Ford to cut 700 jobs at Mich. plant, hitting Tier 2 workers

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. plans to cut 700 jobs and eliminate the third shift at its small-car assembly plant in Wayne, Mich., in the company’s first large-scale layoff of Tier 2 workers.

 The plant builds the Focus and C-Max, whose sales are down a combined 22 percent this year after falling 15 percent last year. The layoffs affect 673 hourly workers -- all of whom earn entry-level wages of about $17 to $19 an hour -- and 27 salaried employees, according to a notice filed with the State of Michigan.
Ford spokeswoman Kristina Adamski said the company is “confident” it can find other full-time positions for most of the workers. In the meantime, they will be eligible to receive 13 to 26 weeks of supplemental pay from Ford, depending on their seniority, bringing their income during that period to as much as 74 percent of their current wages when combined with state unemployment benefits.

The plant will lose about 200 hourly jobs in late June, 200 more in late July and the rest in late September. Workers cut in June or July will be used to fill in as summer help at other plants throughout the Detroit area, she said.
Rumors that the plant, known as Michigan Assembly, would cut its third shift have been swirling for weeks. Contacted last week by Automotive News, Ford said it had no announcements to make about any production changes at the plant.

The cuts are “unfortunate” but “not completely unexpected,” UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles said. In a statement, Settles said the union expects “nearly all” of the workers being laid off to get jobs at nearby Ford plants by early 2016.
“We are reminded from time to time that our industry is cyclical and volatile to market conditions,” Settles said in the statement. “Fortunately, through collective bargaining we have been able to negotiate provisions throughout the years that allow protections for our members adversely affected by production reductions.”

Michigan Assembly has 935 entry-level workers, all of whom were hired between January 2012 and July 2013, according to a listing posted online this month by the UAW’s Ford department.

Ford has hired nearly 15,000 hourly workers in the U.S. in the past four years. In recent months, it has bumped up more than 700 workers from the UAW’s second-tier wages to the top scale of more than $28 an hour, after hitting a cap on the percentage of Tier 2 workers it is contractually allowed.

Ford’s contract with the UAW expires in September. News of the layoffs comes less than a week after Ford revealed plans to invest $2.5 billion to expand several powertrain plants in Mexico, creating 3,800 jobs in that country.
The UAW reacted angrily to that announcement, saying Ford and other automakers investing in Mexico are exploiting “slave-like wages and corruption permissible through bad trade agreements.”

Source: Autonews

Mazda quarterly profits fall on currency losses while sales rise

TOKYO -- Profits fell at Mazda Motor Corp. in the January-March quarter, undercut by higher outlays for marketing and factory startups and foreign exchange losses, despite rising sales.

The export-dependent Japanese carmaker also forecast annual net income to fall 12 percent in the current fiscal year, hurt by higher taxes and continued ramp-up costs of overseas plants.

At the same time, CEO Masamichi Kogai outlined fresh mid-term goals through the fiscal year ending March 2019. Dubbed “Stage 2” of Mazda’s structural reforms, they target an 18 percent increase in global sales to 1.65 million vehicles, from 1.397 million in the just-ended fiscal year.

Global operating profit fell 11 percent to 50.9 billion yen ($425.5 million) in the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, the Japanese automaker said today in a statement.

Net income tumbled 53 percent to 27.3 billion yen ($228.2 million) in the quarter.
The reversals came despite a 12 percent increase in global revenue to 840.3 billion yen ($7.02 billion) and a 4.2 percent increase in global sales to 394,000 vehicles.

Quarterly profit was undermined by a higher tax bill and big layouts to speed production at a new assembly plant in Mexico and a new transmission plant in Thailand. Mazda also splurged on marketing and promotion fees to launch the redesigned Mazda2 hatchback and CX3 crossover.

Foreign exchange rate losses also hurt. In contrast to recent quarters where the weakening yen helped earnings, the yen’s increase against some foreign currencies, including the ruble and euro, delivered a 1.9 billion yen ($15.9 million) foreign exchange rate loss in the fourth quarter.

Sales in North America, Mazda’s biggest market, inched forward 2.9 percent to 105,000 units in the fourth quarter, finishing the fiscal year up 9 percent at 425,000 vehicles.

Full-year records
Despite the fourth quarter setback, Mazda still notched record full-year results in every earnings category except revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31.
Operating profit climbed 11 percent to a record 202.89 billion yen ($1.70 billion), while net income surged 17 percent to another all-time high of 158.81 billion yen ($1.33 billion).


It was the second-straight year of record earnings in both categories.
Revenue increased 13 percent to 3.03 trillion yen ($25.36 billion), on the back of a 5 percent increase in global sales to 1.397 million vehicles. Global sales, also a record, were the highest since the 1.363 million units Mazda sold in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

Looking ahead, Kogai said net income is expected to slide 12 percent to 140.0 billion yen ($1.17 billion) in the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. A higher tax bill will eat into profits after years of red ink, Mazda said. Operating profit is forecast to rise 4 percent.

Mazda expects revenue to climb 7 percent to 3.250 trillion yen ($27.17 billion), with worldwide sales growing 7 percent to 1.490 million vehicles.
North America volume will increase 6 percent to 449,000, Mazda predicted.

Stage 2
Stage 2 of Mazda’s restructuring plan revolves heavily around financial goals. Kogai said he wants to achieve an operating profit margin above 7 percent, compared with the 6.7 percent in the fiscal year ended March 31. Mazda just missed its target of 7 percent in the last fiscal year.

Kogai said another top priority will be building brand value and pricing power.
The company aims to maintain sales growth by introducing new and derivative models, though Mazda didn’t detail them. The plan includes four new models and one derivative, Kogai said.

Engineers will also be working on a second-generation Skyactiv drivetrain that will go to market sometime after the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. The goal is to improve fuel efficiency by 50 percent over 2008 levels. By comparison, the first generation of Skyactiv vehicles still being rolled out achieves a 30 percent improvement over 2008 levels, Mazda said.

In the just-ended fiscal year, higher-margin Skyactiv vehicles accounted for 74 percent of Mazda’s lineup, boosting profits and brand value, Mazda said.
During Stage 2, Mazda also aims to expand global production 11 percent to 1.65 million vehicles, from 1.49 million. The company will strive to improve efficiency by exporting newly devised manufacturing processes from its Japan plants to other factories around the world.

Source: Autonews

Ward’s Auto Announces 10 Best Interiors for 2015

This year’s list of 10 Best Interiors selected by Ward’s Auto is surprisingly mainstream. Devoid of high-buck winners of years past like the Rolls-Royce Wraith, the 2015 picks only include two vehicles from luxury brands, and not a single car that costs over $70,000.

To pick these standout cabins, Ward’s examined 42 interiors from all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles and selected the top 10 based on scores in various categories. Criteria included material quality, ergonomics, comfort, fit-and-finish, and value. Testers also used the various infotainment interfaces to gauge the user-friendliness of these driver information systems. Finally, the most heavily weighted category was aesthetics and design harmony, which accounts for one fifth of the overall score.

The most expensive car that made the cut this year is the $65,000 Mercedes-Benz C400, while the cheapest is the $21,590 Honda Fit EX-L. Ward’s said it was excited to find a wide range of exemplary interiors across price ranges. “In this year’s competition, we saw a lot of evidence that automakers are thinking creatively about interiors and putting a lot of design horsepower into not just luxury vehicles, but pickups, minivans and family sedans,” said editor-in-chief Drew Winter.

Check out the full list below with as-tested prices for the winners.

2014 BMW i3 ($52,550)

2015 Chrysler 300C Platinum ($51,175)

2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch ($60,675)

2015 GMC Canyon SLT ($40,465)

2015 Honda Fit EX-L ($21,590)

2015 Jeep Renegade Limited ($33,205)

2015 Kia Sedona SXL ($43,295)

2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring ($33,395)

2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 ($65,000)

2015 Nissan Murano SL ($41,905)

Source: Automobilemag

6 Cool Things About the Ford Focus RS

We already know plenty about the Ford Focus RS hot-hatch, which will pack a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine with more than 315 hp, all-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual transmission. Now that the car has made its U.S. debut at the New York auto show, however, we had chance to learn a little bit more about why car enthusiasts should be excited for the RS.

 

1. Wheels that save pounds
The standard 19-inch wheels on the Ford Focus RS are painted a gray hue called "Magnetite," but customers can pay to upgrade to black, forged 19-inch wheels that are 1.5 pounds lighter per wheel than the standard rolling stock. The wheels have gone through all the same testing as other Ford wheels, but both cut pounds and promote better cooling of the Brembo four-piston front calipers because the wheel spokes are skinnier. Another advantage to black wheels? "It hides brake dust pretty good," says Ford Focus product marketing manager Omar Odeh. The cost for the forged wheels isn't confirmed but it "won't be exorbitant."

 

2. Exclusive colors
To help it stand out from the crowd and due to manufacturing constraints -- even American-market Focus RSs will be built in Germany -- only four paint colors will be offered for the Ford Focus RS. The pale-blue seen here is called Nitrous Blue, and it's an expensive four-stage paint that won't be used on any other Ford product. Other color choices comprise Shadow Black, Stealth gray, and Frozen White. No matter what color buyers pick, the brake calipers will also be painted Nitrous Blue.

 

3. It doesn't even lift
Creating downforce on a street car is tough, but the Ford Focus RS is claimed to have "zero lift" at speeds as high as 155 mph. The car's front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear wing are all functional and, according to Odeh, keep the RS from producing aerodynamic lift at speed (the aero package does not generate positive downforce). That means the car doesn't go "light" at speeds, improving driver confidence. The giant rear wing even has an aerofoil-like shape and a subtle gurney lip on its trailing edge.

 

4. Fixed steering ratio
The Ford Focus ST has a variable-ratio steering rack, meaning the steering gets quicker as you turn the wheel more, but the RS instead has a quick, fixed-ratio rack. It's a small change, but Odeh says it was chosen because, "We found that with the all-wheel drive this gave a more connected feel."

 

5. Plenty of tech
It may be meant for track days, but the Ford Focus RS still packs plenty of creature comforts. A heated steering wheel is packaged with heated seats, a moonroof is available, and the car even has standard stop-start, making it the only ST or RS product in the U.S. with engine start stop. That should help save some gas -- at least until you romp on the throttle when the light turns green.

 

6. Pick your tire
The aforementioned wheel choice also results in different tires. The RS comes as standard with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, but upgrading to the forged wheels brings even sticker Michelin Pilot Cup 2 rubber.

 

Source: Automobilemag

Original Batmobile Vs Lamborghini Aventador!

Jeff Dunham is one of the luckiest person to have an exact replica of Batmobile. The replica was actually used for Tim Burton’s Batman film. With Batmobile’s very distinctive look, will a Lamborghini Aventador has the gut to to gather more attention if they are both placed in an Auto show? In this video, the original Batmobile was placed beside the Lamborghini Aventador but its seems like the Batmobile is catching more attention from the audiences praising the car exterior and interior features. Performance wise, I think Lamborghini will deliver more satisfying but the experience of driving the original batmobile is just so priceless.

Source: Legendaryspeed

3 Common Catalytic Converter Problems

When something is wrong with your catalytic converter, it will generally cause you a lot of headaches if not diagnosed and fixed. Here are some of the most common problems with the catalytic converter.

1. Overheating – One of the most common issues with the catalytic converter is overheating. When overheated to a certain point, the catalytic converter will fail. In most cases, this will trigger the “check engine light” on the vehicle and the light will stay on, compelling most vehicle owners to take the vehicle to the shop. In many cases, overheating of the catalytic converter is caused by a failing oxygen sensor. The catalytic converter is linked to one or more oxygen sensors in a modern vehicle. The oxygen sensor is responsible for measuring the fuel mix in terms of air and liquid fuel. When the mix is too rich, this can lead to overheating the cat. When an O2 sensor fails, the vehicle may go into an “open loop” scenario where it is not able to provide the right conditions for the catalytic converter. Modern vehicle owners can use an engine diagnostic system to figure out if an oxygen sensor has failed. This can lead to figuring out if the catalytic converter has been “fried” or overheated.
2. Matrix Contamination – Different kinds of situations can lead to contamination of the catalytic converter, in which the elements inside are no longer able to effectively trap carbon emissions. These kinds of situations include coolant leaking into the engine, or a scenario where a vehicle is burning oil and excessive particles end up in the exhaust system. Some experts claim that a lean fuel mix can lead to this kind of contamination.
3. Clogged Cat Situations – In some other situations where the fuel mix is not right or the exhaust system is not working properly, the catalytic converter can become clogged over time. When vehicle owners recognize symptoms and take the vehicle to a shop, the mechanic may not be able to diagnose the catalytic converter without replacing it. This can be an expensive fix. This is an argument for maintaining and observing emission controls on a vehicle ito prevent clogging the cat.

The above situations can cause headaches for vehicle owners. Learning more about the catalytic converter and common problems will help car and truck owners decide how to negotiate repair options with a mechanic shop.

Reference Links: 
1) Article Source: Doityourself
2) If you want to purchase Catalytic Converter check your make and click on it,
    Audi, BMW, Acura, Chevrolet,  Ferrari, Ford,  Benz, Toyota, Click here to select your make.

BMW can't build its $135,000 plug-in hybrid fast enough

Gas may be cheap right now, but even the well-to-do prefer not to burn it. BMW is doubling the production pace of its 357 horsepower i8 plug-in hybrid car -- which runs 23 miles or so on electricity alone -- to around 20 vehicles per day. The automaker is bumping the numbers to meet demand and cut the four-month waiting list in half. As our sister site Autoblog pointed out, that's a mere .04 percent of an F-150's production, but then again the i8 costs around four times as much.

A more apt comparison might be against the Tesla Model S, with sales of 35,000 units last year, compared to 18,000 BMW i3 EVs and i8 plug-in hybrids, combined. At the same time, Chevy sold nearly 19,000 copies of its plug-in hybrid Volt in 2014, while Nissan sold 30,000 Leaf EVs for a combined 7 percent bump over 2013. That shows not only that BMW is holding its own in the clean vehicle market, sales-wise, but that the overall market is growing -- even in a time of $2 per gallon gas.

Article Source: Engadget

Good Cars that might be Good Deals in april

1)Among April deal picks (well-rated vehicles selling slow enough that dealers may be motivated to discount): 2015 Cadillac ATS sedan at average 113 days to sell.

2) Among April deal picks (well-rated vehicles selling slow enough that dealers may be motivated to discount): 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander at an average 100 days to sell.
 

3)  Among April deal picks (well-rated vehicles selling slow enough that dealers may be motivated to discount): 2015 Hyundai Veloster at an average 97 days to sell.

 4) Among April deal picks (well-rated vehicles selling slow enough that dealers may be motivated to discount): 2015 Volvo V60 at an average 92 days to sell.

5) Among April deal picks (well-rated vehicles selling slow enough that dealers may be motivated to discount): 2015 Ford Fiesta sedan at an average 92 days to sell. 

 

Article Source: usatoday

Top 20 Best Selling Cars and Trucks for March

1) In first place by a longshot, Ford F-150. Ford sold 67,706 of them last month 
         

2)  In second place, as it almost always is, is Chevrolet Silverado

3) Ram pickup returns to third place, up from fourth 

4) In fourth place, Toyota Camry falls from third

5) Toyota Corolla comes in at fifth place, up from sixth

6)  In sixth place, Nissan Altima down a notch from fifth

7)  In seventh place, Ford Fusion is unchanged from the prior month

8) Making the most dramatic move, Hyundai Elantra rises to eighth place, up from 18th 

9) In ninth place, Honda CR-V drops from eighth

10) In 10th place, Nissan has found it has a hit in the Rogue, up from 12th

11)  In 11th place, Honda Civic up from 13th place

12) In 12th place, down from seventh, is Ford Escape 

13) In 13th place, Honda Accord drops a bit from 11th 

14) In 14th place, Toyota RAV4 is down from down from 19th place 

15) In 15th place, Chevrolet Equinox falls from 10th 

16) In 16th place, Chevrolet Cruze is unchanged from the previous month

17) In 17th place, down from 15th, is Ford Explorer

18) In 18th place, up a notch from 19th, is Nissan Sentra 

19) In 19th place, back on the list after a hiatus, is Ford Focus 

20) In 20th place, Chrysler 200 falls from 17th 

Article Source: usatoday

Just Cool Cars: 41 Dodge truck now a rowdy rat rod

BURBANK, Calif. -- The sound of steel scraping across concrete is music to the ears of Louis Marton. It's just his big 1941 Dodge truck converted into a low-riding "rat rod" truck pulling into a driveway.

Marton's goal was to create the coolest truck around, an aggressive beast that started as a 1941 Dodge cab-over-engine flatbed in all its rusty, in-your-face glory. It's true to the rat rod movement -- leaving old cars or trucks in basically original, usually deteriorating, condition outside while hopping up their engines and adding performance parts underneath their metal skins.

For all its corrosion and roughness, the old '41 "hay hauler" now has a sweet side. Marton added touches like a pneumatic suspension to allow it to sink to the ground and a powerful, economical 12-valve Cummins turbodiesel engine out of 1996 Dodge that's been moved inside a wooden box on the bed.

He says it's good for about 20 miles a gallon on his long daily commute. Yes, he drives the truck to work every day.

In its own way, the truck is a work of art. Marton, of Canyon Country, Calif., considered every aspect of the truck that he says he started dreaming about at age 15. After finding the truck on eBay, he went to work not only on the front, but also from the rear, where he has added taillights from a 1952 Oldsmobile and bumper from a 1957 Lincoln.

At a weekly car show outside the Boy's Big Boy restaurant here, Marton parked the truck in just the right place for maximum visibility -- right next to a group of motorcyclists. Then again, a truck like his draws a crowd pretty much everywhere he goes.

Article Source: usatoday

Water Car Panther

Will you believe that a a person driving a car on water ? Yes it is true, Future is coming with a new model car which we can drive on a road as well as on Water too.. Ofcourse you people will be got in shock but it is true, after watching this video you will trust my words.

New York International Auto Show Gallery - 4

Todat (Apr 12th 2015) is the Last day for New york International Auto Show. Dont miss this last day. Here I'm sharing few of the cars photo.