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| Ferrari's Got Hybrid Fever
June 9, 2009 at 6:02 pm
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|   The rumors of a Ferrari hybrid are back, with company boss Amedeo Felisa suggesting such a car could appear by the end of the year, most likely at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Such a car, should it exist, may not be designed to increase fuel efficiency but rather to improve handling. This is Ferrari, after all.  European patent filings already show us how Modena plans to use hybrid technology for performance instead of economy. Now we know when. Reports indicate a gas/electric Ferrari Hybrid may show itself at this year's LA Auto Show.  If Max Mosley gets his way with F1 budget caps, this is what next season’s Brawn may look like. And as for the 2010 Ferrari, look below. So here. At least the velocity trumpets are well chromed:
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| Judge OKs Chrysler axing of 789 dealers
June 9, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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|   NEW YORK -- A bankruptcy judge says Chrysler can go ahead with its plan to terminate the franchises of 789 of its dealers. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez issued the order late this afternoon. It says the franchises can no longer act as authorized Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers, effective immediately. Chrysler LLC says it needs to cut its dealer ranks by about 25% as part of its plans to cut costs and quickly emerge from Chapter 11 protection.  Today is a day of reinvention, resignation and resentment in many Chrysler showrooms across the country. Among the 789 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers whose franchise agreements end today...  After the suggestion of Congressional hearings on the matter, Chrysler's Jim Press assured Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) that Chrysler dealers with leftover inventory after June 9 would "receive a fair and equitable value.  NEW YORK - Hundreds of Chrysler dealers across the U.S. on the automaker's "hit list" are scrambling to dispose of their inventory by Tuesday when their franchise agreements are slated to be terminated.  DES MOINES, Iowa - If you're looking for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep, this just might be your weekend. Chrysler dealers who will lose their right to sell new cars as...
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| House OKs cash for clunkers
June 9, 2009 at 5:56 pm
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| WASHINGTON ? The U.S. House approved a plan today offering up to $4,500 for owners of gas-guzzling clunkers to trade in their wheels for new models in a bid to boost the lagging market for new vehicles. With broad support from both political parties, the bill passed by a wide margin of 298-119, with two abstaining. Backers in the Senate hope to attach it to whichever major bill will move through that chamber next, although there's still a disagreement there over whether the plan should focus on higher-mileage models.  The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe was the best selling car in 2008 with 457,000 units. Who said America can't build a popular small car? Like most small cars, the Cozy Coupe is made almost entirely of plastic and returns excellent mileage.  BMW's equivalent of Deep Throat has divulged a host of information on the marque's coming plans for its premium entry level range incorporating the 1-Series and Z2, and a new line of Y vehicles.  The story begins pointing out that the Chevrolet Camaro SS is GM's latest muscle car that flies in the face of all the environmental talk going on these days. "Sexy with charisma...  After reporting on the NHTSA recall of 2008 Zap Xebras we heard back from Zap spokesman Alex Campbell. The federal government doesn't actually do all the regulatory compliance testing for new vehicles.
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| Porsche Talks to Qatar Fund About Cash Lifeline
June 9, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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|  From our colleagues at DealBook: Porsche Automobile Holding, which has been struggling to avoid a cash squeeze, said Tuesday that it was talking with Qatar about an investment that could give new life to its plan to merge with Volkswagen, The New York Times's David Jolly reports. Frank Gaube, a spokesman for Porsche, confirmed the companies were negotiating but said he could not comment further because of a confidentiality agreement.  Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any...  Name a failing automaker that needed outside help to survive. Not General Motors or Chrysler. That's too easy. How about BMW, Nissan, Renault and Ferrari? Among the world's most admired brands and companies...  The automotive gods haven't quite answered our prayers by bringing us the amazing BlueSport roadster, but they've given us reason to be hopeful. There are increasing signs...  Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's likely headed for production.
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| Zero Motorcycles launches new MX model
June 9, 2009 at 5:22 pm
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|   2009 Zero MX electric motorcycle - Click above to watch a video after the break Zero Motorcycles has just released another new electric bike for 2009, and this one's meant specifically for the track. While we found the standard-issue Zero X to be a solid performer in most situations, the demands of a motocross track are are bit too much for the stock X's front and rear suspenders. In light of this,  They're keeping busy at Zero Motorcycles, where founder Neal Saiki has come up with an electric motocrosser to join the company's enduro and road-ready machines. The Zero...  Forget the economy. The focus of the 22nd-annual EyesOn Design show over Father?s Day weekend will be what first attracts many to car lust: alluring design. The show is expected to have 236 cars and about 25 motorcycles...  In 1959 Honda established itself here in the U.S. selling motorcycles out of a small storefront in LA. Fifty years later, the folks at Honda erected a homage to that first little store in their U.  The Greenwich Concours d'Élégance opened today for the 14th consecutive year in Connecticut, drawing classic cars, yachts, motorcycles and one flying car from around the country.
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| eBay Find of the Day: 1954 Bentley R-Type fastback racer
June 9, 2009 at 5:20 pm
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|   1954 Bentley R-Type on eBay Motors – Click above for image gallery Have you got two-hundred grand to drop on a Bentley Continental? Well, then you're more fortunate than most of us, but before you head down to the local luxury dealership and place your order for the same car that everyone else in your tony gated community already owns, why not consider something with a little more character? May we suggest this 1954 Bentley R-Type fastback racer.  Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser...  2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for hi-res image gallery The guys over at On Cars recently had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition.  2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design - Click above for image gallery By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point...  MINI E - Click above for image gallery The all-electric MINI Es are starting to be delivered, and AutoblogGreen reader David VM. will do something a little extra with his new ride: power it completely by solar power. Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any...
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| Lutz Denies Ambivalence About the Volt and…Introducing the World's First Images of the Volt in Black
June 9, 2009 at 5:20 pm
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|   Lutz has taken that author to task in his latest FastLane post. "Let me say this clearly: There is no ambivalence on my part - or on the part of anyone at GM - toward the Chevy Volt. None. Zero," writes Lutz. Lutz confirms the Volt program is "the most exciting program I have worked on in my entire career."  Opel Ampera - Click above for a high-res gallery When General Motors unveiled the Opel Ampera at the Geneva Motor Show last March, employees at Vauxhall got their hopes raised that they would eventually get to build the sibling of the Chevy Volt.  With the sheer novelty of the first drive behind me, I figured I could get a better feel for driving the car. Since I've also had the chance since then to drive the Toyota Prius and the new Honda Insight a driving comparison... The story begins pointing out that the Chevrolet Camaro SS is GM's latest muscle car that flies in the face of all the environmental talk going on these days. "Sexy with charisma...  Now of course Fritz Henderson is at the helm. He has inherited a company that is in bankruptcy, and is charged with the herculean task of restructuring it into a leaner meaner four brand form.
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| Subaru opens STI Gallery in Tokyo
June 9, 2009 at 5:20 pm
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|  You remember turning 20? the end of teenage years, the beginning of adulthood...that's what Subaru Tecnica International – the performance division better known by its initials STI – celebrates this year, and to mark the occasion, Fuji Heavy is inaugurating the STI Gallery, a new museum in Tokyo that highlights the products and activities of its Subaru racing unit. 2009 Zero MX electric motorcycle - Click above to watch a video after the break Zero Motorcycles has just released another new electric bike for 2009, and this one's meant specifically for the track. Opel Ampera - Click above for a high-res gallery When General Motors unveiled the Opel Ampera at the Geneva Motor Show last March, employees at Vauxhall got their hopes raised that they would eventually get to build the sibling of the Chevy Volt. Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser... 1954 Bentley R-Type on eBay Motors – Click above for image gallery Have you got two-hundred grand to drop on a Bentley Continental? Well, then you're more fortunate than most of us...
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| Vauxhall employees to miss out on building Ampera ER-EV
June 9, 2009 at 5:14 pm
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| Opel Ampera - Click above for a high-res gallery When General Motors unveiled the Opel Ampera at the Geneva Motor Show last March, employees at Vauxhall got their hopes raised that they would eventually get to build the sibling of the Chevy Volt. Last year, it looked like Voltec-based vehicles could find a home at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory thanks to some British government incentives. 2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design - Click above for image gallery By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point...  A new General Motors needs new leadership. So following the replacement of former CEO Rick Wagoner with Fritz Henderson, the General has announced its new incoming chairman: Edward E.  Bill Wallace showing off the Volt cell and battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery On Monday, General Motors officially inaugurated the new Global Battery Systems test lab that was announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
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| Land Rover takes the Defender to new heights with Fire & Ice editions
June 9, 2009 at 4:57 pm
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| Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen, Hummer H2 – have all gone luxed-out, the Defender soldiers on as the bare-bones option. Essentially the same body-on-frame design from 1948, the Defender is still hand-assembled. But what's Land Rover to do when the market demands luxury? Lux out the Defender, of course. 2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for hi-res image gallery The guys over at On Cars recently had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition.  2010 Acura TSX V6 – Click above for high-res image gallery Acura has a good thing going in the luxury segment. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – but like... Bill Wallace showing off the Volt cell and battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery On Monday, General Motors officially inaugurated the new Global Battery Systems test lab that was announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any...
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| The Last Day for 789 Chrysler Dealers
June 9, 2009 at 4:53 pm
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| Updated: June 9, 2009, 5:00 p.m. Chrysler has officially ended its franchise agreements with 789 dealers. Late Tuesday, Judge Arthur J. Gonzalez, who has presided over the Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings, ruled against a petition brought by several hundred of the rejected dealers to stay in business. According to The Associated Press, more than 25 lawyers represented the dealers, which argued that closing the franchises would save Chrysler very little money. NEW YORK -- A bankruptcy judge says Chrysler can go ahead with its plan to terminate the franchises of 789 of its dealers. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez issued the order late this afternoon.  WASHINGTON -- Fiat SpA warned the U.S. Supreme Court today that its agreement to buy Chrysler LLC's assets would automatically expire on June 15 and that there was "no assurance" a replacement deal could be reached.  GM's potential sale of HUMMER to Tengzhong is probably good news for those interested in seeing the company return to independent and profitable status as quickly as possible (and also Rush Limbaugh). Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any...
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| Fuel prices on the rise as summer nears:
June 9, 2009 at 4:46 pm
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|   Summer driving season is upon us, and as the mercury rises, so do fuel prices. Regular unleaded gasoline has gone up nearly 41 cents a gallon in the past month across the nation to an average price of $2.619 on Tuesday. That?s up nine cents in just a week, according to www.fuelgaugereport.com, a service of AAA.  Over the last several years, we've heard a lot of excuses from many auto executives as to why their companies aren't offering diesel engines in their American market cars.  Ford tossed down the gauntlet on gee-whiz dashboard gauge clusters with the Smartgauge in the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid. Now supplier Yazaki is going one step further with a fully-reconfigurable concept cluster running on Linux.  Assuming that everyone reading this knows about the GM bankruptcy, let's go straight to the quote highlight reel. During a recent interview with NPR, GM Chief Financial...
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| Zero Builds An Electric Motocross Machine
June 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm
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| They're keeping busy at Zero Motorcycles, where founder Neal Saiki has come up with an electric motocrosser to join the company's enduro and road-ready machines. The Zero MX wraps the beefy components and generous suspension travel needed for hardcore track riding in a silent bike that weighs a scant 151 pounds. The lithium-ion battery is good for two hours or 40 miles and charges in less than two hours. 2009 Zero MX electric motorcycle - Click above to watch a video after the break Zero Motorcycles has just released another new electric bike for 2009, and this one's meant specifically for the track.  The battery makers vying for dollars from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Electric Drive Vehicle Battery & Component Manufacturing Initiative just got a little more competition.  Click above to watch the video after the break Curious what it might be like to pilot what's very likely one of the world's fastest electric motorcycles? While it's not quite the same as piloting the machine yourself...  The car has a 16 kwh lithium-ion battery pack. The pack is 333 V and composed of 88 large format cells produced by a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors and GS Yuasa of Japan.
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| 1908 Maxwell LC Tourabout: Subaru Boxer's Great-Great-Grandpappy
June 9, 2009 at 4:20 pm
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|   We have a hard time getting revved up about horseless carriages over one century old, but this 1908 Maxwell LC Tourabout is pretty remarkable. Check out the horizontally opposed two-cylinder powerplant. Take that Subaru. Sure, it might not look like much, but this vehicle is quite remarkable, especially for the time. Karl Benz was the first to patent the notion of a boxer engine, but this example is the first we've seen of that vintage that actually runs.  Mitsubishi has announced that its i-MiEV electric pod car will go on sale in Japan in late July for $45,660. Not to be outdone, Subaru said it will bring out its own electric car, the Stella, for $49,255.  The Toyobaru deserves a place in the mythical creature pantheon with vampires and the Loch Ness Monster -- every official denial is followed by another sighting. The latest speculation on Toyota and Subaru's coupe project provides more details...  Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has priced its new electric vehicle at 4.38 million yen, or $45,660 at current exchange rates, and wants EVs to account for 20 percent of its global output by 2020.  Lars Martensson's Honda S2000 concept - click above for a high-res gallery Late yesterday, we showed you the handiwork of 3D rendering guru Lars Martensson (a.k.a. 'GRID'), who had applied his skills to a future vision of a new Subaru WRX STI.
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| Autoline Daily provides first look at production Chevrolet Volt in black
June 9, 2009 at 3:49 pm
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| 2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design - Click above for image gallery By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point, though, all of the shots that General Motors have let out have been of the car in a happy shade of silver. Not any more, as our friend John McElroy from Autoline Daily managed to score the world's first shots of what he says is the final production design of the Volt in stealthy black paint. Opel Ampera - Click above for a high-res gallery When General Motors unveiled the Opel Ampera at the Geneva Motor Show last March, employees at Vauxhall got their hopes raised that they would eventually get to build the sibling of the Chevy Volt. Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser... 1954 Bentley R-Type on eBay Motors – Click above for image gallery Have you got two-hundred grand to drop on a Bentley Continental? Well, then you're more fortunate than most of us... 2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for hi-res image gallery The guys over at On Cars recently had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition.
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| Franz von Holzhausen talks Tesla Model S design
June 9, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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| 2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for hi-res image gallery The guys over at On Cars recently had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition. In the first of three videos (the other two haven't been released yet), not only are we treated to some gorgeous shots of the Model S, inside and out, but also have the chance to listen to designer Franz von Holzhausen talk at length about the object of our fastback desire. Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser... 2010 Acura TSX V6 – Click above for high-res image gallery Acura has a good thing going in the luxury segment. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – but like... Bill Wallace showing off the Volt cell and battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery On Monday, General Motors officially inaugurated the new Global Battery Systems test lab that was announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any...
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| Formula 1 Goes Retro-Racing With The Return of Lotus
June 9, 2009 at 3:09 pm
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|  Amidst all of the bickering, wrangling and hand-wringing consuming the Formula One teams when they aren't on the track comes word that Lotus could return to the sport next year. Yes, that would be the same Lotus founded by Colin Chapman, one of the greatest innovators racing ever saw. The same Lotus that revolutionized F1 on more than one occasion.  FOTA team principals and drivers meet at last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix It's all or nothing for the Formula One Teams Association. The body representing the majority...  With over a dozen teams all bidding to join a new cost-capped F1 next season, it would take a big name to stand out above the competition. Lotus ought to do the trick.  Ferrari at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery It's no secret that the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association are jointly interested in reducing the cost required to compete in F1 racing...  Knees splayed, head cocked and elbows tucked in tight, we wouldn?t call the seats particularly spacious, but the fact that we fit at all was impressive. They would certainly work in a pinch.  It looks like GT and Le Mans prototype racing may be just the beginning for Aston Martin. Following an agreement this week with F1 promotions boss, Bernie Ecclestone, Aston Martin could be jumping into the Formula One ranks in 2012.
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| First Look: Ferrari's Upcoming AWD Hybrid Concept
June 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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| European patent filings already show us how Modena plans to use hybrid technology for performance instead of economy. Now we know when. Reports indicate a gas/electric Ferrari Hybrid may show itself at this year's LA Auto Show. Let's peek inside. These six patent filings are variations on a theme, with the constant thread being a gas engine powering the rear wheels separately from an electric motor or motors driving the front wheels. While such an arrangement will necessarily bring with it the added weight of the batteries, If Max Mosley gets his way with F1 budget caps, this is what next season’s Brawn may look like. And as for the 2010 Ferrari, look below. So here. At least the velocity trumpets are well chromed:  Better Place battery swap station - click above for high res gallery While the full jury is still out on Better Place's battery swap idea, the first "juror" seems to have made up her mind. FOTA team principals and drivers meet at last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix It's all or nothing for the Formula One Teams Association. The body representing the majority... Ferrari at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery It's no secret that the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association are jointly interested in reducing the cost required to compete in F1 racing...
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| Mercedes set to debut S-Class ESF safety concept with more airbags than a balloon shop
June 9, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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|  Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009 concept – Click above for image gallery An inordinate number of the safety features that we now find commonplace in roadgoing automobiles made their debut in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. So where better to look for the next generation of safety technology? You guessed it. To that end, Mercedes is slated to unveil a concept S-Class to showcase the safety features it is working on next... 2010 Acura TSX V6 – Click above for high-res image gallery Acura has a good thing going in the luxury segment. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – but like...  Cadillac is one of the core brands that will form the new General Motors, but the dealership network can't continue in its current guise, according to GM sales head Mark LaNeve.  Mercedes-Benz is now offering three new direct injected engines in its C-Class BlueEfficiency models. Two of the three four cylinder engines are diesels while the other is fueled by gasoline.  What automaker has a lower owner satisfaction score in the UK than Chrysler? The one and only company that makes automobiles less tasty to UK consumers is Fiat. Both brands...
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| Meet a MINI E that will only use solar power
June 9, 2009 at 2:43 pm
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| MINI E - Click above for image gallery The all-electric MINI Es are starting to be delivered, and AutoblogGreen reader David VM. will do something a little extra with his new ride: power it completely by solar power. David has started up a new blog called MINI E 19 (his car is #19) and the first entry talks about the initial week with the battery-laden MINI E. Oh, and he describes what the G.A.S. and B.R.A.K.E pedals are for. They're different than look-alike pedals in a MINI Cooper ClubmanS, for example, which David also owns. Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions – Click above for high-res image gallery It doesn't get more back-to-basics than the Land Rover Defender. While most of the world's most hard-core off-roaders – Toyota Land Cruiser... 1954 Bentley R-Type on eBay Motors – Click above for image gallery Have you got two-hundred grand to drop on a Bentley Continental? Well, then you're more fortunate than most of us... 2011 Tesla Model S - Click above for hi-res image gallery The guys over at On Cars recently had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition. 2011 Chevrolet Volt final production design - Click above for image gallery By now, we've all seen plenty of images of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Up until this point...
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| Design in focus at 22nd-annual Detroit car show:
June 9, 2009 at 11:33 am
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| Forget the economy. The focus of the 22nd-annual EyesOn Design show over Father?s Day weekend will be what first attracts many to car lust: alluring design. The show is expected to have 236 cars and about 25 motorcycles, including vintage racers, 1950s and ?60s convertibles and of course, muscle cars. Set in the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in a Detroit suburb that touches a picturesque lake, the show benefits the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology.  We love cars here at Autoblog, and we've been inflicted with this particular disease for our entire lives – even back when we were but young little tykes. Like most of you...  According to various reports all over the interwebs, Mazda – long known as an automaker most interested in a sporty driving experience – is currently shaking...  Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom – Click above for a high-res image gallery With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury...  Click the Focus EV "mule" for a high res gallery With Magna International set to take control of General Motors' European operations, it will be interesting to see how...
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| Husqvarna Panthera Leo Concept: 21st Century Electric Mowing
June 9, 2009 at 11:00 am
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|  What's one activity that hasn't yet been painted with the green brush? Mowing! Luckily we're more excited about the Husqvarna Panthera Leo's five motors than we are its recycled materials. The practice of keeping a manicured grass lawn is possibly the least eco-friendly habit you have. Not only are you denying native flora and fauna its natural habitat, but you're importing water from remote locations to keep that lawn alive, Forget the economy. The focus of the 22nd-annual EyesOn Design show over Father?s Day weekend will be what first attracts many to car lust: alluring design. The show is expected to have 236 cars and about 25 motorcycles...  When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon.  When the first details emerged for Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo Mobile, we were infinitely curious how the little guy compared to its much larger brother, GT5. Check out this gameplay footage and decide for yourself. With the sheer novelty of the first drive behind me, I figured I could get a better feel for driving the car. Since I've also had the chance since then to drive the Toyota Prius and the new Honda Insight a driving comparison...
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| Former AT&T chief to lead reorganized GM
June 9, 2009 at 10:46 am
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| When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon.  Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., former chairman and CEO of AT&T, will become chairman of the "New GM" when launched later this summer. He will succeed Kent Kresa, another old, white man currently serving as interim chairman.  Bankruptcy is often not a clear-the-books-and-start-over process, but a continuation of one's troubles with people still piling on top of a business on its knees. Evan Dando...
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| Lawyers to Supreme Court: No rush to Chrysler case
June 9, 2009 at 10:45 am
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| WASHINGTON ? Lawyers for three Indiana pension funds filed a new argument with the U.S. Supreme Court today, contending that Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne's comments Monday that he would "never walk away" from the Chrysler pact leave no reason for the court to rule as quickly as the companies and U.S. government want. |
| Edward Whitacre To Be Chairman Of "New GM"
June 9, 2009 at 10:45 am
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| Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., former chairman and CEO of AT&T, will become chairman of the "New GM" when launched later this summer. He will succeed Kent Kresa, another old, white man currently serving as interim chairman. Full release below. Photo Credit: Hunter Martin / US PGA Tour When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon. Bankruptcy is often not a clear-the-books-and-start-over process, but a continuation of one's troubles with people still piling on top of a business on its knees. Evan Dando...
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| Xinhua: Hummer is "an exaggerated and extreme example of a disregard for the environment"
June 9, 2009 at 10:21 am
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|  General Motors' HUMMER division has long been the whipping boy of the environmental movement, and now even the Chinese government seems to be getting in on the act...
 According to a report from Bloomberg, state-owned Chinese news agency Shanghai Securities News is predicting that it is unlikely the Chinese government will approve the...  BEIJING -- Hummer owners are an unusual breed, but a little-known Chinese company's surprise purchase of the U.S. maker of gas-guzzling, military-style SUVs is audacious, even by their standards.  When GM finds a buyer for the HUMMER brand, its CAFE levels will be affected in a positive (if very minor, because the H2 is not counted in CAFE figures) way. This isn't...  GM's sale of Hummer to the Chinese has drawn mixed reactions in the U.S. But little attention's been paid to the soon-to-be new owners. How do the Chinese feel about buying this military-inspired...
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| REPORT: Formula One teams, drivers get serious on break-away series
June 9, 2009 at 10:16 am
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| FOTA team principals and drivers meet at last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix It's all or nothing for the Formula One Teams Association. The body representing the majority of the teams is still in the process of negotiating with the FIA over the proposed drastic budget cuts, but insists that the FIA has to take all of them or none of them. If Max Mosley's budget cuts are imposed as planned, Ferrari,  We're still several days away from the inaugural TTxGP motorcycle grand prix, but the organizers are looking ahead to next year - when they plan to have cars compete in the green GP. Ferrari at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery It's no secret that the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association are jointly interested in reducing the cost required to compete in F1 racing... BMW's equivalent of Deep Throat has divulged a host of information on the marque's coming plans for its premium entry level range incorporating the 1-Series and Z2, and a new line of Y vehicles.  Our twitter live-blog of the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix was a complete success. If you were checking it out this weekend, you already know what happened. If you didn't, hit the jump for the spoilers and a crude crayon drawing.
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| Under Fire: GM targeting metropolitan Cadillac dealers for closure?
June 9, 2009 at 10:15 am
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| Cadillac is one of the core brands that will form the new General Motors, but the dealership network can't continue in its current guise, according to GM sales head Mark LaNeve. There are 1,422 Cadillac dealers nationwide, more than four times the number of Mercedes-Benz dealers and more than six times the number of Lexus dealers. That kind of saturation meant that in 2008, the average Cadillac dealership did one-sixth the business of a Mercedes dealer and one-tenth the business of a Lexus dealer. Mercedes-Benz is now offering three new direct injected engines in its C-Class BlueEfficiency models. Two of the three four cylinder engines are diesels while the other is fueled by gasoline. What automaker has a lower owner satisfaction score in the UK than Chrysler? The one and only company that makes automobiles less tasty to UK consumers is Fiat. Both brands...  Mercedes-Benz has been busy. Having just introduced a new E-class, it now presents the 2010 S-class. The lineup includes the S400 hybrid, and the first production Mercedes hybrid is aimed squarely at Lexus?s LS 600h.  2010 E Class wagon testing in Namibia - Click above for a high-res gallery We find it cool that carmakers cart their rides all over the globe to carry out the most brutal testing in the most out of the way places.
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| Saturn Vue Two-mode hybrid dead, Equinox hybrid won't arrive until 2011
June 9, 2009 at 10:09 am
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|  Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid - click above for high res gallery When word came in the last few days that General Motors had reached a tentative deal to sell the Saturn brand to Roger Penske, the obvious question then became, "What about product?" The Penske deal apparently includes an agreement to continue supplying some current Saturn products on an interim basis until Penske lines up a new supplier and Penske has said that EVs are a priority. When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon.  What did you do over the weekend? Roger Penske, one of the first guys to make racing a paying proposition, did the usual. He won at the Texas IndyCar race, made a good showing in the Sprint Cup race at Pocono...  Saturn Vue Plug-in - click above for a high-res gallery Now that Penske has agreed to buy Saturn from GM, the big question is what will happen to the brand's vehicles.  He's been called a "competitive cuss," especially by those who've had to go up against him, whether on track or in a business deal. Roger Penske is a take-no-prisoners kind of executive...
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| First Gran Turismo Mobile Footage, Stills Look Stellar
June 9, 2009 at 10:00 am
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| When the first details emerged for Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo Mobile, we were infinitely curious how the little guy compared to its much larger brother, GT5. Check out this gameplay footage and decide for yourself. According to the Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, GT Mobile will feature all of the tracks from GT4 with an updated car list to include 800 semi-customizable cars... When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon. Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., former chairman and CEO of AT&T, will become chairman of the "New GM" when launched later this summer. He will succeed Kent Kresa, another old, white man currently serving as interim chairman. With the sheer novelty of the first drive behind me, I figured I could get a better feel for driving the car. Since I've also had the chance since then to drive the Toyota Prius and the new Honda Insight a driving comparison... Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid - click above for high res gallery When word came in the last few days that General Motors had reached a tentative deal to sell the Saturn brand to Roger Penske...
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| It's a Shame: Songwriter Evan Dando reportedly suing GM over music copyright
June 9, 2009 at 9:59 am
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| Bankruptcy is often not a clear-the-books-and-start-over process, but a continuation of one's troubles with people still piling on top of a business on its knees. Evan Dando, founder of alt-rock band The Lemonheads, is the latest to throw himself onto the GM scrum. The songwriter is suing General Motors for allegedly copying the group's song It's a Shame About Ray for a series of Chevy and Buick commercials from 2008. Dando is said to be seeking damages and a share of the profits from the campaign. You can check out the commercials with the alleged ditty swipe after the jump. When the reconstituted General Motors emerges from bankruptcy reorganization, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be chairman, the company announced today. Whitacre is the former chairman and chief executive of AT&T Inc. More details to follow soon. Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., former chairman and CEO of AT&T, will become chairman of the "New GM" when launched later this summer. He will succeed Kent Kresa, another old, white man currently serving as interim chairman.  The writing's been on the wall for years: GM would have to declare bankruptcy if it had any hope of restructuring in order to survive in the long-term. And though the...
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| Fiat's Marchionne says he won't walk away from Chrysler deal:
June 9, 2009 at 9:56 am
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|  Fiat S.p.A. will not walk away from its plan to buy bankrupt Chrysler LLC, CEO Sergio Marchionne told Bloomberg after a U.S. court delay threw the deal into doubt. "We would never walk away," Marchionne said when asked by Bloomberg whether Fiat would pull out of the deal if it is not completed by a June 15 deadline. "Never."  It's no secret Tata Motors, India's largest domestic automaker, wants to bring its low-buck Nano city car to the United States. After all, a small matter like a global... What automaker has a lower owner satisfaction score in the UK than Chrysler? The one and only company that makes automobiles less tasty to UK consumers is Fiat. Both brands...  As the movie Hoosiers amply demonstrated, Indiana natives don't quit. That's also true for three Indiana state pension funds who have fought Chrysler's bankruptcy all the way to the federal appeals court in New York and...  WASHINGTON ? Opponents of Chrysler's sale to Fiat are asking the Supreme Court to block the deal. Three Indiana state pension and construction funds filed emergency papers...
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| GM-Volt.com Chevy Volt Mule Second Test Drive and How it Compares to Current Hybrids
June 9, 2009 at 9:32 am
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| With the sheer novelty of the first drive behind me, I figured I could get a better feel for driving the car. Since I've also had the chance since then to drive the Toyota Prius and the new Honda Insight a driving comparison, albeit limited, might be in order. Volt wins hands down. The Volt mule is one sweet car. The pep and power of the smooth, refined, and quiet Volt motor can't even be compared to the straining whine of the hybrids' small combustion engines as they try to pull those cars up to speed. The Volt is in a different league altogether. Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid - click above for high res gallery When word came in the last few days that General Motors had reached a tentative deal to sell the Saturn brand to Roger Penske...  The bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler has made both automakers part property of the U.S. government. Under the current plan drawn up by President Obama's Auto Task Force...  Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen has repeatedly said in the past that the British luxury marque will introduce lower CO2-emitting powertrains over the next several years, starting with the flex-fuel W12 in the Continental Supersports this fall.
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| What's in a Name? Lotus to return to Formula One
June 9, 2009 at 8:58 am
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| With over a dozen teams all bidding to join a new cost-capped F1 next season, it would take a big name to stand out above the competition. Lotus ought to do the trick. Teaming up with veteran F1 team leader Mike Gascoyne, the Litespeed Formula 3 team has secured the rights to use the Lotus name for its potential entry. Rights to use the name in motorsport reportedly belong to David Hunt, younger brother of renowned F1 driver/all-around lady's man James Hunt, Knees splayed, head cocked and elbows tucked in tight, we wouldn?t call the seats particularly spacious, but the fact that we fit at all was impressive. They would certainly work in a pinch.  2009 Turkish Grand Prix – Click above for a high-res image gallery With the established teams still threatening to walk and new teams lining up by the dozen, nothing...  Forget about a boring baseball cap, a tacky polo shirt or a chintzy key ring. There are better ways to show your affection for Toyota's Formula One team. For example, consider the purchase of a rear wing from one of Toyota F1's racecars.  In 2007, Royal Mail issued a set of stamps commemorating Britain’s Formula One greats. With six slots for eight world champions and Sir Stirling Moss, the stage was set for a philatelic battle royale.
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| Bloom is off the biodiesel rose: Berkeley says "no" to soy biofuel
June 9, 2009 at 8:57 am
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|  Often in the lead in progressive causes, the City of Berkeley started using biodiesel in more than 100 city vehicles six years ago. For a while, the biofuel came from recycled waste grease and everyone was happy. The source shifted to crop soybeans when not enough grease could be found but, due to new concerns about growing crops for fuel, the city has now decided that enough is enough.  Tato Nano Europa - Click above for a photo gallery Americans may have the opportunity to welcome the Tata Nano to their shores in just over two years, according to a confirmation from David Good, a U.  We recently heard that, according to one group of researchers at Environmental Science & Technology magazine, corn ethanol has a water cost of 50 gallons per mile.  Here's a good one. How would you define alternative energy? Solar power? Wind turbines? Recycling waste grease into biodiesel? Well, if you're Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon, then "alternative" energy has a very special meaning.  Driving around mid-Michigan over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice how much gas prices have jumped in the last few weeks. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas has jumped up 50 cents in the past month to $2.
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| Volvo S40 DRIVe awarded What Car? Green Car of the Year title
June 9, 2009 at 8:51 am
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|  The What Car? Green Car of the year title given out at the completion of the Brighton to London eco-race at City Hall in London. The winner? The Volvo S40 DRIVe, which the company has been making since late last year. The model, which is mated to a PSA-sourced 1.6 diesel engine, has Start-Stop technology that helps the model keep emissions at 104 g/km. According to Volvo, "What Car?'s judges praised the S40 DRIVe's unique combination of low emissions, practicality, safety and driver enjoyment as key reasons for the win." Volvo offers eco-minded DRIVe versions of the C30 and V50 as well.  If you're not an Apple fanboy who's been hitting F5 repeatedly over on Engadget today, here's a green car tie-in from the big WWDC that's just wrapping up: your iPhone will soon be able to unlock the doors of your Zipcar rental vehicle.  The 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI is frugal and fun, but its DSG transmission doesn't suit the diesel engine. Should you buy one? Why you should buy the 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen...  Yesterday we reveled in the frugal performance of the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI's diesel engine, but bemoaned the awful DSG gearbox. Join us today as we examine the Jetta's abilities in detail.  In this world where there seems to be a gadget for everything, there must be unusual gadgets to monitor your driving and teach you to drive green, right? Yes, we all know the basic rules: go light on the gas pedal...
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| REPORT: Cheney says Bush left GM bankruptcy for the next guy
June 9, 2009 at 8:41 am
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| The writing's been on the wall for years: GM would have to declare bankruptcy if it had any hope of restructuring in order to survive in the long-term. And though the Obama administration's effective take-over of General Motors was hardly the first case of the government nationalizing a private company, President George W. Bush didn't want to be the one to do it. Bankruptcy is often not a clear-the-books-and-start-over process, but a continuation of one's troubles with people still piling on top of a business on its knees. Evan Dando...  Rick Wagoner arrived at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington for another appointment with government officials about the survival of General Motors Corp. It was March 27, almost nine years after he become chief executive officer.
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| Porsche reportedly closing in on Qatar investment deal
June 9, 2009 at 7:49 am
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| Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in the Autoblog Garage – Click above for high-res image gallery It's a match made in heaven: Porsche needs money, Qatar has tons of it. Any questions? Following deals that have seen Kuwaiti firms take control of Aston Martin and Abu Dhabi investing in Daimler and Ferrari, Porsche is reportedly closing in on a deal that would see the Qatar state government help Porsche pull itself out of debt and regroup for its planned take-over of the Volkswagen auto empire.  Wacky Races recreations in West Sussex – Click above for high-res image gallery The love of motorsports starts at a young age for many racing fans, and countless enthusiasts owe their obsession to Hanna-Barbera's classic Wacky Races cartoons.  Tesla Roadster convoy - Click above for a high-res image gallery Just what do you call a gathering of 30 or so Tesla Roadsters all in one place? A gaggle? A flock? After... Ferrari at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery It's no secret that the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association are jointly interested in reducing the cost required to compete in F1 racing...  Aprilia RSV 1000 Factory Transformers livery - Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors isn't the only vehicle manufacturer with an interest in promoting the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen flick...
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| Chrysler faces challenge beyond high court
June 9, 2009 at 7:43 am
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|   Chrysler's plan to emerge as quickly as possible from a "quick rinse" bankruptcy suffered a potentially serious setback Monday after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg temporarily delayed the sale of the struggling automaker's assets to Italy's Fiat Group SpA. Ginsburg said the sale is "stayed pending further order" after a request from three Indiana pension funds that have challenged the sale, arguing that it will devalue their claims on the bankrupt company. It's no secret Tata Motors, India's largest domestic automaker, wants to bring its low-buck Nano city car to the United States. After all, a small matter like a global... Name a failing automaker that needed outside help to survive. Not General Motors or Chrysler. That's too easy. How about BMW, Nissan, Renault and Ferrari? Among the world's most admired brands and companies...  The sale creating a new Chrysler-Fiat could close Monday afternoon, unless the U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear a last-ditch appeal from three Indiana pension funds.  NEW YORK ? A U.S. appeals court says it approved Chrysler's sale to Fiat but is keeping the deal on hold until Monday to allow an appeal. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says it will block the sale until 4 p.
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| Opel stake could give Russian automaker an injection of "know-how"
June 9, 2009 at 7:38 am
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|  If you tried telling us even as recently as a year ago that General Motors would be forced to sell its European assets and that a partnership between a Canadian parts supplier and a Russian bank would step up to take the stake, we'd have probably raised a few eyebrows...
 The far right wing of the American political spectrum has begun channeling its displeasure over the federal government's involvement in the restructuring of General Motors into calls for a boycott of the company's products. Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's likely headed for production.  You knew that something like this was coming sooner or later: at least one of Magna's clients have found the supplier's majority stake in Opel to be a conflict of interest.
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| Congress to consider 'cash for clunkers' plan today
June 9, 2009 at 4:09 am
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| WASHINGTON ? Consumers could receive rebates of up to $4,500 for turning in their gas-guzzling cars and trucks for more fuel-efficient vehicles under a House proposal. President Barack Obama has urged Congress to approve consumer incentives for new car purchases as part of the government's efforts to reorganize General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC through the bankruptcy courts.  PSA/Peugeot-Citroen incoming CEO Philippe Varin (left) and chairman Thierry Peugeot (right) It's buddy-up time in the European auto industry, and French automaker PSA/Peugeot-Citroen does not want to be left all by itself.  A vote could come today on a bill designed to offer credits of up to $4,500 for consumers to trade-in gas-guzzling older vehicles. The so-called "cash for clunkers" legislation is designed to stimulate auto sales...  Pretty much everyone in the auto industry has drunk the electric Kool-Aid, but some are still betting on hydrogen. Volkswagen is right there with them, and it brought...  Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times.
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| Chrysler ruling could be just a bump in road, experts say
June 9, 2009 at 3:28 am
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| U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg raised the anxiety of already frazzled Chrysler LLC employees, families and communities Monday, but bankruptcy experts caution that her surprise order might be the equivalent of a television time-out in the last 30 seconds of a basketball game. "I think she is just giving herself more time to read all the documents that have been filed," said Carl Tobias, who teaches bankruptcy law at the University of Richmond in Virginia. "She could still decide this herself."  Could this Auto Plus-commissioned illustration be the 2011 Ferrari F450? The F430 replacement will feature a high-revving 500 HP, 4.5-liter V8 with a hair-raising 10,000 rpm redline. The bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler has made both automakers part property of the U.S. government. Under the current plan drawn up by President Obama's Auto Task Force...  WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama's transition team turned down a pitch last November from Bush administration officials to publicly join forces in setting tough conditions on General Motors Corp.
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| Pension funds win round but could lose out in end
June 9, 2009 at 3:06 am
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| Just as Chrysler LLC and its employees were prepared for a job-saving tie-up with Fiat SpA, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg delivered an eleventh-hour surprise Monday that could mean either a brief delay that amounts to nothing -- or, in the worst case, a deal killer. Legal experts cautioned against reading too much into Ginsburg's actions. The bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler has made both automakers part property of the U.S. government. Under the current plan drawn up by President Obama's Auto Task Force... WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama's transition team turned down a pitch last November from Bush administration officials to publicly join forces in setting tough conditions on General Motors Corp. What automaker has a lower owner satisfaction score in the UK than Chrysler? The one and only company that makes automobiles less tasty to UK consumers is Fiat. Both brands...
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| Some Chrysler sellers start a new chapter
June 9, 2009 at 12:19 am
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| Today is a day of reinvention, resignation and resentment in many Chrysler showrooms across the country. Among the 789 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers whose franchise agreements end today, many will stay open as used car retailers and service centers. While some have decided to close their doors for good, others, like Joe Ricci, are coming up with innovative ideas. Ricci is converting his former Dodge showroom in Dearborn into a buying service that helps customers navigate the car-buying process, for a commission.  The Acura ZDX continues its drive to showrooms this fall, and the new luxury four-door was spied during testing on the road. It looks close to the prototype shown at the New York auto show in April... NEW YORK - Hundreds of Chrysler dealers across the U.S. on the automaker's "hit list" are scrambling to dispose of their inventory by Tuesday when their franchise agreements are slated to be terminated. DES MOINES, Iowa - If you're looking for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep, this just might be your weekend. Chrysler dealers who will lose their right to sell new cars as...  The 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible will carry a $44,715 sticker price, including shipping charges, when it rolls into showrooms later this month, the luxury automaker said Thursday.  Within three years, Chrysler LLC's model line could stretch from massive Hemi-V8-powered Dodge Ram pickups to a tiny two-cylinder city car -- and possibly one or more electric vehicles.
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| Bush aide: Obama team cool to car plan
June 9, 2009 at 12:12 am
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| WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's transition team turned down a pitch in November from Bush administration officials to publicly join forces in setting tough conditions on General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC in return for money to survive. The disclosure Sunday by a former top economic aide to President George W. Bush came after repeated criticism from the Obama team that the Bush White House had simply dumped billions of dollars into GM and Chrysler that would have to be written off as a loss because of a lack of oversight.  General Motors on Monday officially opened its new Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren, saying it will expand the automaker's research and development capabilities for the electric-powered vehicles of the future. Aprilia RSV 1000 Factory Transformers livery - Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors isn't the only vehicle manufacturer with an interest in promoting the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen flick... The bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler has made both automakers part property of the U.S. government. Under the current plan drawn up by President Obama's Auto Task Force...  Pontiac G8 GT - Click above for a high-res image gallery The brand's demise next year will mark the end of the Pontiac G8, but there's a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the Aussie-built sports sedan.
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| GM plugs into new direction with battery lab
June 8, 2009 at 11:54 pm
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| General Motors on Monday officially opened its new Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren, saying it will expand the automaker's research and development capabilities for the electric-powered vehicles of the future. The battery lab celebration illustrates GM's new direction and comes a week after GM filed for bankruptcy reorganization.  General Motors officially opened its new Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren today, saying it will expand the automaker's research and development capabilities for the electric-powered vehicles of the future.  General Motors took a big step toward its reinvention as the "New G.M." today when it opened what it calls the largest automotive battery laboratory in the United States...  The lab is the largest and most technologically advanced automotive battery lab in the United States. Located in the sprawling 1 mile square Warren Technical Center, the lab occupies 33,000 square feet, 4 times the size of the old lab.  WARREN, Mich. - Even now, as General Motors fights for survival, there is something ambivalent about its prescription for saving itself, a conflict implicit in a bit...
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| Asbestos claimants say they've been left out of GM talks
June 8, 2009 at 11:52 pm
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| Asbestos-injury claimants asked for an official committee in General Motors Corp.'s bankruptcy case, saying the government-backed plan to sell the automaker may be unconstitutional since they've been left out of negotiations. The authority to approve GM's plan to sell its best assets to a new company would be limited if future asbestos claimants don't participate, lawyers for people suing over their injuries said in a filing Sunday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York. General Motors on Monday officially opened its new Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren, saying it will expand the automaker's research and development capabilities for the electric-powered vehicles of the future. General Motors officially opened its new Global Battery Systems Lab in Warren today, saying it will expand the automaker's research and development capabilities for the electric-powered vehicles of the future.  For the past four years, General Motors has been trying to sell its medium duty truck business, which produces the giant Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick. Navistar, Isuzu...
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| Q&A: What's at stake in Chrysler ruling?
June 8, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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| A quick look at some questions arising from Monday's order by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to temporarily halt the sale of Chrysler LLC to Fiat SpA. QUESTION: What does the order mean for General Motors Corp.'s bankruptcy? ANSWER: At the moment, nothing. The stay by the Supreme Court made no judgment on the arguments in the Chrysler case, nor what the court's next step would be. So far, no GM investors have made arguments similar to the ones from the Indiana pension funds in the Chrysler case. The bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler has made both automakers part property of the U.S. government. Under the current plan drawn up by President Obama's Auto Task Force... WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama's transition team turned down a pitch last November from Bush administration officials to publicly join forces in setting tough conditions on General Motors Corp. The far right wing of the American political spectrum has begun channeling its displeasure over the federal government's involvement in the restructuring of General Motors into calls for a boycott of the company's products.
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