Automotive Update

The closing of Chrysler’s engine plant in Kenosha this October will leave at least 575 autoworkers jobless.  Chrysler Group LLC is the third US-based automobile manufacturer.  Despite having other engine plans in Mexico and Michigan, the announcement of the closure of its Kenosha plant shocked its employees.  The announcement was made just a week after Chrysler announced that it will keep the Detroit assembly plant permanently active.

The workers are worried of losing their jobs.  At present, the International Association of Machinists and the United Auto Workers are handling the representation of the Kenosha workers.  According to sources, several of the workers who belong in the UAW have a legitimate right to be promised of a job in other Chrysler plants that are represented by the union.

The Kenosha plant’s union leaders are optimistic that the UAW will do everything to turn around Chrysler’s decision.  Some of the workers are outraged knowing the car company plans to close the Kenosha plant while a new plant in Mexico will be opened soon and will be producing the Chrysler engines that were supposed to be manufactured in Kenosha.

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One thing that I love about cars is that there are so many different things that you can do to them to truly make them full of your personality.  You can change the color, the style and overall, the beauty of the car so that it matches in with your personality and just screams you and that is exactly what modifying your car is all about.

Modified cars – while they are expensive, they are certainly worth it if you are looking for a fantastic car that is not only cool on the outside but on the inside as well.  You want unique and different?  Well, that is what modified cars are all about.

You can change the bumpers as well as the interior and of course the exterior – you can add on a print onto the car or even something scrolled up the side.

So this is the new concept by Valmet Automotive.  It is called the Eva, and this is actually the very first picture of the car.  You guys can thank me with gifts of cash!

But seriously, Valmet Automotive is a supplier operating out of Finland, and whether you know it or not, you are most likely already familiar with them, seeing as how we all have them to think for the Porsche Cayman models and the Porsche Boxster models we know and love. In fact, the supplier will also be partnering up to both manufacture and engineer the upcoming Fisker Karma.

But enough about the supplier, let’s talk about the concept itself. I am sort of at a loss with the Eva. On the one hand, it looks pretty groovy, pretty edgy, very much a car of the future. On the other hand, it strikes me as … kind of boring.

Discuss.

In this day and age, it is all about the technology that you pack into everything – honestly, if you are looking for a car, you look at what technology it has in it in addition to what the engine looks like.  If you are in the market for a computer, you look at the technology that is packed into it.  This is the technology generation and your car should be no different!

Volvo has gotten that concept and at the Chicago Auto Show they actually unveiled the brand new Rear Seat Entertainment System.  This actually features an internet connected area with Windows XP, WiFi and a 500G hard drive.

You can actually plug your computer right into your car and play all sorts of music through the car speakers – that is pretty damn cool!  It’s still under testing right now but it is almost here!

It seems to me that Chrysler can not seem to catch a break.  While they seem to have had some successes in the ways of cars coming out and some brand new models being built, I have to say that since Chrysler Financial has taken a leave and GMAC has stepped in, the dealerships are having a very hard time in meeting the terms set forth.

That is the reason that Chrysler will most likely lose upwards of 145 more dealerships just because they can not get financed at all.  The main reason?  Because GMAC is asking for more collateral than Chrysler Financial was and they are looking for the dealer to actually alter their lending structure.

In total – Chrysler has closed up about 1,000 dealerships, simply because of the financing problems this year alone.

When the 2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo was first released, no one really knew exactly what to expect … face it, was a BMW GT, what can you expect from that?  Well, now, the 2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo is actually extremely popular and with the $64k price tag on it … I can tell you that it is certainly a car that many people are going to want to get. 

The cool thing about the 2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo is that while it might not be in the states until next month, you can still order it at that price.  For a BMW, for me personally, I think that $64k+ is actually a really good price.  Not only are you getting a fantastic car, but a brand that you know.

Remember – the 2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo is a car that will get you noticed!

I am really starting to become a big fan of Renault vehicles, and the gorgeous Renault Mégane is no acception.

Official pictures of this little piece of heaven were only recently revealed, and the car made its official debut at the last motor show in Paris. The styling cues are extremely sporty, but the hatchback is actually a family one, measuring out at 4.3 meters in length.

The front in is super sharp with sweeping lines and fluid headlamps. In profile, it slopes and swoops in a dynamic, sleek silhouette. Even standing still in a photograph, this baby looks like it can go, go, go.

Inside, the cabin is meant to make driving enjoyable. The forms are fluid, the dashboard is completely integrated, and the aesthetics are second to none.

Okay all you auto-heads out there that have just been waiting for your next fix – the brand new 2011 Lexus LFA is definitely if.  This is actually one car that it took me quite a while to wrap my entire head around, for it is by far one of the best prototypes out there.  This car has a top speed of about 202 MPH and it just looks really freakin’ cool!

This car has been described as a mystery wrapped in an enigma coated in carbon fiber and I have to say that this car is it for me.  While this car might not be a race car just yet, it is going to top the charts, just you wait.

Remember – 2011 is the year for the cars, all sorts of different and unique cars and the 2011 Lexus LFA is just one of them!

The Suzuki Kizashi is the auto manufacturer’s brand new flagship, as well as Suzuki’s very first entry into the highly competitive segment of all wheel drive sport sedans. It takes on from where the automaker’s three concept vehicles left off — incidentally, they all featured the same name and were all three unveiled within the past two years. The main aim of the Suzuki Kizashi is to combine a premium, high quality design aesthetic with dynamic performance features and attributes.

The car features a very conservative design on the exterior, heralded as smoothly mixing Japanese craftsmanship with European style. All the same, the profile is quite sporty.

Inside, the features have finishes made of high quality materials, as one would expect in a flagship sedan. It is consider more upscale than many other of Suzuki’s vehicles.

We all know that your tires are something that you need to keep updated.  If you are having problems slipping and sliding on the road, it is probably all due to the fact that your tires are not in the best shape.  Well, I can tell you that if you are a quality-minded person that cares about the price but is willing to pay a little more to get a little more, Michelin is going to be the company for you.

To be honest, Michelin is one of the only brands that truly conduct an annual tire test and they actually rate models on several different categories.  For example, wet, dry, ice, hydroplaning, snow traction, ice breaking, ride comfort, noise, rolling resistance and finally tread life. 

Michelin was the winner of this test and I have to say that they are awesome!  I have them on my car and they rock!