James Martinez, Author
Articles
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We’ve heard a lot about Roger Penske and his plans to acquire the Saturn brand from General Motors and use it to start selling vehicles sourced from carmakers overseas. Last week Penske...
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Modified Audi A4 hits record 226.6mph top speed on bio-gas
The search for less-toxic alternative fuels is leading in many promising directions, one of which is bio-gas. Effectively a form of natural gas made from plants, the fuel was used this week to speed a modified B7 Audi A4 quattro to a new bio-gas world speed record of 226.6mph (364.6km/h). Despite...
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Chrysler unveils $448 million electric vehicle plan
Chrysler today submitted three proposals outlining a $448-million plan to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in order to rapidly bring electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid models to market. The proposals were submitted in order to receive two initiatives established by the DOE - the Electric...
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AT&T prepares to launch 22-channel CruiseCast satellite TV service for cars
Just in case you didn't have enough gadgets in your car to keep you distracted on the drive to work, communications giant AT&T recently began testing of its new CruiseCast system - something that AT&T calls a "total in-car entertainment service", but is essentially a satellite TV feed direct to...
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New York bans cars from Times Square
Times Square in New York may be one of the most famous landmarks in the world, thanks to its stunning array of giant, lit-up billboards and location for the city’s world famous New Years Eve celebrations, but the area will be experiencing drastic changes in the near future as the local...
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Study finds New York drivers to be worst in knowledge of road rules
Residents of Idaho and Wisconsin have claimed the bragging rights as the nation's most knowledgeable drivers when it comes to road rules, following a test conducted by GMAC Insurance dubbed the National Drivers Test. Drivers from these states don't have all that much to cheer about though...
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With confirmation Saturn is up for sale coming from General Motors earlier this month, a number of potential investors and buyers have come out of the woodwork recently and confirmed interest in the...
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California already working on tougher fuel standards
President Barack Obama may have just taken the wraps off his new national fuel policy, but according to the state of California it’s not too soon to already begin work on the next stage of clean car regulations. The infamous California Air Resources Board (CARB) is known for being passionate...
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Report: Fiat picks 3 directors for restructured Chrysler
Only yesterday it was announced that former Chairman of Borden Chemical and of Duracell International, Robert Kidder, would preside over a restructured Chrysler as its new CEO, but already reports have emerged claiming Fiat has appointed three new directors for the struggling carmaker. In the lead...
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Report: GM planning ‘Bumblebee’ Camaro to coincide with Transformers 2 movie launch
With the sequel to last year’s Transformers hit – Revenge of the Fallen - set to open across cinemas in the U.S. on June 24, Chevrolet is reportedly planning to start production of a new special edition Camaro based on the ‘Bumblebee’ version that very same day. Expected to...
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C. Robert Kidder to head Chrysler after restructuring
Nearly three weeks into Chrysler's bankruptcy and the global strategic alliance between Fiat and Chrysler comes news today that C. Robert Kidder - not Sergio Marchionne - will play the role of CEO for Chrysler after the bankruptcy. The news, which comes directly from Chrysler, contradicts a...
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NVIDIA and Icon working on 3D gauge clusters for cars
As technology evolves a whole array of new features for cars become available for almost every aspect of the vehicle - from tires, to engines to powerful in-car entertainment systems. Now, specialist company Icon has just unveiled its modern-day take on the humble speedometer, and the new design...
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Carmakers are already fretting at the thought of achieving the new 35mpg CAFE standards imposed by the U.S. government by the current 2020 deadline, but an announcement by President Barack Obama...
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Gotham Dream Cars gives access to five Lamborghinis for $1,500
A New York car rental company has come out with a fairly interesting proposition - for the relatively small sum of $1,495, the Gotham Dream Cars company will offer members of the public a five-hour, five-Lamborghini driving tour, starting at its exclusive clubhouse in Northern New Jersey. If that...
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Chinese-built Chevrolet Spark, Aveo and Lova could hit U.S. showrooms by 2011
Just a few days ago we brought you a story about General Motors considering bringing small cars from China to the U.S. in order to bolster its sales in the segment. Currently, the carmaker is looking to sell around 17,300 Chinese-made vehicles in the U.S. by 2011 and over 50,000 units by 2014...
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Toyota to replace 40% of management, plans 30% in production cuts
Toyota may be the world's biggest carmaker but that title appears more and more likely to pass on to Volkswagen as the Japanese carmaker announces another round of production cuts and plans to change up to 40% of its senior management. The news comes as Toyota reports its first operating loss in 71...
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Ford offers 100,000 test drives of new Fiesta in lead up to next year’s U.S. launch
Ford's new Fiesta won’t be arriving in local showrooms until early next year, but the company is pulling out all the stops to promote the small car with various social marketing campaigns to build excitement. To further this, the Blue Oval has announced that it has set a goal to get 100,000...
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Laid-off Detroit auto workers invited to exclusive Eminem concert on Jimmy Kimmel show
As many of you would know, the current financial crisis has led to certain industries being forced to lay off hundreds, or even thousands of workers. The Detroit auto industry was one of the worst hit, with major companies such as General Motors and Chrysler teetering on the brink up bankruptcy for...
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You may recall in November of last year the biggest Lamborghini dealership in the world, the prestigious Lamborghini Orange County, suddenly shut its doors without any reason apart from speculation...
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Daytona Coupe Lives On In New Le Mans Edition
The original Daytona Coupe was a race car based loosely on the AC Cobra roadster that was produced in an extremely limited run of just six cars during the 1960s. The cars were created in collaboration with a number of racing legends including Carroll Shelby, Peter Brock and Bob Negstad, and with a...
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GM's OnStar will automatically give 911 services your location in emergency situation
General Motors' OnStar in-car information service can already automatically slow down a stolen vehicle, as well as monitor traffic situations in real time. Now, GM has upgraded the functionality of OnStar to electronically transmit a vehicle’s precise longitude and latitude co-ordinates...
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Chrysler may still build Nissan’s redesigned Titan pickup
Before Chrysler was ever involved in alliance dealings with Fiat, the Auburn Hills-based carmaker was already tied with Nissan over several platform swapping and production sharing deals. In February of this year, however, plans for Nissan to build a Chrysler compact car based on its Versa in...
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New Chrysler vehicles won't just be rebadged Fiats
Chrysler and Fiat have already tied the knot but now questions are emerging as to how the two companies will conceive new Chrysler vehicles based on Fiat's current stock. A Chrysler-Fiat vehicle won't just feature a Chrysler badge slapped on the bonnet, but instead it will have to be re-engineered...
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Mercedes Benz and BMW predict low sales for luxury hybrids
Japanese carmakers have been building hybrids for years and have largely been successful with their efforts, especially Toyota with its Prius line. General Motors and Ford have been in the game for some years as well but have had limited success compared to their Japanese rivals. European...
James Martinez