William Maley

Fiat 500 Abarth To Make US Appearance In LA William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 25, 2011 Since the Fiat 500 was introduced last year, we have been asking this question; When is the Abarth 500 coming out? Well, Fiat has a answer for you. On the Fiat America Twitter page today, they said, "From our friends FIAT USA - The FIAT 500 Abarth will be officially unveiled at this year's LA Auto Show. Get excited, get very excited!!" Fiat hasn't said much about the Abarth 500 that will go on sale in the US. We're expecting Abarth versions of the 500 and 500c to be offered. A upgraded version of the 1.4-liter turbo with Multiair technology producing somewhere of 175 HP is also expected. Source: Fiat America Twitter

put up? Is the SRX just too large for Albert?

GM Says No To UAW's Job Idea William Maley - Editor/Reporter - Cheersandgears.com July 18, 2011 GM and the UAW are already butting heads before next week’s contract talk. One of the goals the UAW is looking for in this round of contract talks is to add jobs. "This country has to come back with jobs. We've got a tough set of negotiations coming up,” said Joe Ashton, the UAW vice president in charge of GM relations. GM will be the big target for adding jobs. The UAW hopes to convince GM to increase vehicle production in the United States by using plants that are underutilized. The three plants the UAW is looking at are the Spring Hill, Tennessee; Shreveport, Louisiana and Janesville, Wisconsin plants. However, GM isn’t keen to jump on this idea. "We need to see some pretty healthy market recovery before we start turning factories back on," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of labor relations. Clegg went onto say GM wanted employees to "share in our success." But she also said, "Reconstructing what we were is not in the cards." The two did say they were optimistic about the talks. Source: Reuters

The Magnum Making A Comeback? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 17, 2011 If someone was to write out a list of the coolest wagons ever built, the 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum would be somewhere on that list. RWD, a range of V6s and V8s, and just practical, found it a good amount of fans. However, poor sales and Chrysler's money woes meant the Magnum would be shown the door a few years later. “That vehicle was single-handedly killed by one executive who is no longer with the company. He’s retired. A lot of people in the company still like that vehicle — a lot. A lot of things that weren’t possible back then, now are.” said Ralph Gilles, the Chrysler design chief who helped style the Magnum and now the head of the SRT group. Gilles was speaking to reporters at an event introducing the 2012 SRT lineup. The question was brought up about whether more vehicles could be introduced. “With the Magnum, we owned the station wagon segment,” Gilles said. “It was always a pleasure to go to car shows and trade fairs and see the number of Magnums that owners had personalized with such obvious loving care.” Asked whether the Magnum has been given the green, all Gilles would say is, “Stay tuned. Great things are coming. That’s all I can say.” Source: New York Times Wheels

But with Volkswagen, you get the "excellent" service.. Subaru Legacy? (or would that fall into the same problem with the forester)

Yes, Arlington is where the GMT-900 SUVs are built

Union of Concerned Scientists' Relases Their 2011 Hybrid Scorecard William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 14, 2011 The Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit science advocacy group in the U.S., has released its 2nd annual Hybrid Scorecard. The hybrid scorecard grades hybrid models on fuel efficiency, environmental impact, value-for-money and their so-called “forced-feature premium”. The last one being a measure of features that don't improve fuel economy, but make it more appealing to buyers. Thirty-four hybrids were tested, graded on the criteria, and placed into their respective categories. The top models in the Non-Luxury Models category are the Toyota Prius, Honda CR-Z, and Honda Insight. In the Luxury Models category, the Lexus CT200h, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, and Lexus HS200h were on top. The bottom model on the two lists were the Volkswagen Toureg Hybrid in Non-Luxury and the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 in Luxury. Source: HybridCenter.org

Mopar Puts JK-8 Kit Up For Sale William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 14, 2011 Mopar JK-8 Kit Gallery If you have been dreaming about Jeep building a modern version of Jeep Scrambler, Mopar has made it a reality. Mopar has announced the JK-8 truck conversion kit is on sale for $5,499 for the Wrangler Unlimited. The kit comes with steel bed, inner and outer bed sides, sport bar extensions and a fiberglass half-top and bulkhead among other necessary pieces. The kit also comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty. Mopar says the kit can be done by any do-it-yourself person. But if you're worried about somehow messing up the installation, Mopar says the kit can be installed at your local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram Dealer. Mopar Answers Call for Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck Brand Announces Pricing for New JK-8 Kit Priced at $5,499, the Mopar® JK-8 Kit enables owners to transform their Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup Kit now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships Dealership or skilled do-it-yourselfers may do the installation Major components of the Mopar JK-8 kit include steel bed, inner and outer bedsides, sport bar extensions, Freedom panel assemblies, fiberglass hardtop and bulkhead Kit shipped in JK-8 and Mopar-stamped wooden crate (85.25-inch by 62.25-inch by 30-inch), instructions included Auburn Hills, Mich. , Jul 14, 2011 - Jeep® enthusiasts now have the opportunity to transform their four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Mopar® JK-8 kit is $5,499. The kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships. The warranty covers kit materials and workmanship performed at a Chrysler Group dealership. “Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are some of our most accessorized vehicles,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO, Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “New Jeep Wrangler owners typically spend more than $500 on Mopar accessories. For Jeep Wrangler Unlimited owners, our new Mopar JK-8 kit answers the call for even more radical customization. And it’s yet another example of how Mopar will continue to support our brands with innovative features.” Prior to the introduction of the JK-8 kit, Mopar introduced numerous industry-first features including in-vehicle Wi-Fi, off-road camper trailers, vehicle-information apps and an Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS). Most recently, the brand introduced its Ram Runner off-road desert-racer kit. Mopar first revealed its JK-8 kit at this year’s Moab Jeep Safari. The kit takes cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s. Major components include a spacious 44-inch by 50-inch steel bed, inner and outer bedsides constructed from stamped sheet metal, sport bar extensions, Freedom Panel assemblies, a removable fiberglass hardtop with a sliding rear window, two fixed side windows and a fiberglass bulkhead. Staying true to the Jeep brand, the JK-8 kit offers Jeep Wrangler Unlimited capability in the form of a mini pickup. In addition, the top may be completely removed for an open-air experience. A special badge is featured on the left rear quarter panel of each kit, celebrating the heritage of the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8, along with design implementations that were adopted from original J-8 military Jeep pickups. For ease of purchase, the kit is available as a single part number (77070049) with all hardware and body panels included. The kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership. Conversion Process Two processes are involved in the conversion from a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a two-door pickup truck: disassembly and reassembly. In disassembly, each rear door is removed. Next, the rear-bumper assembly, hard top and Freedom Panels are removed, followed by the rear portion of the interior, which includes seats and carpeting. Exterior trim parts are removed and preserved; inner and outer body panels are removed by drilling out the spot welds, which allows the panels to fall away and avoids having to cut into the sheet metal. The rear sport bar is cut away and removed along with B-pillars. Reassembly into a two-door pickup truck begins with installation of the B-pillars, cross member, floor-pan assembly (truck bed), and the inner and outer quarter panels (welding is involved in assembly). Next to be installed is the bulkhead reinforcement assembly and sport bar extensions, and finally the installation of the fiberglass bulkhead itself. The kit, with components delivered e-coated, is then prepped for paint. Windows are installed to the hard top, which is then installed on the vehicle. Exterior trim parts are then reinstalled. Following is information regarding some of the main components included in the Mopar JK-8 kit. Mopar JK8 Body Weld Kit Complete (All parts are sold together in one complete kit) Freedom Panels: Fiberglass panels over front seats. Hardtop: Made from fiberglass, the hard top may be removed and features a sliding rear window. Bulkhead: The bulkhead for the kit is made of fiberglass and separates the cab from the bed of the truck, and permanently attaches to the vehicle. Bed: The spacious 44-inch by 50-inch bed features strong steel construction. Inner/Outer Bed Panels: Bed panels are stamped sheet metal and provide durability and functionality. Sport Bar Extensions: New sport bar extensions replace the rear portion of the sport bar that is removed for the conversion. These bars complement the structure of the vehicle.

New York City Adds 50 Volts To Their Fleet William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 13, 2011 New York City Volt Announcement Gallery Yesterday, New York City mayor Michael Bloomburg announced the city would be adding 50 Chevrolet Volts into the city's fleet. The Volts will be used by the NYPD for traffic duty. "This is the latest and largest-ever addition of electric vehicles to the City’s fleet, which is already the largest municipal clean-air vehicle fleet in the nation. We will continue to lead by example, but we also must provide New Yorkers with tools to make environmentally friendly choices in their own lives," Bloomberg said in a statement. “When provided with the facts, people become far more likely to choose an electric vehicle. Our job is to ensure the public has the facts, ensure they can make their own decisions and ensure that if they want to drive an electric vehicle, we are providing the infrastructure needed. It’s all part of our PlaNYC agenda to create a greener, greater New York City.” In addition to the 50 Chevrolet Volts, the city will also add 10 Ford Transit Connect electric vehicles and 10 Navi-Star trucks to its fleet. New York City Charges Ahead with 50 Chevrolet Volts Police cars for traffic enforcement among purchase of extended-range electric vehicles 2011-07-12 QUEENS, N.Y. -- The City of New York is adding 50 Chevrolet Volts to its fleet as part of an effort to reduce air pollution, carbon emissions and gasoline consumption. New York Mayor Bloomberg announced the addition of the Volts along with other electric vehicles at a press conference Tuesday in Woodside Queens, New York. The Volt will be the first electric car used by the New York City Police Department, which also uses electric scooters and golf cars. The Volts represent the majority of 70 new electric vehicles joining the city fleet, which now has 430 electric vehicles. "This is the latest and largest-ever addition of electric vehicles to the City’s fleet, which is already the largest municipal clean-air vehicle fleet in the nation,” Bloomberg said in a press statement. “We will continue to lead by example, but we also must provide New Yorkers with tools to make environmentally friendly choices in their own lives. “When provided with the facts, people become far more likely to choose an electric vehicle. Our job is to ensure the public has the facts, ensure they can make their own decisions and ensure that if they want to drive an electric vehicle, we are providing the infrastructure needed. It’s all part of our PlaNYC agenda to create a greener, greater New York City.” For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank for a total driving range of 379 miles.

NHTSA Gives The Ok To Terrafugia's Flying Car William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 12, 2011 The dream of the flying car looks to be coming true. Today, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, Inc has been granted all the special exemptions it had requested from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their vehicle, the Transition Roadable Aircraft. Known as the Transition, it's the first flying vehicle to receive such exemptions from the Department of Transportation since the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards came into fruition during the 70's. NHTSA has cleared Terrafugia to use special tires that are rated for highway speeds and the vehicle's weight. NHTSA has also given the company permission to use polycarbonate materials instead of traditional laminated automotive safety glass. The reasons for the polycarbonate materials are due to the safety glass being too heavy for flight and if a bird hit the glass, it could impair the pilot's vision. “We further conclude that the granting of an exemption from these requirements would be in the public interest and consistent with the objectives of traffic safety,” the NHTSA said in the exemption text. The Transition is expected to go on sale later this year with a price tag of $200,000. Source: Left Lane News

Chinese Police Get In Hot Water With Mercedes ML Police Car William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 10, 2011 In the your not fooling anyone file, a police department in Fangchenggang (part of Guangxi Province)bought a new Mercedes Benz ML350 SUV to be used a police car. The police department spent about 900,000 yuan ($139,000 USD)to get it into their fleet. To fool the citizens of Fangchenggang, the department decided to rebadge the ML350 into a Honda CR-V which only costs about 200,000 yuan ($30,000 or so). The plan was foolproof or so they thought. The citizens of Fengchenggang were not impressed with the rebadge job and ridiculed the police department about the purchase. However, the police denied they rebadged the vehicle. Site: Car News China

I fixed it. I missed some key words in the Press Release.

GM Offering Free Insurance For New Vehicles William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com July 8, 2011 If you happen to live in either Washington or Oregon and are thinking about buying a new General Motor's vehicle, GM has just sweeten the offer. GM has teamed up with insurance company, MetLife to offer a free year (or up to the first 15,000 miles) of car insurance to anyone who buys a 2011 or 2012 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle in the two states. The program only covers private buyers, no fleets may apply. GM says the program is a pilot and if it's successful, they will offer the program in other states. If this peaks your interest, you might want to hurry. GM says the program will end of September 6th. GM Offers Auto Insurance as Standard Feature in Oregon and Washington Pilot program for new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles runs through Sept. 6 DETROIT – Drivers in Oregon and Washington who take delivery of a new 2010, 2011 or 2012 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac car, truck or crossover between today and September 6 will receive a one-year insurance policy from MetLife Auto & Home at no additional cost. The offer is designed to streamline the car-buying experience and add value by addressing affordability – one of the bigger challenges facing many vehicle buyers today. "We want to give residents of Oregon and Washington another reason to discover Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles," said Chris Perry, U.S. vice president of General Motors Marketing. "We have new products like the Chevrolet Cruze, Buick Regal, GMC Terrain and Cadillac CTS Coupe that are now even more appealing with a year's worth of insurance." The auto insurance includes both liability and physical damage coverage and exceeds requirements in the two states. "This offer enhances the vehicle's value proposition because our policy is considered one of the most comprehensive in the industry," said Bill Moore, president of MetLife Auto & Home. "Our new car replacement feature is a benefit not found in most auto policies." The policy covers the vehicle and anyone who drives it with the owner's permission for a full year from the date of purchase, as long as the original purchaser continues to own or lease the vehicle. The policy is not available on vehicles purchased or leased for certain commercial or fleet purposes. Under MetLife Auto & Home's auto policy, if a new car is damaged beyond repair within the car's first year or first 15,000 miles, whichever comes first, MetLife Auto & Home will repair or replace the vehicle with a new vehicle, without deducting for depreciation. Many auto insurers subtract miles driven at the time a vehicle is damaged resulting in thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. GM is testing auto insurance as a standard feature to determine consumer appeal. It is available only to Oregon and Washington residents with valid driver's licenses who title their vehicle in those states. The vehicle owner can seek to renew the insurance at the end of one year or go elsewhere for coverage. Complete program details and limitations are available at www.chevyinsurancebreak.com, www.buickinsuranceoffer.com, www.gmcinsuranceoffer.com and www.cadillac.com/insuranceoffer.com