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At some point after 6:00 PM last night, our street was loaded up with NO PARKING signs for today, starting at 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM so that it could be repaved. At 8:30, the landlady called to tell us that the police were towing vehicles off the street.

I threw on some clothes, ran out and took my truck just as the police were towing away the vehicle parked in front of me. Those thieving bastards are in no way going to get money from me for towing a vehicle!

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Anyone who really knows me knows that I am not a fan of Ford cars and trucks. In fact, they know that I would rather drive a rusted out, broken down anything than drive a Ford vehicle. And that the thought of owning another Ford (having owned a few real clunkers in my lifetime) would practically put me into seizures.

However, with the new 2010 Ford Taurus coming in July, I may actually find myself standing in the local Ford showroom ready to test drive one of these new beauties, and possibly even make a deal for one!

That is quite a statement from me, but this is quite possibly the best looking Ford I have ever seen… EVER!

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Earlier today, Chrysler and General Motor released their Viability Plans for the US Treasury. These plans are to show that the companies can become profitable again, provided this huge-assed recession we are in doesn’t become a full blown depression, as it looks to do.

But the plans themselves are not the interesting bits of news. It’s what’s hidden inside of them.

Inside the GM paperwork (available here as a pdf) is a picture of what looks to be a production version of the Cadillac CTS Coupe. It’s on page 65, and it squashes the rumor that the coupe GM had cancelled plans for the coupe. It’s still possible, but as their telling the US Government that they are going to build it inorder to get more money, chances are they will actually build it.

Over at Chrysler, in their plan (available here as a pdf), two vehicles were definitely shown for the first time – and there was no hint that these would be coming so soon! The 2010 Chrysler 300 sedan (on page 133) is a slightly restyled car from it’s current look. The front end is a bit smoother. But the interior is all-new.

On Page 131 is the new 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, again a slightly redesigned version of the current with an all-new interior.

But the most interesting thing that Chrysler showed in their plans was (to me, at least) on page 113. On this page, Chrysler is showing how Fiat and themselves cross-over in some categories of vehicles. This, by itself, isn’t all that interesting. But, they show pictures of the cars from Fiat that are in the segments, most of which is the same picture of a covered vehicle. But there are three that are not covered – the Fiat 500, the Fiat Punto and the Alfa Romeo Mito.

Did Chrysler just confirm that these three cars would be coming to the United States once the alliance agreement is signed off on? Does that mean that one day soon, I will be able to go to a local dealer and get my hands on a new Alfa Romeo? Or Even a new Fiat?

If this is the case, all I can say is – FINALLY!!

I have wanted an Alfa since they left the US over 20 years ago, and now it looks like I might actually be able to get one. And I don’t care if it’s the Mito. It may be small, but it’s one hot ass car! Just look at the photo!

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I’m already drooling in anticipation of being able to get my hands on one of these!

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I’ve been keeping an eye on Autoblog all day, reading their coverage of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

And of all the cars that were introduced today, 5 of them caught my eye in a very big way. These are 5 very significant vehicle introductions, all of them coming out in the next 9 months, and ready for purchase by those people ready for a new car.

I am going to start with my least favorite of the five, and move on through the list to my favorite of the five.

#5: 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY (Autoblog’s post / gallery)

The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in the United States, so when Toyota redesigns this model, it’s very big news. However, Toyota is really playing it safe with this new model, as it looks pretty much the same as the current model.

There is a changed front end, bringing into the same design style as the new Prius, and a new rear-end design, but for the most part this is the same boring Camry you will currently find on your local Toyota dealers lot.

#4: 2010 CADILLAC SRX (Autoblog’s post / gallery)

Unlike the Camry, the new SRX is a completely new vehicle, with a completely new interpretation of Cadillac’s Art and Science design scheme.

The new SRX is much smaller than the model it replaces, and is designed to compete with the likes of the Lexus RX and Acura MDX.

It’s a nice looking vehicle, but the problem I have with it is that there is just something about the vehicle I cannot put my finger on that just doesn’t sit well with me. Once I see it in person, I might figure it out.

And while it has all of the typical Cadillac design elements, there’s just something un-Cadillac about the vehicle.

#3: 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX (Autoblog’s post / gallery)

The current Equinox is a decent little people-mover, but it’s kind of bland. The 2010 model, however, is a stylish piece of art by comparison. The new design is sharp, and incorporates Chevrolet’s new familial grille design that first came to light on the current Malibu.

And while it is the same size as the current Equinox, the new model actually looks much larger in pictures that the current model.

I really cannot wait to see this vehicle in the showroom, and see how well it compares to it’s competition.

#2: 2010 FORD TAURUS (Autoblog’s post / gallery)

In 1986, Ford introduced a car that would quickly become the best-selling car in the United States: the Taurus. Is was a revolutionary design for the time, being extremely round and aerodynamic, something the other cars in it’s class weren’t.

in 2006, Ford cancelled the Taurus because it just wasn’t selling as well as it once had. In it’s place, they offered the Five Hundred, a rather plain looking sedan with nothing to make it stand out among other cars. Then they lightly changed the style of the Five Hundred and brought back the Taurus name, but sales were still dismal.

Now, for 2010, the Taurus gets an all new look that is gorgeous, to say the least.

And as much as I hate Fords, I am more than willing to test drive this car when the time comes for me to trade in my Toyota. It is just THAT good looking! Design-wise, Ford had hit the ball out of the park.

Let’s hope the rest of America feels the same way and makes the new Taurus the best-selling car once again.

Finally:

#1: 2010 BUICK LACROSSE (Autoblog’s post / gallery)

This is by far the most significant introduction at the show, period!

This is most beautiful car Buick has produced in many years, and while I will be more than willing to test drive the Taurus, I just have this feeling that I will end up buying the LaCrosse!

The design makes the car look as if it could easily be found on a Lexus dealer lot, or even an Acura lot. The design is just that precise.

But the most interesting thing about this car is the body line that runs from the front to back which evokes the old boat-tail Riviera of the ‘70s. It’s a little piece of retro design that completely works on this very modern and luxurious design.

 

So, there you have it. The five most significant cars introduced in Detroit this year.

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I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the trials and tribulations of the American Automobile Industry lately, and I think I have a way for GM to get back on track, start making money again, and increase their sales.

The first step is to realign their brands. Right now, Chevrolet and Pontiac pretty much sell the same cars and are after the same group of people. This needs to change.

Chevrolet needs to drop the Corvette and Camaro (Will explain about that in a bit) and focus it’s energies on being the entry-level family car maker and focus on competing with Honda and Toyota in terms of design and quality levels.

Nothing Chevrolet builds should be more than 12 inches longer than what Honda and Toyota produce, thereby keeping them in the same league size-wise.

Chevy’s Truck division should remain as is, because a truck is a truck.

The Corvette needs to be spun-off into it’s own brand. Current Chevy dealers will need to qualify in order to continue selling the Corvette under a new dealership agreement for the Corvette brand. The qualifications include but are not limited to:

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