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Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Toyota
If you want a job at Toyota's still under construction Mississippi assembly plant, you'd better get in line. In fact, you'd best fill out an application post-haste, because the Japanese automaker reportedly received 9,600 applications in its first week. Anyone surprised? Americans want and need jobs, and they're chomping at the bit for a chance to earn a steady income of $15 to $20 per hour.
According to Edmunds Auto Observer, applications came from 33 different states in the Union, with 8,000 of the applications originating from the state of Mississippi. David Copenhaver, vice president of administration at Toyota, reportedly told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper that the majority of the jobs will go to applicants who reside within 100 miles of the facility.
Nearly 10,000 applications in a week's time is plenty impressive, but it's not like they're applying for a handful of jobs. Toyota is hiring approximately 1,350 hourly and 150 salary employees to build the Corolla, with the chance for an even larger workforce if the automaker decides to increase production down the road.
[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]
Report: Toyota gets overwhelming response for new hires at Mississippi plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan Not a bad discount, right?
GM says Chevy Cruze Eco with an automatic will hit 36 mpg highway This slushbox won't hurt too bad at the pump.
Coda will sell electric sedan in Hawaii in late 2011 The line is forming that-a-way. Other news:
Donnie Bowles scores first win in propane-powered Roush Mustang Motive doesn't Bogart cannabis car info, passes us more details Mazda's "uniquely engineered" Sky engines will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency
AutoblogGreen for 09.03.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Truck, Ford, Off-Road
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford's off-road beast, the F-150 SVT Raptor, has only been on sale for a year, but it's already getting a few upgrades for the 2011 model year.
Many reports and a few spy shots indicated that Ford had been prepping a four-door SuperCrew version of the Raptor (you know, for when the family wants to do the Baja run with you), and the automaker has officially confirmed the details (again). The SuperCrew's wheelbase is a full 12 inches longer than the standard Raptor, meaning it should provide a more comfortable ride along the way, and the 5.5-foot box can still haul everything you need when you get there.
Speaking of capability, all Raptors now come standard with more power on tap - the 6.2-liter V8 will be the only available powertrain for 2011 (sad trombone for the people who rushed out to get the 5.4). As we reported earlier, it stands to reason that the 2011 Raptor will get a price increase to account for the larger mill, but it's a small price to pay for an extra 101 horsepower and 69 pound-feet of torque over the 5.4-liter V8.
From there, the other enhancements for 2011 are purely cosmetic. Raptors can now be had in a new color - Ingot Silver Metallic (pictured) - and matte black accent graphics are available on the hood. These new graphics can be ordered separately from the box side decals, too. Inside the cabin, Ford now offers a standard 4.2-inch LCD display (called the "productivity screen") in the center of the revised instrument gauges, similar to what was introduced on the 2011 Super Duty.
Dealers will start taking orders for 2011 Raptors as you read this with the first examples hitting dealerships later this year. Ford's detailed press release is available after the jump.
Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011
Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Crossover, Dodge, Ford
The SUV is dead. Long live the SUV!
The 2011 Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer are big departures from the models that they replace. Aside from the usual styling and refinement differences, the biggest changes for these vehicle are that they both ditch the traditional body-on-frame sport-utility vehicle DNA in favor of unibody constructions. By our definition, these once-SUVs are now CUVs, though their respective parent companies continue to brand them as being traditional sport-utes through and through.
Both the Durango and Explorer offer available seating for seven and all-wheel drive, but that's where the similarities start to taper off. Each vehicle offers a choice of two different powertrains, but while Dodge has opted to go a more traditional route with by fielding the Durango with both 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 engines, Ford has gone in the opposite direction by equipping the Explorer with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6. There are pros and cons for each - the Explorer may prove to be more fuel-efficient, but the Durango ought to tow more.
Each of these new crossovers tries to stay true to the traditional SUV mindset, just in different directions. Ford's Terrain Management system will surely come in handy for people who need more off-road prowess, though the end result remains that the Explorer is arguably more of a tall wagon than an honest SUV. The Durango keeps things a bit more and has a strong, presence that we suspect will still be well-received by people who prefer honest-to-goodness sport-utility vehicles.
We could debate the pros and cons of each vehicle all day, and indeed, we're still waiting for the Full Monty-worth of details and specifications, but we still want to know: What do you think? If you had to choose either the Explorer or Durango, which would get your pick? Cast your vote in the poll below and be sure to sound off with your thoughts in Comments.
View Poll
Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango
Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer
Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango - What's your pick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Videos
Spectre Perfromance Speedliner hits 366 mph - Click above to watch video after the jump
Spectre Performance has been busy. The team made impressive progress toward its goal of toppling the 400 mph barrier in a four-wheel, gasoline-powered vehicle during this year's Bonneville Speed Week. Their weapon of choice? A twin-engined speedliner with a combined displacement of 1,026 cubic inches and a total output of somewhere between 3,200 and 4,000 horsepower thanks to twin turbo systems on each engine. In 2009, that contraption walked all the way up to 330.569 mph - good enough to set a world record at the SCTA World Finals, but still well short of the team's goal.
This year, they headed to the salt flats with driver Amir Rosenbaum at the tiller. Rosenbaum managed to squeeze quite a bit more speed out of the machine, pushing it all the way to 366 mph and breaking three records in two classes in the process. If you're like us, you're probably wondering just what it feels like to fly at those speeds with the seat of your pants mere inches from the Earth. Fortunately for all of us curious types, Spectre has put out an excellent video detailing the experience. Find it and the full press release after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Spectre Performance Speedliner takes to the salt
Video: Spectre Performance Speedliner takes to the salt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima
It's hard to imagine comparing an Optima to the cream-of-the-crop, but with sharp new styling and some compelling powertrains, Kia has a mid-size winner of its hands.
Video: Top Gear USA runs with the bulls
Judging by this newest trailer, Top Gear USA might not suck. After all, it's hard to argue with three Lamborghinis and a matador.
2011 Dodge Durango unveiled
The all-new Durango has arrived, complete with freshly-minted sheetmetal and a choice of V6 or V8 power that finally brings the fight back to the Explorer.
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.2.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Etc., Safety, Videos
Allstate has officially ranked the country's 200 largest cities by the likelihood of their drivers to get into an accident. The annual report singles out localities with the best drivers, and this year, Fort Collins, Colorado took the cake as the city with the safest residents. Last year, the town was stuck at number two behind Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Unfortunately for drivers who live in the former capitol of safe driving, that town saw its rank fall by 17 places to number 18 in just one year.
On average, Allstate says that drivers in Fort Collins will get into an accident of some variety or other every 14.5 years, and that they're around 31.2 percent less likely than the national average to wrinkle their sheetmetal.
And which localities are the worst of them all? It should be no surprise that the drivers who circle the Beltway in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia are among the worst of the lot. Our nation's capitol held onto its spot in dead last, with drivers expected to get into a claimable accident every 5.1 years. Baltimore, Maryland is just one notch up the list with that city's drivers likely to experience one accident every 5.6 years. Hit the jump for a look at the top ten cities, and check the gallery to stick an eyeball on the complete results.
Gallery: Allstate 2010 Safe Driver Report
[Source: Allstate | Image: Garry Sun/bauergriffinonline.com]
Continue reading Survey: Allstate lists America's safest driving cities [w/video]
Survey: Allstate lists America's safest driving cities [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Budget, Japan, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota, Daihatsu
Daihatsu has announced plans to recalling over 500,000 vehicles in Japan due to taillight lenses that can fade over time. The lenses, originally orange, will bleach white with exposure to the sun, leading to a potential safety risk. As a result, Daihatsu is recalling a total of 435,423 Move hatchbacks built between 1995 and 2000, as well as 145,769 Mira models manufactured from 1998 to 2000. Both vehicles fall into Japans micro-car category and are powered by fuel-thrifty .66-liter engines. The company plans to fix the issue by installing orange bulbs in the vehicles instead of the white ones that came from the factory.
Daihatsu is owned by Toyota, and the company produces a number of small vehicles for the manufacturing giant. While not as crippling as some of the other issues Toyota has had this year, the Daihatsu does add to the 11 million recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled since fall of last year.
[Source: Automotive News]
Report: Toyota's Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over... fading taillamps? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Lexus
2010 Lexus IS 350C F Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery
Lexus just dropped us a note to let us know that its F Sport line of performance accessories are on sale between September 10 and November 1, with between $100 and $300 off on accessory packages ranging from $500 to $2,000. If you're interested in wheels, brakes or an exhaust for your GS or IS, click here for the coupon with all the details.
Gallery: Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport
$300 discount on Lexus F Sport Accessories originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Sedan, Safety, Dodge
A 2008 Dodge Charger played the role of lifesaver on Tuesday when a man fell 400 feet and amazingly lived to see another day. The New York Post reports that 22-year-old Thomas Magill allegedly tried to commit suicide by jumping out of a 39-story New York high-rise when the aforementioned Charger broke his fall. Witnesses said that Magill flew through the air at "like 100 miles per hour" and landed on the Charger's rear window.
The man's impact sent glass flying everywhere and even knocked his tennis shoes clear off his feet and onto the windshield of another vehicle. After Magill hit the vehicle, witnesses claim the young man screamed that his legs hurt. Understandably.
While Magill lived through the tremendous fall, he's not out of the woods yet. He is reportedly listed in critical condition at a local New York hospital.
[Source: The New York Post]
Report: Dodge Charger saves life of suicide jumper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, Mini
The Mini Countryman is multiplying - Click above to watch video after the jump
Mini is continuing its advertising onslaught for the new Countryman, and in its latest spot, the company visualizes every potential path for the Countryman to run amok in the Italian countryside. The original car eventually multiplies into a fleet of over one hundred CG interpretations, all hopping curbs and harassing pedestrians in what we can only imagine is what the world would look like if a Mini exec ruled the globe. Eventually, the high-riding Countryman flings itself onto a ferry to escape into the sunset.
Mini also turned out a making-of video to document the action. If you've ever wondered exactly how filmmakers go about melding the physical world with the virtual, you'll want to check out that clip, too. You can find both after the jump.
[Source: Mini]
Continue reading Mini Countryman commercial makes mess of multiplication
Mini Countryman commercial makes mess of multiplication originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: SUV, Land Rover, Military, UK, Off-Road
Land Rover Fire and Ice Defenders - Click above for high-res image gallery
Land Rover seems to be having some trouble figuring out how to go about putting its plan for the successor to the Defender throne into motion. According to Autocar, the company knows what attributes the vehicle should have, but doesn't know how to go about engineering the platform using existing components from the company's parts bin. Word from the web had previously said that Land Rover had planned to use the company's T5 steel platform for Project Icon (the internal name for the next Defender), though according to the report, the company now thinks that the chassis would be too heavy to be a viable option.
So what will the next-generation Defender look like? If anyone at Land Rover knows for sure, they certainly aren't telling the scribes at Autocar. According to the article, all we know for sure is that the vehicle will still wear the Defender name. Otherwise, there's just a few shady hints that the company's fancy Electric Rear Drive Axle Drive technology may show up both on civilian and military models.
Speaking of the Defender's military service, the Autocar report says that Land Rover is interested in winding down that area of its business, reducing the number of Defender body variations at the same time. With Tata having given the okay (and the funds) to proceed with the 2014 project, here's hoping Land Rover works its way through this mess in a hurry.
Gallery: Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions
[Source: Autocar]
Next Defender expected in 2014 but Land Rover suffering from lack of focus? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Paris Motor Show, Hyundai
Hyundai ix20 Concept - Click above for high-res image
When it comes to designing an MPV, it's difficult to move beyond the standard two-box form. That's where Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language comes into play. Penned by the automaker's European R&D studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany and set to debut at Paris Motor Show at the end of the month, the ix20 attempts to add a level of style to the utilitarian MPV segment.
There's no word on an engine or output, but Hyundai says the soiree in Paris will have a heavy focus on the brand's BlueDrive drivetrains, and joining the ix20 on stage will be a refreshed i10 city car, complete with a new 1.0-liter engine. Full details in the press blast after the break.
Continue reading Paris Preview: Hyundai ix20 MPV sketched
Paris Preview: Hyundai ix20 MPV sketched originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Lotus
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
In addition to the pair of Evoras being introduced at this year's Paris Motor Show, Lotus will also be unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles, in keeping with the automaker's promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Edmunds' Green Car Advisor reports that one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.
Lotus debuted its hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured), but unlike the mid-engine concept, the two front-engine models will utilize a 47-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids.
We'll have the full details direct from the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.
Gallery: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini
Top Gear USA runs with the bulls - Click above to see the video after the jump
While everyone and their mother seems to have made Top Gear USA bashing the new national pastime, you might want to take a look at the newest video tease it's just released. While the appeal of the BBC show undoubtedly revolves around the chemistry between its three mismatched hosts, at its core, it's a show about cars. So even if we're not certain the three American hosts can live up to the legacy established by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, perhaps they really don't need to.
Top Gear USA isn't a replacement for the BBC show after all - it's more of a spin-off. And as long as the production values stay high - and from the looks of it, they have - it's just more car pr0n for all of us. Case in point: the video you'll see after the jump. The storyline is fairly straightforward: Round up the baddest Lamborghinis from the corral - Superleggera, Balboni and SuperVeloce - and open them up so we can see what they'll do. Can there possibly be a loser? Maybe the matador. Follow the jump to see the Top Gear USA guys on their run with the bulls. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: The History Channel via YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Top Gear USA runs with the bulls
Video: Top Gear USA runs with the bulls originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It's unlikely that any other BMW has had such a polarising effect as the gigantic X6. The Munich SUV, with its suggestive coupe silhouette, possesses proportions that seem enormous, and is the perfect embodiment of a luxury all-terrain vehicle. Positioned above the much-loved BMW X5, in recent years the X6 has quietly developed into a real sales hit for the Bavarian carmaker.
Carbon fiber, handling and ultra lightweight! That's the guiding principle of BRABUS for refining the Mercedes SLS AMG. The exclusive sport program comprises aerodynamic-enhancement components made from carbon fiber, ultra-lightweight forged wheels, an electronically adjustable smooth-ride suspension, a titanium exhaust system with bypass gate, and BRABUS leather.
The new Volvo S60 is dynamic and sporty. The new Volvo S60 is not chivalrous, the new Volvo S60 is sexy. HEICO SPORTIV enhances the Volvo driv-ing experience, adding additional seasoning in the form of meticulously composed ingredients.
Celebrating its world premiere at the Paris motor show (2 - 17 October 2010), the new CLS builds on the pioneering role of its predecessor yet at the same time is an entirely new edition.
Porsche will offer a Powerkit for the Panamera Turbo, which will raise engine output by 40 hp to 540 hp. Moreover, a Sport Design Package and the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels will widen the individualization programme for the Gran Turismo range.
As part of the year long celebration of Jaguar's 75th anniversary the Jaguar design team has created the XJ75 Platinum Concept, a one-of-a-kind design project on display at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance Concept Car Lawn this weekend.
With the LINEA Vincerò d'Oro, MANSORY has completed its strictly limited series for the refined Bugatti Veyron 16.4. After the specialist for exclusive luxury vehicles raised the bar for high-performance sports cars by another level in March 2009, MANSORY is now placing the crowning glory on the art of refinement.
With its wide-body construction and increase in performance of more than 20 per cent, JE DESIGN transforms the Q7 into an SUV with enormous road presence and increased overtaking power.
LUMMA Design proves that style and functionality do not have to be mutually exclusive. With its comprehensive range of accessories for the Porsche Cayenne, the car customiser from Winterlingen in Germany not only enhances the appearance of the Zuffenhausen-made SUV but also equips it for everyday use.
For the new BMW 5 series F10, HAMANN Motorsport of Laupheim presents a sporty all-inclusive, no-worry package of aerodynamics components, alloy wheels, sports exhaust system and decorative interior fittings in carbon fibre.
The sought-after Audi Sportback formula can now be enjoyed on an even grander scale in the all new A7 Sportback, which in a similar vein to its A5 namesake discreetly integrates saloon car versatility and hatchback practicality into an elegant premium coupe silhouette. By reinterpreting the concept for the larger executive class, the A7 Sportback will project the Vorsprung durch Technik brand into yet another new segment.
Anyone with a Z4 sDrive35i (E89) wanting to experience driving pleasure at its best is likely to yearn for somewhat more power under the long bonnet and no (irritating) electronic limitation to 250 km/h. More power – namely a full 350 hp (225 kW) instead of the standard 306 hp (225 kW).
HAMANN-Motorsport is one of the leading names when it comes to exclusive refining of super sports cars. The company from Laupheim in southern Germany demonstrates this once again with the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. HAMANN presents premier tuning components for the Gullwing which enhances its sporty look and gives it that personal touch.
The new Cabriolet of the Mercedes-Benz E class has once again set the standards for travelling in elegance, with open canopy. The automobile manufacturer Carlsson has now lent to the open-top four-seater an extra dash of sportiness.
Based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost concept, the vehicle-customizer Kourosh Mansory presents one of the three limited luxury-car specimens. Subtle modifications designed to increase the car's elegance and add a touch of sportiness are priority.