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Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy {Autoblog}
Mar 18th 2009 1:41PM Contrast the problems here with light-duty (auto, pickup, SUV, CUV) vehicle content and OEM profitability (or lack thereof) with that of class 8 vehicles produced by Paccar (Peterbilt and Kenworth in North America and Mexico). Conclusion: let Paccar completely revamp the Big 3 purchasing and production lines. Not that they would touch it, of course. They are profitable!
Next on the Daimler "cut costs, eliminate money losing operations globally" agenda: shut down Freighliner and Western Star (as they recently did with their Sterling truck division). Yes folks, you heard it first HERE. Won't take long.........
Navistar still interested in acquiring GM medium-duty trucks? {Autoblog}
Feb 25th 2009 11:03PM Having sold GM medium-duties in the past, I can tell you that the Isuzu derived T series cabover is OK with a Cat engine, but having also sold Intertrashionals in the past, I can tell you that they do not make trucks, they only make "problems". The dealership where I worked almost went under due to excessive warranty claims on the International NGV trucks (2001 and onwards). I finally had to quit. If you want a real truck, either medium-duty or heavy-duty, buy a Kenworth or Peterbilt. No, do not touch a Mercedes (Fruitliner) medium or heavy-duty so-called truck EVER. You will be SO sorry if you do!
GM/Chevy should just shut down the medium-duty line and forget 'em.
BREAKING: GM disbands High Performance Vehicle Operations {Autoblog}
Feb 18th 2009 9:56PM Hmmmm...maybe these high performance engineers can now develop the product that WILL sell, that so many of us actually DO want to buy: plug-in electric pickups and work trucks. No, I am not an enviro-wacko. Just hate having to fund foreign oil dictators and their support for terrorists.
Without trucks, America stops!
Detroit Preview: 2010 Cadillac SRX reborn {Autoblog}
Jan 6th 2009 2:24AM This is really an interesting alternative for me (to the CTS wagon that I was considering). Have to replace my 05 GMC Envoy Denali sometime soon. With the V8 in that SUV getting an average 15 mpg in Northern California traffic, the turbo V6 in this new SRX is definitely appealing. Particularly as I remember getting 26 mpg in my 87 Buick with that turbo V6 (you folks remember the RWD Grand National?) shown in real time courtesy of the digital dash in that car. My only concern is the ride in this 2010 SRX. As we really like the air shocks in the rear on the 05 Denali Envoy, with the air compressor that you can use for EVERYTHING, why not spec the same in this Cadillac? No I would not buy foreign if this 2010 SRX came with the dual-mode hybrid setup. That is the way to go and if they say it will come with dual-mode, GM has a new order from me.
California voters approve $10 billion for high speed train {Autoblog Green}
Nov 10th 2008 12:29PM All of us who drive the Big Trucks (semis) on the Super Slab (interstates) want high speed rail to be built in California and throughout the U.S.
Why? Well, as one who has been on the high speed trains in Europe, I can tell you the reasons:
1) To get you nutcase so-called drivers of "four wheelers" (cars, vans, pickups) OFF THE ROAD (and on to the train) so we don't have to worry about you causing accidents every day,
2) If you think long term, and not just past the Christmas shopping season, why would you NOT want to just sit back, have an enjoyable meal, and drink a glass of wine while you watch the scenery from the high speed train? This is what we liked about the trains in Europe. As long as there is proper security aboard the trains and private car upgrades to First Class (yes we will pay extra for that) I vote "Yes" for that,
3) If you have already driven thousands of times on I-5 "BC to BC" (British Columbia to Baja California) you can see why being a passenger on a high speed train would be nothing but pure enjoyment. The same goes for if you have endured endless "stuffed into an aluminum tube in the sky" business trips on (you name the airline) up and down California or up and down the west coast for years. Who needs it?
4) Just in terms of energy, with all of the new Silicon Valley "clean energy" startups that are ramping up production of new types of solar panels, we could set up vast solar array farms in desolate areas of the western states to power these high speed trains, while also building new (safe) nuclear plants (for both plug-in electric or hybrid cars and trains and to meet the demands of an expanding society). We have the room, folks. Been to eastern Oregon lately? Go to Google Earth and check out all the land east of Hwy. 97 and south of Hwy. 20, Central Oregon to Idaho. Also vast areas in Nevada and Utah,
5) If we are going to introduce "stimulus packages" to get the economy going, channel the money into high speed trains that will provide construction and infrastructure jobs, not endless payments to welfare cheats, drug addicts and other big city "constituents" of the Democratic party.
First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid {Autoblog}
Oct 24th 2008 11:20PM If you want to remove the Hybrid decals, plug in your wife's hair dryer and hold it at an angle to the decal, not too close. Turn it on and eventually the decal gets soft and will peel away slowly. Then use some 3M decal stickum remover spray to clean up the area. Follow it up with new wax in that area and you are done!
Detroit 2009 Preview: Third Prius teaser appears {Autoblog Green}
Oct 21st 2008 4:58PM Mind Control Device: emits thoughts that your brain picks up while you are driving, "You will buy more Toyota Priuses soon, you will buy more Toyota Priuses soon, you will vote for Owl Gore and Barack Obama...etc."
Rendered or Real? REAL! 2010 Toyota Prius {Autoblog}
Oct 17th 2008 12:06AM What have you people been putting into your bongs this week?
UPDATE BREAKING: Layoffs and executive shuffles at Tesla Motors {Autoblog}
Oct 15th 2008 8:53PM Saw a Tesla Roadster when I was westbound on 92 going to Half Moon Bay recently. They will go down the tubes if they don't figure out what will really sell: light and medium-duty electric delivery trucks. All goods must move in the market place, and trucks are what the goods are moved by daily. Want more info.? See the smithelectricvehicles.com website. You don't need to drive in your car every day but goods do need to be delivered every day. If they introduce light and medium-duty electric trucks, these will outsell the Roadster by a factor of 10+.
Antro Solo gas-electric hybrid promises 150 mpg {Engadget}
Jun 24th 2008 4:41PM Where are the windshield wipers? This won't go over well in Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. If it is low enough, it could just scoot under most dry van and reefer semi-trailers and take cover there, rather than being swept off the road by turbulent air blowing around the truck. This also looks like something most eco fanatics would choose to sleep in as they are waiting to attend the next anti-capitalist / anti-American demonstation. And finally, will it meet federal crash test requirements or not? If not, it will never go on sale here anyway! "Owl" Gore, here - finally - is the suppository you have been waiting for.
