It's called ingenuity, and it's given us such things as the cell phone and the Rolls-Royce Phantom. So why not combine the two to create a cell phone store in the back of a Rolls-Royce Phantom? That's evidently what some well-heeled entrepreneurs in India did, purchasing a Phantom instead of a brick-and-mortar storefront, painting it up, and traveling the hillsides hawking mobile phones. It got caught in this regrettable pose - with rocks bracing its tires, because after getting a flat tire, the provincial tire shop had no idea how to fix it. But back to the ingenuity, mad props to the folks who came up with this: more attention-getting than Aishyarwa Rai, more convenient than Domino's Pizza, and to a greater degree comfortable than... a real store. The world is an amazing place, no?

[Source: NFS Cars]

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It's the same old story, people say one thing, yet do another. The price of fuel has fallen to the point that it's no longer financially ruinous to fill the cistern on a full-size pickup, so looks like truck sales will eclipse cars in December. Despite the public's rhetoric about smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles, the populous has seemingly gone back for any other feed at the truck trough. Winter tends to remind people of the things that SUVs and trucks are good for, like plowing and effortless going in inclement conditions though also carrying a passel of rugrats and their associated detritus. Not only are truck sales expected to be up, Hybrids will be the flip side of the trend, underperforming compared to what everyone might have thought a mere four months ago. It might end well for the automakers, with higher profit trucks bouncing back, though the investment in not dry and hybrid technology will fashion wasted if the marketplace ignores it, a real danger with fuel prices easing... for the time being. Hat tip to reader "Throwback"

[Source: CNN, Photo: yammeringmagpie]




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Fiat’s 500 range will soon grow to include a convertible model, and it looks as though a small crossover will also join the lineup. The new 500 model will be closer related to a wagon rather than an all-out SUV, but will feature an all-wheel drive arrangement.

Tentatively dubbed the Giardinetta, the new 500 model will be aimed at MINI’s newest Clubman model. Although the Giardinetta will likely be a bit smaller than the Clubman, it should be close enough in size to cause a second thought from MINI buyers.

The new 500 model will borrow its four-wheel drive connected view from the Fiat Panda, which rides on the like platform as the 500. No word on what powertains will be offered.

Fiat has yet to confirm the project, but according to Automobilwoche, the Giardinetta has been given the green light.

Fiat eventually plans to sell the 500 in the U.S., so –given that actually happens – the larger original has a strong chance of making it to our shores. Final production figures are far from official, but tell has it Fiat is planning to sell about 32,000 examples per year.

Source: www.leftlanenews.com