President's limo built to custom specifications
President Obama's limousine "incorporates the dramatic design and technology features of highly acclaimed Cadillac vehicles in a purpose-built format tailored to exacting specifications," reports Motor Matters at its website. The vehicle includes the dual-textured grille made famous by Caddy's CTS and Escalade models. For functional reasons, such as optimal outward visibility, the car is slightly more upright than its predecessor. Security provisions were undertaken during the development of the vehicle to ensure the Cadillac's functional capabilities were preserved.
Some good news for Ford
Led by the new, award-winning Fiesta, Ford of Europe in 2008 became that continent's second best-selling vehicle brand, Motor Matters reports. Ford increased its market share in 15 of its main 19 European markets. Fiesta got off to a strong start. Two months after going on sale in late 2008, more than 61,000 new Fiestas have been sold, making it the second best-selling Ford car behind the Focus. The Fiesta is not yet available in North America.
Cash for clunkers
Congress is mulling a proposal to pay people to get rid of old gas guzzlers sitting in their driveways, the Associated Press reports. Called "Cash for Clunkers," drivers could get vouchers of up to $4,500 when they turn in their old fuel-inefficient vehicles for scrapping and buy vehicles that get good gas mileage. The program encourages the retirement of up to 1 million vehicles a year, saving between 40,000 and 80,000 barrels of motor fuel a day by the end of the fourth year.
