General Motors continues to salvage itself from the depths of corporate disaster. The company recently announced they will be adding a second shift to a Missouri plant that assembles Chevrolet Express vans and the GMC Savana, abetted in part by the United Auto Workers union. The added shift is apparently being introduced along with the manufacturing of a new mid-sized truck. But despite the humble nature of the models being built, the move says huge things about the way GM is overcoming the obstacles laid before it over the past several years.

Most analysts and experts more or less concluded that General Motors had what was coming to them in the fall of 2008. For years they failed to see the growing market desires for streamlined sporty buzzarounds that centered on fuel efficiency, such as the Mazda3. Instead they focused their industrial strength on building a legion of luxury SUVs and gas-guzzling trucks and vans nobody ended up wanting. Now that they’re returning to the utility automobile game, it’s worth noting that their chosen models are significantly smaller than those of years past.

But it also says that GM is willing to make the risky gambles again, which is a sign of strength. After the 2008 slap in the face, the company saw a complete overhaul in structure, and as a result they started making what were at the time obvious moves: make more fuel efficient models with affordable features and minimal bells and whistles. This has been their course of action ever since. But now, with the expansion in areas where they saw the most destruction – haulers and transporters – they’re showing that they see enough of a future to start building vehicles that will be sold in a predictable long-term pattern.

Unlike the big banks and stock market schmucks who were also bailed out by the benefit of the tax payer, GM seems to have learned their lessons. That’s probably got more to do with the elimination of the former corporate hegemony than humble admission, but it’s a definite improvement. With the expansion into low turnaround auto markets it’s safe to say GM is back in business.

One word: plastics.

Maybe that’s what keeps going through the mind of Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive of Fiat, the parent company of Alfa Romero. He originally postponed the triumphant return of Alfa Romero models onto American shores this last June, citing undesirable design factors as the reason for the postponement. There’s a chance that cheaper components, due to tough Italian economic times, could be what’s causing the delay. The guys and gals at Fiat want to make sure the reintroduction of their sports car line in the United States is as perfect as possible. Nothing could diminish that further than a series of auto reviews that cite cheap plastic fittings in an otherwise impeccable European land craft.

The Chief Executive of Alfa Romero, Harold Wester, came out in mid-September revising his overseer’s postponement projections, extending the original 2012 revision back to 2013. Now, it seems, American fans of the Alfa Romero are going to have to wait even longer for their baby to make a return. Those contemplating an auto refinance on their current vehicle should just go ahead and do it.

But the true victims of Fiat being a bunch of flakes are the scores of U.S. Fiat dealers who have patiently awaiting the return of the Alfa Romero. Many are currently selling just one Fiat model: the Fiat 500, which due to it’s price tag and the surrounding economic strife is not exactly flying off the lot. Dealers cite the Alfa Romero as the flagship Fiat brand: without it their lots are limited and above all lacking in foot traffic.

Until 2013, the fate of U.S. Fiat dealers is unknown. Those that survive will probably do so by selling used cars in addition to their Fiat 500s. The ones that are able to make it may very well find out the entire Alfa Romero American line has been dismantled. Yet that seems unlikely considering the fact that the AF Giulietta, a fuel efficient sports car that gets almost as good of mileage as a hybrid, has shown great promise in test markets.

2013 is such a long ways away…how will we know the fate of the Fiat Alfa Romero?

Two words: we wait.

Trying to find a specialized vehicle to purchase from a reputable dealer is difficult. Trying to purchase a wheelchair, or otherwise known as an adaptive vehicle, from a reliable and reputable dealer can seem downright impossible. There are very few dealers which sell wheelchair vans, and those that do have them on stock generally only have them by happenstance.

To find a great wheelchair van it is best to go through a dealer which specializes in adaptive vehicles. Although the number of specialized wheelchair van dealers is limited, they are out there and many also do business online or have several showrooms across the country to allow interested buyers greater access to their stock. Two well-known adaptive vehicle dealers include http://www.mobilityworks.com/ and www.mobilitysales.com.

Both of these companies understand the struggles that wheelchair owners go through when trying to purchase a wheelchair van, and try to make purchasing one of these vehicles as accessible as possible. Through these dealers and dealers like these, wheelchair owners are able to purchase wheelchair minivans with lowered floors, full-sized wheelchair vans, and even commercial fleet adaptive vehicles. Some retailers even offer wheelchair rentals to organizations or companies who only need an adaptive vehicle for a short duration or to those who are wanting to test drive a vehicle for an extended period of time prior to purchase.

Although buying a wheelchair can be expensive, there are many programs available to assist those needing to purchase such a vehicle. In addition to state facilitated programs, there are also a variety of federally run programs and grants which provide assistance to those with disabilities who have a need for an adaptive vehicle. Most dealers specializing in adaptive vehicles also have unique financing programs to make affording a wheelchair van possible to those who may not qualify for state or federal assistance.

You wouldn’t purchase your Ferrari from a Ford dealership, would you? The same goes for a wheelchair van. Don’t purchase an adaptive vehicle from a dealer that doesn’t work with these types of vehicles on a regular basis. A reputable adaptive vehicle dealer will know the ins and outs of each particular model available, and will be able to help you find the vehicle that will best suit your needs and your budget.

The American auto industry has seen some rough times in recent years. In late 2008 the government infused several car companies, including GM, with taxpayer money. This bailout of the auto industry was contentious at the time, and still is for many. Everyone was hurting and people could barely afford to get by and had to use auto title loans in attempts to get money. Everyone needed a bailout but only companies got one but the market has been stunned at how quickly the industry was able to come back from the brink of failure. After taking a hard look at themselves, General Motors made a lot of changes to their business model and came back stronger than ever. It’s already repaid most, if not all, of the bailout money and the company is currently poised to reclaim the title of the world’s number one automaker.

This top spot has been held by Honda, which dethroned GM years ago. The last time GM held this spot was back in 2008 when it beat Toyota. Many of the top automakers in the world are Japanese. It’s not just due to GM’s improved performance and streamlined production techniques. Its reclamation is, in part, due to the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that hit Japan recently. This has halted production in many facilities and has brought the country practically to its knees. The Japanese market has been hit again and again and it’s struggled to carry on but as Japan tries to bring itself back together, General Motors has been able to once again dominate the world market.

After a rough couple of years one would think that GM executives would be overjoyed at the news but, surprisingly, this isn’t the case. After all, the company was at risk of filing bankruptcy and now, after the bailout, they’re back on top. Not many would’ve seen this coming but GM is remaining very quiet about this hopeful news. Alan Adler, a spokesman for GM, recently stated, “We don’t run the business based on being the number one sales company. We had that for 77 years. I’d rather GM be profitable and valuable to it’s shareholders.” It seems that GM has really taken a fresh look at themselves. Being boastful and braggadocios, apparently, isn’t GM’s style anymore. They’re all about business and getting the job done.

The company’s sales are strong and people are interested in what they’re doing. GM is a hot commodity right now and their sales and stock value is doing well. Adler went on to say, “We run the business based on designing – building and selling the world’s best vehicles. Now, if that works out to make you number one, then that’s a great thing.” GM doesn’t want to directly bring a lot of attention to this latest development. It’s likely that, in the coming months GM is going to regain the spot but even when that happens the company doesn’t seem content to rest on its laurels. That’s the approach of the past and General Motors wants to keep it that way.

Despite almost unanimous industry analysis indicating the contrary, Tesla Motor Co. CEO Elon Musk is insistent that his company will prevail in a fight to remain independent. This might come as no surprise considering Musk has been an entrepreneur since age 12 and is no stranger to remaining continually confident in the face of incoming crisis. The paradox is of course Tesla’s record high stock success that remains unaltered despite the critical junctures ahead. It’s obvious that there’s long term confidence in the electric car future and industry recognition of Tesla’s vital role in that coming to fruition, but it’s just as obvious that short term monetary constraints and fierce competition are hindering Musk’s and other Tesla leaders options.

The future of Tesla is tied with SpaceX and vice versa – at least that’s how Musk sees it. In many way it’s this hedging on pioneering forms of both ground and aerospace travel that has so many people assured that the companies will carry on for decades and are willing to invest. But this multi lateral investment in excessively expensive upstart technologies is taking its toll on Tesla. Competitors and would-be competitors – also the same entities who use car components built by Tesla – are sensing the weaknesses and closing in. Many want to take Tesla under their wing, some want to decimate it. But most understand that if Tesla is allowed to survive independently, it will eventually come to dominate the transportation industry as a whole.

The only way Musk and his mates are going to sort themselves out of this one is if they continue to receive further cash injections from the federal government. This could be just a matter of the right lobbyists or who has the White House after 2012, or if gas jumps past 6 bucks a gallon. However the U.S. government might simply deem Tesla not big enough not to fail and see better futures in allowing another company to take over. Only time will tell, but the time is running out.

If there’s anything Musk and the others at Tesla have that their competitors don’t is the assurance rather than the curse that the energy future, at least as far as the automobile is concerned, is an electric one. We will certainly run out of fossil fuels, and while car manufacturers relentlessly or helplessly continue to stick with gasoline powered cars, Tesla can continue to power itself up for when people eventually come to a point where they simply can’t afford either consciously or financially to keep a car running on fumes. Don’t bet on seeing your trusted Houston auto repair shop or other mainstay sights of traditional vehicle driving disappear anytime soon, but if Tesla Motor Co. can survive until these places become relics, it’ll be a smooth ride afterward.

“We are past the idea of an environmentally friendly vehicle needing to look different. People don’t want to sacrifice anything, including style, to own an efficient car.” – Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen

Bold words backed by bold action. The Tesla Model S, produced by Tesla Motors, is an engineering feat, which proves you don’t have to sacrifice style to go green. It’s a full-sized battery electric sedan that is still in the development stages. Back when the Model S was in it’s preliminary developing stages, its code name was WhiteStar. Since then, this prototype model has continued to wow its audience. Since the unveiling at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, there has been a lot of buzz about when it will be on the market. It is now slated for market release for early 2012. It is expected to retail in the ballpark of $57,000, although baseline price quotes have been released around $47,000.

Though this is a costly figure for middle income consumers, it’s going to prove a highly prized vehicle on the road, and stands out as a leader for the future of eco-friendly vehicles. The Model S will be available in three different battery classes and range in cost: 160, 230, and 300 miles per charged battery. Due to the anticipation for its release, you won’t be able to waltz into your local dealer to buy a model or buy one over the Internet, like you’re browsing through insurance quotes online. You have to go to the Tesla website for pricing, purchasing details, and where these models will be available.

This vehicle marries Tesla characteristic quality of design with aerodynamics, stability of handling, crash safety, range, and overall performance. It’s an electric car from the ground up that has been meticulously engineered to be an innovation in the way we view and use electric transportation. It has also been optimized for crash safety, and it’s engineered to achieve the 2012 five-star NHTSA safety rating upon release.

Powered by a slim-line battery pack that’s positioned below the floor, this compact design truly integrates sustainability with style. With its compact frame, the Model S is created to exploit the advantages of an electric vehicle, while maximizing interior space and energy efficiency. This model is expected to have a range of 160 miles when fully charged with a zero to 60 acceleration rate of 5.6 seconds. Larger battery packs are expected to be available that will give this sporty piece of engineering an estimated 300 miles. The charging time is expected to take around three to five hours, which depends on the battery being used. There is also an option for a 45-minute quick charge for reduced distances, and the battery swap time is less than five minutes.

Go online to see videos and specs of this outstanding piece of machinery and see how the Model S is changing the way we think of electric cars. This vehicle will stun you with its elegance in integration and commitment to excellence. Surely, it will be a top competitor in sport electric cars and will innovate the way we drive.

Im not too sure this is going to be the world’s coolest theme park, but Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is opening on the 27th of October.

What does Ferrari World include? Well, the world’s fastest roller coaster: Formula Rossa. Of course you will also be able to enjoy a little wining drinking non-alcoholic beverages and dining.

Oddly enough, the theme park bases its pricing structure not on age but on height—basic tickets go for 225 United Arab Emirate Dirhams (around $61) for people five feet tall and up, and 165 AED (around $45) for those 4′11″ and shorter. Premium tickets, which let visitors cut ahead of the plebs, go for around $102 for the tall and $74 for the short. Only some of the attractions will be open by October, with a grand opening in December.

[via Ferrari World]

Sauber has revealed their hand early and has announced that Mexican driver Sergio Perez will partner Kamui Kobayashi for the 2011 Formula One campaign.

Perez, who is only 20, finished second in this years GP2 series and won four races, including the Monaca race.

Ross Brawn has insisted that Mercedes GP are not really interested in fighting for fourth place in the 2010 season, they are now focusing solely on next years championship.

“We are all very competitive, we want to stay ahead of Renault,” explained Brawn.

“There is no doubt that we would all be very disappointed if we fall behind Renault but we have an agenda which is to be much stronger next year – and if you said to me do you want to be much stronger next year and forget about Renault this year then I would say yes.

“Whether we are fourth or fifth quite frankly isn’t where we want to be, I don’t want to be fifth, don’t get me wrong but we will do everything we can, but that is everything we can that doesn’t affect the efforts going into next year’s car.”

Rosberg has consistently finished ahead of the seven-time World Champion, and the Briton insists that Rosberg also receives the same treatment as Schumacher.

“I wasn’t sure where Nico would be, and I delighted with the performance that Nico is producing within the team and really it was there from the very beginning,” said Brawn

“Now he is starting to work more effectively with the engineers and the technicians and organisation, because he has only worked at one F1 team before he worked for us.

“Nico will tell you he was a bit concerned coming into the team because of my relationship with Michael, the history, but he is comfortable with the way things have gone.

“I am very pleased with Nico we know we want to see some progress with Michael, it is not there yet – but you see snapshots of his performance and we need to put everything together. I am optimistic than next year we will have a better package generally, but a package that Michael will find a bit easier to use,” he added.

Volvo recently launched their naughtiest car ever, the all new S60. At the launch Volve also quietly started what they called the Volvo Subject60 tour. The tour travelled to five European cities in five weeks and the six secret experiments were integrated in a party at each city, and then monitored by anthropologist Dr Katarina Graffman. The aim was to compare people’s actual behavior with their preconceptions, the Naught City Study also comprises an extensive quantitative survey.

“I observed people’s behavior during all five events, and the Parisians clearly came out as the most self-centered, natural exhibitionists. The Parisians were flirting and posturing, making an effort to be caught by the cameras. They disrespectfully walked over arranged flowerbeds, and they sang naughty songs out loud in our karaoke car. It was quite lovely to see them act out their naughtiness”, says Dr Katarina Graffman who has been travelling together with Lykke Li and Face Hunter around Europe with the Volvo Subject60 tour hitting Berlin, London, Milan, Paris and Madrid.

The quantitative study, with 2500 respondents, also proved the Parisians to be particularly naughty:

-       Even though 98 percent of the Parisians consider themselves well behaved, 58 percent state that they have a naughty side. 46 per cent of the Parisians are proud of their naughty side.

-       87 percent of the Parisians wish that they dared to be even naughtier. That wish is stronger than for any of the other cities in the study.

-       34 percent of the Parisians flirt on a weekly basis.

Naughty enough for you? Videos, images and more information are available at http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars/volvo-s60/pages/5-things.aspx?hub&mct=1