Autoblog Autoline on Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Autoline on Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is Affalterbach's first big leap into the little pond]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mercedes-benz-a45-amg-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mercedes-benz-a45-amg-geneva-2013/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/mercedes-benz-a45-amg-geneva-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



The recent history of AMG is turning out amped-up versions of Mercedes-Benz offerings that would hardly ever be mistaken for their sedate counterparts. Sure, you'd need to pay attention to pick a G-Class from the G63 AMG, but dual side-pipes are a quick giveaway. The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is not only a new era in Affalterbach's attention on smaller cars, it is probably also the most subtle transformation we can think of in the line-up.

Low and chunky enough in standard guise to make a sporting impression, the aesthetic makeover is confined to black trim around the lower rim of the hatch, black wheels with red brake calipers and a single, rectangular exhaust tip on either side of the diffuser. It's easier to make a positive ID inside, where the flat-bottomed steering wheel, red seatbelts and red-rimmed details say, "You know what I am..."

If the car is running, though, it won't take but a second. The 2.0-liter turbo spitting 360 horsepower and 332 pound-feet will grumble through a sport exhaust at idle, and bellow through the same on it's way to a 0-60 time of less than 4.5 seconds. And if you need something that looks a little harder - and you want those quad pipes - then the A45 AMG Edition 1 is the treasure you seek. There's a press release below for all the info you'll need until the hot hatch goes on sale in Germany later this year, and photos for the rest of us while we wait to find out if we'll get a chance to buy it.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is Affalterbach's first big leap into the little pond

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is Affalterbach's first big leap into the little pond originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 mercedes-benz a45 amga-classa45 amgamggenevageneva 2013geneva motor showmercedes-benz Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20488375/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20488375/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/mercedes-benz-a45-amg-geneva-2013/20488375/article-detail.xml 20488375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/a45amglive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/a45amglive.jpg <![CDATA[Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/honda-unveils-new-diesel-for-overseas-civic-will-it-come-here/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/honda-unveils-new-diesel-for-overseas-civic-will-it-come-here/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/honda-unveils-new-diesel-for-overseas-civic-will-it-come-here/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Honda has indeed been promoting its new Earth Dreams family of fuel efficient engines, and with good reason. The next generation of the Japanese automaker's powerplants are said to deliver more power with less consumption. You can't go wrong there.

So it has greatly piqued our interest that Honda has taken the wraps off the first diesel member of the Earth Dreams family. This 1.6-liter i-DTEC inline-four will be launched in the European version of the Honda Civic starting in the beginning of next year. The engine makes 118 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It is made up of aluminum block and cylinder heads, and according to Honda, is the lightest diesel engine in its class.

Part of this new engine design is a fourth-generation Garret turbocharger, which features a variable-nozzle design. The speed of the turbo is also electronically controlled to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize turbo lag. The engine is designed specifically with the European market in mind, and will be produced in Honda's Swindon, UK manufacturing facility. Honda is capable of making 500 of these new diesel engines per day, which equates to one new engine every 138 seconds. Not bad for productivity.

So will this diesel mill come to the US market? Right now, it seems unlikely, but with diesel variants of other vehicles popping up in North America (there's that new C-segment Cruze Diesel on its way), it's not unthinkable that Honda would bring this engine over. Until then, we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed. To pass the time, you can also check out the press release below and gallery above, featuring detailed engine photos.

Continue reading Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here?

Honda unveils new diesel for overseas Civic... will it come here? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 honda civiccivicclean dieseldieselearth dreamshonda Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20381890/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20381890/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/19/honda-unveils-new-diesel-for-overseas-civic-will-it-come-here/20381890/article-detail.xml 20381890 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/honda-diesel-2-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/honda-diesel-2-628.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Days of Thunder</em> director, Tony Scott, found dead after jumping off bridge]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/days-of-thunder-director-tony-scott-found-dead-after/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/days-of-thunder-director-tony-scott-found-dead-after/ http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/days-of-thunder-director-tony-scott-found-dead-after/#comments Filed under: , ,



The cinema world has lost one of its greats, as director Tony Scott was found dead yesterday in an apparent suicide. The 68-year-old director left notes in his car and office before jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which is located in San Pedro, CA. The bridge, which connects San Pedro to Terminal Island, spans Los Angeles Harbor and is 365 feet at its highest point, while State Route 47 is roughly 185 feet above water. Authorities have said evidence points to no other explanation than suicide, and ABC News is reporting that Scott had inoperable brain cancer.

Scott was born in 1944 in North Shields, England, and began a career of acting then directing, ascending to fame with the 1986 film Top Gun. Scott had great significance in the automotive enthusiast world with the 1990 film Days of Thunder and the BMW film Beat the Devil, featuring Clive Owen, James Brown and Gary Oldman as the devil. Scott also directed a 1980's Saab ad, that featured a Saab 900 Turbo racing a Saab 37 Viggen fighter jet.

Scott also directed many blockbuster films, including Crimson Tide, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Fan, Enemy of the State, and most recently Unstoppable. The latter starred Denzel Washington, with whom Scott apparently enjoyed working with based on the number of movies the two did together.

Scott is survived by his wife Donna Wilson Scott, and their twin sons, Frank and Max. Scott is also survived by his brother Ridley Scott, who directed such classics as Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down and, most recently, Prometheus.

As early as 2011, the brothers had announced that they would combine forces on a series called The Drivers based on the book Shelby: The Man, the Cars, the Legend.

Scroll below to watch Scott's BMW Film and the Saab ad.

Continue reading Days of Thunder director, Tony Scott, found dead after jumping off bridge

Days of Thunder director, Tony Scott, found dead after jumping off bridge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> days of thunderdirectorsuicidethe driverstony scotttony scott suicidetop gun Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20304835/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20304835/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/20/days-of-thunder-director-tony-scott-found-dead-after/20304835/article-detail.xml 20304835 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/tony-scott-tom-cruise-days-of-thunder_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/tony-scott-tom-cruise-days-of-thunder.jpg <![CDATA[Autoline After Hours coming to you live from Woodward Ave]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/autoline-after-hours-coming-to-you-live-from-woodward-ave/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/autoline-after-hours-coming-to-you-live-from-woodward-ave/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/autoline-after-hours-coming-to-you-live-from-woodward-ave/#comments Filed under: , ,

autoline live from woodward

If you weren't aware already, the Woodward Dream Cruise is set to rumble through Detroit this Saturday. Our friends from Autoline have already made their way over to the famed stretch of road, and are bringing their Autoline After Hours show to you live from the street.

John McElroy and Peter De Lorenzo will be there to talk classic iron, and the pair have invited a few guests to join in the enthusiast banter. You can watch it all unfold live after the jump. The start time is scheduled for 7PM EST.

Also, be sure to tune in to our own coverage of the Dream Cruise this Saturday. We've got our team assembled, and like years past, we'll be live streaming the entire cruise live so those not in attendance can see the thousands of cars that will be there. We've obsessively covered the Dream Cruise in the past, but this year we are even more obsessed... so stay tuned for a surprise.

Continue reading Autoline After Hours coming to you live from Woodward Ave

Autoline After Hours coming to you live from Woodward Ave originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autolineautoline after hoursdream cruisejohn mcelroypeter de lorenzovideowoodwardwoodward ave Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20021419/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20021419/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/18/autoline-after-hours-coming-to-you-live-from-woodward-ave/20021419/article-detail.xml 20021419 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/woodward-ave-after-hours-johns-journal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/woodward-ave-after-hours-johns-journal.jpg <![CDATA[What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/what-if-it-turns-out-theres-plenty-of-oil-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/what-if-it-turns-out-theres-plenty-of-oil-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/what-if-it-turns-out-theres-plenty-of-oil-w-video/#comments Filed under: , ,

Oil in Saudi Arabia

As the relative price of gasoline drops, people are not motivated to buy small, fuel efficient cars.
All the top executives in the auto industry tell me that oil supplies will only get tighter this decade. They predict that fuel prices will do nothing but go up. And they say customers will be clamoring for small, fuel-efficient cars. Or electric ones. But what if it turns out they're wrong?

After all, over the last century the price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States, on an inflation-adjusted basis, has always come down. Always. Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that since 1919 the price of gasoline has spiked during war time or global turmoil, but it has always come down after that. This is a key reason why Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations have not worked. As the relative price of gasoline drops over time, people are not motivated to buy small, fuel efficient cars.

A decade ago, the Peak Oil theory attracted a lot of adherents. It postulated that global oil production would peak in 2006, and that the following shortage would send oil prices skyrocketing. Sure enough, in 2008 a barrel of oil shot to $150. It looked like the Peak Oil theory was coming true. But less than 12 months later it dropped to under $40 a barrel. And though the price is now closer to $100 you don't hear as much talk about Peak Oil anymore. Here's why.

John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video]

What if it turns out there's plenty of oil? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogfrackinghydraulic fracturingjohn mcelroynatural gasoiloil productionpeak oilshalevideo Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19994660/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19994660/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/19/what-if-it-turns-out-theres-plenty-of-oil-w-video/19994660/article-detail.xml 19994660 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/saudi-oil-field_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/saudi-oil-field.jpg <![CDATA[Luxgen EV puts Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf on notice]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/21/luxgen-ev-puts-chevy-volt-and-nissan-leaf-on-notice/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/21/luxgen-ev-puts-chevy-volt-and-nissan-leaf-on-notice/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/21/luxgen-ev-puts-chevy-volt-and-nissan-leaf-on-notice/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

A Quick Spin In A Chinese EV Raises Eyebrows And Expectations

Luxgen EV MPV
Luxgen EV MPV - Click above for high-res image gallery

This little company could soon make a big splash in the automotive world.
Whether flashing down the highway or wending my way through Taipei's notoriously chaotic rush-hour traffic, I was duly impressed by Luxgen's battery-electric MPV. Quick, luxurious, and bristling with electronic technology, I was astonished at how well this car has been developed.

Acceleration from this seven-passenger minivan can only be described as brisk. Though I wasn't able to do any kind of timed runs, my seat-of-the-pants reaction is that it sure feels faster than a Chevy Volt or Nissan Leaf. And with its aggressive re-gen, I was pretty much able to drive in stop and go traffic without using the brakes. That sure makes traffic jams a whole lot easier to take.

The only thing that detracted from my test drive was an annoying whine in the drivetrain, which my Luxgen hosts said was due to an issue that they're working on with the transmission. They assured me that noise would be gone before the vehicle goes on sale. I have no reason to doubt them.

John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Luxgen EV puts Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf on notice

Luxgen EV puts Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf on notice originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroyluxgenluxgen evluxgen ev+luxgen MPVluxgen mpv EV + Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19971955/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19971955/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/21/luxgen-ev-puts-chevy-volt-and-nissan-leaf-on-notice/19971955/article-detail.xml 19971955 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/luxgen-ev-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/luxgen-ev-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Opinion: Time to raise the speed limit, how does 150 MPH sound?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/opinion-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-how-does-150-mph-sound/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/opinion-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-how-does-150-mph-sound/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/opinion-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-how-does-150-mph-sound/#comments Filed under: , ,



Ever since automobiles first appeared over 100 years ago, every automaker has tried to make them go faster. And they succeeded. Nearly every year, cars became more powerful with higher top-end speeds. But then, in the mid-1950s, we hit a plateau. The national speed limit was set at 70 miles per hour, and we've been stuck at that rate ever since. As a result, the automobile has made absolutely no progress as a transportation device in over half a century.

Speed itself is not a safety hazard. It's the difference in speeds between cars that lead to accidents.
Actually, in 1974, it got worse. The national speed limit was lowered to 55 mph, ostensibly to save fuel and lives (it did neither). Such an agonizingly slow rate of travel proved too much to take for most Americans. We demanded that the limit be raised, and we got it back to 70 mph. Now it's time to demand another raise.

I'm not talking about some sort of modest increase to, say, 85 mph. We need to put a comprehensive plan in place to gradually move the limit up, over the next couple of decades, to 150 miles an hour. And we need to do that with no sacrifice in fuel economy or safety.

Continue reading Opinion: Time to raise the speed limit, how does 150 MPH sound?...

[Image: Getty]

Continue reading Opinion: Time to raise the speed limit, how does 150 MPH sound?

Opinion: Time to raise the speed limit, how does 150 MPH sound? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroynational speed limitopinionspeedspeed limitspeed limits Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909290/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909290/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/11/opinion-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-how-does-150-mph-sound/19909290/article-detail.xml 19909290 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/speedometer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/speedometer.jpg <![CDATA[Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/#comments Filed under: ,

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

It took ten months. It involved the best brains in the nation. They conducted exhaustive tests. And Lord knows what it all cost. But when it was over, the results were totally predictable. The U.S. Department of Transportation could find nothing wrong with Toyota vehicles that would cause them to suddenly accelerate out of control.

The results were predictable because the country went through the same thing nearly a quarter of a century ago. Only then, it involved Audi. And in both of these cases, each car company was accused of having some sort of mysterious gremlin that would cause its cars to suddenly accelerate out of control.

But there is a significant difference between both investigations. Back then the Department of Transportation blamed it on driver error. Officially, they called it "pedal misapplication." But this time around, the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, wouldn't do that. He said it was caused by mechanical problems, i.e., sticky pedals and piled up floormats.

Too bad the Secretary didn't have the courage to call it like it is. By failing to identify the root cause of the problem, more people are going to lose their lives.

Continue reading...

[Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

Continue reading Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood

Opinion: Five Questions For Ray LaHood originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroynasanhtsaray lahoodtoyota recalltoyota safetyunintended acceleration Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19850158/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19850158/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/22/opinion-five-questions-for-ray-lahood/19850158/article-detail.xml 19850158 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/sec-of-transportation-ray-lahood_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/sec-of-transportation-ray-lahood.jpg <![CDATA[Steel nanotechnology can reduce the weight of our cars]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/31/steel-nanotechnology-can-reduce-the-weight-of-our-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/31/steel-nanotechnology-can-reduce-the-weight-of-our-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/31/steel-nanotechnology-can-reduce-the-weight-of-our-cars/#comments Filed under: , ,

Making Stronger Steel As Light As Aluminum


Ford Fiesta body-in-white

The world's largest steel maker, ArcelorMital, says it has come up with a new kind of steel that the world has never seen before. Thanks to nanotechnology, the company says automakers can now match the weight of aluminum cars, but do it in steel at far lower cost.

It can take 188 pounds out of the body-in-white of a car... but total weight savings could be even bigger.
Specifically, ArcelorMital says it can take 188 pounds out of the body-in-white of a car. The body-in-white, or BIW, refers to the basic structure of a car, including the doors, hood and deck lid. That's a big number. By taking so much weight out of the structure, other components such as the powertrain, drivetrain, brakes, etc. can be downsized as well. In other words, the total weight savings could be even bigger.

ArcelorMital is already showing this new kind of steel to automakers. It isn't yet ready to publicly divulge any of the technical aspects of the steel or how it's using nanotechnology to make it. The company says we're still two to three years away before we get those kinds of details. And that's about the time we'll see this steel show up in production. No word yet on which car company may be the first to use it, but the rumor on the street is that Ford is all over this technology.

Continue reading...
John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Steel nanotechnology can reduce the weight of our cars

Steel nanotechnology can reduce the weight of our cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogbody in whitefeaturedjohn mcelroynano steelnanotechnanotechnologysteel Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19822247/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19822247/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/31/steel-nanotechnology-can-reduce-the-weight-of-our-cars/19822247/article-detail.xml 19822247 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/fiesta-body-in-white_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/fiesta-body-in-white.jpg <![CDATA[How Bob Lutz made four auto journalists his "Secret Weapons" at GM]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/how-bob-lutz-made-four-auto-journalists-his-secret-weapons-at/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/how-bob-lutz-made-four-auto-journalists-his-secret-weapons-at/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/how-bob-lutz-made-four-auto-journalists-his-secret-weapons-at/#comments Filed under: , ,

Can His Arsenal Survive New Management?

Bob Lutz

When Bob Lutz ran General Motors' product development efforts, he did something that no other car company has done in the history of making cars. He hired four automotive journalists to assess all of GM's new vehicles before they were OK'd for production. And their word was law. Everything had to be developed to their satisfaction.

That didn't go down well with GM's traditional engineering staff, at least not at first. They didn't like the fact that four outsiders, four media critics with no product development experience, could force them to make changes on a new-car program. But because the journos reported to Lutz, they had all the protection they needed.

[Lutz] personally asked me not to write anything about them. That's how much of a competitive advantage he felt they brought to GM.
Lutz hired them as full-time employees because he wanted an independent, third party voice to evaluate GM's cars as they went through their development stages. "These are four guys who made a living out of critiquing cars," Lutz says, "and they made a pretty good living at it." Since the four didn't hold any allegiance to the design, engineering or manufacturing staffs at GM, they could feel free to critique any car just as they would when they were full-time journalists.

Lutz tells me they were his secret weapons. He credits them with the reason why GM's cars are now tuned to world-class standards. These guys didn't design, engineer or develop any vehicles. That was done by GM's long-standing employees. But the journos brought an enthusiast magazine mind-set to the evaluation process to make sure there would be very little for the press to pick apart.

I've known about Lutz's secret weapons for several years. But he personally asked me not to write anything about them. That's how much of a competitive advantage he felt they brought to GM. He didn't want to see any other car company copying this approach. Since these guys are friends and colleagues whom I've known for years, I also didn't want to jeopardize their jobs. So I didn't write about them. Until now. And now I think it's important that I do.

Continue reading...
John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading How Bob Lutz made four auto journalists his "Secret Weapons" at GM

How Bob Lutz made four auto journalists his "Secret Weapons" at GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bob lutzdan akersonfeaturedgeneral motorsjack keeblermary barranick tworkrich cepposron sessiontom stephens Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19813421/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19813421/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/25/how-bob-lutz-made-four-auto-journalists-his-secret-weapons-at/19813421/article-detail.xml 19813421 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bob-lutz-eyes-2-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bob-lutz-eyes-2-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Autoline is live from Detroit]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/autoline-is-live-from-detroit/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/autoline-is-live-from-detroit/ http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/autoline-is-live-from-detroit/#comments Filed under: , ,

The crew from Autoline are broadcasting live from the Detroit Auto Show today and tomorrow. The stream kicks off at noon EST and runs through 2:30 PM each day, with interviews, discussions and impressions from the show floor. Hit the jump for the live stream and keep your eyes peeled for an Autoblog staffer running by in the background.

Continue reading Autoline is live from Detroit

Autoline is live from Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:50:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19794716/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19794716/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/10/autoline-is-live-from-detroit/19794716/article-detail.xml 19794716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/autoline-live-from-naias-2011-email-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/autoline-live-from-naias-2011-email-250.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/2011-nissan-leaf-pros-and-cons-of-living-with-an-electric-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/2011-nissan-leaf-pros-and-cons-of-living-with-an-electric-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/2011-nissan-leaf-pros-and-cons-of-living-with-an-electric-car/#comments Filed under: , , ,

2011 Nissan Leaf

Test driving an electric car at an automaker's media event is one thing. Taking one home and living with it is a completely different experience. Nissan just loaned me a Leaf for several days and I came away with a new appreciation for the potential pitfalls and rewards of owning an EV.

First off, I really liked the Leaf. It's a nice, comfortable car with more than adequate power, it's unbelievably quiet and offers a decent driving range. In fact, it's been a long time since I was this excited to bring a test car home. But it wasn't always a shiny, smiley, happy experience.

Let me state unequivocally: if you can only recharge from a 110-volt outlet, the Leaf is not for you. Not if you have a hefty commute and only own one car, that is.

Continue reading...
John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading 2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car

2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2011 nissan leafautoline detroitautoline on autoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroyleafnissan Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19768194/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19768194/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/17/2011-nissan-leaf-pros-and-cons-of-living-with-an-electric-car/19768194/article-detail.xml 19768194 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/nissan-leaf-mcelroy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/nissan-leaf-mcelroy.jpg <![CDATA[Big Three Have Five Years of Prosperity Until Party Ends]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/big-three-have-five-years-of-prosperity/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/big-three-have-five-years-of-prosperity/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/big-three-have-five-years-of-prosperity/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Signs To Watch For As The Cycle Repeats

Ford trucks parking lot

Detroit's automakers are starting to beat their chests in exultation, and who can blame them? The last 16 months have been nothing short of a miracle. Who would have believed they could recover so quickly?

Dial back the clock to last summer, June of 2009. Chrysler had just clawed its way out of bankruptcy, GM was still bankrupt. And Ford just barely avoided filing, saved only by borrowing heavily before the credit market collapsed.

The good times are just getting going. The next five years could be phenomenal.
If someone had come up to you then and said that in less than a year Ford would be earning over $7 billion and that it would surpass Toyota and Honda in quality, you would have said it was not going to happen.

If they had told you that General Motors would be earning over $6 billion in profits, you would have called them crazy.

If they had told you Chrysler would report an operating profit and come within a whisker of catching Honda in market share, you would have said they're mad.

And if they had told you that Toyota would be battered by criticism for all its defects and quality problems, you would have said that's impossible.

But here we are a year and a half later and the American auto industry has been completely transformed. The Big Three are more competitive than they've been in nearly four decades. Even more amazing, the good times are just getting going. The next five years could be phenomenal.

Continue reading...
John McElroyJohn McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Big Three Have Five Years of Prosperity Until Party Ends

Big Three Have Five Years of Prosperity Until Party Ends originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autolineautoline on autoblogchryslerfordgeneral motorsjohn mcelroy Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19740700/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19740700/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/02/big-three-have-five-years-of-prosperity/19740700/article-detail.xml 19740700 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/ford-trucks-parking-lot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/ford-trucks-parking-lot.jpg <![CDATA[Inside Volkswagen's electronic toy store]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/05/inside-volkswagens-electronic-toy-store/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/05/inside-volkswagens-electronic-toy-store/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/05/inside-volkswagens-electronic-toy-store/#comments Filed under: , ,

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

John McElroyNestled on the fringe of Stanford University's campus in Palo Alto, California is one of the coolest toy stores in the automotive industry. Officially it's called Volkswagen's Electronics Research Lab, and inside they're working on some of the most innovative technology that we'll soon see in cars.

Volkswagen is using the ERL to develop electric cars, autonomous cars, online navigation, new human-machine interfaces and other electronics related technology. The reason the lab is in Silicon Valley is that VW wanted to tap into the "let's-just-get-it-done" entrepreneurial spirit for which the region is famous. And it's attracted some pretty interesting talent to work there.

For example, Martin Eberhard, the guy who created Tesla and who later had a major fallout with Elon Musk (who now owns Tesla), is now working on electric cars for VW. And yes, he's still working with laptop-type batteries, which are officially known as the 18650. Eberhard claims he's going to be able to come out with an electric version of the Golf with a 200-mile driving range, and an Audi e-tron with a 300-mile range.

Continue reading...

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Inside Volkswagen's electronic toy store

Inside Volkswagen's electronic toy store originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Autoline DetroitAutoline on Autoblogfeatured Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19704735/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19704735/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/05/inside-volkswagens-electronic-toy-store/19704735/article-detail.xml 19704735 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat Eschews EV's, Chooses CNG - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments Filed under: ,


John McElroyWhile every other major automaker in the world is pouring billions of dollars into research for electric vehicles, Fiat doesn't seem to be all that interested in electric cars. Instead, it's putting its efforts into producing cars that can run on compressed natural gas. Even more importantly, it's offering what it calls bi-fuel cars, which can run on both gasoline and CNG.

In fact, the Italian automaker is more bullish on bi-fuel cars than it is on diesels. It prides itself on having the lowest average CO2 emissions of any major automaker in Europe. Low emission ratings are a big deal to European car buyers. And Fiat believes it can continue to maintain its lead with engines that can run on both gasoline and CNG.

Most of Fiat's sales come from the low-end of the market, tiny A- and B-class cars that don't cost a lot of money. The people who buy these cars typically can't even afford to pay the premium to get a diesel engine. And forget about hybrids or electric cars, they're simply further out of their price range.

Now Fiat thinks it has another idea that could push it far ahead of everyone else when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions. It wants to combine hydrogen gas with compressed natural gas and offer the cleanest burning engines in the industry.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Fiat Eschews EV's, Chooses CNG - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Fiat Eschews EV's, Chooses CNG - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autolineautoline on autoblogcngcompressed natural gasfeaturedfiatjohn mcelroy Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19672586/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19672586/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/19672586/article-detail.xml 19672586 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034.jpg <![CDATA[Government Wants 60-MPG CAFE - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/16/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments Filed under: ,

John McElroyLast year, when the federal government set Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at roughly 35 miles per gallon by 2015, automakers squirmed uncomfortably. Though that should be an achievable target, it won't be easy. It means Americans will have to buy several million more small cars a year, they'll have to buy fewer trucks and SUVs, and they'll have to pay thousands of dollars more for the technology needed to meet those standards.

But now it sure looks like the government is getting ready to set a new fuel economy standard of 60 mpg by 2025. According to Ward's, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will release the new standard next month. Is it at all realistic to think that we can double the fuel economy standard in a decade?

Remember, that 60 mpg target is a fleet average. That means all of the cars and trucks and SUVs and crossovers and vans that an automaker sells will need their fuel economy to average out at 60 mpg. That's not going to be easy. It's not just a matter of building the right kinds of cars, it's about getting people to buy them.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Government Wants 60-MPG CAFE - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Government Wants 60-MPG CAFE - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> AutolineOnAutoblogcafe 2015cafe 2025featuredjohn mcelroy Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19595819/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19595819/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/16/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/19595819/article-detail.xml 19595819 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034.jpg <![CDATA[Car Prices Will Climb For Years - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments Filed under:


Have you've been watching car prices lately? They seem to go up every month. Forget everything you've been reading about sales incentives, bargain leases or low-cost financing. They just mask the fact that automakers are quietly bumping up MSRP's every chance they get.

In other words, they quietly raise the price of a car and then loudly announce the deals they're offering. Sure, you get a discount. But that discount comes off an ever-higher price.

I've said it before and I'll say again. By 2015, the average new car in the American market is going to cost about $35,000. I'm not talking about the MSRP, which is already at an average of $33,000. I'm talking about the transaction price, what people actually pay for a car.

There are a variety of reasons why this is happening. But it basically comes down to this: even though car sales are very weak, we're actually in a seller's market. The planets are in alignment for automakers to raise their prices, especially for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. And it's only going to get worse.



John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Car Prices Will Climb For Years - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Car Prices Will Climb For Years - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autolineautoline on autoblogAutolineOnAutoblogjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroy Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19575513/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19575513/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/19575513/article-detail.xml 19575513 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049-1280520034.jpg <![CDATA[Don't Laugh, The UAW Could Come Roaring Back - Autoline with John McElroy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments Filed under: ,


Back when I was a UAW member many moons ago, earning my college tuition by busting my ass in the factories, the union was an incredibly powerful labor organization. With nearly 1.3 million members, it had enormous political clout in Washington, D.C. And thanks to a monopoly on automotive labor, it could bring the entire American auto industry to a grinding halt by merely snapping its fingers. But then the world changed.

First, all the major Japanese automakers began building assembly plants in the United States, later followed by the Europeans and Koreans. With very few exceptions, they managed to keep the union out. Then the Detroit Three began outsourcing most of the parts that they used to make in-house. The vast majority of that work went to non-union suppliers. Bye-bye monopoly.

Today the UAW has only 350,000 active members and 600,000 retirees. Many experts wonder if it can survive at that level. And while the union's new president Bob King vows to increase membership with a renewed emphasis on organizing, that's exactly what the last three UAW presidents claimed they were going to do. So can the union claw its way back, or is it headed for oblivion?




John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Don't Laugh, The UAW Could Come Roaring Back - Autoline with John McElroy

Don't Laugh, The UAW Could Come Roaring Back - Autoline with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autolineautoline on AutoblogAutolineOnAutoblogjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyuawunions Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19552471/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19552471/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/19552471/article-detail.xml 19552471 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049.jpg <![CDATA[Ethanol Booming, Despite the Drawbacks - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments Filed under:


Just a couple of years ago American-made corn ethanol was vilified in the media. It was blamed for soaring food prices, and for causing food riots in Mexico. The UN even accused the U.S. of depriving the world of food.

What a difference a couple of years makes!

Today food production is soaring, especially corn. In fact, it's up so much that farmers now worry about a price crash. And all this happened despite the fact that ethanol production is booming.

Back in 2007 when criticism of ethanol started to reach a fever pitch, the U.S. produced 5.5 billion gallons of ethanol at 110 refineries. This year the U.S. is on track to produce 13 billion gallons from 187 refineries located in 26 states. In other words, ethanol production more than doubled at the same time that food prices declined. Too bad the media doesn't follow up on these things.






John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Ethanol Booming, Despite the Drawbacks - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Ethanol Booming, Despite the Drawbacks - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autoline on autoblogAutolineOnAutoblogjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroy Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19526666/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19526666/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/19526666/article-detail.xml 19526666 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/john-media-photo-3-opta-1272305081-1277234049.jpg <![CDATA[Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/lincoln-to-offer-free-maintenance-on-all-summer-2010-sales/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/lincoln-to-offer-free-maintenance-on-all-summer-2010-sales/ http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/19/lincoln-to-offer-free-maintenance-on-all-summer-2010-sales/#comments Filed under: , , ,

MKS Ecoboost
Lincoln MKS Ecoboost - Click above for high-res image gallery

With Mercury vehicles set to disappear from showrooms in the next few months, Ford hopes to jump-start Lincoln sales with a free maintenance deal from now until Labor Day. Anyone who buys or leases a Lincoln this summer won't have to pay for any regularly scheduled maintenance during the first three years or 45,000 miles of ownership.

The promotion applies to all 2010 and 2011 model year Lincolns and follows similar moves in recent years from brands like BMW and Volkswagen. At many Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States, Mercury accounts for a significant percentage of store sales. Those dealers will need programs like this to boost volumes until two new Lincoln models arrive in the next couple of years. So far, Lincoln has only confirmed that a compact is forthcoming. The seventh member of the Lincoln family remains a mystery.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost


Photos by Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales

Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> free maintenenceFreeMaintenencelincolnlincoln free maintenancelincoln marketinglincoln promotionLincolnFreeMaintenanceLincolnMarketingLincolnPromotionsummer 2010summer 2010 lincoln free maintenanceSummer2010Summer2010LincolnFreeMaintenance Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19522549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19522549/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/19/lincoln-to-offer-free-maintenance-on-all-summer-2010-sales/19522549/article-detail.xml 19522549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-lincoln-mks-ecoboost-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-lincoln-mks-ecoboost-review.jpg -1 2