William Maley

Answer to that is yes too. I remember there was a fan fare of the first dealership in California. There's a list of Fisker dealers on their site.

Fisker Karma Arrives Onto Dealer Lots In July* William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 2, 2011 Back in February, we reported that Fisker would begin production of the Karma Plug-In Hybrid in March and sales would begin in April. Well, no cars have arrived to Fisker dealers in that time. Now, Fisker has set a new date for when vehicles will be arriving. Roger Ormisher, director of global communications for Fisker Automotive said, "[the]first dealer [demonstration vehicles] and customer cars will arrive on these shores in July." Now, will this date hold for Fisker? Your guess is good as ours. Source: Green Car Reports

Paid $3.90 yesterday Now its up to $4.10

Yes, Fiat's B-Class car is the Punto I don't know if Dodge will get a C-Segment car. If Dodge does get a C-Segment car, they might go with a Hatch (Bravo) and Sedan (Fiat Linea) lineup.

You mean like a Volt MPV5 mule or something along those lines?

GM Kills The SRX Plug-In Hybrid.. For Now... William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 1, 2011 For the past few months, the rumors of a SRX Plug-In Hybrid have been making the rounds. Using technology from the Chevrolet Volt, the SRX Plug-In Hybrid was expected to go on sale within a couple of years. Now, Reuters is reporting the SRX Plug-In Hybrid has been put out to pasture. Sources at GM said by the time the SRX PHEV was ready for production, the Theta platform would be at the end of it's life cycle, adding to the cost of the vehicle. This is the third time GM has canned some sort of PHEV project over the past few years. Reuters suggests in their story, though, that GM isn't walking away from the project. GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said, "I'm not going to comment on specific products or timing for applications, but we still see promise in the technology." So the plug-in tech GM has been working on will appear on future models; maybe even the next generation SRX? Source: Reuters

Don't know.

The Future Of Fiat's Lineup William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 31, 2011 Fiat has been exceeding expectations in the US since being introduced this year. Concerns about selling a small model (Fiat 500) have been washed away, helped by gas prices on the rise. Now, Fiat readying more models for their lineup. The 500c is now arriving into Fiat showrooms and the EV and Abarth versions are getting ready for their appearance. But will there be any more models that are a bit larger? “Fiat will be the small car brand. It will never have anything larger than a C [segment],” said Laura Soaves, Head of Fiat USA. That means the largest vehicle wearing a Fiat badge will be a competitor to the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. That vehicle will the be the replacement for the Fiat Bravo. Sergio Marchionne said about the new car, “..will not be a traditional offering”. Source: Autocar

Holden Getting A Cruze Wagon? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 30, 2011 If there is one question that GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux has been getting over the past few months, it would be this, Will the Holden Cruze overtake the Commodore one day? In which Devereux responds, “I’m happy to sell whatever cars Australians want to buy. If they want to buy more Cruzes, then I’m fine with that.’’ It's easy to see why people have been asking Devereux this question since GM has started building Cruzes at their plant in Elizabeth, South Australia. The Cruze has been skyrocketing the sales charts since being introduced last year. This past month, Cruze sales stood at 2,582 vehicles sold, while the Commodore sold 3,075 vehicles. A difference of 493 vehicles. Holden has also been readying the new Cruze hatch due out sometime later this year, which will boost sales even more. Now, there's news that will have more of the same question asked to Mike Devereux. GM is looking at whether to bring a Cruze Wagon into the Australian market. It would give possible buyers a choice of a less-expensive and more fuel efficient wagon. The wagon would be built in Korea and sent to Australia. Asked about possibly bring over a Cruze wagon, Devereux said, “There’s certainly a market for wagons – we do very well with our (Commodore) Sportwagon. Whether or not the folks in the small car area would want a wagon, well, we will probably take a pretty good look at it.” If GM approves the Holden Cruze Wagon, expect it in eighteen months. Source: Goauto.com.au

GM Gives Nissan A Piece Of Their Mind With A Recent Leaf Ad William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 28, 2011 This week, Nissan launched a new ad wondering what the world would look like if everything ran on gasoline. From household appliances to MP3 players, the bleak world Nissan portrays in their ad says it's time for the electric car. The ad also shows the main character filling up a Chevrolet Volt, saying how it's part of the problem. GM wasn't impressed with Nissan's new ad and decided to give Nissan a piece of their mind. GM product and brand communications chief Jason Laird wrote on Twitter today this, "A carmaker poking gentle fun at our product ignores towtrucks they need and rental cars they recommend as backup to their product." Ouch. However, Laird alleged plausible deniability, stating he didn't make any reference to ad, Nissan, or the Leaf. True, but its understandable why we think its Nissan Laird is referencing and not Fisker, Tesla, Smart, THiNK, or other EV manufacturers. Source: Autoguide

Last Cadillac DTS Heads Into The Bulgari Collection William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 27, 2011 2011 Cadillac DTS - The Last One This week, the final Cadillac DTS rolled off the assembly line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. The DTS, draped in black paint ends two eras for the crest; the use of the De Ville nameplate and Northstar V8. The last DTS will be heading off to Nicola Bulgari's collection of vehicles. Bulgari, the vice chairman of the luxury goods firm that bears his family’s name is also a avid collector of cars. His collection includes more than a dozen Cadillac vehicles, including two 1940s limousines used by the Vatican for the Papal motorcade and two Cadillac BLS sedans sold in Europe. “I like the DTS because it’s a great sedan. It’s the last of an era. I thought it would be wonderful to own the last Northstar in a DTS. It’s one of the best engines ever designed – reliable and a performer,” said Bulgari in a press release. Press Release is Below Cadillac DTS Awaits Place in Bulgari Collection Italian luxury goods executive buys last DTS from Detroit-Hamtramck 2011-05-27 DETROIT -- Nicola Bulgari, an avid car collector and vice chairman of the Bulgari luxury goods firm, prefers not to dwell on the sheer number of automobiles in his car collection. “Is it important?” Bulgari asked. “Is it the number or the quality that matters? It’s the quality.” Bulgari buys each car for a reason, not just to expand his collection. So when he heard Cadillac was ending production of the DTS luxury sedan, Bulgari knew he wanted the last one off the line. Introduced for the 2006 model year, the DTS is a significant automobile, primarily because of the Northstar V-8 engine under its hood, Bulgari said. The last DTS, made this week at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, is now headed for Bulgari’s collection. “I like the DTS because it’s a great sedan,” Bulgari said. “It’s the last of an era. I thought it would be wonderful to own the last Northstar in a DTS. It’s one of the best engines ever designed – reliable and a performer.” For decades, the DTS and its predecessor, the DeVille, have anchored Cadillac’s spot in the large luxury car market. Last year, the DTS outsold all other large luxury cars in the United States, topping the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS430 and Lincoln Town Car. A version of the DTS also served as the U.S. president’s limousine until 2009, when it was replaced by a new Cadillac presidential limousine. The last DTS will join an illustrious line of automobiles in Bulgari’s collection, which he houses at facilities in Rome and Allentown, Pa. The grandson of a silversmith who opened a jewelry shop in Rome in 1884, Nicola Bulgari has helped the company grow into a global network of 293 stores selling high-end jewelry, watches, leather goods, perfumes and fashion accessories. Bulgari developed his passion for automobiles, particularly American automobiles, as a child growing up in post-World War II Italy. He remembers seeing U.S. soldiers and dignitaries driving all makes and models of American automobiles through the streets of Rome. His collection includes every GM model made in 1941, the year he was born. “It’s something that goes back a long time,” Bulgari said. “It started when I was 5 or 6 years old. It cultivated an incredible passion that has grown and gotten more sophisticated as I’ve come to understand the history better.” When he was 25, Bulgari bought his first Cadillac – a 1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Car. With its smooth, powerful engine, the Cadillac V-16 is considered by most experts as one of the finest automobiles of all time. Bulgari has sold his V-16 but said he would add another to his collection if he found the right one. “It was quite an experience to drive that car because the quality was second to none,” Bulgari said. “The suspension design, the power, the engine… Everything was built with extraordinary quality.” Bulgari’s collection includes plenty of other Cadillacs and LaSalles, a companion brand for Cadillac from 1927 to 1940. His collection of classic cars includes: 1932 Cadillac 355B V-12 Fleetwood Limousine 1934 Cadillac Model 355B Series 20 Sedan 1934 LaSalle Coupe 1940 LaSalle Convertible Coupe 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanette 1947 Cadillac Model 7533 Limousine 1949 Cadillac Model 7533 Limousine 1949 Cadillac Convertible Coupe 1954 Cadillac Series 54-62 Fleetwood Sedan 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille The 1947 and 1949 limousines were used by the Vatican as part of the Pope’s motorcade. In addition to the classic cars, Bulgari is a fan of contemporary Cadillacs. He owns a 2007 Cadillac BLS Sedan and 2009 Cadillac BLS Wagon, both part of a short-lived nameplate for the European market. Bulgari also owns a 2009 XLR-V Coupe equipped with a special Bulgari speedometer, a 2010 CTS Wagon and 2009 CTS-V Sedan. “Of the three, the Sedan, Coupe and Wagon, the Wagon stands out in front of all the competition,” Bulgari said. “It makes the competition look ludicrous.” The CTS-V Sedan is among the best cars in the world for providing both function and performance, Bulgari said. Italian sports cars are nice, he said, but they aren’t practical The CTS-V Sedan, Wagon and Coupe all feature a 556-horsepower supercharged V-8 and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that can read and react to the road 1,000 times a second. They also have back seats. “I have news for you with a V,” Bulgari said. “I want to see some Ferrari or Lamborghini on the road and I will give him a lesson. They’ll never expect it.” Bulgari said he looks forward to driving the DTS. He likes to drive his cars, not just put them away as museum pieces. He’s also looking forward to future automobiles from Cadillac. A long-time buyer of GM vehicles and friend of Ed Welburn, GM’s vice president of Global Design, Bulgari closely follows the company’s products. Although timing has not been determined, Cadillac plans to add a car larger than the CTS. Cadillac showed an XTS Platinum Concept car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, providing an indication of the brand’s direction. “I’ve seen the XTS Concept,” Bulgari said. “I know it’s superior. The DTS was a great sedan for its time, but it’s a different world, a new period. It’s time for something different.”

Yep..

Going on five or six.. Feels like a hundred

Saab Will Resume Production On Friday William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 26, 2011 Related: Saab Working On Getting Production Back On Track Six weeks. That's how long Saab's production lines in Trollhättan, Sweden stood still. The reason was due to suppliers not getting paid for parts. Those six weeks would cause turmoil in Saab with money running low, loan requests, a partnership with a Chinese automaker falling through, and other problems. However, things are beginning to look up for Saab. They have announced a partnership with Chinese distributor, Pang da Automobile Trade Co., which netted Saab 30 million euros. Now, it looks like the production lines will be running once more. Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs said Saab will restart the production lines in Trollhättan tomorrow. "Based on the information we have, it looks like we will start up production tomorrow," said Gustavs. Gustavs said the automaker has been in talks with suppliers since last week about debts and possible repayment. A number of suppliers have made agreements with Saab and are now sending parts to the plant. Also, Pang da's Chief Executive, Pang Qinghua will be visiting the plant tomorrow to see how everything is going. Source: Reuters

A Turbocharged V8 For The C7? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 26, 2011 The rumor pile for the seventh generation Corvette has been growing over the past year. Rumors have ranged from the Corvette not being built in the Bowling Green plant to a mid-engine layout for the C7. Well, a new rumor has come in dealing with a possible new engine. TheDetroitBureau.com is reporting that GM has approved a small displacement, turbocharged V8 engine for the Corvette. The engine is expected to be around three liters, use an overhead-cam setup, and dry sump oil system. Total horsepower is expected to be "in excess of 400 horsepower." The engine is also rumored to rev all the way up to 10,000 RPMs. For those who think there is no replacement for displacement, the story says there will be a full lineup of engines, including the classic larger displacement engines. We're not sure if this will come to fruition or if its just a rumor. The only things we know for sure is the C7 Corvette will aim at a different type of buyer and the C7 will be built in Bowling Green sometime within the next few years. Source: TheDetroitBureau.com

And The Impala Makes Three Vehicles For The Detroit-Hamtramck Plant William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 25, 2011 Related: GM Increases Production Of The Volt Today, General Motors announced a $69 million investment, 2,500 new jobs, and two new shifts for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant to build the new 2013 Chevrolet Impala alongside the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera, and 2012 Malibu. The news comes after a week when GM announced a increase in Volt production to 60,000 in 2012. “Filling this plant with new work is very satisfying because GM is dedicated to helping rebuild this city. We are confident in the flexibility of the plant, the excellence of our workers and the great cars assembled here," GM North America President Mark Reuss said at the plant Wednesday. The 2,500 jobs will first be offered to 1,350 laid-off UAW workers before opening up the positions to the public. GM said the Impala will still be built at the Oshawa, Ontario, plant. Press Release is Below GM Adding Two Shifts, 2,500 Jobs to Detroit-Hamtramck Plant New Chevrolet Malibu and next-generation Impala join electric Volt and Opel Ampera 2011-05-25 DETROIT – General Motors is adding two shifts and about 2,500 hourly and salaried jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the new Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan and the next-generation Impala large sedan alongside the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera electric cars. GM on Wednesday announced the additional shifts and a $69 million investment in tooling and equipment to support the next-generation Impala. In April 2010, GM announced a $121 million investment to support Malibu production. “Filling this plant with new work is very satisfying because GM is dedicated to helping rebuild this city,” GM North America President Mark Reuss said at the plant Wednesday. “We are confident in the flexibility of the plant, the excellence of our workers and the great cars assembled here.” This announcement is part of GM’s plan announced May 10 to create or retain about 4,000 jobs and invest $2 billion in 17 manufacturing facilities in eight states. Announcements positively impacting employment in Bowling Green, Ky., home of the Chevrolet Corvette; and powertrain plants in Toledo, Ohio, as well as Flint and Bay City, Mich., were made recently. These moves are on top of 9,000 jobs saved or added and $3.4 billion invested in U.S. operations since mid-2009. “Given the competitive nature of the auto industry in the United States, the bar for success is placed very high,” said Joe Ashton, UAW vice president-GM Department. “The members of UAW Local 22 soar over the bar every day by demonstrating their flexibility, hard work, and their intense focus on the customer. The jobs will be filled by laid-off UAW members with the possibility of new hires to follow. GM announced last week that after a four-week shutdown, the Detroit-Hamtramck plant will exclusively build Volt and Ampera electric cars with extended-range capability for the rest of the year. Exports of Volt and Ampera to Canada, Europe and China are included in the total 16,000 electric vehicles being built for the full 2011 calendar year. The Volt/Ampera production goal for 2012 is up to 60,000 with three-quarters of those to be sold in the United States. The new Malibu – Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan – will be built in Detroit and Fairfax, Kan., as well as China and Korea and will be sold in more than 100 countries on six continents. Detroit-Hamtramck currently has 1,121 hourly and salaried employees. “This workforce understands that meeting our diverse and sophisticated customers’ need for high-quality and reliable transportation is our most important task,” Ashton said.

Mercedes-Benz Ponders On Whether To Bring The Vito To The US William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 24, 2011 Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter van has exceeded expectations in the US that Mercedes is thinking about possibly expanding their van offerings. According to a report from Autoblog, the company is holding clinics to gauge interest in the Vito van. The Vito has been on sale in European markets since 1996. It's offered with a range of CDI engines, three different lengths, two roof heights, and the choice of RWD and AWD drivetrains. If Mercedes was to offer the Vito in the US market, most likely it would come in one size and a smaller engine range. For now, it's only in the idea stage. Source: Autoblog Comparison of the Mercedes-Benz Vito to other vans in the US market: Mercedes-Benz Vito Note: Specs based on RWD models. Vito Compact Wheelbase: 126.0 in Overall Length: 187.5 in Cargo Capacity: 183.6 cu. ft Payload: 2,028.2 - 2,204.6 lbs Vito Long Wheelbase: 126.0 in Overall Length: 197.2 in Cargo Capacity: 201.3 cu.ft; 261.3 cu. ft (High Roof) Payload: 1,973.1 - 2,149.5 lbs; 2,061.3 lbs (High Roof) Vito Extra Long Wheelbase: 135.0 in Overall Length: 206.2 in Cargo Capacity: 219.0 cu. ft Payload: 1,918.0 - 2,094.4 lbs Chevrolet Express 1500/GMC Savana 1500 Wheelbase: 135.0 in Overall Length: 224.1 in In Cargo Capacity: 270.4 cu. ft Payload: 2381 lbs Ford Transit Connect Wheelbase: 114.6 in Overall Length: 180.6 in In Cargo Capacity: 129.6 cu. ft Payload: 1600 lbs Ford E-Series Van (E-150 Regular Length) Wheelbase: 138.0 in Overall Length: 216.7 in in Cargo Capacity: 237.8 cu. ft Payload: 3260 lbs (4.6L V8); 3250 lbs (5.4L V8) Ford E-Series Van (E-150 Extended Length) Wheelbase: 138.0 in Overall Length: 236.4 in in Cargo Capacity: 278.3 cu. ft Payload: 3190 lbs (4.6L V8); 3110 lbs (5.4L V8)

Would You Like Some Hybrid With Your Ram? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 24, 2011 Starting this week, Chrysler and the U.S. Department of Energy will begin delivering 140 Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid electric pickup trucks around the US. The trucks are part of a a $100 million joint research project funded by Chrysler and the DOE to demonstrate their usability in different driving conditions and their efficient charging. The PHEV Ram 1500 use a 345-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, a modified two-mode hybrid transmission (manufactured by GM) and a 12.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The truck can travel 20 miles on the battery alone and up to 655 miles with a full 26-gallon tank of gas. Tow rating for the plug-in hybrid Ram stands at 6,000 lbs and a payload of 1,000 lbs. The first 10 PHEV Ram 1500s will be dropped off in Yuma, Arizona to see how the trucks will handle the extreme temperatures during the summer, with the rest being place in different parts of the US by the end of this year. The PHEV Ram program is expected to run until 2014. Source: PickupTrucks.com

BMW Disappointed With 5-Series GT Sales William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 23, 2011 When BMW introduced the 5-Series GT back in 2009, the company said the vehicle was a stylish alternative (their words, not ours) to minivans and crossovers. BMW also hoped the 5-Series GT would appeal to owners of the 5-Series Touring. Well, the 5-Series GT is becoming a disappointment for BMW. According to Automotive News, BMW of North America CEO Jim O’Donnell said sales of the 5-Series GT in the US have been disappointing. BMW had hoped the 5-Series GT would sell around 4,000 to 8,000 per year, but has only sold 2,848 vehicles in 2010. That's only 497 units above the peak sales of the 5-Series touring in 2005. So far in 2011, BMW has only sold 720 units. So where did the buyers of the 5-Series touring go? "The disappointment I have is that I thought a lot of our 5-series station wagon customers would go with the GT. In point of fact, that is not happening. We have lost those customers to the competition -- mainly to Mercedes-Benz," O'Donnell says. The 5-Series has also created another problem for BMW; stealing customers away from the 7-Series. O’Donnell uses the example of Florida, saying that 10 percent of 7-Series buyers have replaced it with a 5-Series GT. However, there is some good news. O’Donnell says BMW will keep the 3-Series wagon to help keep BMW owners in the fold. “We are not giving up the 3-series wagon because if you give it up, they will go straight to the competition.” Asked about the 5-Series wagon making a comeback, O'Donnell says that's unlikely for this generation. Source: Automotive News

hot grease from the bacon has a habit of flying all over the place