Mopar Obscura: The Dodge Superlight!

JALOPNICK.COM | DETROIT - - Hearkening back to the boundless optimism of the American space-age is the Dodge Superlight. Available as an option on the absolute biggest of the Dodge fleet, the Superlight was an early version of now fairly commonplace HID automobile lighting. The option was dropped in 1970 after various legal challenges on the state level and cold war resource allotment eating into Superlight R&D. The Superlight is further proof that the ultimate weapon against communism was the full-size American station wagon. – Mike Bumbeck

Dodge Superlight

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Sunday 6 May 2007 | MOTORAUTHORITY.COM


Mercedes-Benz is well on its way to becoming one of the most diverse automotive brands on the market, not an easy task given its need to remain as a premium and exclusive marque. Already in the pipeline are the next generation A and B-class line of cars, and now, Germany?s Auto Zeitung is reporting that there could be a new small roadster based on the same platform earmarked for the next A-class.



Mercedes will be bowing to public criticism surrounding its entry level A and B-class models, which have been labeled as too down-market and not in fitting with the profile of the types of vehicle that usually wear the three-pointed star. For the latest versions, developers will likely exploit economies of scale by possibly utilizing the same underpinnings as the recently revealed C-class saloon.

This would mean a sportier chassis with a rear-wheel drivetrain and higher performance engines. Also, the design of the current A and B-class restricts the size of possible engines because of its east-west engine layout and high floor plan. Moving to the C-class architecture would enable a longitudinal engine configuration, which would mean Mercedes could expand the range with more powerful models. The new cars would also sit lower than the current models, improving handling and dynamics, but will resemble their predecessors by retaining a high roof line.

However, pricing issues may rule out the C-class option. Instead, Mercedes could possibly share just the engines and transmissions between the next A, B and current C-class models, saving development costs while still keeping the production cost of the A-class low.

There are also suggestions that Mercedes might share components across the entire DaimlerChrysler Group, with the likely suspects being the next-gen Chrysler PT Cruiser and Dodge Caliber. Unfortunately, any spin-off of the Chrysler Group could jeopardize the possibility of parts sharing between the German and American sides and could end up pushing back release dates.

As for the roadster, Mercedes hinted at the possibility of such a model with its Vision SLA concept car (pictured) that was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2000. Based on the first generation A-class, the concept car featured a similar design to the flagship SLR and was powered by the same 1.9L engine from the A190. The Vision SLA also featured extensive use of aluminum and plastic in its construction as well as premium accessories such as the carbon seats and xenon headlights.

Development work for the new A and B-class is still far from complete and the decision to go with the C-class? rear-drive platform is yet to be finalized. But given the increased competition from its rivals and the bad light of previous quality and safety issues surrounding the first A-class, adopting the same running gear as used by the C-class would be a smart move.

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/m...-sla-roadster/

Dodge highlights the "La Femme" at Chrysler museum for mom's da

AUTOBLOG.COM | Posted May 7th 2007 5:06PM by Sam Abuelsamid

Over the years, a number of cars have come to be known as "Chick Cars", often to the consternation of their manufacturers who have sometimes found it difficult to sell the same cars to male customers. Generally these were not designed specifically to appeal to women, it just turned out that way. In fact, usually when carmakers try to create a car aimed at women, they fail miserably.

One of the early attempts at creating a car for women came from Chrysler. In 1955, it introduced a version of the Dodge Custom Royal Lancer that the marketing mavens felt women would crave. Over two years of production, roughly 2,500 Dodge La Femmes were built before it disappeared into the annals of automotive history. The Walter P Chrysler Museum has now resurrected one 1955 La Femme and will be displaying it this weekend in honor of Mother's day along with 65 other historic Chrysler vehicles. The Chrysler museum is in Auburn Hills at the DaimlerChrysler headquarters complex.

If you're got a mom that's into autos, you can find out more information about in Chrysler's press release after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

PRESS RELEASE:

Take Mom on a Nostalgic Trip with the '55 Dodge La Femme at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 7, 2007 - For moms who prefer metal that moves over metal that adorns, stop by the Walter P. Chrysler Museum on Mother's Day weekend for a treat that'll get her motor running. The Museum, in Auburn Hills, will exhibit a newly restored 1955 Dodge La Femme in its original feminine Sapphire White and Heather Rose color scheme Friday through Sunday, May 11 - 13.

Chrysler Corporation introduced the La Femme, a customized Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, as a marketing strategy to appeal to females as the women's automobile market continued to grow.

Museum visitors will find the La Femme's feminine exterior not only featured a spectacular paint palette, but also a special gold-colored "La Femme" script on the fenders. The vehicle's interior was graced with special tapestry upholstery bearing pink rosebuds on a pale pink background and pale pink vinyl trim.

A rectangular purse matching the car's interior was a standard La Femme feature, stowed while driving in a special compartment built into the back of the passenger seat. Each purse came complete with matching compact lipstick and cigarette cases, a lighter and change purse. Also standard was a raincoat, rain bonnet and umbrella in the rosebud pattern that was stored in a compartment behind the driver's seat.

Approximately 2,500 Dodge La Femmes were produced during the 1955 and 1956 model years.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum highlights more than 65 antique, custom and concept vehicles spanning a century. The Museum's three floors of vehicles, interspersed with interactive displays and exhibits, tells the story of the Chrysler Corporation and its contributions to automotive design, technology and innovation, as well as the automobile's impact on American culture. A theater featuring three continuously running short movies and a Museum Store, stocked with exclusive and hard-to-find collectibles, rounds out the Museum's offerings.

The Museum is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Museum admission is $6 for adults and $3 for juniors (ages 6-12) and seniors (62 and older). Children 5 years old and younger are free.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located at the corner of Featherstone and Squirrel Rds. on the DaimlerChrysler complex in Auburn Hills. From I-75, take exit 78 (Chrysler Dr.) and follow the Museum signs.

y Design: 2007 Dodge Demon Concept

By Robert Cumberford | Automobile magazine

1. The cross-bar grille, picked up from the exotic Pegaso cars of the 1950's, has worked well for Dodge for decades and looks great here. 2. Roadsters always look better when the windshield frame is visually separated from the body, even when it doesn't lift off for racing. 3. The headlamp assembly is neat and complete, and we're spared nasty round lamps in the bumper. 4. One of many tidy trapezoids scattered all over the Demon, the brake scoop looks tough and might even conduct some air. 5. This classic fender profile from the days of the Jaguar XK120 and the Triumph TR2 is perfectly executed here, ending in another trapezoidal scoop that neatly finishes the side treatment. 6. Even the center-high mounted stoplight picks up the trapezoid theme, neatly inset on the rear deck to balance the depression on the hood at the front of the car. 7. These nineteen-inch wheels would ruin the ride. If Dodge kept the outside tire diameter and ran the car on seventeens, it would be both comfortable and stuck down. 8. This diagonal line sets up the entire rear, neatly terminated by trapezoidal exhaust outlets that close the composition. 9. Apart from the badge, these are the only metallic-look elements on the back. The whole car is quite artfully done - a nice change from recent Chrysler work. 10. The taillights give a slightly droopy look to the rear, but from standing height they look a lot better, with clever sculpting giving character without high cost. 11. Freestanding roll bars seem a little short for true rollover protection, but at least the idea is there. 12. This looks simple, inexpensive, and made of existing elements. And we like it for just those reasons. Simplicity is a true virtue. 13. The seats blessedly have a tough fabric covering instead of the dreaded leather. Cloth is much, much better in roadsters. Really. 14. The whole of the cockpit is subdued, straightforward, honest, and worthy of a serious car. One naturally thinks of sports cars in springtime. After a long winter closed up in houses, offices, and practical cars, there's magic in the idea of an easy, aimless top-down promenade in a roadster. The car needn't be excessively fast, since wafting and wandering is more the order of the day than blasting quickly through cold, late-winter air. The Geneva show did us proud this year, with a pair of distinctive two-seat concept exercises: the Fiat-based roadster created by Carrozzeria Bertone for its ninety-fifth anniversary and this Dodge Demon, which looks like a preproduction teaser, not a vague concept. Chrysler claims it's just an idea, but it certainly could be built, and it would come into a sweet spot in the market, priced somewhere close to the original Mazda Miata, a favorite that has become too expensive for what it's meant to be. After a distressing series of disastrously styled cars recently, Chrysler stylists have redeemed themselves with this one. It is at once cute and tough looking, easily recognizable as a Dodge, and quite clearly American, with its big grille and its overdone surfaces. Moreover, even if all stylistic originality were to be expunged, they got the overall size and proportions right. The stock Pontiac Solstice may have a four-cylinder engine, but it can--and in some aftermarket versions, does--accommodate a small-block V-8. That's a highly unlikely outcome for this tidy little machine, which is all the better for it. The Demon uses Chrysler's 2.4-liter four, a slightly stronger engine than the Mazda's, but it weighs only five percent more than the Japanese car--and almost 400 pounds less than the Solstice. It ought to be a good performer, even if that has never been vitally important for entry-level sports cars. The T-series MGs, Morgan Four Fours, and Singer SM1500 roadsters of the 1950s were great fun to drive, but they just barely got out of their own way, and no one really minded very much. Ultimate missiles such as the Dodge Viper and the Chevy Corvette Z06 are great to have around, but it's always good to see more accessible sports cars that are intended for broader and more regular use, where the fun factor outweighs the fear factor. For seventeen years, we at Automobile Magazine have enjoyed the unpretentious Miata and the driving pleasure it has given us through three generations. It's wonderful to think that a similarly lightweight, simple sports car could become available from, if not an American company, at least a Detroit-based one. After a host of product letdowns, Chrysler deserves a reprieve, and this funky little car is perfectly placed to give the company a psychological--and financial--boost that would work wonders. As Dodge tries to establish a place in Europe, what could be better than an inexpensive, strong, stylish, and truly desirable roadster?

Daimler-Chrysler AG Patent Updates

1	7,216,096		Integrated inventory management system
2	7,216,011		Concurrent modeling technique for a part and its tooling
3	7,215,059		Reluctance motor with at least two salient poles each provided with an exciter winding, and method for manufacturing the stator of such reluctance motor
4	7,213,884		Vehicle seat with headrest comprising nuchal and lateral supports

Penske takes his Smarts on the road

Motorized microcar marketing makes multiple marks

By DUTCH MANDEL AutoWeek | Published 05/07/07, 3:39 pm et

Traditional car dealer Roger Penske is pulling out all the stops to introduce consumers to the smaller-than-expected and larger-than-life Smart microcar.

Not only must Penske create a distribution company from scratch and establish an automotive brand in a crowded arena, but he must convince sport/utility-vehicle-driving, truck-loving America that these cars are not a safety hazard. Oh, and he has to sell more than a few boatloads to turn a profit.

Few observers believe the Smart will be anything but a success.

To help establish Smart USA, a 56-city national tour of trailers stuffed with the cute, fuel-efficient German minicars—they’re less than 9 feet long and only 5 feet tall—will canvass America. Each trailer

carries two cars for test drives, plus a cutaway Smart skeleton to emphasize its safety capabilities. The tour kicks off this month on the West Coast and concludes in November in Miami, visiting each city where Smart will have a dealership. The company expects the Smart tour will put some 70,000 people behind the wheel.

Overseeing Smart’s launch are Dave Schembri and Russell Hill, two auto industry veterans with decades of import factory and retail experience. They have devised plans to make Smart a household name.

“It’s ‘discovery marketing,’” says Schembri, Smart USA president. “People like to discover things and take ownership. It happens when you are on the highway and people wave at you to slow down and so they can take a picture. They’ve ‘discovered’ the car.”

Four groups have shown interest: first-time car owners, urban dwelling “metro-cools,” commuters and empty-nesters. The Smart website also has helped identify strong geographic areas of interest, which will help channel product to the right markets as well as prepare for service support down the road.

Three models will be sold in the United States: Smart Fortwo Pure, an entry-level coupe starting at less than $12,000; Smart Fortwo Passion, a coupe with comfort and style items (such as a panoramic roof and paddle shifters) for $14,000; and Smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio for less than $17,000. Each has antilock brakes, electronic stability control and four airbags. Each is powered by a 1.0-liter engine that delivers 84 hp, an estimated 40-plus mpg in the city and more than 60 mpg on highway. Top speed is near 90 mph.

Is America ready for microcar ownership? Absolutely, say Schembri and Hill, and they have the data and advance orders to show it. “If we get credit for inventing the microcar in America, then we become the Coke and everyone else is Pepsi,” says Schembri. “We can live with that.”

Consumers interested in test drives can find the tour itinerary at www.smartusa.com. Buyers can plop down $99 to make a reservation to order a car, with the first deliveries starting in January 2008.

This Day in Auto History: 08 MAY

This Day in Auto History: 5.8.1899 The Olds Motor Works is incorporated for $500,000, acquiring the assets of the Olds Motor Vehicle Company and the Olds Gasoline Engine Works with Samuel L. Smith as President, Ransom E. Olds as Vice President and General Manager, and Frederick L. Smith as Secretary and Treasurer 5.8.1924 Racer Abram Joseph “A.J.” Watson is born in Mansfield, OH 5.8.1940 William R. Mitchell, Executive Vice President of the National Acme Company and an employee of that firm for 42 years, dies in Cleveland Heights, OH at age 62 5.8.1956 The Curtiss-Wright Corporation offers a “Joint Program” to the directors of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation 5.8.1959 Charles E. Hering of the White Motor Company dies at age 47

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

Chrysler Group Announces April 2007 Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) Sales

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group reported that its Five Star(R) dealers sold 10,393 Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOV) in April 2007, a 2 percent decline from the same month last year (2006: 10,586). On a positive note, year-to-date sales were up 6 percent to 42,623 units (2006: 40,357).

For the month, Chrysler brand sales declined 7 percent to 3,580 units. Jeep(R) brand sales increased 8 percent to 2,500 units and Dodge brand sales dipped 2 percent to 4,313 units. Vehicle sales highlights for the month include the Chrysler 300/300C up 45 percent; the Chrysler Pacifica up 7 percent and the Jeep Liberty up 17 percent. Dodge Magnum sales also increased 29 percent year-to-date.

"April was a soft month industrywide for used vehicle sales," said Peter Grady, Director -- DaimlerChrysler Motors Remarketing. "Our dealers took a breather from their record-setting pace, but still delivered excellent sales results."

The Chrysler Group offers one of the most comprehensive Certified Pre- Owned Vehicle programs in the industry. For a vehicle to be certified under the Chrysler Group's used-vehicle program, it must be a 2002 through 2007 model preowned vehicle with less than 65,000 miles and pass a stringent 125- point inspection. The Chrysler Group's CPO vehicles are backed by an eight- year/80,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 24-hour, 365-day full roadside assistance with a $35 per day rental car allowance and a three-month or 3,000- mile Maximum Care warranty, in addition to a Carfax Vehicle History Report and buyback guarantee.

Marketed as "Brand Spankin' Used(R)," the Chrysler Group's CPO vehicles are sold only through Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships that have earned the automaker's Five Star certification. Five Star certification is a comprehensive validation of the dealership's facilities, operational processes, salesperson and technician training accreditation as well as customer satisfaction survey ratings. Approximately 2,100 Chrysler Group dealerships in the United States are certified Five Star dealers.

Chrysler Group

Chrysler Brand Debuts Campaign with New "Engineered Beautifully" Theme Line

PRESS RELEASE:

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 7, 2007 - Stunning design and innovative technology take center stage in the new Chrysler brand TV and print ads, which break on May 8, featuring the new theme line "Engineered Beautifully."
"More than 80 percent of the Chrysler brand product portfolio is all-new or refreshed in the last 12 months with the recent introduction of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and the debut of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country later this year," said David Rooney, Director – Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications, Chrysler Group. "This is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase that there is more behind the sheet metal and distinctive style, and that every Chrysler possesses world-class quality and engineering at an extraordinary value."

Additionally, the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible marketing launch is May 8. The Sebring Convertible ads mirror the tone and style of the new Chrysler brand creative.

The all-new Sebring Convertible offers a sleek and elegant design, exhilarating performance with excellent fuel efficiency and a spacious interior. It also offers what no other convertible has offered before – three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color steel hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button on the key fob.

"Chrysler is, and always has been, a brand made by and built for people with a passion for great cars," said Rooney. "Products like the 300 and Town & Country put us at the forefront of the industry in terms of style and design. At the same time, we have made great strides to become competitive and even surpass our competition in terms of quality and engineering. While we have made great strides, the perception has not caught up with reality in the marketplace. Our new communications direction will help get that engineering message across."

At its core, the Chrysler brand stands for stylish products, agile performance, refined quality and the confidence of being proud without being arrogant. The new Chrysler brand direction will communicate these core values through a unique combination of both striking design and innovation technology. Overall, Chrysler promises superior engineering and stunning designs built around customer's needs ... at a price that will surprise and delight. No other manufacturer can make this claim. It's the way our vehicles come together that sets us apart. Simply put, Chrysler vehicles are ... Engineered Beautifully.

Following are descriptions of the new broadcast spots, including those for the Chrysler brand, Chrysler Sebring sedan, Chrysler Sebring Convertible and Chrysler 300.

Technology Throughout (Chrysler Brand :60)
This lead spot focuses on the innovative features within every Chrysler vehicle and the engineering behind those features. It uses a unique and original CGI technique to showcase the technology and engineering behind key features that enable Chrysler vehicles to seamlessly adapt to everyday driving situations.

The vehicle is slowed down on the film at the very instant that a feature is engaged. The viewer is then taken inside to see the technology and craftsmanship that lies beneath. This spot showcases and links together the Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring Convertible and all-new Town & Country, along with shared technology of Multi-displacement System (MDS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and MyGIG™ Multimedia Infotainment System. It closes with a shot of the Chrysler brand lineup and the new tag line "Engineered Beautifully."

Taking Care (Sebring sedan :30)
This spot clearly demonstrates how every Chrysler Sebring sedan is meticulously designed and built to meet the everyday needs of customers through purposeful technology, not superficial features. It also shows how each feature has been designed and incorporated to further enhance their driving experience.

This commercial begins with the customer. The car and its features build around the customer piece by piece, via a unique CGI technique, as they interact with the various features of the vehicle. At the end, all the pieces come together to deliver the best possible driving experience – a beautiful "custom built" Sebring sedan.

Key to Happiness (Sebring Convertible :30)
This commercial features a highly energetic and emotional execution of the new brand essence. The Sebring Convertible is featured in a stylized setting designed to showcase its beautiful design and advanced engineering. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

The commercial begins with a shot of the all-new 2008 Sebring Convertible, showcasing its beautiful styling. The new Convertible hard top is shown along with the unique art cards to match. We see a few of the new technological features of the vehicle as well. These features, technological advancements and stylish design messages culminate to invite the consumer to hold the key to happiness.

Success (300 :30)
This commercial maintains a consistent tone with the Sebring Convertible "Key To Happiness" spot as it features the beautiful Chrysler 300 in a stylized setting. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

The commercial begins with a reveal of the distinctive front end of the Chrysler 300. As the 300 approaches the city, art cards are displayed showcasing the many premium features it has available. The spot culminates in a bold statement that captures what the Chrysler 300 is all about.

Multiple vehicles (300/PT Cruiser/Sebring Sedan :30)
Again, keeping with the tone of "Key to Happiness" and "Success" this spot features the Chrysler 300, PT Cruiser and Sebring sedan in beautifully attractive and stylized settings that capture the essence of what the Chrysler brand is all about. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

This commercial communicates the Chrysler brand's leadership in fuel efficiency, as well as its commitment to building quality vehicles that are unique in their distinctive styling and incredible value. No more is that present than with the award-winning 300, the technologically advanced Sebring sedan, and the stylish, yet functional PT Cruiser.

The television schedule features prime-time network and cable shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty, Dancing with the Stars, Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, NBA Playoffs, Big Break 7, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Nancy Grace, Headline News, Law and Order CI, Law and Order SVU and Dog Whisperer. The ads will also appear on other channels including TNT, TBS, Food Network Style Network, ESPN, CNBC, Fine Living Network, Bravo and The Golf Channel.

The print ads follow the same creative direction for a consistent tone and message. Product is the star with bold photography on colorful backgrounds along with highlighted technology features. The Chrysler print ads will run in Automobile Magazine, Aspen Peak Magazine, Car and Driver, Food Wine, Forbes, Golf Digest, Golf For Women, Jet, Martha Stewart Everyday, Motor Trend, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Road and Track, Southern Accents, Sunset, Tennis Magazine, Traditional Home and Travel and Leisure.

In addition to the new advertising, the Chrysler brand will showcase the all-new Sebring Convertible through two programs done with Hearst and Forbes magazines. The Hearst Awaken Your Senses program includes advertising, Web activity (www.awakenyoursenses.com), product displays and test drive components with the grand prize of an all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The Chrysler brand is also the exclusive sponsor of one chapter of the Forbes 90th Anniversary Issue and Networking Special Report covering lifestyle elements surrounding careers, entertainment, leisure and design.

DaimlerChrysler AG Patent Updates

1	D541,917		Air conditioner unit for a vehicle
2	7,212,877		Method for controlling a production sequence
3	7,211,343		Fuel cell system and method for voltage monitoring for a fuel cell system
4	7,210,288		Exhaust gas aftertreatment installation and method
5	D541,200		Instrument panel for a vehicle

DaimlerChrysler Trademark update

1

78863921

FREEDOM DRIVE I

TARR

DEAD

Allen Johnson Advances to Second Round in St. Louisby Judy Stropus

MADISON, Ill. -- Piloting the Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T, Allen Johnson advanced to the quarterfinals today at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.

Johnson avenged his Mopar teammate Richie Stevens Jr. in the opening stanza by eliminating the man who bumped Stevens out of the field in qualifying. Johnson added another stellar reaction time to his repertoire, a .017 (.000 is perfect), to oust Larry Morgan with a 6.682-second pass at 206.48 to Morgan's 6.698/206.42.

In the second round, without lane choice, Johnson was relegated to the less-favorable right lane against Dave Connolly. He pulled out another outstanding reaction time, .016, but it wasn't enough to grab the win, as Connolly crossed the finish line three feet ahead of Johnson with a 6.657/206.83 pass to Johnson's losing 6.676/206.76.

Johnson is seventh in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock rankings. Richie Stevens is 10th.

"We made the best run over there," Johnson said of the right lane. "I think we would have beaten anybody else the whole round; he just made an awesome run. He had to have every bit of it.

"We can't take anything away from ourselves. Shoot, I think the next quickest car in the right lane was a 6.70. We were a 6.67, and Connolly went a .65. So, he did what he needed to do to beat us."

As for the continuing improvement in Team Mopar's performance: "I think we're onto something," he said. "We got some stuff on this car that we tested last week that's different from Richie's and it will definitely help his too. We just didn't have time to instigate it on his for this race. But, yeah, I think we've got a good race car now on hot, grimy tracks."

Next up is the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway, May 18-20.

PRO STOCK POINT STANDINGS:
1. Greg Anderson, 680
2. Dave Connolly, 479 (winner today)
3. Jeg Coughlin, 466 (runner-up today)
4. Jason Line, 427
5. Warren Johnson, 351
6. Kurt Johnson, 345
7. Allen Johnson, 341
8. Mike Edwards, 327
9. V. Gaines, 306
10. Richie Stevens, 290

Capps Wins St. Louis for Third Timeby Judy Stropus, Ron Capps Racing

Gateway International Raceway
Sunday, May 6, 2007

MADISON, Ill. -- Today Ron Capps drove the Brut Revolution Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to his third victory of the season, the 25th of his career, and the third at Gateway International Raceway at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals.

With this win over Del Worsham under some of the toughest conditions he and crew chief Ed "Ace" McCulloch have endured, Capps extended his points lead over Robert Hight to 121 points. Hight was eliminated in the first round.

En route to his fourth final round of the season in his 255th career national event, Capps disposed of Gary Densham in the opening stanza with a steady 4.813-second pass at 321.27 mph, then Cruz Pedregon with a 4.990/287.53 and Ashley Force in the semifinals with a 4.862/310.48.

In the final round, the second for Worsham and Capps, Capps launched first with a .069 reaction time (.000 is perfect). Worsham followed with a .086. It was close, but it was Capps all the way to the finish line, earning the win with a 4.882/305.98 to Worsham's 4.918/308.50. The two are now even: 1-1 in final rounds. Capps has a solid edge in round wins: 23-8.

Ironically, Worsham and Capps are good friends and spent Saturday evening together with other pals at a local rock concert. "It's part of the fun," said Capps. "You race those guys, but it's fun to go out and have a good time. It's a big family out here."

Capps and the Brut team survived two engine changes, a broken body, changing weather conditions, and even having to qualify in only two sessions because of rain and moisture. But they prevailed.

"I don't think people at home watching the TV show are going to realize how tough today was, this weekend really," said Capps in the winner's circle. "We had two qualifying runs, the fans didn't get to see us run Friday night, [because] it was dangerous (due to a high dew point and moisture on the track). That was a tough call to make for (NHRA Senior VP, Racing Operations) Graham Light, but he made the right call.

"And then Saturday, only two qualifying runs, and there were some big names that didn't even qualify, so that told you how tough it was. And then the sun comes out today like our natural St. Louis weather should be, and when it did I got happy. That's Ed McCulloch, my crew chief. There's a lot of crew chiefs on the grounds, but very few of those guys are real good racers and he's one of them. He was probably here in the old days at the old drag strip that went in the other direction, I'm sure. He's got a lot of knowledge. I'm a lucky guy.

"That car is just incredible to drive and it makes me look better probably than I am.

"It's tough on the drivers, but I wouldn't want to be a crew chief. Man, I can't imagine the pressure those guys are feeling. It was just a great day. Every round win was like you won a national event. It was huge.

"We had lane choice first round and we knew Gary Densham could run good and we got by that round. Second round was Cruz Pedregon. We knew he could step up, but we got by that round. We had lane choice for those two. Well, when we beat Cruz we got over by the centerline and kind of spun the tires real good and we lost lane choice in the semis against Ashley Force. And we were pretty sure that they were going to put us in the right lane, because we had kept the left lane when we had lane choice. Well, we get up there and last minute they switch lanes on us and put us back over in the left. Ace just looked at me and I didn't say anything on the radio because a lot of teams listen to other teams' radios, so I just looked at him, like, Oh, cool, they put us over in the left lane. And it went down through there and actually spun the tires at the other end, but it still ran .86, and that gave us lane choice in the final over Del. So we went back over to the left.

"I could hear Del's headers right out my side window for a long way down there, so I knew, Oh, boy, he's right there if anything happens. I got on the chutes and looked over at my guardrail and it had that little (win) light on. It had to have been close. Every single inch was hard to get."

Said Ed McCulloch: "This is an endurance race. It tried everybody's patience. It was difficult for everybody and we were fortunate enough to make it down there, and here we are. We'll take it, and be happy that we got it. We weren't the quickest guys all day, but we were quick when we needed to be."

The Brut Revolution Dodge team also earned the Full Throttle award for consistency in qualifying.

Next up is the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway, May 18-20.

FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Ron Capps, 645 (winner today)
2. Robert Hight, 524
3. Tony Pedregon, 404
4. Gary Scelzi, 385
5. Mike Ashley, 385
6. Jim Head, 343
7. Ashley Force, 322
8. Del Worsham, 317 (runner-up today)
9. Jeff Arend, 290
10. Cruz Pedregon, 274
11. Jack Beckman, 220

New autos come equipped with eight to 10 air bags

By David Shepardson,

The Detroit News

Call it the air bag arms race.

Two decades after air bags began widely appearing in vehicles, tucked into steering wheels and dashboards, automakers are racing to add more bags in more places to appeal to safety-conscious consumers.

Today, air bags are moving under the dashboard, into the back seat and under seat cushions. Eventually, they could even end up in seat belts to keep occupants in place during crashes.

Last month, Toyota Motor Corp. said its 2008 Lexus LX 570 SUV will come with 10 air bags as standard equipment - the most available in any vehicle from any automaker. Across the industry, an increasing number of companies are offering eight air bags in many models, including BMW, Hyundai Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz unit and Volkswagen's Audi.

"There's definitely a war between the different manufacturers to see who can add the most safety advances and air bags," said Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson, who noted the automaker's new Genesis Sports Sedan would have eight standard air bags.

"Eight, 10 air bags is the wave of the future."

By 2012, the U.S. auto fleet is predicted to top 100 million air bags. One key reason is that automakers agreed in 2003 to equip at least 50 percent of their fleets with side air bags by Sept. 1, 2007, to better protect passengers in crashes involving vehicles that are not of comparable sizes. All vehicles will have side bags by 2009.

"Automakers are coming up with more ways to use air bags," said Doug Campbell, vice president for engineering occupant safety systems at Livonia, Mich.-based TRW, the No. 2 air bag producer.

Campbell has worked on air bag research since 1971, and noted they didn't immediately catch on. "Back then, we all thought the potential was just fabulous, but it really took government regulation to really force the industry and the public to accept them."

Safety belts remain by far the most important safety feature on any automobile, saving more than 13,000 lives in 2001. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says belts have saved more than 135,000 lives in 25 years.

It's been only 10 years since the government required front air bags in all cars and SUVs.

But research by J.D. Power and Associates suggests that consumers are demanding more air bags, especially side air bags. A 2006 survey of 40,000 drivers ranked side-impact air bags as the top emerging technology they want.

Could automakers ever go overboard with air bags? Maybe, said Florian Zettelmeyer, a University of California-Berkeley professor who studies auto marketing. Zettelmeyer said air bags are clearly a sales consideration, but wonders, for instance, whether consumers would even know what knee air bags do.

"I would have my doubts whether consumers can differentiate between 8 or 10 air bags, or even tell where they are," he said. "Sometimes you get innovations that are targeted more to outmaneuver your competition in the game of one-upsmanship."

The NHTSA estimates that more than 22,000 people have been saved by air bags since 1987.

The agency is likely to require side air bags to protect both motorists' heads and torsos by 2010 or later.

In May 2004, NHTSA proposed requiring automakers to provide head protection in side impact crashes for the first time - a move the agency said would save up to 1,000 lives per year. NHTSA said it hoped to make it final as early as 2005 - something the agency didn't do. But NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason said in an interview that the agency is committed to completing the rule by the end of this year.

Air bags are getting safer after regulators required bags to be depowered if smaller passengers are sitting in the front seat or to be deactivated if a child is sitting in the front seat.

Safety vents in air bags are helping to further depower bags if smaller people are sitting too close. There are now two- or three-stage air bags, which determine the severity of crashes and deploy an appropriately sized bag. A few vehicles have air bags in the seat cushion, which help keep a motorist in place during an accident.

Volvo and other automakers emphasize air bags don't work without a seat belt.

For DaimlerChrysler, there's more to a deal than cash

May 7, 2007

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Kirk Kerkorian has offered to buy the Chrysler Group for $4.5 billion. He also tried to buy the company in the 1990s.

BY TIM HIGGINS

FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

The price for the Chrysler Group might not matter as much to DaimlerChrysler AG officials as shedding the division's huge pension and health care liabilities does.

If the German company can get a deal where those liabilities -- which have been estimated to be in the $16.5-billion to $19-billion range -- are eliminated from its balance sheet, it might accept a sale price that on its own would seem low, the Free Press has learned.

"It would be bad if you sold your house and you keep your mortgage," a person familiar with the thinking said on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing negotiations. The sale price is "totally irrelevant. Whether you get $1 billion or $20 billion, it depends upon what you keep and what liabilities you have to look after."

The only publicly confirmed offer to buy the struggling Auburn Hills-automaker is for $4.5 billion from Kirk Kerkorian. The investor tried to buy Chrysler during the 1990s, and it seems this offer won't be considered because of his contentious past with DaimlerChrysler.

Analysts agree, however, that the offer provides a framework for the bidding.

An analyst with KeyBanc Capital Markets has said Magna International and Onex Corp. are teaming up to offer about $5 billion.

Private equity firms Blackstone Group and Cerberus Capital Management also are believed to be interested but their offers are not known. Analysts had speculated the firms valued the company in the $5-billion to $6-billion range. Some in the German media speculate a price as high as $9 billion.

It cost $36 billion to unite Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corp. nine years ago.

But the possibility of wiping out nearly $20 billion in liabilities could make even a low price look good -- or at least acceptable -- to DaimlerChrysler's predominantly European shareholders. But on the flip side, without those liabilities changing hands, the prices currently being talked about publicly might be wholly inadequate.

"The sales price is no big deal," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. The liabilities are "the key factor. I am not sure how they are going to do that."

Longtime auto industry analyst Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting agreed. "For them, the most important thing is, obviously, losing that pension and health care liabilities for current and retired employees," he said.

Peter Morici, a business professor at the University of Maryland, is skeptical that Daimler officials will be able to find a buyer.

"It's going to be hard to find a fool to take them, and only a fool will take the company if it has to take the liabilities because it just doesn't make sense. The math just doesn't work," Morici said.

Indeed, any deal would be difficult, experts say.

Kerkorian's offer is believed to show how a deal is likely to be structured.

He proposed that the United Auto Workers union be given an ownership stake in Chrysler in exchange for concessions on health care, which could dramatically reduce the size of the liabilities. The bid also includes a provision that would require DaimlerChrysler to be responsible for an unspecified amount of the pension and health care liabilities.

Even before Kerkorian's offer, General Motors Corp. talked with DaimlerChrysler in January about a deal in which GM would take the Chrysler Group off Daimler's hands.

Daimler would help pay for future Chrysler health care costs and GM would give Daimler a stake in its company of less than 10%. The idea died, however, because DaimlerChrysler officials believed they could get a better deal in the marketplace, the Free Press reported in March.

Gerald Meyers, a University of Michigan business professor and former chairman of American Motors Corp., said that any proposed deal likely would involve swapping equity with the unions in exchange for some of the promised future benefits.

"I think the UAW is going to get something in any of the deals. I think that is the only way the UAW can be brought around," he said. "The UAW is not going to go along with concessions without a piece of the action."

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger has repeatedly said he wants to keep DaimlerChrysler from splitting up, often noting that the company as a whole did well last year -- reporting 3.8 billion euros ($5 billion) in net profit.

The Chrysler Group lost $1.5 billion in 2006, a number that was revised to $680 million recently because of changes in accounting procedures.

Investment banking firm Goldman Sachs has estimated the unfunded pension and health care liabilities at $16.5 billion. KeyBanc Capital Markets' Brett Hoselton has told clients that Chrysler's unfunded pension and other liabilities are worth $19.2 billion.

Hoselton said the ultimate outcome is uncertain.

"Scenarios include retainment by Chrysler or placement into a separate entity" independent from Chrysler or DaimlerChrysler, he said. "We believe both scenarios include DaimlerChrysler retaining some responsibility for the liabilities."

Meanwhile DaimlerChrysler officials offered no insight. Hartmut Schick, the company's top public relations executive in Germany, reiterated the company's position that "all options are open."

The second round of bids was due this past week and DaimlerChrysler is expected to decide soon which one or two groups to continue more negotiations with, people familiar with the process have said.

Is tiny 2-seater Smart for U.S.?

Car's design aims to charm hipsters in big cities after long-stalled arrival

By Matt Nauman

San Jose Mercury News

SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Carlos Ramirez has owned classic cars, such as a '57 Thunderbird or a '34 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat, but his current obsession might be his favorite.

``I wouldn't accept a Ferrari if somebody said, `Let's trade,' '' Ramirez said.

His pride and joy, imported from Europe to Mexico and now at his home in Campbell, Calif., is a Smart Fortwo. The tiny two-seater goes on sale in the United States early in 2008.

Early word-of-mouth praise comes from international travelers who have seen or driven the miniature cars -- two fit in an average parking space. They have been on sale in Europe since 1998, in Mexico since 2003 and in Canada since 2004. Smarts are sold in 36 countries, and the company says it has sold 750,000 in the past decade.

Officials of Smart, a division of Mercedes-Benz, which is part of DaimlerChrysler, had hesitated to bring the car to the United States.

``It's the right car in the right place at the right time,'' Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA, said in a recent interview. (The company puts its brand name, ``smart,'' and its models, such as the ``fortwo,'' in lowercase letters to emphasize its difference.)

Here's Schembri's reasoning:

• Smart's superior fuel economy -- projected at more than 40 miles per gallon -- makes it a natural in times of high gas prices.

• Smart's small size makes it a good fit in crowded urban environments.

• Smart's low price -- from $12,000 to $17,000 -- makes it trendy at a time when a revival of small cars such as Honda's Fit, Nissan's Versa and Toyota's Yaris are finding U.S. buyers.

``Lastly, there's the emotional aspect of this car,'' Schembri said. ``This car strikes an emotional chord by sheer design.''

In recent years, such diverse models as BMW's Mini Cooper, VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's PT Cruiser and the entire lineup of GM's Hummer brand have attracted buyers thanks to designs laden with personality.

After fits and starts -- the company had a huge presence at the Detroit auto show in January 2004 showing off a Brazil-built utility called the Formore, only to change those plans later -- Smart announced in 2006 that it will come to the United States in 2008.

Web site draws interest

Since then, its www.smartusa.com Web site has attracted more than 800,000 unique visitors. Nearly 50,000 signed up to receive information on a regular basis, earning ``Insider'' status with the company.

For two weeks in late March and early April, these Insiders could put down a $99 deposit to get one of the first available Smart cars. Schembri would not say how many reservations the company has taken, but ``the response has been amazing.''

Smart will arrive in the United States a bit differently from two other new brands also affiliated with larger, more established brands: Toyota's Scion and BMW's Mini.

Smart needed a different distribution model, Schembri said, so the company picked Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group to be the distributor. The company will announce its dealers, perhaps 50 to 75 of them nationwide, in June. Many Smart dealers also will be Mercedes-Benz dealers, Schembri said.

So, how small is the Smart? It's 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and weighs between 1,653 and 1,808 pounds, depending on the model.

The new '07 Toyota Tundra Double Cab pickup truck with a long bed, to make a ridiculous comparison, is 20.6 feet long, 6.4 feet tall, 6.7 feet wide and weighs between 4,610 and 5,630 pounds.

Schembri, a former executive with Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi, joined Smart USA last year. Here's how he describes his pint-size project:

``The car is about the size of the sofa in your living room. It's about as wide as your wide-screen TV. It's a little shorter than the average height of a woman,'' he said.

Although it sells other variants elsewhere in the world, Smart will come to the United States with just one model, the two-seat Fortwo. It will be sold as a base two-door called the Fortwo Pure for about $12,000; as a better-equipped coupe, the Fortwo Passion, for about $14,000; and as a two-door convertible, the Fortwo Passion Cabrio, for about $17,000.

All models will get a 71-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed automated manual transmission. The Fortwo has a top speed of 90 mph, Smart says.

Safety issue

Many consumers will question the safety of such a small car. Schembri points out that the car's entire chassis serves as a safety cage, something Smart calls the ``Tridion safety cell'' with high-strength steel. Publicity materials say it ``protects its occupants like the hard shell around a nut.'' The Fortwo meets U.S. and European crash-test regulations, and comes standard with four air bags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.

Targeted buyers will be members of ``the creative class,'' Schembri said. They're the first people to try a new restaurant, see a new movie, buy a new gadget.

In all, Smart anticipates drawing four groups of buyers: people looking for cheap cars; people living in big cities (``The metro cools,'' Schembri says); baby boomers looking for a second or third car for the family fleet; and empty nesters.

Magnesium Alloy Use As a Lightweight Material in Automotive Industry Applications From Magnesium Elektron

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Background Cosumption Applications Growth Magnesium In Motorsport

Background

Magnesium has a long tradition of use as a lightweight material in the field of commercial and speciality automotive construction. Racing cars used magnesium parts in the 1920's, but magnesium castings were not extensively used in commercial vehicles until 1936 when the Volkswagen Beetle was introduced. The car contained around 20kg of magnesium in the powertrain and during its peak production in 1971, consumption of magnesium reached 42,000 tonnes per annum. Cosumption Consumption then declined but over the past 10 years, there has been significant growth of magnesium in the high pressure die-casting sector, averaging almost 20% per annum worldwide; and it's the use of magnesium as a strategic lightweight material in the automotive industry that is the driving force behind this growth. With the necessary technological advances in alloy performance being made in the mid 1980's and the continuous drive to minimise weight and fuel consumption, today, there is an exciting synergy between what the automotive industry is demanding and what the magnesium industry has to offer. Figure 1. Magnesium is used as a strategic lightweight material in the automotive industry. Applications Growth Further growth is forecast over the next 10 years. In Europe, the increase in using magnesium as a structural lightweight material is being led by the Volkswagen Group of companies, with the material also being used by other leading manufacturers including DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes Benz), BMW, Ford and Jaguar. Presently, around 14kgs of magnesium are used in the VW Passat, Audi A4 & A6. All those vehicles use magnesium transmission casings cast in AZ91D, offering a 20%-25% weight saving over aluminium. Other applications include instrument panels, intake manifolds, cylinder head covers, inner boot lid sections and steering components which utilise the more ductile AM50A & AM60B alloys. In North America, the use of magnesium for auto applications is more advanced. The GM full sized Savana & Express vans use up to 26kg of magnesium alloy. Figure 2. The use of Magnesium alloys in automotive components is increasing. Magnesium In Motorsport The motorsport industry worldwide has long recognised the advantages to be gained from using the sand cast high performance alloys originally developed for the aerospace industry. Their lightweight and high strength to weight ratio provide many teams with a competitive advantage. Elektron®21 is becoming more widely used in motorsport applications, for example replacing Elektron®RZ5 (ZE41) gearboxes. Elektron®WE43 and Elektron®WE54 alloys in cast and wrought form are being used increasingly in motor racing engines, often due to the very high operating stresses and temperatures. Figure 3. The motorsport industry worldwide has long recognised the advantages to be gained from using the sand cast high performance alloys

Source: Magnesium Elektron

U.S. to get SLR McLaren Roadster

The Mercedes SLR McLaren roadster is expected to cost more than $500,000 when it is available in the U.S. this fall.

April Wortham | Automotive News / May 7, 2007 - 1:00 amMercedes-Benz said Friday that it will offer the SLR McLaren sports car as a roadster. U.S. deliveries of the model, to be built at McLaren's factory in Woking, England, will begin in the fall.

The price will be announced in August and probably will top $500,000, said Rob Moran, a spokesman for Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. The coupe is priced at $452,750, including shipping. Mercedes sold 141 units of the coupe in the United States last year, Moran said.

The SLR McLaren roadster is powered by a supercharged 5.5-liter, 617-hp AMG V-8 engine and has a top speed of 207 mph, Mercedes says.

Mercedes Car Group April unit sales fall 3 percent

Automotive News / May 7, 2007 - 9:00 am / FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- Unit sales at DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes Car Group premium division fell 3.0 percent in April to 97,800 vehicles despite the launch of two key models for the Mercedes and Smart brands, the company said today.

The Mercedes-Benz brand sold 90,600 passenger vehicles in April, a dip of 0.7 percent, even though the new Mercedes-Benz C class hit showrooms at the end of March.

The model's success is key to the future of Mercedes since the C class remains the brand's top-selling car.

It said it sold a total of 28,200 vehicles in the C class segment in April, with sales of the C-class sedan up 15 percent.

Sales of Smart minicars fell 24.6 percent in April to 7,200 cars. Demand for the new Smart ForTwo, launched in late March, was strong, it said, with sales of the two-seat model up 14 percent to 6,900 units.

The ForTwo is the only car left in Smart's new product lineup after it pruned back its portfolio to save money.

April deliveries brought the division's sales in the first four months of the year to 384,600 units, down 2.8 percent from the year-ago period, as a drop in Smart sales by nearly half offset a 2.2 percent rise in Mercedes sales, which hit a record.

Ex-Fiat exec: Should have sold to DCX

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Automotive News / May 7, 2007 - 1:00 am /
Fiat should have accepted an offer from DaimlerChrysler to buy its auto division seven years ago. That's the view of former Fiat Chairman Paolo Fresco, who is quoted in Agnelli, a new book by French journalist Pierre de Gasquet.

The book looks at the Agnelli family, which controls the Italian automaker.

"Could you imagine what the Fiat group could be today, having obtained 12 billion euros … instead of having poured 5 billion euros into fixing Fiat Auto?" Fresco asks.

Fiat Auto was suffering heavy losses when Fresco took over the group in 1998. He was not convinced the division could survive on its own. So in 1999, Fresco began talking with other automakers.

"Initially, I proposed several alternatives, including BMW and Volvo. Then I sealed a deal with Juergen Schrempp of DaimlerChrysler," Fresco is quoted as saying.

Fresco recalls that patriarch Gianni Agnelli knew Fiat Auto needed a partner but did not want to sell the core business of the industrial group his grandfather had founded in 1899.

"My brain says it is an excellent offer, but my heart prevents me from accepting it," Fresco remembers Agnelli saying.

Instead, Fiat embarked on an ill-fated alliance with General Motors that lasted only five years