Chrysler to Stop Production for a Month
Chrysler says it will close all 30 of its manufacturing plants for a month starting Friday.
GM, Chrysler Scale Back Glitz at LA Auto Show
Chrysler and GM unveiled their newest vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but their displays were quiet while Asian and European companies showed off new models that will likely chip away at the U.S. market share.
2009 Ferrari California
By Mike Monticello
Talk about dragging the launch of a car out! The first official photos of the Ferrari California were published months ago. But here at the Paris show is the California's true world premier. And it's worth the wait to see it in the flesh. From a fully retractable hardtop to a dual-clutch transmission to the first-ever production Ferrari with a front-mounted V-8, the Ferrari California is packed with the latest and greatest from the engineers in Maranello...despite the fact the California is not Ferrari's flagship model.
Ferrari says the California "is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever." This newest prancing horse is not a "baby Ferrari." It is, in fact, a brand-new model complementing, and similar in size to, the racier F430 — except the California has more flexibility in packaging. In addition to having a power retractable hardtop, the California can be ordered in a 2+2 configuration — children seating only — or for more storage space for weekend outings. There is even a trunk pass-through for skis for those who want to hit the slopes in the winter.
Despite a raft of new technologies, the California doesn't forget Ferrari's past. The car's styling uses several nostalgic elements from the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Those elements include the large air intake on the hood, the side gills just aft of the front wheels, near identical grillework and similarly swoopy rear fenders. And photos don't do this car justice — we must say, the Ferrari California looks absolutely stunning in person.
Unlike the Ferrari Superamerica from a few years back, which featured a roof that simply flipped backward, the California will come only as a true retractable hardtop; when the top is down, the rear deck is completely flat — just like the Mercedes-Benz SL. The top is slick in its operation, and only takes 14 seconds to go from open to fully closed.
2009 Ferrari California....
Ford to sell Mazda shares to insurers?
By Chris Shunk
While GM is being swamped with the persistent rumors surrounding the addition/dissolution of Chrysler, Ford's rumor mill has been heading in the complete opposite direction. It appears Volvo is on the way out of Dearborn, but Mazda may be sneaking through the exit first. Recent reports since disputed by Mazda have Ford selling off a portion of its 33.4% stake in the Japanese automaker, which means the Blue Oval would lose majority ownership status. The Nikkei daily in Japan has been all over the Ford/Mazda story, and the latest news involves selling 20% of Mazda to 20 Japanese firms including some insurance companies, leaving Ford with a stake of around 13%.
Ford to sell Mazda shares to insurers?....
Rendered Speculation: Chevy Camaro Z28
There are already a ton of Ford Mustang variants on the market, and Dodge has seen fit to offer three separate Challenger models, the SE, R/T and SRT8. Could Chevy do the same with the new fifth-gen Camaro? It's possible, though there's been no official word from General Motors as of yet. A Z28 model to join the base and SS trims would seem like the next logical step if the line were to be enlarged.
Rendered Speculation: Chevy Camaro Z28....
Pininfarina B0 Concept
Bolloré and Pininfarina have entered into a partnership featuring all the expertise required to launch serial production of an electric car which, thanks to its technical characteristics and its attractive styling, is bound to make waves in motoring circles.
This car will not be a prototype. It will be a mass production model, with the first units coming off the production line at the end of 2009, after which production will be ramped up gradually based on the availability of the batteries. Built in Turin by Pininfarina-Bolloré, a joint venture formed by the two family-owned groups, the B0 electric car will be powered by Bolloré’s proprietary LMP technology, using a combination of batteries and supercapacitors manufactured in Bolloré’s plants in Quimper, France and Montreal, Canada. The B0 will be a fully-electric vehicle without any carbon dioxide production, having been designed from the ground up with that aim in mind. Its batteries will be housed in a compartment specially designed for that purpose and located under the car, between its axles, lowering its centre of gravity and providing it with outstanding road-holding properties.
With its superb body styled by Pininfarina, Italy’s renowned vehicle design shop, the B0 electric car will be an elegant four-seater, four-door hatchback with an automatic gearbox. Its LMP battery, which will be rechargeable in a matter of hours from a standard domestic main socket, will provide it with a range of 250 km (153 miles). The B0 will have a top speed that is electronically limited to 130 km/h (80 mph) and will feature potent acceleration, reaching 60 km/h from a standing start (0 to 37 mph) in 6.3 seconds. The B0 will also feature solar panels on its roof and hood, so as to help recharge its electrical power reserves.
Pininfarina B0 Concept....
Lamborghini’s Bull Kicks Dirt at Porsche and Aston Martin – But Will Rapide and Panamera Wave The White Flag of Surrender?
Lamborghini is on a roll. Since Audi bought the Italian carmaker, things keep getting better. First the Gallardo, a credible sports car that could be driven daily without fear of breaking down or being stranded and now the Estoque. A true 4-door sports car meant to capture a sale or two from the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.
Using the Audi parts bin as a starting point, Lamborghini has taken all its raw aggression and applied it to a sedan capable of transporting four people at speeds far above any posted limit. And while Ferrari has made a very public statement declaring no 4-door sedan, Porsche and Aston Martin are hard at work preparing production versions of the Rapide and Panamera.
And then the bull upset the super sedan pecking order. For I can’t help but think that more than one person currently on a waiting list for either the Aston or Porsche made a phone call to their local Lamborghini dealer in an attempt to transfer a deposit in hopes of owning an Estoque.
So does Lamborghini have a winner on their hands?
Lamborghini’s Bull Kicks Dirt at Porsche and Aston Martin....
Volkswagen launches base model Scirocco with two new engines
Volkswagen has made getting behind the wheel of a Scirocco just a little bit easier... in the UK. When the low-slung three-door was launched it was only available in up-level GT trim, but now it's available in base form, starting at £18,790. For what it's worth (not much, sadly), that converts to $32,600 at current rates, but the Scirocco still isn't offered in the States anyway. The new standard engine is VW's 1.4-liter TSI engine rated at 160-horsepower and nearly 43 miles per gallons in the combined EU cycle. The Base trim still includes a six-disc CD changer, air conditioning and exclusive 17-inch alloys.
Volkswagen launches base model Scirocco with two new engines....
Ford moves its F150 launch back up
Ford announced earlier this summer that it would delay the launch of its ultra-important F150 full-size truck by a few months to help dealers clear out left over 2008 inventory. For the record, the new truck's launch was originally scheduled for October before being moved to December. Finally, Ford has split the difference and will begin marketing its F150 in November. Jim Farley, main marketer at the Blue Oval, cites two main reasons for the revised decision. One: its dealerships culled their old supply faster than anticipated, and two: Dodge just launched its new-for-'09 Ram. Ford obviously doesn't want its cross-town rival to steal all its thunder.
Ford moves its F150 launch back up....
