New Maruti driving school  
Maruti Suzuki will set up its eighth Maruti Driving School (MDS) in Kerala at Perinnthalmanna in the State by March-end. The new MDS is a part of the company's National Road Safety Mission Programme, launched in December 2008. With the Perinthalmanna centre in place, Maruti will have 55 MDS in 50 cities across India by March-end and the company has plans to go up to 70 by 2010. The company runs successful MDS operations at Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam in the State. Mr Ravi Bhatia, Chief General Manager, Maruti Suzuki, said that the eighth MDS in Kerala is a reflection of the company's focus on the need to impart scientific driving skills in this growing market.


Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (3/16/2009)

Slowdown signs - Saab Automobile cuts 750 jobs  
Saab Automobile, the Swedish unit of US carmaker General Motors, announced 750 job cuts as it tries to stay afloat and said that a group of Sweden based investors was interested in buying it.

GM, which reported a USD 30.9 billion net loss for 2008, has said it will shed loss making Saab at the latest by 2010. Saab was granted creditor protection in February while it restructures and tries to find a savior.

Mr Eric Geers spokesman of Saab said that "I cannot disclose who they are, but I can confirm that there is a group of investors in Sweden which has shown interest." He added that Saab has hired Deutsche Bank to look for more potential bidders.

Earlier this week, media reports said a Swedish investor group could be interested in taking over Saab's Swedish peer Volvo Cars, which owner Ford Motors aims to sell.

Saab said that it had given notice to 750 employees at its Trollhattan plant, in south west Sweden. Saab employed a total of 4,108 people at the end of 2008, of which about 2,000 were blue collar workers in Trollhattan.


Source : http://steelguru.com (3/15/2009)

Seibu Keisatsu's "Super Machine-X" Skyline 2000GT Turbo  
Unfortunately, I don't speak Japanese, because then I might have enjoyed the old detective drama Seibu Keisatsu even more than I did watching the video above and the two subsequent parts embedded after the jump. The crew at Japanese Nostalgic Car posted these last week, explaining that this particular episode was the first appearance of the "Super Machine-X" (names don't get much better than that) Skyline 2000GT Turbo. The black hero car (the first in a string of Nissans to be featured on the show) was outfitted with a metric ton of yestertech radio, camera, and computer equipment, all of which are used to track down the episode's villians. Those guys drive a '70 Cougar, inexplicably equipped with an imitation Screaming Chicken on the hood (seriously), setting up a Detroit vs. Japan showdown straight out of the Bizarro world. It's completely entertaining, even with the language barrier, and the gadget-enhanced, 29-year-old Super Machine-X feels like a precursor to the Mitsubishi Starion Jackie Chan drove in Cannonball Run II. And both those cars have more appeal than the lame Val Kilmer KITT. Just sayin'.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Bajaj small car takes high mileage route  
Bajaj Auto’s ultra low cost (ULC) car, scheduled to hit the roads in 2010-11, is expected to deliver on-road mileage of over 30 km a litre, according to top sources involved with the project. The vehicle will roll out of a new plant in Chakan near Pune.

The company believes that this will be the most important differentiator in this price segment of Rs 1.5 lakh where the car will be pitted directly against the Tata Nano, scheduled to be launched on March 23.

Since this is a platform, there will be more than one version with different price points going beyond the basic level of Rs 1.5 lakh (on-road). It is expected to have both petrol and diesel options, unlike the Nano which will kick off with a petrol version while the diesel will follow in end-2010.

The Bajaj team handling the ULC project is, apparently, convinced that doubling mileage is more important than halving the price. This has stemmed from Bajaj Auto’s own experience in the past when the once robust market for the Chetak scooter literally shifted overnight to motorcycles, which were dearer but much more fuel-efficient. “The idea is to work on this car with the mindset of a motorcycle,” sources said.

The ULC project was conceived as a three-way alliance where Bajaj would hold 50 per cent equity with Renault and Nissan accounting for 25 per cent each. However, in a statement signed by the Managing Director, Mr Rajiv Bajaj, on Saturday, the message was clear that the company would go it alone if the other two were to back off.


Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (3/16/2009)

PSA: If you're going to rob your mechanic, it's unnecessary to pay for your repairs first  
Police in Ypsilanti, MI had little trouble nabbing a thief suspected of holding up a repair shop employee at gunpoint because they knew exactly what car he was driving. The 24-year-old alleged robber dropped his vehicle off at the repair facility on Wednesday and came to pick it up on Friday. The man paid $200 for the repairs, but used the cold hard steel of a gun to request all the money in the register after being given his change. The man was given $500 from the register and he drove off in his newly repaired car.

If this doesn't sound like a great robbery plan to you, you're spot-on. Not only did the shop know the make, model and likely the license plate number of the vehicle, they likely also had the gentleman's contact information so they could inform him that repairs were done. We know that sometimes repair costs can feel like highway robbery, but payback just isn't an option.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Google Street View catches flock of Ferraris in natural habitat  
Man, the Google Street View Driver got an eyeful the day he drove by this Maranello Moment. And he captured it all for posterity (and Google Maps) to boot. The gaggle of F430 Scuderias and 360 Challenge Stradales is impressive enough. Throw in the five F40s, three Enzos and a lone F50, and you have yourself a proper stampede of prancing horses. The Street View photos do two things. First, they reinforce our belief that the F40 is infinitely cooler than both its hyper-exotic successors. Second, they have us thinking that on this particular day, Rome's Piazza Santiago del Cile was probably the best-sounding place on planet Earth. Thanks for the tip, Bennayd!


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Snuggies and driving don't mix  
Snuggie DrivingSure, the Snuggie's just tops for keeping warm while using the remote, talking on the phone, playing video games, reading a book, eating popcorn, making s'mores, or looking like a complete lunatic at your kids' soccer game, but when it comes to driving, well, it appears that's where the line has to be drawn.

So says MotherProof's Courtney Messenbaugh, who had until this assignment somehow not even heard of the media-saturated, brightly-colored fleece Jedi robe/blanket. Her job: see if the Snuggie is appropriate for driving. Her verdict, after gathering the blasted thing into the driver's seat: hell no. It may be a pop-culture phenomenon, but the Snuggie's ultimately better suited for pub crawls, not Porsches.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

M&M slashes capex by Rs 5 bn for 3 years  
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has planned to cut its capital expenditure (capex) for the next 3 years (ending March 2012) by Rs 5 billion, reports Economic Times.

The savings will basically come from better cost management, renegotiating better terms with vendors and less automation.

This will not change the company`s plans to launch three new platforms, including trucks. The company expects the pick-up in demand in the current month to continue in March.

Shares of the company gained Rs 15.7, or 4.77%, to end at Rs 344.80. The total volume of shares traded was 513,377 at the BSE (Friday).


Source : myiris.com (3/15/2009)

Mazda Releases Redesigned AZ-Wagon i in Japan  
Tokyo, Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of its redesigned Mazda AZ-Wagon i, a special needs vehicle equipped with a sloping access ramp for wheelchairs. The new model is based on the fully redesigned AZ-Wagon micro-mini that was launched in Japan in September 2008. Sales commence today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini, and Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan.

The new AZ-Wagon i has a wide opening at the rear and a spacious cabin with a high roof. Other enhancements designed for wheelchair users include a new three-point seatbelt and a handrail on both sides of the rear cabin, as standard equipment. Additionally, user-friendliness is also improved for caregivers by a sloping entry/exit ramp that is gentler than the previous model.

Main features of the all-new AZ-Wagon i

- New three-point seatbelt for wheelchair users (the previous model was equipped with a two-point seatbelt) - A handrail on both sides of the rear cabin provides extra support and comes as standard equipment - Easier wheelchair access due to the lower floor and gentler sloping ramp - Anti-theft immobilizer fitted as standard equipment


Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (3/15/2009)

Original Batmobile spotted at SoCal car wash  
It's no secret that Southern California is home to one of the best car cultures in the world. You can find a cruise or car show pretty much any day of the year, and it's always amazing to see the vehicles that show up. It's even incredible to see the kinds of cars that are simply out and about performing normal, everyday tasks. In addition to the usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, you can sometimes catch some truly unique cars out in the wild.

Take, for instance, this original Batmobile that was out getting a wash and wax at the Car Spa in Newport Beach this weekend. It's the fourth of four original Batmobiles built by George Barris back in 1966 and is known as the "dragster" version because of its 427ci Holman and Moody V8 underhood and dual parachutes attached to the rear. The car was built to serve as an exhibition model and actually raced at several drag strips around the country back in the 1960's. It also comes with a working saw blade that drops down at the front and can actually shoot flames out the back. We tip our hats to the fine gentleman that actually drives this thing on the street.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Catch Truth in 24 this Friday on ESPN  
The 24 hours of Le Mans is arguably the toughest, most famous race in the world. Audi has dominated the annual event since 2006 with its revolutionary, diesel powered R10. Truth in 24 (Autoblog review here) is the story of the 2008 race as seen from the pits of team Audi. The four-ringed automaker commissioned the visual masters at NFL Films to produce the documentary, and the resulting film is a must-see for anyone even remotely interested in racing.

ESPN is airing the brilliant documentary on Friday, March 20 as a kickoff to the ALMS season. The Friday airing of Truth in 24 is the perfect precursor to the world racing debut of Audi's new R15 at the 12 Hours of Sebring the next day. This documentary has fast become one of the best racing films of all time, and it's definitely worth your time. Thanks for the tip, Horst!


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Mercedes-Benz Marks its 75th Anniversary of The Silver Arrows at Amelia Island  
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla.: -- Mercedes-Benz commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Silver Arrows at this year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, one of the nation's most innovative vintage auto shows featuring over 250 rare classics from seldom-seen private collections nationwide. The event runs from March 12-15, 2009, on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

On display for the 75th anniversary occasion at the 14th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance are two vintage Silver Arrows including a W 154 and a W 196 R "Streamliner" and a 2009 SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster.

"Every record established by a Silver Arrow contributed to a legend that continues to intrigue car enthusiasts to this very day," said Mike Kunz, manager, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA. "From a technological standpoint, the Silver Arrows were superior against the competition and their international racing victories set new standards while also proving that Mercedes-Benz creates the best products that could win at the highest level."

The Mercedes-Benz W 154 Grand Prix car marked the pinnacle of the "kompressor" (supercharger) era of Mercedes-Benz race cars. It dominated both the 1938 and 1939 Grand Prix seasons with consecutive European Championships won by Rudolf Caracciola (1938) and Hermann Lang (1939). The W 154 on display is part of the Collier Museum collection.

One of only 15 units ever built, the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R was available in both an open wheel variant named the "Monoposto" and an aerodynamic version appropriately named the "Streamliner." The W 196 R holds nine victories including fastest lap plus 8 pole positions in 12 Grand Prix races. In 1954 and 1955, Juan Manuel Fangio claimed world championship titles behind the wheel. The W 196 R Streamliner on display is part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum collection.

A modern-day Silver Arrow, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster pays tribute to the historic victory at the classic 1955 Mille Miglia open road endurance race won by British motor-racing legend Sir Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkins, in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster continues the legend of the successful 1950s SLR racing sports cars, with innovative technology adopted from the world of motor sport. The powerful heart of the SLR Roadster 722 S is a hand-built AMG supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine which delivers 650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 in 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 208 mph. With only 150 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadsters available worldwide, it aims to inspire the most discerning automotive enthusiasts.

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. For more than forty years, MBUSA has taken pride in its commitment to the customer by providing superior quality luxury vehicles coupled with outstanding customer support.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California, plays home to dozens of vintage cars from the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection in Stuttgart, Germany. The Center operates a world-class restoration workshop, providing parts and restoration services for customers with classic Mercedes-Benz cars, beginning with the world's first automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen from 1886.


Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (3/15/2009)

BMW DesignWorksUSA designs ultimate gaming rig  
About a decade ago, pretty much every computer in the world was housed in a boring beige box, and the biggest design question was whether that container would sit vertically or horizontally. That's all changed now, partly due to the influence of Apple and custom PC manufacturers like Thermaltake, a Taiwanese company that specializes in PC cases and cooling devices.

Recently, Thermaltake contracted BMW DesignWorksUSA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German automaker, to help create a new concept in high-end computing, and the result is wholly different from what's common to the market today. Instead of centering around one large box that all the computer components would sit inside, BMW's Level 10 concept uses a set of smaller containers that would house each individual piece.

The requisite LCD lighting is present and accounted for, in this case glowing a red hue that looks Vader-esque with the rest of its piano black plastic surrounds. This design is mostly an aesthetic exercise, but it may also have a desirable effect on cooling. Other unique features include a "USB memory key" that doubles as a power button and dual handles that allow the unit to be transported. See the official press release after the break.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

Just follow the light: Traffic lines stay brighter going in one direction  
A recent study by North Carolina State University has shown that the stripes dividing our nation's roadways are brighter when they are applied in the same direction that traffic is flowing. In many cases, the twin center lines dividing opposing lanes are painted at the same time, making them more visible in one direction than the other. The issue seems to center around the glass beads that are mixed in with the paint. These reflective beads are most effective when properly oriented.

Using a device called – we're not making this up – a retroreflect-o-meter, the team discovered that the difference in the reflective values of painted lines put down in the proper direction was great enough that they could sometimes last an entire year longer than if they were painted in the opposite direction.

These findings indicate that the transportation authorities could save quite a bit of money if they go the extra step of ensuring the lines are applied in the correct direction. Additionally, safety would be improved since the lines would be more clearly visible at night. Other more costly alternatives include adhesive tapes with glass beads already embedded in the proper direction. Who knew?


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)

More Lambo shoes: Reventon sneakers!  
Tim Cooper came up with a hideous set of pumps inspired by the Lamborghini Gallardo. Now, a French designer at Subaru in Japan has come up with sneakers that pull their inspiration from the Lamborghini Reventon. They're a little blunt at the front, but otherwise -- and as one might expect -- they're sleek, angular, olive drab, and boast a healthy dose of carbon fiber trim. Check out that trick suspended heel, too. We're not likely to ever see a production version, but if Lamborghini did decide to offer them, we'd take these kicks over the Lamborghini cologne any day.


Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (3/15/2009)