Toyota, Mercedes, BMW retain top auto brand values, report says

DETROIT -- Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW retained their ranking among the world’s top 15 global brands, while Volkswagen and Nissan made the biggest gains among automotive marques in an annual survey.
Toyota kept its status as No. 11 on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands Report, with a value of $27.8 billion, up 6 percent from 2010.
The values in the survey are determined by the brand’s financial performance, the role of the brand, and the brand’s strength, Interbrand said. The survey ranks the top 100 brands, and this year 11 automaker brands made the cut.
“Responding to recalls and publicized safety concerns in 2010, Toyota focused on quality and safety,” the Interbrand report said. “Changing its leadership structure and creating a new internal reporting system are two measures that should help restore its reputation for outstanding quality control.”
Mercedes followed Toyota at No. 12 with a value of $27.4 billion, up 9 percent from 2010. BMW came in at No. 15 with a value of $24.5 billion, up 10 percent. Both Mercedes and BMW retained the same rankings from 2010.
Honda gained a spot and finished 19th, with a value of $19.4 billion, up 5 percent.
Volkswagen rose six notches, to No. 47, while VW’s Audi luxury brand (59) and Hyundai (61) each climbed four spots. Ford retained its No. 50 ranking and Porsche remained steady at No. 72.
Nissan joined the list at No. 90 this year with a value of $3.8 billion.
“After becoming the number two Japanese car manufacturer measured by sales in 2010, Nissan is charging forward with a strategy that is both visionary and disciplined,” the report said.
Ferrari, a Fiat luxury sports car brand, rounded out the list at No. 99, down from No. 91 in 2010.
The list was again topped by Coca-Cola, the global beverage giant, which continues to gain value as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, Interbrand said.

Source;

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120116/RETAIL03/120119862#ixzz1juyMRil9

Rest in Peace Joe Frazier passes away at 67

Rest in peace Smokin' Joe, my thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Joe Frazier, who, in my opinion is one of the best boxers in the history of the game.... all heart, larger than life.



(CNN) -- Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier died
Monday, after he was diagnosed with liver cancer, his family said in a
statement.
Frazier was 67.
He fought fellow boxing legend Muhammad Ali three times, including the famous
"Thrilla in Manila" fight in 1975.
"He's a true gentleman," personal and business manager Leslie Wolff said
Saturday//November 5/// when confirming Frazier's illness. "Along with Muhammad
Ali, (he is) one of the two most recognizable athletes in the world."
Fans and well-wishers were encouraged to post their thoughts and prayers on a
Facebook page at joefrazierscorner.com.
"Thank you for being such a class act," read a Facebook post written before
the champ's death. "I grew up watching boxing with my dad and you were at the
top of our list of exceptional fighters who were also great people."
Frazier, nicknamed "Smokin' Joe," used his devastating left hook with
impunity during his professional career, retiring in 1976 with a 32-4-1 record
and staging one last comeback fight in 1981.
The son of a South Carolina sharecropper, Frazier boxed during the glory days
of the heavyweight division, going up against greats George Foreman, Oscar
Bonavena, Joe Bugner and Jimmy Ellis. He made his name by winning a gold medal
for the United States at the 1964 Summer Games in Tokyo.
But it was his three much-hyped fights against Ali that helped seal his
legend.
Frazier bested Ali at 1971's "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Garden.
In the 15th round, Frazier landed perhaps the most famous left hook in history,
catching Ali on the jaw and dropping the former champ for a four-count,
according to Frazier's bio at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Frazier
left the ring as the undisputed champ and handed Ali his first professional
loss.
Ali won a 12-round decision in a January 1974 rematch, setting the stage for
the classic "Thrilla in Manila" just outside the Philippine capital in 1975.
Ali took the early rounds, but Frazier rebounded before losing the last five
rounds. By the end of the 14th, Frazier's eyes were nearly swollen shut, and his
corner stopped the bout, according to the biography.
Later, Ali said, "It was the closest I've come to death."
Frazier was a two-time heavyweight champion for nearly three years until he
lost in January 1973 to George Foreman.
He lived in Philadelphia, where he operated a boxing gym for many years.
"I don't mind working with the kids," Frazier told CNN's Don Lemon in 2009.
"The kids is tomorrow. And if we don't do what we're supposed to do for them
now, how are you going (to)expect them to carry on?"
Asked whether he was similar to Rocky Balboa, the title character in the
"Rocky" series, Frazier replied, "Sure. I worked at the slaughterhouse. I'm the
guy that ran in the streets of Philadelphia."

Source;

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/07/sport/joe-frazier-obit/