New police interceptor on horizon | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. confirmed Friday that it is developing a new police interceptor to replace the venerable Ford Crown Victoria when production of that model ends in 2011. As The Detroit News first reported in August, the new vehicle -- dubbed the Ford Police Interceptor -- will be based on the new 2010 Taurus platform, according to people familiar with the situation. However, it will be significantly reworked to meet the unique needs of law enforcement, Ford said. "We have heard the repeated requests from...

Brazil pushes sugar ethanol at U.S. pumps | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- Who could resent the attention being showered on electric cars? Stylish and clean, they're the darling of the renewable-energy crowd, which is hailing the scheduled roll-out of several e-powered models next year as a major blow against global warming. Well, Eduardo Leao, for one. He's executive director of Brazil's largest sugar-industry association, called UNICA, and he insists that cane-based ethanol produced in massive quantities by his members is a better alternative fuel for the environment than...

2010 Camaro SEMA show's car of the year | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro was the car of the year at the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where vehicle customizers and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories companies tricked out at least 50 versions of GM's modern muscle car to showcase their ideas and products. General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Division and GM Performance Parts were there as well, not only showing how GM's own designers and engineers would customize and personalize the car, but previewing some...

Detroit parking garages highlight D.C. exhibit | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The parking garage, often considered the epitome of urban ugly, is getting validation of its architectural and social worth at a ground-breaking exhibit in Washington. "The parking garage defines our built world; our embrace of the car culture; and the price we've paid for that love affair," said Shannon Sanders McDonald, author of "The Parking Garage: Design and Evolution." McDonald's book is the inspiration for a National Building Museum exhibit, "House of Cars," which opened last month and has drawn...

Keep the satellite radio system | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Never mind the push-button starters or hands-free phones. Pull the plug on the novelty foot-well lighting and cut down on cup holders. Keep your heated seats. Just don't take my satellite radio away. I am the reverse of what marketers call an 'early adopter,' but a few years ago I ordered $129 worth of clearance satellite radio equipment from a mail-order catalogue. The big brown box arrived on my doorstep two days later and a love affair commenced. Actually, since I decided to install it myself rather...

R8 a reason to celebrate | detnews.com | The Detroit News
There will be nothing critical in this review. I should probably recuse myself from even writing about the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V-10 because I love this car. I will not be fair and balanced or even objective because life behind the wheel of the R8 5.2 FSI is one viewed through a rose-colored windshield. I am the Fox News of car reviews today for conservative drivers and MSNBC for those who lean so far left they're actually facing backwards. Oh, there are probably a few bad things that could be said...

The Rumors about Ram Separation Are True
It has been announced before that Ram would separate from Dodge and function as an individual brand which makes commercial vehicles. Fiat is already planning and expansion of the Ram vehicles for 2012. This spring Italian automaker has purchased Chrysler which owns several brands including Dodge. A lot of changes in the American company have been made since then; one of them is that Fiat thinks Ram is so popular that it should become a separate brand which specializes on commercial autos such as pickup...

Fresh approach excites UAW; dealers cautious | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Throughout Metro Detroit and across the nation, workers, politicians and dealers waited and watched Wednesday as Chrysler made its pitch to turn the company around with new products and a fresh approach to manufacturing and marketing. Union leaders representing Chrysler workers in the United States and Canada hailed the promise of overhauling plant operations. The "world class manufacturing" concept is intended to eliminate waste, increase safety and encourage teamwork. It also eliminates a layer of...

Aftermarket auto ware there for the long haul | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Next week, Las Vegas turns into aftermarket heaven. Roll out the rally cars, billion-horsepower engines and every conceivable electronic device -- and some you couldn't imagine -- replica rattlesnake seat covers, bamboo floor mats and more rims than a junkyard and you'll begin to picture SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show. Anything and everything that can be affixed, attached, screwed on or bolted down to a car or truck is on display at the private show, which begins Tuesday and...

Best be prepared for rough weather | detnews.com | The Detroit News
These simple tips from the National Safety Council can help drive down the risk of accident, even in bad weather: • Floor mats. Something as simple as floor mats can have a major impact on driving safety. But the days of one-size-fits-all floor mats are gone. Most mats, even aftermarket mats, are now designed for specific vehicles, and drivers should be sure to use only a mat designed for their vehicle. Many vehicles these days also have anchors or clips to secure mats. You should always check to...