No shocker that violence erupts when someones car is repossessed Sadly, in the story linked below, a repossession ended in death. A car may be many things, but it's never worth your life.
source: msnbc.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
Repos Turn Violent
Fluffy Toilet Paper Said to Be Worse for Environment Than Hummers
“No forest of any kind should be used to make toilet paper,” said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist and waste expert with the Natural Resource Defense Council told the Times.
Uh, okay...
source: FOXNews
Fancy a Ferrari? Cumberford Doesn't
Noted designer Robert Cumberford, who analyzes car designs for Automobile Magazine, doesn't have a lot of kind things to say about most modern Ferraris. Cumberford has stated that modern Ferraris "Have little by little descended to being collections of backward-looking "cues" and "references" and "identity marks" that push client hot buttons." Snap! Below is Ferrari's official press release regarding the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. For eye candy, I have posted a picture of the 599 HGTE above.
The 79th Geneva International Motor Show provides the venue for Ferrari to announce two new pieces of good news: the arrival of the sporty, dynamic Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) Package for the 599 GTB Fiorano and the world debut of the 599XX which is a technological laboratory aimed at a select group of clients. The latter new car incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road-going and F1 research. Many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this special car.
The two new arrivals will be introduced to the international media by Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo on the opening day of the Show, March 3rd, at 10 am.
In addition to the 599 GTB Fiorano equipped with the Handling GTE package and finished in a new three-layer metallic Rosso, and the 599XX in a colour matching the F2008, Ferrari clients and enthusiasts will also be able to admire this single-seater that recently won the Prancing Horse its 16th Constructors' World title.
On the stand there will also be the full range of Ferrari road cars: the Scuderia Spider 16M in a Grigio Titanio livery, the 430 Scuderia in Rosso Corsa and two Grand Tourer models, the Ferrari California in Nero Metallizzato with a Sabbia interior and the flagship 612 Scaglietti. The latter will be displayed in the Atelier, a dedicated area where owners can get a taste of the virtually endless personalisation options on offer to them
Ford's Cleveland Engine Plant #1 is Back!
Ford Motor Company is resuming production at its storied Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1, which becomes the first manufacturing site to build Ford’s new fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines.
The plant, idled since 2007, is ramping up pre-production of 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines that will be optional on the 2010 Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and come standard on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.
EcoBoost engines, which combine direct injection technology and turbo-charging are a key part of Ford’s overall strategy to improve fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions across its lineup. The engines can achieve up 20 percent better fuel and 15 percent lower CO2 emissions compared with larger displacement engines without sacrificing power."
source: Ford
Spin Cycle: Opel Will Do a Partial Spinoff
I wonder if German Chancellor Angela Merkel could use a back rub now? The Chancellor is up for re-election in September and needs to save as many jobs as possible. Upwards of 25,000 such jobs are on the line at GM's subsidiary Opel. However, European governments are playing hardball with GM when it comes to unlocking the coffers and doling out the cash. In the case of Opel, the pressure is on for GM to cleave the division from its holdings. A compromise means that GM would split off Opel into a separate unit that would remain linked to Detroit while letting outside investors take a stake of more than a quarter.
source: Automotive News
Geek Out on Technical Details? Info on Ford's EcoBoost
I know I do! You can check out the full article on Ford's important new engine technology by clicking the source link.
Ford Vehicle Benchmarking Center showed that many suppliers applied a common practice design approach of ‘one size fits all’ and with little consideration as to how the subsystems could be fine-tuned for optimized function and performance,” said Joseph Basmaji, direct injection fuel system technical specialist.
For example, hydraulic pulsations – or hammering – is a common issue in all direct-injection fuel systems and can cause a range of issues, from poor fuel distribution to component durability. Knowing how to address these pulsations in each of the subsystems is critical to being able to effectively reduce the pulsations of the entire system to an acceptable level and achieve optimized performance.
The Ford and Bosch teams worked for months to develop hydraulic models and prototypes to provide the data leading to optimized orifice sizing, placement and spacing in order to tune in the hydraulic frequencies in each of the subsystems. “As a result, hydraulic pulsations to the entire system could be reduced, providing better fuel distribution for improved component durability, function, performance and reduced emissions,” Basmaji said.
source: ford
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Oil and Water: Ladies Still Feel Short-Changed When It Comes To Car Repair
Stories like this make you wonder why there aren't more woman-owned/operated garages like SF's Luscious Garage. I've heard many a sob story myself of the shameful treatment that some mechanics heave upon their female customers. Now, I'm not trying to pick on all garages, because I know there are a lot of mechanics out there who "get it" and treat women with respect and in-turn earn their repeat business.
Canadian women still believe they are getting short-changed when it comes to car repairs, according to a new survey released Thursday. In a Harris/Decima poll, 43 per cent of female respondents said they receive poorer service in auto body shops than do men.
source: Women still feel neglected by car repair sector: survey
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Stay Classy Colorado: Injured good Samaritan ticketed for jaywalking
A good Samaritan who pushed three people out of the path of a pickup before he was struck and injured has been ticketed for jaywalking. Family members say 58-year-old Jim Moffett and another man were helping two elderly women cross a busy Denver street in a snowstorm when he was hit Friday night.
source: sfgate
Famous People Giving Non-Famous People Car Rides Rarely Ends Well
Sigh, you show a bit of kindness, have a car accident and it all goes to hell in a hand basket. Morgan Freeman's passenger in the ill fated trip to his ranch is now suing the Batman star for "Messing up her scene..." No, I kid, I kid, actually she's just suing him because he's rich.
"I have been labeled as the 'other woman' and have been accused of having caused the breakup of Mr. Freeman's marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth,' Meyer said at a news conference in Los Angeles.
source: Morgan Freeman sued over car crash Reuters:
Attack of the Heart and PT Cruiser Theft Linked Together in Cruel Dose of Reality
A man suffers a heart attack and while he is recovering, somebody swipes his PT Cruiser out of the hospital parking lot. That's a rough patch if I ever heard one. Full story in the source link.
source: Foxnews
Easter Bunny Could Bring Volvo Buyer
If you are Saab, you have to feel like a red-headed step child. Your parent company wants to send you packing, but no one is willing to adopt you. Heck, your own homeland won't help you out. Contrast that with Volvo's outlook, and it makes you feel even worse. The Swedish government has been much more receptive to Volvo's quest for funding and supposedly three interested parties may submit bids for the company around Easter.
Times are tough for both companies, but as I have long espoused, Sweden really has room for only one. Right now it would appear that Volvo has the upper hand and barring some miracle, that is likely how it will play out. Could Saab be split off from GM and still retain a Swedish-made lineup? Probably not unless the Swedish government is willing to play ball and currently that is not the case. Could a buyer pickup Volvo and then throw a low-ball offer towards GM for Saab? Maybe.
Frankly, if I were an up and coming car company, I'd be looking at Saturn's distribution network. Saturn dealers garner extremely high customer service scores and the brand's buyers like smaller, more efficient cars--just the stuff for a Chinese or Indian manufacturer looking to start off with a bang. GM just wants to be done with Saturn, so you could get and extremely sweet deal. You'd also be able to contract with GM for vehicles until you own lineup was fully fleshed-out.
source: Reuters
VOLKSWAGEN MAKES CLEAN DIESEL RACING EVEN GREENER IN 2009 WITH THE USE OF B5 BIODIESEL
After first introducing its clean diesel technology on the race track in 2008, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced it will use B5 biodiesel to power its race cars, transport vehicles and generators during the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season. Houston-based HYPERFUELS will supply B5 biodiesel for the series, which is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing.
source: VW
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I can't buy any more cars. Can't sell anything
Truly a sad example of our current mess. A brand new Toyota dealership in Oakland has shut its doors before it even had a chance to throw a grand opening party. Superior Toyota notified its employees today, Tuesday, that the dealership was to be shut down at the end of the day.
Although it was a Toyota dealership, Nissan provided financing for the building. Nissan decided to bail and left Superior Auto Group with no other source of funding.
To make matters even worse, I learned about this closure on the evening news where the Superior Toyota story was preceded by coverage of an abandoned dealership that had caught fire after copper thieves ransacked the building. Where does it end?
source insidebayarea
Transit Connect Scores With EPA: "We thought it tasted better than Coke!"
Okay, they didn't do a Pepsi/Coke taste test, but the 2010 Transit Connect scored 22/25 in EPA tests, very commendable for a block-ish shaped vehicle with a four speed automatic.
Ford today confirmed EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect at 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
“No other vehicle on the road in the U.S. today delivers the combination of fuel economy and useful space as the Ford Transit Connect,” said Rob Stevens, chief engineer. “It’s a unique package, offering a 1,600 pound payload, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and superior fuel economy.”
source: Ford
New Ford Ranger Debuts...In Europe
Hah! Well, we can always hope, right? Actually, we should just be thankful that they added the safety equipment to our U.S. Ranger so that it can stick around a bit longer...
A new Ford Ranger pick-up, on sale later this year, makes its first public appearance in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Designed in Australia and built in Thailand, the new one-tonne pick-up boasts a contemporary design inside and out.
'The Ford Ranger nameplate is already established in more than 100 markets around the world,' said Henrik Nenzen, Ford of Europe's Director of Commercial Vehicle Marketing and Sales. 'The new model delivers even more style, comfort and features, making it an ideal choice.'
source: Ford
Maserati.US
So here's something funny...I get an e-mail from Maserati inviting me to check out the Granturismo S Automatic. They even tempt me with this photo.
However, when I click the link, all I got was this lousy webpage.
Cadillac SRX Advance AWD System
Update: For some lame reason, GM's embed code for Blogger doesn't work. So if you want to check out a related video, click here.
The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather,” said Bob Reuter, SRX global vehicle chief engineer. “The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited-slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface.”
source: GM Media Online
GM Confirms Engine for Chevy Volt and Cruze Will Be Built in Existing Flint, Mich. Plant
General Motors has confirmed today that it will still invest approximately $250 million to bring the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder Family 0 engine production to Flint, Mich. The engine capacity for the Chevy Volt and Cruze will be allocated to existing and available floor space in the company's Flint South engine plant located on Bristol Road.
Preparations to the Flint South plant for installation of new machinery and equipment will begin this Spring. Production of the 1.4-liter engines is targeted to begin in December 2010.
Production of Family 0 engines at Flint South will be GM's most flexible and competitive engine manufacturing lines in the world, with approximately 150 highly flexible stations that will allow production of multiple 4-cylinder engine families without retooling.
This means that GM will not invest in new floor space at this time due to current capital expenditure constraints and available floor space in existing facilities.
source: GM Media Online
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bark Buckle
Many of our customers treat their pets like members of the family, and Acadia provides the pet-friendly safety and comfort features they are looking for,” said Cheryl Catton, executive director of advertising and promotion for Buick, Pontiac & GMC. Catton accepted the Bark Buckle UP award at the recent Chicago Auto Show, where dogs from the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. program and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office helped demonstrate the importance of restraining pets in vehicles.
source: GM
FORD PUTS A DENT IN AUTO INSURANCE COSTS BY MAKING VEHICLES MORE DAMAGE RESISTANT AND CHEAPER TO FIX
"“Our bottom line for this new initiative is simple: If your vehicle costs less to repair, it’s going to cost less to insure,” said Darryl Hazel, president, Ford Customer Service Division. “The work Ford will perform at the new Paint and Body Technology Center will help reduce insurers’ repair costs so they can drive down auto insurance premiums for consumers.”"
source: Ford
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Payments Drag Out on TV Spots
Times, they are tough all over. We're all dealing with the fallout of this financial mess, so it should come as no surprise that people who produce and broadcast commercials are finding payments fewer and farther between. Just don't mess with my Kate Walsh commercials, Cadillac, I beg of you.
source: WSJ.com
Win a Chevy Silverado Lease (2/22/09)
It's a lease, so you don't keep to keep it forever. Click here to enter.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Kia Soul
If you get a chance, check out the Kia Soul microsite. In particular, I really like the gallery section: sporty! It's a fun site that really captures the "soul" of its product.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Join The Ford Fiesta Movement
Update: You know, I really half-assed this one. I'll throw a bit more info your way. As you may know, the production cars that we get will be made in Mexico. However, that plant is not ready yet. So, where are they getting these cars for the trial from? Ford of Europe's Cologne assembly plant in Germany will pump out the vehicles.
Create a 2-5 minute video explaining why you should become a driver and participate in the Fiesta Movement, upload it to your YouTube account, add the tag fiestamovement and submit the link through our application above. You must complete the full application by midnight March 13, 2009.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Used Car Market Heating Up?
Interesting read about used cars picking up steam in a down market. You can check out the full scoop by clicking on the source link.
source: Newsweek.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tank Always Half Full? You Must Be High...Oh, Wait, You Really Are High
A Utah man took his newly acquired used SUV to a mechanic to find out why the gas gauge always read half-full. The mechanic in looked inside the gas tank and found about 35 pounds of marijuana in plastic-wrap packages that filled about half of the tank's volume.
source CBS News
1981 Dodge Mirada CMX
Fun story about a guy and his love affair with a 1981 Dodge Mirada. I've always been a fan of 70s and 80s era cars. I can't honestly say that this particular model would be my pick, but I salute the owner nonetheless. You can click on the source link for the full story.
source: sfgate
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
No Updates
Sorry for the radio silence, but I've had a cold for several days and just haven't had it in me.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
GM: No Sleep till Brooklyn (Or a Possible Bankruptcy)
Would a GM bankruptcy be that god-awful? A Chapter 11 filing could assemble all of GM's viable assets, including some U.S. brands and international operations, into a new company. The yucky stuff would be liquidated or sold under protection of a bankruptcy court. Contracts with bondholders, unions, dealers and suppliers would also be reworked. If the UAW and bondholders refuse to play ball, a reorganization looks to be the only way to go about things.
In all of this mess, many are asking "Where is the car czar?"
source: GM to say more aid or bankruptcy - WSJ - MarketWatch
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Electric smart Knockoff You Never Saw Coming
The car might be funky looking, but I have to hand it to the seller: he's not building it up too much! To quote from his eBay listing:
This car is leaps and bounds better than the previous model, however it is not the same as a gasoline powered, name branded vehicle. The fit and finish is still primitive, but functional. The electric drive train technology is advanced, and I continue to hope because they continue to improve. What more can we ask?!
No power steering. The steering is difficult until you start moving the car. May be difficult for elderly.
Knocks and dings. The suspension is a lot like driving in a tractor and much more fun!
For all intents and purposes this is a fully enclosed golf cart, and a lot more attractive.
This car is leaps and bounds better than the previous model, however it is not the same as a gasoline powered, name branded vehicle. The fit and finish is still primitive, but functional. The electric drive train technology is advanced, and I continue to hope because they continue to improve. What more can we ask?!
No power steering. The steering is difficult until you start moving the car. May be difficult for elderly.
Knocks and dings. The suspension is a lot like driving in a tractor and much more fun!
For all intents and purposes this is a fully enclosed golf cart, and a lot more attractive.
source: eBay motors
smart ends up in water: nobody is sayin nothin
Uh, okay, this smart just showed up in New York's Patchogue Bay. The car was abandoned, so authorities are trying to figure out want happened. Was the car on a joy ride? Did it fail to repay a loan? Either way, this convertible is sleeping with the fishes.
source: newsday.com
GM/Bose Volt Sound System Partnership
I have some videos to send your way, this one talks about the efficient components used in the Volt's sound system.
Is Saturn Dead? Lutz Fears the Worst
In an interview appearing in Automotive News' Feb 16 issue, GM's boy wonder Bob Lutz doesn't have encouraging words about the brand. Here are his exact words as quoted by the trade paper:
"My personal favorite would be to see Saturn survive and prosper. But frankly, the reality is that that (sic) is probably not going to be the outcome."
I'll leave the rest of the interview up to Automotive News to report, but you have probably heard enough to figure out the rest. While Maximum Bob doesn't actually deliver a "death blow" to the brand, that quote is close enough. As Stuart Lasser, owner of Saturn of Denville said, "Everything's been said; just not everyone has said it."
This all confirms the feeling I got when I spoke with both Rick Wagoner and Troy Clarke in Detroit this past January. Both men were being politically correct, but the bottom line that they both arrived at was that Saturn hasn't made money and GM cannot keep throwing cash at the problem.
I'm sorry to see this happen, but honestly the handwriting has been on the wall for some time. GM gave Saturn one last shot at making a go of it. For awhile Saturn had the best and brightest lineup in the GM family and it simply couldn't get the word out. Personally, I blame the "dark years" where GM really let the brand crawl along with a mediocre lineup. I remember being at an auto show and giving a product rep a hard time about the leopard print roof rails that were available on the Ion. Someone who was listening to our conversation and blurted out "No way!" and the rep looked down at his feet, shuffled them a bit, and said "No, it's true." I'm not saying that some funky options killed the pop star, but the Ion was a lackluster product and the L-Series was no prize, either.
I wish Jill Lajdziak, her group at Saturn and all of its dealers the best. When speaking with GM employees, they have always spoke very highly of Jill and I have been impressed with her whenever we have had the opportunity to meet. I also have high hopes that GM might find a new home for the Astra here in the States. I proposed that very question to Troy Clarke, asking if he saw a space for a premium hatch like the Astra in the U.S. market should the Saturn brand fail. Clarke's answer was yes, he did feel that a product like the Astra hatch could still be relevant in GM's lineup here in the States should Saturn not be able to offer it. While that statement isn't a commitment, it does offer a ray of hope for premium hatch lovers everywhere!
Please note that nothing is official. No one at GM is said that Saturn is dead and until we get a statement to that effect, all of this should be treated as rumor. There is still a chance that another option could be chosen, but as Bob Lutz said in his interview, "The fact is, we don't have the time or the resources to take 10 years to figure it out and possibly turn it (Saturn) around."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Paused? Chrysler/Nissan Agree to Take a Break
When it was announced that Fiat and Chrysler were thinking about shacking up, I wondered what would happen to Nissan's relationship with the Pentastar. I mean, you think about a having a three-way, but it rarely works out.
Not only has the Nissan based, B-segment car that Chrysler had planned to sell in the U.S. been put on the back burner, but so has a Nissan pickup based off the Dodge Ram. That last bit caught me a bit off guard as I thought the pickup tie-up still made sense.
It's not completely over, technically the projects are "paused" until they can bring down costs.
source: Automotive News
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Fiesta Is "Allergy Friendly"
The all-new Ford Fiesta is the latest Ford model especially designed and tested to help protect car occupants from potentially health-threatening allergic reactions.
Ford is the only manufacturer to have its cars independently checked by the British Allergy Foundation (BAF) and the renowned international test authority TÜV to confirm they are "allergy friendly".
For each model, over 100 materials are assessed for allergy-causing potential, so Ford drivers can be confident that the interior conforms to the high standards required by BAF and TÜV.
Andy Taylor, Ford's European sustainability director, said: “Common materials like latex, chrome and nickel can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Our engineers take special care to minimise or eliminate such materials, something that is confirmed in these exhaustive independent tests.”
In total, seven Ford model ranges have been certified as "allergy-tested" by BAF and TÜV, from the top-selling new Ford Fiesta to the Focus, C-MAX, Kuga, Mondeo, S‑MAX and Galaxy.
Ford engineers ensure that all materials touched by drivers – such as the steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts – are dermatologically tested. Allergy-tested Ford models are equipped with high-performance filters – effective at preventing allergic pollens from entering the cabin.
Jules Payne, British Allergy Foundation deputy chief executive said: "BAF is pleased to see the new Ford Fiesta meet these exacting standards. Allergies affect millions of people every year and we are delighted to provide guidance to these people about the best vehicles to drive.”
Ford’s achievements have also been recognized by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation, which awarded the company its "Seal of Quality" for products suitable for allergy sufferers.
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
Have $37,995 laying around unused? Put it to work buying the new Taurus SHO. You'll get a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that generates an estimated 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm. Of course, the SHO comes jam-packed with all the same techno-goodies that the regular 2010 Taurus has, plus you'll be able to avail yourself of Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion. What's that you say? These seats provide subtle but continuous massage to help prevent back pain and fatigue. Of course, the front chairs can also heated and cooled.
So, would you pop for this sedan over an Infiniti G or a CTS? The technology that Ford has packaged with the Taurus does make it interesting, but the 2010 non-SHO sedans that I sat in at the Detroit show didn't exemplify the latest in interior quality advancements. I'm sure that the SHO improves upon this, but have they fixed the nasty plastic on the center console? I could do without that silly spoiler on the trunk as well.
I'm interested, but not yet sold on this one.
Not My Kia Forte
A tidy little design if you ask me. It doesn't break any new ground, but you won't hide it from your co-workers.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Vans Unit?
If you were to walk up to me and say that Wolfgang Bernhard was returning to a major automaker, I'd say "Well it's about time." Now if you were to tell me that he was going to head up a unit comprised of commercial vehicles, I'd say "What?" However, that's what is happening. Wolfie will return to Daimler as head of its vans business. This has to be an entry point for a product genius like Bernie. To be honest, I always saw this guy replacing Bob Lutz. I wonder if Daimler did as well and decided to lock this guy down?
source: Reuters
Wanna Go Dutch? One Euro-Cent Per Liter Fuel
A software glitch allowed a few lucky folks to dive into a veritable all-you-can-pump fuel frenzy in the Noord-Brabant village of Genderen. Fortunately for the station owner, the glitch happened during off-peak hours, so only a limited number of drivers got tanked and the station didn't get hosed. Okay, I'll stop now.
DutchNews.nl - One euro-cent petrol was computer error
Win a Special-Edition PBR '09 F-150 King Ranch (10/18/09)
Here's some trivia for you: I used to raise cattle, mostly Simmental. I never had any temptation to be a bull rider, though. It didn't seem much fun for either the bull or the rider. Anyhoo, while writing up the Harley F-150 story I noticed that Ford has posted its 2009 PBR sweeps. Click here for your chance to win!
2010 Ford Harley-Davidso F-150 Edition
Nothing says practicality on a pickup like 22-inch rims and low-profile performance tires. Can you tell that I'm not impressed with this edition? It doesn't really matter what I think, Ford and Harley have had a nice thing going and this new 2010 version will probably keep the money flowing in. I really like the F-150 and if I was going to pop for a high-end edition, I'd go for the King Ranch. However, if you are impressed with spiffy paint and hand-made cloisonné badges, then this is the truck for you!
GM Serves Up Chevrolet Spark Interior Shot
The production Spark will debut at the Geneva show in March, but we've got the money shots right here with the front, rear and interior together for the first time on one page. While planned for other markets from the get go, Chevrolet believes that the Spark will be an important high fuel price hedge for the brand here in the States. Check out the video above to see the instrument panel in action.
Paisley Park: MINI Crossover
It doesn't look like much in this photo, does it? We can laugh all we want, but MINI makes money, even in a down market. Last year MINI introduced the Clubman model and gave a middle finger salute to the sales funk that has constipated the rest of the industry. For 2009 MINI is giving us a revised convertible model and next year we'll be getting this 2010, four door crossover.
What has been so fascinating for me to watch is that MINI has been able to rake in piles of cash by selling Americans a high content, small hatchback vehicle. That's something that most automakers have found to be impossible, but obviously with the proper execution it can be done. Rumors have it that the above vehicle, with more flattering paint, will start in the high twenties. That's right folks, it will START in the high twenties. Cha-ching!
MINI has its hands so full that production of this crossover will be subbed out to Magna and it will be assembled in Germany. I fully support MINI and its efforts to show that big money can come in small packages.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Wall Art
Pretty cool stuff. A nice consolation prize for those of us who probably will never assemble a kit car. Why not hang a nose section on your wall?
source: Factory Five Racing
Friday, February 06, 2009
McCluggage Calls Fiels a Wuss on Diesel
Denise McCluggage is fanatic about diesel. Nothing wrong with that. I happen to like the fuel myself. Smells good (to me) and it doesn't blow up in your face like gasoline does (don't ask me how I know that).
Anyways, Denise has taken Ford's Mark Fields to task about the lack of diesel vehicles here in the states. She'd like to see a diesel Fiesta or Fusion in our future and thinks that Ford is missing a great opportunity. In the column linked below, she offers some tips to Ford on how they might go about successfully marketing a diesel engine in a car.
I've hounded my fair share of executives about diesel engines and to be honest, I've stopped asking. Firstly, because I know all of their standard answers, but secondly, they've started winning me over with their arguments. The bottom line is, do we upend our current supply system and start pushing diesel or to we try to optimize what we can do with gasoline? When you add up what direct injection and six speed automatics are already giving us now and then factor in what HCCI can give us in the future, quite frankly I do not see such clear path for diesel in small cars. Now in SUVs and pickups, I'm all for diesel in those monsters.
I do believe that there is a market for diesel passenger cars, but it's a small niche and VW, Audi, Mercedes and BMW are rallying to the call. Honda seems to be backing off and I haven't heard anything from Nissan as of late, but supposedly we'll be getting a diesel Maxima. When Mahindra launches here we'll be getting some light-duty diesel vehicles from India.
Having said all of that, I'd love to see a diesel Fiesta or Fusion sold here. However, I won't lambaste Ford execs if it doesn't happen. Now more than ever, a compelling business case has to be made. Right now, I simply can't see one for most manufacturers.
source: AutoWeek
Mr. Clean Franchises Car Wash Service
Procter & Gamble has been testing a Mr. Clean Car Wash franchise and has announced that it is ready to take the operation national. Pricing seems to be in line with other competitors. Its certainly an interesting time to launch a new franchise. With credit being so tight, I have to wonder how successful this venture will be? On the plus side, the Mr. Clean name is extremely recognizable and will undoubtedly sway some consumers who happen to drive by.
source: P&G's Mr. Clean Car Wash Accepting Franchise Applications Nationwide
2010 Ranger: The "I Refuse To Die" Edition
Update: Ford has now released the 2010 Ranger info on its media site for the rest of us lackeys out there. Other than a couple of 2010 Ranger Sport photos, the actual text doesn't give us any additional info, but you can check it out for yourself by clicking here.
You have to hand it to the plucky Ford Ranger. It's soldiered on for years with only minor tweaks and was scheduled to be phased out due to new safety requirements. A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, however, and when gas prices spiked and sales picked up, Ford decided that maybe it should keep its small truck entry around a bit longer.
My brother-in-law sports around in a Ranger from time to time. The truck is on its last legs, but is sticking around to help bro and his wife collect baby gear, 'cause that's the kind of stand up guy the Ranger is. There is something appealing in the simplicity of this vehicle. A utilitarian model that has beaten the odds and stayed on the scene far longer that most folks would have imagined. I hope that Ford does right by the Ranger and continues its legacy for years to come.
With that in mind, here is the 2010 Ford Ranger with electronic stability control and side impact airbags. The Detroit News has access to some media info that isn't available on my Ford media page, so I'm linking to them. If Ford coughs up more pictures/info later, I'll update this post.
source: Detroit News
Lincoln and the Grammy Awards
While other manufacturers have been dropping high-profile advertising left and right, Lincoln is touting its Grammy commercial. In my mind, you can't beat the value of lower cost efforts. The MKS isn't even the main focus of the commercial. Instead of spending a truckload of cash on a moon shot, why not buy more airtime and bang people over the head with your message? I hate the Snuggie, but thanks to an unrelenting ad blitz I'll never forget it.
The above video is obviously not the commercial, but rather some footage of the MKS driving around.
Lincoln and its creative agency, Y&R Team Detroit, created “Project Rising Stars” in collaboration with Gary Calamar – renowned DJ and Grammy-nominated producer and music supervisor. The team selected 10 songs from some of the country’s top emerging music artists and developed a music video-based competition in partnership with Filmaka, an online community for filmmakers and other artists, to create their own original content.
source: Ford
DMV Wants to Face Identity Theft Head On
Remember that Visa Card campaign where everyone claimed to be Emmit Smith? Well, California's DMV is hoping to prevent license monkey-business by recording biometric data then matching it against existing records on file. Match up with an existing entry under a different name and you are a WINNER!
Privacy advocates see "Big Brother" written all over this. Authorities could scan crowds, identify people and then use that info to develop profiles. For example, you could show up at an anti-war rally and suddenly you're on a list that would make Senator McCarthy proud.
DMV claims the opposite is true, that in fact this initiative would improve privacy--although officials were a bit light on supporting details.
At the end of the day, are folks will to sacrifice more personal details in the fight against criminals or will all of these compromises eventually make them an Enemy of the State?
source: DMV proposal for face-detection technology irks privacy groups - San Jose Mercury News
Thursday, February 05, 2009
1957 Ferrari 250TR On the Block
Interestingly enough, many classic cars are still hot items, even with the economy the way it is. Take this rare Ferrari, for example. It will undoubtedly fetch a fantasmogorical price. For me, however, I wouldn't drop any coin on this car even if I had the money unless I wanted to donate it to a museum. Now that Alfa I posted the other day is something I would throw down on if I had that kind of change.
RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will present one of the most historically significant and valuable Ferrari racing cars ever offered at auction, the legendary 1957 Ferrari 250 TR (chassis no. 0714TR), when the famed Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event returns to Maranello, May 17, 2009. Held during the final stretch of the famous Mille Miglia retrospective, the exclusive annual event will offer an unprecedented collection of historic Ferraris for auction.
source: Sports Car Market
"Get Smart" Sunbeam Tiger
Given that my life has become so busy that I have little time to myself, even to write about cars, I take solace in any brief read I can scan while doing something else. Here's a fun story about time well spent with a Sunbeam Tiger. Check it out at the link below.
source: "Get Smart" car spied on Bay Area roadways
FORD F-150 SVT RAPTOR R TO RUN “BEST IN THE DESERT” SERIES IN 2009
"Ford Racing and Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) announced today that the F-150 SVT Raptor R, the same truck that finished third in class at the 41st SCORE Tecate Baja 1000, will run in the 2009 'Best In The Desert' race series. The truck will be driven by veteran Ford truck racers and former “Rough Riders” Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges. The privately funded team will run all five points races for 2009 in the Raptor R to continue testing the durability of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor and its production components."
source: FORD
Auto Wisdom From Miley Cyrus
It's, like, so hard to drive. Oh. My. Gosh. That's report from Miley Cyrus about here old Porsche that she has since swapped for a Prius. Cyrus told Ryan Seacrest that the Porsche was a tank, it felt "really huge" and was hard to drive.
Of course, Ms. Cyrus is so wise about other things as evidenced by the above photo.
Somehow I think Porsche will be okay and BTW, most Porsche's actually get pretty decent Miley-age.
source: SFGate: Daily Dish : Cyrus Says She Felt Like a Hypocrite in Porsche
I'd Geely LIke To Own Volvo
Ford is rumored to be in talks with China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. to unload its Volvo division. Such a sale would not give Ford much in the way of actual cash as it has pledged Volvo as collateral when it secured a massive line of credit in 2006 (which in retrospect was a stroke of genius). This would, however, get rid of a money-losing operation and allow Ford to concentrate on its core, something the company has been working towards for some time now. Say what you will, no matter how things end up, Ford did get more from its relationship with its Swedish girlfriend than GM ever did with Saab.
source: Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
I found my friends, They're In Boliva
Sweet Lithium. Everybody wants it, Boliva has more than half of it. Are we simply trading one Saudia Arabia for another?
source: nytimes via det news
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Hyundai Dishes Out MP3
Pickup a free Smashing Pumpkins song free courtesy of Hyundai. Click here to get the single.
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