How would the debates go in the Midwest if GM and Chrysler and the million or so people that were connected both working directly for those auto companies and the auto parts suppliers, many of which, if you drive by some of these auto plants, are built next to those factories -- where would we be if a million more people were out of work?
Historically, the housing and auto industries drive the economy in both directions, into economic slumps, and back out into good times.
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From cars that need to be hand-cranked to cars that might soon drive themselves: the auto industry has come a long way.
From 1989 to the end of September, the Virginia DNA databank helped police solve 107 rape cases, 28 homicides, 10 rape homicides, 90 burglaries and breaking and entering cases and 14 other crimes including auto theft, drive-by shooting and arson, Ferrara said.
But then, is it unfair for people who drive more to pay more for auto insurance?
The military kick-started auto innovations like four-wheel drive and global positioning systems.
Pikes Peak and its famed auto road is also an easy drive.
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Los Angeles is a town where people like to get noticed for what they drive, and expect to be served the auto industry's freshest ideas.
Sometime this morning, a car dealer in Petaluma, California, will hand Mr. Chalouhi the keys to his new Nissan Leaf, and the young Silicon Valley tech-exec will drive off the lot and into our collective auto future.
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The Chinese company buying the American company makes a lot of money by providing auto parts for the cars that Americans drive.
Last week auto writer Matthew de Paula and I had the chance to drive a hand-built solar car around New Paltz, NY.
The fuel economy mileage that appears on window stickers of new vehicles is calculated through a test that puts a vehicle through a standardized drive cycle designed by the EPA. The EPA then relies on auto manufacturers to conduct the test, and certifies that the vehicles have been tested.
Last week, the plant celebrated Spark EV motor production, marking the first time a major U.S. auto manufacturer has designed and built both a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States.
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There have been some encouraging economic indicators of late, such as an improved outlook for auto sales which could mean that automakers will increase their advertising spend in order to drive sales.
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But, you can also drive them into the kitchen of a townhouse, points out Takeshi Matsunaga, project advisor at Toyota Auto Body.
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Dealers are offering a 24-hour test drive, and the automaker is inviting tens of thousands of non- vehicle owners to a roving "Auto Show in Motion, " during which they can compare the performance of cars like the Cadillac CTS with the BMW 3 series.
The first two cars are the i3 (formerly known as the Megacity) and the i8 (the auto formerly known as Vision EfficientDynamics), both of which are said to be as fun to drive as a current car but much more efficient thanks to composite construction and electrified powertrains.
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But the Detroit auto industry has now had three decades to come up with fuel efficient products that are also fun to drive and reliable.
But GM says the next-generation technology could power rear-wheel-drive cars as well, such as the Cadillac XTS concept car, which was on display at the recent Detroit auto show.
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