April 18, 2012
Pissed-off drivers. From the "Arnold Schwarzenegger As The Terminator Dealing With Bad Behavior Behind The Wheel, aka GET OUT!" File comes word of a revelation (not) about the nation's drivers. During the course of the launch of its new Defender tire earlier this month, Michelin sponsored a survey to identify the most annoying driving behaviors. The leading response cited by 94% of those surveyed? Tailgating. Next up was drivers who cut other drivers off (91%), drivers who change lanes unexpectedly (85%), and drivers who don’t signal (85%). There was no percentage given to drivers steering with their knees while drinking their Starbucks and applying makeup - while texting - but you can't account for everything. Though almost three quarters (74%) of survey respondents reported they had been tailgated by another driver over the past six months, ironically, only 11% admitted to tailgating another vehicle. Go figure.
The Auto Biz. From the "It's Always Somethin' " File comes word that an explosion at an Evonik Industries AG chemical plant in Marl, Germany, on March 31 has severely reduced the global supply of the resin known as PA-12 or nylon-12, used in plastics for brake and fuel systems. Automakers met in Troy, Michigan, on Tuesday because there is industry-wide concern that a shortage of the chemical could disrupt production in some U.S. auto plants. Every time analysts start mouthing off about a 16,000,000 sales year, shit happens.
Audi. The German automaker and one of the stars of the VW Group is announcing its purchase of Ducati motorcycles today in Germany. Rumored for weeks, Audi will now go after BMW's ass on another front. It never ends. And we're glad.
Audi. The German car company of the moment will build a new North American assembly facility in Mexico. The Audi supervisory board decided not to build next to the VW group's U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tenn. Start-up is slated for 2016.
(Audi)
Audi is presenting a high-performance concept version of its Q3 at Auto China 2012 in Beijing. The RS Q3 concept is powered by a 2.5-liter TFSI with 265 kW (360 hp). The machine is lowered about 25 mm (0.98 inches) and widened and has the appropriate suspension and braking tweaks to match. Will they build it? Probably.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Only in The Onion - Nation's Poor Bastards Never Even Saw It Coming - PMD
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