No Test Drives, Tesla’s Next Project, Child Safety - February 19th, 2008
Aw, Who Needs a Test Drive, Take My 50K
Not sure how much this falls into the category of car tech, but I find it fascinating all the same. Jaguar has managed to rake up 10,000 orders for its new XF sedan with no advertising and not a single car sitting out there waiting for the ubiquitous test drive. The company has relied on training dealers to host customer-only events touting the joys of owning the $49,900 V8.
Apparently it’s working, with 3,000 of those new Jags destined to be seen on American roads. I never met a Jaguar that wasn’t in need of repair, so they’re totally not my thing even if I could afford one, but the company’s unusual marketing strategy on this one is eye-catching. Nothing like dangling something a person can’t even touch in front of their ready pocketbooks to make them start shelling it out.
Tesla Working on Electric Sedan
Engadget is carrying a report of Tesla’s plans to produce a $50,000 sport sedan by 2010. The first step appears to be rounding up a tidy quarter billion to make this happen with the planned vehicle to be dubbed the WhiteStar.
Senate Beefing Up Child Safety
There’s a bill headed to President Bush’s desk that will mandate blind-spot detection in all new cars early in the next decade. The technology isn’t new, but right now the option crops up most often in premium models. Lawmakers want standard blind spot detection to cut down on the number of incidents involving children out of the driver’s line of site.
Additionally the bill calls for automatic windows that reverse when they sense an object in their path and standard interlock systems so cars cannot be taken out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed. Bush is expected to sign the bill and although the automotive industry initially opposed the measure, the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers is now hailing it as a commendable, cooperative effort that has their full support.
Handsfree Driving
Finally take a look at GizMag’s coverage of testing conducted by the British Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre on collision prevention technologies offered by Volvo, Mercedes, and Honda. The conclusion? This stuff works.
Posted on February 19th, 2008 by Shorty
Filed under: technology, alternative fuels, lifestyle, buzz |
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