Flybrian

Toyota FT-MV Concept The FT-MV makes its presence felt as a first-class, new-generation minivan. Boasts a bold, vibrant and stately exterior. Includes luxurious, second-row seats with fully automatic ottomans, using soft ambient lighting to create an elegant space.

Toyota Hi-CT Concept The Hi-CT aims to offer a new "coolness" and new ways to have fun as a departure from conventional vehicles-an edgy, urban vehicle inspired by the thinking and lifestyles of youth. Offers a new kind of automotive "cool" and sense of enjoyment. Has a new look unconstrained by conventional vehicle size (length 3,330mm x width 1,695mm x height 1,780mm). Adopts plug-in hybrid technology, which allows it to charge from an external power source and gives it a greater driving range when running on its battery-powered motor; by placing the battery under the floor, achieves a highly efficient cabin with a higher driver position. Comes with an AC100V accessory socket that enables stored electricity-made possible by plug-in hybrid technology-to be used for a variety of applications. Features a removable rear trunk and a deck where surfboards, bicycles and other equipment can be loaded.

CONCEPT: Toyota i-REAL The i-REAL is a personal mobility vehicle made closely in human scale as a step toward commercialization in the near future. Represents the next stage of Toyota's personal mobility vehicle development, following the PM, i-unit and i-swing. Uses three wheels (two at the front and one at the back), in low-speed mode, shortening its wheelbase to allow it to maneuver naturally among pedestrians at similar eyesight height without taking up a large amount of space; in high-speed mode the wheelbase lengthens to provide a lower center of gravity and better driving performance. Ensures safe handling-both to the driver and those around the vehicle-by employing perimeter monitoring sensors to detect when a collision with a person or object is imminent and alerts the driver by emitting a noise and vibrating; at the same time, alerts people around it of its movements through the pleasant use of light and sound.

CONCEPT: Toyota RiN The RiN focuses on "increased comfort" and "serene, healthy living". Through their relationship to the vehicle, drivers are encouraged to reevaluate themselves and, furthermore, to turn their attention to society and nature, producing a healthy rhythm for both mind and body. Promotes a healthier well-being thanks to features such as seats that help maintain good back posture and image displays aligned with the driver's psychological state that are conveyed within the meter cluster of the "mood-training" steering control. In addition to featuring comfortable, heated seats, an oxygen-level conditioner and pinpoint humidifier, uses green glass that reduces infiltration of ultraviolet and infrared light and makes the surroundings seem brighter and clearer to increase cabin comfort. Creates a feeling of harmony with the surrounding environment by using sliding doors with a low window that lets you view nature at ground level, as well as headlights with light distribution control that take into consideration pedestrians and vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Uses the motif of the deep-rooted and tall-growing Yakusugi tree (a variety of Japanese cypress) for its exterior and interior design to express both "harmony with nature" and "healthy mind and body". Contrasts deep green with beige in its interior color scheme to richen the complexions of those onboard and evoke a healthy mental and physical feeling.

CONCEPT: Toyota 1/X The 1/X (pronounced "one-Xth") is a concept vehicle that redefines from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Among its attributes, the vehicle-with a design that aims to harmoniously coexist with people and society - weighs only "1/Xth" that of other vehicles in its class. Maintains an interior space on par with that of the Prius, with an aimed-for fuel efficiency that is double and a weight reduced to 420 kilograms (about one third the weight of the Prius). Combines fossil fuel consumption-reducing FFV* technology and a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a displacement of only 500cc that allows charging from an external power source and a longer electric-motor cruising distance; thus, in addition to being adapted for energy diversity, emits less CO2 and contributes to the prevention of air pollution. Locates the power unit beneath the rear seat (for a midship, rear-wheel-drive system) to contribute to an innovative and highly efficient package. Adopts light but highly rigid carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame to ensure superior collision safety, while allowing narrower pillars for a better field of vision.

Lexus to Display LF-Xh and LF-A at Tokyo Motor Show Tokyo, October 10, 2007 - Lexus announced today that it plans to display two concept vehicles and six production vehicles at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The show will be open to the general public from October 27 to November 11 at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture. On the basis of its "pursuit of perfection" philosophy, Lexus strives to provide the highest-quality products and to fill every moment with exhilaration and comfort for its customers through continued, uncompromising efforts in all aspects of development, production and sales. At the Tokyo Motor Show, as a new global premium brand for the 21st century, Lexus plans to exhibit a specialty SUV and a premium two-seater sports car. Further details of the Lexus display are below. Concept Vehicles LF-Xh (Global unveiling) A specialty SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel. Application of "Lexus Hybrid Drive", which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions. All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 gasoline engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system. Total length: 4,800mm Total width: 1,895mm Total height: 1,650mm Wheelbase: 2,850mm LF-A A premium two-seater sports car that represents the impressive Lexus driving performance Manifestation of the Lexus "F" premium sports car concept, which offers new Lexus performance through the combination of enhanced fundamental performance and cutting-edge driving technology, pursues the pinnacle of sports car performance. Use of L-finesse design creates an elegant and a solid presence. A high-performance V10 engine (up to 5.0 liters) and a body made of light yet sturdy carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) combine to provide unprecedented driving performance. Total length: 4,460mm Total width: 1,895mm Total height: 1,220mm Wheelbase: 2,605mm Production Vehicles LS600hL IS F Other vehicles displayed will include the LS460 and the GS450h. Image Gallery

Stop it with the logical insight. Its hurting my brain.

UAW goes on strike at Chrysler Bill Vlasic | Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News DETROIT -- The United Auto Workers launched a strike against Chrysler LLC this morning after all-night negotiations failed to produce a tentative agreement on a new labor contract. UAW members took to the picket lines at Chrysler plants in the second walkout against one of Detroit's Big Three during this year's contract talks. Bargainers for Chrysler and the UAW worked through the night in a marathon session at the company's headquarters in Auburn Hills, but were unable to agree on critical issues of job security and health-care funding. There was no immediate comment from Chrysler or the union. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger had informed UAW locals on Monday to be prepared for a strike if the “basis for a tentative agreement” was not in place by 11 a.m. today. The Chrysler walkout follows a two-day strike at General Motors Corp. that ended Sept. 26 when the UAW and GM reached agreement on a new four-year contract. GM workers were expected to complete ratification votes on the deal today. The UAW chose Chrysler on Oct. 5 as the next of the Big Three to negotiate a labor deal considered crucial to the competitiveness of domestic automakers versus their foreign competitors. While GM and the UAW hammered out a contract that created a health-care trust for retirees and guaranteed jobs for active workers, Chrysler and the union have thus far failed to come to terms. People close to the talks said Gettelfinger and Chrysler President Tom LaSorda led the negotiations Tuesday and today, but a deal was not in place by the 11 a.m. deadline. The negotiations are the first for Chrysler as a privately owned corporation. Chrysler was acquired for $7.4 billion in August by private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management after spending the past nine years as a division of German automaker DaimlerChrysler AG. During the GM strike, negotiators for the UAW and the company returned to the bargaining table within hours of the start of the walkout. It was not clear when Chrysler and the union would resume negotiations.

Plus, you get stuck in this quandry where you have a well-known car (Solstice, Vibe, Escalade) that now doesn't mesh at all with the newspeak.

Is it...is it bread?

New policy - throw something off a bridge, get thrown off a bridge. Do it, live it. I'm very serious. Toss each kid off a low overpass onto hard earth. A broken bone or permanent third-grade education should send a message.

OnStar system will be able to halt stolen cars Tom Krisher | Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews DETROIT -- Say some clown steals your car from the parking deck at work. If it's equipped with General Motors' OnStar service, he could be in for a big surprise and you could get a little revenge -- and even see your car again. Starting with about 20 models for 2009, the service will be able to slowly halt a car that is reported stolen, and the radio may even speak up and tell the thief to pull over because police are watching. OnStar already finds 700 to 800 cars per month using the global positioning system. With the new technology, which OnStar President Chet Huber said GM will apply to the rest of its lineup in future years, OnStar would call police and tell them a stolen car's whereabouts. Then, if officers see the car in motion and judge it can be stopped safely, they can tell OnStar operators, who will send the car a signal via cell phone to slow it to a halt. "This technology will basically remove the control of the horsepower from the thief," Huber said. "Everything else in the vehicle works. The steering works. The brakes work." GM is still exploring the possibility of having the car give a recorded verbal warning before it stops moving. A voice would tell the driver through the radio speakers that police will stop the car, Huber said, and the car's emergency flashers would go on. "If the thief does nothing else it will coast to a stop. But they can drive off to the side of the road," Huber said. With the current version of OnStar, drivers can call operators for emergency help, and OnStar operators will contact a car if its sensors detect a crash. The service has about 5 million subscribers. Those who want OnStar but don't like police having the ability to slow down their car can opt out of the service, Huber said. But he said their research shows that 95 percent of subscribers would like that feature. OnStar, including the first year's subscription fee, is standard on most of GM's 2008 vehicles. After the first year, the subscription price is $16.95 a month. ------------------------------------------------------------ NHTSA praises new OnStar vehicle slowdown service David Shepardson | Detroit News Washington Bureau | Link to Original Article @ DetNews WASHINGTON -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration praised new OnStar technology that can cut power to stolen vehicles, eliminating the need for high-speed police pursuit. NHTSA says about 30,000 police chases occur yearly and approximately 300 deaths occur as a result of those chases. General Motors Corp. on Monday debuted the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown of its OnStar service. It allows OnStar advisors working with law enforcement to send a signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle which reduces engine power, slowing the vehicle down gradually. GM today held a press conference at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate the new technology. "From its inception, the motivation behind OnStar has been the safety and security of our subscribers and others on the road," said Chet Huber, OnStar president. "Every service we add builds on this original promise. The Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service will allow our subscribers added peace of mind by possibly preventing their vehicle from being used as an instrument of harm if it happens to be stolen." NHTSA was on hand for the demonstration. "Technology should not just entertain us or make us more comfortable, it should make us safer," said NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason. "We applaud innovations such as the kind GM is embracing that will make our roads better, our passengers more protected and our drivers safer." Powered by OnStar's newest generation of hardware, GM will make Stolen Vehicle Slowdown available on nearly 1.7 million Model Year 2009 vehicles --or about 20 models. GM's largest division, Chevrolet, will account for more than 60 percent of the total vehicles equipped with this new technology. "We look forward to having technologies like Stolen Vehicle Slowdown available to aid our officers in apprehending suspected car thieves and keeping our officers, highways and citizens safe," said David Hiller, the Fraternal Order of Police's national vice president. "Since 1996, OnStar has assisted the law enforcement community by helping to locate stolen vehicles." Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance uses Global Positioning Satellite technology to pinpoint the location of a vehicle that has been reported stolen. OnStar provides the location to law enforcement to assist with the vehicle's recovery. OnStar receives approximately 700 Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance requests from subscribers a month -- and OnStar has helped in 28,000 requests over the past decade, the company said. Company research shows 95 percent of OnStar subscribers want the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service available on their cars and trucks.

My car autolocks/unlocks when put into park and, yes, its programmable, so to go back to the beginning, this is a non-issue for me. It also won't let me lock the doors from the inside while the key is in the ignition. And when you hit the unlock button on the fob, it unlocks the driver's door and illuminates the interior; a second press of the button unlocks all doors and flashes the headlamps once; a third press sounds the horn quickly and flashes all exterior lighting while keeping the headlamps illuminated for several seconds - and that's not programmable - the car is just intelligent.

Locked inside a car? Um. If your occupant is that stupid/retarded, they should be under constant supervision anyway.

The 9-3 is also high-20s/low-30s.

A friend of mine wouldn't mind a car with the looks and style of a Buick, but would not buy one because she wants a 4-cylinder engine and something a bit smaller than a LaCrosse. What does the Big Three currently offer her?Nothing. Except the Mercury Milan, which she's now excited about. She was going to settle for a Civic but didn't truly want to. She's young and wants a nice compact/intermediate that doesn't look cheap. GM hasn't had one since the Skylark/Achieva/Alero.

You see that sort of poseur truck phenomenon way more frequently on new Tundras, Titans, and Rams than you do on old Tundras, F-150s, and GM pickups. Would be an interesting case study.

I guess the point is for when others view this video, they'll see the logical side. Whether you like/hate GM/Toyota or whatever, his arguments are baseless and illogical. Plus, the fact that he calls everyone responding 'spammers' shows a true lack of experience with teh internets. If he wants spam, I can deliver more spam than a Hormel meat truck. He just wants his sole viewpoints to be heard. This on top of this weird let's-ignore-the-Tundra-and-friends mentality he has. My gosh, I couldn't think of anyone who should be more disgusted than him at Toyota's foray into uneconomical vehicles. If he just said, "I like Toyota, I make love to my RAV4-EV, and I think GM sucks," it would at least be more honest.

It defies my logic to spend more than $xx,xxx on a car that's smaller than midisize.

Absolutely for domestic, never for Asian (nothing they currently make appeals to me and I doubt anything ever from Asia will appeal to me), and the European cars I like are certainly not in my price range.

10 - Chevrolet Corvair 11 - Holden GTRX 12 - Chevrolet AggreSSor 13 - Holden Arvo 14 - Oldsmobile Astraea VOTE----------------VOTE----VOTEVOTE-----VOTEVOTEVOTE---VOTEVOTEVOTE-- -VOTE--------------VOTE---VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE--- --VOTE------------VOTE----VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- ---VOTE----------VOTE-----VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- -----VOTE--------VOTE------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE---- ------VOTE------VOTE-------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE---- ------VOTE----VOTE--------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- -------VOTE--VOTE---------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- ---------VOTEVOTE----------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE--- ------------VOTE----------------VOTEVOTE-----------VOTE----------VOTEVOTEVOTE-- Good luck to all who entered!

Welcome to the Sketch Competition #21 Voting thread! Remember, artists who entered must vote for someone other than themselves. Those that do not vote or vote for themselves will be asessed a two (2) point penalty. Voters, please nominate four (4) entries in this format: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place Each first place vote earns 4 points, each second place vote 3 points, each third place vote 2 points, and each fourth place vote 1 point. Voting begins now and will end Tuesday, October 16, 2007 @ 11:59PM. Only those votes cast during that time will be counted. Remember, the 1st place winner will recieve a special GM-related prize from Cheers and Gears! 1 - Cadillac ALR 2 - HUMMER H4 3 - Buick Silver Arrow 4 - Cadillac 5 - Cadillac BLR 6 - Buick Skylark 7 - Chevrolet Monza 8 - SAAB Sonnet 9 - Buick Wildcat

Voting ends TONIGHT so please vote for you favorites today!

I've spent my 20 min. I'm done.

Yes.