Monday
Dec022019
DECEMBER 4, 2019
Monday, December 2, 2019 at 09:55AM Editor-in-Chief's Note: I have been writing about the downward spiral of Nissan in this market for a long time now. After years of mismanagement, piss-poor decisions and flat-out incompetence culminating in a particularly dismal sales performance this year, 7that downward spiral is now accelerating. Automotive News is reporting that Nissan's North America Chairman, Jose Valls, is taking drastic steps to slash costs across the company, including reducing employee travel expenses by 50 percent - effective immediately - and putting the entire U.S. organization on two days of unpaid leave on January 2 and 3. "While we've made some positive progress, Nissan's performance has fallen short of our expectations," Valls said in a memo to employees this week, which was obtained by Automotive News. Valls informed Nissan employees that the move will translate to a 9.2 percent pay cut in January for those paid monthly. Employees paid bi-weekly will not be paid for those two days. All Together Now: A Giant Bowl of Not Good. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: From the "Bad Ad" File. Much hand-wringing is being expended about the TV spot for the $2000.00+ (plus a monthly fee) Peloton bike. Yeah, it's stupid, for any number of reasons, but how about the insipid spot for GMC, which has the husband surprising his wife with two GMC vehicles (that add up to $100,000) in their driveway for Christmas? In front of their $5,000,000 home? Sure. -PMD
(Jaguar images)
This is the new Jaguar F-TYPE. Jaguar PR minions say that the F-TYPE "evolves into a purer, more sculpted and assertive expression of the definitive Jaguar sports car." All engines – the 300PS turbocharged four-cylinder, 380PS supercharged V6 and 575PS V8s – feature active exhaust systems, which are switchable either as an option or as standard. Customers who choose the 450PS or 575PS supercharged V8s benefit from the new Quiet Start function, which ensures a more subtle, refined sound: the electrically-actuated bypass valves in the rear silencer remain closed until they automatically open up under load. If desired, Quiet Start can be over-ridden by selecting Dynamic Mode or by pressing the switchable exhaust button before starting the engine. The supercharged 575PS V8 in the F-TYPE R is good for 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and dynamically it features a revised chassis with new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and rear knuckles. A new 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster, Smartphone Pack with Apple CarPlay® are standard, and Meridian audio systems are available. Watch the global reveal film here.
This is the new Jaguar F-TYPE. Jaguar PR minions say that the F-TYPE "evolves into a purer, more sculpted and assertive expression of the definitive Jaguar sports car." All engines – the 300PS turbocharged four-cylinder, 380PS supercharged V6 and 575PS V8s – feature active exhaust systems, which are switchable either as an option or as standard. Customers who choose the 450PS or 575PS supercharged V8s benefit from the new Quiet Start function, which ensures a more subtle, refined sound: the electrically-actuated bypass valves in the rear silencer remain closed until they automatically open up under load. If desired, Quiet Start can be over-ridden by selecting Dynamic Mode or by pressing the switchable exhaust button before starting the engine. The supercharged 575PS V8 in the F-TYPE R is good for 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and dynamically it features a revised chassis with new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and rear knuckles. A new 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster, Smartphone Pack with Apple CarPlay® are standard, and Meridian audio systems are available. Watch the global reveal film here.
AE Song Lyrics of the Week:
When I'm out walkin' I strut my stuff, man, I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite, I just might stop to check you out
Let me go on like I blister in the sun
Let me go on, big hands, I know you're the one
When I'm out walkin' I strut my stuff, man, I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite, I just might stop to check you out
Let me go on like I blister in the sun
Let me go on, big hands, I know you're the one
My girlfriend, she's at the end, she is starting to cry
Let me go on like I blister in the sun
Let me go on, big hands, I know you're the one
When I'm out walkin' I strut my stuff, man, I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite, I just might stop to check you out
When I'm out walkin' I strut my stuff, man, I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite, I just might stop to check you out
Body and beats, I stain my sheets, I don't even know why
My girlfriend, she's at the end, she is starting to cry
When I'm out walkin' I strut my stuff, man, I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite, I just might stop to check you out
Let me go on like I blister in the sun
Let me go on, big hands, I know you're the one
"Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes from "Violent Femmes" (1983)* Watch a video here.
*The quintessential folk-punk group of the 80s was discovered by James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders on August 23, 1981, when the band was playing on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that evening. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. Peter's cousin, Victor DeLorenzo, is one of the founding members of the Violent Femmes and the original drummer.
