Video: Watch as Japanese motorist’s car is engulfed by the tsunami

Filed under: Etc., Japan

Japanese motorist's car engulfed by tsunami

Japanese tsunami footage from inside a car – Click above to watch the video after the break

Modern technology means that the world has an almost constant and unlimited amount of coverage of major news stories from all around the planet. That’s certainly true of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, especially since Japan is one of the most tech-happy countries in the world.

And so it comes as little surprise that at least one Japanese man had a camera running in his car as he attempted to flee the impending rush of water near the coastline. Suffice it to say that his plans to escape failed miserably. Thankfully, though, the man lived to tell the tale, as did his footage.

Click past the break to see a truly harrowing video of a Japanese motorist’s car being engulfed by a two-meter tsunami. Again, this driver is truly lucky to have survived, and we know that hundreds if not thousands of Japanese citizens weren’t so fortunate. Our thoughts remain with the survivors.

[Source: Telegraph]

Continue reading Video: Watch as Japanese motorist’s car is engulfed by the tsunami

Video: Watch as Japanese motorist’s car is engulfed by the tsunami originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar offering Crisis Assist services to tsunami victims

Filed under: Etc., Technology, GM

OnStar mirror button

OnStar customers who live in areas affected by the tsunami warnings are getting help from their cars. General Motors has announced that those who live in affected areas can push the OnStar button their vehicle and be connected with a Crisis Advisor, who will help them get through the situation as safely as possible.

The Crisis Advisors can contact emergency services; provide points of contact for assistance, including food, shelter and hotel accommodations; help subscribers without power to access the internet or charge phones so they can stay in contact and receive weather and incident updates.

According to GM, OnStar can also be used to funnel information from subscribers to federal emergency management agencies to get assistance to people in need. Feel free to scope the press release for all the details.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading OnStar offering Crisis Assist services to tsunami victims

OnStar offering Crisis Assist services to tsunami victims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video

Filed under: Japan

Earthquake and tsunami in Japan levels auto shipping yard

Earthquake and tsunami in Japan levels auto shipping yard – Click above to enlarge

It’s difficult to comprehend, let alone describe, the massive amount of damage an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and closely following tsunami could incur on a densely packed island nation such as Japan. While we struggle to wrap our minds around such catastrophic levels of destruction, one particular image strikes a chord with us auto-obsessive types.

Clearly, the leveling of a couple hundred automobiles pales in comparison to the actual loss of lives caused by Japan’s most recent natural disaster, but, in automotive terms at least, this is the kind of image that can make a big impression on our often one-track minds.

The image seen above (click to enlarge) was taken above Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture, and we don’t have any information as to which manufacturer’s cars were located here. Thanks to all who sent this in!

*Update: Video of the shipping yard catching fire after tsunami damage after the break.

[Source: STR/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video

Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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