William Maley

The Department of Justice is currently evaluating whether or not to charge General Motors with criminal wire fraud due to the company's failure to recall vehicles with faulty ignition switches. The Wall Street Journal has learned from sources federal prosecutors in New York are zoning in the wire-fraud charge due after it was determined that GM made misleading statements and concealed information about the faulty switch. Sources go on to say the DOJ hopes to reach a settlement by late summer or early, though that could change. Prosecutors are also looking into other kinds of possible criminal charges. When asked about the report, CEO Mary Barra said, “It is their timeline. We are going to continue to cooperate to the fullest extent we can. But beyond that, I think anything else is pure speculation and it does no one any good.” Barra confirmed that she spoke and fully cooperated with DOJ investigators last year about the ignition switch defect. Source: The Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required), The Detroit News View full article

Because common sense doesn't seem to exist anymore.

Ram announced pricing for two new members of the Ram 1500 today. First off is the Ram 1500 Rebel. Positioned as the brand's off-road special with off-road tires, a front skid plate, tow hooks, and blacked out bumper. The base 2WD Rebel starts at $43,985 - includes a $1,195 destination charge. The base model boasts the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine. Those who 4WD with their Rebel will need to fork over $45,915 for the 3.6L Pentastar V6 or $47,565 for the V8. Next is the Laramie Limited which boasts a number of luxury appointments such as 20-inch forged multi-surface aluminum wheels and a handsome interior. Prices start at $51,870 for the base 2WD, HEMI V8 model. If you want the EcoDiesel, add $3,120 to the pricetag. Four-Wheel Drive will set you back $3,505 no matter which engine you choose. Source: Ram Trucks Press Release is on Page 2 Ram Truck Announces Pricing for 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel and Ram 1500 Laramie Limited Ram 1500 Rebel makes a statement with increased ride height, standard 33-inch tires, skid plates, tow hooks and unique interior starting at $42,790 Chrome accents, prominent badges, Argento wood and premium leather are key ingredients of new Ram 1500 Laramie Limited with a starting price of $50,675 June 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Ram 1500 continues to move forward with two mid-year 2015 offerings that carry into the 2016 model year – the Ram 1500 Rebel and Ram 1500 Laramie Limited. The Ram 1500 Rebel brings a one-of-a-kind, off-road design to the full-size truck segment. The Rebel drops right into a core segment of the truck market with unique design cues and mechanical innovation backed by Ram Truck engineering. Rebel features an all-new grille with a prominent billet silver “RAM” letter badge. Departing from the brand’s iconic “crosshair” designs, the blacked-out Rebel grille tops a completely new black off-road front bumper design with a durable powder-coated surface. It also incorporates a powder coated, billet silver skid plate, front tow hooks, 33-inch Toyo tires and an all-new 17-inch aluminum wheel. Inside, Rebel is every bit as brawny and rugged as it is outside. The truck features industry-exclusive seating elements finished in Radar Red and black with fabric inserts embossed with the Toyo tire tread pattern, matching the Rebel’s actual footprint. Standard heated front seats feature Light Diesel Gray accent stitching, Radar Red Ram’s head embroidery on the headrests and black with Light Diesel Gray Rebel nameplate embroidered on the upper seat bolsters. Ram Truck brand also has taken the Ram Laramie Limited – the benchmark in truck opulence – to an even higher level of sophistication and attention to detail. Featuring premium materials, such as all-black, full-leather seating, real wood interior components and unique badges, Limited is a “black-tie” luxury alternative to the popular southwestern-themed Laramie Longhorn edition pickup. The Limited’s all-new grille is the most prominent change of the exterior. As the leading point, its new billet port grille breaks from the long tradition of crosshair styling with bold “RAM” lettering. Additional chrome exterior accents and a chrome “RAM” tailgate logo distinguish the Limited model. Limited also features an all-new 20-inch forged multi-surface aluminum wheel – unique in the truck market. Subtle stitching accents, pinstriping, unique materials and patterns are found throughout the interior. A new console bin houses a cellular phone and tablet holder, which can be concealed with a new tambour sliding door made from Black Argento wood, the chosen timber for the Limited interior. The collective silver pinstripe theme runs through the truck, including black premium Berber carpet inserts, which can easily be removed from the floor mats to reveal double-duty slush mats. Debuting on the Limited and Rebel models, is an all-black headliner and pillars combination. The Ram 1500 leads pickup truck fuel economy with the exclusive 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine delivering 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 29 miles per gallon (mpg). Ram Truck offers the best value in half-ton trucks with a starting price of $25,410, plus $1,195 destination, and includes a standard 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine. 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel and 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited pricing:1500 Rebel 4x2 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8: $42,790 1500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6: $44,7201500 Rebel 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8: $46,370 1500 Laramie Limited 4x2 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8: $50,675 1500 Laramie Limited 4x2 Crew Cab 3.0-liter EcoDiesel: $53,7951500 Laramie Limited 4x4 Crew Cab 5.7-liter HEMI V-8: $54,180 1500 Laramie Limited 4x4 Crew Cab 3.0-liter EcoDiesel: $57,300 Prices do not include $1,195 destination View full article

While General Motors has gotten most of the blame in the ignition switch fiasco, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) isn't getting away scot free. The New York Times reports that the Department of Transportation released two internal documents revealing a series of failings by NHTSA. One of those failings was the administration not paying sufficient attention to a Wisconsin state trooper’s report in 2007 which suggested that the ignition switch played a key role in a fatal accident. The reports go on to say that NHTSA didn't use their full power to hold GM accountable in terms of this problem. “There needs to be a complete overhaul of this failing agency. The results of this report are long overdue,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). NHTSA has begun to make a number of changes in light of these reports. They include, Put manufacturers “on notice” about potential defects as soon they identified any troubling cases. Institute a 'Risk Control' program that better aligns different sections of NHTSA and encourage more sharing Be monitored by a group of outside experts including former officials of the National Transportation Safety Board and NASA “The G.M. experience changed the culture here. What that means is challenge the information you’re getting, and challenge the assumptions you are pursuing,” said NHTSA administrator Mark R. Rosekind. Still some people believe NHTSA needs to go farther. “It still soft-pedals why they have gone from one defect crisis to another,” said Sean E. Kane of the consulting firm Safety Research and Strategies. “What is missing is any mention of the importance of transparency.” Source: The New York Times View full article

Define 'good'. They actually use words? Someone turned on to the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack this past week. Been listening and quite enjoying it. Might actually get me to watch the show finally. --------------------------------------------------------------- No iTunes, the audiobook I'm ripping is not classified as 'easy listening'.

It like a mystery - Figure out what we're listening to.

Hyundai is considering whether or not to do a line of premium SUVs using the underpinnings of the Genesis. Reuters has learned from sources the company is considering a proposal made internally to build SUVs using the Genesis platform as way to elevate Hyundai's overall brand image and crack the high-margin SUV market. But there is an air of caution at the company. Hyundai hasn't done so well when it comes to larger SUVs. Their previous attempt, the Veracruz, was introduced back in 2007. However, the company pulled the model out in 2013 due to poor sales. Meanwhile the company was still selling the Veracruz in South Korea, but will end production at the end of the next month according to the plant's union newspaper. Aside from the poor sales, a source says spiking gas prices and the poor equity of the Hyundai name in large SUVs give the company concern. "We are timid when it comes to bigger SUVs," said the source. When reached for comment, Hyundai confirmed the end of production of the Veracruz, but said "this does not mean we are giving up on a large SUV line-up." "We are considering developing premium, large SUVs based on customers' needs. We plan to respond to the fast-changing market centered around SUVs by beefing up our SUV line-up." Source: Reuters View full article

A somewhat perfect song for some stuff that I'm currently I'm dealing with at the moment - Fastball, The Way http://youtu.be/nU-XLNs4TCY

Good News: You're finally going to purpose and have the ring Bad News: The dog swallowed it (Talk about diamond in the rough)

Figured out a new test for the vehicles I get in for review: How much does it sag after you load it 160 pounds of salt for a water softener.

What's in store for the Lincoln MKT? If a report from The Truth About Cars has any idea, it looks like it could be going to a normal crossover shape. A source tells TTAC that engineers are working on a project Known internally as ‘Aviator’. This project will be using the next-generation Ford Explorer as a base. No report as to what platform this will use, but some believe its the upcoming D6 platform which will allow for front, rear, and all-wheel drive configurations. The source goes onto say that there will not be a next-generation Ford Flex. “We do not comment on speculation. MKT continues to be present in our lineup, with a new model in 2015. By 2020, we expect to expand the segments that we participate in by adding two new nameplates to the Lincoln brand. We have not provided any indications about the products or their names," said Lincoln spokesman Stéphane Cesareo in a comment to TTAC. Source: The Truth About Cars View full article

Why use bra, bruh? Couldn't she just tuck them into her panties? I really didn't need that image in my head..

Next month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be holding a public hearing to probe Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' handling of 20 different recalls covering 11 million vehicles since 2013. The agency is concerned about the completion rates and other issues on these recalls. But FCA believes this hearing should be skipped. In a 19-page response to questions from NHTSA that was released yesterday, the company argues that its overall recall completion rate is "nearly the best in the industry, with 77 percent. The response goes onto state that they are compliant with existing regulations and are in the process of implementing new programs to improve their completion rate. FCA says their way “to review and identify with NHTSA input, and implement changes based on the learnings obviate the need for a hearing.” But NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind tells The Detroit News that the hearing is still on. “Twenty recalls are a problem — 10 million vehicles. There’s a pattern here of things we’re concerned about. And they weren’t just little things — they were big things including major safety issues related to fire, door latches that could open up when people were driving. It’s not just, ‘Oh, they were late on something.’ If they didn’t start, it was late, it means all that time people are at risk. And they told us something different,” said Rosekind. Source: The Detroit News View full article

Reading through some old car magazines tonight. Have an obsession of learning about the odd ducks such as the Isuzu Impulse or Mercury Tracer LTS.

shiny

Another Porsche 911 variant is on the way according to a report from Autocar. This variant will be focused on 'simple driving pleasure'. Power will likely come from a naturally-aspirated 3.8L flat-six from the 911 GT3, which means 475 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the GT3, this variant will feature a manual transmission, most likely the seven-speed version. Its expected this variant will also keep the narrow body found on most 911s, not the wide body as seen on the GT models. No word on what this model will be called or when it will debut. Source: Autocar View full article