Autoblog

Watch a house fall off a truck and hit a car head on

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:59:00 EST

Oh dear. Now, we'll admit to seeing a semi-truck carting a modular home and thinking, "Hmm... I wonder how well-secured that house actually is," but we usually shrug it off after we've safely passed the wide load. Sadly, accidents happen, and one Russian driver recently experienced that very incident that we try our best not to think about.

Thanks to the magic of the dash cam, the entire experience was caught on tape, and we can't even imagine what sort of pants-soiling reaction the driver of the unsuspecting car had when faced with an obstacle of that size. Scroll down to see the big crash for yourself. We apologize in advance for the awful video quality.

Continue reading Watch a house fall off a truck and hit a car head on

Watch a house fall off a truck and hit a car head on originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata to follow World's Cheapest Car with World's Cheapest Home?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Tata is out to offer the world a cheaper way to live. In addition to producing the least expensive vehicle available anywhere, the Indian company has its sights set on cranking out a flat-pack home for the princely sum of $720. According to MSNBC, the domicile boasts a heady 215 square feet of living space and can be erected in as little as a week. The walls are hewn from coconut or jute fiber, and as such, the building is only good for around 20 years of use. As such, Tata doesn't envision the small homes as suitable for city construction.

Instead, the low-cost houses could be ideal for putting a roof over the heads of homeless or as temporary structures for government agencies. The houses are set to hit the market in the next six to eight months. A prefab kit will also contain necessities like windows, roofs and doors, and the company is already drawing up plans for a more spacious model with solar panels and a tidy veranda.

Tata to follow World's Cheapest Car with World's Cheapest Home? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House introduces bill calling for ban on holding phones while driving

Zach Bowman — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that legislation introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives may ban drivers from even holding a cell phone while behind the wheel. The Safe Drivers Act of 2011, introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY, aims to prevent all drivers from holding any mobile device while operating a vehicle by directing the Department of Transportation to enact standards to prohibit the behavior. McCarthy said that making phone calls, texting or using apps is just as dangerous as drunk driving and much more prevalent.

The legislation incorporates provisions for a Department of Transportation study on whether or not talking on the phone at all poses a serious safety risk. The findings would be reported in two years time, at which time adjustments to the measure might be considered.

Meanwhile, drivers would still be allowed to use hands-free devices for mobile communication. Additionally, certain emergency situations would exempt drivers from penalty if caught using a phone while driving.

The Detroit Free Press says that presently, just nine states already ban drivers from holding a phone while driving.

House introduces bill calling for ban on holding phones while driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Design/Style

Hangar Home - Click above to view video after the jump

When gearheads aren't trawling Craigslist for the next old-lady-owned Chevrolet Chevelle tucked away in a barn, they're dreaming of cool places to put their toys.

Usually, dream garages never become reality. It's rare to find someone with enough ambition and/or cash to make it happen, but credit one Florida couple for creating something remarkable: the Hangar Home.

Their house's rear facade doubles as a garage door that conceals a cavernous work and storage area, complete with a set of cushy-looking armchairs for when the weekend project is over. We can't imagine how long this place took to complete, but all the time and effort really paid off. Click past the jump for two videos of the Hangar Home in action.

Continue reading Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal

Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 May 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NADA opposes Senate's financial reform bill

Dan Roth — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Government/Legal

Congress is working on reforming financial oversight in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, and if the House and Senate come together on a compromise bill, a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection will be created. The House's bill exempted auto dealers from more strict lending scrutiny. As currently written, the Senate's bill includes the 18,000 new car dealers in the United States under its umbrella. There is a non-binding resolution that urges adoption of the House car dealer exemption, and dealers suggest they're already regulated plenty.

As a source of financing, auto dealers work like any other lender, including some scams and shady practices that put people into situations they can't afford or insert hidden fees into fine print. Despite the National Association of Auto Dealers protests that auto dealers are already well-regulated, anyone who's fallen prey to these exploitative lending practices would beg to differ. The fight is not resolved, with Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas arguing on behalf of car dealers on Main Street, and the White House arguing on behalf of consumers. Debate is ongoing, but a vote is expected soon.

[Source: The Detroit News]

NADA opposes Senate's financial reform bill originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA lists pro-auto hobby lawmakers in your state

Dan Roth — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Government/Legal

Look at any legislation related to cars, and it seems pretty obvious that lawmakers hate automobiles. While it seems odd that people who get driven around Washington D.C. gridlock in full-size SUVs are railing against the same kind of vehicles, there's also a contingent of legislators on the state level who understand that "suck, squeeze, bang, blow" has nothing to do with Clinton-era interns.

For the last five years, SEMA has partnered with state lawmakers interested in preserving and protecting the automotive hobby in the form of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. If you're a gearhead interested in knowing who your friends are at your state's Capitol when it comes to the love of cars, SEMA's list of state Senators, Reps and Assemblymen who are members of the Caucus is where to go.

There are even photos of some members posing with their personal rides. It's a .pdf-based e-document, but you can easily figure out where to send your greasy-fingerprinted, crayon-composed love letters.

[Source: SEMA.org]

SEMA lists pro-auto hobby lawmakers in your state originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 May 2010 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Uplifting: Tokyo home elevates Lamborghini Countach right into living room

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Lamborghini, Design/Style

KRE House by Takuya Tsuchida - Click above for image gallery

Remember Holger Schubert? He's the Brentwood, California resident who won awards from Maserati and Architecture Digest magazine for his innovative garage set-up that placed his classic Ferrari 512BB in a living room-style garage. Unfortunately, his myopic neighbors put the architectural feat at risk with their disapproval of his driveway ramp. But another homeowner across the Pacific has commissioned a similar arrangement that is drawing attention.

Renowned Japanese architect Takuya Tsuchida was approached by a client to build a house on a 2,000-square-foot plot in suburban Tokyo with some very specific instructions. One, there had to be an atrium running up the middle of the house with a potted tree occupying the center. Two, there had to be a nine-car garage on premises to house the owner's car collection. And three, he had to be able to see his prized ponies from the living room.

Sounds complicated enough, but Tsuchida didn't disappoint. His solution was to fit the garage with an elevator platform that can raise one of the cars right into the living space: in this case, a Lamborghini Countach Anniversary Edition, although we can spy what looks like a Diablo GT peering through the opening as well. Sure beats the knickknacks we've got piling up in our fantasy living room. Oh, and the rest of the house looks pretty nice, too. Thanks for the tip, Pat!

Gallery: KRE House by Takuya Tsuchida

[Source: What We Do Is Secret via today and tomorrow]

How Uplifting: Tokyo home elevates Lamborghini Countach right into living room originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oscar Mayer Wienermobile penetrates unsuspecting home

Alex Nunez — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Work, Humor

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile makes a house call - Click above for image gallery

Giant wieners can do a lot of damage, it seems. Just look at what happened today in Racine, WI. There, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile penetrated a home's closed garage door in a decidedly non-consensual manner.

Fox6Now.com reports that the Wienermobile's driver took a wrong turn down a dead-end street. Subsequently faced with a scenario in which there was nowhere to stick the enormous 27-foot wiener, she decided to back up the street and start fresh. Unfortunately, she mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake, a course of action that simply did not cut the mustard. In the end, it was a long day filled with hard lessons, as demonstrated in the attached photo gallery. Thanks for the tip, Tony!

Gallery: Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Penetrates Home

[Source: Fox6Now.com | Images: Tom McCauley, used with permission]

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile penetrates unsuspecting home originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cash for Clunkers passes Congress, awaits President's signature

John Neff — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

After narrowly surviving an attempt by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. to strip it from a war-spending bill, the Cash for Clunkers program passed the Senate yesterday evening. Well, the $106 billion war-spending bill passed the Senate on a 91-5 vote, but the $1 billion scrapping program earlier survived Sen. Gregg's attempt to have it removed and thus passed, as well. Now the bill makes its way to President Obama, who is expected to sign the bill into law, after which the U.S. Transportation Department reportedly has one month to figure out how the Cash for Clunkers program will be run. Since Congress reduced funding for the program from $4 billion to just $1 billion, it's expected that the money will run out long before the program is scheduled to end on November 1.

The Cash for Clunkers program is intended to aid automakers and their dealers, including imports, by offering vouchers worth between $3,500 and $4,500 to car buyers willing to trade in their old vehicles for new, more fuel efficient ones. The program's eligibility rules, however, are stiff. Trade-in vehicles have to be in drivable condition, insured by the same owner for the last year, manufactured in 1984 or later and have a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg or less.

The new car being purchased must also achieve at least 22 mpg combined in order to receive the $3,500 voucher and be 10 mpg better than your trade-in to earn the $4,500 voucher. For light trucks and SUVs, the new vehicle must get 2 mpg better than the old one for $3,500 and 5 mpg better for $4,500. Reported estimates say around 250,000 car shoppers will be able to take advantage of the program, so don't sell your clunker on Craigslist if you want to be one of them.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press | Photo by Kevin Burkett | CC2.0]

Cash for Clunkers passes Congress, awaits President's signature originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House narrowly passes scaled-back 'Cash-for-Clunkers' legislation

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

After the House and Senate agreed on the terms of a cut-down version of the Cash for Clunkers legislation, it passed the house on Tuesday by a narrow margin (226-202) after being added as a supplemental appropriations bill to continue funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Per the previous agreement, the new bill only contains $1 billion for the program, about a quarter of what was originally proposed, and will only extend through the 2010 fiscal year, ending on September 30.

The $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers for consumers remain intact, along with the 18 mpg provision, and there's a movement underfoot to get the legislation prolonged passed the 2010 fiscal year. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later today and if all goes well, it should land on the President's desk this week.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]

House narrowly passes scaled-back 'Cash-for-Clunkers' legislation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: House, Senate reach terms on 'Cash for Clunkers' program - but only with $1B in funding

Chris Paukert — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Green

According to The Detroit News, the House and Senate came to terms late last night on a $1 billion 'cash for clunkers' initiative. Part of a larger $106 billion wartime spending bill, the program is not yet law, as the finalized bill must be passed by Congress (it is expected to be voted on next week) and signed into law by President Obama.

Under the terms of the compromise, vouchers worth up to $4,500 would be distributed to those who turn in old vehicles. The program's $1B backing figures to be well short of the $4B it is estimated to cost, meaning that the funding is expected to run out after September 30, the end of the fiscal year. As the theory goes, getting the program approved was the first big step - the DetNews says that key supporters believe that additional funding could be agreed upon subsequently.

As you may recall, the House approved the measure earlier this week, but there were reports of some significant troubles in the Senate where funding and mileage requirements were concerned. In the end, the same mileage figures were reportedly agreed upon, meaning vehicles that return 18 mpg or less in combined city/highway are eligible to turn in their vehicle for a cash voucher. If the new car replacement achieves at least 4 mpg better, a $3,500 voucher would be awarded, and if the new car achieved at least 10 mpg more, the credit would be $4,500. Trucks figure to be a bit different, however, with replacement vehicles needing to net at least 18 mpg, with figures at least 2 mpg better than the soon-to-be-scrapped turn-in. In order to receive the full $4,500 voucher, however, truck buyers' new vehicle would have to improve their fuel economy figures by at least 5 mpg.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]]

BREAKING: House, Senate reach terms on 'Cash for Clunkers' program - but only with $1B in funding originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: House passes 'cash for clunkers' legislation

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

The U.S. House approved the "cash for clunkers" legislation earlier today, paving the way for consumers to snag up to $4,500 for trading in their older vehicles for new, more fuel efficient transport.

The bill, which passed 298-119, drew overwhelming support from automakers, local business groups and dealers who claimed the passage could boost sales - further aiding GM and Chrysler's "reinvention" - during the economic downturn.

Although politicians and pundits are sure to weigh-in on the merits of the bill, the specifics appear clear: if your car gets 18 mpg or less and you trade in for a new vehicle the achieves at least 22 mpg, you receive a $3,500 voucher, or $4,500 if the mileage of the new vehicle is 10 mpg higher than your previous heap. SUV, pickup truck and minivan buyers are eligible for a $3,500 voucher if their vehicle gets at least two mpg higher than their trade-in and $4,500 if the vehicle gets five mpg more than their older model. The vehicle has to have been insured for the last year and there is no trade-in value beyond the voucher. The program is also available for leases. Dealers are required to provide proof that the vehicle (1984 MY or later) has been crushed or shredded, and the government estimates that around 25 million vehicles are eligible.

[Source: AP | Image Source: Theo Heimann/Getty]

BREAKING: House passes 'cash for clunkers' legislation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House passes $25 billion loan for domestic automakers

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill this afternoon approving a $25 billion low-interest loan for domestic automakers. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority - 370 to 58 - and is on its way to the Senate for a vote on Friday before the White House gets the opportunity to lay pen to paper on March 6, 2009. The rates and rules of the loan are required to be spelled-out by the U.S. Department of Energy within 60 days of the bill becoming law, but automakers could be allowed to repay the loans over as long as 25 years, along with the Energy Department deferring payment for up to five years.

Detroit's Big Three (or 2.8, or whatever) are counting on the loans to retool factories for more fuel-efficient vehicles, protect jobs and help fund the escalated development costs of fuel-efficient drivetrains. Having seen more government bail-outs than we'd like to over the past couple weeks, we're not ready to call this one a full-blown bail-out like those given to Fanny Mae/Freddie Mac, and AIG. These are low-interest loans that will likely come with specific stipulations on how the money can be spent. It's up to General Motors, FoMoCo and Chrysler LLC to spend them wisely.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

House passes $25 billion loan for domestic automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New fuel economy standards set 35 mpg limit by 2020

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

The word yesterday was that new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were on their way down from Capitol Hill, and late last night House leaders finally agreed to a deal that would increase fuel economy standards to 35 mpg by 2020 - a 40-percent increase over the current decades-old legislation. By leaders, we mean a compromise was reached between Democratic top dog and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.). Despite playing for the same team, Dingell also has an obligation to protect the interests of his home state.

The new requirements are similar to measures proposed in the Senate energy bill passed in June, but the House rules keep standards for cars and trucks separate, something preferred by the automakers. It also assures that credits will be extended to automakers that produce E85-capable vehicles, something that was fought for hard by politicians and auto manufacturers alike despite the limited impact this alternative fuel has on either the environment or reducing this country's dependancy on foreign oil.

A House vote will take place on Wednesday to enact the 1,000-page bill.

[Sources: Detroit News, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press]

New fuel economy standards set 35 mpg limit by 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House drops revised fuel economy standards

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:07:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Yesterday, House Democrats withdrew two amendments to an energy bill in the House that would increase fuel economy standards significantly over the next 12 years. The bill, which is slated for debate this week, included a proposed increase in fuel mileage by close to 40-percent for both cars and SUV/light trucks. The goal was to revise the outdated fuel economy standards to 27.5 MPG for cars and 22.2 MPG for trucks and SUVs by 2019.

Ed Markey, D-Mass withdrew his amendment after a conversation with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, although Markey insisted that support on both sides of the aisle was enough to bring it to the President's desk. Surprised? We weren't either.

[Source: Detroit News]

House drops revised fuel economy standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The molasses thickens: House delays vote on fuel bill

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:19:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

Between all of the folks sponsoring and counter-sponsoring legislation to raise/lower/maintain CAFE standards, even Autoblog is losing track. The latest news is that a hearing to approve the most recent bill, sponsored by House Reps Rick Boucher (D-VA) and John Dingell (D-MI), has been canceled because the two Congressmen can't get majority support. That's the bill that would also bar states from deciding their own CO2 emissions levels/fuel economy standards. The bill isn't dead, the discussion has simply been pushed back. That's bad news, though, for automakers, who like the Boucher/Dingell bill better than the stricter legislation that will be debated in the Senate next week.

At the same time, the President signed an order for a group of federal agencies to establish CO2 limits by the end of 2008, even as the White House has come back this week with a firm "No comment" on whether CO2 is an air pollutant. The EPA, given the authority by the Supreme Court to rule on such matters, and the NHTSA "refused to endorse or oppose any of the proposals" on CAFE standards that Congress is currently debating.

[Source: Detroit News]

The molasses thickens: House delays vote on fuel bill originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Representatives aiming to block states from deciding greenhouse limits

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:51:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Just you watch, before it's all through, the automotive/greenhouse gas/environmental legislation and counter-legislation moving through Congress right now is not going to be decided by vote, but by a cage match. First, the Supreme Court ruled the EPA had the power to regulate emissions. California decided to show the EPA how to do that, and declared what kind of gas mileage cars sold in the state had to get -- but it has to get a waiver from the EPA to actually follow through on it. Vermont did the same, and got sued by the automakers. The Senate thought it might calm everyone down by setting new CAFE standards to take effect in 2020, in a bill that is supposed to be decided this week or next. Automakers then came back with another Senate measure that would stall the first one. Got it so far?

Now, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) has put together a "discussion draft" as part of comprehensive environmental legislation to be written by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It states that the EPA would set the requirements for C02 emissions, and "would be the exclusive regulatory regime for governing new motor vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases." That would mean that the EPA is the final decider of what's going to happen nationwide as far as vehicle emissions are concerned. So California and its fellow states trying to decide what they want ... can sit back down and wait for the EPA to tell the country what it's going to get. Furthermore, in such case, the EPA can't grant waivers to states that wish to enforce their own limits.

Of course, it only gets more exciting after that, with charges of shady dealing, skulduggery and promises of fights to come over states' rights. Remember, when the Senate's CAFE bill was first mooted, the Democrats said they expected it to pass. We wonder if they're still so sure. And with this kind of action, who needs telenovelas?

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Representatives aiming to block states from deciding greenhouse limits originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The political winds may be shifting in Detroit

Eric Bryant — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Wagon, Etc., Government/Legal, Daimler, Ford, GM

The political alliances in the Motor City have historically been rather black-and-white, with the UAW lining up alongside Democrats and management favoring the Republicans. Yes, one can find exception to these stereotypes, but the above comes as close as one can to describing 40-some years of voting behavior in one sentence. But the times are changing, and traditional alliances between the political parties and their supporters in the auto industry are increasingly stressed.

Most recently, the heads of the Big Three are said to be getting a bit miffed with the White House after receiving a third postponement of a scheduled meeting with President Bush. Additionally, we've heard recent requests from Ford's Mark Fields for "cooperation" between the automakers and government on health care, which can been seen as a position contrary to that of most conservatives. Bob Lutz has gone so far as to claim that he may vote for Hillary Clinton in 2008 as a means to protest the lack of support from Bush.

Keep in mind that the union isn't exactly getting a lot of support from those who have traditionally been in its corner, either. Dick Gephardt was said to be labor's favorite candidate in 2004, and we all know how far his campaign went.

It would seem as if the auto industry is no longer a priority for most politicians from both parties.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

The political winds may be shifting in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's next step towards world domination - home construction

Eric Bryant — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toyota

Toyota has been described as some as being a great manufacturing company that just happens to build cars. The company is taking that to heart as it applies its famed mass-production techniques to the housing market.

Selling for around a quarter-million bucks, the metal-framed pre-fab modules or "units" are 85% completed before they leave the factory. After transportation to the assembly site, a dozen or so units are stacked like Lego blocks to achieve the desired living space. The company states that it has no intention to go global with its home construction, likely because this building style limits the market for such a product.

Our readers who are well versed in automobile-related history have likely come across a wide variety of products built by domestic automakers over the years; for example, my in-laws still have a '50s-era International Harvester refrigerator at their cabin.

Check out more info on Toyota's corporate website here.

[Source: Toronto Star]

Toyota's next step towards world domination - home construction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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