I think we'll still recognize you! :-D
On an unrelated note, it looks like I'll be down at ABCC October 17th. Hope to possibly be shaking down some new iron!?!?:shrug:
Maybe I'll see you there as well?!! :thumbsup:
Northwoods Shelby Club @ Road America on August 15-17, 2008
- Thread starter Pur Juic
- Start date
I think we'll still recognize you! :-D
On an unrelated note, it looks like I'll be down at ABCC October 17th. Hope to possibly be shaking down some new iron!?!?:shrug:
Maybe I'll see you there as well?!! :thumbsup:
I will mark my calendar and be sure to give you a guided tour to save you a second or two. :burnout:
I think if we were all of a sudden real nice to the Corvette guys, they'd suspect something was up!??! We wouldn't want that! ;-)
oke::-D:coolman:
Did you guys see this?
I actually think it would be great. They certainly need to do something.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Ford, GM explore joint engines
Ailing automakers look to save costs of developing powertrains
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are discussing a possible collaboration to develop new engines and other powertrain technologies, according to sources at both companies.
The rival automakers are keen to find ways to reduce research-and-development costs even as they struggle to respond to a dramatic shift in consumer demand from big trucks and sport utility vehicles toward smaller, more economical cars and crossovers.
A deal could give Ford access to GM's Volt technology -- if it becomes commercially viable. It could also help GM offset cuts to its product development budget.
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GM first approached Ford more than a month ago, two sources familiar with the situation said. GM told Ford that it was willing to discuss a wide range of possible collaborations.
GM's overture drew a mixed reaction inside Ford. Some executives felt that previous joint projects had benefited GM more than they had Ford, but others -- including Ford's global product development chief, Derrick Kuzak -- saw it as an opportunity to leverage some of GM's technology while at the same time reducing Ford's own development costs.
The matter went to Ford's board of directors last month, which voted to authorize negotiations with GM.
Since then, there have been at least three meetings between the two companies involving Barb Samardzich, Ford's head of powertrain operations, and her counterpart at GM. No agreements have been reached, but the talks were characterized as promising.
Neither company would confirm or deny the reports. GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said his company does "not comment on speculation about future products or product development."
Ford spokesman Said Deep said Ford is concentrating on bringing its fuel-efficient European platforms to North America, but did not rule out working with another manufacturer.
"Our focus and greatest opportunity is to create 'One Ford,' and we're doing that leveraging our own global assets," he said. "(But) we're always open to talking to others in the industry. Beyond that, we're not going to comment."
Success worth replicating
Powertrains are the logical focus of any collaboration, say insiders in both companies.
Engines and transmissions represent a huge portion of the development cost of a new car or truck, yet they are not immediately obvious to the consumer in the way that a new navigation system or body design is. Developing an entirely new engine can cost $1 billion. Splitting those costs with another car company can save an automaker $500 million. A new transmission can easily cost $800 million -- or $400 million if the development costs are split.
Moreover, the onboard computers that control these components have a lot to do with how they operate, controlling things like shift timing and acceleration. Each automaker could create distinctive driving experiences using the same underlying components.
Such a move would not be unprecedented.
Ford and GM successfully collaborated on the development of a fuel-saving six-speed transmission that is rapidly becoming the backbone of both companies' powertrain lineup. Kuzak has pointed to the success of that program internally as something worth replicating.
Word of a possible collaboration between GM and Ford came as little surprise to analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP. Following the completion of the six-speed transmission tie-up two years ago, he gave GM CEO Rick Wagoner and other senior executives a presentation demonstrating the benefits of working with Ford on other powertrain technologies. He remains convinced that it represents a real opportunity for both companies to control research-and-development costs while accelerating the introduction of new, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.
"The transmission deal has worked well for both companies," Hall said. "I told them, 'Don't stop there.'"
He said GM is ahead of Ford on four-cylinder engine development, but added that GM could learn a lot from Ford about combining turbo-charging and direct injection -- the technologies behind its EcoBoost technology, which promises to deliver more power and better fuel economy.
Electric technology useful
Then there is Volt, GM's promised vehicle that runs primarily on electricity.
While it remains to be seen whether GM will succeed in bringing it to market, Ford is reportedly keen on getting access to the technology if it does. And Hall said that is something GM should welcome.
"I would think that would be part of it and, if GM is smart, they will proliferate Volt technology," he said.
Doing so would provide GM with much needed revenue while at the same time reducing its own piece-cost for Volt components. It would be a way for GM to create economies of scale not possible with its own products alone, and would ultimately reduce the cost of such technology for consumers.
"Ford has more experience in getting the costs down, and that could really help GM," Hall said.
You can reach Bryce Hoffman at (313) 222-2443 or [email protected]
I agree that it would be good for both companies........they need help otherwise they both could be history. It is good to see that they are finally looking to get their heads out of their a$$ and recognizing the problem and possibly doing something about it.
I'm all for it if it's going to slow the Corvettes down and speed up the Mustangs!?! ;-)oke:
oke:I'm all for it if it's going to slow the Corvettes down and speed up the Mustangs!?! ;-)
Ha!
Imagine the Hatfield's and McCoy's getting along. :sleeping:
or.....the Bears and Packers merging.....how would we ever hassle each other?
Have you ever heard of peace and harmony, living happily ever after, etc.?:bash: :nono:
oke: :shrug:
Mike! I heard from Dar and Clay (they stopped by the NASA event last weekend) that you were going to be there. You and Bruce can wrestle for the honors this year. I was at ACC 2 weeks ago for the NASA race. Also did the full course the Friday prior.
Speaking of NASA - guess who showed up? "THE GROTH DUDE"! Came out of retirement to win both races. It was really cool to see him again. BTW, the Panoz finished the 3 hour enduro - and ran ALL the Sat/Sun races as well! Kudos to Ted for doing an unbelieveable job. Now if I could only convince him to let me bring the car to the SNW event....:whine:
Speaking of NASA - guess who showed up? "THE GROTH DUDE"! Came out of retirement to win both races. It was really cool to see him again. BTW, the Panoz finished the 3 hour enduro - and ran ALL the Sat/Sun races as well! Kudos to Ted for doing an unbelieveable job. Now if I could only convince him to let me bring the car to the SNW event....:whine:
Fred,
I haven't been driving for about a month. I would have come out and had you over to the garage (corner unit with red stripes on North Track) and caught up with you.
As far as wrestling for honor's....are you not running?
Also as long as you brought it up........
Let it be known that you clearly were the best driver last year, I don't care what the times said! :thumbsup:
I'd love to chase you around again.
Mike :beer:
Clutchdumper said:
I actually wondered if I might run into you at either the Friday member's day or during the weekend. I wish my spring/summer wasn't so hectic so I would have had time to contact you.
Clutchdumper said:
The optimistic answer is "questionable"; the pessimistic answer is "doubtful". Is the glass half full or half empty???
Clutchdumper said:
I appreciate the compliment, though it's not necessarily true. I have a lot of experience at RA and on that day my car was better than some others who are probably better drivers than me. Having said that, I was very satisfied with my performance last weekend despite minor car issues. On Sunday I ran 9 consecutive laps between 2:33-2:34.5, until catching traffic. Saturday was much the same. I love the people at OT events, but I have come to appreciate the huge "on track" difference between OT and racing. For pure thrills and challenge, I AM definitely hooked on racing!
It would be a very short chase. Bruce is your challenge this year.Cltuchdumper said:
:burnout:
C'mon Fred, get it straight! It's "The Gorth Dude"!!!!!! ;-)
oke:Mike:
You're going to get rusty doing that! Remember what Neil Young said; "Rust never sleeps"!!! :-D
Well, let me be the first to say, let's hope the glass is half full!! :beer:
Until I have a real car I can race, I will pass on the racing part of it. I like the way NASA treats their racers. I hate the way they treat people on the way up! :fart:
I've seen what racing has done to people in both circle track dirt, asphalt and road racing. Unless you're stupid rich, retired, can hire a crew and have all of the time in the world on your hands, it's eventually going to bite you in the ass!
That's the part I hate! :whine:Fred, don't disappoint me! You better be there with the car! :dancenana: We have our annual run for the roses that happens every year for the last four or five years. Although I'm sorry I wasn't much competition early on. I'm a slow learner! :cryying:
:thumbsup: :coolman: :beer:
Is your car not ready or are you not coming?
Fred fair enough! You were the better driver in terms of extrapolating time vs. equipment.
I'm with you. My tranny went out in my SCCA T1 car and I haven't raced in over 6 weeks. My fastest laps are always when I'm chasing a rabbit.
:uh oh:
Believe me I feel rusty.
I will be at RA a few day before Northwoods so I'll have no excuses.
I'm hoping my in-car camera system is working.....maybe we can film each other. :lol:
What? As in you spanking me like a redheaded stepchild!?! :cryying:
We did that routine last year!!! :-D
Not quite, I was spanked by all you guys until some of my very last laps.
What type of speeds do you faster guys see on the front straight? I found the top of 4th gear last year at the start/finish flag-stand but once I shifted to 5th I was done....too much aero drag for overdrive to pull. I don't think I saw over 165. With the sequential that issue should be solved.
Not quite, I was spanked by all you guys until some of my very last laps.
Mike, the last laps are the ones most vivid in my memory! ;-)
To tell you the truth, between all of the different size tires I run, my speedo isn't very accurate. And I normally don't have a lot of time to look at a speedo. But if I had to guess it would be right about or just a tick over a buck 50. :shrug:
Didn't you guys know that NW Shelby has new rules this year for C6R Corvettes, passing only allowed between 6 & 7 and 8 & 9. All other Corvettes have open passing in the unlikely event that they would need to pass. :thumbsup:
That's mighty generous! :rockon:
You sure you don't want to limit it between just 5 & 6?
With gas prices where they are I think drafting may be the smarter move this year. Which big square box can I follow? :lol1:
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That's mighty generous! :rockon:
You sure you don't want to limit it between just 5 & 6?
With gas prices where they are I think drafting may be the smarter move this year. Which big square box can I follow? :lol1:
Mike:
That 5-6 straight would be way too easy for you. Feel free to draft my square box, I am so busy wrestling 3500# around I rarely have time to look in my mirrors :-D
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