A number of our Best and Brightest have emailed this link to The Wall Street Journal. The article seeks to reposition the American auto industry's most recent go-go years (1999 – 2005) as a bubble: a delusional miscalculation by the industry's movers and shakers that demand would increase, well, forever. In a sense, yes, absolutely. The Big 2.8 inflated their turnover with dodgy deals and bulk sales. And now they're getting hammered by unsustainable excess production capacity. But it should be said that The Big 2.8 have lost market share to their rivals, as well. In other words, their fall from grace is not just a reflection of a down market; it's a reflection of decades of competitive mistakes, misfires and misadventures. They didn't misjudge demand as much as they misjudged everything else. And it's not like they weren't warned. This website has been sounding the alarm for over five years. We predicted the death of SUV and truck sales. We flagged cannibalism. We pointed our fingers at image-bleeding brands. We highlighted hybrids. We rang the alarm on cash burn. We predicted the systematic pillaging of the UAW's multi-billion dollar Health Care VEBA (oh wait…). And TTAC will continue to ring in the changes, no matter how gruesome. The only bright spark in all of this is the fact that a blogger from GMNext has responded to a post. This is the first time Detroit's gone online with us. Perhaps they finally recognize they need strong medicine. But probably not.  

PistonHeads reports police in Manchester have raise their surveillance efforts in the world's most surveilled country to the next level. They're recording information on every one of the 600k cars that enter the city on a daily basis. When you drive into Manchester on one of twelve major routes, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras record your car's registration and color and the time of entry. The system automatically checks your information against national databases to see what heinous crime someone driving your car may have committed. The police and/or various government agencies store the information for five years "to fight terrorism, crime and car theft." The UK has the same system in place in The City (London's financial district) following a 1993 terrorist attack in Bishopsgate. Let the "if you haven't done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about" arguments begin.

While some people remain relaxed about the price of gas, few will take comfort in the fact that the price of a barrel of oil reached $129 for the first time this morning. According to the AP [via CNNMoney], even after Saudi Arabia promised to pump an additional 300k barrels of crude oil a day, the price spike continues over  "concern about global supply." Energy trader Nauman Barakat says he's seen "no news that would have caused the jump," but notes that strong demand for distillates used to make diesel (and heating oil), have been pushing up the price for those fuels. As for "Big Oil," Steve Austin at oil-price.net says governments in oil-producing countries "are demanding higher prices from oil conglomerates for tapping into their onshore reserves and sometimes even excluding them in favor of domestic expertise." Despite the large profits reported by Big Oil, Steve figures things look bleak for Big Oil. "In the 1970s, 80% of the world oil reserves were controlled by Big Oil companies, but now those numbers are reversed, with local government-owned oil companies holding 80% to 94% of the block." Steve's bottom line: "Clearly Big Oil's business model is due for a revision." After reaching the record high of $129.31 earlier this morning, the current price of oil (as of this writing) is $128.42… and rising.

Ah, to live in a country where the powers-that-be can just… be. As Auto-Lenta.ru [via Autobloggreen] reports in its own special way (that's a pretty politically powerful car!), Moscow authorities are saying nyet to passenger vehicles that don't meet Euro-II pollution standards (which is just about everything running made before 2005). These dirty cars are now запрещенный from entering the city center. Autobloggreen pronounces the decision an environmental initiative– but they would, wouldn't they? The ban couldn't possibly have anything to do with stimulating new car sales or giving the commissars more parking spaces or tidying-up the city for tourists or anything other than saving the children. Meanwhile, fans of Borat are immediately ordered to click on this link, for a translated car review called "Good outside, inside the gray." "Volkswagen Touran was not just a car, but also funny toy. Tell me, what machines have officially sold in Russia, may be to amuse a little semi-parking system, which itself steep steering wheel?" True dat.

United Auto Workers (UAW) at American Axle are set to ratify vote on their new contract. You know– the one that cuts their wages from about $28/hour to $14.35-18.50 per hour after an 11-week strike. The one where UAW Prez Big Ron Gettelfinger said he didn't want GM's involvement. Yeah… that one. The Detroit Free Press reports a lot of the workers are unhappy with the proposed settlement. However, most feel they don't have a choice (as if). For its part AA management is hoping most UAW members will opt for buyouts or early retirement; it would be a shame to waste the extra $18m GM kicked in at the last minute to sweeten the pot (bringing their "involvement" ito $218m). Where GM wll get the money is anyone's guess. Perhaps those money trees at RenCen are producing a bumper crop this year. And well they should– they're being fertilized with the highest-quality corporate bullshit in the world. Just sayin'.

While Chrysler is busy berating its suppliers to cut costs by setting-up shop overseas, Toyota is about to export U.S.-made vehicles to foreign climes. Asahi Shimbun [via Reuters UK] informs us that "Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, will begin shipping the Sequoia large sport utility vehicle to the Middle East some time this year, and the Sienna minivan as early as 2010 to China and other markets… A Toyota spokesman said the automaker was always looking for ways to best supply vehicles on a global basis but declined to comment on the report." The report is good news for workers at ToMoCo's Indiana plant. And there is precedent here. Last year, Toyota sent some 7k American-made Avalon sedans to the Middle East. With the current slowdown (as in collapse) of the U.S. truck market, how long before Texas-built Tundras (same platform as the Sequoia) apply for a passport? Why we could see a whole new generation of African warlords driving modiified American-made Japanese pickups. 

Why isn't GM's OnStar quaking in its e-boots? The proliferation of portable GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) devices has rendered their telemetry system's navigation service the VHS of sat knavery. Speaking to WardsAuto, OnStar's President says pish-posh [paraphrasing], and reveals himself as a fan of John F. Kennedy's "rising tide equals multiple boat lifting" shtick. Chet Huber claims "the boom in portable navigation systems is good for his business too." Yes, but what's the Unique Selling Point? "There is a lot to be said for the aesthetics of a factory-installed system." Meanwhile, OnStar fights back! "OnStar currently offers turn-by-turn navigation to subscribers and for the ’09 model year will make “Destination Download” available to 80% of all GM vehicles. The feature allows subscribers with screen-based navigation systems to download destinations from an OnStar adviser on the fly. Another feature bowing later this year for screen-based users is 'OnStar e-Nav' which allows a subscriber to plan routes at MapQuest.com and then download up to five destinations to his vehicle." Wait! Do you hear it? Sounds like somebody closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.   

The Wall Street Journal [sub] reports Volvo's saying farväl to a third of the production workers at their last remaining Swedish factory. (The Belgian factory which makes Volvo's smaller vehicles is so far exempt from the cutbacks.) And no wonder. "Despite expansion in Russia and China, Volvo reported selling 22,000 fewer vehicles during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period a year ago." And there there's a sales mix shift to smaller, cheaper, less profitable vehicles and the weak U.S. dollar. It all adds up to a loss of "$151 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with a $94 million profit during the same quarter in 2007." Both are mouse nuts numbers in the Ford scheme of things, but Investor Kirk "The Lion of Las Vegas" Kerkorian's minion Jerome York recently opined that FoMoCo will probably jettison Volvo within 18 months. Ford says Volvo isn't for sale, forgetting to add "we constantly review the situation." Translation: yet.

CNET reports that Tesla Motors Chairman (but not founder) Elon Musk sat down with Mike Malone for a little public chinwag. Malone is the author of "Infinite Loop: How Apple, the World's Most Insanely Great Computer Company, Went Insane." So you'd think he'd make Musk squirm. How big is the EV market? How much profit per car? How much are you guys spending? Nope. "During his interview on stage… [Musk] talked about his three long-time passions: the Internet, renewable energy, and space exploration… Clearly a pioneer in these fields, Musk has bold predictions for these markets. One is that he will put a man on Mars by 2030. Though he admitted that might not come true by then." And now, let's follow the money! "Before the IPO.. Musk said he will raise a series E round of financing to bring the company to profitability and begin production on Tesla's luxury electric sedan codenamed White Star, by 2010. The goals will be reached by selling a roughly 10 percent stake in the company in the series E round, and through a Department of Energy loan of between $100 million and $200 million, Musk said. A future IPO would raise on the order of $100 million." If he's successful, settle back and get comfortable; it's going to be a long ride.

It’s Monday, December 27, 2010. A Chevy customer sits behind the wheel of his brand-new, fully-charged, plug-in hybrid Volt. He’s heading off to the office some fifteen miles away. Three years ago, our early adopter was one the first to put his name on the waiting list at gm-volt.com. Since then, he visited the site religiously for daily updates. And now the Volt looks set to deliver on all of GM Car Czar Bob Lutz’s promises. But… the Volt driver’s journey into the future is about to be a lot shorter than he’d imagined.

TTAC's general policy on press embargoes: no. RF believes that any media outlet that agrees to keep their mouth shut on behalf of a manufacturer is colluding with that manufacturer against the consumer's best interest. And yet, this morning, that's exactly what I did. I signed a piece of paper at the press launch for Ford Flex crossover– without reading the fine print. Which committed me to hanging fire until mid-June. And so I must honor that agreement. (For this I went to law school?) I have re-written my previous post to exclude any and all driving impressions gleaned during the Flex launch. The full review will appear as Ford desires: on June 12. I apologize without reservation to Ford for violating our agreement, and to any of my colleagues who may feel aggrieved by TTAC's "premature" post. 

In anticipation of my upcoming more lengthy review (after the buff books get their 30 pieces of silver), I offer you my initial [looking and feeling, not driving] impressions of Ford's latest and greatest crossover (anyone remember the Edge, or Taurus X, or Freestyle?) from an up close and personal encounter. It has a design your mom could pick out of a lineup, and it looks great in person. It also looks great, as in "my goodness, that's a big damn car." For whatever reason, it conveys tall wagon rather than low SUV, but that might be in part due to the optional white roof on my test car. The bigness extends to the interior, which is the Flex' highlight. Yes, there's a 260 horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic. But the business class cabin is the biz. Best. Ford. Interior. Ever. Materials are seriously "oh my god, is this a Blue Oval car?" The middle row (especially when equipped with a brace of captains chairs) is spacious enough to allow even the gigantically tall and morbidly obese splay their legs in vulgar comfort. The Flex is utterly silent while in motion (which you'll recall from my test ride at the NY Auto Show), though standard 18" wheels sounds large for a would-be comfort cruiser. A home run for Ford? Maybe inside the park (consistent year-on-year sales). Otherwise, seating for four adults/three young 'uns and 24 mpg highway make this a strong triple. Full review to follow. Eventually.200″ height=”133″ />In anticipation of my upcoming more lengthy review (after the buff books get their 30 pieces of silver), I offer you my initial [looking and feeling, not driving] impressions of Ford's latest and greatest crossover [anyone remember the Edge, or Taurus X, or Freestyle?) from an up close and personal encounter. It has a design your mom could pick out of a lineup, and it looks great in person. It also looks great, as in "my goodness, that's a big damn car." For whatever reason, it conveys tall wagon rather than low SUV, but that might be in part due to the optional white roof on my test car. The bigness extends to the interior, which is the Flex' highlight. Yes, there's a 260 horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic. But the business class cabin is the biz. Best. Ford. Interior. Ever. Materials are seriously "oh my god, is this a Blue Oval car?" The middle row (especially when equipped with a brace of captains chairs) is spacious enough to allow even the gigantically tall and morbidly obese splay their legs in vulgar comfort. The Flex is utterly silent while in motion (which you'll recall from my test ride at the NY Auto Show), though standard 18" wheels sounds large for a would-be comfort cruiser. A home run for Ford? Maybe inside the park (consistent year-on-year sales). Otherwise, seating for four adults/three young 'uns and 24 mpg highway make this a strong triple. Full review to follow. Eventually.

Stephan Wilkinson couldn't make his date with the Ford Flex press launch. So the former Car and Driver editor and occasional TTAC contributor graciously ceded his spot to Justin, who graciously ceded his podcast responsibilities to Michael Karesh. Our ace reviewer and truedelta.com partner in crime prevention acquitted himself admirably. And why not? Michael is our kinda guy. He shares our commitment to truth, justice and Steve McGarrret. Actually, knowing Michael (or at least Michael's age), I'm sure the consumer champion has no idea what I'm talking about, or the fact that Jack Lord spent the last two seasons believing he was the head of the Five-0 (itself a fictional agency). Fortunately, TTAC is not delusional. We know we're not perfect or infallible or particularly good at Parcheesi (for that matter). Once again, we thank our loyal readers for pointing-out our mistakes. We will always operate from the principle that we could be wrong, and provide space for those who wish to take a contrary position to our resident contrarians. We eagerly await the day when the playas themselves take those first few hesitant steps into the light. Meanwhile, Karesh.

Unless you don't live, breathe and sleep auto industry goss, you know high gas prices and a construction industry slowdown have killed sales of full-size pickups. Not a moment too soon, Ford is developing a new, more efficient pickup to fit between the F150 and the Ranger. Dubbed the P525, the lighter vehicle's based on the F150 frame, likely powered by one of Ford's new Ecoboost turbocharged V6s. "Sources" tell Automotive News [sub] that the pickup (which could carry the old F100 nameplate) is in Ford's product cycle plan, awaiting final approval. Will this new pickup will replace the Ranger, which could go out of production when Ford's Twin Cities plant shuts down in 2009? Hell if I know. But with revised CAFE regs looming, the new pickup is more likely to replace the F150 as Ford's volume truck (the current F150 returns between 13 and 20 mpg depending on trim). If the P525 graduates from development, expect "unique sheet metal and innovative storage space." We'll be a little more concerned with the weight and miles per gallon.