ON THE TABLE
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 08:12AM February 10, 2010
Toyota. From "The Roof Is Caving In" File comes word that Toyota may be facing yet another federal investigation into its products (hard on the heels of its latest recall of 437,000 hybrid models). This time it's the electric power steering in 2009 and 2010 Corollas that's a concern, according to a new report by Automtoive News. NHTSA is considering a formal investigation into complaints that the vehicles in question suddenly veer to the left or right at speeds upwards of 40 mph. AN found that the Corolla has been the subject of 83 power-steering complaints since April 2008, 76 of which have reported the unexpected veering. AN says that, "Complainants have compared the movement to being buffeted by strong winds, sliding on black ice, or hydroplaning. They said that after trying to straighten the car, it can overcorrect -- requiring the driver to use a tight, persistent, two-handed grip on the wheel to travel in a straight line." Uh, and here we were actually suggesting that after everything that's transpired - including the latest episode with the Prius - Toyota couldn't afford another recall situation, not even for a dome lamp. We're watching the complete and utter implosion of Toyota's heretofore unimpeachable reputation, folks. No automobile company has gone from Zero-to-Domination-to-Oblivion quite like this. A Knock Nevis* of Not Good. *In terms of length, the Knock Nevis has a length overall of 458.45m (1,504ft), making it the largest ship ever constructed. The vessel is longer than many of the world's tallest buildings are tall, for example the Petronas Twin Towers at 452metres (1,480ft). It is smaller than the Sears Tower at 527.3 metres (1,730ft), and Taipei 101 at 509.2metres (1,671ft), and considerably smaller than the skyscraper Burj Dubai, currently under construction, at 636metres (2,090ft). It's now being scrapped off the coast of India if you must know. Info courtesy of the Maritime Connector.
Southeast Toyota Dealers. 22Squared - the Atlanta advertising agency representing 173 Toyota dealers in five southeast states - was ordered by its dealer-clients to pull Toyota commercials off ABC TV local affiliates because of coverage of Toyota and its recall/safety problems by ABC News and its chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross. The agency told ABC affiliates last week that the shift was due to "excessive stories on the Toyota issues." The dealers shifted their commercial time buys to non-ABC stations in the same markets, "as punishment for the reporting," according to an ABC station manager. Kind of like trying to put your finger in a sewer-pipe-sized hole in the dike, but, whatever.
Dodge, Wieden+Kennedy. Publisher's Note: We praised the work of Wieden+Kennedy - Dodge's new ad agency - on behalf of the Dodge Charger two weeks ago in "On the Table" (1/27), and during last Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, Dodge unveiled the ad agency's latest TV commercial as part of that same campaign entitled "Man's Last Stand." Once again using the droll voiceover stylings of Michael C. Hall of "Dexter" fame, the spot presents a series of men blankly staring at the camera as Hall reels off a litany of things that he will do to keep his woman happy, as long as he gets to drive the car he wants to drive. Savor the perfectly calculated words (below). What can we say? Just an outstanding job of copy writing and a spot-on production execution from Wieden+Kennedy. Superb stuff and one of our favorites from this year's Super Bowl. - PMD
I will get up and walk the dog at 6:30AM.
I will eat some fruit as part of my breakfast.
I will shave.
I will clean the sink after I shave.
I will be at work by 8:00AM.
I will sit through two-hour meetings.
I will say yes when you want me to say yes.
I will be quiet when you don't want to hear me say no.
I will take your call.
I will listen to your opinion of my friends.
I will listen to your friends' opinions of my friends.
I will be civil to your mother.
I will put the seat down.
I will separate the recycling.
I will carry your lip balm.
I will watch your Vampire TV shows with you.
I will take my socks off before getting into bed.
I will put my underwear in the basket.
And because I do this...
...I will drive the car I want to drive.
Charger.
Man's Last Stand.
The Other SB Car Spots. We were lukewarm on the other Super Bowl car spots. Some of the Hyundai stuff was frighteningly Mercedes-like (the "Paint" spot) - or at least the way Mercedes used to be - elevating the brand dramatically. Maybe that's because it seems that Hyundai is actually starting to carry itself like a German premium brand all of a sudden (except for the Brett Favre spot, which wasn't all that funny). We applaud Audi trying for a humorous bent for a change with its "Green Police" spot for the A3 TDI , but it was only mildly entertaining, and it fell flat. And VW's punch dub spot was tedious in concept, and even more so in execution.
(Photos courtesy of Ford)
Ford has tweaked its 2011 Shelby GT500 using a supercharged version of its all-new 5.4-liter all-aluminum engine. Delivering 550 horsepower (a 10 HP increase) and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, the new GT500 comes in at 102 pounds lighter than the previous car and will be the first modern Shelby without the gas guzzler tax, thanks to the EPA-projected 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city it will deliver. (This is up 1 mpg highway and city from the 2010 model.) Other goodies include the addition of Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) and a lowered ride height that contributes to improved driving dynamics and handling. A new optional SVT Performance Package for 2011 is offered for enthusiasts who want even more performance out of their Shelby GT500. The package includes all-new Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G:2 tires that SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop which offer superb dry traction and precise handling, complete with an aggressive high-performance tread compound. The optional package also offers unique styling, lighter wheels, a higher rear axle ratio and stiffer springs, and it is available on both the convertible and coupe. Data show the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track.
(Photos courtesy of Ford)
The 2011 Ford Edge and Edge Sport get a substantial freshening including an extensive exterior redesign, an interior with dramatically improved materials, class-exclusive MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology and new powertrains. The all-new powertrain lineup includes North America’s first application of Ford’s global 2.0-liter turbocharged (EcoBoost), direct-injection I-4 engine, which is expected to deliver class-leading fuel economy with the performance of a V-6, plus the new 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 (285 horsepower and 253 ft.-lb. of torque) and 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 (305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque) for Edge Sport. Ti-VCT is code for Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, Ford’s advanced engine valvetrain technology. The new Edge was introduced today at the Chicago Auto Show and will be available late summer.
(Casey Shain)
Publisher's Note: Our friend Casey Shain's (aka "artandcolour") latest conceptual digital illustration is this Riviera - as a 5-Door Hatchback - ala the BMW 5-GT. The difference being, of course, that it actually looks presentable. As he says, "I didn't go for the obvious sweepspear side swage (the ventiports were obvious enough, lol), I tried to make the sides more 'tubular' like the '71-'72 full-sized Buicks created during Bill Mitchell's great reign. I think cars like the Centurion coupe of those years were the last beautiful full-sized Buicks." Thanks to Casey for sharing his always compelling work with us. - 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. By the way, if you'd like to subscribe to the Autoline After Hours podcasts, click on the following links: Subscribe via iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=311421319 http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/podcasts/feeds/afterhours-audio.xml
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