The Sebring’s hood goes smooth starting with the 2010 model year. Will JC Whitney step into the breach?

The Autoblog fantasy living room keeps on growing fuller (and tackier) by the day. And while we may pine for the occasional item from our growing list, most of the time we’re thankful our significant others (or our own sense of good taste combined with our blogger’s budgets) keep us from going overboard.

The Wall Street Journal shows TTAC some love in a piece titled “Americans Renew Their Love For Cars—Online.” Acerbic? Us? We’ve changed, we swear!

Volkswagen plans a seven-passenger SUV for the American market. VW North America jefe Stefan Jacoby explains the move to the Freep by saying Vee-Dub “would not chase parts of the market such as pickups where VW couldn’t stand out.” Seriously.

[Thanks, Justin Berkowitz]

“The work that Crispin did was memorable and award-winning, but they have to sell cars. They’re not going to leave any stone unturned,” an unnamed marketing expert tells Automotive News [sub].  Except, of course, for the stone that has VW’s high-tech European engines under it. The big news is that a TDI Golf will be available in 2010, but if the unlovable 2.5 is the only the only gas engine on offer, VW will remain in the wilderness for some time.

Via Wikipedia:

Whale tail is the Y-shaped waistband of a thong or g-string when visible above the waistline of low-rise jeans, shorts, or a skirt that resembles a whale’s tail. Intentionally or unintentionally, a whale tail is exposed above the trousers mostly when sitting or bending, or even while standing. The frequency or occasion depends on the style of trousers, the style of underwear, and the way they are worn. Flashing whale tails became popular in the early 2000s, together with the rise of low-rise jeans and thong underwear. The trend, popularized by a number of celebrities including Christina Aguilera, Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey, Melanie Blatt, Paris Hilton, Jordan, Anna Kournikova, and Britney Spears waned within the decade.

The Brazilian-market 2010 Chevrolet Agile has debuted, possibly providing a preview for the forthcoming Aveo replacement.

According to Wired Magazine, the Chinese Taikonauts of the Shenzhou 7 mission have each purchased a Chinese-market Volvo S80L because “the car is safe, built locally, and the ‘brand image expresses premiumness and is not ostentatious.’” You know, as opposed to “because they were compensated for their marketing pull.” “We are very proud to have the four astronauts as Volvo owners,” enthuses Volvo Cars China CEO Alexander Klose. “Volvo will convoy these heroic astronauts on land, with our premium quality and holistic top notch safety. We look forward to their greater contributions to China’s space cause.”

We are proud to be the inaugural City to unveil the first of seven Floralscapes along one of our busiest highways. The commute for Angelenos will now be brightened by floral murals that embody the City’s progressive approach to solving environmental issues by merging beautification, sustainable design and reducing our carbon footprint. From the construction workers to the business team, this public-private partnership with Toyota and Greenroad Media has spurred local job creation across the board.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa in a press release (via PRNewswire) about Toyota’s L.A. “Harmony Floralscape” Prius promotion.

[thanks to Robstar for the link]