What’s the deal with these small cars and their self-righteous names? I’m talking about the Smart, the iQ, and the Think. Does anybody really believe that making a car diminutive turns it into some kind of Einstein? If anything, I’d be happy if car makers showed they understand they have some really stupid machines out there. The Fiat Cretino, the Ford Fiasco, the Opel Idiot, the Mercury Moron: now that’d be Truth in Naming.
According to the Detroit News, both Ford and GM are looking at unifying their full- and mid-sized car platforms around a single platform in hopes of capturing economies of scale. Ford will move future Taurus and Fusion models to its European (Mondeo) C/D platform, while GM is looking at basing a future Impala on the Malibu’s Epsilon II platform. The Ford Flex/MKT would also likely move to the C/D platform, leaving the Taurus/Current Flex’s D3 platform available for the next generation Explorer.
The Ad Council and the NHTSA sent me a link to their campaign: “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” The ad and seat belt folks want Joe and Jane Q. Public to sign an e-pledge promising not to drive buzzed. Yes, well, what’s the definition of “buzzed”? At first, I thought it meant driving under the influence of non-alcoholic drugs: cannabis, crack, coke, Clonazepam, etc. (and those are just the “c”s). More poetically (though far less likely), I wondered if it had something to do with the after-effects of doing the horizontal mambo with Jill Wagner or [your choice of homosexual heartthrob here]. But no. The campaigners contend that “Buzzed driving is drunk driving.” So why not call it drunk driving? Theory: they’re trying to position the “technical” debate downwards, to the lowest possible Blood Alcohol Content level. Which ignores the simple, inescapable fact that the majority of drunk drivers are habitual offenders who are WAY over the legal limit. SUBMIT? Not without a little clarification, thanks. What say you?
Up until yesterday, there were only two Ferrari Californias on Australia’s streets. The number is now down to one. Police have impounded the rare Ferrari California being driven by Financial Review motoring writer Rod Easdown. Baruthian car and driver were clocked by Australia’s finest at 231kmh, more than twice the legal limit.
I’ve just received this email from a reputable member of our Best and Brightest. I will attempt to contact Fisker today for the official take.
| Date: 7/13/2009 Subject: XXXX Company Inquiry Hi XXX, Is XXXX [name of my company] looking for any program manager or engineering help? The Fisker Hybrid project is in deep financial trouble and I was let go last week. I’ve had enough of automotive and would really like to break into another industry. If you know of anything please pass it along or I can forward a resume. Regards, |
A few of my friends had their tongues hanging out. The year: 1984. The car: a brand new Toyota Celica Supra. It had the words ‘SUPRA’ in big bubble letters on the rear. Just in case you missed it. Pop-up headlights. Seats that actually had bolsters on them. A sunroof, and the very best AM/FM Cassette money could buy. My brother, that lucky and overachieving bastard, got it brand new as a thank you for the 4.0’s that would eventually land him in the world of radiology. After experiencing my very first “Holy Shit!” moment as a passenger (my folks were lifelong right lane drivers), and watching a five-speed shift for the first time, I was smitten. Later on that evening I watched my first Knight Rider and then all hell broke loose.
TTAC commentator edgett writes:
Since the current pushrod LS-X engines reportedly offers a better power-to-weight ratio than an equivalent Porsche engine, and returns excellent fuel economy, why aren’t other manufacturers emulating the same kinds of evolutionary upgrades which GM applied to their small-block V8?
A few weeks ago, we cited Canada’s Globe and Mail, which wrote with great insight: “It’s entirely possible the Magna bid is in serious trouble. Indeed, the obstacles-political, economic, financial and industrial-are formidable and the negotiations are just starting . . . . Let’s just say that Magna’s bid for Opel is shaping up to be the most complicated auto deal of the year.”
That was quite an understatement.
As little known Tengzhong itches to buy Hummer for reasons unknown, the two Chinese regulators who have to chop (put a big red stamp under) the deal can’t agree whether it’s a great or a dumb idea, Reuters reports. Chop the deal or chop off the head?
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China has become the biggest producer, consumer and exporter of electric vehicles in the world. But China’s people are facing huge problems buying and driving them.
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TTAC doesn’t normally report recalls, no matter how major. As our Best and Brightest has pointed out, it’s not fair to blog one manufacturer’s product recalls without blogging them all. Of course, there are exceptions that prove (test) the rule. This is one of them. Autoblog reports: “Sporadic reports have begun popping up in the Camaro5 forums about issues with V8-powered SS models equipped with the manual transmission. It seems that doing a hard launch or using the launch control system occasionally results in a broken output shaft, a serious failure that will most likely leave the car immobile and in need of repair . . . a factory hold has been put on deliveries of manual transmission V8 Camaros while Chevrolet engineering teams investigate the problem.” I have to ask: where’s the evidence that New GM is/will be any better at building cars than old GM? As reinstated Car Czar Maximum Bob is all about “perception gaps” and marketing, what chance does this company have against its competition?
[Comment From Guest ]
What is your number one priority in your new role and please be as specific as possible?
Bob Lutz
Until I know more about the job I won’t be as specific as possible because i might have to recant next month when i know what i’m doing.
From Reuters comes word that Car Czarlet Steven Rattner will be leaving the Presidential Task Force On Autos. The move “represents the start of a long-planned wind down of the autos panel” according to Reuters’ interpretation of an anonymous White House source. “With GM’s restructuring complete, Steven Rattner, whose leadership and vision were invaluable to the Auto Task Force’s efforts, has decided to transition back to private life and his family in New York City,” explains a statement from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “We are extremely grateful to Steve for his efforts in helping to strengthen GM and Chrysler, recapitalize GMAC, and support the American auto industry. I hope that he takes another opportunity to bring his unique skills to government service in the future.” Unique skills? Is Rattner getting blown off or is this Mission Accomplished? A little of both?
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Last week’s clue was super hard. But there were several correct answers by some of our most diligent B&B sleuths: Lokki, no_slushbox, allythom, and dadude. Awesome! Time to give your summertime sunburned craniums a break. This week’s clue is a no-brainer.
This weekend’s announcement that “Maximum” Bob Lutz will stay on at GM is the biggest blow to GM’s re:invention PR since Fritz Henderson was handed the helm by Rick Wagoner. In essence, Lutz’s “unretirement” sends the very same message Wagoner once repeated ad nauseum: GM’s turnaround would be going well if it weren’t for that darn economy. And, of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Lutz arrived at GM in 2001 with a single thesis: excitement could turn the General around. Eight years later, and the results speak for themselves. Despite injecting Pontiac with its best products in decades, Lutz couldn’t even save GM’s “excitement brand.” Though Lutz created the Malibu to add his aesthetic appeal to GM’s long-ignored mid-sized offerings, the car only excited automotive journalists. Consumers preferred the plain-jane Impala. Ultimately, Lutz proves exactly how little GM has changed. His old-school, hard-charging pursuit of glamor, performance and excitement are little more than a fading afterglow from the good old days of Motorama excess. The market has moved on, but GM hasn’t.
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