It took me awhile to update, but I’ve made some minor tweaks to the Automotive Family Tree for the end of 2009. We’re still waiting on GM to figure out what they are doing with SAAB and what Ford is doing with Volvo. I think for the most part, all the trading is done for awhile.

AutomotiveFamilyTree.com

China’s BAIH (Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co.) has signed a deal with Koenigsegg Group AB. No financing deal was released, but BAIH now has a small stake in Koenigsegg, which recently bought Saab Automobile from General Motors Co. The two companies plan to expand on Saab and BAIH products in China and other international markets.

So, does this mean we’ll see BAIH cars being sold at Saab dealerships? I doubt that, but I do see BAIH cars being badged as Saab’s. I sure hope not!

Source:autonews.com (subscription maybe required)

At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Fiat’s performance division Abarth, will show a 695 Tributo Ferrari, or a supped up Fiat 500. This will be one hot hatch with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 180 HP, F1-style 6-speed transmission, tuned suspension, red (of course) Brembo brakes with 17-inch alloy wheels.

No word if this would be made for the American market or not.

Source:AutoExpress.com via jalopnik.com

GM must be really pissed at Canada. Two former GM brands, Saturn and Saab, will no longer be sold in Canada. Penske Automotive Group, who is buying Saturn from GM, told the 46 Canadian Saturn dealers that it will no longer be selling the brand later this year. Meanwhile, Saab is also out, according to GM. But once the sale of Saab to Koenigsegg is complete, they could return.

Source: thecarconnection.com

With the alliance with Chrysler and FIAT, it could bring over some interesting cars to the U.S. Currently the FIAT 500, Grande Punto and Panda along with Alfa Romeo MiTo and Milano are expect to come to our shores. Chrysler thinks this lineup of cars in a segment that has gone underserved by itself. It should also bring over FIAT’s 3.0-liter diesel and 1.4-liter engines.

So the question is, would you buy any of these?

Source:nextautos.com

I just reported earlier this week that VW sometime this year will surpassed number 2 GM in total vehicles sales in 2009. It’s reported today that VW surpassed number 1 Toyota for the first quarter sales of 2009. VW is giving the forecast of 1.39 million vehicles, while Toyota is given the forecast of 1.23 million vehicles. VW fell 11%, while Toyota fell 47% for the first quarter of 2009.

The numbers are only for the first quarter. But, as the U.S. sales number fall, it will be interesting to see who wins the title for the most vehicles sold in 2009.

Source: reuters.com

Now that Saturn looks like it’s going to be sold or spun off (if GM all together doesn’t collapse), Opel isn’t going to be rebadged Saturn any more. However, according to Automotive News, look for the new Opel Insignia to come as a Buick Regal in 2010. The future plans for GM is to cut Pontiac product and making Buick more sedan and crossovers (which I think it already is now).

I’m sure some of you know that Opel is having a hard time in Germany and the future for the brand is unsure if it’s going to stay with GM or not. Sources say that GM feels any future partner’s best interest to continue honoring the global architecture-sharing programs currently in place (or we will break your leg ;).

Source:egmcartech.com

Could this be the end of GM? Automotive News is reporting that GM is considering Chapter 11 filing and starting a new company. It would take all of GM’s viable assets, U.S. and international operations, info a new company and liquidated the undesirable assets. This is all because of the Tuesday deadline to file restructuring plans to the government in exchange for $17.4 billion in federal loans to GM and Chrysler. GM is still in talks with bondholders and UAW to restructure the $28 billion in debt. However it’s unlikely a deal will be reached by Tuesday.

My own personal opinion, go for it GM! I love GM cars, but as long as the UAW is part of GM, I say it’s time to move on. Can you image what GM could do if they were building the cars just like Toyota and Honda?

Source: autonews.com

I do believe that true sign of the Automotive Apocalypse is now upon us. Toyota Motor Corp. is forecasting its first-ever annual operation loss in 2008!!! This is a company that has never had a loss in over 70-years. It’s being blamed by the perfect storm of relentless slow sales and crippling rise in the yen.

Next year, Toyota is hoping to return to profit (just like the rest of the automotive world) by cutting capital spending to below 1 trillion yen compared to 1.4 trillion yen this year. It’s estimated that group-wide global sales are down 4 percent in 2008, including sales at Daihatsu and Hino Motors Ltd.

Souce:autonews.com (subscription required)

I’ve blogged about Nissan, Infiniti and Mitsubishi not showing up at the Detroit Auto Show, but that’s not completely true now. Detroit-area dealers are going to bring in vehicles off their lots to occupy the spots originally allocated to their company’s corporate displays. Nissan and Infiniti are displaying their cars only, no fancy lights or big signs, but Mitsubishi is helping its dealers by providing an auto display stand.

Detroit show’s organizers had moved some of the Chinese exhibitors from the basement up to the main floor to fill in the space. But now it looks like its back down to the basement as they shuffle the space around for the Detroit-area dealers.

For those keeping score at home, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Suzuki, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari corporations will be skipping the Detroit Auto Show.

Source:autonews.com