Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (November 6-12 2011) Automotive News Factoids - In Case You Were Not Paying Attention

Auto Central Louisville KY, November 13, 2011; Each week Larry Nutson, The Auto Channel's Chicago Bureau Chief, along with Steve Purdy and Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Detroit Bureau give you the past week's automotive news highlights you may have missed. Plus if you are a car nut like we all are here you can easily "catch up" on the past 16 years 657,000 automotive news articles found in The Auto Channel Automotive News Archive...have fun.

* In the ongoing Saab saga, its former owner, GM, will have some say in the sale. General Motors said it had decided to sever ties to Saab and its commitment to supply it with vehicle components and the 9-4X model because of the risks posed by the pending sale of the Swedish auto brand to Chinese owners. "Although General Motors is open to the continued supply of powertrains and other components to Saab under appropriate terms and conditions, GM will not agree to the continuation of the existing technology licenses or the continued supply of 9-4X vehicles to Saab following the proposed change in ownership as it would not be in the best interests of GM shareholders," GM spokesman Jim Cain said. The statement represented a hardening in GM's opposition to the proposed rescue plan for Saab and appeared to lengthen the odds for the brand's survival. The fight for survival continues.

* Toyota plans global sales of a few thousand units of its hydrogen-burning fuel cell vehicle by 2015. Sales will be low because the price will be high "We could expect a fuel cell vehicle to retail at about 100,000 euros ($138,000) in Europe," said Toyota Europe Vice President for Product Planning & Marketing Alain Uyttenhoven. Car makers are preparing to offer a variety of green-tech power trains to help them meet tougher emissions and fuel economy requirements. "We see pure battery-powered vehicles to be just a solution for small trips in the city, while a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid is the best solution both for weekday urban commuting and weekend trips," he said.

* Drama in the world of motorsports. NASCAR "parked" Kyle Bush for all of last weekend's races after he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday while a Truck Series race was under yellow-caution. The drama continued on Monday when he was fined $50,000 by NASCAR and put on probation for the rest of the season with a warning that if he misbehaves again he may be put on indefinite suspension. Yet to come is any action by his team owner Joe Gibbs. Reports have it that one of his sponsors has asked for him to be removed from the season-ending Nationwide Series race at Homestead this weekend.

* The Audi A7 has been named the 2012 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. The A7 is extremely striking in person. A sexy hatchback at that.

* The Ford Flex, considered too boxy by some, gets rounder for the 2013 model year. Making its first appearance next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the freshened 2013 Flex styling changes are most noticeable from the front. Ford’s blue oval has been replaced by the word FLEX in large block letters above the grille. Flex’s square corners are now rounder to give the vehicle a sleeker look and the interior is updated.

* The Lee Roy Hartung’s collection of cars, motorcycles and automobilia was broken up at a highly anticipated auction outside of Chicago last weekend, ultimately bringing $4 million. The sale was attended by about 1,000 registered bidders from 45 states and nine countries. An unrestored 1913 Flying Merkel motorcycle sold for $201,250, the most expensive item that went up for bid at the no-reserve sale. A 1949 Veritas car sold for $195,500. The unusual car was built by BMW and bodied by the coachbuilder Spohn.

* Toyota Motor Corp. announced it is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide — mostly in the United States — for problems that could make it harder to steer. The recall affects 447,000 vehicles in North America, as well as 38,000 in Japan and another 25,000 in Australia and New Zealand. In Europe some 14,000 vehicles are being recalled along with 10,000 in the Middle East and 14,000 in Asia outside Japan.

* Suzuki Motor Corp. will spotlight what it calls its "unparalleled expertise" in small cars at the Tokyo Motor Show in late November and early December with two new tiny concept cars and the world premiere of a Swift electric vehicle with a range-extending engine like that of the Chevrolet Volt.

* The redesigned Honda CR-V will launch on time next month after flooding in Thailand threatened to delay the crossover's release, Honda told dealers. It was previously thought the CR-V might be delayed. It appears that Honda's supply chain, disrupted by flooding in Thailand, is recovering quickly.

* Nissan said it will introduce an EV quick charger costing under $10,000 that will fully charge a Nissan Leaf in under 30 minutes. Commerical, indoor and public, outdoor chargers will be available. * And, as the week came to a close we celebrated Veterans Day. Noteworthy is that on November 11, 1940 the Jeep made its first appearance.

Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau, The Auto Channel Member, Midwest Automotive Media Association Director, Individual Communicators Network (ICN)