It’s based on the same driving principles as a skateboard. It looks like a phone booth, or perhaps a baby stroller. But despite the unconventional nature of this vehicle, General Motors says a two-seat, two-wheel ride called PUMA could be a solution to loosen congestion in crowded urban areas.

The acronym stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, and on Tuesday GM is announcing a partnership with small vehicle company Segway to develop the diminutive rides. A prototype is also expected to be demonstrated in New York.

PUMA vehicles employ existing technologies, including a lithium-ion battery, dual electric wheel motors and connectivity with other vehicles and infrastructure. They can travel at speeds of 35 mph and have a range of 35 miles between charges. In addition to big cities, they could be used in parks, college campuses, amusement parks, resorts and other areas where short distances are usually traveled.

GM says the prototype in New York is operational, and expects a next-generation model to appear later this year. In early 2010, a complete concept could be unveiled. The rides look like golf carts, though executives say catchy design could be part of a production version if the project continues.

It’s based on the premise that many cars are “over-engineered” for some driving situations. A Cadillac Escalade, for example, is probably unnecessary to drive a few blocks in Manhattan, where research says the average speed was 18.8 miles per house and three-quarters of the population doesn’t own a car, according to research cited by GM, which has been working with Segway for about 18 months on the project.

“It’s not replacing vehicles as we know them–it’s complementing them in an urban environment,” said Chris Borroni-Bird, director of advance technology vehicle concepts for GM.

The PUMAs would be a tradeoff in features–the two passengers sit snugly side-by-side, but could prove to be a money saver. The cost could be one-quarter to one-third of owning a conventional midsize vehicle, GM says. Because they’re small, ease of parking would also be a key selling point, as up to 30-40 percent of fuel is believed to be consumed looking for parking in urban areas.

Still, the project is a bit fanciful, as GM envisions a potential layout where cars interact using an onboard transponder and can brake and accelerate through intersections to avoid accidents and pedestrians. Though GM based much of its research on New York City, the PUMA vehicles could launch overseas first. Domestically, the program could help bolster the automaker’s green credentials.

“The [auto] Task Force is looking for us to show a vision of the future, and I think this could be a part of it,” Borroni-Bird said.

To read more visit the AutoWeek New car news, road tests, blogs, pix and expert insight section.

This article was last updated on: 04/07/09, 00:00 et

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Good Monday morning. Obama’s day is nearly over in Turkey, where he has already met with that nation’s president. He will shortly speak at the Turkish Parliament, and then meet with the prime minister. He ends the day in Istanbul, where he will his week-long European tour comes to a close.

The House and Senate are at the beginning of a two-week recess. A new member will be elected tomorrow, as three candidates vie for White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s former Chicago-area seat. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D) expects to win the heavily Democratic seat with ease.

Today marks both the end of the college basketball season and the official start of the baseball season. Yes, there was a game last night, but today is truly Opening Day in Major League Baseball. Vice President Joe Biden will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Baltimore today, where the Orioles face the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees. Reports out of Boston indicate that Sen. Ted Kennedy will throw out the first pitch there before the hated Red Sox take the field.

In the NCAA championship game tonight in Detroit, North Carolina — President Obama’s pick to win it all — goes head-to-head against Michigan State, in a rematch of a 2005 Final Four game.

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While most Japanese automakers have aimed at the same mainstream audience in recent years, Subaru has occupied a quirky niche of the market, with all-wheel-drive models, unusual boxer engines and an attractive lineup of wagons. Subarus were also a bit strange. Next week’s New York Auto Show will see the world debut of the next midsize car from Subaru, the 2010 Legacy. The automaker has provided an early glimpse of the car to the press, and the early consensus suggests the car is moving into the mainstream territory occupied by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Edmund Inside Line reports, “Like an increasing number of Americans, the 2010 Legacy is bigger than it’s ever been. The company reckoned that the outgoing model’s modest interior room was cramping its sales potential. So – boom – the wheelbase of the new model is 3.2 inches longer than the old one.” Other “quite un-Subaru-like aspects of the 2010 model” include framed side windows and a vibration control that, Edmunds says, “will deprive longtime Subaru owners of the pee-shiver that has historically gone reverberating through the Legacy at stoplights. In fact, Subaru believes that the new Legacy’s NVH control will be on par with the Toyota Camry. The outgoing model, they believe, was roughly on par with the Nissan Altima.”

Perhaps most surprising for Subie fans, Edmunds notes, the 2010 Legacy “will not be available as a station wagon any more.”

Outside, the look of the Legacy has changed quite a bit. In fact, Kicking Tires reports, “Subaru is borrowing styling from Infiniti and Lexus.” KT says “we’re not sold on the looks,” but thinks the more rounded styling of the new Legacy is “sure to stir debate.”

Of course, Subaru wasn’t going to abandon all of its unique traits. There are no V6s or inline-four-cylinder engines offered. Autoblog reports, “A naturally-aspirated four, a revised turbocharged flat-four and the flat-six.” All three engines are more powerful than those offered on the 2009 mode, “But the big news is the revised turbo boxer in between, producing 22 more horses than the outgoing model (now 265 hp) and 17 lb-ft more torque (for a total of 258) from lower revs.” And, “Of course, all the engines will offer all-wheel drive (otherwise it’d hardly be a Subaru).” A new Continuously Variable Transmission will be offered in place of the old automatic.

Inside, Motor Trend says, “the Legacy’s design is considerably more sure-footed, with a confident and expensive look, and just a trace (thank you) of the Impreza’s considerable flamboyance.” The new dimensions are the biggest change. “The car is simply cavernous inside,” MT writes. “Gads, the rear toe room beneath the front seats could consume NBA footwear. Has the blimping of the average American really gotten this voluminous?”

Pricing has not been announced, but Motor Trend reports, “Subaru is hinting that it’ll be very competitive with its current levels. Which is a lack of upsizing we can all appreciate.”

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the US News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.

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A new Mason Dixon poll conducted for the SayfieReview shows that Gov. Charlie Crist (R) would be a formidable candidate if he were to seek Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.

Half of Florida voters said they would consider voting for the first-term incumbent, should he seek the seat, with another 17 percent saying he would definitely have their vote. But 26 percent said they definitely would not vote for Crist, while 7 percent were undecided. Notably, 12 percent of Democrats said they would definitely vote for Crist, though the poll did not provide any matchups with potential candidates.

If Crist decides to run to replace Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate, the poll finds Florida voters evenly split on who they’d like to see replace Crist as governor. The poll tested Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum and Democrat Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink as candidates.

General Election Matchup
McCollum 36
Sink 35
Undecided 29

McCollum had slightly stronger support among fellow Republicans than Sink showed among Democrats, though she does have a modest lead among independent voters, 40-34 percent.

Crist has not yet indicated whether he’ll seek re-election or run for Senate. Rep. Connie Mack (R), thought to have been a likely Senate candidate before speculation grew about Crist, took himself out of the race just yesterday. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D) is among the Democrats already running for Senate; he announced raising $1.5 million in the first quarter.

The poll tested 625 Florida registered voters between March 30 and April 1, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

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Askmen.com is getting in on the debate with two articles, written by men and for men, that point out yoga’s pros and cons for men.

In “The Argument Against Yoga”, writer Chris Illuminati sums his reservations up nicely. “Real men don’t carry yoga mats. No man should bend that way. There are too many phrases to remember. Yoga makes you look like a stalker.” Do men really feel this way?

In “The Argument for Yoga,” askmen.com writer and athletic trainer Kevin Neeld says this: “Should you do yoga? It’s really up to you. Just be aware of what you’re real goals are. We’ve never seen a dramatic body transformation result from a strict yoga routine. We’ve never seen a record weightlifter or distance runner attribute their unparalleled strength and endurance to a weekly dose of yoga. We have, however, had many training clients praise various yoga positions incorporated into their warm-ups for leaving them feeling better.” So, essentially, if you’re considering yoga to help with sports training don’t bother, but it might be make you feel better. This is not the glowing endorsement I was hoping for.

Let’s help both of these guys out and share with them the MANY ways yoga can benefit men. Men, please comment below with your stories of transformation and growth.

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Steve Saleen said Thursday that he will honor the warranties on some of the products that bear his name–a month after the new owners of his former company said they wouldn’t accept the older claims.

Saleen said he’ll honor warranty claims on products purchased up to Feb. 2, 2009, under the terms of his new company, SMS Supercars in Southern California.

“The ones who have been left out in the cold are the loyal customers of Saleen products,” Steve Saleen said in a statement. “While my new company, SMS Supercars, has no legal or moral obligation to take up any of the warranty claims against Saleen Inc. or MJ Acquisitions, Inc., I would like to make a bold statement on the right way to treat customers.”

Steve Saleen left the company he founded 26 years ago in the spring of 2007. Synonymous with speedy Mustangs and performance parts, the company was then owned by Los Angeles private-investment firm Hancock Park Associates. That group sold off most of the Saleen Inc. assets to an entity called MJ Acquisitions earlier this year.

MJ Acquisitions said last month that it would honor only warranties for Saleen products bought on or after Feb. 2.

To read more visit the AutoWeek New car news, road tests, blogs, pix and expert insight section.

This article was last updated on: 04/02/09, 19:03 et

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The AP reports, “Ford Motor says it is offering a payment protection plan to help reassure consumers who may be putting off a car purchase because of worries about losing their job.” The automaker “said Tuesday it will cover payments of up to $700 each month for up to a year on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if consumers lose their jobs. The program runs until June 1.”

The automaker has issued a press release on the program, but it is short on details. The release reads: “The plan gives customers another reason to “Drive One” with payment protection of up to 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, 0 percent financing on select vehicles and added local charity support.”

Hyundai has largely insulated from an auto sales downturn in recent months because of a similar service through its Assurance Plus program, which will make up to three payments, and allows buyers to return their new car with no damage to their credit if they lose their income.

Kicking Tires notes, “Unlike Hyundai’s Assurance Plus plan, the Ford plan will not include buying back the vehicle with no loss in equity.”

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the US News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.

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It’s been awhile since we’ve shown you some spy art of Suzuki’s upcoming sport sedan foreshadowed by the Kizashi concepts.

But we got a fresh look at the car on Thursday–with the “spy” art helpfully provided by Suzuki. It was attached to a “save the date” e-mail to members of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury.

American Suzuki PR honcho Jeff Holland says the sport sedan goes on sale here in December.

As you can probably tell, Suzuki has been using Germany’s Nürburging to hone the sedan’s handling prowess.

While this is a look at the sedan–which Suzuki plans to pit against cars such as the Honda Accord and the Ford Fusion–the Kizashi concepts also have previewed potential wagon and crossover body styles.

We expect buyers will get a choice of inline four-cylinder and V6 engines. All-wheel drive is probable for the crossover version.

To read more visit the AutoWeek New car news, road tests, blogs, pix and expert insight section.

This article was last updated on: 04/02/09, 20:01 et

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Everyone wants to sell you a new car these days, then make the payments for you.

Hyundai started it. The Korean company’s Assurance Plus Plan promised that, if a buyer should lose their income, Hyundai would make three payments on the buyer’s behalf, then allow the buyer to return the vehicle and walk away from the payment entirely if needed. The program appears to be a success, helping protect Hyundai from the poor sales seen by its rivals in recent months.

Now, two other automakers have followed suit. The Washington Post reports, “General Motors and Ford Motor unveiled job-loss protection plans yesterday, following the success” of Hyundai’s program. “GM said it will make nine car payments of $500 each for customers who lose jobs. Ford is offering payments of up to $700 for 12 months.”

There are, however, important differences between the programs.

First, of course there is the payment limit. Ford offers to cover payment up to $700, GM up to $500. Jalopnik notes, “Hyundai doesn’t put a number value on the total amount they’ll pay, only saying they’ll cover up to 90 days of loan repayment or lease payments. If you have a three-month loan on a Genesis coupe for $7,000 a month you’ll be in great shape. Otherwise, your $250 a month lease on a Sonata will net you just $750.”

Autoblog, however, thinks the payment protection isn’t the most important factor differentiating the plans. “Where each automaker differs is what’s offered above and beyond payment protection. GM offers equity assistance, which that means if you’ve bought an eligible vehicle and made payments for at least half the life of your loan, the automaker will pay the difference between what you owe on the vehicle and its actual value when you decide to buy a new one.” The negative equity credit is good for $2,500 if you sell the vehicle to a third party, or $5,000 if you trade it in for another GM car. Neither Ford nor Hyundai make a similar offer. Hyundai’s program, however, “covers any negative equity accumulated up to $7,500 when you return a vehicle.”

Jalopnik also sees another key differentiator: how to qualify for coverage. While Ford and GM both offer benefits only to those involuntarily unemployed, Hyundai offers payment protection for those unemployed or physically disabled, and “Hyundai’s equity plan extends to those who lose their license, lose their job, are transferred internationally, face bankruptcy, have a sudden physical disability, or are accidentally killed.”

Jalopnik concludes that Hyundai offers the best plan because Assurance Plus “is the only one offering negative equity coverage with real teeth.”

Timing may also be an issue. The Post notes that Ford’s plan applies to “customers who buy by June 1 and lose jobs in 2009. The GM plan is available for customers who buy any of its vehicles except Saab by April 30.” Hyundai’ offer extends throughout the 2009 calendar year.

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the US News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.

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The two Congressional campaign committees stuck to their talking points during a joint event this afternoon, holding different theories about whether the overtime vote-counting will change last night’s result in the New York 20th district special election.

Jon Vogel and Guy Harrison, the executive directors for the DCCC and NRCC, respectively, weighed in during a panel discussion on the 2010 races hosted by The Hotline this afternoon. Vogel said the Democrats’ voting model based on an “aggressive” field program gives them confidence that Scott Murphy’s narrow victory will stand when absentee votes are added.

“I’ll go to facts rather than a model,” countered Harrison. He said that nearly 2,900 of the outstanding ballots were requested by registered republicans, compared to just 2,100 from Democrats. Add that to another 904 third-party and independent ballots, Harrison said, and “we feel pretty good about where we are.”

Speaking more broadly about what the race says about the state of play nationally, Harrison played up Jim Tedisco’s strong performance in a district that President Obama carried last November.

“We’re proud of both our candidate and the committee,” he said. “We made a competitive stand in a Northeastern race, something we haven’t done in a while. And we feel like we’re going to be coming out on the winning side.”

Vogel argued that the District remains a Republican stronghold, despite Obama’s showing there last fall, and said Democrats only picked up the seat in 2006 because of ethics issues for then-Rep. Sweeney, not “a momentum change” that swung other Republican seats to the Democrats that year.

“Look at what happened in the race. We started off 21 points down based on internal polling that was released on the Republican side, against an experienced career politician,” he said. “We turned this race from a 21 point race into a dead-even race … [by talking about progress.”

Strategists for the Senate committees were on hand as well. Speaking generally about their strategies in 2010, Democrats pointed to the growing popularity of Congress combined with a president who is fulfilling his promises as laying the groundwork for continued success. Republicans made clear that they’ll highlight what they see as excessive spending and massive piling on of debts.

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