Going Electric?

You’ve probably seen TV commercials from BP, the firm that runs all of those gas stations, that end with the tagline “Beyond Petroleum.”  Let’s face it: Nowadays, running gas stations—even with the price of a barrel of oil going down for the moment—is not the sort of politically correct business to be in.  This is not merely because people often become annoyed when they are pumping gas, but because there is a concern vis-à-vis global warming caused by carbon emissions.

2009 Toyota Corolla XRS

2009 Nissan Cube 1.8 SL

2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT V-6

2009 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0 T Quattro Manua

2009 Audi Q5 3.2 quattro Tiptronic

Driven Archives

Toyota Taken to the Mat
At this point it is still an advisory, not a recall. That will happen when a fix is determined. In the meantime, there are driver’s side mats to be removed. – Read More

Renault’s Spark of Imagination
The Renault-Nissan alliance is getting exceedingly proactive in the electric vehicle (EV) space, having announced that they’ll be selling “affordable production electric vehicles” in 2011. – Read More

Green Is Black
Although the Frankfurt Auto Show generated all manner of interest when the media was there and the new vehicles were unveiled with much pomp and circumstance, the show didn’t end when they left. – Read More

(Almost) Live Insights
Here’s a way to catch some unscripted, off-the-cuff, and insightful views and opinions on what is going on right now (assuming that you’re reading this sometime around September 25, 2009) in the industry. – Read More

Honda & the Joy of Riding (No, Not Motorcycles)
While U.S. vehicle manufacturers are all concentrating with the zeal of students taking their SATs with hopes of Harvard on getting the right mix of cars and trucks, researchers at Honda are still focused on “the joy and fun of mobility.” – Read More

Upcoming Industry Events:

Okuma Tech Center Opening
Oct 29-30

SEMA Show
Nov 3-6

PDx/amerimold
May 11-13, 2010

Detroit’s Schizophrenia
“They are telling people to stay close to their desks this week,” a GM insider tells me as the company prepares to cut yet another 1,000 salaried people from its workforce. The cuts are going to be pretty widespread, across every department—with some losing as many as 35% of their staffs. Yes, the bloodletting hasn’t stopped yet, even though it’s hard to to believe that ... Read More