TAG: car

Check out this year’s (business) models! January 12th, 2009
At this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit., one of the buzz stories is not about an automobile modPalo Alto company Better Place is creating a new approach to powering the electric car by stepping outside the traditional automobile business model.
Better Place positions the electric car battery as an element of infrastructure rather than as part the car itself. This move diffuses $8K-$9K of financial impact borne by the consumer in the traditional business model where the battery is part of the upfront cost of the car.
It’s a great example of tackling a tough problem–maybe in this case, “”how can we build a better battery”–by reframing it and creating an even better problem statement: “How can we make electric cars accessible to and functional for more people.”
Related Posts:Shah Agassi’s Better PlaceRage With The Machine
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Teen who hacked iPhone trades gadget for new car

The teenage hacker who found a way to unlock the iPhone so that the device would not be restricted to use solely on AT&T Inc.'s cellular networks will be trading his reworked gadget for a new car. [via The Associated Press]
George Hotz, of Glen Rock, N.J., said he had reached the deal with CertiCell, a Louisville, Ky.-based mobile phone repair company.

Fun To Drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Miata is a true sports car at a reasonable price. With quick, precise steering, a crisp-shifting manual transmission, and balanced handling, it virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in our test scoring, but it costs about half the price. This roadster is available with a power-operated hard top or a manual top that can be raised and lowered from the driver's seat using one hand.

Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Avalanche

This full-sized crew cab is one of the most versatile and comfortable pickups we've tested. Its unified bed and cab helps give it a solid feel and a comfortable, quiet ride. Its innovative partition, between the cab and the bed, can be folded to allow longer cargo to extend into the back of the cab. A lockable, waterproof, three-piece bed cover protects cargo from the elements and prying eyes. If you need a tough work truck with a larger bed, consider the Ford F-150, which was considerably improved for 2009.

Mazda MX-5 "Miata" Celebrates 20th Anniversary

1995 Mazda Miata M Speedster
At this year's Chicago Auto Show, Mazda took the wraps off the 2009 MX-5 "Miata" roadster. As luck would have it, the first Miata made its world debut in the Windy City some 20 years ago. It was an immediate hit. To celebrate the MX-5's anniversary, Mazda decided to take visitors down memory lane by displaying a few of the most noteworthy "Miata" models. Here are the highlights. View Slideshow

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