Autoblog

Will car radios disappear by 2020?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:44:00 EST

The Detroit News reports it may not be long before AM/FM radios disappear from cars altogether. The newspaper spoke with Thilo Koslowski, vice president for the research firm Gartner, Inc., who said that "AM and FM as a delivering mechanism isn't going to be the most important in cars anymore." According to Koslowski, manufacturers will focus their efforts on smartphone integration as well as internet browsing and music streaming. That means while listeners may still enjoy their favorite radio stations, it's less likely they'll rely on traditional broadcast systems to do so.

Automakers from nearly every corner of the globe are already pushing smartphone app integration in a big way, and General Motors recently announced its vehicles will soon be available with 4G mobile internet. But, as you might expect, there's a sizable push against abandoning the airwaves entirely. For starters, current technology doesn't produce a reliable high-speed cell signal everywhere, whereas AM and FM signals are largely reliable over vast distances.

While the CD player is already fading from prominence in new vehicles, other analysts don't see in-dash radios going the same route. While speaking with The Detroit News, John Canali, a senior analyst in automotive multimedia for Strategy Analytics said he believes AM and FM aren't going anywhere due to the fact that automakers don't want to alienate customers.

Will car radios disappear by 2020? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Navsop working on coin-sized GPS rival that navigates using wifi and TV signals

Zach Bowman — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

A British company is working on a new navigation system that doesn't rely on GPS satellites to track your location. BAE has created Navsop, a device that picks up errant cell phone, radio and television signals to deduce your coordinates, which means it can be used in locations where traditional GPS can't. For example, TV signals are substantially more powerful in buildings and below ground than GPS, which means Navsop could eventually help locate individuals in collapsed buildings or mines. It could also be instrumental in locating stolen vehicles stashed in underground parking garages.

BAE claims that while Navsop is still in the early stages of development, it will eventually fit into a gadget about the size of a standard coin. At present, however, Navsop resides in a massive box that must be lugged around in a car and attached to a whip antenna. Not exactly smartphone compatible.

Navsop isn't entirely independent from GPS, however. The system must first get its bearings from the satellites in the sky before turning to radio signals.

Navsop working on coin-sized GPS rival that navigates using wifi and TV signals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man tattooes 'Mini' on his penis to win free Cooper

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Mini, Humor

2011 Mini Cooper - Click above for high-res image gallery

Think about the craziest thing you would do to win a free car. Andreas Muller of Germany has you beat. Muller really - really - wanted to win the Mini Cooper being given away by his local radio station, and in order to do so, he had the word "MINI" tattoed on his mini, err... penis.

Organizers of the stunt received a long list of crazy ideas, yet Muller's stood out for the sheer ballsiness (pun intended). His screams of pain were broadcast over the air as the tattoo was applied to his now-sponsored manhood.

There's plenty that we'd do to win a free Mini, but this one reaches far beyond the realm of consideration. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

Gallery: 2011 Mini Cooper: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: Metro via BarStoolSports]

Man tattooes 'Mini' on his penis to win free Cooper originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Technology, Porsche, Design/Style

What if you could update your classic car with modern tech, without losing the style that you've come to love? Porsche now has a solution for owners of old 911s. Starting in October 2010, owners will be able to retrofit their cars with the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System (Part # 911 645 910 00), which packages a display screen fitted into a form factor that is an exact fit for the original factory radio's location. Round knobs keep appearances in line with that classic Porsche aesthetic, but the technology is purely 21st century.

The unit will retail for €595,00 plus VAT (around $776 USD before taxes at current exchange rates). Considering what Porsche gets for some of the options on its modern cars, the neo-retro nav unit's price seems pretty good. We understand a desire for modern conveniences in older cars, and the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System may be an answer to the prayers of some 911 enthusiasts since it obviates the need for a less desirable aftermarket solution. (Of cource, one could always just stick a portable GPS unit on the windshield...)

According to MotoBullet, the Classic Radio Navigation System is designed to fit Porsche 911s from from model years 1963 to 1977 (it might also fit the Porsche 914). They go on to suggest that this nav unit may also work with firstgeneration Porsche 912s, but those guys are already going too slow to care where they're heading. (We kid, we kid... out of jealousy.)

[Source: Porsche via MotoBullet]

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM expanding Pause and Play Radio to two new vehicles

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, GM

Here's another feature you can include in the 2011 Buick Regal purchase price: Pause and Play radio. It's already a feature on some of General Motors' higher-end vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac CTS, and will be introduced on the Regal and Chevrolet Cruze.

Working like your cable TV DVR, Pause and Play allows you to save up to 20 minutes of whatever's playing on the radio, even XM or Sirius. That it's coming on the Buick is only to be expected. That it's coming on the Cruze is good news from GM, allowing us to believe even more and more in a future of full-featured little domestic cars on decent budgets. So, SYNC... take that!

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM expanding Pause and Play Radio to two new vehicles

GM expanding Pause and Play Radio to two new vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009 Preview: Internet radio in the car

Chris Tutor — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:16:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES

At next week's Consumer Electronics Show, Blaupunkt and miRoamer will announce the first in-dash Internet radio receiver. The press release we received says the radios will be offered as "built-in original equipment" but doesn't go into detail about what automakers will offer the system or even how the radios receive the data.

"The beauty of Internet car radio is the customized user experience," said George Parthimos, Founder and CEO of miRoamer said in a press release. "Today, users want to jump in their car and go - no pulling out third-party devices or plugging in cords to access their music and information. miRoamer's development with Blaupunkt is the first seamless Internet radio solution. Now, with the simple push of a button, users can access AM/FM stations or Internet radio's thousands of music, entertainment, news and talk stations from around the world, all from the same car stereo."

Users of the new head units will be able to tune into Internet radio stations offered by miRoamer as well as add stations of their choosing by simply inputting the URL. The photo above is of Blaupunkt's prototype New Jersey head unit.

We're looking forward to getitng the details on this next week, and will put up a post as soon as we do.

CES 2009 Preview: Internet radio in the car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York now offering Enhanced Driver's Licenses with RFID

Michael Harley — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

New York has now become the second state in the country to offer RFID-embedded driver's licenses. Following Washington State's lead last year, the radio-frequency identification (aka RFID) licenses will be offered at a $30 premium over the standard driver's license. The benefits of the RFID license include their ability to do double-duty as a driver's license and a U.S. passport for those who frequently enter New York from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean (of course, you will still need a "real" passport to enter the state from other international destinations). Authorities say that only an ID number, no personal info, is stored on the chip. Regardless, as some embedded chips may be read from a distance -- and not necessarily a direct line of site -- authorities in New York will still offer standard licenses for those on the paranoid side... or they can run out and purchase an RFID-blocking wallet. Thanks for the tip, Yash!

[Source: Car Tech, Photo from New York DMV]

New York now offering Enhanced Driver's Licenses with RFID originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will we see (or hear) an XM/Sirius merger decision by months end?

Michael Harley — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Trends, Technology

It seems like forever ago when rumors started about a merger between Sirius and XM satellite radio. The rumors were made slightly more official when the two companies announced the "merger of equals" last year. Where have we heard that before? Nobody expected this $4.2 billion transaction to be a sprint, as there are laws with tall hurdles designed to govern this type of business deal, but this conjunction has creeped like an overloaded Tercel up a steep grade.

For more than a year we've been sitting around watching these two companies as they worked on securing shareholder approval (accomplished in November) and the endorsement of regulators (um, not yet). Now we're getting word from Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin that there may be an end in sight. During a talk at the Bear Stearns 21st Annual Media Conference, Karmazin said he "took heart" in recent FCC comments that mentioned that the body aims to rule by the end of March. "The fact that it has lingered this long, it has been interpreted... as good news," Karmazin said. Gary Parsons, Chairman of XM Satellite Radio, added that he was also confident the Department of Justice and the FCC were moving forward "...in a timely manner."

With satellite radio in need of some more customers, let's hope they can quickly put this merger in the books and focus on more important issues like signal reception and more varied content.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Will we see (or hear) an XM/Sirius merger decision by months end? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley's new 1100-watt sound system, courtesy of Naim

Michael Harley — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Technology, Bentley

Click above for a high-res photo gallery of the Naim Audio System

Dropping us yet another hint that ultra-luxury automobile buyers really do listen to Kanye West when their windows are rolled up, Bentley Motors has announced an exclusive partnership with British high-end audio manufacturer Naim to fit the world's most powerful in-car production amplifier to their full model lineup.

The bragging rights center around an 1100-watt amplifier driving up to 15 speakers (depending on the model). Cutting-edge technology on each system includes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic Equalization to offer passengers an 'as-live' in-car audio experience. To adapt the system to each particular Bentley model, Naim analyzed each car and then designed a unique speaker drive unit for it. According to Bentley, the painstaking measures taken to match the acoustics to the particular vehicle are so effective that even with rapper Kanye West belting out tunes at full system power, only a low level of sound can be heard from outside the car. Too bad the same thing can't be said for the Honda Civic that my teenage neighbor drives...

Gallery: Bentley Naim Audio System

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Continue reading Bentley's new 1100-watt sound system, courtesy of Naim

Bentley's new 1100-watt sound system, courtesy of Naim originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP: Lou Palmer, voice of Indy, 1932-2008

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:58:00 EST

We're saddened to announce the passing of Louis A. Perunko, Jr., known to racing fans as Lou Palmer, who passed away this past Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the age of 75.

Palmer was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was raised in Syracuse, New York. He moved to Indianapolis in 1953 and began announcing for WIBC radio in 1958. He became famous for his regular interviews of each year's winner of the Indy 500 from Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and served as a reporter and anchor for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network reporter from 1953 to 1989, as well as being its chief in 1988 and 1989. Palmer was also an announcer on the CART radio network in the mid-90s before retiring some 10 years ago.

A memorial service will be held this coming Saturday, January 26 beginning at 1:30pm at the Camby Community Church in Indianapolis. Our condolences to the family of the dearly departed.

[Source: AutoWeek]

RIP: Lou Palmer, voice of Indy, 1932-2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:58:00 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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Porsche Design rescues the day with an emergency radio

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

There's a hurricane bearing down on your city and you want an an all-in-one system to listen to emergency services. You also want it to look good. As usual, Porsche design has come to your rescue with the Eton P9110. In addition to its AM/FM/Shortwave radio, it has a flashlight, cell phone charger, siren, red strobe, and a hand crank so you can keep it powered. Because it's from Porsche design, it's made of aluminum, sports knurled knobs and machine bolt treatment, and the crank utilizes a magnetic locking system. Of course, it also costs two-and-a-half times more than the most expensive Eton product, but you know what they say: there is no substitute.

[Source: Gizmag]

Porsche Design rescues the day with an emergency radio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming soon to a TV near you: Click and Clack

Dan Roth — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Etc., Safety

Tom and Ray Magliozzi might be the first to admit that most people on the radio have faces that suit the medium, to put it delicately. There's no place to hide when you make the jump to television, but the Tappet brothers have avoided that with their new animated sitcom PBS will be rolling out next summer. The show is not yet named; a contest soliciting names from fans of the pair's radio show will be announced soon. Plots will center around the oft-discussed hijinks that the brothers snort and chortle over between calls. The fictional Car Talk Plaza, located in Cambridge Massachusetts' Harvard Square, will be coming to life, and the cast is fleshed out with a variety of supporting characters, most of which seem to be based on real individuals, or composites of several people.

For all their self-deprecating humor, Car Talk is one of the most popular shows on NPR, and their producer, Doug Berman, is on board for the TV series as well. The Magliozzi's animated series will be the first primetime animated show aimed at a general audience for PBS. There's a talented team behind the show, and it may even bring new eyeballs to sometimes fusty PBS. In addition to the show, there's a partnership with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators in which the animated stars deliver safe driving messages to drivers while they suffer in line at DMVs, as well as on educational materials and on the web. We wonder if that effort will be called "Don't Drive Like My Brother."

Coming soon to a TV near you: Click and Clack originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cambridge engineers develop "talking" Fiat

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:56:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Europe, Technology, Fiat

Who would have thought that Pixar would turn out to be a prophet of the automotive industry? In creating its talking automobiles for the computer-animated film Cars, the Disney-associated studio might have done just that, as a group of engineering students in England have demonstrated.

The team at Cambridge developed a "talking" car of their own. Based on a Fiat Stilo, the prototype is capable of telling mechanics what's working and what's not. By transmitting radio signal tags, engine components can inform workshop staff of the working condition of specific parts, as well as identifying parts that haven't received recall work yet and what parts are worth salvaging should the car be heading for the scrap yard.

According to Prof. Duncan McFarlane, the team is discussing selling the technology to "a number of firms", and we hope that the feature gets adopted fast. This is one piece of tech that really speaks to us.

[Source: Auto Express]

Cambridge engineers develop "talking" Fiat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPR's Car Talk podcast added to iTunes Music Store

Dan Roth — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc.

Car Talk is celebrating 20 years on NPR, and the self-effacing, often goofy show is now available in iTunes. It's exciting to "play along" and see if you come up with the same answer as brothers Tom and Ray, an now you can do that at your leisure. We have our local NPR station's schedule memorized, but sometimes it's just not possible to catch the show when it airs; throwing a tantrum won't always get you your way. The show certainly has its detractors, and some of the content can tend toward softballs, but the Magliozzis have built vast appeal and recognition, not to mention a little merchandise empire. If you want to hear hearty guffaws and try to solve the puzzler on your time, check out the Car Talk website, or iTunes and subscribe to the feed.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

NPR's Car Talk podcast added to iTunes Music Store originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi, Mitsubishi making Sirius standard on some models

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 08:23:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Technology, Audi, Mitsubishi

Radio is on a roll. While BMW and Jaguar have allied themselves with HD Radio and Infiniti's gotten in bed with XM Satellite Radio, Audi and and Mitsubishi have taken sides with SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Audi will offer SIRIUS as standard equipment on the S4, RS 4, A6, A8, R8, and specific Q7 variants. Mitsubishi will make SIRIUS standard on the new Eclipse Spyder, and make it part of the premium sound system on the 2008 Galant, Raider, Endeavor, Outlander, Lancer, Eclipse and Lancer Evolution. For some reason, the Montero appears to have been left out of the party.

The fact that automakers are taking continuous steps to offer customers more and better choices is a good thing, and having the radio installed as standard means buyers don't have to check any costly option boxes. If there is any downside, it's that until (and only if) the merger of SIRIUS and XM is completed, carmakers have made your choice for you about which satellite service you'll receive, and you still have to pay for the subscription. Mitsubishi will at least pay for the first six months of the subscription, a move that should greatly increase uptake. If you're an XM listener in the market for an Audi, though, prepare to keep lugging your portable receiver around.

Increasing choice means customers win, and for radio -- a medium drowning in broadcasts about its demise -- the news is two more steps in the right direction.

Continue reading Audi, Mitsubishi making Sirius standard on some models

Audi, Mitsubishi making Sirius standard on some models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slacker brings internet radio into your car

Dan Roth — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:05:00 EST

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

It's like Pandora for your car! Slacker, a new web-based radio website has just launched this week. The channel selection is very similar to what's available on XM or Sirius, and we liken it to Pandora because the number of songs you can skip is limited, but the selection is large and the experience is flexible and customizeable. The website alone is a nice little diversion anywhere you've got a browser and bandwidth, but the exciting news is that there will soon be an iPod-like device so you can take your Slacker with you. That means never having to listen to the angry guy talk channel while stuck in a traffic jam again. It's also better than the four-song playlists each FM genre now spins, too. The portable device will store songs, and later this year Slacker will be unveiling a car dock that will be able to receive music from satellite signals.

Pulling down music from the birds is the same trick that Sirius and XM manage, but they cost money. Slacker is free once you purchase the hardware. How is that possible? Why, the very same way broadcast television and radio are free: advertising. If you're willing to sit through some ads, you get free music. In fact, the music is merely there to keep you interested enough that you'll continue to listen through the spots - of course, many of us are obsessive channel flippers (or worse yet, NPR junkies). You can have your Slacking and no commercials, too. For about half the price of Sirius, your $7.50 per month will keep the music rolling in and offer you unlimited skips and no ads. The price is so much lower because Slacker doesn't have big loans for satellites to pay off. The quality is in the MP3 realm, and sounds decent, which is encouraging. Some of us with finely tuned ears have a hard time listening to SatRad because of the digital compression artifacts. We'll see what happens if Slacker is able to popularize it's offerings, and deliver on the promise they're dangling tantalizingly in front of our noses.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Slacker brings internet radio into your car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XM and Sirius set to announce "merger of equals" today

John Neff — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets

UPDATE: It's official!

Both XM and Sirius have been dropping hints since last summer that the two could merge into one giant satellite radio provider with a subscriber base of 12 million. It appears after a marathon negotiation session last weekend, the two are finally ready to make it offiicial sometime today and start the long process of gaining SEC approval. Though approval will likely take over a year, we doubt the feds will break this one up. While XM and Sirius technically compete with each other for subscribers, satellite radio as an industry is in a fight for its life with other forms of audio distribution, like regular old terrestrial radio, internet radio and the 800 lb. gorilla, Apple's iPod. These two company's have a better shot at surviving by jumping in the same bunker.

Of course, auto interiors are the primary front in this war, which makes the merger interesting to us. Car owners subscribed to one of the two services will be the big winners, as Howard Stern and Oprah will now occupy the same dial. You'll be able to get all your satellite radio sports coverage with one subscription now, as well.

Trying to meld two established brands into one, however, is not an easy thing to do. Just ask DaimlerChrysler if you need a reference. We chuckled out loud while reading the linked article from the New York Post when the author describes the deal as a "merger of equals". Sure...

[Source: The New York Post]

XM and Sirius set to announce "merger of equals" today originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Striking a chord: Panasonic and Fender planning branded car audio system

Dan Roth — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Trends, I.C.E.

Fender guitars rock. Even the cheapies are easy to play and sound good in the right hands. Panasonic and Fender are teaming up to create an audio system that will be offered to auto manufacturers. Nigel and Slash have already been snagged by Volkswagen with their First Act package deal (buy a VW, they throw in the guitar that plugs into the car's audio system). We're guessing that the pitch for the Fender/Panasonic system will be along the same lines, though; and aimed at the younger demographic. The working partnership of Fender and Panasonic even trotted out Dick Dale at the NAIAS to promote their idea. Hey, in the right car, this could be magic. You could turn all that traffic-jam time into productive practice! Campers would no longer have to settle for singing "Blowin' In The Wind." With a guitar-enabled audio system, you could, as Bob Dylan told his band at Newport, "play f***ing loud."

[Source: Edmunds]

Striking a chord: Panasonic and Fender planning branded car audio system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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War declared on Ohio dealership for declaring Jihad in ad

John Neff — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Mitsubishi

Columbus-area car dealership Dennis Mitsubishi (shown) has drawn the ire of many for producing a radio spot that declares "a jihad on the automotive market". Oh how we wish it ended with just that. The spot also proclaims that salespeople wearing burqas, the traditional head-to-toe garb of Islamic women, will sell vehicles that can "comfortably seat 12 jihadists in the back." More of the ad's controversial rhetoric can be found at the link.

The dealership's president, Keith Dennis, says that the idea was to produce an ad using some of the buzzwords in the media that could be a tension reliever. Mission not accomplished, sir. He also claimed it was fair game to poke "a little fun at radical extremists."

We seriously doubt people are turned off by the ad because it hurts the feelings of radical extremists and no one would want to threaten the dealership's right to free speech, but there's something about being incendiary for the sake of sales that rubs some the wrong way. We long for the day when we can just buy a new car from a vending machine and be done with it.

We'd like to hear your thoughts, as long as everyone keeps the discussion intelligent and civil in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: ABC News]

War declared on Ohio dealership for declaring Jihad in ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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