tags :
allan mulally ,
allanmulally ,
auto industry ,
autoindustry ,
bob nardelli ,
bobnardelli ,
congress ,
rick wagoner ,
rickwagoner ,
saturday night live ,
saturdaynightlive

Saturday Night Live has been on a roll of late, with a string of strong skits centered around the Presidential election and the ongoing financial crisis. So it was only a matter of time before SNL took on the auto industry to task, using last week's Congressional hearings as the backdrop. As one might expect, SNL writers showed no mercy for Allan Mulally, Bob Nardelli, and Rick Wagoner, and Congress didn't look too bright, either. The omnipresent joke of the entire eight-minute skit was a long, consistent shot at the quality of Detroit 3 products. Even though it's an obvious exaggeration, we're guessing the shots are a sure-fire sign that commercials touting the quality improvements at Ford and GM have fallen on deaf ears. Hit the jump to view SNL's latest.
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posted : 11/28/2008 @5:05:08 PM
tags :
volvo ,
volvo v50 ,
volvo v70 ,
volvo wagon ,
volvo wagons ,
volvo xc60 ,
volvov50 ,
volvov70 ,
volvowagon ,
volvowagons ,
volvoxc60

lassic long and low shape for something a bit more modern. Of course, that means a higher roof-line, ground clearance and seating position, along with a slightly trimmed footprint. In fact, the Swedish automaker seriously considered making a change to its current V70 model before it was released to the public. The true test will come when the new XC60 crossover hits the market, as its sales figures will determine how Volvo designs its next V50 and V70. Ford's Flex might offer a preview of the shape of things to come from the Swedish automaker, as its design is similar to what may be on offer from Volvo if it scraps the traditional wagon. We wouldn't expect anything too 'trucky' though, as sales of traditional SUVs have fallen off dramatically in the last two years. Redesigns of the mid-sized S60 and XC90 have also reportedly been pushed a bit further into the future as the automaker struggles to reign in its recent lack of profits. The latest timetable puts the new sedan's appearance in 2010 while the 'ute's redesign isn't expected until 2012, though a refresh could spice things up a bit in 2010 with a possible hybrid drivetrain.
posted : 10/27/2008 @4:08:05 PM
posted : 10/13/2008 @4:49:30 PM
tags :
avensis ,
europe ,
european cars ,
europeancars ,
paris 2008 ,
paris motor show ,
paris2008 ,
parismotorshow ,
sedens ,
toyota ,
toyota avensis ,
toyota avensis sedan ,
toyota avensis wagon ,
toyotaavensis ,
toyotaavensissedan ,
toyotaavensiswagon ,
wagons

The Euro-only Toyota Avensis is reminiscent of the Lexus IS350 in the same way that you'd tell someone, "You kind of look like someone I know, but not really." It's the rising linear sideline, somewhat high and compact profile, and squared-off rear that do it. But that's from a full-on side profile and around the back. Move around the front and it really just looks like a Toyota. The raked grille and molded lips in the front bumper are unexpected, as is the subtle sexiness of the wagon. Designed in France, the new Avensis grows a little over its predecessor by 5 cm in length and width. Under the hood, possibilities include three new Valvematic gasoline engines, and two diesels, while cogs can be swapped with a 6-speed manual or the dual-mode, Multidrive S automatic.
posted : 10/13/2008 @4:37:48 PM
tags :
az wagon ,
az-wagon ,
azwagon ,
custom style ,
customstyle ,
kei ,
mazda az-wagon ,
mazdaaz-wagon ,
rebadge ,
stingray ,
suzuki ,
wagon r ,
wagonr

Late Sunday night, Mazda issued a press release from the mothership in Japan touting the arrival of the new home-market AZ-Wagon kei car. Those of you who paid attention to Autoblog last week may be experiencing twinges of deja vu as you look at the enclosed photos. Yes, you have seen this car before: the new Mazda AZ-Wagon is simply a rebadged version of the new Suzuki Wagon R, just like it was before. The regular AZ-Wagon is the standard Wagon R, while the AZ-Wagon Custom Style (above) is the Wagon R Stingray. We'd happily sign up for one, but alas, Mazda's Stateside rebadge-o-rama is limited to the Tribute and B-Series.
posted : 10/5/2008 @2:29:20 PM

Over the past few weeks, we've heard how badly Detroit automakers needed $25 billion in government-backed loans, but very few of us know exactly who gets the money. GM CEO Rick Wagoner got in front of a camera to answer some of those questions, and to talk about some of the challenges the General faces. Some of the interesting comments from slick Rick include the fact that the $25 billion is available to all automakers and suppliers that invest in the US, not just the Detroit companies. Wagoner also explains that the loan money was part of the bill passed in 2007 to increase fuel economy by 40% over the next decade, and not just some handout from Washington. Hit the jump to view the video.
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posted : 10/5/2008 @2:27:43 PM
tags :
bailout ,
bailout plan ,
bailoutplan ,
cheverolet ,
cheverolet volt ,
cheveroletvolt ,
electric car ,
electriccar ,
general motors ,
generalmotors ,
rick wagoner ,
rickwagoner ,
volt

At a press conference on Thursday, shortly after announcing plans for a new engine plant in Flint, Michigan, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner said his employer, "should be able to put to good use its portion of a $25 billion government loan package." Wagoner goes on to say he's concerned about the details of the plan but hopes the package is expanded to include all gas-saving technologies, not just electric cars. Which is understandable, considering GM has already invested a great deal of money into the Volt and would logically welcome financial assistance in investigating other fuel-saving methods. Then again, the Volt may just yet turn out to be classified as an electric car by the EPA, as the California Air Resources Board just did. Wagoner was also pleased to hear about the Senate's approval of a $7,500 tax credit for buyers of electric vehicles. The tax break is something the company has been lobbying for since May, and would certainly help to get the Volt's price tag closer to the original $30k estimate and hopefully allowing the General to sell the estimated 60,000 units we once heard.
posted : 10/3/2008 @7:36:48 PM