Among the television ads that book ended this year's U. S. Super Bowl extravaganza, Audi's Green Car commercial truly stood out, not for the beautiful car or the amazing scenery but for its apt, modern day take on the no littering, no polluting, no composting, no carbon foot printing world we all now try, as much as we can, to live in. Some iconic snapshots: A man pulled out of his home by a squad team for not composting a rind; another man arrested for choosing plastic over paper; a cop pulling over two other cops for using Styrofoam cups; and last but not least, an Audi A3 clean diesel driver allowed to pass an "eco" road blockade for not fouling up the air with noxious fumes – all the tune of a song entitled, "The Green Police". It was a deprecating take on what in the developed world at least has become a fairly all encompassing issue: collective guilt over trying to follow – and keep up with – the ever changing rules of keeping "green.". 
Share:  Among the television ads that book ended this year's U. S. Super Bowl extravaganza, <span class="company">Audi</span>'s Green Car commercial truly stood out, not for the beautiful car or the amazing scenery but for its apt, modern day take on the no littering, no polluting, no composting, no carbon foot printing world we all now try, as much as we can, to live in. Some iconic snapshots: A man pulled out of his home by a squad team for not composting a rind; another man arrested for choosing plastic over paper; a cop pulling over two other cops for using Styrofoam cups; and last but not least, an <span class="company">Audi</span> A3 clean diesel driver allowed to pass an "eco" road blockade for not fouling up the air with noxious fumes – all the tune of a song entitled, "The Green Police". It was a deprecating take on what in the developed world at least has become a fairly all encompassing issue: collective guilt over trying to follow – and keep up with – the ever changing rules of keeping "green.". Tweet this 

In fact Audi has had a long and difficult road here in the U. S to get where they are today. Initially praised as a coming brand that bristled with innovation and forward thinking – its Audi 5000 influenced the Detroit Three to completely rethink their idea of what a contemporary sedan should be when it made its debut , Audi was off to a tremendous start in this country. That is until the "unintended acceleration" fiasco began – which proved to be a completely false witch hunt blatantly orchestrated by CBS' "60 Minutes" for ratings – and the brand suffered a dramatic drop in sale because of it, going from an annual rate of around 75 80,000 units to under 20,000 in less than 15 months, leaving its very existence in this market in question. 
Share:  In fact <span class="company">Audi</span> has had a long and difficult road here in the U. S to get where they are today. Initially praised as a coming brand that bristled with innovation and forward thinking – its <span class="company">Audi</span> 5000 influenced the Detroit Three to completely rethink their idea of what a contemporary sedan should be when it made its debut , <span class="company">Audi</span> was off to a tremendous start in this country. That is until the "unintended acceleration" fiasco began – which proved to be a completely false witch hunt blatantly orchestrated by CBS' "60 Minutes" for ratings – and the brand suffered a dramatic drop in sale because of it, going from an annual rate of around 75 80,000 units to under 20,000 in less than 15 months, leaving its very existence in this market in question. Tweet this 

Publisher's Note: My "quick take" this week is on the 2010 Audi R8 quattro Coupe super sports car. The R8 isn't just any car for Audi , no, it's the tip of the company's technological spear in the marketplace and the most thoroughly gifted of all Audis in terms of its relationship to its Le Mans winning racing machines. The mid engine 2 seater was stunning in its Phantom Black Pearl effect exterior. 
Share:  Publisher's Note: My "quick take" this week is on the 2010 <span class="company">Audi</span> R8 quattro Coupe super sports car. The R8 isn't just any car for <span class="company">Audi</span> , no, it's the tip of the company's technological spear in the marketplace and the most thoroughly gifted of all <span class="company">Audi</span>s in terms of its relationship to its Le Mans winning racing machines. The mid engine 2 seater was stunning in its Phantom Black Pearl effect exterior. Tweet this 

Based on my experience in the 1980s helping investigate unintended acceleration in the Audi 5000, I suspect that smart pedals cannot solve the problem. The trouble, unbelievable as it may seem, is that sudden acceleration is very often caused by drivers who press the gas pedal when they intend to press the brake. Say what? 
Share:  Based on my experience in the 1980s helping investigate unintended acceleration in the <span class="company">Audi</span> 5000, I suspect that smart pedals cannot solve the problem. The trouble, unbelievable as it may seem, is that sudden acceleration is very often caused by drivers who press the gas pedal when they intend to press the brake. Say what? Tweet this 

Audi on Tuesday promised a swift return to pre crisis sales and higher profitability, after the premium carmaker reported a less dramatic profit drop in the past year than its main competitors.. The Volkswagen subsidiary on Tuesday reported a 42 
Share:  <span class="sent">Audi on Tuesday promised a swift return to pre crisis sales and higher profitability, after the premium carmaker reported a less dramatic profit drop in the past year than its main competitors.</span>. The Volkswagen subsidiary on Tuesday reported a 42 Tweet this 

"Audi is definitely benefiting from being a part of the Volkswagen group and it is definitely doing a great job but these numbers almost seem to be too good to be true," Credit Suisse analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"<span class="company">Audi</span> is definitely benefiting from being a part of the Volkswagen group and it is definitely doing a great job but these numbers almost seem to be too good to be true," Credit Suisse analyst <span class="analyst">Arndt Ellinghorst</span> said.</span> Tweet this 

Since the NSU Ro 80 went out of production in 1977, Mazda has been the keeper of the flame. But Audi has announced that it will show an A1 e tron concept at the Geneva show this week, and the pug in will feature a single rotor Wankel range extender (gen set). Rotaries and micro turbines have often been suggested as the ultimate range extenders due to their compact size and low weight. 
Share:  Since the <span class="company">NSU</span> Ro 80 went out of production in 1977, Mazda has been the keeper of the flame. But Audi has announced that it will show an A1 e tron concept at the Geneva show this week, and the pug in will feature a single rotor Wankel range extender (gen set). Rotaries and micro turbines have often been suggested as the ultimate range extenders due to their compact size and low weight. Tweet this 

"The significance of Geneva 2010 is that hybrids will go from concept to reality," said Nomura autos specialist Michael Tyndall, citing as examples the hybrid versions of Porsche's Cayenne, the BMW 5 series, and the Audi  A8. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"The significance of Geneva 2010 is that hybrids will go from concept to reality," said Nomura autos specialist <span class="analyst">Michael Tyndall</span>, citing as examples the hybrid versions of Porsche's Cayenne, the BMW 5 series, and the <span class="company">Audi</span>  A8.</span> Tweet this 

Group sales last year rose 1.1 percent to a record 6.29 million cars and sport utility vehicles, with growth at the namesake VW and Skoda divisions more than making up for a decline at Audi. "The quality of Volkswagen's sales took a hit during the recession," Daniel Schwarz, a Frankfurt based analyst at Commerzbank AG with a "buy" recommendation on the stock, said before the figures were released. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Group sales last year rose 1.1 percent to a record 6.29 million cars and sport utility vehicles, with growth at the namesake VW and Skoda divisions more than making up for a decline at <span class="company">Audi</span>. "The quality of Volkswagen's sales took a hit during the recession," <span class="analyst">Daniel Schwarz</span>, a Frankfurt based analyst at Commerzbank AG with a "buy" recommendation on the stock, said before the figures were released.</span> Tweet this