5/16 TechChuck Auto

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. TechChuck Auto - Auto stories from all around the web! Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.15.09 May 15, 2009 at 8:13 pm First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost and MKS EcoBoost For the last year and a half, Ford has repeatedly touted EcoBoost as its high volume, mainstream technology for reducing fuel consumption while delivering the performance we crave. Now, we finally get behind the wheel to see if two turbocharged Lincolns are up to the task. Feeling Guilty About Driving Fast Cars? Shanghai Surprise: Cadillac CTS stunt team dazzles in China, Heinricy sets F1 track record First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost and MKS EcoBoost BREAKING: GM reportedly set to pink-slip 1,100 dealers today Review: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 goes to Hell and back Private race track club planned for South Africa ZR1 Sedan: Hennessey releases 600-800 hp packages for 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Hennessey V700 CTS-V: 700 HP, Four-Door ZR1 Tom Hanks, electric vehicle enthusiast, loves his RAV4 EV May 15, 2009 at 8:11 pm A few years ago, a video of Tom Hanks excitedly talking up his electric Scion xB (aka eBox, which he got first) made the rounds. All Hanks' Hollywood money means that he can drive and be excited about not just one, but multiple electric cars. Better Place Video Of EV Battery-Pack Quick Swap: Nope, STILL Not Convinced Verdek-EV lands distribution deal for Coulomb ChargePoint stations Elektromotive unveils billing system chargepoint for EVs at EVS24 conference Nissan to build EVs at its Oppama assembly plant in Japan Electric Entertainment: Sarah Spiegel records Chevy Volt Jingle Nissan's Audacious Claim: Our EV Will Cost No More Than a Regular Compact Car Nissan teams up with AeroVironment to charge electric cars in D.C. VW Plants Seed in U.S. Soil Shell CEO: electric cars are old news, biofuels are the future GM Planning All Electric City Car? More stories ... Lexus IS C gets the F-Sport treatment May 15, 2009 at 8:05 pm Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus IS C F-Sport In an effort to appeal to its more performance-minded customers, Lexus launched its F-Sport line of accessories at SEMA in 2007. Available for the IS model, the parts ranged from a ceramic brake upgrade to a beefier clutch that could handle 15% more torque... Driven: 2010 Lexus IS C Topless tourer: The roof comes off the Lexus IS: Driven: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Lexus preparing a Prius-based premium subcompact for Europe Mega City introduces no-frills e-City Pro electric var REPORT: Lexus' A3/1 series-fight coming to Frankfurt with hybrid power Lexus 1-Series: Europe-Only, Hybrid Only? Electric GreenGT design study fortells the future of LeMans May 15, 2009 at 8:04 pm GreenGT Design Study - Click above for a high-res image gallery This year's 24 Hours of LeMans is sure to be a race for the ages, but what about next year? Or the year after that? If GreenGT gets its act together in time for the 2011 event, the Switzerland-based firm could be the first to the grid with an electric race car. REPORT: Auto Union name could be revived with Porsche-VW merger First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost and MKS EcoBoost Veritas RS III to officially debut at London Salon Privé Ford to offer 100,000 test drives as part of Fiesta Movement Fool and money parted thanks to convertible and wind First hydrogen highway opened in Norway Australian website gets first spin in GTA Spano Audi reveals plans for RS5 coupe/cabrio, A5 Sportback, new A8, A1 and hybrids Alternative Romeo: Alfa Berlina Da Corsa design study Spy Shots: Next-gen Jaguar XJ... No, really! More stories ... Chinese cities offering incentives to buy locally-made hybrid cars May 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm BYD F3DM - Click above for an image gallery The city of Shenzhen, China, where automaker BYD is located, has decided to give its citizens a boost to purchase the locally-made cars. In addition to the nation-wide grants, which can be worth up to 50,000 yuan ($7,320) when buying a hybrid vehicle (60,000 yuan if the vehicle is all-electric), Shenzen is offering discounts up to 60 percent of the car's value. For a 149,800 yuan BYD F3 Dual Mode hybrids (when it becomes available to everybody next June), citizens will be able to get discounts of nearly 90,000 yuan. Latest findings says cars more affordable now than they have been since study began in 1979 Chrysler discounts 2009 models by up to $6,000 Chrysler launches May incentives worth up to $6,000 Indian electric vehicle companies request Federal Government help Spanish automakers' association calls for scrappage scheme By The Numbers: April 2009 - More of the Same, With a Twist Edition GM and Ford hybrids have a good sales month in April 'Cash for clunkers' plan draws fire Bankruptcy reality settles in at Chrysler Feeling Guilty About Driving Fast Cars? May 15, 2009 at 7:11 pm First, I'd like to believe that no environment was harmed in the making of our feature on megapowered supersedans, which will be published in the Automobiles section on Sunday. That said, I'm sure that neither my co-writer, Ezra Dyer, nor myself tallied how many gallons of premium fuel were burned, or how many pounds of carbon-dioxide were spewed – we were having way too much fun testing the BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Jaguar XF Supercharged and Lexus IS-F... Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.15.09 Shanghai Surprise: Cadillac CTS stunt team dazzles in China, Heinricy sets F1 track record Review: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 goes to Hell and back Private race track club planned for South Africa ZR1 Sedan: Hennessey releases 600-800 hp packages for 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Hennessey V700 CTS-V: 700 HP, Four-Door ZR1 Delivery Driver Wrecks Mario Andretti's Rare Lamborghini Countach Scrap the Rich: Bentley Continental is 85% recyclable May 15, 2009 at 7:05 pm Bentley Recycling Certificate - Click above to enlarge Good news for all Bentley Continental owners who plan to recycle their ultra-expensive and luxurious automobile after the GT outlives its usefulness: Bentley now guarantees that the Continental line is 85% recyclable and 95% recoverable... Bentley Continental Supersports spied at the N?rburgring: Bentley guarantees Continental is 85% recyclable Bentley Continentals are 85 percent recyclable--but who scraps a Bentley?: Link Love From The Car Connection: Bentley Continental Supersports Spotted, Fast & Furious Nissan Stolen, And Seniors Have Their Moments Spy Shots: Bentley Continental Supersports spotted near 'Ring China's Hautai reportedly readying Bentley Continental knockoff Well, I'll be Francis Ford Coppola! A 1948 Tucker is headed for auction May 15, 2009 at 7:04 pm Many entrepreneurs have tried to break into the auto industry over the past century. Since the very early days, almost none have succeeded – or even lasted very long. Most such names have been forgotten and consigned to the dustbins of history. On the other hand, one of the most memorable failures of all time was Preston Tucker and his radically unconventional Torpedo. Only 51 of the forward-thinking sedans were built in 1948 before the company finally went belly up permanently. Car that chauffeured Mussolini, Franco, Hitler up for auction Protestors to picket Bonhams Aston Martin factory auction this weekend Court Orders Stop to Car-Warranty Robocalls May 15, 2009 at 6:41 pm From our colleagues at City Room: A federal court in Chicago issued an immediate restraining order on Friday afternoon against three companies accused of aggressively making robocalls selling car warranties across the country, the Federal Trade Commission announced. The order, which also froze the companies' assets, came in response to a lawsuit filed by the commission on Wednesday. Tracking Down Auto Warranty Callers REPORT: Fed investigating car warranty 'robo-calls' Honda Insight becomes best-selling vehicle in Japan The European Union is studying green label for tires May 15, 2009 at 6:26 pm The EU is readying legislation that will label tires according to their impact on the environment. The idea is to create a label that would spot three values, two of them inspired by current energy efficiency ratings of domestic appliances: The first value, using letters from A to G will refer to rolling resistance... VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo Th!nk gets homologation in the Netherlands, ready to be sold in European Union WheelCat Is Not Pleased Stillborn Smart "ForMore" SUV Concept Found In Shed Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pullman drawings leak from European patent office Continental introduces its first turbocharger, coming in 2011 Geely denies interest in Volvo and Saab, but you can still bet on who will buy the 'Born From Jets' brand May 15, 2009 at 6:07 pm According to the Chinese auto newshounds over at Gasgoo, Geely has denied it has any interest in buying Volvo or Saab. The Swedish patients, being shopped by Ford Motor Company and General Motors, respectively, are still up for sale, however. As the story goes, Geely chairman Li Shufu has been cited as remarking that too much money is being asked for the two marques. According to a press release detailed by Gasgoo, the automaker has stated that it "has not submitted, and has no plans to submit, any bids concerning the takeovers of 'Volvo' or 'Saab' as stated in recent press articles." Is GM's Henderson 'afraid' to let Saab go because the next 9-5 is so good? Riding The "Volvo Water Cannon" China's Hautai reportedly readying Bentley Continental knockoff Volvo Ends Up in the Gowanus Canal Legendary Saab exec Bob Sinclair dies: Rumormill: Suzuki to join Marchionne's Fiat/Chrysler/Opel super-group REPORT: Renault after Saturn, Geely after Saab Saab denies talks with Fiat Can Fiat Succeed as a Global Player? Fiat considering new company to combine Chrysler, GM Europe, including Saab, Opel and Vauxhall More stories ... Streaming video of Team Polizei 144P practice at Laguna Seca May 15, 2009 at 6:00 pm Click the image above to view the streaming video after the jump Trans-continental record-holder Alex Roy and the rest of the Polizei/TRG gang are testing their Porsche 997 911 GT3 before its inaugural outing at this weekend's Grand Am race at Laguna Seca. In keeping with the team's pledge to evolve the way motorsports coverage is delivered, they're streaming the 144P's tarmac assault to your computer. Hit the jump to watch Henri Richard and Rene Villenueve tackle the track, and check back this weekend for coverage of the team's efforts from the pits. Event Alert: May Calendar of Automotive Events Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: Track-Tested, V12-Powered, Kid-Approved May 15, 2009 at 5:30 pm We have looked at Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even a Maserati wagon in our search for the ultimate family super car. Let’s wrap things up with the overlord of them all: the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. There is no way to get used to the size of Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti. While most Ferraris—indeed, most supercars—tend to be larger in life than imagined, the Scag is a monster. Longer than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and wider than an S-Class, it is the size and shape of a ballistic missile, especially in dark gray. Feeling Guilty About Driving Fast Cars? Engines Will Shrink For Fuel Efficiency, But You'll Pay More For Less Driven: 2009 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG BMW Opens the Bidding at $24 Billion? 2011 Audi A8 On Track Less alphabet soup in Mercedes-Benz names Spy Shots: Maserati GranTurismo drophead spotted 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK: First Look, Sort Of Mercedes to debut new fuel cell bus at public transport conference in June More F1 teams joins boycott call for 2010 regulation changes More stories ... Toyota's drastic overhaul to reportedly replace 40% of management May 15, 2009 at 5:27 pm In an effort to slow the crash, Toyota Motor Corp. is undertaking a massive overhaul and management reorganization next month when Akio Toyoda takes over as president. Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota's founder, will be officially appointed on June 23 at the annual shareholder's meeting. With the new president in place, the Financial Times is reporting that the company will replace 40% of its senior managers and bring back Yoshimi Inaba, a former senior executive, to lead U.S. operations. Toyota sees losses deepening this year Ford outsells Toyota as auto sales drops go on GM improves, Toyota slips as industry sales decline eases: Ford outsells Toyota EPA: let's talk about that E15 raise a little longer May 15, 2009 at 5:22 pm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking into what might happen to the environemnt if the maximum level of ethanol mixed into the national liquid fuel supply is increased from 10 percent (where it is today) to 15... Is More Ethanol Good or Bad? White House Steps Up Support for Biofuels Elvis, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Kiss share their cars and guitars: May 15, 2009 at 5:03 pm Somewhere between Ricky Nelson?s lime-green ?32 Ford custom coupe featured on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet TV show, and Alice Cooper?s fake-blood-spattered, stage-used guillotine--you?ll find a ?40 Ford coupe and a ?64 Gretsch guitar belonging to hardcore punk rocker Mike Ness of Social Distortion fame. Somewhere between heaven and hell, indeed. Electric Motors Corp wants to build truck hybrid systems in Indiana May 15, 2009 at 4:31 pm California based Electric Motors Corporation (EMC) is pitching for some funding from the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program so that it can set up a new factory in Elkhart County, Indiana. EMC is partnering with RV maker Gulf Stream Coach on the project and plans to start off by building a new hybrid drive system for light and medium duty trucks. Not a lot of information is available about the system, other than that the company just recently got some patents. AutoblogGreen for 05.01.09 BREAKING: Fiesta Movement Agent reports car stolen, Ford tracking it live May 15, 2009 at 4:19 pm Buried within the noise that is Twitter this morning was a tiny tweet from Brooklyn-based Fiesta Movement Agent Jake Bronstein: #fiestamovement car STOLEN. No, really. Police en route now. I almost couldve predicted this somehow. Jake's Hot Magenta Fiesta (above is the model we drove in NYC during our First Drive) is one of 100 Euro-spec models that Ford has loaned to selected "agents" across the U.S. We don't have many details, but we have confirmed with Ford spokesman Alan Hall that the car has gone missing. Ford to offer 100,000 test drives as part of Fiesta Movement That's a Good Sport: Ford offers sport package on European Fiesta Really? A Chevrolet Aveo On The Nurburgring? May 15, 2009 at 3:47 pm 2011 Chevrolet Aveo at the Nurburgring There are many things we hope to see before we shuffle off this mortal coil. The end of world hunger. Vaccines for every disease. Robot butlers. Among the items not on the list: a Chevrolet Aveo making laps at the Nurburgring. And yet, a camouflaged Aveo zipping down the straightaways is exactly what some crafty photogs have spotted. Spy shots: Bentley gets ready to run the 'Ring in the E85 Continental Supersports Volkswagen to debut four new models in Frankfurt? Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden Officially, official: Toyota will lease 150 plug-in Priuses in Europe starting in late 2009 May 15, 2009 at 3:40 pm Plug-in Toyota Prius prototype - Click above for a high-res gallery We heard in March that Toyota would bring 100 plug-in Priuses to Strasbourg, France. The company has now spelled out more of its European PHEV Prius roll-out plans, and the highlight is a total of 500 new-generation plug-in Priuses in operation in Europe, Japan and the US by 2010... Bikes vs. cars race ends in decisive two-wheeled victory Ford Warns Against Nigerian Princes Selling Cheap Fusion Hybrids Report: Toyota received 75,000 Prius pre-orders European Shell Eco Marathon Europe 2009: more than 8000 mpg! 2011 Audi A8 On Track Toyota launches "Build Your Prius" minisite REPORT: Le Mans Series action to be broadcast live online Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.12.09 What will the electric car look like? Top designers weigh in: Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks More stories ... Ford Fiesta Movement Car Stolen In New York! May 15, 2009 at 3:35 pm According to Brooklyn-based Fiesta Movement agent Jake Bronstein, his Ford Fiesta was stolen. Worse, since DMV records don't show the car he can't file a report. UPDATE: Ford incites vigilantism, tweets out GPS location! In case you were wondering, yes, that is Jake in the hipster uber-alles American flag white frame faux Ray Ban Wayfarers... Ford to offer 100,000 test drives as part of Fiesta Movement Rumormill: Could the Fiat-Chrysler deal yield a North American Ford Ka? AutoblogGreen for 05.05.09 Ford Fiesta "agents" get first mission: some decide to go milk a cow Rendered Rumormill: Mini Speedster coming to Frankfurt? May 15, 2009 at 3:31 pm While we're big fans of the Mini Cooper and Cooper S, the Convertible has left us wanting on several levels – visibility and weight being our biggest gripes. However, the remedy may be on the way this September when Mini takes the wraps of the Cooper Roadster at the Frankfurt Motor Show. According to L'Automobile, the Speedster concept will nix the Cooper's laughable rear seats to become a true two-seater, but will still pack a retractable soft-top that attaches to the shortened, more steeply raked windshield... Audi reveals plans for RS5 coupe/cabrio, A5 Sportback, new A8, A1 and hybrids Volkswagen to debut four new models in Frankfurt? VW decides BlueMotion fits gasoline cars as well, especially Passat 1.4 TSI Mapping the Carnage: Laying out Chrysler's dealer closings nationwide May 15, 2009 at 3:14 pm Click above to view and explore Chrysler's dealer rejections nationwide and in your town There's no easy to way to put it: Chrysler's bankrupt. The only way for the Auburn Hills-based automaker to emerge from bankruptcy is to make some drastic moves. Chrysler seeks to eliminate 789 dealers, 42 in Michigan One Thing Separating Chrysler HQ From Most Malls eBay Find of the Day: Damaged ZR1 on the cheap Honda tapped to supply racing bike engines for new Moto2 series Another day, another Nissan EV partner, this time Raliegh, NC Saturn Rental Car Never Gets Oil Change, Engine Carnage Ensues After 30,000 Miles REPORT: Auto Union name could be revived with Porsche-VW merger May 15, 2009 at 2:49 pm Auto Union Silver Arrow Type-D - Click above for a high-res image According to a report by 4Car, the Auto Union name could be revived with the merger of Porsche and Volkswagen. For those unfamiliar, the Auto Union moniker was coined during the Great Depression in 1932, when four German automakers – Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer – merged to create what's now present-day Audi. The four interlocked rings of the Audi logo represented the alliance, but the Auto Union name carries some baggage. Maserati Loves Company: Quattroporte stretched limousine Rumormill: Suzuki to join Marchionne's Fiat/Chrysler/Opel super-group Opel does a fan-dance with 2010 Astra teasers Chrysler reveals more facets of "We Build" campaign Porsche and VW Move Closer to Merger Chrysler and Fiat: A merger of equally unreliable product Fiat eyes merger with GM Europe NewCo? Will the Chrysler name remain after the Fiat alliance? Bikes vs. cars race ends in decisive two-wheeled victory May 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm What does it take to beat a Zenn electric car and a Toyota Prius in cross-town driving? A pair of wheels and some leg-power. In the sixth annual Commuter Race in San Jose, California, all the bikes - a standard bike, a tandem and a hybrid bike - beat the two cars in a treasure hunt-style race through town. The riders and drivers were asked to perform a few tasks (get a pastry at one shop, an apple at another), and see who could make it to the finish line first. The event took place Tuesday and the fastest bike completed the route in 22 minutes; the fastest car (the Zenn) took 42 minutes. Officially, official: Toyota will lease 150 plug-in Priuses in Europe starting in late 2009 Report: Toyota received 75,000 Prius pre-orders Greenlings: How can I live without a car? Toyota launches "Build Your Prius" minisite Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.12.09 What will the electric car look like? Top designers weigh in: Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks VIDEO: Buell goes for Fastest Bike on Ice title George Will recycles "Prius loses money" untruth VIDEO: Toyota gives one current Prius owner sneak peek at the new model More stories ... Handful of new Shelby Series II roadsters still available for purchase May 15, 2009 at 1:41 pm Click above for a high-res gallery of the Shelby Series II Back in the mid 1990s, Carroll Shelby set out to do something he had never done: build a complete car from scratch. The Series 1 seemed to have the right formula on paper – lightweight aluminum honeycomb chassis, carbon fiber body, sophisticated coilover suspension and a 4... When in Romania: MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne The coolest cars you've never heard of White House Denies Claims of Chrysler Threat And they're off! Gumballers head out of Los Angeles on first leg of rally X-Prize entrant exhibits eRev at Epic Expo, earns 275 MPGe May 15, 2009 at 1:31 pm eVaro - Click above for a hi-res gallery Vancouver just played host to the Epic Expo, an exposition centered around sustainable living, and one of the exhibitors there might be familiar to dedicated AutoblogGreen readers. Engines Will Shrink For Fuel Efficiency, But You'll Pay More For Less 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost: First Drive A hybrid bus that cuts fuel consumption in half VW reports roughly 13,000 advance orders for new 2010 Polo Popular Mechanics puts Fastskinz MPG-Plus to the test BMW: U.S. Four-Cylinders Possible, Not Yet Certain Vinyl Vehicle Wraps Don't Increase Fuel Economy Ford worker builds DIY 125 mpg aero-trike MPG Illusion: cash-for-clunkers bill should use the 1 Gallon Per Mile principle Audi A3 Going Hybrid More stories ... G.M. Said to Seek About 1,100 Dealer Closures May 15, 2009 at 1:15 pm From our colleagues at DealBook: General Motors was expected Friday to follow Chrysler in moving to cull its dealer network. About 1,100 G.M. dealers, making up 18 percent of the company's vast dealer network, were expected to receive letters Friday informing them that the crippled automaker does not plan to renew their contracts expiring in October 2010, according to various news reports citing people familiar with the plans. BREAKING: GM reportedly set to pink-slip 1,100 dealers today MORE CLOSINGS: GM dealers to learn today if they are on list Ford concerns: Dealer ranks, profit GM nears brink, pays parts firms before 6/1 GM speeding up payments to suppliers GM's stock price sinks to $1 per share Is GM's Henderson 'afraid' to let Saab go because the next 9-5 is so good? REPORT: Execs including Bob Lutz, Troy Clarke dump GM stock Fouts touts Warren for GM; move not ruled out Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky could live on... with different parents More stories ... 2009 Subaru Forester: Unsupervised Off-Road Mayhem May 15, 2009 at 1:00 pm The last 2009 Subaru Forester we drove blew a tire, forcing us into making clichéd gay jokes. This time we took it to an off-road park and beat it like a rented mule. Subaru is many things to many different kinds of people, but they've always stayed true to the cause of all-wheel-drive in sensible automobiles... Ford issues warning on email hoax offering $15k Fusion Hybrid May 15, 2009 at 12:54 pm 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery We imagine the world of corporate PR to be a little bit of pushing your own message and a whole lot of "We need to respond to what?" We can also only imagine how Ford's PR folks felt today when issuing a statement in response to a hoax email that has been making the rounds. Ford Warns Against Nigerian Princes Selling Cheap Fusion Hybrids European Spammer Takes Ford Phishing Ford concerns: Dealer ranks, profit Some Ford shareholders seek exec pay limits TOM WALSH: Ford's shrewd, fast moves set it apart from GM Ford stock down 13% after share offering Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps Ford to offer 300 million shares of common stock Delphi, Visteon see 1Q profits Ford to sell up to 300 million shares, boost retiree health fund More stories ... TOM WALSH: Logic doesn't soften the blow to auto dealers May 15, 2009 at 11:49 am This is a week for wakes and weeping in hundreds of automobile showrooms across America. It's a week for mourning the loss of dealers who have peddled Dodges or Jeeps or Pontiacs for generations, and who have supported untold numbers of Little League teams and breast cancer walks along the way. There is no way to put a happy face on Chrysler's move to eliminate 789 of its 3,200 dealers, announced Thursday, or General Motors' plan to eliminate 1,100 dealers, being rolled out today. Chrysler seeks to eliminate 789 dealers, 42 in Michigan TOM WALSH: Ford's shrewd, fast moves set it apart from GM Auto dealers fighting against closures Will GM consider moving its headquarters out of Detroit? TOM WALSH: GM likely to keep HQ in Detroit TOM WALSH: Detroit can't afford to lose GM TOM WALSH: End GM's nightmarish road trip, fast TOM WALSH: UAW raps GM plan on imports Classic Ad: Honda Civic Starring Leonardo DiCaprio May 15, 2009 at 11:05 am Honda recently announced that the new 2010 Insight was the best-selling car in Japan in April, making it the first hybrid to top sales in the country. It displaced the Honda Fit, which had been the best-seller there for four straight months. And Honda did it without the aid of Leonardo DiCaprio, who has made a cottage industry of appearing in Japanese car commercials... Honda Insight Is Best Seller in Japan Honda Insight becomes best-selling vehicle in Japan Honda Insight first-ever hybrid to become Japan's #1 selling auto This Is Your Brain On Foreign Cars... Any Questions? Ford Warns Against Nigerian Princes Selling Cheap Fusion Hybrids May 15, 2009 at 11:00 am Email scammers are attempting to "phish" for personal information by claiming, erroneously, to be selling the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid for $15,500 through a special government program. Don't send them your information. According to the FBI, the plot originated in Europe and the email purports to be from a Ford sales manager who is said to be offering these vehicles at below market prices so Ford can "bounce back" on their feet... European Spammer Takes Ford Phishing Will GM consider moving its headquarters out of Detroit? Rumormill: Could the Fiat-Chrysler deal yield a North American Ford Ka? GM and Ford hybrids have a good sales month in April Detroit 3 headlines: Slow drivers push Fusion m.p.g. Ford teams up with American Idol on one-off, karaoke-equipped, special edition Fusion Fusion vs bison, bison loses and driver walks away Ford outsells Toyota as auto sales drops go on Ford outsells Toyota Ford April sales off 32%, gains market share More stories ... VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo May 15, 2009 at 11:00 am A year ago, less a day, we showed you the first clip of the Fisker Karma in motion. More footage was shot that afternoon but inexplicably, it's taken this long for it to find its way onto the internet. What we have here is 52 seconds of exuberant pedal down slalom carving and skidpad circling. The driver makes the tires squawk so much you forget all about the unfortunate pop tune dubbed into the clip. REPORT: Fisker planning third Karma variant, low-cost hybrid Ready to rumble: 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds H/O 455: Fisker, EnerDel battery deal could result in EnerDel-powered Karmas by June 2010 EnerDel signs deal to maybe provide batteries to Fisker Automotive BREAKING: GM reportedly set to pink-slip 1,100 dealers today May 15, 2009 at 10:57 am According to Bloomberg News, General Motors is set to send some 1,100 notices today to U.S. dealers detailing the manufacturer's plans to sever their relationship. The move comes on the heels of yesterday's news detailing fellow beleaguered automaker Chrysler's announcement that they are firing some 25% of their own network (some 789 showrooms). BREAKING: Chrysler 'rejects' 789 dealers nationwide, works to pare network by 25% by June 9 GM's stock price sinks to $1 per share Is GM's Henderson 'afraid' to let Saab go because the next 9-5 is so good? Auto dealers fighting against closures Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky could live on... with different parents GM ducks question about moving HQ Experts say GM bankruptcy almost inevitable New RenCen bar is tie-in with GM's Volt More GM Cuts: Cadillac STS-V and Pontiac G6 GXP both gone for 2010 BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS: 2 Chrysler debt holders withdraw objection More stories ... Spy Shots: Oh-So-Good Saab 9-5 rear end and interior spotted May 15, 2009 at 10:52 am Rumor has it that the next 9-5 is so good, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson doesn't want to get rid of Saab. We suspect that's more of a ploy to draw in big dollars, but a top notch Saab 9-5 will help improve the value of the perennially struggling Swedish automaker regardless. Judging from these new spy photos of the interior and rear end, the 9-5 appears to be shaping up nicely, at least. Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.14.09 Spy Shots: 2012 Volkswagen Passat Spy Shots: Could this be the face of BMW's Project i? Spy Shots: Next-gen Jaguar XJ... No, really! REPORT: Spied Aston V12 Vantage Roadster actually a beefed-up V8 Spy Shots: Bentley Continental Supersports spotted near 'Ring Spy shots: Bentley gets ready to run the 'Ring in the E85 Continental Supersports Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.12.09 Spy Shots: Maserati GranTurismo drophead spotted More stories ... "Great ethanol scam" can easily cost you $1,000, says BW May 15, 2009 at 10:09 am The undeniable shift towards E15 continues, but not everyone is liking it. Business Week's Ed Wallace has collected a series of anecdotes that shows what he calls the "unpublicized trend" of ethanol destroying fuel systems in America's cars even without the increase to E15. A lot of mechanics are repairing a lot of fuel systems at around $1,000 a pop, and Wallace writes: Canadian E5 mandate to move ahead despite concerns Study: better to burn biomass to power electric cars than to make ethanol 50 gallons per mile?!? That's the water cost of corn-based ethanol White House Steps Up Support for Biofuels Working at the Car Wash: May 15, 2009 at 10:00 am It?s inevitable. With a yard full of oak trees waking from a long hibernation, randy and eager to do their springtime thing, every inch of the yard gets coated with a thick layer of yellow pollen. The whole neighborhood, in fact, takes on an amber tinge, even as the grass--ablaze in violent green--struggles to dominate the landscape?s color wheel. Thank goodness for Zyrtec. European Spammer Takes Ford Phishing May 15, 2009 at 9:55 am Spam Spam isn't usually a TCC concern. We have faith that most of our readers have toughened over the years, becoming bitter, jaded husks of human beings who love nothing more than deleting get-rich-quick emails from distant Nigerian relatives. And that's why we love you. But when internet hoaxes affects car buyers, the spammers make it our concern... Ford Warns Against Nigerian Princes Selling Cheap Fusion Hybrids STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? REPORT: VW logs 13,000 orders for new Polo ahead of launch Obama, lawmakers reach agreement on Cash for Clunkers legislation BREAKING: Lawmakers reach agreement on Cash for Clunkers legislation Dude, where's my car? UK artist creates invisible Skoda Fabia Detroit 3 headlines: Slow drivers push Fusion m.p.g. Ford teams up with American Idol on one-off, karaoke-equipped, special edition Fusion Fusion vs bison, bison loses and driver walks away Ford outsells Toyota More stories ... Vauxhall unveils new police package Insignia May 15, 2009 at 9:44 am Vauxhall Special Vehicles Police Package - Click above for high-res gallery GM UK Special Vehicles has just introduced its take-no-prisoners Police-specification Vauxhall Insignia. Available to police fleets throughout the UK, the car is available in sedan or Sports Tourer body styles (shown above). Powertrain choices include a 220 PS (216 hp) 2.0-liter turbo or a 260 PS (256 hp) 2.8-liter with all-wheel drive. A 160 PS (157 hp) diesel 2.0-liter is also available. Opel does a fan-dance with 2010 Astra teasers Marchionne aims for Chrysler, wants Saab Rumormill: Vauxhall going after city car market with Trixx EV? Fiat eyes merger with GM Europe Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden Auto threesome? Fiat CEO confirms pursuing partnership with Opel 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost: First Drive May 15, 2009 at 9:30 am Rather than a pedestrian 3.7-liter V6, the 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost provides a rip-roaring 355 HP twin-turbo V6 that'll get 24+ MPG. Minus tweaks, it's the same setup we'll see in the Ford Taurus SHO. If ever there was a Lincoln we could call "hot rod, " this is it, but not in the way you might imagine... New 2010 Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost to start at $47,760* Ford engineers slam basketballs and shopping carts into cars for safety's sake Ford Shows How It's Protecting You... New 2010 Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost to start at $47,760* May 15, 2009 at 9:01 am Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost We hope to have our very first driving impressions of Ford's new EcoBoost powertrain technology for you later today, but in the meantime, the Blue Oval has just announced that the first vehicle to rely on EcoBoost motivation, the 2010 MKS, now has a price tag: $47,760 (*excluding destination and delivery charges). 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost: First Drive Ener1 developing fuel cells for use as range extenders Even Better than the Real Thing: Retro Gullwing still built in Germany, but with V8 power RIP Rip-Snorting Audi R8 V12 TDI Diesel 2009 BMW 750i dyno'd, proven under-rated power How To Stop A Formula One Race With One Button May 15, 2009 at 9:00 am Remember this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix which was red-flagged in torrential rain after 31 laps? Here’s how the officials brought the cars to a stop. My friend Roland is backpacking his way around the world and—being a proper petrolhead—he took a bus to Sepang International Circuit during his stay in Malaysia. After making friends with the track’s officials, they showed him around the facilities. His tour included a shot of the computer used to stop Formula One races. Turns out it’s an unassuming touchscreen with, yes, a proper Big Red Button. And they're off! Gumballers head out of Los Angeles on first leg of rally Report: Toyota received 75,000 Prius pre-orders May 15, 2009 at 8:59 am 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res gallery Apparently, all those flowers and talk of "harmony" in the first new Prius ad are working. According to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei, Toyota has received 75,000 orders or the 2010 Prius. Toyota is not confirming the number, which was mentioned in Automotive News (subs req'd). The Prius goes on sale in Japan on Monday, followed by European and U.S. sales later this year. Toyota sold 8,385 Priuses in April. Lear has 1st-quarter loss; revenue drops Trucking fleets are cutting back Toyota launches "Build Your Prius" minisite Honda Insight Is Best Seller in Japan Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.12.09 What will the electric car look like? Top designers weigh in: Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks Delphi, Visteon see 1Q profits Visteon posts a $2 million profit Honda Insight becomes best-selling vehicle in Japan More stories ... UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds May 15, 2009 at 8:58 am Transport for London plans to begin a six-month trial of a new technology that will artificially limit the top speeds of taxis, buses and government fleet vehicles... Link Love From The Car Connection: George Harrison-Themed MINI, Recycle Your Bentley, And Does Glenn Beck Know How Effin' Funny He Is? London begins testing GPS-enabled speed limiters Plug-in Saturn Vue not dead, will be revived (sorta) by 2011 Unloading Chrysler vehicles May 15, 2009 at 3:23 am Now that it has notified 789 dealerships they would be terminated, Chrysler must sell the 44,000 vehicles sitting on their lots in the next few weeks without driving prices to fire-sale levels for remaining dealers. "It's going to be a challenge even with the factories closed to redistribute that number of vehicles and sell them in a short period of time," said Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, the nation's largest auto retailer. Even a giant like AutoNation will lose seven Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships that employ 400 people. REPORT: Chrysler working to skirt federally-manded $500,000 executive salary cap BREAKING: Chrysler 'rejects' 789 dealers nationwide, works to pare network by 25% by June 9 Chrysler seeks to eliminate 789 dealers, 42 in Michigan 'It tears your heart out': Some to try other ways to stay in business May 15, 2009 at 3:20 am Detroit's auto crisis sent a massive shock wave across America on Thursday, as dealership cutbacks hit hundreds of main streets. After years of struggling to reduce the number of its stores to match shrinking demand for its cars and trucks, Chrysler LLC said it would slash nearly 800 dealerships, or 25% of its dealer network, by June 9. General Motors Corp. will deliver similar news to 1,100 of its dealerships today. Q+A: What Chrysler's customers should know May 15, 2009 at 1:33 am Chrysler has more dealerships than it can support with sales, so profitability of individual dealerships declines. All U.S. automakers had a bigger market share when their dealership network was built than they have now. Diminishing sales mean the stores have less money to spend on advertising, customer service and upkeep of their facilities. What's more, stores in close proximity end up competing with each other for the remaining sales, driving down the price and further hurting profitability. MORE CLOSINGS: GM dealers to learn today if they are on list Ford concerns: Dealer ranks, profit Ten Worst Car Commercials Of All Time Topless tourer: The roof comes off the Lexus IS: May 15, 2009 at 12:40 am This is a great time to be in the market for a luxury convertible. In the next few weeks, Lexus will introduce its new IS C retractable hardtop convertible in 250 or 350 engine configurations. The new models will compete in a segment that's getting downright crowded. Primary competitors are the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-class convertibles, Lexus says. But there also are droptops from Infiniti in the G37, Volvo's C70, the Audi A4 and A5 and the Saab 9-3, just to name a few. It's a buyers market, for slightly wealthier buyers, anyway. Driven: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Lexus preparing a Prius-based premium subcompact for Europe REPORT: Lexus' A3/1 series-fight coming to Frankfurt with hybrid power Lear has 1st-quarter loss; revenue drops May 14, 2009 at 10:46 pm Lear Corp. swung to a loss during the first three months of the year as revenue fell 44%. The seatmaker reported a $264.8-million loss or $3.42 a share, compared with a $78.2-million profit, or $1 a share, a year earlier. Lear's sales fell from $3.9 billion to $2.2 billion during the first quarter. Southfield-based Lear said its revenue drop took place against industry-wide production declines of 51% in North America. Trucking fleets are cutting back Delphi, Visteon see 1Q profits Visteon posts a $2 million profit   This email was sent to xfeedr@gmail.com.  Create Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.