http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1091
GM has replaced the head of its mass-market Chevrolet brand as the management shake-up continues at the top US automaker.
Brent Dewar, a 31-year GM veteran, will retire in April 2010 and serve out the remainder of his career as an adviser to the newly appointed head of North American operations, Mark Reuss.
Dewar, who had introduced fuel-efficient GM models at last week's Los Angeles auto show, will be replaced immediately as head of Chevrolet by James Campbell, a 45-year-old executive who had previously headed Chevrolet's fleet sales operations.
The change comes at a time of tumult in GM's executive ranks as executives who devoted a full career to the Detroit-based automaker find themselves being shown the door.
Crucial appointment
The Chevrolet appointment is especially crucial because GM expects the brand to carry the burden of driving sales and market share as it sheds Hummer, Saab, Saturn and Pontiac.
Dewar, who previously headed GM sales in Europe, had been appointed to lead Chevrolet in July as the automaker emerged from bankruptcy after taking $50 billion in government aid.
Dewar had been appointed by former GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson, who resigned last week in a split with the automaker's board led by Ed Whitacre.
The Obama administration dismissed Henderson's predecessor, Rick Wagoner, in March after he resisted calls to consider a restructuring in bankruptcy.
Henderson had vowed to shake up GM's insular and slow-moving decision-making process, but resigned after eight months on the job when the automaker's board decided to push for faster changes under new leadership.
GM Chairman Whitacre, who also became acting chief executive with Henderson's departure, said this week that the new team of GM executives would not have long to show results.
The automaker is on the verge of hiring a new chief financial officer, Whitacre said this week.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Königseder Presents Audi A5 / S5 Styling Kit
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1092
German tuners Königseder have designed a new set of styling modifications for the Audi A5 and S5. The car comes out looking more aggressive on the outside, but a bit more awkward on the inside.
A new front bumper for either A5 or S5 with better integrated fog lights is only part of the changes. The side sills look a bit too much towards the back for this car, but it does match up with the front extension well. At back, the new rear extension easily integrates the quad-pipes.
However, it is the wood floor mats that seem silly. The new mats really do not fit in with the car's interior.
Included are Brembo GT brakes, Felgen coil springs, and coilovers. The Königseder A5 and Königseder S5 is also available with Competec 20-inch wheels.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxpayers cough up for Cayenne
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1093
A deputy minister has bought herself a Porsche as her official vehicle, but Richard Baloyi, minister of public service and administration, insists no rules have been broken.
On Thursday it came to light that Hlengiwe Mkhize, deputy minister of correctional services, has bought herself a brand-new Porsche Cayenne as her official vehicle.
Taxpayers shelled out R760 000 for this luxury speedster, including accessories such as cruise control.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the minister of correctional services, said in answer to a question from the DA in Parliament, that she has bought a Lexus LS460 worth R970 000.
Baloyi couldn't understand why the DA MPs continued to pose questions regarding expensive official vehicles, since the Cabinet has already "settled" the matter on various occasions.
'Used for state duties'
According to a statement, the minister is concerned about opposition MPs' stubbornness regarding the matter.
"Official vehicles don't belong to the ministers. They are and remain state property, and simply serve as a tool used by ministers to fulfil their duties," said Baloyi.
He continued along the same vein, stating that the ministerial manual entitles each minister to buy two vehicles - one for Cape Town and one for Pretoria. The price of the vehicle may not exceed 70% of the minister's annual compensation package.
This package is worth over R1.7m.
"MPs must understand that no minister has broken the rules," said Baloyi.
On Thursday Athol Trollip, the DA's parliamentary leader, said he's got bad news for Baloyi.
"I don't care if we annoy him. The questions won't stop. We'll carry on until each minister and his or her deputy have answered which vehicles they've bought."
Cheaper tools
According to the DA's calculations, the new government has spent over R320m on official vehicles and parties over the past seven months.
Trollip believes the rules justifying such extravagant expenses must be revised.
"Why can some ministers get along fine with cheaper 'tools', while others are satisfied with nothing less than the most expensive?"
On Thursday Dumisani Nkwamba, Baloyi's spokesperson, said the revision of the ministerial manual will be completed by next week. The concept document will be published early next year in order to allow for public commentary.
He denied that Baloyi is trying to undermine the MPs' responsibility to hold the executive authority accountable by expressing his annoyance over their questions.
"No, the minister respects the right of members of parliament to ask any question," said Nkwamba.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment