A gas tax is about more than putting liquid into your tank and subtracting a higher amount from your bank account. A gas tax is -- just like CAFE and hybrids and $25 billion set aside to finance fuel efficient technologies -- about reworking and redefining our entire system of private transportation. And since that system is most certainly going to redefined, it is no surprise that the National Commission on Surface transmission Infrastructure Financing has recommended a jump in the federal fuel tax.

Congress created the commission to search into the federal taxes on fuel -- currently 18.4 cents for gas and 24 cents for diesel -- and the commission came back with the same results as everyone else: people are driving less, and driving more fuel efficient cars, and that has killed revenue for transportation infrastructure. One member of the commission said, "I'm not excited about a gas tax increase, but the reality is our current gas tax doesn't pay for upkeep of the system we have now. We can either let the roads go to hell or we can pay more." If the roads go to hell, though, guess what? We're going to pay more, but that money resolution go to service departments and auto parts stores.

The proposed solution is to make the gasoline fuel tax 24.4 cents, and the diesel tax between 36 and 39 cents. That would begin to make up for the $105 billion difference between actual revenues and the currency needed to upkeep our roads and highways. It is conceivable that a higher gas tax could also encourage people to buy those high-mileage vehicles the government keeps commanding Detroit to make. But before that happens, it will probably just make a lot of people anguished and angry.

[Source: CNBC]

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Two days after General Motors got its first installment of cash from the Treasury Department, Chrysler also closed on its loan. On Friday, Chrysler received a transfer of $4 billion to help tide it over while management tries to find a way to right the ship. CEO Bob Nardelli acknowledged the complex arrangements that had to be made with privately owned Chrysler. It's not known at this quirk exactly what arrangements were made as far as collateral and what the government would get from Cerberus in the event of a default by Chrysler. No doubt the comments will be heated on the Chrysler Blog.

[Source: Chrysler]

Statement Re Federal Assistance Received

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 2, 2009 - Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli said on behalf of the leadership team, that he was pleased to report that the Company's discussions with the Treasury Department have been completed, and that today, Chrysler received an initial $4 billion loan to help bridge the current financial crisis.

"We recognize the magnitude of the effort by the Treasury Department to complete the multiple financial arrangements and appreciate their confidence in Chrysler. We would likely to thank the many constituents whoworked with us to engage the loan requirements. This initial loan will allow the Company to continue an orderly restructuring, while pursuing our vision to build the fuel-efficient, high-quality cars and trucks people want tobuy, will enjoy driving and will want to buy again."



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The Jaguar XF-R has doffed a little more of its mask, and now we can clearly see the copious amounts of blackamoor mesh that will fill in the front air dam's side vents, replacing the aluminum strips there now. Otherwise, and as usual, you'll need to know your Jags in order to tell this R apart from its lesser siblings. In addition to the interstice the mesh, the hood vents, rear deck spoiler, and quad pipes are the giveaways.

Otherwise, the car will get 20-inch wheels of a different design than the ones found on the XF Supercharged. And speaking of that other blown cat, the supercharged 5.0-liter lump that will power the XF-R will be up 80 hp up on the "regular" blown XF; in addition to a faster 0-to-60 time, we imagine in that place'll be increased seem and the fury to go along with it.

[Source: Next Autos]

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