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| The greener side of Google Street View: camera on a trike
May 20, 2009 at 8:31 pm
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|   Google has already faced plenty of issues with its Street View technology, not the least of which has been angry Japanese citizens and invasion of privacy lawsuits from Americans whose driveways were mistaken for a roads. Beyond these unforeseen issues, there's also the rather obvious problem of taking images of places a Chevy Cobalt just can't reach. Consider that problem (at least partially) solved with the new Google Trike.  Speaking to a National Academy of Sciences panel, Bill Reinert, who is Toyota's U.S. national manager for advanced technology, said the annual demand for plugin electric cars could be 50,000 at the most and even as low as 3500.  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.  It should not be a surprise, as General Motors scrambles to cut costs and cars sit unsold on dealers' lots, that the automaker is cutting high-performance versions of several vehicles for the 2010 model year.  According to analysis of GM ordering guides by forum fan-boys at GMInsideNews, GM's killed both the Chevy Impala SS and Chevy Cobalt SS sedan for 2010. You'll still be able to get a is dead.
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| Mopar pulls sponsorship of Sam Hubinette's drift team
May 20, 2009 at 8:22 pm
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|   Formula Drift Mopar Dodge Viper - Click above for a high-res gallery In an unsurprising turn of events, Chrysler has pulled its sponsorship of Sam Hubinette's drifting team as part of the company's restructuring plan. The bankrupt automaker's Formula Drift program was run by Shaun Carlson's NuFormz Racing, which began with Mopar in 2002, competing in the NHRA Sport Compact division...  Click the image above to view the video after the jump The Nurburgring demands respect, and the Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 are world-class race cars that demand that you get the Hell out of their way.  At this past weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the Brawn cars didn't just beat McLaren – they lapped them. With both teams running the same Mercedes engines, and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton piloting the lapped McLaren...  Pontiac Solstice Coupe - Click above for a high-res image gallery General Motors' acting CEO Fritz Henderson has said the Wilmington, DE plant that currently produces...  2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP General Motors is willing to sell off the Delaware factory that builds the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice as it hurtles toward a May 31 collision with bankruptcy court and federal overseers.  There appears to be a slight glimmer of hope for fans of the Saturn Sky and the Pontiac Solstice. CEO Fritz Henderson said that General Motors would be willing to sell its Wilmington, Del.
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| CPT introduces new belt-driven Integrated Starter Generator
May 20, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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|  British company Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) has announced the development of a belt-driven Integrated Starter Generator (B-ISG) that provides stop-start functionality. CPT claims that it suited for both gasoline and diesel engines, up to 3 and 2.  2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible It's been more than a decade since Infiniti sported a convertible in its lineup. With the 2009 G37 Convertible and its clever, pretty folding hardtop...  2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Jeremy Clarkson's disdain for the Honda Insight was pretty much a foregone conclusion, leaving the way in which...  The University of Alberta has purchased four hybrid electric delivery vans from Azure Dynamics to use for mail deliveries around the campus. The four vehicles will be running a route that includes 100 buildings and 1...  2009 BMW 335d Over at our sister site GreenCarReports, we've taken a look at the market for new clean diesels--and concluded that the most likely buyers may be previous diesel owners.
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| Warren mayor wants requirement for all municipal works to 'Buy American'
May 20, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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|  Calling it "economic and consumer patriotism," the mayor of Warren, Michigan wants to make it compulsory for city officials to buy American cars. Jim Fouts says that 15% of his fiscal budget depends on the auto industry, and the city's two most lucrative tax payers are General Motors and Chrysler. Therefore, in order to support the folks who support the town -- and in turn, take care of the taxpayer -- he's trying to expand the order he gave last year that required his appointees to Buy American.  Ralph Nader, the man who single-handedly sank the Chevrolet Corvair by exposing its safety faults in his book Unsafe At Any Speed, has unexpectedly appeared at the side of General Motors.  WASHINGTON - Joined by an uncommon alliance of auto executives, union leaders and environmental activists, President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a national program...  President Obama and distinguished hostages auto execs gathered together today to announce new emissions and economy standards. The details: a 5% annual increase in average fuel economy from 2011, culminating in 35.  WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama will lay out plans Tuesday to cut greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks by 30% through 2016, while ending a dispute between the auto industry and California over state-level emissions laws.
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| Chevy to launch limited edition Bumblebee Camaro
May 20, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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|  2010 Chevrolet Camaro as Bumblebee - Click above for a high-res image gallery Diehard Transformers fans take note: Chevrolet is reportedly planning to launch a limited edition Bumblebee Camaro to capitalize on the upcoming flick, Revenge of the Fallen. We're sure none of you saw that coming, right? The car, available with either V6 or V8 power, will be available for order June 1 and the first cars are scheduled to roll down the assembly line on the 24th of that month, which, not coincidentally, is the same day the movie is scheduled for released in the U.S.  As expected, GM's announced to dealers a limited Chevy Camaro Bumblebee Edition will be available to order beginning June 1st. Production will run from June 24th through December.  Mitsubishi Evolution X - Click above for a high-res image gallery In keeping with Mitsubishi's FQ tradition abroad, the automaker has developed a new model to fit in between the standard FQ-300 and the insanity known as the FQ-400.  Brabus Mercedes-Benz E500 - Click above for a high-res image gallery If there was one thing we discovered during our time with the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe...  2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U.
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| Texas senator aims to slow dealer closures
May 20, 2009 at 6:58 pm
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|   A Republican senator late today offered an amendment that would block Chrysler or General Motors Corp. from receiving federal aid if they tried to close dealerships with less than 60 days notice. The amendment, the first move by a member of Congress to intervene in the Obama administration's rescue of the automakers, won the support of the National Automobile Dealers Association, which urged its members to call Congress in support of the move.  Subaru's been hyping its future green technology for years, but despite promises of diesels and hybrids, those of us in the States have yet to sample any alt-fuel, boxer-powered Imprezas, Legacys or Foresters.  Sometime in the next decade, you might be able to enjoy some of the benefits of a diesel without driving one. A technology called HCCI improves fuel economy 15 percent...  President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By...  Since the advent of the automobile, automakers have always been compelled to go topless with a variety of cars, and occasionally, trucks. For a brief period in the late 1970s...
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| Freightliner introduces first hybrid truck for HazMat transport
May 20, 2009 at 6:45 pm
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|  Daimler Truck North America's Freightliner division has collaborated with Eaton to produce the first hybrid truck for hazardous material transport. The first Freightliner Business Class M2e is going to propane distribution company Pennington Gas Service. Freightliner has been offering the Eaton hybrid system for other applications for some time and gas company owner Keith Pennington wanted a more environmentally friendly alternative for his fleet.  2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Boy, timing is everything! On the very day we're learning about new strict new CAFE and emissions regulations, here comes more rumblings about a bigger HEMI slated to go in the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty series of trucks. The University of Alberta has purchased four hybrid electric delivery vans from Azure Dynamics to use for mail deliveries around the campus. The four vehicles will be running a route that includes 100 buildings and 1...  Volkswagen BlueSport Concept That Volkswagen BlueSport roadster concept from the Detroit auto show is looking less and less likely to make it into production. The original plan for the concept...  Before sitting down to write this story, I asked a professional bus driver about the average fuel consumption for such a vehicle. As it turns out, a standard Agora bus...
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| Euro-only: Mitsubishi Evolution FQ-330 SST
May 20, 2009 at 6:35 pm
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| Mitsubishi Evolution X - Click above for a high-res image gallery In keeping with Mitsubishi's FQ tradition abroad, the automaker has developed a new model to fit in between the standard FQ-300 and the insanity known as the FQ-400. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro as Bumblebee - Click above for a high-res image gallery Diehard Transformers fans take note: Chevrolet is reportedly planning to launch a limited edition Bumblebee Camaro to capitalize on the upcoming flick... Brabus Mercedes-Benz E500 - Click above for a high-res image gallery If there was one thing we discovered during our time with the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe... 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U.  Volkswagen Bluesport concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery Due to the distinct lack of people spending money on emotional purchases, Volkswagen is reportedly...
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| Ex-Chrysler Pres. Tom LaSorda to advise Penske on Saturn sale
May 20, 2009 at 6:34 pm
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|  Penske Automotive Group has reportedly contracted the services of former Chrysler President Tom LaSorda, who left the automaker when it filed for Chapter 11 protection on April 30th, to advise it on its possible bid to purchase the Saturn brand from current parent General Motors. Up until the year 2000 when he joined Chrysler, LaSorda had been an executive at GM.  Chrysler is sizzling Last week, bankrupt Chrysler announced that it would sever ties with 789 dealers. The news was delivered by UPS. None too elegant, eh. Kind of like getting smacked in the head with a frying pan.  Chrysler has been trying to shack up with another automaker for quite a while now, and the trail of relationships that never got off the ground reads like a middle school diary.  2008 Saturn Astra XR GM's multi-billion-dollar Saturn experiment hasn't paid off--and in its latest iteration, even a raft of pretty good Opel derivatives couldn't move the needle for the hug-happy, haggle-free division.  Renault Kangoo be bop ZE electric vehicle Sometimes just when you think the industry can't get any weirder...it does. Take, for instance, two news items that crossed our desk in sequence today.
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| REPORT: Subaru may bring gasoline-hybrid to the U.S. in 2012
May 20, 2009 at 6:31 pm
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| Subaru's been hyping its future green technology for years, but despite promises of diesels and hybrids, those of us in the States have yet to sample any alt-fuel, boxer-powered Imprezas, Legacys or Foresters. But according to Subie's president Ikuo Mori, in addition to bringing a new diesel powerplant to the U.S. in 2011 or 2012, Subaru, "hopes to introduce a hybrid around the same time."  When the X3 launched in 2004 there was no Mercedes GLK or Audi Q5. Now that the other Germans have come with the competition, reports are indicate BMW is moving the launch of the 2010 X3 up to make sure it can compete. 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Boy, timing is everything! On the very day we're learning about new strict new CAFE and emissions regulations, here comes more rumblings about a bigger HEMI slated to go in the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty series of trucks.  A Toyota Highlander Hybrid parade vehicle used for driver introductions at Lowe's Speedway this past weekend wouldn't start and had to be towed. Hopefully we won't see this from next weekend's Camry hybrid pace car.  Ford Motor Co. is confident that consumers will embrace its new fuel-efficient engine, called EcoBoost, even though gas prices are almost $1.50 less per gallon than they were a year ago.
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| "Bumblebee" Chevy Camaro Available To Order Starting June 1st
May 20, 2009 at 6:19 pm
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|  As expected, GM's announced to dealers a limited Chevy Camaro Bumblebee Edition will be available to order beginning June 1st. Production will run from June 24th through December. Expected upgrades will be only what meets the eye — rally yellow coloring, black stripes and Transformers badging inside. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro as Bumblebee - Click above for a high-res image gallery Diehard Transformers fans take note: Chevrolet is reportedly planning to launch a limited edition Bumblebee Camaro to capitalize on the upcoming flick...  2010 Chevy Camaro - Click above for high-res gallery One of the few bright spots at General Motors is the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, which is being ordered in sufficient numbers...  Click above to watch video after the jump The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has already received its fair share of praise in the automotive press, and with good reason. It's the only car under $30...  GM cars take on the Zune Zuning in -- General Motors' marketing department isn't letting all this bankruptcy folderol spoil their fun. Those chipper clipboard-toters are working overtime to reach every viable customer demographic.
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| Lexus LF-A dons new livery ahead of Nürburgring 24-hour race
May 20, 2009 at 5:36 pm
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|  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A Nürburgring 24 racer This time last year, the Lexus LF-A that competed in the ADAC Nürburgring 24 wore a decidedly un-glamorous "test-mule matte black" finish. This year, Toyota's entering two of its ten-cylinder supercars in the race, and as we inch closer to the Lexus LF-A's eventual production debut, it would seem that the automaker is looking to give the race-trimmed version a more formalized livery -- white up front, with a brush-stroke transition to satin black in the rear...  Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby...  Stuntman Steve Truglia gets loopy A Lexus supercar in the making? Going 'round in circles -- Congrats to stuntman Steve Truglia for clearing the world's largest loop-the-loop in a Toyota.  Record-breaking Ferrari 250 TR – Click above for high-res image gallery RM Auctions, in conjunction with Sotheby's, held their third annual Ferrari Leggende e Passione auction this past weekend.
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| GM continues work on fuel-saving engine technology:
May 20, 2009 at 5:32 pm
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|  Sometime in the next decade, you might be able to enjoy some of the benefits of a diesel without driving one. A technology called HCCI improves fuel economy 15 percent and releases fewer emissions by using a combustion process similar to what is used in diesel powerplants. General Motors continues work on the project, which could be applied across a range of engine sizes and used with other advanced fuel-saving technologies to help the company comply with the proposed new mileage and emissions targets announced Tuesday by President Barack Obama. A Republican senator late today offered an amendment that would block Chrysler or General Motors Corp. from receiving federal aid if they tried to close dealerships with less than 60 days notice. Subaru's been hyping its future green technology for years, but despite promises of diesels and hybrids, those of us in the States have yet to sample any alt-fuel, boxer-powered Imprezas, Legacys or Foresters.  On the same day that President Obama announced tough new CAFE standards for new cars in the coming half-decade, Ford began production of its new, more efficient EcoBoost engine in Ohio.  Alec Baldwin has written a scathing letter in the Huffington Post titled "The rise and fall of Detroit." In the column, he calls for the end of the three industrial giants...
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| BREAKING: C. Robert Kidder announced as chairman of Chrysler Group LLC
May 20, 2009 at 4:48 pm
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|  Once Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy, the automaker's current CEO Robert Nardelli, be replaced by an appointee selected by Fiat (Like Sergio Marchionne) and C. Robert Kidder will become the new Chairman of the (supposedly) revitalized Chrysler. Chrysler outlines Kidder's extensive history in their release (posted below the fold), including stints as the CEO of Borden Chemical Inc...  Chrysler LLC says former Borden Chemical and Duracell chairman C. Robert Kidder will become chairman of the new Chrysler once it acquires old Chrysler's assets and joins with Fiat.  The collaboration between Daimler and Tesla Motors — which began with a deal to put Tesla's battery packs in Daimler's Smart cars — is deepening. Daimler announced on Tuesday morning that it had acquired a "nearly 10 percent" stake in Tesla...  During a dealer web-cast, Chrysler announced plans to send certificates worth $1,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to existing customers in an attempt to boost the automaker's sales during Chapter 11 reorganization.
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| Ugly watermelons = ethanol opportunity
May 20, 2009 at 4:45 pm
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|  America, your apparent hatred for disfigured fruit means we may have a big, untapped biomass source to make ethanol. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Oklahoma has been testing ways to make the simple sugars found in watermelons into ethanol, and the USDA is now reporting some success on that front. 2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Jeremy Clarkson's disdain for the Honda Insight was pretty much a foregone conclusion, leaving the way in which...  At the Geneva Motor Show in March, Bentley unveiled its first-ever flex-fuel car, the Continental Supersports. Not only is this car the first production Bentley that will be capable of running on either gasoline of E85 ethanol...  Ford Racing FR500CJ Mustang - Click above for a high-res image gallery The current NASCAR top speed record sits at 212.089 and was set by Bill Elliot at Talladega Superspeedway in a 1987 Ford Thunderbird.  The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) has snagged former U.S. President Bill Clinton to be a speaker at the upcoming Ethanol Summit 2009. The Summit takes place in Sao Paulo, Brazil in early June.
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| REPORT: Cash-For-Clunkers added to climate bill
May 20, 2009 at 4:35 pm
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|  It seems that calls from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to fast track the Cash-For-Clunkers bill through the legislative process may have fallen on deaf ears. According to the Detroit Free Press, the somewhat controversial bill will be tacked on the much broader Climate Change bill that's currently being drafted by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  U.S. Capitol Recently, we mentioned that the cash-for-clunkers legislation everyone's been giddy about would soon become a reality--and we had every reason to believe it.  1. Jalopnik - the tongue in cheek and heavily prolific automotive blog had a mule drive with Bob Lutz riding shotgun. They called it "utterly unremarkable" to GM's delight because that is the goal.  Nick Heidfeld at the launch of the BMW Sauber F1.09 – Click above for a high-res image gallery Nick Heidfeld and the BMW Sauber F1 team he drives for may not be having the best season thus far...
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| 2010 VW Scirocco R: 265 HP Nürburgring Shredding Hatch
May 20, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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|  The long-awaited 2010 VW Scirocco R debuted today, sans the Italian flag, with a more powerful 265 HP 2.0 TSI, new body kit, upgraded suspension and the spirit of Germany. The muscular hatch grows even more athletic in appearance thanks to a new, larger front fascia more appropriate for an RS-spec Audi than an R-type VW. Power is controlled either through the DSG or a six-speed manual, pushing the VW to 62 MPH 6.4 seconds and 6.5 seconds, respectively. Technical upgrades also include a lowered suspension, larger brake discs, and the XDS differential currently seeing service with the GTI.  Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for an image gallery Reviews of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are beginning to pop up around the interwebs and Aston decided to hype...  Click above for a high-res gallery of the VW Scirocco R Okay, so we were wrong about the venue. This weekend, against the backdrop of the Nürburgring 24, Volkswagen will unveil the 265-horsepower Scirocco R to the public.  The trend toward engine downsizing has reached Volkswagen?s more-affordable performance models. It's a move that not only makes them more powerful but provides reduced fuel consumption...  Wes Siler, our road test boffin, keeps saying the 2009 Subaru WRX mixes power and practicality, outdoing every other performance car on the market. He's also got a big mouth; let's see if he's right.
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| Ex-Duracell chief to be chairman of Chrysler
May 20, 2009 at 4:29 pm
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| Chrysler LLC says former Borden Chemical and Duracell chairman C. Robert Kidder will become chairman of the new Chrysler once it acquires old Chrysler's assets and joins with Fiat. Kidder will succeed Robert Nardelli, who will leave when Chrysler emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Once Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy, the automaker's current CEO Robert Nardelli, be replaced by an appointee selected by Fiat (Like Sergio Marchionne) and C. Robert Kidder will become the new Chairman of the (supposedly) revitalized Chrysler.  With General Motors' bankruptcy filing all but assured, details of the deal are being hashed out as you read this and sources are coming forward to secretly divulge some of the more critical aspects of the plan.
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| Ford starts EcoBoost production in Cleveland
May 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm
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| On the same day that President Obama announced tough new CAFE standards for new cars in the coming half-decade, Ford began production of its new, more efficient EcoBoost engine in Ohio. As Green Car Advisor says, Ford couldn't have picked a better day. Ford Motor Co. is confident that consumers will embrace its new fuel-efficient engine, called EcoBoost, even though gas prices are almost $1.50 less per gallon than they were a year ago.  Click the image above to view a video of the new SYNC system after the jump At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Ford announced that three new features would be included on the next iteration of the SYNC system: traffic data...  As the Ford Taurus returns, the Mercury Sable slips quietly into the night. The last one rolls off the assembly line Thursday. Today we say goodbye. Mercury's always sort of been a lost brands.  Despite the Obama administration gutting funding for hydrogen and fuel cells, Daimler is not yet ready to quit the game. Next month at the UITP Congress in Vienna (the...
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| Alec Baldwin calls for pulling the plug on Detroit automakers
May 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm
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| Alec Baldwin has written a scathing letter in the Huffington Post titled "The rise and fall of Detroit." In the column, he calls for the end of the three industrial giants, and, like many Americans, the elder Baldwin brother doesn't want taxpayer money to go towards the revitalization of Detroit automakers. His reason? Fuel economy. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro as Bumblebee - Click above for a high-res image gallery Diehard Transformers fans take note: Chevrolet is reportedly planning to launch a limited edition Bumblebee Camaro to capitalize on the upcoming flick... Calling it "economic and consumer patriotism," the mayor of Warren, Michigan wants to make it compulsory for city officials to buy American cars. Jim Fouts says that 15% of his fiscal budget depends on the auto industry... A Republican senator late today offered an amendment that would block Chrysler or General Motors Corp. from receiving federal aid if they tried to close dealerships with less than 60 days notice.
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| Finding the local angle: DOE's hydrogen funding cut will hurt South Carolina
May 20, 2009 at 2:03 pm
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|  Earlier this month, President Obama and DOE Secretary Chu announced big cuts to DOE hydrogen-powered car programs. The funding cut was hailed by many and panned by some in the larger argument about what the national priorities should be, but it will also have consequenses in local communities, especially those who had been making a go of it with hydrogen infrastructure...  All too often, government policies are set by politicians and bureaucrats based solely on ideology rather than facts. With this week's announcement that the Obama administration... 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By...  New GM HCCI Engine Because of the new rules regarding EPA fuel economy regulations, it only stands to reason that General Motor's PR department had a press release ready on a new fuel-saving technology to put in front of anybody in Washington, D.
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| Ricardo consults with federal government on establishing new CAFE rules
May 20, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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| All too often, government policies are set by politicians and bureaucrats based solely on ideology rather than facts. With this week's announcement that the Obama administration will impose the equivalent of the California greenhouse gas emissions rules on a national level, it's good to hear that officials at least consulted with some technical experts. In this case, experts from Ricardo worked with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to analyze comments on last year's CAFE proposal. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By...  Toyota Prius at US Capitol, by Flickr user Izik With the ink hardly dry on new 35-mpg fuel economy rules, California's already embarking on the next set of guidelines for emissions beyond 2016.  2012 Tesla Model S prototype Tesla Motors, and its ineffable founder Elon Musk, may have found the tether to long-term viability that they've been seeking. No, not the...
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| JDM Subaru Legacy unveiled. Wave "hi" to the wagon from afar...
May 20, 2009 at 1:50 pm
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| 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U.S.-spec car. The 2.5- and 3.6-liter boxer engines you'll find underhood when the new Legacy arrives at your local Scooby store are now in the cars across the Pacific, replacing the 2... President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By...  There are thousands of creditors lined up hoping to get their money from Chrysler as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of them, Jeremy K. Warriner, had his legs amputated after an accident in a Jeep Wrangler.
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| Stricter mpg rules may help automakers
May 20, 2009 at 1:21 pm
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|  President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By issuing rules aimed at sharply boosting vehicle gasoline mileage and slashing greenhouse gas emissions, experts say the Obama plan is just what carmakers need given the prospect of higher gas prices and worries about global warming. Toyota Prius at US Capitol, by Flickr user Izik With the ink hardly dry on new 35-mpg fuel economy rules, California's already embarking on the next set of guidelines for emissions beyond 2016. Since the advent of the automobile, automakers have always been compelled to go topless with a variety of cars, and occasionally, trucks. For a brief period in the late 1970s...  Barack Obama GreenCarReports.com, a partner site to TheCarConnection, carried this story yesterday regarding the new federal economy standards. Editor-in-Chief John...  Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder, the German state of Lower Saxony, has the final say on the proposed Porsche-Volkswagen merger, and according to a spokesperson for the state's prime minister...
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| Three Bids for Opel, Three Suitors for Saab
May 20, 2009 at 1:20 pm
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|  A quick update on merger-and-acquisition development in the auto industry… • Three bids for Opel were submitted to G.M. Europe on Wednesday, but according to The Associated Press (via The Detroit Free Press), G.M. Europe has not revealed who they are. DealBook reported this morning that the bidders are likely to be Fiat; Magna International, a Canadian company that has backing from a Russian carmaker and bank; and a private equity investor, Ripplewood Holdings. 1. Jalopnik - the tongue in cheek and heavily prolific automotive blog had a mule drive with Bob Lutz riding shotgun. They called it "utterly unremarkable" to GM's delight because that is the goal.  Saab remains confident that the motion to extend its bankruptcy protection for an additional three months will be approved in court and that it will be purchased in whole by one of three remaining interested parties early this summer.  Fiat's acting like it hasn't eaten in years, hungrily throwing down for the pieces of the business that troubled automakers are trying to spin off. General Motors Europe is seriously contemplating cutting free its Opel unit...  Every automaker has specific styling cues that it uses to make its designs instantly recognizable. It would seem this is especially true of a car's front fascia, and it's...
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| Only four cars to run KERS at Monaco Grand Prix
May 20, 2009 at 1:06 pm
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|  The ongoing debate among Formula one teams over whether to run kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) continues as those teams head to the streets of Monaco this weekend. While as many as eight cars have used the new hybrid systems at races earlier this year, only four are expected to use it this week. Only the cars of Ferrari and McLaren have committed to running KERS in Monaco. 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U.  Nielsen Online's Brand Advocacy Quotient car rankings We may not always understand how Nielsen gets its survey data, but the results are usually pretty interesting. Case... 1. Jalopnik - the tongue in cheek and heavily prolific automotive blog had a mule drive with Bob Lutz riding shotgun. They called it "utterly unremarkable" to GM's delight because that is the goal. Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby...
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| Aston gets social, releases 20 new pics of V12 Vantage on Facebook
May 20, 2009 at 1:04 pm
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| Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for an image gallery Reviews of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are beginning to pop up around the interwebs and Aston decided to hype up the first drives by releasing an additional 20 photos of its new 510-hp GT through.  As if we needed any more proof that GM is headed down the same path as Chrysler, the General reserved a space on the interwebs to publish information about its restructuring efforts.  You've seen this concept before: Most folks can neither afford to buy exotic supercars, nor do they yearn for the headaches of ownership. But hey, it sure would be nice to get behind the wheel once in a while.  2009 Mercedes-Benz G Class 5.5L AMG Have you heard? Frugal is the new wretched excess. Target's Merona house brand is the new Paul Smith, Kia, the new Aston Martin. Should I say it louder? Really, luxe is dead.  If you saw the recent spy shots of a supposed upcoming Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster and wondered where all the louvers from the coupe went, the answer may be found in newer reports.
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| Chrysler Bankruptcy and Product Liability
May 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm
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| There are thousands of creditors lined up hoping to get their money from Chrysler as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of them, Jeremy K. Warriner, had his legs amputated after an accident in a Jeep Wrangler. In 2005, Mr. Warriner, 34, of Indianapolis, was in a crash and fire in a Jeep Wrangler. It meant his legs had to be amputated. In 2007 he sued Chrysler in the Superior Court of Marion County, Ind. He claimed that a design defect in the Wrangler's body allowed his entrapment and made it easier for a fire in the engine compartment to reach him. Chrysler denied those assertions.  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said today the Obama administration was "heartened" by the progress in Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy, and said it and General Motors Corp.  Hoofy and Boo: Click above to watch the video after the jump You may or may not have heard of Hoofy and Boo. They're animated characters from the site Minyanville. Hoofy is the big, confident anchorman that just so happens to be a CGI bull. Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby...
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| Dog And Pony Shows Continue; GM Trots Out New Fuel Saving Tech For 2016 Camaro.
May 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm
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|  New GM HCCI Engine Because of the new rules regarding EPA fuel economy regulations, it only stands to reason that General Motor's PR department had a press release ready on a new fuel-saving technology to put in front of anybody in Washington, D.C. who would pay attention ... especially those responsible for voting on continuing support for the automaker.  2010 Camaros Dallas The Financial Times ran a short story (mostly devoid of hard facts) that pointed out supposed the discontentment of Washington bureaucrats with the success of the performance-oriented 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Click above to watch video after the jump The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has already received its fair share of praise in the automotive press, and with good reason. It's the only car under $30...  In the event of a crash, vehicle sensors gather up information and connects an OnStar adviser to a vehicle. OnStar can then contact emergency services and provide information regarding the severity of the crash...
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| 2009 Subaru WRX, Part Two
May 20, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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|  Yesterday, we discovered what happens when you take the 2009 Subaru WRX off the beaten path, but what happens when you drive it anywhere else? Exterior Design: ** The Subaru does not put its best face forward. Even with the addition of the STI grille, standard spoiler, and LED lights out back the WRX is odd-looking — and not odd with a dash of cute like previous generations. Fortunately, it manages to differentiate itself from the rather boring options in the economy class. Unfortunately, it's most often compared to the much-more-attractive Evo X. 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By... There are thousands of creditors lined up hoping to get their money from Chrysler as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of them, Jeremy K. Warriner, had his legs amputated after an accident in a Jeep Wrangler.
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| Top Ten Forgotten Convertibles
May 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm
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| Since the advent of the automobile, automakers have always been compelled to go topless with a variety of cars, and occasionally, trucks. For a brief period in the late 1970s, after rollover safety standards threatened our wind-in-the-hair, sun-loving ways, it was nearly impossible to find a real convertible to buy in America. Instead, automakers introduced alternatives like the targa and T-top that maintained a modicum of protection from a vestigial roof. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By... Barack Obama GreenCarReports.com, a partner site to TheCarConnection, carried this story yesterday regarding the new federal economy standards. Editor-in-Chief John... Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said today the Obama administration was "heartened" by the progress in Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy, and said it and General Motors Corp.  The just-announced fuel economy policy changes demand 42 MPG for cars and 27 MPG for light trucks. A look at the data shows not a single automaker currently meets the new guidelines proposed today.
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| Nielsen Is Watching You. Possibly Right Now.
May 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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| Nielsen Online's Brand Advocacy Quotient car rankings We may not always understand how Nielsen gets its survey data, but the results are usually pretty interesting. Case in point: Nielsen's online division--cleverly named Nielsen Online--and its new Brand Advocacy Quotient research. By collecting data from blogs (like this one!), message boards, fan sites, complaint sites, and, we assume, major social networks like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Nielsen Online has begun compiling online-specific rankings for cars.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video As a fan of the early- to mid-1990's comedy show The State, I've got a bit of a soft spot for Reno 911, which features some of the same comedians.  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.  The new four-minute long Terminator: Salvation spoiler trailer made its way into the hands of fan-boys everywhere yesterday. It features more humanity-ending terminator motorcycles, human-harvesting robots and all-around terminator badassery.
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| California Already Looking Beyond 35 MPG
May 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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| Toyota Prius at US Capitol, by Flickr user Izik With the ink hardly dry on new 35-mpg fuel economy rules, California's already embarking on the next set of guidelines for emissions beyond 2016. Reuters reports that the California Air Resources Board is "immediately getting to work on what the standards should be" beyond 2016, said the board's chairman, Mary Nichols. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By... 2010 Camaros Dallas The Financial Times ran a short story (mostly devoid of hard facts) that pointed out supposed the discontentment of Washington bureaucrats with the success of the performance-oriented 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
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| Ready for Lutz's appearance on Letterman tonight?
May 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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|  We're going to make a prediction right here and now: Bob Lutz's appearance on Dave Letterman tonight will result in at least two choice quotes...
 Elon Musk and Dr. Thomas Weber in the Tesla Roadster During Tuesday's announcement that Daimler was buying a 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors, Mercedes-Benz R&D boss Dr. 1. Jalopnik - the tongue in cheek and heavily prolific automotive blog had a mule drive with Bob Lutz riding shotgun. They called it "utterly unremarkable" to GM's delight because that is the goal.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video While Dave Letterman struggles to correctly describe the Chevrolet Volt, rival late-night host Jay Leno takes a bit more care to get things right in his test drive of the Aptera 2e.  Yesterday morning we finally hopped into a Chevy Volt mule with outgoing GM product czar Bob Lutz for a spin around the Warren Tech Center. What's it feel like? It's utterly unremarkable and appliance-like.
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| Mila Kunis Steals Handicapped Spot Because Of Coffee-Related Disability
May 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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|  Mila Kunis, the annoying girlfriend from That 70's Show and voice of Family Guy's Meg Griffin, was spotted appropriating a handicapped space for her Lexus SC430. Is an iced mocha addiction really that debilitating? 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By... There are thousands of creditors lined up hoping to get their money from Chrysler as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of them, Jeremy K. Warriner, had his legs amputated after an accident in a Jeep Wrangler.
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| Seeing Red: VW unveils GTI and Polo Wörthersee '09 concepts
May 20, 2009 at 11:57 am
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|  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the VW GTI Wörthersee '09 concept Audi's not alone in bringing a customized production ride to the 2009 Wörthersee meet. Volkswagon's one-upping the interlocking rings by bringing two production-based concept cars: special Wörthersee '09 versions of the new VW GTI and Polo...  Audi Q5 Custom Concept - click above for a high-res gallery Every year, Europe's Volkswagen and Audi faithful head to Austria and descend upon the Wörthersee for the annual GTI Meet, a huge annual gathering of the brands' aficionados. Every automaker has specific styling cues that it uses to make its designs instantly recognizable. It would seem this is especially true of a car's front fascia, and it's...  2010 VW Polo - Click above for a high-res gallery Volkswagen has accepted roughly 13,000 orders for its new 2010 Polo hatchback in Germany ahead of the car's official launch.  Zero S electric motorcycle - Click above for a high-res image gallery Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles plans to launch a new zero-emission sportbike later this year, according to our friends at Hell For Leather.
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| Planar Energy Devices plans to recycle battery factory
May 20, 2009 at 11:26 am
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|  It goes without saying that we're down with battery recycling, but what about battery factory recycling? Sounds like a pretty good idea to us and, more importantly, it sounds like a good idea to Planar Energy Devices who have plans to do just that...
 Sakti3, a lithium-ion battery start-up company based in old Detroit got its start in 2007 with the help of University of Michigan professor Ann Marie Sastry. Now, we hear that the company has not only secured $15 million capital for its project...  Sulfur crystal from Agrigento, Sicily, Italy The main obstacle to the mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is often said to be the current range limitations of battery technology.  Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker feels like the automotive world is at the beginning of a renaissance, and he believes now is the first time in 40 years that start-up automakers can compete and even thrive against the established OEMs.  Fisker Karma - Click above for a high-res gallery To coincide with the ribbon cutting at the EnerDel lithium-ion battery plant in Indianapolis scheduled for later today...
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| Cash-For-Clunkers Causes Confusion, Cantankery
May 20, 2009 at 11:18 am
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| U.S. Capitol Recently, we mentioned that the cash-for-clunkers legislation everyone's been giddy about would soon become a reality--and we had every reason to believe it. At the time, the measure was included as part of a larger, more divisive package on energy reform, but legislators in both the House and the Senate seemed determined to extricate it and run it through as an independent bill. Problem solved, right? 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon (JDM) - Click above for a high-res image gallery Subaru has unveiled the all-new Legacy in JDM form, and on paper, it pretty much looks the same as the U. President Barack Obama is trying to shove U.S. automakers toward the future, a high-stakes wager that could help revive the industry in the long run, experts say. By... There are thousands of creditors lined up hoping to get their money from Chrysler as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of them, Jeremy K. Warriner, had his legs amputated after an accident in a Jeep Wrangler.
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| VIDEO: Dodge Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 battle at the 'Ring
May 20, 2009 at 11:08 am
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| Click the image above to view the video after the jump The Nurburgring demands respect, and the Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 are world-class race cars that demand that you get the Hell out of their way. Put the two together, and you've got a winning formula.  Racers will be on their own when it comes to locating whores and/or poker at the Goin' For Broken 24 Hours Of LeMons, but thrown rods will be provided early and often.  Green GT design study - Click above for a hi-res gallery The paint is barely dry on their all-electric race car and already the gang at Green GT are thinking about what should come next.  Lexus LF-A – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots We've been reporting on the Lexus LF-A since 2005, and since that time we've shown you the debut of two separate LF-A concepts... Pontiac Solstice Coupe - Click above for a high-res image gallery General Motors' acting CEO Fritz Henderson has said the Wilmington, DE plant that currently produces...
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| Vauxhall Insignia Sport Tourer VXR: A Spectacular 320 HP Wagon You Can't Have
May 20, 2009 at 11:00 am
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|  We told you to expect a Vauxhall Insignia Sport Tourer VXR. Lo-and-behold, here it is, a 320 HP, 6.0 second 0-to-60 MPH all-wheel-drive sport wagon that you can't get in the US. Lust and anger. Take all the benefits of GM's Insignia VXR, the turbocharged 2.8 liter V6 good for 320 HP, the all-wheel-drive, electronically controlled limited slip differential, Brembo brakes, tighter suspension, bigger wheels and tires, the aggressively handsome styling, gorgeous Recaro bucket seats and then open it up in wagon form for a total load area of a whopping 54 cubic feet and you've got a totally lustworthy automobile...  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer No more spy shots. GM has formally unveiled the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer (a.k.a.  Vauxhall Corsa ecoFLEX - click above for high-res image gallery It's not a hybrid and it doesn't have a plug, but Vauxhall's new Corsa ecoFLEX is the company's most fuel...  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.  2010 Opel Astra teasers – Click above for a high-res image gallery With the Frankfurt Auto Show looming on the horizon, German automakers in particular have been preparing their latest offerings for their debuts.
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| Car-B-Q: X-Series Grill by Porsche Design Studio
May 20, 2009 at 8:24 am
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|  Porsche owners have long reveled in their ability to smoke the competition on track and street, but now Porschephiles can also leave their marque's mark on the backside of burgers, hotdogs and ribeyes. Grill marks, of course. Barbeques Galore and Porsche Design Studio have burned the midnight oil for two years while working on the the new X-Series Grill...  Not everyone gets car buying advice from the Autoblog Podcast (Ford can't build that many Fusions), so where do car shoppers turn for recommendations? Many potential buyers ask around among friends and acquaintances... The trend toward engine downsizing has reached Volkswagen?s more-affordable performance models. It's a move that not only makes them more powerful but provides reduced fuel consumption...  Volkswagen engineers have put the Touareg on a diet as they prepare the next generation of the SUV for a 2010 launch as a 2011 model. The new Touareg will shed pounds via a greater use of aluminum.
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| Study surveys 25,000 owners, reveals most highly recommended vehicles
May 20, 2009 at 8:19 am
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| Not everyone gets car buying advice from the Autoblog Podcast (Ford can't build that many Fusions), so where do car shoppers turn for recommendations? Many potential buyers ask around among friends and acquaintances, especially those who recently purchased vehicles.  2009 Cadillac CTS While the whole industry tries to bail water from a sinking industry, the underlying competition isn't taking a holiday. If anything, it's getting hotter as the rules change.  GM's vast scale and complex network of partners make the ramifications of a bankruptcy highly unpredictable, especially given the uncertainty about the global economic...  Click above to watch video after the jump We're all for alternative forms of transportation here at Autoblog, and we're not just talking about hydrogen fuel cells and lithium ion batteries, either.
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| Potent VW Scirocco R previews powertrain for hot Golf:
May 20, 2009 at 7:15 am
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| The trend toward engine downsizing has reached Volkswagen?s more-affordable performance models. It's a move that not only makes them more powerful but provides reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions and, by way of lower engine weight, also promises to make them a better drive, too. The latest example is the potent Volkswagen Scirocco R, unveiled Wednesday in Europe and set to go on sale there this summer. We won't get the Scirocco here--at least until we can persuade VW to change its mind--but we will get the powertrain.  Don't get too excited if you're Stateside -- this puppy's a Europe-only treat. iMotor is first on the web with photos of the new Volkswagen Scirocco R. The UK publication had the slick blue hot hatch for an exclusive photo shoot... Yesterday morning we finally hopped into a Chevy Volt mule with outgoing GM product czar Bob Lutz for a spin around the Warren Tech Center. What's it feel like? It's utterly unremarkable and appliance-like. Volkswagen BlueSport Concept That Volkswagen BlueSport roadster concept from the Detroit auto show is looking less and less likely to make it into production. The original plan for the concept... Every automaker has specific styling cues that it uses to make its designs instantly recognizable. It would seem this is especially true of a car's front fascia, and it's...
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| AutoblogGreen for 05.20.09
May 20, 2009 at 6:35 am
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|  Obama: CAFE increase is "an historic agreement to help American break its addiction to oil"
The president gets all sides to agree on 35.5 mpg by 2016. This is only the beginning. Ralph Nader, the man who single-handedly sank the Chevrolet Corvair by exposing its safety faults in his book Unsafe At Any Speed, has unexpectedly appeared at the side of General Motors.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video We've talked to and about Dr. Andy Frank many times here on AutoblogGreen, but we haven't yet made a music video tribute to the man behind the plug-in hybrid. 2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Jeremy Clarkson's disdain for the Honda Insight was pretty much a foregone conclusion, leaving the way in which... 2010 Chevy Camaro - Click above for high-res gallery One of the few bright spots at General Motors is the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, which is being ordered in sufficient numbers...
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| GM warns: Bid to restructure may fail
May 20, 2009 at 3:50 am
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| General Motors Corp.'s efforts to restructure the company outside of bankruptcy showed signs of strain Tuesday. The company warned in a Tuesday regulatory filing that it does not expect to have key deals with the UAW and U.S. Treasury completed before next Tuesday. That was previously promised as part of the company's complicated effort to convert bondholders' debt for an ownership stake in a reconstituted GM.  We all know that there is a hard-core group of you out there chanting the mantra of "no plug, no sale!" The problem is that, like commenters on the internet, the loud fringe makes most of the noise... With General Motors' bankruptcy filing all but assured, details of the deal are being hashed out as you read this and sources are coming forward to secretly divulge some of the more critical aspects of the plan. Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby... Speaking to a National Academy of Sciences panel, Bill Reinert, who is Toyota's U.S. national manager for advanced technology, said the annual demand for plugin electric cars could be 50,000 at the most and even as low as 3500.
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| Automakers: We won't cut corners on fuel standards
May 20, 2009 at 3:26 am
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| The cars and trucks of the 2016 model year will cost more, come with higher-tech engines and likely weigh less than their predecessors on today's roads, thanks to the environmental pact announced by President Barack Obama on Tuesday. But automakers vow future models will not repeat the mistakes of the past by being smaller or less powerful to meet the new mileage standards and limits on greenhouse gases. WASHINGTON - Joined by an uncommon alliance of auto executives, union leaders and environmental activists, President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a national program... 2010 Chevy Camaro - Click above for high-res gallery One of the few bright spots at General Motors is the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, which is being ordered in sufficient numbers... Ford Motor Co. is confident that consumers will embrace its new fuel-efficient engine, called EcoBoost, even though gas prices are almost $1.50 less per gallon than they were a year ago.
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| Chrysler deal delay sought
May 19, 2009 at 11:04 pm
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| Nearly 800 Chrysler dealers facing the loss of their franchises asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez on Tuesday to delay a May 27 hearing on the automaker's proposed sale to Fiat. "The relief Chrysler seeks is unprecedented and improper," said Stephen Lerner, an attorney for 789 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers whose sales agreements Chrysler intends to terminate next month. "Termination of dealer franchises will destroy several hundred independent businesses, ruin livelihoods of their owners and cause the loss of thousands of jobs." During a dealer web-cast, Chrysler announced plans to send certificates worth $1,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to existing customers in an attempt to boost the automaker's sales during Chapter 11 reorganization.  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.  As previously reported, once Chrysler dipped its beak into the Federal coffers, the top 25 executive salaries would be capped at $500,000 per year. However, it seems the...  Chrysler has just announced that it will 'reject' some 789 of its dealerships by June 9 as it works to downsize through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. That represents a 25% cut in its dealer networks...
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| Rally highlights need for U.S. auto jobs
May 19, 2009 at 11:03 pm
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| WASHINGTON -- While President Barack Obama, the auto companies and the UAW were talking up a national fuel standard Tuesday, some civic leaders, workers and mayors were on Capitol Hill wondering what good that might do them if they lose their auto manufacturing plants. "It certainly isn't the help that we need," said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama will lay out plans Tuesday to cut greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks by 30% through 2016, while ending a dispute between the auto industry and California over state-level emissions laws.  Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for a high-res gallery A few weeks ago, we got a chance to step into the Dodge Circuit for a quick spin through downtown Detroit.  Gumball 3000 entrants at Palm Beach Int. Raceway – Click above for high-res image gallery The Gumballers who began in Los Angeles earlier this week have made it to the near end of their cross country journey in Florida...  2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for a high res gallery GM's announced yesterday that it lost $6 billion in the first quarter of 2009. That's par for the course for the General these days.
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| New fuel rules get support from all sides
May 19, 2009 at 11:01 pm
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| WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama announced a historic compromise on tough fuel economy rules among automakers, environmentalists and government agencies Tuesday, saying the standards were a "harbinger of a change" for Washington. Detroit and foreign automakers embraced the pact for granting them national targets for the next eight years, rather than setting short-term goals. California, the nation's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, will defer its own rules through 2016, in return for federal rules that match its tough goals. Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder, the German state of Lower Saxony, has the final say on the proposed Porsche-Volkswagen merger, and according to a spokesperson for the state's prime minister...  Duck Punch Ready for a Ford Focus that costs as much as a Fusion--or a more expensive used car? Today's announcement of new fuel-economy regulations by the Obama administration means the price of a new car is going up--and at the same time... Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby... The just-announced fuel economy policy changes demand 42 MPG for cars and 27 MPG for light trucks. A look at the data shows not a single automaker currently meets the new guidelines proposed today.
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| Fuel changes to up pressure on suppliers
May 19, 2009 at 11:01 pm
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| Stricter fuel economy standards will not only pressure automakers, but also parts makers that will have to quickly develop lighter, more fuel-efficient parts when money is tight and lending to the industry is scarce. The new standards come at a time when suppliers are cutting their staffs to stay afloat and doing their best to maintain their budgets for research and development. Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder, the German state of Lower Saxony, has the final say on the proposed Porsche-Volkswagen merger, and according to a spokesperson for the state's prime minister... Duck Punch Ready for a Ford Focus that costs as much as a Fusion--or a more expensive used car? Today's announcement of new fuel-economy regulations by the Obama administration means the price of a new car is going up--and at the same time... Volkswagen Service Center As the dealership networks for Chrysler and GM are being quite painfully trimmed, Volkswagen's dealer network is doing just fine, according to Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby... The just-announced fuel economy policy changes demand 42 MPG for cars and 27 MPG for light trucks. A look at the data shows not a single automaker currently meets the new guidelines proposed today.
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