
Full Auto Express article here.

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Labels: land rover
In the continuing series of promotional video footage, may I present "Toledo North Assembly" starring some woman wearing shorts installing a muffler. I think this one was overlooked by the academy, folks.
The Toledo North Assembly Plant was opened in 2001 building the unibody Jeep Liberty. The plant is located at 4400 Chrysler Drive and construction began in 1997. Starting in 2006, then owner DaimlerChrysler invested $600,000,000 to retool the plant to built the Dodge Nitro.
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7:59 AM
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8:18 PM
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10:48 AM
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This is just stock footage of a Charger in law enforcement livery zipping around a track. I'm a fan of corporate videos. The vids are not that exciting, but I'd rather see more product and less breathy voice overs--unless the voice belongs to Kate Walsh, in which case I'm totally for it.
You can read reviews of the Dodge Charger Police Package at Edmunds and Car & Driver.
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8:17 AM
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3:40 AM
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Labels: Nissan Murano

Did you catch it? ACATT posted late notice on the live webcast for Chrysler helmsman Bob Nardelli's interview at the Magazine Publishers of America conference. You can still catch the full monte by clicking here. But let's say you are busy and don't want to bother...Skipping past the chit chat and backslapping, here's the meat:
Competitve interiors, "A vehicle today has to be your most favorite room under your roof."
Reestablish a partnership rather than adversarial relationship with dealers.
Customer first, quality period, being green, "globality" and great leaders.
Stock options for a much larger number of employees. No specifics on what kinds of options a privately held company would offer
Can Bob do it? Well, he's assembling a team of credible experts and that is a start. I think that Nardelli also shows an attention for detail, such as monitoring security cameras at his former employer Home Depot and calling an incredulous store manager about boxes being left in an aisle. However, to really make a difference you have to have sexy, desirable products and Chrysler is woeful in this area. I don't care how many lit cup holders you have, if you're surrounded by crappy plastics and ho-hum exterior styling you are going to be selling products at a discount. Period.
Bob is definitely placing an emphasis on interior quality going forward, but he made one very disturbing comment. He was discussing interiors and all the attributes that they must posses and then stated that the fact that a car gets you from Point A to Point B is almost incidental. INCIDENTAL? That sounds like a man who has been chauffeured far more miles than he has driven himself. This doesn't sound like a company who is going to be posting a "Drivers Wanted" sign on its dealerships' doors.
It's far too early to draw any assumptions based on 100 days of service. I'm willing to give the man a fair shot at redemption, but please Bob don't forget driving enjoyment.
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Labels: bob nardelli, chrysler



When I was talking with Saturn marketing officials a few weeks ago, they mentioned the SEMA Astra and how it would look radically different from the car we'll see on dealers' lots. I guess with that buildup I was expecting something a little more radical than what we've got here.
The Astra is a striking car, even when she dresses down for regular duty. The slicked up paint, rims, Recaro seats, lowered ride height, and added power certainly do add something. But in the right hands I think that the Astra can be much more. Too bad that the Astra wasn't allowed to really strut its hot hatcback side for the crowds in Las Vegas. I look forward to what others will be able to do with this ride.
Here are some highlights of the SEMA concept:
1.8L Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder with approximately 160 horsepower, via exhaust header, cold-air intake and modified throttle body
Lowered ride height
New front and rear fascia extensions
New grille surround finish
Tinted headlamps, taillamps and windows
Rear center-outlet exhaust
Production side moldings deleted
High-performance Recaro seats
Unique interior trim
Unique sill plates and parking brake handle
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8:22 PM
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Labels: saturn astra, sema
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9:46 AM
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Labels: bob nardelli, chrysler
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9:26 AM
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Labels: Nissan Rogue, sweepstakes

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12:09 AM
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Labels: gasoline prices
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10:27 PM
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Just surfing around this morning, I stumbled upon a local thread where folks were talking about catalytic convert thefts. Apparently this is a growing problem, especially for vehicles with higher ground clearance. "A thief can slip under a vehicle and, with a battery-operated saw and metal-cutting blade, make two quick cuts and remove the catalytic converter, " said Mike Antich, a reporter for fleet-central.com.
What's so attractive about the catalytic converter? The precious metals inside. A converter can contain platinum, palladium and rhodium in small amounts. It could take up to 15 converters to equal an ounce, but an ounce of platinum, for example, was selling for more than $1,400 on the spot metal market recently, palladium was $365 and rhodium more than $6,000. When the thief fences the stolen part, he gets a couple of hundred bucks and you get a bill ranging from $350 to $1,500. Sadly, short of motion or vibration sensing alarm systems and enclosed garages there isn't a whole lot you can do about the problem.
You can check out the Topix forum here.
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9:49 AM
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What do you get when you combine the new 392 HEMI® crate engine from Mopar® with the world’s first-ever steel reproduction of a 1927 street rod body and three car-crazy designers? The result is a custom SR 392 Roadster that will debut in the Mopar booth (#42427) at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The SEMA Show is the annual showcase of technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry that will be held Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.What is this, the Prowler 2? I'm sure this was a hoot to sketch and put together, but as a finished product from a company that really needs to turn the product side around I think it's a little lacking. I'm sure it will look great in the metal but it just seems to be a rehash of ideas.
For nearly two years, Chrysler’s Mark Allen and Ralph Gilles planned to build the SR 392 Roadster as a SEMA stunner with Michael Chetcuti of Livonia, Mich.-based auto supplier, Quality Metalcraft (QMC). Allen is chief designer, Jeep®/Dodge Truck Studios – Chrysler LLC and Gilles is Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC. Gilles and Allen are members of Chrysler’s Mopar Underground SEMA design team, a group of in-house automotive enthusiasts who donate their time to SEMA project vehicles.
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9:33 AM
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"We are pleased that our UAW employees recognize that the new agreement meets the needs of the company and its employees by providing a framework to improve our long-term manufacturing competitiveness," said Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC.
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9:29 AM
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Just a quick footnote on the freeway shooting that was solved with the assistance of a red light camera. It would appear that the victim did not know the assailants, but rather this was a case of road rage. At one point "Somebody cut somebody off, or came up too fast tailgating or something," said Burlingame Police Commander Mike Matteucci
What a tragedy. Full article here.
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5:03 PM
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4:29 PM
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10:54 AM
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Well, it's a sweepstakes...sorta. Dodge has this contest titled "R U Tuned Out?" The premise is that either you or your significant other will "tune out" on the relationship for the sake of a car. The Caliber SRT4 is already all tricked out so theoretically the relationship would be saved because the car nut wouldn't have to devote some much time to the car.
Okay, you have to had it to Chrysler: they aren't just giving away cars. You have to put a little more work into the process in order to net yourself a new ride. To enter the contest you have to come up with a 250 word essay answering the questions "Why are you or your significant other tuned out?" and "How will an all-new Dodge Caliber SRT4 help you or your significant other tune back in?"
Click here to enter.
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1:24 AM
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It really is Suzuki that is impressing me this go-round at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Kizashi 2 has been tweaked slightly from Frankfurt's Kizashi (compare the Frankurt version in red), but still looks daring and very, well, very large. Large in that I've never seen a Suzuki so big. Given that Suzuki is showing this car at multiple auto shows, and making slight adjustments along the way, certainly makes it seem that the Kizashi will spawn some sort of production model(s) such as a sedan and or crossover wagon. I have a real affinity for hatchbacks, wagons, basically any car that doesn't have a trunk so it's not too much of stretch for me to say that I think this car is quite stylish. But facing the realities of the US market, and the slow sales of the somewhat similar looking Dodge Magnum, Suzuki is going to have to play up a crossover angle on this car. Add some ride height and show it slogging around in some mud or something, that should help it avoid a hatchback or wagon stigma. I hope they build it and send it here.
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The Lincoln MKX has bested the Lexus RX350 in the near-luxury SUV segment of the 2007 Strategic Vision Total Value report. "The MKX really stood out in things like technical innovation, the standard equipment that came with it and the refinement in the interior in comparison to what the Lexus had to offer," said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive division.
Things that I observed about the MKX include sub-par plastics, such as a very flimsy glove box door and mismatching trim in the hatch area. A recaltricant alarm system that went off in the showroom and a hood that unevenly aligned with the body of the car. Granted this car was probably one of the earlier models produced. I will say that the MKX is an attractive car, but even with a $3,000 price difference there is no way that I could honestly recommend this car over the RX. Especially with nearly identical Ford Edges tooling around the streets. The RX has a proven reliability and resale record. The RX also has a much more polished feel about it. I do want to root for the home team, but I cannot give away points just for trying. The MKX is an decent entry, but it needs to be more than that to knock the RX off its lofty perch.
Volkswagen of America was seen as the best full-line corporation in value overall. That's another pick that I would quibble with. I like Volkswagen products, especially the GTI, but I don't feel that their current lineup is as strong as it has been in the past. From a value for money perspective, I don't think that Volkswagen is tops, especially when factoring in VeeDub's less than stellar reputation for quality. Most Volkswagen owner's that I know love their cars, but they also freely admit that they are in the shop way too often.
You can read the press release here and the rest of the picks by category below:
Small Car
Toyota Yaris Honda Civic Honda Civic Hybrid
Small Multi-Function
Toyota Yaris Hatchback
Medium Car
Volkswagen Jetta
Medium Multi-Function
Volvo V50 Wagon
Larger Car
Hyundai Azera*
Near Luxury Car
Acura TSX
Luxury Multi-Function
Audi A3
Luxury Car
Lexus LS 430*
Small Specialty Under $28,000
Mini Cooper*
Small Specialty Over $28,000
Chevrolet Corvette Coupe*
Mid-Specialty Car
Honda Accord Coupe*
Convertibles Under $30,000
Mini Cooper Convertible*
Convertibles Over $30,000
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible*
Minivan
Honda Odyssey
Small SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe
Medium Crossover
Ford Edge
Medium SUV
Toyota 4Runner
Large SUV
Ford Expedition EL
Near Luxury SUV
Lincoln MKX
Luxury SUV
Mercedes-Benz ML
Standard Pickup Truck
Honda Ridgeline*
Full-Size Pickup Truck
GMC Sierra 1500
Heavy Duty Pickup Truck
GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Classic
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7:25 PM
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12:18 AM
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Robert Conley, 48, of Manchester, Mich., a maintenance supervisor in the final assembly area was killed today at Ford's Wayne Stamping and Assembly Plant where the 2008 Ford Focus is assembled. Conley had worked for Ford for 17 years. According to news reports, Conley became trapped in some machinery that is used to move the cars along the assembly line. Unofficially, on some Internet forums employees have described the scene as being very disturbing.
All news stories and discussion groups describe Conley as being a tremendous person and one who will be truly missed. It is a testament to workplace safety that events such as this are few and far between. Obviously, there is always room for improvement and hopefully much will be learned from this event to prevent any families from having to go through the agony that the Conley's are undoubtedly going through right now.
My condolences to all who knew and worked with Robert.
You can view the updated news report from WXYZ here.
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8:15 PM
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So you're sitting at your job at a gas station when suddenly a car slams into one of the pumps. The driver flees on foot and you're left with a fireball. What would you do?
61-year-old Luis Tamayo, the station's attendant, said he had no choice but to fight the fire himself. "I had to find a solution until firefighters arrived," he said through a translator. "I tried to do the best I could with what was available. This gas station was saved because I had three new fire extinguishers.
The guy who shot the video describes the scene: "He first got an extinguisher, and he was putting it out. That ran out, so he went and got another one, and then the second one ran out, and he slams it on the floor like he was super frustrated, so he still went back in and got a third one, and he put the fire out."
You can check out the video here. CNN also has an extended version of the fire video here.
Source: WSNV
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12:50 PM
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Automotive News released its future product review for Chrysler LLC and I have to say it looks very bleak:
Jeep may ax the Compass and Commander. Good riddance. The hot selling Wrangler will get a pickup version. The Grand Cherokee will probably add a third row option with its next makeover to help fill the Commander's shoes.
Dodge may give the Avenger some emergency surgery to help boost its sales, although those nip/tucks wouldn't appear until the 2011 model year. The slow selling Magnum may not get picked up on the next go around. If the Magnum does get a stay of execution, 2011 model year would mark its major model change. Of course there is the ultra cool Challenger, but it will never be a high volume model. The Durango and Dakota are on the bubble for a remodel, so they may not make it past 2009/2010. According to sources inside the company, the 2009 Ram may loose the truck-like face for more of an F-150 visage (think Nitro or 2008 Dakota).
For the Chrysler brand the future of the Pacifica is hanging in the air. A Chrysler version of the Dodge Journey may be stillborn. The Aspen is probably not going to make it and the Crossfire will likely be caught up in the crossfire.
Oh, it's all just so depressing, isn't it? For one thing, the 2008 lineup really is evidence of how bad Chrysler's German masters screwed things up. Chrysler was a hot brand before it got married to the wrong partner. At first I thought it might be a good union. Heck, look at the stellar 300C, how could they lose, right? Well, it appears that the 300C was one of the few bright moments. Many of Chrysler's other products were replaced by inferior models with cheap interiors and less than stellar styling.
Well, THERE IS A BRIGHT SIDE! The new management realises that the cheap interior plastics have to go. They know that a badge engineered version of the Journey for Chrysler is a bad idea. The see that the Compass was never right for Jeep and the Commander arrived in the wrong decade. I would argue that the Dakota and Pacifica deserve another go around. I would also argue that taming the styling of the 2009 Ram might not be such a great idea. On the balance I think that Chrysler is making the right moves towards salvation. However, look at all these time frames: 2010, 2011...that's a ways off and there really is no way around that. Small cars manufactured by China's Chery Automobile Co. are still on tap but not before 2010 for North America. However, we will have to wait a bit to see what Chrysler LLC believes its new portfolio should look like. Until we can see what's coming to replace the stinkers, hang in there everybody!
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2:42 PM
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It's been a long time since I've checked out remote control planes. I was just fooling around on YouTube and stumbled on some RC jet videos.
These puppies aren't cheap. The engines start at a couple grand and move up from there. The full kits for the fuselage, retracting gear, etc start at around three grand. Yep, that's at least five grand for a build it yourself, turbine powered fighter.
Even if you have the cash, the pro's recommend a slow progression up the RC food chain until you finally max out with these fast moving flyers.
Sources:
JetCat USA
RC Plane Talk
Philip Avonds
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9:25 PM
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“The world is changing, especially with regard to the environment and powertrains,” he said. “So we’ve been looking at and will continue to look at our product line to see where we’ve got some duplication, where the same products are serving the same customers. We’ve got other products where we don’t have coverage, and we’ll be adjusting our portfolio of vehicles over time.”
"I like the Pacifica quite a bit...Crossover SUVs are very important. Obviously we're not going to abandon that segment."
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1:10 PM
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Just like everything in life, there are downsides. The plant has never been domesticated. Jatropha's oil output is unpredictable and often lower than expected. Although it can grow without water, it tends to do much better when water is added, raising its cost of production and mitigating some of the perceived benefits.
For now the question remains: "Can a scrappy weed truly help to save the world?"
Sources:
Popular Science
The Wall Street Journal
Daimler
Biopact
Institute of Science in Society
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1:07 AM
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9:31 AM
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1:44 PM
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Labels: 2008 Honda Odyssey, PAX tires
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10:10 AM
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8:36 AM
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Who knows, maybe this will be a trivia question some day. What was the first big prize that Drew Carey gave away on The Price is Right? Jeep Wrangler is the answer we're looking for.
You can watch all the action on this YouTube clip. You can skip to 2:10 to get to the Jeep part of the show.
Update: Sorry, but it appears that the YouTube has been pulled. I have notified Chrysler PR since they are the ones that tipped me off about the story. We'll see if they come up with something else.
Update 2: Here's the workaround. You click here to go to CBS and then watch the 10/15/2007 episode. You can skip to about 3:00 to get the the Jeep.
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1:23 PM
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12:35 PM
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9:13 AM
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There are those of us who spend most of our free time reading about cars online, in magazines, trade papers, visiting car manufacturing plants, auto shows, etc. Then there are people who don't really think about cars until its time to purchase one. If you don't track the automotive business on semi-regular basis it can become a bit overwhelming. Some folks deal with this by simply sticking with what they know. For example my neighbor buys a Camry every time he needs a new car. He doesn't even drive anything else, he just wants a Camry. Judging by visitors to his driveway, many of his friends and family feel the same way. Then there are some folks who are open to other brands, but they don't want to spend a lot of time looking. These types of buyers will flock to "buyer's guides" to help narrow the field. There are a million buyer's guides out there. However, US News and World Report thinks it has stumlbed onto something new.
US&WR claims to be "taking the bias out of the advice" by surveying the reviews of more than 100 "reputable sources." A one to ten point scale is used to assign values to the reviews and then "proprietary software" crunches the data. The magazine has a new website, humbly billed as "the only automotive website you'll ever need," with all the rankings and various ways to access the data. You can check it out by visiting here.
Want to know what to expect? Camry ties with the Accord in "Affordable Midsize Cars" with the Ford Fusion in close range. Honda CR-V slightly edges out the RAV4 in "Affordable Compact SUVs." BMW 5-Series squeaks past the Mercedes E-Class in "Luxury Large Cars." The Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban sweep the "Affordable Large SUV" class.
I suppose that review aggregators like this have their place. Some folks simply want to buy the "best car" and be done with it. Personally I can't play that way. US&WR raises a good point about contrasting reviews and how subjective the whole business of reviewing a car's performance is. However, for me variety is the spice of life. I enjoy reading all types of automotive reviews. Most of the time I pick out pieces in each article that I disagree/agree with. Yes, you can buy a Camry and it will probably serve you faithfully for many years. But what about the sporty performance of the Honda Accord, Mazda6 or Nissan Altima? Or how about rolling the dice and taking a huge price break on a Saab 9-3? What about the new Malibu headed our way? No matter how you drill down through the data at some point you're going to have to drill into your heart. Yes it is true that what you might find there is a Camry but it just might be something you never expected.
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11:12 PM
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U.S. light crude oil for November delivery closed at $86.13. Wow. What has been somewhat amazing is that the price we pay at the pumps hasn't jumped as well. The official line is that with the summer driving season over, demand has diminished and stockpiles have risen. However, it's very hard to believe that this state of imbalance will remain for much longer. One way or another stockpiles of gasoline will be diminished and we'll be paying way over $3/gallon again.
The high watermark for oil (in inflation adjusted dollars) is $90 a barrel struck after the Iranian revolution in 1979. It would now appear very likely that we could see a new peak.
Just this week an Automotive News article asked "Why haven't small-car sales taken off?" The article defined "small cars" as those with a wheelbase of less than 103 inches and overall length of 175 inches or less. Using that basis small car sales in the first nine months of this year were up only 3.4 percent.
If $3/gallon isn't the tipping point for US consumers, then what is? $4? $5?
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3:46 PM
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Making a big marketing push in what will undoubtedly be a hot market for its new fortwo, smart usa is is setting up a marketing gallery in the Los Angeles area. Prospective buyers will be able to to touch, drive, configure and place reservations for the smart.
An exclusive studio building on Abbot Kinney Boulevard will be transformed into the “smart house” for four months starting October 11, 2007, serving as the springboard for the US market launch of the smart car. smart has begun preparations in the heart of the hip Venice Beach district, setting up a temporary showroom to demonstrate to customers, journalists and VIPs that the smart fortwo is much more than just an economical, compact, and safe automobile.
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So, I sliced my finger with a really large knife today and ended up in the ER for four hours. I felt pretty dumb about that, so to cheer myself I turned to YouTube to see some other people do dumb things...
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7:11 PM
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A Spokane, Washington motorist calls police complaining that a van has been following and passing her and that the driver was naked and masturbating. When the PD ran the plates, they were a little surprised to find that the van belonged to a fellow officer. It turns out that the van had been dropped off at Spokane Chrysler for a tune up and an oil change. Somewhere along the line a dealership employee decided that it might be fun to take the vehicle for test drive while naked.
To make up for the trouble, Spokane Chrysler has given the officer a rental and will perform a complete detailing job on the car (presumably by clothed employees). The dealership will also comp the service.
Still, no matter how much the that van is cleaned there will always be the memory of what that van has gone through. Nasty.
Source: SpokesmanReview
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Here in San Francisco Saturn held a combined retailer/consumer product event for the Astra. Retailers were allowed to drive the Astra during the day and consumers got their turn at night.
In the intro area there were a number of Astras along with competitors from Mazda and VW. The cars were hooked up to an outside electrical source so that you could play with all the controls and see how they lit up. There was a very brief introduction and then off to the driving course.
The only manual transmission available for testing was the five door, which was kind of strange given the sporting ambitions of the three door. No matter, the manual is where it's at. The engine never gets too harsh as it is rev'd out and the manual snicks through the gears nicely. It might be true that some cars offer more direct feel when it comes to shifting, but in day to day use I think the Astra is just fine. Handling around the slick, very short course was commendable. I didn't get to try the Astra on the freeway and that's unfortunate. Around the circuit the Astra was a lot of fun with the manual. The automatic was pokey and not nearly as enjoyable. That's about all I can tell you about the driving experience. If I get the chance to take an Astra out for an extended spin then we'll have something else to talk about.
The cabin has nice, soft touch plastics and all the controls feel substantial. Some reviewers have not cared for the amber driver information display in the center of the dash, but I rather liked it. It gives you something else to play around with while you sit in your new car in the driveway. All the controls illuminate well at night and it was easy for me to find a comfortable driving position. The five door model offers the option of a massive sunroof. Something that I couldn't fully enjoy as it was dark and rainy outside.
From what marketing was able to tell me there were be limited events for the Astra until they arrive in full force. There are the ride and drive events, so be sure to check that out. I was told that the events are starting to book up so if you want to sample the goods you'd better hop to it. I asked about how they are going to publicize their car and they responded that the Internet will play a big roll. Edmunds.com and Facebook are two big names that the rep dropped. There will also be a specially kitted out Astra representing at SEMA.
In my brief exposure to the car what can I tell you? The Astra is not the Mazda 3, a car that I regard as the leader in this class. It just doesn't have the same level of sportiness about it. But you can just as easily flip that around and say that the Mazda3 is no Astra. What you get with the Astra is a genuine European hatchback. No foolin. Is that important? I think so, yes. If you value driving something a little different. Unique. Special.
Understandably Saturn didn't want to talk about the next Astra, especially on the first day of its publicity tour for the car but know this: The Belgium built Astra will only be with us for a short time. In a few years the next Astra will be built here in the States and sadly I suspect will lose some of its unique European traits (and premium content) to better match US tastes and price points. If you're looking for the true Euro experience, the time is now.
You can find out more about the ride and drive here. You can check out the Astra microsite here. To see the panoramic windshield (which doesn't look to be coming to the states) on the Euro Astra, check out my visit to a Vauxhall dealer here.
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Both issues are easily fixed, but it does leave you nervously looking around the car for anything else that might not be bolted down all the way. Chances are that this was an early production model and all the kinks were not worked out yet. However, I'd advise GM to rethink the foam block/light switch setup as it seems like that is ripe for failure.
I really do want to see Saturn succeed. I love the vehicles and I don't want to see anything get in their way.
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The Nissan Round Box, with its compact convertible design, represents a new take on open-air motoring, providing exhilaration for all passengers - not just the driver - through its uniquely shared experience of fresh air stimulation, a sensation of speed and easy-to-use high-spec features.
The Round Box features an environmentally friendly turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine mated to Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). It is also equipped with a number of safety systems based on Nissan’s Safety Shield* concept, including Around View Monitor and Distance Control Assist System (DCAS).
The inspiration for Round Box’s interior, which features the “right sized” space to facilitate communication between the four occupants, was not another vehicle, but a social environment. “The car was inspired by the lively atmosphere of a sports bar,” explains Tatsuya Shiosaki of Nissan’s Exploratory and Advanced Product Department. “In a sports bar everyone is focused on the game for pure enjoyment. They are totally free of the pressure and tension felt by the players who are actually playing the game on the field. A sports bar affords an enjoyable, stress-free space where friends can experience a sense of togetherness. Simultaneously, they can enjoy thrilling excitement like being on a roller-coaster yet without any risk involved. That is the sort of emotive world the Round Box is intended to provide.”
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I got invited to a market research study and it turned out it was to evaluate a concept FX. I had to compare it against the new Acura MDX, BMW X5, Lexus RX, and Mercedes ML. The side profile is pretty much the same with the addition of vents in front of the front wheels. The back is evolutionary with nice curves and lines. It is a nice step forward. As to the front, I remain somewhat speechless. Where-as the current FX has a tall front grill, the front of this car appeared much thinner. It was almost like the front of a sports car had been stuck onto the FX. The front was the biggest change and I'm not sold on it yet. However, compared to the other cars, I'd still pick the FX.
The FX37 gets bumped up to 300 horsepower. The FX50 comes with 390 horsepower and 369 lb.ft of torque. This sold me more than anything. I would guess that if the weight doesn't change that much, this thing must be quick.
The interior was nice. The steering wheel was hot with really cool looking paddle shifters. The look of it and the instrument panel reminded me a bit of the Acura MDX. The center console was much like the M.
They showed some technology on a laptop demo:
1) Slow moving traffic cruise control. The car can slow down and speed up based on the car in front of you.
2) The mirrors would move if you moved the seat. So I guess if you're on a long drive and occasionaly change your seat position, the mirrors would auto adjust with you.
3) This was the coolest. It was the rear-view camera taken to the next level. There were cameras in front of the car and behind it. On your Nav screen, it would show an outline of the car (as if looking down from the sky) and would paste the images around the car, so you'd have an almost 360 degree view of what was around you.
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Next the manager came out and said, you need to leave or I am going to call the police. I asked for his name. He took out his business card and threw it at me. I said that I had better treatment from VW when I owned my BMW. He told me to go back to VW, because 'I don't deserve to own a BMW.' He again said to leave or he was going to call the police. By this time my children were in tears because he was yelling at me and threatening me. We left without them ever assisting us.
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Sliding doors open to reveal an interior configuration that is aesthetic light-filled and unexpectedly spacious. The cabin, completely redesigned by Hermès to maximise available space, reflects the quality and finesse of Hermès’ craftsmen, offering passengers a pleasing blend of functionality, refinement and comfort. Surfaces from floor to ceiling have been covered in ‘Toile H’, a signature Hermès canvas used to manufacture the firm’s travelware since the nineteen-twenties. Seats and banquette are handcrafted for exceptional comfort, and upholstered in calf leathers, naturally grained and highly resistant.Perfect! Just what I was looking for. Some of you looking at the pictures above might be saying "Hey, that's just a Eurocopter EC 135 like the one sitting on my helipad!" and you would be correct. I could not find any pictures of the Hermès edition.
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The materials feel cheap and the vast expanse of grey plastics is unappealing. Everything seems rather dated, and this isn’t helped by the old-fashioned column stalks and standard instrument dials.
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A rider on San Franciso's L-Line was nearly dragged to his death when his arm became trapped in the door. What happened was a calamity of apparent failures in the safety systems designed to prevent such an occurrence. The first failure was the fact that the door didn't automatically bounce open and start screeching.
"As the train began to move, people began to scream in panic as the man ran alongside the train with his hand trapped inside the car. As the train sped up, the man stumbled and was dragged along the platform."The passengers did everything they could to stop the car: they pushed the emergency call button, pulled the cord used to request a stop, and tried unsuccessfully to pull the emergency release for the door that had trapped the man's hand. Finally a rider triggered the emergency release for another door on the train, bringing the car to an immediate halt. The rider reportedly refused medical treatment.
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The scandal originated in July 2006, when a 59-year-old customer who had a history of mental illness came into Huling Brothers wearing feces-stained pants and seeking to buy a truck. The man paid $30,000 for a vehicle, and told a salesman he had far more money back at his apartment, according to police reports. The next day, Dillard and five underlings practically tripped over each other to be the first to steal the remaining cash; Dillard and another salesman, Ted Coxwell, succeeded, according to a Washington State Patrol report.
After being beaten to the cash by co-workers, another salesman, Paul Rimbey, managed to steal the man's new $30,000 truck by getting him to sign over ownership while the man was in Harborview Medical Center's psychiatric ward, according to charging papers.
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Years ago I sold my Mustang to a friend. She drove the car for awhile then sold it to someone else. Apparently that someone else never bothered to re-register the car but rather decided to drive the hell out of it and then abandon it. One morning my friend awoke to find her old Mustang, in complete shambles, sitting on her front lawn.
Today's Wall Street Journal tells a similar tale of a family selling an F-150 to a friend of a friend and then ten years later getting a registered letter in the mail telling them they owed $11,129 for a 17-year-old pickup that had been impounded.
It turns out that the friend had sold the pickup to someone else who had never registered the truck. Fortunately the author had kept a paper trail proving that the car had indeed been sold years ago.
The lesson? Get a bill of sale together showing mileage down to the tenth (just in case the new owner crashes around the corner). Be sure to send in any release of liability to the DMV or taxing authority. I usually write down the new buyer's complete info on the bill of sale to prevent any misunderstandings. I also like to have a witness around to listen to the transaction and sign the bill of sale as well. This has come in handy when the new buyer has gone out and collected parking tickets in San Francisco and then the bill arrives at my house.
I found the "Frank's Towing" site during a search for images for this story. It's a pretty funny spoof site created by some people tired of predatory towing. You can check it out here. If you are a subscriber to the Journal, you can check out the story here.
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Driving the 2008 Corvette at the Milford Proving Grounds was treat. The top was on, the fiberglass fumes wafted around the cabin and life was good. Here's your chance to own one so you can live the experience every day. You have to register on the site (takes just a minute). A UPC number is required, but you can get one on the entry page. Click here to enter.
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In an interview with Automotive News, GM's Ed Welburn was asked about the Hummer brand and what might be in store for its iconic styling. Welburn responded that the next H2 will having styling that has been cleaned up and will look much more modern.
Does that mean that such festoonery as the fake helicopter hooks will finally be done away with? I hope so! To me the Hummer DNA should be authenticity and real purpose, not make believe components that to my mind evoke the pec implants of some Hummer drivers. The overall design of the Hummer is classic and deserves a clean, honest approach. It sounds like the next H2 might possess those qualities.
What else can we talk about Hummer? GM's revolutionary new 4.5 liter diesel will find one of its first applications in the H2. Not a moment too soon given the fuel economy of the current setup. We know that the H3 will get an H3T variation and that there should be a Hummer H4 concept at the 2008 Detroit show. There was no mention of H4 production anywhere in the product commitments summary of the UAW contract analysis. That really doesn't mean anything, but if the H4 were to be based on the H3, you would kind of expect it to be listed in the Shreveport, LA section. However, all we see listed for Shreveport is the H3, H3T, Colorado and Canyon.
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The previous version of the All Cars, All the Time mailing list received complaints over the sign up procedure, this one is much easier! You can always unsubscribe in the link provided with each e-mail. Cheers!