The Basics: Model Mix

Lamborghini offers the Murcielago LP640 in coupe and roadster formats, the latter equipped with nothing more than a temporary tonneau for the rare occasions that the owner has the car out during inclement weather. Each Murcielago can be custom tailored to help ensure that no two cars are exactly alike, thereby guaranteeing exclusivity. At the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini debuted a Versace edition of the LP640 to the North American press, decked out with special white paint, unique trim patterns, a lovely watch, and handsome fitted luggage.

[Source Autosite]

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by Scott Davis

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado has captured the coveted calipers for being voted the Motor Trend Truck of the Year winner for 2007. This year’s field of contenders included the Chevrolet Avalanche, the Chevrolet Silverado, the Cadillac Escalade EXT, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and the GMC Sierra.

The one thing that really sums up emotions about the new Silverado is that GM has really done a good job of modernizing an American icon. The truck doesn’t stray far from its roots, but combines a strong new look with excellent interior amenities, powertrains, and configuration flexibility.

There are three things that are considered when judging the trucks in this competition; Significance, Superiority and Value. These are the three categories that have come to the forefront as most important to consumers over the 48-year history of the Truck of the Year competition. Is the Silverado deserving over the crowd of other contenders? Motor Trend thinks so, but do you?

[Source: Motor Trend]

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by John Neff

Many people who have seen the controversial documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? have noticed the conspicuous absence of Toyota in the crosshairs of director Chris Paine’s magnum opus about failed EVs in the marketplace. Toyota was leasing the RAV4-EV, a version of the RAV4 cute ute converter to run on batteries, at the same time General Motors was offering the EV1. Detroit Free Press columnist Mark Phelan was told by Ernest Bastien, Toyota’s VP of Vehicle Operations, that the movie, “was terribly one-sided.” The Toyota exec went on to say, “It was not balanced at all.”

Paine freely admits the movie lets Toyota off the hook, mainly because GM was a much higher profile target. There are other reasons, as well, including the fact that GM had invested much more money in developing the EV1 from the ground up, whereas Toyota merely converted its standard RAV4. For its part, GM makes itself such a willing target, too. In one instance, the filmmakers captured protestors being hosed outside of GM offices when the sprinkler system turned on. GM claims it was on a timer, but Paine disaggrees. Toyota, meanwhile, greeted protestors outside its offices with bottled water and keychains.

The story here, however, is that GM’s main market rival is coming to its defense on the matter, and supporting the General’s assertion that there was no market demand for EVs at the time, and that’s what ultimately killed the electric car. In essence, Toyota has stepped up as a character witness for GM in the case. Does it sway Paine and his supporters? Not so much. EV advocates still claim neither company properly marketed the vehicles, and in Toyota’s case, the hyped-up Prius hybrid was clearly the company’s priority over the RAV4-EV.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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by Frank Filipponio

Ford Motor Co. has admitted what we saw coming for some time. The New York Times just ran a story saying Ford has announced that they fully expect Toyota to take over as number two behind General Motors. At least in America. Perhaps not unexpected, but it still sounds weird to hear that Ford won’t be #2. To put this in perspective, Ford has been number two since the 1920s! And if that’s not enough, Ford says the projections show they think that third place might be their permanent new slot. Apparently The Way Forward means taking one step back, which if that’s what it takes to return to profitability, then so be it.

Back in September Ford speculated that its market share would hit a low of 14-15% allowing Toyota to surpass it. With the death of the Taurus and the decline in sales of light trucks, Ford has certainly been hurting. Conversely, it seems that Toyota can do no wrong with buyers, despite product that some consider boring and increased recalls with uncharacteristic lapses in quality. But things aren’t looking any better for Ford. The new Tundra should be out in February, which will only increase Toyota’s market share according to most analysts. Although we expect the Dodge Ram to be the truck that suffers most from the Tundra’s arrival, eventually relinquishing it’s No. 3 spot to the Japanese pickup over time.

[Source: Reuters via The New York Times]

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by John Neff

Will the maddness ever end? Word has just surfaced that yet another Ferrari Enzo has been trashed after a crash in Abu Dabia left it far from pristine. We have no details yet on what happened, who was driving or even who owns the car, but the yellow Enzo definitely came in direct contact with the stubby trunk of a palm tree-like plant. That’s normally something you want to avoid while driving an Enzo. From the pictures that are viewable by clicking the Read link, it doesn’t appear the Enzo was damaged too badly, so perhaps it’s salvageable.

[Source: Tovx.com]

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by Noah Joseph

Some of the world’s automotive conglomerates are more guilty of badge engineering than others. With very few exceptions, the acquisition of Chrysler by Daimler-Benz (call it a merger if you like, but we’re not fooled) is not among the worst offenders. The Chrysler 300C may look to some like a Benz, and the Crossfire may be built on an old SLK platform, but Mercedes isn’t selling rebadged Vipers overseas and Jeep hasn’t slapped its own label on a G-wagon. (Yet.) The most notable exception comes from the commercial side of operations, where DCX brings the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van over to the North American market as a Dodge or Freightliner. There was no hiding it, either, as the American “version” kept all the same components, body panels, even the name. Just the badge was changed. But Montana-based OEM Sprinter Parts can switch it back for you if you’d like.

Because DaimlerChrysler didn’t change anything beside the badging, the “conversion kits” are relatively straightforward. You can get the Mercedes grille (complete with three-pointed star and optional 316CDI grille badge), wheel hubs, interior fittings…the works, right down to the signature sticker for the windshield. The whole kit costs less than $300 for most models. Now that’s the cheapest upgrade from a Dodge to a Mercedes you’ll find anywhere.

[Source: OEM Sprinter Parts via

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