Main page | June 6, 2007 »

After Build-A-Bear, Build-A-Toy-Car

The founder of the stuff-and-outfit your own plush animal phenomenon known as Build-A-Bear Workshop has teamed up with Larry Andreini, 44, an entrepreneur from Fairfax, Va., to back a concept called Ridemakerz, a make-and-outfit your own toy car business, according to the New York Times.

The first Ridemakerz store is scheduled to open Friday at an entertainment and retail complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C., followed in July by an outpost at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.

Customers select a chassis type (street or monster); body styles (stock or custom, a Ridemakerz brand hot rod, a Ford Mustang GT or Dodge Ram pickup, to name a few options); paint schemes; sound effects (for example, sirens or race sounds) and style of locomotion (free wheel or radio control).

After the 10- to 12-inch cars are assembled, there are ample customizing and accessorizing options: tire treads, grille guards, side pipes, snowboard racks and decals. Andreini estimates that a fully tricked-out vehicle will run about $75, including $25 for radio control. For the budget-minded, there’s a stock tuner car for $12.

Posted by   at 9:38 AM to Toys | Permalink | Comments 0

Carmakers are poised to make deal on fuel rules

After more than 30 years of staunch opposition to federal oversight, the U.S. auto industry appears ready to argue for higher fuel economy standards to block tougher proposals that several automakers worry could cripple their finances, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The latest sign came in a quiet posting of a draft bill from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the industry's top champion on Capitol Hill.

The draft proposes the industry meet mileage standards of at least 36 miles per gallon for cars after 2021 and 30 m.p.g. for trucks after 2024, or roughly 32.5 m.p.g. overall.

Posted by   at 9:36 AM to Fuel economy | Permalink | Comments 0

Honda will quit making hybrid Accords

Honda says it will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, according to USA Today.

Honda will continue to make gas-and-electric models of its Civic sedan, but stop offering the hybrid Accord with the new model expected to go on sale later this year, company spokesman Yoshiyuki Kuroda said in Tokyo.

The Accord hybrid, sold only in North America, was a dud, selling just 25,000 since going on sale in 2004. It sold just 6,100 last year.

Posted by   at 9:20 AM to Alternative fuels , Companies , Environment , Fuel economy , Technology | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil Prices Drop As Storm Worries Ease

Oil prices retreated amid easing concerns about a cyclone approaching the Persian Gulf and on expectations that a supply report from the United States would show that its gasoline stockpiles rose last week, the Associated Press reports.

Also sending crude futures lower was news that a Nigerian opposition group had declared a one-month cease-fire. That could offer newly inaugurated President Umaru Yar'Adua an opening to solve the crisis that has roiled Africa's oil giant, a leading exporter of crude to the United States.

Light, sweet crude for July delivery fell 33 cents to $65.88 a barrel by midday in Europe in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July fell 13 cents to $70.27 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Posted by   at 9:18 AM to Oil | Permalink | Comments 0

Hyundai Grabs Lead in Auto Quality Study

Hyundai eads in five categories in the annual vehicle quality study released Monday by Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based market research company and consultant to automakers, according to a report in the Associated Press.

Hyundai's rise in the rankings is only the latest sign of the improved overall quality and declining number of defects in today's cars and trucks, said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.

"They're coming together to a point where the differences are almost meaningless," Cole said.

He said that means buyers will pay increasing attention to dealer service, new technology, fashion features, price and fuel economy, AP reports.

Posted by   at 9:15 AM to Companies , Marques , Technology | Permalink | Comments 0