The end has come. GM to wind down Saab operations.

After failed talks between Koenigsegg and now Spyker, General Motors has announced today that the Saab brand is no more. GM will begin immediately to wind down operations of the 62 year old Swedish auto manufacturer. It truly is a shame that a deal couldn't happen between either of the interested parties. But alas there just isn't a place for Saab in the New GM.Official Statement from GM.  Saab Sale Cannot Be ConcludedBrand to be Wound Down2009-12-18 ...

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A Very Unlikely License Plate Pairing - License Plates - Jalopnik

A Very Unlikely License Plate Pairing - License Plates - Jalop...

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We're on Facebook!

Finally, we're on Facebook. Simply click the link below or click on the box in the right hand column and you'll be following Autobahn Automotive News on Facebook.Autobahn Automotive News Facebook p...

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010 — Autoblog

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010 — Autob...

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The Beatles Official Widget

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In our garage: 2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt

A new test car magically showed up in our garage. This suave looking guy in a tweed jacket and blue turtleneck tossed us the keys to his green mustang and asked us to keep an eye on it. He said he had to go take care of some baddies in a black Dodge Charger.So in case you missed our reference to the 1968 movie Bullitt staring the king of cool Steve McQueen. We're fortunate enough to have landed one of the absolute LAST 2009 Bullitt edition Mustang...

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As official as it is going to get. General Motors files for bankruptcy

We're experiencing history folks. General Motors, the largest auto manufacturer and one of the worlds largest corporations has officially filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court.We are awaiting a press conference from President Barak Obama regarding GM, and we will bring updates as they become available.We do know that Chairman Fritz Henderson WILL continue to lead GM through bankruptcy. The fate of Saturn, Hummer and Saab is still up in the air at this point. Going through bankruptcy, GM will carry Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick,...

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General Motors to declare bankruptcy tomorrow

Tomorrow will be a truly sad day for the automobile industry. General Motors, the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, bankrupt. It just doesn't make sense saying it, even though we've been talking about it for months now.General Motors was once THE company to watch in the industry. You could have said, what General Motors wants is what America wants. Unfortunately that isn't the case any more. Poor management decissions and the inability to keep up with market trends led to yearly losses in the billions of dollars. Couple that with legacy...

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Chrysler names C. Robert Kidder as Chairman of Chrysler LLC

Bob "The Builder" Nardelli will be stepping down from his post as Chairman of Chrysler LLC when a new leaner Chrysler emerges. We won't be too critical of Mr. Nardelli in the fact that he really didn't grow Chrysler all that much, as that would take an entire blog all to itself. Rather we'll focus on the new Chairman of Chrysler LLC, C. Robert Kidder formerly of the Borden Chemical Inc. and Duracell Batteries. Mr. Kidder has a very impressive resume...

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NADA responds to GM dealer announcement

The National Automobile Dealers Association won't go quietly into the night. They are continuing to fight for the Chrysler dealers who were cut yesterday, and the announcement earlier regarding General Motors announment with the reduction of some 1100 GM dealers by the end of 2010.Source: NADAWASHINGTON (May 15, 2009) -- General Motors’ plans to cut its dealer network are drastic and far-reaching and will impact more than 63,000 dealership employees and thousands of their sales and service customers.We view GM’s action with a profound sense of...

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GM dealer network update

General Motors is going a different route than Chrysler LLC in regards to their dealer network. Rather than just say adios, you're done. GM is electing to not renew sales and service agreements with 1100 dealers when they come available for renewal in the 4th quarter of 2010.Dealers targeted were stores that have poor annual sales 35 units or less per year. That makes up 400-500 of the dealers. The rest are not meeting their required sales and service performance, CSI, etc. that are performing below average. These 1100 dealers make up 7% of GMs...

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GM to cut 1100 dealers today

Following in the steps of Chrysler LLC yesterday, General Motors is planning to announce the closure of 1100 GM dealerships this afternoon. A press conference call is scheduled for 12 noon. We will update you with further details as they become available....

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NADA responds to Chrysler's dealer announcement

As the U.S. dealer network continues to take in the loss of 789 Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep dealerships. The National Automobile Dealers Association weighs in on the truth of the matter.Source: NADAToday’s announcement by Chrysler that it is rejecting 789 of its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers marks a very sad day in retail automotive history.These dealers and their more than 40,000 employees have done nothing but proudly represent the Chrysler brand through good times and bad, and today find themselves left behind as the company reorganizes itself...

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Chrysler to close 789 dealers.

In compliance with bankruptcy protocol, Chrysler LLC is exercising the option to close 789 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep dealers across the United States. This is just one of the many steps being taken to return Chrysler to profitability when they emerge from bankruptcy proceedings and the new aliance with Fiat.44% of the dealers affected have dual brands, meaning Chysler & Dodge, Dodge & Chevrolet etc. So some dealers will only loose one brand. But one of the key alignments is to align the dealers with the expected annual sales numbers of...

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Coming 2010. Fiat 500!

An anonymous source speaking to Automotive News has said that with the recent announcements on partnering with Chrysler. That Fiat will begin importing the Fiat 500, along with the new Alfa Rome 940 as early as next year. And as an added bonus setting up production in the United States shortly there after in 2011.I drove a 500 while on vacation in Italy and fell in love with. Hopefulyl we'll get the Abarth tuned versions too. Source: Automotive...

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The New Beetle Donk. What not to do with your new VW

This one just came across our desk tonight.Here we have a 2007 New Beeetle Tripple White convertible. Since the car wasn't white enough. The owner decided a set of 22 inch wheels were in order. Here you have folks. The worlds first Donk New Beetle. I for one can't imagine this car riding good, turning good, or stopping good with the stock brakes. But I bet it goes great in a straight li...

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Super Bowl 43 Ad Watch: Audi A6: The Getaway

Audi was in prime form at this years Super Bowl with the highly anticipated Getaway commercial. The ad features everything you could want from a car ad. Chases, cool cars, baddies, and of course premier wheelman Jason Statham.We start off in the mid 70s trying to get away in a plenty powerful Mercedes 6.3, only to end up blasted by a dumpester and a Lincoln Towncar. Jump to Miami Vice style 1980s with a bright red BMW 5 series and a black Bandit Trans Am, and a Mouse is loose billboard. Thankfully Audi left the 90s well enough alone with a Lexus...

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Here's your sign. Hillbillies ravage Lambo wreck

In a story worthy of a Bill Engvall skit comes news of a most peculiar car crash. A North Carolia man lost control of his Lamborghini Murcielago wearing the plate "ITS YELLO" In case you're color blind.Enter the hillbillies. Since a Lamborghini is a rare sighting in NC, Chuck Maner and Chad Blackwelder. They thought they were on to something by picking up the pieces of the wrecked Italian lady after she was towed off to the junkyard. I wouldn't be...

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Limo One version 9.0

Just as Air Force One serves as the President of the United Sates transportation from Washington D.C. to anywhere in the world. Limo One serves as his ground transport to and from Air Force One. On Tuesday, the world will be watching as Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. President Elect Obama will ride to the U.S. Capital in an entirely new Presidential Limousine. Meet the 2009 Cadillac DTS Presidential...

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In the garage: 2009 Scion xB

We have a new test vehicle to report on for 2009. Introducing the 2009 Scion xB. We recently picked up our new tester and have been pleasantly surprised with it so far. Our xB is a black sand pearl model that is pretty much standard by way of options. Really, it is standard. No optional equipment what so ever. Not that it's a bad thing. What we did get is A/C a 160 watt Pioneer stereo with iPod and MP3 jacks, standard disc brakes w/ ABS, and just...

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