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by PodTechDuring the last several years, new advancements in safety, fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and technology have transformed the automotive industry and the vehicles we drive. Each week, join PodTech's Matt Kelly for in-depth conversations with the leaders and innovators helping transform this landscape, as they discuss the technologies the're developing to wean Americans off foreign oil, reduce pollution, help slow global warming, and develop vehicles and roadways that are safer for drivers and passengers. PodTech Los Angeles bureau chief Matt Kelly has been an auto buff since the age of 4, starting when he backed the family car out of the driveway into oncoming traffic, to his parents surprise and dismay. An avid antique and classic car enthusiast and a member of the Miata Club of Southern California, Matt currently lives in Hollywood, where he has a large Matchbox and Hot Wheels collection. For story tips, contact Matt Kelly at mattk@podtech.net
Recent podcasts
Opel Astra Coming to America
28/09/2007
The second-best selling car in Europe (only behind the VW Golf [1]), the Opel Astra [2], is coming to America under the Saturn [3] brand. The vehicle is expected to arrive on American shores in early 2008, and get this, for around $15k! Fully loaded, you can expect it to retail closer to $20k, but for that price I was amazed at what you get. (Especially when you consider the smart [4] Fortwo [5] will arrive at about the same time and at the smae price.) I saw this car in Chicago [6] where I spoke with Jill Lajdziak about the vehicle. Of course, they hadn't announced the price at that time, and I wasn't able to take it for a test drive. However, during the Frankfurt Auto Show [7], we got a chance to get behind the wheel on the Opel test track and I was able to get the car to about 220kph or 130mph. What fun! Sadly though, I wasn't able to get a camera in the vehicle because of legal issues, but Chris and Ponzi Pirillo [8] mounted one inside for their test drive. You can watch their video here [9]. [1] http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new_cars/golf [2] http://www.opel.com/flash.html [3] http://www.saturn.com/saturn/SaturnIndex.jsp [4] http://www.smartusa.com/ [5] http://www.nextgearshow.com/1670/smart-car-for-two-or-more [6] http://www.nextgearshow.com/1684/introducing-the-saturn-astra [7] http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0%26L=1 [8] http://www.pirillo.com/ [9] http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/09/13/hot-women-drive-fast-cars/
Conversations with Bob Lutz, GM's Vice Chairman
27/09/2007
Last week, I sat down with a group of bloggers including Brandy Schaffels of AutomotiveTraveler.com [1] %26 AskPatty.com [2], C. Scott Miller of BIOConversion Blog [3], Donna Schwartz Mills of SoCal Mom [4], John O'Dell of Edmunds.com [5], Mark Durham of Autopia [6], Kristin Underwood of Treehugger [7] and Laura Burstein [8] of CNet %26 ForbesAuto for a dinner with GM's Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz [9]. The conversation was lively and covered several topics. [1] http://www.automotivetraveler.com/ [2] http://www.askpatty.com/ [3] http://bioconversion.blogspot.com/ [4] http://www.socalmom.net/ [5] http://www.edmunds.com/ [6] http://blog.wired.com/cars/ [7] http://www.treehugger.com/ [8] http://www.lauraburstein.com/ [9] http://www.podtech.net/home/2689/bob-lutz-speaks
Hot Chicks Sell Cars
25/09/2007
Proving the old adage that hot chicks sell cars, I had to catch the show at the Opel Agila [1] stand during the Frankfurt Auto Show [2]. These beautiful women all proved the point quite well... gorgeous babes get the attention of guys at these shows. In the case of Opel Agila [3], I think it worked. What do you think? [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Agila [2] http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0%26L=1 [3] http://www.europe.opel.com/brand_sites/agila/uk/en/4_0_versatility/index.html
GM Europe at the Frankfurt Auto Show
20/09/2007
During the Frankfurt Auto Show [1], GM Europe [2]'s (or GME) presentation introduced the new Opel Flextreme [3], the new Opel Agila [4], the new Cadillac BLS wagon [5] and more, which highlighted GM's global strategy for reducing CO2 in the short term and new propulsion platforms in the long term. [1] http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0%26L=1 [2] http://www.gmeurope.com/ [3] http://www.opel.com/ [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Agila [5] http://www.cadillaceurope.com/index.aspx?ChapterID=7925%26FilterID=2093%26ContentID=21160
GME Unveils Opel Flextreme
19/09/2007
During the Frankfurt Auto Show [1] in Frankfurt, Germany, we had the chance to be on-hand for the unveiling of GM Europe's Opel Flextreme [2] hybrid concept, the European version of the Chevy Volt [3]. The concept uses the monocab design popular in Europe and comes with a loading bay perfect for two Segways [4]. The series hybrid electric vehicle can be plugged in and charged to yield a 40-mile range and uses a 1.3L four cylinder diesel motor to charge the lithium ion battery pack. [1] http://www.iaa.de/index.php?id=home0%26L=1 [2] http://www.opel.com/ [3] http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/ [4] http://www.segway.com/
