Archive for the ‘Automotive History’ Category
The Best Eighties Classic Cars
Nostalgia is great among those who spent “base 3″, when speaking of the most recognized cars in the eighties. And this was a time when major automobile corporations had demonstrated a great ability to make small revolution in the automotive market. It was already time to start thinking more on profitability for the company of a model in his life. A difficult balance for many years already lost. There are many options on what are the best representatives of the eighties. Of all those, the vast majority agrees on a few.
One is the 1984-86 Mazda RX7 with its curves, a fairly powerful engine (at least for the time) and their accessibility, especially were the delight of the young. His latest version includes compressors and turbo (very dear little word then.)
A model somewhat less accessible but equally known for its high level of performance was the BMW M3 E30. While their more advanced prototypes were the delight of fans Rally, BMW decided to include some of the characteristics of these cars competition for those retail.
Porsche also has a jewel in the eighties. The model 959 started the unmistakable image of the modern Porsche. Its design combines high power with luxurious interiors and the latest advances in technology, both in security systems and audio accessories and amenities.
Between 1980 and 1986 the famous Chevrolet Corvette C41 had an accelerated evolution, which took over the magazine covers in the irons. Lowered the profile of your body, then its production moved to Kentucky, including automatic transmission with overdrive, there was a break at 83, was named official car Indianapolis and filing period ends four-wheel drive and direction.
His name is not among prototypes or fancy designs, but I wanted to leave at the end as one of the most discussed. The Nissan Sentra 86 was the best, not because of acceleration and luxurious interior, but to achieve the highest levels of sales for 4 consecutive years in many countries. This was the achievement of the exact combination of quality, durability and accessibility of spare parts.
This was a small selection, but if you could do something what would your favorite?
Why Ford Wants to Sell Volvo?
Things have not gone well with Volvo since Ford bought it in 1999. At that time, Volvo Cars Corporation did not exist and was the only ubiquitous AB Volvo, the Swedish corporation that included Volvo Trucks (trucks), Penta (marine engines), Aero (aero engines), Bus (obviously) and Cars. The latter division is not walking well, and Ford thought it would be good business to buy. So FoMoCo (yes, Ford Motor Company) paid U.S. $ 6.400 million and apparently all won: AB Volvo, would shed its white elephant and Ford had a good business opportunity at hand.
Ten years later, things are totally different. Despite the large initial cash injection, which first bore fruit with the S60 (not counting the S80 that came out this year, it was the result of work of AB Volvo) and then the rest of the current range of models, the response of public was not what was expected and sales of the (former) Swedish brand were declining progressively, first silently and now shouting, his October sales report shows a drop in sales of 52% compared to last year United States, which is for the vast majority of your target market makes larger.
This, coupled with the financial crisis affecting the U.S. Big Three automakers (General Motors and Chrysler as well as Ford) had little by little Ford got rid of their businesses overseas. That’s how he got rid of the marks that comprise the PAG (Prestige Automotive Group): Lincoln, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo, which was the last one left. After intense speculation about its possible sale, denied at every turn by Ford, the inevitable finally happened: The U.S. giant announced that it “will reassess its strategic options for Volvo.” In Castilian, will sell the brand.