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[Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/best-buy-geek-squad-mitsubishi-i-miev/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/best-buy-geek-squad-mitsubishi-i-miev/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/best-buy-geek-squad-mitsubishi-i-miev/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Mitsubishi Geek Squad i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

While Mitsubishi didn't unveil any new vehicles at the LA Auto Show today, company president Osamu Masuko did announce the latest step in his company's plan to bring plug-in vehicles to North America. The vehicle - well, one of them - is an all-electric i-MiEV plastered with Best Buy's Geek Squad logo. The electronics giant will start using them in January (after they're shown off at CES) at some Geek Squad locations in California. Details have not yet been totally worked out, but the Geek EVs will start with a fleet of four vehicles and then expand and rotate to other stores over the course of three years. Most likely, the i-MiEVs will be doled out in pairs and the probable early cities where these vehicles will make house calls include Chicago, New York, Portland and San Francisco.

Best Buy plans to use the i-MiEVs just like any other fleet car, with the exception that they will be right-hand drive. Best Buy's Senior Vice President of emerging business, Rick Rommel, told AutoblogGreen that the idea is to learn "how these will fit into a Geek's daily life." The plug-in vehicle tests with Geek Squad are unrelated to how select West Coast Best Buy stores are selling electric bikes. That said, Rommel admits that the key thing is that Best Buy likes to conduct new experiments, and these EVs fit into that general concept.


Gallery: Best Buy Geek Squad i-MIEV


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 la auto show2009LaAutoShowbest buybest buy electric vehiclesbest buy evsBest Buy Inc.Best Buy StoresBestBuyBestBuyElectricVehiclesBestBuyEvsBestBuyInc.BestBuyStoresGeek SquadGeekSquadi-mievimievla 2009la auto showLA Auto Show 2009la showLa2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2009LaShowlashow2009mievmitsumitsubishimitsubishi imievMitsubishiImievosamu masukoOsamuMasukoPX-MiEVrick rommelRickRommelThu, 03 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Production Aptera 2e rendering leaked online?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/production-aptera-2e-rendering-leaked-online/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/production-aptera-2e-rendering-leaked-online/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/production-aptera-2e-rendering-leaked-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

As Aptera continues to push forward with the development of its futuristic-looking and innovative 2e electric three-wheeler, it almost seems inevitable that details of the vehicle's official specifications will leak out... this is the internet age after all. True to form, today we get what appears to be a sneak peek at the wingless airplane's final production shape.

At first glance, not much appears all that different from previous iterations of the 2e, but a closer look offers a few important changes. For instance, the vehicle now appears to have fully operational windows for both the driver and passenger that will roll all the way up and down. We also note larger rear side glass and new front wheel spats and rear wheel housings that offer more clearance and flow better with the rest of the body shape.

If this rendering has you interest piqued, you may also be interested in the rumor that Best Buy is planning to carry the three-wheeled electric vehicle once it's ready for sale, which is currently scheduled to take place before the end of 2009. Stay tuned.

[Source: Aptera Forum]

Production Aptera 2e rendering leaked online? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apteraaptera 2eaptera 2e final designaptera best buyAptera2eAptera2eFinalDesignApteraBestBuybest buyBestBuyelectric carelectric carselectric three-wheelerelectric trikeelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarsElectricThree-wheelerElectricTrikeElectricVehiclegreenFri, 25 Sep 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy to follow YouTube into USF1 sponsorship?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/best-buy-to-follow-youtube-into-usf1-sponsorship/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/best-buy-to-follow-youtube-into-usf1-sponsorship/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/best-buy-to-follow-youtube-into-usf1-sponsorship/#commentsFiled under:

Preparations are well underway for the debut of the new USF1 team, which is set to join the Formula One grid next season. The car's been designed, the manufacturing facility is in the process of ramping up for production, and the team has staffed up. But while the nascent squad focuses on building the chassis and infrastructure, speculation has been running rampant over who will sponsor the team and who will be driving its two cars.

Previous reports indicated that YouTube could be on board, and now the latest suggest that Best Buy, which currently sponsors Elliott Sadler's #19 Dodge Charger for the Richard Petty team in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series, could be in the mix as well. The rumors are fueled by an entry which Barry Judge, the electronics retail giant's chief marketing officer, posted on Twitter asking the public-at-tweet what they thought of the idea of Best Buy - currently is in the midst of a European expansion - linking up with the team.

Continue reading Best Buy to follow YouTube into USF1 sponsorship?

Best Buy to follow YouTube into USF1 sponsorship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex wurzAlexWurzandrettiandretti usf1AndrettiUsf1barry judgeBarryJudgebest buybest buy racingBestBuyBestBuyRacingbuddy riceBuddyRicedanicadanica patrickdanica usf1DanicaPatrickDanicaUsf1f1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnejacques villeneuveJacquesVilleneuvejonathan summertonJonathanSummertonmarco andrettiMarcoAndrettipatrick usf1PatrickUsf1ricesummertonsummerton usf1SummertonUsf1united states formula 1united states formula oneUnitedStatesFormula1UnitedStatesFormulaOneus f1usf1villeneuvevilleneuve usf1VilleneuveUsf1wurzwurz usf1WurzUsf1youtubeyoutube usf1YoutubeUsf1Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy official sponsor for Brammo Enertia TTXGP race team]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/best-buy-official-sponsor-for-brammo-enertia-ttxgp-race-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/best-buy-official-sponsor-for-brammo-enertia-ttxgp-race-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/best-buy-official-sponsor-for-brammo-enertia-ttxgp-race-team/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Brammo Enertia TTR race bike - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Best Buy has hopped on as an official sponsor of the Brammo Enertia race team, which will be campaigning a pair of electric motorcycles at the world's first zero-emissions motorcycle race on June 12th at the Isle of Man. The news of Best Buy's involvement doesn't come as too much of a surprise since the Big Box retailer had earlier invested a large chunk of cash in Brammo and plans to begin selling the road-going Enertia in West Coast stores on a trial basis this summer. Plus, Best Buy already sponsors a race team that competes in NASCAR competition.

Brammo's TTR race bike is based on the chassis used in the standard Enertia, but everything has been appropriately beefed-up to handle the output of the enlarged electric motor and 100-volt, 8kWh lithium polymer battery pack. Top speed is listed at just 100 miles per hour, but Brammo believes its low 360-pound weight and high-spec suspension bits will help the TTR maintain a consistently high average speed over the 37-mile TTXGP time trial. Click here to download a PDF containing a complete list of the TTR's specifications.

Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher tells Wired.com that the his company doesn't have plans to sell the race-ready of the Enertial electric motorcycle at the consumer level, but there's a good chance a sporty, fully-faired version of the bike will be launched within the next six months alongside a less-expensive, detuned version of the standard Enertia. Click past the break for the official press release and be sure to check out our gallery of the Enertia TTR race bike below.


Gallery: Brammo Enertia TTR race bike


[Source: Brammo]

Continue reading Best Buy official sponsor for Brammo Enertia TTXGP race team

Best Buy official sponsor for Brammo Enertia TTXGP race team originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenbest buybest buy electric motorcycleBestBuyBestBuyElectricMotorcyclebrammobrammo enertiabrammo enertia race bikebrammo enertia ttrBrammoEnertiaBrammoEnertiaRaceBikeBrammoEnertiaTtrelectric motorcycleelectric motorcycle raceelectric motorcyclesElectricMotorcycleElectricMotorcycleRaceElectricMotorcyclesenertiattxgpFri, 29 May 2009 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Brammo Enertia to be sold at Best Buy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/brammo-enertia-to-be-sold-at-best-buy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/brammo-enertia-to-be-sold-at-best-buy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/brammo-enertia-to-be-sold-at-best-buy/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Brammo Enertia

In amongst the various computers, televisions and small appliances at your local Best Buy store may soon be electric motorcycles. Starting in May, five locations near the West Coast will begin stocking the Brammo Enertia, a $12,000, carbon fiber-intensive two-wheeler that stores its power in large format, lithium-phosphate battery packs from Valence.

We wondered about the possibility of the big box retailer offering the gas-free two-wheelers after Best Buy Capital extended a few million dollars in investment money to Brammo last September. According to Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher, "What we're selling is a lot closer to consumer electronics than to transportation." Features like integrated GPS and WiFi chips allow a bevy of interesting high-tech options for the Enertia, such as on-board cameras that can link up to the internet and automatically sort ride pictures by location. Sounds cool, but we're a bit wary of Geek Squad associates putting their hands on our motorcycles. Thanks for the tip, John A!

Gallery: EVS23: Brammo Enertia motorcycle


[Source: Greentech Media via Electric Motorcycle Forum]

Brammo Enertia to be sold at Best Buy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buybest buy brammobest buy electric motorcycleBestBuyBestBuyBrammoBestBuyElectricMotorcyclebrammo enertiaBrammoEnertiaelectric motorbikeelectric motorcycleelectric motorcyclesElectricMotorbikeElectricMotorcycleElectricMotorcyclesgreenMon, 02 Mar 2009 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-ford-shows-off-future-of-sync-to-partner-with-best-bu/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-ford-shows-off-future-of-sync-to-partner-with-best-bu/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-ford-shows-off-future-of-sync-to-partner-with-best-bu/#commentsFiled under: , ,



On top of those new SYNC features we've already told you about, Ford showed off what its SYNC system might one day look like with configurable controls and a personal assistant "avatar" named Eva. The concept is meant to provide a more human interface with the vehicle to help drivers be safer and more efficient. Instead of the disembodied voice of KITT, Eva is an animated character on your instrument panel that converses with you in plain English. She's a little creepy, but chalk that up to the Uncanny Valley phenomenon.

Ford also says it will be taking SYNC to European markets in 2010 then to Asia Pacific and Australia.

Earlier today, Ford Executive VP Mark Fields also told us that his company is working with Best Buy to educate mobile phone customers about SYNC. CEO Alan Mulally (that's him in the red cardigan) went into more detail about the partnership later in his keynote speech at CES. Fields said sales reps in Best Buy's standalone mobile phone stores would educate customers on SYNC's new capabilities when paired with a Bluetooth-enabled smart phone and then point out what phones are compatible with Ford's infotainment system. Check out the video above, the gallery of Ford's big CES keynote below, and an official press release from the Blue Oval after the jump.

Gallery: CES 2009: Alan Mulally's keynote address


Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership

CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuyevaeva syncEvaSyncford best buyford syncFordBestBuyFordSyncsyncThu, 08 Jan 2009 22:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Become a car designer, just $19.99!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/become-a-car-designer-just-19-99/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/become-a-car-designer-just-19-99/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/become-a-car-designer-just-19-99/#commentsFiled under: , ,



From time to time we've all been tempted to purchase that fake diploma from the endlessly circulating email, right? The last time I checked, though, they weren't offering fake certificates from the Art Center College of Design, or the Academy of Art University. If you still held onto the dream of someday shaping cars, even after all your sketch pads had been confiscated, the normal path was that you'd go to an institution where you could learn industrial design through a rigorous academic program. That's the reason why those of us who continue to doodle four wheeled conveyances are reduced to sketching while on boring phone calls; to truly design real cars takes years of practice, hard work, and skill. Alternatively, you could drop a measly 20 bucks and start computerating up some fun looking vehicles with Topics Entertainment's Sports Car Designer software.

In the end, it's still no replacement for learning to render a form on paper with perspective, shading and foreshortening; all those things that take years to develop skill with. From what we can see, you're limited to a profile view, but the options for body shape creation are wide ranging enough that you can whip up some interesting forms. We're not seeing a tremendous amount of variety or originality in the screenshots at the support website sportscardesigner.com, but for $20 at Best Buy what do you want, Cinema 4D? When you're done with your masterpiece of the moment, you can export it as a .jpg, or you can spit CAD data out so that another program might be able to stitch the entire car together for you in 3-D space. It's a fun way to divert some hours, and hey, it'll keep that eternally fidgeting car-crazy pre-teen quiet for the vast span of 15 minutes, at least.

Thanks for the tip, Larry!

Become a car designer, just $19.99! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuybodybody designBodyDesigncarcar designCarDesigndesignetcsoftwaresportssports carsports car designerSportsCarSportsCarDesignerstylingtoysTue, 27 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Geek Squad dumping VWs for Lamborghinis in preparation for Windows Vista*]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/geek-squad-technicians-to-dump-volkswagens-for-lamborghinis/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/geek-squad-technicians-to-dump-volkswagens-for-lamborghinis/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/geek-squad-technicians-to-dump-volkswagens-for-lamborghinis/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Best Buy Corporation is exchanging its ranks of Geek Squad Volkswagen New Beetles for something a little faster in preparation for the release of Windows Vista. With an expected deluge of work brought about by the new operating system, the black and white VWs favored by Geek Squad cadets are being dispensed with in favor of a fleet of Lamborghini Countaches.

According to an official spokesman, the company anticipates being "'...busier than a spyware-saddled 486 processor... once that first Vista security patch hits the streets six to eight hours after launch, it's going to be like the Indianapolis 500 out there...'"

Click through to the link for more details

(*Warning: At Autoblog, we loves us some quality satire!)

[Sources: BBSpot.com; Ggaub.com]

Geek Squad dumping VWs for Lamborghinis in preparation for Windows Vista* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 May 2006 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best BuyBestBuyBill GatesBillGatesCountachGeek SquadGeekSquadMicrosoftOperating SystemOperatingSystemOSWindows 98Windows VistaWindows XPWindows98WindowsVistaWindowsXpWed, 17 May 2006 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Websites select top new vehicles for young drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/top-new-vehicles-for-your-16-year-old-by-cars-com-and-driversed/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/top-new-vehicles-for-your-16-year-old-by-cars-com-and-driversed/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/top-new-vehicles-for-your-16-year-old-by-cars-com-and-driversed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Automotive websites Cars.com and DriversEd.com (a drivers education resource) have teamed up to determine the top new vehicles for teens this year. Criteria used included price, safety, size, and 'fun factor.'

The two sites top picks, broken down in categories, are:

Cars:
  • Honda Civic      
  • Mazda MX-5
  • Mazda3
  • Mini Cooper           
  • Scion tC       
  • Subaru Impreza 
  • Volvo s40      
Pickups:
  • Nissan Frontier Crew Cab      
  • Toyota Tacoma Double Cab    
SUVs:
  • Hyundai Tucson 
  • Subaru Forester
  • Toyota RAV4    

[Source: PR Newswire via Seattle Post Intelligencer]

Websites select top new vehicles for young drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuyconsumer reportsConsumerReportsdriver's licenseDriver'sLicensefirst carFirstCarHonda CivicHondaCivicHyundai TucsonHyundaiTucsonMazda MX-5Mazda3MazdaMx-5mini cooperMiniCooperNissan FrontierNissanFrontierScion tCScionTcSubaru ForesterSubaru ImprezaSubaruForesterSubaruImprezateen drivingTeenDrivingToyota Rav 4Toyota Tacoma doubleToyotaRav4ToyotaTacomaDoublevolvo s40VolvoS40Fri, 14 Apr 2006 12:31:00 EST