Friends, Profitability is the key factor for a car manufacturer to offer consumers the cars they need or desire. The recent failure of the MG Rover Group makes it clear what options are available for manufacturers who fail to make a profit. Yet two massive players, General Motors and Ford, are running at huge losses. There is no doubt each will survive. But their combined determination to return to profit by offering new products will surely put the squeeze on other players. For GM and Ford to increase profits they must increase sales. The only other option is for them to dump unprofitable brands. You may be thinking that neither will drop any brands. But let me assure you, in the boardrooms it is profit that determines a company's course, not the emotional link to under performing divisions. In recent years GM has dumped Oldsmobile and Chrysler has dumped Plymouth. Both these nameplates were champions in the sales charts not so long ago. The automotive industry is a tough industry. Will the future see other nameplates join MG and Rover? One thing is certain in my mind, both GM and Ford will return to profit. Both have some good plans for future products so each of their under performing divisions can experience growth. But who is going to sell less so GM and Ford can sell more? And if GM and Ford don't sell more cars, which of their product lines will disappear? Clearly, MG and Rover aren't the only troubled car companies in the showrooms of the world. Who would want to be boss at an under performing car company? There is possibly greater stability in being a sports coach! Warm regards, |
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1995 Aston Martin Virage |
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Back in 1955 when Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson – the British team within the Mercedes-Benz racing stable – lined up at the start in the 300 SLR with start number 722 (corresponding to start time 7.22 p.m.) in the north Italian town of Brescia, nobody would have thought that this number would acquire a legendary status. Ten hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds later, the car crossed the finishing line in Brescia, having covered 1,600 kilometers at an average speed of 157.650 km/h (97.96 mph) – a sensational record time that has remained unbroken to this day and earned the team a fixed place among the all-time Mille Miglia best. Read our story on the return to Mille Miglia by Stirling Moss ..... here. It is a great story, enriched by nine photographs. |
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Audi A6 3.0 Click the image for the road test |
road test Sometimes a car manufacturer can do no wrong. At present, Audi is in such a situation! You may have noticed in recent times that Audi has been winning award after award. And the A6 has certainly been collecting its share of the accolades. The inaugural "World Car of the Year" title was recently awarded to Audi for its A6 model at the 2005 Toronto Motor Show in Canada. Whilst the awards have been pouring in, the Next Car team took an opportunity to evaluate the 3.0 litre petrol version of the new model A6. This new version was released in Australia during October 2005. Read our Audi A6 3.0 road test here. Other road tests are here. |
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Volkswagen Golf GTI
New Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Audi A4 is Germany's Most Popular Company Car
All-wheel drive Porsche 911 models
Volvo Reveals Five-Cylinder Diesel Engine
MG Revival Breakthrough
New BMW 3-series Launched Locally
They Have an Award for Everything!
Mercedes-Benz Vito Crew Cab 'jazzes it up'
Another Record Result for Audi at 116th AGM
Holden Monaro To Race In America
Ateco To Distribute Ferrari And Maserati
Kannan Claims Indy 500 Pole for Honda
Maybach Exelero Show Car
Ford Australia Reports Strong Profit Growth
A new V6 for Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon
New Diesels For Peugeot 307
Jeep Introduce Another New Limited Edition
Mazda Starts Production of All-New MX-5
Mitsubishi Motors testing next-generation EVs
Holden Unveils New Headquarters
Bang & Olufsen Develops Exclusive Audio System for Audi A8
Jaguar's Success in Initial Quality Survey
Exciting Times with New Suzuki Escudo
from our NEWS PAGE. Simply click on the link above. |
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After reading the news, which story did you enjoy the most? The new Volkswagen Golf GTI and the new Suzuki Escudo make choosing a pick of the news an interesting subject, but in the end neither of these two great stories win. This time, my pick of the news is the release of a new diesel engine for the Peugeot 307. The current diesels on offer from companies such as Peugeot, together with Audi, Volkswagen and Land Rover make this editor excited! They are absolutely delightful to drive. They offer excellent performance and the fuel economy is staggering! We need more diesels on the road! ..... read our story ..... here. Stephen Walker |
 Click the image for the story |
Holden Monaro CV8 - VZ series |
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On Friday 6th May I took great delight in driving 130 kms around the ACT. The delight was because the car was the new Volkswagen Golf GTI. Make no mistake, this car is not your ordinary small hatchback. This new model is a standout driver's car. It is docile for the daily commuting chores and exciting on the hills and mountains. Outstanding satisfaction ..... guaranteed! Read the story on the day I drove four examples of the new Golf GTI here. Our other stories on the new Volkswagen Golf GTI are here and here and here. Stephen Walker |
 Click the image for our story on our first drive of the new GTI |
 Click the image for a larger view |
26/01/05 Motorfest 2005 (Sydney)
14/11/04 Rickshaws On The Foreshore ... 26/09/04 Central Coast British Car Club Run ... here 06/06/04 Great Lakes Historic Car Club Run ... here 07/03/04 Bay City Chrysler Car Club Expo ... here 26/01/04 Motorfest 2004 (Sydney) ... here |
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