A New Vue Of Saturn

While the planet Saturn has been receiving attention lately because, apparently, its two dead moons are actually alive, I’m not talking about a ‘view’ of the planet. Instead, I am talking about the new Saturn Vue. The midsize crossover from some brand named Saturn owned by a company known as General Motors. Yeah! That’s the one.

It’s true that the planet Saturn has been receiving attention these past few days – the Saturn brand is also attracting attention in the auto industry as General Motors revitalizes its lineup with design cues taken straight out of a European car. The current lineup of Saturn is quickly becoming the most European among domestic car brands.

The North American Car of the Year Aura is really based on the Opel Vectra. The convertible Saturn Sky is also based on the Opel GT. The upcoming Saturn Astra is a rebadged Opel Astra. So it comes as no surprise that the new Vue is based on the Opel Antara. The 2008 model year version of the brand’s best selling model is given European styling cues to make it look cooler than its forerunner.

Not only is the Vue given a facelift, its interior has also received a much needed revision. Using better materials, the new Vue is undoubtedly more luxurious than its predecessor. In fact, the interior of the Saturn Vue is similar to the Antara. Being a European car, we can expect that the Opel Antara has an interior which can take on the best of German car manufactures such as BMW and Audi if it really tries to compete directly with them.

According to General Motors, three engines are available for the Vue. The first one is a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. This engine is equipped with variable valve timing and is a perfect choice for car buyers looking for fuel efficient vehicles. The engine though can only produce 169 horsepower.

For those looking for more power under the hood, General Motors offers a 3.5-liter V6 engine. This bigger engine means that you would have to make more trips to the refilling station than with the smaller engine. But while you would spend more on the pump, you would have 222 horsepower at your command. The third is a slightly larger version of this V6. It is a 3.6-liter V6 engine. The third engine choice though offered by General Motors with the Vue can produce as much as 257 hp, considerably more power than the 3.5 V6.

Mazda Has Done It Again…Three Years in a Row

Do you own or drive a Mazda? If yes, I’ll give you a solid reason why you have to smile and be proud about it! Don’t you know that your Mazda belongs to the top quality vehicles in the planet today? Or maybe several years ago. Or to be exact, three years of quality and excellence!

Quality! It’s not all about the Mazda cold air intake but the over-all composition of a vehicle – particularly from Mazda cars. For three consecutive years, Mazda has topped the Bild Magazine’s “Quality Report” marking another highlight on Mazda’s history. The result was published last June 8, 2007 as their annual report.

Auto Bild’s Quality Report gathers the outcome of seven criteria. The following are endurance tests, car owner surveys (22,795 Auto Bild subscribers), recalls, Germany’s Technische Uberwachung Verein (TUV) report, customer complaints at Auto Bild, type of warranties and the quality of dealerships based on secret service tests – for a comprehensive picture of quality in Europe’s largest market according to brand.

Two years ago, the reports showed strong evidence about Mazda’s quality and they have maintained their excellent performance this year thus grabbing the recognition three years straight! Mazda cars reported strong results in categories emphasizing a long-term quality especially in the TUV report and in Auto Bild’s 100,000 kilometer Endurance Test. For low repair frequency and high body quality, Mazda also received flying colors based on the owner’s surveys.

“We’re especially honored that in 2007 Mazda was chosen the winner of Auto Bild’s Quality Report for the third time,” said Dan Morris, Mazda’s senior managing executive officer in charge of marketing, sales and customer service. “This prestigious award is recognition of the quality of the design and manufacturing built into every Mazda vehicle. And it gives us more confidence as we move forward with our plans to bring even greater levels of quality to all aspects of the Mazda Zoom-Zoom car owning experience for our customers worldwide.”

This only shows that Mazda car owners should be proud of owning one and for new car buyers, Mazda cars are an excellent choice if you really want a quality car right in your very hands! Owning a Mazda doesn’t only show that it’s a very good choice but a pleasure to drivers as well!

NASCAR’s Reaction on Earnhardt Jr. Joining Hendrick Motorsports

After long productive years of staying at Earnhardt JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr., son of the late racing legend Dale Earnhardt has decided to offer his services to Hendrick Motorsports. He declared last month that he will leave his father’s established team and be of service in Hendrick Motorsports team.

But his decision became a big issue in the world of racing especially in the NASCAR community wherein they have reacted on Earnhardt Junior’s decision on leaving his own father’s team that has stood through a lot of victorious years. Let’s hear some of the reactions stated by a few racing personalities:

Brian France, the chairman and CEO of Nascar: “Today’s announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s move to Hendrick Motorsports is indeed an important announcement for this season and beyond, and it should be noted that high-profile partnerships have always been a part of NASCAR’s competitive history. There have been so many great partnerships involving people of great character and ability. We’re proud of what they have brought to our sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always said that first and foremost, he wants to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. We wish him the best of luck.”

Tony Ponturo, the VP for Global Media and Sports Marketing Anheuser-Busch, Inc.: “Anheuser-Busch has enjoyed a remarkable relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. since our sponsorship commenced back in 1999. Dale Jr. is an excellent ambassador for the sport and our company, and we look forward to exploring options with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports to continue Budweiser’s relationship with him as he enters this new stage of his racing career.”

Brent Dewar, GM North America’s VP for vehicle sales, service and parts: “Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been synonymous with the modern era of Chevy Motorsports with his 17 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series victories and two NASCAR Busch Series championships, all powered by the legendary small-block Chevy V8. Dale, Jr. has a choice in his future direction. We are proud he chose to stay with Team Chevy – the winningest name in motorsports with 609 wins and 30 championships – to pursue his championship bid. On behalf of General Motors and Chevrolet, congratulations to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports on the announcement of their partnership. They epitomize the Chevy spirit of competition. We wish them success as they embark on their new relationship.”

Tim Brewer, an analyst with ESPN: “I think it’s a great decision because he wants to go and win races and win championships. He’s going to make the change for himself, get in a good race car and he’ll get the job done. He’s been saying all along that he really wants to drive the No. 3 car at the end of his career so I think that’s the reason he didn’t go to Richard Childress yet. They are proven winners and proven champions at Hendrick. The combination he’s had hasn’t been working, and that’s no disrespect to anyone. If I were him I would show up, not even take my helmet, and just ask ‘which car do you want me to get in?’ If I’d implemented a change and gone this far, I believe I’d make a big change.”

Ford on 7th Spot While GM Sits On 3rd As Largest Corporations in the US

Both the General Motors Corporation and the Ford Motor Company were included on the top ten largest companies in United States as released on the 2007 Fortune 500. These companies were known to have difficulties regarding their financial stability at this moment but they still managed to include themselves on the top 10 among the top 500 largest corporations in the US.

Other companies included on the 2007 Fortune 500 were Johnson Controls which got the 67th spot, Delphi on the 83rd, Goodyear Tire & Rubber on the 114th, Lear on the 130th Paccar on the 141st and many more. Last year, the top 500 covers large amount of swath on the US economy which also include 31 private companies. An average of 29% was earned in 2005 which got a total amount of $785 billion on the record sales.

Shawn Tully, Fortune’s editor at large, said, “Put simply, American companies are enjoying the most sumptuously profitable period in the 500’s 53-year history. Virtually every conceivable force, from mild labor costs to a falling dollar to soaring productivity, has favored big companies.”

These companies from around the different states of the America were rated based from their revenues. The highest pointer among the cities of US was New York with 57 companies while Texas got the second place with 45 entries followed by California on the third with 22 companies on the list.

Money.cnn.com released this list on their website this day. So sneak around and have a glimpse on which companies in the US was able to make themselves on the list. Check this out.

COMPANY and RANK

• General Motors – 3
• Ford Motor – 7
• Johnson Controls – 67
• Delphi – 83
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber – 114
• Lear – 130
• Paccar – 141
• TRW Automotive Holdings – 185
• Visteon – 219
• ArvinMeritor – 253
• Dana – 255
• Federal-Mogul – 361
• Autoliv – 376
• Tenneco – 473
• BorgWarner – 481
• Oshkosh Truck – 584
• American Axle & Mfg. – 618
• Thor Industries – 643
• Tower Automotive – 668
• Exide Technologies – 679
• Carlisle – 688
• Cooper Tire & Rubber – 701
• Fleetwood Enterprises – 736
• Hayes Lemmerz – 793
• Dura Automotive Systems – 806
• Cooper-Standard Holdings – 814
• Affinia Group Intermediate Holdings – 816
• Modine Manufacturing – 944

GM and Ford were the only two car companies to make it to the top 10. This is a good publicity for both since we knew they are having a hard time selling their car models. Both companies are also known to be quality producers of car parts like the Saturn clutch kit and the Saturn cold air intake.

Congratulations, GM and Ford for a job well done.

Who is Kasey Kahne Of Fast Cars & Superstars?

For Fast Cars & Superstars, Kasey Kahne became curious about driving cars when he was a kid. And before he became a star of NASCAR, he lived with his family in the Washington State driving a truck that was owned by his father – it was the very first vehicle he had ever driven. It was a comfortable ride he said.

“The first thing I drove was my dad’s truck, just a pickup truck. We had kind of a long driveway, so driving up and down that I could barely see over the steering wheel. I was holding myself up, three feet off the back of the seat, trying to reach the pedals. I think that was pretty fun, back then,” he said.

Some things changed for the Gillette Young Gun and the rest of the celebrities. They were taught how to compete with each other by using their skills in driving on “Fast Cars & Superstars – Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race”, the newest upcoming reality show to be seen first on ABC and which would be airing this June 7. There are six NASCAR drivers participating on the event as they teach the celebrities how to win the challenge.

The truck he used to drive is now replaced by a Dodge Durango, a Dodge 1500 four-door pickup and a Mercedes. And this lot, he said, is the best car for dine outs.

“I usually drive the Durango the most,” he informs. The racing car superstar didn’t worry about the training with the celebrities and he said, “I think the celebs will be fine. think it’ll be cool to work with them, see how they pick it up, see how long it takes them – and to see who winds up the fastest, most precise when they’re on the racetrack.”

He was asked if he would be willing to trade his life for the celebrities like John Elway, a Super Bowl quarterback, and Laird Hamilton, a super professional. He was also asked if he would be willing to trade in?

He replied, “I think to switch positions with John Elway when he was throwing touchdowns left and right would be pretty awesome. That was pretty cool. I used to watch him does that all the time? So I think John Elway, or [rodeo rider] Ty Murray, maybe. Ty’s a little tougher, maybe. Get on a bull, ride it for 8 seconds…”

Blogs.cars.com was able to report on this matter and thanks to them I did get to learn about it.

Anita Baker and Ford Collaborates For Cars & Stars Benefit

What makes a good combination? Collaboration between a huge star and a super famous car manufacturer makes up a good recipe. And recently, the Ford Motor Company mixes up with a world renowned multi-platinum selling rhythm and blues singer and songwriter Anita Baker to pursue this year’s Cars & Stars benefit. That is making sense, I guess.

This year’s Cars & Stars benefit will be held on June 8 at the Music Hall. Anita Baker is now rehearsing her talent once more for the world tour to help propagate the advocacy of Cars & Stars. The 8th time Grammy award winner will help the Ford Motor Company on its annual event sharing her alto vocal range to programs like dance, jazz and theater which will all happen on the side event. Baker also commits to be a part of the master vocal classes which will be held up until the 2008 season. You can go and check out www.musichall.org for more details, methods of application and other bits of information.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Hall. After the show, that is anticipated to end at 9:30 p.m. After the Cars & Stars benefit, a gala night will soon follow which will be attended by the concert goers. The Hollywood-themed black-tie after the concert event will be held at the Detroit Athletic Club which will feature the world class Johnny Trudell Orchestra.

The ticket prices for the said event range from $65 to $125. You can order the ticket online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (248) 645-6666. You can also opt to buy it directly at the Music Hall Box Office.

The ticket that covers all including the after concert black-tie gala night, dinner and dancing will be priced at $350. You can visit their official website at www.musichall.org or phone in to (313) 887-8501.