Police in China changes Mercedes-Benz ML350 into Honda CR-V

You've gotta be kidding me....
Police in the good city of Fengchenggang in Guangxi Province re-badged their Mercedes-Benz ML350 into a Honda CR-V. There is a lot of criticism in China lately about local governments who waste taxpayers money. Police in Fengchanggang so made some changes to their 900.000 yuan ML350, a Honda CR-V only costs 200.000 yuan.

But the plan went wrong. Citizens of Fengchenggang were not to be fooled and posted pics of the Benz CR-V on the internet where ‘netizens’ had a field day ridiculing the local government as hard as they could. Best part: the police flatly denied they made any changes to their car. I guess it depends on what you call a ‘change’…

Source (via www.autoblog.com)
http://www.carnewschina.com/2011/07/08/police-in-china-changes-mercedes-benz-ml350-into-honda-cr-v/

Honda Insight Hybrid racer banned - it's too fast

Modified, previous-generation Honda Insight has blown away a field of conventional rally cars.
Technically, the car you see here is a hybrid capable of some pretty impressive consumption, yet it's been banned from rallying for being too fast.

Yes, the world's greenest rally car has been kicked out of its championship because it's too quick.

The petrol-electric (previous shape) Honda Insight hybrid, which competes in the Formula 1000 rally championship in the UK, has been asked to withdraw following concerns from rival competitors that it has an unfair advantage, after dominating the 2011 series with two wins and a second place from the first three rounds.

The car, which uses a tuned petrol-electric hybrid system to give it more power and better fuel efficiency, has been developed by the Oaktec team from Lancaster over a six-year period using the low emission Honda car as a base.

The developments of the green technology have been so successful that the eco car, which can return an amazing 2.4 litres per 100km when driven slowly, has blown away a field of conventional rally cars to gain a 19 point championship lead after just three rallies.

The championship organisers phoned the Oaktec team to request that they stand down from the series and compete the car in a higher class to appease rival competitors. The team has agreed to the demand and will now look to race in other classes.

Oaktec boss Paul Andrews commented: “It was a bit of a shock when I got the call as after six years of hard work we finally had our chance for a bit of glory. But I fully understand the perspective of the organisers and their wish not to spoil the sport for the other drivers.”

Source;
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/motorsport/hybrid-racer-banned-it-s-too-fast-1.1090243

Drunk Driving on the Beach sinks Infinity

This is so painful to watch that it is funny....

Source via autoblog/carscoop

Hilarious Honda Malaysia Ad Mocks Independent Service Centers

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/05/hilarious-honda-malaysia-ad-mocks.html

Jalopnik: How Toyota tried to bar a blog from mentioning them ever again

Interesting read....
Toyota has sparked a controversy in Brazil for attempting to legally bar a media outlet that dared publish spy shots of a new Corolla from ever mentioning the Toyota brand name again. Jalopnik Brazil editor Leo Nishihata explains. — Ed.

About a month ago, spy shots of an upcoming Corolla published by the Brazilian blog Notícias Automotivas triggered something unheard of: an auto manufacturer attempting to permanently bar a media outlet from mentioning its brand. Now other outlets are starting to push back. Is it worth it, Toyota?

At first sight, the letter written by lawyer Rosana Bermejo is so superficial it could be phony. It wastes several lines extolling the history and image of Toyota in Brazil until it gets to March 23rd, when a post on Noticias Automotivas presented pictures and details of the Toyota Corolla S, a version to be launched in Brazil in 2012.

According to Eber do Carmo, editor-in-chief of Noticias Automotivas, the post has been written after spy shots were sent by a reader, and accurate info obtained from sources in the plant. (The article has been removed, but it is still available in Google cache.)

In its notification (PDF), Toyota claims that this release constitues "unfair business practice" and that "such release is unfit and unauthorized, causing Toyota a huge damage, once the release of those images spoils the customer's expectation towards news about the product."

For the rest of the article, follow the link;
http://ca.jalopnik.com/5797750/how-toyota-tried-to-bar-a-blog-from-mentioning-them-ever-again

Decalled Honda Accord CrossTour Disaster....

Different anyway.... Source (via autoblog); http://imgur.com/a/aUHUT

What would a Cabriolet CrossTour look like you ask?

April 01, 2011, april fools day, www.autoblog.com put together a nice joke by reimagining the Honda Accord CrossTour into at cabriolet to compete against the Nissan Murano cabriolet.... so for those that might be interested in what it might have looked like, here you go.

Man Smashes Lamborghini Supercar

Ah, to have that kind of money....

Chinese Man Smashes Lamborghini with Sledgehammer: MyFoxDETROIT.com

(WJBK) - In China, a man fed up with a Lamborghini Gallardo he bought second-hand smashed it to smithereens with a sledgehammer, The Daily Mail reports.

The man reportedly bought that ride in February. After several arguments with the auto company about engine problems and maintenance issues, he smashed the nearly half-million dollar super car in protest outside his construction materials business.

Huge crowds gathered around and took pictures and videos as the man's employees decided to jump in and smash as well.

Source;
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/international/chinese-man-smashes-lamborghini-with-sledgehammer-20110317-mr

Spider Infestation in Mazda6 Also an Issue for Honda, Hyundai

Oh no! Honda has them too! (and Hyundai!)
Apparently spiders don’t just prefer Mazdas. Honda has warned its dealers to keep an eye out for the same spiders that nested in 65,000 recalled Mazda6 sedans, as they may infest the Accord. Hyundai is also reportedly warning dealers of a similar issue with its models.

It’s not a full-blown recall, but if you see a spider inside your Accord, your local friendly Honda mechanic will be happy to get rid of the yellow sac spiders that are nesting inside a vent pipe and weaving “sack-like” webs that could lead to a blockage. The driver will find that the “check engine” light will come on, as well as a freaked-out friend or relative who will scream at ear-splitting levels. Possibly.

The fix is easy, because it consists of fitting a spring into a drain box—similar to Mazda’s solution. Unlike Mazda, however, there is no danger in blocking the gas tank venting hoses that may lead to an engine fire, and Honda has merely issued a service bulletin to its brave, spider-vanquishing mechanics instead of an all-out recall like its Japanese sedan brethren. The yellow sac spider hasn’t caused any engine stalling or fires in the Accord. Maybe yellow sac spiders prefer Honda over Mazda? And why not an Italian car? Or a convertible?

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/03/spider-infestation-in-mazda6-also-an-issue-for-honda-hyundai.html

Mazda recalls 2009-10 Mazda6 for spider webs causing fuel leaks

Wow, now how did the engineers miss this obvious flaw?!? (sarcasm detected)

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

Mazda Motor Corp. is recalling 52,000 2009-10 Mazda6 vehicles over concerns the fuel tank could crack and leak — because of spider webs.

The highly unusual recall covers vehicles built at the Auto Alliance plant in Flat Rock between April 2008 and February 2010.

Mazda told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that "a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line."

That could lead to pressure in the emission control system that could stress the fuel tank and lead to a crack.

Mazda said it found a spider web when it reviewed a complaint in October 2009. The company will include a "spring to prohibit spider intrusion" and the computer will be reprogrammed to prevent a build-up of pressure in the emission control system.

Mazda will begin notifying owners March 14.

Source;
http://detnews.com/article/20110303/AUTO01/103030430/1148/Mazda-recalls-2009-10-Mazda6-for-spider-webs-causing-fuel-leaks

Stolen auto show BMW recovered

It didn't take Detroit Police very long to find the hottest stolen BMW in the U.S. -- the $95,000 BMW 7 Series flagship sedan absconded after use as a VIP shuttle.

WXYZ-TV in Detroit says the car turned up on the city's West Side under a blanket of snow. You can see the TV reports by clicking here to view. It was pretty much intact except that the wires to the car's tracking system had been snipped.

As Drive On reported yesterday, this BMW was taken in front of the swanky Westin Book Cadillac hotel near the convention center where the North American International Auto Show is being held. It was one of 19 BMW 750s being used to ferry VIPs. Two thieves apparently snatched it as it was being brought up to be loaded on a carrier and taken out of town.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/01/detroit-tv-stolen-auto-show-bmw-recovered/1

Barn-find Bugatti Type 38 makes seven times its estimate at auction

Huh?!?
A 'barn-find' Bugatti amounting to little more than a loose collection of bits has sold at auction for more than seven times its estimate.

Completely dismantled, incomplete and lacking its engine and body, the 1926 Bugatti Type 38 was expected to fetch only around £9,000 when it went under the hammer at a Bonhams sale in Australia.

But seven telephone bidders fought against six absentee bids and five people in the Sydney auction rooms for what was described as a 'restoration project'.

After a tense showdown, a mystery bidder - identified only as 'living in the northern hemisphere' - triumphed, with a bid of £68,000.

When Robert Glover, Bonhams' Head of Motor Cars Australia, informed the lady owner of the winning bid, said an auction house spokesman, there was a 'stunned silence followed by a tearful thanks'.

As the picture reveals, the new owner has quite a job on his or her hands. All that remains are four sorry-looking wheels, battered fenders bearing traces of red paint, the radiator, a headlamp, steering wheel, rear bumper, axles, other assorted components, seat shells and what is left of the doors.

A Type 38 in concours condition, however, would be worth around £200,000.
Bonhams says that a 'handful' of Type 38s found their way to Australia via the London Bugatti agent. The car in question was first owned by a Dr Feather of Roma, Queensland but passed through various hands until it was sold to the vendor in the 1960s, by which time it had already fallen into disrepair.

At the same auction, a 1925 Bentley 3- litre sold for £203,000, while a right -hand-drive 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy roadster changed hands for £154,000.

Source (via Jalopnik);
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/8140984/Barn-find-Bugatti-Type-38-makes-seven-times-its-estimate-at-auction.html

Toyota Uses Death To Pitch Cars At Chinese Customers

Huh?!? I could have thought of a few better mascots than this....
To Americans, Toyota offers "peace of mind." In China, Toyota offers a similar theme, except with cartoon versions of the Grim Reaper looming over its vehicles. It's OK, because sudden acceleration only happened in America.

The ad text hypes Toyota's safety features known as the Global Opportunity Assessment: "As a result, the most that the god of death can bring is only a shock like 'Jack in the box', but not any actual danger or harm."

See, Chinese buyers just don't draw the same associations between Toyotas and possibile death that a few Americans have because of the deaths linked to Toyotas. Besides, isn't that just the cutest Grim Reaper ever? It'd look great as an inflatable balloon floating over a few dealerships during the next Toyotathon. "Killer Savings!" "The Deal You Can't Refuse!" "Death, Taxes, Toyota!" Like driving a Corolla. [Copyranter/Ads Of The World]

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5678629/toyota-uses-death-to-pitch-cars-at-chinese-customers