Car Fact of the Day

Honda Motor Company is more than just automobiles. Honda also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft and power generators. Since 1986 Honda has been involved with artificial intelligence and robotics research. Honda has also venture into aerospace when it established GE Honda Aero Engines in 2004. The Honda HA-420 HondaJet is schedule for release in 2011.



-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: Honda HA-420 HondaJet)

Production Acura NSX to become GT racecar

Honda Motor Corp. cancelled the production of the new Acura NSX, though is entering it in next years Super GT series, Japans most popular racing series. Honda sidestepped the Super GT rules that require only production cars can race by showing concept designs to JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). As long as the car is production ready it does not need to be produced in order to race.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Acura NSX Spy Photo)

Ed Whitace Serves Interim GM CEO Position

On December 1st, Fritz Henderson resigned as CEO of GM. Ed Whitacre, former CEO of AT&T and chairman of GM, will take an interim position as CEO until a replacement is found. Whitacre said that a new, permanent, CEO is actively been sought out. Henderson's resignation did not come as a surprise as Henderson and the board of directors did not agree on certain key issues. Also the government's Automotive Task Force was not fond of Henderson as well, with Henderson being a career GM employee.

-Anthony Alaniz

Video of the Day: ZR1 vs. GT-R vs. 599 vs. GT2

Term of the Day

Gasoline Direct Fuel Injection - Is a variant of fuel injection where highly pressurized gasoline is injected via a common fuel rail directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. This is opposed to multi-point fuel injection that occurs at the intake tract or cylinder port. This type of fuel injection increases power and fuel economy.

-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: Direct Fuel Injection Cylinder Chamber)

NAIAS 2010 Preview: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Appearing at the 2010 North American International Auto Show is the new 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is. It comes with a maximum output of 355 horsepower that is delivered at 5,900 RPM, and a torque output of 369 pound-feet. BMW claims a 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. The staple of the coupe's performance stems from a twin turbocharged engine, direct fuel injection, and an increased air intake flow. Fuel economy does not suffer from the increased power, almost matching that of the BMW sDrive35i. The 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is goes on sale in the spring of 2010.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 BMW z4 sDrive35is)

Retiring Saturn General Manager to head Smart USA

The retiring general manager of Saturn, Jill Lajdziak, will soon head Smart USA sales and marketing. Lajdziak spent time this summer with Penske dealing with the possible purchase of Saturn. The plan fell through when Renault vetoed a deal that would supply cars to a Penske-owned Saturn. Roger Penske was so impressed with Lajdziak that he hired her to become the VP of Smart USA. Though Lajdziak has a long road a head of her as Smart sales are currently plummeting.

-Anthony Alaniz