Starting Lines: Toyota and Tesla Join Forces
The ever-increasing list of recalls just keeps on coming from Toyota in an unprecedented degree of of bad press. However, a surprise announcement that the Japanese company will be joining forces with electric sports car builder, Tesla, created a short breath of good news. The two companies announced that they intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. The two also intend to form a team of specialists to further those efforts. TMC has agreed to purchase $50 million of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s currently planned initial public offering. We’ll have to wait and see if any actual new vehicles will come from the partnership. Tesla is in desperate need of financial gains, while Toyota has not offered a proper sports car in well over a decade.
Ford Maximizing Sync Experience
On the topic of companies helping companies, Ford has also announced a joint venture with the Future Shop and Best Buy electronic giants. Through the initiative, both Best Buy Mobile and Future Shop Cellshop associates will help consumers get the most out of their Ford SYNC in-car communications system. Both companies’ associates will provide consumers with the advice needed to maximize the SYNC experience, from helping consumers pick the right mobile phone, to pairing it with their Ford vehicle and everything in between. Ford has also taken the SYNC technology one step further with the addition of 911 Assist. Now, in the event of a collision that causes the airbags to deploy, SYNC puts the occupant directly in touch with a 911 operator – all hands-free.
Black Book goes Online
Canadian Black Book, the recognized institution for vehicle values for almost 50 years, announced today it has launched a web site for consumers that includes access to its popular “Trade-in Value” estimator along with some new tools and advice. Car buyers and tire kickers can now visit www.canadianblackbook.com to learn the trade-in value, average retail asking price and future value of virtually every car and truck manufactured since 1997. “It’s an all new web site designed to bring qualified consumers together with dealers,” says Kathy Ward, President and CEO of the Canadian Black Book. The data drawn from a variety of real-time transactional sources provides the public with the most accurate values available. The web site will also serve up classified ads for cars and trucks from dealer inventory, plus feature articles and automotive reviews by its own industry analysts and guest experts.
F-Type Rumours Surface Yet Again
At one time, Jaguar held the world’s attention thanks to the most beautifully designed and technologically advanced sports and racing cars. In the last few years under the Tata umbrella, Jaguar has reinvented itself, now garnering attention for smartly designed luxury sedans. With the added infusion of funds and the full line sporting fresh designs, it seems as though the old F-Type rumours are popping up once again. Auto Express is reporting that Jaguar Land Rover boss, Carl-Peter Forster, has confirmed that a few new models are in the pipeline, including the F-Type sports car, which we saw in concept form back in 2000. With supercars being released from Mercedes, McLaren, Lexus and presumably soon by BMW, it only makes sense the Jaguar gets a bit of the action. It’s been a long time since the XJ220 changed the way people thought about Jaguar… hint hint.
Musk Says He’s Broke
We talked a bit earlier about the electric sports car builder, Tesla. Well, the company’s controversial head is also making some press for himself these days. With his money firmly invested in the future of alternatively-powered vehicles and clean energy, the slow progression of these industries to become mainstream in North America has taken a financial toll, with Tesla and SpaceX not making enough to be self sufficient. To make things worse, apparently Musk isn’t personally self-sustaining either, claiming that he spends $200,000 per month in expenses from his $8,255 monthly income. Information released during court proceedings sees ex-wife Justine trying to milk as many resources as possible out of the embattled entrepreneur. At any rate, Musk claims that he has had to start taking personal loans from friends to make ends meet.
Murray’s T.25 to Come in Electric Flavour
Famed McLaren F1 supercar designer, Gordon Murray, has long been considered one of the most innovative engineers and designers of the automotive world. Separating himself from the McLaren stable, his latest project takes on a much different face, that of a high-production urban super-mini. However, Mr. Murray didn’t seem to foresee the onslaught of electric-powered vehicles. As a result, Murray has now created a second version of the T.25, the T.27. While the T.25 gets its propulsion from a small-displacement internal combustion engine, the T.27 will feature the latest in battery-powered electric drive technologies. Along with UK-based engineering consultancy, Zytek Automotive and a tidy £4.5m investment from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board, the new car looks to have a bright future. At least in the UK. The little T.27 will feature a 12 KwH battery pack mounted under the three-seater’s interior layout. Zytek has packaged the motor, single-speed gearbox and electronics all in one small unit that will sit between the rear-driven wheels. Murray claims the car is capable of up to 160 km of driving per charge.
Turkey Building Largest Dealership Ever!
Autopia Europia is destined to become the largest automotive dealership the world has ever seen. Ground has just been broken in Istanbul, Turkey for this ambitious project that will see a massive complex take up an entire city block. The complex will be more than two million square feet, and each of the five floors will be almost 20 feet high, with 200 auto sales outlets pushing new and used cars, with the addition of 56 eateries, 48 repair shops, 24 banks and 42 insurance companies. Even more impressive is the 900-car parking garage that will be needed to handle the expected six million annual visitors to the complex. And if thats not enough, the place even comes with its own test track located on the roof of the building. Who knew Turkey was such a car nation?
Flavio in More Trouble
Fashion mogul turned Renault F1 team principal, Flavio Briatore, is in trouble once again. After being banned from F1 for life by the FIA for ordering his driver, Nelson Piquet Jr., to intentionally crash to allow his teammate to win the Singapore GP back in 2008, Briatore has now enraged the Italian government. Under suspicion of tax evasion, the Italian government impounded Briatore’s $22-million yacht, Force Blue, while his wife and son were aboard. If customs authorities can prove guilt, Briatore could be on the hook for a fine of $5 million. He joins the list of luminaries such as Bank of America and Juventus soccer club dignitaries as well as dictator Kim Jong-Il all charged by a special task-force set up to investigate tax evasion.
Mazda3 Unseats Civic
One of the biggest differences between Canadians and Americans is our love for small cars. As a result the Honda Civic has enjoyed a long rule at the top when it comes to car sales. While the motoring press has been kind to the 3, the proof ultimately comes with how the general public embraces the car. Well, the Mazda3 has just unseated the Civic as Canada’s best selling car. However, its hold on sales is slim to say the least, only out-selling the Civic by 21 units in April. It seems as though we have a new rivalry in town, as Honda and Mazda battle it out for the hearts and minds of Canadians. The top five sellers are rounded out by the Civic’s old foe, the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Accent.
McLaren MP4-12C Available to Canadians
They say that a McLaren F1 supercar once roamed the streets of Vancouver. Whether it be truth, myth or rumour, there are those who say they’ve seen such a car with their own eyes. While the ghost of one the world’s greatest automotive creations may or may not reside here in Canada, the fact is that we Canucks, or at least the filthy rich few of us, will have a shot at owning McLaren’s follow-up to the F1, the MP4-12C. In an announcement made by the Woking-based car builder, McLaren has decided which of the 500 applicants will receive dealerships for the supercar. On the list top heavy with Middle Eastern representation, the centre of the universe managed to procure itself an outlet. Yes, Toronto is on a list that includes London, NY, LA, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Monaco, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sydney, and 23 other outlets world wide.
Atlantic Nationals Extravaganza
Back in 1985, a group of dedicated car enthusiasts met and formed the Greater Moncton Street Rods. They hosted a series of small local car shows known as the Fun Run. The size and scope of these annual events grew until 1994 when the Club hosted the Canadian Street Rod Nationals. That event was wildly successful and drew nearly 1,000 vehicles from as far away as Ontario. With the proceeds of that Show, the Greater Moncton Street Rods started the planning stages of a fully accessible play park in Centennial Park, Moncton. The success of that event became a beacon as many more people came to the annual Fun Run Shows, which grew to a 400-car event each summer.
From their modest Fun Run beginnings, the Atlantic Nationals has grown to attract in excess of 1,800 vehicles from all ten Canadian Provinces as well as 22 US States. The event has been truly blessed with significant sponsorship from a wide cross section of companies, which has enabled us to offer one of the most extensive and diverse prize programs of any show in North America. In 2010, the major prize category will include a new 1967 Camaro-bodied car from Golden Leaf Automotive (Dynacorn) as well as a new 1932 Roadster from Rod Action. Both of these vehicles are presented by Mothers Polishes, Waxes and Cleaners, Canadian Tire and Gary Sleeves Insurance with parts from Fat Man Fabrications, General Motors Performance Parts, Shepps Transmissions, Riverview Tire/Firestone-Bridgestone, ididit, Dakota Digital, Audio Crew/Clarion, Cherry Bomb, Kwik Wire, Standard Glass and many more! In addition, there are many prizes ranging from a new GM Performance Parts engine to a $500.00 gift certificate from Action Truck Caps and Accessories. Celebrities scheduled to appear are Stacy David, car builder and host of the popular TV Show Gearz, Courtney Hansen and Gene Winfield.
The Atlantic Nationals, a truly unique automotive festival. It’s held each year on the second full weekend of July and as the organizers say… See you… At Nats!!
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