Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Editors Picks - As A Matter Of Business, Is The EV Value Prop Viable, Or Nothing More Than A Nextgen Unicorn?

<b>Commentary By Rick Carlton</b> <i>Originally published June 2011</i> The 22nd of June 2011 was a bad day for the green car business. That morning, Norwegian-owned Think Global AB, executed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy after first surrendering its corporate assets to a court-assigned trustee. The trustee in turn was tasked ... Continue reading

2011 Editors Picks - CNG-Powered Vehicles - What's The Problem Here?

<b>Commentary by Rick Carlton</b> <i>Originally Published Jan. 2011</i> With gasoline point of sale prices averaging $3 per gallon nationally, and with spot oil costs remaining between $88 - $93 per barrel (based on 1/7/2011 Bloomberg energy metrics) the question becomes, at what point do we get serious about alternati ... Continue reading

2011 Editors Picks - Online Motorsports Marketing Is Just Throwing Money Away......

Commentary by Rick Carlton <i>Originally published January 2011</i> <b>Its Still No Bucks No Buck Rogers.</b> I have been working in and around the auto/motorsports business since dinosaurs walked the earth, and have come to a couple of essential conclusions. First, one needs money to make money, and second, one can't ... Continue reading

2011 Editors Picks - NHTSA And Now NTSB - Methinks We Doth Discern A Larger Pattern Here

<b>Commentary By Rick Carlton</b> <i>Originally published December 2011</i> Some time ago, I read a series of comments from NHTSA head David Strickland, suggesting a new agency effort to limit (or potentially eliminate entirely) telematic, mobile and online communications in vehicles, and with today's NTSB assertion th ... Continue reading

2011 Editors Picks - If Its Good Enough For GMAC..........

<b>Commentary By Rick Carlton</b> <i>Originally published January 2099</i> Given the recent business conversion of GMAC’s status from consumer financing company to “holding bank,â€&#65533; able to tap Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) money at will, maybe Larry Flynt of Hustler, and Joe Francis of Girls ... Continue reading

Hot Wheels and Monster Jam Roar into 2012 Season with New Team Hot Wheels Monster Truck

Hot Wheels and Monster Jam are teaming up in an even bigger way to bring fans the ultimate in thrilling vehicle experiences. For the first time, a Monster Jam monster truck will be driven by a Team Hot Wheels driver and will perform live - electrifying fans in a full line up of Monster Jam scheduled events in the 2012 ... Continue reading

Molex Introduces New CMC Standard Header and Solder-Mount Headers With Press-Fit Terminals for Powertrain Applications

Molex CMC product line has expanded with the introduction of a 154-circuit header in compliant-pin mount and 32- and 112-circuit solder-mount headers. Designed to perform in high-conductivity applications and harsh environments, CMC is an industry standard interface used in automotive and transportation powertrain appl ... Continue reading

Scania Will Lower Production Rate Due to Slowing Demand

Sweden--Regulatory News: The slowdown in Europe and the Middle East has continued. Meanwhile we are also seeing a lower rate of order bookings from other markets Scania (STO:SCVA)(STO:SCVB) foresees a continued slowdown in demand in various markets and, starting in January, will lower the production rate at its units i ... Continue reading