Frontier Airlines has an all-new fleet of planes with cute animals painted on the tail. And I have to admit, the squeaky-clean Airbus 319s I flew in yesterday were pretty spiffy. But you know what would have been super-cool? Getting home from Detroit in less than 14 hours. Anyway, here’s the news:

• BMW is sending its Hydrogen 7 sedan on a world tour, and while the idea of cars which only emit hot air and water is pretty cool, it’d be nice if this example got more than 5 MPG. Does it really need a V12?  Auto Observer
• Can having too many choices be a bad thing? Ford seems to think so, and it’s easy to see why. After all, should there be 100,000 different ways to configure a Focus? Probably not. Automotive News
• There’s nothing SFW about this story, so be warned. Over the weekend, a tape of FIA boss Max Mosley participating in a sadomasochistic, Nazi-themed orgy surfaced, and it’s even more ugly than it sounds. If that’s possible. Jalopnik via News of the World.
• The strike at American Axle has gotten even uglier. The company is now placing help wanted ads to fill positions left open by striking workers. Will this standoff kill the company’s American plants? Detroit News
• Smart has hired a Detroit native to run the brand’s USA operations. Think his high-school buddies will still talk to him? Freep

I’m headed to the airport as soon as I shut down my computer, and I think I’ll use some of the time I’ll spent in the terminal to read a newspaper. You know, those things made out of trees which used to keep people up-to-date? And the automakers think they have problems! Here’s the news:

• A county over in the United Kingdom is testing a new way to keep tabs on novice drivers. The black box device monitors acceleration, braking and corner speed, and warns the person behind the wheel if it feels things are getting risky. Of course, it also uploads all data to the net. How long  before a single burnout triggers a rise in your insurance?  Auto Express
• Alfa Romeo hasn’t even returned to the States yet, but some folks are already wondering whether the plan makes sense. The lame part? Many points seem valid. Auto Observer
• Citing slim sales in the United States, Nissan said it will slow or idle plants in Mexico. Why not just have those plants make GTRs? If there were plenty of them, maybe dealers wouldn’t get to charge twice sticker. Automotive News
• Bentley is worried about its carbon footprint, and has made its plan to reduce C02 public. What’s the deal? Why isn’t the company just whining about CAFE standards? New York Times
• There’s been no progress in the American Axle strike, even as the General’s troops have begun to feel the impact. Is it time for GM to start issuing orders? Regardless, something says we won’t see a happy ending here. Freep

Right now, I’m trying to get everything buttoned up so I can fly to Detroit for the kickoff of the 2008 DUB tour. Too bad KISS isn’t playing. Here’s the news:

• With all the news about how the economy is doing—"Where am I going? And why am I in this hand basket?"—it’s no wonder consumers don’t feel inclined to spend money on a new car right now. I’d really like to hear some good news about America’s financial situation. But I’m not going to hold my breath. Auto Observer
• Tata’s shares have already taken a hit due to the company’s acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover. Wow. That didn’t take long. Automotive News
• After last year’s F1 cheating scandal, Ferrari arch-rival McLaren was fined $100 million bucks. And now its board—including former star driver Michael Schumacher—gets to deciding how that money will be spent. First purchase? A big banner reading: "Suck it McLaren!" World Car Fans
• It doesn’t look like either side is ready to budge in the American Axle strike. Now head honcho Dick Dauch—who just received a million dollar raise—is talking about moving jobs outside the US. Ugly, ugly, ugly. Freep
• Most of the time, you’re lucky if you can get the people at the parts store to find you the right alternator. But it looks like the woman who gave birth in an Advance Auto Parts in Coco, FL totally lucked out. Winding Road 

New York was a blast, but I still feel pretty wiped out. Good thing I have a couple of days at home before I head to Detroit for the start of the DUB tour. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Looks like Honda finally going to bring Acura into the UK. Since Infiniti and Lexus have been there for years, you have to wonder why the company was dragging their feet. Hey, better late than never. Auto Express
• The strike at American Axle is still underway, and while the management is asking employees to accept benefit and pay cuts of up to 50%—yup, 50%—the just gave the head honcho a million dollar raise. Classy. Auto Observer
• BMW just won the 2008 World Green Car award, but like so many other killer rides, it won’t be available in the US. What’s the deal guys? Wired
• There are still two years to go until 2010, but it looks like automotive folks are already starting to talk about "Car of the Decade." I have to admit, the fact that the Porsche’s Cayenne is being floated caught me by surprise. The New York Times

So I’m back home after a great few days the Big Apple, and I have to say that city makes Seattle feel like a strip mall. But that said, it’s my strip mall, and I love it. Big time thanks to the General for treating me far better than I deserve while I was there. Here’s the news:

• This year will mark the 60th anniversary of Lotus, one of my favorite manufacturers. Is there any point in the company’s history where the brand has been in a better position?  World Car Fans
• Bob Lutz has said that initially, the General "won’t make a dime" on the Volt. Given how much it’s costing to develop this car, that makes perfect sense. Is anyone really surprised? Wired
• Ever wonder which states have the highest car ownership cost? Well, here’s the breakdown. New York Times
• Ok, now this is really getting ugly. The strike at the American Axle has lead to a 6% rise in unemployment benefits across the nation. Now, I hate math, but I know that when you’re talking about the United States, 6% of anything is a big number. Freep