This Just In: New On The Net

Last night I finally dropped the transmission out of my parts car, no small feat considering what a loose wobbly mess the entire drivetrain had become within the rapidly disintegrating engine compartment. I had to ratchet-strap the engine to one the fenders, a tip suggested by my ex, to pry the trans all the way loose. It worked! Anyway, here’s the news:

• Who killed the electric car? Not Daimler. They’ll be offering an electric Mercedes, in fact, in 2010. Herald Tribune.
• Motorists in Southern California are making a run for the border—for $2/gal gas—despite Mexico’s ongoing drug wars. LA’s giant smog cloud couldn’t be happier. msnbc.com video.
• Ashley Judd husband and former open-wheel champ Dario Franchitti does not feel he’s got the upper hand at NASCAR’s road-course race this weekend at Infineon, because stock car racing isn’t so easy after all. Scene Daily.
• GM’s truck woes continue. Hummer has recently been the subject of some nerve-wracking hearsay, and now GMC is the latest gas-guzzling division to face rumors of imminent demise. Autoblog.   
• Four-banger Ford fans will have to find something new to bitch about: the European Focus we’ve all been pining for will be available in the US in 2010! Kicking Tires.