1985 Chevy C20 Scottsdale 5.7ltr V8 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Car-crazy 5-year-old boy writes automakers for treasures, gets big response

Part of the beauty of children is that they can find worth in something adults might deem unworthy or overlook entirely. Five-year-old Patch Hurty didn't see garbage or a broken piece of a car when he spotted a Ford badge lying on the side of a road. He saw an artifact, a souvenir, a start to a collection he could only dream of. Ezra Dyer of Popular Mechanics tells the story of Patch and his quest to turn that one lost badge into a museum of manufacturer logos. According to the article, Hurty is a car fanatic through and through, even using car names as a way of learning to read. After finding the Ford badge near his Connecticut home, he and his mom put together a plan to reach out to dozens of automakers, confessing his love of things on four wheels. In each letter, Patch assembled a picture of himself standing next to one of the cars, and a penny to pay for whatever he hoped was sent his way. The response was unexpectedly and overwhelmingly positive. Of the more than 50 letters he sent out, including to obscure or defunct companies such as Bugatti, Suzuki, and Saturn, a majority responded with warm notes and some type of souvenir. Two of the coolest responses came from Lincoln and Bentley. Lincoln sent a sketch of a Continental (all car lovers enjoy drawing cars, right?), and Bentley sent a wheel center cap. How awesome is that? The story reminds us of something that can easily be lost in all of the negativity involved with the auto industry: Everybody is in this because of a common infatuation with automobiles. For more details on the souvenirs Patch received and accompanying photos, read the rest of the story. Related Video: News Source: Popular Mechanics Read This Bentley Bugatti Ford Lincoln Saturn Suzuki

Suzuki Baleno set for Frankfurt debut [w/video]

Suzuki is following up the introduction of the compact iK-2 concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with the debut of a production version called the Baleno at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Beyond some tweaks to the design of the headlights and taillights, the shapes of the chunky, five-door hatchbacks are practically identical. It goes on sale in the UK next summer. The Baleno rides on Suzuki's next-gen platform that's lighter and more rigid than before, and under the hood, there's the Japanese brand's new Boosterjet engine. Despite the high-flying name, it's just a 1.0-liter, direct injected and turbocharged mill. In Geneva, the company also mentioned that a mild hybrid version would be offered. Suzuki is dropping bigger details about the little car in Germany. Until then, the teaser video below provides brief glimpses at the front and rear of the Baleno. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. SUZUKI BALENO HATCHBACK TO DEBUT AT THE 66TH IAA FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW The all new Baleno, an ideal hatchback from compact car expert Suzuki is set to make its world premiere at the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show.* The debut of the full production version follows on from the iK-2 Concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The Baleno harmoniously combines stylish design, spacious interior and new technologies. These new technologies include the first application of the newly Suzuki developed 1.0-litre BOOSTERJET direct injection turbocharged petrol engine that saves fuel while delivering driving pleasure. Fuel efficiency has been improved by reducing engine displacement; output and torque are boosted by using a turbocharger. In addition to fulfilling fuel efficiency and dynamic performance expectations, the layout has been optimised and various technologies used to reduce weight in order to meet the rigorous size and weight requirements specific to compact cars. The new Baleno will be launched in the UK early next Summer. Further details of the Baleno will be disclosed at the Suzuki press conference at the Frankfurt Motor show. The conference will be held at 1.15pm on Tuesday 15th September. We look forward to welcoming you on stand B12 in Hall 9.0. Learn more at http://www.globalsuzuki.com/iaa2015/, a special Baleno website. *At Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main; press days 15-16 September, public days 17-27 September.

Osamu Suzuki announces retirement at age 91

TOKYO — Suzuki's 91-year-old chairman, Osamu Suzuki, announced he will retire in June, stepping aside for a new leader to navigate the shift to electric cars and fight off competition from tech firms such as Tesla and Apple. The chairman, after heading for more than four decades the company that his wife's grandfather founded, is leaving his son Toshihiro Suzuki, already president and CEO, to hold the reins of the company. Osamu told reporters on Wednesday he decided to retire after the company welcomed its 100th anniversary last year and its new management plan won approval. But he said he will "remain active" as an adviser. "I will neither run away nor hide," the patriarch said, who has repeatedly declared in the past he will be a "lifelong non-retiree." The company also announced on Wednesday it will invest one trillion yen ($9.45 billion), mostly on electrification technology, over five years. The younger Suzuki said the company needed to respond to a global push towards lower emissions. "Carbon neutral is the focus now. Suzuki must not fall behind this global trend," he said. The announcement by Japan's fourth-biggest automaker comes less than a week after rival Honda appointed a new CEO, who said he would consider alliances to make bold decisions. Carmakers, particularly smaller players such as Suzuki, are seen at a disadvantage due to the huge cost of developing EVs and technologies such as autonomous driving. Suzuki, alongside other automakers such as Mazda and Subaru, tied up with Toyota in 2019 to slash development and manufacturing costs. Osamu Suzuki, who joined Suzuki Motor in 1958, became president in 1978 and doubled as chairman in 2000. During his tenure, the company solidified its presence as the top maker of compact cars. He spearheaded the company's decision to enter its key Indian market in 1983. Maruti Suzuki, which the carmaker owns a majority stake in, is India's top carmaker, selling every second car in the country. In 2016, Suzuki stepped down as CEO to take responsibility for the firm's use of incorrect testing methods to calculate vehicle mileage, but he remained chairman. Osamu, who waved and said "bye-bye" at the end of Wednesday's news conference, will be appointed as senior adviser upon retirement.