Hilton International today unveiled a long-term partnership with the top-level Formula 1 team, with its logo appearing for the first time in competition this weekend at the Belgian GP. It's interesting to hear the Hilton rationale for the venture. Ian Carter, Hilton International CEO, highlighted F1's global stage (particularly its worldwide TV audience), an
Paul Edwards and Jan Magnussen will start tonight's Phoenix GT 250 on the inside front row - the first pole position for Pontiac's GTO.R since its introduction earlier this year. The team has already scored its first race win. The Rolex GT and ST classes are proving popular with American manufacturers looking to promote new models. The GTO, Ford's Mustang and Chevy's Cobalt all debuted race versions in the series for 2005. SPEED Channel will broadcast the race tonight
CNet reports that Apple has applied for a patent for a gadget that can be inserted into an automobile cup holder that could be used for "a variety of devices that could include a digital music player." Apple already supports custom iPod mounting kits from auto manufacturers and aftermarket audio companies, but a more universal solution would expand its market even more, if that's p
More fuel for the "Saab is doomed" vs "Saab's future is bright" debate. Following up on his "The State of Saab" speech, Saab USA GM Jay Spenchian discusses Saab's current product program. New models coming this year include the 9-3 SportCombi pictured at right (evidently SportCombi is Swedish for station wagon), and a "thoroughly revised" 9-5. Spenchian also defends Saab's 9-7x SUV, saying that early demand is so strong that dealers have been taking advance deposits.
Ford is rolling out its 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid today at the Sierra Club's first ever National Environmental Convention and Expo. Attendees will have the opportunity to test drive the Mariner Hybrid and its sister car, the Ford Escape Hybrid, as well as the Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle. Ford is using the convention to launch a consumer educational program intended to help drivers get the most fuel efficiency from hybrid and conventional cars. Educational events include hybri
Fiat and Ford have agreed to cooperate on two new small cars for the European market. New versions of the Fiat 500 and Ford Ka will be built with common parts but "strong syling differences." Fiat desperately needs to cut costs to meet its goal of profitability in 2007. The agreement with Ford follows an arrangement with GM which imploded earlier this year. The Fiat-Fords will use parts and components of Fiat's Panda. The new Fiat 500, a retro-revival of the popular p
GM is offering free tours of some of Chicago's landmarks in 40 new GM cars and trucks, encouraging Chicagoans and tourists to get to know the new line of GM vehicles as well as the sights and good times Chicago has to offer. Participants will have the opportunity to view and ride in vehicles representing all eight GM divisions, including the new Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac Torrent and HUMMER H3. Destinations include the following: R
Usually appointment releases don't make it onto our radar, but this one caught my eye because I'm very proud when women work their way up into the upper ranks of the good ol' boys club otherwise known as the automotive industry. Shelby Automobiles Inc., announced today the appointment of Amy Boylan, formerly senior vice president at Mattel. While at her former company, Boylan oversaw the foundation of the Hot Wheels Collector Club, building it into a multi-million dollar operation, as wel
Edmunds takes us on a ride with the Ford GT as it's assembled across various plants around Michigan, including the Saleen facility in Troy and the soon-to-be dormant Wixom plant. Presented in slide show format, the tour takes about ten minutes and covers virtually every stage of the GT's assembly. Though the GT is predominantly hand-assembled and certainly qualifies as a supercar, this tour really didn't do much to convince me that the GT's pedigree is on par with, say, a Ferrari, Lamborg
