tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299452712009-10-16T19:44:25.851-07:00This is where you'll find news, random car-related thoughts and personal views from a rabid car nut. "Amanojaku" is Japanese slang that means "person who is deliberately contradictory". I've always found myself drawn to the less appreciated car makes - the "underdogs" if you will. Suzuki, Pontiac, GM Daewoo and Holden, are among my favorite brands to watch and comment on. Let me hear your thoughts!michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-67034817575656161622007-08-31T19:36:00.000-07:002007-08-31T19:46:13.839-07:00

Since I don't really use this Blog much anymore, but people still ping me about it, I thought I'd link to what I am doing over at www.Suzukiphile.com, which also includes some GM, Daewoo, and other related stories that I could have just as well posted here.  So rather than every post from August, I chose the more general ones and not only Suzuki specific.  Not sure if I'll be back here regularly,

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-33938592681602033092007-07-10T09:02:00.000-07:002007-07-10T09:07:07.197-07:00

I'm often amazed at the lengths people will go to in an effort to prove just how green they are or "save money". While not the solution for everyone, the easy answer to getting good mileage has been around for decades, and it's called the motorcycle.While a loudly idling Harley with a radical cam and straight pipes doesn't do much to create an image of Eco-friendliness, the smaller, inexpensive

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-56755318977426540752007-07-09T07:26:00.000-07:002007-07-09T07:36:11.669-07:00

Some updates from my Suzukiphile blog. Check 'em out if you have the time! :1. Suzuki Wagon R RR Street Sport Concept2. #1 Kei Truck: Suzuki Carry3. Detroit Continues to Fight Against Fuel Economy

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-45761837169186880302007-06-17T07:53:00.000-07:002007-06-17T07:59:30.382-07:00

Haven't posted much here as I've been busy with the Suzukiphile blog.  Check out just a few of the many posts there:JDM Suzuki Swift Sport Street SportGran Turismo 5 Coming....What Cars for Suzuki?"Fur-Renza" gets Positive Review from Dog Owners

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-80924581203019791972007-05-23T09:06:00.000-07:002007-05-23T09:09:22.750-07:00

See photos of my 2007 Absolute White Suzuki Forenza Wagon with Convenience Package, Automatic Transmission, and several SWT ( "Suzuki Works Techno" ) accessories:Set 1: 2007 Forenza Wagon SWT Set 2: 2007 Forenza Wagon SWT

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-31430009792713123442007-05-13T08:33:00.000-07:002008-12-11T21:19:21.058-08:00

There haven't been many (if any) regularly updated American Suzuki news blogs out there, so go check out www.suzukiphile.com if you're a Suzuki fan with a need for news!

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-13092302870828943402007-05-11T18:58:00.000-07:002007-05-11T19:02:33.572-07:00

Many thanks to John McElroy of Autoline Detroit!Wow. Watch as Mr. Bob Lutz gives a great, lengthy response to my question on the Park Avenue and hints at a "Return to true Luxury" for Buick. Download the video HERE!, about 14:45 minutes in. - MingQuote: "We are studying the low volume import (of the Park Avenue)....and reestablish the Buick Flagship. It would return Buick truly to the Luxury

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-4056648697668158212007-05-04T18:15:00.000-07:002007-05-04T18:22:27.287-07:00

A couple of days ago I sent viewer mail to Autoline Detroit, a TV show that I have permanently Tivo'd on the Speed Channel. Thanks to John McElroy, my question directed to Mr. Lutz was asked during his interview!  I originally posted this at GMInsideNews.com, and Autoblog later picked it up. Reply from John McElroy of Autoline Detroit TV:I got to ask Mr. Lutz your question, but it will be in the

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-11290654124582467622007-05-03T20:42:00.000-07:002007-05-03T21:16:09.986-07:00

Since reviews for the Suzuki Forenza are rare now that the car has been out for years without major changes, I'm always on the lookout for a review. HispanicBusiness.com made an unusual move of combining two different vehicles together into one review: The Forenza and the recently introduced all-wheel-drive SX4. Overall the review was positive for the Forenza, not so much for the SX4. Here are

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-42112012144350743902007-04-28T08:16:00.000-07:002007-04-28T08:26:39.560-07:00

Where have all the Hot Buick Sedan Designers Gone, Long time passing?Where have all the Buick Designers Gone, Long time ago?Where have all the Buick Designers Gone, Gone to China Every One,When will they ever learn, (to stop focusing on SUV's, Trucks & Crossovers in Detroit) When will they ever learn? Well, they've gone to China, as evidenced in most of the excellent-looking Buick of China lineup

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-45557443082478553722007-04-27T21:18:00.000-07:002007-04-27T21:25:25.278-07:00

I found this article interesting. A creative way to break the "default vehicle choice" lock the Toyota Camry apparently has on some folks living in Australia.Photo credit to member Mikmak on GMInsidenews.com Toby Hagon27 April 2007www.drive.com.auHolden is offering your money back if you don't like its new Epica mid-sized car, the cheapest six-cylinder car on the market. Holden is offering a

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-78661159644290231722007-04-27T18:03:00.000-07:002007-04-27T18:11:59.769-07:00

DEBBIE KELLEY of the Gazette recently had an interview with The Ryosaku "Rick" Suzuki. He's the chairman of American Suzuki Motor Corp. and is the grandson of the Japanese automaker’s founder, Osamu Suzuki. See the link below for the full interview. A snippet is below. If anything, this interview proves that Suzuki is on a roll and intends to keep rolling. Rumors of Suzuki going all out to

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-57895352475723670322007-04-20T16:19:00.000-07:002008-12-11T21:19:21.300-08:00

What to do if you're a fan of GM Daewoo and you live outside of Korea and can't read Korean? Hey, hey, no jokes about "What Daewoo Fans?" and Bobby Lee's "Tank" character from Mad TV, please... (hehe)Anyway, since Daewoo as a brand left the global stage for the most part several years ago and became GM Daewoo, it might not be as easy as it once was to find small start-up enthusiast sites in

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-33972087580405787042007-04-20T15:59:00.000-07:002007-04-20T16:07:26.416-07:00

Photo source: autos.msn.comThe Ford Flex was revealed earlier this month, and I guess I somehow missed that it isn't just a concept, but an actual production car coming next summer. I hate the name and dislike the new "crossover" designation, but I love the looks. It says classic station wagon to me, although Detroit's Marketing executives run from that classification like it is a bad thing.

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-3658051557992871692007-04-14T05:53:00.000-07:002007-04-14T13:30:10.888-07:00

Once the Chinese Park Avenue debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show 2007, it was only a matter of time before word, and plenty of photos, made their way around the world. This is the age of the Internet, after all. GM can't just launch a new vehicle in secret and hope no one over here in America will notice that Buick in China is getting vastly better-looking cars than the frumpy U.S. market LaCrosse

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-61611841960067672072007-04-08T11:05:00.000-07:002007-04-08T13:00:13.865-07:00

Another interesting quote from Maximum Bob in today's news.I know that Pontiac is looking a lot better as a brand these past few years. The Solstice, upcoming G8, and even some of the existing cars like the G6 Convertible are very appealing to me and those I work with who aren't GM fans.But Buick? Well, Bob has the best idea of GM's plans for that withering brand, but I don't see any kind of

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-63961878794529100152007-04-07T10:22:00.000-07:002008-12-11T21:19:21.557-08:00

We all know that the main reason to buy a Prius is to save the planet and be like Al Gore (minus the private jets), not to impress your peers...but seriously, most people have it in their heads that a Prius is a means to save gas money. But how much money will be saved when you consider the Chevy Aveo, recently refreshed with a nice interior and exterior? Bloomberg has a story on it...Save with a

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-88757295227255888852007-04-07T09:25:00.000-07:002007-04-07T09:49:07.305-07:00

The Seoul Motor Show 2007 is in full swing and yet all most auto sites are offering, it seems, are bland stock photos from the Korean automakers.The show is a real "event" with thumping music, pretty girls galore, and a lot of special customized models. A car guy's dream.Thankfully, we have the blogophere to provide us with a taste of that. A blog called "Max Watson's Asian Adventures" is

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-34054173377522360082007-04-04T17:30:00.000-07:002007-04-04T20:22:47.180-07:00

This article (below) conflicts with a source I have that says that there will be a Chevy minicar coming to the U.S. in 2010. And "consider"? Why offer Americans the chance to vote on a minicar (http://www.gmsurveys2.com/se.ashx?s=7C7FD94F5CE5A6E8) that is not coming to the market? Why hype a trio of concept cars in New York and set up a website for the public to vote? Either its all clever

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-70666373937767377512007-04-03T17:34:00.000-07:002007-04-03T18:14:06.128-07:00

The Corvette in the photo above is participating in a "new" U.S. motorsport called "Gymkhana". No, its not the car-version of the 1985 movie Gymkata, that cheesey martial arts film with a Gymnast running around offing people like Jean-Claude Van Damme. Nor is it a new workout routine that attempts to recreate how Ricardo Montalban beefed up his pecs for the Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.According

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-59830767464545963102007-04-03T11:59:00.000-07:002007-04-03T12:10:17.989-07:00

Aveo sales jumped in the U.S. market in March and have been on a roll this year.2007 Sales were 6,793, compared to 2006 Sales at 4,438. That's a rise of almost 50%.For the year-to-date, Aveo sales are at 15,228, up 44.1% over last year.Either people have really warmed up to the fresh styling of the new Daewoo Gentra-based Aveo, or they've come to appreciate the way the car is jam-packed with

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-62898542624435158002007-03-29T18:58:00.000-07:002007-03-30T06:20:00.329-07:00

From the The Car Blogger @ Blogspot:GMDAT and Suzuki share alot of components and it seems that the partnership will continue on with these latest shots of what appears to be the Daewoo Tosca with Suzuki badges spotted in Southern California. Suzuki suffered poor sales from its rebadged product of the Daewoo Magnus mid-size sedan, which was introduced for the 2004 model year. Both the Chevrolet

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-61312284107266282172007-03-29T06:28:00.000-07:002007-03-29T06:32:25.913-07:00

Another reason why GM needs to extricate itself from the "Union-Made" anachronism while companies like Toyota, Nissan and Honda operate largely without any kind of Union presence (and the joint NUMMI venture doesn't really count) in their U.S. factories:UAW head indicates GM's gotten enoughSource: http://www.theeagle.com/stories/032907/business_20070329025.phpDETROIT - The head of the United Auto

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-71881716090788797102007-03-28T21:12:00.000-07:002007-04-17T18:24:56.169-07:00

Recently I've posted quite a bit on my favorite car forum regarding my desire to see Buick import an Excelle or a Tosca as a Buick to combat the steep 40% decline in Buick sales in the USA.GM fans at GMInsidenews.com will have none of it.Narrow thinking, in my opinion has lead to the problems Buick is having as a brand. Buick has more than a few opportunities around the globe to bolster its

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29945271.post-3954225375591307732007-02-20T15:50:00.000-08:002007-02-20T15:58:32.545-08:00

Checking out Suzuki's Website (as I do weekly) I was pleasantly surprised to see another 500 bucks on the hood of the Forenza Wagon. This makes the deal sweeter, but I'm still waiting to pay my Safari off in a couple of months before going out and buying one. http://www.suzukiauto.com/specials/index.php

michitakemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852313693621997922noreply@blogger.com0