Tuning Truck

Even in Turmoil, Automakers Cannot Afford to Ignore Environmental Concerns

So Rick Wagoner's gone - or will be as soon as an official announcement of his widely reported resignation as GM's chairman can be cobbled together.

Rick Wagoner is expected to resign as GM chairman at White House's behest.

He took one for the team as politicians in Washington demanded blood in return for an increased effort to save General Motors Corp. from years of missteps, and, worse, no

Black is back in the Golden State - whether it's cool or not.

The Los Angeles Times' Up To Speed blog reported on March 27 that the California Air Resources Board has no plans "at this time" to regulate car paint as part of its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CARB spokesman Stanley Young told the blog that "we are by no means interested in banning or restricting car colors."

Young was referring to controversy fueled by reports that California regulators were

Dutch electric drive systems developer Detroit Electric and Malaysian automaker Proton have announced a strategic partnership to build and sell battery-electric vehicles in Asia, Europe and the U.S.

The deal, announced today but initially reported Friday (in case this sounds a bit deja vu-ish) calls for Detroit Electric to provide the electric drive system, including lithium-polymer batteries, to be installed in vehicles based on two of Proton's platforms.

Proton

File this one under "think global and act local" - with a duplicate copy under "is this really necessary?"

On March 26, the California Air Resources Board voted to require the state's 40,000 automotive services suppliers to check the tire pressure of every vehicle serviced.

CARB's rationale for the new rule that will take effect in 2010 is to improve fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. The rule is designed to eliminate 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD is the automotive equivalent of eating reduced-fat ice cream. You get the pleasure of enjoying something that may be a little better for your health and diet -- or in the case of the Escape Hybrid, driving an SUV that may be better for the health of the planet and your gas budget -- but isn't quite like the real thing.

While the payoff with the 30-plus mpg Ford

With a name like 2010 Cayenne GTS Porsche® Design Edition 3, how can you resist this $89,000 SUV?

Set for export to the U.S. in limited quantities, this gussied up Cayenne GTS features special paint, standard 21-inch SportPlus wheels and sport stripes. The interior gets black leather with contrasting red stitching and Alcantara inserts.

In other words, this special edition Cayenne

Rabbit fans, you are too few. At least, that's how Volkswagen is feeling these days according to Automotive News.

The redesigned Golf which is already on sale in Europe, will come to America under the same name this fall, a reversal of the reversal instituted just a few years ago. No particular reason was given other than the fact that the U.S. was the only market that didn't use Golf.

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