Should The CEO's of Detroit's Big 3 Step Down?

Today Congress is meeting to discuss the details of the $25 billion bailout plan for U.S. automakers. Debates are going back and forth from both sides on how to solve this problem. Some senators are now even saying that the CEO's of the Big 3 should consider stepping down from their positions if that is what it will take for Congress to approve the plan.

During an interview yesterday on NBC’S “Meet the Press”, Michigan Sen. Carl Levin stated I’d be happy to tell (GM CEO) Rick Wagoner that he ought to consider resigning if that is the difference between getting this kind of support and not. If it was the difference between getting this kind of support or not, obviously the management should consider resigning."

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The 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid: Has America’s Back In The Hybrid Street Fight

Essentially a re-badged Dodge Durango, the Chrysler Aspen was first introduced in 2007 as the first SUV to ever wear the Chrysler wings. In 2009, Chrysler will break the mold again when the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid hits showroom floors, adding another soldier to the ranks of American SUVs joining the fight against import hybrid invasion [ok, so maybe we're editorializing a tad].

Borrowing heavily from the Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid, the Aspen Hybrid features Chrysler’s innovative Electronically Continuously Variable Transmission, powered by two electric motors and four fixed gears. Perfectly combining power and fuel efficiency, the Aspen Hybrid manages to maintain the full, famed power of its 5.7-L HEMI V8 engine while simultaneously boasting a 40% jump in fuel efficiency. Even with a total output of 385-hp and 380lb-ft of torque, the Aspen Hybrid still earns an EPA fuel rating of 18mpg city/19 hwy [a significant improvement over previous model years' 13 city/18 hwy]. The noticeable boost in the Aspen Hybrid’s city rating can be directly attributed to Mode 1 of the Aspen Hybrid’s Two-Mode system and the 300V battery packs [automatically recharged by the vehicle's regenerative braking system] stored beneath the second row seats. In Mode 1, when driving at speeds up to 30 mph, the vehicle is capable of running on 100% electrical energy [even when towing at the 6,000lb max capacity]. When speeds exceed 30mph, Mode 2 is automatically engaged and the HEMI’s full 8-cylinders are put to use.

While the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid isn’t quite as fuel efficient as some other hybrids on the market, we seriously doubt the Toyota Prius could tow your 24ft. Sea Ray Sundancer. Chrysler deserves major props for re-engineering one of its biggest vehicles to significantly improve fuel efficiency while authentically preserving its brute-force reputation. Bottom line: We love the idea of the Detroit 3 refusing to concede defeat on their home turf.

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Nice Pipe Or Crack Pipe: Barack Obama's Hemi-Powered 300C For $100,000? [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Yesterday's low-mile Mazda RX-4 got our highest Nice Price Or Crack Pipe approval rating yet, with a landslide 78% of voters going with Nice Price. Today we're going to ask a question we haven't asked here since the Tin Man's Fleetwood: how much extra does fame add to a car's value?

Kelley says a regular one is worth around $16,000, but Mr. Obama is definitely a non-lightweight famous person; in fact, the Obama's 300C website points out that a waffle half-eaten by Obama sold for $20,000, and the owner of a Barack-played pool table is shooting for a half million dollars. We'd feel a lot better about the price if the seller had some photographs of Obama actually driving it, and an authentic Barack Burnout video would make this a slam-dunk Nice Price. As it stands, though: $100,000 for this?

[eBay Motors], thanks to Bill for the tip.

$100,000 for Barack Obama's Chrysler 300C?
( polls)

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Barack Obama Will Not Meet Rick Wagoner Without Preconditions [Financiapocalypse]

Barack Obama took time away from talking about his mother-in-law and a college football playoff system to talk about the automaker bailout in an interview on CBS' 60 Minutes. While admitting Detroit needs help, he said it's important to make sure it's conditioned on the stakeholders (labor, suppliers, execs) coming up with a plan for a sustainable domestic auto industry as opposed to just giving out "a bridge loan to nowhere." Oh, yes, he went there. This was taped before the scary GM video, which at the very least we're hoping, convinced him to buy a Save GM t-shirt.

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Hemi Cuda rendering: Chrysler! Hire this guy, as your design team is stale

How is it that the people outside of the car industry can envision the possibilities but those wrapped up in the politics of car manufacturing cannot? That is not always the case because some fantastic cars have slipped through the fashionable filters, but when you have design by committee the usual result is a car lacking in design. However, when you take one man sitting a computer with an idea in his head sometimes you will find the most fascinating results. Take the case of Nate Craver and his Chrysler Hemi Cuda concept rendering.

The “what’s old is new” concept has been around a long time and the auto industry is in its hey-day right now with that concept. The Ford Mustang and the Ford Thunderbird are prime examples of the concept that have seen success. The Pontiac GTO on the other hand… that is a prime example of a remake that in no way resembles its heritage nor displays any imagination and as a result receives little attention. The recent model of the GTO resembles every other Pontiac being built today.

In Nate Carver’s Hemi Cuda concept there is still a hint back to the classic but in a very forward thinking design. This is a concept that I could get behind and that would totally go against the Chrysler design groups overall theme of Boxy-by-Design. The Dodge Viper and the Dodge Demon roadster concept are the only cars in the Chrysler family that show any influence from aerodynamic research in their design. This Hemi Cuda concept would be just the jolt of sleek speed Chrysler needs.

As a conceptual idea this would be a Hemi Cuda that could compete in all venues and would literally twist peoples necks as they wrenched back to see it in passing. But that is just one man’s admiring…  what do you think of this Chrysler Hemi Cuda rendering? Does the NEW Chrysler company have the stomach to take such a risk? Does this concept Cuda look Cuda enough to satisfy the Cuda-nites and yet inspire a new generation of Cuda fans?

Source[nate carver-flickr]

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