Backlog of clunkers still await recycling | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- Cash for Clunkers may be history for car shoppers, but the program's largesse lives on in recycling yards around the country. A torrent of traded-in clunkers have arrived at auto recyclers in the past two months and are still waiting to be drained of fluids, stripped of valuable parts and eventually flattened for scrap. At some disposal facilities, Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, Chrysler Town & Country minivans and other popular clunkers are parked bumper to bumper on several acres, many marked "C4C"...

Recovery will stem from fresh designs | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Some of the auto industry's biggest hits have roots in a company's darkest days, demographic shifts or a defining moment in history. The strongest and most creative regroups -- even going as far as betting the ranch -- have delivered a triple or a home run in the form of the bubbly Taurus or the minivan. It's unclear when and how bright the light at the end of the current dark tunnel will shine, but the seeds of a sustained recovery will have their roots in the styling studio. Development begins...

Recyclers want more time to dispose of clunkers | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- Trade-ins from the Cash for Clunkers program are piling up and auto recyclers are seeking more time to meet the deadline for disposing of all those vehicles. At some places, Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, Chrysler Town & Country minivans and other popular clunkers are parked bumper to bumper on several acres, many marked "C4C" on their windows, waiting to be drained of fluids, stripped of valuable parts and eventually flattened for scrap. "I've got a parking lot of almost 4,000 vehicles right now,"...

'No strike' language riles UAW | detnews.com | The Detroit News
A misunderstanding over "no-strike" language in a proposed amendment to the United Auto Workers' contract with Ford Motor Co. has sparked a backlash from some workers who accuse union leaders of giving up their most potent negotiating tool. The Detroit News has learned that the language, which was included in recent contract changes the UAW negotiated with General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, was mandated by the Obama administration as a condition of its bailout of the two companies. It was...

Grill sizzles with hot rod power | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The Hot Rod Grill looks like a 350-cubic-inch "small block" Chevrolet V-8 on an engine stand, but instead of valves and pistons on the inside, the manifold pivots open to reveal a two-burner, 30,000-BTU propane-fueled barbecue grill. The Hot Rod Grill is the creation of Ryan Bluestone of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where his family also produces Insta-clean automotive and industrial parts cleaning equipment. Bluestone, 29, admits his inspiration for the Hot Rod Grill was probably "too many beers." In fact...

Noise issue creeps up on electric cars | detnews.com | The Detroit News
If you have driven a pure electric or hybrid car you will know the problem. You can be ready to move off from a parked position and people standing around the vehicle do not get out of the way. And it's simply because the traditional cue, engine noise, is absent. Now, as a growing band of advanced plug-in hybrid and battery-powered models -- cars that use their batteries most, if not all the time -- nears production, the problem is gaining more attention. Custom sounds possibleAuto industry safety...

Green-off: Hybrid models put to the test | detnews.com | The Detroit News
"I want a hybrid." I've heard that from more than one reader, and I have come to realize that most people don't really know a thing about hybrids. Not all hybrids are created equal and not every hybrid will fit into every garage the same. First, let's define "hybrid." These are cars that run on gas and electric drivetrains. Some carmakers don't like the idea of hybrids because they have to create two powertrains for a single vehicle. Consumers, however, don't seem to mind. These cars are not the final...

Mercedes C-Class might Be Built in the U.S.
While American auto manufacturers are moving their production to Mexico and China, the foreign companies come to the U.S. to assemble cars in the country where they are going to be sold. It appears to be cheaper to move the production to the U.S. than to import the assembled vehicles from other countries. Mercedes-Benz has just announced that it also wants to expand production of C-Class vehicles to the North American country. The plan is in the consideration right now, but if it is approved, the...

Drivers Give Names to Cars
According to the survey held by Swinton, the British leading high street retailer of car insurance, 80% of drivers give some kind of pet name to their vehicle. The majority of cars with “names” belong to women: 88% ladies tend to make up a name for their autos. Mainly the choice is based on the color of the vehicle, but some prefer to call it after a favorite celebrity 13% or after the driver’s lover 4%. It is also interesting, since English language does not give genders to nouns, people can make...

Magna Is Building Parts for Mercedes SLS
Magna Steyr is a big company, known for building parts for such vehicles as BMW X3, Saab 9-3 convertible, Chrysler 300C and Jeep Grand Cherokee. It also gained popularity in headlines after having teamed up with Russian VAZ and purchased Opel from General Motors. Now the company is growing more and plans to start partnership with other auto manufacturers. The Canadian-Austrian auto parts giant has settled an agreement with Mercedes-Benz which gives it permission to build aluminum bodies for...