Ford, Tier 1 Suppliers Source More Than $10 Million From MEDC Matchmaking Summit

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• More than 20 Michigan small businesses are awarded contracts with Ford and its Tier 1 suppliers
• 2013 Pure Michigan Business Connect Ford Matchmaking Summit opened the door to additional procurement opportunities that may not have been previously available to Michigan suppliers
• Ford has successful history of bringing together suppliers and small businesses, especially minority-, women- and veteran-owned companies

Ford and its Tier 1 suppliers awarded $10.4 million in contracts to Michigan-based companies through the 2013 Pure Michigan Business Connect Ford Matchmaking Summit.

Ford hosted the summit in March 2013 with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Detroit Regional Chamber. Ford, the first OEM to host the summit, used the event to connect more than 300 qualified Michigan suppliers with 12 of the company's purchasing teams and 30 of its Tier 1 suppliers.

"For a program like Pure Michigan Business Connect to be successful, we need leaders like Ford and its commitment to grow our economy organically from within, and we thank them for their investments inMichigan," said Gov. Rick Snyder. "Their commitment, along with those of other PMBC members, means significant growth opportunities for Michigan companies."

Supply contracts for more than $11 million were sourced because of the summit, with $10.4 million originating with Ford and its suppliers. Ford directly sourced $5.8 million with Michigan-based small businesses, and its Tier 1 suppliers signed $4.6 million in contracts with local companies.

"The matchmaking summit allowed the Dura Automotive team exposure to high-quality Michigan small businesses that we otherwise would not be aware of," said Richard Hopkins, vice president of global purchasing, Dura Automotive Systems, one of the Ford suppliers that participated in the event. "We sourced more than $45 million with 200 local suppliers in 2013, including $9.2 million with diverse suppliers.  As aMichigan based company ourselves, Dura is thrilled to be supporting growth and job creation in our local community." 

Ford has a long history of "matchmaking" suppliers through its Supplier Diversity Development program, which celebrated its 35^th anniversary in 2013. Through the program, Ford aims to source at least 10 percent of U.S. purchases from minority, women and veteran-owned businesses. Since the program's inception, Ford has spent more than $67 billion with diverse suppliers.

Ford is committed to using home-grown suppliers. In 2012, the company purchased $15 billion in goods and services from Michigan-based companies.

"We are proud to be the first OEM to support Gov. Snyder's initiative to increase additional opportunities withMichigan small businesses," said Hau Thai Tang, Ford group vice president, global purchasing. "Ford recognizes the importance of our supplier network in the success and growth of our company, and we truly believe in profitable growth for all."

Restore The Roar: Manufacturing Renaissance by Rod Kackley is a five-part ebook series that looks at the Great Collapse and the renaissance of manufacturing in Michigan. 

Buy Now wherever ebooks are sold including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Vook.

For more of Rod Kackley's books, articles, and essays, download the free Rod Kackley app for iOS or Android devices through the App Store or Google Play or go to www.rodkackley.com.

GM Expects Profits To Rise On New Vehicles In 2014

General Motors Renaissance Center, Detroit

EBIT-adjusted expected to rise modestly on strength in the U.S. and China

DETROIT, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) forecasts modest global industry growth in 2014 driven by the United States, China and Europe. Based on this outlook and the introduction of key vehicles globally, the company expects its total earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted to be modestly improved with improved underlying operating performance more than offsetting increased restructuring expense. Additionally, the company said it expects EBIT-adjusted margins will be similar to last year.

"We continue to perform well in the two most important markets in the world, the U.S. and China," said GM CEO Mary Barra. "We're taking advantage of our strength in these countries to restructure and make the investments necessary to grow profitably in other parts of the world."

GM President Dan Ammann shared the outlook with investor analysts attending the Deutsche Bank 2014 Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit. 

Following 18 vehicle launches in 2013 in the U.S., the company will introduce 15 new or upgraded models in that market this year. In China, GM and its joint venture partners will introduce 17 new or upgraded models in 2014. The company also announced plans to open four additional plants in China through 2015, enabling production of up to 5 million units annually.

Vehicles being introduced in key markets globally in 2014 include the Chevrolet Silverado HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Aveo and Sail; Cadillac ATS Coupe, CTS and Escalade; GMC Sierra HD, Yukon XL, Denali XL and Canyon.

Among key accomplishments for 2013, Ammann noted the following:

• Executed successful global vehicle launches
• Received most initial quality awards among automakers in 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study
• Improved revenue, EBIT-adjusted and margins
• Announced GM International Operations restructuring including plans to discontinue Chevrolet's mainstream presence in Western and Eastern Europe and transition to a national sales company inAustralia with its Holden brand
• Completed the acquisition of substantially all of Ally Financial's international operations
• Added to the S&P 500 index
• Refinanced $4.5 billion in high-cost obligations, increasing financial flexibility
• Achieved investment grade rating with Moody's Investors Service
• Monetized non-core assets including Ally and PSA ownership stakes
• The U.S. Treasury divested its ownership stake
• Announced senior leadership succession plan

"In 2014, our focus will remain on winning customers by delivering new vehicles with compelling value and outstanding quality," Ammann said. "Our ongoing work to transform our company into a formidable competitor in every market we serve will continue unabated."

Blue Collar By Rod Kackley is the story of three Baby Boomers who survived the Great Recession that nearly crushed Detroit decide it's time for one last protest to save the unions. Start reading preview chapters by clicking here.

Download the free Rod Kackley app for more books, articles and essays by, who else, Rod Kackley. Click here for Google Play, and click here for the App Store.

Kia Rocks The Motor City With The Rear-Drive GT-4 Stinger Concept Vehicle

High-Powered Sports Car Focused on Connection Between Driver and Machine Makes World Debut at 2014 North American International Auto Show

- 2+2 seating configuration, 315 turbocharged horsepower and six-speed manual transmission make GT4 Stinger a true enthusiast's machine

- GT4 Stinger was conceived by the "gearheads" in Kia's Irvine, Calif., design studio, birthplace of iconic concept vehicles such as the Track'ster and Cross GT

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearkening back to the glory days of purebred, affordable sports cars, Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the brand's most aggressive concept car ever when wraps came off the GT4 Stinger at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).  Kia's eye-catching design language moves in a bold new direction with the introduction of the GT4 Stinger. The concept pushes the boundaries of performance with a rear-drive 2+2 sports car that places man and machine in harmony on the road or track.  It comes as no surprise that the GT4 Stinger is the wild style child of Kia's California design team, home to its 2012 predecessor, the Track'ster concept.  And like the Track'ster, the GT4 Stinger's racy appeal is more than skin deep.

"Driving enjoyment was the number one priority in designing the GT4 Stinger," said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America (KDCA).  "It's an authentic 2+2 sports car that can turn heads as a daily driver while also being right at home on the track.  It's about purity, simplicity and timelessness. The GT4 Stinger is a throwback to days when driving a car was a visceral experience that wasn't muted by electronic gimmickry."

Emboldened by the brand's on-track success in the Pirelli World Challenge racing series with a pair of turbocharged, GTS-class Optimas, Kia's U.S. design team approached the GT4 Stinger project with an eye toward weight reduction, functionality and pure driving enjoyment.  

The concept shuns the luxury trappings of a traditional Grand Touring car and embraces the elemental experience of truly engaging with the vehicle.  "If anyone were to ask if Kia has the credibility to build a car like the GT4 Stinger," noted Kearns. "I would simply point out that Kia races – and wins – against some of the world's most legendary performance brands."

Kia Racing and partner Kinetic Motorsports captured the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Drivers and Team Championships in 2012 with the Forte Koup and are currently preparing the turbocharged Optimas for their third season of duty in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2014 following a second-place finish in the Manufacturer's Championship last year.

Power, Poise and Proven Performance

Beneath the low wedge of the GT4 Stinger's hood resides a tuned version of Kia's proven 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine putting out an impressive 315 horsepower.  "Our Optima racecars use the same engine and can produce more than 400 horsepower," said Kearns.  "So why not infuse our concept with the kind of power that will make people take notice?"  

That power is put to the ground via a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels, which are wrapped in 275/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tires.  Staggered 235/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zeros nestle beneath the front fenders, ensuring loads of corner-carving grip.  

Custom 20-inch aluminum center-lock wheels feature carbon fiber inserts for strength and weight reduction.  Tucked inside the massive wheels are Brembo Gran Turismo two-piece 15-inch cross-drilled rotors and four-piston calipers with plenty of stopping power.

Underpinning the GT4 Stinger's sculpted "Ignition Yellow" body is a custom chassis with independent double wishbone suspension.  With a shorter wheelbase (103.1 inches) and overall length (169.7 inches) than a Forte sedan, a width (74.4 inches) greater than a Cadenza, and a swooping roofline nearly nine inches lower (49.2 inches) than a Rio subcompact, the GT4 Stinger cuts a menacing figure. 

 It tips the scales at a scant 2,874 pounds, and weight distribution is spread nearly perfectly at 52 percent up front and 48 percent at the rear.  The GT4 Stinger also features a quick-ratio steering rack for direct feedback and uncompromised control.

Simplicity By Design

Fans of Kia's design language, set by Kia Motors Corporation president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer, will immediately recognize key styling elements of the GT4 Stinger.  "We gave the car a shrink-wrapped appearance," says Kearns. "It's as if the body panels were formed around the chassis instead of merely welded to it."  In silhouette, the GT4 Stinger is simple yet powerful. The latest iteration of the signature Kia grille rests low to the ground for maximum engine cooling and cold-air induction.  

The grille surround glows white and features a multi-layered, satin-black border, a theme found throughout the car.  Flanking the grille on both sides are vertical LED headlamps, and front-brake cooling vents intricately molded into the bumper provide a clean, smooth appearance.  A carbon fiber front splitter mounted below the bumper provides added down force for the car at high speed to keep the GT4 Stinger's front tires firmly planted to the tarmac.

The long hood gently rises to meet the cowl. Two chrome accent pieces add visual interest to the otherwise ripple-less pond of Ignition Yellow sheet metal.  The hood closely embraces the front wheel arches, creating two protruding muscular fenders above the front tires.  The result is a pronounced edge at the vehicle's shoulders that eventually becomes the belt line.

Continuing around the car, the transparent A-pillars provide a more than 270-degree view from the driver's seat. The layered slots cut into the pillars reduce weight while improving outward visibility.  Paying homage to the iconic Soul, the greenhouse design provides an aggressive side profile. "It's as if the GT4 Stinger is wearing wrap-around sunglasses," notes Kearns. Similar to the Soul, the roof of the GT4 Stinger appears to "float" from the C-pillars.  Along the rocker panels are satin black accent pieces with integrated functional cooling ducts to enhance air flow to the rear brakes.

Around back, the body widens to cover the large 275-series Pirelli rubber. The glass hatch opens to reveal a built-in storage compartment and rear strut-tower brace.  The LED taillights illuminate from inside the outer edge of a blacked-out panel just above the dual exhaust ports in the rear bumper.

The interior is purposeful in design and practical in nature.  A pull of the billet-aluminum door handles reveals incredibly lightweight doors, but their generous width makes dropping into the molded leather race-inspired bucket seats a breeze.  

There is no carpet, only a rubber floor mat underneath the billet-aluminum pedals.  Front and center to the driver is a thick D-shaped steering wheel and red LED-illuminated instrument panel with large tachometer and gear indicator.  In keeping with the track theme and taking inspiration from sports and competition cars of the past, interior door handles have been replaced by red-stitched pull straps.  In fact, the GT4 Stinger makes due without the luxury of a stereo.  "The audio system starts under the hood and the speakers are the exhaust pipes," said Kearns.  Underway, the GT4 Stinger's free-flow exhaust burbles and blurts unabashedly and is music to the ears of driving enthusiasts everywhere.

While there are currently no plans to bring the concept to production, Kia has a history of delivering production vehicles that bear a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them, and the GT4 Stinger provides a possible and highly provocative glimpse into Kia's future.  When asked who the GT4 Stinger is intended for, Kearns quips, "It's a totally selfish design. The design team at KCDA is full of gearheads and enthusiasts, and the GT4 Stinger is the perfect car for that kind of crowd."

Sometimes Things Break by Rod Kackley is a novella that tells the story of a middle-age man who is old enough to know better and a teenage girl who is young enough to think she can have it all.

Sometimes Things Break will be released in the first quarter of 2014. To start reading the preview chapters, please click here, or download the free Rod Kackley app through Google Play or the App Store.

Porsche 911 Targa Introduced At North American International Auto Show in Detroit

Porsche presented the latest generation of the extravagant 911 model to the public in Detroit, January 13, 2014. 

This model is the first to combine the classic Targa concept with state-of-the-art roof technology. Just like the legendary original Targa model, the new model features the characteristic wide bar in place of the B-pillars, a movable roof section above the front seats and a wraparound rear window with no C-pillar. But unlike the classic models, the roof segment on the new Targa can be opened and closed at the push of a button. When the button is actuated, the fully automatic roof system stows the convertible top behind the rear seat system, providing a real spectacle.

    

With these features, the new 911 Targa is presenting itself as a high-quality, innovative remake of the classic vehicle from 1965. The combination of the wide rear end that is typical of all-wheel drive models, the Targa bar and the dome-shaped rear window gives the latest 911 an extremely sporty appearance and a low-slung profile.

The 911 Targa 4 is powered by a 3.4-litre, 350 hp (257 kW) flat engine. Equipped with the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono package, this model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and boasts a top speed of 282 km/h. 

The top model is the 911 Targa 4S, which delivers 400 hp (294 kW) from a displacement of 3.8 litres. This model reaches a top speed of 296 km/h and, with the PDK and Sport Chrono package fitted, accelerates in 4.4 seconds. Both sports cars are certified for compliance with theEuro 6 emissions standard.

Blue Collar is the story of three Baby Boomers who survived the Great Recession and the near destruction of Detroit. But will they be able to learn to live again? Follow their stories in Blue Collar, a novel being written by Rod Kackley. 

Click here to read the first chapters, or download them on the free Rod Kackley app for iOS and Android devices, available through the App Store and Google Play.

Primed For Personalization: Mopar Products Available To Customize The 2015 Chrysler 200 Shown At NAIAS

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• Modified 2015 Chrysler 200 on display at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) demonstrates how Mopar products can personalize the beautiful all-new mid-size sedan
• Mopar parts and accessories will be available at launch to complement the exhilarating driving experience of the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200
• Mopar products, including wheels, graphics packages, Wi-Fi, in-vehicle wireless charging and more, available for the 2015 Chrysler 200
• Owners can customize the beautifully crafted sedan right at the factory, thanks to the Mopar Custom Shop

The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 transforms what customers expect in a mid-size sedan. Thanks to Mopar, customers will have the power to transform the Chrysler 200 even more – right when it arrives in showrooms. To highlight a few of the more than 45 Mopar parts and accessories available right at launch to enhance the sedan, the Mopar brand will showcase a modified 2015 Chrysler 200 in its expanded display at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Mich., January 13–26.

"The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is a revolutionary vehicle for Chrysler Group, and for the segment as well, so we created a vehicle that complements the soul of the 2015 Chrysler 200, while also showcasing how Mopar parts and accessories can help owners personalize and customize the new sedan to truly make it their own," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "The modified 2015 Chrysler 200 on exhibit in the Mopar NAIAS display demonstrates our commitment to working with all Chrysler Group brands to offer Mopar products that let customers personalize their ride right when it arrives in the showroom, or even before through the Mopar Custom Shop."

The Mopar-modified 2015 Chrysler 200 exhibited at the NAIAS uses the Chrysler 200S as its starting point, then adds from there to make the vehicle even more original and unique. The exterior of the modified Chrysler 200 stands out and shines bright, thanks to a striking Lunar White Pearl Tri-coat color. The customized Chrysler 200 on display is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that puts best-in-class 295 horsepower as well as 262 lb.-ft. of torque to the satin carbon, 19-inch multi-spoke wheels.

Heading inside the Mopar-modified 2015 Chrysler 200, the interior is enriched with premium white leather seats accented with bronze stitching, with bronze accents also highlighting the bezels and the steering wheel. Mopar floor mats also augment the interior.

In addition to the Mopar products featured on the customized 2015 Chrysler 200 displayed at the NAIAS, a menu of additional Mopar parts and accessories will be available for the all-new Chrysler 200 upon launch, with nearly 90 products available by the end of the calendar year.

Available products include:

EXTERIOR

• Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System
• Wheels 
• Wheel locks
• Locking fuel cap
• Graphics Package
• Bicycle hitch receiver
• Mopar wheel center caps
• Emblem Kits
• Vehicle covers
• Production turn signal mirrors
• Engine block heater, 2.4-liter
• Master shield

INTERIOR

• Ambient lighting
• Autonet Wi-Fi
• Roadside Safety Kit
• Emergency Kit/Tire repair
• Collapsible tote
• Cargo trunk net
• Molded cargo tray
• Door sill guards
• In-Vehicle wireless charging
• Premium floor mats
• Slush floor mats
• Rear backup camera/mirror
   

Customers will have the option of personalizing the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 right at the factory. Through the Mopar Custom Shop, parts and accessories requested by the customer during the order process are added at the factory before the vehicle arrives at the dealership, with the installed Mopar products listed on the vehicle's Monroney sticker.

Quenching The Thirst, part of the five-part ebook series, Restore The Roar: Manufacturing Renaissance by Rod Kackley, tells the story of the creation of the Grand Rapids and Detroit craft brewing industries. Buy now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Vook.

Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community by Rod Kackley, tells the story of how the people of Grand Rapids changed the way the world sees their community, and the way they see the world. 

Last Chance Mile is available wherever books are sold including Amazon, Abbott Press, Barnes & Noble and iTunes.

Toyota Designs FT-1 From Virtual To Reality

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota virtually blew the doors off the North American International Auto Show with the reveal of the stunning FT-1 sports car concept.  First devised by Calty Design Research in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game environment, FT-1 leapt from the screen to the stage in a race-inspired press conference at COBO Hall.

The name says it all. FT-1 stands for "Future Toyota," and the number "1" represents the ultimate. According to its designers at Calty Design Research, the FT-1 Concept is the ultimate expression of a Toyota coupe design, building upon Toyota's rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and most recently Scion FR-S. In addition, the concept draws inspiration from Calty's more recent sports car concept work such as FT-HS (2007) and the Lexus LF-LC (2012). 

The project started nearly two years ago and represents a labor of love by a passionate, dedicated and gifted Calty design team. "The FT-1 is a dream-project for a designer and car enthusiast like myself," said Alex Shen, Calty's Studio Chief Designer. "Our team was heavily influenced by Toyota's sports car past, especially Celica and Supra, and we sought to capture some of that history.  It is an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe."   

The FT-1's audacious design represents the pinnacle of Calty's 40^th year of operation. Guided by the Toyota design ethos of Vibrant Clarity, a unique fusion of both emotional and rational factors that delivers a more exciting and dramatic design expression with unique Toyota identity, the concept is a spiritual pace car for Toyota Global Design. The goal of this ideological shift is to develop future generations of products that better connect emotionally with Toyota's global consumer base.

Traditionally, Toyota's design decisions have been driven by consensus among a large group of stakeholders.  Under Akio Toyoda's stated directive to invigorate Toyota products with energy, passion and "Waku-Doki" (translation: a palpable heart-pounding sense of excitement), the approval process has been streamlined.  This new approach aims to produce cars that connect more deeply with customers, generating a more satisfying ownership experience that complements Toyota's legendary reputation for quality, dependability and reliability. 

"Function-sculpting" design language yields curved, muscular, expressive body forms seemingly shaped by the wind.  Inlets, ducting, and vents are features of the exterior design that help reinforce its track–ready nature with elements of purposeful airflow management.  At higher speeds a retractable rear wing deploys and tilts forward to create additional downforce.  The body's athleticism is expressed with taut surfaces and dramatic fender forms that seduce the eyes when covered in an unapologetically red hue.

The front engine rear-wheel drive configuration locates the cockpit far rearward within the wheelbase to improve weight distribution.  This design element also helps create the classic sportscar proportions one would expect from a vehicle poised to dominate even the most challenging road course. The cockpit's wraparound windshield and side glass openings are a distinct nod to the design of the legendary Toyota 2000GT.

The interior is a focused, highly functional "place of business" that locates the driver at the controls behind an F1 inspired steering-wheel.  The intimate, low slung cockpit has its A-pillars set far back to help optimize cornering vision and sensation of the cabin's intimacy.  A delta-shaped display zone surrounds and integrates the driver to provide an exhilarating sense of being connected to the vehicle.  The cockpit's sense of minimalism adds to the purposefulness of the driver-focused environment with an emphasis on light weight components such as the composite seat covered with just the right amount of padding in only the areas that come into contact with the driver. A color heads-up display keeps the driver's attention on the road ahead, with vital information projected just above the steering wheel within the driver's line of sight.

While technical specifications do not accompany the concept, one can assume that the FT-1 represents an ideally balanced front-engine, rear wheel-drive layout that is powered by a high-technology, high performance internal combustion engine. Beneath a transparent glass hood, an ambiguous engine cover hides a powerplant left to the imagination of the onlooker. 

In preparation for pitching the concept to Toyota management, Calty worked with Polyphony Digital, creators of the popular Gran Turismo driving simulator, to bring FT-1 to life in a virtual world that captured the excitement, passion and performance conveyed by the concept model.  

Toyota executives were offered the opportunity to take FT-1 for a timed lap around a computer-generated Fuji Speedway.  Behind the wheel of the concept, Toyota president Akio Toyoda, an accomplished race car driver, completed the virtual circuit faster than his best real-world lap time at Fuji in his LFA.  From that moment, he was convinced and the concept was approved to be built in model-form for the international auto show circuit. 

For Toyota, this concept embodies the possibilities of the new and exciting design mission ahead.  "Sports cars represent the ultimate driving expression in its purest form. As car enthusiasts ourselves, this is the kind of project we dream about working on," said Calty Design Research president Kevin Hunter. 

"Beyond its obvious five-alarm visual impact, FT-1 is symbolic of a new chapter for Toyota Global Design. This provocative concept truly captures the passion, excitement, and energy of the Toyota we are evolving into and embodies elements of the emotion and performance that Toyota will imprint upon future production designs."

Sometimes Things Break by Rod Kackley tells the stories of a middle-age man old enough to know better and a teenage girl young enough to believe she can have it all. Preview chapters are available at www.rodkackley.com

and on the free Rod Kackley app for Android and iOS devices.

General Motors Sweeps North American Car/Truck Of The Year At NAIAS

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado were named the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year Monday morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

The awards – now in their 21st year - are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a group of automotive journalists from the United States and Canadawho represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The jurors gave the Stingray 211 points; the Mazda3 got 185 and the Cadillac CTS 94.

It was the sixth car win for General Motors. The Corvette also won in 1998.

The jurors gave the Silverado 219 points; the Jeep Cherokee 174 and the Acura MDX 97.

It was the fourth truck win for General Motors. The Silverado also won in 2007.

Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 12 times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker (Hyundai) has won twice.

Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 14 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won three times.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

The "2013 North American Car of the Year" was the Cadillac ATS.

Last year's "2013 North American Truck of the Year" was the Ram 1500 pickup.

Blue Collar is the story of three Baby Boomers who survived the Great Recession that nearly destroyed Detroit. Now they need to learn to live again. But will it be too much for them? Check out the first chapters of this novel being written by Rod Kackley by clicking here, or downloading the free Rod Kackley app for Android and iOS.

Johnson Controls Sells Automotive Electronics Business To Visteon

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This did not happen at the North American International Automotive Show in Detroit, but you know everyone is talking about it in the Motor City.

Johnson Controls, (NYSE: JCI), a global multi-industrial company with established core businesses in the buildings, automotive and energy storage industries, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its automotive electronics business to Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) for $265 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Visteon will acquire Johnson Controls' instrument cluster, infotainment, display, and body electronics products. The company previously sold the HomeLink® product portion of its electronics portfolio to Gentex Corporation in September 2013. 

"We are pleased with this agreement. Visteon is a good strategic fit for the business and will provide the right level of commitment and the best long term value for our customers and employees," said Alex Molinaroli, chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls.

This transaction will complete Johnson Controls' divestiture of the automotive electronics business which in aggregate realized total proceeds in line with original expectations of over $965 million.  

As previously communicated, the company elected to move away from automotive electronics as part of its broader strategy to focus on core businesses and reallocate capital to further diversify its portfolio and maximize shareholder value.

Visteon Corporation is a global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative components and systems for virtually every vehicle manufacturer worldwide through businesses including Visteon Electronics, Visteon Interiors and Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp. Visteon's family of businesses generated $13.8 billion in sales in 2012. Visteon employs about 22,000 people in its consolidated operations in 29 countries, and has corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.);Shanghai, China; and Chelmsford, UK.

The acquisition is subject to certain regulatory and other consents and approvals and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of the 2014 calendar year. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Where Are The Workers? by Rod Kackley examines the problems facing manufacturers in Michigan as the roar is restored to the U.S. auto industry. Where Are The Workers? is available wherever ebooks are sold including Amazon,Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Vook.

Auto Industry Is Entering a Golden Age of Innovation, Says Boston Consulting Group

Regulatory Mandates, Changing Consumer Expectations, and Technological Advances Are Driving Increasing Innovation, According to New Research by The Boston Consulting Group

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --The global automobile industry is entering a new golden era of innovation and advancement, and the ability to innovate in four key areas—power train, lightweight materials, connectivity, and active safety and assisted driving—will be a major factor in individual carmakers' success in the years ahead, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The research, released today during the press preview of the North American International Auto Show inDetroit, draws on several sources, including the results of a new U.S. consumer survey, an analysis of patent filings, BCG's annual study of the world's most innovative companies, and the firm's experience working with major automotive companies around the world. The findings will be published in a BCG report later this month. Here are a few highlights:

Innovation in the global automotive industry is intensifying.

• Fourteen automakers are among the top 50 most innovative companies in BCG's 2013 survey, compared with 10 carmakers in 2012 and only five in 2005. Three companies (Toyota, Ford, and BMW) rank in the top 10, and nine automakers are in the top 20. For the first time since BCG began conducting this survey nine years ago, there are more auto manufacturers than consumer companies in the top 50 and more carmakers than technology companies in the top 20.
• R&D spending at these 14 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increased at an annual rate of 8 percent since 2009, while spending at leading tier-one suppliers[1] rose by 5 percent a year.¹
• From 1995 through 2011, the number of patent applications filed by OEMs increased by only 3 percent annually, while the number of filings by tier-one suppliers rose 6 percent a year. A recovery from the 2008 crisis has resulted in the number of applications by tier-one suppliers leaping 37 percent, while the number by OEMs has jumped by 28 percent.

The focus on innovation has been in four areas: power train, lightweight materials, connectivity, andactive safety and assisted driving.

• The four areas had patent application growth rates of 6 to 15 percent from 1995 through 2011, compared with an average growth rate for all patent filings by OEMs and tier-one suppliers of only 4 percent.
• Filings in all four areas showed only an 8 percent decline from 2008 through 2009, compared with an average drop in the number of applications of 25 percent.
• Filings increased 10 percent faster than the average growth rate in the bounce-back years from 2010 through 2011.

Consumers value the introduction of new technologies and features.

• New BCG research on U.S. consumers shows that most car buyers want to purchase a car from a company seen as innovative—almost 60 percent say this is a very or somewhat important consideration.
• A key characteristic of an innovative automaker, according to car buyers, is being the first to introduce new technologies.
• U.S. consumers see features related to connectivity, safety, and fuel economy as the most innovative in today's vehicles. Most U.S. consumers rank connectivity and safety features in the top 5 of some 20 new features in vehicles today (see exhibit).

"Innovation in the automotive industry is retaking center stage," said Xavier Mosquet, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the study. "Consumers want to buy cars from companies that bring new technologies to market, and connectivity, safety, and fuel efficiency are three of their top priorities. The ability to innovate in these areas will be a major factor in individual automakers' success in the coming years."

Regulatory and marketplace demands with respect to fuel efficiency, connectivity, and safety, as well as technological advances that are making new features possible and reducing their cost, are driving the renewed focus on innovation.

Mosquet, who coleads BCG's global Automotive practice, and his coauthors say that OEMs and tier-one suppliers need to address three areas with a sense of urgency:

• T he shift from mechanical to software-driven vehicles . Cars are no longer primarily mechanical devices. Rather, automobiles are increasingly becoming software driven (literally, as well as in other ways). Given the rise of electronics and the fact that software features reduce tooling cost, as well as allow for configuration later in the product development cycle, the shift to more software in cars will continue. This shift requires auto executives to think about product life cycles—and the involvement of their companies with them—in new terms.
• The quickening pace of product development. Consumer electronics and technology companies have taught consumers to expect a rapid pace of innovation. This expectation will make it more and more difficult for automakers and their suppliers to adhere to the current three- to five-year product design and development process. Car manufacturers will need to experiment with alternative design processes, new development models, and in the longer term, advanced manufacturing techniques. The ability to discern early what consumers see as the most valuable innovations will also create an advantage.
• The increasingly prominent role of tier-one suppliers in innovation and technological development. The importance of tier-one suppliers in innovation and product development will escalate. These companies are already playing a bigger role in innovation in the areas of power train, interior design, and chassis components—historically the R&D domains of carmakers. In addition, the determinants for differentiation are shifting toward connectivity and active-safety features, in which tier-one suppliers have substantial expertise. Those manufacturers that construct the most effective collaboration models, encouraging and rewarding supplier R&D investment, will build a long-term advantage.

"Other areas of innovation loom large as well, such as alternative fuels and assisted driving," said Massimo Russo, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the study. "Those automakers that determine how to organize themselves to harness and direct fast-moving developments in power train, lightweight materials, and, most critically, software, electronic components, and connectivity will establish a decided advantage over competitors in the near and longer term."

Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community tells the stories of the people who changed the way Grand Rapids, Michigan is seen by the world. Buy Now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes or Abbott Press.

Last Chance Mile can also be ordered from your favorite bookseller, and is on the shelves of Barnes & Noble-Woodland Mall, Schuler Books & Music-28th Street and West Coast Coffee-Monroe Center, Grand Rapids.

Stryker Green Debuts on 2014 SRT Viper at North American International Auto Show

 

• Latest high-impact, hand-painted, show-car quality exterior color is available across Viper model lineup
• New 'Grand Touring' package brings standard Nappa leather seats, sophisticated chassis electronics and exclusive paint colors to the Viper's entry price class

The newest, high-impact exterior paint color for the SRT Viper is being shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. 

The Chrysler Group's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand introduced "Stryker Green," an evolution of the iconic Snakeskin Green exterior color that first appeared in 2008, which features enhanced green and yellow pigments and a "liquid mercury" appearance. The color is the perfect choice for SRT enthusiasts that want to take their SRT Viper to the next level of exclusivity with a vivid and unique color that reflects light to show off the dramatic curves of the Viper.

"We're continuing to develop and build unique, low-volume, special-edition colors for the Viper that adds to the exclusivity of our American-built flagship supercar," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, SRT Brand and Motorsports. "Every SRT Viper is painted with a process that is very similar to what we use for our show cars.  The application of the new Stryker Green exterior paint is a very detailed and intricate process, taking approximately eight hours to complete. The process first starts with a base color coat followed by a green-tinted mid-coat and topped off with a clear finish. Each coat application adds depth and accentuates the curvature of the Viper's exterior design."

Also making its debut on the 2014 SRT Viper is the Grand Touring (GT) special package featuring standard Nappa leather seats, five-mode Electronic Stability Control and the two-mode Bilstein® DampTronic Select suspension, both previously only available with the Viper GTS price class. The GT option package will be limited to the new Stryker Green and Venom Black exterior colors.

Stryker Green exterior color will be available starting in February on the Viper GTS price class, and the SRT price class with the new GT package.

The SRT Viper isn't just the ultimate supercar, it's also a perfect canvas for high-performance parts and accessories from Mopar.

This Moparized SRT Viper showcases lightweight carbon fiber components with an exposed carbon fiber performance X-Brace, which is almost 50-percent lighter than the production version with the same strength and functional stiffness.

Additionally, a prototype aero package has been fitted to the show car with a Mopar carbon fiber rear wing and extended front corner splitters.

SRT Viper  

The fifth generation of iconic American-built supercar returned in 2013 as the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand's flagship performance machine with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts. Power from the all-aluminum, 8.4-liter mid-front V-10 engine delivering 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque -- the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world, combines with triple-digit weight reduction to produce the best power-to-weight ratio of any Viper ever. Standard safety features include electronic multistage stability control, traction control and new 4-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS).

The iconic supercar is hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit -- the Viper's home since 1995. Both SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS models offer new interior and exterior designs incorporating premium materials and new exterior surfaces with aerodynamically functional details that are beautifully integrated into the high-tech carbon fiber and aluminum skin. On the inside, designers and engineers strived to rethink all its touch points and upgrade all its material appointments and technologies. The Viper GTS model adds many premium features including a leather wrapped interior, five mode electronic stability control and a two mode adjustable suspension.