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Hammer Time: Missing You

There are so many things I miss these days. I miss having a presidential candidate that is as ruthless and cunning as Richard Nixon. I miss stuffing my mouth with sweets and having a body that can absorb endless hours of athletic abuse. I even miss a lot of the comedians from days gone by. From Red Skelton to Chris Farley. Even the Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx flicks always find their way to my... 

Detroit: Never Mind, Let the Japanese Have Their Kei Cars. We Want Vietnam and Malaysia in the TPP

This just in: “The U.S. auto industry has dropped a demand for Japan to abolish rules related to minivehicles ahead of upcoming talks between the two sides over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade zone,” The Nikkei [sub] writes after reading this story. Detroit made the generous concession to let Japan have its kei cars ahead of talks between Japan and the U.S., to be held in Washington... 

The Damn Economy Is Ruining Our Deals. Where Is the Recession When We Need It?

Car prices are at an all-time high. Cash rebates and incentives are evaporating in front of our eyes. U.S. consumers are paying 11 percent more on average for a new vehicle, to a record $28,341, up from $25,505 on average in 2008. Yesterday, J.D. Power presented the inflationary news to car dealers assembled in Las Vegas for the National Automobile Dealers Association convention. Dealers applauded. Cash... 

Fake in China: Jeep Beer. We Kid You Not

I assume the Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton law firm that handles Chrysler’s trademark litigation is already on its way to China. If not, they will be calling the travel agent after reading this. What do you think would happen if Chrysler would license its Jeep brand to a beer? It appears as if Chrysler did just that in China. I assume there is no such license, but appearances are everything. The... 

Avoidable Contact: Rich Corinthian Swaybars

Click for Larger ImageSince this was published, I’ve had the chance to meet Alex Roy, read his book, and watch as he has made the move into traditional motorsports, including a grueling stint in the Baja 1000. I rather like the fellow now, but I’m leaving the original text of the article since I’m not a huge fan of revising the past — JB Shall… we… play… a… game? How... 

While American Automakers Want Japan to Abandon Kei Cars, Matt Blunt Won’t Release the Documents, Again

For a long time, Japan’s automakers had pressured their government to enter free trade talks with Europe and the U.S. The Japanese government had dragged its heels, putting the interest of ageing farmers first. With a trade agreement, Japan would be a ripe market for American rice farmers and cattle breeders, and I would finally be able to enjoy a good steak in Japan without risking a heart attack.... 

Yawn: Honda Announces 2015 NSX. Once More and Again

Illustrating the state of the Japanese auto industry, and especially that of Honda, Honda unveiled its prototype of the NSX yesterday in Tokyo. The Acura sports car had been rumored for two years, and was shown at the Detroit Motor Show. Honda repeated in Tokyo what it had said in Detroit: The car should become available in 2015. It will be a hybrid, will be built at Honda’s plant in Ohio and will... 

Weekend Edition: Lost & Found

  Imagine finding your car gone. Vanished. Not even a set of skid marks to document the trajectory of the assailant. You take a moment to catch your breath. The police are contacted along with the insurance company, family and close friends. Before long you have spent nearly half the day overloading your mind with stressful thoughts and conversations. Two nights follow with little to no sleep. Three... 

The Week in Review: January30-February 3

As much as we love carscarscars, we also appreciate, on occasion, you know, things that happen outside the automotive industry. Like sports and animals and (now) old movies references. Fortunately, all of those things happened (and are happening) this week in the automotive industry! Yeah! W00t! Go team! Monday, January 30 This week marked the [...] Click here to read the rest of… The Week in... 

Final Design Aston Martin Zagato to Be Revealed in Kuwait

We got our first glimpse of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato last year at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show and simply put,  it looked amazing! Red, elegant, mean, forceful… everything an Aston Martin should look like. Now we will see the final production design when it shows up in Kuwait this month. The reveal is [...] Click here to read the rest of… Final design Aston Martin Zagato to be revealed...