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Germans paying American workers less
First, let’s put some salient numbers on the table: 5.5 million versus 2.7 million and $67.14 per hour versus $33.77 per hour. The first set of numbers belong to Germany, and represent the total number of vehicles built in 2010 and the average wage of an autoworker in that country. The second set of numbers are the equivalent figures from the United States. In other words, twice as many vehicles are built in Germany every year than in the U.S., and German autoworkers make double what their American counterparts earn. Interestingly enough, all three major German automakers – the BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen groups – operate facilities in both their home market of Germany and in the U.S. And, just as intriguingly, the factory workers in the southern states of America who work for German automakers aren’t paid wages that even come close to matching those of their German counterparts. Why the disparity? According to an article from Remappingdebate.org, it has to do with an ongoing “race to the bottom” when it comes to wages in the U.S. and a mutually beneficial working relationship between German automakers and IG Metall, the German equivalent to the United Auto Workers union in the States. In short, German automakers are paying Americans less because they can. Germans paying American workers less Take a look at what’s going on in Toyota News, courtesy of O’brien Auto Group! Be sure to check out O’brien Automotive Group for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new vehicles. //
RL soon to be done with
Acura is bringing Goodies to the Detroit Auto Show – the capital “g” warranted for the NSX concept alone – but it has more aces in more sleeves: Car and Driver reports that the RL replacement is coming to the New York Auto Show. The RL is made up of some nice pieces, but even with heaps of cabin tech and SH-AWD it has never been able to outsmart its overwhelming anonymity – or its larger and less costly sibling, the TL. The next round of RL is meant to bring a sedan that embodies Acura’s brand values, in this case said to mean “relatively lightweight, nimble, and economical,” and perhaps not called RL. It does not mean an eight-cylinder, however, with a V6 plus working the front wheels and two electric motors on duty at the rear. Space is said to rival a BMW 7 Series, while exterior dimensions will hover around those of the 5 Series. We just hope those dimensions are draped sheemetal that’s memorable for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones. But Acura’s lineup switch means there might not be enough room for both the TSX and TL (pictured) in between the new RL on top and the Civic-based ILX sedan coming in at the bottom C/D see the permutations of either sedan being pruned, even though, like us, they find it less believable that the solid-selling TL would disappear. It’s posited that the new RL could change its name to TL, but that seems least plausible – after all, Prince already showed us how awful it would be to have to call your sedan “The Model Formerly Known As RL.” More substantial answers will come in New York on April 4. RL soon to be done with Take a look at what’s going on in Toyota News, courtesy of O’brien Auto Group! Be sure to check out O’brien Automotive Group for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new vehicles. //
2012 Avalon Pricing Announced (Nov 8)
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2012 Avalon sedan have been released by Toyota Motor Sales. The 2012 Avalon remains even with the 2011 version, reflecting the 2011 Avalon MSRP. There are also no variations of the specs or costs of the feature packages and options available for the 2012 Avalon. The 2012 Avalon began production on Nov. 7 at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK). The 2012 Avalon carries on the line’s history of a unique combination of understated luxury with full-size spacein two attractive trim levels. The Avalon grade offers a selection of industry leading standard features including a multi-function remote keyless entry, wood-grain style interior trim, leather-trimmed eight-way power driver’s seat, and auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, HomeLink® universal transceiver and an integrated back-up camera (on vehicles without a navigation system). The luxurious Limited model adds a Smart Key System on four doors and trunk with remote illuminated entry function and puddle lamps, a Push Button Start, ventilated and heated front seats with variable heat setting, power rear sunshade with auto return feature, and a JBL Synthesis® AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability and 660 watts of maximum power. The MSRP for the 2012 Avalon does not include the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $ 760. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary. The 2012 Avalon will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships by the middle of December 2011. Model Number 2012 Avalon Trans 2011 MSRP 2012 MSRP 3544 FWD Avalon V6 6AT $33,195 $33,195 3554 FWD Limited V6 6AT $36,435 $36,435 Toyota news courtesy Obrien Toyota, part of the Obrien Auto Group. Call us today at 1-877-5-Obrien! //
Toyota trucks set record crossing South Pole
The Latest Toyota News courtesy of O’brien Auto Group. Be sure to check out O’brien Automotive Group for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new vehicles! There’s a new Guinness world record for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole. Two modified Toyota Hilux trucks made the trip in December 2010, travelling 1,434 miles across the Antarctic High Plateau in 108 hours. The drivers faced extreme conditions, averaging just over 13 miles per hour while reaching altitudes of over 10,000 feet above sea level. The team and included four members: Konstantin Orlov and Stanislav Makarenko from KNGS, Andrey Myller from TAC, and Hlynur Sigurdsson from Arctic Trucks – the off-road tuning company that built the vehicles. The expedition was organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society and The Antarctica Company. Arctic Trucks used 3-liter, 170-horsepower turbodiesel Hiluxes for the expedition build. The trucks were equipped to carry an amazing 285 gallons of fuel, 74 in tanks with the balance stored in the bed. The Arctic Trucks Expedition AT44 gets its name from 44×18.5 tires fitted to 15-inch rims and run at tire pressures as low as 2 psi. The 4×4 ice-crawlers have five-speed automatic transmissions with part-time transfer cases and a 2.566:1 low gear. Besides carrying up to 1.3 tons, the trucks are equipped to tow an additional 1.5 tons on a trailer. The heavyweight AT44 checks in at 4,960 pounds and sports a fuel ‘efficiency’ of 5 mpg in the Antarctic snow. //
Toyota Preparing for the Le Mans in 2012
Toyota has announced that it is returning to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile’s World Endurance Championship in 2012. it will participate in several races with a prototype”LMP1″ car featuring a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Further details of the participation, such as team name, drivers and participating races, will be disclosed soon. We are hoping the experience will lead to exciting future models under the Prius range. The last time Toyota competed in Le Mans racing was in 1999, just before switching its focus from GT-One focus to Formula One. We don’t expect Toyota’s new LMP1 racer to have anything in common with the GT-One, never finished a full race it was powered by a 600-horsepower 3.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. There is no question, however that is was fast. There are hopes that this generation will be more consistant. Take a look at what’s going on in Toyota News, courtesy of O’brien Auto Group and ToyotaBloggers.com! Be sure to check out O’brien Automotive Group for all of the newest incentives on the exciting new vehicles. Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Toyota, Racing //
Acura presents luxurious 2012 model RL
Acura has issued a press release that should have fans excited about the 2012 RL luxury sedan. Come by Acura of Seattle when they hit showrooms to check them out! Acura touts the RL’s state of the art luxury, performance, and style, along with uncompromised safety. Technology is a big keyword relative to all of these components. “The RL continues to set the benchmark for the innovative use of customer-relevant technology,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “There aren’t many cars at any price that offer more advanced technology or drive system sophistication.” There are three RLs to choose from: the base RL, RL with Tewchnology Package, and RL with Advance Package. Under the hood, all RLs sport a 3.7 liter VTEC V-6 with a Sequential Sport shift 6 speed automatic transmition. The engine delivers 300hp and 271 ft-lb of torque. On the inside, the RL sets the standard for luxury with its leather trimmed interior, Bose surround sound system, power seats & windows, and a bevy of technological features including the Acura Navigation System, Real-Time weather, rear-view backup camera, and ventilated front seats, just to name a few. Click here for the full press release, and call the O’Brien Auto Group at 877-562-7436 to test drive your new vehicle today! //
TV Commercials
2008 Lexus ES350
The 2008 Lexus ES 350 is largely unchanged. The ES remains essentially a luxury version of the Toyota Camry; Lexus is Toyota’s premium division. The ES 350 is powered by a 272-hp 3.5-liter V6. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, rear side airbags, and front knee airbags.... [Read more...]
Pure Price
Why Haggle? Scion is unique because both the products and buying process are designed to create a whole new culture that will change the consumer’s car buying experience. At Scion we respect your time by creating a simple, straightforward, easy to understand approach called “Pure Price”. Scion’s “Pure Price” purchase experience means no haggle, no hassle. The price... [Read more...]
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280
Browse our Mercedes Inventory!!! Introduced nearly a decade ago as an answer to its European rivals in the luxury small roadster segment, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class was the first modern vehicle to popularize the use of a power-retractable convertible top made out of steel panels rather than the more traditional fabric soft top. Though more complex and bulky, a convertible hardtop design provides... [Read more...]
2008 Infiniti G37S S Sport
Browse our Infiniti Inventory!! That sound. That intoxicating sound. I don’t know how Nissan/Infiniti engineers manage to make their V6 sound so good, but the fat twin pipes bellow a pure mechanical sound that’s like nothing else out there. Dare I say, but I think it tops greats like BMW’s M3. If Infiniti’s sales staff took potential purchasers on a test drive route that featured any sort... [Read more...]
2004 Audi A8 L
A dream car. Excellent pick up, great MMI, really simple to use, very few steps to do anything important (i.e. radio, heated seats etc.). Spacious like you wouldn’t believe. Great handling, fun to drive. Highly recommended, but you do have to expect issues when you buy German. Favorite Features MMI works great, for me anyways. Nice stereo, heated/cooled seats, space, driving feel and acceleration.... [Read more...]
2008 Acura MDX Sport RES AWD
* Truly inspired handling * Bold interior and exterior styling * Smooth, refined drivetrain * Awesome DVD based multi-channel audio/video system Interior When I first sat down in the driver’s seat of the MDX, it felt more like sitting in a cockpit than getting behind the wheel of a car, with the front seats fully separated from each other by a continuous center console. There are buttons, knobs,... [Read more...]
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE
The Range Rover gets new engines and transmissions for 2006, improving on what remains the ultimate luxury sport-utility. This top-of-the-line Land Rover offers authentic all-terrain capability combined with a beautiful European-flavor cabin and the latest in safety features. Driving it makes you feel good. It’s smooth and poised on the road and makes its occupants feel classy and sophisticated.... [Read more...]
