setting sales and also learn a little more about this extremely personable business executive.

Click here to read on for the full interview.


Gallery: Vancouver International Auto Show 2013

Continue reading Autoblog Canada interview with BMW Canada President and CEO, Eduardo Villaverde

Autoblog Canada interview with BMW Canada President and CEO, Eduardo Villaverde originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> BMWBMW Canadacanadian olympicsEduardo Villaverdeolympicssponsorship Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20531436/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/autoblog-canada-interview-with-bmw-canada-president-and-ceo/20531436/article-detail.xml 20531436 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/intro_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/intro.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda's first profit in five years in sight due to weak yen]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/mazdas-first-profit-in-five-years-in-sight-due-to-weak-yen/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/mazdas-first-profit-in-five-years-in-sight-due-to-weak-yen/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/mazdas-first-profit-in-five-years-in-sight-due-to-weak-yen/#comments Filed under: , ,

2014 Mazda CX-5 - front three-quarter view

Automotive News reports Mazda is set to turn a profit for the first time in five years. The automaker is more dependent on exports from Japan than other automakers based in that country, and as a result, it has long suffered at the hands of a strong yen. But the currency has declined in value by some 16 per cent over the past six months and Mazda's shares have tripled in value to their highest level since 2008. Contrast this situation to a year ago when Mazda printed 1.22 billion new shares to raise cash. The move was equivalent to 70 per cent of the company's then-outstanding stock, and values tumbled to record lows as a result.

Now that the yen has fallen, Mazda operations in the US and Canada are more profitable and the company now projects it will earn around US$279 million for the next fiscal year. Automotive News says a one yen change against the American dollar can have a 9.1 per cent impact on Mazda operating profit compared to 4.7 per cent at Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries or 3.1 per cent at Toyota. Those automakers better insulate themselves from currency fluctuations with overseas manufacturing facilities.

Continue reading Mazda's first profit in five years in sight due to weak yen

Mazda's first profit in five years in sight due to weak yen originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> japanmazdamazda profitprofityen Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20531925/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/mazdas-first-profit-in-five-years-in-sight-due-to-weak-yen/20531925/article-detail.xml 20531925 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-mazda-cx-5-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-mazda-cx-5-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo uncovers widespread cheating by its Chinese dealers]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/volvo-uncovers-widespread-cheating-by-its-chinese-dealers/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/volvo-uncovers-widespread-cheating-by-its-chinese-dealers/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/volvo-uncovers-widespread-cheating-by-its-chinese-dealers/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Volvo dealer sign

According to a report in Reuters, the findings of an internal investigation conducted by Geely-owned Volvo is that its Chinese dealers vastly over-reported their sales numbers in 2011, then even more vastly under reported their 2012 sales figures. About "half the dealers" out of the 151 total outlets gamed the system in order to get incentives for reaching volume objectives, falsely recording about 7,000 more units sold than was actually the case. Instead of 47,140 cars sold in China in 2011, the real number should have been 39,871.

Volvo corporate books a sale once it ships a car to a dealer, so that meant there were 7,000 more cars in inventory than there should have been. To restore the balance, the dealers under reported their 2012 sales while they unloaded those extra cars since, naturally, they couldn't claim the sale again. That made it look like sales declined by 11 per cent in 2012, even though they actually increased year-on-year. The adjusted sales number for 2012 totaled 45,896.

Volvo has met with its dealers and told them to stop the deceitful practice. The discrepancies weren't so great that the company plans to restate its historic numbers, but from now on, it apparently plans to occasionally check inventory to make sure the numbers match and that it has a true picture of how individual models are selling.

Scroll down to watch a quick Volvo technology video.

Gallery: 2014 Volvo S60 R-Design: New York 2013





Continue reading Volvo uncovers widespread cheating by its Chinese dealers

Volvo uncovers widespread cheating by its Chinese dealers originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> car dealershipcar dealershipschinacrooked dealerdealer scamdealershipsalesscamvolvovolvo china Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20519053/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/volvo-uncovers-widespread-cheating-by-its-chinese-dealers/20519053/article-detail.xml 20519053 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/volvo-dealer-sign_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/volvo-dealer-sign.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat boss Elkann being mentored by... Bill Ford?]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/fiat-boss-elkann-being-mentored-by-bill-ford/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/fiat-boss-elkann-being-mentored-by-bill-ford/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/fiat-boss-elkann-being-mentored-by-bill-ford/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

John Elkann, Fiat Chairman

Fiat Chairman John Elkann has been turning to an unusual source for advice on the car business. While speaking during an interview with The Detroit News, Elkann said he often asks Bill Ford Jr. for advice on how to proceed with the turnaround at Chrysler. "It's great to have the opportunity to share this with someone like Bill, who has experienced many things and gone through many things ... especially linked to Detroit." Elkann said.

As the Agnelli family heir, Elkann has inherited a long and fruitful friendship with the Ford family. While Giovanni Agnelli built his first Fiat four years before Henry Ford created his first vehicle, it was Ford that showed Agnelli the benefits of mass production and helped pave the way for what would become the Fiat empire.

Giovanni's grandson, Gianni, helped mentor Bill Ford when he was elected chairman of Ford Motor Company. Now, Ford is returning the favour by helping Elkann navigate the automotive industry's tumultuous waters.

"I have a lot of admiration for how Bill handled things," Elkann said. "He's been very candid and I'm very curious by nature, so being able to listen to real-life experience ... is very valuable."

Click through to watch a video on the new 2014 Fiat 500L.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Abarth Tenebra Concept: Detroit 2013







Continue reading Fiat boss Elkann being mentored by... Bill Ford?

Fiat boss Elkann being mentored by... Bill Ford? originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> advicebill fordbill ford jrfiatfiat chairmanfordford chairmanjohn elkannmentor Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20519051/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/fiat-boss-elkann-being-mentored-by-bill-ford/20519051/article-detail.xml 20519051 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/john-elkann-fiat-chairman_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/john-elkann-fiat-chairman.jpg <![CDATA[How do you say 'dead VW' in Spanish? Seat needs to double its sales if it wants to survive]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/30/vws-seat-unit-needs-to-double-its-sales-if-it-wants-to-survive/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/30/vws-seat-unit-needs-to-double-its-sales-if-it-wants-to-survive/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/30/vws-seat-unit-needs-to-double-its-sales-if-it-wants-to-survive/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,



Almost four years ago Seat got a new CEO, James Muir, tasked with the job of creating a sustainably profitable division out of Volkswagen's Spanish brand. Three years ago Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn publicly explained that the Spanish VW brand was getting its last chance, but Muir and a healthy shot of new investment and new product worked like a trick: 18 months later Winterkorn publicly stated his pleasure at Seat's continuing turnaround, and earlier this month Muir was talking up the brand's increased sales in the UK and Germany.

There's more to be done, though. Muir has said that last year's sales of 320,000 cars is half of what is needed for Seat to gain long-term success. It currently makes 15 models in seven model lines, and Muir believes that Seat ultimately needs to get to one million unit sales per year. The division is continuing its expansion into new segments in order to reach that target, a report in Autocar saying it has another model on the way as it seeks to "expand into every area of the crossover market."

Click through to watch how Seat cars are designed in Barcelona, Spain.

Gallery: 2012 SEAT Concepts






Continue reading How do you say 'dead VW' in Spanish? Seat needs to double its sales if it wants to survive

How do you say 'dead VW' in Spanish? Seat needs to double its sales if it wants to survive originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> james muirmartin winterkornseatspainspainish economyspanish carspanish carsvolkswagenvw Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20518176/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/30/vws-seat-unit-needs-to-double-its-sales-if-it-wants-to-survive/20518176/article-detail.xml 20518176 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-seat-leon-sc-1364225650_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-seat-leon-sc-1364225650.jpg <![CDATA[Audi rumoured to buy Alfa Romeo, officials deny it]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/audi-rumoured-to-buy-alfa-romeo-officials-deny-it/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/audi-rumoured-to-buy-alfa-romeo-officials-deny-it/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/audi-rumoured-to-buy-alfa-romeo-officials-deny-it/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C live at Geneva Motor Show reveal

For more than two years, Volkswagen has been making public statements about its willingness to buy Alfa Romeo and quadruple the Italian brand's sales, and for just as long, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has replied with some version of "Mr. Piëch, drop it." According to a report in Ward's Auto, all that jousting might be over: it claims that sources close to both Marchionne and Audi CEO Rupert Stadler admit that the two are in talks for Audi to buy not just Alfa Romeo, but a production plant in Italy. In fact, a final deal could possibly include partsmaker Magnetti Marelli.

Against that backdrop, a report by German news weekly Stern quotes a Fiat spokesmen as saying it doesn't comment on rumours and an Audi rep has said flatly that "There is no substance in the news." If a sale is being arranged, the timing would seem to point to how eager Fiat is to raise cash to complete its major initiatives. Even though Alfa Romeo continues to delay its return to the US, it just showed off the production version of the 4C at the Geneva Motor Show (shown above) and said that preferred Fiat dealerships here would get them. Then there's Alfa's recently concluded deal with Mazda to develop a roadster based on the next generation MX-5 Miata - a deal that would seem to help both the Italian and Japanese brands.

The monetary issues are troublesome, though. Fiat is taking a beating in the European market and its weak-kneed balance sheet is delaying gotta-have-it products like the Jeep Cherokee. Fiat has been talking to banks about getting money to buy the rest of Chrysler and those financial institutions have also raised issues about debt and cash reserves, and the nasty game of chess Fiat is playing with the United Auto Workers (and now the court system about the portion of Chrysler it doesn't own) could end up blowing another hole in Marchionne's plans. It is possible that this could finally have convinced Fiat to at least see how serious Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, is about buying Alfa Romeo. Or it could be just another rumour.

Beyond Alfa Romeo, the report says the deal being discussed would include the rather modern Pomigliano d'Arco plant built just for the production of Alfa Romeos. Audi's interest in Magnetti Marelli is claimed to be because the German brand wants a components maker and it would also like to establish an R&D center in Italy, where its holdings already include Lamborghini, Ducati and the styling house Italdesign-Guigiaro.

Click here for a closer look at the most recent Audi acquisitions.


Gallery: Audi Museum

Continue reading Audi rumoured to buy Alfa Romeo, officials deny it

Audi rumoured to buy Alfa Romeo, officials deny it originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> alfa romeoalfa romeo audiaudiaudi alfa romeofiatitalymagnetti marellirupert stadlersergio marchionnevolkswagenvw Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20522670/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/28/audi-rumoured-to-buy-alfa-romeo-officials-deny-it/20522670/article-detail.xml 20522670 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alfa-romeo-4c-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alfa-romeo-4c-628.jpg <![CDATA[Pininfarina in the black for first time since 2004]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/pininfarina-in-the-black-for-first-time-since-2004/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/pininfarina-in-the-black-for-first-time-since-2004/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/pininfarina-in-the-black-for-first-time-since-2004/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept - front three-quarter view at Geneva Motor Show reveal

Italian design house Pininfarina predicted last May that it would face an operating loss for 2012 but still come out with a net profit. Both predictions have come true - the company is reporting an operating loss of 8.2 million euros ($10.8 million CAD) and a net profit of 32.9 million euros ($43.2 million CAD).

According to Reuters, the good news came because of a debt restructuring arranged last year that gives the company three more years to repay its $186.3 million CAD in debt, and a one-time gain of roughly 45 million euros ($59.1 million CAD). It is the company's first profit since 2004, and is a more robust sign of forward progress than the retrospective museum exhibits held in the company's honour last year. Perhaps the company's better financial condition will help it pull the trigger on a limited production run of the Sergio barchetta concept (shown above) as rumoured.

Click through to watch a Pininfarina interview unfold.

Gallery: Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina






Continue reading Pininfarina in the black for first time since 2004

Pininfarina in the black for first time since 2004 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> carrozzeriacoachbuilderfinancialfinancialspinin farinapininfarinapininfarina profitsilvio pietro angori Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20518392/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/26/pininfarina-in-the-black-for-first-time-since-2004/20518392/article-detail.xml 20518392 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-1364230099_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-1364230099.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus bankruptcy case dismissed in UK]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/24/lotus-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-in-uk/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/24/lotus-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-in-uk/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/24/lotus-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-in-uk/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

Lotus Exige Cup V6 - front three-quarter overhead view - BRG with yellow stripes

Times have not been easy for Lotus lately, so when its name came up on a list of companies scheduled for a liquidation court, it seemed like the end could be near for the fabled British builder of lightweight sports cars. As it turns out, Lotus was on the Companies Court Winding Up list in the UK due to a contractual dispute with a supplier, and the High Court has since dismissed the case.

According to Autocar, Lotus and the supplier actually resolved their issue earlier in the year, but the process couldn't be stopped until seen by a judge. The report says that the case was initiated when Group Lotus failed to pay some of its debts, which is probably a fair indication that Lotus is far from out of the weeds in regards to its financial difficulties.

To take a look at the 2013 Lotus F1 car (it's arms length from the car maker but shares its name), click past the jump.

Gallery: Lotus F1 E21






Continue reading Lotus bankruptcy case dismissed in UK

Lotus bankruptcy case dismissed in UK originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> companies court winding up listeliseespritexigegroup lotushigh courtlotuslotus bankruptcyLotusEliseuk high court Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20509744/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/24/lotus-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-in-uk/20509744/article-detail.xml 20509744 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/04-12-lotus-exige-v6-cup-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/04-12-lotus-exige-v6-cup-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford paying $770 million to close plant because of slowing economy]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/ford-paying-750-million-just-to-close-plant-in-belgium/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/ford-paying-750-million-just-to-close-plant-in-belgium/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/ford-paying-750-million-just-to-close-plant-in-belgium/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Workers at Ford's Genk facility in Belgium

According to a report from Reuters, Ford is shelling out $770 million in a severance deal that will see the automaker close its facility in Genk, Belgium. The automaker reached this deal with the 4,000 hourly workers employed at the plant last week, which means the company will pay out an average of $192,000 per worker.

Ford is still negotiating with the 300 salaried workers at the factory, which currently produces the Mondeo sedan. All told, Ford expects to lose around $2 billion in Europe thanks in no small part to the region's ongoing economic downturn, and two more plants are scheduled to be shut down in Europe this year. The company will log its $770 million payout under "special items" for this quarter.

As you may recall, Ford took a similar path in the US back in 2009 when the domestic market took a spill. Back then, the company shelled out around US$50,000 per employee with at least one year of experience, plus either US$25,000 toward a new car or an extra cash payment of US$20,000. It would seem the cost of closing plants in Belgium is a much harder pill to swallow than in the States...

Click through to watch a video showing robots at work at a Ford plant.

Gallery: Vaughn Gittin Jr. Drifts Flat Rock Ford Plant






Continue reading Ford paying $770 million to close plant because of slowing economy

Ford paying $770 million to close plant because of slowing economy originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> belgiumdepressioneconomic depresioneconomic recessioneconomyeuroeuropeeuropean economyfordford buyoutsgenklayofflayoffsplant closingrecession Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20512874/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/23/ford-paying-750-million-just-to-close-plant-in-belgium/20512874/article-detail.xml 20512874 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/genk-workers-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/genk-workers-628.jpg <![CDATA[Jeep gunning to build 250,000 Cherokees per year]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/jeep-gunning-to-build-250-000-cherokees-a-year/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/jeep-gunning-to-build-250-000-cherokees-a-year/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/jeep-gunning-to-build-250-000-cherokees-a-year/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

2014 Jeep Cherokee on road - front three-quarter view, driving

North Americans love their Jeeps, so much so that Jeep has upped the sales expectations. The plan is to greatly increase the production capacity at Jeeps Toledo North Assembly plant in Ohio in order to handle North American demand. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that there are big plans for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Toledo North, as a local union president has informed the newspaper that Chrysler is planning to produce around 250,000 examples of the new midsize utility per year.

To put this number into context, 250,000 units is more than what Jeep Liberty sales totaled here over the last three years combined. Even taking into consideration that the 250,000 units will be distributed beyond North American borders, that's an ambitious volume figure full-stop - and that's without taking into consideration the new Cherokee's love/hate design. In its favour, though, Jeep is making remarkable inroads globally as of late, and the Cherokee's size could work well in emerging markets. To get that kind of output from Toledo's Cherokee assembly line, Chrysler will reportedly hire 1,105 new workers - that's in addition to the 200 workers already being hired to build the popular Jeep Wrangler, which is itself expected to top 220,000 units this year.

Scroll down to watch the Cherokee's big brother Grand Cherokee diesel launch with oil-burning power at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

Gallery: Jeep Wrangler Recon Concept

Continue reading Jeep gunning to build 250,000 Cherokees per year

Jeep gunning to build 250,000 Cherokees per year originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 jeep cherokeecherokeejeepjeep cherokeetoledotoledo north assembly Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20513186/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/21/jeep-gunning-to-build-250-000-cherokees-a-year/20513186/article-detail.xml 20513186 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-jeep-cherokee-2-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-jeep-cherokee-2-opt.jpg -1 2