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May 11, 2009
SUV to BEV
Chris Borrelli
Ford has announced that it will use $550 million to transform its Michigan assembly plant. The plant has been building Expeditions and Navigators but will converted to build the next generation Focus and 2011 Focus battery-electric variant (BEV). Is this a good move or a little too risky? Via Left Lane News.
May 4, 2009
I Learned It By Watching You
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Funny spin on the famous anti-drug commercial of the 80s. Compare it to the original. Via Detroit News
March 5, 2009
Build: 6 Million? Eeeeeeek!
Atomicalex
Last fall, we were all talking about the build (that’s the number of cars that need to be built to satisfy US demand) being 12.1 million for 2009, down from 16 million or so in 2007. Then in December, Ford called 10 million. Last month, the word going around was 8.5 million. A bunch of us were sitting around at work yesterday and crunched some numbers. Based on January and February sales, the 2009 build could be less than 6 million cars. No one, OEM, Tier or otherwise, is going to escape that number without certain damage, if not failure. As cheezy as this sounds, I’m asking you: please, go buy a new car today.
January 27, 2009
1969 Detroit Auto Show
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Things have changed in the last forty years… or have they? I pasted more pics after the jump, but you can see the full set over at flickr
January 24, 2009
Peelerboy's Challenger on CarDomain!
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
My buddy Dale (AKA Peelerboy for his Schwinn obsession) just built a sweet ride page for his beautiful 4 speed 1971 Dodge Challenger. He restored this car back in 1992, but as you can see from this recent photo at Milan Dragway, it’s no trailer queen! The old Mopar runs the quarter in 12.92 on Polyglas tires! If that’s not cool enough, Dale is living the dream of being a automotive designer in Detroit. Anyway, check out his ride and leave a comment in his guestbook!
January 16, 2009
January 15, 2009
New Ranger? Yes. New Bronco? No.
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
In case you missed it in my blog about my conversation with J Mays, Ford has definite plans to revamp the Ranger. I confirmed this with another Ford designer at Camilo Pardo’s party. But it doesn’t sound like there are any plans for a new Bronco. I plan to follow this story closely, and am thinking something may be revealed at the Chicago show, so stay tuned. This Ranger Max concept shown at the Thailand International Motor Expo last month is said to hint at the future design.
January 13, 2009
Bye Bye Detroit
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I’m headed to the airport, so that’s it for me for today. I had an awesome time—Detroit is an amazing town. Kathy and I have a bunch more pics and video that I will sort through and post over the next few days. But for now I’ll leave you with some shots from the Cobo rooftop where we parked every day. Bye Detroit! I’m already looking forward to next year!
January 10, 2009
Hello From Detroit
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I landed in Detroit ealier this evening and snapped this pic of The GM Collection on the way to the baggage claim. Pretty much the coolest airport souvenir shop ever. Detroit has been getting some snow, some flights have been cancelled and the whole cab scene was a bit of a mess, but after a bit of a wait I managed to grab a cab with Mary Jean Wesche of the Mustang Club of America (she’s here to cover the Shelby GT500 unveil tomorrow at 11 AM) and finally made it out to Kathy’s house in Troy for her party. Got the full tour of Kathy’s house and even got to touch the Alcantara in her Cabrio project car. Matt and Calsie then gave me a lift back to my hotel in their cool little ’82 Rabbit (thanks guys!). I have a few more pics after the jump. NAIAS coverage starts tomorrow morning, so stay tuned…
January 9, 2009
Dodge to Bring Back the Rampage?
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
A bunch of you guys got excited about Blake’s new Rampage and I was arguing for the return of an affordable Rampage-like truck when I heard that Pontiac killed the G8 pickup earlier this week. Well, sounds like Dodge is actually considering bringing it back! I’ll be sure to bug the Dodge guys about this at NAIAS, so stay tuned… Detroit News via Jalopnik
Oh, and Autoblog has pics of the 2006 Rampage concept.
