Pattaya Mail Web

AUTO MANIA

by Dr. Iain Corness
 

Will the Big 3 be with us in 2009?

There is much doom and gloom in the popular press about the future of the Big 3 automakers in the US. GM, Ford and Chrysler have never been at a lower ebb for over 50 years, with shares in GM and Ford rock bottom, and even described by some financial experts as “worthless”. Chrysler, being wholly owned by Cerberus does not have shares available on the stock exchange, but the way Cerberus is desperately trying to sell all, or parts of Chrysler is enough. They are already talking with Hyundai about splitting off Jeep.

Chrysler Jeep

However, I do not feel that the world will see the end of GM, Ford and Chrysler, despite the US problems. The overseas branches are doing well and making profits, there are some world standard new cars coming such as the Ford Fiesta (to be built at the Auto Alliance factory on the Eastern Seaboard), and generally the Asian auto sector is strong.
What might happen is that Shanghai Automotive, GM’s partner in China, could buy the overseas Asian offshoots, giving GM in the US some capital inflow to stay alive. Even Daewoo, which currently supplies much to GM, could make an offer to buy the GM portion of the Daewoo parent.
Ford might be given an offer it would be financial suicide to ignore by Tata, the company which has already bought Jaguar and Land Rover from the ailing US giant.
While these are only scenarios, there is certainly some basis to these proposals. All of this points to further strengthening of the world’s auto manufacturing base in Asia, while at the same time allowing the Big 3 to stay alive to battle on for the next decade.
I believe we need the Big 3, and they should continue, despite some very foolish decisions based on the ostrich principle. Let us hope they have finally stopped handing out large bonuses to senior staff to reward them for bringing the companies to their knees!


Lexus IS-F challenges Ferrari and Porsche
The Lexus IS-F has been released, and if you think that the Lexus brand is for staid stockbrokers, think again. Some testers have even suggested that the firm ride and high-revving V8 of the Lexus IS-F are better suited to the race track than the road.

Lexus IS-F

This new powerhouse Lexus started as an after-hours project for Lexus engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi and a small band of co-workers. The result has made it outstanding from the otherwise somewhat dull offerings, known for quiet luxury.
“Lexus was a smart choice but less emotional before this model,” said Yaguchi, now IS-F chief engineer. “Now with the introduction of this model the image of Lexus is changing to be more enjoyable. This car is aimed at a different customer, maybe even someone who might buy a Ferrari or Porsche.”
More realistically than true supercars, the IS-F is a legitimate rival for the likes of the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the Audi RS4.
Testers in Australia have even ventured that the Lexus was probably even a little too firm for the open roads, with the stiff suspension settings, but on the track, it was sensational.
However, all enjoyed the sporty, well executed interior, with four rather than fives seats, and front buckets beautifully shaped and bolstered to suit most sizes.
Yaguchi acknowledged the harshness of the ride but said it was not on his list of items to be addressed for IS-F when it comes time to do an update: “I am satisfied with this level of ride on the road because it is good on the track.”
The power from the 5 liter 311 kW/505 Nm dual overhead cam engine red-lined at 6,800 is prodigious when transferred to the road through the eight speed torque converter gearbox.
Compared to the BMW M3 or the Mercedes AMG he IS-F’s V8 engine feels down on power and absolute neck-snapping grunt; however, this car is much less expensive anywhere in the world markets.
It does have all the usual power-sapping safety anti-everything electronics, but they can be switched off if you like driving sideways, though this should only be done on the track.
This Lexus is an addition to the sports sedan ranks, and if it is like all other Lexus, it will be well made, reliable, and with this one - a ‘fun’ Lexus.


Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I asked what was the first Egyptian private car? (And it wasn’t the Nefertiti!) It was the Ramses, named after the famous king Ramses The Great who was married to Nefertari, who was in turn related to Nefertiti. So there. The Ramses, which was quite dreadful, was succeeded by the Nasr, some models being based on the Zastava, the Yugoslavian company remembered for the equally as dreadful Yugo. Anyone who has a Trabant, a Ramses and a Yugo in their garage has serious problems and should consult a psychiatrist without delay.
So to this week. The engine from an English baby car was used from 1923 until 1962. What was it? For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!


GM-Chrysler merger off but Hyundai, Nissan-Renault and
Volkswagen interested
Hyundai has emerged as a potential purchaser of Jeep, Chrysler’s most valuable asset, after General Motors last week moved to officially cancel its “strategic acquisition” plans for America’s struggling number-three car-maker. Why a reportedly almost bankrupt company would want to buy another car company which was also a loss-maker is beyond my financial reasoning, I’m afraid.
Now Hyundai is sniffing around the Jeep section of Chrysler, it seems. It is understood Cerberus, the owner of Chrysler, would prefer to sell Chrysler intact, but if its is broken up Automotive News has reported that Nissan-Renault may consider buying its Ram pick-up truck production while Volkswagen is a possible buyer for Chrysler’s (Voyager) people-mover business.
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge sales in the US have plummeted by 26 percent to the end of October this year, and with an 11 percent market share the Chrysler group is in danger of being overtaken by Honda in the US.
Hyundai holds a three percent share of the US market and wants to become a full-line car-maker. It is understood talks between the company and Ford ended after the pair disputed the value of the Volvo brand it was considering buying.
Hyundai’s US headquarters is located outside Los Angeles and it also has an engineering centre in Detroit and a new $US 1.1 billion plant in Alabama, where its Kia subsidiary also plans to open its own plant in 2009.
Though it is alleged to involve only part of Chrysler LLC, the Hyundai deal appears more likely to attract federal financial assistance than GM’s Chrysler bid, which failed to attract a $US 10 billion government loan because of the massive job losses it would have involved.
As mentioned in the news item above, GM already has its hands full staying afloat. Buying Chrysler made no sense in the current economic climate.


How good is your car in a crash?
Crash testing has become an important part of new car engineering and production. Slamming a new whatever into the immovable concrete block has resulted in safer cars over the years. When racing sedans can crash into walls at high speed and the driver walk away uninjured, while the general public still die in their thousands when domestic motor cars hit walls, there has to be some value in stronger vehicles.

Crash testing
As a part of that crash testing, new cars are given an up to five star rating, with the more stars the better. From next year, all cars tested by the European New Car Assessment Program (ENCAP) will undergo a tougher and more extensive assessment.
From 2009, a new car cannot achieve the maximum five star rating without having stability control as standard in the majority of variants sold - a move the Australian arm of the program implemented from January. The scheme will also see the introduction of an overall safety rating to replace the occupant, pedestrian and child star ratings in use since 1997.
Euro NCAP began testing car seats in crashes this year to gauge their performance in rear-impact and whiplash protection. From next year, this whiplash test will also be included as part of the occupant-protection rating.
Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Michiel Van Ratingen says, “There is no doubt that this new overall rating will provide clear challenges to industry but at the same time it will create opportunities for manufacturers to be rewarded for their dedication to safety. Euro NCAP needs to continually evolve with innovation and ensure that consumers can be confident that the rating remains updated and a true reflection of the safety performance of their vehicles.”
If buyers are interested in a particular area of assessment - such as adult protection or child protection - they will still be able to compare vehicles as the individual scores that make up the overall rating will be on Euro NCAP’s website, euroncap.com.


BORPower®: a revolution in engine lubricants?
News has just come to hand of a new engine oil additive that it claims will give you a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions by simply pouring a bottle of liquid into your car’s engine?
On sale in the UK, BORPower® is claimed to be a totally unique engine lubricant that can benefit every driver. It has been developed using the chemical element Boron and the hi-tech science of nano-technology. Put simply, BORPower® reduces engine friction to very low level, leading to more efficient operation. That means improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. It should also improve power, if it can do everything it says it can do.
The manufacturers indeed claim improved engine power by up to 9 percent, lower oil temperature by up to 30 percent and reduced corrosion and friction so there is less engine wear.
Independent testing carried out by the respected TÜV NORD Technical Inspection Agency in Germany has validated the claims for BORPower®.
The citation from TÜV NORD states: “After careful analysis of the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions before and after applying BORPower®, the TÜV NORD could certify the effectiveness of BORPower®.”
I have usually found that anything which sounds too good to be true, is generally just that - too good to be true!
BORPower® is for sale now direct from NanoBoron Ltd via www.nanoboron. co.uk or by calling 0845 463 5438. The company is currently in negotiations to secure nationwide distribution outlets. Is this your chance?



News | Business | Features | Columns | Mail Bag | Sports | Auto Mania
Our Children | Travel | Our Community | Dining Out & Entertainment
Social Scene | Classifieds | Community Happenings | Books Music Movies
Clubs in Pattaya | Sports Round-Up


E-mail: [email protected]
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
62/284-286 Thepprasit Road, (Between Soi 6 & 8) Moo 12, Pattaya City
T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung,
Chonburi 20150 Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596

Copyright © 2004 Pattaya Mail. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.