The former General Motors Research Laboratory on 460 W. Baltimore, in known as the Argonaut Building, designed by legendary architect Albert Kahn. It was here that GM established its designers as company leaders, making the shape of the car, outside and in, forever interesting. The College of Creative Studies, an art school that is also one of the preeminent schools for car design in the world, has claimed the building along with a $145 million-dollar refurbishment, as home for it’s transportation design program.
Design is indeed back in fashion.
Chrysler unveiled it’s long-term plans today and the first presentation established the definitive tone — it starts with the way things look and feel, so eloquently put as “soul by design.”
Well it’s not widely-touted, most cars feature similar technology, differentiated by function, space and performance demands. With the race to build leaner cars as a global mandate, car companies are joining together to work with universities and research institutions to make cleaner cars — that’s in everyone’s best interest. The point of differentiation, personality and style left to the consumer comes down to the outline — car design. Hello car, welcome to the era of car design. [click to continue…]
In case you haven’t frequented car blogsthis week, the Chevy Camaro is making the scene. In a very low-key presentation, Gotryke spied the Camaro last night at Cooper Classics. The cocktail napkins had designer Sangyup Lee’s cool sketches. The Camaro was one of several unleashed in strategic Manhattan locales. We’ll get back to you with some wheel time reflection soon. [click to continue…]
Senators, please. Or, like they say on the mean streets, put your money where your mouth is. Stop hating on American cars, especially when it’s clear you don’t drive them. If you did, you would see that the myth that Americans don’t make American cars is that — an unfortunate longstanding myth. Indeed, American car companies know how to make a decent family car. In fact, American car companies make some really good family cars. And while these cars are manufactured and conceived by an assembly comprised of a global network — using the same suppliers as foreign subsidiaries — these cars are helmed through the Detroit Mothership — proof in the pudding that many of the changes sought after are already in the mix. Things have come along way since 1964, the calendar year of the first Malibu as the mid-sized sedan reaches its seventh generation.
This week as Congress floundered I tested the 2009 Chevy Malibu. My version was a 4 speed six cylinder automobile. This is not my first jaunt in the Malibu, but it is my first jaunt in the Malibu as a mama, which means that I have now fulfilled a key demographic in the American economy — that of the soccer mom in training. And guess what? The Malibu withstands the mama test. Room for maneuvering a car seat in the interior? Check — and sturdy, too even in a messy rainstorm. Critical acclaim? Check:Car and Driver picked it as one of its 10 Best for 2008 and the Malibu was elected as the North American Car of the Year during the North American International Auto Show in January 2008. Fuel economy? check — 22 city and 30 mpg on the highway and a hybrid version that clocks 26 and 34 respectively.
Like it’s counterparts, the Malibu is not flashy, but it’s sensible, like the jeans that match everything in the closet. And the price is respectable compared to Accord and Camry competition. Admittedly, I’m not the one to drive sensibly, but as a new member of a demographic, I get it. For those who don’t keep up with the car news, the Malibu was refashioned last year, and they pulled it off. Malibu is a stalwart mid-sized ride that made me feel safe inside with a wide open panoramic view. Why can’t this be a real metaphor for the American car industry?
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