Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

Michael Schumacher paralyzed, can’t speak, friend says

Philippe Streiff, a former race car driver who has been paralyzed for 25 years following a 1989 crash, said his friend Michael Schumacher is in the same situation and is unable to speak. Schumacher, the legendary Formula One driver, is at home recovering from a head injury suffered in a skiing fall last December in France. Streiff, speaking recently on a French radio station, said: “He (Schumacher) is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult.” According to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper in England, Schumacher’s family is still confident about the former champion’s future. But the family is providing any new details about his condition. According to the Mirror, Schumacher spokesperson, Sabine Kehm, said: “Streiff’s comments

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2016 Madza lineup set for livestream debut

Mazda North American will livestream its product reveals, including the much-touted, all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover utility vehicle, on YouTube ad Ustream, the night before the vehicles’ debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The offsite event at 8 p.m. PST Tuesday (Nov. 18) will also include refreshed versions of the 2016 Mazda6 midsize sedan, the 2016 CX-5 crossover and the 2016 MX-5. All of the new Mazda vehicles – with the addition of Mazda3, Mazda5 and CX-9 – will be on display throughout the run of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.   Additionally, Mazda will show the just-debuted Global MX-5 Cup racing version of the MX-5 as well as other special racing and one-off project vehicles. The

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Toyota names hydrogen car Mirai, debuts in 2016

Toyota has announced its new fuel cell vehicle will be called the Mirai, and the Japanese manufacturer is hopeful the hydrogen-powered vehicle will live up to the translation of its name — “future.” Toyota President Akio Toyoda revealed the car’s name in conjunction with the company CEO Jim Lentz announcing the expansion of Toyota fuel cell infrastructure investment to five-state in the Northeastern corridor. The Mirai, according to Toyota, will travel as far as 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, refuel in less than five minutes and emit only water vapor. Lentz announced a new commitment to drive the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in five northeastern U.S. states. To support Mirai’s introduction to the region in

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Buying A Car? Save Money With A Ford Focus

When you’re looking for a reliable car to run errands in the city with impressive gas mileage and power to perform long distance road trips, consider a Ford Focus. The reliable compact is an ideal starter car. Unveiled for the North American market in 1999, the three generations of the Ford Focus have all proven strong buying choices. As a result, CAR Magazine in the United Kingdom included the Focus in its selection of the 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 50 years. And what better testament to a car than if a Pope chooses to ride in one like Pope Francis (affectionately known as the “Cool Pope”)? The Ford Focus has had further honors: In 2012, it was the

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Chrysler recalls 907,000 vehicles, dubious record set

With nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs recalls announced October 16, a dubious record has been set with more than 52 million vehicles recalled to date this year. The latest recall involves with faulty alternators and heated power mirror wiring that can short and cause fires. The recalls push the total number of recalls so far this year 544, short of the 684 mark set in 2008. The largest of the new recalls covers nearly 470,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300s, and Dodge Chargers, Challengers and Durangos from the 2011 through 2014 model years. The alternators can fail, causing the 3.6-liter V6 engines to stall unexpectedly. The problem also can cause the electrical system to fail, as well as

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Honda Fit, Nissan Versa among top cheap cars

The Tata Nano was all the rage a few years ago when it was introduced in India as a new car for about $2,500. In the past year, the Elio, a three-wheel concept vehicle with a price of $6,800, has gotten a lot of attention as the first of several pending forward-thinking cheap cars for the masses in the United States. Since neither car is available in this country, two of the most popularity vehicles in the crowd entry level segment are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa Note. And a cheap new car in the United States means a starting price of about $15,000 for a base model, sometimes a little more, sometimes slightly less. That’s about half

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2015 Chevrolet Corvette under scrutiny, recall next?

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, the iconic vehicle often dubbed through the years as “America’s Sports Car,” is having difficulty. Although it hasn’t been recalled, General Motors has issued two stop-sale orders because of the difficulties with the driver’s airbag and in other instances, the parking brake cables. “General Motors has told Chevrolet dealers to stop delivery of approximately 2,000 2015 Corvettes to fix the driver’s airbag. GM has also temporarily stopped shipment of the cars from the plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the automaker said in a statement. “Separately, another 800 Corvettes — most of them at dealerships — are on hold because they may have been built with only one of the rear parking brake cables fully seated and

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Jay Leno in driver’s seat of new network auto show

Jay Leno will be returning to television with a primetime show on CNBC, and it will be centered around his passion for automobiles, according to several celebrity and television news websites. Leno, 64, stopped hosting the “Tonight Show” in February. Industry reports say Leno was contacted by several networks, including CNN, A&E and the History Channel to host a program about cars. Leno wanted to remain in the NBC “family.” Leno has a strong relationship with CNBC president Mark Hoffman. It broadcast a “Jay’s Garage” special in September called “Jay’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week.” Leno is among the world’s most prominent car and motorcycle collectors. Reports vary, but Leno apparently owns nearly 900 vehicles (769 automobiles and 117 motorcycles).

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GM tough year continues, now 30 million recalls in 2014

General Motors has had a tough year. With its latest recall of Pontiac G8, Chevrolet Carprice and Cadillac models, GM has now recalled about 30 million cars in 2014. The latest recall includes about 60,000 vehicles. On certain Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Caprice models, the vehicles “may experience unintended key rotation from the ‘Run’ to ‘ACC’ position if the driver’s knee interacts with the ignition key,” according to GM. The recalled Cadillacs have fuel pump issues, repairable at dealers. The Caprice model is a police vehicle. No injuries or fatalities have been reported from the latest recall. GM reported one crash. Despite the high profile of the ignition switch recall earlier this year which has been tied to at least

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Elio Motors’ scam worries rise after recent woes

Elio Motors, the upstart three-wheel vehicle manufacturer, continues to attract potential buyers willing to place a deposit for an economic and performance wonderment that hasn’t been built. In September, according to the company’s website, more than 34,000 people have pre-ordered the vehicle with a variety monetary commitments, $100 to $1,000, to purchase the proposed $6,800 vehicle. Three months ago, the deposit list total was 28,000. Paul Elio, the company CEO, believes Elio Motors is getting closer the financial goal to make good on his proposed hiring of a production staff of around 1,500 to assist in the car’s manufacture starting next year. Elio Motors months ago purchased a former General Motors plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, where it’s planning to assemble

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2015 Honda CR-V: More features, new look, better mpg

The 2015 Honda CR-V, which is will debut nationwide Oct. 1, will include what the manufacturer describes as “the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history.” As the biggest-selling sport utility vehicle in the United States, the 2015 Honda CR-V will feature a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology i-VTEC engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a new suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver assistive features. The MSRP price range is $23,320-$32,770. Interior and exterior styling on the 2015 Honda CR-V will be enhanced. Many new standard and optional features will debut as well as a new premium Touring trim. Gas mileage estimates has also improved. The 2015 CR-V has increased EPA fuel economy ratings of 27/34/29 mpg

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Tony Stewart criminally cleared in Kevin Ward’s death

Tony Stewart, the controversial race car driver known for his aggressive style and fiery temper, will not face criminal charges in Kevin Ward Jr.’s death, a grand jury in New York has decided. Disrtict Attorney Michael Tantillo in Ontario County, N.Y., announced there was no basis for criminal charges. Stewart was racing Aug. 9 in the Empire Super Sprints Series at a half-mile dirt oval in Canandaigua, N.Y., on the night Ward was killed. Ward and Stewart were battling for position midway through the feature race, and Ward hit the outside wall and spun with a flat tire. Upset with Stewart, Ward scrambled out of his car and approached his car under caution while gesturing angrily. After being struck, he

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Top 5 fastest cars on the planet

The fastest car in the world? Doesn’t it seem like every niche, top-line manufacturer is always seeking the top designation? The current leader since February is Hennessey, but the achievement occurred with an asterisk. The Hennessey Venom GT achieved a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) at the Kennedy Space Center on the Shuttle Landing Facility’s 3.2-mile runway in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Feb. 14. The “record” run was in a single direction, and since only 16 of the Hennessey models have sold to (30 is the minimum for record consideration), the massive speed achievement doesn’t qualify as the world’s fastest production car in the Guinness Book of Records. To showcase the top-five fastest cars in the world, Bloomberg

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2015 Honda CR-V unveiled, debuts October 1

A week away from its official unveiling, a glimpse of the 2015 Honda CR-V has been unveiled via one image and an uninformative brief press release from the Japanese automaker. In its press release, the redesigned Honda CR-V is described: “A new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style portends the significant enhancements made to the 2015 CR-V. Going on sale October 1, complete information on the newest version of the best-selling SUV in America will be available September 30.” As the best-selling crossover in the United States, the Honda CR-V, had its best sales volume in 2013 with more than 303,00 units sold. The 2011 Honda CR-V was the last redesigned generation. The current CR-V features a 2.4-liter

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Easy Rider fantasy? No problem for $1 million

The chopped motorcycle ridden by Peter Fonda in the iconic 1969 movie “Easy Rider” is for sale and could attract a selling priced of more than $1 million. The auction house Profiles in History told The Associated Press the motorcycle will go on Oct. 18 online and at its gallery in Calabasas, California. The seller is Michael Eisenberg, a California businessman who once co-owned a Los Angeles motorcycle-themed restaurant with Fonda and “Easy Rider” co-star Dennis Hopper. Eisenberg bought the bike year from Dan Haggerty, perhaps best known for his roles in the “Grizzly Adams” TV show and movies. Haggerty was in charge of keeping the custom-designed working properly in the movie’s filming. The stars-and-stripes panhead chopper with chromed hardtail

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Michael Schumacher rests at home with police assist

The media didn’t want to leave former race car driver Michael Schumacher alone in his home near Lake Geneva, so Swiss policemen have been detailed to ensure the legendary race car driver is allowed to recover in peace. According to a report on AutoWeek.com, Schumacher returned home this week after eight months of hospitalization in France and Switzerland following a ski accident. The report detailed that “swarms” of photographers and television crews gathered at Schumacher’s home in Gland, Switzerland. The mass assemblage of media apparently included a Russian news agency seeking to establish a live stream outside the Schumacher’s home. According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, “The police of Gland responded quickly. They patrol Schumacher’s estate on Lake Geneva all night,

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