Ford Laysoff Workers at Flat Rock

With sales down, Ford is laying off 900 employees, mostly hourly manufacturing workers, from the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, Mich., the home of the Ford Mustang. This layoff is the occurrence of many factors; the tough economic situation, stiff competition from the Chevy Camaro, and Ford introduction of new engine for the Mustang this summer, with many potential buyers waiting until the new model is available.

The company will reduce shifts from two to one on July 12, though it will be increasing the pace of assembly at the plant according to Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans. The Flat Rock plant employs 2,300 people.

Ford Mustang sales were down 27 percent last year, allowing the Camaro to come with 5,000 units of outselling the Ford Mustang, something that has not happened since 1985.

-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: 2010 Ford Mustang)
[Source: Free Press]

Ford Fiesta hits 6,000 Reservations

With in the first week of launch in Dec. 2009, the new Ford Fiesta had more than 1,000 reservations. Last week FoMoCo confirmed there are now 6,000 reservations, while over half of them are from non-Ford customers.

"Nearly 60 percent of customers are opting for the high series model, while 65 percent are choosing the five-door hatchback. Among the top three color choices are Blue Flame and Lime Squeeze," Ford said in a statement.

Over 100,000 people are showing interest in the new car.




-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: 2011 Ford Fiesta)
[Source: egmCarTech]

Video of the Day: BMW Joy is Futureproof Commercial

Fiat's Vehicle Platform to Underpin U.S. Chrysler Cars

Fiat's new Compact vehicle architecture is planned to underpin 700,000 Chrysler vehicles a year in the U.S. Chrysler and Fiat currently are working on widening the platform, known as Compact Wide, which is planned to underpin seven new models for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Brands.

According to Automotive News, the first Chrysler's to receive the new architecture will replace the PT Cruiser and Dodge Caliber in 2012. The Compact vehicle architecture is scheduled to debut in the 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The development of the architecture took into account the "best-in-class performance in terms of handling and steering response, weight-to-power ratio; noise, vibration and harshness, active and passive safety," said Stefano Re Fiorentinn, head of advanced engineering for Fiat.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta)
[Souce: egmCarTech]

Term of the Day

GT - This stands for Grand Touring, Grand Tourer, or Grand Turismo. This usually denotes a high-performance car, or a car with a luxury options package. Some examples would be the Ford Mustang GT, and the Bentley Continental GT.

-Anthony Alaniz

Alfa Romeo to Return to U.S. in 2012

After a failed return with General Motors, in 2003, to U.S. shores it appears that Alfa Romeo will be on U.S. roads by 2012.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Alfa, Romeo remarked Friday in Toronto that that Alfa should be back in North America within 24 months.

"I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada."

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: egmCarTech]

Buick Looking to New Coupe

I will be the first to admit, I was excited when I heard about the new Buick Regal; a homage to the Buick people grew to love. One thing I was not excited about was the new Regal's only offering came in the form of a sedan. Even the high-performance GS Concept, that will likely begin production soon, still left me empty about the future of Buick. Buick needs something like the 1987 GNX to spicin' its lineup; developed by McLaren/ACS and underrated at 276 horsepower is something Buick you can use to lure in younger buyers.

Accordint to John Cafaro, Buicks director of design, a coupe is needed, not only to widen its offering to a larger demographic of car buyers, but also make a statement that Buick is not for the older genereations, "A coupe is definately where you say, 'I'm Back'."

In 2007 Buick showcased the Riviera Concpet, a sleek coupe design study that could hint at the future of a new product.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2007 Buick Riviera Concept)

[Source: Automotive News]

Tracer Namplate Returning to Mecury Lineup

Heavily promoting its new, redesigned Focus, Ford is apparently not forgetting to update its neglected Mercury lineup. Ford is introducing a new small car under the Mercury marquee, based off of the Focus, for 2011.

According to two dealers present at a brand meeting recently, speculation is suggesting that the new small car will carry the Mercury Tracer nameplate. If the dealers that spoke with Automotive News are correct, the new small car will be badged off of the Michigan-built, 2011 Ford Focus.

Ford is hoping to create more buzz with its Mercury lineup, especially now that it is dropping the Grand Marquis, and Mountaineer.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 1995 Mercury Tracer)

[Source: Left Lane News]