ON THE TABLE - JUNE 5, 2013

Dan Akerson. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Daniel Howes reports in The Detroit News that the renovated 39th floor in Tower 300 of GM's Renaissance Center headquarters has been radically altered because Captain Queeg wanted a different working environment. The four office suites, each complete with a full private bath with shower, have been removed. Instead, GM's top 10 executives (soon to be 12) will work in a more open environment designed "to bridge silos, build a team and change the way the company operates," according to Howes. "I came to work, not to shower," Akerson told Howes. "Here it's a little harder to do passive-aggressive behavior — give you a nod, walk out and ignore you. I don't think you can be too removed from what's going on. You've got to be part of the sausage being made." Oh, really? You have to be fucking kidding me. The king of passive-aggressive behavior thinks all will be sweetness and light now because he's created a bullpen for his top execs? This guy's power of delusion never ceases to amaze me. What's really going to happen with this new arrangement? Akerson's patented King Prick behavior will now have a collective audience so that his top execs can all revel in his put-downs, snide comments and relentless boorishness that he insists are a necessary part of his "tough CEO" M.O. And being part of the sausage being made? What a complete joke. Remember, Akerson was the guy who pushed for an early intro of the Malibu, the car that just had to be revised because it's dead in the water in the market. He wouldn't know how the sausage is made if he got smacked in the forehead with a 400 lb. bratwurst. This is what it has come down to for GM, folks. You have a group of top executives who are just counting the days for this miserable excuse of a "leader" to take his leave. Right now, that's one year from now. But if the most incompetent Board of Directors in corporate America extends this empty suit's tenure, watch for wholesale defections at the top of the company. Yes, that's right, you just can't make this shit up. - PMD

Fiat-Chrysler. They actually had the stones to tell NHTSA "no" regarding the recall of 2.7 million older Jeep models that had their fuel tanks behind the rear axle. Good for them.

GM. Nathan Bomey of the Detroit Free Press reports that GM's Mary Chan says GM is in discussions with AT&T about how to bill owners for 4G LTE when it becomes available on 2015 MY vehicles. Oh joy.

Whole Foods. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The touchy-feely grocery empire is opening a store in Detroit today, but not without lecturing the collective poor souls in the city about what Whole Foods can do for them and how life will be much better now since we've all been deprived of their social goodness for so long. Memo to the Whole Foods brain trust: Here's an idea, shut the fuck up and confine your comments to your area of expertise, which is, the last time we checked, the grocery business. And then take your social commentary and shove it up your soy-encrusted asses. Over and out. - PMD

(Chevrolet)
LS3 6.2L small-block V-8, 415 horsepower (310 kW) and 415 lb-ft of torque (563 Nm). Zero to 60 mph in about five seconds. All this for $44,470, including a $995 destination charge. For fans of rear-wheel-drive and V8 power and especially for those who need a little extra room, the 2014 Chevrolet SS sports sedan might just be the ticket. The only options? A power-operated sunroof ($900) and full-size spare tire ($500). Other standard features include a six-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually using TAPshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel; Brembo front brakes, with ventilated, 14-inch (355-mm) two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers; forged aluminum wheels with ultra-high-performance Bridgestone tires (19 x 8.5-inch wheels with 245/40ZR19 tires in front, 19 x 9-inch wheels with 275/35ZR19 tires at the rear); aluminum hood and rear deck lid; 3.27 rear axle ratio and much more. The SS will be available in five exterior colors – Mystic Green, Silver Ice Metallic, Red Hot 2, Phantom Black Metallic and Heron White.  All interiors will be Jet Black and feature sport front bucket seats. The SS will be available in the fall.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Gary Vasilash of Automotive Design & Production sums up last week's episode of Autoline After Hours for us here. Our guest was Jeff Owens, the chief technology officer for Delphi. - PMD

(Images courtesy of Porsche Cars North America)

Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this September with a special anniversary model based on the 911 Carrera S. The anniversary 911 features the wide body, which is typically reserved for the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 models. This special edition will be limited to 1963 cars, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premier. 

The 911 50th Anniversary Edition for the U.S. market will be equipped as standard with a Powerkit, which increases engine performance to 430 hp and includes the Sport Chrono Package.  The 911 50th Anniversary Edition sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (3.8 with PDK) and can reach a top speed of 186 mph (185 with PDK). The limited edition models will be available at Porsche dealers this fall and will be priced from $124,100, not including a $950 destination charge.

Porsche will present the limited edition model in time for the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt, which opens its gates to the public on September 12, 2013. In 1963, Porsche presented the original model - initially called the type 901 - to the public at this leading international show for the automotive industry. Since making its debut in 1963, the model series has progressively developed without interruption. In the process, according to Porsche PR minions, "the unique character of the 911 was always preserved. The result of this evolution over a 50-year period – which included countless race victories as well – is a sports car that fully embodies the authenticity of the Porsche brand. Its DNA is reflected in all Porsche models."

This limited edition of the 911 Carrera S also includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with special tuning to complement its increased track width and to add support to the exceptional cornering dynamics of the 911. Other features include a sport exhaust system and special 20-inch wheels which are an intentional visual tribute to the legendary “Fuchs” wheels and are finished in matte black paint with machine-polished centers.

Chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, the fins of the engine compartment grille and the panel between the rear lights emphasize the distinctive appearance of this limited edition model. Another technical highlight of the car’s equipment is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) with bi-xenon headlights and dynamic cornering lights.

Two unique colors are available for the anniversary 911, a darker graphite grey and a lighter geyser grey metallic (shown). In addition black monochrome is also available. Each of the cars has a two-tone 3D-effect badge on the rear lid with the numbers “911 50”. This is repeated in three color embroidery on the headrest and in two colors as a logo on the tachometer and the aluminum door sill plates. It can also be found on the cup holder panel together with the limited edition number of the individual vehicle. Other exterior characteristics of the special model are high-gloss window frames and sport design exterior mirrors on the doors panels.

There are tributes to the original 911 in the interior as well: green labeling on the instruments with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins, similar to the original 901 50 years ago. Another special feature is the center panels of the leather seats, which are designed with a fabric pattern reminiscent of the “Pepita” tartan design from the 1960s. The full-leather interior is designed in agate grey or black with decorative stitching, some in contrasting color.

(Images courtesy of Toyota)
Toyota says its new Corolla is "stunning" - it says so right in the press release. Let us be the judge of that. How about "better," "more contemporary" or "not bad" but stunning? Ugh. At any rate, the 11th Generation 2014 Corolla, will, according to Toyota PR boffins, "elevate the consumer’s experience for the world’s most popular sedan with modern, expressive styling, a more premium interior experience, improved fuel economy and performance, and a strong menu of available features." Improved efficiency comes via the available 7-speed CVTi-S and available Corolla LE Eco trim level that targets over 40 mpg estimated highway fuel economy rating.