Autoblog

Obama's limo to carry tax-protest license plate [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST

The United States of America was created in part behind the belief that we should not have taxation without representation, so it is rather ironic that Washington, D.C. must deal with this same problem that helped spark the American Revolution.

For years, residents of Washington, D.C. have had license plates with "Taxation Without Representation" written on them to protest the fact that they have to pay taxes but have no voting power in Congress. Starting this weekend, President Barack Obama will join in the protest by adding the plates to all presidential vehicles including the Presidential state car - a Cadillac known simply as "The Beast."

Since it is not a state, voters in the District of Columbia are able to elect delegates to the US House of Representatives, but said delegates do not have the ability to vote on the House floor. A similar state of affairs exists for voters in the US Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. This won't be the first time a president has used the plates to support those living in the District of Columbia. President Clinton had the "Taxation Without Representation" plates on his veihcles, but his successor, President George W. Bush, did not.

Continue reading Obama's limo to carry tax-protest license plate [w/video]

Obama's limo to carry tax-protest license plate [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Toyota unstoppable?

Paul Eisenstein — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota

Big T Is Back Despite Recalls, Earthquakes And Politics

Can anything slow Toyota down? Only a couple of years ago, the Japanese giant seemed as vulnerable as a sumo wrestler with vertigo as it struggled to explain away a series of safety and quality snafus that forced it to recall an unprecedented 14 million vehicles worldwide. Then, just it was getting back on its feet, the maker was body-slammed by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that all but shut down the Japanese auto industry, leaving the industry giant struggling under severe inventory shortages for the rest of the year.

Only a couple of years ago, the Japanese giant seemed as vulnerable as a sumo wrestler with vertigo.

Yet, just like that sumo wrestler, Toyota has repeatedly shaken off the hardest hits. Despite somewhat mixed reviews, its Camry has continued to dominate the midsize passenger car segment - helping Toyota drive sales gains that have, in recent months, run triple the pace of the overall US automotive recovery.

In fact, Toyota's loyalty rate is once again setting the industry benchmark, according to a new study by Experian Automotive, something that suggests the recent sales surge is more than just pent-up demand as buyers catch up after the shortages of 2011.

So, what to make of the unexpected move by Standard & Poors, the influential financial ratings agency, which this month downgraded the maker's stock from a "Hold" to "Buy" rating? Now, to be sure, this was no panic move. S&P didn't tell investors to dump Toyota and race somewhere else with their money. No one is expecting the sort of financial collapse that accompanied the descent into bankruptcy at General Motors and Chrysler during the latter half of the past decade. But for those who thought Toyota was, indeed invulnerable, the downgrade may be hard to reconcile.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading Is Toyota unstoppable?

Is Toyota unstoppable? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM resuming political donations

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

In the spring of 2009, General Motors took a break from swimming in the political pool. Now that it's done toweling off the bankruptcy blues, The General is reportedly ready for another dip. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Detroit automaker has just lifted a self-imposed political spending ban by handing out $90,500 for select candidates running in the November elections.

As the business daily points out, it's nothing new for large companies to provide campaign money for politicians. It is, however, quite interesting ground that General Motors survives today because its majority shareholder, at a 61 percent stake, is the United States government.

Federal Election Commission records show that GM is supporting members from both parties, including Senator Debbie Stabenow from Michigan and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor from Virginia.

Wading into the political arena is a necessary game that any large corporation has to play and General Motors understands the importance of advocating for its interests in this arena. According to GM Spokesperson Greg Martin, "We're not going to sit on the sidelines as our competitors and other industries who have PACs are participating in the political process." Thanks for the tip, Dan!

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Report: GM resuming political donations originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: California scraps 'Cool Cars' legislation, automakers, law enforcement cheer

Eric Loveday — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

California's controversial "cool cars" guidelines have been laid to rest. According to a report from The Detroit News, the ill supported legislation is no more and automakers can rejoice. The pressure was too much for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to handle any longer, and automakers, law enforcement officials and crime victim advocates are likely to celebrate their victory.

If you're unclear about what we're speaking about, California's "Cool Cars" legislation was to be adopted into law in May. The rules aimed to reduce heat within a vehicle and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions. The plan included guidelines to reduce the sun's energy from penetrating a vehicle by 45 percent by 2014 and 60 percent by 2016. The method for achieving this goal included factory installed glazing (window tint) on each and every vehicle sold in California.

Many objections arose. Patrol officers were concerned for their safety, stating that the tint would restrict their view into a vehicle. Sheriff offices argued that the tint could affect cell phone signal quality and thus prevent drivers from contacting emergency services such as 911. Automakers complained that the added costs to tint vehicles would be significant. Complaints poured in from out of state law enforcement and politicians alike.

Of course, "Cool Cars" may be dead, but a CARB spokesman has gone on record stating that the organization will pursue other methods to reduce air conditioning emissions and to provide "cooler" cars in the future. Hat tip to John!

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: California scraps 'Cool Cars' legislation, automakers, law enforcement cheer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maryland judge green-lights swastika car lawsuit

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

As a political statement against Maryland politician E. J. Pikpkin's run for national office, Charles Richter painted a swastika on his car next to the words "Vote Pipken" and parked it legally on a public street. The same day it was parked, a sheriff's deputy ticketed the car as abandoned. Two days later, the car was towed from the same spot. When Richter refused to pay the impound lot to get his car back, it was crushed. Richter has brought suit against the deputy, and a federal judge has just ruled that the lawsuit can go forward.

Richter, explaining another swastika-adorned vehicle that was also a protest against Pipken, wrote in one forum, "Painted on my Van was... The American Indian Peace sign which happens to be the Swastika printed back wards." The decorative swastika, also used by Native Americans, is literally thousands of years old, has positive meanings, and is still used in certain Eastern cultures. It is often depicted in mirror image to the Nazi swastika, but it can be drawn with its arms going either way, right or left. The Nazi swastika is only rendered one way, with its arms to the right. We don't know if the van swastika was different than the car swastika, but the one on the car matches the Nazi swastika, and, of course, the Native American swastika, as well.

The lawsuit verdict is evidently based on the weight of free speech and political objection. According to the judge, Richter has First Amendment rights during "an act of political protest." The deputy sheriff who ticketed the car, parked legally on public property, violated those rights. It could also be taken into account, however, that E. J. Pipken is Jewish, which would open the door to considerations of hate speech. We don't know if the judge had anything to say on that issue, but for now, the case can proceed.

[Source: Maryland Daily Record]

Maryland judge green-lights swastika car lawsuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama a Prius? Palin a Camaro? Politics get revved up

Chris Tutor — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Humor

We try to stay out of politics here at Autoblog, but sometimes, events obligate us to jump into the fray. The latest event is a Harvard Business School professor's comparison of the two leading presidential candidates to automobiles.

John Quelch said in an interview with Newsweek that he thinks of Barrack Obama as a new Prius and John McCain as an "old Ford F-150." Politically, those two products carry some weighty social symbolism that, as car guys, we're not all that concerned with.

But we do wonder what Mr. Quelch's comments mean to us. The Prius is generally seen as a visually boring, fiscally-conservative choice with little to no fun factor. On the other hand, an old Ford pickup truck isn't exactly exciting to look at and drinks a lot of gas, but it'll carry a lot more furniture on moving day and is way more fun in the mud than the Toyota. Then, in an interview with AdAge, Mr. Quelch says that by choosing Alaska Governer Sarah Palin as his running mate, McCain has put a red Chevy Camaro next to his truck.

Hmm. Palin as a Camaro? Next to McCain's Ford truck? Sounds like a house divided to us.

How about it? Is Obama a hybrid Japanese car? McCain a pickup truck? Should Mr. Quelch have said Palin is a Barracuda?

[Sources: AdAge via Newsweek]

Obama a Prius? Palin a Camaro? Politics get revved up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ron Paul racing for NASCAR vote?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle

The stupendous amounts of money being spent on the presidential race have got supporters of non-front-running candidates coming up with novel ways to keep up the fight. Aficionados of Republican candidate Ron Paul have created Ron Paul Racing, a web site gathering pledges to brand a NASCAR car during this year's Daytona 500.

This line says it all: "RonPaulRacing.com will reach millions of new supporters as the RON PAUL car shoots down the front straight at 200 MPH screaming 'FREEDOM.'" The site isn't accepting donations now, merely pledges for donations. As of this writing they've collected more than $10,000, but they're looking for more, "all the way to the millions."

The site is apparently in talks with teams about branding. The '08 car belongs to Aric Almirola, but we imagine that's simply a placeholder and they don't really plan on working with the guy who ended last season with an average finishing spot of 34.5. That wouldn't send the right message, would it? If you're so inclined, head over to Ron Paul Racing and let them know you're a fan of freedom. Oh, and the site's musical accompaniment is Sammy Hagar's "I Can't Drive 55." If nothing else, we support that (where legal, of course). Thanks for the tip, scanner scott!

[Source: Ron Paul Racing]

Ron Paul racing for NASCAR vote? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA's official line from now on: "Don't quote me on that"

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the government's point-man and watchdog when it comes to automotive safety issues. Due to its teams of scientists and researchers, it is also the government's detective and repository of knowledge regarding such matters. And now, thanks to its recently elected leader, none of those scientists are able to comment on-the-record about any knowledge they might have.

Nicole R. Nason was appointed last year by the current administration. Her policy is that reporters can get information from NHTSA workers, but they can only get it on background, which means they can't name the source. Reporters often shy away from that kind of restriction. If reporters want an attributable source, they can interview Ms. Nason. Case closed. This is a policy also held by the Federal Railroad Administration, but issues with locomotives don't affect the masses anywhere near as much as issues with seat belts and crumple zones. For the NHTSA to adopt such a policy is, at best, odd.

According to Nason's chief of staff, the agency went to the central mouthpiece model because they were "finding a lot of stuff did not need to be on the record." We can only wonder about the incendiary quotes they found so titillating that they needed to muzzle the workers. If this policy were put to a crash test, it would get one star.

[Source: The New York Times]

NHTSA's official line from now on: "Don't quote me on that" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's spindoctor exits stage left

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford

When FoMoCo was looking to reshape its image in March 2005, it hired a top political strategist to help it turn things around. But after only 18 months on the job, Josh Gottheimer is on his way out the door.

Gottheimer instituted the "180 degrees in 180 days" campaign to rejuvenate Ford, teaming up with his former political associate (and new boss) Mark Penn to pinpoint messages with which American customers would identify; images such as Innovation, Safety and American Heritage. Gottheimer urged Ford to move ahead with hybrid development, and, among other image-building initiatives, was behind the presentation of the special Mercury Mariner Hybrid to his former boss, President Clinton.

Gottheimer has been a senior Democratic Party operative for nearly a decade, despite his young age. He was a speechwriter and advisor in the Clinton White House, worked for former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark (coolest title ever) in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, then joined Sen. John Kerry's campaign for the White House (who could evidently still use him), and is tipped to be a key player in Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign if and when she announces her candidacy for president.

With Detroit making news by asking for funds from the federal government, Gottheimer has a unique vantage point straddling the two spheres: He insists that what American automakers are looking for from Washington is not a bail-out but crucial R&D funds that would help insure that MoTown jobs don't get sent overseas. Detroit can only hope that Gottheimer takes that message with him if and when he finds himself back in the national policymaking ring. As for the rest of us, we can only hope he keeps Hillary from reducing the speed limits again.

[Source: Detroit News Auto Insider]

Ford's spindoctor exits stage left originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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