All Entries in the "Auto News" Category
Mahindra Markets Value-Priced Diesel Power
A company known as Mahindra will begin selling small diesel trucks in the U.S. market in the next few months (PickupTrucks.com reports February 2010). The very first models have yet to be named, but Mahindra has released some data and some photos that give us enough information to start forming an opinion.
Mahindra's new two-door value-priced diesel truck.
First, here’s what we know:
A Real Flying Car – Terrafugia Transition
Back in the 1940’s and 50’s a number of futurists declared that flying cars were “just around the corner,” and that they would revolutionize the world of personal travel. That never quite happened, but almost 60 years later it is now possible to own a very similar contraption that promises to extend the utility of the personal airplane in a brand new direction.
Terrafugia Transition's Flying Car
The Terrafugia Transition is less a flying car and more an airplane that can be safely driven on public roads. In terms of appearance, the James Bond-style transporter is either an odd-looking airplane or a completely off-the-wall automobile…depending upon how you look at it. But one thing is certain: it succeeds both in the sky and on the ground in providing its pilot with excellent flying and driving characteristics.
How To Kill A Perfectly Good Engine for $5.68
We’ve already talked about the buying a Toyota Tundra under the Clash for Clunkers “CARS” program, but here’s a quick recap.
The government offers $3500 to $4500 to trade-in a vehicle that gets less than 18mpg provided that:
- You’re buying a car that gets better than 22mpg.
- You’re buying a truck that gets better than 18mpg or one that gets at least 2mpg better than the vehicle you’re trading or
- You’re buying a work truck.
The specifics are sort of complicated, so you should visit the official Cars.gov website to figure it all out.
One of the requirements of this bill is that the vehicle you trade-in is scrapped. Unfortunately, scrapped doesn’t begin to describe the torture that your clunker’s engine is put through. The description of the scrapping process isn’t for auto fans with a weak stomach…here’s how it works
Toyota Closes NUMMI – Get Ready For A Backlash
It’s official – Toyota is going to close NUMMI. Toyota has a list of good reasons for closing the plant – it’s unprofitable, it’s in a bad location, building cars in California is only going to get harder with environmental regulations and increasing taxes, etc. A couple of weeks ago we came up with a list of reasons Toyota wouldn’t close NUMMI (we were wrong).
NUMMI closes 25 years after GM's Roger Smith and Eiji Toyoda created their joint venture.
First and foremost on our list was the PR nightmare that comes with closing a plant. While “nightmare” might be a little over the top, there’s no denying this decision will negatively impact Toyota’s image. Here’s why:
Toyota Working To Cut Costs, Establish A Hybrid Standard
Since the very first Toyota Prius went on sale in the USA back in 2001, Toyota has been working carefully to establish their hybrid synergy drive as the de facto hybrid standard. Ford and Nissan licensed certain aspects of Toyota’s hybrid systems in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and just last week it was reported that Mazda will begin licensing Toyota’s hybrid technology in the near future.
Toyota works to create a hybrid design standard and cut costs.
It’s also been rumored that Toyota has discussed hybrid technology licensing deals with Subaru and GM. Generally, these moves are viewed with skepticism. On one side, some Toyota fans object to sharing technology. On the other side, jealous auto manufacturers (and their fans) view Toyota’s offer to share as arrogant greed. However, the real reason that Toyota is looking to license their hybrid technology is to cut costs by creating a standard.
