David Thomas at Cars.com found the All-Star game scene a strange one to unveil a hybrid Malibu. Come on, Thomas, do I have to explain everything? Chevy is looking for a dinger. Or is it a ringer?
Bet you didn't know there is an area of continuity between your rear view mirror and side mirrors. The Auto Prophet says there is a right way to set the fields of vision for the three and a wrong way. Most of us probably do it the wrong way without even thinking.
There will be more of this in the near future as more hybrids hit the road, driven by owners who bought them thinking they were going to see significantly better fuel economy. They get very angry when that doesn't happen and unfortunately our legal system encourages such folks to bring in the ambulance chasers. Autoblog Green has the details of John True's suit against Honda for false advertising claims.
Can you imagine Chevy and Ford collaborating on a new model? Me, neither, but Leftlane News reports that on the other side of the Big Pond in the land of the Autobahn BMW and Mercedes Benz are said to be working together on the replacement for the latter's A-class, using the former's Mini platform.
Also on Leftlane News - Word that the Caddy 16 won't be coming down a GM assembly line any time soon. Thank you, CAFE. :-(
If you are planning to attend the George Barris exhibit July 11 at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, you will see an Aztek that just might make you forget that ludicrous thing from Pontiac. Daniel Strohl at Hemmings Auto Blog says it's "one killer looking car." It definitely captures the essence of the 50s fins.
Lime Rock is a mere mile-and-a-half in length but does that explain the fact the P2 cars are turning the fastest laps? Jalopnik has a preview of Sunday's ALMS contest.
Robert Farago listened closely this week as GM explained its continuing sales slide, but he's still not convinced and as always he minces no words at The Truth About Cars. What will the "Board of Bystanders" say next? By the way,when do we get too see Bobby Badboy's byline on product reviews again?
As long as we're kicking the General, let's not leave out Cars! Cars! Cars!, which seems ever so slightly skeptical that anybody in America really is interested in driving a Pontiac G8 built Down Under.
Okay, now can we go kick some other car company?
Philly Murtha at the JD Power Blog looks at what women want in the APPEAL study over the years and concludes ... well, you'll just have to go here to find out what she concluded.
Here's some news that ought to cher you up. Michelle Krebs - yes, THAT Michelle Krebs, the one at Edmunds' AutoObserver, sees a Chinese Chery in Chrysler's future.
And on that Cheryful note, let's keep movin' on. (sorry, this addiction to bad puns is often beyond my ability to resist. I am seeking treatment.) See you next week.
Bet you didn't know there is an area of continuity between your rear view mirror and side mirrors. The Auto Prophet says there is a right way to set the fields of vision for the three and a wrong way. Most of us probably do it the wrong way without even thinking.
There will be more of this in the near future as more hybrids hit the road, driven by owners who bought them thinking they were going to see significantly better fuel economy. They get very angry when that doesn't happen and unfortunately our legal system encourages such folks to bring in the ambulance chasers. Autoblog Green has the details of John True's suit against Honda for false advertising claims.
Can you imagine Chevy and Ford collaborating on a new model? Me, neither, but Leftlane News reports that on the other side of the Big Pond in the land of the Autobahn BMW and Mercedes Benz are said to be working together on the replacement for the latter's A-class, using the former's Mini platform.
Also on Leftlane News - Word that the Caddy 16 won't be coming down a GM assembly line any time soon. Thank you, CAFE. :-(
If you are planning to attend the George Barris exhibit July 11 at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, you will see an Aztek that just might make you forget that ludicrous thing from Pontiac. Daniel Strohl at Hemmings Auto Blog says it's "one killer looking car." It definitely captures the essence of the 50s fins.
Lime Rock is a mere mile-and-a-half in length but does that explain the fact the P2 cars are turning the fastest laps? Jalopnik has a preview of Sunday's ALMS contest.
Robert Farago listened closely this week as GM explained its continuing sales slide, but he's still not convinced and as always he minces no words at The Truth About Cars. What will the "Board of Bystanders" say next? By the way,when do we get too see Bobby Badboy's byline on product reviews again?
As long as we're kicking the General, let's not leave out Cars! Cars! Cars!, which seems ever so slightly skeptical that anybody in America really is interested in driving a Pontiac G8 built Down Under.
Okay, now can we go kick some other car company?
Philly Murtha at the JD Power Blog looks at what women want in the APPEAL study over the years and concludes ... well, you'll just have to go here to find out what she concluded.
Here's some news that ought to cher you up. Michelle Krebs - yes, THAT Michelle Krebs, the one at Edmunds' AutoObserver, sees a Chinese Chery in Chrysler's future.
And on that Cheryful note, let's keep movin' on. (sorry, this addiction to bad puns is often beyond my ability to resist. I am seeking treatment.) See you next week.
estreka says:
05:00 PM, 07/ 7/07
I disagree with The Auto Prophet about mirrors. I keep my mirrors just wide enough to barely see my rear quarter panels. I need the perspective that offers. If I can see another vehicle with respect to my own, I can make proper decisions regarding lane changing, et al. There's never an excuse to not look over your shoulder, either.
The True lawsuit is bogus. You can't load up a Civic hybrid with heavy sound equipment, drive only on the highways with all the amenities operating, and expect 51mpg. The batteries never have an opportunity to recharge so you're basically driving a regular Civic with a bunch of heavy batteries. Besides, suing Honda is useless. The EPA determines mileage, not the companies themselves.
I could see BMW and Daimler forming an alliance, or at least a partnership. Daimler just dropped Chrysler, so the possibility does exist. For those that think they would cannibalize each other, I say each have their own niche markets. BMW markets to the enthusiast crowd while Daimler suits the well-to-do crowd.
I think the G8 will be successful. It offers a lot that the Impala does not. There's no reason to believe Pontiac will fail.
I think Chrysler is making a mistake by offering a Chery branded as a Chrysler. For one thing, Chrysler is supposed to be higher end, not entry level. Also, I have my doubts about Chinese engineering quality.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
09:38 AM, 07/ 8/07
Yes, the current state of automotive hybrids is they are more efficient because they either capture, store and reuse energy achieved during braking. Since there is braking involved on freeway travel (especially when going through hills or mountains) a Hybrid should do better than a conventional engined vehicle. Still, the hybrid has to lug a heavy battery around, and weight is the enemy of fuel economy.
The JD Powerblog article was interesting, but would have benefited from some links to what "males" see as desirable, as a comparison. It would indeed be ironic if performance ("more HP, Please?") was all that mattered.
moparbad says:
09:48 AM, 07/ 8/07
How about if Chrysler sold imports under the Plymouth brand? If selling the entry level vehicles at Chrysler dealers it would differentiate and distance the vehicles from the Chrysler brand image.
If they sell the Chinese vehicles at Dodge dealers I see no problem simply branding them as Dodge's.