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June
1
2009
3:22 pm
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Author:
Will

A Ten-Point Plan to Fix General Motors

By now, it is common knowledge that the Big Three is now the Big Two. Chrysler, ever the more anemic of the three beasts, has filed for bankruptcy, and only two are left. Ford seems to be doing okay, in fact, they sold more cars in April than Toyota did. So now it’s GM that’s close to hearing that death knell. But fear not, for here is my ten-point plan to pin the medals back on the mighty General.

Mind you, this isn’t a plan designed to save GM from a very likely bankruptcy, as that would take an angel from car heaven to flip a switch in everyone’s head so that they suddenly buy American. Rather, this is a plan designed to fix GM, and to ensure that the General’s current predicament will never happen again after GM bounces back. Also keep in mind that this is a plan only for GM North America (for I propose cutting Buick, which would alarm the reader living in, say, China).

UPDATE: Well, looks like this is strictly a plan to fix GM after recovering, as the (once) powerful General went into bankruptcy today. Strange and scary times we are living in

1) Keep Pontiac

Pontiac G8 GXP

I’m still reeling over GM’s decision to axe Pontiac. Next to Chevrolet, this is the brand that has the highest potential to make money! After all, look at all the effort GM has put into this brand. They’ve spent all that money developing the Solstice GXP Coupe, the Pontiac G8 and variants, and now they are going to just kill the whole thing off? That doesn’t make sense. What’s more, the decision to return to the four “core brands” of GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac does not make sense either. Chevrolet and Cadillac should be kept, of course, but GMC and Buick? Neither are making GM enough money to justify their continued existence, and neither fulfill a market that the other two (Chevy and Cadillac) can’t. Continue Reading…

March
26
2009
12:18 pm
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Author:
Tony Borroz

Lamborghini Estoque Gets The Ax

estoque.jpg

Lamborghini has just announced they’ve decided to call it quits on their much-ballyhooed Estoque high performance sedan. It was to be Lambo’s answer to Porsche’s Panamera as well as Maserati’s Quattroporte, or was it all just vaporware?

Continue Reading…

March
25
2009
10:43 am
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Author:
Tony Borroz

Mercedes F-CELL Roadster - Trainees Build A Car Of The Future

FCell side.jpg

This, is Mercedes’ F-CELL roadster. Essentially it’s a styling study/what if/concept deal dreamed up by some students/young acolytes working for the German firm about what the future of automobility should look like.

If this is Mercedes’ idea of the future, I want to know what they’ve been smoking.

Continue Reading…

March
11
2009
5:11 pm
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Author:
Chris Burdick

Lamborghini Insecta Concept

Lamborghini Insecta Concept
Lamborghini Insecta Concept

Ah yes, another fantastic Lamborghini Concept design. This time it’s from Romanian industrial designer Iulian Bumbu. Interestingly, the style inspiration came from the exoskeletons of insects, without straying too far from Lamborghini’s new design style. Structurally, the Insecta Concept (theoretically) is made from carbon fiber, is a typical Lambo 2-seater, and is powered by the same powertrain found in the Lamborghini Gallardo.

“The idea was to create an extreme race-oriented supercar with a style that introduces softer and more organic lines and integrate them into the geometrical style of Lamborghini.” said Bumbu. If you ask me, it looks great, but shares more than a few lines with the custom-built Ferrari P4/5. Also, if Lambo keeps going in the (horrible) direction of the Estoque Concept, don’t expect to see this in your local showroom any time soon. Continue Reading…

February
20
2009
11:58 am
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Author:
Tony Borroz

RennTECH G-Wagen Concept

RennTECH_G_wagen_CDI.jpg

Since we mentioned the 30th anniversary of Mercedes Benz’ Geländewagen the other day we figured we’d close out the week by mentioning this upcoming concept built on the same platform by the raving lunatics at RennTECH, er, sorry, we mean calm and rational thinkers at RennTECH, and their new G Wagen Concept.

Why does this idea seem like something proposed from a borderline psychotic? Well for starters, it’s putting 376 lb.-ft. of torque to the pavement, for one thing.

Continue Reading…

February
19
2009
9:58 pm
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Author:
Chris Burdick

Rinspeed iChange Concept - A Shapeshifting Electric Car

Rinspeed iChange

Swiss tuning shop Rinspeed unveiled their latest crazy concept car. Called the iChange, it’s exactly as the name implies. The idea here is that the body changes depending on how many passengers are occupying the inside.

When only the driver is present, the car slips into a compact and streamlined shape reminiscent of a sports car. When more space is needed, the teardrop shaped rear end pops up to seat three. Obviously a proof of concept and of questionable usefulness, the iChange won’t ever be made, but Rinspeed says is a “signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility.” Whatever that means. But that’s not the only concept idea thrown in the iChange… Continue Reading…

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