General Motors appointed their first female to the position of Production Development Head. To the company, it’s a question of experience and company loyalty. To many online car fans and forum posters, this decision brings out inklings of misogyny.

Do some actually feel a woman can’t decide what’s best for an car company? Apparently so.

Mary Barra, 49, “will oversee 36,000 engineers, designers and other staff at GM locations” globally. Her qualifications far surpass this job description: Barra comes with an engineering background, previously serving as vice president of GM’s global manufacturing engineering. She has experience as a plant manager, along with internal communications at the company. She was also vice president of human resources at General Motors.

“This is breaking an important barrier, and it’s well overdue,” said Lorraine Schultz, founder and CEO of the Women’s Automotive Association International.

“We’ve been watching Mary Barra for a long time. She’s been an up-and-comer so it wasn’t a total shock,” said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Edmunds.

People are all well aware of how male-dominated the auto industry hierarchy is – but according Krebs, “Over 80% of vehicle purchase decisions in the U.S. are influenced by women.” It makes perfect business sense to hire a female, and the best person for the job. But jokes about women drivers and ladies not being able to pump gas or change a tire are rampant across the web.

It is not totally surprising, as any drastic change in such a high-power position will bring controversy. But from this blogger’s point of view, it’s downright disappointing. As blog commentators trade stereotypes of female drivers, they too are perpetuating a stereotype – the sexiest motorhead.

For the record – two of the most auto-knowledgeable people this blogger has ever known are both female. One of them rebuilt a Monte Carlo practically from scratch.

Source: CNN

When the United States Government asked you to figure out new eco-friendly modes of transit – I don’t think this is what they had in mind. Honestly, the Segway audience has dwindled over years, even after its reemergence in Paul Blart: Mall Cop. But try telling that to General Motors, who have just launched their enthusiastic Project P.U.M.A. Two-seater Electric Pod. PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, which GM claims “moves people around an urban space quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly.” Your feet also do that.

Oh, sorry, wrong picture

There…the PUMA has a top range & speed of 35 miles- not like you’ll get it past 20 mph between cabs, bike couriers and jitney carriages. PUMA’s Dynamic Stabilization System and Smart Battery management system w/ lithium-ion power allows the vehicle to transport personnel on only two wheels while not harming mother Earth. Is that really going to make a difference when you’re putting through Midtown during rush hour?

I guess we can’t totally knock GM for their little PUMA – it’s a neat idea…and honestly, when you’re against the wall you’ll do anything to have your instigator back down. Check out full details of this hilarious astounding piece of scientific engineering below.

General Motors’ PUMA Pod

General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.

Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly – and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.

GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.

“Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world’s people live,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning. “Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the ability of people to move through cities, find places to park and connect to their social and business networks.”

Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. addresses those concerns. It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking. Those technologies integrate in Project P.U.M.A. to increase mobility freedom, while also enabling energy efficiency, zero emissions, enhanced safety, seamless connectivity and reduced congestion in cities.

“We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility,” said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. “There’s an emotional connection you get when using Segway products. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.”

Project P.U.M.A. vehicles will also allow designers to create new fashion trends for cars, and to focus on the passion and emotion that people express through their vehicles while creating solutions that anticipate the future needs of urban customers.

The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. The result is an advanced and functional concept that demonstrates the capabilities of technology that exists today.

Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.

Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.

GM has been a leader in “connected vehicle” technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don’t crash and drive themselves.

“Imagine moving about cities in a vehicle fashioned to your taste, that’s fun to drive and ride in, that safely takes you where you want to go, and “connects” you to friends and family, while using clean, renewable energy, producing zero vehicle tailpipe emissions, and without the stress of traffic jams,” said Burns. “And imagine doing this for one-fourth to one-third the cost of what you pay to own and operate today’s automobile. This is what Project P.U.M.A. is capable of delivering.”

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.

Car Dealers aren’t the only ones suffering from the downward spiral of automotive companies. Rental car companies are being forced to cut the amount of new cars they order in 2009.

According to Automotive News;  “In 2008, rental companies bought 1.5 million new cars and trucks, down from 1.9 million in 2007, sales are expected to fall even more in 2009 as rental companies shrink their vehicle fleets.” Rental companies aren’t in the running for any government bailouts, so good luck reserving anything but an abused 2008 PR Cruiser.

To put this into perspective – Enterprise Rent-A-Car expects to buy 400,000 new vehicles in the 2009. This is roughly half of the amount from previous years.
Farrell said Enterprise now keeps its rental vehicles in service for an average of 13 months, up from 11 months. Enterprise is also one of GM’s biggest customers, along with Chrysler brand vehicles. Hertz, which orders sports car like the newer Mustang and Dodge Challenger, may have to cut their specialty rentals. It’s a trickle down effect that also hurts used car sales and auctioning. Many rental car companies resell their vehicles to such businesses.

General Motors and Ford have both announced plans to help themselves scrap through this financial nightmare that all of the Big Three are in. Hey, if Congress isn’t going to help out they’ll have to do it themselves. First off, try driving instead of flying.

We’ll start with General Motors, who has no plans to actually cut their brands Saturn or Pontiac, which had been a rumor these past few weeks. Instead, the GM will focus on building up their four core namesakes – Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. We get Chevrolet and Caddy, but why Buick over Pontiac? Buick is a huge sell for GM overseas, in China specifically. GMC too is a big sell, in the north American southwest. Pontiac has been shrunk down to a few models, where other GM owned brands Hummer and Saab are looking for outside buyers. General Motors is still hoping to receive about $12 Billion from the US Government to see them through 2009. They will then begin to pay back and such loans in 2012. Who reading thinks no one outside of Detroit will ever see that money again? The worst part about this reconstruction plan is talks about cutting production along with assembly line jobs. The UAW will be stepping in to rework certain benefit plans.

And now to Ford – who is calling upon their transit vehicles (think NYC cabs) and green technology to pull them out of the red. Asking $14 Billion up front from green technology companies (along with $9 Billion, hopefully, from Congress) Ford will have a full fleet of electric and hybrid cars, trucks and SUV’s. Ford hopes to be “profitable” again by 2011. Both CEO’s of GM and Ford have agreed to work for $1 next year, which would normally be fine living off stock options, but maybe not this time. Well…good luck to everyone!

Lately, it seems like the Automotive Industry is the worst place to be if you’re a car manufacturer, assembly line worker or even a CEO. However, if you work in any of the Big Three’s PR departments you’re as busy as ever. This week alone some of the world’s largest car makers were involved in top news, and not all of it related to a bailout.

Last week, a bloody terrorist attack in downtown Mumbai, one of the world’s most heavily populated cities, left almost 200 dead and hundreds more injured. The Taj Mahal hotel, iconic image of India, can now be seen on the 6 o’clock news through smoke an d flames. A little known terrorist group Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for these attacks, and according to the owners of the Taj Mahal, they knew of a possible threat after a warning to beef up security. So, what does this have to do with cars? Chairman Ratan Tata, who runs Tata Motors, also owns the Taj Mahal hotel. According to Tata, security measures were escalated weeks before the attack on Mumbai, but when a short time passed without incident these measures were eased.

Also on the automotive front, UAW officials are in talks to get rid of the Job Bank in order to stimulate failing budgets of America’s car industry. The Job Bank in responsible for paying workers when they can’t work for a period of time. Affording health benefits and retirement pensions have been part of the money issues in recent car company news, well that and the over-spending on luxury items by some of the Big Three Chairmen…speaking of which…

General Motors was a little embarrassed when they got caught flying one of their executives in a million dollar private jet to Congress when begging for money. No one bothered to tell them how to play it up apparently. So, you’d think GM would put the plane in a garage and drive one of their comfortable new Malibu’s (or, to a lesser extent, a Hyundai Genesis) to Congressional meetings. Nope – GM has asked the FAA to block anyone in public from tracking any leased jet by the company. That will surely gain the trust and respect of the United States Government AND working class assembly line employees! Maybe all these car companies should have just taken the week off and gone home for Thanksgiving.

The Big Three have been hoping to get a large chunk of the financial $700 Billion Dollar bailout ever since it was first spoken of. After being shot down several times, a bipartisan “group of auto-state senators” hope to bring this struggle of the Chrysler-Ford-GM battle back to the US Senate’s attention.

Update – As of this afternoon (Nov 20 2008) The Senate decided to now put all talks of an automotive bailout on hold until December.

From AP News Wire:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of auto-state senators reached a last-ditch compromise Thursday to throw Detroit’s Big Three a government lifeline worth billions, but the plan faces an uphill battle in a reluctant Senate.

With the auto bailout stalled, the fate of hundreds of thousands of workers and Detroit’s once-venerable car companies hangs in the balance.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., canceled plans for a vote on a bill to carve $25 billion in new loans out of the $700 billion Wall Street rescue fund. The Bush administration and congressional Republicans oppose that plan.

Warning of economic disaster, Democrats and Republicans from auto industry states reached a deal Thursday on an alternative package that would temporarily divert money from a fuel-efficiency loan program to cover the Big Three’s immediate costs. But it was unclear whether it could draw enough support to pass.

The group, led by Sens. Carl M. Levin, D-Mich. and Kit Bond, R-Mo., scheduled a news conference to announce details.

Even if agreement can be reached to consider their plan, Reid signaled earlier Thursday that the Senate was not likely do so until after Thanksgiving.

“We have some procedural roadblocks,” Reid said.

With all sides sensing doom for a Big Three automaker rescue, the finger-pointing proceeded.

White House press secretary Dana Perino on Thursday blamed Reid for not allowing the Republicans’ separate auto-aid plan to come up for a vote.

“Unfortunately it looks like Sen. Reid just wants to pick up his ball and go home for the next two weeks — two months — for vacation,” she said.

Pressed on what the White House would do if Congress can’t agree on a plan to rescue the automakers this week, Perino said she thought lawmakers would return after the Thanksgiving holiday for an emergency legislative session if an auto company was in imminent danger of collapsing.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where they wouldn’t come back, unless the answer is that they just don’t care. And if that’s the case, then the American people ought to know that.”

Congressional Democrats countered that the Treasury Department already had the power to grant emergency funds to the automakers, but the Bush administration opposed the approach.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney stood steadfastly behind forces opposing the bailout.

Speaking Thursday morning amid growing signs of gridlock in Congress, Romney said, “There’s no question but that if you just write a check, you’re going to see these companies go out of business ultimately.”

Romney, who had run for the Republican presidential nomination, told CBS’ “The Early Show” that he doesn’t want to see the carmakers go out of business, “but we don’t want them to continue business as usual.”

The leaders of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC painted a grim picture of their financial position during two days of congressional hearings, warning that the collapse of the auto industry could lead to the loss of 3 million jobs. Detroit’s automakers, hurt by a sharp drop in sales and a nearly frozen credit market, burned through nearly $18 billion in cash reserves during the last quarter — about $7 billion at GM, almost $8 billion at Ford and $3 billion at Chrysler. Both GM and Chrysler said they could collapse in weeks.

“I don’t believe we have the luxury of a lot of time,” GM CEO Rick Wagoner told a House hearing.

Alan Mulally, the CEO of Ford Motor Co., said the company had enough cash reserves to make it through 2009. But United Auto Workers union president Ron Gettelfinger said a bankruptcy could spawn others.

“If there’s a Chapter 11 (for) one of the companies, it will drag at least one other with them, if not all of them. And I do not believe Chapter 11 is where it will end. It will go to liquidation,” he said ominously.

Automakers ran into more resistance from House lawmakers, who chastised the executives for fighting tougher fuel-efficiency standards in the past and questioned their use of private jets while at the same time seeking government handouts.

“My fear is that you’re going to take this money and continue the same stupid decisions you’ve made for 25 years,” said Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass.

The stakes are high. The Detroit automakers employ nearly a quarter-million workers, and more than 730,000 other workers produce materials and parts that go into cars. About 1 million more people work in dealerships nationwide. If just one of the automakers declared bankruptcy, some estimates put U.S. job losses next year as high as 2.5 million.

The White House and congressional Republicans have urged Democrats to support a GOP plan to divert a $25 billion loan program created by Congress in September — designed to help the companies develop more fuel-efficient vehicles — to meet the auto giants’ immediate financial needs.

Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Kit Bond. R-Mo., and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, are trying to broker an alternative that could provide bridge loans or a guarantee that the fuel-efficiency loan fund ultimately would be replenished. Negotiators were discussing a scaled-down aid package of $5 billion to $8 billion to help the automakers survive through year’s end.

But it was unclear if any progress could be made. Democrats strongly oppose letting the car companies tap into the energy loans for short-term cash-flow needs.

Despite the gridlock in Congress, there could be a contingency plan: a return to Washington in December for another postelection session to try to strike a deal.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., noted that Democratic leaders were planning to gather for an economic conference the week of Dec. 8. “That is available,” Hoyer said. “The year has not ended.”

- AP Writers Ken Thomas, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Sam Hananel, Tom Krisher

Few would believe this would actually happen after the billion dollar financial institution bailouts of recent history, but Congress gave it the Ok. GM, Ford and Chrysler are on their way to a government bailout in the amount of $25 Billion Dollars. That’s a lot of Jeep Liberty’s.

But the bailout is actually supposed to go to the ever increasing pension and health insurance coverage costs for automotive workers and retires. The package includes “$25 billion in loans for the beleaguered Detroit automakers and several of their suppliers.” Detroit doesn’t want it to be called a bailout, but what else can you name free money from the government estimating around $5 billion dollars for each of the three companies up front, in addition to smaller amounts for their suppliers.

This $25 billion looks to be only the beginning, as automotive giants plan on applying for more aide in the same or even greater amounts. Whatever the future holds, present day Detroit needs help, ASAP. General Motors post losses so negative that they fear brands like Chevrolet may not be in existence over the next 1 – 2 years.

Chrysler and General Motors – at first, it seemed like a match made in heaven. But recently it become apparent that GM wants to completely take over Chrysler, and even cut much of Chrysler’s and Dodge’s product line. Things could get ugly, as all mergers do. One positive outcome will be the rebranding and combination of car models. So, if you have your fantasy car maker league, who would you merge? We have a few top draft picks we’d like to share with you.

Mazda & Renault

Both Mazda Motor Co. and French car maker Renault are known for their eccentric design concepts and long lasting vehicles. Mazda has been at the forefront of unique looks with their Nagare or “flow” concept since back in 2005. Earlier this month they introduced their small city car Kiyora (originally dubbed MAZDA1) at Paris Motor Show 2008 – this little trouble maker wowed those in attendance and showed that a pretty car could be both functional and fuel efficient.

Renault also stunned passerby’s in Paris with their ZE concept. ZE’s acid-green windows help provide insulation, saving energy that might be used for adjusting the climate. The vehicles exterior uses a pocket of air to maintain a constant temperature.

If these two powerhouse foreign automobile companies were to merge they would probably corner the European and Japanese markets instantly. Their designs would become legendary and sales wold skyrocket – until they were accused of being a monopoly by all the other lesser-selling car manufacturers.

HUMMER & Mini Cooper

HUMMER has seen sales drop for years, thanks to boring deigns and a troubling gas price spike. Mini, on the other hand, has seen a steady sales trend from British busines people to hipsters alike. HUMMER’s H3 is more SUV size and less bread delivery truck. Mini recently launched their Mini Clubman revamp, which is still only the size of your average 2-door coupe.

If these two car companies merged – they’d probably produce a normal size automobile. This regular sedan would have obtuse, almost grotesque fenders, but would have comfort and dash design that would…well…probably just confuse the average HUMMER driver. Of course, HUMMER is on the GM chopping block, and Mini may just have the chutzpah to pick them up and give their exact opposite a try – even though it would most likely equal Mini-suicide.

Kia & BMW

Kia’s still a new brand in the grand scheme of things, and though their sales and vehicles are pretty basic, Kia sales seem steady for a flourishing car company. BMW, on the other hand, is one of the most well known car makers in the world. Maybe, if BMW was brave enough to take fragile, tiny Kia under their wing (and out of GM arms) it could be transformed into the world’s greatest automotive company in the history of human kind! BMW-Kia would rise up and crush all other automakers with luxurious, economic and eco friendly rides which will impress everyone from high school students to businessmen.

Ok…things are getting a little out of hand, but with GM and Chrysler coming closer and closer to being one American automotive giant we could see a trend of buy outs, mergers and partnerships that will lead way to forming a whole new car selling battle.

It may not be a very Happy Halloween for employees at Chrysler LLC. Plans of that supposed merger between Chrysler and General Motors may commence as early as October 31st. Rumors state that GM wants to completely absorb Chrysler, merge similar vehicle lines (leaving Chrysler’s minivan segment, keeping around Jeep vehicle, and all but deleting Dodge out of existence) and worse.

We already reported that United Auto Workers would hate to see a merger like this go through – but now it seems Chrysler engineer workers, if taken under the GM wing, would have to take two-months off without pay and return in hopes that their job hasn’t been erased from anyone’s duty roster.

Well, Chrysler PR stated this no-pay mandatory vacation is not true, but it has to be scary as heck working at either auto maker these days, both for blue collars and white alike. Thanks to Automotive News & Jalopnik for the story.

When two corporations decide to become one – someone has to lose their head – and it’s usually the assembly line worker. With General Motors and Chrysler, the nation’s Number 1 & Number 3 auto maker going back and forth about mergers, UAW (United Auto Workers) reps are none too pleased…in fact, they absolutely oppose any such merger of two automotive giants.

The UAW is highly concerned that any merger would be a huge threat to the jobs of thousands of automotive workers on both sides, throughout the United States and Canada. One UAW representative called the potential merger “an absolute catastrophe.”

Rumor and speculation of such a partnership has been billowing out of Detroit (and all over automotive blogs) since last Friday. According to both sides, each company is seeking outside financial prospects. As for now, it seems any such talks are on hold, presumably because of the world financial crisis. Sure, it has absolutely nothing to do with the story leaking out.

Industry analysts predict severe job cuts, especially if redundant models (pickups or mid size sedans) that were produced on separate Canada or US assembly lines were to be slashed. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said “I personally would not want to see anything that would result in a consolidation that would mean the elimination of additional jobs, but we’ve not had any official discussions at all with any of the companies.”

Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza said this week; “You’d have to be worried, if a merger did take place, about the consolidation of product lines, we would be very much concerned about the job security of our members. On the surface, it’s not something we would support.”

GM is not in any position to buy out Chrysler, or so it seems. The company is losing $1 Billion dollars almost every time Bob Lutz appears on TV. A merger would only increase GM’s problems and that Chrysler has nothing that GM needs. We will have to wait and see, once stocks stop hemorrhaging, if any such automotive merger will go through.