In Business if you don’t adjust fast enough to market changes your business will die, and that is exactly what is happening in Detroit where the big three automakers are in crisis mode and are at a critical point not seen for atleast 30+ years.

Detroit’s automakers have been making the shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles, but consumers have been making the move even faster — to hybrids and high mileage models made overseas. Gas prices have accelerated the move away from trucks and sport utility vehicles at a furious pace, leaving the Big Three at the most critical crossroads in 30 years.

“In the early ’70s, we were caught flat-footed, without smaller, fuel-efficient cars. We had nothing to sell,” said Gerald Meyers, a former chairman of American Motors Corp. “That’s exactly what’s happening now.”

Source: MSNBC

Matt Damon has been spotted driving around town in Studio City in a Tesla Roadster.

According to Matt Damon this Baby Blue Tesla Roadster is a prototype with the two speed tranny but it’s only working in the high gear. “I’m impressed. Matt says this prototype isn’t launching so well of the line but explains, “The 30-60 acceleration is like nothing else.”

Source: Carzi

According to a recent study nearly 9 in 10 women (88 percent) say they’d rather chat up someone who owns the latest fuel-efficient car versus the latest sports car. So let’s just say that Guy who drive ‘Green’ get all the girls.

This just goes to prove ‘Green’ is a more valuable social commodity than the other green. If you get my drift.

Other interesting news included this:
Eighty percent of American car buyers would find someone with the latest fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest sports car.

Source: Yahoo

GM continues it’s shift towards smaller more efficient vehicles as US sales of trucks and suvs nosedives here in the States. I’m betting all the other big brands will follow suit especially Dodge. Trucks could become a thing of consumer antiquity.

General Motors announced plans Tuesday to shut four truck and SUV plants that employ thousands of workers. It also said high gas prices are here to stay - and, with them, consumers’ growing preference for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

At a news conference in Wilmington, Del., GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced plans to roll out more fuel-efficient vehicles, including approval to start the production process on a vehicle that can run gas-free for trips up to 40 miles.

Source: CNN

TechCrunch points out a new startup called DriverSide which helps folks out with everything from car repairs to lost manuals. This is something I can see gaining in popularity amongst my own family and that’s the first time I’ve thought that about a web 2.0 type service.

If you lack a wise uncle who knows just about everything involving car repairs, DriverSide might be a nice stand-in. The free car management site offers estimates on how much standard repairs and parts for your make and model should cost, based on third-party estimates and your zip code. You can also see what your car would likely sell for at its given mileage and location, based on a database of recent transactions, the Kelley Blue Book, and other sources. And if you’ve lost your owner’s manual, DriverSide has you covered there as well. The site is free to sign up for and use.

Congress passed a law, now they have to follow it. The law will make them go green whether they want to or not. And I for one believe it’s about darn time. Seriously enough is enough. Let’s force them to do something that makes sense instead of shoveling more money in Exxon’s already fat wallets.

A congressman’s campaign to force members of Congress to drive “green” is gassed up and ready to go.

Lincoln Navigators to tool around the old congressional district? Those were the days, my friend.

At a time when gasoline costs more than $4 per gallon, do lawmakers really want to sit behind the wheel of a big honking SUV or some other gas-guzzling symbol of luxury, and on the taxpayer’s dime?

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s three-year drive to bring fuel efficiency to the federal vehicle-leasing program finally got some wheels. The EPA finally has compiled a list of what can be leased under Cleaver’s 2005 proposal, which requires members of the House of Representatives who lease a vehicle taxpayer expense to pick one with low greenhouse-gas emissions.

Source:McClatchy DC

When Nations begin jumping into the automotive and oil business with big dollars to hand out, companies are more than willing to pony up there own cash to help make the changes.

I’m just wondering if the idea of a hydrogen powered vehicle is one that will succeed. I’m a fond believer in Electric powered vehicles and I think dumping this much money we are talking billions into technology that just may not be efficient enough to exceed other technologies already available is just not smart. What am I talking about? Check out the following excerpt.

European governments agreed Friday to spend $731 million developing fuel cells and hydrogen technology for cars that could slash oil consumption and carbon dioxide emissions within decades.

Car and energy companies such as Daimler AG and Royal Dutch Shell PLC are expected to match or exceed the EU funding for the six-year research project that should speed up research and make cleaner cars a commercial reality between 2010 and 2020.

The European Commission says hydrogen cars could cut the amount of oil used by road transport by 40 percent by 2040 and halve carbon emissions by 2050.

Source: MSNBC

For over 40 years Mackinac Island has been car free. Instead it has been dominated by horse drawn carriages. In fact Mackinac Island is also home to the only state highway that also has a ban on automobiles because it encircles the entire island.

I can see the need for a place without cars, especially since I lived for a good amount of time with the Amish. Getting away from the rush rush life of cars is a relief. Spending a few hours in a horse and buggy makes life seem just so peaceful. Besides feeling like you have jumped on a time machine and are back 100 years ago.

Gas 2.0 never ceases to amaze me with the crazy nonsense they dig up. Inflatable Cars is today’s latest gimmick.

The California Based Startup is called XP Vehicles, the technology is similar to those developed by NASA for the Mars Rover but they are for the Asian Consumer Market.

Not only does XP vehicles state that the Whisper™ will have a range of 2,500 miles using their “hot-swap XPack Multi-Core™ battery/fuel cell powerplant,” they are aiming for a price point of under $5,000. The cars will be sold direct online, initially only offered in Asian markets, and you will be able to configure them with a variety of different colors, decals, stereo systems, iPod mounts, and alarms - none of which will cover up for the fact that you’re driving a balloon.

Seriously will anyone buy an inflatable car? In a sidenote, the picture above is not from the startup company.

MIT is developing a concept vehicle called the Aware Car, which could revolutionize how elderly take the road. I have a friend who is nearing 100 years old and still has a drivers license although they no longer drive at night. Ive often wondered how safe it is for them to be on the road at all.

With MIT and others developing technology that will monitor how the elderly take the road I am certain we can see changes in the types of technology that ensure safety for elderly and disabled drivers.

A $1.5 million prototype is being tested at the AgeLab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to perfect the Aware Car, which seeks to help specifically elder motorists to be safer while driving.

Using infrared cameras and mini cameras, the unit under construction measures the driver’s habits and would react if the one behind the wheel veers away from his usual response. The cameras monitors the driver’s eye and eyelid movements, while the driver’s heart rate, blood pressure and respiration are monitored and the data sent to a device on the trunk that could detect lane drifting. At the back seat is a computer monitor from where real-time data periodically show up.

Source: Gant Daily