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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[VW Gol: Brazilian proto-Impreza by VW?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/timewarp/" rel="tag">Classics</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volkswagen/" rel="tag">Volkswagen</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vw-gol/"><img width="630" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="445" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/vw_gol_630.jpg" alt="VW Gol" /></a><br />
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The string of interesting and offbeat Volkswagens from the firm's Brazilian division is enough to fill a coffee-table book. The <a href="http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2007/07/01/hmn_feature17.html">SP2</a>, for example, is one of the prettiest variations ever laid atop Type III mechanicals, one that many die-hard Volks-fans in the United States have never heard of. The rest of the world probably knows better what <em>VW do Brasil</em> has wrought; forty-something years of cars we'd dearly love to roll here in The States, but which never came north. Eventually, a Brazilian VeeDub did head for os Estados Unidos. <br />
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Instead of <a href="http://www.oldbug.com/brasilia.htm">Brasilias</a> or <a href="http://www.vwtype3.org/owners.manual/models/#kgtc">Karmann Ghia TCs</a>, we got the Fox. Known in Brazil as the Gol, which rode on its own BX platform, itself a derivate of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group_B_platform">B1 platform</a> that underpinned other VW and Audi products. Our Foxes were all sedans or wagons, but a recent troll of old car ads on Flickr turned up this masterpiece. Look carefully - we always thought the Fox transaxle looked a lot like the naughty bits of a Beetle. And there it is, a doghouse-shrouded 1300cc bit of air-cooled muscle mounted in the FRONT. Hot diggety, this thing has it all, 3-door hatch bodywork, a flat-four, and no pesky coolant to boil over in tropical climes. The closest you can come to something like this now is an Impreza hatch, which is an exponentially better car. That doesn't stop us from thinking about bolting that spare 1600DP into a Polo-Edition Fox and warping everyone's minds at the next Spring Dust-Off. <br />
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[Source: Flickr/<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/">Hugo90</a> - CC2.0]<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vw-gol/low/">VW Gol</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vw-gol/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/vw_gol_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/">VW Gol: Brazilian proto-Impreza by VW?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vw-gol/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19251594/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>brazil</category><category>brazilian volkswagen</category><category>BrazilianVolkswagen</category><category>gol</category><category>vintage volkswagen</category><category>VintageVolkswagen</category><category>Volkswagen</category><category>volkswagen fox</category><category>volkswagen gol</category><category>volkswagen of brazil</category><category>VolkswagenFox</category><category>VolkswagenGol</category><category>VolkswagenOfBrazil</category><category>vw</category><category>vw do brasil</category><category>vw fox</category><category>vw of brazil</category><category>VwDoBrasil</category><category>VwFox</category><category>VwOfBrazil</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/autoline-on-autoblog/" rel="tag">Autoline on Autoblog</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/" rel="tag">Electric</a></p><strong><big>Brazil's E100 Drives Innovative Fuel Injection</big></strong><br />
<br />
<img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" class="right border" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/john-media-photo-3-opta.jpg" />A few weeks ago Rio de Janeiro landed the 2016 Olympics largely thanks to the fact that Brazil is climbing up the rank of nations. It has grown to become the 10th largest economy in the world and a key reason has to do with the country's energy policy.<br />
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By committing heavily to ethanol, Brazil no longer imports oil to make fuel. That means the country now has a trade surplus and a positive balance of payments. The economy is growing while unemployment is dropping. Ethanol doesn't get all the credit for Brazil's impressive growth, but it's playing a significant role. Instead of talking about kicking its oil addiction, Brazil did it.<br />
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An unexpected side benefit of committing to ethanol is that Brazil is also taking the lead in developing new fuel injection systems that allow cars to run on pure ethanol (E-100). This is arguably the first time that Brazil has ever taken the lead on automotive technology.<br />
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<em><br />
John McElroy</em><em> is host of the TV program </em><em><a href="http://www.autolinedaily.com/">"Autoline Detroit"</a> and daily web video <a href="http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/daily/">"Autoline Daily"</a>. </em><em>Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.<br />
</em>____________________________________________________________________________________<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/">Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19217028/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>autoline on autoblog</category><category>AutolineOnAutoblog</category><category>brazil</category><category>e-100</category><category>featured</category><category>john mcelroy</category><category>JohnMcelroy</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John McElroy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: The Fat Lady Sings at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/#3"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978639_10_brazilgp09_1280_web_620.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2009 Brazilian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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"Everything can change in a New York minute." It's a good thing Don Henley wrote his hit song twenty years before this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. Because "in an Interlagos minute" just doesn't have the same ring to it. But it does go to show how quickly fortunes can be reversed over the course of a race distance. Especially when the championship is on the line. <br />
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With two races to go, the F1 circus rolled in to Sao Paulo with Jenson Button - winner of six grands prix this season - leading his Brawn GP team-mate, hometown hero and chief rival Rubens Barrichello 85 to 71, with Red Bull challenger Sebastian Vettel - fresh from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/04/spoiler-alert-getting-down-to-the-point-at-the-japanese-grand-p/">victory in Japan</a> - trailing with 69 points. The most likely scenarios placed Button clinching the title right here at the penultimate championship round, if not at the final race in Abu Dhabi two weeks from now. <br />
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But the heavens seemed to have a different plan when torrential downpours put a hamper on Saturday's qualifying session. Once the rain stopped, yesterday's proved to be the longest qualifying session in Formula One history, and the order came out all messed up. Instead of placing up at the front of the grid, Button and Vettel found themselves way down the pecking order in 14th and 16th positions. In their place, their respective wingmen Barrichello and Webber started 1st and 2nd on the grid, with half a field's worth of back-markers separating them. Follow the jump to read how the race unfolded.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/">2009 Brazilian Grand Prix</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978636_10_brazilgp09_1280_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978639_10_brazilgp09_1280_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978807_10_brazilgp09_1280_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978985_10_brazilgp09_1280_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-brazilian-grand-prix/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/91978637_10_brazilgp09_1280_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>SPOILER ALERT: The Fat Lady Sings at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/">SPOILER ALERT: The Fat Lady Sings at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:47:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19199945/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/spoiler-alert-the-fat-lady-sings-at-the-2009-brazilian-grand-pr/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2009 brazilian grand prix</category><category>2009 fia formula one world championship</category><category>2009BrazilianGrandPrix</category><category>2009FiaFormulaOneWorldChampionship</category><category>brawn gp</category><category>BrawnGp</category><category>brazil</category><category>brazilian</category><category>brazilian grand prix</category><category>BrazilianGrandPrix</category><category>f1</category><category>fia formula one world championship</category><category>FiaFormulaOneWorldChampionship</category><category>formula 1</category><category>formula one</category><category>formula one world championship</category><category>Formula1</category><category>FormulaOne</category><category>FormulaOneWorldChampionship</category><category>grand prix</category><category>GrandPrix</category><category>interlagos</category><category>jenson button</category><category>JensonButton</category><category>mark webber</category><category>MarkWebber</category><category>race results</category><category>RaceResults</category><category>red bull</category><category>red bull racing</category><category>RedBull</category><category>RedBullRacing</category><category>sao paulo</category><category>SaoPaulo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:47:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Parabéns! Fiat Automóveis builds its 10,000,000th vehicle in Brazil]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fiat/" rel="tag">Fiat</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a></p><a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/fiat-builds-its-10-millionth-vehicle-on.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/fiat-brazil-10mil.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There are milestones, and then there are <em>milestones</em>. Last week, Fiat's Brazilian division celebrated the big mamma: 10 million vehicles produced. The Italian automaker has been building cars and light trucks in Brazil for over 30 years, and today Fiat Autom&oacute;veis holds a 25.5% market share, making Fiat the largest automaker in Brazil and Brazil the largest foreign market for Fiat.<br /><br />The company's assembly plant in Betim, Brazil, churns out 3000 units every single day, from 15 distinct model lines with variants numbering in the hundreds. Last month, Fiat sold 60,628 vehicles in Brazil, eclipsing Volkswagen, General Motors and all other competitors.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/fiat-builds-its-10-millionth-vehicle-on.html">CarScoop</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/">Parabéns! Fiat Automóveis builds its 10,000,000th vehicle in Brazil</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/fiat-builds-its-10-millionth-vehicle-on.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19061031/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>10 million</category><category>10Million</category><category>betim</category><category>betim brazil</category><category>BetimBrazil</category><category>brazil</category><category>fiat</category><category>fiat automoveis</category><category>fiat betim</category><category>fiat brazil</category><category>fiat latin america</category><category>fiat south america</category><category>FiatAutomoveis</category><category>FiatBetim</category><category>FiatBrazil</category><category>FiatLatinAmerica</category><category>FiatSouthAmerica</category><category>latin american</category><category>LatinAmerican</category><category>south america</category><category>SouthAmerica</category><category>ten million</category><category>TenMillion</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[GM not sending any bailout money to Brazilian operation]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a></p><a href="http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320909&amp;CategoryId=12396"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/gm-logo.jpg" /></a>A story has surfaced on the Latin American Herald Tribune (a publication we hadn't previously heard of) stating that General Motors was planning to invest $1 billion in it's Brazilian operations to update its South American products. So far, that part of the story is true. However, that's where the truth apparently ends. The story goes on to say that GM plans to use money obtained from the proposed government bailout package to pay for the Brazilian investment. <br /><br />We contacted General Motors to check on the story and spokesman Richard James replied, "I don't know if something got lost in translation but Jaime Ardila, President of GM Brazil did NOT say that funding for GMB projects would come from the US financial aid package. GM Brazil has $1 billion in investments that have already been approved but they will be financed by our Brazilian operations through local sources." <br /><br />Just as Opel (GM's German division) is going to the German government for assistance, GM Brazil-Mercosur is raising capital in that country. During the congressional hearings this week, CEO Rick Wagoner also indicated that GM operations in different regions are each funding projects locally in response to a question about a recent expansion in Russia. It appears that any money that GM gets from the US government will stay here.<br /><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320909&amp;CategoryId=12396">Latin American Herald Tribune</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/">GM not sending any bailout money to Brazilian operation</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:49:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320909&amp;CategoryId=12396>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1380402/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/gm-not-sending-any-bailout-money-to-brazilian-operation/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bailout</category><category>bailout money</category><category>BailoutMoney</category><category>brazil</category><category>gm latin america</category><category>GmLatinAmerica</category><category>jaime aridila</category><category>JaimeAridila</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sam Abuelsamid]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:49:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fiat to unveil Bugster concept in Sao Paulo, Brazil]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc-auto-shows/" rel="tag">Misc. Auto Shows</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fiat/" rel="tag">Fiat</a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-bugster-concept-1/1110684/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/fiat-bugster-concept_2web.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><strong><small><em>Click above to view more of the Fiat Bugster concept</em></small></strong></p>
<p>South America is a vital market for Fiat, and with the Sao Paulo International Auto Show coming up, the Italian automaker's Brazilian subsidiary has cooked up an intriguing concept. Called the Bugster, it looks like the love child from a grappa-induced affair between a KTM X-Bow and a Jeep Wrangler. </p>
<p>Few details are known at this point, save to say that its green color isn't accidental. Its undisclosed powertrain is good for zero-emission transportation, and the body panels (if you could call them that) are made out of renewable natural fibers. More details are bound to surface as the Sao Paulo show nears its opening at the end of this month. In the meantime, you can check out the pair of design renderings in the gallery below.</p>
<p><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-bugster-concept-1/low/">Fiat Bugster concept</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-bugster-concept-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/fiat-bugster-concept_2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-bugster-concept-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/fiat-bugster-concept_1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/10/fiat-bugster-concept-to-break-cover-at.html">CarScoop</a>]</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/">Fiat to unveil Bugster concept in Sao Paulo, Brazil</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/10/fiat-bugster-concept-to-break-cover-at.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1348394/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/fiat-to-unveil-bugster-concept-in-sao-paulo-brazil/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>brazil</category><category>fiat</category><category>fiat brazil</category><category>fiat bugster</category><category>fiat bugster concept</category><category>fiat bugster concept sao paulo</category><category>FiatBrazil</category><category>FiatBugster</category><category>FiatBugsterConcept</category><category>FiatBugsterConceptSaoPaulo</category><category>sao paulo</category><category>SaoPaulo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Audi's "The Art of Performance"]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/" rel="tag">Audi</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/842239/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/01_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_450op.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><em>Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Audi R8.</em><br /><br />A few of the Autoblog crew are former (or current) musicians that have tempered our insatiable lust for all-things-automotive with a healthy appreciation of the aural arts. So whenever an automaker attempts to combine the two, we're keenly interested in the outcome.<br /><br />Audi teamed up with the German group Bullet and the graphics and video crew at Campana to create an orchestral masterpiece to launch the R8 in Brazil. With 41 musicians, three DJs and one conductor providing the soundtrack, the video clips integrate with the score and sound effects to create an impressive experience. Our only gripe is that the first two videos aren't nearly long enough, but they're worth checking out after the jump.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/">2008 Audi R8</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/audi_r8_hr_02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/audi_r8_hr_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/audi_r8_hr_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/audi_r8_hr_05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/audi_r8_hr_06_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/">Review: 2008 Audi R8</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/08_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/10_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/01_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/02_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-audi-r8/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/03_audi_2008_r8_abgarage_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.germancarblog.com/2008/07/audi-r8-more-symphony-videos-from.html">GermanCarBlog</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>VIDEO: Audi's "The Art of Performance"</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/">VIDEO: Audi's "The Art of Performance"</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1259253/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/video-audis-the-art-of-performance/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>audi</category><category>audi r8 brazil musician</category><category>AudiR8BrazilMusician</category><category>brazil</category><category>bullet</category><category>campana</category><category>r8</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:58:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mitsubishi L200 Savana snorkels into Brazil]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/" rel="tag">Truck</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mitsubishi/" rel="tag">Mitsubishi</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/722648/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/l200savana_450.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />Click image for a high-res gallery of the L200 Savana<br /><br />This week, Mitsubishi's Brazilian operation announced the return of the L200 Savana (the model had been previously available). While it shares its name with the snazzy-looking <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/14/mitsubishi-to-begin-mass-export-of-triton-l200/">L200/Triton</a> sold in many other markets (<a href="http://www.mitsubishimotors.com.br/mitproduto/2008/l200triton/">including Brazil</a>), the offroad-flavored Savana variant is based on the last-gen truck. While the ultra-1990s interior is indeed dated, the overall package is pretty bitchin'.<br /><br />Power comes from an 2.5L SOHC turbodiesel making either 121hp/189 lb-ft or 141 hp/221 lb-ft. An "Easy Select" transfer case lets the driver choose between 4x2, 4x4H and 4x4L modes, and shifts come courtesy of a 5-speed manual. Other standard features include a strengthened chassis, snorkel, roof basket (220 lb capacity), and in-bed storage boxes. The Savana's look is all-business, with charcoal wheel flares, bumpers, taillamp housings and grille trim. Knobby rubber adorns the 16-inch black-painted steelies and the headlight surrounds and hood scoop are finished in the primary body color. The spec sheet also tells us the L200 Savana has 9 inches of ground clearance, a 35-degree approach angle, and 26-degree departure angle. <br /><br />All of this does <em>not</em> come cheap, mind you. Pricing starts at 86,990 Brazilian reais, or $50,255 USD if you were to do a direct currency conversion (for what it's worth). The price is the only thing we don't really like. The rest makes us wish we had a set of keys and a jungle nearby.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/">Mitsubishi L200 Savana (Brazil)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/br_l200savana_1280_01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/br_l200savana_1280_02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/br_l200savana_1280_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/br_l200savana_1280_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mitsubishi-l200-savana-brazil/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/br_l200savana_1280_05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.mitsubishimotors.com.br/mitproduto/2008/l200savana/">Mitsubishi Brazil</a> via <a href="http://es.autoblog.com/2008/03/26/brasil-mitsubishi-l200-savana/">Autoblog Spanish</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/">Mitsubishi L200 Savana snorkels into Brazil</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:39:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://es.autoblog.com/2008/03/26/brasil-mitsubishi-l200-savana/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1149866/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mitsubishi-l200-savana-snorkels-into-brazil/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>brazil</category><category>l200</category><category>l200 savana</category><category>l200 triton</category><category>L200Savana</category><category>L200Triton</category><category>mitsubishi</category><category>mitsubishi brazil</category><category>mitsubishi l200</category><category>MitsubishiBrazil</category><category>MitsubishiL200</category><category>savana</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alex Nunez]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:39:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford Edge headed to Brazil]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124366"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/edge_brazil.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It seems like America is the only place where American cars aren't popular. Buick has huge numbers in China, and Ford's having a lot of success in Brazil. Sales of the Fusion sedan took off to the point that it now leads the midsize segment there. Riding high on the Fusion's success, Ford's sending the Edge below the equator. The Edge will join a lineup that includes the new <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/16/new-ford-ka-debuts-in-brazil/">Ka</a> compact, the EcoSport small 'Ute, and the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/25/autoexpress-reveals-first-look-at-fords-new-fiesta/">Fiesta</a>. <br /><br />Ford's also pumping $1 billion into it's Brazilian operations to keep the stampede going. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ford do Brasil</span> has had 15 quarters of profit and earnings are up 72-percent over last year. The infusion of cash will go into Ford's local products, which will help the rest of their lineup come closer to the Edge's excellence. <br /><br /><em>Press release after the jump.</em><br /><br />[Source: Ford]<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/">Ford Ka</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ka_12_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ka_11_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ka_10_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ka_09_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ka/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ka_08_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/">Ford EcoSport</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/eco_10_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/eco_09_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/eco_07_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/eco_05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-ecosport/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/eco_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/">Ford Fiesta ST Mototune</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/fiesta_st_mountune_01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/fiesta_st_mountune_02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/fiesta_st_mountune_03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/fiesta_st_mountune_04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-fiesta-st-mototune/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/fiesta_st_mountune_05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford Edge headed to Brazil</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/">Ford Edge headed to Brazil</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1089041/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>brasil</category><category>brazil</category><category>ecosport</category><category>edge</category><category>fiesta</category><category>ford</category><category>fusion</category><category>ka</category><category>sales</category><category>south america</category><category>SouthAmerica</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/holden/" rel="tag">Holden</a></p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200801080135DOWJONESDJONLINE000090_FORTUNE5.htm"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/06wmcaprice_116_opt.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /><br />GM's Australian subsidiary Holden has recalled 86,000 rear-wheel-drive Zeta cars with the V6 engine to correct a potential fuel leak that could lead to fires. The CNN Money article says that the recall doesn't impact the Pontiac G8, GM's North American Zeta variant, because that car's underhood layout is different. We should also mention that the G8 is not even on sale yet, so there are none in customer hands to recall. <br /><br />VE and WM Commodores in Australia and New Zealand, Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice models in the Middle East, as well as the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil are all affected. When a clip chafes on the fuel line, it can apparently cause a leak with nasty results if the gasoline ignites. The risk is low, says GM's John Lindsay, but they're calling the cars back, nearly all of the Zetas with V6 engines sold since the car's redesign, and fixing them free of charge just to be on the safe side. <br /><br />[Source: CNN]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/">Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200801080135DOWJONESDJONLINE000090_FORTUNE5.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1081004/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>australia</category><category>brazil</category><category>caprice</category><category>chevrolet</category><category>commodore</category><category>fire</category><category>fuel leak</category><category>FuelLeak</category><category>general motors</category><category>GeneralMotors</category><category>gm</category><category>holden</category><category>lumina</category><category>middle east</category><category>MiddleEast</category><category>new zealand</category><category>NewZealand</category><category>omega</category><category>recall</category><category>zeta</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/honda/" rel="tag">Honda</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/cr-v.jpg" /> </p>
<p>The small utility vehicle market is booming right now, and there may be none better in the non-luxury space than the fuel-sipping <a href="http://autos.aol.com/cars-Honda-CR_V-2008/overview">Honda CR-V</a>. Honda has to be thrilled with their little 'ute, mostly because customers are snatching up the vehicle with little or no incentives, and it's far and away the <a href="http://corporate.honda.com/press/article.aspx?id=4332">best-selling CUV</a> in the US. The CR-V has been so successful that Honda has increased production in Mexico by 20,000 units annually to expand sales into Brazil and Argentina. Honda is hiring an additional 600 employees to its El Salto plant in Mexico to account for growing production. The move is part of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/honda-to-double-north-american-production-of-the-cr-v/">Honda's plan</a> to double North American production of the CR-V. </p>
<p>[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]<br /></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/">Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/ANA02/71126004/1078/rss02&amp;rssfeed=rss02>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1048371/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Argentina</category><category>Brazil</category><category>Crossovers</category><category>El Salto plant mexico</category><category>ElSaltoPlantMexico</category><category>Ford Escape</category><category>FordEscape</category><category>Honda CR-V</category><category>HondaCr-v</category><category>Toyota Rav4</category><category>ToyotaRav4</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three-Way Title Race comes to a close at Brazilian Grand Prix]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a></p><p><img  hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/brazil-gp-group.jpg" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" /></p>
<p>Fans had been looking forward to it for years, and now it's come to a close. For 2007, Formula One stepped out of the dominating shadow of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the first season since his retirement, and came to today's final race of the season in a close three-way battle between Ferrari's "iceman" Kimi Raikonnen and McLaren's feuding fraternity of defending champion Fernando Alonso and amazing rookie Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari's brave Brazilian Felipe Massa having fell out of contention earlier in the season.</p>
<p>The 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix was a thrilling end to a thrilling season and a gripping race in its own rite. SPOILER ALERT: Follow the jump to find out who won the race, who took the title and how it all went down.</p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Three-Way Title Race comes to a close at Brazilian Grand Prix</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/">Three-Way Title Race comes to a close at Brazilian Grand Prix</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:09:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1018338/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/21/three-way-title-race-comes-to-a-close-at-brazilian-grand-prix/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>1</category><category>brazil</category><category>brazilian</category><category>champion</category><category>f</category><category>formula</category><category>gp</category><category>grand</category><category>one</category><category>paulo</category><category>prix</category><category>race</category><category>results</category><category>sao</category><category>summary</category><category>winner</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:09:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Yep, trolls are ugly: Brazil's Troller Pantanal]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/" rel="tag">Truck</a></p><a href="http://news.windingroad.com/trends/forbidden-fruit-brazils-troller-pantanal/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/trollerpantanal-450.jpg" /></a><br />In all fairness, we know there is a designer out there who felt his or her work met the requirements for the design brief: Keep it simple, stupido. The obvious emphasis of this Brazilian appliance is to haul stuff in a no-frills manner. The Troller Pantanal is a functional full-size pickup that does look rugged enough to get almost any job done. With an International 3.0-liter common-rail turbodiesel underhood and dent-resistant plastic panels all around, it definitely screams function over form, which is what you want in a cheap utility vehicle like a pickup truck. And yet, there appears to be some attempt at making it look a little flashier than just the basics, and that's where things seem to go wrong. The extra bits of style slapped on might actually keep people away from this decent truck, which seems a little counterintuitive if you are trying to sell them. Perhaps it's just a clever theft-deterrent system.<br /><br />[Source: Winding Road]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/">Yep, trolls are ugly: Brazil's Troller Pantanal</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:34:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://news.windingroad.com/trends/forbidden-fruit-brazils-troller-pantanal/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/972100/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/yep-trolls-are-ugly-brazils-troller-pantanal/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Brazil</category><category>Troller Pantanal</category><category>TrollerPantanal</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:34:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford trolling for new Brazilian products]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/" rel="tag">Truck</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/t4threequarter.jpg" id="vimage_7" alt="" /><br /><br />Ford operates three factories in Brazil where it has a 12% market share. According to a Detroit News <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/AUTO01/607110345">article in July</a>, 20% of Ford's 2005 worldwide profit came from its Brazilian operations. But it looks like hefty competition from the usual suspects (Honda, GM, Toyota) have the Blue Oval looking for new product. Thus it's no surprise that Ford of Brazil is in buyout talks with Brazilian automaker <a href="http://www.troller.com.br/pantanal/">Troller Veiculos Especias</a>, <a href="http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20061110:MTFH85783_2006-11-10_21-06-01_N10336791&amp;type=comktNews&amp;rpc=44">Reuters reported</a> Friday.<br /><br />Troller was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troller_Ve%C3%ADculos_Especiais_S/A">founded in 1997</a> and with its 500 employees turns out about 100 vehicles a month. The company makes two models, the very Jeep Wrangler-like T4 (shown above) and the Pantanal pickup. Both are powered by a 160 HP, four-cylinder, 3-liter, common rail, International turbo-diesel. No word yet on when the deal might conclude or how much it would be worth.<br /><br />[Source: Reuters via Yahoo, with information from The Detroit News]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford trolling for new Brazilian products</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/">Ford trolling for new Brazilian products</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:54:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20061110:MTFH85783_2006-11-10_21-06-01_N10336791&amp;type=comktNews&amp;rpc=44>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/700470/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/ford-trolling-for-new-brazilian-products/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Brazil</category><category>Ford Brazil</category><category>Ford buying Troller</category><category>Ford of Brazil</category><category>Ford Troller</category><category>FordBrazil</category><category>FordBuyingTroller</category><category>FordOfBrazil</category><category>FordTroller</category><category>Pantanal</category><category>Troller</category><category>Troller of Brazil</category><category>Troller Pantanal</category><category>Troller sale to Ford</category><category>Troller T4</category><category>TrollerOfBrazil</category><category>TrollerPantanal</category><category>TrollerSaleToFord</category><category>TrollerT4</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Tutor]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:54:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nissan and Suzuki mulling more partnerships]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/nissan/" rel="tag">Nissan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suzuki/" rel="tag">Suzuki</a></p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/10/22/afx3110071.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="" id="vimage_1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/nissan-suzuki.jpg" /></a>Apparently the partnership between Suzuki and Nissan is one that both sides like. So much so that they are already discussing additional future collaborations. We have already reported about the Suzuki-built, Nissan-badged Moco minicar, the Nissan-built, Suzuki-badged Jimny from Thailand, and then the sharing of another minicar for Europe in exchange for Suzuki getting a Nissan minivan to fill capacity at its Indian factory.<br /><br />According to this new Forbes item, Nissan Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp are now considering joint production to expand their ties in emerging markets. Russia and Brazil, in particular, were reported production sites. <br /><br />Back in June the two firms decided to jointly build vehicles for the domestic market, while Suzuki would produce small vehicles in India for Nissan starting in 2008. The newest proposition has Nissan Co. producing Suzuki-badged vehicles at a new Nissan plant in St Petersburg, Russia. That plant won't start up until 2009, but with its annual capacity of 50,000 units, it could handle at least three midsize models. <br /><br />Suzuki already sends SUVs from Japan and builds small cars at its plant in Hungary for export to Russia. They pulled out of the Brazilian market in 2003, however. Nissan, on the other hand, has been assembling vehicles in Brazil since 2001, including pickup trucks and SUVs.<br /><br />[Source: Forbes]<br /><br /><strong>Related Posts:</strong><br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/23/nissan-and-suzuki-expand-collaboration/">Nissan and Suzuki expand collaboration</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/03/nissan-suzuki-to-trade-cars-and-trucks/">Nissan, Suzuki to trade cars and trucks</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/09/nissan-goes-after-emerging-markets/">Nissan goes after emerging markets</a></li>
</ul><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/">Nissan and Suzuki mulling more partnerships</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:27:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/10/22/afx3110071.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/689498/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/nissan-and-suzuki-mulling-more-partnerships/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Brazil</category><category>collaboration</category><category>Hungary</category><category>India</category><category>joint venture</category><category>JointVenture</category><category>minicar</category><category>Moco</category><category>rebadged</category><category>Russia</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Frank Filipponio]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:27:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Ups and Downs at Brazilian GP season closer]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a></p><p><img id="vimage_1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/brazilgp.jpg" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" />The 2006 Formula One season came down to a nail-biting final race in Sao Paulo, Brazil today, as hometown hero Felipe Massa sailed to the checkered flag and reigning champion Fernando Alonso claimed his second consecutive title with a comfortable second place podium finish. </p>
<p>Despite having dominated in the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, retiring legend Michael Schumacher had to start the race from tenth position, as his team-mate Felipe started from pole. Things then went further downhill for Michael as he blew out a tire and limped back to the pits, then got back out on the course to fight all the way up to fourth place from twentieth. Renault reduced the revs on Alonso's car after Schumacher's blow-out to ensure he would finish in the points and secure the championship (Michael would have had to have won the race and Alonso to have earned no points for the German to win the title over the Spaniard). A smiling Jenson Button took third place on the podium.</p>
<p>With a Ferrari 1-4 and a Renault 2-6, the French team also secured the constructor's championship. That didn't seem to upset Massa too much, though, as the jubilant driver - wearing a special racing suit in his national colors - became the first Brazilian driver to win the Brazilian Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna. Felipe described the victory as the happiest day of his life.</p>
<p>Next season will see Massa stay with Ferrari to be joined by Kimi Raikkonen, whose place at McLaren will be taken by the champion Alonso, as Michael Schumacher retires after narrowly missing the shot at his eighth world championship. This was one of the most exciting seasons in recent history, and while Michael will be missed, the next should be even more gripping as the sport steps out from under the dominant figure's shadow.</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/">SPOILER ALERT: Ups and Downs at Brazilian GP season closer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 22 Oct 2006 15:36:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/689014/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/22/spoiler-alert-ups-and-downs-at-brazilian-gp-season-closer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>alonso</category><category>brazil</category><category>brazilian</category><category>championship</category><category>f1</category><category>felipe</category><category>fernando</category><category>ferrari</category><category>formula one</category><category>FormulaOne</category><category>gp</category><category>grand prix</category><category>GrandPrix</category><category>massa</category><category>paulo</category><category>renault</category><category>results</category><category>sao</category><category>title</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 22 Oct 2006 15:36:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chevy shows Prisma Y Concept at San Paulo show]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/" rel="tag">Chevrolet</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc-auto-shows/" rel="tag">Misc. Auto Shows</a></p><a href="http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/saloes2/sp06-22.htm"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/prisma-y-1g.jpg" id="vimage_1" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Sao Paulo auto show in Brazil continues to kick out some interesting concepts below 0&deg; lattitude. Following the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/">Fiat FCC Adventure Concept</a> we showed you prior, Chevy unveiled the Prisma Y Concept yesterday. The vehicle looks decidedly more production ready than the Fiat, and a little bit like a bigger Suzuki SX4. Our Jalopified friends also noticed the similarities the Prisma Y shares with the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/paris-motor-show-chevrolet-wtcc-ultra-pics-and-info/">WTCC Ultra Concept</a> that Chevy unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, mainly the bold new grille treatment up front and the electric blue paint job. We particularly like the fog lights up front that are molded into the front fascia and bumper. It's not a bad looking little CUV, if you ask us. You can check out more images of the Prisma Y Concept by clicking on the Read link.<br /><br />[Source: Bestcars.br via <a href="http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/concept-cars/more-from-the-car-carnivale-chevrolets-prisma-y-concept-in-brazil-208399.php">Jalopnik</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/">Chevy shows Prisma Y Concept at San Paulo show</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:31:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/saloes2/sp06-22.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/686908/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/chevy-shows-prisma-y-concept-at-san-paulo-show/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>auto show</category><category>AutoShow</category><category>brazil</category><category>chevrolet</category><category>chevy</category><category>prisma y concept</category><category>PrismaYConcept</category><category>san paulo</category><category>SanPaulo</category><category>wtcc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:31:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fiat Brazil showing FCC Adventure concept in Sao Paulo]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc-auto-shows/" rel="tag">Misc. Auto Shows</a></p><p><a href="http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/saloes2/sp06-03.htm"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/fcc-7g.jpg" alt="" id="vimage_1" /></a></p>
<p>Fiat's Brazilian division, Fiat Automoveis, has prepped this concept car for the Sao Paulo Auto Show. The Fiat Concept Coupe (FCC) Adventure is a crossover, off-road coupe, that combines rugged styling with a swept-back, insanely raked windshield for a sportscar-on-'roids look.</p>
<p>The FCC Adventure concept uses the 167-hp 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine from the Fiat Stilo Abarth. It rides on 18-inch rims clad in Pirelli PZeros with a four-wheel independent suspension and adjustable shocks. The unique paintjob uses a color-changing paint that ranges from yellow to red, while inside the cabin the FCC gets equipped with competition-themed five-point racing harnesses.</p>
<p>Although the concept looks ready to storm the dunes, it's strictly front-wheel-drive and rides on road tires. Interesting design, but even in concept form it still lacks the theoretical go for all that show. </p>
<p><em>More pics after the jump.</em></p>
<p>(Thanks for the tip, Bruno!)</p>
<p>[Source: BestCars - <a href="http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.uol.com.br%2Fbestcars%2Fsaloes2%2Fsp06-03.htm&amp;langpair=pt%7Cen&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8">click here</a> for transaltion]</p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Fiat Brazil showing FCC Adventure concept in Sao Paulo</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/">Fiat Brazil showing FCC Adventure concept in Sao Paulo</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:04:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/saloes2/sp06-03.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/685867/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/fiat-brazil-showing-fcc-adventure-concept-in-sao-paulo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>adventure</category><category>brazil</category><category>car</category><category>concept</category><category>fiat</category><category>sao paulo</category><category>SaoPaulo</category><category>show</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Noah Joseph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:04:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[RR of the Day: Escort abroad]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/rr-of-the-day/" rel="tag">RR of the Day</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/237683025_5be2edf4d1.jpg" id="vimage_3" alt="" /><br /><br />Since it seems like most of the mainstream automotive news will be dominated with comment and analysis of Ford's WF 2.0 plan today, we thought we'd dig up something with a blue oval on it for today's RR of the Day. This car is a Brazilian 1991 Ford Escort XR3 Formula. It represents some of the Escort's higher pedigree that could be found abroad but was never delivered to the U.S. The XR3 joined the RS2000 Escort in 1991, but lacked the latter's larger 2.0-liter turbo engine in favor of a 1.8-liter Zetec. The owner of this example, who goes by the Flickr handle <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29379227@N00/">Tabajara-Labs</a>, waited 10 years for this very rare XR3 Formula of which he claims only 750 were built. The Escort here reminds us of the greatest Escort of all time and a car after which I hopelessly pined as a young spud: the <a href="http://www.rsownersclub.co.uk/car_info/esccos.htm">Escort RS Cosworth</a>. Yum. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/autoblog/">Flickr group</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. We select one image to highlight each week day, and on the weekend let you vote for a RR of the Week. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.</span><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>RR of the Day: Escort abroad</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/">RR of the Day: Escort abroad</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/669552/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/rr-of-the-day-escort-abroad/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Brazil</category><category>Escort</category><category>RR of the Day</category><category>RrOfTheDay</category><category>XR3</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[John Neff]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:28:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[VW recalls Brazilian cars]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volkswagen/" rel="tag">Volkswagen</a></p><img width="250" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="175" border="1" align="right" id="vimage_1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/08/vw-crossfox.jpg" alt="" />Volkswagen AG has issued a second recall in Brazil. According to the German automaker's Brazilian branch, it has discovered cracks in the fuel injector system which would need to be replaced. Affected vehicles include the CrossFox (pictured), Fox, Golf, Kombi, Polo, and SpaceFox. In total, over 40,000 vehicles are involved in the recall.<br /><br />The first recall involved updating various vehicles' software.<br /><br /><strong>Related</strong>: <br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/28/volkswagen-recalling-34-000-passats/">Volkswagen recalling 34,000 Passats </a><br /><br />[Source: Bloomberg]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/">VW recalls Brazilian cars</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:25:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&amp;sid=aBheDNuSC8TM&amp;refer=latin_america>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/656760/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/21/vw-recalls-brazilian-cars/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Brazil</category><category>CrossFox</category><category>direct fuel injection</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joel Arellano]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:25:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>