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| Move over, Kasem, Consumer Reports charts American Top 40
May 22, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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|   Consumer Reports has counted down the forty best deals on domestic new cars – those you can get from 10% to 25% below MSRP. Since CR doesn't have any Chrysler products that it feels it can recommend, there are no Pentastar products on the list, and General Motors products features but twice (the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab can be had for 15% below retail and the 2009 GMC Sierra 4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB for a 10% discount).  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.  For the past few months, we've been running a weekly series on AutoblogGreen called Greenlings. Now that the archive has been built up a bit, it's time to formally introduce the series to you, explain what it's about and invite you to help us out.  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.  2010 Volkswagen Polo: Click above for a high res-gallery The new Volkswagen Polo is all-new for 2010, and early returns show plenty of interest in the little European hatchback.
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| Event Alert: Damon is Twittering from the 24 Hours of LeMons at Reno
May 22, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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|  Couldn't make it to LeMons at Reno this weekend? No worries. Damon's there, posting updates and photos on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/autobloglemons. He's there with the dynamic duo of Jonny Lieberman and Murilee Martin.  Metro Buddy - Click above for a hi-res gallery The Metro Buddy was officially revealed at EVS 24, and we now have a gallery of official renderings, as well as pics from the coming out party, to share with you.  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 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.  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...
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| Pollution from leaded gasoline might have reduced the impact of greenhouse gases, study says
May 22, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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|   Before you think we've gone crazy, let's make clear that this is a post about a serious report published in Nature Geoscience. According to this report, lead that was expelled to the atmosphere through exhaust gases stimulated the growth of clouds. Couldn't make it to LeMons at Reno this weekend? No worries. Damon's there, posting updates and photos on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/autobloglemons. He's there with the dynamic duo of Jonny Lieberman and Murilee Martin. Consumer Reports has counted down the forty best deals on domestic new cars – those you can get from 10% to 25% below MSRP. Since CR doesn't have any Chrysler products that it feels it can recommend...  The Pothole Killer: Click above to watch the video after the jump Potholes suck. Every spring, northern towns see the snow melt, only to find destroyed streets in wake of Old Man Winter...  WASHINGTON - Joined by an uncommon alliance of auto executives, union leaders and environmental activists, President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a national program...
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.22.09
May 22, 2009 at 7:43 pm
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|  BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is official
The genre-blurring 5 Series GT is, in the words of BMW, meant to combine "the characteristic features of a prestige saloon, a modern, highly versatile Sports Activity Vehicle, and a classic Gran Turismo".  GoDaddy and Danica: Click above to view the commercial after the jump Go Daddy commercials are well known for two things: 1) Having little to do with web hosting and domains, and 2) Making use of attractive women in suggestive situations.  2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to.  2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery from Milan Dragway When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3.  Click above to watch crash test videos after the jump The 2010 Ford Mustang is quicker and more refined than the model it replaces, and it has also been upgraded in ways you can't see or feel – unless you're in an accident.
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| VIDEO: Behold! D.C. saves motorists with 'The Pothole Killer'
May 22, 2009 at 7:42 pm
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| The Pothole Killer: Click above to watch the video after the jump Potholes suck. Every spring, northern towns see the snow melt, only to find destroyed streets in wake of Old Man Winter, and southern towns with heavy trucking routes aren't exactly exempt from the phenomena, either.  2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  Karvajal Designs ZX-1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Karvajal Designs has been displaying its Chevrolet Corvette-altering wares for some time, and it's finally giving up the details on its line of C6 exterior and engine modifications.  The Guggenheim Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the completion of its building, designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with an exhibition called "Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward.  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.
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| GM to cut 3,400 more white-collar U.S. jobs
May 22, 2009 at 7:36 pm
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|  General Motors Corp., facing a probable bankruptcy, is making plans to cut about 3,400 additional white-collar jobs in the United States, the Free Press has learned. GM has signaled that more salaried jobs would be lost in its stepped-up restructuring, but it did not give details. Earlier this year, GM cut 3,400 white-collar jobs from its U.S. operations as part of a global headcount reduction. People familiar with the planning, which has not been finalized, said the next round would be similar to the previous effort. That represents about 13% of GM's salaried U.S. workforce of about 26,000.  A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things.  According to The Washington Post, the White House is readying General Motors for a bankruptcy filing that could come as early as the end of next week. According to the paper...  While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization.
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| Ferrari files patents for all-wheel drive hybrid!
May 22, 2009 at 7:07 pm
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|  Ferrari four-wheel-drive hybrid patent images - Click above for an image gallery We've known for quite some time that Ferrari was working on a hybrid sportscar, so it's not too surprising to see these patents for a new four-wheel-drive vehicle with hybrid propulsion filed by Ferrari back in February. The Italian automaker's documents suggest that this particular design is intended to "improve the drivability of a sports car in conditions of poor grip," not necessarily to improve the vehicle's overall environmental friendliness.  Volkswagen is preparing its 2011 Touareg, and the company's most expensive expensive Stateside offering is slated to lose weight. Although the German automaker is reportedly aiming for a 600 pound drop...  Italian automaker Fiat, Canadian parts maker Magna International and Belgian investment firm RHJ International look to be the final three bidders for General Motors' Opel subsidiary.  Japanese automakers on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama's new rules to push green vehicles and transform the U.S. auto industry -- a shift that likely puts Japan's manufacturers at an advantage.  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.
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| GM gets another $4 billion from government
May 22, 2009 at 6:52 pm
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|  NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. said Friday that it has borrowed an additional $4 billion from the Treasury Department, meaning the automaker has now accepted $19.4 billion in loans from the U.S. government. GM started taking government money in December and said it intended to borrow $2.6 billion more by June 1 and an additional $9 billion after that. But in a regulatory filing Friday, GM said it needed $1.4 billion sooner than originally forecast. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  Regardless of what entity General Motors eventually unloads its network of 380 Saturn dealerships upon, it's not planning to continue supplying vehicles to the displaced automaker past 2011 at the latest.  The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations...  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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| REPORT: GMAC gets another $7.5B from U.S gov't.
May 22, 2009 at 6:44 pm
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|  According to The Detroit Free Press, the U.S. Treasury has dumped another $7.5 billion into GMAC's coffers just two weeks after the bank was told by federal regulators that it needed billions in order to survive. In another government-backed boost, GMAC is now allowed to issue FDIC-insured debt. Both actions are reportedly designed to help restore faith in the damaged U.S. credit markets. While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization.  The U.S. Treasury continued to mold Detroit's auto industry Wednesday, appointing C. Robert Kidder as chairman of the restructured Chrysler Group LLC, the new name being used for the Auburn Hills automaker.  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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| U.S. loans GM $4 billion more
May 22, 2009 at 6:37 pm
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| General Motors, which is surviving on $15.4 billion in U.S. government loans, announced today that it has received an additional $4 billion from the government. In a regulatory filing, GM said it borrowed the additional money today after amending its loan agreement with the U.S. Treasury last Wednesday. Consumer Reports has counted down the forty best deals on domestic new cars – those you can get from 10% to 25% below MSRP. Since CR doesn't have any Chrysler products that it feels it can recommend... According to The Detroit Free Press, the U.S. Treasury has dumped another $7.5 billion into GMAC's coffers just two weeks after the bank was told by federal regulators that it needed billions in order to survive. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  After two weeks of intense negotiations, General Motors Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union have reached a deal that will help the automaker cut costs, allowing it to meet the terms for additional government loans.
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| Dequindre Cut - Travel The Motor City on a bike path
May 22, 2009 at 6:11 pm
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|  Residents in and around Detroit have a new bike and walking path to enjoy, and it's reportedly only the beginning of a much broader plan to introduce a network of green pathways that will one day stretch to around 100 miles. to see a PDF of the city's greenway network plan in detail. The first greenway to be completed is called the Dequindre Cut and is located along the path of a long-abandoned railway. Covering 1.2 miles, it's certainly not an ideal solution for those looking to cut down on their automotive needs, but it's still a positive development.  Quantya Track - Click above for a high-res image gallery Swiss electric motorcycle manufacturer Quantya is planning to show off a new electric sportbike at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan on November 10th.  So you've got your new electric bicycle and it's great for getting around town with a lot less effort than pure pedal power, but what happens when you want to go on a...  Assuming testing goes off without too much drama, MotoCzysz plans to enter an electric motorcycle in the upcoming TTXGP zero-emissions time trial at the Isle of Man. Motorcycle Daily got the chance to talk to Michal Czysz about the new development...
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| Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg spotted
May 22, 2009 at 6:07 pm
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| Volkswagen is preparing its 2011 Touareg, and the company's most expensive expensive Stateside offering is slated to lose weight. Although the German automaker is reportedly aiming for a 600 pound drop, shedding 300 pounds is said to be more realistic, and the going speculation is that the mass will be taken out of the SUV's exceptional four-wheel-drive capability.  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.  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...  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.  2010 Ford Mustang - Click above for a high-res image gallery When the 2010 Ford Mustang debuted, there was a collective groan among the pony car faithful that Ford didn't update the aging 4.
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| MINI asks drivers to hang up the keys and not drive on June 5th
May 22, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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|  If you're a Mini owner or an enthusiast, why not leave your car in the garage on June 5th? This may sound unusual for a car company, but its exactly what Mini is asking. The company has named that day, "Let's not motor day," although the official name, courtesy of the UN, is World Environment Day.  Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking...  Late at night, the driver of this Subaru STI swerved to miss a deer, lost control, hit a tree, flipped twice, plowed through a stop sign and another tree. Everyone inside walked away.  Daimler and Tesla Motors announced today they'll partner to manufacture electric cars. As part of the agreement, the German automaker says it's acquired an equity stake of nearly 10% in the electric car maker.
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| Burying the Dead: Pontiac G8 faces recall over faulty taillamps, tire-pressure sensors
May 22, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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| 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping a posthumous recall campaign by the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The action, which covers some 35,038 Pontiac G8 sedans from the 2008 and 2009 model years, stems from two potential issues:  Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for a hi-res image gallery Last week, Better Place previewed for a wide audience, via a new video, their battery swapping system.  Lake Daytona International Speedway – Click above for high-res image gallery As far as we know, NASCAR has no plans to expand into the aquatic arena, but the current...  Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to.
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| Thinking through the Better Place strategy: is it seriously flawed?
May 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm
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| Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for a hi-res image gallery Last week, Better Place previewed for a wide audience, via a new video, their battery swapping system. The video has kicked off a good discussion over on Peak Oil Garage that we wanted to share with you. The biggest question raised, I think, is about the batteries that Better Place will use. As we all know, battery technology - while not so advanced that we're all driving 400-mile range EVs - moves quickly. How does this affect Better Place's financial model? They pretty much have to invest in a lot of Gen 1 batteries, 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping... Lake Daytona International Speedway – Click above for high-res image gallery As far as we know, NASCAR has no plans to expand into the aquatic arena, but the current... Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to.
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| Daytona Speedway turned into lake by torrential rains
May 22, 2009 at 5:02 pm
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| Lake Daytona International Speedway – Click above for high-res image gallery As far as we know, NASCAR has no plans to expand into the aquatic arena, but the current situation at Daytona International Speedway might lead one to a different conclusion. Over the past few days, massive storms have drenched the Florida coast leaving behind over 17 inches of rain in Daytona Beach. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping... Project Better Place battery swap - Click above for a hi-res image gallery Last week, Better Place previewed for a wide audience, via a new video, their battery swapping system. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to.
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| REPORT: GM reaches deal with Canadian Auto Workers union
May 22, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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| After two weeks of intense negotiations, General Motors Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union have reached a deal that will help the automaker cut costs, allowing it to meet the terms for additional government loans. Ken Lewenza, head of the CAW, said it was "a struggle" to reach a deal with GM, but he added that the union had done the best it could under the circumstances, saying: "we have protected most of our core benefits." Consumer Reports has counted down the forty best deals on domestic new cars – those you can get from 10% to 25% below MSRP. Since CR doesn't have any Chrysler products that it feels it can recommend... According to The Detroit Free Press, the U.S. Treasury has dumped another $7.5 billion into GMAC's coffers just two weeks after the bank was told by federal regulators that it needed billions in order to survive. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping... Regardless of what entity General Motors eventually unloads its network of 380 Saturn dealerships upon, it's not planning to continue supplying vehicles to the displaced automaker past 2011 at the latest.
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| Mitsubishi interested in supplying Saturn dealers?
May 22, 2009 at 4:56 pm
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| Regardless of what entity General Motors eventually unloads its network of 380 Saturn dealerships upon, it's not planning to continue supplying vehicles to the displaced automaker past 2011 at the latest. This being the case, the majority of prospective Saturn bidders will need to find an alternate source for cars and trucks to stock its newly purchased showroom floors. But who? 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  General Motors Canada has announced that it has begun notifying its dealer body that it will be culling its sales networks by some 42 percent. The massive cut means that GM's 709 dealers will be trimmed by around 245 stores. Italian automaker Fiat, Canadian parts maker Magna International and Belgian investment firm RHJ International look to be the final three bidders for General Motors' Opel subsidiary.  Patty Shanks and her husband live just 10 miles from GM headquarters in Michigan and have felt anguish for their friends and neighbors affected by the automaker's continuing turmoil.
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| Americans "need" big trucks, says Sen. Hatch, and the Raser Hummer EV is just right
May 22, 2009 at 4:15 pm
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|  Raser Technolgies plug-in HUMMER H3 - Click above for a high-res gallery
Japanese automakers on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama's new rules to push green vehicles and transform the U.S. auto industry -- a shift that likely puts Japan's manufacturers at an advantage.  A Hummer that gets the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon or more? That's something even President Barack Obama could live with — not to mention California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the unquestioned celebrity champion for Hummers. 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.  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...
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| FOLLOWUP: Alec Baldwin clarifies his auto industry ramblings... sort of
May 22, 2009 at 3:43 pm
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|  To pull the plug means to stop, give up, lay off, discontinue, cease. It's clear, concise language that leaves little room for misinterpretation. That is, apparently, unless you're Alec Baldwin. In a recent blog entry on Huffington Post, the actor had harsh words regarding the Detroit auto industry, blaming Motown for everything from global warming to wars over oil. He ended his diatribe with a simple message: pull the plug. Japanese automakers on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama's new rules to push green vehicles and transform the U.S. auto industry -- a shift that likely puts Japan's manufacturers at an advantage. The U.S. Treasury continued to mold Detroit's auto industry Wednesday, appointing C. Robert Kidder as chairman of the restructured Chrysler Group LLC, the new name being used for the Auburn Hills automaker.  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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| Could Ford pass GM in North American production this year?
May 22, 2009 at 2:15 pm
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| A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. The industry analysts at IHS Global Insight see Ford passing GM as the top manufacturer in terms of production for 2009, with 1.9 million North American units at the Blue Oval compared to 1.7 million for GM. The upside-down nature of the IHS rankings continues with Honda placing third with 1.1 million units, followed by Toyota at 904,000 units and Chrysler at number five with 903,000. According to The Washington Post, the White House is readying General Motors for a bankruptcy filing that could come as early as the end of next week. According to the paper...  Mark McNabb, the general marshaling the forces of General Motors' premium channel – Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab – is leaving the company in 10 days "to pursue other job opportunities. Italian automaker Fiat, Canadian parts maker Magna International and Belgian investment firm RHJ International look to be the final three bidders for General Motors' Opel subsidiary.
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| Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden celebrate 50 years of tiny, cuddly performance
May 22, 2009 at 2:08 pm
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| Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery from Milan Dragway When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3.  2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  The Yugo Party – Click above for high-res image gallery Yugo production wound down in 2008, but Zastava's little cars still engender plenty of love, and fans of the brand recently converged on a Belgrade park with their cars.
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| Hydrogen Road Tour ready for 1,700-mile Cali-to-Canada drive
May 22, 2009 at 1:58 pm
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|  Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. The point of the trip, if the name doesn't make it obvious, is to promote H2 vehicles and to "highlight the communities where fuel cells and hydrogen stations are entering early commercial markets." Some of the 12 vehicles that will join the tour include:  Toyota Highlander FCV - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota has one of the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell programs in the world and has publicly demonstrated...  When the former executive director of General Motors' fuel-cell program, J. Byron McCormick, resigned from the Department of Energy's hydrogen advisory committee, he didn't go quietly.  Henning Solberg and Leilani Münter, photo courtesy of ZERO The 24th edition of the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS) kicks off in a couple of days in Stavanger, Norway...  GM HydroGen4 fuel cell Equinox - Click above for gallery AutoblogGreen reader responses to the huge cut in DOE hydrogen vehicle spending was mixed, but mostly in favor...
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| Metro Buddy officially launched, will invade Europe
May 22, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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| Metro Buddy - Click above for a hi-res gallery The Metro Buddy was officially revealed at EVS 24, and we now have a gallery of official renderings, as well as pics from the coming out party, to share with you. On hand to lift the cloth from metallic matte orange and green cars were Norway's most famous TV weather personality Siri Kalvig (herself a Buddy owner) and Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment. As you will see in the photos below, the event was well attended and we hear the cars had lots of camera-toting visitors during their time on display.  Earlier this year, word was that the Wheego Whip was supposed to be available here in the U.S. in May. Looks like July is the new delivery date, so hold on if you want your smart fortwo clone minicar NEV.  If you would like to have your very own electric bicycle and are somewhat cinematographically-inclined have access to a video camera, you might be interested in this contest being held by Ultra Motor.  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.  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.
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| California Barn Find: 50 Vintage Cars, All Up For Sale!
May 22, 2009 at 1:15 pm
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|   A cache of over 50 vintage cars, mostly British, have gone up for sale from a mysterious southern California collector who's decided to liquidate. Abandon hope all ye who enter here. We were initally quite leery about post this here for fear of bankrupting readers, but it's too good not to.  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...  Click above for massive high-res gallery of some of Stuttgart's finest The Grand Prix region of the Porsche Club of America (PCA-GPX) is centered in the Long Beach area of Southern California.  Porsche 911 GT3 RS running wild – Click above for high-res images Typically when we're photographing cars for a review, we pick a location where we'll be largely be left undisturbed.  2010 Mazda3 We've told you a few times about the 2010 Mazda Mazda3 (redundant? Ask Mazda and Chrome Data about model names) and published our hallmark Bottom Line and Full Review, too.
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| Nissan Japan says green car orders jumped 30 percent in May
May 22, 2009 at 1:12 pm
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|  Following the lead of many other countries, the Japanese government recently decided to try and boost sales of green cars with a tax reduction. While the definition of a green car varies, the idea behind the tax rewrite was to promote cars that consume less fuel. In Nissan's case, it also stimulated the manufacturer to improve their engine lineup. While only six models from Japan's No. 3 automaker used to be eligible for the eco tax breaks, the lineup now includes 15 models, including the NV200 delivery van. 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  Although Volkswagen is known for its diesels, the German marque is glad to show that it's also a player on the fuel-cell battlefield. How? By shipping 16 fuel-cell Passat Lingyu sedans to the U.  BMW will bring the elevated seating and packaging of an SUV to its 5-series line with the addition of a liftback model called the Grand Turismo or, simply, GT. The automaker is now revealing the production look for the vehicle...  2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker...
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| VIDEO: GoDaddy teases raciest-yet Danica Patrick ad for Indy 500
May 22, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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| GoDaddy and Danica: Click above to view the commercial after the jump Go Daddy commercials are well known for two things: 1) Having little to do with web hosting and domains, and 2) Making use of attractive women in suggestive situations. During the Super Bowl, Go Daddy threw racer Danica Patrick into a shower with a college German instructor. The two girls theme continues with a new spot that places Ms. Patrick in a vintage Ford Mustang convertible with a sultry female police officer that seems quite excited about web hosting. Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. A cache of over 50 vintage cars, mostly British, have gone up for sale from a mysterious southern California collector who's decided to liquidate. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
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| Classic Ad: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
May 22, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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|   The new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro recently went on sale and, come June, Chevy will also release a limited Bumblebee edition of the Camaro SS based on the car (or character) featured in the "Transformers" movie. According to Jalopnik, the Bumblebee edition will be an appearance-only package: rally yellow paint, black stripes and Transformers badging inside.  Please, to the powers above, and in Washington and on Wall Street: Do not condemn General Motors to fail. I have driven the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, and one thing I know: This is not an automaker that deserves to die.  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...  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.  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...
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| BREAKING: Gov't. reportedly gearing up to push GM into bankruptcy as early as next week
May 22, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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| According to The Washington Post, the White House is readying General Motors for a bankruptcy filing that could come as early as the end of next week. According to the paper, the proceedings would likely grant GM nearly $30 billion in additional federal loans, bringing taxpayer investments into the company to almost $45 billion. A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations... While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization.
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| Racing a Lincoln MKS EcoBoost at Milan Dragway
May 22, 2009 at 12:31 pm
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| 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery from Milan Dragway When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. This made the new luxurious Lincoln a large, loaded, heavy vehicle with the power of a Nissan Altima. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow.
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| Officially Official: BMW drops the details on its 2010 5 Series Gran Turismo
May 22, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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| 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. The latest proof of this is the announcement of the production 5 Series Gran Turismo, which, as expected, looks little changed from the concept that set tongues wagging in Geneva, save for a few details like smaller wheels, more conventional interior fabrics and real-world-sized side mirrors. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery from Milan Dragway When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3. 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule)...
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| One Gallon Challenge, sort of an X-Prize lite, coming to Massachusetts in August
May 22, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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|  ExerTrike Tri-Hybrids - Click above for a gallery While we wait for the $10 million Automotive X Prize road races to get started, our old friend Jory Squibb is organizing a 100-mile race through Massachusetts that will put some of the most efficient and unusual vehicles around today through their paces...  In President Obama's speech this afternoon about the new 35.5 mpg CAFE standard for 2016, he made sure to emphasize the broad support for the new national rule. From the responses we're seeing around the web following the announcement...  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.  2009 Honda FCX Clarity, being delivered to 19-year-old actress Q'orianka Kilcher We get asked a lot of questions by friends and colleagues looking to buy cars and trucks, as we noted elsewhere this morning.  PopMech's Ben Stewart put the Fastskinz MPG-Plus vinyl vehicle-wrap system through the paces to determine if it increases fuel economy. So, does it work? What the hell do you think, of course it doesn't. [PopMech]
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| Ballyhoed New CAFE Standards Riddled With Hummer-Sized Loopholes
May 22, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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|  When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out, thanks to Hummer-sized loopholes like your car's air-conditioning, automakers should be able to meet them with little fear. At issue is the federal government's twin towers of regulation power — the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)...  There are miles per gallon... and then there are miles per gallon. How do you tell the difference? One is labeled "CAFE mpg" and the other is labeled "EPA mpg." What's the difference? Well...  Ford's EcoBoost engines promise higher performance while simultaneously providing higher fuel economy. To prove it, they took us out to the drag strip with a Taurus SHO-ish...  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... 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.
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| Smart move: fortwo gets transmission upgrade
May 22, 2009 at 11:30 am
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| 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough, jerky and otherwise unrefined automated manual transmission. The automaker is finally stepping in to do something about it. BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow.  Mazda rotary engine patent diagrams - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last October, it seems that Mazda quietly filed a patent for a twin-spark, direct injection version of the automaker's iconic rotary engine.  Smart ForTwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery If you poll owners (and reviewers) of the Smart ForTwo you'll find one consistent gripe: the transmission. The automated manual gearbox herks...  Ariel Atom - Click above for a high-res image gallery Ariel, our favorite purveyors of minimalist motoring this side of a Se7en, are reportedly working on an all-new vehicle...
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| REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through'
May 22, 2009 at 11:20 am
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| There are miles per gallon... and then there are miles per gallon. How do you tell the difference? One is labeled "CAFE mpg" and the other is labeled "EPA mpg." What's the difference? Well, Edmunds is taking pains to illuminate the large discrepancy that exists between the two figures: the issue, as initially laid out by Edmunds' John O'Dell in 2007, is that CAFE and EPA mileage numbers were initially based on the same formula in 1975... When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out... BMW will bring the elevated seating and packaging of an SUV to its 5-series line with the addition of a liftback model called the Grand Turismo or, simply, GT. The automaker is now revealing the production look for the vehicle...  California's lead in setting stricter mileage standards for automobiles helped President Obama formulate the new 35.5 mpg requirement for 2016. Since California's voice is so strong in the debate... A Hummer that gets the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon or more? That's something even President Barack Obama could live with — not to mention California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the unquestioned celebrity champion for Hummers.
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| It's Friday: check out comedian's crib, sweet rides
May 22, 2009 at 10:41 am
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|  Ever wished that living the green life had the same sort of cachet on TV that conspicuous consumption seems to have? Comedian, writer and actor Marcus Brigstocke didn't let preconceived notions of what's not hip get in the way of a video he made of his London home's new and amazing energy savers. Imagine Ed Begley, Jr. producing that Cribs show. We get to see Brigstocke's dope ride (a bike with a bell), his energy saving light switches and his compost pile. Mmmmm, reduce, reuse, recycle. Check out the video, produced by the Energy Saving Trust non-profit, after the jump. Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. A cache of over 50 vintage cars, mostly British, have gone up for sale from a mysterious southern California collector who's decided to liquidate. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
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| Precious Metal-Plating Wars Turn So Hot, Chrome Mercedes SLR Melts
May 22, 2009 at 10:00 am
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|  The precious metal-plating cold war that just gave us the gold-plated BMW M5? It just got hot. Really hot. The glare from that M5's apparently melted this chrome Mercedes SLR. Seriously, we've got no idea what this is or what this is from. All we know is it takes the cheeseball cake if there's a real SLR underneath all that. Although our guess is there isn't one. We hope. [via Autoblog.nl] Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK. A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. A cache of over 50 vintage cars, mostly British, have gone up for sale from a mysterious southern California collector who's decided to liquidate. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
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| VW still betting on hydrogen, adds 16 cars to U.S. test fleet
May 22, 2009 at 9:47 am
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| Although Volkswagen is known for its diesels, the German marque is glad to show that it's also a player on the fuel-cell battlefield. How? By shipping 16 fuel-cell Passat Lingyu sedans to the U.S. from China. When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out... California's lead in setting stricter mileage standards for automobiles helped President Obama formulate the new 35.5 mpg requirement for 2016. Since California's voice is so strong in the debate...  Toyota RAV-4 - Click above for a full gallery Like other automakers in the European market, Toyota has created a green label to identify its models that produces the least CO2. 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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| VW recalling 25,000+ Jetta sedans over faulty driveshafts
May 22, 2009 at 9:41 am
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|  Volkswagen has announced that it will recall some 25,594 examples of its 2006-2009 Jetta over a potential driveshaft issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with the company's 2.0-liter inline-four may have driveshaft cover plates that weren't manufactured properly, with the consequence that their screws may not be torqued correctly. If the screws back out, drivers may experience a knocking sound while in motion. In the extreme, the driveshaft could conceivably detach from the gearbox, which could cause all kinds of problems that might lead to a crash. Although Volkswagen is known for its diesels, the German marque is glad to show that it's also a player on the fuel-cell battlefield. How? By shipping 16 fuel-cell Passat Lingyu sedans to the U. Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking... Click above to watch crash test videos after the jump The 2010 Ford Mustang is quicker and more refined than the model it replaces, and it has also been upgraded in ways you can't see or feel – unless you're in an accident.  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...
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| BMW adds liftback GT to 5-series array:
May 22, 2009 at 9:30 am
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|  BMW will bring the elevated seating and packaging of an SUV to its 5-series line with the addition of a liftback model called the Grand Turismo or, simply, GT. The automaker is now revealing the production look for the vehicle, which will debut at this fall's Frankfurt motor show after having been previewed as a concept car at the Geneva show in March. It will go on sale in the United States in December, priced in the low-$70,000s range. Following the lead of many other countries, the Japanese government recently decided to try and boost sales of green cars with a tax reduction. While the definition of a green car varies... 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough... There are miles per gallon... and then there are miles per gallon. How do you tell the difference? One is labeled "CAFE mpg" and the other is labeled "EPA mpg." What's the difference? Well... BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule)...
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| Toyota unleashes 2010 Prius Modellista aero kits
May 22, 2009 at 8:35 am
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| 2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker has unleashed a whole slew of styling and performance upgrades through Modellista, its in-house tuning arm. There are three separate kits available that offer varying levels of flair: Modellista Versions 1 and 2 and an Aero Tourer Kit. We're not so sure the exterior bits from the Aero Tourer kit actually improve the car's looks any, but perhaps they improve its already stellar aerodynamics somewhat. The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations... Mazda rotary engine patent diagrams - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last October, it seems that Mazda quietly filed a patent for a twin-spark, direct injection version of the automaker's iconic rotary engine. Smart ForTwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery If you poll owners (and reviewers) of the Smart ForTwo you'll find one consistent gripe: the transmission. The automated manual gearbox herks...  Hype maintenance can be hard work. Following the Earth Day announcement that the EEStor ultracapacitor had passed independent tests that showed it had a relative permittivity of 22...
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| Look Who's Talking Again: Porsche, VW resume negotiations
May 22, 2009 at 8:35 am
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|  The way things read, Porsche might not have to get a merger deal done with Volkswagen, but it would appear to be in the carmaker's best interests if it does. The holdup seems to be Porsche – since VW still doesn't know what Porsche's financial situation is, talks broke down earlier this week. VW's labor leader, who has a seat on VW's board, has also said he doesn't want to speak to Porsche again until Porsche tells everyone what it really has in mind. Italian automaker Fiat, Canadian parts maker Magna International and Belgian investment firm RHJ International look to be the final three bidders for General Motors' Opel subsidiary.  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.
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| McLaren intends to build new production facility to rival Maranello
May 22, 2009 at 8:28 am
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|  First came Paragon, the terrifically high-tech McLaren Technology Center that is the corporate and production HQ for Ron Dennis' various company interests. Now, Dennis is planning a McLaren Production Center (MPC) that will engineer and build "McLaren Automotive's range of innovative high-performance sports cars from 2011." 2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker... The way things read, Porsche might not have to get a merger deal done with Volkswagen, but it would appear to be in the carmaker's best interests if it does. The holdup...  Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule)...
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| All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives:
May 22, 2009 at 8:14 am
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| Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models...  Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 is an assault on bureaucratic circular logic, and when talk turns to Chrysler's bankruptcy, you can almost picture the book's character...  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... For the past few months, we've been running a weekly series on AutoblogGreen called Greenlings. Now that the archive has been built up a bit, it's time to formally introduce the series to you, explain what it's about and invite you to help us out.  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...
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| BMW Reveals 5 Series Gran Turismo
May 22, 2009 at 7:41 am
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| BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule), the 5 Series Gran Turismo still seems to satisfy the main requirements of the genre: going fast and far in high comfort.  According to an article in Mag-X (via Temple of VTEC), Honda is hard at work wrapping up the design for the next-gen Civic that's expected to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.  BMW plans for boosting and lifting automotive rear ends continue with the BMW 5-Series GT. While we already saw the concept in Geneva, these are the first official shots of the production version...  Last month, a team from the University of Warwick in Britain said it had built an eco-friendly racecar that contained parts made from vegetable fiber and ran on fuel made from chocolate waste. Please, to the powers above, and in Washington and on Wall Street: Do not condemn General Motors to fail. I have driven the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, and one thing I know: This is not an automaker that deserves to die.
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| BRUSA brings all-electric Spyder to EVS24
May 22, 2009 at 7:41 am
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| BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow. Our best guess is that this machine is based on either a rear-engined Volkswagen or possibly a Porsche 914, and it obviously takes styling cues from the classic Porsche 550 Spyder – never a poor route to take as far as we're concerned. BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule)... The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations...  2007 Porsche RS Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery L'Automobile, our new favorite purveyors of outlandish stories and Photoshopped speculation, is reporting...  The city of Seattle has made a lot of progress toward encouraging sustainable transportation in the Pacific Northwest. In recognition of these efforts, the World Electric...
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| Report: White House to Send GM into Bankruptcy Next Week
May 22, 2009 at 7:00 am
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|  The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations, and if realized, would bring the total government aid GM would receive to $45 billion dollars. At the onset of bankruptcy proceedings, it is expected a new GM would be formed immediately and given the best performing assets and the billions in aid...  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. 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...  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...  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.
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| AutoblogGreen for 05.22.09
May 22, 2009 at 6:53 am
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|  Do electric vehicles need front air intakes?
There's no engine, so what's with the crosshairs? What is a continuously variable transmission? If you need a refresher on what CVT is and why it can help reduce fuel use, check out the new Greenlings.  A reader posed us an interesting question the other day about air intakes and grilles. Specifically: do electric vehicles need them at all and why do many internal combustion vehicles have such large examples.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video Here's a challenge that it would be nice for all of us to try. Hydrogen vehicle advocate Greg Blencoe is still smarting from the DOE funding cut for hydrogen vehicle research dollars.  Audi A3 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery Audi started its big push for clean diesel here in the U.S. market this spring when its big Q7 TDI finally went on sale.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video Last night, GM's Bob Lutz went to New York to rebut the thrashing that David Letterman gave to the Chevy Volt a few weeks ago.
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| Criticism grows against Obama auto rescue plan
May 22, 2009 at 3:08 am
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| WASHINGTON -- Criticism of President Barack Obama's rescue plans for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC blossomed Thursday, as lawmakers and outsiders questioned the treatment of dealers, investors and the speed at which the administration was moving. Yet the complexity and scale of the industry's problems appeared to limit any role for Congress, even as a growing pack of senators sought to delay the closing of 789 Chrysler dealers set for June 9. 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. 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... 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... 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.
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| GM, UAW compromise
May 22, 2009 at 2:52 am
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| While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization. The UAW announced it had reached what it called a "tentative understanding" with GM and the U.S. Treasury about cost-saving changes to the 2007 labor contract and a retiree health care trust. While details were not disclosed, the deal is said to be similar to the new Chrysler LLC labor contract.  Though we were just warned that new deals between General Motors and the major auto unions in the U.S. and Canada were unlikely to be completed by their May 27 deadline... The U.S. Treasury continued to mold Detroit's auto industry Wednesday, appointing C. Robert Kidder as chairman of the restructured Chrysler Group LLC, the new name being used for the Auburn Hills automaker.
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