Oh, one more thing - you can view the Carnival of Cars archive on Straightline here.
Now that we are moving, we might just make some money at our first stop, which is The Auto Prophet, who did some shopping around and found some really attractive interest rates at, guess where, GMAC.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has stirred up a hornet's nest with several proposals to encourage state residents to pluck down their dollars for EVs, according to The Truth About Cars' Edward Niedermeyer.
And while you're at TTAC, don't miss Ronnie Schreiber's excellent analysis of Kulongoski's pay-per-mile proposal. Here's the bottom line:
"People are driving less and using more fuel efficient vehicles. It’s only a matter of time before alternative propulsion vehicles like hybrids and EVs account for a significant chunk of Oregon’s registered automobiles. You’d think Kulongoski and the state’s environmentally-minded politicians would be happy. Ecstatic. But the Beaver State’s fuel taxes states pay for its transportation funding. The less diesel and gasoline drivers buy, the less tax revenue for the state. "So how do you get people to drive less AND pay more for the privilege? Tax them by the mile. That way, the state can monitor and manipulate the per mile rate to generate sufficient tax revenue to cover their green dreams– no matter how efficient the taxpayers’ personal transportation."
See, there's always more to the story than either the politicos or the environmentalists - and their sympathizers in the Mainstream Media - ever tell you on these issues.
Not sure if this is good news or bad news or for who either way, but Bush's Auto Blog reports that Kirk Kerkorian has sold all of his Ford stock.
Steve Parker, Motoring Journalist has announced his picks for Detroit's 10 Most Significant Cars for 2008 and Beyond. No surprises, but interesting analysis.
Speaking of Top 10/Best of lists, Tom Williams at The Garage Blog focuses in on the Corvette ZR1 and Caddy CVT-S as 2008's Top Two. I rather like the CVT-S at rest below. I'd like it even better with me behind the wheel and moving at triple digit velocity!
Ford announced its Active Park Assist option to be available on the 2010 Lincoln MKS and MKZ. Doug Newcomb at The Driving Woman has details and links on the hands-free parallel parking option. Ford claims its system is more advanced and requires less driver input than the unit introduced two years ago by Lexus.
Well, that should just about wrap it up for this test drive. Let us know if you have any suggestions, want to have your auto blog linked in the Carnival or added to the TBW blogroll that will soon appear. In the meantime, have a Happy New Year and don't miss that shift!
