MotorMediaWatch June 27:
Jun 27, 2008 MotorMediaWatch
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+++ 2008 Audi A5 coupe +++ FIA: Formula 2 Comeback? +++ GM shares plunge again +++ 2009 Dodge Journey R/T +++
BMW’s R1200RT-P: Big, bad and packing heat
The police motorcycle — favored by the CHP and the L.A. Sheriff’s Department — keeps drivers in line. (LAT)+++
A car show for Ventura capitalists?
If anyone has a special motorsport-related car they’d like to put on display at a California car show, the people involved with the Ventura Motorsports Gathering might be pleased to hear from them (LAT)+++
Chrysler denies bankruptcy talk, welcomes Iacocca
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Faced with persistent speculation that it was planning to file for bankruptcy protection, Chrysler today issued a statement denying the rumor and saying it has plenty of cash. (SJM)+++
Volkswagen worldwide sales increase
Volkswagen said today its worldwide auto deliveries edged up 2 percent in May and climbed 6.6 percent to a record level for the first five months of the year.(SJM)+++
GM, Ford shares drop to new lows
Shares of General Motors plunged to their lowest price in more than 30 years, and Ford shares hit another 52-week low today as analysts continued to speculate about just how bad things will get for U.S.-based automakers. (SJM)+++
J.D. Power survey: Car-owner satisfaction drops because of fuel costs
Drivers of new cars were less satisfied with their vehicles this year for the first time in at least five years due mainly to rising fuel prices, according to an annual survey released today. (SJM)+++
Farmers Enjoy Smashing Success
Forget monster trucks and funny cars. Across the Farm Belt, the new star of the demolition derby is the combine, a hulking harvester with a top speed of about 15 miles an hour and a sticker price that can top $300,000.(WSJ)+++
How Technology Can Help Trim Auto Insurance
For years, drivers paid less for auto insurance if they reported low mileage. Now, insurers are using high-tech devices to track customers’ habits, and offering deep discounts to those who not only drive less, but also cautiously. (WSJ)+++
Chrysler to Offer Wi-Fi
Auto-parts maker Mopar will supply Chrysler with a wireless Internet system for its vehicles starting in August.(WSJ)+++
2008 Audi A5 coupe stirs powerful emotions
I recently gushed to an old friend of mine who owns a 2002 Audi wagon that I just drove the best car on the market. It’s the 2008 Audi A5 coupe. He wanted to know, “Is it the best ‘Audi’ you’ve driven, or the ‘best’ car (SFC)+++
FREEWHEELING
Gasoline prices are hovering around $4 per gallon for regular unleaded and the evidence is mounting that the driving public is fighting back by driving less and drastically altering their new-vehicle purchases in favor..(SFC)+++
2008 Volvo V70
Volvo has employed a completely new vehicle architecture for the 2008 V70, which now shares major components and systems with the flagship S80 and the equally new XC70. This constitutes a significant change from the…(SFC)+++
2009 Dodge Journey R/T
Dodge’s latest entry into the SUV foray is in the form of a mid-size crossover that was designed to provide room to grow. The vehicle is the 2009 Dodge Journey, a global vehicle that blends the versatility and.(SFC)+++
Obama touts ‘green’ plans, asks for input from GM chief
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama asked the head of General Motors Corp. today what he could do to preserve the U.S. auto industry if elected, saying automakers “may need some bridges” to reach the future. (DFP)+++
Suzuki pulls out of 2009 Detroit auto show
Suzuki Motor Corp. has pulled out of the 2009 North American International Auto Show, saying the space offered — relegated to Michigan Hall — didn’t meet its needs. (DFP)+++
GM shares plunge in early trading
Shares of General Motors Corp. plunged today to their lowest price in more than 30 years, as industry observers and investors continued to speculate about just how bad things could get for U.S.-based automakers before they start to get better. (DFP)+++
Accessorize your Chrysler with Wi-Fi
Buckle up and log on. Beginning in August, Chrysler LLC customers will be able to get in-vehicle wireless Internet as an option in all models. (DFP)+++
Workers return to Chrysler lab evacuated for spill
Employees have returned to their jobs after a chemical spill forced the evacuation of an engineering laboratory at Chrysler LLC’s world headquarters in Auburn Hills. (DFP)+++
European carmaker may return to U.S.
Italy’s Alfa Romeo and Fiat cars are on the verge of returning to the United States, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told the Automotive News Europe Congress. (DFP)+++
Chrysler cash crunch feared
If U.S. auto sales are as weak next year as they have been so far in 2008, Chrysler LLC’s cash flow could fall to “minimal required levels” next year, credit-rating firm Fitch Ratings said Wednesday. (DFP)+++
Love Camaros? Head to Ypsilanti
The Camaro Superfest, which bills itself as the nation’s longest-running all-Camaro show, returns to Riverside Park in Ypsilanti on July 4-6. The show will include a tribute to Camaro race cars, as well as a swap meet, drive-in movie and judging of participants’ vehicles. (DFP)+++
Auto industry headlines
Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally was among a group of business leaders who met with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Obama met with Mulally and nine other industry leaders in Chicago on Wednesday. (DFP)+++
Chrysler’s What’s New 2008: uConnect web w/VIDEO
At Chrysler’s annual “What’s New” gathering at its Chelsea Proving Ground, we were able to get a demonstration of the new uConnect Web system, which transforms any vehicle into a rolling WiFi hot spot. (AUTOBLOG)+++
VW design chief wants a return to ‘basics’
If you look back over the years, Volkswagens have been steadily marching toward the gaudy. We’re not talking Sagrada Familia amazingness, but chromey, buck-toothed, overwrought fussiness. (AUTOBLOG)+++
Forbes names Top 10 Guilt-Free Luxury Cars
In today’s economy of high gas prices, luxury automobiles get a bad rap. However, Forbes points out, some luxury sedans and SUVs are frugal in their fuel consumption, and even retain a healthy amount of their residual values. Based on those two main factors, Forbes.com has named their Top Ten list of “guilt-free luxury cars”. (AUTOBLOG)+++
FIA announces plan to bring back Formula 2
The international motor racing community was shocked when the FIA announced it is accepting tenders to revive the long-departed Formula 2 series.(AUTOBLOG)+++
Audi A1 drop-top bound for Frankfurt in ‘09, aimed at MINI cabrio
Audi gave the world a preview of its new A1 mini-car last fall in the form of the MetroProject and the production version of the new A1 is expected to debut in 2010 with a lineup that should include a drop-top version to take on the MINI Cabriolet. As usual, Audi will likely bring all the bells and whistles to the A1 Cabrio, including a power top that descends fully into the back end of the car. (AUTOBLOG)+++
Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds
After being asked what the next President of the United States could do to help Detroit’s automakers, Rick Wagoner, head honcho at General Motors, responded that his company could use an injection of cash for research and development into new, potentially green technology. (AUTOBLOG)+++
Ford UK offers Red edition Fiesta Zetec S
The Ford Fiesta is one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK. But before it’s replaced by the new model, the Blue Oval’s British subsidiary isn’t about to let it go out without a… well, we’d hardly call it a bang, but at least a last desperate plea for attention before it’s retired.(AUTOBLOG)+++
Suzuki bows out of 2009 Detroit Auto Show
Porsche and Suzuki rarely come up in the same breath, but here is something they both share: neither will be in Cobo Hall when the Detroit Auto Show opens in January.(AUTOBLOG)+++
Nissan considering high-performance V8 version of Z car, more 370Z details
The crew at 7Tune got a hold of the latest issue of Best Car, and in addition to creating their own full size Z34 Nissan through the use of bondo and stickers, they’ve got more details on the next iteration of the Z car. (AUTOBLOG)+++
Pinanfarina Hyperion to be unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours
Pininfarina announced yesterday that the legendary Italian design house has been commissioned to create a one-off version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for an unnamed client.(AUTOBLOG)+++
VW to fleet test Twin Drive Golf plug-in hybrid concept in 2010
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has revealed a new concept today called the Golf Twin Drive. The Twin Drive is a plug-in electric hybrid that uses a powerful 82-hp electric motor and a 2.0L turbodiesel producing 122 hp (AUTOBLOG)+++
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