NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

GM posts $2-billion profit in 3Q BY CHRISSIE THOMPSON FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER General Motors today posted a $2 billion third-quarter profit off revenue of $34.1 billion in its last financial report before its planned Nov. 18 return to the stock market. GM previously said it would report a $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion gain for the quarter and promised its first full-year profit since 2004. The net profit mostly came from a $2.1 billion gain in North America, up from $1.6 billion in the second quarter and $1.2 billion in the first quarter. GM’s international region, which includes hot Asian markets, posted a $646 million profit, which is down from $672 million in the second quarter and $1.2 billion in the first quarter. GM’s problematic Europe region also deepened its losses to $559 million, compared with $160 million in the second quarter. Through its quarterly earnings, GM’s third in a row, the company is seeking to convince investors it has eliminated the problems that led to four-straight annual losses totaling $82 billion before its 2009 bankruptcy. GM restructured on $50 billion in federal aid, and the stock sale will allow taxpayers to start recouping the $40 billion that was converted into a 61% stake in GM. “Eighteen months ago, nobody expected any taxpayer money to get paid back,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with IHS Automotive. GM’s worldwide market share slipped to 11.5% from 11.8% a year earlier. That’s mostly due to a one-point market share loss in North America, where GM has sold or wound down four of its eight brands. GM’s operations generated $2.6 billion in cash. After capital expenditures of $1.2 billion, free cash flow was $1.4 billion. The quarterly earnings nearly match GM’s profit from the first half of the year, along with the $2.1 billion quarterly profit Ford has averaged so far this year. Ford gained $6.4 billion in through September, compared with GM’s $4.2 billion. GM posted profits of $865 million in the first quarter and $1.3 billion in the second. GM said its fourth-quarter earnings before interest and taxes would be lower than each of the first three quarters. The automaker had previously said that was due to a different production mix, the cost of launching new vehicles such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt and higher engineering expenses. The automaker has said annual profits will continue. Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said last week in an online investor video GM will be able to make $11 billion to $13 billion before interest and taxes in a moderate sales year and $17 billion to $19 billion when sales are at their peak. That’s largely because GM’s bankruptcy restructuring lowered its break even from at least 15.5 million in U.S. sales to sales of 10.5 million to 11 million vehicles, Liddell said. U.S. light-vehicle sales totaled 10.4 million in 2009 but were often in the 16 million range before the recession. In the initial public offering next week, the U.S. Treasury is selling about a third of its 61% equity stake in GM at a loss. The government is hoping the stock’s value rises enough in the future to allow taxpayers to break even on the total investment when it sells the rest of its shares. link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101110/BUSINESS0101/101110028/1331/business01/GM-posts-2-billion-profit-in-3Q&template=fullarticle

General Motors posts $2 billion Q3 gain Christina Rogers / The Detroit News General Motors Co. today reported a third-quarter net income of $2 billion — its third consecutive quarter in the black — as the Detroit automaker prepares to begin selling its stock on the New York Stock Exchange Nov. 18. The company's performance was up from the second quarter, when it reported $1.33 billion in net income, putting the automaker on track for its first profitable year since 2004. Revenue also climbed in the third quarter, to $34.1 billion, up from $33.2 billion in the second quarter. The automaker reported net operating cash flow of $2.8 billion in the third quarter and free cash flow of $1.4 billion. In the second quarter, GM reported a free cash flow of $2 billion. "As demonstrated by our third consecutive quarter of profitability and positive cash flow, these results continue our significant progress," Chris Liddell, vice chairman and chief financial officer, said in a statement issued by the automaker this morning. Also in the third quarter, GM's North American operations had a pretax profit in the third quarter of $2.1 billion, up from $1.6 billion in the second quarter. GM Europe posted a pretax loss of $600 million, compared to a $200 million European loss in the second quarter. The GM's International Operations reported a profit of $600 million before interest and taxes but that was down from a pretax profit of $700 million in the second quarter. GM executives expect the post-bankruptcy company to earn money in the fourth quarter, as well, before interest and taxes, but expect it to be less than previous quarters. With these latest results, GM continues its money-making streak, having exited bankruptcy last year, with year-to-date earnings for 2010 totaling $4.2 billion after taxes and interest. They come at a crucial time for the automaker, as its executives travel to Canada, Europe and to major cities in the United States trying to drum up interest among big institutional investors in next week's initial stock sale. GM said last Wednesday it will sell 365 million shares priced between $26 and $29 a share. A final strike price for the offering will be announced Nov. 17, with trading beginning the next day. From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101110/AUTO01/11100380/1148/General-Motors-posts-$2-billion-Q3-gain#ixzz14t4hVavw

GM posts Q3 net income of $1.96 billion in advance of IPO James B. Treece Automotive News -- November 10, 2010 - 7:37 am ET DETROIT -- General Motors Co., in its final financial snapshot before next week's initial public offering, posted third quarter net income of $1.96 billion on revenues of $34.06 billion. The results, released today, were in line with a forecast issued last week. In the third quarter of 2009, GM posted a $1.2 billion loss after going through a U.S.-funded overhaul in bankruptcy court. GM now has earned $4.16 billion on revenues of $98.71 billion so far in 2010 -- a dramatic swing after five consecutive years of annual losses. The automaker expects profitability to fall in the fourth quarter because of higher new-product development and vehicle-launch costs. The latter includes those for the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze. “As demonstrated by our third consecutive quarter of profitability and positive cash flow, these results continue our significant progress,” CFO Chris Liddell said in a statement. Through October, GM's U.S. sales are up 6 percent to 1.8 million units. The company has lost share in an overall market that is up 11 percent. Most of GM's market share losses stem from the sale of Saab and the elimination of the Pontiac, Hummer and Saturn brands. Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101110/OEM/101119995/1179#ixzz14t0FLK9f

VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia is Auto Express’ 2011 Performance Car of the Year TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2010 British car magazine Auto Express, has crowned the Ferrari 458 Italia their 2011 Performance Car of the Year (PCOTY). The magazine chose the Italian supercar from a list of 20 contenders, including other big names like the Audi V10 Spyder, Porsche GT3 RS, BMW M3 Competition and Mercedes SLS AMG. The Honda CR-Z, Renault Twingo Cup 133 and Skoda Fabia RS were the more down-to-earth cars of the group. Watch the video summary after the break to see what makes the F458 this year's performance car in AE's opinion. You can also see each car's lap time here. By Csaba Daradics link: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/video-ferrari-458-italia-is-auto.html

LA PREVIEW: MITSUBISHI I-MIEV GETS U.S. STYLE By Andrew Ganz News broke that Mitsubishi’s city-oriented i-MiEV electric vehicle was headed to North America several years ago, but the automaker has finally spilled the beans on its homologated model today. Set to debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the i-MiEV receives a handful of styling and functional upgrades for the North American market. The North American i-MiEV receives an upsized structure compared to its Japanese and European-specification siblings for more interior room and to better meet our different safety standards. The most obvious exterior changes are its bumpers, which contribute to a roughly 11-inch longer overall length. Flared fenders help the i-MiEV grow about four inches in width. Height is mostly unchanged – a minor 0.2 inch increase thanks to a revised suspension. North American specifications haven’t been confirmed, but we aren’t expecting many changes over the Japanese model’s 64-horsepower electric motor mounted below the floor behind the second row of seats. Mitsubishi gives the Japanese model an 80 mile range with a 16 kWh battery pack and a 100 mile range with a larger 20 kWh battery pack. A base price south of $30,000 is anticipated. The i-MiEV will qualify for $7,500 in federal incentives in the United States. Look for Mitsubishi to announce more details on its first EV in North America next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. link: http://www.leftlanenews.com/mitsubishi-i-miev.html

European jurists announce seven finalists for 2011 Car of the Year by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 9th 2010 at 8:58AM While it may seem like every magazine worth its bar-code is clamoring to select its own Car of the Year, over in Europe things are a bit more civilized. Seven publications from seven different countries get together each year to nominate their collective Car of the Year, speaking in one united voice. The process takes place over the course of months. First comes the nominees, then the finalists and ultimately the solitary winner. The super best-friends have just arrived at that middle step, announcing the finalists for 2011, and as in years past, it's heavily loaded with European vehicles, but the list is not without its novelty. The finalists came down to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Citroën C3/DS3, Renault/Dacia Duster, Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max, Nissan Leaf, Opel/Vauxhall Meriva and Volvo S60/V60. The Alfa's nomination comes exactly a decade after its predecessor, the 147, took the award upon its launch. The Leaf represents the first time an electric vehicle has made it this far in the selection process. And the budget Dacia's selection is of course highly symbolic of the economic climate from which most of the world is only beginning to recuperate. The winner will be announced on November 29, so stay tuned. link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/09/european-jurists-announce-seven-finalists-for-2011-car-of-the-ye/

Bigger is Better: Mitsubishi's US-Spec Wide-Bodied i-MiEV Revealed Ahead of LA Show MONDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2010 These are the first official photos of the North American version of Mitsubishi's i-MiEV all-electric city, which will have its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, to be held from Wednesday, November 17 to Sunday November 28. Even though big ideas can come in small packages, for most things in America, consumers believe that "bigger is better" and "better is bigger". And seeing what happened with Mercedes-Benz and its Smart Fortwo mini, Mitsubishi decided to "fatten-up" the North American version of the i-MiEV, and make it bigger than its Japanese- and European-spec counterparts. "[The i-MiEV] features an enhanced, enlarged body structure to secure plenty of space for four adults and better meet the expectations of U.S. consumers," said Mitsubishi in a statement. With this and that, the wider and longer US-Spec i-MiEV measures 3,680 mm / 144.9" (+258mm or +9.8") in length, 1,585 mm / 62.4" (+110mm or +4.3") in width, 1,615 mm / 63.6" (+5mm or +0.2") in height. In addition to the larger frame, the North American-spec i-MiEV gets a new set of front and rear bumpers as well as some interior changes. Mitsubishi has not yet released details on the U.S. model's electric-drivetrain. The smaller JDM version of the plug-in EV is powered by an electric motor with 64HP (47kW) and 180Nm (132.8-lbs/ft) of maximum torque, driving the rear wheels. A full charge of the lithium-ion batteries is said to offer a driving range of up to 100 miles or 160 km. link: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/bigger-is-better-mitsubishi-us-spec.html

Happy Birthday and may it be the best ever!! I must say that is a delightful looking cake. Most impressive! Happy birthday to you sir!

Global Vehicles emails potential customers, attempts to explain delays. Again. by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Nov 5th 2010 at 6:29PM Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery The plot thickens. Global Vehicles USA, the one-time and possible-still (pending litigation, of course) importer of Mahindra pickups has sent an email to those who have reserved a spot for one of the first 30,000 or so little diesel trucks in the United States. You'll find the text of the email here, but basically the importer still sounds hopeful that it will be putting the Indian machines into the hands of dealerships at some unknown point in the future. Will it actually happen? Our Magic 8 Balls are a little fuzzy on this one, but suffice it to say that we're not holding our breath. Is it possible that the importer and the automaker have reconciled? Best we can tell, that seems unlikely, but who knows? In any case, Global Vehicles is now saying that parts shortages and high demand in India are the main culprits for future delays. If you need a recap of what's gone down in the past several months that's keeping Mahindra's wares from driveways across the States, click here. And to would-be owners... good luck. Thanks to all who sent this in! link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/05/global-vehicles-emails-potential-customers-attempts-to-explain/

I did not get to vote. The last student left after 6 pm, and I did not leave campus until after 6:30-6:40 pm.

Finalists For 2011 European COTY Awards Announced By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Editor November 2nd, 2010 2011 Volvo S60Enlarge PhotoThe finalists for the 2011 European Car of the Year awards have been announced and surprisingly there is not a single luxury car among them, except perhaps the 2011 Volvo S60, which sits near the bottom of the luxury car spectrum. This means that original candidates like the new Jaguar XJ, Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 5-Series were all overlooked. Not surprisingly, most of the finalists are economical compacts, reflecting the changing trend of what’s most important when judging new cars. Even the all-electric Nissan Leaf has made this year’s final round. The European Car of the Year awards is judged by a panel of 59 members, representing 23 European countries. National representation on the panel is related to the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain topping the list with six members each. A total of 41 candidates were originally eligible for the 2011 awards. A number that grows bigger when body versions and derivatives are considered. All of the contenders are new vehicles available now or soon in five or more European markets, and each has the prospect of at least 5,000 yearly sales. Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Polo, which you can read about by clicking here. The winner for 2011 will be announced on November 29 so stay tuned. The finalists, in no particular order, are as follows: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Citroen C3/DS3 Dacia Duster Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max Nissan Leaf Opel Meriva Volvo S60/Volvo V60 link: http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1051097_finalists-for-2011-european-coty-awards-announced

Go to this link. Look at the photos. These are hearing aids from 1928. This is what the lady was holding. http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/did/20thcent/index.htm

Thank you for sharing...

If time travel is real, would people go backwards and tamper with time or change events in their own lives? If they could go forward to the future and see things would it be nice to know or a bad thing to know the future? If I could travel in time and change events, I think I would tamper with GM's history. Roger Smith never would have become CEO of GM and other events we know about would have been changed. The cars that got downsized in the 1980's never would have happened. The designs that came out at all the GM brands in the period of 1989-1992 when they upsized the cars would have come out as 1985-1986 models.

Honda, Hyundai issue anti-used-parts memos, junkyards object by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Oct 29th 2010 at 9:58AM The Automotive Recyclers Association is ready to go to war with Honda and Hyundai. Why? The ARA claims that the automakers warn against the use of recycled auto parts, saying that the use of these components will void vehicle warranties. The ARA filed an official letter of complaint with the Federal Trade Commission saying that the actions of the automakers fly in the face of the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, which was enacted to make warranties more straightforward. Recycled auto parts have been in wide use for decades, and the ARA says that the use of these gently used components is a $22 billion industry. Further, those recycled parts are not of the aftermarket variety; they're simply OEM parts that are re-applied after the donor vehicle goes out of service. The ARA goes on to say that the automakers have presented no clear evidence that shows why these components aren't acceptable for use in repairs. So if recycled parts originate from the OEM, are environmentally friendly, are cheaper for the customer and are fully warrantied by the recyclers, then why are Honda and Hyundai warning against their use? The ARA feels the reason is money. If Honda and Hyundai insist that their brand new parts are used, the companies bring in more revenue. Of course the views of the ARA represent but one side of this story, so it will be interesting to see if the FTC will rule on this matter. link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/honda-hyundai-issue-anti-used-parts-memos-junkyards-object/

Europe could be largest global market for electric cars Luca Ciferri Automotive News Europe -- October 28, 2010 09:25 CET TURIN – Europe could become the largest global market for battery-powered electric vehicles by far, predict analysts J. D. Power and Associates. But EV volumes will still be lower than some automakers' expectations. By 2020, EV sales in Europe could reach 742,020 units, or 3.1 percent of 23.8 million sales predicted for that year, according to a report by California-based J. D. Power. China would be the second EV largest market with unit sales of 332,775 and a 1.9 percent market share. The United States would be third in term of unit sales, 107,998 units, amounting to just 0.6 percent of the market. Japan would have the third largest share at 1.6 percent but, because it is a small market, unit sales would be only 67,057. Globally, EVs could reach a 1.85 percent market share in 2020 with unit sales of 1.31 million units in a total global market of 70.9 million, J. D. Power said. J.D. Power's predicted 2020 global market share for EVs is far lower than the 10 percent or 6 million units forecast by Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. Volkswagen AG expects EVs to represent 3 percent, or 300,000 units of VW Group's planned 10 million sales by 2018. Globally, VW anticipates the market share for full-electric vehicles to be 2 percent by 2020, very close to J D Power's 1.85 percent prediction. “Based on our research of consumer attitudes toward battery-powered and electric hybrid vehicles — and barring significant changes to public policy, including tax incentives and higher fuel economy standard — we don't anticipate a mass migration to green vehicles in the coming decade,” John Humphrey, J.D. Power's senior vice president of automotive operations, said in a statement. He noted that consumers have a variety of concerns about EVs and hybrid electric vehicles, including: • Dislike of their design and appearance • Worries about the reliability of new technologies • Dissatisfaction with overall power and performance • Anxiety about driving range • Concern about the time needed to recharge battery packs. Hybrid vehicles have better potential. J. D. Power predicts electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid models could conquer more buyers than pure EVs, accounting to 5.5 percent of global sales in 2020, or 3.88 million units. The United States is seen having the highest volume of electric hybrid and plug-in hybrids by 2020 with sales of 1.67 million units, representing a 9.6 percent market share. Japan, where Honda and Toyota have pioneered hybrid vehicles, would have the highest share at 20.9 percent in 2020, equivalent 874,984 units. Europe will come second in volume at 977,806 units and third in market share at 4.1 percent. Hybrids are seen as no goers in China with J.D. Power forecasting a market share of 0.6 percent and 97,234 unit sales by 2020. Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101028/ANE/101029854/1131#ixzz13fCGlfWn

VIDEO: BMW X3 vs. Audi Q5 in an all-wheel drive man-made hill climb WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 Who would have thought that BMW's all-wheel drive systems were enough to shame Audi's famous quattro system? Not the average consumer, that's for sure (though BMW certainly has had enough time to get it right). BMW, which has actually been making AWD cars for the past 25 years, has decided to begin more aggressively targeting consumers who live in harsher climates. According to this video, BMW's xDrive is vastly superior to Audi's quattro - at least when driving up metal inclines built by BMW... In the clip, we get a glimpse at what appears to be some sort of BMW press event and a hill climb-off between two small-ish diesel-powered premium soft-roaders: Audi's Q5 and BMW's X3. Although the X3 depicted here may not be the first pick on a lot people's lists, the comparison below is just used as an example. After all, xDrive is now available on a variety of products in BMW's lineup. Could it be that BMW has bested Audi at its own game? By Phil Alex link: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/10/video-bmw-x3-vs-audi-a5-in-all-wheel.html

Europe Still Working to Reach Agreement on EV Recharging-Plug Standards By William Diem WardsAuto.com, Oct 26, 2010 9:00 AM PARIS – Dozens of cities around Europe are preparing to install recharging points for electric vehicles in public areas, but the French-German working group that will recommend what type of plug to use has until March 31 to report. Until a standard is agreed upon, recharging for early EV arrivals on the market will be done from normal 220-volt household sockets. “The industry can begin with domestic charging for urban and suburban driving,” says Igor Czerny, director-transportation for EVs at the French electric-company EDF. The “second stage” is using a dedicated terminal and plug. “While waiting for a European standard, public recharging stations will have an industrial-strength domestic socket that can resist water and physical shocks,” he predicts. The French government believes the country will see about 700,000 EVs on the road and 1.3 million plug-in hybrids in 2020, requiring 4 million private charge points, 340,000 public recharging points for normal recharging and 60,000 fast charge points. France is subsidizing a plan to install 75,000 charge points in 14 cities by 2015. The idea of a special socket is important for so-called “smart charging,” in which software determines when rates are lower to recharge at night and also can sell electricity back to the electric grid if the car doesn’t need it. That kind of communication between car battery and electric grid requires the extra connections in a 5- or 7-pin connector. Existing domestic connections comprise two power pins and a ground. Focus EV to use Yazaki terminals on car side. While domestic connections are not the same throughout Europe, the European Commission believes existing adaptors can be used. For normal recharging, the infrastructure and vehicle will be connected by a cable carried in the trunk of the car with a plug at each end. The socket on the car side could be whatever the auto maker wants, but the idea of standards is that the socket on the infrastructure side should be the same everywhere. Three plug types are being considered for normal recharging: a 5-pin round connection commonly called Yazaki J-1772, a 7-pin connector favored by German auto makers, called Mennekes-type, and a 7-pin oblong connection being pushed by a French-Italian group commonly called Schneider or Scame-type. Many of the first electric cars coming to market, including the Nissan Leaf; Mitsubishi iMiEV and its rebadged-twins, the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero; and the Ford Focus, are using Yazaki terminals on the car side. In France, the charging cables included with PSA Peugeot Citroen EVs have a 3-pin household plug at the other end. The auto maker plans to sell up to 50,000 of the vehicles by 2015. On the wall side, early installations of public recharging points are testing a variety of connections. In Berlin, for instance, Smart EV test fleets are using Mennekes connections on the charging stations as well as the cars. In suburban Paris, the EDF and Renault SA use Schneider connections on the wall side. In Strasbourg, a test fleet of plug-in Toyota Priuses is using European campground sockets. And in Denmark, Better Place is setting up a private network of recharging points using its own 5-pin, triangular plug and socket. Normal recharging will occur at 3kW, so it will take about seven hours to put 21 kWh back into a battery. Fast-charging in Europe at 42kW will require just half an hour. The EDF believes normal recharging will handle more than 90% of EV use in Europe, and that fast-charging is more of a psychological than actual benefit for the EV industry. “Fast-charging will be expensive,” says Czerny, EDF’s director-EV transportation. Not only will fast-charge stations require heavy capital investment, but recharging in daytime will add to electricity peaks that give the infrastructure headaches. Where a safe domestic socket costs a few euros, a public recharging spot can cost more than E5,000 ($6,500). Standards for fast-recharging are even further away than for normal recharging. There are at least two competing ideas for fast-charging. In both cases, proponents envision the cable at the wall end to be permanently connected to the infrastructure, the same as with a gasoline pump handle. In Japan, the Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Toyota Motor Corp., Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Subaru) and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. have agreed on a fast-charge system called CHAdeMO. This is an abbreviation for “Charge de Move,” which is a pun on the Japanese phrase: “O cha demo ikaga desuka,” or “Let’s have some tea,” while charging up. It adds a range of about 2.5 miles (4 km) per minute. At least three European companies are producing charging terminals using the CHAdeMO protocol, including SGTE Power group and evTronic Eurl in France and Epyon Power BV in the Netherlands. While CHAdeMO would seem to be a default choice for fast-charging, it has competition. “Nissan and Mitsubishi are going down the same road, and PSA is the same as Mitsubishi, but Renault is not taking the same road,” notes Francois Jauman, who follows the EV industry for consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers in France. Renault favors an alternating current connection. At last month’s Paris auto show, the auto maker’s mockup of a fast-charge station used the Mennekes connector at the car end. Being the company that develops the standard gives it an advantage, because it will have more experience, says Jauman. But the real advantage of setting a standard is it permits mass production, which lowers costs. “If you are the only one with your technology, you can’t impose it on others and you can’t manufacturer on a large scale,” he says. Any recommendation coming from the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization likely will end up as a European standard, because it’s working under a mandate from Antonio Tajani, EC vice president-industry and entrepreneurship. Tajani has asked the group to work with the International Electrotechnical Commission to review and recommend standards that “would allow users to use the same charger for a range of electric vehicles and also ensure EV chargers can be connected and operated in all European Union states. CENELEC accepts public comment on proposed standards for five months and then has a window of about two months for the national committees in 31 European countries to vote on the proposals. Larger countries such as France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. have 10 votes, while smaller ones have one or two votes. For agreement on a standard, a majority of the 31 countries must be in favor, with 71% of the weighted votes. The European auto makers association, ACEA, recommends a standard wall-side socket be mandatory in 2017, but even then it expects home recharging to be permissible. When the EV industry is up and running, says Czerny, recharging batteries should be as simple as using an Apple computer. “It must be easy to use, not expensive and safe.” link: http://wardsauto.com/ar/europe_seeking_agreement_101026/

I feel rear doors on most cars should have quarter windows. I hate the rear doors on cars that do not have quarter windows. The current Impala has no quarter windows on the rear doors nor does Holden Caprice. They always do that same boring six window design that is so played out. I hated the Aurora did not have them too. Personally I think it is lazy design and taking the easy way out. I was so glad when the Fleetwood and Roadmaster sedan did not go that route. I do not care for the headlight design on the sedan or wagon on the Roadmaster. That car should have two headlights on each side of the grille. It looks so unfinished the way it was.

Interesting thread. Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and Oldsmobile Toronado were killed off at the same time in 1992 in the spring. I know because of an article I read years ago. GM was already working on Aurora and they felt the Custom Cruiser did not fit Oldsmobile's new image and and Custom Cruiser was not selling as great as the others. I wish it had its own unique parts on the inside and outside. That solid maroon Custom Cruiser was in Motor Trend. It was runner up in the 1991 car of the year contest. The issues I had with the B- Bodies 91-96 was the headlight design, the rear doors on the wagons and the Caprice sedan. Those cars are becoming quite popular. A friend of mine just put a Custom Cruiser front end on his Caprice sedan. The headlights are not the factory ones. They are aftermarket dual quad headlights I think that look better. Here are two photos:

Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8 by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on Oct 21st 2010 at 3:32PM Wiesmann was in a bit of a pickle when BMW announced it was no longer producing its V10. In addition to the M5 and M6, the high-revving 10 was used to power the Roadster MF5 and GT MF5 and we assumed Wiesmann would make the switch to the new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. We were right. What we didn't guess is that it would be sticking the new mill under the hoods of both the Roadster MF4 and GT MF4. The Wiesmann MF3 will retain its 343 horsepower six-cylinder engine. No word yet on how much power the twin-turbo will produce when utilized with the MF4, but when stuffed into the engine bay of the MF5 it's set to produce 555 horsepower, allowing it to run from 0-60 mph in less than four seconds, hit a top speed of 193 mph and become the most powerful Wiesmann ever produced. [source: Wiesmann] Show full PR text The evolution of dynamics: The Wiesmann model series MF4 and MF5 as of now come with new twin turbo engines Motor replacement at the Dülmen sports car manufactory. Starting in the new year, Wiesmann will be banking on BMW twin turbo technology for their model series MF4 and MF5. The Wiesmann GT and Roadster MF4 and MF5 can now be ordered with the new engine types. These engines will be stronger and more agile, while working more efficiently and economically than their predecessors. Top priority in the selection of these new engines went to what Wiesmann is all about: unlimited driving fun. The MF4 will now be equipped with a BMW 4.4l V8 twin turbo direct injection petrol engine. With its engine capacity of 4,395 cm³ and 407 hp (300kW) at 5,500 to 6,400 rpm, the MF4 will reach a top speed of 180.8 mp/h. It will reach 0 to 60 mp/h in just 4.6 seconds. And while doing so, these handmade sports cars create an unrivalled symphony of sound, power and sheer driving excitement. Also the MF5 will receive an engine based on latest twin turbo technology. The top-of-the-range model will also be equipped with a 4.4l V8 twin turbo direct injection petrol engine - this one, however, with even more impressive capacity. Here are the M-motor specifications: 555 hp at 5,750 to 6,750 rpm; 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 193.2 mp/h. And all that with just 10.7l per 100 km (combined) - a truly remarkable result at such performance values. The new engines make the MF5 model series the most powerful Wiesmann cars of all time. The Wiesmann Roadster MF3 will keep its current engine (now with Euro 5), leaving the classic roadster untouched for connoisseurs of the car manufacturer for individualists. link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/wiesmann-upgrades-all-v10-models-to-twin-turbo-v8/

Toyota recalls 740,000 vehicles in U.S. 2004-06s may leak brake fluid By GREG GARDNER Free Press Business Writer Just two weeks after trumpeting progress on repairs of sticky gas pedals and out-of-place floor mats, Toyota is recalling 740,000 vehicles in the U.S. that may leak brake fluid. The brake fluid recall covers 2004-06 Avalons, non-hybrid Highlanders and Lexus RX330, GS300, IS250 and IS350 models. The automaker is also recalling 599,000 vehicles in Japan and about 200,000 in Europe and other regions because of an electrical problem with the fuel pump that could cause a vehicle to stall. Honda also recalled an unspecified number of 2005-07 Acura RL sedans and Honda Odyssey minivans for a similar brake fluid problem. Both Japanese automakers said there have been no injuries or accidents tied to the problem. Toyota said its factory-installed brake fluid contains polymers that lubricate brake components. If an owner uses a different type of fluid with less of the polymers, a rubber seal in the master cylinder may dry or curl thus creating the possibility of a leak. Drivers could experience a spongy or soft brake pedal feel. Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of problems, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada because their engines may stall. Earlier this month in a conference call with reporters, Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America, said the company is trying to detect problems sooner and recall vehicles before regulators raise the issue. "Toyota is now living in a world where they have to go above and beyond in putting safety first. By doing that, they can protect their brand," said Mike Rozembajgier, vice president of ExpertRecall, an Indianapolis consulting firm. Once the industry quality benchmark, Toyota has recalled more vehicles in the U.S. than any competitor has over the last year. Earlier this year, Toyota paid a $16.4-million fine as a result of what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration argued was a failure to report the problems to government regulators in a timely manner. Reports of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles were linked to about 90 deaths. Through the first nine months of 2010, Toyota's share of the U.S. market has slipped to 15.2%, from 16.6% a year earlier. "They had a stellar reputation for many years for durability and reliability, but now we're seeing cracks in the foundation that developed as they quickly grew market share," said Sean Kane, a safety consultant in Rehoboth, Mass. Experts from the National Academy of Sciences and NASA are conducting a broader investigation of Toyota's electronic vehicle control technology at the request of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. They are expected to report their findings before the end of this year. Read more: Toyota recalls 740,000 vehicles in U.S. | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101022/BUSINESS01/10220308/1331/business01/Toyota-recalls-740000-vehicles-in-U.S.#ixzz1365FEZOC

BMW To Develop New Front-Wheel Drive Hybrids With PSA Peugeot Citroen By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Editor October 18th, 2010 BMW ActiveHybridEnlarge PhotoUntil now, BMW’s hybrid technology has only been applied in its upper range models like the 5- and 7-Series ActiveHybrid sedans and the X6 crossover, the latter of which is billed as the world’s most powerful hybrid vehicle. However, the automaker’s future generation of hybrids will also span the entry-level ranges like the 1-Series and even a new front-wheel drive model currently in the works. In preparation, BMW has signed a deal with France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen group to expand their already successful powertrain cooperation by now including hybrid component development for front-wheel drive cars. A memorandum of understanding to this effect has been signed by BMW boss Norbert Reithofer and Philippe Varin, the head of PSA Peugeot Citroen. The components are to be used in front-wheel drive vehicles with electrified drivetrains, and the deal is to include the joint development and joint purchasing to help reduce costs. As an added benefit, the deal will help spur the standardization of key hybrid components across several different brands, including BMW, MINI, Peugeot and Citroen. The two auto giants have a long history of cooperation in the powertrain field, having just this year announced another deal to develop a new four-cylinder engine family and now this latest hybrid episode. link: http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1050572_bmw-to-develop-new-front-wheel-drive-hybrids-with-psa-peugeot-citroen

BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën want to Expand Cooperation to Hybrid Systems MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 The ongoing love affair between the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën has just become more intense as the two companies announced today their intention to further expand the cooperation to include hybrid components for front-wheel-drive vehicles by singing a memorandum of understanding. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the agreement. In a joint statement, the two automakers said the components are to be used in front-wheel-drive vehicles with electrified drive trains with the proposed deal said to offer significant economies of scale for both partners, while also allowing them to standardize key elements for the electrification of vehicles. "This cooperation will deliver a major contribution towards a competitive cost structure in the field of electrification. It also represents another important step on the road to sustainable mobility," said Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. "We are pleased to broaden our long-standing cooperation based on the strong relationship that exists between our two companies," added Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën. "Combining both partners' expertise in hybrid technologies will clearly create competitive advantage." The two brands already cooperate on the development and production of a 1.6-liter engine that is used in BMW's Mini and in Peugeot and Citroen vehicles while recent reports from Germany note that there have also been talks about a cooperation on carbon fiber materials. In February 2010, BMW and PSA agreed to develop the next generation of their jointly designed 4-cylinder petrol engine, which will also meet EU 6 requirements. link: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/10/bmw-group-and-psa-peugeot-citroen.html

MAHINDRA CONFIRMS IT HAS "NO DATE" FOR U.S. LAUNCH OF COMPACT PICKUP TRUCK By Drew Johnson Mahindra & Mahindra assured Leftlane back in the summer of 2008 that its compact pickup truck was right on schedule for its United States launch, but that guarantee has apparently turned belly up. Following a number of subsequent delays, a squabble between Mahindra and its U.S. distributor – Global Vehicles USA – has indefinitely put the Indian automaker’s U.S. plans on hold. Mahindra was originally slated to begin U.S. sales of a compact pickup truck in mid-2009. Global Vehicles USA recently filed a lawsuit against Mahindra, claiming the Indian automaker unlawfully terminated its U.S. distribution agreement. “The bottom line here is Mahindra now believes this is a huge project. They want us out of the way so they can go direct and save the money we were going to make,” Global Vehicles chief executive John Perez said. As a result of the lawsuit, Mahindra now says it has “no date” for the U.S. launch of its pickup, so it’s safe to scratch the automakers most recently announced December launch date from your calendar. It remains unknown if Mahindra’s pickup ever passed U.S. crash and emission regulations. Despite the setback, Mahindra says it is still interested in the United States market. “We’re still interested in getting into the U.S.,” the company said in a statement. However, given Mahindra’s mountain of unrealized release dates, we don’t expect to see the company’s compact pickup truck on our shores anytime soon. link: http://www.leftlanenews.com/mahindra-confirms-it-has-no-date-for-u-s-launch-of-compact-pickup-truck.html