Ford's Facebook Launch May Be More Efficient Than Podcasting With a Glass of Water

GM's Chevrolet is all set to let the cat out of the bag with the pricing for the Volt extended-electric vehicle. We'll update the site with the details as soon as possible.

Mike Rowe and Alan Mulally launch the Ford Explorer

But can they trump the big news from Ford, which virtually pulled the wrapper off it's 2011 Explorer via Facebook this week. And garnered some big coverage and big kudos for trying something new. We're still absorbing the news and critiquing the design, but Mathew may put it on his list.

In looking for ways to get people to improve their fuel economy even more, Toyota has launched a site that encourages drivers to hit the streets as if they had a glass of water on their dashboard. Not a real glass of water, but they do have an iPhone app that we will test out.

We are also going to test out the Nation of Go, a new Web community designed to get drivers to share their favorite routes.

GM may have hit a speed bump with its plan to buy a portion of lender AmeriCredit and get back into the auto-lending business. But one senator is wondering whether GM should have paid back the U.S. Treasury first.

Finally, Audi unveiled its A7 Sportback, a gorgrous new design that slot below the big A8 sedan and has the look of some much higher-end sport sedans from Jaguar and Porsche.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad July 28, 2010.mp3

A Vehicular Podcast Warranty: 30 Minutes or 100,000 Words

What did one regulator say to the other regulator? Quit closing businesses and eliminating jobs while we're trying to get the economy going again! Yes, a TARP official said this week that the Obama administration didn't help things by closing auto dealerships as part of the GM and Chrysler bankruptcy right when the U.S. economy was in the doldrums.

X-Prize competitor from Edison2

To assuage concerns about battery life in the coming Volt extended-range electric vehicle, GM's Chevrolet said it will offer an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty for the battery pack. That may have prompted Nissan to ask interested Leaf buyers how much warranty they need to close the deal. Nissan also said it might sell an electric sports car based on the Leaf powertrain.
Also, Honda is planning to bring a battery-electric vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid vehicle to the U.S. market in 2012. 

The automotive X-Prize wrapped up the road trials this week, but the winner, if any hit the 100-mpge target -- is still months away from being declared.


In tech news, Yale is developing a vibrating seat that would alert drivers to potential hazards.
Subaru will offer in-car WiFi - with service - as a dealer installed option that could be a the first step in shaking up the way people think about mobile internet.


Finally, Mercedes-Benz has developed a ridiculous 9-speed transmission to assist in its quest to reduce fuel use and vehicle emissions.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, July 21, 2010.mp3

We Know Which Pedal to Press to Podcast. Do You?

After a brief hiatus, we are back to the microphone to catch-up on the latest car info, including breaking news that initial data from government research indicates that some of the drivers who claimed their Toyota and Lexus vehicles accelerated out of control were pressing the wrong pedal! So, David was right.

Subaru's Brat

Meanwhile, car buyers have been returning to dealers and boosting auto sales in recent months. And paying more for American brands than Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and other overseas brands. Data show that the average transaction price for the first five months of this year was $29,217, with Ford and GM selling for significantly more.


The oil spill in the Gulf and Tesla's IPO has increased interest in electric vehicles, but Joe White says don't get too excited because there are still significant hurdles that need to be overcome before they are widely adopted. GM might be trying to assuage some of those issues by offering extended OnStar coverage for Volt buyers.


And finally this week, Subaru is looking to shake its quirky image by improving the looks of its vehicles. Too bad, the Brat was a cool car, if unusual.  

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, July 14, 2010.mp3