Autoblog

Video: Crazy Kiwi skateboarders draw ire for passing trucks at high speed on busy road

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Australia

Longboarding at 56+ mph - Click above to watch video after the jump

There's crazy, and then there's this level of all-out insanity. A group of longboarders in New Zealand have taken to hopping onto the local highway and coasting down a sizable hill while overtaking local traffic. The speed limit? A heady 56 mph. Police first became aware of the daredevils via a video posted on YouTube. Apparently Canadian Andrew Chapman first posted the quick film on Facebook. From there, it didn't take long for the exploits to make their way to the rest of the internet - and the law.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the boarders cover about 1.5 miles of State Highway 1 before pulling off the roadway and coming to a stop. If that's not bat guano enough for you, one of the characters in the video is clearly seen riding barefoot. Interestingly enough, the crew isn't forbidden from using their boards on the road. Since it changes from a motorway to an expressway at the top of the hills, though, law enforcement could technically charge the longboarders with failing to keep left or reckless driving. Hit the jump to see the video.

[Source: The Daily Telegraph]

Continue reading Video: Crazy Kiwi skateboarders draw ire for passing trucks at high speed on busy road

Video: Crazy Kiwi skateboarders draw ire for passing trucks at high speed on busy road originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulme CanAm supercars said to be struggling to find investors

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Earnings/Financials, Specialty

Hulme CanAm - Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems like every day, a new startup flashes a rendering on the interwebs claiming to be the next big thing in the automotive world. Maybe it's a mid-engine supercar or an all-electric savior that's come to deliver us from dino juice. Either way, only a handful of these ever make it from dream fodder to something that actually puts rubber to the pavement. Few know that better than the crew behind New Zealand's Hulme CanAm.

The car has been the stuff of Kiwi dreams for nearly eight years now, but according to Yahoo! Xtra Sport, a recent lack of funds may force the company behind it and its investors to reconsider the future. After failing to raise $5.2 million USD through an IPO for construction of a facility to build the CanAm and development of the car, Hulme is now forced to refund what money it did accumulate. Investors will be getting checks in the mail.

So what happens to the LS7-powered exotic? At this point, apparently no one knows. Hulme had attempted to raise its capital through New Zealand investors only, so it's entirely possible that the company will begin looking outside of the island nation for a little financial help. For now though, the ambitious project appears to be in serious trouble.

Gallery: Hulme CanAm

[Source: Yahoo! Xtra Sport]

Hulme CanAm supercars said to be struggling to find investors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulme CanAm now available for order - Hurry, just 20 available

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Specialty

Hulme CanAm - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nearly four years after its debut, New Zealand-based Hulme Supercars has finally opened up the order books for the CanAm, but if you want one, you had better move fast. Hulme will build only 20 examples of the CanAm and they are going on a first come, first serve basis. To get on the order list, prospective customers will have to submit a £10,000 fully refundable deposit (that's around $14,400 at current exchange rates). Production of the CanAm won't start until the fall of 2011 and Hulme will hold a private showing and test drive sometime before the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Hulme will put the deposits in a trust account that will be returned for any prospective customers that decide to cancel. For those that decide to take delivery, the $700,000+ purchase price includes two business class tickets to Auckland, New Zealand for final fitting of the car and some local driving time. Once the customer is satisfied, the car will get shipped to its final destination.

Gallery: Hulme CanAm

[Source: Hulme Supercars]

Continue reading Hulme CanAm now available for order - Hurry, just 20 available

Hulme CanAm now available for order - Hurry, just 20 available originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's first motorcycle hearse? [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars

Motorcycle Hearse - Click above to watch video after the jump

Given the level of dedication we've seen from the dead when it comes to their motorcycles, it comes as no surprise that somebody has given one the Munsters treatment and created the world's first motorcycle hearse. Built in Auckland, New Zealand by an automotive engineer, the bike can carry up to 440 lbs in an underbelly cradle. Push a button and the rig slides out to let the pallbearers do their thing. A complex system of hydraulics helps stabilize everything, and two riders are needed to get the deceased from place to place.

Power comes courtesy of a 1,350 cc Harley-Davidson engine, and the motorcycle hearse's inventor, Mike Price, says that he originally wanted to partner with them on the project. Harley wanted Price to sign a lengthy contract before they'd even look at his design, however, so he politely told them where they could stick that dotted line and built the bike himself after work. Are there classier ways to get to your final resting place? Sure, but few are any cooler. Hit the jump for a check out a few videos.

[Source: Papakura Courier, YouTube]

Continue reading World's first motorcycle hearse? [w/video]

World's first motorcycle hearse? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 May 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crash

Zach Bowman — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Mitsubishi, Humor, Racing

Mark Tapper under the full moon - Click above to watch video after the jump

Let's take a moment for quick lesson in target fixation courtesy of New Zealand rally driver Mark Tapper. Earlier this month, Tapper was participating the Rally New Zealand in his WRC Mitsubishi Evo. From the looks of things, the driver was keeping a pretty good pace until he saw something a little out of the ordinary - a full moon.

A spectator on the left side of the course took it upon himself to drop his pants and give Tapper both cheeks, at which point the driver lost his concentration and came into the next corner too hot. The resulting carnage was predictable. The Evo's tail slapped an embankment, causing the whole kit and caboodle to go shiny-side down. Go ahead and hit the jump to see for yourself, but be warned - Tapper's response to the incident isn't what we'd call safe for work. Thanks for the tip, Adam!

[Source: Performance Car]

Continue reading Video: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crash

Video: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulme Supercars to launch Kiwi IPO, playing national pride trump card?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Earnings/Financials

Hulme CanAm - Click above for high-res image gallery

New Zealanders are being given a chance to invest in the creation of the country's home-grown supercar. Hulme Supercars Limited is proposing an IPO with share lots offered for as little as $NZ 1,000 ($701 U.S.) that will make the nation part of some future Hulme CanAm tradition, should there be one. A buyer of the LS7-powered car itself would need at least $699,000 more to take one home, so $1,000 for a piece of the company that makes it might not be all bad.

The money will be used to put the car into series production for world markets. If you're interested, you can request a prospectus by e-mailing or writing to Hulme. The offer is only open to New Zealanders, though, so all of you international barons will have to wait for the scraps if there are any left over. Hat tip to Darren!

Gallery: Hulme CanAm

[Source: NZ Classic Car]

Hulme Supercars to launch Kiwi IPO, playing national pride trump card? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft'

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Homemade flying hovercraft - Click above to watch video after the jump

Rudy Heeman, an inventor in New Zealand, has created a flying hovercraft. We'll admit right now that it has ~~little~~ nothing to do with cars, but it is ridiculously cool. Heeman wants to make and sell them for only $13,000. Maybe it's time for us to just sell the car and move someplace with waterways for roads. Follow the jump to check it out. Hat tip to Duy!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft'

Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Australia

Samoan traffic switches sides -- Click above to view the video after the jump

Samoa's prime minister has decided to do something for his constituents who want to buy cheap cars: swap driving from the right-hand side to the left-hand side. The reasoning behind the move is that Australia and New Zealand are Samoa's biggest trading partners, and driving in the same manner they do -- like the English -- will let Samoans buy cheaper cars from the antipodes. Intriguingly, the prime minister also said the switch will help Samoans avoid tsunamis.

It's not exactly a shock to find that more than a few Samoans aren't happy about it. A local attorney has formed a group called People Against Switching Sides, and he was able to get 30,000 petition signatures in a country with just 200,000 people. Samoa's roads are already dangerous, and his reasoning is that this will only mean more injured and killed citizenry, not to mention a huge bill.

The government wants to hear none of it, sticking to its September 7th changeover date and saying it will be a national holiday. If footage a bus full of people traveling the wrong way down a training road is any indication, though, our advice would be to stick to walking. You can watch a video on the reversing maneuver after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Reed!

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO]

The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Japan, Nissan, Australia

1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Long before Michael Jackson named two of his sons Prince, there was a Japanese manufacturer that went by that name. Actually, they were initially called Tachikawa Aircraft Company (builder of the Pearl Harbor-attacking Zeros) but then changed their name to Prince before changing it again to Fuji Precision Industries before finally switching it back to Prince in 1961, just in time to merge with Nissan in 1966. Stick with us, we're getting somewhere with all of this.

None of that would be important to non-WW2 buffs except for one Prince car - the Skyline. We were lucky enough to drive the latest and greatest Skyline (now known as the Nissan GT-R) the other day and noted how it reminded us of a Porsche 959. At that time, we were talking about the two cars' ground breaking technology and performance - but there's another similarity. Both supercars come from humble bloodlines. After all, the Porsche descended from a Volkswagen Beetle. Godzilla's ancestor is the Prince Skyline.

The second-generation S54 Nissan Prince Skyline is a particularly historic car, as it is the first time an inline-6 wound up under the hood. In fact, Nissan had to graft eight inches onto the front of the Skyline (all in front of the firewall) just to shoehorn in the 2.0-liter inline-six from the larger Gloria S40. The 1.5-liter inline-fours went into stumpier cars.

The car above is the S57 Skyline, slightly tweaked for 1967. Called the GT A200 in New Zealand - where this car hails from - the S57 is usually known as the 2000GT and came with three Weber carbs, a limited-slip diff and a five-speed manual transmission. Pretty sweet stuff for 1967... now you see where Godzilla gets it. The only drawback we can see is the 17-hour flight to Aukland.

Gallery: Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Mitsubishi, Humor

New Zealand Mitsubishi wants you to buy a Triton ute, and to lure you into doing it they're using goats -- because really, who can resist a goat? Said Mitsu's New Zealand sales and marketing manager, Peter Wilkins, "three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to float the goat?''

But wait, there's more! If you don't end up taking the goat -- said to go well with the Triton because goats are "hardy, versatile units which will integrate directly into existing farm operations'' -- a goat-free package is available. That will get you a 5-year extended warranty, five vehicle fitness inspections, five thousand km of road user charges paid, five years of roadside assistance, and $500 worth of Triton accessories.

New Zealand Mitsubishi, working hard to... get your goat. (Sorry, had to...)

[Source: Courier Mail]

Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chopper carrying Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond makes emergency landing after seagull strike

Alex Nunez — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

A chopper carrying Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond had to make an emergency landing after a seagull flew into the rotor after takeoff. The incident took place in Auckland, New Zealand. where the pair are currently on tour with the Top Gear Live show. As photos published by London's Daily Mail show, the helicopter appeared none the worse for wear, save for a spot of gore left on one rotor following the whirlybird vs. seabird matchup. Similarly, there were no injuries to any of the chopper's occupants. According to the newspaper, Clarkson and Hammond shrugged things off, took some pictures and resumed their sightseeing. No harm, no fowl... Thanks fot the tip, Jeremy!

[Source: Daily Mail]

Chopper carrying Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond makes emergency landing after seagull strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hero or Villain? Kiwi bandit filling "boy racer" exhausts with expanding foam

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Humor

BRRRAAAAP! It's music to the ears of a subset of car nuts. Noisy exhaust setups are hardly a new phenomenon, but the fashion for mufflers that intentionally buzz as much as possible is a more recent development in the pantheon of annoying things others do. Exasperation with the muffler rap has led a New Zealand vigilante to start terrorizing cars equipped with what he or she describes as "boy-racer exhausts" in a written manifesto sent to the Marlborough Express.

Using the handle "Phantom Expander," the self-righteous vandal has taken to filling the tailpipes of offending cars with self-expanding foam. So far, the four-hour set time of the foam has been the saving grace for the Phantom's victims, most of whom have been able to clear the exhausts before the intended plug has dried. Vehicles with fully clogged exhausts will not start, and repairs could get expensive if other components are damaged.

For now, the foam bandit roams free, but it's only a matter of time before someone gets caught with a can of "Great Stuff" in their hand. Will it be the constabulary or a car owner that catches them? For the foamer's sake, it might be best to get nabbed by the police so that they can keep all of their teeth.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]

Hero or Villain? Kiwi bandit filling "boy racer" exhausts with expanding foam originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulme CanAm makes track debut with 600-hp LS7 V8

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars

Click either image to view the Hulme CanAm in our gallery

The McLaren legacy is a powerful draw. Bruce McLaren himself was a tour de force as a racing driver, engineer and team principal in his day, winning races and championships in Formula One, Indy cars and Can-Am. Ever since his passing in 1970, there has been no lack of supercars ready to lift up his mantle: McLaren F1, Mercedes SLR, Caparo T1...even the tuned Viper concept that recently hit the auction block all owe their origins to the Kiwi and the racing teams he established. Add to that list the Hulme CanAm, a lightweight supercar six years in the making.

The car is named after Denny Hulme, the New Zealander won the F1 title in 1967 before going on to win the Can-Am championship the following year. Appropriately, the car shown above is painted the same bright orange hue as the McLaren racer in which he did it. We've been following the development of the car, previously referred to as the Hulme F1, for a few years now. Along with the name change and the addition of an open-roof model, the Hulme has received a heart transplant in the form of a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 borrowed from the Corvette Z06 to replace the previous BMW unit, offering 600 horsepower. That's enough to push the supercar to sixty in less than three seconds and on to nearly 200 miles-per-hour. The Hulme CanAm recently underwent a public shakedown at the A1GP race in New Zealand, where it lapped the circuit at 123 mph without incident, and is expected to hit the market with a $700,000 price tag sometime next year. Follow the link for more details and check out the assorted images in the gallery below.

UPDATE: new hi-res images of the open-top Hulme CanAm on track added to the gallery

Gallery: Hulme CanAm

[Source: Hulme Supercars]

Hulme CanAm makes track debut with 600-hp LS7 V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand

Noah Joseph — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Australia

Car vs. Jet. It's an epic battle that never seems to end, with new contenders continuously lining up on the runway. And we love it. Top Gear raced a Bugatti Veyron down the runway and back against a Eurofighter, Lamborghini pitted its jet-inspired Reventon against a Tornado, Audi raced its Le Mans-winning R10 TDI against an RAF Harrier jump-yet at Goodwood and Spyker F1 faced off against a Royal Dutch Air Force F16 fighter. (Volkswagen even pulled a 747 jumbo jet with a Touareg V10 TDI.) Now meet the latest challengers: "Black Beauty", Team New Zealand's Zytek-powered Lola A1GP race car, against an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200ER.

The showdown took place on the runway at Auckland International Airport between Kiwi racer Jonny Reid and Air New Zealand pilot Dave Morgan as a publicity event to promote the A1GP races in Taupo, New Zealand this coming weekend. The promotional event seems a little at odds with the recent announcement that the series was switching to bio-ethanol for environmental reasons, but you know what? We don't care. (That's what AutoblogGreen is for.)

Neither did the masses of spectators, who reportedly lined up in the light rain by the terminal windows and alongside the airport perimeter to see the race. Two drag races were staged down the runway: In the first run, the A1GP car had trouble gaining traction off the line in the wet and the 777 won (with a light load and a head start, mind you), but in the second round the racing slicks gripped onto the tarmac and the car took the checkered wind-stocking ahead of the jet. A draw, then - we'll just have to wait for the next showdown.

Follow the jump for the video and press release.

[Source: A1GP]

Continue reading A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand

A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Green

Switching a racing series to ethanol? Smart. Shipping the ethanol around the world to show how green that racing series is? Less so.

A1GP has announced that its upcoming race in New Zealand will mark the inauguration of the series' switch to E30 Hiperflo ethanol-gasoline blend, which, as organizers point out, cuts CO2 emissions by 21% and, of course, reduces the use of fossil fuels. The mixture is specially made for use in A1GP and consists of 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline. While IndyCars and Champ Cars have run on methanol since the '60s, both series are based in the US and have to ship their fuel to fewer races abroad than A1GP.

Logistical considerations aside, overall we say it's a good thing that motorsports are shifting to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly fuel sources. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show this week we heard all about the American Le Mans Series and its green intentions. Ferrari, which is set to begin supplying the engines for A1GP in two years, revealed its bio-ethanol-powered 430 Spider in Detroit, as well. Meanwhile, the FIA has revealed a preliminary timeline for introducing a new F1 engine formula that's anticipated to include environmental measures.

Excerpt from the press release after the jump.

[Source: A1GP via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand

A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, GM, Holden

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.

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.

[Source: CNN]

Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Ford

Safety campaigners and law makers in New Zealand have consistently complained about car ads showing any sense of speed and have since had them banned. Now the tables have turned with Ford reportedly unhappy over the latest anti-speeding ad from Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) because of the way it portrays one of its new cars.

The $2 million television ads shows a late-model Ford Falcon XR6 (pictured) sliding out of control and ending up in a ditch, and, according to a Blue Oval spokesperson, the ad breaches an agreement between the automakers and the LTNZ, which stipulates the make and model of cars in road safety ads are to be concealed.

The LTNZ is standing by its ad, claiming it doesn't breach any rules because the car's badging is gone, and expects it to air for the next 18 months. Fortunately for Ford, a new version of the Falcon is due to go on sale early next year.

[Source: The Age]

Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kiwi supercar coming in 2008

Siddharth Raja — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The recently launched Caparo T1 may already have met its match, and it comes from an unlikely source. New Zealand based Hulme Supercars Ltd. is planning to build an extreme race-car-for-the-road called the Hulme. Powered by a 5.0L V8 engine sourced from BMW, the Hulme develops 550 HP, but weighs in around 1175 kg, which is quite a bit more than the Caparo. The company hopes to begin production next year and claims it can build 25 cars a year. List price is an eye-watering £310,000 (US$620K).

Hulme Supercars states that the idea behind this car is to make it as close to a Formula 1 experience as possible, so the car comes with a mid-mounted engine and full carbon fiber construction. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the car is RWD only with a LSD.

The company and car are named after Danny Hulme, who won the Can-Am championship almost 40 years ago. There are even plans to commemorate this with a Can-Am convertible version, as well as an engine designed more for American tastes. We're not sure what they're talking about, as big V8s from BMW are universally appealing.

[Source: EVO]

Kiwi supercar coming in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel

Dan Roth — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai

Aw hell, here we go again. Hyundai is pulling its spot called "Restless" after the Advertising Standards Bureau of Australia banned it. The ad, which appeals to people's warm, gooey centers by adultifying toddlers, shows a baby snatching the keys to the Santa Fe and hitting the highway. Along the way, he picks up a girl who happens to be hitching to the beach. He surfs, she watches, world hunger and strife are nearly wiped out in the span of sixty seconds. It's a great spot and was voted the most popular ad in New Zealand last year (what a dubious distinction!)

The ASB argues that the ad shows illegal activity (and there's nothing else on TV that shows illegal stuff?), and may entice youngsters into copycat behavior. Right. Like nobody in the history of the car ever had a kid yank the controls before this ad suggested it? Kids love to pretend like they're adults, so you can be sure that if you plop your toddler in the driver's seat, they're going to have a grand old time. Not that there's much watchable content on television anymore, but these situations go beyond the ridiculous and will just lead to more whitewashed, mamby-pamby crap for us to have to sit through. What's next, banning talking animal spots because no animal really talks? Come on people! There's got to be a more fulfilling pursuit than getting all wadded up over an ad - this is one of the most harmless, charming spots we've seen in a while.

We just don't get it, but apparently there's a large contingent out there who yearns to be protected from themselves. Life is no fun if you don't collect a few bumps and scrapes. Yes, I drove mom's '68 Rambler into the garage and out into the street a couple times as a kid. I couldn't help it - that column shift was just asking for it!

Thanks for the tip, Anton!

Check out the spot after the jump

[Source: duncans.tv]

Continue reading More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel

More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalls 270,000 vehicles in Japan and elsewhere

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Japan, Recalls, Honda

Honda announced yesterday that they would recall 270,000 vehicles throughout Japan and China. The two vehicles affected by the recall are the Odyssey minivan and Life kei car.

In the case of the Odyssey, a problematic electrical circuit in the windshield wiper unit has resulted in two minivans catching fire. Of the approximately 117,000 affected Odysseys, 85,000 are in Japan and the rest are spread throughout China, Australia and New Zealand.

The Life kei car (pictured) is also suffering from electrical maladies that can cause the engine to shut down suddenly. So far 104 cases of engine failure have been reported and Honda is expecting to recall 153,000 examples of the popular city car.

[Source: Today Online]

Honda recalls 270,000 vehicles in Japan and elsewhere originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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