Tag: america

BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, BMW

BMW VP Jack Pitney with Apollo Ono

Jack Pitney, BMW’s North American vice president of marketing was killed today in a tragic accident while vacationing on his farm.

Pitney, 47, had been with BMW since 1995, when he joined the German automaker to head its corporate communications operations. Influential in bringing the Mini brand to the U.S., he was its first boss in this market from 2001-2005. More recently, he was the point man for helping BMW secure a partnership with the U.S. Olympic Committee (see photo above). Pitney was tipped to become VP of BMW’s eastern region on September 1.

Our condolences go out to Pitney’s family, friends and colleagues. Official press release from BMW after the jump.

Continue reading BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47

BREAKING: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overweight and Overfueled – CDC says fat America uses more gas

Filed under: Etc.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a new report on obesity in the U.S. According to the study, the U.S. witnessed a 1.1 percent increase in the number of self-reported people with obesity between 2007 and 2009. The increase amounts to 2.4 million additional Americans admitting that they have joined the category of obese individuals. In addition, the number of states reporting that at least 30 percent of its population fit into the obese category has tripled to include nine states. Rising obesity rates have led to increased medical costs and other public issues, but the automotive industry has felt the added weight as well.

According to the study, an estimated one billion gallons of extra fuel were used up to compensate for the added weight of drivers and passengers from 1960 to 2002. If you look at it another way, 0.7 percent of all the fuel burned in vehicles from 1960 to 2002 has been attributable to passengers who have packed on a few extra pounds. Or, how about this one: 39 million gallons of fuel are burned for each pound gained by the average American. While these numbers will probably make an eco-conscious driver think twice next time they’re in line at a fast food joint, it seems unlikely that the majority Americans will slim down for the simple sake of saving fuel.

[Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Consumer Reports, Green Car Reports | Image: Tobyotter – C.C. License 2.0]

Overweight and Overfueled – CDC says fat America uses more gas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How the British Pay Homage to 50’s America: Chevrolet Spark woody

Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Chevrolet, UK, Design/Style

Chevrolet Spark Woody art car – Click above for high-res image gallery

At some point in history, the notion of having a wood-lined automobile went from the pinnacle of awesome to the depths of loathsome. We’re guessing that demarcation falls at about the same point in time when automakers stopped using real wood and started gluing vinyl recreations to the sides of vehicles that were an affront to cool to begin with. If you need proof, please direct your attention to any number of woody Chrysler PT Cruiser models or, if you’re of stouter stomach, the self-proclaimed Chevrolet Spark Woody Wagon art car pictured above.

Chevrolet UK decided to wrap one of the company’s diminutive people movers in wood-grained Di-Nocto harken back to the company’s American, youthful roots – or at least that’s what the press release says. If that’s not enough to send your head spinning, take a good close look at those tires. Yup, they’re wide whitewalls.

The company has rolled out a few different one-off art Sparks so far, and plans to keep it up with a new British Touring Car Championship inspired version set for an unveil later this month. We’re guessing that one will strike our fancy a bit more than the trans-generational pastiche above. Hit the jump for the press release and make sure to check out the large high-res gallery below – but perhaps you’ll want to pop a few Tums first.

Gallery: Chevrolet Europe Spark Woody Art Car

[Source: Chevrolet UK]

Continue reading How the British Pay Homage to 50’s America: Chevrolet Spark woody

How the British Pay Homage to 50’s America: Chevrolet Spark woody originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America

Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Canada, Diesel, Luxury

Porsche Cayenne

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW offer their premium SUVs in diesel flavors, and that’s got Porsche rethinking its stance re: the Cayenne. According to a Porsche PR rep in Canada, the American managers are thinking about bringing the oil-burner this way in order to fill that hole. Two years ago, Porsche tested and then confirmed a diesel Cayenne for the American market that would use Audi’s 3.0 TDI. It was supposed to arrive early last year; obviously, that never happened.

We drove the Euro-spec diesel Cayenne last year, and walked away thinking it’s a “no-brainer for the American market.” With the new Cayenne having lost all that weight and increased its performance, a diesel engine would pull even better. And if the numbers stand, with overall diesel-vehicle sales in North America predicted to hit around 250,000 units in 2014, it could be that Porsche thinks it’s a no-brainer as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Source: Times Colonist]

Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Crossover

2011 Infiniti QX56 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Finally, after years and years of stagnation and painfully slow sales, small cars are starting to take a foothold in the United States. Or are they? While conventional wisdom makes us believe that Americans are ready to take the downsizing plunge in the face of – or at least the threat of – high fuel prices and environmental concerns (we’re all still watching the Gulf Coast, right?), it seems that reality may once again set us straight.

Automotive sales watchdog Autodata has found that the gas-swilling large SUV segment is growing at a faster pace than the America’s small car segment. Like statistics? Here we go: With a 19-percent jump over the first six months of 2010, large SUV sales have outpaced small cars (14 percent). Critically, they’ve also outpaced the overall market (17 percent).

Now, before we get our feathers riled up too much, realize that sales of large SUVs still lag way behind small cars – 974,000 to 121,000 through the first half of the year. Further, large crossovers like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Lincoln MKT are included in those figures right alongside traditional behemoths like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Infiniti QX56 and Toyota Sequoia.

We also expect that small car sales will continue to climb with new models coming to market, such as the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Hyundai’s Accent and Elantra. That said, there’s always going to be a demand for large and powerful SUVs that can haul people and stuff while towing a boat or camper in cool, air-conditioned comfort, and automakers will be only too happy to provide the thick-margined vehicles for their consumption. For better or for worse.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Infiniti QX56

[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]

Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury

2011 Audi RS5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The on-again/off-again rumors about whether or not Americans will get to sample the hotter-than-hot Audi RS5 Coupe end now – the automaker has officially stated that the coupe will hit the States sometime in 2012. Yes, that’s a bit later than what had originally been speculated, but we’re still stoked that Audi has decided to include us on the RS5 goodness. No mechanical changes will be made to the coupe before it launches in the U.S., so the high-revving 450-horsepower V8 will still be intact. Awesome.

But in the meantime, we have lots of other Audi hotness hitting the streets, including the sexy R8 Spyder, which goes on sale next month. Audi has officially priced the topless R8 from $161,000 (not including the $1,250 destination charge) for six-speed manual models. If you want the six-speed R-tronic manu-matic (and you don’t), be prepared to shell out an additional … wait for it … $9,000. Just stick with the manual – trust us on this one.

The full details are available in Audi’s press release after the jump, and be sure to scroll through the galleries below to gaze upon the RS5 and R8 Spyder in all their glory.

Gallery: 2011 Audi RS5

Gallery: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*

Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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