may be in the process of as a step toward securing a captive in-house financing operation, but the company says it will continue to nurture its relationship with Ally. As you may recall, Ally () has financed dealer floor plans for years, and GM says that it will continue to rely on its former financing arm for that very reason. While AmeriCredit has been able to weather the rise and fall of consumer confidence with nary a scratch, the company doesn’t boast same level of assets as other lenders. Note also that AmeriCredit has next to no experience financing dealer floor plans, and it’s easy to see the holes in GM’s financing strategy.
Ally seems happy to fill in those bald spots. According to Automotive News, the company provided financing for around a third of all GM vehicles sold at retail during in the first quarter of 2010 and 90 percent of The General’s vehicles in inventory. That leaves AmeriCredit to take care of subprime borrowers and leasing duties. Consider the two the dynamic duo of GM financing.
Moto Guzzi V12 X Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Late last year, showed off a trio of concept bikes to point the way forward for the famed Italian marque as it struggles to shed its somewhat stodgy image and attract new buyers. Judging from the effort, which was led by Miguel Galluzzi (he of and fame) and Pierre Terblanche (who designed the famed Supermono, 999, Multistrada 620 and 1000 and ), we think they’re on to something big.
The boys from Hell For Leather recently got the chance to sit down with the designing duo and scored both and the first studio shots taken of both the V12 Le Mans and V12 X. We’re big fans of both these concepts, though we’d perhaps steal bits of each one and combine them to make the ideal Guzzi. For instance, we prefer the no-nonsense supermoto style and general ethos of the X but think the single-sided swingarm with integral shock and linkage is pretty darn awesome. As is the flyscreen/LED light combo on the Strada.
Take a look at both bikes in our high-res image gallery below, and check out HFL for more details on the , and .
We may have one less excuse not to visit the in-laws this . According to the National Motorists Association and , driving on the holidays may actually be safer than jumping behind the wheel on a normal day. The insurance agency recently took a look at the number of claims it received on seven separate major U.S. holidays – the Fourth of July, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Easter, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas – and found that on average, those days had 2,350 fewer accidents than non-holidays.
The NMA says that for the majority of the year the average number of claims comes in around 7,435, while the holiday with the most claims – the Fourth of July – netted just 6,031. The figures are without a doubt interesting, but we would be just as interested to see the insurance agency’s numbers on the days leading up to and trailing away from major holidays. The majority of people who head away from home typically hit the road just before the actual day of celebration, so we’re guessing the number of claims for, say, the Wednesday before might be higher than the national average.
Fisker dealer Mike Sullivan discusses the sales timeline – Click above to watch video
When Fisker , the company gave a production target date for its long-awaited Karma of February of 2011. That release date has been delayed more than once, so held a second coming-out party at its Santa Monica dealership to stoke the fires, during which dealer principal Mike Sullivan began to color in some details of the run-up to February.
Sullivan said that at the LA Auto Show this November the upstart automaker will have full-sized Karma mockups on the floor to show off color and interior combinations. Immediately after the show, prospective customers can go to the dealer and take the new plug-in sedan on test drives, and with production beginning in Q1 of 2011, the deliveries would begin in March and April. Get all the details in the video .
OnStar mobile applications – Click above for high-res image gallery
Early this year, ‘ OnStar telematics unit it had developed for the that allows drivers to remotely manage the charging, locking and unlocking of their vehicle and pre-warm or cool it while plugged in. OnStar is now extending that basic concept to nearly the entire General Motors lineup for 2011.
One of the key hardware differences between OnStar and Sync technology is that GM integrates cellular radios into the car while Ford relies on the driver’s existing phone connected via Bluetooth or a cable. This allows Ford to offer services like turn-by-turn directions without charging a subscription fee. OnStar has long struggled to find a way to convince customers to continue paying the subscription after the initial complimentary period expires.
The integrated cellular radio allows OnStar to offer services like remote starting, car location and lock/unlock from anywhere that can’t be done with Sync or just a short-range key fob. The applications will also provide access to vehicle data like tire pressures and oil levels, and allow owners to call an OnStar adviser or schedule service appointments with a dealer. The applications will be available for Androids and iPhones. You can check out a video .
Gallery:
[Source: General Motors]
control to most 2011 General Motors vehicles [w/Video]
has just announced its intent to acquire AmeriCredit Corp. According to the automaker, the move should give dealers an added finance option when it comes to putting car shoppers into a new vehicle. Since GM and parted ways back in 2006, buyers looking to purchase a car or truck from The General have faced tougher financing terms than in the past. Supposedly, the new deal with AmeriCredit will provide new opportunities for sub-prime borrowers. The total cost of the deal? A cool $3.5 billion in straight cash.
GM says that putting AmeriCredit under its wing is the next logical step in moving toward an , and most analysts seem to agree. The carmaker had been criticized for not having an in-house financing arm in the past, but the new move should afford the company and its dealership network an added level of financing flexibility. It should also allow GM to return to leasing in a big way. The two companies have been working together extensively in recent months, and GM says that over 4,000 of its dealerships already have relationships with the lender.
The purchase has already been approved by the boards of both GM and AmeriCredit, and pending approval from the lender’s stockholders, The General will purchase the finance company for $24.50 per share. As of writing, the company’s stock is – up $4.36 on news of the purchase. for the GM press release. Thanks for the tips, Jeff and Sea Urchin!
Queen Elizabeth II’s 1984 Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon – Click above for high-res image gallery
The list of accolades and honorifics attributed to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II goes on for miles. Not only is she the Queen of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom – the longest-serving monarch in their respective histories, at that – but she’s also the reigning queen of an additional 15 sovereign nations and the head of state for 54 members of the commonwealth. She’s head of the Church of England, titular commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces, Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy and, for some strange reason, Admiral of Nebraska. (Seriously. Look it up.) Her Majesty is also a keen driver, having driven ambulances during the Second World War, known to change tires on her own (how many monarchs can say that?) and is still seen driving herself around on occasion. And for several years, this was her car.
This Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon (the upscale version of the Jaguar XJ12) was built by for Her Majesty’s use in 1984. Before its delivery to Buckingham Palace, it underwent over 2,000 miles of testing to iron out any kinks, after which it became the Queen’s personal vehicle, transporting her an enumerable dignitaries – princes, princesses and prime ministers – to various events and in between palaces and estates across the kingdom. Elizabeth II was known to drive it herself much of the time, blissfully as she is to any traffic offenses.
The specially built luxury saloon was equipped with a long list of special features, from special communications systems and flashing lights to a rear bench requested by the Queen to accommodate her pet dogs. During its service and ever since, it’s been maintained exclusively by Jaguar and the royally-appointed garage, Guy Salmons in Royal Ascot Berkshire, undergoing regular VIP maintenance to keep it in as-new condition. Following its retirement from active service, it was returned to the Jaguar Heritage Museum Browns Lane where it has remained since.
Jaguar is now putting it up for auction at the hands of RM Auctions during Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey, California. It’s the first time a royal limousine has been offered for sale publicly in the United States, and, as Jaguar says it will never offer another again, very well may be the last. At least, until sells off any of those . for full details in the press release, and check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.
Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve been hearing about the supposed introduction of the to American shores for so long that the car may grow stale before the first one touches soil on our side of the Atlantic. and its parent company, , seem to have grown keen to that very possibility, so to stir the pot somewhat, the two have gotten together and released a few scant details about a performance version that’s also headed our direction.
As we’ve already heard, the will pack around 134 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 0-60 run of around 7.6 seconds. If you’re thinking that those numbers aren’t exactly devilish, fear not – the Abarth-tuned cars will also pack reworked suspensions to help them carve up tarmac like a turkey dinner.
That’s cool and all, but the biggest news is that Fiat is actually mulling an Abarth Speedster – a unique new model that is rumored to borrow heavily from the . Expect a shorter roofline as well as a folding soft top if the car comes to fruition. No one knows exactly which engine Fiat would snug down into the little topless wonder, but rumor has it that a 163-horsepower version of the same 1.4-liter four-pot is a definite possibility. Sounds good to us.
It’s Monday afternoon and you know what that means. It’s time to submit your questions for this week’s podcast. We’ve got a list of topics to discuss below, starting with a supercar question to get our resident curmudgeon warmed up. Got a question for our intrepid team of podcasters? Now’s the time to ask away. Don’t forget to vote on which questions deserve our attention the most, though we’ll try to get to as many as we can. Discussion topics for Autoblog Podcast #187, which we’ll record tonight, can be found below. Finally, subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already to hear your question answered.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #187
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Toyota has officially spoken out against allegations that it planted a story in TheWall Street Journal that attributed the majority of the company’s unintended acceleration woes to driver error rather than entrapped floor mats or faulty software. The Japanese company’s American arm emailed a statement to Just-Auto saying that no one within Toyota has any access to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s research, and that no one in the government agency had reported any findings to the automaker.
As you may recall, cited “people familiar with” the NHTSA’s research on the Toyota unintended acceleration problem. It wasn’t long before fingers began pointing back at Toyota for the story with the WSJ. Just-Auto originally cited a spokesperson with the NHTSA who said that the information that the publication used came from Toyota.
In its defense, Toyota has said that any reports that claim that the company planted a news story are absolutely false. In its independent research, Toyota has found a number of causes of unintended acceleration, one of which happens to be “pedal misapplication.” For those of us that don’t speak corporate, that would be driver error. Whether that means that someone at the The Wall Street Journal managed to get their sources crossed or whether the NHTSA is simply trying to cover its bases after leaking otherwise confidential information remains to be seen.
2011Subaru Impreza WRX STI – Click above for high-res image gallery
By most accounts, something went awry while was baking the last generation STI. Maybe someone slipped in an extra cup of civility or forgot to add enough dashes of hardcore, but what was once little more than a thinly-disguised rally stage escapee had come out of the oven a little weaker than its predecessor. Subaru itself diplomatically admits that the priorities for the last generation were somewhat different from the 2011 model. The company stripped the line down to just the five-door hatchback in 2008, stressing functionality over style, and the whole recipe simply felt less focused than what we had come to expect from Japan’s all-wheel drive hero.
But that was then, and this is now. The company assures us that for 2011, we can expect a return to the fundamentals that helped establish the STI as a force to be reckoned with. Though the drivetrain remains unchanged, a slew of suspension adjustments and a lower stance have given the STI the ability to hoover up tarmac and gravel stages indiscriminately once again. It isn’t a completely new generation – more like a much needed do-over – but the changes are enough to make the 2011 model instantly recognizable from behind the wheel.
If that’s not enough to convince you, allow us to direct your attention to the rear of the resurrected four-door body style, dominated once again by the kind of spoiler that could double as a civil engineering exercise. Yeah, baby. The STI is back, and on more than just a wing and a prayer.
Gallery:
Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
1956 Avia 750 Mk III – Click above for high-res image gallery
Bidding is over and this gem is gone, but it’s a worthy look at history nonetheless. Czech company Avia, now a truck builder known as Ashok Leyland, built two-stroke, two-cylinder cars in the fifties that were converted to racers. Czech driver Miroslav Jurca got hold of one in 1956 and turned it into this: the 750 Mk III. The aluminum and magnesium alloy skin sits over a steel tube chassis, within which lurks a 750cc, four-stroke BMW engine.
A surprising amount of tech also lives under that revised bodywork, including a fully-independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms, coil springs, telescopic hydraulic shocks and torsion bars; an independent rear suspension with coil springs and hydraulic-telescopic shocks; a transaxle gearbox and lightweight alloy-magnesium rack and pinion steering. You can have a detailed look at this interesting car it in the photo gallery below.
During World War II, the Jeep was one of the key pieces of hardware that helped win the war for the Allies. By the time Vietnam rolled along, lousy roads and inhospitable terrain meant the helicopter had cemented itself as the troop transport of choice. But while both the Jeep and the helicopter are far more advanced than they were decades ago, the basic ideas are the same, and according to Popular Mechanics that could change – or more to the point, merge – soon.
The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is asking for proposals for a flying Humvee that it calls, predictably, “The Transformer.” The new transporter would be used to avoid roadside bombs and fly over insurgents, giving U.S. soldiers the upper-hand in battles that are traditionally won and lost by bunkers, bullets and bombs alone.
DARPA has a few ‘must haves’ for any flying fortress. Among them is the capability of vertical takeoff, a combined 250 mile travel distance between driving and flying, along with seating for four. One military contractor, Textron, thinks it has the answer to DARPA’s latest challenge, and it involves hardware that is anything but future-tech.
The proposed military transport has wings, helicopter-like rotors and a powerful ducted fan for forward motion. While stationed on the ground, the multitasking war machine acts like a standard troop transporter, except the wings and blades, which are affixed to the roof above the rear seat, neatly tucked away. When it’s time to hit the unfriendly skies the aerodynamic bits switch to Ready mode and the weighted rotors lift the vehicle. Once airborne, the rotors slow and the wings take over, providing lift while the fan provides directional boost. Textron is working with Carter Aviation Technologies, which currently produces commercial air vehicles, to build the vehicle.
Head over to for more information on the flying fighter-truck of tomorrow.
Ducati Power Cruiser sketch – Click above to enlarge
Close your eyes and think of a motorcycle. Got it? Good. What’s in your head? We’d guess something fast, beautiful and… red. That about right? Despite having roots firmly in the sportbike minefield, clearly the Italian motorcycle maker has its sights set on expanding its market share by entering into new and previously untapped markets. Evidence? We’ll call the Multistrada Exhibit A.
And this sketch is about as strong an Exhibit B as you’ll ever lay your eyes upon. Sometimes dubbed the Mega Monster by the motoring press, this sketch gives us an indication of what Ducati has up its corporate sleeves for the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
As you can see, a liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin engine with the 11-degree valve overlap angle, which smooths out power and improves fuel efficiency. We’re expecting something over 150 horsepower in this application, and ride-by-wire and traction control will also be present. There’s also a single-sided swingarm holding an absolutely massive rear tire (spy shots indicate it’ll be a 240, but we’ll see), USD front forks and monobloc calipers up front.
Naturally, Ducati’s trademark trellis chassis is in full effect, in this case used for style and not really for substance. Ducati does indicate that the power cruiser will sport a reasonable 40-degree lean angle, but we have to wonder about the potential handling characteristics of a bike with a raked-out front end and wide-for-the-sake-of-style rear tire.
For what it’s worth, assuming this bike is what we think it is, this is not the first time a European motorcycle maker has decided to dip a toe in the cruiser market. Way back in 1998, released its R 1200 C range, and while the bike was much more technologically advanced than anything else on the market at the time (fuel injection, ABS brakes, telelever front suspension, single-sided shaft drive, etc.), it failed to reach the kind of sales figures hoped for by the German marque. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out for Ducati in November.
Karen Jacobsen, GPS voiceover artist – Click above to watch video
There may come a day when personal devices go the way of the dodo. As direction services on our handheld devices become ever savvier, more and more consumers are ditching their old dashboard-mounted screens in favor of the ones they already keep in their pocket. Fortunately, even if our or devices become relics, odds are we’ll still be able to get turn-by-turn directions on our smartphones. That’s a good thing, too, because otherwise a whole generation of lost motorists would never be able to find their way while listening to Karen Jacobsen call out directions.
Who is Karen Jacobsen? While she happens to be a Queensland native who now spends her days writing music and playing in a three piece band, she’s also the most popular GPS voice on the planet. Jacobsen spent a total of 50 hours in a recording studio rattling off everything from directional phrases to single words, locations and every letter in the alphabet so that we would have the pleasure of listening to her Aussie accent as we bumble down the highway. to see an interview with the muse of maps as well as a sample of her singing.
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 – click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve just gotten off the horn with ’s SVT performance division, and we’ve learned that the Blue Oval’s hot-rod arm is going to limit production of the to 5,500 units for this model year. According to Ford spokesman Henry Platts, the move is not the result of slow sales, but rather a desire to maintain exclusivity. In fact, sales of Ford’s king of the range have “exceeded expectations,” with in excess of 3,300 orders already placed.
The 550-horsepower GT500 has not only been performing surprisingly well in a down economy, it’s been going out the door loaded-to-the sills with options. According to Platts, there have been three times as many GT500 coupes ordered with the $1995 glass roof option as compared to the regular Mustang. In the “News That Makes Us Happy” category comes word that a full 68 percent have been spec’d out with the $3,495 performance package (includes 19- and 20-inch painted forged alloys, 3.73 limited-slip, tuned suspension, Gurney flap rear spoiler, etc.), and additionally, 70 percent of all GT500s have been ordered with the $2,340 electronics package (navi, dual-zone HVAC and Sirius/HD radio). With the GT500 starting at an out-the-door price of $49,495 before options, we’re guessing that the GT500 is more than carrying its weight for Dearborn’s bottom line.
While Ford is limiting total output of the GT500 to 5,500 units for 2011, Platts says the automaker has no plans to dictate how that shakes out in the coupe/convertible bodystyle mix. That said, if you’ve been fence-sitting on whether to pick up a GT500 of your very own this year, might we suggest that you make up your mind… quickly.
Chopard GT XL Chrono Alfa Romeo (above) and table clock (below right) – Click either image for high-res image gallery
In a field of automotive-inspired wristwatches, one marque stands above the rest as the connoisseur’s choice: Chopard. From its ongoing sponsorship and participation in the annual revival rally to exquisite timepieces like the , Chopard’s made a name for itself among lovers of classic cars. And this year they celebrate their 150th anniversary, conveniently in the same year as Alfa Romeo marks their 100th.
To celebrate, Chopard has rolled out not just a single model, but a whole line of timepieces honoring Alfa Romeo. The range includes the Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo and the GT XL Chono Alfa Romeo (available in either stainless steel of carbon-coated steel), both of which feature COSC-certified in-house automatic movements, 46-hour power reserve, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, 44mm cases and Chopard’s signature vintage Dunlop-inspired rubber straps. Only 500 of each of the three variants will be offered, along with a table clock in PVD-coated steel and a black leather, red-stitched case, and an additional travel alarm clock.
All in all, not a bad way to celebrate a birthday. Read about ‘em in the press release after the jump and take a closer look in the gallery below.
During the first quarter of 2010, Russian automaker Avtovaz lost 2.6 billion rubles ($85M U.S.). In the second quarter it made almost a third of that back when it posted a net profit of one billion rubles ($32.7M U.S). The spike came courtesy of Russia’s cash-for-clunkers program, which more than doubled the firm’s sales over Q1 numbers to 149,100 cars.
The cars that sold were reported to be mainly “older and cheaper models.” In response, Russian Prime MInister Vladimir Putin advised Avtovaz CEO Igor Komarov to modernize the company, rather than flogging ancient Lada designs even if the flogging is good. Komarov said Avtovaz is sending a team of 500 to methods, which could mean they’re finally broached almost a year ago. Now if we could just get that built…
ArmorTech BMW X6coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s been tried before, making a coupe out of an SUV – or an SUV out of a coupe. AMC tried it back in the early ’80s with the . Both and tried it with the . And of course tried it with the . The trouble with the X6 is that it has two doors too many to be considered a coupe. The solution? Off with their doors, courtesy of aftermarket firm ArmorTech.
In the process, the Russian coachbuilder crafted longer front doors, jockeyed the positioning of the B-pillar and side glass, and fitted new front seats that can tilt and slide forward to gain access to the rear seats, the access to which never having been a strong suit of the factory X6 to begin with. A number of additional enhancements are also on offer, from suspension, wheels and brakes to exhaust, body kit and custom upholstery.
So, does the removal of the rear doors make the X6 look any better? Give us your thoughts in ‘Comments.’
For such a simple act of humanity, parking a car can sometimes be the single most horrendous act of your morning commute or that late night trip to Taco Bell the local mall. If only there was an easier way to know exactly where you’d be able to locate the perfect spot ahead of time, right?
Google hears your cries for help. The search giant has created a new application for its Android-powered phones (running OS version 2.0 or higher) that lets you know where people are leaving their parking spots. Google even makes a game out of it:
Start helping others find parking, and together we’ll all save time, save gas, and reduce pollution. Like to keep score? The more open spots you mark, the more parking ‘karma points’ you’ll get.
See? Not only can you find yourself that elusive parking spot, you can also save the planet in the process. Score one two for technology!
You’ve got questions and Google’s got answers. Hit the source link below for all the details and to download the app.
Bidding is over and this gem is gone, but it’s a worthy look at history nonetheless. Czech company Avia, now a 
