Automotive News (sub) reports that Indian tractor firm Mahindra and Mahindra has delayed the US launch of its Appalachian pickup, built in Chennai, India. M&M's American distributor Global Vehicles was ready to start chasing its goal of 50k annual sales of the diesel four-banger light truck, when its CEO got a call from Mr Anand Mahindra himself. The message was simple: "My family's name is going onto this vehicle, and it's not going to fail." Mahindra is using the delay to log some 3.2m American miles on 25 trucks in hopes of fine-tuning it for the US market, with a particular eye on reliability. 324 dealers across the company have signed up to sell the Appalachian, but most have not yet built stores, so the delay could only help there as well. Oh, and there's one more thing… the diesel hasn't passed the EPA's new 50-state diesel standards. Global Vehicles and M&M swear on a stack of bibles that it will pass with flying colors, but with the price of diesel staying high, efficiency ratings will be crucial to the Appalachian's success. And since they've got the extra time, maybe they'll find some clever way to explain why an Indian truck has been named after a region of America. Maybe.

Jalopnik managed to stage the picture you see stuck in this post. It's a shot of a Shelby GT500KR, a Dodge Challenger SRT8 and a Chevy Camaro V6. That's right, all three of America's pony cars together somewhere in San Diego. Sure, some people are going to bark and holler that the big 2.8 are several years (decades?) late to the party, gas prices, global meltdown and all that. Personally, I don't care. I love RWD, V8 two-doors. Especially affordable ones.That's my story and I'm sticking to it, come hell or high water (or melted ice cap-powered tsunamis). Now, out of the three mallets in the above photo, I'm obviously taking the Shelby. The SRT8 is a fat pig and I'll pass on the V6 Camaro. But I've heard that the Challenger R/T with its six-speed is much more fun to drive, even though it's down on power. And I'm sure a Camaro with an LS3 engine and a 6-speed would be one hell of a machine. Of course, would either of the challengers to the Mustang's throne be able to come anywhere close to the mechanical perfection that is the Bullitt? I'm thinking no. You?

GM's $350m investment in Cruze production capacity in Lordstown, OH was big news for the "American Revolution." A compact car, built in America… and all it took was $80m in taxpayer-funded incentives to GM.  That, ladies and gentlemen is what passes for a PR win-win these days. In fact the good vibrations were flowing so freely at the big Cruze announcement that Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher even told Rick Wagoner that if he commited to another Lordstown model by Thursday, the good people of Ohio would "double the incentives." The Detroit News reports that Fisher was "joking" but goes on to say that GM did take the offer seriously enough to go on the record and decline the kind joke/offer. But the unrequited-love awkwardness isn't stopping the DetN from wallowing around in the Cruze-y feel-good. Check out their soft-focus paean to GM's once-proud tradition of actually employing Americans, featuring proud Hamtramck workers gushing lines like "We've got such an incredible history. I mean GM, of course, but I guess I'm thinking of my family too." As the kids say, Vom.

Continuing its push down market, Cadillac disclosed it will introduce a four-cylinder car in late 2010 as a 2011 model. The rear-wheel-drive model, which they may even saddle with the BLS moniker, will slot below the CTS. Even though it'll have a four-pot engine standard, Cadillac execs are discussing whether to offer a V-6 as an option, because they think (and probably rightly so) that U.S. buyers won't accept a four cylinder Cadillac. Caddy GM Jim Taylor told Automotive News [sub], "I don't think Americans are going to become un-American that fast. They still want power. We still have big open roads. People do not want to stop enjoying driving." Or maybe they're just still smarting from Cadillac's last four-cylinder fiasco, named Cimarron.

Hyundai's U.S. niche is just below the the Toyondissan's offerings. Nowhere is that role more valuable than in the burgeoning hybrid segment. Considering the forthcoming Honda hybrid is set to be priced several thousand dollars less than the industry-standard Toyota Prius, Hyundai's pressed to deliver the hybrid Sonata at an even lower price point. And so they have. Li-on-powered, no less. Reuters reports that Hyundai could release a lithium-ion hybrid version of its Sonata as early as (you guessed it) 2010. Unlike other li-ion hybrids set to launch in that most magical of automotive years, the Sonata will not be a plug-in model. With Korean hybrids deliveries beginning next year, any early-adopter glitches should be resolved before sales ramp up stateside. Meanwhile, liquid-petroleum-gas-hybrid versions of Hyundai's Avante hatchback are also set to go on sale soon in Korea, although its chances of coming stateside are almost nil. Similarly, Hyundai VP for Product Development John Krafcik rates the possibility that they'll sell their Indian-built i10 city car stateside as "very unlikely."

Given its "what economic downturn?" price tag and profit-sucking development costs, you'd think VW would just let the Bugatti Veyron slip into unobtainable-classic status. After all, developing a new Veyron makes about as much sense as a creating an all-new Phaeton, right? Nein, Bugatti Boss Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen tells Autocar UK that a new Veyron will be arriving around 2012. "We will be staying on top of everybody else and we will not be producing a smaller, or cheaper car and we will not be moving volumes up. Bugatti customers are very extreme people," says Paefgen. But not so extreme as to rule out a little platform-sharing, apparently. Bugatti boffins are considering building a Rolls-Royce Phantom competitor based on the next-generation Bentley Arnage platform. Word has it they're even considering fitting the luxobarge with "advanced biofuel technology… and even diesel." And just to prove that everyone who bought a Veyron thinking it was the best of the best are saps, Bugatti is also rumored to be building a 1200 hp Veyron GT model. Though Bugatti denies these rumors (what, they think 1k hp is enough?), Autocar says it has learned that customers have already put deposits down on GT versions. Any guesses as to how many million extra those 200 hp will set you (or the Sultan of Brunei) back?

Ford's been talking about Ecoboost since around the time of the Crimean War. And now, finally, we can bring you some definitive information. First, it's going to be a $700 option – which is paltry as automotive options go, to say nothing of engine options that run into the thousands. Second, the first FoMoCo forray in Eco-Boostland will deliver a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. The blown powerplant should make well over 300 horsepower in vehicles like the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS. Both could use a serious dose of tire-shredding power. Ford is also planning to Eco-Boost the F-150. Automotive News reports the variant will make more than 340 horsepower, 340 ft lbs of torque. The savings in gas is approximately 20 percent versus a V8 engine – keeping in mind that Ford's V8 engines actually makes less than 340 horsepower. Speaking of which, where does this leave Ford's V8 engine program? I'm not sure, but I can tell you with certainty that (1) a 340 horsepower twin-turbo V6 Mustang would be pretty phenomenal and (2) Ford is still going to need some V8 engines for image if nothing else. Especially in the 'Stang.

Infiniti has tried to play Terminix to BMW's Bavarian Cockroach 3-Series. For the most part, the Japanese automaker's done a fine job. To keep up with the Bimmer's new turbocharged engine (that makes some unknown amount of horsepower over 300), Infiniti is kicking-up the power and displacement of their VQ V6. The G sedan now gets the same 3.7-liter V6 as the coupe, pounding out some 330 horsepower. The optional automatic (don't fret – 3rd pedal is standard) now jumps to seven forward gears. And an all wheel-drive version will also be available. In other Infiniti news, there's an official photo of the upcoming G37 convertible as well. It seems that they were peeved at how nasty most of the amateur photochops looked, so they put out a picture of the real deal. Just on the basis of the one picture, I think it looks fine, if a little too Solara convertible. The G unit's got the classic four-seat convertible big caboose, and the rear deck isn't as flat as the convertible 3-Series. The folding hardtop G37 will be revealed at the LA Auto Show in September.

I'm not a fan of the Ferrari California. I think it's a concession to the brand's "image buyers." And while valet parking poseurs are the bread and butter for all exotic car crafters, the California is a folding tin roof too far. That said, the California V8's audio clips are pure gold. But the "Virtual Test Drive" posted on the Ferrari California mini-site is a joke. As a collaboration with Gran Turismo, it's a less-than-merely-adequate preview of both car and game. The production values are game industry low (tail wag my ass). There is no car sound, no engine sound, and the actual clips are too short and obscure the California's actual appearance. Worst of all, the soundtrack was lifted straight from some God awful presentation at a 1999 computer software convention. This car just gets more disappointing by the day. Until, of course, I drive it.

The IBM Institute for Business Value polled some 125 automotive executives and "thought leaders." Their final report [via Green Car Congress] concludes that "sustainability concerns" will rule the industry's future. In fact, by 2020, they figure all new cars will incorporate some form of hybridization. Respondents were less bullish on hydrogen, daunted by "the added challenge of building an entirely new infrastructure." The study also predicts the rise of the two-car consumer, diving "a primary vehicle that best meets their daily needs… [with] the option to change to a different model, as needed." Telematics (e.g. remote vehicle prognostics and active safety), data downloads and streaming media; and powertrain innovations are all in the cards. The report tells industry types to embrace new mobility models, improve the retail experience, simplify complexity, build international partnerships and execute globally. Wow, huh. Meanwhile, I'm heading over to Tomorrowland to see yesterday's future today. 

Memo to car manufacturers: naming contests don't work, except to grind my gears. It didn't work for Alfa Romeo, who had to ignore contest results for the car we now know as the MiTo (fan chosen name was Furiosa). And now General Motors has revealed that the production name of the Pontiac G8 ST concept – a "sport pickup" version of the Australian Pontiac G8 – will be the Pontiac G8 ST. Jalopnik's Jalops went so far as to hand out buttons calling for an El Camino revival. While that moniker might not have been GM's best call– it's a Chevy name– neither is G8 ST. Then again, with the G8 ST being a niche within a niche, big diff (no LSD implied). The name choice really does show, however, GM's incredible ability to minimize the impact of a car when it comes to market– especially one they've been talking up for the last twenty-some years. This really smacks of the Astra: an overseas product that car lovers craved that GM eventually pushed it into the corner. Same with the Commodore-cum-G8 (at least that one got a few TV commercials). And when it goes on sale in late 2009 (another year wait? are they kidding?), the G8 ST sport truck is likely to be yet another victim of GM's monumental ADD.

If you live in Massachusetts, and you're among the roughly one in a million Americans that drives a hydrogen-powered car, you can refuel it without crossing state lines. The The Lowell Sun reports that PowerTap in Billerica, near Boston, is now open for biz, courtesy of Nuvera Fuel Cells. The hydrogen station opened just in time to replenish a parade of H-powered cars on a 13-day cross-country cavalcade from Portland, Maine to LA. The cross-country parade included a Honda Clarity, VW Tiguan, Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle, Nissan X-Trail, Merc S-Cell and BMW H7. Speaking to your intrepid reporter, the Director of Technology and Communications for the National Hydrogen Association revealed that these and other H-powered vehicles can fill-up at 62 stations nationwide (25 in California, 'natch). Serfass also proudly pointed out that the hydrogen provided by these stations is produced entirely via renewable energy or natural gas, although he doesn't know what percentage comes from which source.

By the end of this month, Chrysler will offer EVDO routers (that's for CDMA services Verizon, Sprint and Alltel) for their cars. This for a whopping $499 a pop. And then there's the monthly service fee– which could be as low as $30. Or whatever the major carriers charge (i.e. more like $60 a month). While you can pick up an EVDO computer modem for free at your local cell phone store, when purchasing a new car, a $500 option may not feel expensive. Then again, is Chrysler kidding? It's bad enough when the guy in front of me is trying to pair his Bluetooth headset to the phone while driving. Now he's going to be on G Chat and Facebook? The system might operate only when parked, at which point I'd just go inside whatever Starbucks I'm parked in front of and use their internet for free. Speaking as an incipient lawyer, how Chrysler's in-house counsel signed off on this project, I have no idea. 

Although Ford only makes about $100 from each Focus it currently sells, The Blue Oval Boyz plan to bank big bucks from small cars. At a dinner with journalists last night [Ed: our invitation must have gotten lost in the mail], Ford Americas President Mark Fields said the small car segment is at "critical mass" and that Ford's "eager to tap it." The Detroit News reports that the formerly mulleted Mulally minion stated "we'll see a bigger smaller car segment," and wistfully added FoMoCo wants to start charging premium prices for small cars. And how will they accomplish this goal? With "exciting designs, best-in-class fuel-economy, excellent craftsmanship and innovative new infotainment technologies." And even though the Fiesta will be hecho en Mexico, the Mother of All Union Payoffs (a.k.a. the health care VEBA deal) will save Ford enough money that they can finally build small cars at a profit. Of course, the first thing they have to do is convince the average American small car buyer that a Ford small car is worth the same money as a comparable model from Honda or Toyota. [Ken Elias' Ford Death Watch later today.]

The Mark V Golf GTI, released in 2006, might be the greatest car ever– better than any Ferrari or Aston. Okay, that’s ridiculous. [Fair disclosure: I own one.] The Mark VI Golf, set to go on sale in Europe early next year and– knowing Volkswagen of America, in 2019 here– will not significantly diverge from the current GTI. The next GTI will keep the current model's turbocharged, FSI four-banger with 2.0-liters of displacement. It will pick-up Audi's variable valve lift. Horsepower rises by a handful of ponies to 211. But torque rockets from 207 ft-lbs to 258 ft-lbs. Fuel economy is likely to stay consistent or even improve. The big concern for VW: will that high torque number count against European rivals  offering more horsepower? As all these competitors are front wheel-drivers suffering from serious wrist-wrenching torque steer, maybe VW has the right idea. Which reminds me… the six-pot R32 goes away. In its place, a hotter GTI will feature VW/Audi's 2.0-liter turbo engine boosted to 265 horsepower, routed to all four wheels.  Yum.