Video of the Day: Matech Symphony No.1

GM's New Facilites Work Without UAW

It appears that GM's new facilities opening are missing one key, historical group; the United Auto Workers union

The facility designated to produce the lithium-ion batteries in a suburb of Detroit for the Chevy Volt are currently being built without any UAW labor. Delphi is set to open a plant in Indian, lacking the presence of the UAW as well.

This shows that the UAW is losing hold over the auto companies, though it should help reduce the cost of the Volt, and hopefully return the company back to profitability.

Many UAW workers and organizers are upset, believing these new jobs would go to the them. George Shortwell, a retired GM employee said, "We were told that all the concessions we made would make us competitive for new jobs. What happened with these jobs?"

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Left Lane News]

Car Fact of the Day

Volkswagen is more than just a German automotive company; it is determined to be one of the world's largest automotive companies. It includes such prestigious brands like: Bently, Audi, Lamborghini, and Bugatti. It also operates SEAT, a Spanish company, and Skoda, a company based in Czechoslovakia. Volkswagen also holds a 49.9 percent stake in Porsche, and a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki.

-Anthony Alaniz

More Woes for Toyota

As if Toyota did not have enough PR mess to deal with, it appears that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is looking into another safety issue; this time dealing with power steering. Eighty complaints have rolled into the NHTSA of wandering cars, and difficult lane management on the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corollas.

The NHTSA said that it is looking into the complaints to see if an investigation is necessary.

-Anthon Alaniz
[Source: egmCarTech]

Opel to Invest $15 Billion by 2014

GM's European brand, Opel and Vauxhall, CEO Nick Reilly said today that $15 billion is to be invested to liven up the current carlines of the automaker.

One of Opel's more highly anticipated models is the new Ampera; an extended-range electric vehicle based off of Chevy's upcoming Volt.

Also $1 billion dollars is being invested in fuel-efficient powertrain technology to help introduce its new line of green vehicles.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Opel Ampera)

[Source: egmCarTech]

V6 Possible for Ferrari

What do you think of Ferrari; blaring European V8 sound, high performance, super cars? Well Ferrari's CEO Amedeo Felisa stated that V6 engines may be in Ferrari's Future. When asked about the possibility Felisa said "If I had to answer that question a year ago I would have said no, but attitudes are changing and we build cars for the consumers."

If Ferrari is developing some new six-cylinder engines is unknown, though we will just have to wait and see what the Italian automaker comes up with to satisfy its customers.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Autocar.co.uk]