truth about domestics

That’s right folks.  The Olympics may be in Canada this year, but the three Canadian-made electric Zambonis were not up to the task of caring for the 2010 Winter Games’ surfaces.  All three machines succumbed to mechanical and electrical issues, causing major delays to the games.  Finally, to avoid further embarassement, the Candians brought in a CNG powered Zamboni from California-based Zamboni.  For more details, head on over to Jalopnik.

(Image source: bcenergyblog.com)

In a move that doesn’t really surprise anyone, GM has announced that the Washington D.C. area will be the third market for the initial launch of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, following California and Michigan.  All three of these areas were picked for basic fundamental reasons; California has a large concentration of hippies environmentally conscious consumers and utility companies willing to help the electric vehicle charging issues, Michigan because it is the home of the Volt in design, development and production, and Washington D.C. because that’s where all the government know-it-alls types reside.

For more on this story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

When General Motors talked about the Volt’s initial sales locations, California was listed as the first state to receive the extended range plug in hybrid vehicle, but other states were not mentioned.  Well now GM has confirmed that Detroit will be one of the other lead markets after California.  This is great news for the state considering the car will be built there, the battery packs are made there, the car was designed, tested and both the concept and production vehicles were debuted in Michigan.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog Green.

(Image source: GM)

I love how the entire country has to kiss California’s ass all the time.  They pollute more than just about every other state and yet they demand automakers to produce more fuel efficient cars.  Then when the domestic automakers produce them, they refuse to buy them.  I just don’t get it.  Once again, GM must try to appease all of the tree-huggers in Cali and is therefore releasing the 2011 Volt there before a nation-wide roll out.  GM is also partnering with utility companies in California to study plug-in hybrid charging patterns on the electrical grid.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

Hopefully the fact that the new Taurus is a Ford isn’t shocking to people in California, land of the Prius and rolling blackouts.  The 2010 Ford Taurus is a very strong looking car, with lots to offer in terms of styling, technology and amenities, and that has apparently worked in California…at least so far.  Sales of the new model were up 60% in September of this year compared to the same month in 2008.  Lets hope that this is a sign that people across the country are starting to see that the Americans can compete with the imports, and not only that, they can win too!  For more details, head on over to Autoblog!

(Image source: Ford)

Gift cards for autos program (Glenn Moore/Tracy Press)

I would like to dedicate this article to those out there among us that continue to believe that we aren’t all dependent on the auto industry.  Tracy, California has a dilemma.  The city used to receive 20% of it’s revenue from car dealers, a figure that has recently dropped to 15%.  The sales tax from cars and trucks sold in the city makes up 30% of the city’s $45 million fun, which pays for police and fire services.  So what will the city do, now that sales have fallen 50% in the region?  Dealerships in the area are closing up, and that could spell hard times for the citizens in the area.

The solution?  The municipality is giving away 800 $500 gift certificates to car dealerships in the region to help increase sales.  For the full story, head on over to the Tracy Press.