Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Volkswagen considering offering Polo in U.S. market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/volkswagen-considering-offering-polo-in-u-s-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/volkswagen-considering-offering-polo-in-u-s-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/18/volkswagen-considering-offering-polo-in-u-s-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Rabbit is currently the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle in Volkswagen's U.S. fleet, getting around 26 mpg on the EPA's combined city/highway cycle. But V-Dub wants something better for the U.S. market. Speaking with Bloomberg, VW CEO, Stefan Jacoby revealed that the automaker is considering bringing a subcompact vehicle, similar to the Polo, to the U.S.

With the Toyota Yaris rated at 32 mpg and the Honda Fit coming in at 31 mpg (combined city/highway), Volkswagen is hoping to meet or exceed the competition. While it's unlikely we'll see the current Polo on U.S. shores anytime soon, it's expected that the next generation will be available in the States in 2010 when the new Jetta is released, followed by a new midsize sedan that will replace the Passat.

The additions and revisions to VW's product line is an effort by the automaker to boost U.S. sales to 800,000 units by 2018, nearly tripling the 230,571 vehicles it sold in 2007. VW is also looking to build a new engine plant in Mexico, along with its recently announced Tennessee plant.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Volkswagen considering offering Polo in U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engine plant mexicoEnginePlantMexicopolounited statesUnitedStatesusvolkswagenvwFri, 18 Jul 2008 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[US-market Alfas could be built in Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/08/us-market-alfas-could-be-built-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/08/us-market-alfas-could-be-built-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/08/us-market-alfas-could-be-built-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Alfa Romeo is returning to the US market in about a year, offering the zooty 8C Competizione and 8C Spider atop a range of less spectacular offerings. While the top-end 8Cs will probably be Italian emigres, the 149 and 169 sedans could be put together in Mexico. Alfa doesn't have a hard and fast decision yet, and could pick another site, even one in North America. Moving the labor to Mexico for the volume sellers might prove to be a wise move on Alfa's part. The dollar continues to take a beating, pushing up the cost of European items on US sales markets, and building somewhere else would sidestep some of those increased costs. Alfa is trying this idea in China, too, where Chery will assemble automobiles for that market. We're all for it if it gets the keys to some stylish Italians in our hands while holding the prices down. The quality can't be any worse than it was in the bad old days that led to the notorious reputation for unreliability that afflicted Italian marques. Besides, those shop queens were so joyous to drive, they made suckers out of all of us, and we'd do it again, given the chance.

[Source: Inside Line]

US-market Alfas could be built in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>14916920098calfaalfa romeoAlfaRomeoamericanassemblybuildchinamarketmexiconorth americaNorthAmericaspiderspyderusSat, 08 Mar 2008 12:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo MiTo could be first true MINI-killer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-mito-could-be-first-true-mini-k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-mito-could-be-first-true-mini-k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-mito-could-be-first-true-mini-k/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Mini is so 2006. VW's new Polo has yet to launch. Neither of those cars matter once you set eyes on the forthcoming hotness from Alfa Romeo. Alfa is coming back to the U.S. market, and while everyone's been ga-ga about the 8C Competizione, supercars just don't support the type of sales volume that Alfa is looking for. Dubbed the MiTo, Alfa's B-car might be the starter kit for the more aspirational supercars that the brand has to offer, but it's no less kickass when taken on its own. Alfa's styling will be new and fresh in the U.S., the brand having been absent from North American shores since the 1990s. There's a little retro in the nose as seen in these renderings from Winding Road, but it's not anywhere near the total homage to the 1960s that the Mini is.

What's underneath the sheetmetal that's alternately voluptuous and crisply creased is a versatile chassis developed before GM took their wad of cash home from Fiat. The MiTo actually shares its platform with the Opel Corsa and the Fiat Grande Punto, both of which have left favorable impressions with reviewers. Power units could run the gamut from a fire breathing turbocharged 1.4-liter gas unit to a 1.9-liter diesel, and a 2.0-liter that kicks out 280 horsepower is also a possibility if a Delta version comes to fruition. As excited as this news makes us, it's going to be a long wait until 2010.

[Source: Winding Road]

Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo MiTo could be first true MINI-killer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa romeoalfa romeo mitoAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeoMitoamericancorsafiatmitonorth americaNorthAmericaopelpuntoromeousMon, 03 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadian leasing companies sue gov't and automakers over high car prices]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/sh-t-hitting-fan-canadian-leasing-companies-sue-govt-and-autom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/sh-t-hitting-fan-canadian-leasing-companies-sue-govt-and-autom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/29/sh-t-hitting-fan-canadian-leasing-companies-sue-govt-and-autom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Due to a slumping greenback, the Canadian Loonie and the U.S. dollar are worth roughly the same amount, but the price of most new cars in Canada haven't made the adjustment. Two leasing companies are suing the Canadian government, BMW Canada Inc., Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. and Mercedes-Benz USA LLC for a cool billion dollars, but not because of the uncompetitive pricing in the United Province.

The leasing companies have filed suit because strict import rules are preventing the companies from buying cars in the U.S. and selling them in Canada. The many fees, procedures and restrictions allegedly resulted in a 20-30% increase in the sale of more expensive Canuk cars. One example is a $350 admissibility charge to import a Bimmer, and a far more ridiculous $500 fee will be levied for bringing over a BMW that has received a recall repair in the States. The leasing companies allege the all those fees and fines enable BMW and Mercedes to sell vehicles that cost between 20% and 35% more than similar US models.

Rather than these two leasing companies, it seems like customers in Canada are the ones who are losing out the most with high vehicle prices. At least the Canadians still have plenty of other cars and trucks that they can import from the U.S.

[Source: Report On Business via Winding Road]

Canadian leasing companies sue gov't and automakers over high car prices originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWCanadaLawsuitLeasing companyLeasingCompanyMercedesUSFri, 29 Feb 2008 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Alfa Romeo to open new plant in US]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/alfa-romeo-to-open-new-plant-in-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/alfa-romeo-to-open-new-plant-in-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/alfa-romeo-to-open-new-plant-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alfa Romeo isn't kidding around about its return to the US market: Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that Alfa is planning to open a factory in the United States.

Citing the drop in the US dollar against the Euro as a principal motivating factor, Marchionne said that manufacturing cars in America was vital to the profitability of Alfa's stateside venture. The Canadian-Italian industrialist anticipated that Alfa would only begin making a profit after three or four years in the US.

This won't be the first time a Fiat division has manufactured in the United States. In 1909 the Italian automaker inaugurated a plant in Poughkeepsie in upstate New York which it closed a decade later.

Meanwhile, industry sources indicate that Alfa's main factory at Pomigliano d'Arco in southern Italy will close for two months beginning in January as a last-ditch effort to get Alfa Romeo build quality up to spec or else face complete closure.

[Source: Automotive News (sub. req.) via Italiaspeed]

Alfa Romeo to open new plant in US originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeoAlfaRomeoamericafactoryfiatopenplantunited statesUnitedStatesUSWed, 12 Dec 2007 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Clarkson nixes U.S. Top Gear]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/24/clarkson-nixes-us-i-top-gear-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/24/clarkson-nixes-us-i-top-gear-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/24/clarkson-nixes-us-i-top-gear-i/#comments

The BBC was reportedly evaluating producing an American version of its hit show Top Gear with the existing British cast. The show's star lead host Jeremy Clarkson, however, apparently having seen enough of the U.S. after filming the show's road trip through the South, has nixed the idea.

The proposal would have involved Clarkson, together with his co-stars Richard Hammond, James May and The Stig, flying stateside for four months to embark upon a hectic filming schedule, a prospect which didn't tantalize Clarkson, to say the least. On top of other concerns, Jezza reportedly wouldn't want to leave his family behind for such a long period of time.

For their part, the BBC hasn't given up, and will undoubtedly look at other possibilities, with or without Clarkson. Stay tuned.

Thanks for the tip, Derek!

[Source: The Sun via PistonHeads]

Clarkson nixes U.S. Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaamericanclarksongearjeremyjezzastatestopunitedusTue, 24 Jul 2007 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Spring 2008: Arrival date for BMW 1-Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/spring-2008-arrival-date-for-bmw-1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/spring-2008-arrival-date-for-bmw-1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/spring-2008-arrival-date-for-bmw-1-series/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The upcoming BMW 1-Series Coupe is one of those rare cars over which nearly every Autoblogger is drooling. It returns Bimmer to its roots of building relatively lightweight handlers, as well as lowers the cost of entry for an Ultimate Driving Machine to within the reach of the coupon clipping middle class. Thanks to the sharp eye of folks over at bmw128i.com, we now have confirmation from BMW via it's North American website that the 1-Series will be available to purchase in the U.S. by Spring 2008. The news comes via a flash video that plays when you visit BMW NA's website, and it's crystal clear in meaning: "Introducing the all-new BMW 1-Series. Year One of the 1 begins Spring 2008." This means that BMW dealers will likely be ready to take orders for the 1 by the end of the year. Instead of celebrating the Vernal Equinox next year with a traditional dance around the fire, you just may find us in line at your local BMW dealer.

[Source: bmw128i.com via Jalopnik]

Gallery: BMW 1-Series Coupe

Spring 2008: Arrival date for BMW 1-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-SeriesavailabilityBMWBMW 1-SeriesBmw1-seriesU.S.U.S.A.USUSAWed, 18 Jul 2007 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo says it won't be building in North America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/27/volvo-says-it-wont-be-building-in-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/27/volvo-says-it-wont-be-building-in-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/27/volvo-says-it-wont-be-building-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There have been periodic rumors of a United States assembly plant for Volvo cars since at least the early 1980s. There was a North American construction arm of the Swedish carmaker, situated in Nova Scotia, but that plant has been shuttered for several years now. Volvo CEO Fredrik Arp has told Automotive News that an American plant would take an unacceptably long time to pay for itself, according to the automaker's studies. A weak dollar doesn't help the economic argument for a plant in the States, either. Volvo can currently handle its goal of 600,000 units worldwide, which they have yet to meet. Current plant capacity is good for 590,000 vehicles, so it goes building any new plants, Volvo would be wise to fully utilize its current capacity. The automaker is looking to markets other than North America to drive growth in the coming years -- China, India and Russia all look to be emerging soon as major Volvo buyers.

Arp would not be pressed regarding rumors of Volvo being put up for sale by parent Ford, but he did comment that the historically green-minded automaker has its finger on the pulse of viable alternative powertrains for the US market. Diesels and alternative fuels are big in Europe, but Volvo's not going to just forge ahead in the US with those technologies. Rather, what they intend to do is watch and see what green platform takes off here, and follow on quickly with their own version of whatever that turns out to be. Volvo is too much of a niche player in the US market to risk developing something that may be met with a yawn by the US consumer. Up for sale or not, it looks like Gothenburg's Rollers have their eyes on the brass ring.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req]


http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/ANE01/70626009/1116/rss03&rssfeed=rss03

Volvo says it won't be building in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativeassemblycapacityfactoriesfactorygreennorth americaNorthAmericaplansplantplantspowertrainsalesalesusvolumevolvoWed, 27 Jun 2007 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Alfa Romeo gets Maserati backing to come to the US]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/07/alfa-romeo-gets-maserati-backing-to-come-to-the-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/07/alfa-romeo-gets-maserati-backing-to-come-to-the-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/07/alfa-romeo-gets-maserati-backing-to-come-to-the-us/#commentsFiled under:

In a move that makes sense, instead of Alfa Romeo needing to develop its own dealer network, Maserati dealers will be expected to sell Alfas in a couple years' time.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said Maserati will be in the black again this year, after 17 years in a red sea. With its new gearbox and new GranTurismo, Maserati is planning to more than double its sales by 2011, moving 12,000 cars per year. Analysts, though, put that number at 8,000 max. Regardless, more Maseratis on the road means more clout for the marque, and Alfa could take advantage of the momentum to help its own case. According to an analyst, Alfa sales are expected to reach 8,000 by 2015. First up will probably be the 8C Competizione perhaps in 2008, then the 159 sedan and Brera coupe in 2009.

[Source: Detroit News]

Alfa Romeo gets Maserati backing to come to the US originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2007 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>159alfabreradealersmaseratiromeousMon, 07 May 2007 07:35:00 EST<![CDATA[MG may yet find a home in Oklahoma]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/mg-may-yet-find-a-home-in-oklahoma/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/mg-may-yet-find-a-home-in-oklahoma/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/mg-may-yet-find-a-home-in-oklahoma/#commentsFiled under: ,



The first Modern Gentleman has come off Nanjing's reconstituted assembly line in China, but we're getting conflicting reports about whether or not a rumored factory in Oklahoma will happen. Nanjing has been offered $20 million in incentives to come and build the MG TF where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain, but according to a recent report, the Ardmore, OK plant plans have been scrapped.

Nanjing hasn't made any formal response, but it appears that officials in Oklahoma are still working toward bringing the Chinese carmaker stateside and the Ardmore Development Authority is continuing to make efforts to bring the plant, as well as a parts distribution center, to Oklahoma.

Nanjing is China's oldest automaker, so it's not like they're neophytes; but, there's likely a learning curve about our emissions and safety regulations. Judging from how quickly the MG tooling was up and running after being shipped to China, we have no doubt that there will be a determined Chinese automaker offering cars for sale in the US in the near future.

Work continues on developing the airport and corralling the details among companies on three different continents, and supposedly they're currently completing due diligence before finalizing agreements. At least that's the rhetoric. We'll see how it all shakes out.

Thanks for the tip, Luis!

[Source: KOTV]

MG may yet find a home in Oklahoma originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaardmorechinamanufacturingmgmg tfMgTfnorth americaNorthAmericaoklahomausFri, 30 Mar 2007 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Bombastic: US troops destroyed Insane Hussein's LM002]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/bombastic-us-troops-destroy-insane-husseins-lm002/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/bombastic-us-troops-destroy-insane-husseins-lm002/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/bombastic-us-troops-destroy-insane-husseins-lm002/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

American forces in Iraq have finally killed Saddam Hussein's son's...car. While his megalomaniacal father garnered the lion's share of notoriety, Saddam's cruel depravity was exceeded by his eldest son's, the erstwhile heir apparent to the Iraqi presidency who was known for murdering people he didn't like at parties and torturing Olympic athletes. It only makes sense that a monster of a person should have driven a monster of an automobile: the Lamborghini LM002.

For those unacquainted with the LM002, picture the offspring of a one-night-stand between an exotic Italian supercar and a tank, and you've got an approximate idea. The truck is known to guzzle gas like a fratboy funnels beer, but that posed little concern for a family with all the oil in the world but no one to sell it to.

According to reports, Uday's "Rambo Lambo", already on its last leg and limping to the grave, was recovered by American soldiers who, apparently failing to identify the significance of the vehicle, used it to test explosives. And so, like the fate of its owner, Uday's Lamborghini was no more. The world may be a better place without the Husseins, but we'll mourn the truck.

[Source: Lamborghini Registry via Jalopnik]

Bombastic: US troops destroyed Insane Hussein's LM002 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americandetonateexplodehusseinlamborghinilm002soldierssuvtroopsudayUSTue, 20 Mar 2007 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[China Reversal: Tiger Truck opens plant in Texas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/china-reversal-tiger-truck-opens-plant-in-texas/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/china-reversal-tiger-truck-opens-plant-in-texas/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/china-reversal-tiger-truck-opens-plant-in-texas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While other manufacturers are hurrying to move factories and parts suppliers to China, Chinese truck maker ChangAn is going the other way. Dallas-based Tiger Truck, the exclusive US importer of ChangAn vehicles, has announced plans to open an assembly plant in Jasper, TX. Tiger's vehicles are for off-road uses here in the US - applications such as groundskeeping, farming, and manufacturing. Tiger CEO Mike Ward is reportedly happy to be hiring U.S. workers and seeking contracts with US OEM suppliers. Tiger will be building two new platforms, the Champ full-size pickup, and a medium-duty truck with gross vehicle weights from 14,000 to 21,000 pounds. Tiger's trucks are EPA/CARB certified, as well as meeting frontal crash-test standards. The drivetrain options are wide-ranging, from 2WD to 4WD, hybrid, diesel, even electric. Tiger is serious about equipping work trucks, and there are all sorts of options and accessories available.

Initially, most of the Jasper plant's output will be for export, but the Tiger folks have designed growth into their plant. The Texas location is good for Tiger's exporting efforts to South America and the Carribean, as well as shipping to all points in the U.S. from their very own rail spur. The 100 employees will be capable of cranking out 7,500 vehicles per shift, according to Tiger's PR materials. If the dealer network and popularity of Tiger products grows, we'd expect to see the operation grow. Even if they're not for on-road use, we can see how these vehicles would be extremely useful, and we're encouraged by the decision to locate in the U.S. and employ U.S. workers, as well as involving U.S. OEMs.

Thanks to tipster Dan!

[Source: PR Inside]

Continue reading China Reversal: Tiger Truck opens plant in Texas

China Reversal: Tiger Truck opens plant in Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assemblyautomakerbuildingchinalocationmanufacturingplanttexastigertiger truckTigerTrucktrucktrucksunited statesUnitedStatesUSThu, 15 Mar 2007 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda plant confirmed in Alabama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/honda-plant-confirmed-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/honda-plant-confirmed-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/honda-plant-confirmed-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: ,

Honda subsidiary Yutaka Technologies began construction on a transmission component factory in Cullman, Alabama in January. The plant will employ about 200 people and is part of a larger strategy to build several component-supplier factories to feed Honda's US manufacturing plants. There's new facilities going up in Georgia and Ohio in addition to the Alabama plant. The Cullman plant will start supplying torque converters and exhaust components to Honda's Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant in November. The Lincoln plant builds the Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, and Honda is shifting more Pilot production to the Alabama plant from its Ontario facility.

While many think of Honda as a foreign brand, their cars are often no more foreign than the domestics. Building US-market cars in this country has been a winning proposition for Honda and the other foreign marques that have opened facilities here. Keeping US workers employed takes some of the teeth out of the "Buy American" argument. Also, astronomical shipping costs (we wouldn't want to get the bill to insure one of those shipments, let alone the actual freight cost) and import tariffs are also dodged by building cars here with parts sourced domestically. Honda has been building automobiles in the US for 25 years and the company employs over 30,000 people at their 12 manufacturing US facilities, which build everything from cars to ATVs and watercraft.

[Source: Honda]

Honda plant confirmed in Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamacullmanexhaust systemExhaustSystemfactoryhondanewplantsuppliertorque converterTorqueConvertertransmissionusFri, 09 Feb 2007 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Michelin lands $1.7b Pentagon contract]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/michelin-lands-1-7b-pentagon-contract/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/michelin-lands-1-7b-pentagon-contract/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/michelin-lands-1-7b-pentagon-contract/#commentsFiled under: ,

The French military may not be fighting in Iraq, but their tires are: Michelin just landed an exclusive $1.7 billion contract with the US Department of Defense to supply the American military behemoth with tires. For the next ten years (at least), every vehicle in the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps deployed around the world will be shod in Michelin rubber.

This isn't the first Pentagon contract Michelin has won, either. The French tire company previously won a contract worth $700 million to supply the tires for all US warplanes. In order to meet the enormous supply demands of the US military, Michelin has invested a reported $16 million. For the sake of our brave boys and girls serving overseas, let's hope the French tires don't throw up their arms and surrender at the first time of trouble. (No whitewalls, please.)

[Source: F1i.com]

Michelin lands $1.7b Pentagon contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bidcontractdefensedepartmentfrenchmichelinmilitarypentagonrubberstatestirestyresunitedusFri, 02 Feb 2007 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Golf Clap: Lexus sponsors USGA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/golf-clap-lexus-sponsors-usga/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/golf-clap-lexus-sponsors-usga/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/golf-clap-lexus-sponsors-usga/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Unless we see LS 460s and Lucernes out on the greens tearing it up in a combination demolition derby-polo match, we're going back to sleep. In a snore-inducing move, Lexus has signed up with the US Golf Association to be the official vehicle of the US Open, US Women's Open, US Senior Open, and US Amateur. Lexus will also be the USGA's first-ever automotive partner. Tiger, however, will stick with Buick.

Lexus stepped up their involvement with the sport in an effort to further engage their customers, who are apparently passionate about golf. In support of their collaboration with the USGA, Lexus will be rolling out a multifaceted media campaign including advertising, direct marketing, events, and, of course, the auto brand will be on-site at USGA events. We're sure to see more Lexus branding and signage in television coverage, as well. The Lexus golf team has been expanded by the addition of some members from the Toyota team, and there's some big names playing for the brand. Lexus is actually involved in sponsoring many different types of sporting events -- polo, tennis, golf, sailing; a laundry-list of rarefied sports.

We suppose that there probably are a fair amount of Lexi in country-club parking lots, and most of them can haul a foursome's worth of clubs without a hiccup. Golf just seems so... dispassionate and indifferent from a car guy's point of view. Then again, that's the prevailing car guy notion of Lexus, as well; perhaps it really does make for a neat dovetail. Golf is not particularly easy to excel at, nor is it easy to build cars as obsessively tweezed as the Lexus lineup, but neither golf nor luxo-Toyotas get our adrenaline pumping as much as a simple parking lot autocross with something as mundane as a '91 Scoupe.

You can find the press release after the jump.

[Source: Lexus via Automotive News - sub req'd]

Continue reading Golf Clap: Lexus sponsors USGA

Golf Clap: Lexus sponsors USGA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annikaannika sorenstamAnnikaSorenstamgolflexuslexus cupLexusCupOpensorenstamsponsorshipUnites States Golf AssociationUnitesStatesGolfAssociationUSus openUSGAUsOpenMon, 29 Jan 2007 06:55:00 EST<![CDATA[SPY SHOTS: Alfa 149 prototype]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/spy-shots-alfa-149-prototype/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/spy-shots-alfa-149-prototype/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/spy-shots-alfa-149-prototype/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fans of Italian cars have been eagerly anticipating the replacement of the Alfa Romeo 147, currently the company's entry-level model. Alfa's working on a new "junior" model to slot below it in the line-up while it prepares a genuine replacement, expected to carry the 149 nameplate.

The current 147 was introduced back in 2001. It got a mild facelift in 2005, but that hasn't been enough to boost sales to where the Italian carmaker wants them to be. These photos are reported to be taken of a clay mock-up and not a pre-production car, which would be a little premature given the production schedule. According to information from parent company Fiat, the new 149 isn't due to hit the market until the middle of 2009, at which point the 147 will have been on the market eight long years.

The 149 is tipped to be based on the new Fiat Bravo, launching a two-pronged Italian attack on the popular Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The car is expected to grow slightly in size over the 147, with gasoline engines starting at a 120-hp 1.4-lter four to a Q4 version with a 3.2-liter V6 pumping 260 hp through all four wheels, and a range of diesel engines on offer as well. Still no word on whether the hatchback will join the 8C Competizione, Brera and 159 when Alfa returns to the American market.

Related post:

(A few more spy shots of the 149 mock-up after the jump)

[Source: Autotematic Forums via Motor Authority]

Continue reading SPY SHOTS: Alfa 149 prototype

SPY SHOTS: Alfa 149 prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>147149alfamodelphotosreplacementromeoshotsspyUSThu, 02 Nov 2006 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[New ad campaign for the Big 3 plays the "Buy American" card]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/new-ad-campaign-for-the-big-3-plays-the-buy-american-card/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/new-ad-campaign-for-the-big-3-plays-the-buy-american-card/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/new-ad-campaign-for-the-big-3-plays-the-buy-american-card/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Level Field Institute, a group comprised of retired domestic auto workers, is telling consumers "What you drive, drives America" in an attempt to convince car buyers to purchase vehicles from the-group-of-nominally-domestic-automakers-previously-referred-to-as-the-Big-3. The ad campaign uses a variety of statistics to drive home its point, including the fact that direct employment by the US automakers is roughly 3.5 times that of the "transplants" (foreign automakers that produce vehicles in the US). Jason Vines, Chrysler's VP of Communications and always someone that's good for a quote, states "Baseball, hot dogs and Toyota? Sorry, it doesn't ring a bell."

While we fully support the concept of buying domestically-produced consumer products, we also feel that this campaign has an aura of desperation about it - as is often the case when an advertising campaign deviates from focus on the product itself. There is also the simple difficulty in determining the origin of a vehicle; as we posted earlier this week, the domestic content "gap" is closing between "domestic" and "foreign" vehicles, and the information displayed to consumers on the origin of a vehicle's content is often difficult to understand (or perhaps even misleading).

[Source: Detroit News]

New ad campaign for the Big 3 plays the "Buy American" card originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 May 2006 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CanadadomesticsimportsJapanlayoffsMade in the USAMexicoplant closingstransplantsUSFri, 12 May 2006 13:58:00 EST