Flybrian

Can I also have one that isn't...adorable?

FYI, the Grand Cherokee has always ridden a form of unitized body.

Hey, let me have my moment!

Apparently, I'm seeing it tonight, too.

For one of those, it isn't the only way its on fire

As I said in the GM thread, the Lucerne outsold the Avalon AGAIN and almost matched the ES350, so...shove it.

Lucerne (6996) outsold Avalon (5661) again, which just makes me all smiles. The Impala is now - get this - the second best-selling car in America this month and only about 2500 units behind the Accord YTD (180k vs. 182k). I know, fleets and all that, but regardless. Its something fun to mention. 9-3 sales are rather shockingly up. 40% over last year...?? I'm still not getting the AURA issue. Enclave is very strong out of the gate, almost outselling the OUTLOOK, which has been out for months now. Very good considering the price is naturally higher as well as the public's aversion to $30k+ Buicks for some reason. Acadia is incredible. 7,000 units! I'm sure that blows away anything else in the segment. H3 numbers are surprisingly steady, only slighty down vis a vis last year. Uplander...up? WTF?

Well, I called Rick Wagoner up on his cell and it went something like this... "Yo, Ricky..." "Hey, Fly. How's it going?" "Yeah, yeah. Hey, Rick...what's today's date?" "Uh, its Tuesday." "No, you retard...theDATE." "Oh, I think its the 3rd. Hey, you, me, and Ed are still going to get firew..." "Hey, shut up. Why is it three days into the month and you bozos haven't released June sales figures yet?" "Well, its only been three..." "I don't want to hear this $h!, Rick. Are you going to post them or not?" "Let me get back to my..." "ARE YOU GOING TO POST THEM OR NOT?!" "Yes. Yes, I will. I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry." "Its okay, Rick. Don't let me have to call you in August like this." And now they're up... Clicky Disclaimer: The above conversation may or may not have actually occurred

GM Reports 326,300 June Deliveries (Monthly comparison percentages are adjusted for sales days unless noted. Annual and calendar year-to-date comparisons are unadjusted.) CLICK HERE FOR DIVISIONAL AND MODEL BREAKOUTS GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave Achieve Industry Mid-Crossover Segment Leadership with Significant Retail and Total Sales Increases Daily Rental Sales Down 22 Percent In June; Down Almost 100,000 in First Half of 2007 All-New Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Boost Full-Size Pickup Total and Retail Sales Increase in First Half of 2007 Compared With A Year Ago DETROIT – GM dealers in the United States delivered 326,300 vehicles in June, down 24 percent, compared with year-ago monthly sales. The decline was partly attributed to a planned reduction of an additional 13,487 daily rental sale vehicles in the month. GM now has taken more than 92,000 daily rental vehicles out of the sales totals in 2007. “Given the planned reduction in daily rental sales, we expected June would be a tough comparison to a year ago. Our retail performance for the month was also below the solid running rate we’ve experienced for the first half of the year which we attribute to a soft industry and lower incentive spending than our competitors. However, we continue to believe that maintaining a disciplined approach to both incentives and daily rental car sales is key to making our marketing strategy work in the long run,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing. “We continue our focus on the retail side of the equation and first-half results were solid,” LaNeve added. “We are delighted with the continuing success of new products, especially the GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave. As with many of our vehicles, these all-new crossovers offer great fuel economy, terrific performance and outstanding value. For example, a year ago we were selling only about 3,000 mid-utility crossover vehicles. This June we blew the doors off the segment with deliveries in excess of 15,000.” Increased sales of the Saturn AURA, as well as the new mid-size crossovers GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave, demonstrate GM’s strong positioning in the marketplace for fuel-efficient vehicles. The GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK and Buick Enclave had retail sales of more than 12,000 vehicles, pushing a significant retail increase in GM’s mid-crossover segment. GM’s total sales of more than 15,000 vehicles in this segment pushed monthly performance up more than 377 percent, compared with the same month last year. The all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks – fuel efficiency leaders in their class – helped the GM full-size pickup segment post a first half 2007 sales increase, compared with the same period a year ago, in a challenging industry environment. The Silverado and Sierra also offer the best warranty coverage and residual values in segment, a winning combination for these products. “We’re seeing increased residual values for our products as a result of staying aligned and disciplined to our North American turnaround and market growth plans. For customers, this means providing industry-leading products in terms of design, segment fuel economy, warranty coverage and performance,” LaNeve added. “This translates to a beneficial cost of ownership experience. With new products such as the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu coming to dealer showrooms later this year, we expect to build on this customer enthusiasm.” Certified Used Vehicles June 2007 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 45,876 units, up 6 percent from last June. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 273,241 units, up 4 percent from the same period last year. GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, posted 40,423 sales, up 9 percent from last June. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 240,138 units, up 5 percent from the same period in 2006. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted June sales of 3,108 units, down 14 percent from last June. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,484 units in June, down 9 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 764 units, down 11 percent from last June, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 97 units, up nearly 7 percent. “GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling manufacturer-certified brand, posted a strong performance in June, leading the segment with sales of 40,423 units, up 9 percent from last June,” said LaNeve. “GM Certified is on track to build on this momentum toward another record performance for the category for 2007.” GM North America Reports June and Second-Quarter 2007 Production, 2007 Third-Quarter Production Forecast Unchanged at 1.075 Million Vehicles In June, GM North America produced 404,000 vehicles (142,000 cars and 262,000 trucks). This is down 56,000 units or 12 percent compared to June 2006 when the region produced 460,000 vehicles (173,000 cars and 287,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 21,000 vehicles in June 2007 and 27,000 vehicles in June 2006.) GM North America built 1.141 million vehicles (401,000 cars and 740,000 trucks) in the second-quarter of 2007. This is down 96,000 vehicles or 8 percent compared to second-quarter of 2006 when the region produced 1.237 million vehicles (462,000 cars and 775,000 trucks). The region’s 2007 third-quarter production forecast is unchanged at 1.075 million vehicles (377,000 cars and 698,000 trucks). GM also announced revised 2007 second-quarter and third-quarter production forecasts for its international regions. GM Europe –The region’s 2007 second-quarter production forecast is revised at 463,000 vehicles, down 5,000 units from last month’s guidance. In the second-quarter of 2006 the region built 495,000 vehicles. The region’s 2007 third-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 389,000 vehicles. In the third-quarter of 2006 the region built 374,000 vehicles. GM Asia Pacific – GM Asia Pacific’s 2007 second-quarter production forecast is revised at 569,000 vehicles, up 1,000 units from last month’s guidance. In the second-quarter of 2006 the region built 482,000 vehicles. The region’s 2007 third-quarter production forecast is revised at 518,000 vehicles, down 6,000 units from last month’s guidance. In the third-quarter of 2006 the region built 433,000 vehicles. GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East – The region’s 2007 second-quarter production forecast is revised at 234,000 vehicles, up 1,000 units from last month’s guidance. In the second-quarter of 2006 the region built 206,000 vehicles. The region’s 2007 third-quarter production forecast is unchanged at 258,000 vehicles. In the third-quarter of 2006 the region built 215,000 vehicles.

Probably has to do with the holiday.

Chery-Chrysler deal to get OK American automaker is expected to become the first to build Chinese autos for U.S. market Rick Blanchard | Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News DaimlerChrysler AG and Chery Automobile Co. struck a deal on Dec. 30 making Chrysler the first major carmaker to confirm plans to sell Chinese-built cars in the United States. Chery is expected to produce a subcompact for Chrysler that will likely be sold in the United States under the Dodge brand in 2009. Chery, based in Wuhu in Anhui province, is one of China's fastest-growing automakers and sold 50,000 vehicles abroad in 2006. State-owned Chery previously considered exporting vehicles to the United States in a venture with American entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin. It has an agreement to produce engines for Italy's Fiat Auto. The Chery-Chrysler deal is expected to get the final go-ahead from the Chinese government today. The Chrysler Group's groundbreaking deal with China's Chery Automobile Co. to build small cars for the United States and other markets is expected to get the final green light today, according to people familiar with the plan. The agreement appeared to be in doubt after DaimlerChrysler AG announced May 14 it planned to sell Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management for $7.4 billion. But Chrysler and Chery worked through the issues and Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda is in China finalizing the agreement. The final agreement is expected to be announced at 10 p.m. Detroit time today in Beijing, according to a person familiar with the deal. Chery said Monday it will sign a strategic cooperation agreement with Chrysler today. The company would not comment beyond the statement. Chrysler officials could not be reached for comment late Monday. Chrysler signed a letter of intent with Chery in December, under which the Chinese automaker would build subcompact cars to be sold by Chrysler in the U.S., Western Europe and other markets around the world. That deal has been pending approval from the Chinese government. The Auburn Hills-based automaker has said it plans to source more parts and vehicles in emerging markets as part of its plans to return to profitability after losing money last year and in the first quarter of this year. Chrysler's deal with Chery could mark the first time Chinese-made cars will be sold in the U.S. by an American car company. Cerberus' purchase of Chrysler is expected to be finalized later this month or early next. Chrysler is counting on international partnerships to develop a global presence. The Chery deal was considered a breakthrough for Chrysler, which was searching for a low-cost partner to build and supply subcompacts. The smallest car in Chrysler's lineup is the Dodge Caliber, and it has nothing in the subcompact segment to compete against the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo. In announcing the initial talks with Chery, Chrysler's LaSorda was emphatic about gaining subcompact presence in the U.S. market. "Every other automaker is importing B-segment cars into the U.S. market -- except Chrysler Group," LaSorda said. "We've got to get into play here." Chrysler also has taken steps to reduce its reliance on the North American market, setting up production in China and introducing the Dodge brand in Europe. In the first four months of the year, Chrysler Group vehicle sales outside of North America rose 14 percent to 70,859 vehicles, but that accounts for less than 10 percent of its total sales. Chery had previously considered producing cars for export to the United States in a venture with entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin, but that deal unraveled. With sales of about 80,000 vehicles last year, Chery is China's eighth-largest automaker, competing with major multinational leaders such as Volkswagen and General Motors Corp. Chery gained notoriety in 2003 when GM accused it of copying one of its vehicles, the Chevrolet Spark, a hatchback based on GM's Daewoo Matiz. Chery now produces at least seven models, including the subcompact QQ, the Tiggo, A5 and V5, Windcloud, Flagcloud, Oriental Son and Armoured Oriental Son, says its Web site. Industry executives and analysts say talks with the Chinese tend to be protracted under the best and clearest of circumstances.

'New' Chrysler plans debut party Automaker, dealers to celebrate return to American ownership Christine Tierney | Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News Soon-to-be-single Chrysler is sending out invitations and party kits to its 3,700 dealers to celebrate its rebirth as an all-American company. Chrysler hasn't set the date but has told Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers the big event is likely to take place between July 25 and Aug. 10, after DaimlerChrysler AG completes the sale of the Auburn Hills automaker to Cerberus Capital Management LLC. The new company, which will be called Chrysler Corp., also will reach out to consumers with bold TV, radio and print advertisements, according to a memo sent to dealers that was obtained by The Detroit News. Chrysler spokesman David Barnas declined to discuss details but confirmed the company was planning a big coming-out event. "We're including the entire family in our plans to launch the new company, including our dealer body," he said. Dealers have been seeking reassurance from Chrysler after months of uncertainty following the Feb. 14 announcement that the automaker was up for sale. "It's a great idea," dealer Ken Zangara of Zangara Dodge in Albuquerque, N.M., said of the "New" Chrysler premiere event. "It's very exciting to be an American company once again. It's positive for Chrysler and its employees, and for dealers and their employees," Zangara said. Houston dealer Alan Helfman is lining up local musicians for the big night and planning a buffet. "I'll probably do chicken wings. I'm going to do Hickory Barn Bar-B-Q sausage on a stick. Maybe I'll do a little dirty rice," said Helfman, vice president at River Oaks Chrysler Jeep. "It's going to be a nice evening." Chrysler had proposed to offer customers free oil changes for their vehicles as part of the event but dropped that idea after sounding out dealers. The company is studying other possible rewards, such as coupons, to attract prospective car buyers. It will send dealers banners to hang in their showrooms and decorations featuring Chrysler's new logo. "The 'New' Chrysler is the beginning of an important new chapter in Chrysler's history," Chrysler sales executives Darryl Jackson and Mike Keegan said in the memo. The cost to launch the "New" Chrysler, including the party kits and advertising campaign, is expected to run in the tens of millions of dollars. Chrysler's bid to reinvent itself as an American company will have little impact on consumers "unless they can take that and say, 'American means this when it comes to brand image and design,'" said Wes Brown, a partner at Iceology, a brand consulting firm in Los Angeles. "If they can do that, then maybe you've got something if you find that emotional connection with consumers," he said. "They need ultimately to decide who they want to be, and make sure the product line supports that."

Carmaker group backs House fuel-saving plan Toyota, Big 3 alliance call proposed 32 mpg for vehicles "rational" hike in gas economy rule Ken Thomas | Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews WASHINGTON -- A key auto industry group on Monday endorsed a House proposal to increase gas mileage standards for new passenger vehicles to at least 32 miles per gallon by 2022, calling it a more reasonable approach than a Senate plan approved last month. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG, said it would build support for the plan to require cars and trucks to get more on a gallon of gasoline. The group opposes a competing measure that would demand 35 mpg for new vehicles by 2018. "This is a rational increase in fuel economy and it's one that's going to help a cross-section of consumers but at the same time it's an achievable result," said Auto Alliance president Dave McCurdy. Reps. Baron Hill, D-Ind., and Lee Terry, R-Neb., last week proposed increasing the so-called CAFE standards to up to 35 mpg by 2022 -- or a minimum of 32 mpg. But their system would keep separate requirements for passenger cars and trucks while seeking more modest gains than a House alternative and the proposal passed by the Senate. The Senate approved legislation in June that would require the auto industry to meet a combined standard of 35 mpg by 2020. The auto industry has said it would severely harm manufacturers and force them to reduce the variety of large vehicles offered to consumers.

GM inaugurates new engine plant in southern China Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews SHANGHAI, China -- General Motors Corp. inaugurated a new engine plant at its minicar factory SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co. in southern China on Monday. The 2 billion yuan ($263 million) new engine plant, adjacent to the factory in Liuzhou, will have a capacity of 300,000 units a year and begin production of 1.1-liter and 1.2-liter engines in August, GM said in a statement. The new engine plant will facilitate new product development at the minicar factory, which now buys engines and related parts from outside suppliers, the company said. The engines will be used first in a new minivan model, the Wuling Hong Tu, a vehicle developed by GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center joint venture in Shanghai with SAIC. SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co. is a three-way commercial vehicle joint venture between GM, Shanghai-based partner SAIC Motor Corp., and Guangxi province-based Wuling Automobile Co. GM owns 34 percent of the venture, SAIC has 50.1 percent and the remainder is held by Wuling Automobile. In the first quarter, SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile's unit sales rose 27 percent from a year earlier to more than 160,000 vehicles, SAIC Motor reported. SAIC-GM-Wuling sold 460,155 vehicles in 2006, making it the biggest minivehicle producer in China.

Detroit plant wins Chrysler's new SUVs Jefferson assembly retooled for task BY TIM HIGGINS | Link to Original Article @ Detroit Free Press Early preparation has begun to retool Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant so the Detroit facility can be ready to launch the company's next generation of midsized SUVs as soon as late 2009, the Free Press has learned. The successors to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango will be assembled at the Jefferson North plant in Detroit, people familiar with the situation said. The current Grand Cherokee is already assembled at Jefferson North, along with the Jeep Commander, which industry analysts said they believe will be phased out by the summer of 2009, if not earlier. The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs are currently assembled at the Newark, Del., assembly plant that will be shuttered by 2009 as part of the automaker's Feb. 14 turnaround plan. Roger Benvenuti, a spokesman for Chrysler, declined to comment Friday. The Free Press reported in early February that Chrysler's Jefferson plant could benefit from a major reinvestment if the Delaware plant closed and Durango production was reassigned. Several analysts said it would be part of the Feb. 14 turnaround plan. But such a development was absent that day. Instead, the day's news was dominated by the indication that DaimlerChrysler AG would sell the Chrysler Group. Global Insight analyst Catherine Madden said she expects the new SUVs to launch in late 2009 at Jefferson North. "It's going to be a pretty massive overhaul," Madden said of the plant. "They're real projects from everything we can tell. ... It is our expectation that they will be built at Jefferson North." Such a project would mean a significant investment -- several hundreds of millions of dollars -- in the facility, Madden said, "which certainly gives the plant a stronger, brighter" future. "Just some basic tooling stuff can be a hundred million," she noted. By getting rid of the Commander, Chrysler would be freeing up space at Jefferson North for another vehicle. The Free Press reported earlier this year that the company had issued bidding information to suppliers for a new Dodge crossover vehicle that would be built at Jefferson North and was believed to be the replacement for the current Durango. Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc., said the next generation Durango and Grand Cherokee will share a platform that would probably be used for the replacement for the Chrysler Pacifica, which is assembled in Windsor. "It might not be called the Pacifica, but there will be some sort of Chrysler variant in there," Merkle added. "Whenever you have this change in the industry," he said, referring to Chrysler's turnaround plan, "there are always some plants that benefit from that, and then there are others that will lose." Jefferson North, built in 1991, began production of the Grand Cherokee in January 1992. The plant, which currently employs about 2,400 people, is located within one of Detroit's poorest neighborhoods. The Grand Cherokee is one of three supremely important vehicles in the Chrysler Group lineup, along with the minivans and the Dodge Ram. In 1999, during the heady days of the SUV business, the Chrysler facility underwent a $750-million expansion so the company could boost production of the Grand Cherokee. Times have changed, though, and Chrysler has been hard hit by high gasoline prices and consumers' interest in more fuel-efficient vehicles. Chrysler lost $680 million last year and about $2 billion in the first quarter of this year, a figure largely attributed to the cost of the turnaround plan. A key measure of the plan includes eliminating 13,000 jobs over three years and closing the Delaware plant. Beyond cutting costs, the company wants to re-create itself with more fuel-efficient engines and has announced plans to spend $3 billion on developing power trains that get better gas mileage. Next year, the company plans to sell Aspen and Durango SUVs with hybrid engines. All of those plans, however, were largely overshadowed by the indication that Chrysler would be sold. In May, it was announced that private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management would acquire 80.1% of Chrysler in a deal that is expected to be completed as early as next month. Even with that announcement, Chrysler has moved forward with planned investments, including $730 million to build an engine plant in Trenton and $700 million to build an axle plant in Marysville.

Despite slow sales, Crossfire will be back in 2008 By BRADFORD WERNLE | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek | Updated: 07/02/07, 8:49 am et DETROIT - The Chrysler Crossfire - once a dramatic symbol of the promised synergies in the DaimlerChrysler merger, a marriage of German technology and American style - has become a bargain bin sports car. That merger is ending with the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management, but the Crossfire will soldier on. The 2008 model goes into production this summer, adding a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes. In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring. A Chrysler spokeswoman said production of the Crossfire never ceased, but the company stopped taking orders for seven or eight months in North America to "balance" the inventory. U.S. sales fell to 8,216 last year, down from 14,665 in 2005. In the second quarter of 2007, Crossfire prices less customer cash averaged $27,526, down from $32,460 in the second quarter of 2005, according to Power Information Network data. The base price for the Crossfire coupe when it debuted as a 2004 model was $34,495, including shipping. Despite the plunge in sales and transaction prices, Chrysler says it's happy with the Crossfire's performance. "We've been outselling the Audi TT," said Chrysler Crossfire engineer Allan Mecca "In our mind, it's meeting expectations."

Driven to Diesels Automakers scramble to offer diesels in light-duty trucks By RICHARD TRUETT | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek | Updated: 07/02/07, 8:39 am et LIGHT-DUTY DIESELS IN THE PIPELINE Ford: 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 for F-150 and possibly Expedition in 2009 Dodge: 4.2-liter turbocharged V-6 for Ram 1500 in 2010 GM: 4.5-liter turbocharged V-8 for Silverado/Sierra pickups and Hummer H2 in 2010 Nissan: Iffy. May use V-6 or V-8 diesel in Titan pickup from International Truck and Engine Corp. around 2010. Toyota: Iffy. Working with Isuzu to develop diesels. Diesel for Tundra might come from truck affiliate Hino in 2010, at the earliest. DETROIT -- The Detroit 3 are racing to install fuel-saving diesel engines in their U.S. light trucks. Nissan and Toyota may be in the race, too. Diesels are common in domestic brands' heavy-duty pickups. But fuel economy concerns and competitive pressures are prompting automakers to put them in light-duty trucks as well. In 2009, Ford Motor Co. likely will be first to market when it puts a diesel in the F-150 pickup. Last month General Motors became the last of the Detroit 3 to commit to using a diesel in its U.S. light trucks. News reports indicate that Nissan plans a diesel for its Titan pickup. Toyota officials have said they are exploring a diesel for the Tundra pickup. Diesel engines, which boost fuel economy by 25 to 30 percent, can't get here soon enough for dealers who sell trucks. Diesels also attract customers because they can tow heavier loads and have higher resale value. "That's what people have been waiting for," says Shaun Laird, new-truck sales manager at Hummer of Orlando in Altamonte Springs, Fla. "They'll want the diesel engine for both the added towing capability and the fuel economy." Better MPG For example, a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup with a diesel should improve its fuel economy from 15 mpg city/19 highway to 19.5 city and nearly 25 mpg highway. A diesel-powered Hummer H2 could get around 16 mpg or higher in highway driving. GM estimates the gasoline-powered version gets 13 to 14 mpg in a combination of city and highway driving. GM plans to add a 4.5-liter turbocharged V-8 diesel engine to the H2 and light-duty versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The new engine will be a Duramax, but it will not share any parts with the current 6.6-liter Duramax that GM developed with Isuzu. GM says the new turbodiesel will produce at least 310 hp and 520 pounds-feet of torque and will be made in its Tonawanda, N.Y., plant, which is getting a $100 million makeover. The engine will fit in the same space as the current gasoline small-block V-8. And, GM says, it could be used in other vehicles. Nissan, Toyota diesels? Nissan also appears to be gearing up for a diesel in its Titan. Japan's Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun newspaper recently reported that Nissan will use a diesel engine made by Ford's longtime diesel supplier, International Truck and Engine Corp. International and Nissan officials would not confirm the report. Nissan spokesman Fred Standish says the company is considering a diesel engine for the Titan. "If we determine there is a good business case for it, just like any other vehicle, we'll do it," he said. "It's pretty simple." International's relations with Ford have been strained by a lawsuit and wrangling over price, quality and warranty issues. International is eager to do business with another automaker. Spokesman Roy Wiley says International has two diesel engines ready to supply and is talking with other automakers. But he would not confirm a deal with Nissan. "We have a V-6 that we have developed and a V-8, too," Wiley says. "It depends on where they want to put it, but we could get that in a vehicle in less than two years." Toyota officials have said they want to make a diesel optional in the new full-sized Tundra pickup. Toyota has not said when a diesel would be available or who would build it, but the company is collaborating with Isuzu on diesels. Toyota also could use a diesel from its truckmaking affiliate, Hino Motors Ltd. Pedal to the metal at Ford Ford plans to launch a light-duty diesel in the F-150 and possibly the Expedition SUV in 2009. The 4.4-liter engine is a larger version of the 3.6-liter turbocharged V-8 used in European market Land Rover Range Rovers. International's lawsuit against Ford says Ford plans to build the engine in Mexico, but Ford officials aren't talking. Ford officials also won't say who might buy a light-duty diesel truck or whether putting the diesel in an F-150 could cannibalize sales of the bigger, more expensive F-250. But they do make it clear they want to be first. "Our 30 years of truck leadership is founded on having the most capable and innovative trucks out there," says Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood. "It's important to continue to be the leader by delivering on those principles." Earlier this year, the Chrysler group confirmed that it will use at least one new engine from its diesel supplier, Cummins Inc., in the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. The engine is a 4.2-liter V-6 that Cummins developed with the U.S. Department of Energy. Early test versions cranked out 190 hp and an estimated 570 pounds-feet of torque. Cummins is developing a V-8 based on the same architecture. Diesels = profit All Detroit 3 automakers offer diesels in their heavy-duty trucks. The engines are popular and profitable. About 40 percent of the 796,000 Ford F-series trucks sold in the United States last year were diesel-powered. Diesels are optional in Ford's F-250 and larger trucks. Sales of GM's heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra diesels are capped at about 200,000 units annually because of production constraints at the Moraine, Ohio, plant. Dodge sold about 150,000 heavy-duty Ram pickups in 2006 with Cummins-built diesel engines. A diesel costs a consumer an average of $6,660 more than a comparable gasoline engine. But after 4½ years of ownership, a diesel truck is worth $4,700 more than a gasoline-powered truck, according to a study by the Martec Group, a marketing and consulting firm. Also after 4½ years, the diesel owner has spent about $4,200 less on fuel than the gasoline engine owner, Martec says. Last week the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel was $2.91, 7 cents less than for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. Diesel truck sales generate at least $1 billion in additional profits to the Detroit 3, Martec says. Kevin McMahon, managing partner of the Martec Group's Detroit office, says automakers likely will charge between $4,000 and $6,000 for diesels in their light-duty trucks over the base engine. And they will make money, he predicts. Consumers, he said, will choose the diesel because it boosts resale value and offers greater fuel efficiency. Says McMahon: "The (light-truck) customer today is losing ground on fuel efficiency because of the gasoline engine."

Here's another...

Yellowjacket, your concept is so cool I stole it! Not quite as good, but...

They mentioned it bests the Boxter in an ad I saw in Motor Trend and how the Torrent GXP beasts the V6 Cayenne. That ought to raise some eyebrows!

I believe at one point, parking lamps were once known as city lights because they were to be used in congested nighttime city traffic to provide 'softer' intensity position identification rather than strong outright illumination. Now, I believe they're required to provide some sort of auxillary lighting in case of a burned-out headlamp. That's the case in terms of the front amber lamps; the other lamps on the side and on the rear are position lamps that allow you to see a car from the side. Parking lamps are usually used here in the states to provide position illumination and some forward lighting in areas where having low-beams isn't necessary, like pulling into your driveway at night or while idling in line behind someone in a drive-thru. I usually dip off my low-beams when I do those things. When your parking lamps are on, all normal instrument lighting remains on, so police and taxis around here typically sit idle with only parking lamps for that reason. Here in the US at least, parking lamps are required to be on when main low-beam headlamps are on. Most cars with daytime-running lamps (I think they called them town beams in England) usually use regular headlamps at lower intensity, but some - like the U-body vans, Regal/Century, Intrigue, and Grand Prix - use amber parking lamps at their normal intensity since they're dimmer than regular headlamps, plus the amber is more distinct.

The foreigner wins! Yup, the brand-new hallowed-in-some-circles performance sports car 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX comes with a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. Who's behind the times now?

In sheer terms of intrigue, this is the least intriguing of all the muscle car revivals simply because we know what its going to look like. If that's what everyone else is saying, I must agree 100%.

Hint #4 - It had a four-speed ten years ago and still does.

Hint #1 - Its well-respected in its circles Hint #2 - Its a 2008 model Hint #3 - Its not a domestic.