Building a classic cruiser from the frame up | detnews.com | The Detroit News
So you want to drive your own classic car in next year's Woodward Dream Cruise, but you can't find a mid-'50s Chevy or early-'30s hot-rod ready to be restored. Don't worry, you can buy all of the components and build your own brand-new classic. Since the late 1950s, Experi-Metal Inc. of Sterling Heights has been supplying automakers with stamped metal components -- body panels and trim -- used in the construction of prototype vehicles. Because automakers have yet to produce the tools needed to stamp out...

Keeping up sales after 'clunkers' | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Now that the "cash for clunkers" program is over, the big question is whether American consumers will slump back into unconsciousness as the adrenaline jolt of the government incentive wears off. Last month the annualized U.S. sales rate topped 13 million units, as buyers flocked to showrooms to take advantage of up to $4,500 in discounts under the program. That sales rate looks pretty impressive considering it had dipped to below 10 million earlier this year. The problem is that the auto industry had...

FJ Cruiser: Only for serious off-roaders | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The M1A2 Abrams tank has better visibility than the 2009 FJ Cruiser. It's not really a fair comparison -- the tank includes high-tech optics to operate its 120 mm smooth bore gun and the FJ Cruiser has a windshield slightly larger than a basement window. Having had the opportunity to ride in the tank recently, I can tell you that it can spin its turret in a few seconds, providing 360 degrees of vision, and that it would never be parallel parked. The FJ Cruiser, meanwhile, now comes with a backup camera...

NHTSA: Automatic reversing windows unnecessary | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has tentatively decided not to require automatic reversing windows, the agency said Friday. In 2008, Congress required NHTSA to study whether to require power windows to reverse direction when they detect an obstruction, to prevent children from being trapped, injured, or killed. But NHTSA says another regulation in place since last fall makes automatic reversing windows unnecessary. "The agency has tentatively determined that the scope of the power...

Mercedes Is Going to Assemble F-CELL Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it plans to launch the production of B-Class F-CELL vehicles in the end of this year. The German manufacturer is joining efforts with Honda in the work on this new project. The production will be limited: Mercedes wants to make only 200 cars as a first try and ship them to American and European customers in the beginning of 2010. Previously there was a plan to sell compact B-Class to the U.S., but it had to be postponed. F-CELL or hydrogen-powered electric autos have...

Automaker Think emerges from bankruptcy | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Plans to sell the Think electric car in the U.S., and possibly build them in Michigan, are being revived with the Norwegian company's imminent emergence from bankruptcy protection. Production of a two-seat, all-electric car in Norway was halted when Think sought bankruptcy protection in December. On Thursday, courts there approved the debt settlement plan of the carmaker, enabling it to exit court protection. "Effectively, this puts Think back in business and in a position to resume normal operations in...

Mercedes pleases diesel lovers | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The argument for more diesels coming to America continues to fall on deaf ears. People have told me: They don't like the fuel's smell. They worry about breathing particulates. Diesel costs more than gasoline sometimes. There are a host of other excuses why America shouldn't have diesel cars and trucks. There are some diesel trucks available. American auto executives will offer another set of excuses, such as exhaust treatment kits, diesel powertrain markups and lack of consumer interest. I'm a consumer...

Closing auto dealerships leave void | detnews.com | The Detroit News
In recent years, Plymouth Road in Livonia had become something of an automotive hub in the city: new car lots line the busy thoroughfare, along with mechanic shops, an engine plant and fueling stations. It could soon be hit with a "quadruple threat," Mayor Jack Kirksey said. That is, the closure of the Livonia Chrysler-Jeep this summer. Follow that next year with the possible closure of two more dealerships -- Tennyson Chevrolet and John Rogin Buick -- and then the planned shutdown of GM's powertrain...

Goodyear, Steelworkers reach deal on contract | detnews.com | The Detroit News
CLEVELAND -- Thousands of workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plants in seven states will vote in the coming days on a tentative national contract agreement. The United Steelworkers of America and the company reached the deal Saturday night about three hours before a midnight deadline for the expiration of the old three-year contract, which had been extended twice. The union said rank-and-file members will be briefed on the new contract and ratification votes will be scheduled at all plants. Wayne...

Mercedes pleases diesel lovers | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The argument for more diesels coming to America continues to fall on deaf ears. People have told me: They don't like the fuel's smell. They worry about breathing particulates. Diesel costs more than gasoline sometimes. There are a host of other excuses why America shouldn't have diesel cars and trucks. There are some diesel trucks available. American auto executives will offer another set of excuses, such as exhaust treatment kits, diesel powertrain markups and lack of consumer interest. I'm a consumer...