by Noah Joseph

Shakespeare has proven himself ahead of his time yet again. While Alfa Romeo is making a comeback of epic proportions, parent company Fiat is ordering a new naming scheme for the Torino automaker’s models. That’s the word according to a report in the British car magazine Autocar.

The current Alfa nomenclature is a mixed bag. Sedans and hatchbacks get numeric designations (147, 159, 166), coupes and convertibles get names (Brera, Spider, GT), while the upcoming models get both (8C Competizione). The name of the upcoming “baby Alfa” is expected to follow the latter, with 4C Junior tipped as the handle.

Rather than reach into its past to resuscitate historic Alfa nameplates like Giulietta and Alfasud, the carmaker is expected to go with a “linked family of names”, which should mean some consistency across the range. They can call them what they want, we’ll continue to call them beautiful – we just hope the new naming scheme is carefully selected to match.

[Source: Autocar via Winding Road]

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by Chris Shunk

It already seems as though Chrysler has been on the block forever, yet the juggernaut only started officially rolling a little over a month ago. To those who count on Chrysler for a paycheck, however, news of the potential sale must feel like its been going on for eons. Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda knows the situation is tough for employees and dealers, and at a meeting with the latter in Florida yesterday morning, he gave assurances that if anything happens, it will happen quickly.

The Wall St. Journal quoted one dealer as saying LaSorda “assured us it wouldn’t go on,” which must provide little relief for these dealers, if any. The way we see it, speculation of a sale has already been unofficially swirling since last fall, and if, in fact, Chrysler is sold quickly, the changeover process will take months, if not years. We’re not merger and acquisition specialists, but we’re pretty sure there is no way to tear the Band-Aid off quickly when dealing with the sale of a multibillion dollar corporation.

[Source: Automotive News (subscription req’d)]

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by Sam Abuelsamid

The twenty-first century has not been kind to the state of Michigan. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost at both the automakers and suppliers, and the tax cuts implemented by the Republican-controlled legislature have gutted state revenues while doing nothing to attract new jobs. Since people can’t find jobs here, they’ve hit the road and moved elsewhere.

The combination of all these factors has meant that the real estate bubble that’s in the process of bursting in the rest of the country right now already popped here at least a couple of years ago. Even in the more affluent parts of the state, people trying to sell houses have had “For Sale” signs in the yard for increasingly longer periods. In my own neighborhood, houses that would sell in only a few weeks a few years ago now sit unsold for a year or more.

A riverfront house that a developer built not far from here which originally listed for $2.1 million, sat empty for four years before someone finally bought it for $1.2 million last year. Even in Bloomfield Hills, a house that was listed at $525,000 fetched only $130,000 at auction. The city of Detroit has been in a state of decline for nearly four decades now, having lost over half its population in that time and some of the dilapidated houses there are going for less than the price of a new car, and in some cases a used car.

An auction firm sold 300 foreclosed Detroit houses last week and at least sixteen of them drew less than $30,000. A four-bedroom house near the Motown recording studio went for only $7,000. Things are ugly around here and they’re not likely to get better anytime soon.

[Source: Yahoo News - Thanks for the tip, starlightmica!]

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by Frank Filipponio

To celebrate another season of teaming with Ferrari on both road and track, Shell Oil has issued a set of stickers depicting the fabled cars from Maranello. In addition to shots of the new F1 car, there are also stickers featuring both of the current drivers, the new 599 GTB Fiorano, and the logos of both Shell and Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are both giving a thumbs up, apparently satisfied with their debut performance from Australia in the 2007 World Championship. If this seems like the kind of thing you definitely have to get your hands on, there’s even better news. The sheet of stickers is free while supplies last. All you need to do is give some basic information at the Shell website, accessible through the link below or by clicking the image above.

Thanks for the tip, Doug!

[Source: Shell via Deal Detectives]

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by Noah Joseph

It’s official. It’s been confirmed: Cadillac is preparing a new V12 flagship. That’s straight from the mouth of our favorite man in the business, Bob Lutz. On a recent trip across the pond, GM’s venerated product guru confirmed in an interview to the British car magazine AutoWeek that they are indeed working on a twelve-cylinder engine, slated to power a new range-topping, import-beating “Cadillac of Cadillacs,” a super-luxury-sedan to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS in the grandest of American style.

The new powerplant is being fabricated from two of GM’s 3.6-liter 60-degree V6 engines mounted on a common crankshaft. Far from relying solely on cylinder count, sources speculate the engine will also benefit from such features as direct injection and cylinder deactivation, resulting in a 7.2-liter V12 with somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque.

And just where is GM testing such a behemoth of an engine? In Australia, of course! As has become de rigeur for American automakers of late, GM is relying on its Australian subsidiary to run the development work on the new flagship engine. Holden is reported to have already begun testing mules, based on a Commodore with a stretched-out engine bay, at its Lang Lang test center near Melbourne. Although the Zeta-based Commodore, (a.k.a. the upcoming Pontiac G8) is being used strictly as a test bed for the time being, it could end up providing the underpinnings for the Cadillac megasedan when the time comes.

Lutz has been pushing for a top-tier Cadillac for years now, and the impetus for its development has apparently come from the feedback received by the Cadillac Sixteen showcar debuted back in 2003. Although the showcase V16 engine was ruled out, apparently the V12 has gotten the green light for development. Shoot for the stars and land on the moon, eh Bob?

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]

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FORD EDGE MUSIC FANS RESPONDING TO INNOVATIVE VIDEO PODCAST
Ford Edge and Rock River Music continue their series of downloadable full-length major label music video podcasts. More than 10,000 downloads have occurred.
March’s artists include Snow Patrol, Nelly Furtado, Peter Bjorn & John and La Rocca.

DEARBORN , Mich. March 16, 2007 – In February, Ford Edge launched the industry’s first free music video podcasts with its partner, Rock River Music. Music fans responded and downloaded more than 10,000 videos at http://www.fordvehicles.com/edgevideocast. The Edge podcast has consistently ranked in the Top 100 on the iTunes most played list throughout February.

This month’s artists include Snow Patrol, Nelly Furtado, Peter Bjorn & John and La Rocca.

“The first month’s response is further proof that we have found a unique way to connect Edge with consumer’s appreciation for music, style and technology,” says Dave Sanabria, cross vehicle marketing manager for Ford. “The video podcasts are a great way for us to showcase the Ford Edge and be relevant to that audience.”

The series of free music videos from Ford is also available at the Ford Edge Web site at www.fordvehicles.com/edgevideocast, iTunes and other music sites. Once somebody clicks on the series it will be delivered through RSS (really simple syndication) feed. Each month they will receive an automatic update of the series. All monthly episodes will be available for the full year.

About March’s Edge Vodcast Artists and Songs

Snow Patrol – You’re All I Have

UK natives Snow Patrol began as a modest indie rock band in the mid-90s, but in recent years their soaring, anthemic songwriting has propelled the band to headlining music festivals and multi-platinum record sales. The new single “You’re All I Have” is the latest from the album Eyes Open.

Nelly Furtado – Say It Right

For her latest album Loose, Nelly Furtado teamed with producer/genius Timbaland (Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z) with typically stunning results. The song “Say It Right” features a spooky synth-driven melody recalling sophisticated ‘80s pop groups like the Eurythmics. It is the second single from the album to hit #1 in the U.S.

Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks

This Swedish trio has been building quite a buzz lately. Their debut single “Young Folks” (featuring guest vocalist Victoria Bergsman of the Concretes) was one of the major indie hits in Europe last year. The band is set to tour the U.S. in April & May, kicking off at the prestigious Coachella Festival.

La Rocca – This Life

Irish band La Rocca, formed in Dublin in 2002, borrow thedeir name from a seedy bar in Bristol, England where they played early shows. Their auspicious debut album, The Truth, appeared in 2006 and is stuffed with instantly familiar melodies. One of the best is the bittersweet “This Life,” a song that recalls lost love with a glimmer of hope for the future.

About the Edge

Bold American design distinguishes the 2007 Ford Edge in the red-hot crossover utility vehicle market – along with a dynamic driving character and innovative features. Equipped with an all-new 265-horsepower V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel efficiency. Ford Edge has impressive EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg on the highway.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

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