It’s back to school for this week’s Automotive Week in Review.
Subjects include European studies, global history and environmental issues.. For fun, we’ve even got a little 007, so put on your thinking cap, grab a note pad, and let’s go to class…
This Week’s Top Stories:
Ron Burgundy Videos Going Viral for Dodge: Last week we told you about the Ron Burgundy-Dodge Durango videos. Now those videos have gone viral. As of this morning, Friday, October 17th, two of the videos have over one million YouTube views, another has over 844,000, and another has over 996,000. Automotive New tracks video activity and says “Ron Burgundy blows away viral competition”.
40th Anniversary of the 1973 Oil Crisis: In 1973 an Arab collation attacked Israel, prompting, the U.S. came to the country’s defense on October 16. This caused oil producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq to retaliate by raising oil prices, slowing production, and launching an oil embargo against the U.S. The embargo lasted until March of the following year, causing oil shortages and an increase in price. Long-term changes include 55 mph speed limits and the rise of smaller Japanese cars.
GM offering Bi-Fuel and Natural Gas to Work Fleets: General Motors announced that they will be adding bi-fuel trucks and compressed natural gas vans to their work fleet vehicles for GMC and Chevy buyers. The vehicles were announced at an energy expo in Phoenix and will be available next year. The automaker says CNG technology will help save fuel-consumption and money while reducing harmful emissions.
Bi-fuel technology coming to 2015 Impala: Just one day after announcing the fuel-saving fleet options, GM CEO Dan Akerson unveiled a bi-fuel Chevy Impala that will be capable of using both compressed natural gas and conventional gasoline. Akerson said the vehicle is part of an on-going effort by GM to save 12 billion gallons of gasoline by 2017. Learn more here about Chevy Impala bi-fuel options.
European Auto Market on the Mend…Maybe: There are fresh signs that car demand may be slowly coming back in Europe after lows that have not been seen in 20 years. Car registration in Europe rose by 5.4% in September 2013 compared to September 2012. Spain implemented an American-style “cash for clunkers” program, but leaders are still apprehensive about what the jump means long-term.
Tesla CEO Buys 007’s Submarine Car: Tesla CEO Elon Musk submitted the winning bid for James Bond’s Lotus car-turned-submarine, a prop used in the 1977 film, The Spy Who Loved Me. Musk said he plans to turn the prop into an actual working car/submarine.
Toyota Recalling More Vehicles: Toyota is adding to their recall total with a call-back on 803,000 2012 and 2013 models of the Camry, Avalon, and Venza vehicles. The problem relates to housing for the air-conditioner, which can cause moisture in the air bag control module leading to a short circuit.
Class dismissed.
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