ON THE TABLE
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 04:29PM August 25, 2010
Sergio Marchionne. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The all-knowing, all-seeing automotive guru shocked a few members in the media this past Monday when he informed the keyboard-stained wretches gathered for the Joe Biden Puff Tour of the Jeep plant in Toledo that it would be "difficult" for Chrysler to make a profit this year. Whaaa? Now wait a minute, didn't he say - like five minutes ago - that Chrysler was going to blow the socks off this business (in so many words), and that things were so damn rosy that it just couldn't get any better? Yes, it's the hard, cold, High-Octane Truth, folks, but what did happen between then and now, exactly? Did sun spots intervene? Or did Sergio just run out of his personalized chromium-tipped shovels? But, not to worry as Sergio reminds us, because after all it's not his - or Chrysler's - fault but rather it's those damn loans from the U.S. Treasury, which translated directly into debt that is just killing them. Killing them. But it's all good, according to The Maestro of Machiavellian Musings - at least when it comes to Chrysler's future, and especially around career politicians like Biden - because they're super engaged and on-target. No product other than the new Grand Cherokee to speak of for the next six months, but it's all gonna be good, you'll see. Uh-huh. As Joe Pantoliano's "Guido the Pimp" character said so famously in "Risky Business" - "Time of your life, eh kid?" - PMD
(GM)
The Chevrolet Suburban is celebrating its 75th Anniversary - the first vehicle to reach 75 years of production - and Chevrolet is commemorating the milestone with a special 2010 75th Anniversary Diamond Edition model (above right, next to a 1936 model). The idea for the Suburban was born out of a need for a heavier-duty, truck-based wagon, according to Chevrolet. Through the early 1930s, most manufacturers offered car-based wagons for professional use. Open models with windows and rear seating were known as depot hacks, and were used to ferry passengers and their cargo around train stations and boat docks. Enclosed models, typically without rear seats, were known as sedan deliveries. The original 1935 Suburban could seat eight, while easily removable seats provided a large, 75-inch-long by 77-inch-high (1,905 x 1,956 mm) cargo area. The 2010 Suburban seats up to nine, but offers up to 137.4 cubic feet (3,891 L) of cargo space when the second-row seats are folded and third-row seats are removed. Editor-in-Chief's Note: We love the Suburban, and we're glad it has withstood attacks from the Green Pitchfork Brigade and others who think it's their place to tell us what we can and cannot drive. It's one of America's great vehicles, and we hope it lasts another 75 years. - PMD
1946 Chevrolet Suburban.
1951 Chevrolet Suburban.
1968 Chevrolet Suburban.
75 years of Chevrolet Suburban.
WE'RE OPENING THE VAULT!
The AE wearables are back - and only in extremely limited quantities and sizes, we might add - and once they're gone, they're gone! We're starting with our most popular items, the classic AE Sweatshirt and AE Hat. Click on a PayPal button below to order yours now! (If you prefer to pay by check, please send us an email with AE STORE in the subject line, and we'll reserve your item.)
AE Sweatshirt - Crewneck, sturdy 80/20 cotton/poly, in black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. Size XL only. 40 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.
AE Hat - Black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. 25 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.
Publisher's Note: Check-out John McElroy's daily news show covering everything about the auto biz by clicking on the graphic below. Good stuff guaranteed. - PMD
See another live episode of "Autoline After Hours" hosted by Autoline Detroit's John McElroy, with Peter De Lorenzo and friends this Thursday evening, at 7:00PM EDT at www.autolinedetroit.tv. By the way, if you'd like to subscribe to the Autoline After Hours podcasts, click on the following links: Subscribe via iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=311421319 http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/podcasts/feeds/afterhours-audio.xml
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