Author Archive

Wow, has it really been that long since I updated this blog… I digress. My last article here has obviously become a time capsule of things to come. I picked on Ford’s past CEO and his opinions of the 2008 bailout plans. Time moved forward and I’ll be damned, Ford became the only domestic company of the Big 3 not to take any bailout money. And amazingly, has shown double digit growth for almost 8 months straight.

So did Ford do things the right way? …. Read the rest of this entry »

 ”I don’t really think of this as a bailout at all,” Ford CEO Alan Mulally told CBS’ The Early Show.

Then what exactly is it Mr. Mulally? For years the Big 3 in Detroit have operated under a certain ideology that seemed to almost stick it’s tongue out at the rest of the world and reality. The oil bubble loomed large on the horizon yet all you seemed to feed us was larger vehicles, larger price tags, and larger excuses on why. Ford released a 65 MPG turbo diesel in Europe but has stated that the vehicle will never make it to American shores, why not? Because they say the car is not economically viable to import. The main reason being the cost of the motor, which is built in the UK, and then the cost to ship it to the U.S. They then follow this up saying that the vehicle would cost around $26,000. Last I checked Toyota was doing well with the Prius in that range. Build what we want and need, not what you want. Building what you want isn’t doing that great with your sales down almost 47% in just the first nine months of this year. Are Detroit’s executives really that errogant and pompous. Build something we’ll buy and your sales will go up, keep building crap we don’t want and go out of business crying to Congress for money.

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So we have a hybrid commuter cars, buses, trains, toilets, and everything in between, but what about the commercial vehicles that move goods and deliver services across the country? 

Peterbilt annouced back in 2007 about their new line of hybrid commercial trucks. Walmart has decided to start introducing these trucks into their fleet. Which for those who enjoy a little bit of trivia, is the second largest privately owned truck fleet in the nation. What I don’t get is this: I’m glad that Peterbilt decided to start greening up, but do these trucks really offer any real environmental savings?

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Well here is quite an intelligent statement made by one of the most powerful men in the automobile industry. According to a DMagazine article, Lutz sat down for a closed-door session with several journalists. During the time his topics ranged from blasting Toyota’s Prius, to stomping on the global warming debate.

“It makes no economic sense”, he said, speaking of the hybrids coming from Toyota, specifically the Prius. He says that the price will never come down making it more available. Well Mr. Lutz, I don’t believe the Prius was meant to be as much of an economic success as it was an environmental success. Its hard to argue about a hybrid platform that has been tested and lasted as long as the Prius. We all knew going into the Prius that it wasnt the cheapest car on the block, but it was more about the doors it opened for technology and the environment.

But with that said, I digress to Bob’s next memorable quote, Read the rest of this entry »

Only a few weeks after the cars concept was introduced at the Geneva Motor show, BMW has finally released the production version of the new BMW M3 coupe. Keeping in tradition of M history, the newest addition to the family receives a high revving V8, sport suspension, 6 speed manual tranny, the “normal” M exterior attributes, and a carbon-fiber roof panel (also seen on the new M6).

The new V8 however is quite interesting. It is the lightest V8 in the world, even beating the weight of the previous generation’s inline six. The 4.0L V8 can spin to max of 8,300 RPM creating 420 HP and 295 ft/lbs of torque. My only concern is that the current 2007 335ci has a twin-turbo 6 cyl that pushes out 300 hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque.

Is there enough difference to justify the price difference between the two? The 335ci currently has an MSRP of just over $40,000 and I’m sure the price of the M3 will be in the mid to high $50k range if not more. Does having a carbon fiber roof and two more cylinders justify a 15-20 thousand dollar premium.

 With BMW’s target being the new Lexus IS F, Audi S5, and the CLK65 AMG from Mercedes, did they do enough to seperate themselves from the pack. Time will tell when the car hits showroom floors later this year.

No its not Batman’s new Batmobile, it is actually a trend that is floating around the car world and is gaining momentum. Instead of the brilliant shine that we all have come accustomed to, the car industry, particularly the high-end auto makers, are switching to a matte or semi-gloss appearance.

For years the auto industry has strived to perfect the gloss finish on a car only to have the tables turned suddenly in only a matter of a few years. The matte finish paint job started years ago with the “Rat-Racers” of the day. It was only several years ago that tuners began bringing the finish back to life. Of course as the trend became more popular cars began showing up at Auto shows with dull finishes.

For the rest of the story and more pics, read on, and don’t forget to subcribe if you enjoy my blog!

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Detroit over the past few years has been on a Jurassic Park style mission to revive the late 60′s. Ford has reinvented the Mustang, Dodge has the Challenger, so it is only right that Chevy bring back the Camaro.

Since its departure a few years ago many have thought there was a hole missing from Chevrolet’s line-up. Sure they still had the Corvette, but the Camaro was just as iconic. With Chevy playing Dr. Frankenstein, the Camaro is getting a new shot at life.

There are slated to be a couple of engine choices. There will be a 6 cyl version to act as an entry level option and of course a high output V8 for those baby boomers with a little extra disposable income. BUT WAIT, could it be? News has floated around that Chevy may include a version of its two-mode hybrid motor currently found in the new Tahoe and Escalade hybrids.

Why not? Ford and Dodge seem stuck in the 60′s and this would be a huge leap for the Big 3 of Detroit. We are in the 21st century and engineers at Chevy realize that the new Camaro fits the profile of a vehicle who could use their new hybrid drive-train. Also accorinding to GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Jr., they plan on releasing a new hybrid every three months for the next 4 years. WIth new techonologies such as their hybrid system, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, GM is positioning itself to be the worlds leading producer of gasoline-electric hybrid vehilces by 2012.

Could the new Camaro be a step forward for Detroit or will the Big 3 sluff it off and slowly become the next passenger pidgeon?

Could it be? An unlimited source of energy from a substance that is definately not in limited supply and renews itself. Well according to retired TV-station owner and broadcast engineer John Kanzius, its a real possibility. Many have seen a you-tube video where a test tube of salt water is battered by radio waves, self ignites and powers a small sterling engine.

So can it be, a solution to man-kind’s ever growing energy problem? Mr. Kanzius stumbled upon this quite remarkable find while doing cancer research. He was experimenting with metallic nanoparticles with a special coating that helped them target specific kinds of cells. They were then bombarded with radio waves causing them to superheat and kill the cancer cells. With the particles suspened in a salt water solution they unexpectedly ignited. Somehow the water was breaking down into its primary elements, hydrogen and oxygen. He also reported that the energy released was greater than which was used to create the radio waves.

Click to read the rest of the story and view the You-Tube video:

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Thank you Bob Munson! The artist who sketched out this piece of art just a couple of years ago where he had just finished up this years Motor Trend car of the year, the 2008 Cadillac CTS sedan. Cadillac has finally stepped back up to the coupe scene since it sent the dismal Eldorado to the big junk yard in the sky. The new CTS is slated for a 2010 model year and expect a production vehicle very close to this “concept”.

Almost everything you see will make it into the real car according to Cadillac. It shares design elements from a couple vehicles. The dramaticly raked back windshield sits at the very limit of GM standards only rivaled by that of the Corvette’s. Also from the Vette are hidden electric door buttons which should make it into production as well. Engines will include the current CTS’ optional 3.6L V6 which is rated at over 300 hp and Europe gets a 2.9L turbo diesel version. Both a six-speed manual and automatic are likely to be available.

Of course this opens the door for a CTS-V coupe with a supercharged 550 hp monster under the hood…mmmm. But the question is how will Cadillac maintain the coupes sales. Mr. Dean over at Cadillac promises that a flow of special versions will keep the folks salivating for more and who knows with a profile like that of the CTS coupe its very likely that convertible could be in the works.

Hats off to you Cadillac for reviving a brand long thought to be aging with its client base.

Authorities have been putting the squeez on underground street racing in Southern California. Chalres Hoang and Daniel Maldonado share a common bond without even knowing eachother, their cars are set to be crushed by local law enforcement. This is all a part of a crackdown by police on the illegal street racing subculture that is “suspected” in 13 deaths in Southern CA in less than a year. “That’s my heart, my dream,” said Hoang as the glass exploded and fell to the ground from his 1998 Acura Integra.

I sit on the fence of this issue. Read the rest of this entry »