CarFever Network (beta)

MotorMediaWatch October 31:

Oct 31, 2008 MotorMediaWatch

In troubled times, Ford plans to hitch a ride with GM
It will let the larger automaker take the lead in exploring options for help from the government as well as possible concessions from the United Auto Workers union. (LAT)+++

Governors Urge Auto-Maker Aid
A coalition of governors sent a letter to Paulson and Bernanke requesting immediate action to address an escalating liquidity crisis in the auto industry.  (WSJ)+++

Ford Device Stretches Gallons
Rising gas prices have dramatically increased Americans’ interest in tailoring their driving styles to save fuel. Now auto makers are rushing to help out.(WSJ)++

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MotorMediaWatch October 30:

Oct 30, 2008 MotorMediaWatch

Car Retailers Write Off Domestic Brands
Earnings from auto dealership chains show that many Detroit auto franchises have become practically worthless. (WSJ)+++

Yen Crimps Honda’s Outlook
Honda’s net dropped 41%, hurt by the yen’s strength and weak sales in North America. Its forecast was lowered. (WSJ)+++

GM 3Q global sales drop 11 percent, trail Toyota
General Motors said today that reduced demand in the U.S. and Western Europe helped push the company’s third-quarter worldwide sales down 11 percent, as GM fell further behind Toyota Motor for this year’s No. 1 global sales spot.     (SJM)+++

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Nissan 370Z ready for LA-LA Land

Oct 29, 2008 AUTO SHOWS ., AutoBusinessNews ., Concept Cars, Japanese Cars, Motor Sport, New Cars ., Trends, U.S. Cars, car design

Nissan has the title for the most commonly sold sports car, the Z series. We all know there is a new one just around the corner… but we don’t need to wait anymore the car is going to be revealed at the LA Motor Show next month.

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MotorMediaWatch October 29:

Oct 29, 2008 MotorMediaWatch

The end of the road for U.S. carmakers?
Some analysts suggest failure may not be such a bad thing for Detroit’s Big Three. Others, especially Michigan politicians, warn of calamity. (LAT)+++

Keeping a Car Longer
Jonathan Welsh offers tips and advice on the best ways to keep a car, truck or SUV running reliably and efficiently for a long time on the smallest possible budget. (WSJ)+++

Electric Car Sets Its Sights on Australia
Even as tumbling gasoline prices threaten to undermine interest in alternative-fuel cars, electric-vehicle company Better Place is trying to raise money. (WSJ)+++

Ford Device Stretches Gallons
Rising gas prices have dramatically increased Americans’ interest in tailoring their driving styles to save fuel. Now auto makers are rushing to help out. (WSJ)+++

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A touch of Viper…Dodge Challenger SRT-10

Oct 28, 2008 AUTO SHOWS ., Concept Cars, Deluxe cars, Green cars ., Motor Sport, New Cars ., Sportscars ., Tuning, U.S. Cars

It is official; if you don’t believe it see it for yourself in Vegas this month during the annual SEMA auto show. Dodge is preparing its car new handsome car for a big shirt rippling muscle fight. The SRT-10 will have the V-10 under the hood, which will pump 8.4 Liters of blood. There is an Anger

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Alfa’s new 147, simply cute …

Oct 28, 2008 Concept Cars, Fuel economy, Italian Cars, New Cars ., Top News 2, Trends, car design

We have seen the 8C Competizione, then came the Alfa Mito, now there is the 147. This is a replacement for the 147(obviously). It is quite a cute hatchback, which will be offered in a 3 and 5-door versions.

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MotorMediaWatch October 28:

Oct 28, 2008 MotorMediaWatch

Preview: L.A. Auto Show’s Design Challenge
A highlight of the L.A. Auto Show, happening Nov. 21-30, is the L.A. Design Challenge, in which competing car companies artistically render their most futuristic visions of what vehicles may be like 20 years hence. We check out the nine contenders. (LAT)+++

How Detroit Drove Into a Ditch
The financial crisis has brought the U.S. auto industry to a breaking point, but the trouble began long ago. Paul Ingrassia on disastrous decisions, flawed leadership and what the Motor City needs to do to survive. (WSJ)+++

Poor Quality Adds to Chrysler’s Woes
Chrysler’s woes arise from many mistakes, compounded by bad turns of luck. But the company’s failure to keep up with rivals on quality is a significant, and underrated, factor in its current crisis, writes Joseph White.(WSJ)+++

More Car Dealers Shut Down
Car dealerships are going out of business at an accelerating pace as new-vehicle sales slump to a 25-year low.(WSJ)+++

Government may offer more help to beleaguered automakers
Momentum is building in Washington to aid wounded U.S. automakers with cash to help their finance arms and possibly even money to help seal a deal for General Motors to acquire Chrysler.    (SJM)+++

Lutz: Bankruptcy never comes up at GM
General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz reiterated today that bankruptcy would not solve GM’s problems. “It’s not something that we consider would be constructive or would solve any problems for anyone,” Lutz said.(DFP)+++

GM to idle two plants
General Motors Corp. said today that it plans to idle two assembly plants, including a plant in Detroit, for one week due slow car sales. GM employs 1,700 at the Hamtramck plant that makes the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans.(DFP)+++

‘U.S. News’: 10 cars no one would miss
If a car disappears off the road but no one cared about it in the first place, does it make a sound? (DFP)+++

Japan auto output down on weak U.S. demand
TOKYO — Global vehicle production by Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. declined in September due to a prolonged slump in the U.S. auto market amid growing recession fears, according to data released Monday.(DFP)+++

Battle Royale: If GM and Chrysler merge, which models survive?
At first we thought the idea of a merger between General Motors and Chrysler LLC was laughable.  (AUTOBLOG)+++

KTM taking orders on X-Bow ‘Race’ for €82,900
KTM and its four-wheeled racer, the X-Bow, had an incredibly successful season, dominating the GT4 Sports Light class in its inaugural year.  (AUTOBLOG)+++

Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster
Sometimes good things come in small packages. Other times, they come with a Roush 427 IR crate motor pumping out 576 horsepower.(AUTOBLOG)+++

Renault debuts Sandero Sand’up concept in Sao Paulo
Renault has thankfully brought more to the Sao Paulo Auto Show than just an F1 edition of its inexpensive Dacia Sandero with racy decals and a bodykit.  (AUTOBLOG)+++

Mitsuoka Galue S50 Limousine plops onto the scene
Mitsuoka, that tiny Japanese manufacturer who makes the wonderfully wacky Orochi sea monster, has introduced its latest automotive mash-up, just in time to give us a Halloween fright. (AUTOBLOG)+++

Honda V4 Victory bike concept: Two wheels too cool

Oct 28, 2008 AUTO SHOWS ., Motor Bikes, Motor Sport, Pimp, SPECIALS, Top News 2

At the Motorbike show in Cologne, Germany there was something that showed up from another planet. Planet Honda revealed its freezing cool bike concept called V4 Victory that might put some cool cars to shame when it comes to design.

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Mercedes Benz and BMW alliance: Joint Task Force

Oct 27, 2008 AutoBusinessNews ., Deluxe cars, German cars, NEWS, New Cars ., Research, Trends

We are well aware that Germany is the biggest auto industry when it comes to quality and quantity with a plethora of companies. Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, etc. but we are aware of the biggest rivals in the automotive arena are from the Southern German areas of Stuttgart and Bavaria, Mercedes Benz and BMW.

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Renault Sport R3 Access ready for rallying…

Oct 27, 2008 Motor Sport, New Cars ., Sportscars ., Top News 6, Tuning

Renault got a new Clio up its sleeve that will enthrall the audience with its rally skills. It is the R3 access, based on the R3 Maxi Rally Car but offering a low costing rally campaign for us.

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