An Occasional Molling

Ford, UAW cut deal on retiree health benefits

David Moll — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Ford has hit a home run in negotiations with the UAW, setting a precedent for GM and Chrysler and freeing up the cash it needs to stay out of the government bailout cookie jar.

Under the newly amended contract, Ford will now fund half of its retiree health care benefit fund using common . . . → Read More: Ford, UAW cut deal on retiree health benefits

The top five Fiats Chrysler needs now

David Moll — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Fiat’s recent offer to link up with Chrysler could be silver lining within the Carpocalypse’s clouds of doom.

Under the proposed deal, Chrysler gets its cash-starved mitts on Fiat’s la bella machinas. And Fiat grabs a minority stake in Chrysler and dibs on Chrysler’s distributors and dealerships.

We would get a heaping helping of . . . → Read More: The top five Fiats Chrysler needs now

Brabus builds a brazen, ballistic G-Wagen

David Moll — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:52:00 +0000

The Gelandewagen has a long history as a world-conquering off-roader. Now in its 30th year of production, the two ton Benz-built bruiser has conquered the Sahara, straddled the Alps and set dozens of records for going places lesser trucks could not.

But now Brabus has written another record for the G-Wagen: the most powerful . . . → Read More: Brabus builds a brazen, ballistic G-Wagen

Geneva Preview: 2011 Fisker Karma

David Moll — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:39:00 +0000

Mere weeks after stealing the spotlight at the Detroit Motor Show with the voluptuous Karma S convertible, Henrik Fisker and his eponymous carrosserie have announced pricing and specs for the Fisker Karma hybrid luxury sedan, due to hit the road in early 2011.

Under the skin, the Fisker Karma uses a gas-electric drivetrain, . . . → Read More: Geneva Preview: 2011 Fisker Karma

Nissan Cube Krom – Pics, Specs & Prices

David Moll — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:36:00 +0000

Hoping to build on the same Gen-Y mojo that made the Scion xB a sales smash, Nissan has priced the 2009 Cube to move.

Starting this May, $13,990 will get you a Cube 1.8 with a 5-speed manual. With 122 horsepower, the Cube’s 1.8 liter DOHC inline four-cylinder won’t pin you to the . . . → Read More: Nissan Cube Krom – Pics, Specs & Prices

2010 Genesis Coupe priced below $23K

David Moll — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:40:00 +0000

While the svelte Korean coupe will make its official debut a few days from now at the Chicago Motor Show, Hyundai has released full price details for US-bound models.

The base model is powered by a 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder coupes will . . . → Read More: 2010 Genesis Coupe priced below $23K

Leaked: 2010 Mustang pics & specs

David Moll — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:55:00 +0000

The cat.. or rather… the colt is out of the bag on this one.

We were hours away from the new Mustang’s official debut at the LA Auto Show, but thanks to a bit of file mismanagement on Ford’s side, the dam has burst. Since everyone else is doing it, here’s the scoop . . . → Read More: Leaked: 2010 Mustang pics & specs

GM to DC: Loan $25B now or lose $150B later

David Moll — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:05:00 +0000

If General Motors fails, nearly three million jobs could be lost in 2009 as part of a cascading collapse of suppliers, shipping companies and ultimately dealers. So argues General Motors in a video released as the embattled automaker campaigns for immediate federal aid in the wake of a cash-flow crisis.

Released on Sunday, GM’s . . . → Read More: GM to DC: Loan $25B now or lose $150B later

The cars of Quantum of Solace

David Moll — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:45:00 +0000

Confession time: In addition to being a car nut, I’m an ardent fan of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007.

And so tonight, as the first US screenings of Quantum of Solace get underway, we have a feature on the cars appearing in the latest Bond film.

Daniel Craig returns to his role as the . . . → Read More: The cars of Quantum of Solace

LA Preview: 2010 Bentley Azure T

David Moll — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:21:00 +0000

Life is often divided into questions of nuance. No matter the subject, clear cut answers are hard to come by. For instance, when is enough enough? When does indulgence become decadence?

Bentley, an automaker well acquainted with indulgence, will release their newest convertible at the LA Auto . . . → Read More: LA Preview: 2010 Bentley Azure T