http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/blogs Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:53:25 -0400 Blogs and News -- Stay in touch with what's happening in the world of cars with TheCarConnection.com's blogs, by editor Marty Padgett. Lifestyle/Fashion http://static.thecarconnection.com/website/tcc-feed.jpg http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/blogs http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021999_daily-lust-amazing-hot-rods-up-for-bid http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021999_daily-lust-amazing-hot-rods-up-for-bid?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:23:00 -0400 Mark your calendars, folks: September 26, 2009 is the date of the "Icons of Speed & Style" auction, hosted by RM Auctions in Los Angeles. Among the beauties on the block: the outstanding 1850 'Boothill Express' Custom Show Rod (at left), "based on the 1850s funeral coach that reportedly carried James Gang member Bob Younger to his grave", ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021998_tough-lux-2009-hummer-h2-and-2009-range-rover-among-most-expensive-to-insure http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021998_tough-lux-2009-hummer-h2-and-2009-range-rover-among-most-expensive-to-insure?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:34:00 -0400 You might be able to swing quite a deal today on one of the most luxurious off-road-worthy barges, but be prepared to pay extra--over and over again--in your insurance premiums. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, 2009 Hummer H2, and 2009 Range Rover rank as the most expensive SUVs to insure, according to the insurance shopping site ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021990_more-zoom-zoom-japan-considers-mandatory-engine-noise-for-hybrids http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021990_more-zoom-zoom-japan-considers-mandatory-engine-noise-for-hybrids?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:54:00 -0400 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021989_fries-apple-pie-or-110-adapter-mcdonalds-adds-charging-stations-for-hybrids-and-evs http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021989_fries-apple-pie-or-110-adapter-mcdonalds-adds-charging-stations-for-hybrids-and-evs?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:23:00 -0400 Given the volume of disposable material it consumes on a daily basis, McDonald's may see like an unlikely place to set up a charging station for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. In fact, the idea of ANY fast food joint catering to EVs seems a little weird to us--much less one in Cary, North Carolina. Then again, it's a brave new ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021995_best-buy-goes-green http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021995_best-buy-goes-green?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:05:00 -0400 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021987_marchionne-considers-cutting-underperforming-chrysler-models http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021987_marchionne-considers-cutting-underperforming-chrysler-models?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:15:00 -0400 Sergio Marchionne took the reigns of Chrysler less than a month ago, and already he's showing that life at the new Chrysler/Fiat isn't going to be la dolce vita. Taking advantage of the capital and credibility that come at the start of many corporate tenures, the CEO is making some very bold choices--and some difficult ones, too. Over the ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021991_more-details-on-2010-bentley-arnage-emerge http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021991_more-details-on-2010-bentley-arnage-emerge?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0400 While Bentley amps up its tease campaign for a new range-topping sedan due out this year, spy photographers--and possible future defendants--have nabbed shots of the front end of the new ultra-luxury sedan. The 2011 Bentley Arnage--likely to be renamed as it makes its world debut next month at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance--has been ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021985_general-motors-ready-to-emerge-from-bankruptcy http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021985_general-motors-ready-to-emerge-from-bankruptcy?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:54:00 -0400 While most of America was enjoying a long holiday weekend full of cookouts and fireworks, Judge Robert Gerber was overseeing a very different sort of explosive activity in Manhattan: the conclusion of the General Motors bankruptcy trial. Late last night, Gerber ruled in favor of General Motors' request to sell off bad assets and shift good ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021986_the-new-cadillac-all-wheel-drive-xts-baby-cadillac-too http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021986_the-new-cadillac-all-wheel-drive-xts-baby-cadillac-too?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:53:00 -0400 General Motors has a clear path out of bankruptcy, thanks to a Federal court's ruling this morning that the formation of a "New GM" can take place. What lies ahead for one of the four brands that's on the winning side of GM's Chapter 11 filing? For Cadillac, the future seems to be circling around the core product that's led its revival--the ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021942_dodges-might-be-sold-as-alfas-in-europe http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021942_dodges-might-be-sold-as-alfas-in-europe?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:36:00 -0400 A Dodge rebadged as an Alfa? Alfisti are no doubt astir over this one. TheCarConnection.com has already told you about the near-certain plans for some Fiat models--like the stylish 500 minicar--to be sold in the U.S. via Chrysler's dealer network, and we've also heard talk about how Alfa might be using Chrysler's LX platform (underpinning the ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021941_mazda5-likely-sporting-few-changes-for-2010 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021941_mazda5-likely-sporting-few-changes-for-2010?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:25:00 -0400 Mazda has announced equipment details for the Premacy, its Japan-market compact minivan that closely parallels the Mazda5. Based on this, it's likely that the 2010 Mazda5 will return with just a few minor equipment changes. In Japan, the Premacy gets a new fuel economy gauge and a newly redesigned glossy piano black center panel, plus new ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021940_audi-marks-a-century-of-motoring-with-giant-sculpture-at-goodwood http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021940_audi-marks-a-century-of-motoring-with-giant-sculpture-at-goodwood?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:11:00 -0400 Audi makes 100 this year, and the company commissioned Gerry Judah to create a work of art for the occasion. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Judah's 40-ton, 115-foot-tall steel sculpture features a swoop of racetrack--Hot Wheels-style--capped off with two Audi beauties: a 1937 Auto Union streamliner and the Audi R8 V10. (Symbolic, ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021938_a-kinder-gentler-more-awesome-transformer http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021938_a-kinder-gentler-more-awesome-transformer?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:05:00 -0400 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021928_nielsen-sees-a-few-bright-spots-for-the-auto-industry http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021928_nielsen-sees-a-few-bright-spots-for-the-auto-industry?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:40:00 -0400 Research and statistics firm Nielsen has released more data about U.S. shopping and buying habits, and as always, the company's findings are pretty interesting. In fact, after surveying 250,000 Americans online, Nielsen has identified a few causes for optimism in the auto industry, despite today's flailing economy. Most importantly: Nielsen ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021926_general-motors-bankruptcy-saga-continues http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1021926_general-motors-bankruptcy-saga-continues?utm_source=Yahoo&utm_medium=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta&utm_campaign=Yahoo%2BBuzz%2BBeta Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:10:00 -0400 In case you were wondering, we haven't said much about General Motors' bankruptcy trial because there hasn't been much to report. The government still hasn't budged on its July 10 deadline to see the General out of bankruptcy or liquidated; GM is still trying to sell off bad assets like superfund sites and golf courses so it can make a fresh ..]]>