Archive for August, 2009
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.31.09
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First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers Audi addresses our singular gripe with the R8 by replacing the standard model’s stock powerplant with the V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo. Porsche 911 Turbo, M-B SL63 and (whoops) LP560-4, it’s official: You’re on notice. |
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VIDEO: Production Cadillac CTS Coupe breaks through in new 60-second spot With the tagline “America, we have re-ignition,” Cadillac is out to reintroduce itself to buyers. And the flagship model of GM’s new ad campaign is the CTS Coupe. |
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Toyota accused of ‘ruthless conspiracy’ to conceal, destroy evidence by former attorney Toyota looks to have a potential public-relations nightmare on its hands. According to reports, one of the company’s former lawyers, Dimitrios P. Biller, has filed a federal racketeering suit against the Japanese automaker. |
Other news of import
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.31.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
“I’ll have the 10W-30 burger, please” – Examining the car dealers as eatery trend
Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising
A restaurant that has a few hot cars gathered round is one thing — but a car dealership that opens a restaurant, where does that rank on the scale of ambiance? With recent trends, you could soon get a chance to decide sooner than you thought.
As our friends at The Detroit Bureau point out, California’s Bistro33 at Rocklin Mercedes will be the next dining experience in a dealership. The cars don’t mingle in the restaurant — this isn’t some trendy Vegas amusement. And this isn’t just about having something to do while you wait for the mechanics to finish with your car. You actually go to a dealership to have your dinner. That means you can discuss APR after appetizers and sort out your warranty with a nice Napa red.
There isn’t any reason a dealership can’t also make a decent dinner. Galpin’s Horseless Carriage has been open for 43 years for a menu full of good reasons. And if you have an Aston Martin, the fare in Galpin’s Aston Martin club is worthy of both brands. It remains to be seen this trend catches on in more than a few niche markets, but until car sales rebound. this could be a way to get more foot traffic and a bit more income. And besides, there’s nothing like an aged strip steak to make you hungry for a car.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]
“I’ll have the 10W-30 burger, please” – Examining the car dealers as eatery trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
“I’ll have the 10W-30 burger, please” – Analyzing the car dealers as eatery trend
Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising
A restaurant that has a few hot automobiles gathered round is one thing — but a automobile dealership that opens a restaurant, where does that rank on the scale of ambiance? With current trends, you could soon get a opportunity to decide sooner than you thought.
As our friends at The Detroit Bureau point out, California’s Bistro33 at Rocklin Mercedes will be the next dining experience in a dealership. The cars don’t mingle in the restaurant — this isn’t some trendy Vegas amusement. And this isn’t just about having something to do while you wait for the mechanics to complete with your vehicle. You actually go to a dealership to have your dinner. That means you can discuss APR after appetizers and sort out your warranty with a nice Napa red.
There isn’t any reason a dealership can’t also make a decent dinner. Galpin’s Horseless Carriage has been open for 43 years for a menu full of good reasons. And if you’ve an Aston Martin, the fare in Galpin’s Aston Martin club is worthy of both brands. It remains to be seen this trend catches on in more than a few niche markets, but until vehicle sales rebound. this could be a way to get more foot traffic and a bit more income. And besides, there’s nothing like an aged strip steak to make you hungry for a automobile.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]
“I’ll have the 10W-30 burger, please” – Analyzing the car dealers as eatery trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
REPORT: U.S. psyched as China decides to cut auto part tariffs
Filed under: China, Europe, Government/Legal, Canada
China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, at which point it was given five years to adjust to the rules of open trade before any complaints were lodged against it. On schedule, in 2006, the complaints began, lodged by the U.S., Europe, and Canada.
In one example of open trade prohibitive practices, Automotive News reports that if a automobile built in China uses a percentage of imported auto parts above a specific threshold, China taxes each imported part an additional 25%. In such a price-competitive atmosphere, such a policy all but proscribes the use of imported parts, a move that has lead to complaints from all three continents.
The original complaint was decided at the end of last year in a ruling against China. Beijing appealed, to no avail. In response, China has rescinded the tax, which is an initial step to truly opening the market up for foreign parts- and automakers.
The U.S. trade in auto parts to China isn’t even 1/13th what it is to Mexico, a statistic that a host of companies would clearly like to change.
Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal
[Source: Automotive News, sub req’d]
REPORT: U.S. psyched as China decides to cut auto part tariffs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
AutoblogGreen for 08.31.09
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GM using bankruptcy to shirk responsibility for clunker mercury switches? Not exactly The General’s best moment. |
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VIDEO: Zipcar has $1 billion dreams… and 46 members per car? 6,500 vehicles around the world and 300,000 members is where Zipcar is today. |
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Solar Roadways get prototype funding from DOT Turn every road in the U.S. into a solar energy collector and all our problems are solved. Easy, right? |
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AutoblogGreen for 08.31.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.