AC Schnitzer Profile: German BMW Z4 tuning marvel

Ok, first the looks do seem not at all inconspicuous. But that’s exactly how they wanted it to be, the Schnitzer style. And the triple-porthole side vents and the distinct airfoil make the mew AC Schnitzer Profile stand out and look very different than the average Z4 … Read more

Hybrids: Sanyo to make lithium-ion batteries for Volkswagen

Volkswagen and Sanyo now partner to make lithium-ion batteries for the new hybrid electric cars the former is developing. By 2010, the car manufacturer is hoping to release a ‘green car’ that uses lithium-ion batt. Read more

Raising the standard: Ferrari Enzo tweaked courtesy Edo Competition

If there is such as thing as perfection standards in the automotive industry it’s the legendary Ferrari Enzo. However, it seems the standards have now been raised by this tweaked version, customized by Edo Competition. Read more

GM and Ford to Expand Participation in National Automotive Service Task Force

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has announced that both GM and Ford have expanded their participation in the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) to include the release of key codes to registered security professionals and service technicians in all 50 states. Read more

2010 S5S Raptor: Saleen is back

The American Supercar scene is more than just the Ford GT and the Corvette ZR1. Saleen, whom we know very well for the S7 supercar, is now back with a lower range supercar. Read more

Volkswagen Named as Grand Marshall for the Annual Tecate SCORE International Baja 500

HERNDON, Va., May 30 /PRNewswire/ — Volkswagen of America, Inc.
announced today that it has been named Grand Marshall for the 40th Annual
Tecate SCORE International Baja 500 Thursday, May 29 - Sunday, June 1 in
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Volkswagen, which has powered hundreds
of class wins in off-road racing over the past 40 years in Baja, including
thirteen overall wins, is also the official vehicle of SCORE International. Read more

Ford Fiesta Production to Begin in Early 2010; European Hatchback Added for North America

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) today announced the new Ford Fiesta small car for North America will be produced at the company’s transformed Cuautitlan Assembly Plant beginningin early 2010 and a sporty European hatchback model is being added to the North American lineup alongside the popular sedan. Read more

Small car: Ford Fiesta Production Begins Early 2010

The Ford Fiesta, the car the Detroit auto maker calls the “small car”, will be produced at the company’s transformed Cuautitlan Assembly Plant beginning in early 2010, the company said today. A sporty European hatchback model is being added to theNorth American lineup alongside the popular sedan.
http://www.ford.com

MotorMediaWatch May 30

Elite car show Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance to be held Sunday
In only its third year, the Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance has carved out a spot among the region’s elite car shows. The charity event is back Sunday, with 350 cars at the Rose Bowl and adjacent Brookside Golf Course.(LAT)+++

GM says 19,000 U.S. hourly workers taking its buyout offers
DETROIT - General Motors said today that a quarter of its U.S. hourly workers will take the company’s latest buyout and early retirement offers, opening the door for new hires who will make less money. (SJM)+++

Honda to Increase Small-Car Production
Honda plans to meet growing U.S. demand for small cars by moving production of two bigger models from Canada to Alabama, enabling the Canadian plant to increase production of the Civic. (WSJ)+++

Car Cast
David Patton and Mathew Passy discuss gasoline prices, and how they are changing people’s driving — and shopping habits. Plus, more on why it isn’t a great idea to trade-in that gas guzzler to save money.(WSJ)+++

Car-Rental Agencies Use Gas Deals as Lure
Car-rental agencies are offering a series of gas discounts that allow customers to snag a tank for well below the national average of $3.94 a gallon. (WSJ)+++

Quarter of GM hourly workers leaving, falling short of goal
More than a quarter of General Motors Corp. (DFP)+++

Mulally to meet today on worker layoffs
Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally and his top managers today will take the next steps toward deciding how many salaried workers the company must involuntarily lay off as it continues downsizing in the face of a brutal U.S. economy.(DFP)+++

New Dodge Challenger SRT8 cruises into supercar class”
I built that,” retired Chrysler assembly worker Jimmie Wilson said, hurrying across the parking lot of Athens Coney Island in Royal Oak toward the silver 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. “No. Wait,” the 65-year-old Detroiter said as he got closer to the muscular new Dodge coupe. “It’s different.” (DFP)+++

Growth seen for Arvin Innovation
Despite a bleak outlook for the U.S. auto industry, Arvin Innovation Inc., the auto supplier to be spun off from Troy-based ArvinMeritor Inc., expects to see sales growth of at least 17% over the next two years, executives for the companies said Wednesday.(DFP)+++

Axle to open window for buyouts
The 45-day window for workers at American Axle & Manufacturing to take a buyout or other attrition package is expected to open this week, the company’s executives said Wednesday. (DFP)+++

Nardelli’s sub for policy speech to be named today
MACKINAC ISLAND — Organizers of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference expect to name a replacement today for Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli, who had to cancel his planned Friday speech to conferees because he hurt his back.(DFP)+++

Cracking code of Corvette model name
Some vehicle names become legendary, but one of the longest standing and most revered is a confusing mystery to most people.(DFP)+++

Car shows
The 19th annual Chrysler Employee Motorsport Association’s Charity Car Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.(DFP)+++

2008 Challenger looks better than concept
The 2008 Dodge Challenger may look like the concept car that excited visitors to the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit 2 1/2 years ago, but the designers changed every surface to create the production model.

Auto news headlines
General Motors Corp. lead independent director George Fisher said the automaker’s management team has his and the board’s backing after GM fell to the lowest value since 1982, the Wall Street Journal reported. (DFP)+++

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Vehicle type: Rear-wheel drive five-seat performance coupe Base price: $39,420 excluding destination charges, but including gas-guzzler tax As tested: $39,470 (DFP)+++

click and clack talk cars Tom & Ray Magliozzi
Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1997 Ford Aspire, and I can’t plug in my Sirius Satellite Radio adapter because my car lighter does not work. I changed all the fuses - and got some other stuff working, but not the cigarette.(SFC)+++

Exclusive interview: Steve Saleen and SMS Limited
We’re big fans of Steve Saleen. He’s created some pretty incredible Mustangs over the last 25 years, and any guy that successfully builds his own supercar gets major props in our book. (AUTOBLOG)+++

BBC asked to fire Clarkson for admitting to 186 mph joyride in Veyron
Here’s a news flash: Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame sometimes drives really fast. But it isn’t a speeding ticket that has landed Mr. Clarkson in hot water(AUTOBLOG)+++

Spy Shots: 2009 Ford Harley-Davidson F-450
Ever since Ford and Harley-Davidson got together, the bar-and-shield logo has been affixed to the baddest possible version of the ever-popular F-Series pickup.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Cost of vehicle maintenance is escalading
The pains many automobile owners are feeling at their local service station isn’t just at the pump — prices for general maintenance is also increasing.(AUTOBLOG)+++

South America gets its own Punto Turbo
The European market is replete with sporty Fiats we can’t get over here, but the latest doesn’t even come from Italy.(AUTOBLOG)+++

2009 Dodge Ram up to 20% more fuel efficient than before
Dodge announced today that its redesigned 2009 Ram 1500 will be 20% more fuel efficient than the 2008 model it replaces.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Honda shuffles production so it can make more Civics
As domestic automobile manufacturers cut production and lay off workers because they were caught off-guard when consumer buying habits switched to more fuel-efficient vehicles, Honda will effortlessly shuffle its production to meet U.S.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Subaru Legacy STI rumored to have 450 hp
When another batch of spy photos of the upcoming Subaru Exiga surfaced yesterday, we didn’t give it much thought.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Nearly 19,000 hourly workers take buyout from GM
General Motors announced today that approximately 19,000 hourly employees have opted to leave the automaker’s ranks in exchange for a buyout offer and retirement incentives.(AUTOBLOG)+++

GM to follow Ford and restructure its restructuring
Following a slew of labor problems including the American Axle strike that cost an estimated $2 billion, General Motors is restructuring to accommodate the declining U.S. auto market.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Subaru releases specs on Impreza WRC 2008
WRC teams are gearing up in Greece ahead of this week’s Acropolis rally, and just before its world racing debut, Subaru has released the details on its all-new Impreza rally car. (AUTOBLOG)+++

Ford ties Toyota in Strategic Vision 2008 Total Quality Awards
Strategic Vision has announced the results of its annual Total Quality Awards and is touting the performance of Ford this year versus perennial powerhouse Toyota.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Ferrari releases more photos of the California, now with the top up!
The gang in Maranello is continuing to dribble out more imagery of the new Ferrari California roadster, now with the car now making its first appearance with its hard top up.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Tire prices going up: Goodyear boosts prices

To help offset rapidly escalating raw material, energy and freight costs, Veyance Technologies, the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of Goodyear Engineered Products, is boosting prices of its industrial and consumer products, effective July 1. Read more

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