01/30/12 ~ Connect your brand

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

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A Strong Supporting Cast

THE collector car community left its annual week of auction extravaganzas here with much to think about.

After some uncertain years, have the value fluctuations caused by worldwide economic turmoil ended? Are the record-breaking sale prices limited to the finest and rarest vehicles, or will more common offerings also benefit from the rising tide?.

A total of 2,143 vehicles were auctioned at six events here, with total sales of at least $182 million, according toHagerty.com, which tracks auction results for its collector-car price guide. One indicator — subject to the influence of available cars, to be sure — was the average sale price: $84,985, a healthy $17,142 higher than last year.

By genre, particularly strong sales were attained among European sports and racing cars like mid-1950s Mercedes-Benz Gullwings; rare classics like a Tucker Torpedo and a one-of-five 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow; and vehicles with celebrity provenance, like a 1932 Packard Twin Six roadster once owned by Clark Gable.

But over all there was strength, relative to recent years, from the top of the price ladder to the bottom rung.

“Our totals were only a couple million off from 2007,” Craig Jackson, chief executive of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, said in an interview, referring to the peak year before the economy went into a tailspin. “It’s coming back.”

Barrett-Jackson’s six-day event, the largest of the annual January auctions in the Phoenix area, accounted for more than half of the vehicles that changed hands during the week, with total sales of more than $90 million.

Barrett-Jackson’s top sale was a 1948 Tucker Torpedo that brought a surprising $2.9 million. The previous record for a Tucker was $1.1 million at Monterey, Calif., in 2010.

The marquee sale of the week, however, was by Gooding & Company, which sold a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing — one of just 29 produced with an aluminum body — for $4.62 million, a record for that type of vehicle.

“It was aggressively estimated before the sale at $2.5 to $3 million,” the president of the auction house, David Gooding, said in an interview. “Eyebrows were raised at that amount. But the sale absolutely soared past that. We had no idea it would do that well.”

What might such a sale mean for the collector car market as a whole?

“It is a strong but discerning market,” Mr. Gooding said. “It’s very, very strong for the best of the best. But average cars didn’t set the world on fire.”

He added: “There is incredible strength for luxury brands from Europe, sports and racing cars especially, more post-World War II than prewar. Those vehicles are seeing very strong, high demand.”

Even so, six auctions in town during the week may be one or two too many. Bonhams joined the party this year with a one-day event, while at auctions conducted by RM, Russo & Steele and Silver there was a drop from 2011 both in the number of cars consigned and in gross proceeds.

“I do see the scene as a bit diluted around the edges,” Mr. Gooding said.

Even Gooding’s catalog offered some vehicles a bit out of its usual range. These included a 1953 Simplex motorcycle and a garish 1948 Chrysler Town & Country convertible once owned by the actor Leo Carrillo of the “Cisco Kid” TV series, that had a Texas longhorn head mounted on the hood. The longhorn’s eyes even lit up, blinking left or right to signal turns. “Such a unique vehicle,” the auctioneer, Charlie Ross, said with understatement.

At RM, notable deals included the $781,000 paid for a 1991 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta bought new by Lee A. Iacocca, the onetime Chrysler chairman, and the $990,000 sale of a 1959 BMW 507 roadster — one of only 251 built.

Barrett-Jackson, long considered a specialist in 1950s and ’60s American sports and muscle cars, extended its reach in the other direction. The company’s seven-figure sales — nine in all — included prewar classics from Daimler, Duesenberg and Isotta Fraschini.

Cure for a Terminal Condition

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By SCOTT STURGIS

Published: January 27, 2012

FORDS with transmission leaks and Mitsubishi transmissions stuck in the Park position are among the mechanical ailments covered in the latest technical service bulletins.

Mitsubishi Motor

2007 Mitsubishi Outlander

General Motors

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Toyota Motor Sales

2011 Toyota Sienna

The bulletins, compiled byalldatapro.com, offer automakers’ insights into some recurring problems with various models. The bulletins, known as T.S.B.’s, are not recalls; they are information provided by manufacturers to dealers’ service departments and mechanics.

Unless otherwise noted, the carmakers do not offer payment assistance for these repairs beyond normal warranty coverage. Alldata.com sells a more comprehensive version of the bulletins to consumers. Here are a few recent examples:

BMW Some 2011 528i models may have a loose vacuum line. In T.S.B. 110911 issued on Nov. 1, BMW said that the line controlling the turbocharger waste gate might become disconnected, leading to a loss of horsepower. Installing hose clamps on the line should keep the connection secure.

It’s easy to imagine that a car owner would scratch his head if a mechanic told him, “You need a new leak diagnostic pump.” But some BMW owners may be hearing exactly that.

The pump verifies that the fuel system is sealed and not letting vapors escape, as required by pollution-control laws. In T.S.B. 010511 issued on Dec. 1, BMW said the part would be covered on 2007-8 X5 3.0si models for 10 years or 120,000 miles.

CHEVROLET A new axle shaft (or halfshaft) for the right front wheel could be in order for some 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes with the 1.8-liter engine. In T.S.B. 11225B issued on Nov. 15, General Motors said road splash could cause corrosion on the shaft, leading to a fracture if the corrosion were severe. The company will replace the parts on all models susceptible to the condition. Owners of affected cars should receive a letter about the repair.

CHRYSLER Noise from the rear of some 2011 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans may be irritating some owners. In T.S.B. 17-003-11 issued on Nov. 22, Chrysler said the noise over bumps at low speeds was most likely to come from the rear shock absorbers. Replacing them should quiet things.

FORD Several models may have a transmission fluid leak. In T.S.B. 11-11-30 issued on Dec. 7, Ford said the problem might stem from seal or bushing wear. Affected models may include 2010-11 Fusions and Mercury Milans and 2009-11 Escapes and Mercury Mariners. Replacing the bushing, seal and constant velocity joint housing should stop the leak.

Also, shifting gears in some 2009-12 Expeditions, F-150 pickups and Lincoln Navigators may require excessive effort in cold weather. In T.S.B. 11-12-2 issued on Dec. 7, Ford said the problem could be a result of snow built up around the shift cable and lever. Adding a snow shield kit should help.

GENERAL MOTORS Malfunctioning halogen headlights in a variety of models will be fixed free. In T.S.B. 11055 issued on Dec. 5, G.M. said a problem in the electrical connector could cause the lights to turn off intermittently. Connectors and headlights will be replaced through December 2013. Affected vehicles include certain models of the 2008-10 Cadillac CTS, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2007-10 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Owners of affected vehicles should receive a letter about the repair.

KIA A campaign to replace battery cable terminals is expanding beyond earlier repairs of Optima Hybrids. Bulletins ELE020 through ELE025 add 2011 Rios, 2011-12 Souls and 2011-12 Fortes. These models need both the positive and negative cable ends replaced. The 2011-2 Sportages and 2012 Sedonas need only the positive terminal replaced. Owners of affected cars should receive a letter.

MITSUBISHI A transmission stuck in the Park position may be a result of grease in electrical contacts. In T.S.B. 11-23-004 issued on Nov. 1, Mitsubishi said grease contamination could interfere with the contacts on a switch that detects when the gearshift lever is in Park. Models exhibiting the trouble include 2007-9 Outlanders, 2008-9 Lancers and 2009 Lancer Sportbacks. Replacing the shift-lever assembly should get things rolling.

TOYOTA Winking minivans may have an easy fix. In T.S.B. 0182-11 on Nov. 23, Toyota said some 2011 Sienna headlamps might occasionally fail to illuminate. The problem is not the bulb or connector, but the power integration relay in the fuse box. Replacing the relay should brighten the outlook.

Honda Begins Deliveries of Battery-Powered Fit

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American Honda

TESTING The 2013 Honda Fit EV will be available for lease this summer in parts of California and Oregon.

By TORI TELLEM

Published: January 27, 2012

LOS ANGELES

American Honda

CHARGING The Fit EV’s combined range is estimated at 76 miles.

HONDA has begun handing over the keys to its all-electric Fit EV. The first of the 2013-model cars have been delivered to Google, Stanford University and the city of Torrance, Calif., in advance of the public introduction this summer.

The three first cars will be part of a demonstration program to provide advanced research and driving feedback that Honda can use in the development of futureelectric cars and powertrains.

The initial recipients have particular reasons for wanting to take the wheel. For Torrance, where Honda’s American operations are based, the Fit EV will be passed around to various departments like management and parks and recreation. The goal is to learn whether an all-electric city fleet would be feasible.

“They’re also looking at this as an opportunity for how Torrance can become a city of the future,” said a Honda spokeswoman, Jessica Fini. That process will include increasing public awareness about electric vehicles and evaluating a charging infrastructure for the city.

At Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., the Fit EV will become part of what is called the G-fleet — alternative-power vehicles in the company’s car-sharing program — and will give Honda feedback on what multiple drivers like and don’t like about the car.

Perhaps the most intriguing research will be done by the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford. It took possession of the Fit EV as part of a research project involving behavioral aspects associated with the adoption of new technology. Drivers will be outfitted with electrodes, enabling researchers to measure human reactions to the car’s noises and alerts — when the car runs low on power, for example. Gasoline and electric Fits will make up the Stanford fleet.

Civilians interested in a Fit EV — without the electrodes — will have the opportunity first in certain areas of California and Oregon. Ms. Fini said those states were selected “because they’re mainly ground zero for electric vehicles, having the highest number of early adopters and charging infrastructures, so we felt they were the best markets to start.”

Availability will expand to some East Coast markets in spring 2013. The car is offered with only a three-year lease at a cost estimated at $399 a month.

Prospective customers can learn more about the Fit EV and fill out an application atfitev.honda.com. Honda says the site will expand in the spring with more information about the car.

Ms. Fini said the vetting process for potential lessees would include whether the applicant’s life style was conducive to having an electric vehicle, looking at factors like the length of the daily commute and whether a charger could be installed at home.

This is Honda’s second plunge into the world of battery-electric vehicles; it offered the Honda EV Plus for several years starting in 1997.

The Fit EV, based on the gasoline-powered Fit hatchback, made its debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November. It is powered by a 92-kilowatt electric motor and a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The driving range is estimated at 76 miles on a charge in combined city and highway driving.

By:http://www.nytimes.com

Welterweight Champ Steps Back in the Ring

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American Honda

CROWN PRINCE OF CROSSOVERS Honda made measured improvements to its CR-V, but resisted messing with success.More Photos »

By CSABA CSERE

Published: January 27, 2012

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

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2012 Honda CR-V

A SUCCESS since its introduction in 1997, the Honda CR-V was the best-selling car-based compact utility vehicle in nine of the last 15 years, including five of the last six. If natural disasters in Asia had not disrupted production last year — about 20 percent of CR-Vs were imported and even the assembly plant in East Liberty, Ohio, was affected by parts shortages — it might well have been No. 1 again.

But Honda may find it tougher to continue its run of successes with this fourth-generation model. Since gas prices moved up five years ago, compact crossovers have become the best-selling utility vehicles in the country, attracting more, and better, competition. This year, Ford will introduce a new Escape, Toyota will unveil a new RAV4 and Nissan will bring out a new Rogue — not to mention the arrival of new competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

Honda is meeting this new competition with a carefully graduated step forward rather than a shoot-for-the-moon upgrade. Resisting the trend toward bigger and heavier, Honda has made the 2012 CR-V about an inch shorter in length and an inch lower than its predecessor, as well as about 50 pounds lighter. The lower profile, in combination with a more wind-cheating shape, cuts aerodynamic drag by about 10 percent. Both the lighter weight and better aerodynamics improve fuel efficiency, a top priority in this class.

But Honda has avoided significant powertrain improvements, declining to introduce direct fuel injection, downsize the engine or add a turbocharger. Instead, the CR-V uses an improved version of the existing 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with reduced friction and 5 more horsepower, for a total of 185.

The transmission remains a 5-speed automatic, albeit with upgrades and slightly taller gearing to reduce engine speed. But when even entry-level buggies like the Chevrolet Sonic and Hyundai Accent have 6-speed automatics, the CR-V’s unit seems a bit of a relic.

Even so, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the fuel economy at 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway for the front-drive CR-V and 22/30 for all-wheel-drive versions. Excluding the handful of hybrid crossovers, those figures are either best in the class or tied for best.

I recorded nearly 28 m.p.g. in suburban driving, so the efficiency improvements are real and they come with no downside. Despite the taller gearing, the 2012 model can hit 60 miles per hour from a standing start in the mid-eight-second range, which is about as quick as its predecessor. In normal driving, the CR-V easily keeps up with traffic, though against other 2012 cars and trucks it would probably lose more drag races than it would win.

Peak horsepower is available at 7,000 r.p.m., and if you summon every one of the ponies the engine makes appropriately strident noises. But most of the time it is reasonably subdued, with only an occasional mild drone when accelerating around 40 to 50 miles per hour.

The transmission is equally well behaved, shifting unobtrusively up and down just when you want it to, with particularly crisp quick shifts at full throttle. In fact, this CR-V, much like its predecessor, feels connected to the pavement in a way that imparts great confidence. The electrically assisted power steering is very accurate and nicely weighted, and the suspension provides excellent control of body motions.

At the same time, the CR-V effectively soaks up bumps and dips, which are craggy and common in the Detroit area. However, road noise is ever-present on the highway, particularly on concrete pavement. Unfortunately, with their light weight and large, boom-inducing cabins, few vehicles in this class are particularly quiet on the Interstate.

On the other hand, those large cabins provide plenty of space and utility, and the CR-V excels in this regard. The front seats are comfortable and roomy, as is the back, where the floor is totally flat.

While the CR-V is only an inch longer than the Civic sedan, it has a much roomier rear seat. In fact, the CR-V’s back seat is roomier than the one in a Honda Accord sedan, a midsize car 16 inches longer.

This packaging advantage increases when you’re carrying cargo; the CR-V provides more than 37 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat — 10 cubic feet more than the combined volume of the Civic and Accord trunks. Fold down the split rear seat and this space expands to almost 71 cubic feet. Although the cargo volume is about the same as last year’s model, the space is about five inches longer and the opening is about an inch closer to the pavement.

Honda has also come up with a new trick to avoid having to fold up the seat cushions manually before folding down the seat backs. Now, both operations are accomplished by simply pulling a lever in the cargo compartment. And unlike some other small crossovers, the CR-V still comes with a roll-up cargo cover to hide items from prying eyes — and it can also be mounted to the floor and unfurled, forming a handy compartment for grocery bags.

By: http://www.nytimes.com

At:http://www.timhang24h.com

How to dress: contrast collars

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'What happens, clothes-wise, from the collarbone up, changes the tone of your look in a way that has nothing to do with seasonal trends'

In pictures: Four of the best contrast collars

- Jess Cartner-Morley
- guardian.co.uk, Friday 27 January 2012 23.00 GMT
- Article history

Contrast collars: This is a trend that speaks to every audience. Photograph: David Newby for the Guardian

Don't be misled by the gold sequins. This column is not about fashion. What happens, clothes-wise, from the collarbone up – the part of your outfit you can see in an old-fashioned passport-size photo – changes the tone of your look in a way that has nothing to do with seasonal trends. You don't even have to get changed to make a difference. You could be wearing a simple cotton shirt – but whether you wear it open-necked or fasten the top two buttons will alter the tone of your look as much as changing your greeting from, "Dear Sir" to, "Hey you" changes the tone of an email. In my case, I've added a gold sequin collar to a navy M&S men's jumper, which is a bit like changing it from Dear Sir to Can I Buy You A Drink.

Buttoning up the collar on your shirt is the second-fastest way to smarten up your look. (The fastest? Posture. Sit up straight.) There is no need for intricate style semantics here. Swap a white T-shirt for a collared white shirt and you change the level of seriousness you project in a way everyone understands. Add a tie and you change gears again.

Link to this video

The beauty of the collar-and-tie system is everyone knows what the signs mean. Much of fashion operates on a complicated code system that relies on your being sure of the level of sophistication your audience will bring to wardrobe appraisal. There is little point in wasting your new paisley-print blouse on some no-mark who doesn't even realise paisley is the new Breton stripe, is there? But when you jazz up the collar on your outfit, you have no such concerns. Like wearing the hat out of a party cracker, it is a sartorial signal everyone will understand.

The contrast collar has the seal of Jil Sander approval and will be all over the high street soon, no doubt. As a detail, it is to this season what the contrast sleeve was to last: an easy way to ring the changes and show you've done your style homework. This is a trend that speaks to every audience, because those who don't get the Sander reference will see that a collar detail looks extra smart. And if they still don't get the message, you can always try gold sequins.

• Jess wears gold sequin collar £50, by Gemma Lister.
Jumper £32, by Marks & Spencer.
Trousers £110, by Whistles.
Shoes £95, by Nine West, from Kurt Geiger.

Photograph by David Newby. Hair and make-up: Celia Burton at Mandy Coakley.