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CAW Threatens to Strike Detroit's Big 3 Simultaneously if They Don’t Agree on New Contract

The Canadian Auto Workers’ union (CAW) is the largest private sector union in the country with over 200,000 members. On September 5, it announced that it would strike General Motors,Ford and Chrysler, if contract talks do not progress.

This is the first time in its history that the CAW threatens to strike all three Detroit carmakers at the same time. The last strike organized by CAW was in 1996 against GM.

The union announced that all of its members will go on strike, since 99 percent of Chrysler Canada, 98 percent of General Motors of Canada and 97 percent of Ford Canada have voted in favor of the move.

“Our members support their bargaining committees and trust them to negotiate a fair settlement that shares in the success of the companies”, said CAW president Ken Lewenza.

If a deal is not reached by September 17, 11:59 p.m., when the current CAW contracts with the automaker expires then, as a leaflet from the union said, they will “shut down operations at all three”.

In the past, the CAW typically started negotiating with one carmaker, hoping that the other two would follow its lead. This time, though, it has changed its practice something that labor consultant and former GM labor negotiator Art Schwartz says, is “highly unusual”.

That’s because when the union focuses on one company, the threat is that its production will halt while its rivals will keep operating as usual. Schwartz adds that intimidating to strike all three gives them maximum flexibility: “They could strike everybody, but it doesn’t mean they’re going to.”

Ford spokeswoman Lauren More said that the company is “committed to working with CAW” in order “to improve the competitiveness of its Canadian operations”.

Chrysler Canada declined to comment and GM couldn’t be reached, according to Reuters. Nevertheless, all three have said that Canada is the most expensive place in the world to manufacture cars.

The union’s response is that the workers who helped those companies stay alive through the financial crisis should share some of their wealth now that they are profitable.

“The corporations are refusing to add any costs whatsoever”, said the CAW. “Instead, they insist on cutting costs from our existing agreements.”

Ford’s master bargaining committee chairman Gary Beck commented that the companies were putting “far-fetched” offers on the table and are asking for big concessions on the union’s part.

“We have been sitting down with all three companies and no one has taken the initiative to lead”, said Beck. “This will, hopefully, wake them up.”

source :carscoop.blogspot.com/

BMW Celebrates 25 Years of V12s with a Special Edition 760Li Priced at $159,695

In 1987, BMW took a big step towards being a real premium carmaker with the launch of its first ever V12-powered automobile, the 750iL E32, which was followed shortly after by the 850i that offered the first V12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox on a road car.

The 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 unit generated 295hp (300PS) at 5,200 rpm and a peak torque of 450Nm (330 lb·ft) at 4,100 rpm. Ever since, BMW has offered a V12 engine option on its flagship sedan series.

The Bavarian carmaker is now paying homage to the V12's 25th anniversary with the launch of a limited production version of the current 2013MY 760iL named “V-12 25 Years Edition”.

According to BMW, only 15 of these limited edition models will be offered to US customers on a special order basis only, for delivery in early 2013 at a price of $159,695 including destination and handling.

On the outside, all 15 cars are painted in the BMW Individual exterior finish of Citrine Black metallic and ride on bespoke, 20-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels.

Inside, the 25th Anniversary edition is fully trimmed in fine-grained Merino leather upholstery with black piping that's exclusive to this model. Furthermore, the black floor mats and rear footrests are complimented by contrasting piping in Champagne, while the door sills, headrests and iDrive controllers are all specially badged with “V-12 25 Years Edition”.

Other features include a rear seat entertainment with iDrive control, Alcantara headliner in champagne color, A/B/C pillars in black leather, BMW Individual Piano Black Wood trim for the dashboard, doors and steering wheel, a rear parcel shelf in Anthracite Alcantara and Shadowline exterior trim.

The 760iL "V-12 25 Years Edition" is powered by the same 6.0-liter Twin Turbo V12 found on the regular model. It boasts an output of 535 horsepower and peak torque of 550 lb-ft that good enough for a 0-60 mph (96km/h) in 4.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 130 mph (209km/h), which can be increased to 155 mph (250km/h) with the M Sport Package option.

source :  carscoop.blogspot.com

Aston Martin Updates 2013 Vanquish Photo Gallery and Releases First Driving Film

We got our first taste of the 2013 Vanquish a couple of months ago, both online and in the flesh at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but Aston Martin has since made available a renewed photo gallery and the first official dynamic footage in a new promotional film.

The DBS-replacing Vanquish adopts the next generation of Aston Martin's VH bonded aluminium monocoque architecture as well as an upgraded 5.9-litre V12 engine generating 565hp (573PS) and 620Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque.

Aston Martin says that the coupe model is capable of a 0-62 mph (100km/h) time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph (295km/h).

The Vanquish will be available as a 2+2 or 2+0 seater with first deliveries expected to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2012, and in North America early next year.

Prices will start from £189,995 RRP in the UK, US$279,995 MSRP in the States and CA$296,000 in Canada.

source : carscoop.blogspot.com/