Elon Musk Nearly Sold Tesla to Google in 2013

April 20, 2015 at 10:30 am by Alex Nunez | Photography by Lily Lawrence/Getty Images for Oceanic Preservation Society

Ashlee Vance’s upcoming book Elon Musk: Tesla, Space X, and the Quest for a Great Future seems like it could be a fascinating read.

In an excerpt published by Bloomberg Company, we find out that in early 2013, when factors had been going decidedly not nicely for Elon Musk’s startup automaker, he arrived at a deal with Larry Page to sell the company to Google for billions, with assurances that the tech giant would leave Musk in location for 8 years or till Tesla released a mainstream-oriented third-gen electric automobile.

After the Tesla Model S first went on sale in June of 2012, early shortcomings had led to poor word of mouth. The auto lacked some of the functions of competing luxury vehicles, and some components, like the chintzy sun visors and wonky door handles, had early adopters grumbling.

Sales targets had been in danger of being missed, so Musk shook up the whole organization and generally tasked everybody with assisting close sales on preorders. As all this was happening, he reportedly approached Page and Google and created the deal that would have rescued the business if it couldn’t turn its fortunes around in the brief term.

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Except Tesla did turn it about. Sales have been created, vehicles have been moved, and the fairy-tale saga of income and cooking stock costs took hold. Musk never ever had to sell to Google, and right here we are.

If the book is filled with stories like this, it’s going to be a page-turner. Read the complete excerpt right here.

This story originally appeared on roadandtrack.com.

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Elon Musk Nearly Sold Tesla to Google in 2013

Suzuki Swifts sold in SA are safe says 3 -Star rating!

• Swift models sold in SA awarded 3-star rating


• Local models compliant with local and global safety standards


• Zero score for base-spec model sold in India only

Concerns regarding the safety rating of the Suzuki Swift 1.2 produced in India, which have emerged in the wake of a recent Global NCAP crash test, are not relevant to the model sold in South Africa.

According to Charl Grobler, sales and product manager at Suzuki Auto SA, the test was conducted on 2 different grades of the Suzuki Swift: the Indian basic specification model, and the Latin American export specification version.

“However, the Swift 1.2 model offered for sale in SA is the export specification version, which comes equipped with ABS and dual front airbags. Therefore, the zero safety score is not applicable to the locally available Swift model,” Grobler added.

The Global NCAP test conducted on the export model as sold in SA resulted in a 3-star rating. The Swift 1.2 also meets all SA regulations and compulsory specifications as set out by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) – previously known as the SABS.

Grobler points out that SA customers seeking an even higher level of active and passive safety can opt for the Swift 1.4 and Swift Sport models. These models benefit from additional safety systems, including a total of 6 airbags, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) for the ABS braking system, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Suzuki Swifts sold in SA are safe says 3 -Star rating!

Suzuki Swifts sold in SA are safe says 3 -Star rating!

• Swift models sold in SA awarded 3-star rating


• Local models compliant with local and global safety standards


• Zero score for base-spec model sold in India only

Concerns regarding the safety rating of the Suzuki Swift 1.2 produced in India, which have emerged in the wake of a recent Global NCAP crash test, are not relevant to the model sold in South Africa.

According to Charl Grobler, sales and product manager at Suzuki Auto SA, the test was conducted on 2 different grades of the Suzuki Swift: the Indian basic specification model, and the Latin American export specification version.

“However, the Swift 1.2 model offered for sale in SA is the export specification version, which comes equipped with ABS and dual front airbags. Therefore, the zero safety score is not applicable to the locally available Swift model,” Grobler added.

The Global NCAP test conducted on the export model as sold in SA resulted in a 3-star rating. The Swift 1.2 also meets all SA regulations and compulsory specifications as set out by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) – previously known as the SABS.

Grobler points out that SA customers seeking an even higher level of active and passive safety can opt for the Swift 1.4 and Swift Sport models. These models benefit from additional safety systems, including a total of 6 airbags, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) for the ABS braking system, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Suzuki Swifts sold in SA are safe says 3 -Star rating!

Jolly Great News: Aston Martin Lagonda Could Be Sold Outside the Middle East

We really like quite much everything about the luscious new Aston Martin Lagonda sedan, except for one thing: Aston Martin is only promoting it in the Middle East. Or is it?

According to a report from Top Gear, worldwide interest in the lip-smackingly lovely supersedan has not gone unnoticed by Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, prompting the business to explore the possibility of bringing it to other markets. Or maybe this was the program all along. Either way, we’re pleased to hear that the Lagonda is acquiring a case of wanderlust.

This was confirmed by Aston’s U.S. spokesman, Matthew Clark, who mentioned, “We are investigating the possibility of bringing it to other markets apart from the Middle East . . . Global interest has been extremely powerful so it is correct that we have a appear at possibilities.” We agree. It is at least appropriate.

But will it come here? We, um, hope so. Although Europe and England are virtual guarantees should the Lagonda be sold anyplace else, distribution in regions beyond those could be restricted by the capacity the Lagonda’s dedicated factory in Gaydon, and Aston’s willingness to go via emissions tests and run the car into walls and stuff. Then once again, maybe the feds will give Aston a hall pass? It is happened just before.

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Jolly Great News: Aston Martin Lagonda Could Be Sold Outside the Middle East

First Edition of all-new Volvo XC90 sold out in 47 hours

The First Edition of the all-new Volvo XC90, which was only available for sale via digital commerce, sold out in 47 hours after it was released on Wednesday afternoon at 16.00 hours CET. Most of the 1,927 individually numbered cars were reserved within one hour from sales start. At its peak, 7 cars were sold every minute.

“We are very pleased, but not really surprised,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service of Volvo Car Group. “The huge interest in the all-new Volvo XC90 escalated to astronomical levels after the world-première last week.”

The First Edition cars, which celebrate the year Volvo was founded (1927), were for the first time in history only available at www.volvocars.com.

The 1,927 First Edition owners of the best SUV in the world will get a fully equipped car with uniquely numbered tread plates and a distinctive badge on the tailgate.

“The first buyers signed up for their favourite number in milliseconds. The rapid response confirms that the Volvo XC90 is a truly iconic car. The Volvo XC90 First Edition will be a collector’;s item in the future,” said Alain Visser.

Black exterior and Amber leather seats

The Volvo XC90 First Edition features an Onyx Black exterior and 8-spoke 21-inch inscription wheels combined with an interior styled with nappa leather seats in Amber, a Charcoal leather dashboard and Linear Walnut inlays.

The Volvo XC90 First Edition is powered by a high-performance petrol or diesel engine from Volvo Cars’; new 4-cylinder Drive-E powertrains. The engines are teamed with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

Striking tablet-like touch screen

The tablet-like touch screen in the centre console is one of the most striking features in the all-new Volvo XC90.  The heart of Volvo’;s all-new in-car control is virtually button free and represents an entirely new way for drivers to operate their car and access a range of Internet-based products and services.

The Bowers & Wilkins audio system features a 1,400 watts Class D amplifier, 19 speakers and the latest sound processing software, which brings the emotional experience of a world-class live performance into the car.

Most comprehensive standard safety package

The most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry includes 2 world-first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. All of Volvo Cars’; auto brake functions  that detect other vehicles,cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, are also standard.

Priced at R1 050 000, a total of 23 Volvo XC90 First Editions were ordered by South African customers and are expected to arrive in May 2015 – about 3 months ahead of the rest of the all-new Volvo XC90 range.

* Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Car Group’;s international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification

First Edition of all-new Volvo XC90 sold out in 47 hours

Next-Generation Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Coming for 2016, Existing Model to Be Sold Until Then

With the new, 6th-generation Hyundai Sonata hitting dealerships now, avid followers of the car’s hybrid iteration may be asking yourself where the hybrid model is. Nicely, if these folks existed, they’d surely be curious so far, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata lineup consists of 3 gas-only powertrain combos. The outgoing Sonata gives a hybrid iteration (pictured here), and we’ve found out the new vehicle also will offer you such a model—but it won’t arrive till later this year or early next. 

So what’s to become of the Sonata hybrid till it is re-launched in the new body style? At the drive occasion for the redesigned 2015 Sonata, Hyundai told us that the current hybrid will christened as a 2015 model and sold alongside the new sedan till the new hybrid arrives. Even although Hyundai enhanced the Sonata hybrid slightly for 2013—mostly to boost the EPA fuel-economy figures soon after it was caught fluffing those numbers—we’re hunting forward to seeing what the automaker’s organizing for the new version, particularly offered the efficiency improvements to the gas-fed 2015 Sonata.

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The base 2015 Sonata is powered by a 2.4-liter 4 bolted to a 6-speed automatic and gets up to 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, while the 2.-liter turbo-powered Sport 2.0T‘s window sticker displays 23/32 mpg. Nevertheless, the 2016 hybrid’s real internal competition will come from the new-for-2015 Eco model, which utilizes a modest turbocharged 1.6-liter 4 and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic to eke out 28/38 mpg—not exactly a threat to the outgoing Sonata hybrid’s 36/40 mpg functionality, but not poor, either. We count on to see the new Sonata hybrid appear at an auto show this fall or early in 2015.

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Next-Generation Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Coming for 2016, Existing Model to Be Sold Until Then