Entries from April 2009 ↓

In a letter to the American people yesterday, President Obama weighed in heavily on the Cash for Clunkers proposals that are currently floating through the halls of Congress.

… we will also find ways to increase car sales while modernizing our auto fleet. Such fleet modernization programs, which provide a generous credit to consumers who turn in old, less fuel-efficient cars and purchase cleaner cars, have been successful in boosting auto sales in a number of European countries. I want to work with Congress to identify parts of the Recovery Act that could be trimmed to fund such a program, and make it retroactive starting immediately.

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act (H.R.1550) seeks to reward new car buyers with a $3,000 to $5,000 bounty to dump their old gas guzzlers and purchase a more fuel-efficient car or truck.

Opposition to the CARS act has come from sources including the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), and a number of foreign auto manufacturers. Nevertheless, with the Obama administration now voicing strong support for the program, the adoption of a federal Cash for Clunkers program seems to be inevitable.

Ready or not America, it’s (almost) time to buy a car.

Yet another (and less generous) proposal surfaced on 3/31.

Introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier and cosponsored by Rep. Mike Thompson, the “Clean Car Rebate Act of 2009″ (H.R.1808) seeks to “amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for consumer rebates for purchases of certain new passenger motor vehicles.” The rebate will initially apply to vehicles purchased in 2009 and 2010, with amounts tied to fuel-efficiency. Requirements will be tightened up incrementally, year to year, with years subsequent to 2010 subject to further increases in fuel economy.

There are plenty of questions that remain to be answered. If this country is to enact a variation of one of these plans, ultimate success may be tied to the ability to use the government rebate as a down payment on the new vehicle.

That’s right … no money down.

With all due respect to Acting General Motors (GM) CEO Fritz Henderson, we hope that his tenure as Chief Executive Officer is short and sweet. There’s no question that Fritz is a hard-working, well-educated, and highly-intelligent guy. But he’s missing that bit of magic that will get this country behind his company. Now, more than ever, GM needs star power and there’s just one man for the job:

Jay Leno.

Here at MPGomatic.com, we try to stay out of the business end of things by focusing on vehicles and technologies. But on rare occasions, it’s necessary to stick out the old neck and take a stand. This is one of them.

I’m in the middle of a string of GM review cars at the moment and I have to say, I’ve been remarkably pleased with the Pontiac G8 GT and Cadillac CTS – two vehicles that shine with the stamp of Bob Lutz. With Bob riding off into the sunset this year, GM needs a strong hand on the design tiller, an honest-to-goodness car guy at the top, and a great communicator that can make the case with the American people.

Now, more than ever.

This is the perfect transition job for Jay. Hand over the reigns at the Tonight Show, pick them up at GM, and get this country back on the right track.

I can’t think of a single person that would willingly and publicly play it straight the politicians, bureaucrats, and lobbyists in Washington – with regard to the auto industry – in the way that Jay can.

Whether you like his comedy or not, Jay knows and loves cars … he lives them and breathes them every day.

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.

It’s time we draft Jay.

MPG-o-Matic Chevy Tahoe Hybrid Review Summary: The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a traditional truck-based full-size three-row SUV with a big difference. The Tahoe Hybrid’s two-mode hybrid system functions as promised, delivering a substantial jump in fuel economy when compared to the conventional Tahoe.

Make no mistake about it. The 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid is a great big truck that integrates some innovative technology. With room for eight and plenty of hauling power, the traditional Tahoe has been a popular choice for large active families. The new two-mode hybrid system provides considerable benefits in lower-speed operation – whether you’re cruising through town or crawling through the parking lot at the local sports complex.
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