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We're so used to hearing that either GM, Ford or Chrysler will be laying off a chunk of its workforce that it demands a double-take when another automaker announces cuts. Today BMW has announced that it will cut thousands of jobs in 2008, with some outlets reporting up to 8,000 workers will get the axe. A spokesman for BMW revealed that most of the jobs lost would be in Germany and those leaving the company would predominantly be temporary workers. If the final number does reach 8,000 employees, that means BMW will shed 8% of its global workforce that currently stands at 108,000 employees. The layoffs are, of course, a cost-cutting measure to improve profits, which will likely be down in 2007 compared to the year before because BMW is spending more money than it expected on new models, new technology research and the raw cost of materials it needs to build its Ultimate Driving Machines. Though the news will be painful to hear for the workers that lose their jobs, it came as sweet music to the ears of investors who are currently pushing up the price of BMW shares.

Source: autoblog.com

Audi will be using the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit to show off a ‘stunning’ new concept car. The German luxury brand also plans to have a world premiere of a new model. Both these cars will be unveiled during Audi’s press conference at the show, which will be broadcast worldwide.

While Audi has provided no indication as to what each car will be, it is believed that the concept will be based on the R8. According to our previous report, Audi expects to release a V10-powered R8 (possibly known as the RS8) around September next year, and a preview of this would certainly help in allocating quite a few cars before they’ve even gotten off the production line. However with a R8 convertible set for 2009, it could be either one.

As for the other car, a facelifted A3 is due to be available in June 2008, making it most likely that this will be Audi’s world premiere model.

Source: motorauthority.com

The car is one of the most fascinating devices that a person can own. Cars are also one of the most pervasive devices, with a typical American family owning two cars.

A car contains dozens of different technologies. Everything from the engine to the tires is its own special universe of design and engineering. Therefore, we have dozens of different articles at HowStuffWorks that explain all the intricacies of our cars.

Here are some of the highlights.>>>

Source: auto.howstuffworks.com

The next 7-Series could say goodbye to its current bluff-sided barge proportions. According to the latest renderings, a lower, wider, larger car swoops up from a front that takes cues from the CS concept to a rear in which there are no remaining traces of the Bangle Butt.

We have always been fans of the 7-Series, and would greatly welcome a return to elegance -- even if it's the brutish elegance of this rendering. We would also welcome a new interior, and word is that it will be equally redone. And that (pesky) iDrive? The annoying knob will be made ever more user friendly we're told, which shouldn't be too difficult considering the starting point. It appears the last user friendly upgrade to the iDrive wasn't as friendly as BMW thought. This time it will also get Google Maps and iPhone connectivity. Intriguingly, the gear shift could return to the center console instead of being on the steering column stalk.

Engines will start out at 3.0 liters (probably gas and diesel variants, but still not for the States, most likely), jump to a V8 with a 47-HP boost over the current model, and top out at an even more powerful 6.0-liter V12. Expect the car to debut next year as a 2009 model, so we should see its debut at an auto show early in the season.

Source: Autoblog.com

Following in the fine tradition set by the likes of Lowes Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) and the DTE Energy Music Theater (formerly Pine Knob), Holiday Cheer now has an official name sponsor. For this season of merriment, Toyota has signed on as the official sponsor of good will during the holidays. The $30 million deal will include promotions of the season's first snow fall and 15-second Toyota pre-roll ads before visions of sugar plum fairies start dancing in your head. Toyota will also be mailing out 100 million greeting cards as part of the program. If Toyota Presents: Yuletide Spirit proves to be successful in boosting holiday sales of Toyota vehicles, the automaker may continue the sponsorship of all things merry and anything ending with the suffix -nog in future years.

Source: Autoblog.com