Nissan projects $2.9B loss, announces 20,000 job cuts

Nissan hasn't posted an annual loss in nine years, but the automaker is poised to take a big hit on its 2008 earnings, and like the rest of the industry, it is scrambling to restructure. The Japanese carmaker is expected to report a $2.9 billion shortfall, prompting Carlos Ghosn and his team to chop 20,000 jobs – fully 8.5 percent of its employees worldwide. Some of the job losses will be arrived at through early retirement packages and the ending of temporary worker contracts, but most will be out-and-out layoffs. The personnel cuts will leave Nissan with 215,000 workers globally and take place now through March of 2010.

Nissan's planned cuts are markedly more aggressive than those employed by other Japanese automakers, suggesting that Japan's third-largest automaker is even more pessimistic about the potential for near-term economic gains. That appears to be particularly true in its domestic market, where the strong Yen and other factors have conspired to result in 12,000 of the planned job losses. Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Associated Press via ClockOnDetroit]

Inside the McLaren Factory

Supercars come from super places. This video from the McLaren Technology Center where the Mercedes McLaren SLR is made proves it. The footage was taken back in 2005, so don’t try and spot any Stirling Moss editions in production.

$2M DiMora Natalia SLS 2 to get - wait for it - world's first MP3-enabled horn

Spend two million bucks on a car, and you'll get to have whatever the hell you want as a horn tone. Alfred DiMora is back, adding more splashy aftermarket items to the list of standard equipment on his Natalia vaporware sport luxury sedan. DiMora Motorcar has decided that the Horntones system will be factory-fitted to every V16 Natalia SLS 2 produced. So far, that's none. This isn't the first time the Natalia has specified an item cherrypicked from SEMA awards, and we suspect it won't be the last.

The Horntones system has 256MB of flash memory that can be loaded up with MP3 files. Once your files are in the Horntones system, there's a 150-watt speaker to delight everyone within a quarter mile by blaring your audio with a 110dB sound pressure level. DiMora contends that the Horntones rig is the most significant development in car horns in the last 100 years. We disagree – after all, the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee had that bitchin' setup that played Dixie.

[Source: DiMora Motorcars]

Beyond Honking: Horntones Give Drivers Sound Choices in $2 Million Natalia SLS 2

DiMora Motorcar is first OEM to include downloadable sound selection capability.

San Clemente, CA (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 -- DiMora Motorcar announced today that Horntones Corporation mobile horn systems will be factory equipment on all V16 Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedans.

FX-550, Horntones' patented system, is the world's first and only MP3-enabled vehicle horn. It features 256MB of internal flash memory, 150 watts (RMS) of audio amplification, and a weatherproof, ruggedized, compression-driver speaker. The FX-550 can deliver hundreds of different sounds at an impressive 110db sound pressure. The Horntones system won four SEMA 2007 Global Media Awards for "Best New Product". The FX-550 is the ultimate in vehicle horn personalization, and can be used in a variety of applications, such as standard horn sounds, passenger pick-up signaling, personal safety alerts, etc.

We are excited that DiMora Motorcar is setting the standard by becoming the first automotive original equipment manufacturer to incorporate Horntones technology in every vehicle. Working with Alfred DiMora and his team has been a pleasure. Their plans for the Natalia SLS 2 are truly visionary. We are thrilled to be a part of the design!
The Horntones system is probably the most radical change in car horns in the past century. It allows the driver to communicate something more than just a general alert.

We are pleased to have Horntones as a creative Technology Partner. This is another example of American innovation being showcased on the Natalia SLS 2.

"We are excited that DiMora Motorcar is setting the standard by becoming the first automotive original equipment manufacturer to incorporate Horntones technology in every vehicle," said Horntones President Mike T. Kosco. "Working with Alfred DiMora and his team has been a pleasure. Their plans for the Natalia SLS 2 are truly visionary. We are thrilled to be a part of the design!"

The Horntones system will be customized and integrated into the ergonomic and aesthetic design of the Natalia SLS 2.

"The Horntones system is probably the most radical change in car horns in the past century. It allows the driver to communicate something more than just a general alert," said DiMora Motorcar Founder Alfred DiMora. "We are pleased to have Horntones as a creative Technology Partner. This is another example of American innovation being showcased on the Natalia SLS 2."

About Horntones
Based in San Clemente, California, Horntones Corporation provides innovative, state-of-the-art mobile audio products. The company has developed, as its flagship product, the Horntones FX-550, the first MP3-enabled vehicle horn. For more information, please visit www.horntones.com.

Toyota loses top credit rating

Moody's Investor Services has lowered its credit rating for Toyota from the top-level Aaa to Aa1 and given it a "negative" outlook. Toyota had maintained Aaa status since 2003. The automaker, recently crowned as the largest in the world, is currently dealing with what must be the worst crisis that the Japanese company has ever faced since its inception in 1937. In what is decidedly uncharted territory at Toyota, the automaker saw its global sales fall by 4% last year and it is widely expected to post its first-ever loss – a whopping 150 billion yen ($1.65 billion) – over the full year ending in March. The worst bit of news, though, is that there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Sales figures are not expected to improve in the coming months, which could very well lead to another loss next year according to industry experts.

[Source: Bloomberg]

2010 Lexus RX350 starting at $36,800

For those of you aching to get behind the wheel of the 2010 Lexus RX350, your time has almost arrived. The new luxury crossover from Lexus will hit dealerships later this month, with a base MSRP of $36,800 for the front-wheel-drive model and $38,200 for the all-wheel-drive variant (neither price includes the $825 destination charge).

The RX350 comes packing a revised 3.5-liter V6 sending 275 hp and 256 lb-ft of torque to a new six-speed automatic transmission. The AWD version features an Active Torque Control system that splits power anywhere between 100:0 to 50:50, front to rear, depending on the conditions.

For 2010, the RX350 is equipped with ten standard airbags, but Intelligent Adaptive front headlamps, Pre-Collision System and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are all optional.

Chrysler temporarily closing four plants in February

The Detroit Free Press is reporting the Chrysler LLC will close four of its assembly plants from February 9-13 due to "economic conditions". The four plants to be idled are in Brampton, Ontario; Sterling Heights, MI.; Belvidere, IL and Detroit. The Brampton plant builds the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, while Sterling Heights Assembly handles the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring. The plant in Belvidere builds the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot, and the Detroit plant builds just the Viper. These four, along with the rest of Chrysler's assembly plants, were also idled from December 19th through January 19th during an extended shut down period over the holiday break. Apparently they weren't shut down long enough, as falling sales as rising inventory are still hurting the company. Last month, Chrysler LLC sales were down 54.8% by volume compared to January 2008. More temporary plant closings would not be surprising, as Chrysler reportedly reviews its production schedule on a weekly basis.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Audi Q5 hits America carrying $37,200 MSRP

Audi has finally announced U.S. pricing for its new Q5 mid-sized crossover. For America, there is currently only one powertrain combination available, a 3.2-liter FSI V6 with quattro all-wheel drive, and that comes with a starting price of $37,200.

Just as Starbucks calls a small coffee "Tall", Audi's entry level Q5 is labeled as Premium. From there, you can go to Premium Plus specification or Prestige at $41,500 and a lofty $48,200 respectively. Add the $825 delivery charge, taxes, and other ancillary fees, and it should be easy to go well north of 50 grand.

The Q5 comes standard with Audi's third generation MMI system that adds three-dimensional rendering to the nav display, as well as a 4,400-pound towing capacity. Q5s are expected to start arriving at dealers next week and the vehicle officially goes on sale in March

[Source: Audi]