Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

The ZOE Z.E. concept car stems from a curious collaboration between French automaker Renault and luxury skincare company Biotherm (a division of L'Oreal). The ZOE Z.E. offers the usual complement of EV conceptual goodness -- it's battery-powered, boasts zero-emissions, is quickly rechargeable, and makes use of solar power -- but it also has a handful of spa-like amenities, including a hydrating a/c system.

Our fave feature, however, would have to be the car's aromatherapeutic element:  "An electric system diffuses essential oils, exclusive active substances adapted to the needs of the driver: dynamic in the morning, relaxing coming home...

China may not be as isolated as it once was, but there are still cultural differences that set the country apart. To minimize traffic accidents near schools, for example, America created a system of school zones and built a few speed bumps. China, on the other hand, has ordered children to salute every passing car on their way to and from class -- which sounds cumbersome for both students and officials, but the government says there hasn't been an accident since the program began. And hey: if it teaches manners too, as officials hope, perhaps there's something the West can learn. [NYT via KickingTires]

Saturn fans are an exceptional bunch. Despite recent surveys showing brand loyalty to be a thing of the past, Saturn owners' passion for their rides is the stuff of legend -- so the fact that slowly dying Saturn recently sent "Dear John" letters to its customers seems oddly appropriate. The one-page missive has all the hallmarks of a breakup note, including the requisite "It'll be tough, but I'm sure you'll struggle through" lingo. Ordinarily, we'd write this off as GM's desperate, schmaltzy attempt to retain customers, but the tone is so right, so fitting for Saturn, it seems on-point -- possibly even poignant. Cynics, enlarge that image...