And now Ford is thinking about selling Mazda...!?

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/04/a...raise-capital/

2.5bil..

can mazda buy it back? I really dont' want to see any other manufactuers end up owning a controlling interest in mazda. not that Ford is any good, i don't wanna see Toyota buy Mazda!!!
________
LIVE SEX

Thats cus he is working in secret with some "other OG" Mazda heads on the new 7. Or what ever Mazda is going to call it.

????????? :eyetwitch

Ford won't sell Mazda, it wouldn't be worth it once it was all said and done.

i just saw that and was coming to post!

Yes. Bland with a B.:)

you're loosing your edge :p

Really? Haven't seen one in person but I think it looks pretty damn good. Especially considering how other electric cars were being designed. They seem to take some cues from Lotus and the MX5. Definitely nothing groundbreaking but I wouldn't call it 'bland' either.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marliemars/2681768748/

Franz should be a good fit if they're going for a more distinctive style.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

I think you got it. For a car with a six figure price tag and the significance the car has for the auto industry, I think the styling is anti-climactic.

I still remember the dramatic effect the styling of the Lotus Esprit S1 (007-Spy Who Loved Me) had on me and other kids way back when. Supercars were supercars, like when the Lamborghini Countach first came out, or classics like the AC Cobra, or even Speed Racer's original Mach5.

IMHO, even the Lotus Elise somehow lost its way in styling. The first generation was simply gorgeous, now it looks like an alien cockroach.

Series 1:
https://www.secure-travel.co.uk/tms/...Series%201.jpg

Current:
https://www.secure-travel.co.uk/tms/...us%20Exige.jpg

Given the significance of Tesla Roadster, I maintain that the styling is relatively bland.

I'm rambling. I think it's just me. I'm just the peanut gallery.

I've taken a good look at the roadsters up close in person. Maybe something is lost in translation in pictures, but I happen to think they look damn good.

No kidding. Aren't the basic car parts of the Tesla, except for the electrical drive train and batteries, basically designed and built by Lotus?

this guy has now been hired by tesla motors

I think so. The new Evora looks like the Tesla.

The Tesla is a Lotus Elise chassis. I've seen the Elise up close and ridden in one. They are indeed very tiny. Their design is perfect though. The bottom of the car is completely flat for aerodynamics. The radiator lies down horizontally with the air from the grille flowing through a nice sealed duct upwards through the radiator then out the hood vents above it. This orientation allows natural convention properties, namely hot air rising, to automatically pull air upwards and away from the radiator. This is useful with little airflow such as when stopped. The whole car is designed fantastically. The Tesla should be as equally well designed.

I'll bet Tesla will have the balls to do more than make show cars w/ Franz' designs too. Can you imagine something as sexy as the Furari actualy out on the road?

I think electric cars need hugeass outboard speakers, perhaps with 3 rotor PP engine sound or something customizable :P Cause it sounds plain lame currently. And it's a hazard too when it's that quiet.

Yeah Franz has moved from very large car maker in Mazda to Tesla's (Tin Pot Show) in any comparison.

Yeah ,Tesla must have offered him Millions to come over..:lol:
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog5/?p=60

he went to Tesla motors company

On top of it as always taj :lol: gg

Why not? They've sold every other profitable part.

Franz is doing pretty good in my view.
This car looks nice.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/i...1443041416.jpg

Oh, the article is here.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=7201