Autoblog

Harley-Davidson kills off Buell, will sell stake in MV Agusta [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Videos, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

Erik Buell announces demise of his motorcycle brand - watch video after the jump

Harley-Davidson has just announced its third-quarter results, and things aren't quite as bad as they could have been... but we'll get to that in a moment. The big bombshell is that the Buell brand is being discontinued and the American motorcycle manufacturer will sell off its share in MV Agusta.

Head on over past the jump to watch a video of an obviously emotional Erik Buell breaking the news that his namesake brand has been axed. Buell explains that HD will continue to honor the full factory warranty on his motorcycles and thanks his dealership body and loyal customers for their support over 20 years of producing offbeat American sportbikes. Roughly 180 jobs will be lost within the Buell organization and HD will also immediately begin the work of selling its recently-acquired stake in MV Agusta.

So, back to Harley's third-quarter performance. Revenue from motorcycle sales came to $803.3 million, down 22.1% compared to the the third quarter of 2008. A total of 54,236 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were shipped worldwide, down 27.4 percent. Another $300 or so million was made off apparel and merchandise sales. Full details (and the aforementioned video) can be found in the ridiculously long press release after the break.

Goodbye Buell, we'll miss you.

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson kills off Buell, will sell stake in MV Agusta [w/VIDEO]

Harley-Davidson kills off Buell, will sell stake in MV Agusta [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mos-Def High-Def: Top Gear shooting in 1080p

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Regardless of what viewers may think of the opinions of Jeremy Clarkson and his cohorts at Top Gear, no one can argue with the production values. The cinematography is magnificent and even those who couldn't care less about cars find themselves getting sucked into the BBC program's visuals. Amazingly though, aside from one 2007 special, the show has always been shot with standard definition cameras (*cue Clarkson voice*).... Until now. In a post on the BBC's blog, Danielle Nagler, head of the HD division, announced that the upcoming 14th series of Top Gear is being shot with high definition cameras.

The new series will debut in the UK on November 15, which means that we should be seeing it on BBC America sometime in 2019. Give or take. The U.S.-based BBC America cable channel just started running series 7 of the show. While we love the show here at Autoblog headquarters, we sincerely wish we didn't have to resort to the torrents to get our fix at the same time as our British friends.

[Source: BBC Internet blog via EngadgetHD]

REPORT: Mos-Def High-Def: Top Gear shooting in 1080p originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S.

Chris Paukert — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

For World Rally Championship fans living in the U.S., it's been tough to keep up on the action, as domestic television coverage has been virtually nonexistent for some time now. That's about to change, however, as the series has inked a deal with Discovery Communications' HD Theater, a channel with an audience of 633 million. HD Theater has committed to show weekly coverage "from every round of the championship" beginning in October, and it will also air shows featuring related WRC content and news.

The adventure/technology channel already shows other forms of motorsports coverage and car-related programming that we've enjoyed, and we're particularly excited for the return of WRC, as the rallying genre lend itself particularly well to the channel's 1080i, 5.1 digital surround high-def format. After all, the races regularly take place in spectacular settings, and HD broadcasting ought to provide for a heightened level of detail in everything from flying dirt to the look on bystanders' faces as the competitors whip by. Consider us psyched.

Official press release after the jump. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: WRC | Image: Massimo Bettiol/Getty]

Continue reading Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S.

Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: (You Can Still) Rock in America - Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150

Chris Paukert — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition

Flush from the news that its F-150 pickup performed markedly better than many of its primary competitors in a new series of IIHS side-impact crash tests, Ford has rolled out its latest larger-than-life Harley-Davidson model.

Outside of the appearance items, the HD is essentially a Platinum Edition F-Series in motorcycle leathers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Available in either Lava (dark maroon) or Tuxedo Black, the Harley looks very aggressive in the metal - and the effect is not just a function of scale. The bold six-bar grille and 22-inch Harley-branded polished/painted alloys clearly set it apart as a distinct model from other F-Series pickups, and Ford has also slathered the pickup in oversized emblems and strange red "swoosh" marks on the rocker panels. While we could do without the latter flourishes, the truck still strikes us as particularly good-looking in Lava.

Ford's 14th Harley-branded product also has a seriously dolled-up interior that is likewise not for introverts. The prevailing theme behind the cabin's styling is that of a Harley biker jacket, and the materials, color choices, and the gigantic badges on the seats and center console (including a serialized plate) are unsubtle but appropriate.

Clearly not a truck for wallflowers, Ford continues to carve out niche after niche for its new 2010 F-150. Click on the gallery below for in-person shots of the new HD F-150, and then click here for more details.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Harley Davidson F-150

Chicago 2009: (You Can Still) Rock in America - Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Motorcycle

Click on the image for more high-res shots of the Night Rod Special

Harley-Davidson and the cruiser segment in general is currently being forced into the realization that such bikes are often considered playthings by their owners. Sure, there are plenty of die-hard HD fanatics who ride their bikes thousands of miles annually and attend faraway rallies to gather with other enthusiasts who share their passion. Many owners, though, spend more time polishing their chrome than out riding. Such weekend warriors make up a large portion of the cruiser market, and those owners are being forced to hold onto their current rides a bit longer than normal due to the slowing economy in the U.S. -- a country which easily makes up the bulk of cruiser sales.

Harley-Davidson and the rest of the industry could see this change coming long ago, and the V-Rod was its opening defense to this looming issue... and it was a good one by most accounts. The Motor Company, though, has not been content to rest on the original V-Rod as the only alternative to its classic line of air-cooled V-twin powered bikes. Thankfully, we have machines such as the Night Rod Special to provide a welcome diversion from the rolling pieces of nostalgia that make up the majority of HD's line. Does the Night Rod Special's riding experience live up to the promise made by its menacing looks? Read on to find out.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special

Photos copyright Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special

In the Autoblog Garage: Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Better sound in Volvos: HD radio standard in 2009

Dan Roth — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: I.C.E., Technology, Volvo

Since the debut of the original C70, and even before, Volvo's had a hi-fi fetish. That first C70 debuted the idea of in-car surround, running a Pro Logic head unit with available Dynaudio drivers arranged around the cabin. Volvo wants to continue offering its customers a euphonic experience, so they're equipping virtually all 2009 models with HD Radio receivers beginning in late 2008. HD Radio offers expanded programming, like the satellite services, but there's no fee. The selection may vary by geographic location, and variety may be spotty, but that's not as bad as it seems. Rather than blanket the country with the very same show from Atlantic to Pacific, HD offerings vary by locale, just like good old radio. Volvo's effort will give their vehicle fleet the largest base of standard-equipment HD receivers in the world, though the base S40 and V50 will not be available with the head units.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Better sound in Volvos: HD radio standard in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pickuptruck.com hosts Heavy Duty Truck Shootout to end all shootouts

John Neff — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC

Mike Levine from PickupTruck.com is our go-to guy for truck news. His brain is like the bed of a Ford F-450 filled with the esoteric details of heavy duty diesel pickups and 3/4-ton gassers. Plus, he's from the old school of automotive journalism and has made a successful transition to the web, which means his reporting is always knowledgeable and balanced despite it being delivered digitally. When Levine told us he was planning on doing a comprehensive comparo of today's heavy duty pickups, however, we were unprepared for the depth of the final product.

The 2007 PickupTruck.com Heavy Duty Shootout pits six HD pickups from Chevy/GMC, Ford and Dodge against each other on a totally level and unbiased playing field. Levine went so far as to hire a third-party company to perform all of the instrumented testing to remove any trace of subjectivity in the results. The players are three gas-powered 3/4-ton pickups including the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4, 2008 Ford F-250 FX4 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 and 2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE Crew Cab 4x4, and three diesel-powered one-ton pickups including the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 LT Crew Cab 4x4, 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 and 2008 Ford F-350 King Ranch Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4. Ford also threw in a 2008 Ford F-450 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 so that Levine and his team could attempt to prove how powerful this big rig really is.

We've just finished reading Part 1 and 2 of the three-part series, which includes an extremely knowledgeable and fact-filled introduction as well as the first battery of tests, including a "squat" test and 1/4-mile performance runs. Each part may appear like a lot to read, but we flew threw it faster than an unloaded GMC Sierra 2500 through the quarter mile.

Check out Part 1 here and click here for Part 2. The final installment should be out sometime this week, and we'll be eager to find out definitively which of these pickups outperformed its competitors in PickupTruck.com's battle royale of heavy duty trucks.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Pickuptruck.com hosts Heavy Duty Truck Shootout to end all shootouts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar joins BMW in offering HD Radio

Chris Shunk — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:08:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Jaguar

click above image for 14 pics of the 2008 Jaguar XJ

Many radio stations have been advertising HD Radio for some time, but until now BMW has been the only volume automaker to implement the technology in production vehicles. Jaguar has decided to enter the fray, offering HD Radio as an option for the 2008 XJ. The suggested retail price is a hefty $500, but we don't think many XJ owners will buckle at the price.

Within the radio industry, HD Radio is gaining momentum, with 1,200 AM and FM stations broadcasting with digital signals, and 550 of those stations being subscription-free, FM multicast channels. The main stumbling block for HD Radio right now is the cost of the hardware, which is why luxury automakers are the first to adopt the technology.

We got a feel for the power that is HD Radio with some of the cars in the Autoblog Garage, and we are blown away at the quality. We found the quality of the HD radio signal to be extremely clear, and the crispness of talk radio surpasses by far anything offered by XM or Sirius. Hit the jump to read Jaguar's press release.

[Source: Ford Media]

Continue reading Jaguar joins BMW in offering HD Radio

Jaguar joins BMW in offering HD Radio originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heavy Metal: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD details and pics

Noah Joseph — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:05:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

GM has revealed the details for its new full-size heavy-duty pickups, the 2500HD and 3500HD versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

The big trucks offer a huge range of configurations. Buyers can chose the ¾-ton 2500HD or full-ton 3500HD with rear wheel drive or 4WD; with standard or "dually" rear axle; regular, extended or crew cab; 6'6" or 8-foot pickup bed; a large range of gas and diesel engines; smooth-ridin' Z85 or Z71 off-road suspension package; and a variety of trim levels and interior configurations. That'll give you more choices than a McDonalds menu.

Like the Ford Super-Duty, the Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty trucks now feature unique, bolder styling to set it apart from the light-duty 1500 models. The difference can be seen in the shape of the hood, front fenders, grille, headlamps, taillamps and pickup box. The windshield is raked back at a steeper 57-degree angle (making it now slightly more aerodynamic than a barn in a hurricane), and the suicide rear doors on the extended cab now open a full 170-degrees, making it easier for the entire construction crew to squeeze in.

Inside, ~~contractors~~ buyers can specify the standard pickup interior for the WT, LT/SLE models, or a new, more luxurious (you'll swear you were in a Bentley) interior for Silverado LTZ and Sierra SLT. GM is boasting improved interior fit-and-finish, increased sound-deadening insulation, use of higher-quality materials, more nooks and crannies to store yer stuff and improved ergonomics (there's really only way to go). The ravine between the cab and the box has been reduced by a whopping 50%, meaning you'll lose fewer wrenches back there. In the cab you'll also find a host of electronic do-dads including touch-screen sat-nav, DVD entertainment center (with theater-style folding seats in the back - arguably more for ease-of-loading than ambiance), MP3-enabled CD stereo and OnStar.

(Full press release after the jump.)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Heavy Metal: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD details and pics

Heavy Metal: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD details and pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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