Jeremy Korzeniewski

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REPORT: BBC says Top Gear doesn't ban gay couples from show audience

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 6th, 2009 at 2:09PM



Is the BBC discriminating against gay couples? As is often the case, that depends on whom you ask. How so? It seems that Top Gear, the Beeb's ridiculously popular car show, has created a rule stipulating that its audience be made up of 50 percent males and 50 percent females, and at least one gay couple was allegedly denied tickets "unless [they] took a couple of female friends."

A BBC spokesperson has responded to the kerfuffle saying, "We do not – absolutely do not – discriminate against same sex couples... the whole implication that Top Gear is in any way homophobic is completely wrong." Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, doesn't quite seem to agree: "It's very odd, but what do you expect from pigs that grunt? Regrettably, with Jeremy Clarkson involved, it's not surprising. The show itself is full of stereotyping of both men and women – but it's funded by gay and lesbian license fee cash as well as everyone else's."

The BBC adds that it doesn't even handle the actual ticketing for the show. A company called Applause Store issues the tickets in quantities of two. Says the spokesperson, "We don't ask people to apply as a couple, we ask them to apply as people."

[Source: AOL TV UK]
Note: AOL owns both AOL TV and Autoblog, but the two share no editorial affiliation.

REPORT: VW confirms Jetta name for small sedan, upcoming coupe concept could enter production

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 5th, 2009 at 10:47AM

VW Jetta

It seems that we'll be getting a new Jetta sedan next June, and it apparently won't be a slightly restyled Golf with a trunk grafted to the rear end. According to Car and Driver, VW's so-called New Compact Sedan, which will be built at the same Mexican plant that assembles the current Jetta, will indeed retain the Jetta nameplate.

Following its June debut here in the States, Volkswagen will prep the car for its European launch later in the year, and it may or may not be called Jetta overseas. A sportier GLI variant will continue to be offered on the new model. Looking farther down the model-range totem pole, there's a decent chance that VW will bring the Polo to the U.S. market to rival the new Ford Fiesta, possibly as both a sedan and a hatchback.

Lastly, we're told that we should expect to see a new U.S.market-tailored two-door notchback coupe concept on the show circuit in short order. If public reaction to it is positive, there's a good chance VW will greenlight the car for series production.

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: Ford and Mazda may develop vehicles separately going forward

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 5:28PM



For the last umpteen years (since about 1979, to be exact), Ford has owned a significant share of Japanese automaker Mazda, growing in 1997 to a 33.4-percent controlling stake. As such, the two automakers have historically shared a significant amount of resources and product architectures – a system that has helped both companies remain competitive in the increasingly tough automotive market.

At present, the Ford Fiesta, European Focus and Fusion sedan all borrow unseen bits and pieces from Mazda platforms, and the Japanese automaker offers its own versions of the Ford's compact and midsize crossovers.

Lately, though, it seems Ford and Mazda have been seeing less and less of each other. About a year ago, Ford sold off 20 percent of its stake in the Japanese company, and while it's likely the two automakers will continue to enjoy cooperation in some capacity, Bloomberg is reporting that product sharing may very well be diminished moving forward. Drat. And to think, for all these years, we've apparently been wasting our time holding out hope for a Ford-badged fixed-head coupe based on Mazda's ever-delightful MX-5 Miata.


[Source: Bloomberg]

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Here's the Plan: GM reveals how it will deal with shuttered dealers' complaints

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 4:27PM



Back in May, General Motors announced plans to close down a large portion of its dealership network. Since then, a number of those franchisees have lodged complaints to both the automaker itself and appropriate policymakers, leading to possible legislation on how GM is allowed to handle the closing of dealerships. This being the case, The General is proactively drafting a new set of rules as to how it will deal with these to-be-shuttered dealerships, and it promises that some are likely to be reinstated after the process.

Specific details can be seen in the press release pasted after the break, but it seems that the new plan basically will allow these affected dealerships to get some real-life face time with the automaker to hear exactly whey they were targeted for closure. If the dealer still isn't happy with the outcome, it can elect to enter binding arbitration. If that arbiter finds that GM chose to shutter the dealership for anything other than sound business reasons, the franchise stands to be reinstated.

There's plenty more detailed in the plan, including a provision for GM to help service technicians and dealership employees find new placement, after the break. This plan will go into effect by mid-January "provided that legislation related to GM's dealer restructuring does not move forward."

[Source: General Motors | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

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Is Peugeot-Citroën on the verge of buying Mitsubishi?

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 3:59PM


The French and the Japanese have gotten together to form a magic partnership once already with Carlos Ghosn at the helm. The question is, then, can that success be replicated? PSA Peugeot-Citroën seems to hope so, and it is reportedly on the verge of purchasing a controlling stake (somewhere between 30 and 53 percent, depending on the report) in Mitsubishi Motors.

The total price for the acquisition would cost the European automaker over $3 billion and the deal would also include Mitsubishi acquiring a somewhat smaller stake in PSA Peugeot-Citroën – again, similar to the situation between France's Renault and Japan's Nissan.

So, what does Mitsubishi have that Peugeot wants? Three things, apparently: A presence in the States, SUV expertise and, perhaps most importantly, electric vehicle technology. If a deal does indeed take place, the resulting entity would be the sixth largest automaker by sales in the world.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 3:31PM

2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're always up for a good cause, and that's exactly what this Ford Super Duty Fire Truck represents. According to Ford, it will make an initial $10,000 contribution to the Los Angeles County Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund, plus $10 for each person that visits its stand at the LA Auto Show and another $20 for every person that takes a test drive in a new Ford vehicle throughout the duration of the show – up to a maximum of another $6,000 per day.

Naturally, Ford is looking for a little exposure along the way, and we don't really have any problem with that. After all, it's certainly not uncommon to see Super Duty chassis cabs upfitted as fire department vehicles, and that's exactly what Ford has on display right now in LA. Included in the makeover are a 300-gallon water tank, eight-gallon foam cell, two pumps, an electric rewind reel with 150 feet of hose, three-stage winch with 8,000-pound capacity and 100 feet of wire rope.

Naturally, the top-spec 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel Power Stroke V8 engine is present and accounted for, along with a heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features available Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO), which allows the truck's engine to power axillary equipment whether the truck is stationary or in motion. See more in the press release after the break and check out our photo gallery below.


Gallery: 2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck


Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Ford]

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Aston Martin Rapide priced from £139,950 in the UK

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 4th, 2009 at 2:01PM


Aston Martin Rapide – Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has finally hung a price tag on its long-awaited four door, the Rapide, in its U.K. home market. As you might reasonably expect, it won't come cheap, starting at £139,950 or about $233,000 USD. Given pricing disparities between international markets, that's not necessarily an indication of what the Rapide will command Stateside, but we note that the Rapide costs nearly twice what Porsche asks for its base Panamera – and over £40K ($66k USD) more than even the impossibly quick Panamera Turbo. Though the cars weren't exactly designed as competitors, there's little doubt that the two four-passenger sloping-roof models will be cross-shopped by interested parties, along with other quick luxocrats like the Maserati Quattroporte and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

For that £139,950 price tag, though, buyers will be getting a largely handmade and finely-crafted automobile powered by a 470-horsepower V12 engine. For what it's worth, that's 30 horses less than the Panamera Turbo, but it's wrapped in less divisive sheetmetal and it'll undoubtedly be far more exclusive.

Initial Rapide deliveries in Great Britain are expected to begin in the spring of 2010, but if you're interested in having an example of your very own, you'd best queue up now. Check out the updated gallery with new high-res images of the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide below, and the official press release is after the jump.


Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide (Production)


[Source: Aston Martin]

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Suzuki's Kizashi Test Drive Challenge offers $100 to Audi A4 and Acura TSX buyers

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 6:20PM

2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Click above for high-res image gallery

It's best to aim high, right? While most of the automotive world (ourselves included) are busy comparing the rather wonderful Suzuki Kizashi with logical competitors like the Volkswagen Jetta – not to mention larger cars like the Honda Accord, Mazda6 and Ford Fusion – it seems the Japanese automaker itself has its sights set a bit higher... all the way up to the Audi A4 and Acura TSX, point of fact.

Called the "Kizashi Test Drive Challenge" incentive program, Suzuki is offering sport sedan buyers $100 if they test drive the Kizashi first and still end up purchasing either a 2010 Audi A4 2.0T or four-cylinder 2010 Acura TSX within 10 days of the test drive. The program ends runs through January 31, 2010. Says Koichi Suzuki, executive vice president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations:
With styling, performance characteristics, luxury features and a new advanced All-Wheel-Drive system on par with the Audi A4 and Acura TSX, we're excited to extend this unique offer to consumers across the country, providing potential sport sedan buyers another reason to consider the all-new Kizashi-at a substantial savings. We're definitely putting Kizashi's premium without the premium moniker to the test.
Like we said, aim high. Read the full set of terms and conditions in the complete press release pasted after the jump.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi


Photos copyright ©2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Suzuki]

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REPORT: U.S consortium now in lead for Volvo purchase

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:40PM



Just about a month ago, news hit the interwebs that Chinese automaker Geely officially became Ford's preferred bidder for Volvo once concerns over intellectual property were sorted out. Today, though, we're hearing that Crown, a consortium led by former Ford director Michael Dingman, former Ford and Chrysler LLC executive Shamel Rushwin and ex-Volvo CEO Roger Holtback, is gaining momentum in its bid for the Swedish automaker after submitting a revised proposal.

If reports from The Wall Street Journal and Reuters are accurate, Crown's new bid is "on par" with Geely's $1.8 billion offer and is backed by both Swedish and Chinese investors and banks. Not surprisingly, Ford has yet to comment on the speculation, though it has said that talks with Geely are already at an advanced stage. Stay tuned.

[Sources: The Wall Street Journal; Reuters]

2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 12:00PM

2011 Ford Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery

Surprisingly, Ford decided to slip out U.S. pricing for its hotly anticipated 2011 Fiesta with no fanfare at all. No major announcements at the LA Auto Show, no wordy press releases... nothing. But, if you head on over to Ford's official page for the new Fiesta, you'll see that it starts at $13,320 (plus a $675 destination charge).

Even better, the full Build and Price section is available, meaning you can see each and every individual option and its price. We went ahead and spent some time perusing the options list, and we see that the low base price is for the base S model, which comes exclusively in sedan form. The least expensive hatchback model is $15,120 (about $800 more than a comparably-equipped sedan).

Step up to a hatchback with Ford's new six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and you're looking at $16,190, and the uprated SES hatchback starts at $17,120 ($18,190 with the auto). Click past the jump for more interesting little tidbits that we noticed when pricing out our own Fiestas, including what Ford is offering for reserving one early.


Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta

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