ON THE TABLE

February 24, 2010

  Toyota. From the "What Did You Know And When Did You Know It" File, Jim Lentz, the president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. kinda-sorta admitted to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif. that the electronic systems in Toyotas couldn't be totally ruled out as the cause of unintended acceleration. This after Toyota has insisted for months that it's a mechanical or floor mat issue. Oops.

  Akio Toyoda. Welcome to The Jungle, Akio, and here you thought those prick managers that lorded over you while growing up through the company were tough. After saying how sorry you are in about 20 different ways from Sunday get ready for a full-on, rompin' stompin' beat-down from our so-called "esteemed" grandstanding, TV-time-hawking, ball-busting, insufferable representatives, aka The Hacks on the Potomac. Oh, what a feeling? Not. So. Much.

 Henry Waxman. Speaking of that resident legislative irritant from the state of California (there are so many we've lost track), isn't it remarkable how he looks so much like Max Schreck, who starred as the vampire Count Orlock in the 1922 film release, Nosferatu? We're just sayin' is all.

Jim Lentz. Our AE Quote of the Week goes to poor Jim Lentz of Toyota when he said, "We stubbed our toe. We lost sight of the customers." Do ya' think?

Toyota Dealers. David Shepardson, reporting for The Detroit News, said that about 200 dealers and others held a press conference and rallied on Capitol Hill before yesterday's hearing, warning Congress against conducting a "witch hunt." Some dealers insisted their sales are down 30 percent to 50 percent because of the cascade of bad publicity from multiple recalls. "How did we suddenly overnight become the villain? I don't get it," said Houston-area dealer Paul Atkinson, which is our AE Quote of the Week, Part II. This image-wrangling stuff is tough business, Atkinson. Toyota dined for years on their reputation for good quality and reliability. But that all got blowed-up real good by this media firestorm and the fact that Toyota has some major issues.

Akio Toyoda. In his prepared statement today in Washington, Mr. Toyoda will say “My name is on every car... You have my personal commitment that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers.” We like that kind of Iacocca-esque personal accountability. And that's our AE Quote of the Week, Part III.

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. From the "Just Sit Down And Shut Up" File, Rush referred to Toyotas as "literal killing machines." Nice.

(Audi)
Audi will present the new RS 5 at the Geneva Auto Show. Developed by quattro Gmbh, the RS 5 is powered by a hand-built 4.2 FSI V8 similar to the one found in its R8 sports car that delivers 450HP (331 kW) at 8,250 rpm and 317.15 lb-ft of torque (430 Nm) between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. Performance figures given by Audi for the 3,802-pound (1,725 kilograms) Coupe are 0 - 100km/h in 4.6-seconds with an electronically governed top speed of 155.34 mph (250 km/h). Audi can increase that to 173.98 mph (280 km/h) upon request. Audi says the new RS 5 averages 21.78 miles U.S. mpg (10.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers), helped by its standard seven-speed S tronic transmission. The new RS 5 also features permanent quattro all-wheel drive, of course, only this car unveils the next generation self-locking crown-gear center differential, which is more is compact and lightweight and attains a higher efficiency ratio. The differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures a more aggressive feel. Sales of the Audi RS 5 will begin in Europe in the spring with a base price of approximately 77,700 euros.

Publisher's Note: Our friend Casey Shaine, aka "artandcolour" has come up with a place to show off his 'real' art and his fake cars (that we often display), his automotive trivia knowledge and collection of antique photos, etc. As he says, "I try to place the chops (the cars) in some sort of real context, and put some thoughts behind my art too. I'll try to keep it going for a while anyway." Check it out here. - PMD

WE'RE OPENING THE VAULT!

The AE wearables are back - and only in extremely limited quantities and sizes, we might add - and once they're gone, they're gone! We're starting with our most popular items, the classic AE Sweatshirt and AE Hat. Click on a PayPal button below to order yours now! (If you prefer to pay by check, please send us an email with AE STORE in the subject line, and we'll reserve your item.)

AE Sweatshirt - Crewneck, sturdy 80/20 cotton/poly, in black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. Size XL only. 40 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

AE Hat - Black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. 25 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

Publisher's Note: Check-out John McElroy's daily news show covering everything about the auto biz by clicking on the graphic below. Good stuff guaranteed. - PMD

See another live episode of "Autoline After Hours" hosted by Autoline Detroit's John McElroy, with Peter De Lorenzo and friends this Thursday evening, at 7:00PM EDT at www.autolinedetroit.tv.

 

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