General Motors Corp today announced that it has reached agreements with the U.S. Treasury and the governments of Canada and Ontario to accelerate its reinvention and create a leaner, stronger "New GM" positioned for a profitable, self-sustaining and competitive future. Pending approvals, the New GM is expected to launch in about 60 to 90 days as a separate and independent company from the current GM ("GM"), with two distinct advantages: it will be built from only GM's best brands and operations, and it will be supported by a stronger balance sheet due to a significantly lower debt burden and operating cost structure than before. The New GM will incorporate the terms of GM's recent agreements with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) unions and will be led by GM's current management team.
IHS Global Insight are forecasting Ford Motor Company to surpass General Motors in production for 2009 with 1.9 million units to be produced in North America. The IHS ranks Honda in third with 1.1 million units, Toyota in fourth with 904,000 units, and Chrysler taking up the rear with 903,000 units (don't know how that is possible when they're not really selling any vehicles?).
The IHS also predicts North American sale to fall around 8.4 million units, down 156,000 from last month. North American sales are still down 37.8 percent compared to a year before.
Consumer Reports put together a top 40 "best deals on domestic new cars" which include discounts up to 25 percent below MSRP with the 2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab SWB coming out on top with a 25 percent discount. Other vehicles include the 2009 Nissan Armada LE 4X4 at 20 percent, 2009 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe at 20 percent, 2009 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 157-in at 20 percent, 2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4WD at 15 percent, 2009 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 Auto RTS at 15 percent, 2009 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Auto 4WD SR5 Crew Max at 15 percent, 2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 EL at 15 percent, 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab at 15 percent and many more.
Head on over to the Consumer Reports article to see the rest of the list.
The latest episode from MOTORZ shows you how to install a real 180dB train horn kit on our F-150 project truck with 4 horns, a 3 gallon air tank and a 160 PSI air compressor.
According to reports at Google News, vehicles are no longer allowed to enter New York City's Times Square due the large amount of pedestrian traffic and the traffic jams that occur, which results in a large public hazard. Portions of Broadway and 42nd Street to 27th, and 33rd Street to 35th Street are also being closed. The city of New York are being fair with residents by offering a block part in the square and showcase movies on the big screens. The New York Department of Transportation will be monitoring traffic in the area to see how the changes affect it overall. Sounds like a cluster fuck to me.
AT&T Inc. and RaySat Broadcasting Corp today debuted to the auto industry AT&T CruiseCastSM, the Total In-Car Entertainment service that will enable families, commuters, and mobile professionals to watch a lineup of 22 satellite video channels anywhere in the country. Unveiled at SEMA, the world's premier automotive specialty products tradeshow, AT&T CruiseCast utilizes a compact, low-profile antenna for use on cars, trucks and SUVs, and a breakthrough technology that overcomes line-of-sight obstacles such as overpasses, buildings, trees or tunnels.
General Motors have released their 2010 Fleet Vehicle Guide to dealerships and changes have occurred to their pickup trucks. GM Inside News points out that GM are dropping their 6.0 liter V8 Vortech engine for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks from normal production but will continue to use the engine for their two mode hybrid pickup trucks. Other engine options for 2010 include a Vortec 4.3 liter V6, Flex Fuel Vortec 4.8 liter V8, Flex Fuel 5.3 liter V8 and a Flex Fuel Vortec 6.2 liter V8. The old 6.0 liter will also be available as a standard option for GM's heavy duty 2500 and 3500 series pickup trucks.
Chrysler LLC today announced the company has submitted three proposals outlining a $448-million plan to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in order to rapidly bring Electric Vehicles (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid-electric Vehicles (PHEV) to market. Chrysler LLC applied for two initiatives established by the DOE—the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative and the Transportation Electrification Initiative. Both are designed to speed up development, demonstration, evaluation and manufacturing of EVs and PHEVs. The programs represent a 50/50 cost-share opportunity with $224 million from Chrysler LLC and its partners, combined with a matching $224 million from the DOE. These funds will accelerate the market introduction and penetration of advanced powertrains.
Kelly Blue Book have rated the top 10 road trip vehicles with the 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew pickup truck ranking in as the best "towing trip" vehicle for 09. "When hitting the open road includes bringing something along that requires a hitch, look to the Ford F-150 to deliver. With a max tow rating exceeding 11,000 pounds and an integrated tow system, this truck meets the needs of even the most hard-core towing fanatics. Couple its rugged capabilities with a handsome exterior, refined interior and an available SuperCrew Cab offering limo-like legroom, and you're ready for the long haul.". To check out the other 9 vehicles including the Lexus LX 570 SUV, head on over to the KBB top 10 page.
Even supporters of CAFE might be surprised to learn that the standards announced this week will actually require automakers to make much less progress than implied. "Turns out that there are loopholes almost big enough to drive an SUV through," quipped Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl to AutoObserver.com. One might think the government would use a single set of ratings for both CAFE and vehicle window stickers. But the well-known EPA mileage ratings are not used to calculate CAFE, and the difference can be significant. For example, a vehicle that scores an EPA combined rating of 29 miles per gallon actually contributes 39 MPG to its manufacturer's CAFE average.
Nissan issued a recall of over 362,000 2003 to 2007 Murano SUV's due to a condition where the intake air duct may separate from the resonator due to engine movement. The separation can lead to premature aging of the material used and increase the possibility of the engine stalling, leading to a higher risk of crashing. Owners are encouraged to contact Nissan immediately at 1-800-647-7261.
Rumors across the intarweb are pointing at Toyota's re-design of the Lexus GX SUV sometime this fall season. Based off of the mid size SUV category, the GX has struggled in sales since 2003 and deliveries for April were down 66.1 percent. Sources close to Ward's Auto are stating not only will the GX receive an exterior re design but will also get the 310 horsepower 4.6 V8 from the 2010 Toyota Tundra, a large increase from the current 4.7 liter. Expect details to be released by Toyota some time this summer.
OnStar builds on its reputation for trailblazing emergency services by tapping technology from Microsoft Corp. to provide OnStar advisors with critical 3D details to more accurately guide first responders to hard-to-find or rural locations. Accurate location is the single most important factor in managing automotive emergency services, and OnStar will soon provide unparalleled location information to emergency responders by enhancing GPS location with 3D aerial imagery in Microsoft Virtual Earth. Microsoft Virtual Earth is an application that visualizes geographic and location-based information by combining Microsoft's 3D maps with location data, which in this case will come from the subscriber's OnStar system.
For the past two new years eve events, professional drifting champion Rhys Millen's has attempted and failed miserably to perform a back flip in a pre-runner race truck. One reader over at Jalopnik came across some hick out in the country side who performed a back flip in his own monster truck creation. Check out the video below.
Each year Wörthersee plays host to the now legendary GTI meet, at which auto enthusiasts and of course Audi fans from throughout Europe come together. AUDI AG once again has its own stand at this extraordinary event. The brand's appearance at the 28th Wörthersee Tour (from May 20-23) in Reifnitz, Kärnten (Austria), is dedicated to the centennial celebration "100 years of Audi." In addition to historic models from various decades, the Ingolstadt carmaker is featuring showcase vehicles such as the Audi TT RS, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro and the Audi A1 Sportback. As a special highlight for the event at Wörthersee, Audi has prepared a customized Audi Q5 with 21-inch wheels, wider track, lowered ride height, a special paint finish and a power-enhanced 3.0 TFSI engine: the Audi Q5 custom concept.
A partnership has been formed that unites AMA Pro MX Championship Title Sponsor Lucas Oil and the Honda Team of Troy Lee Designs. The team will now be referred to as the Lucas Oil/Honda/Troy Lee Designs Motocross Team. Through this alliance, Troy Lee Designs becomes an official Team Lucas Partner and as such will join Lucas Oil in a variety of motorsports endeavors. Team Owner Troy Lee, long famous for customizing helmets "For the World's Fastest Racers," has developed his reputation as an innovator into a full force operation with an extensive product line.
Since we all know that print is dead, Motor Trend have posted their comparison online of the 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Lariat versus the 2009 Toyota Tundra SuperCrew Limited. The bottom line of their review placed the Ford F-150 in first place stating "There's simply more design maturity here" and the Toyota Tundra in second. The reason why? "Faster and more fun to drive, but the new world order of trucks is likely to emphasize practical details over driving grins".
President Barack Obama is announcing today a new gas mileage standard for all cars and light trucks beginning in 2016. The new requirement will cost $1,300 extra per vehicle but "drivers will be saving at the pump". According to an administration official, the increased mileage of vehicles will help save "save 1.8 billion barrels of oil through 2016 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 900 million tons, the equivalent to shutting down 194 coal plants". The new increases will require a 35.5 miles per gallon average for both cars and light trucks, with a raise from 27.5 to 39 miles per gallon standard for cars and 24 to 30 miles per gallon for trucks.
