ON THE TABLE - JANUARY 29, 2014

  VW dealers. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Michael Horn, the new CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told VW dealers at the NADA that the German executives back at VW headquarters have finally gotten religion and are listening to their concerns, comments, etc. And that they're making changes to accommodate and respond to those concerns. And VW dealers can now all be excused if you collectively say, "Yeah, right. Tell us something that we haven't heard before." That the relentlessly clueless and tone-deaf VW executive overlords only intermittently understand what the hell is going on in the U.S. market is well documented. They're inveterate bumblers who have squandered in most cases an excellent, even outstanding, line of products. As a matter of fact, few in this business have done less with more than the VW marketing executives charged with "managing" the U.S. market. Yes, sure, in this new push VW executives will go out of their way to say and do all the right things, but inevitably they will return to their default setting, which is to perpetuate mediocrity in everything they come in contact with. And that's not apt to change anytime soon, because after all these years they still don't get it. And so it goes. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: The official new name of the Fiat-Chrysler mashup was announced this morning. Drumroll... It's Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. “In order to establish a true peer to the major global automotive groups, in both scale and capital market appeal, the Board has decided to establish Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., organized in the Netherlands, as the parent company of the Group," the group said in a statement. Given The Great Sergio's pronouncement that "command and control" travels with him, I have no doubt the functioning headquarters will be out in Auburn Hills. - PMD

Editor's Note: Speaking of Super Bowl TV commercials, here's a teaser for a spot Audi will have on the game and the spot itself, "Doberhuahua." And the spot VW will have on the broadcast, "Wings." And the Super Bowl spot from Jaguar. And Kia. And Chevy Silverado HD. - WG