SIERRA CLUB AIMING AT AUTOMAKERS
The greener-than-thou Sierra Club says
it’s targeting Detroit’s automakers — particularly Ford Motor Co. — in a new
campaign designed to guilt carmakers into making more fuel-efficient vehicles.
In the stead of CAFE reductions lobbied away by the Big Three, the Sierra Club
wants automakers to begin equipping more cars with fuel-conserving devices like
continuously variable transmissions and automatic shutdown/startup systems for
stoplights. The Sierra Club will target Detroit and D.C. with advertising, and
will use radio ads to press Ford chairman William Clay Ford Jr. to do more to
earn his “green” reputation. The campaign will last three years, the
organization said on Wednesday.
California Ponders CO2 Future by William Rapai (5/20/2002)
CONGRESS
WANTS ACCESS TO SECRET CODES
Both houses of Congress are working on legislation
that would pull the veil off the diagnostic codes automakers use to assess and
repair vehicles. Reuters reports that since 1996, when manufacturers moved
aggressively into computer controls for emissions control and vehicle
diagnostics, it has become more difficult for consumers and independent repair
shops to accurately diagnose and fix problems because of a lack of information.
A spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers told the news service
that automakers are working on a solution that would short-circuit the move
toward legislation.
IN
BRIEF: VW TO BUILD MICROBUS
In a short statement, Volkswagen says it’s building a new
Microbus in 2005. The remainder of the newser confirms that VW’s Hanover plant
will build the new vehicle. As Reuters reported, the addition of the vehicle
will also add 1500 jobs to the plant.
Microbus: Nostalgia
Rules VW?
(6/17/2002)
BENTLEY
ISSUES NEW GT DETAILS Bentley GT Coupe Bentley GT Coupe
PT CRUISER GOES CHROME
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Chrome
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Chrome
2003 Chrysler PT Turbo by TCC Team (3/26/2002)
TOYOTA PRICES ’03 AVALON
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. says the ‘03
Avalon will cost from $25,845 to $30,405 as it goes on sale today. The base XL
now gets an air filtration system, and rain-sensing wipers. The XLS adds an
auto-dimming driver-side outside mirror and a remote control DVD navigation
system. Other packages available on the 2003 model, built in Kentucky, include
remote keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, power leather-trimmed seats, leather
steering wheel and shift knob and a JBL audio system.
ISUZU TO WORK ON
BRAKES
Isuzu says it’s going to upgrade the brakes on some 1998-1999
models without being asked for a formal recall. Those model years of the Isuzu
Rodeo and Amigo and Honda Passport — some 215,000 vehicles — can suffer from
longer braking distances that Isuzu attributes to programming in a computer chip
governing the anti-lock control; similar 2000 models with an upgraded chip
offered better braking performance, Reuters reports. The action is not an
official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
recall.
CHRYSLER GETS SIRIUS
Chrysler says
the Sirius digital-radio system will be standard on the 300M sport sedan — and
now, the radio gear will be a $299 dealer-installed option on more of its ’03
lineup. The vehicles to be Sirius-ready include the following:
Chrysler: PT
Cruiser, Sebring Sedan and Convertible, 300M, Concorde, Voyager, Town and
Country;
Dodge: Stratus Sedan, Dakota, Durango, Ram, Intrepid, Neon, Caravan,
Grand Caravan;
Jeep: Liberty and Grand Cherokee.
In addition to the $299
hardware, Sirius Satellite Radio requires a monthly subscription of
$12.95.
BMW
GIVES NOD TO MORE MOVIES
BMW
says it will follow up its hip series The
Hire by filming a brace of new spy-thriller ads for the Internet and
elsewhere. Clive Owen will return as the driver who memorably slung Madonna
around the back seat of a 5-Series until she wet herself. BMW says three new
films will be released at bmwfilms.com in 2002; the films most likely will
coincide with the release of the new Z4 roadster this
fall.
ONSTAR
GOES MOBILE — HOME, THAT IS
Owners of recreational vehicles can drive more
secure in their knowledge, now that OnStar will be made available on future new
RVs. GM announced on Thursday that its popular in-car concierge and mapping
service would be adapted by RiverPark, Inc. of Elkhart, Ind., for use by RV
manufacturers in new motorhomes. RiverPark, a supplier of electronics components
and products to the RV industry, will facilitate design and vehicle integration
of the OnStar RV Special Edition.
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