While vehicle production is being cut across the planet, and while the landscape in Detroit is shifting more frequently than Cher changes costumes during a concert, it seems that this might be an appropriate time to talk about something that doesn’t have to do with GM and Ford.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  It does have something to do with those two companies.  What’s more, there are other companies that could be affected by what’s going on, as well.  And you, too.

GE announced last week that it has made its sixth equity investment in lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123 Systems.  So far, it has invested $55-million in the company, which makes it the single largest cash investor, and a 9% owner of the company. ...Read More

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2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen

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Driven Archives

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Beer Goggles
TAG Heuer Eyewear and 2007 Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen have paired up to introduce Speedway sunglasses. They feature lightweight titanium frames, shock-resistant polycarbonate lenses, and grippy elastomere tips so they won’t slide off your face as you race toward the finish line. – Read More

But I Don't Want to Win!
Britain’s Worst Learners follows three driving novices as they are taught to drive by a family member, partner or friend and gives participants the chance to win a new car. After learning how to make three-point turns, parallel park, and make hill starts, the contestants must take a mock driving exam with a real London-based driving instructor. – Read More

Not So Hot Pursuit
GM’s OnStar subsidiary has introduced a Stolen Vehicle Slowdown enhancement to its Stolen Vehicle Assistance service. It gives police the ability to eliminate high-speed pursuits by having the OnStar attendant send a signal that gradually reduces engine power without disabling any other systems. – Read More 

The Key to Safety?
Ford has thought of a way for every parent of a driving age child to drive them around the bend: MyKey. An offshoot of Ford’s SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, MyKey lets parents enable a number of default driving modes to keep Junior and Princess safe – and annoyed. – Read More 

Gee, Thanks
Chevrolet is providing free, interactive rides to students on select college campuses in a 2009 Aveo 5. The students – who knowingly will be filmed during their ride – are encouraged to "show their personality" during their time in the Aveo college cab. A copy of the video will be posted to a special web site. – Read More

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Preventing the Next Crisis
With no control on spending and Wall Street risk mitigation that only spread the contagion, the financial day of reckoning came quickly. Unfortunately, its effects will hit the industrial sector even harder. That’s because, unlike the financial sector, where one dollar of equity is used to leverage 10 to 50 times its value in risk, the industrial sector must hold one dollar for every 10 to 15 cents of debt it carries. ...Read More