F or female Ford Motor Co. lovers looking for a way to express their fondness for the automaker, Target Corp. is stocking the perfect T-shirt. Now available at the retailer is a $9.99 faded graphic T-shirt with the words “My boyfriend bought me a Ford.”
The struggling automaker could no doubt benefit from a little free advertising.
But “Buy American” buffs best not look at the tag. Production of the 100-percent cotton T-shirts was outsourced to Guatemala.
And now this, from China
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit seems a long way off during the dog days of summer, but people may want to start preparing now for more hoopla than normal. The NAIAS turns 100 in January.
Sure to be a memorable event, organizers have already started touting the show, and conceiving memorabilia to represent the centenarian with elegance.
Recently, Business Insider got a hold of a set of official NAIAS coasters. Engraved with 1907 and 2007 across it, the heavy golden coasters exude quality. The hint of faux leather gave them the final touch of the sophistication and craftsmanship needed to properly represent Detroit and the American auto industry.
Turn them over and a small sticker on the non-slip cork backing seemed to represent something else: “Made in China.” Prophetic? Or just a good price?
The grass wasn't that green
What's that they say about the “best-laid plans?”
Detroit Regional Chamber President Dick Blouse had one foot out the door — and so did several of his loyal lieutenants — when the departing general performed an about face.
He wouldn't, after all, relinquish his sinecure to become the new head of Axiolog Americas, a Detroit subsidiary of Axiolog International GmbH of Zurich. He wanted to keep his job.
Biz Insider hears that may not be as seamless as it sounds.
A search committee had already been spending dough looking for a replacement. Chamber insiders were eyeing new jobs, including newly promoted COO Tammy Carnrike, who was considered a viable internal candidate.
And stressed civic groups, each working on their own strategic plans even as they were trying to coordinate a grand plan with the turf-conscious Blouse, were anticipating fresh blood atop the chamber.
But no. Officially Blouse says he “reflected” and “decided what I really wanted to do is finish my career at the chamber.”
Perhaps. Biz Insider can't help but wonder if the chief executive of southeast Michigan's largest business group miscalculated with Axiolog's major domo and prevailed upon Chamber Chairman Dennis Archer to let him stay. We also wonder if anyone will refund the chamber money spent on the aborted search. Wouldn't bet on it.
