Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gilles: Chrysler done with 'Edge' look, going 'Organic']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/gilles-chrysler-done-with-edge-look-going-organic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/gilles-chrysler-done-with-edge-look-going-organic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/gilles-chrysler-done-with-edge-look-going-organic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're already encouraged by the fact that Ralph Gilles has ascended to the top of Chrysler's design department, as the past vehicles penned under his supervision have all been some of Chrysler's best. Say what you want about the reborn 300 now, but when it was first introduced, it's styling set in motion a major tidal wave of accolades and was a fresh direction for Detroit's number 3. The 'Edge' look, as Gilles calls it, though, is getting a bit stale these days and Chrysler needs a new direction -- Sebring anyone? According to the new design chief, ChryCo's new look will be 'Organic', which Gilles says will get "our cars to be sexy again." Remember "cab forward"? That moniker could make a comeback along with the more stylish interiors that Chrysler so desperately needs.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>cab forwardCabForwardchrysler designChryslerDesignedge stylingEdgeStylingorganic stylingOrganicStylingralph gillesRalphGilles2008-08-20T12:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Automakers using more plastic to reduce weight and emissions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/automakers-using-more-plastic-to-reduce-weight-and-emissions/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/automakers-using-more-plastic-to-reduce-weight-and-emissions/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/automakers-using-more-plastic-to-reduce-weight-and-emissions/#commentsFiled under: ,



Plastics make things possible, or so say the major plastic manufacturing companies in their ads. It turns out that there's some truth to the tagline, as automakers are increasing the amount of plastic parts in vehicles in an attempt to reduce weight and emissions. While many consider steel to be the most desirable material to pound out automobiles, the use of plastic is outgunning metals pound for pound on new cars. Even luxury brands like BMW and Porsche are using more plastics in their vehicles than ever before, and both see the trend continuing. Composites such as carbon fiber and kevlar prove that plastics can perform just as well as steel when properly designed and engineered.

Despite the overall goal of reducing weight and cutting vehicle emissions, most plastics still trace their roots to petroleum. Automakers such as Mazda and Mitsubishi are experimenting with bioplastics, which are made from natural ingredients such as sugars.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>plasticplastic carplastic carsPlasticCarPlasticCarsplastics2008-08-20T07:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Man claims prayer brought pump prices down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the book of Genesis, man was given dominion over all the plants and animals, so we're guessing that dead, liquified ones count, too. Since Rocky Twyman started his Pray At The Pump effort in April, average fuel prices have certainly fallen. Twyman believes that his groups' prayers have effected the change, and that no other factors like shifting consumer behavior, international conflict, or speculators has anything to do with it. Right.

The Pray At The Pump group is not just asking for divine fuel price intervention without also encouraging acts of sacrifice on behalf of man - Twyman's ministry strongly encourages car pooling and better organized trips to maximize conservation on a day to day basis. After all, committing the mortal sin of gluttony while asking for the Lord to make it easier on us all would ring kind of hollow. We suppose even the non-faithful can get behind Twyman's effort in that it's at least as effective as the various fuel-saving trinkum that internet scheisters are imploring us to buy (run your car on water? hydrogen "batteries"?), and it costs nothing, to boot. Combined with a regimen of proven fuel-saving behaviors, extra prayers certainly can't hurt in keeping the flow of car-sustaining manna trickling along at an affordable price.

[Source: BBC, AutoblogGreen, Photo: daylife.com]

 

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]]>fuel price prayerfuel pricesFuelPricePrayerFuelPricesgas price prayergas pricesGasPricePrayerGasPricesprayer fuelprayer gasPrayerFuelPrayerGasrocky twyman fuel priceRockyTwymanFuelPrice2008-08-18T18:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Industry sets fuel efficiency record in first half of '08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/industry-sets-fuel-efficiency-record-in-first-half-of-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/industry-sets-fuel-efficiency-record-in-first-half-of-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/industry-sets-fuel-efficiency-record-in-first-half-of-08/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In light of the current pain at the pumps, fuel economy is on all of our minds these days no matter what kind of car you drive. That being the case, it might not be surprising to you that the car we're buying are getting more fuel efficient. Don't believe us? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just revealed that the U.S. auto industry set a new record in overall fuel efficiency during the first half of the 2008 model year by averaging 26.8 mpg through March. That's up from an average of 26.6 mpg through the entire 2007 model year.

While this is certainly good news for both consumers and manufacturers that need to meet the government's mandated CAFE standards, the numbers used by the NHTSA aren't really representative of the real-world fuel mileage you should expect to achieve on the road. The testing standards were initially created in 1975 and automakers get certain credits for creating flex-fuel vehicles, which can artificially inflate their miles-per-gallon numbers. Additionally, automakers earn credits for surpassing the CAFE requirements and can carry these credits forward for up to three years. Still, the numbers are somewhat worthwhile when comparing the current model-year with those of the past. Expect to see the year-end numbers set another new record as consumers continue choosing smaller and more fuel efficient models over larger, gas-guzzling choices.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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]]>2008 fuel efficiency2008 mileage2008FuelEfficiency2008Mileagecafecafe standardsCafeStandardsfuel efficiencyfuel mileageFuelEfficiencyFuelMileagenhtsa2008-08-13T09:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mexico confiscates trucks crossing border for cheap diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/09/mexico-confiscates-trucks-crossing-border-for-cheap-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/09/mexico-confiscates-trucks-crossing-border-for-cheap-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/09/mexico-confiscates-trucks-crossing-border-for-cheap-diesel/#commentsFiled under: ,

Thinking with their wallets, and avoiding $4.59/gallon fuel prices, truck owners in the States have been sneaking across the Mexican border to fill up with low-cost diesel (in Mexico, the fuel averages just $2.20/gallon). While filling a primary fuel tank isn't illegal, Mexico prohibits additional fuel tanks (aka auxiliary tanks) to be filled and moved across the border, so many truck owners with long-range tanks are finding themselves breaking Mexican federal law. Truck owners are getting stopped on the Mexican side of the border and their trucks are confiscated while authorities run tests to determine the origin of the fuel. If found in violation, owners face stiff fines. The Mexican Consulate is offering a blanket warning for all truck owners equipped with secondary fuel tanks to not drive those vehicles into Mexico. Not only do those owners risk truck confiscation, but the Mexican fuel is not formulated to U.S. ultra-low-sulfur regulations meaning emissions components will likely be damaged. (As if the trucks breaking the law are fitted with emission components in the first place...)

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

 

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]]>borderDieseldriving acrossDrivingAcrosslow cost fuelLowCostFuelMexicoPickup trucksPickupTruckssave moneySaveMoney2008-08-09T19:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Neat trick: Chrysler claims $1.1 billion profit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/neat-trick-chrysler-claims-1-1-billion-profit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/neat-trick-chrysler-claims-1-1-billion-profit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/neat-trick-chrysler-claims-1-1-billion-profit/#commentsFiled under: , ,





It's a claim that needs a big, fat asterisk after it, but Chrysler's Jim Press is cheerily touting a $1.1 billion dollar gross profit. The number, which wasn't pulled out of a posterior orifice but has yet to be adjusted, is known as the EBIDA, or earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization. Well, shoot, if you take all of the albatrosses off the necks of the automakers, they're all cranking along with nice gross profit numbers. Too bad that Chrysler's gross profit will turn into a disgusting loss once the accounting is done. It's good news that Chrysler's still making some money, even if a gross profit will turn into a net loss, and Press seems to indicate that Chrysler is aimed at right-sizing itself for future success. Moving vehicles is increasingly becoming a challenge as we suffer a hangover from the boom years of easy credit, and total volume is bound to be off by millions compared to just a few short years ago. Chrysler's product line doesn't strike us as well situated to eventually earn a net profit, saddled as it is with subpar interior materials, powertrains that want for refinement and output (in everything that's not V8- or Hemi-powered, that is), and uninspired design, but if Cerberus hangs in there instead of making everyone's strip and flip fears come true, the automaker may be able to get its act together for its product line after 2010.

[Source: Motor Trend]

 

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]]>chrysler earningschrysler gross profitchrysler profitChryslerEarningsChryslerGrossProfitChryslerProfit2008-08-08T10:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Manufacturers raise the price of carbon fiber]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/manufacturers-raise-the-price-of-carbon-fiber/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/manufacturers-raise-the-price-of-carbon-fiber/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/05/manufacturers-raise-the-price-of-carbon-fiber/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you were looking at carbon fiber as the magical lightweight solution to the parallel automotive woes of low power-to-weight ratios and high fuel consumption, we have some potentially disappointing news for you. Two of the world's largest suppliers of carbon fiber have announced that they are raising their prices. And not by a little, either, with the going rate for the high-tech material rising by 10 to 30 percent in one shot.

The simultaneous announcement from Toray Industries Inc. (the #1 supplier of carbon fiber) and Mitsubishi Rayon Co. (the third largest) marks the first time both companies have universally raised their prices at the same time. The development would border on price-fixing if not for the fact that the second biggest carbon fiber manufacturer, Teijin Ltd., didn't participate. However Teijin is expected to announce its own price hike sometime this week, as well.

We all expected prices to drop as use of the exotic material became more commonplace in automotive, aerospace and commercial applications. However the rising costs of raw materials have contributed to the higher price. They're at Y4,000 (~$37) per ton now and are expect to go up by between Y400 and Y1,200 per ton. Because of the high demand for carbon fiber, the price increase is expected to take immediate effect. As for the impact on he automotive industry, it could mean price increases for cars using the material, while the development of new cars is likely to forgo employing carbon fiber in their construction for other materials like aluminum and plastic. Hopefully Honda and Nissan finish developing their mass-market carbon fiber sooner rather than later.

[Source: TradingMarkets.com via Carbon Fiber Gear]

 

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]]>carbon fibercarbon fibreCarbonFiberCarbonFibrecost carbon fibercost carbon fibreCostCarbonFiberCostCarbonFibrecostsprice carbon fiberprice carbon fibrePriceCarbonFiberPriceCarbonFibreprices2008-08-05T17:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler may nix top-of-the-line Avenger, Sebring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/chrysler-may-nix-top-of-the-line-avenger-sebring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/chrysler-may-nix-top-of-the-line-avenger-sebring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/chrysler-may-nix-top-of-the-line-avenger-sebring/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Gas prices are up, which has led to increased interest in midsizers, more specifically, the midsize offerings from Chrysler's competition. The Sebring has taken a 30 percent sales whack this year, mostly due to reduced fleet sales. The Avenger's year has been a little brighter, posting a two-percent gain. Contrast that with everyone else; Malibu, Fusion, and Accord are up ten percent or more this year; and therein lies Chrysler's problem. Ditching Chrysler's outmoded V6 for the four-cylinder powertrain will deliver more competitive fuel economy, if you can stand the NVH increase.

Top heavy with trucks and taking fire over the Avenger and Sebring's interior quality and efficiency, Chrysler's seriously looking at re-jiggering the sedan twins, killing the top R/T and Limited trim levels and sliding some of the good stuff down to the SXT and Touring trim levels. The 3.5-liter V6 will be left out as standard equipment, though, as it doesn't post great fuel economy. The goodies that normally accompany the six, like heated leather power seats, dual exhausts, and 18 inch wheels, will end up as standard gear on the Sebring Touring and Avenger SXT. The prices of those models get bumped - 9.9 percent for the Dodge, now starting at $21,750, and 3.4 percent for the Sebring, offered for $21,670. What's up with the Avenger costing more than the Sebring? We don't know. The Journey is also being considered for this initiative, rumored to be called the "Fight Back" plan, and suppliers had until yesterday to give Chrysler a yes or no on feasibility.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>chrysler sebringchrysler sebring lim...chrysler sebring touringChryslerSebringChryslerSebringLim...ChryslerSebringTouringdodge avengerdodge avenger rtdodge avenger sxtDodgeAvengerDodgeAvengerRtDodgeAvengerSxt2008-07-18T11:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Russia now Europe's biggest automotive market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/russia-now-europes-biggest-automotive-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/russia-now-europes-biggest-automotive-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/russia-now-europes-biggest-automotive-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Russia has just passed Germany as Europe's largest market for new car sales -- for the first half of the year, at least. In fact, Russian consumers managed to snatch up 41% more cars for the first half of this year as compared to the previous year. Not only that, but the vehicles being sold in Russia are more profitable than before as well, with the record $33.8 billion in sales so far an increase of 64%. Top marques are General Motors and Hyundai, which replace last year's first and second place finishers, Ford and Toyota. Russian brands? Not so much.

Don't expect the sales figures to cool down any time soon, as the economy in Russia is still booming and it's the middle-class that is seeing the biggest benefit. Older cars will continue to be taken off the road as consumers purchase new replacements which will allow automakers to find an estimated 20-percent of the entire industry's growth in the Russian market over the next several years.

[Source: Inside Line]

 

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]]>emerging marketemerging marketsEmergingMarketEmergingMarketsgermanyrussiarussian carrussian car salesrussian carsrussian salesRussianCarRussianCarsRussianCarSalesRussianSales2008-07-14T18:04:00+00:00<![CDATA[Alas, Z/28, we hardly knew ye]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/alas-z-28-we-hardly-knew-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/alas-z-28-we-hardly-knew-ye/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/alas-z-28-we-hardly-knew-ye/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The all-new Camaro we've been waiting on for two years is just a few days from showing its production face, and we've already got some bad news. The General has dumped plans for the Z28. The highly anticipated Camaro variant was rumored to feature the same supercharged 6.2L engine that powers the brawny Cadillac CTS-V with well over 500 ponies. Without the Z28 in the picture, the still powerful SS edition will be the range-topper for now, and we're expecting power to be just under that of the base Corvette's 436 hp.

While this is certainly bad news for Camaro enthusiasts, it does make sense in the face of $4.25 per gallon gas to cancel a supercharged monster that's likely to be eligible for a hefty gas guzzler tax. What doesn't make sense is canceling the Z28 moniker when it means much more to Camaro fans than SS ever will. There goes the aftermarket for louvers and mullet wigs. Thanks for the tip, Doug!

Gallery: 2010 Camaro Spy Pics Black and White

[Source: Left Lane News, Photo: CamarosAndClassics.com]

 

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]]>camarocamaro sscamaro z-28camaro z28CamaroSsCamaroZ-28CamaroZ28chevrolet camaroChevroletCamaroz-28 killedZ-28Killedz28 killedZ28Killed2008-07-14T16:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[Praise the Lord and pass the license plates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/praise-the-lord-and-pass-the-license-plates/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/praise-the-lord-and-pass-the-license-plates/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/praise-the-lord-and-pass-the-license-plates/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Christians looking to evangelize are understandably thrilled with the idea of "I Believe" license plates, nevermind that they may be unconstitutional. While the first amendment protects individuals rights to free speech, the cross and stained glass themed plates with the phrase "I Believe" across the bottom were cooked up by the South Carolina Senator Larry Grooms and endorsed unanimously by the state legislature, and a similar effort is underway in Florida. On those grounds, the plates may constitute a state sanctioning of one religion over another, and that raises the ire of non-Christians and free speech advocates. The group Americans United for Separation of Church and State tossed a yellow flag on the field and blew its lawsuit whistle to block these plates from seeing the light of day, spurring a respectfully blistering outpouring of "you'll burn in Hell, thank you" messages from plate supporters. The fight ensues, disenfranchised citizens or not, though we think these plates might be far more offensive to certain folks than the highly coveted WTF tags we all want here at Autoblog HQ. Video after the jump

[Source: Rawstory, Photo: Charleston.net]

Continue reading Praise the Lord and pass the license plates

 

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]]>christian license plateChristianLicensePlateflorida christianflorida christian plateFloridaChristianFloridaChristianPlatei believei believe license plateIBelieveIBelieveLicensePlatelicense lateLicenseLatesouth carolina christiansouth carolina christian plateSouthCarolinaChristianSouthCarolinaChristianPlate2008-07-10T14:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[Los Angeles Times kills autos section]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/#commentsFiled under: , ,


No flowers, no cake, not even a eulogy. The Los Angeles Times has delivered its auto section an ignominious ending. Tucked among Dan Neil's Pulitzer-winning prose was a small, unceremonious Editor's Note notifying readers of the change in a matter-of-fact fashion. Circulation figures are down, advertising revenues are way down, and the LA Times' ownership, Chicago's Tribune Company, has been desperately slashing for years now, trying to return profitability. Fans of Dan Neil will now be able to find his Rumble Seat reviews and rants in the Business section, along with other automotive content. At least they're smart enough to hang on to one of the best automotive writers out there, even if he does occasionally give advertisers hissy fits. Thanks for the tip, Dave.

[Source: LA Times]

 

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]]>dan neilDanNeilla timesla times autola times auto sectionla times highway 1LaTimesLaTimesAutoLaTimesAutoSectionLaTimesHighway12008-07-10T09:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Volvo still wants to compete with the Germans, despite rumors of sale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/volvo-still-wants-to-compete-with-the-germans-despite-rumors-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/volvo-still-wants-to-compete-with-the-germans-despite-rumors-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/volvo-still-wants-to-compete-with-the-germans-despite-rumors-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ford says Volvo's not for sale, and the Blue Oval would be smart to hold on to its remaining vestige of the Premier Auto Group as long as it can, especially since engineering and platforms have become so entwined with Dearborn's product line. For its part, Volvo is angling to take on the high end Germans. Volvos have long been premium products, having built a reputation on exceptional durability, meticulous engineering, and of course, safety. Try as it might, however, Volvo has a hard time competing head on with BMW, Audi and Mercedes. The cachet of the Swedish automaker is diminished compared to the Germans, and dynamically, Volvos tend to get schooled hard despite being good, capable drivers when taken alone.

Operations chief Steven Armstrong tells Automotive News that Volvo is looking to be mentioned in the same breath as its intended targets, even as losses mount and layoffs ensue. Volvos already occupy the same pricing arena as the premium Germans, but that's partly due to a weak dollar and transport costs. The possibility of building its cars in the United States might bring prices down and allow better developed performance versions, versus the outclassed R models of the past. Also hurtful is the model range's appetite for fuel -- we've gotten mileage in the teens from some Volvos in the Autoblog Garage. Armstrong says that the fuel economy issue will be addressed soon as technologies like start-stop, energy recovery from braking, and further down the road, hybrid powertrains are brought to market. Green is a good way for Volvo to go, given the Scandinavian proclivity for low-impact, gentler consumption. What it all means is that soon, we may see a kinder, gentler, meaner, faster Volvo product lineup -- possibly managed by Russian, Chinese, or Swedish owners.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req.]

 

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]]>volvovolvo bmwvolvo mercedesvolvo salevolvo sale chinavolvo sale chinesevolvo sale russiavolvo upscaleVolvoBmwVolvoMercedesVolvoSaleVolvoSaleChinaVolvoSaleChineseVolvoSaleRussiaVolvoUpscale2008-07-07T11:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[MyGallons lets you lock in fuel prices]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/mygallons-lets-you-lock-in-fuel-prices/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/mygallons-lets-you-lock-in-fuel-prices/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/mygallons-lets-you-lock-in-fuel-prices/#commentsFiled under: , ,


UPDATE: The Better Business Bureau apparently has some issues with MyGallons. This post was written several days ago and we were not aware of the dustups at that time.

You can pre-pay for cellphone minutes, here in New England it's popular to lock in your heating oil price for the winter, and now you'll be able to bank gallons of gasoline on a debit card, thanks to MyGallons.com. While you're screwed out of the money if the price of fuel drops, it's not looking like that's going to happen soon. MyGallons uses your zip code to determine what price you'll pay to add gallons to your card, which is accepted just like a normal debit or credit card at most fuel stations. It's a creative way to smooth out the fluctuations in the price of fuel, and it could also be a boon to those wanting to run a tighter budget, or at least know what they'll be spending on fuel for a given time period, as they've pre-bought. Shoot, it could even be a decent gift idea for the person who has everything!

[Source: Reuters]

 

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]]>fuel cardfuel costfuel pricesFuelCardFuelCostFuelPricesgas cardgas pricesGasCardgasoline cardgasoline priceGasolineCardGasolinePriceGasPricesmygallonspre paypre-payprepay2008-07-04T11:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Gas prices rise along with interest in motorcycles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/gas-prices-rise-along-with-interest-in-motorcycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/gas-prices-rise-along-with-interest-in-motorcycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/gas-prices-rise-along-with-interest-in-motorcycles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the image for more high-res shots of the Night Rod Special

As you may have noticed, we've been featuring more two-wheeled content lately as interest in motorcycles and scooters has risen rather dramatically along with the increase in fuel prices. While we can appreciate the reduced cost of operation that sometimes goes along with choosing a motorcycle over four-wheeled transport, the enjoyment some of us get from bikes easily eclipses our desire to save at the pump. After all, this particular blogger has been riding since the days of buck-a-gallon gas. Still, the growing trend of drivers dropping half their wheels in the name of gas conservation deserves close examination and has even caught the attention of Consumer Reports. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the group has found that a staggering 26-percent of respondents have considered downsizing from four wheels to two. According to CR, their team is intently studying this two-wheeled phenomenon in an effort to become acquainted with the products on the market, how often they are ridden and the newly-found fuel savings of their riders.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

 

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]]>motorcyclemotorcycle salesmotorcyclesMotorcycleSalesscooterscooter salesscootersScooterSales2008-07-01T16:19:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler plans to idle minivan plant in St. Louis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/chrysler-plans-to-idle-minivan-plant-in-st-louis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/chrysler-plans-to-idle-minivan-plant-in-st-louis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/chrysler-plans-to-idle-minivan-plant-in-st-louis/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Now that General Motors and Ford have completely abandoned the minivan market for good, the American originator of the species faces only Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Kia and soon Volkswagen as manufacturers that also offer competitive choices. Perhaps you'd think that Chrysler would be benefiting as the only domestic automaker currently playing in the segment, but it seems that sales are down this year by 13 percent for the Chrysler Town and Country while the Dodge Grand Caravan is down an alarming 35 percent. High gas prices are the obvious reason why the minivan market is seeing such a harsh downward trend, and likely the culprit behind Chrysler's impending move to idle its St. Louis South minivan plant as early as December, which would leave some 1,500 employees jobless.

Utility vehicles have been the biggest gas-price casualties, and slow sales are said to be forcing the Jefferson Avenue assembly plant in Detroit where the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander are assembled and the Toledo, Ohio North assembly plant which builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro into extended shut-downs, as well.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>chryslerchrysler town and countryChryslerTownAndCountrydodgedodge grand caravanDodgeGrandCaravanjeepjeep salesJeepSalesjefferson avenue plantJeffersonAvenuePlantminivan salesMinivanSalessouth st. louisSouthSt.Louissuv salesSuvSalestoledo north plantToledoNorthPlant2008-06-30T18:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Automotive Traveler offers "Car photography for dummies"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/automotive-traveler-offers-car-photography-for-dummies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/automotive-traveler-offers-car-photography-for-dummies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/automotive-traveler-offers-car-photography-for-dummies/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This is the kind of photo Rich Truesdell will teach you to create

We've actually talked about doing this ourselves before, at least internally here at AB HQ. Giving some practical pointers on basic photography theory for new bloggers trying out their DSLR skills for the first time. Basic stuff like composition and lighting, focal lengths and depth of field. Well, our pal Rich Truesdell beat us to the punch, and did a much better job than we probably could have done in the process. Check out the series of articles he wrote to learn the basics and a whole lot more. While not everyone wants to be the next Ansel Adams, these tips can help you capture the best angle of your ride for that craigslist or eBay ad, or to show it off on your forum of choice. The article even gets into tips on catching the eyes of editors if you want to get your shots published. Really good information for anyone with a camera really. Click over and read the whole thing for yourself.

[Source: Automotive Traveler]

 

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]]>automotive travelerautomotive travellerautomotivetravelerautomotivetravellercar photographycar photography for dummiesCarPhotographyCarPhotographyForDummies2008-06-28T17:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[Suzuki bows out of 2009 Detroit Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/suzuki-bows-out-of-2009-detroit-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/suzuki-bows-out-of-2009-detroit-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/suzuki-bows-out-of-2009-detroit-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Porsche and Suzuki rarely come up in the same breath, but here is something they both share: neither will be in Cobo Hall when the Detroit Auto Show opens in January. Joining the Stuttgart sportscar/SUV/SUS maker in skipping the show, Suzuki has said that they are pulling out for a slightly different reason. Whereas Porsche had said that Detroit wasn't a very important market for them, Suzuki is saying they didn't like the space they were offered. Here, Suzuki is hitting closer to what many people feel is the real problem with Cobo, there just isn't enough room. It's a fine hall with a storied past, and as a journalist it's nice to be able to get to any press conference within a minute from the media center, but it's not very big compared to the other halls around the world. With a name like "2009 North American International Auto Show" it needs more square-footage. It's still the most important auto show in the country, if not the world, and maybe losing Suzuki and Porsche don't hurt it too much, but this move by Suzuki could be marking a trend that can only be stopped with a major expansion. Back in January, we mentioned that a plan is being formulated to expand Cobo Hall, but the project is still in the financing stage as far as we know. Hopefully something can be done before long to save this great show's reputation.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>cobo hallCoboHalldetroit auto showDetroitAutoShow2008-06-26T13:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Scion celebrates its 5th anniversary]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/scion-celebrates-its-5th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/scion-celebrates-its-5th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/scion-celebrates-its-5th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: ,

With so many automakers celebrating big landmark anniversaries, Scion's fifth could easily be passed over as insignificant. But in five years of business, as The Car Connection's Paul Eisenstein notes, Scion has managed to do what few others could, both capturing the young demographic (the average age of a Scion buyer is 31) and attract customers new to the brand (72% of Scion buyers are new to Toyota altogether).

That's no mean feat for a brand that started in June 2003 with just two models and a handful of dealerships in California. Since then, the Scion line-up has expanded, as has its dealer base, with the vast majority (982 out of 1231) of Toyota dealers in the United States also selling Scions. The big question remains over whether Scion will last another five years to double-digits, or fade away as the brand loses the plot.

[Source: The Car Connection]

 

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]]>5th anniversary5thAnniversaryfifth anniversaryfifth birthdayFifthAnniversaryFifthBirthdayfive yearsFiveYearsscionscion 5Scion52008-06-25T08:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Toyota may miss sales goal this year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/toyota-may-miss-sales-goal-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/toyota-may-miss-sales-goal-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/toyota-may-miss-sales-goal-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota's bet that it could sell more vehicles in 2008 than in 2007 may not have been a wise one. Though Toyota's hybrid models and small cars are selling very well in the U.S., sales of pickups and SUVs have truly tanked, and Toyota had been counting on those sales just as much as its competitors. Of course, the giant automaker from Japan couldn't have known that far in advance just how high gasoline prices would go or the impact that it would have on auto sales and the economy in the United States in general. Booming markets like China have apparently not been able to make up for the shrinking pot in the States.

Even with the acknowledgment that meeting its target of selling more than the 2.62 million vehicles the company sold last year in the U.S. would be "difficult," Toyota's place in the automotive landscape is surely envied by the Detroit 3. After all, even with its sales revised downward, Toyota remains profitable, something which cannot be said of the U.S. automakers.

[Source: AP]

 

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]]>toyotatoyota salestoyota u.s.ToyotaSalesToyotaU.s.u.s. auto salesU.s.AutoSales2008-06-24T13:00:00+00:00