usa Archives | AutoDepot

Report: Toyota USA gains increased design control

Filed under: Etc., Toyota

2011 toyota tundra

2011 Toyota Tundra – Click above for high-res image gallery

The product development cycle at Toyota can be frustrating. More specifically, the process can be frustrating for North American executives who don’t have total control over vehicles specifically marketed to their country. Engineers, developers and executives all have a say, but the final decisions have been made in Japan. Until now.

According to a report from Automotive News, Toyota has changed its product development process for North American vehicles. An example of such a vehicle is the Toyota Tundra. That pickup caters to the desires and needs of the U.S. car-buying public, and now Toyota USA will be given the leeway needed to make sure it meets those desires and needs.

The Japanese automaker says it has always listened to its U.S. counterparts. However, the process was stifled due to the requirement that decisions be finalized in Japan. Now, this process can flow more freely. Expect to see the effects of this change beginning with the next generation of the Tundra.

Toyota USA gains increased design control originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Toyota USA gains increased design control”

Lotus Cup USA kicks off at Willow Springs

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Lotus, Racing

2011 Lotus Cup USA

Lotus Cup USA kicked off its 2011 season this weekend at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California. The weather was perfect for the season opener, and Jack Fried took the overall and 2-Eleven class victory in a battle that came down to the final lap of the feature race.

Andy Kern took the win in the time attack event with 1:29.473 in another Lotus 2-Eleven, but retired from the feature with mechanical issues. Fried was close behind Kern for second in time attack.

The Lotus Evora Experience kicked off at Willow Springs last weekend as well. The Evora Experience gives 12 VIPs seat time in the Evora, including track sessions. The next round of Lotus Cup USA racing is at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, AZ the weekend of April 9 and 10.

Gallery: Entry-Level Lotus 2-Eleven

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus Cup USA kicks off at Willow Springs

Lotus Cup USA kicks off at Willow Springs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Lotus Cup USA kicks off at Willow Springs”

Penske blindsided by Daimler’s decision to take over Smart USA?

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Smart, Earnings/Financials

Roger Penske blindsided by Smart

On or off the track, Roger Penske is a force to be reckoned with. His team has taken the victory lap 15 times at the Indianapolis 500 and his business ventures have made him one of America’s richest and most powerful entrepreneurs.

Sure, the dapper, silver-haired septuagenarian has had his failures, but they’re few and far between – so it came as a stunning surprise when word came that, just days after officials from the Penske Automotive Group expressed their commitment to stand by the struggling Smart, they were given their walking papers by Daimler AG, which produces the minicar brand.

Apparently, the person most surprised may have been Roger Penske himself, as all indications suggest he may have been blindsided by the decision to pull the Smart franchise.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

[Image: Todd Warshaw/Getty]

Continue reading Penske blindsided by Daimler’s decision to take over Smart USA?

Penske blindsided by Daimler’s decision to take over Smart USA? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Penske blindsided by Daimler’s decision to take over Smart USA?”

James May explains why he already hates the hosts of Top Gear USA

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

James May hates Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara. Before you Top Gear USA haters get too excited at that last sentence, let us explain further. James May hates the Top Gear USA presenters… because he believes they are destined for greatness.

Why exactly does he feel this way? Because of their names. May believes he’s “lumbered with a single-syllable surname evoking a popular bank holiday,” while Foust’s name suggests he can do things with a car that others only dream about – and he really can.

Rutledge Wood, meanwhile, has a name that leads May to believe he should be the next great American novelist, and Adam Ferrara is one letter away from being a child of Enzo.

Whatever May thinks, his discussion of America’s Top Gear and its hosts is a great read. We’re not saying his insight will cause you to give Tanner, Rutledge and Adam a bit of a break for the first few years… but it might have you questioning your hate, just for a moment.

[Source: The Telegraph]

James May explains why he already hates the hosts of Top Gear USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “James May explains why he already hates the hosts of Top Gear USA”

Subaru pegs David Higgins as new Rally Team USA driver [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Subaru, Racing

David Higgins

David Higgins joins Subaru Rally Team USA – Click above to watch video after the jump

The speculation over exactly who will be taking Travis Pastrana’s spot in the driver’s seat with Subaru Rally Team USA can officially be put to rest. David Higgins will be the new man in blue and yellow. Higgins has a résumé that’s chock full of rally wins, from championship titles in SCCA rally here in the states in 2002 and 2003 to a British National Rally Championship title in 2004. The guy also managed to walk away with a championship wins in group N in the British National Rally in 1997, 1999 and 2002.

Needless to say, the guy’s got the chops to keep the pace.

Subaru plans to campaign two cars next season, and while Higgins is the newest member of the team, the leader of the pack will BMX guru and rally beast Dave Mirra. Mirra managed to snag a Rookie of the Year award from Rally America for his efforts last season and took a slot on the podium during the Rally America Olympus event among others. Hit the jump for a look at a video of Higgins doing what he does best as well as the full press blast.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru pegs David Higgins as new Rally Team USA driver [w/video]

Subaru pegs David Higgins as new Rally Team USA driver [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Subaru pegs David Higgins as new Rally Team USA driver [w/video]”

Report: Top Gear USA premiers to middling viewership

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

Top Gear USA Set

At long last, American car nuts have a version of Top Gear to call our own. The project has been in the works for a long time now, and finally debuted on the History Channel this past Sunday. As we go to ~~press~~ server, some 17,500 readers responded to our poll: over 42 percent had already watched it, a few more said they intended to, and less than 14 percent of respondents said they weren’t even interested. That’s all well and good, but how did the show itself actually fair on the all-important ratings chart?

Well, according to Inside Line, it did kinda-sorta alright. Some 1.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the show’s debut. And that might seem like a lot – especially considering the NFL games it was airing against, but it’s really just fair-to-middling. Compare it to the premiere for Conan O’Brien’s new show on TBS (4.2 million) or History’s top program Pawn Stars (3-5 million) and suddenly it looks quite modest. Still, it’s in the very early going, and it’s still around average for a basic cable show, so it’s way too early to draw any conclusions about Top Gear USA and its fortunes.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Top Gear USA premiers to middling viewership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Top Gear USA premiers to middling viewership”

Autoblog Podcast #205: LA Recap, Top Gear USA and Chevy Zetas

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Lincoln

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #205 of the Autoblog Podcast features the monthly appearance of Alex Nunez. Chris, Dan and Alex recap the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Top Gear USA’s first episode, the return of the Holden Commodore as a Chevrolet, and it all wraps up with your questions and feedback at the hour and a half mark. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #205: LA Recap, Top Gear USA, and Chevy Zetas

In the Autoblog Garage:

Lincoln MKS Ecoboost
2011 Mustang GT

News Topics:

LA Auto Show recap
G8 to return as a Chevy
Top Gear USA airs its first episode

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez
Runtime: 1:31:35

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #205: LA Recap, Top Gear USA and Chevy Zetas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Autoblog Podcast #205: LA Recap, Top Gear USA and Chevy Zetas”

Like Autoblog’s Facebook page to win a Top Gear USA prize pack

It’s been a long journey for the U.S. version of Top Gear, but the premier is just a little over three days away (10PM EST/9C this Sunday on the HISTORY Channel). To celebrate, the folks behind the show have given Autoblog three Top Gear prize packs to give to you, our dear readers. Each prize pack is worth $200 and includes a Top Gear-branded remote-controlled car, Top Gear-branded Auto Roadside Kit and History Channel fleece. Starting today, we’re going to give away one Top Gear prize pack per day leading up to the show’s premier on Sunday.

In order to enter, we’d “Like” something from you. Simply “Like” the Autoblog Facebook page, then check the page in a few minutes around 3:00PM for the entry form post (It’s live now!). Once it’s live, leave a comment on the Facebook post to enter the giveaway. Feel free to “Like” the entry post itself so your Facebook friends can see the giveaway. And just so no one gets confused, we’ve turned off commenting on this post since only a comment on the Facebook post will earn you an entry.

To enter giveaway #1:

“Like” the Autoblog Facebook page. At around 3:00PM ET, leave a comment on the entry form post.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. only.
Limit 1 entry per person.
The entry period ends at 2:30PM ET on Friday, November 19.
At that time, we’ll select 1 winner from the eligible commenters to receive a Top Gear USA prize pack valued at $200 that includes a Top Gear-branded remote-controlled car, Top Gear-branded Auto Roadside Kit and History Channel fleece.
Make sure your Facebook privacy settings allow for direct messages to receive notification in the event you win.
Standard giveaway rules apply.

Continue reading Like Autoblog’s Facebook page to win a Top Gear USA prize pack

Like Autoblog’s Facebook page to win a Top Gear USA prize pack originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Like Autoblog’s Facebook page to win a Top Gear USA prize pack”

Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Design/Style

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #204 of the Autoblog Podcast is awesome. Not only are we joined by David “the new guy” Kiley, but wait, there’s more! Jeremy Korzeniewski got the Top Gear USA crew on the phone for a chat. After that, Chris, Dan, Zach and David talk Chrysler’s pile of revamped models, the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Pickuptrucks.com HD smackdown, Lamborghini’s new powertrain, and as always, we finish with your questions and feedback. It’s a satisfying two hours and fifteen minutes this week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines

In the Autoblog Garage:

Lincoln MKS Ecoboost
Land Rover LR4
Mazda CX-9

News Topics:

Top Gear USA Interview
LA Auto Show Primer
2011 Chryslers
Battle of the HD Pickups… Chevy Wins
Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5-liter V12
37 MPG Buick LaCrosse on the way

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, David Kiley
Runtime: 2:14:15

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines”

Top Gear USA could just become your second favorite automotive television show

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Top Gear USA Lamborghini

Top Gear USA runs with the bulls – Click above to watch video after the jump

On Monday, October 18th 2010, Michael Harley and I had the opportunity to attend a taping of an episode of the upcoming Top Gear USA series. As we all know by now, the show is a new version of the BBC original and as a huge fan of that show, my expectations were set to “neutral” for the American spin-off. Harley and I entered an old airplane hanger located on the former El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, California and were immediately impressed by what we saw.

Hit the jump for our impressions.

Continue reading Top Gear USA could just become your second favorite automotive television show

Top Gear USA could just become your second favorite automotive television show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Top Gear USA could just become your second favorite automotive television show”