F/A-18F Super Hornet Build Time-Lapse From Beginning To End

Military jets are not made by magic, rather, by hyperactive workers with the ability to complete the build of an entire F/A-18F Super Hornet in less than four minutes. [via military.com]

Donked AMC Hornet Sportabout Sports Hella Bass, Truck Nutz

Normally, we wouldn't recommend adding big ol' donkin' wheels, JC Whitney leaf-spring shackles, and Truck Nutz to a Malaise Era wagon. However, this combo works perfectly on a primered '76 Hornet Sportabout! More »

PCH, Carpocalypse Past Edition: '56 Hudson Hornet or '57 Packard Clipper?

It's Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Since the ongoing Carpocalypse is on everyone's minds, let's go with the late-50s Carpocalypse today!

Hornet Is Go! Dodge to Build Micro-Car, Because Duh, Gas Prices Might Rise

The ever-progressive Chrysler Corporation wowed the auto industry today amid heavy rumors that it may build a small economy car based on the Dodge Hornet. While not breaking up with Big Oil, Chrysler is hedging bets that, in the future, fuel prices will soar due to a combination of flawed American foreign policy combined with skyrocketing demand from China and India. Thus, management is positively rushing to bring the Hornet to market. Thanks to its streamlined and efficient management hierarchy, the company has been able to push through a decision to maybe go ahead with production at some point in the future to possibly start sales in 2010 in a scarcely believable two years. More »

Ass-Kickin' Engine of the Day: Hudson Six

You know what's wrong with NASCAR these days? Two things: the fans no longer drink beer from steel cans, and nobody races inline-six flatheads! Oldsmobile and Chrysler had new overhead-valve V8s in the early 50s, but Hudson Hornets equipped with 308-cubic-inch, twin-carb (called "Twin-H") flathead six engines utterly dominated NASCAR during the era. You can get a 308 equipped with a 4-71 supercharger nowadays, in case your Hornet needs even more power! Make the jump for the sound of the Hudson six. [Collector Car Market] More »

Chery Auto to Move Slooooooowly Into US

Chinese automaker Chery is ready to move into the country, but at their own pace. You can't rush it. It'll happen. They promise. Speaking at a J.D. Power and Associates forum, Chery General Manager Lin Zhang said "To be honest, we don't have a definite timetable yet for entering the U.S. Market." The plan is to have Chrysler sell the cars as Dodge/Chryselr branded vehicles at a price maybe below $10,000. More »

Chery Claims Deal With Chrysler NOT Halted

It must have all just been a misunderstanding...yeah, that's it:

"a Chery spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday that the newspaper had misquoted his colleague and that the earlier deal with Chrysler Group was progressing."

So umm, what's the left hand doing again mister right hand? – Ray Wert More »

No Chery-Flavor For Cerberus-Owned Chrysler?

We've just heard the Chinese automaker Chery's halting the deal with DaimlerChrysler to build Chrysler-brand vehicles (like the horny li'l hornet) until they get a chance to talk to the three-headed dog that's soon to be owning the automaker. According to the AP: More »

It's Official Unless China Says It's Not: Chery To Make Itty-Bitty Cars For Chrysler Group

This deal's been in the works for what seems like forever. We'd even heard the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid was all set to go in October of this past year, but held off for "political reasons." So it's really no surprise that the deals' done — the DaimlerChrysler supervisory board's approved the "framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chery Motor Company of China." Under the agreement, Chery-built vehicles would be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North American and Western Europe. That means we'll be talking about a Dodge, as it's the only brand the 'merican side of the not-so-much merger of equals is building any brand equity with. And that means it'll be the little horn-dog of a Hornet, and this will be an easy and quick win for Tom "Need To Lose Weight Of Excess Employees Fast" LaSorda. Of course the deal's still contingent on the approval of the Chinese government, but we're assuming that'll happen — unless the Hornet's some symbol of uncleanliness to a minority religion in China. But probably not. Full press release after the jump. – Ray Wert More »

Chrysler Would Prefer A Chery-Flavored Hornet Rather Than Plain Chery

Negotiations have been going on for around a month between Chery and the Chrysler Group over what b-segment car the folks at Chery may build for the less-than-equal side of the "merger of equals." AutoWeek's reporting the folks at the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid are a bit concerned over the quality level of Chery's b-segment lineup. So instead of having them build one of their own vehicles, Chrysler looks to be moving in the direction of having them build the Dodge Hornet concept instead as a vehicle for import to the US and euro market. Although pretty much everyone and their brother knew Chrysler would end up moving in this direction, to be honest, we're just excited to be getting some Chrysler news involving Chery having nothing to do with rumors of acquisition. In case you've already forgotten what the Chery-flavored Hornet concept looks like, we've included a gallery below. – Ray Wert More »

Breaking! An Extra Scoop Of Chery-Flavored Fiat?

The China Daily's reporting that Chery, the Chinese automaker that's always looking to be on top by partnering with every automaker on the planet, is reported to be looking at expanding their partnership with the Italian car maker Fiat. The two automakers currently have an engine deal and apparently one of the options being discussed could be an expansion into a joint venture agreement in China to assemble Fiat cars. We already know Fiat was in conversations with DaimlerChrysler on the "Hornet" before Chery stole the deal out from under them. Could this be part of some global three-way? Chery officials haven't said whether talks were under way, but they're also not denying it. Chery's chairman, Yin Tongyao is quoted only as saying the cooperation so far "is limited to engines." Based on that quote alone, they're totally going to be making a cinquecento for Fiat. Or not — what do we know? – Ray Wert More »

Breaking! DaimlerChrysler Chooses Chinese Chery To Build Dodge Hornet?

Last week we'd heard rumblings of some kind of an announcement involving the Dodge Hornet sub-compact (picture gallery for a reminder below) to come at the Detroit Auto Show, although we never confirmed it. However, Chrysler Group veep o' talking Jason Vines is confirming today DaimlerChrysler's chosen Chinese manufacturer Chery (pending board approval) to build B-segment cars for the German-American hybrid. I guess you can reasonably put one and one together — so go ahead and do that and let me know if you're also getting three. You're not? Oh wait, where was this calculator I'm using made again? – Ray Wert More »

Every New Morning: Bricklin's China Plan Changes Again

If one thinks about it, the only truly great thing Malcolm Bricklin ever did was bring Subarus to America. Other than that, Yugo? The Bricklin? Entirely amusing vehicles, but only if other people own them. So who really expected his venture with Chery to succeed? Well, we kind of did. At least for a while. But now that the Cheries are possibly on board to build the Dodge Hornet, Bricklin's holding the bag, calling the cars' quality not up to snuff, and deciding that Visionary Vehicles is going to design their own automobiles and find a producer in China to build them. We're suddenly feeling like this just won't end well. [Thanks to Kevin for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson More »

Chrysler Boss: Company Even Closer to Choosing China's Chery to Build Subcompact

According to Automotive News. Chrysler's about as close to picking China's Chery Automobile to build its new subcompact model as it can be without actually, say, selecting them. The group's CEO Tom LaSorda told reporters in Beijing (hmm) that the car — a ~$14,000 model likely based on the Hornet Concept shown at this year's Geneva show — will debut in western Europe, Mexico and Canada before coming to the US. LaSorda didn't mention which other company was in the running (they're down to two), which wasn't surprising, considering he was in China making a non-announcement that may or may not have to do with a Chinese company. How do you say "That guy is such a tease" in Mandarin? More »

A Chinese Bee: Chery to Build Dodge Hornet?

Will the Dodge Hornet be made in China? Automotive News reports today that DaimlerChrysler is in "late-stage negotiations" with China's Chery Motors to build a new small car for export, a car most believe will be one based on the Hornet concept (pictured) DCX showed in Geneva earlier this year. DaimlerChrysler executives are mum on the deal, saying they won't announce a small-car partnership until the end of the year. Still, a Chery-Chrysler partnership also calls to question a longstanding bid by auto entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin to bring Chery cars to the US under his Visionary Vehicles badge. According to AN, Bricklin says he won't be closed out by a Chery-Chrysler partnership, and that Chery-built Chryslers will help his cause by legitimizing Chery's production capabilities. He also says his joint-venture with Chery will be finalized by year's end. Either way, Chinese cars are coming, possibly sooner than we think. More »

V-Dub Snubbed: Volkswagen out of Dodge Hornet Production Deal

A German magazine reports Volkswagen is out of the running to partner with the Dodge boys on the Hornet project. According to Germany's Automobilwoche, Chrysler chief Tom LaSorda says that while Dodge's minivan partnership with VW is intact, the company is seeking for a new partner for the subcompact project, and will announce the decision sometime during the fourth quarter. In addition to Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Fiat (now looking more likely), supplier Magna Steyr, and China's Chery, Dodge is rumored to be eyeing Malaysia's Proton, Schwinn, Domino's Pizza and six guys who may or may not have a pretty good set of tools. More »

Fiat Horny for Hornet? Boss Says Company Interested in Subcompact Partnership with DaimlerChrysler

According to Reuters, Fiat boss Sergio "Mac-n-Cheese" Marchionne says the company is interested in hooking up with DaimlerChrysler to build a new subcompact car, likely based on the Dodge Hornet concept. DCX is reportedly looking for a production partner with which to manufacture the subcompact for the global market, and Fiat, Marchionne says, is always on the lookout for such partnerships that reduce its need for development capital — such as its linkeup with Ford on the new 500 / Ka project. Among other companies named as potential mates for DaimlerChrysler have been Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and outsourcer Magna Steyr. Still, with the new 500 on the way, and Punto sales inching Fiat back from the financial brink, we'd imagine another subcompact to compete with would be the last thing Marchionne wants, though maybe snagging a piece of the US market wouldn't be a bad trade-off. More »

Report: Dodge Hornet Nearing Greenlight

Dodge's Hornet concept totally has the X-factor — most agree not building it as a global B-segment car would be like Lee Iacocca killing the Mustang. It's got comfortably radical styling, C-segment roominess and windshield wipers (most concepts don't have 'em — go ahead and check). AutoWeek reports Dodge is likely ready to go with it, after a few details are ironed out. First, how will the US market for small cars shake out? Second, who will be its production partner, Mitsubishi or Volkswagen? Third, can it bring it to market without losing its off-kilter appeal? So many questions, only four years till the end of the decade. More »

Will Volkswagen Be Dodge's Hornet Partner?

Word is, Volkswagen's taking in laundry to put a few extra bucks in its housecoat. The company is reportedly lobbying heavily to be Dodge's production partner for a dealership version of the Hornet concept Dodge showed off in Geneva this year. According to Automotive News, Volkswagen — which is already partnering with Dodge on a new minivan —proposes to use the last-generation Jetta platform to underpin the new subcompact, which would be sold in the US and South America — though a European launch would likely be in the cards. More »

Chrysler Looking for Partner to Build Hornet

Chrysler showed off its Hornet subcompact concept this week in Geneva, now AutoWeek reports the company is looking to build it in partnership with a European or Japanese partner. We'd heard a new, sub-Caliber entry Dodge would come from the company's partnership with Volkswagen, which will manifest in a new VW minivan due in 2008 — that consideration was confirmed by Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda in Geneva. But we also heard a rumor that Chrysler could tap former small-car partner Mitsubishi for its European Colt platform. Sticker on such a car would likely start in the $12,000 range, with a sports-minded version like the Hornet shown in Geneva — with a supercharged 1.6-liter four — going for around $15,000. More »

Dodge Hornet to Buzz Geneva

Feckin' fack if we aren't useless. We grew up in California. We spent a year living in Tejas. And what language did we choose to learn? German. So we really have no clue about this Dodge Hornet thing, other than it looks like a cross between a Nitro and a Mini. Oh, and it cranks out 174hp from a blown 1.6 (yes! "compressor" the vaguely-universal power-adder!), which is pretty respectable for a car that appears to be the size it appears to be. It'll apparently premiere at Geneva. Or Ginebra. Maybe if the shit was just in Genf we'd actually understand where the goddamn thing's premiering, but now we're just acting out against the ineffectual result of our teenage desire to learn the true meaning of "fahrvergn gen." More »

The Kids of Today Should Defend Themselves Against the '70s: AMC's Spirit of '76

We were born in 1975, which meant that as a small child AMC's then- current lineup seemed interesting and futuristic to us. We also remember thinking Porsche 914s were strange-looking, yet kind of cool. Now generally remembered as the nadir of automotive design (along with the Vega, Pinto and Aspen/Volar twins), we still have a lingering affection for the '70s AMC products. Except for the Matador. Not even James Bond could make the Matador cool. More »