Tomorrow, I’m taking the day off, and for once, I’m not using the time to fly to Florida and see my folks. I enjoy going down there and everything, but sometimes, it’s nice just to stay home. Have a good weekend. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Orders for the specialized robots that assemble cars are on the decline. Generally, less machines is a good thing, but unfortunately, Skynet is still up and running, and will become self-aware sometime in the next decade. Automotive News
• Jaguar’s new supercharged XF-R has been caught in the wild. Most of the changes appear to affect the kitty’s front clip, with air scoops and bigger intakes designed to feed the 500 horsepower mill.  CarScoop
• In other Jaguar news, Tata Motors has just offered new stock to cover the cost of picking up the storied British brand, and it seems like investors weren’t happy with the decision. Hey, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. Detroit News
• It appears as if Audi’s 2012 roll-out schedule has been leaked, but it’s not clear whether it’s the real deal or not. My guess? If big, scary lawyers come knocking, it’s legit. World Car Fans
• Gas prices have impacted driving habits that state governments have started to see a measurable drop in tax revenue. Auto Observer

Most of the time, I think art involving cars is pretty lame. But I thought this "Caution: Falling Cars" installation was hilarious. I wonder if anyone actually got fooled? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Might the Cayenne soon be made in the US? Given that the Americans love SUVs—though gas prices have no doubt strained the relationship—and that North America is Porsche’s most important market, it makes business sense. Autoblog
• To celebrate the 100th birthday of the Model T, Ford is sponsoring a contest to design a 21st century equivalent. It’s a cool idea, but the concept of bringing back the original Tin Lizzy is a little funnier. Detroit News 
• After the Bush administration revoked California’s right to enforce its own emissions regulations, the Golden State is now having to fight to preserve its traditionally tough stance on pollution. If you’ve ever seen the smog in LA, you’d know it’s probably a good idea to let the state decide what’s best for itself. Automotive News
• In an effort to combat alcohol-related road deaths, French authorities are exploring the idea of mandating breathalyzers in late night watering holes. Since using them wouldn’t be required, the machines would either shame people into calling a cab, or spark competition to see who had the highest BAL. Both maybe? Bikes in the Fast Lane
• The new Ford Focus is set to debut during American Idol tomorrow. We predict that Paula will babble about how awesome it is, Randy will call it "dawg," and Simon will hate it. Freep

Have you ever hopped in your car, only to discover it wasn’t yours? When I was in college, I jumped into a Honda that wasn’t mine, and my Mom just did the same thing yesterday with her Hyundai. Funny stuff. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Even though there were screams of protest from Porsche purists upon its release, the Cayenne has been a financial boon for the company. So it makes sense to make a crossover. Right? Check out these shots of it testing at the Ring. AutoExpress
• Given that SUVs are selling for peanuts, it’s not a huge surprise that Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai are dropping plans to introduce a pickup. With gas prices climbing steadily, they’ll probably want to keep making all the small cars they can. Automotive News
• If your GPS is good enough, getting lost is already a thing of the past. But now you can even download the positions of traffic cameras and known speed traps, so it might just keep you from getting popped for speeding. Pretty cool. Wired
• Motorcycle riders in Louisiana will no longer have to wear helmets, as the law is being repealed. The really interesting thing about this story? It says that less than half of states require them. In a nanny state like the US, I’d figure that number would be higher. KFDM News

In this space yesterday, I wrote about how much I like those FreeCreditReport.com commercials. But in praising those spots, I should have stated that the site doesn’t really provide free credit reports, and that it was sued for making consumers believe it did. Regardless, the ads are catchy. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Drivers in the UK don’t like speed cameras, that’s pretty clear. Now, what’s also clear is that mooning one of the ticket bots will net you—along with internet fame—a hefty fine from the bobbies. BBC via Autoblog
• Daimler AG has announced plans to open an office in Iraq. Several reasons were cited for the new location, chief among them being that in recent years, the company has lacked a location unpleasant and dangerous enough to adequately discipline under-performing employees. Glad they got that sorted out. AutoObserver
• NASCAR is looking to tweak its drug policy, and has hired an independent panel to provide recommendations. Some details about the panel’s finding have leaked, and the biggest news is that drivers will now only be allowed three "breakfast beers." AutoWeek
• Who knew that the Motor City’s papers had a bias? The headline on this article is "Obama Blasts Detroit, Ford Again." So what does he say? Basically, that ’70s domestics were crappy, and that the Big Three are paying for letting the Japanese own the small, fuel efficient car market. Is that really unfair? Detroit News

Hillary Clinton made an appearance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier today to high five with Indy driver Sarah Fisher. I guess they’re having a primary there or something like that. More at the New York Times.

It’s been a pretty good week for news—but the last entry in today’s list? Talk about juicy! Let’s hope there’s some truth to the rumors. Wow… when did I become such a tabloid-loving hack? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Yesterday, I reported about how SUV owners are having trouble unloading their gas-guzzlers. Well, it turns out Mercedes actually saw a rise in sales of its M-Class. Yup, the rich are different. They don’t care how much it costs to fill the tank. CarScoop
• Last year, the auto industry spent 70 million dollars lobbying legislators. That’s a lot cocktails and fancy dinners. Think the all the palm-greasers on the hill are pissed their representatives didn’t put out? Detroit News
• Want some proof that the gas tax holiday John McCain and Hillary Clinton are calling for is pure politics? Even auto industry execs think it’s a bad idea. Come election time remember: these are folks who thought they could buy your vote for less than 30 bucks. Freep
• Since the Nazi-orgy video surfaced, it’s been pretty obvious that Max Mosley’s days as F1 boss are numbered. But exactly why did that video make it into the hands of the tabloids?  After last year’s record fine, some might think McLaren would have a bone to pick. The head of its race program  denies any link, but still… BBC Sport

Like a lot companies, CarDomain runs its servers on Linux. And while that OS is still a little above my head—I’m just happy I can use my iPod—I thought it was interesting to see it’s the system of choice for F1 teams. How long will it be before it’s practical for regular users? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Stop the presses! It looks like RENNtech has made a brake rotor big enough to handle a hi-riser! At 16.2 inches, it’s more than half the size of a pair of "30s, so being donkalicious no longer means having to coast to a stop. Jalopnik
• Hillary Clinton and John McCain want to give consumers a break from the gas tax this summer, and while it sounds nice, it basically means they both think you’re dumber than you look. Carpetbagger Report
• Honda is probably the most boring company in the world, but guess what? America loves boring! Last month, the Accord was the best selling vehicle in the States, and this April isn’t looking bad for it either. Auto Observer
• If you have a few grand to spare and want to get a feel for what Audi’s burly new 420 horsepower R8 can do, you might want to check out Audi’s "driving camp" in Cali. Hey, burning rubber beats the hell out of weaving baskets. AutoWeek
• Volvo has built its reputation on safety, so it can’t be happy about having to recall 65,000 cars. The problem? A software glitch is delaying the deployment of side-impact airbags. This is one situation where late really isn’t much better than never. CarScoop

Is a high tech toll system the answer to our traffic problems? A recent study in Seattle suggests that a regional "congestion-pricing" system could reduce or even eliminate major traffic snarls in major metropolitan areas. A $3.1 million study, funded largely with federal dollars, tracked 275 Seattle-area drivers:

The volunteers had devices mounted on their dashboards that tracked their trips and transmitted the information to a central computer. For about eight months in 2005 and 2006 they paid "variable" tolls, linked to congestion levels, that ranged from nothing late at night to 50 cents a mile on freeways during the late-afternoon peak. The charges were deducted electronically from accounts funded by the study’s sponsors that were sized to match how much participants had been driving before the study. Volunteers got to keep whatever was left in their accounts when the experiment ended. That gave them a real-world incentive to drive less, or drive at "cheaper" times or take "cheaper" routes. For many, money proved a powerful motivator. Overall, participants took fewer trips and drove fewer miles.

Of course, this is one of those ideas that basically screws over low income people. Plus, there are some major privacy issues with having a device track all of your movements. And, since it motivates drivers to take side streets, would there be an increased number of accidents and pedestrian deaths on neighborhood roads? Read more in the Seattle Times.

Rental cars companies know that most people get a kick out of abusing their cars, and since it’s probably not good to preemptively scold customers, they just try to stick it to us in other ways. So if you want to save a little money next time you have to rent a car, check out the 6 Secrets Rental Cars Don’t Want You to Know. I found it pretty informative—or maybe I just like sticking it to the man. Anyway, here’s the news:

• The General says that it will be able to keep up with demand for the its award-winning and popular Malibu, despite the strike at American Axle. Good news for Chevy dealers, bad news for AA. Auto Observer
• Remember when all those Explorers were flipping in the early ’90s? Even those owners that didn’t wind up topsy-turvy took a financial hit, as their vehicle’s resale value tanked. Now a California judge has ordered Ford to compensate them. Automotive News
• Will we see a "people’s bike" in the next few years? The idea might not be that far-fetched, as VW honcho Ferdinand Piech says the company might buy a motorcycle manufacturer. Stay tuned. AutoWeek
• Remember how popular Vanilla Ice was before he went back to being Robbie Van Winkle? That’s what this review of the new GTR—which says it’s more fluffy kitten than Godzilla—reminds me of. Looks like Mr. Angry isn’t the only one underwhelmed by Nissan’s halo car. LA Times
• Everybody likes taxes. Everybody hates paying more for gas. That’s stuff nobody likes. But is suspending the gas tax—as John McCain has suggested—a good idea? Probably not. Wired

Look, I’m as concerned about the environment as the next person. And even though a polar bear would rip me limb from limb if given half a chance, it still made me sad to think that their habitat is disappearing. But when I read that climate change may cause beer prices to rise, I started to get nervous. While some people look a beer as a luxury, I’ve always regarded a couple of cold ones as more of an inalienable right. Talk about sobering. Anyway, here’s the news: 

• Microsoft’s Sync system has been an unmitigated hit for Ford, and the Blue Oval’s brass has to be stoked. But come November, its exclusive deal with the Evil Empire will come to an end, and that has to have them a little worried. Will the Focus be able to stand on it’s own two feet? Auto Observer
• Given how slow Congress is to do anything, the blind must have a pretty powerful lobby. A bill set to be introduced today would establish a minimum decibel level for all vehicles starting 2010. I vote for a sonar ping. Automotive News
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood wants to see F1 return to the States, and says his track is ready and willing to host a race. Lets hope the Indy and F1 can make nice soon. Winding Road
• In other F1-related news, FIA boss Max Mosley—AKA: Nazi-orgy guy—will face a no-confidence vote on June 3rd, a vote he is sure to lose. Something that probably won’t help his case? A new interview with one of the sex workers involved in his romp. She said he explicitly ordered the Nazi theme. Stay tuned. News of the World via New York Times