Sunday, January 31, 2010
Porsche Panamera
Sorry, it was really tough to get a picture of this car without someone or someone's kid jumping in front. Best i could do. For some reason the exotic car room was the most crowded (probably because its also the smallest) but it also had the most kids running around crazy (none of which are present in this picture)
Hyundai Equus
Thats some emblem. Compensating for something Hyundai? Other than that nice looking car for Hyundai to use to get themselves into the Luxury market.
Kia with a troubled 'Soul'
I was not a big fan of this vehicle when i first starting seeing the spots for it on TV and in general i haven't loved this boxy shape that is becoming increasingly popular (i.e. - Scion xB and Nissan Cube) but they displayed this really dark one at the show and it made me take a second look. You could do worse for a vehicle starting at $13,500.
Philadelphia Auto Show
Not a bad crowd for the second day of the Philadelphia auto show. There's a good selection of production vehicles, a handful of soon-to-be-outs and even fewer 'concept' vehicles. All in all not a bad way to spend a few hours in the freezing cold Northeast.
Here's a picture of just one of the floors of the show.
Here's a picture of just one of the floors of the show.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Honda Solar Hydrogen Station - Honda unveils new solar hydrogen station
This seems like something that could really make Hyrdogen cars viable for the mass audience.
Toyota Gets Fix Approved
AP Sources: Govt clears Toyota gas pedal fix http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16037/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=J95BdBha
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Friday, January 29, 2010
[Podcast] A Very Prejudicial Podcast
GM's Chairman decides to make his stint as CEO last; Toyota goes pedal to the metal to solve its recall issue, but Dave's skeptical about the problem; Ford posts a profit and Mathew hangs on to his shares; Mustangs do well at the collector car auctions in Arizona; Internet in the car will only be bad for drivers who are easily distracted and the fantasy showroom battle revs up.
GetThisShowOnTheRoad Jan 29, 2010.mp3
2011 Ford Mustang GT Glass Roof Coupe sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction (Photo via RecordOnline.com)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Daily Show Hosts Former WSJ Reporter and Editor Paul Ingrassia
Former WSJ editor and Detroit bureau chief Paul Ingrassia goes to see John Stewart on the Daily Show to promote his new book: CRASH COURSE: The American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster. (Read a Review)
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Paul Ingrassia | ||||
| ||||
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tesla Motors Lands $465 Million Federal Loan to Build Plant for Model S Sedan
Tesla Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy on Thursday signed a landmark $465 million loan agreement that will allow the electric car maker to build a power train manufacturing plant in Palo Alto.
The agreement also paves the way for Tesla Motors to build a facility in Southern California where it will manufacture its upcoming all-electric Model S sedan.
The agreement also paves the way for Tesla Motors to build a facility in Southern California where it will manufacture its upcoming all-electric Model S sedan.
Toyota Recall: Add 2.3 Million More Cars to List
Toyota Motor Sales USA is recalling 2.3 million vehicles to correct a problem that could cause the vehicles' gas pedals to stick.
This new recall is separate from an on-going recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to correct a problem in which the pedals could become stuck under a loose floormat.
This new recall is separate from an on-going recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to correct a problem in which the pedals could become stuck under a loose floormat.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
[PODCAST] Trying Not To Focus on Ugly Noses
We wrap up the Detroit Auto Show, we take Joe White's Build It or Bag It poll from the show, we touch upon virtual interfaces and foreign auto makers dominate Super Bowl advertising.
Also discussed - The Mini Countryman (pictured below) and the new Mazda5 (featured in prior post)
Mini Countryman Crossover (Photo From AutoBlog)
All-New 2011 Mazda5 coming to Geneva
I know
I'm a bit of dork, but I have a huge soft spot for Mazda's 5 mini-minivan. Now, Autoblog is reporting that an updated design will be shown at the Geneva motor show.
I'm a bit of dork, but I have a huge soft spot for Mazda's 5 mini-minivan. Now, Autoblog is reporting that an updated design will be shown at the Geneva motor show.
Virtual Dashboards: the Next Must-Have for Drivers?
WSJ car columnist Joe White looks at the efforts auto makers are making to roll out a new generation of dashboard technology that substitutes touch-sensitive pads and displays for knobs and switches and videogame-style graphics for drab two-dimensional displays.
These were a joke in the '80s, but I think new technologies will make them usable.
These were a joke in the '80s, but I think new technologies will make them usable.
Friday, January 8, 2010
[PODCAST] The Podcast That Got Through The Screeners
Ending a dismal year on a high note, Ford Syncs the auto industry with CES, the company that David's company works for brings Uvo to Kia and Chevy brings the volt to your smartphone.
Also Mentioned - Ford's Residuals Rise and Navigon (whose iPhone app is one sale till the 11th) expands to other smartphones
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MyFord dash and Sync App Ecosystem Hands-on
Engadget spent some time with the new MyFord dash and Sync App Ecosystem hands-on shown at CES Thursday. Cool stuff.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Arrrrrgh! Ship carrying Hyundai and Kia cars attacked by Somali pirates?
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via Autoblog by Frank Filipponio on 1/5/10
Filed under: Etc., Hyundai, Kia
It was bad enough when Somali pirates decided to hijack an American ship, but now they've gone too far. The scallywags have now gone after a boatload of cars - Hyundais and Kias to be specific. On New Year's Day, a group of Somali pirates hijacked the Asian Glory, which was bound for Saudi Arabia with 2,388 Kia and Huyndai vehicles aboard.
While Hyundai and Kia have asked for the prompt and safe return of the crew, the cars, apparently, are of little concern. It's not that the Korean companies don't care about their product, it's that they aren't their responsibility anymore. It seems that once a cargo ship leaves port, the cars are the responsibility of the distributor. The vehicles have already been paid for and they are insured, so the only loss is to the insurance companies.
By the way, be careful when Googling "Asian Glory." Let's just say it was an eye opener.
[Source: Bloomberg News]
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Potential for Hyundai luxury brand
Looks like Hyundai is getting ready to strike while the iron is hot
Before the Hyundai Genesis arrived in showrooms, there was talk of the car launching under the aegis of it own brand, much like the debut of the Lexus LS400 back in 1990. That didn't happen, and premium Hyundais like the Genesis and the forthcoming 2010 Equus share floor space with Accents and Tucsons.
Still, the thought of a roped-off premium car department has a pull. "Sectioning off the brand, that's the Holy Grail," said Hyundai Motors USA CEO John Krafcik to Ward's Auto. What Krafcik and his HMUSA masters may have up their collective sleeve is a way to get some of the desired differentiation without the massive costs a new brand launch would entail.
Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai's North American sales vice president, has drawn parallels to Toyota's co-locating efforts with its Scion sub-brand in a letter to dealers, laying out the plans for incorporating the Equus into showrooms. "This strategy will create physical and psychological separation in the Hyundai Showroom," says Zuchowski, while dealers remain less convinced that this means anything more for them than increased costs. On the retail end, stores will be required to purchase several kits for showroom, service, and parts support of the Equus. While not as expensive as a full-blown new store would be, dealers still might have trouble mustering enthusiasm for hundreds of thousands of dollars of corporate-ordered directives that franchisees must comply with.
Dealer unhappiness aside, Zuchowski lays out Hyundai's strategy clearly. "We intend to use the launch of the new Equus to develop and further establish Hyundai as a legitimate force in the premium-luxu...
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Ward's obtains Hyundai doc detailing plan to split off luxury cars in dealerships
Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Luxury
2010 Hyundai Equus - Click above for high-res image gallery
Before the Hyundai Genesis arrived in showrooms, there was talk of the car launching under the aegis of it own brand, much like the debut of the Lexus LS400 back in 1990. That didn't happen, and premium Hyundais like the Genesis and the forthcoming 2010 Equus share floor space with Accents and Tucsons.
Still, the thought of a roped-off premium car department has a pull. "Sectioning off the brand, that's the Holy Grail," said Hyundai Motors USA CEO John Krafcik to Ward's Auto. What Krafcik and his HMUSA masters may have up their collective sleeve is a way to get some of the desired differentiation without the massive costs a new brand launch would entail.
Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai's North American sales vice president, has drawn parallels to Toyota's co-locating efforts with its Scion sub-brand in a letter to dealers, laying out the plans for incorporating the Equus into showrooms. "This strategy will create physical and psychological separation in the Hyundai Showroom," says Zuchowski, while dealers remain less convinced that this means anything more for them than increased costs. On the retail end, stores will be required to purchase several kits for showroom, service, and parts support of the Equus. While not as expensive as a full-blown new store would be, dealers still might have trouble mustering enthusiasm for hundreds of thousands of dollars of corporate-ordered directives that franchisees must comply with.
Dealer unhappiness aside, Zuchowski lays out Hyundai's strategy clearly. "We intend to use the launch of the new Equus to develop and further establish Hyundai as a legitimate force in the premium-luxu...
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