Remember the post about the Airbus that was totalled while undergoing final testing? Well, I don't think that original photo showed how bad the damage was. Here's the view from the other side of the wall. Amazing that no one was killed.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Airbus Accident, Follow-Up
You Want Fries With That Bus?
Recently a veggie oil powered bus dropped by our local Whole Foods on an educational mission about eco-friendly lifestyles and products. The bus in question is a 1984 Van Hool tour coach. Mechanics swapped the Van Hool’s old motor for a new, cleaner burning 5.9L Cummins. The bus starts on traditional diesel and after the bus' engine has heated up to 180 degrees (usually about five miles), the driver flips a switch and starts using fry oil. The bus must be warmed up first because they use the waste heat of the engine to warm and thin the oil as it goes through 30 micron and 10 micron filters (if you look at the slide show, you can see the coils wrapped around the filter housings). Before shutting down the bus, the motor is once again switched over to diesel fuel. On average the bus gets just under 10 miles to the gallon. The containers of canola oil that you see in the slide show are used to prime the system.
The bus can clean and prep its own oil, so all the crew has to do is inspect the oil and then pump it onboard. The fry oil the bus uses has to be non hydrogenated and cannot contain any animal fats. According to the crew driving the bus, their best source of oil are small mom and pop Chinese restaurants that would normally have to pay a fee to dispose of their used fry oil. Usually about eight out of ten restaurants approached agree to participate. Since the restaurant saves disposal fees and the bus gets free fuel, it's a win/win for everybody.
The tour started in March of this year and will wrap up in March of ’08. Chances are that another tour will launch after that. You can find out more about the Conscious Goods Alliance program by visiting their website. If you a fan of old buses, you can visit this Wikipedia page about Van Hool.
You can catch the tour at a Whole Foods near you. Here are the tour's dates through the end of the year:
San Francisco, CA (SoMa) December 2, 2007
San Mateo, CA December 3, 2007
Monterey, CA December 4, 2007
Fresno, CA December 7, 2007
Chandler, AZ December 12, 2007
Albuquerque, NM December 15, 2007
Santa Fe, NM December 16, 2007
Plano, TX December 18, 2007
Richardson, TX December 19, 2007
Arlington, TX December 20, 2007
Arlington, TX December 20, 2007
Dallas, TX (Greenville) December 22, 2007
Dallas, TX (Forest) December 23, 2007
Don't Forget to Wipe Your Hard Drive On the Way Out
So, it's the year 2012 and it's time to sell your 2007 Infiniti G35. You ponied up for the music system with the hard drive and you loaded the car with all your favorite tunes. While your out on a test drive with a potential customer you demonstrate the system and it turns out you have the same taste in music. As your signing all the papers and completing the deal, it probably doesn't occur to you that you don't have the right to sell the car with your music still loaded on the drive. As Britain's AutoExpress reports, that's just the case: selling a car with a hard drive loaded full of ripped CDs isn't legal, just like you can't sell preloaded iPods on eBay. It will be interesting to see how aggressive this practice is monitored by the RIAA and such. It would seem to be very difficult to enforce, just as it is difficult for the DMV to prevent sellers/buyers from fudging the transaction price to save on sales tax. However, the RIAA may realize this and put the onus on car manufacturers to educate car owners. Perhaps requiring a boilerplate warning each time a disc is ripped to the car's hard drive and providing a quick and easy way to wipe the whole drive clean.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
VW Minivan: Nicer and Pricier
According to this Windsor Star article, assembly line workers who have been putting together pilot versions of VW's van say that the interior is much nicer than Chrysler's but that it will also cost considerably more.Chrysler's Windsor Assembly Plant has been building pilot versions of the VW van for months in preparation for the production launch. New vehicles are usually launched only after hundreds of pilot versions are run through the industry's kilometres-long assembly lines, to test the build system and work out production challenges. The pilots are never sold.
"We've been running a few of them a day down the line for a while, but we stopped a few weeks ago," said a Windsor line worker who asked not to be named.
"There's nothing but RTs in the system right now."
The VW vans are code-named the "RM."
"I haven't even seen one completed," he said. "But I hear (from other Windsor workers) that they're a lot nicer than ours inside. I also hear they're a lot more money."
Having sat in several copies of Chrysler's new vans, I'd say that the interior certainly could use better plastics. If VW can bring the goods plus improve the handling a bit, then I'm very interested. I am a bit concerned about the "a lot more money" comment, how much of a premium can you charge for a minivan?
The vans should debut at the Chicago show in early February and appear on dealers' lots in October.
Big SUVs: Come Back to Daddy
We're gonna have to face it, we're addicted to big vehicles. Data from Black Book indicate the average resale values for large SUVs are bouncing back from their 2006 low. The residual on three year old large SUVs are presently 48.6% of their original sale price, compared with less than 46% last year. With fuel prices no cheaper than in 2006, what gives? Basically, the sting has worn off and consumers have come to the realization that for a few more dollars in gas money they can get back all the room they lost. Sales of new SUVs are down more than the market in general, so there isn't a miraculous rally going on here, but rather a slight correction in the used market.
I stuffed the family into the Jag wagon for the road trip to Oregon and it was a huge difference from the Odyssey. We weren't piled on top of each other, but there was no room to spare. I took the wagon for the AWD and to keep the miles down on the van as it is nearing the end of its lease, but it was definitely a sacrifice. The moral? Size matters.
There's more help on the way for large SUV buyers: dual mode hybrids, diesels and perhaps hydraulic launch assist. Those technologies don't come cheap and will undoubtedly be subsized by a reduction in profit margins in addition to higher sticker prices. Combined with existing tricks such as cylinder deactivation and six speed transmissions there should be an ever increasing uptick in fuel mileage for our land barges. Will it be enough to retain buyers or will crossovers rule the day? Looking at this site's traffic and reading posts on enthusiasts sites, I definitely see lukewarm responses to forthcoming body on frame SUVs such as the Kia Borrego/Mohave while the unibody Hyundai Veracruz was white hot months before its launch.
No matter what the improved residual numbers say, I see a big shift away from body on frame SUVs to car based, unibody crossovers. Given the needs of customers and the big advantages that the lighter crossovers bring to the table, I think full sized SUVs will shrink back into a much smaller segment of buyers who actually need their rugged capabilities.
source: business week via msnbc
On a side note, I think it's pretty funny that the cartoon's "outrageous" $2.33/gallon would be considered a bargain today.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
2009 Nissan Murano Pictures
Update: I have added the above slideshow for your enjoyment. Below is the original 11/9/07 post.
The Murano's styling has been very successful, so Nissan didn't reinvent the wheel for the next generation. I'm relieved to see that the grill is not a direct lift from the Rogue, but it still has a bit of a "buck tooth" look to it. Debut will be at the LA Auto Show.
2009 Kia Borrego
I see Pathfinder from the side, Subaru Tribeca grille in the front and Subaru Forester from the back hatch. I don't really like the gauge layout, it looks cheap. Overall, though, it's certainly not an ugly truck, however, I can't help but think that the Borrego is a little late to the party. I'm sure that Kia's great warranty and value pricing will help the Borrego's case. Let's run it up the flag pole and see if anyone salutes!
Technology of the 2008 Domestics: Ford
With today's post we conclude our technical preview of the 2008 domestics.
The big news at Ford would have to be the Sync infotainment system. It's all singing, all dancing and from some reviews it does miss a step now and then, but you've got to start somewhere. I'm impressed with the Sync, it's offered at a reasonable $395 on lower priced vehicles and standard on other models. Whatever bugs exist, Ford is promising easy, downloadable updates that you simply transfer to a flash drive and then plug into the USB port.
On the refreshed Focus, the a/c condenser is combined with the transmission cooler. On the 130-hp PZEV motor, the engine has a lifetime intake air filter! The 140-hp engine still has a traditional, replaceable air filter. The engine cranking circuit on the Focus/Taurus/Sable are under computer control, so that you can simply turn the key and then release and let the engine crank until started: a nifty feature, but it does make compression tests a bit more challenging. The Focus also has a Smart Power Distribution Box that combines fuse/relay and body computer functions. The pluses are reduced wiring connections and central diagnosis, but I'm sure that the replacement cost has also increased in proportion. The Focus does not have a spare tire as standard equipment, rather there is a sealer/inflator with the spare being a $70 option. I should note that according to CarsDirect.com the mini spare tire option was no longer available for factory ordering as of 10/21/07. The Taurus/Sable AWD models have a fix for checking the torque transfer coupling fluid level. Previously mechanics had to fabricate a dipstick out of a tie strap, but now the fluid fill hole has be relocated so that you can see into it. Unfortunately, models such as the Edge/Fusion/Milan/MKZ still have the fill hole in the old location.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2009 Ford F-150 To Feature Hydraulic Launch Assist?
In my previous article on the 2009 F-150, I had wondered where all the gee-whiz stuff was. Well, one thing that hadn't occurred to me at the time was hydraulic launch assist (HLA). Now that it was been brought to my attention, I remember that the Mighty F-350 Tonka Concept did feature HLA. I also recall that Ford along with supplier Eaton was working the the EPA on HLA. Hmmm.
For those who need a refresh on HLA, I'll quote Wikipedia:
The HLA system recycles energy by converting kinetic energy into potential energy during deceleration via hydraulics, storing the energy at high pressure in a Nitrogen gas filled accumulator. The energy is then returned to the vehicle during subsequent acceleration thereby reducing the amount of work done by the internal combustion engine. This system provides considerable increase in vehicle productivity while reducing fuel consumption in stop-and-go use profiles like refuse vehicles and other heavy duty vehicles.[2]
I'm not clear on whether HLA will debut with the 2009 F-150 or if it will be delayed for a year. Whenever it does arrive, however, it should provide a very nice boost for city mileage.
source: ???
Chrysler and Quality
Since assuming the top post at Chrysler, Bob Nardelli has impressed me as a man who is concerned about product. Similar to real estate, the three maxims of the auto industry are product, product, product: your company lives or dies on the strength (or weakness) of it. I’ll admit that I was concerned when someone from outside the automotive industry was taking the helm, but to Nardelli’s credit he has set out hiring new blood with impressive credentials and certainly not flinching when it comes to axing non-performing vehicle lines (although I’m still smarting from the loss of the Dodge Magnum). I really enjoy hearing stories of a CEO taking a different vehicle to work each day and pointing out issues when he sees them. Automotive News recently ran a story about Nardelli injecting himself into the issue of a water leak:It seems that one of Chrysler's newer products had been getting a bad rep because of windows that leak. The matter came to the attention of Nardelli who took a test drive and when it rained, the car leaked. But instead of just sending a memo saying “fix it”, Nardelli took part in an engineering conference call discussing the issue.
Granted, a CEO can’t be involved in the minutia of solving each engineering issue that comes along, but I think it sends a strong message that he cares. At Chrysler unfortunately there are a lot of issues that need care right away. The quality of its cars interiors is woefully lacking when compared to the competition. The company is truck heavy and car light, not a good thing in the current market. Personally I think a lot of its new vehicles lack style as well with notable exceptions being the long in tooth 300 and the hot selling Wrangler Unlimited. What worries me further is scuttlebutt that the next Ram will be dropping its “In your face” styling, a strong differentiator in my book.
This all brings me to one of Chrysler’s latest appointments: Doug Betts, Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. Bett’s duty will be to create or modify the internal culture, processes and organization within Chrysler to ensure that quality and the customer viewpoint is at the forefront. It’s an impressive job description and one that I hope he’ll be able to fulfill. You can hear more Bett’s talk about his thoughts on quality and whatnot in this podcast.
Technology of the 2008 Domestics: Chrysler
Moving on with our technology preview, we now take a look at Chrysler. The big news is, of course, the new minivans. One feature that I wasn't aware of was the fact that the overhead video screens aren't just self contained units, they are tied into the vehicle's body electronics! Motor magazine wonders out loud whether the increasing complexity of infotainment and safety electronics will require a specialist to sort it all out. If you look at the minivan's interior data bus, you'll understand their concern.
From a mechanic's standpoint the Viper's V10 is a stand out not just because of its 600hp, but because it's the first pushrod engine with truly variable valve timing from a two-camshaft system--a solid camshaft within a hollow camshaft. This allows the dual setup to fit into the same bore in the valley as a conventional single-pushrod engine. The Viper is unique because it can change exhaust valve timing alone, without making the same changes to intake timing.
Those are the highlights for Chrysler, we'll tackle Ford next.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Win Burt Reynolds' Trans Am (11/30/2007)
You've got until the end of the month to shoot a video telling a panel of judges why you deserve to win a fully restored Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am. As I said below, celebrity cars don't bowl me over, but you'd get massive points if you won this car.
Click here to find out more about the contest.
Well, It's More Authentic Than Costanza's "John Voight Car"
Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez sold his Chrysler 300C SRT8 on eBay for $42,600. The winning bidder will also get Ramirez’s autographed Red Sox jersey, a baseball and a bat. They’ll also get up to four of his personal tickets to a game next season, plus a photo with the Red Sox outfielder.
I'm not a big fan of celebrity owned vehicles, but I also know that BoSox fans are a rabid bunch and a $10k premium over private party for the car plus all the extras isn't an outrageous sum. You can check out the auction by clicking here.
GM Delta II: One Platform To Rule Them All
I've spoken a lot about GM's forthcoming Delta platform replacement, primarily focusing on the Chevrolet MPV-7 that will slot beneath the Traverse crossover. This week Automotive News has published an article about the new platform and how it will smooth out a lot of kinks in GM's global platform sharing model. The problem is this, each time GM has used Delta, in vehicles such as the Opel Astra and Chevrolet Cobalt, it modified the platform so that Opels could not be produced on a Chevrolet assembly line. With the new platform, let's call it Delta II, a next generation Opel Zafira could roll down the line right behind a Chevrolet MPV-7. GM could take advantage of exchange rates, such as exporting Opels manufactured in Michigan or quickly add production from another factory if demand takes a sudden upswing.
Automotive News cites a number of vehicles projected to be spawned from Delta II:
Chevrolet Volt
Minivan-like vehicle for Chevrolet in 2009
Seven passenger minivan that will replace the Opel Zafira
All-new Saturn Astra in 2009 or 2010
Daewoo-badged model for South Korea
Chevrolet for Europe
Premium Buick for China
Unnamed models for Africa and South America
Possible Saab model
Chevrolet really doesn't like the "minivan-like" moniker, describing its future vehicle as being more crossover/sporty in nature. Certainly the minivan sector's spiral of death has something to due with GM's sensitivity. As for the Saturn Astra, I really get concerned with quotes such as this one from vehicle line director Peter Mertens
Specifically my worry is that North American versions of vehicles such as the Astra will be decontented. For example, the Saturn Astra has Express-Down, Express-Up power windows while it's upmarket brother the Aura does not. This is just one disparity that comes readily to mind, but a fact is that Europeans are willing to pay more for their small cars. The MINI is starting to change automakers' perceptions of what Americans are willing to pay for, but I'm quite concerned that the domesticated next gen Astra will become a stripped, sedan version of its former well equipped, hatchback self. I'd like to be proven wrong on that account.
"Regional brands and models will be differentiated by powertrains, safety features, standard equipment and chassis tuning. If you drive them next to each other, you will certainly see there is a difference in chassis performance between an Opel and a Chevy or between a Buick and a Chevy. Each is engineered to compete against very specific competitors."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Technology of the 2008 Domestics: General Motors
One magazine I always look forward to is Motor. Sure it might be primarily focused towards mechanics and repair shop owners, but I really enjoy getting the latest tech info that other sources simply don't offer. I'll break these down by manufacturer. Here's what's new from GM:
There's the new hard drive based infotainment system in the CTS as well as the 3.6 direct injection (DI) mill that has an engine driven high pressure fuel pump that operates at 508 psi while idling and peaks out at a hefty 1,740 psi. When you opt for one of the optional suspensions the DI mill upgrades from two fans / three relays to three fans / four relays. Also the DI motor has an auxiliary electric water pump that's triggered by a near overheat condition. Because of the extra clatter, the DI is covered with silencing pads, not diesel thick silencing pads, but a thinner version. Just to make things simple, GM also throws the silencing pads on the base engine as well. Also, GM is debuting Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) systems on Buick’s Lucerne. The system will miss if there's dirt or water on the sensor "eyes" and can throw "Clean Side Blind Zone" and "Service Side Blind Zone Alert System" warnings on the driver information display.
2008 Chrysler Minivans: Sales Looking Up?
In our previous installment, there were some questions as to the early sales of the Chrysler's new minivan. Some dealers had reported that the new 2008 vans were "Not exactly flying off the lots." However, this Detroit News article paints a far rosier picture, quoting one dealer describing the van as a "Home run." Now that's what Chrysler PR wants all dealers to say, isn't it?
According to the numbers quoted in the article, October, the first full month of sales of the redesigned vans, saw sales up 4.8 percent over the same month last year in a market segment that has shrunk year-over-year.
I wouldn't break out the bubbly just yet. The real test of the vans' sales performance will be in the months of March through July, when minivan sales are traditionally the strongest.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
smart Math
I knew something was fishy about the previous numbers that were quoted in an Automotive News story. The article stated that out of 30,000 hand raisers, smart USA had converted only 1,000 firm orders. This Reuters story quotes the same 30,000 hand raiser number, but states that smart USA reconfirmed with over 8,000 of those potential customers and about 90 percent of those customers turned their initial reservation into firm vehicle orders with just 7 percent asking for refunds. Okay, so what did the other 3 percent do? I don't know, but an order bank of 7,200 is much more believable than 1,000. Buyers in the very front of the line should see their cars no later than January. The Reuters story also mentions that smart should have its micro hybrid in the USA within two years with an all-electric version released later on down the road.
ACATT is Back
We've returned from our road trip to Oregon. Best price for gas was just outside of Eugene at $3.07/gallon, the most expensive was right here in the Bay Area at $3.55/gallon. Welcome home indeed.
Hope your holiday travels were delay/ticket/hassle free!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Winter Tires On An Enclave?
Living in the sunny part of California, I rarely think about winter tires. However, I have always assumed that should I want to get a set of snow tires for my car they would be readily available. Some Buick Enclave owners are finding it difficult to get some traction for the 19" wheel equipped Enclaves.
While browsing around EnclaveForum.net I stumbled upon a number of threads where owners were complaining about the difficulty in getting snow tires that would fit their vehicles. The workaround that owners have found is to buy a set of 18" wheels and slap on a set of winter tires. However with tire pressure monitoring sensors, this proves to be expensive. Here's what forum member Smokin SRX calculated the costs to be:
Bridgestone Blizzaks in 265/60/18 Q speed. They would result in a 1 mph difference on odometer @ 65MPH, and are 1/2 inch shorter, but 1/2 inch fatter, compared to the 19": $149 each. Dealer can get 18" OE rims (aluminum type) for Enclave, for $289 each, plus $50 each TPMS sensor. Plus programming fee for TPMS (pressure sensors) into car, at each seasonal switch. (maybe $65?).
When you tally all of that up, plus the cost of mounting the tires, you're out a serious chunk of change. In addition there is the fact that your speedometer won't be exact.
I would imagine that at some point exact matching tires will be made available, if not for the 19's then at least the 18's. I'd be curious to find out if there are other solutions out there.
On a side note, the forums members were pretty excited about cooled seats being added and buzzing about when GM might fit the CTS's 3.6L direct injection mill into the Lambda vehicles.
You can check out the Enclave forum threads here and here.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Speeder: Don't Taser Me Bro!
The video, taken from Trooper John Gardner's patrol car, shows him drawing his Taser after Jared Massey refused to sign a speeding ticket Sept. 14 and walked away from the officer on U.S. 40 in eastern Utah.
This sure looks like a case of excessive force, but the driver isn't without fault. Sign the ticket and then go back and photograph where the speed limit signs were placed and let a judge decide. I have never seen a case where someone can argue their way out of a police officer writing them a ticket.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Road Trip: Oregon
It's going to be a light posting week here at ACATT as we are headed up I-5 to Oregon for some Thanksgiving turkey. I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy holiday and hope that your own journeys are safe and on time.
2009 F-150: Too Much Caution or Not Enough Cash?
On a number of blogs today, spy photos of barely camouflaged 2009 F-150s surfaced. Most folks were surprised by what they didn't see, any major changes to the overall design of the truck. The truck apes a lot of styling queues from the Super Chief concept (pictured above). In case you have forgotten about the Super Chief, here's a quote from Ford:
F-250 Super Chief pays tribute to the bold optimism that is part of the American character," says Peter Horbury, executive director, North America Design. "The F-250 Super Chief's innovations pave a new path for the American truck. It's a notion – and a modern design – so bold, it could only come from Ford."It's understandable that Ford would not want to stray too far from the path, but this redesign does look remarkably tame. The caveat that everyone is throwing out there is that we don't know what kind of engineering changes are under the hood, but I can't imagine anything too groundbreaking. Even if there were massive, all singing, all dancing leaps in performance you'd think that Ford would want a new body to show it off.
The interior shots also show what appears to be a fairly mild reworking. Judging from the myriad of buttons and faux wood finishes, I'd say that spy shot example is a fairly high end model. More than likely "work truck" interiors won't be nearly so fussy.
I have to wonder if it was a concern over screwing up a good thing or preserving cash that led to this design. Off hand, I'd have to say that it was caution that carried the day. Given the cash cow status of the F-150, I don't think that a lack of funds held back a bolder design. Clinics probably told Ford that F-150 buyers liked the way the trucks looked and instead buyers wanted functionality improvements. There are probably a ton of enhancements that the camera's lens did not capture.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that Ford is no position to "bet the farm" on a more radical redesign. The truck is a solid money earner and Ford needs the cash more than flash, so it has elected to sand down the edges on its block of wood rather than reshape it. This approach may sacrifice some new buyers, but it safeguards the hemorrhaging of F-150 faithful
Let's call the the next F-150 a "Safe Bet."
You can check out the spy shots by clicking here.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Yeah, About that New Plane You Ordered...
A reader sent in this article about an Airbus plane that was set to be delivered Wednesday (11/21), only to be wrecked during pre-delivery checks at Airbus' Toulouse facility. Wow. The A340 was being prepped for Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, but now has been written off.
The A340-600 has an average list price (nobody actually pays that much) of $218 million.
Source: Flight Global
2008 Could Be Bleak for US Auto Sales, GM Stock Drops to 17 Month Low: But I'm Still Bullish on GM
Many analysts are pessimistic about 2008 auto sales. One executive is predicting 14.5 million in sales, a number that hasn't been seen since 1993. That's just one person's take, most manufacturers peg 2008 to come in between 15.5 million to 16 million. The dour sentiments stem mostly from 2007's massive mortgage losses but certainly energy costs are contributing to the mood. The fear is that consumers will be either spooked or simply not have the resources and will put off major purchases such as new cars.
Monday's bearish environment led to GM's slide of $2.48, or 8.5 percent, to $26.79 at 4:22 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading for the biggest drop among the 30 companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It was GM's largest one-day plunge since Oct. 10, 2005. Monday's drop comes on top of the 39 billion dollar quarterly loss that GM announced on November 7 and its subsequent undermining of GM's share price.
Certainly 2008 will be tough sledding for all auto manufacturers. Whether it's to the level that some bears predict remains to be seen. However, when it comes to GM I am feeling good vibrations. For one thing, the company is piling on the awards: 2007 North American Car AND Truck of the Year, 2007 Green Car of the Year and 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year are just some of the titles that come to mind. The Enclave/Acadia/Outlook are off to the races and the Chevrolet Traverse will be out of the gates soon. The 2008 CTS is selling extremely well and the 2008 Malibu is garnering very favorable reviews. Saturn continues to flesh out its lineup with the January 2008 release of the Ion replacement Astra and is rumored to be getting the next generation Opel Vectra wagon. Also in the future for Saturn should be a Opel Zafira based crossover to slot beneath the Outlook. Saturn should also score the next generation Opel Corsa a few years further down the line. Pontiac will soon have the RWD G8 sedan and a recent Automotive News article hints that the brand will also get a wagon and ute (think El Camino) to complete the G8 lineup. Cadillac will be getting a small crossover currently rumored to be called the BRX and Saab will get a version called the 9-4x. Cadillac will also be fleshing out its CTS lineup with a coupe and sport wagon. Chevrolet will have the launch of its Camaro in 2009, a new Impala should be on the way and the brand should also score a Zafira variant of it's own. The Chevrolet Beat will take on the A-class segment around the globe and it's my belief that it will be sold here as well. GM is also working on the serial-plug in hybrid Volt and fuel cell technologies. There are also side bets in flex fuel and Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition.
Although some models listed above may not come to fruition due to fuel economy or exchange rates, the bottom line is that GM's pipeline is chocked full. The above list is just a sampling of what is on GM's platter.
GM is engineering all of its future platforms to meet US crash standards. This is a very important step because it gives the company the flexibility to quickly bring cars to our market should the need arise. Take for example the new Opel Corsa that GM co-developed with Fiat. When they were engineering that car, I doubt that the US market showed up on the radar. Now that fuel prices are shooting upwards, it would be nice if GM could quickly bring this attractive car to our shores. However, the Corsa doesn't meet US crash standards so it's a no-go. The next generation Corsa will meet US standards and will more than likely make it here. In the future, GM will be able to respond to market shift much more deftly.
Certainly there are points to quibble with. Although a new light duty diesel is nearing production, there are no 50-state legal passenger car options at the ready. If GM can wrestle big gains from HCCI and get it into production form, then the extra expense of diesels may not be needed. However, if the winds start to blow in diesel's direction, GM may have to play catch up to get 50 state legal diesels into passenger cars. There are many cars in GM's fleet that have yet to be redesigned, so they lack the styling and interior refinements that its newest models offer. I also believe that GM is somewhat behind in technologies such as Bluetooth, keyless ignition and active headrests. The technology side is key to help get GM some traction in states like California. Even if the take rate is low, GM needs to impress buyers that they do have comparable features. The lack of active headrests (except for Saab, which really lead the field in the area) will be reflected in IIHS tests that are placing a lot of emphasis on rear impacts.
GM's domestic counterparts are improving as well, but I don't see such a flurry of activity. On the Ford side, I am not that impressed with the Lincoln MKS. I haven't driven the car, so I really can't reach any final conclusions, but looking at it from all angles and sitting in the driver's seat I can't say that I saw anything special. The Flex crossover shows promise and I really hope that the next F150 is a strong pillar for the brand. As for Chrysler, its new owners need to be given time to settle in. I like the ideas that are being floated about cleaning up brand identities and killing lackluster models. I am very keen to see what sort of concepts Chrysler will be showing off next year.
Now some folks may think that I've been drinking too much GM Kool-Aid and it is true that I have had access to GM's executives more so than any other car maker. Kudos to GM for reaching out to the social media community: it justly deserves to reap the rewards. Regardless of GM's outreach, the bottom line is that its products are vastly improved and its future models will add even more polish.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to product. You can be knocking on death's door one day and then a groundbreaking vehicle will pump your coffers full the next. Ford or Chrysler could pull a rabbit out of the hat, as they have done before, but I have yet to see a vehicle capable of doing that from either company. On the other hand, I have seen GM's rabbits and let me tell you folks, those rabbits are busy.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Two Drunks Take Magic Carpet Ride
In a seemingly amazing coincidence, two drunk drivers in Michigan slammed into the same business simultaneously. Both drivers were traveling in the same direction when they tag teamed Carpet Classic Floor Studio. After smashing into the store, both drivers took off on foot. Naturally, both were caught by deputies and given a ride to the county jail.
source: ap
A smart Start in December
The first of what will be about 72 smart retailers will open in mid-December. The launch of these stores will coincide with smart's Hambach factory shipping US specification cars. Over the past few months smart has been contacting $99 reservation holders and asking them to firm up their model and option choices. It would appear that some early buyers may score a smart very close to the holdiay season.
Currently, there are only a few known smart dealers Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco; Bergstrom Automotive Group in Neenah, Wis.; Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz Center in Edison, N.J.; and Park Place Motorcars in Dallas. However, by the time the brand officially goes on sale in January 40 to 50 dealers should be ready to open.
Curiously, out of all of the hand raisers and web site visitors that smart usa had been crowing about only 1,000 firm orders are currently on the books. Somehow I would have imagined that number being higher.
For the smart faithful, their ship has almost arrived!
source: automotive news
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Pontiac to Get G8 Sport Truck and Wagon?
That's a promising headline, isn't it? According to Automotive News, Pontiac will get sport truck and wagon variants for its G8 lineup. Sweet! I love wagons and now that the Magnum will be leaving us, Pontiac can own the domestic RWD, large wagon market. As for the Ute, that's a double awesome move! It's been a long time since the El Camino left us!
The fly in the ointment is that if the US dollar continues to drop against the Australian dollar, then the sport truck and wagon could be cancelled.
The fly in the ointment is that if the US dollar continues to drop against the Australian dollar, then the sport truck and wagon could be cancelled.
Vehicle Safeguard Camera
File this one in the "not a bad idea" category. A dash mounted camera similar to the ones that police use. This camera could save your bacon in an insurance dispute or hit and run situation. However, there are some downsides: no time/date stamp, an SD memory card is required but not included and the stand mounts with double sided tape which could potentially mar the dash surface when it comes time for removal or could be a flying missile if it jars loose in a serious accident. All that aside, it's $80 + shipping and the cost of a SD memory card. You can check it out by clicking here.
Sports/Turbocharged Minivan
Kick a guy while he's down why don't you. Sadly, the minivan's image has been taking its lumps for quite a few years. When people say to me, "I'll never drive a minivan!" I always think about saying, "Practicality? You can't handle the practicality!" Nice ride height, sliding doors for tight parking spots, tons of cargo room? Oh yeah, that's just too much for you isn't it?
The latest disrespect comes from Mastercard's Peyton Manning pep talks and Burger King's "Hit Moms." Peyton suggest you paint some flames on your ride while the hit moms drive around in their minivan plotting the death of the King. You can check out Peyton's minivan slam by clicking here.
Daimler AG: The Dollar In Fact May Make Us Holler
Well, they didn't use the word holler, but Daimler is thinking about upping purchasing and production in the land of the Greenback. Why not? Producing vehicles in this country for export would be a capital idea right now and Mercedes has already been exporting Alabama made SUVs. A quick check of XE.com shows that one Euro is currently worth $1.46677, now that's some serious buying power for a currency that once aimed for parity with the dollar.
The direct quote from Daimler's chief financial officer Bodo Uebber:
'Given the current (dollar exchange) rate, it will naturally be interesting to examine whether it makes sense to have a higher purchasing volume in the US or whether to have a higher production in the dollar-denominated region.'source: forbes (afx news feed)
Picture of the Week: Lincoln
No, not the Lincoln MKS at the LA show, but Honest Abe himself. Although not confirmed, the gentleman in the stovepipe hat in the center of the photograph could be President Lincoln arriving at Gettysburg to deliver his famous speech. You can read more about this photo and the controversy surrounding its discovery by clicking here.
Getting back to the MKS. I had mentioned that I would reserve judgement on the car until seeing it in person. Well, I was there when it rolled out onto the stage and my initial impressions were confirmed: the car isn't a styling stand out. I also found it humorous that when Mark Fields introduced the car, he initially called it the MKX and then quickly corrected himself. I sure do miss names like Zephyr and Aviator and I hope that this silly naming convention that Lincoln invented for itself ends soon.
Bonus Chuckle: Nice Prize!
Can the Toyota Tundra catch any breaks? The pickup has had its share of teething problems and now a typo in a sweepstakes "Sponsored by the Toyota Tundra."
Okay, it's really no big deal, wench instead of winch, but I got a chuckle out of it. I wonder what a hydraulic wench would look like?
If you want to enter the sweepstakes for some tools and whatnot, click here.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Trial Balloon: Cars for Chrysler, Trucks for Dodge, SUVs for Jeep?
According to the Wall Street Journal, Chrysler is considering an idea that each of its brands would retail specific types of vehicles. Under this plan Chrysler would retail only cars, Dodge would have pickups and commercial trucks and Jeep would have a lock on sport utility type vehicles. The plan makes sense to me as it eliminates badge engineered vehicles. However, some dealers may object to the plan. Chrysler has to do something besides axe models and reforming the way each brand aligns is as good a place to start as any.
source: wsj
Price of Death? $2.93/Gallon
Two Detroit area gas stations, a BP and a Marathon, had been getting into a bit of a price war. These kinds of penny a gallon price drops happen all the time when you get stations in close proximity, however after the Marathon station dropped its price to $2.93 it seemingly enraged the BP owner who was selling at $2.96 a gallon. There was a war of words, then punches, a baseball bat and finally a handgun. In the end, the BP owner was dead and the Marathon owner was arrested. The Marathon station was surrounded in a sea of yellow tape and the BP station had raised its price to $3.09.
The picture you see above is my best guess as to where this took place. I searched for BP and Marathon stations on Fort Street in Detroit and the 7900 block seems to be where a BP and Marathon co-exist. I took a Google Maps satellite shot of that block.
A very sad day when someone dies over a couple pennies per gallon.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Friday, November 16, 2007
Entire PT Cruiser Lineup is Dead
Update: Hey! This post is older than dirt! Click here for fresh All Cars, All the Time content!
According to a WSJ article, Chrysler has now elected to kill the entire PT Cruiser line after the 2009 model year. The source of this information is a dealer who was told of the decision this past week. Even if the information isn't air tight, it should be no surprise that Chrysler would axe the remaining PT lineup. This latest sacrifice to the alter of efficiency follows previous lambs the PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Crossfire and Dodge Magnum.
source: wsj
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