Wed
7
Jan
11:34 am

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

22nd December 2008

Ever wondered what an iPod on wheels would look like? Well here’s your answer!

Called the iMo, this futuristic bubble car is the brainchild of French designer Anthony Jannarelly, and represents his vision for urban transport in 2024.

The fully electric vehicle, which can be charged wirelessly via electric induction or with a more conventional plug, seats three in a 2+1 configuration. But there’s no dashboard or driving controls - the iMo is fully autonomous.

(Read the full post about ‘iCar for 2024?’…)


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Wed
7
Jan
10:16 am

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

22nd December 2008

THE show must go on! After a lacklustre stand at the LA Motor Show in November, GM is back on form for Detroit. The struggling firm is aiming high with three models making their expo debuts Stateside and one world-exclusive unveiling.

First up is the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, which quietly appeared at the Pebble Beach Concours 2008 but will be presented to US showgoers for the first time. And its brutish good looks should win it plenty of admiring glances.

(Read the full post about ‘GM at Detroit Show’…)

In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe
by Chris Shunk on Jan 6th 2009 at 11:57AM Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe The Infiniti G35 coupe showed that Nissan’s U.S. luxury arm could compete with the likes of Mercedes and BMW. Being mentioned in the same breath as those storied brands is nice, but Infiniti isn’t looking to be class competitive; it wants to lead. Ghosn’s guys rolled out the new and improved G37 Coupe for the 2008 model year with more power and a vastly improved interior while also delivering an entry price that undercuts the popular 335i coupe by around $4,000. The 330-hp 3.7L V6 introduced in the G37 Coupe was a big improvement over the also competent 3.5L it replaced, but the carry-over five-speed automatic was holding back Infiniti’s jewel of an engine. (Read the full post about ‘In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe’…)

by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 6th 2009 at 7:02PM
Click above for a high-res gallery of the (apparently D.O.A.) Suzuki Kizashi

Reports of the premature death of the Suzuki Kizashi are apparently… premature. After a story surfaced yesterday detailing Suzuki’s cancellation of its mid-sized sedan program, the scribes at Automotive News went to the source to get the details. Suzuki spokesman Jeff Holland told AN, “The production version will debut at this year’s New York auto show in April.” So there. (Read the full post about ‘Reports of Suzuki Kizashi’s demise highly exaggerated, coming to NY’…)

WASHINGTON January 6, 2009: Octillion Corp. (OTCBB: OCTL), a next-generation alternative and renewable energy technology developer, today announced the appointment of energy-capture experts and engineers, Mr. Stuart Brown, PhD, MBA, and Mr. Brian S. Hendrickson, to the Company’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Stuart Brown and Mr. Brian S. Hendrickson are published authorities in the field of energy harvesting, and are credited with numerous inventions, innovations, and patents in several engineering applications, including the capture of wasted energy for generating electricity — a key objective in Octillion’s research and development of technologies to generate electricity from the wasted energy of moving vehicles.

(Read the full post about ‘Octillion Boosts Engineering to Harness Energy from Moving Vehicles’…)

World’s Richest Man invests in RVs
by Noah Joseph on Jan 6th 2009 at 8:31AMEveryone’s broke. Gas prices keep rising and falling. America’s three largest manufacturers of recreational vehicles are losing money like their pockets are full of holes. Perfect time to invest.Well, it is if you’re Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world, who has made an art out of “buy low, sell high.” Through his holding company Berkshire Hathaway, the Texas-based legendary Omaha investor has invested some $40 million in Middlebury, Indiana’s Coachmen Industries, makers of the Viking line of motor homes. The move is diametrically opposed to that of fellow American investor Kirk Kerkorian, who is rapidly divesting from America’s automakers. (Read the full post about ‘World’s Richest Man invests in RVs’…)

SEE ALSO: Plug-in 2008 Video Coverage

SAN JOSE, Calif.–Coulomb Technologies today announced the first availability of the ChargePoint™ Network for plug-in vehicle owners. Developed to be the world’s easiest and yet most advanced vehicle charging infrastructure, the ChargePoint Network is designed to provide drivers of plug-in vehicles convenient, affordable, and safe access to public charging. Subscribers can sign up for options to fit their lifestyle including a limited time offer “Basic Access” subscription plan, which includes free charging through 2009.

Consumers subscribe to the ChargePoint Network and receive a ChargePoint Smart Card that allows them to charge their car at any Smartlet™ Charging Station nationwide.

(Read the full post about ‘Coulomb Technologies Announces First ChargePoint Network Availability for Electric Vehicle Drivers’…)

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., January 6, 2009 : TechTeam Global, Inc. , a worldwide provider of information technology, enterprise support and business process outsourcing services, today announced the renewal of its Global Single Point of Contact (SPOC) contract with Ford Motor Company, under which TechTeam provides support services for Ford Motor Company’s IT infrastructure.

TechTeam provides service desk, deskside support, service management, infrastructure management, and identity and access management services for Ford Motor Company in North America, Western Europe and Asia, including a recent expansion into Australia and New Zealand.

(Read the full post about ‘TechTeam Global Announces Contract Renewal with Ford Motor Company’…)

TULSA, Okla., January 6, 2009: Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. today announced that, based on preliminary estimated results, it ended the year with an unrestricted cash balance in excess of $210 million, approximately the same balance the Company reported on September 30, 2008. During the fourth quarter, operating losses and changes in working capital were offset by the benefit of a $100 million cash dividend from the Company’s vehicle finance subsidiary that was paid in November 2008.

“These are uncertain times in the overall economy and particularly in the automobile and travel industries.

(Read the full post about ‘Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Provides 2008 Year-End Update’…)

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 6, 2009: Subaru achieved a remarkable annual milestone of 11 consecutive years of record sales, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

Sales of 38,492 Subarus have distinguished the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive company in a difficult market where many competitors are in decline.

Subaru sales for 2008 were up 0.1 per cent in an industry that dropped 3.6 per cent.

Subaru’s core strength was underlined by the success of new generation Forester, which regained its position as the country’s best-selling Compact SUV, with best-ever sales of 14,423 in 2008, up 14.9 per cent.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “The tough economic times are proving the value of Subaru ownership to many thousands of customers who are recognizing the benefit of great retained value, engineering, safety and durability.

“We will continue to reinforce these messages in 2009 with some exciting developments that we expect to attract new customers to the brand and while strengthening the advocacy of our existing customers.”

Forester sold 1262 in December, with new generation Impreza also a popular choice, selling 931, taking its annual total to 11,607 - up 6.9 percent over 2007.

Tribeca sales of 95 giving it yearly sales of 1651, was up 31.2 per cent over the previous year.

Annual Outback sales of 4379 combined with Forester to give Subaru a commanding 22 per cent of the Compact SUV segment.

The Subaru annual total was rounded out by 6432 Liberty sales.

Tags: Nissan, exotic cars, cool cars, hot cars