Episode 286 – EPA Emissions Ruling, Challenger Dethrones Prius, Danica Heads To NASCAR
December 8th, 2009 at 12:09pm
Runtime 8:36
The EPA ruled that greenhouse gasses threaten the public health and welfare of the American people. The Dodge Challenger was just rated the most satisfying vehicle by Consumer Reports’ readers. Danica Patrick will race in NASCAR next year. All that and more, plus a closer look at the electric version of the Mini.
Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .
Here are today’s top headlines. The EPA officially condemns greenhouse gasses. The Dodge Challenger dethrones the Toyota Prius. And Danica will be headed to NASCAR.
Up next, we’ll be back with the news behind the headlines.
This is Autoline Daily for Tuesday, December 8, 2009. And now, the news.
The EPA has finally ruled that greenhouse gasses threaten the public health and welfare of the American people (subscription required). Of course, so far, the EPA’s only efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses focus solely on light vehicles – cars and trucks – which only account for 18 percent of those emissions. You heard me right, only one-eight percent, which ignores the other 82 percent. According to the Wall Street Journal, the EPA will issue rules the auto industry has to meet by March 31st next year. But it says all other emitters will face regulations, as well. I wonder if that includes me? Because every time I talk, carbon dioxide comes out of my mouth!
In all the management changes at General Motors that we reported on yesterday we neglected to note that Ray Young will continue as Chief Financial Officer. You’ll remember there were various news reports he would be leaving the company or get reassigned. At one point GM would not even acknowledge if he was staying or going. And Steve Rattner of the Automotive Task Force even vilified GM’s financial staff in an article in Fortune magazine. But Ray Young has survived to fight another day, and I give him the highest praise for soldiering on in the face of all this public scrutiny that questioned his competence.
Even though Ford has named Geely its preferred bidder for Volvo, it received a new bid last week for the company and now it has another. According to the AFP, Swedish consortium Jakob AB has submitted a bid but wouldn’t say how Ford reacted to its last minute entry. While financial numbers have not been disclosed, it’s believed that all three bids are close to $2 billion.
And speaking of Sweden’s other car company, GM is talking to Chinese automaker BAIC about a partial sale of Saab’s assets. According to Reuters, BAIC would acquire Saab’s tooling and technology and move it all from Sweden to China. Everything else, including its headquarters in Sweden, would be shut down for good. GM is going through several other bids as well and says it will have a decision by the end of the month.
It’s been rumored for quite some time now but now its official, Danica Patrick will race in NASCAR next year. According to the SportingNews, Danica will drive in a limited number of races in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Danica still plans to race in all of the IRL events next year. And GoDaddy.com, is her sponsor for both series.
It’s been a looooooong time since we’ve been able to report some good news about Chrysler, but we’ve finally got some – and from an unlikely source. According to Consumer Reports, the company’s V-8-powered Challenger was just rated the most satisfying vehicle by readers. The retro muscle car beat out the longstanding Toyota Prius for top honors. 92 percent of Challenger owners said they would definitely buy another one if given the chance. Second on the list with a score of 91 is the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Other top performers include the Chevy Corvette, Porsche 911, and the all-wheel-drive Acura TL.
GM announced it’s investing $336 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to build the Chevy Volt. Production is expected to start late next year. This outlay of cash brings the company’s total Volt-related investment in Michigan to $700 million spread across eight facilities. In related news, the website GM-Volt.com reports that Chevy has come out with a theme song for the car. Yes … a theme song. It’s an Itchy and Scratchy shiny, smiley, happy kind of jingle that sings the praises of the upcoming EV. Yuk! Why don’t they get AC/DC or Metallica to do it?
Coming up next, a closer look at the electric version of the Mini.
As I mentioned yesterday, BMW recently took us back to college for an event it called ONE DAY University.
One of the more well-attended workshops at its North-American headquarters featured the latest information on real-world experience with the MINI E. This is the program that started last summer where 450 electric versions of the MINI Cooper were leased by a select group of customers in Southern California and the New York City area. Well, some of the first feedback BMW is getting from the study group, which no one should be surprised about, is focused on everyday problems.
Leading the workshop is Rich Steinberg, BMW’s North American manager for electric vehicles. And as he and his team talk to MINI E drivers to compile data, they’re running across not only a number of interesting technical items about the car, but what it can also do to a consumer.
It looks like the MINI E program, which was only slated to last a year, may be extended to continue gathering data on both the cars and consumer behavior. However, if you’re hoping to have a MINI E parked in your driveway someday soon, don’t hold your breath. BMW says there are no plans to produce the vehicle at the present time.
And that’s it for today’s top news in the global automotive industry. Yesterday we announced that Brent Dewar would be joining us for Autoline After Hours, but unfortunately, now he can’t make it. Tomorrow we’ll announce who the guest will be.
Thanks for watching, we’ll see you tomorrow.
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Comments (43)
December 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
>According to Consumer Reports, the
>company’s V-8-powered Challenger was
>just rated the most satisfying
>vehicle by readers.
What CR is admitting is, a vehicle designed for performance (i.e., with a powerful engine) is more satisfying than a vehicle whose design is constrained by the need to meet a fuel economy objective.
Surprize, surprize!
December 8th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Danica to NASCAR…what a joke Nascar has become. I know she can pull in the BIG money and that is the ONLY thing that matters in big time racing. Heck you dont need to win or be any good. She has ONE!!! win on fuel mileage the other car thought she was a lap down, like always and slowed. Now that would be just a funny foot note IF that was one of 10, 20 30, wins. BUT is the ONLY win. She runs top 10 of only 15 that finish thats great. I am sure there are alot of drivers that have won more races looking for a ride,,but hot as good looking..LOL
December 8th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
One word to describe the Chevy Volt theme song:
“REVOLTING”!!!!!!!
December 8th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I know that I’d be alot happier driving the retro mussle car, than the poster car for the green movement.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
What a joke Nascar has become. You dont have to be any good just bring in the BIG $$$. Danica has 1!!! win in a fuel mileage race the leader stated that he thought that she was a lap down, like always, and slowed. That would be just a funny foot note IF that was 1 of 10, 20, 30 some wins, but it is her ONLY win. She runs top 10 of the 15 or so that finsh or the 24 that start..GREAT. Also the way she flies off the handle at other drivers that should go over well in Nascar. I would think that somewhere in ARCA or USAC etc there would be a driver that wins that would be looking for a ride….OH maybe not a good looking LOL
December 8th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Here’s the song for Volt: “See the USA in a Chevrolet, 40 miles a day. See the USA in a Chevrolet, it should take half a decade, driving just 40 miles a day. You will have time to take in all the sites, wondering why you blew 40 grand on this crap.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
MPG is the new 0-60.
If you have actually driven the Prius, even the prior generation, which I rented for 3 days in the LA area in April and June 09, you’d like it far more than you do until you get to drive it.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
A broad range of cars do well in Consumer Reports’ “owner satisfaction” survey. Looking through their most recent annual buying guide,
I find that, along with Prius, Nissan Murano, Mini Cooper, Smart Fortwo, Corvette, Honda Fit, Civic Hybrid, VW GTi, and most Porsches did very well. What this says is, people can like their cars, whether high performance sports cars, or very low performance cars like the Smart.
I find that, like other parts of the CR survey, the question is too vague. I don’t remember the exact wording of the “overall satisfaction” question, but it is basically “would you buy this car again?” I find that question hard to answer about my Chevy Malibu Maxx. If the same cars were being sold as when I bought my Malibu in ‘06, I’d buy it again. If they made a hatch or wagon version of the new Malibu, I would strongly consider it if I were in the market. Since they don’t sell a hatch or wagon version of the new Malibu, I would not buy a Malibu if in the market. How are you supposed to answer “would you buy it again” in a case like this?
December 8th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Revolting lie in the Volt song…40 miles emission free! Guess they forgot about the electric power plant most likely billowing emissions from it coal fired generator. Coal is our most common source of electric generation. Talk about CO2 emissions! While I believe the song to be a lie and lame. I like the look of the Volt but not the dumbed down hype.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I think that consumer report on Challenger Vs Prius is bias, because I can think of probably every other car that is more satisfying to own than a Toyota Prius and I do mean Every Other Car.
- I’m not bashing on the Challenger, but I do wish Chrysler would make more and put some good TV Ads for it… Has anyone seem a TV commercial for the Challenger, anywhere??
Humn, The Volt theme song…….. .. NAH, still sucks.
Wait… JohnMc. Is GM planning to make some TV ads with that theme song??? cause, if they are; that would probably be the most scary theme song for a car ever made.
-
December 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Wha, no Dewar Trophy for AAH this week?
In that case I will make my weekly pitch for Jill Wagner, the Mercury girl.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
South Park had an episode featuring “Pius” green cars who’s owners gave off so much “smug” that they had a smug emergency.
Hilarious and right on target for many Prius drivers.
Also I’ll bet that 40 mile range for the Volt is going to grow a bunch before it’s released.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Chrysler has made so many crappy cars, that when they finally made one that actually works, people are flabbergasted at the notion of actually starting and driving the damn thing, let’s see how satisfied they’re gonna be in 3 or 4 years.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
[...] http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/journal/?p=7200Leading the workshop is Rich Steinberg, BMW’s North American manager for electric vehicles. And as he and his team talk to MINI E drivers to compile data, they’re running across not University Course 1239 only a number of interesting technical items about the … [...]
December 8th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I think mpg is the new horsepower.
The 1990’s turned most 4 cylinder drivers into V6 drivers!
Looks at car reviews. Anything big with a V6 and smaller with a 4 cylinder engine is described as “under-powered”
December 8th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Salvador G. Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
“I think that consumer report on Challenger Vs Prius is bias, because I can think of probably every other car that is more satisfying to own than a Toyota Prius and I do mean Every Other Car.”
The idea of using half as much fuel as most other people while meeting your transportation needs is very satisfying to a lot of people, making the Prius satisfying to own for those people. Also, the Prius’s hatchback body makes it handy for hauling stuff. Add in the good reliability, and it is no wonder a lot of people say they “would buy it again” on their Consumer Reports surveys. Also, when you take it for what it is, a high-efficency transportation device, a Prius drives just fine. That applies to the 2nd generation Prius which I’ve driven. The new one drives better, and uses less gas.
December 8th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Gary Taylor Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
“I think mpg is the new horsepower.
The 1990’s turned most 4 cylinder drivers into V6 drivers!
Looks at car reviews. Anything big with a V6 and smaller with a 4 cylinder engine is described as “under-powered.”
A lot of car reviewers idea of “underpowered” is a bit warped, if you consider reality. Any car that will do 0-60 in less than 12 seconds and top out at 90+ is not underpowered, in a practical sense. Sure, faster is more fun, but a 90hp VW Jetta TDI has plenty of power for any real-world driving, at least with a manual transmission. Heck, the 18 wheelers which take about a minute to get to 60 when loaded seem to make good time getting from one place to another.
December 8th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
@Pedro
Have you ever actually owned a Chrysler product? If not, then don’t knock em until you do! You will find Mopar owners to be some of the most loyal in the industry.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Mann,…that jingle is just a bad as fingernails on a chalkboard. Chevy couldn’t find a music artist that is an auto enthusiast that doesn’t have bullet holes in ‘em.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Didn’t Chevy have a deal with Mary J? I am sure she could have made that jingle a lot less irritating.
How on earth did a Prius become the most satisfying ride in the first place?
December 8th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I am surprised that so many “car People” think the Volt only has a 40 mile driving capability. DUH!
December 8th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Max,
I have a GM, BMW Mini, a Chrysler, and a VW. All of them are good.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
No, I don’t own one but I know people that have owned and still do and they just fall apart after a few years of use. Become worthless crap b4 their time. And now with 5 and 6 yr. loans, they are worth a lot less than what people owe on them.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Volt does have a battery capacity of 40 miles per GM
December 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Pedro Fernandez Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
“Volt does have a battery capacity of 40 miles per GM”
…but it has a gas motor-generator so it has essentially unlimited range, if you put gas in the tank every few hundred miles, like any other car.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
True, but then it won’t get the advertised 240 mpg and buyers will place it low in the CR Annual auto survey, best thing to do is just drive the 40 miles per day and take back roads and enjoy all this great country has to offer w/o wasting one drop of filthy Arab oil, that’s what I would do. But then again I’m old and don’t want to drive a lot of miles.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I still want to know where are we getting all this NEW elec. WIth rolling back outs in some states and no new power plants in the pipe and air farms dont make money. So, if only some 10 or 20% of cars in the next 10 years go plug in where are we getting the power. In my area the elec. company has a order from the Gov. to cut power by 10% with CF blubs, that they are charging us for at 25 bucks for 2 but that is another store. Well now add plug ins ….@$@&$#*(^+
December 8th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Come on John. The Volt theme song is a gag that Mr. Autoextremist came up with. Isn’t it . . . ?
December 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I owned a Chrysler product a T&C. I didn’t like it but my wife loved it. I also owned a 75 Plymouth Valient, I got it from my aunt, it was a great car if you didn’t mind working on it on the side of the road.
FYI my real name is Dave Ederer
December 8th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
John’s expression is priceless when they played the Volt song hahaha!
December 8th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
I’d still like to know more about how efficient the Volt is really going to be when running on gas only, but here is my guess. Not very efficient. With the energy loss of the generator and the electric motor rather than a direct connection between the gas engine and wheels, I would not expect Volt to be particularly efficient when running on gas only. That said, it should still make sense for people who do most of their driving less than a 40 mile round trip from home, if their home is a “house in the suburbs” where they can plug it in, as opposed to an apartment where they park in a lot or on the street with no power access. Time will tell how much sense this whole “series hybrid” concept makes. It may depend a lot on how soon we come up with a significant amount of renewable sources of electricity like wind and solar.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
EPA Emissions Ruling= Big Coal, Big Oil, and Big Industry missed their lobbying payments they have been regularly paying for the last 120 years, due to this “Great Recession”.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I found the similarity of the electric Mini’s recharging plug to a gas/diesel filler neck amusing. Why is it pointed down like a filler neck? At that level (with respect to the ground), it would be easier to insert if it were pointed upward and also less susceptible to water intrusion if the orange seal they showed got lost or worn enough to leak.
I don’t think the consumer needs it to look just like a gas fill to learn how to plug it in. We get new kinds of connectors for our electronic toys every year or two.
December 9th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Kit, I agree with your Volt theory, but remember most likely we’ll have electric Chinese cars that will cost a LOT less and possibly have even more range, though I’ll bet they won’t be as well appointed as the Volt, but hey you’re talking about saving big bucks! I think GM is betting the farm on the Volt and they’re gonna lose.
December 9th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Pedro,
When I was in Shanghai for more than a month in May-June 06, besides the millions of cars, many expensive Euro and GM cars, I saw a lot of electric scooters, very neat, small scooters with 1-2 people on them, usually skinny female college students. I asked how much they cost, and somebody told me about $1,000 (or $1,500 now at most). This is as cheap as the cheapest economy gas-powered 50 cc scooters from Taiwan, Honda scooters and tiny bikes are more expensive.
December 9th, 2009 at 9:36 am
John,
You are right.that Volt theme song sounds like
something out of Sesame St. Another brilliant
move from GM management !!!
December 9th, 2009 at 9:42 am
From “The Truth About Cars”: GM’s bleak future (given its current marketing and sales VP) and huge incentives:
“From here on out, GM’s success in the US market comes down to two people: Susan Docherty and Mark Reuss. The two fielded their first joint sales conference call last week, and it was clear that they were still settling into their roles. Listen to the whole hour of awkwardness here, or, for a quick summary check out the final questions of the session (from the WSJ’s John Stoll), and the prickly, defensive answers from Docherty and Reuss. When Stoll asks how Reuss and Docherty expect to change a culture when they’re a product of that culture, the tension is palpable. Then, when Stoll accuses Docherty’s sales organization of buying market share with incentives, the pair’s non-answer is “I guess that’s what you feel.” Meanwhile, Edmunds reports that GM has by far the highest incentives of any automaker, with a True Cost of Incentives of $4,270, over a thousand dollars more than number two Chrysler. Good thing we’re tackling those problems head-on then.”
December 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am
dave Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I still want to know where are we getting all this NEW elec. WIth rolling back outs in some states and no new power plants in the pipe and air farms dont make money. So, if only some 10 or 20% of cars in the next 10 years go plug in where are we getting the power.
Dave – if EVERY car in the US were switched to electric, the drain on the grid would only be 10% more than current. And we have a long way to go before that ever happens…
December 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
@ T. Bejma
maybe I dont know the numbers, but states are hamering people about power usage now. Cal is out lawing TVs that use too muck power, and that is most TVs that are sold today. I would not care if the tree huggers would let companies build new nuc. power plants. Put people to work and have the power to do whatever we want.
Also poeple say that you can save “X” amount of $$ just by using CF blubs great well if I can save $$by just changing the light, BUT my bill will not go up charging my car every night…that sounds funny to me
December 9th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Dave,
10% is a huge number for an expensive little POS Plug in to sell in such volumes. 1% is more accurate, BUT in any case, the current grid has PLENTY of power that nobody is using in the NON_PEAK hours, where the cost of electricity is ridiculously small and when most people will be charging their plug-ins. This is NOT an issue.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am
PS and of course your electric bill wil go up, even if you charge overnight, but for many people the extra $10 a month in electricity will be four times LESS the $40 or so savings if they used gas for fuel!
December 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Nick Stevens Says:
December 9th, 2009 at 9:30 am
“When I was in Shanghai for more than a month in May-June 06, besides the millions of cars, many expensive Euro and GM cars, I saw a lot of electric scooters, very neat, small scooters with 1-2 people on them, usually skinny female college students.”
It sounds like they made a lot of progress in Shanghai in 14 years. I was there for about two weeks in 1992, and the city was crawling with mopeds and small scooters with two-stroke engines. The air was blue from the smoke from the zillions of little two-strokes. Electric, or even 4-stroke gas scooters would be a good replacement for those two-strokes.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Danica on Dale Jr’s team will make for a money making magnet; sounds like a good move by Nascar at least in terms of ticket sales