Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (May 28-June3, 2012; ) Automotive NewsI In Case You Were Sleeping

* VW's North American boss, Jonathan Browning, addressed the Automotive Press Association in Detroit this week presenting charts and graphs and numbers indicating they are doing well in their thrust to be the world's "leading producer" of automobiles by 2018. That does not necessarily mean selling the most cars, rather it means having the best quality, customer satisfaction and being a top employer while realizing an 8% return on investment. After his speech Browning hinted to the scrum of reporters that a mid-size crossover might be in the offing to fill out the VW portfolio.

* Consumers Report confirmed in a just-released study what many of us have been saying, that hybrids, electrics and other eco models might not be worth the price. With our less-than-scientific calculations we've found payback periods from 5 years to 150 years. That extra technology comes at a cost that is not always recouped in a reasonable amount of time. Singling out the new Prius C, they call it "fuel efficient, but not a deal." It's not just ECO but also ROI.

* Automotive News reported this week that California is requiring new, tougher requirements for selling "zero emissions vehicles." How to make that happen might be a problem. The government will require the biggest automakers to sell more pure-electrics, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen vehicles, but they can't require customers to buy them. What's wrong with that picture? Companies that don't meet the mandated numbers can buy credits for companies that exceed the targets. So, what if no one meets the targets?

* Although boss Sergio Marchionne had previously said that the Chrysler Group would have only one minivan in the future, we were amazed at the headline that Chrylser would be dropping the popular Town & Country minivan, the iconic definition of an efficient soccer-mom van. It turns out they are keeping the sibling Dodge Caravan to fill that niche. The Town & Country will be replaced by a new crossover, this all happening in 2014.

* Toyota is recalling about 660 of its Lexus GS350 sedans because of a steering problem that may occur when leaving a parking space. The models affected have rear-wheel drive and are equipped with the F Sport package.

* The pop culture tv show "Mad Men" caused a stir in some circles of the auto industry with its latest episode wherein the fictional ad agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce is trying to win the Jaguar account. The show enlists the female character Joan to sleep with a sleazy Jaguar dealer. They won the business but didn't make the Jaguar of today happy with the process.

* Larry Webster has been named editor-in-chief of Road & Track, it was announced by James B. Meigs, editorial director for the Hearst Men's Enthusiast Group. Webster joins Road & Track on June 4, replacing Matt DeLorenzo, who will transition into an advisory role for the magazine. Additionally, Road & Track will be moving its editorial offices from Newport Beach, CA to Ann Arbor, MI, the current base of Car and Driver.

* Mazda just announced a SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine program for the new Grand-AM GX racing class,a new class for advanced/clean technologies, beginning with the 2013 season. The Asian automaker has promised to begin importing diesel-powered automobiles in the near future, though officials are not willing to spill the beans on what cars we'll see the engine in first. The 2.2-liter, low-compression racing engine features two, twin-scroll turbos and redlines at just 5,200 rpm. Torque and horsepower numbers are not available yet. More details in a story we'll post next week.

* The Wall Sreet Journal reported that the car battery companies that recieved $1.26 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy (Tax Payers) are laging behind in their goals for production and hiring. As The Auto Chnanel has editorialized this is one more report that says the Electric Vehicles have been a diversion from a real solution to get America off of gasoline.