AutoWeek Daily Drive — Monday, July 6, 2009

HOME   |   CAR NEWS   |   CAR REVIEWS   |   RACING   |   AUTOSHOWS   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   MARKETPLACE Monday, July 06, 2009 This is not a test: Nissan has big plans for electric vehicles.... Nissan makes a big bet there's a mass market for EVs Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn is spending big money to make electric vehicles in high volumes--and soon. On Aug. 2, Ghosn will unveil the first of three electric models in three vehicle segments that he plans to sell by 2013. The vehicles will be made in the United States, Japan and Europe. "We have a different strategy from other car manufacturers," Ghosn says. "We are the only ones ...   Smart's $99 lease deal has big balloon payment at end Hoping to benefit from the federal cash-for-guzzlers program, Smart USA has set up a $99 monthly payment for buyers who use their $4,500 rebate. But there's a catch--and a hefty balloon payment disclosed only as a note to an asterisk in Smart's press information announcing the offer. The Smart...   Nismo adds fun to the Nissan 370Z Badges, we don't need to see no badges to separate Nissan's Nismo 370Z from its cult-car predecessor or a stock 370Z. Just toss it into turn two at Willow Springs International Raceway, and the difference--along with the tail--will quickly come forward. During our walk-around tour of the 2009...   Changes will be for the better Farley's First Principle of Everything is that the last 10 percent of any job takes 90 percent of the work. That's "last" as in the portion required to achieve satisfaction, not in the chronological sense. Take, for example, painting: Ninety percent of the energy, sweat and time comes in the...   Qvale, nearing 90, sees life after crash for U.S. industry The troubles roiling Detroit's automakers are familiar to Kjell Qvale, the legendary importer and dealer in San Francisco. Qvale, who turns 90 on July 17, has seen this movie before. For instance, many of the British automakers that Kjell Qvale (shel kah-VAH'-lee) depended on for sports...   Brack, Foust, Deegan to drive Fiestas at X Games Drivers Kenny Brack, Tanner Foust and Brian Deegan will drive rally-prepared Ford Fiestas in competition at X Games 15 in Los Angeles in late July. The Fiestas will be fielded by Sweden's Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution. That is the same group that is bringing rally-prepped Fiestas to Colorado's... You May Have Missed...   Wilson gives underdog Coyne team first-ever IndyCar win Justin Wilson slayed a pair of “Goliaths” on Sunday at Watkins Glen International, giving the most “David” of the sport, Dale Coyne Racing, its first IndyCar Series win after 25 years. Coyne never won a race as a driver and had not won as an owner despite second-place...   Stewart extends points lead in controversial Daytona finish Tony Stewart and leader Kyle Busch collided on their way to the checkered flag in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. When the smoke cleared and people stopped wrecking behind them, Stewart won and Busch was a frustrated 14th. It was Stewart's second win this year, the ...   Angelelli holds off Gurney to win Grand-Am race at Daytona For the second straight year, Alex Gurney lost a heartbreaker in the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Max Angelelli held off a last-lap charge to win by 0.270 second--the fifth-closest finish in Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series history. Angelelli, who also won this event in...   Luxury ride brings back memories of a once-in-a-lifetime cruise I come by this driving a motor coach honestly. It was 1979 and I had just gotten out of college early when a call came from then little-known American race driver Danny Sullivan. He was going into the Can-Am series and the team, Garvin Brown Racing, had just bought a motor home for trackside... CLICK HERE TO UNSUBSCRIBE from the AutoWeek Daily Drive E-mail or to sign up for other AutoWeek e-mail products. IMPORTANT: Please add AutoWeek.com to your E-mail Address Book to ensure you will continue to receive our newsletters. Please DO NOT reply to this e-mail. You will not receive a reply if you use this e-mail address. Crain Communications, 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207.