BP logo redesign contests popping up everywhere – is this overkill?
Filed under: Etc., Green Daily
You’d have to be living in a deep, dark hole somewhere in the middle of nowhere to not have heard anything about the massive oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico. And you better not come out of your cave just yet, since not a day pass that we don’t hear about this continuing disaster. We should be hearing about this, because it’s a tragic event and British Petroleum (BP) deserves to take heat for its actions (or lack thereof) that led to the explosion and ensuing catastrophic spill. Even though BP has stepped up by admitting some guilt and has paid out millions to people affected by the damaging oil, this has not stopped several groups from attacking the company.
When environmental disaster strikes, thousands of people go on the offensive. This time around, sites such as GreenPeace and LogoMyWay have set up BP logo redesign contests to see who can design a new logo which better depicts the company’s current environmental carelessness. Though most of the designs are excellent, some go way too far. For BP, its environmental image has forever been tarnished by the spill, leading us to think that these contests are just another way to “kick ‘em while they’re down.” Follow the links below to view some of the logos and let us know what you think. Has this all gone too far or does BP deserve everything anyone can throw its way?
[Source: LogoMyWay, GreenPeace, Flickr | Image: Epkes - C.C. License 2.0]
BP logo redesign contests popping up everywhere – is this overkill? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Vauxhall/Opel Calibra to make a comeback?
Ever since Vauxhall/Opel pulled the covers off the sleek GTC Concept back in 2007, there have been rumours circulating on the Internet and the media about a production version of the study that would essentially replace the Calibra of the 1990s.
A report claims that the four seater coupe is still under consideration but if it gets the go-ahead, it could go on sale as early as 2013, which sounds believable given that the car would be a coupe version of the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia/Buick Regal.
It is said that in order for GM to start making a profit off the Calibra’s descendant, Vauxhall/Opel will need to build a minimum of 30,000 units a year, and that’s where Buick comes in…
“We would feel a lot more confident about some of these projects if Buick, Chevrolet in North and South America and Saab were sharing volumes and risk,” an unnamed GM Europe source said. Since Saab is no longer a part of GM, it’s easy to presume that this statement has been made either in the beginning of 2010 or last year…
If GM does give the go ahead for the Insignia coupe project, chances are that it will be sold Stateside. Read more…
Incoming search terms:
- pixel opel calibra
Officially Official: Ford kills Mercury to expand Lincoln lineup
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Mercury
This was bound to happen sooner or later. Over the last ten years, Mercury’s sales numbers have plummeted, and currently, the brand only accounts for 0.8 percent of Ford Motor Company’s overall market share. In a press conference this afternoon with Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, and Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of product development, the automaker has officially announced that Mercury will be discontinued in the fourth quarter of this year.
With all of the forward momentum that Ford has been experiencing over the past few years, no brand-specific models were introduced to the Mercury lineup. What’s more, the vast majority of recent Mercury purchases were made through discounts offered to retirees, friends and family. Mercury’s dealer network (coupled with the Lincoln brand) is currently in the process of being notified about Ford’s decision, and owners are reassured that existing Mercury products can still be serviced at any Ford or (newly standalone) Lincoln dealer.
But it isn’t all bad news down in Dearborn – Ford is using Mercury’s demise as a better reason to seriously beef up the Lincoln brand. Including the 2011 MKZ Hybrid and refreshed 2011 MKX, Ford is expanding the Lincoln lineup with the addition of seven all-new or wholly refreshed vehicles, including the brand’s first-ever C-segment vehicle, possibly related to the C Concept that we saw at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Furthermore, Lincoln will be offering EcoBoost powertrains across the entire lineup, including the next-generation Navigator full-size SUV. Ford is committed to making Lincoln substantially more prosperous in America, saying that the brand will house more useful features and technology than any other competitor, as well as offering the most fuel-efficient lineup of luxury vehicles.
For full details about Mercury’s demise and Lincoln’s expansion, follow the jump to read Ford’s official press release.
Volkswagen Polo Sedan (VW Vento) unveiled in Russia
Volkswagen has unveiled the 2011 Polo Sedan in
Russia . The new VW Polo Sedan is the first car to be developed specifically for Russian market, keep in mind the climate and street conditions of the country.
The new Polo Sedan is powered by a 1.6L Otto engine which produces maximum power of 105 PS and max torque of 77 kW and can be mated to a 5 speed manual transmission and 6 speed automatic gear box with sequential shift function (Tiptronic).
Incoming search terms:
- polo sedan russia vento
By the Numbers – May 2010: Memorial for Mercury Edition
Filed under: By the Numbers
Dodge explodes for 72.7-percent sales increase, domestics dominate
May 2010 was a crazy month of sales for the U.S. auto industry. Would you have expected Ford Motor Company, riding high on a string of successful monthly sales performances, to announce the death of Mercury on the same day it posts nearly a 22% rise in sales? Would you have expected the four remaining “Core” brands of General Motors to outsell all eight of the company’s brands from back in May 2009? Would you have expected the Toyota brand to still be on the outs with customers, posting just a 3.6-percent rise in sales in comparison to Ford (up 27.9 percent), Chevrolet (up 31.15 percent) and even Dodge (up 72.7 percent!)? And finally, would you have expected the Mustang to outsell the Camaro, something it hasn’t done since the Bowtie brand’s pony car arrived on the scene last year?
Check out all the numbers for yourself below in our handy dandy chart. A complete listing of our past By the Numbers charts can be found here.
| Brand | Vol. % | May – 10 | May – 09 | DSR %* | May – 10 | May – 09 |
| Dodge | 72.7 | 42,242 | 24,456 | 72.7 | 1,625 | 941 |
| Cadillac | 54.25 | 12,382 | 8,027 | 54.25 | 476 | 309 |
| Buick | 37.36 | 12,582 | 9,160 | 37.36 | 484 | 352 |
| Mazda | 35.21 | 22,605 | 16,718 | 35.21 | 869 | 643 |
| Subaru | 35.20 | 23,667 | 17,505 | 35.20 | 910 | 673 |
| Hyundai | 33 | 49,045 | 36,937 | 33 | 1,886 | 1,421 |
| Lexus | 31.28 | 22,216 | 16,922 | 31.28 | 854 | 651 |
| Chevrolet | 31.15 | 167,235 | 127,510 | 31.15 | 6,432 | 4,904 |
| Chrysler | 29.47 | 20,699 | 15,987 | 29.47 | 796 | 615 |
| Ford | 27.9 | 175,370 | 137,167 | 27.9 | 6,745 | 5,276 |
| Mercedes-Benz | 26.71 | 19,176 | 15,134 | 26.71 | 738 | 582 |
| GMC | 26.06 | 30,160 | 23,926 | 26.06 | 1,160 | 920 |
| Infiniti | 24.55 | 8,091 | 6,496 | 24.55 | 311 | 250 |
| Acura | 24.26 | 11,766 | 9,469 | 24.26 | 453 | 364 |
| Nissan | 24.07 | 75,673 | 60,993 | 24.07 | 2,911 | 2,346 |
| Audi | 22.68 | 9,205 | 7,503 | 22.68 | 354 | 289 |
| Land Rover | 21.86 | 2,709 | 2,223 | 21.86 | 104 | 86 |
| Kia | 20.61 | 31,431 | 26,060 | 20.61 | 1,209 | 1,002 |
| Volkswagen | 20.31 | 23,543 | 19,568 | 20.31 | 906 | 753 |
| Honda | 18.60 | 105,407 | 88,875 | 18.60 | 4,054 | 3,418 |
| (Hummer) | 17.92 | 1,290 | 1,094 | 17.92 | 50 | 42 |
| Ram | 11.73 | 18,930 | 16,943 | 11.73 | 728 | 652 |
| Mitsubishi | 8.847 | 4,737 | 4,352 | 8.847 | 182 | 167 |
| Jeep | 6.12 | 22,948 | 21,624 | 6.12 | 883 | 832 |
| Toyota | 3.638 | 140,597 | 135,661 | 3.638 | 5,408 | 5,218 |
| BMW | -2.850 | 17,859 | 18,383 | -2.850 | 687 | 707 |
| Porsche | -5.356 | 1,873 | 1,979 | -5.356 | 72 | 76 |
| Mini | -8.178 | 4,233 | 4,610 | -8.178 | 163 | 177 |
| Lincoln | -9.468 | 7,755 | 8,566 | -9.468 | 298 | 329 |
| Mercury | -10.69 | 9,128 | 10,221 | -10.69 | 351 | 393 |
| Volvo | -16.46 | 4,659 | 5,577 | -16.46 | 179 | 215 |
| Jaguar | -17.64 | 962 | 1,168 | -17.64 | 37 | 45 |
| Suzuki | -26.38 | 1,903 | 2,585 | -26.38 | 73 | 99 |
| Smart | -40.55 | 695 | 1,169 | -40.55 | 27 | 45 |
| Saab | -77.78 | 174 | 783 | -77.78 | 7 | 30 |
| (Pontiac) | -98.64 | 181 | 13,329 | -98.64 | 7 | 513 |
| (Saturn) | -99.43 | 46 | 8,046 | -99.43 | 2 | 309 |
| COMPANIES | ||||||
| Chrysler Group | 32.67 | 104,819 | 79,010 | 32.67 | 4,032 | 3,039 |
| GM Core | 31.84 | 222,305 | 168,623 | 31.84 | 8,550 | 6,486 |
| Nissan North America | 24.12 | 83,764 | 67,489 | 24.12 | 3,222 | 2,596 |
| Ford Motor Company | 21.90 | 196,912 | 161,531 | 21.90 | 7,574 | 6,213 |
| American Honda | 19.15 | 117,173 | 98,344 | 19.1 | 4,507 | 3,782 |
| GM | 16.65 | 223,822 | 191,875 | 16.65 | 8,609 | 7,380 |
| Jaguar Land Rover NA | 8.257 | 3,671 | 3,391 | 8.257 | 141 | 130 |
| Toyota Mo Co | 6.705 | 162,813 | 152,583 | 6.705 | 6,262 | 5,869 |
| BMW Group | -3.919 | 22,092 | 22,993 | -3.919 | 850 | 884 |
Bajaj “ExhausTEC” is now patent in china
Bajaj Auto Ltd has patented its “ExhausTEC” technology in China as well. The Chinese State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) has granted Bajaj the patent rights for its invention by Patent no. ZL 200580025898.7 dated 14 April, 2010. Bajaj has patented the technology 6 months ago in India.
The ExhausTEC technology helps to improve the low-end mileage and middle level torque in four stroke single cylinder engine through a chamber in the exhaust piper. Bajaj has incorporated this technology in its bikes – Pulsar, Avenger, Platina and Discover.
Source
Black boxes: Congress doesn’t know cars?
Save 'em for airplanes?
More harm than good?
Automobiles are safer than they have ever been, and the majority of auto-related deaths are caused by bad driving, not bad automotive engineering. Nonetheless, black boxes sound like a great idea to increase auto safety even further, but are the costs worth the rewards?
