Restored 1962 Porsche 356b T-6 Super 90 Coupe on 2040-cars

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Automakers paying Chinese dealers for lower-than-expected sales

The Chinese dealers vs. foreign manufacturers story won't quit. It began with a story on the struggles faced by FAW-Toyota joint venture dealers, with supposedly 95 percent of the showrooms losing money, and 10 percent of them doing so poorly that they'd have to exit the business. The problem is mandated sales targets, most set when the country's economy was racing. Now that things have slowed, China's dealers are swimming in unsold cars and the costs to keep them. In the case of FAW-Toyota, dealers asked Toyota to hand over 2.2 billion yuan ($355 million) to help address the situation. That was followed by a report noting the issues that Honda, BMW, and Nissan dealers are having with the same issue, revealing that the Chinese Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) had taken the highly unusual step of writing to the Chinese government to complain. Now Reuters reports that CADA is not only pressing its case even harder, it's being open about it: it announced that BMW agreed to pay dealers 5.1 billion yuan ($820 million) to alleviate poor profits last year. Unnamed sources said Audi has thrown 2 billion yuan into the kitty for subsidies, and Daimler has contributed "about 1 billion yuan" to its dealers. The battle isn't just about 2014, but how business will be run in 2015 as well: Chinese Porsche dealers have requested the automaker lower its 2015 target of 64,000 cars, which would be a 40-percent increase on its 2014 sales of 46,931 vehicles. One analyst called it "shocking" that the CADA has taken its fight public, while CADA comments continue to imply that dealers have been railroaded to the cliff's edge without recourse. "Due to the difference in status," it's deputy secretary said, "individual dealers are not willing to, or don't dare to, talk frankly with the carmakers...." Both parties need one another, so they'll figure out a way to make it work – but that could mean acknowledging the Chinese market is behaving more like a mature one, not an emerging one. News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Earnings/Financials Audi BMW Porsche Toyota Car Dealers Luxury

Shanghai debuts, Jeep's new Rubicon anniversary rigs | Autoblog Podcast # 777

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Byron Hurd for a recap of the past week's worldwide debuts along with some updates from their recent adventures. They start off discussing the rumors of a new Ford Mustang Raptor and what that means in the context of previous rumors of a Corvette SUV. Then it's time to talk Shanghai, where Polestar, Buick, Volkswagen, Porsche and Lincoln all had big reveals. After that, they segue to Byron's trip to Moab for the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari preview where he drove the AEV Level II Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition. From there, they reminisce about Mustangs in a nod to the nameplate's 59th anniversary, after which they stick to the theme with a sub-$15,000 RWD used-car discussion. Is there anything worth buying in this price bracket in today's economy? Autoblog Podcast # 777 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown ShanghaiPolestar 4 is a Polestar without a rear window 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuts with big redesign, new hybrid option Volkswagen ID.7 fully revealed as VW's sleek and spacious flagship electric sedan 2024 Porsche Cayenne gets more power, screens, equipment 2024 Buick Envista revealed as a good-looking, quite-affordable crossover 'coupe' News Ford Mustang Raptor off-road coupe rumored for 2026 2025 Chevy Corvette SUV said to start with ICE power, not be EV-only What we're driving 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition: On the trail to six figures 2023 Easter Jeep Safari: The search for the missing pink Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: Podcasts Rumormill Auto Shanghai Buick Chevrolet Jeep Porsche Volkswagen Crossover SUV Concept Cars Electric Future Vehicles Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance Sedan Polestar

What's the deal with all these Porsches Seinfeld is selling?

In case you haven't been able to tell from watching Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld is as fanatical about automobiles as he is about comedy. The man has one of the most enviable Porsche collections in the world. But now he's preparing to auction off a significant share of them, and Gooding & Company, the auction house handling the sale, has just released the full list. We got our first look at some of them a couple of weeks ago, including a 550 Spyder, a 356 Speedster, and a 911 IROC RSR – all of them valued in the millions. But that's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Other Porsches from the Seinfeld collection set to cross the auction block include a 917/30 Can-Am Spyder, a 718 RSK, a Carrera GT prototype and a 962C racer. There are old and new 911s aplenty, a handful of 356s, even a 597 Jagdwagen and a couple of 1960s VWs thrown in for good measure. You can scope out the full list in the press release below and view some of them in the gallery above. And if you have the funds and the inclination, Amelia Island will be the place to be next month. Here's hoping it all works out better for the proud new owners than that time George thought he had bought Jon Voight's Chrysler LeBaron. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Gooding & Company Reveals the Complete List of Collector Cars To Be Offered from Jerry Seinfeld's Collection at the Amelia Island Auction Porsche Highlights from Jerry Seinfeld's Collection Include the 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder and the 1959 Porsche 718 RSK SANTA MONICA, Calif. (February 5, 2016) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars, is honored to announce the full selection of consignments from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection to be sold at the Amelia Island Auction on March 11, 2016. Enthusiasts and collectors will not want to miss this historic event as these superb examples cross the auction block. "Mr. Seinfeld is recognized throughout the world as having acquired one of the finest Porsche collections ever assembled," said David Gooding, President and Founder of Gooding & Company. "He has become known as the definitive Porsche connoisseur based on his passion and devotion to the marque. We at Gooding & Company share his reverence for Porsche and are proud to offer these truly incredible examples.