The Aston Martin Rapide Wagon

Before any of you start having a heart attack and go visit your local Aston Martin dealership to see this car in person, let me tell you that the car you see pictured above is a custom, one-off job ordered by an Aston Martin collector. The collector worked with Bertone, who is famous for modifying these exotic rides from England, turning a stock Rapide S into a high performance wagon.

For reasons that are really beyond me, Americans don't like wagons. I've read theories about how it was a push-back against the land yacht wagons of the 1970s, with minivans winning out as women didn't want to drive what their mother already had. That theory also helps explain the proliferation of crossovers -- those ridicuous wanna-be SUVs that would get stuck in about five minutes of off-road driving.

Personally, I think wagons are fantastic, but I've owned one and through said ownership learned the virtues of wagons. They handle tight, unlike SUVs, meaning you can take corners faster and negotiate the twisty canyons that are all around my home with ease. Wagons also hold an obscene amount of cargo. Once I had a bellhop exclaim his disbelief at how much luggage I squeezed into the back of our wagon.

In any case, back to this Aston Martin super wagon. It comes with the same V12 engine that comes in the current Rapide S, which puts out a thunderous 476 horsepower directed to the rear wheels. As you can imagine, this wagon can probably do one hell of a burnout in the right hands. Oh, the official name of the wagon is the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2. Gotta love some of the boring names people pick.

Confession time: I know a lot of people really love Aston Martins, but I just don't find them all that lust-worthy. The James Bond movies were pretty much banned in my house when I was growing up, so I didn't spend my youth yearning to be like the British spy who so often drove Aston Martins. I know to some people this is the equivalent of automotive blasphemy, but this wagon looks pretty damn funky, like on the level of the Porsche Panamera. It has a bubble butt and kind of reminds me of an SUV that's been squished by a steamroller. That being said, I always though the Dodge Magnum was a funky-looking wagon, but thos did bring it when it came to high performance (especially the SRT-8 models). Frankly I would rather have a 2013 Audi RS6 Avant, which puts out over 550 horsepower and is much lighter. I know it's not as exclusive as the Aston Martin, but I care more about having fun in a car than making everyone think I'm loaded. Alas, Americans' hatred of wagons means Audi for now isn't bringing the RS6 Avant to the United States -- not like I could afford one at the present moment anyway.

So what do you all think of this Aston Martin wagon? 
 

2013 Audi RS6 Avant

Say what!?! NHTSA offering prizes to police for writing tickets?

Your tax dollars at work here folks. Since the folks over at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration apparently have nothing more important to do. They have announced their new National Law Enforcement Challenge Award. What exactly does this mean? Well the NHTSA is looking at police agency ticket counts and judging them by it.

To the point where they are taking points away if a department does not have a "no warning" policy. Bonus points can also be awarded to those creative departments that make their officers extra stealthy. This means undercover as say a tourist, Santa Claus, road workers, or my favorite a cruiser parked in the median of the highway with a dummy in seat.

Since the money to support this program is being diverted from gasoline tax revenue. What exactly is the five-O receiving? Well topping out the list of prizes are specially customized Dodge Charge and Magnum police cruisers. "Hot Pursuit" models packing Hemi V8s, cold air intakes and Borla exhaust systems.

Source: TheNewspaper.com

Followup: Some official word from Chrysler regarding product cancelations

We finally have some official news from Chrysler regarding product cancelations, workforce cuts, and shift eliminations. It's unfortunate to see more bad news from the Motor City, but it's all going to pave the way for a bigger, more profitible Chrysler. Along with shift eliminations at 2 Detroit plants and what will be somewhere in the area of 11,000 possible labor cuts(both hourly and salary).

Chrysler has also made the decision of 4 cars that will be cut from the product line up. These include the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, Pacifica, Crossfire, and Dodge Magnum. Mr. Nardelli also mentioned several new products that will be added to the line up. Including the Challenger, and Hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. Here is what we know so far. This is according to an email to Chrysler employees from Bob Nardelli.

"• Shifts will be eliminated at five North American assembly plants: Belvidere, Jefferson North, Toledo North, Brampton and Sterling Heights. Combined with other volume-related manufacturing actions, this will lead to a reduction of an additional 8,500-10,000 hourly jobs through 2008.

• A shift will be eliminated at Mack Avenue Engine Plant II.

• Salaried employment will be reduced by 1,000 and contract employment by 37 percent. Additional reductions will be made in hourly and salaried overtime and purchased services due to the decline in volume.

• Four models will be eliminated through 2008 -- the Dodge Magnum, the convertible version of Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Crossfire. During the same time frame, we will add the all-new Dodge Journey and Dodge Challenger to our portfolio, along with two new hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango."

I agree with the Chrysler cuts from the product line, but will be sad to see the Magnum go from Dodge. The shift eliminations are unfortunate, but are necessasary to stabilise the company.

Here is the full e-mail from Bob Nardelli, and the full press release.

BOB NARDELLI E-MAIL TO CHRYSLER EMPLOYEES:

Dear Colleagues,

Today, we will announce some tough but necessary actions for Chrysler: the elimination of some assembly plant shifts, reductions in salaried and contract employees, and the phaseout of four of our products. These changes are part of our continuing efforts to right-size our business for the current market and competitive environment. They should not diminish our faith in our long-term strategy nor reduce our resolve to become a leader in the automotive industry.

I regret that short-term actions are required on our path to long-term success. Since the announcement of the Recovery and Transformation Plan (RTP) in February, the market dynamics -- especially in the United States -- have changed dramatically. The soft housing market and the spike in oil and gas prices have had a seriously adverse impact on consumer confidence and spending. Back in February, U.S. light-vehicle sales were running at a rate of 17.2 million vehicles. We now expect volume for 2007 to be significantly lower and carry over into 2008.

To succeed, we must align our costs with the market realities and the economic conditions we expect. We must position Chrysler to return to profitability next year without pushing unprofitable volumes of product through our plants and into our dealers' showrooms or fleet. This would only lead to a downward spiral of higher incentives, weaker brands, lower residual values and poor relationships with our dealers. That's why we are committed to right-size our costs and achieve inventory levels that are 100,000 units lower at the end of 2007 compared with last year.

We must move with speed and flexibility to meet the needs of a constantly changing market. This means continually re-evaluating our model lineup in order to ensure that our current and future product portfolios hit the sweet spots in the market. As a customer-driven company, we must sharply focus our limited resources on the most profitable and appealing products.

The following is a summary of the changes we are announcing today:
• Shifts will be eliminated at five North American assembly plants: Belvidere, Jefferson North, Toledo North, Brampton and Sterling Heights. Combined with other volume-related manufacturing actions, this will lead to a reduction of an additional 8,500-10,000 hourly jobs through 2008.
• A shift will be eliminated at Mack Avenue Engine Plant II.
• Salaried employment will be reduced by 1,000 and contract employment by 37 percent. Additional reductions will be made in hourly and salaried overtime and purchased services due to the decline in volume.
• Four models will be eliminated through 2008 -- the Dodge Magnum, the convertible version of Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Crossfire. During the same time frame, we will add the all-new Dodge Journey and Dodge Challenger to our portfolio, along with two new hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango.

Going forward, we need to concentrate on three areas in order to transform our company into a top performer.

First, we must rebuild a strong partnership with our dealers, who are an extension of our company and our only direct customers. We've taken major steps down this road by reducing our inventory and scaling back our fleet business to improve residuals.

Second, we must maintain a laser focus on the five business fundamentals our leadership has identified as the building blocks for success. You should have recently heard a report from your management on the five fundamentals: Customer First; Quality ... Period; Go Global; Be Green; and Powered by Great People.

Third, we must execute. With the RTP we have a clear and realistic strategy for success that does not need to be rewritten. We must now execute seamlessly, with a bias toward speed, a focus on the customer, and an emphasis on teamwork and achieving cross-functional goals. More than ever, your individual performance will determine your personal success and that of the company overall.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication as we drive to transform Chrysler into an enterprise that is stronger than ever and able to thrive in today's highly competitive marketplace.

Bob

PRESS RELEASE:
Chrysler Announces Product and Plant Changes-- Industry-wide volume reduction and sales slow down requires plant adjustments -- Four products will be cancelled from Chrysler line-up; while adding two all-new products and two hybrid models.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler LLC today announced that it would make volume-related reductions at several of its North American assembly and powertrain plants, and eliminate four products from its line-up.

Shifts will be eliminated at five North American assembly plants which, combined with other volume-related manufacturing actions, will lead to a reduction of 8,500-10,000 additional hourly jobs through 2008.

Additional actions include reductions of salaried employment by 1,000 and supplemental (contract) employment by 37 percent. The Company also plans to eliminate hourly and salaried overtime and reduce purchased services due to reduction in volume.

The volume-related actions are in addition to 13,000 jobs eliminated by the three-year Recovery and Transformation Plan (RTP) announced in February. The objectives of the RTP remain the same.

"The market situation has changed dramatically in the eight months since Chrysler established the Recovery and Transformation Plan as its blueprint," said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Annual industry volume (U.S. market) then was running at a 17.2 million clip. Now, we expect a seasonally adjusted annual volume for 2007 to be significantly lower and carry over into 2008."

"We have to move now to adjust the way our company looks and acts to reflect a smaller market," added Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President. "That means a cost base that is right-sized and an appropriate level of plant utilization.

"LaSorda added that third-shift operations at assembly plants usually reflect a high demand after a product is launched. Three of the five plants affected by this action are the result of elimination of third shifts - in Belvidere, Illinois; Toledo, Ohio, and Brampton, Ontario.

In contract negotiations just concluded with the United Auto Workers, Chrysler committed to spending more than $15 billion on products, plants and engineering during the life of the contract through 2011.

The company announced that it will eliminate four models through 2008, including Dodge Magnum, the convertible version (only) of Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Crossfire. In the same time frame, Chrysler will add two all-new products to its portfolio: the Dodge Journey and Dodge Challenger, along with two new hybrid models, the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango.

"These actions reflect our new customer-driven philosophy and allow us to focus our resources on new, more profitable and appealing products," added Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President. "Further, these product actions are all in response to dealer requests."

Manufacturing Actions

Chrysler will eliminate shifts at five assembly plants, and take further volume-related actions at several other facilities. It will:

Drop third-shift operations at Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant in the first quarter 2008. Belvidere builds the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass.

Drop second-shift operations at its Jefferson North (Detroit, Mich.) Assembly Plant in the first quarter 2008. It's expected that the plant will return to two shifts in first quarter 2010 with the introduction of the next generation of sport-utility vehicles. The addition of a third shift will remain an option, depending on market demand. Jefferson North builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander.

Drop third-shift operations at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant in the first quarter 2008. Toledo North builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro.

Drop third-shift operations at Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plant in first quarter 2008. Brampton will build the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. The Dodge Magnum will be discontinued.

Drop second shift operations at Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant in first quarter 2008. Sterling Heights builds the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedans and Chrysler Sebring Convertible.

In addition, Mack Avenue (Detroit) Engine Plant II will return to a traditional two-shift / two-crew operation in the first quarter 2008 after operating on a three-crew, two-shift, 120-hour-per-week (3/2/120) schedule. Mack II builds the 3.7-liter V-6 engine.

"I'm confident that we have the right team in place and a business plan that doesn't need to be re-written," concluded Nardelli. "Like all good plans, the RTP has built-in flexibility that allows us to stay one step ahead of market change. And that is the way to long-term sustained profitability."

Sources: Autoblog.com, The Detroit News, Chrysler.