Last night, my best buddy Jamie and I caught a 12:01AM showing of Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick. And while Casino Royale was killer—I honestly think Daniel Craig plays 007 even better than Sean Connery—Quantum was just plain wicked. Sure, the title is stupid, but hey, nothing’s perfect. Anyway, here’s the news:

• The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a pretty big deal, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, this year it will have a little less high-end sheet metal to drool over, because Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Land Rover have all decided not to travel to Motor City this year. LA Times
• When people start talking about Bond cars, one of the rides that always comes up is the Lotus Esprit that turns into a submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me. It’s not my favorite, but if you’ve always wanted to own it, now’s your chance. It’s hitting the auction block in London. Jalopnik
• For the last couple of days, I’ve been driving around in the new Challenger R/T, and I think it’s wicked. So I was disappointed to learn that right now, Ma Mopar is busy handing out 30 million in bonuses to 50 of its execs. I know it’s weird, but to most Americans, 30 million sounds like a lot of money. Freep
• While there’s been speculation that the General might sell off a whole slew of its brands, CEO Rick Wagoner has just stated that Hummer is the only one that’s actually on the block. As you can imagine, there are companies lined up around the block to bid… Motor Authority

Apparently, US service people aren’t allowed to have any booze when deployed in a combat zone. But according to the German defense ministry, a million liters of alcohol—mostly beer—have been sent to its soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Now that’s what I call supporting the troops! Anyway, here’s the news:

• Will Obama appoint a "Car Czar?" Given the importance of the domestic auto industry, it’s not a bad idea. And while I’m not a fan of Thomas Friedman—life sure is easy when your wife is loaded—I liked his idea about letting Steve Jobs run GM. But why not let Jobs supervise the whole show? Nowadays, cars are basically just rolling computers anyway. Detroit News
• Here’s a headline for you: "GM Asks Employees to Beg Congress for Money." It’s accurate, and as a fan of the General, I have to say it hurts a little. But how about looking at the bright side? "Ain’t too proud to beg" actually has a pretty nice ring to it. I can see the ad spots already… Wired
• Tesla, the company struggling to prove its Roadster isn’t vaporware, left Detroit a month ago. But guess which company is getting ready to set up show in the Motor City? Yup, arch-rival and recent court foe Fisker. Will it have better luck? New York Times
• The market sucks, everybody is worried about losing their jobs, and its stock is in the toilet, but the Blue Oval is coming out swinging with a bevy of new models. Given the hot little rides it already sells across the pond, Henry’s company could hit the ground running. Motor Authority

Personally, I think golf is kind of silly. I’ve never played, I don’t have any desire to play, and I think the world would be a better place if 75% of the world’s courses suddenly became go kart tracks. But it’s still awesome watching a pro beam someone—on purpose!—with a golf ball. That’s just funny as hell. Anyway, here’s the news:

• So I liked Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan, and I honestly expect to like the Coupe. Obviously, both are an attempt to change the company’s budget image and move up market. But I was still a little surprised to see Prada—like, the $500-pants Prada—will to be crafting a special edition for the Seoul Motor Show. CarScoop
• Along with the 510, the 240Z is regarded as one of the first truly collectible Japanese cars, and expectations are high for the release of the new 370Z. To get everyone up to speed on just how the model has changed across its many generations, check out this killer design dissection. Jalopnik
• There are actually lots of things happening in the automotive world, but if you’re Robert Farago, the only thing worth covering is the bailout of the Big Three. And while it must be lame for him to realize Uncle Sam might help the companies he so despises live to fight another day, for those of us who like the idea of domestic vehicles, it’s actually pretty cool. The Truth About Cars
• Nissan’s GT-R has won the ‘Most Advanced Technology Award’ in this year’s Japanese Car of the Year awards. Are you as shocked as we are? Of course you aren’t, but I still thought it was worth mentioning. Congrats, Godzilla. Motor Authority

Given how much I ask it to do, my trusty little IBM ThinkPad—running Windows XP—is pretty stable.  But obviously, its maddening idiosyncrasies occasionally reduce me to a seething, profanity-spewing toddler who just wants to go kick holes in something. So I found the Matrix Runs on Windows pretty funny. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Talk about irony. Shannon Nicole Adkins’ senior project was a study how dangerous the roads of her rural county were for young drivers. She died Monday after being struck head-on by a drunk driver who crossed the center line. Damn, that’s sad. MSNBC
• Apparently, the recent drop in gas prices is still translating into increased sales of SUVs. And while I know this isn’t the first time I’ve talked about this ridiculous phenomenon, I feel like I have to keep mentioning it. Seriously America, maybe it’s time to start thinking further ahead than lunch? ABC Charlotte
• Looks like the next gen Scion TC is going to be RWD. The car itself will be the product of the long-awaited Toyota/Subaru partnership, and I can’t wait to get a look at one in the flesh. Which company’s do you think will look hotter? My money is on Toyota. CarScoop
• When I walked into the office on this morning, my credentials for the LA Auto Show were sitting on my desk. Now, it’s not clear which member of editorial team is going, but I can tell you that the General won’t be hosting any press conferences. Yikes. Freep

Sunday, CarDomain’s editorial team is jumping on a plane and heading to Sin City for SEMA. I always have a blast at the show, and I’m totally stoked. But because everything is so crazy there, and I’m going to be running around like a maniac, New on the Net will be on hiatus next week. Look for the its triumphant return on Tuesday, November 11th. I’ll probably be sober by then. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Over the past year, more Marines have died riding sport bikes than have been killed in combat. As a result, the Core is has started a training program to teach jarheads how to handle the obscene power of modern crotch-rockets. CNN
• What do Volvo’s safety mobiles and Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage have in common? Well, they both use the same key, and Aston hasn’t tried very hard to hide the fact. Peel off the butter leather on the Vantage fob and you’ll find the Swedish company’s name stamped right on it. Car Magazine
• Hyundai has released the full stats on the Genesis Coupe, and they’re pretty impressive. So guys, when do we get our test car? And please make sure it’s the turbo, with a stick. GenCoupe
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Have you ever wondered how you’d fare if you encountered a pissed-off raptor? Because I know I have. So I was stoked to find this little quiz which determines what my chance of survival would be. At 39%, the results are hardly encouraging, but Jesus, raptors are vicious! Anyway, here’s the news:

• The General has announced that it will devote no funds to research and development until 2010, and I think this could actually be a step in the right direction. Why? Because it gives GM the perfect excuse to re-release some classics! Seriously, forget about R&D, bring back the ’64 Impala! Auto Week
• Pictures of Porsche’s new Panamera have surfaced, and they aren’t pretty. In fact, the cabin looks even uglier than the exterior, which is really saying something. Barf. World Car Fans
• Since the profit margin on fuel is actually pretty tiny, lots of gas stations are locking up their pumps and sticking to selling tune-ups and sodas. New York Times
• Automakers and Wall Street bankers—who are really just pieces of garbage assembled to resemble human beings—aren’t the only ones looking for a bailout. Now car dealers want some of the action. Automotive News
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Running across the desert at night is all the rage at the US/Mexico border, but if you’re going to sneak into a country illegally, why not do it with some style?  That’s apparently what three Iraqi dudes were thinking when they tried to hitch a ride in a Bentley GT. The plush machine was coming back to the UK from testing at the ‘Ring, but eagle-eyed inspectors stopped them at the border. Anyway, here’s the news:

• It’s not like I get tremendous joy from the fact that Detroit is struggling—I’ll leave that to the divas over at the Truth About Cars—but this article says that Hot Wheels’ parent company Mattel is actually worth more than General Motors, and that’s kind of funny. Newsweek
• After half a century, the party is over for Gaz’s venerable Volga. Use this handy template to construct something witty to say about its demise: "In Soviet Russia, Volga [blank] you! Jalopnik
• UPS is currently testing new hydraulic delivery trucks which deliver 50% better fuel economy and 40% lower emissions. How long before Brown starts pushing the fact that it’s green? Gas2.0
• Ferrari fans can relax, as it turns out that Maranello’s threat to quit F1 was just some pointless saber rattling. Apparently, there’s really no chance that F1 will go a spec engine. You have to love those feisty Italians. AutoWeek
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There’s been a lot of stressful stuff in the news lately, so it’s really awesome to stumble across something this gut-bustingly funny. Seriously, "Almost Transformers" had the editorial playpen rolling. I totally wish there was a car in this clip, so I could devote an entire blog to it. Anyway, here’s the news:

• To save costs, the Formula 1 brass has floated the idea of moving to a standard engine, and as you can imagine, not every manufacturer is happy about it. Ferrari has even promised to leave the series if the change is implemented. F1 Live
• Need confirmation that most people are idiots who can’t even plan past lunch? Well, with gas prices dropping, sales of SUVs and pickups have rebounded slightly. Because that trend will continue forever, obviously. Automotive News via Autoblog
• The good old 350 small-block and the Corvette engine have been dropped into just about everything, so lots of domestic gearheads are going to be stoked about this news: the General is going to offer the new ZR1 engine as a crate motor. Motor Authority
• While it’s getting almost boring—in a scary kind of way—to write about how terrible Detroit is doing, it’s interesting to note that it’s not like the Big Three are the only ones suffering—Honda’s profits have dropped by 40%. Freep
• Back in June, Jen blogged about how the producers of ABC’s Wife Swap were looking for a car crazy family. Obviously, they want to stick a gearhead mom in with a bunch of wack-job hippies and vice versa. Know any folks who might be interested? ABC
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It’s always heartbreaking when a young person dies during a tragic eating contest accident. But really, isn’t it actually more funny than it is heartbreaking? I mean, I can’t be the only one that the thinks the words "eating" and "contest" look hilarious next to each other. Well, at least Chen Chun-ing died doing something he loved, or at least biologically needed to do, albeit at a slower pace. Anyway, here’s the news:

• It has begun. As of today, Porsche owns 43% of Volkswagen, and Stuttgart isn’t even done yet. The company is planning to increase its ownership to a you-do-what-we-tell-you-to-do 75%, provided the bottom doesn’t fall out of the entire world economy. Detroit News
• The latest casualty of America’s economic woes is Alfa Romeo. Citing the current unpleasantness, the company has pushed back its return to our shores to 2011. Hopefully, we’ll be back on track by then. Motor Authority
• Here’s a headline that’s just too good to mess with: "Man Drives Drunk to Protest Drunk Driving Charge." Remember, if you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. Reuters
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• According to Bob Lutz, the General’s board never talks about bankruptcy, which is comforting. But you know the other thing it never talks about? That elephant that always sits behind Mr. Lutz’s chair. Freep

It’s been well established that newspapers are having a rough time, but this story about the New York Times really caught me off guard. Who knew that paper was in so much trouble? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Ma Mopar is laying off 25% of its white collar staff. Please, if anyone has a good news about something related to Detroit or the economy, email it to me immediately. I seriously need some sunshine over here. Yahoo News
• Aston Martin makes some of the most gorgeous cars on the planet, but one idiot has proved there’s a way to make them look hideous. Seriously, the guy that gold-plated this DB7 should be charged with vandalism. Motor Authority
• The GT-R is barely out the door—I still haven’t even seen one in the wild—but Nissan isn’t going to spend any time resting on its laurels. Now that Godzilla has challenged the mighty 911 Turbo, the company wants to put the GT-R’s technology into a sedan and go after the M5. Auto Express
• The Italian State Police have just received a new Lamborghini Gallardo. The Italian Stallion replaces its previous Lambo, which currently has just under 90,000 miles on it. Think there are any other Gallardos that have been driven that much? CarScoop