2010 Detroit Auto Show: Tesla Celebrates 1,000th Roadster

Tesla motors had a nice presentation at the DAIS this year with an announcemnt of its 1,000th production vehicle. It bears the unique Vehicle Identification No. 1,000, is a special-edition Roadster Sport in “Millennial White,” with a unique interior and carbon fiber accents. VIN 1,000 will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through Jan. 24.

Tesla Motors is the only automaker worldwide producing and selling highway-capable electric cars. For such a small company the 1,000th production model is something they are quite proud of. Probably much more proud than you are over your famous weight loss success stories.

Tesla Motors Presentation:



The world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer will donate the $175,000 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of this collector's car to several charities in metro Detroit.

"A year ago right here in Detroit we had delivered about 150 Roadsters, so VIN 1,000 is a humble but important milestone for us," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "It's fitting to do something special with this unique car."

Tesla will donate the full value of the car to organizations including:

* Forgotten Harvest: Oak Park, Mich.-based charity focused on alleviating hunger and waste by rescuing food from more than 450 food industry donors.
* The Children's Center: Detroit-based coalition of civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and families.
* FOCUS: Hope: Detroit-based community organization focused on food and health programs to single low-income mothers and children, civic revitalization, and back-to-work education projects such as a "green jobs" training program.
* Sierra Club: The nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental group with over 1.3 million members and supporters, winning big victories to stop global warming and move America into a clean energy future.
* National Wildlife Federation: America's largest conservation organization with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters working to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming and connect with nature.

Fuel-Efficiency Focus at Detroit Auto Show Contradicts Consumer Search Data

It is no surprise that much of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show focused on the fuel-efficient side of the spectrum with hybrids, electric cars, and alternative fuel conversations. What is more surprising is that NADAguides.com, a leading provider of pricing information and market research for new and used cars, classics, RVs, motorcycles and boats, announced today the Top Five Most Researched Cars heading into the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. They were not these fuel-efficient cars.

Consumer data, based on model research volume within each brand, shows the highest consumer interest is in vehicles from Chevrolet, Lexus, Nissan and Honda. The Chevy Camaro, a Motown muscle favorite, led the way in most of 2009 and into the first weeks of 2010 as being the most researched vehicle on NADAguides.com. Obviously consumers care more about looking good in their cars and their diet pills than they do about fuel-efficiency from an outside perspective.

Does this actually suggest that people are more likely to buy these cars though? Of course people are more likely to look into the cars that make them tingle when they look at them. Are they more likely to buy these cars though?

"Although electric, hybrid and small cars are being showcased in Detroit this week, the patterns we are seeing from consumers show a desire for affordable and efficient vehicles that offer substantial performance, upscale amenities and impressive technology," said Mike Caudill, spokesperson for NADAguides.com. "This most recent data not only identifies the top cars consumers are most interested in, but also provides automakers with a clear roadmap of what consumers are looking to buy. One aspect that may also surprise critics is that despite the demand for small, fuel efficient hybrids, muscle cars, while a small part of the market, sold relatively well last year and continue to pique consumer interest."

NADAguides.com's Top Five Most Researched Cars are:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro
2009 Lexus ES350
2009 Nissan Altima
2009 Honda Accord
2010 Lexus RX 350

Electirc Vehicles: Solution, or Diversion (Post Detroit Auto Show Thoughts)

One of the main themes of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show was fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles were at the front lines of the entire show for all of the biggest auto makers. While I pay more attention to the cars that make my zit cream less of a need to pick up women, you really can't avoid the themes trying to take advantage of rising fuel costs to sell newer cars with better efficiency.

The focus on EVs at this year’s Detroit show sure made it look like the car makers really do believe that Electric Vehicles are a viable solution to replace gasoline as the 'fuel' that maintains our freedom of mobility here in the U.S.

EVs play well on TV, and if they could actually replace gasoline powered vehicles I wouldn’t have to be so negative. But when you see the reality of the drop-in-the-bucket EV sales forecast numbers coming from the world’s car companies over the next 30 years, you too should get pissed, just as we at The Auto Channel are. Once again the American public and the world are being suckered with 'fool's gold' (electric) allowing Big Oil to direct our eyes off a quick, real and nearby solution to our oil dependence.

In discussing alternative fuel and energy ideas with others in the industry, one oft repeated retort to us keeps being uttered: "There are many solutions to the gasoline problem, not one silver bullet; and it will take time to let the government and private companies develop and test new fuel technologies before we can determine the alternative fuel winners." More

2010 Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

Let's stick with the luxury models for a bit longer, but still add a little hybrid into the mix. The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept was introduced on Tuesday at the DIAS, and shows that the luxury sedan is suggesting a new paradigm.

The XTS Platinum Concept was designed from the inside out, re-imagining the luxury sedan as a personal headquarters, built for efficiency, luxury and connectivity. The concept introduces a new approach to in-car electronics that improves the form and function of the car's entertainment, navigation and information systems. Who knows, maybe they even have some sort of no xplode tech.

"The XTS Platinum concept is the next expression of Cadillac's Art and Science execution philosophy, reflecting our drive to deliver the latest innovations in the most artful manner," said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "We envisioned this concept as an automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury."

Here is the Full Presentation video of the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept:

2010 Detroit Auto Show: Bentley Mulsanne, Series 51 Continental GTC

Instead of covering all the hybrid talk that happened at the DIAS this year I wnated to pull some of the more glamorous looking vehicles out of the pack first so that we can just drool over them.

It's hard not to drool over a vehicle more than you can over the series that you would assume was made out of solid gold considering the price tag gives many headaches at a whopping $285,000. So...really if you are going to drool over a car you want, and you have to over a Bently, you may as well get your money's worth.

The Series 51 Continental GTC represents Bentley exterior and interior styling at its most vibrant and will enable customers to order ‘off the peg’ from an exclusive range created by Dirk van Braeckel’s renowned team of Crewe-based designers.

“The Detroit Motor Show remains an important stop for Bentley on the annual calendar of international motoring events,” said Christophe Georges, President & Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors Inc. “Detroit is also the motor show debut for our flagship Mulsanne and the Series 51 Continental in The Americas region – our single largest worldwide – so it is an important opportunity to reach key influencers.

“Our annual NAIAS private customer previews have also proved successful and that proud record looks set to continue especially as we’re the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display this year,” Georges added. “Bentley has a busy year ahead and displaying our Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC among Detroit’s automotive insiders, influencers and customers is central to our launch strategy.”

Here is a full video of the marvelous Mulsanne, Series 51 Continental GTC

2010 Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Lincoln MKX

A lot of impressive vehicles at the 2010 Detroit International Auto Show this year. Let's take a look at one of the more impressive mid-size luxury crossovers. The 2011 Lincoln MKX. It is quite the look, and packed full of new technological features.

In addition to the launch of MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology, the 2011 Lincoln MKX adds a suite of other convenience features and technologies, several of which are not available anywhere else in the mid-size luxury crossover segment. It's design is a nice fit for people investing in a best fat burner for their New Year's resolutions.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX is the perfect vehicle to launch MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology simply because the original version of this luxury midsize crossover already is brimming with consumer-focused features,” said Jason Mase, crossover marketing manager. “The new model offers more of the conveniences and features our customers expect and demand, including ones our competitors can’t match at any price.”

Industry-first MyLincoln Touch comes standard on every 2011 Lincoln MKX. This intuitive solution addresses the infotainment evolution, taking vehicle interior design into the realm of popular personal electronics devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones and MP3 players.

MyLincoln Touch includes two 4.2-inch configurable LCD screens in the instrument cluster as well as an 8-inch LCD touch screen in the center stack, five-way controls on the steering wheel – plus a new Media Hub with two USB 2.0 ports, video input jacks and an SD card reader.

See more in depth features in the video below:

Drug Rehabilitation Services

With the way the econommy is right now it is pretty common to drown those sorrows in a bottle of booze, or with a few pills you can pop. As you realize it is starting to make things so much worse, you may find yourself in need to seek a drug rehab solution. Help is there.

For kids in school now they should look at what they are going to have to try and deal with in college when they get there. Alcohol and Drug Abuse at College are the starting steps for many on their path to addiction. Knowing how to prevent it is the best step.

2010 Detroit Auto Show BMW Presser

Besides looking for a pleasanton motorcycle accident attorney right now, I am looking through some of the video from the2010 Detroit Auto Show. Of course one of the first presentations that will catch my eye is BMW.

That's right, I am looking at style first, and then I will look at whatever the theme of the Detroit Auto Show is about this year. It has something to do with fuel-efficiency if you hadn't guessed. Anyways, here is the BMW press conference.

2010 Detroit International Auto Show

This is one of the big one.s The Detroit Auto Show is the North American International Auto Show. The show begins next week and the early indications are that the theme most auto makers are going to bring is fuel-efficiency.

According to Automotive News, Ford will unveil the redesigned production Focus, and Honda will show the production version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback. Toyota and Volkswagen will roll out hybrid concepts; Audi, BMW, and Fiat will display electric concepts.

Show organizers are arranging various electric cars, including one from China's BYD Auto, in a space on the show floor called Electric Avenue. But high performance will get its due. Judging by vehicles at the show, performance cars and econoboxes will coexist happily in the 2016 model year, when automakers must reach fleet averages of 35.5 mpg.

But Chrysler and partner Fiat are showing some concepts that explore their product planners' ideas for the next few years. They will show a concept version of the Lancia Delta mid-sized hatchback with a Chrysler grille. They also will show an electric concept of the Fiat 500 minicar.

So, your home insurance quote shouldn't hurt too much after you get these new 23424143 MPG cars next year.