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Flint, Michigan has one of the most struggling economies in the nation. With American auto factories closing up and shipping overseas and other problems, it’s quickly becoming a proverbial ghost town of sorts. But that could change pretty soon.

There was an announcement earlier this month about potential plans to build a biogas facility within the city. If this happens, it’s going to bring a large number of jobs to the area and hopefully bring it back to its glory days. Although the city was built on the automotive industry, Flint officials think this could be a turning point that will diversify its businesses and what the town has to offer.

Tim Herman, executive director of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, expects that a new biogas facility could directly create about 50 jobs. Indirectly, though, he expects it to create hundreds of jobs.

The new facility will likely be constructed with the help and partnership of Swedish International Biogas. The plans show the facility being built on the city’s wastewater treatment plant. So far, engineering has already begun, but the actual construction probably won’t start until September or later in the fall. It will also be the first plant of its kind in the entire nation, giving Flint some positive national attention in the media.

If you plan to visit the new biogas facility, why not visit a local Flint Buick dealer, too? This is where Buick began, so you know you’ll be getting a great vehicle at an unbelievable price. Check one out near you today!

Everybody in Southeastern Michigan is getting excited about the Buick Open. Every year, this is one of the biggest events that takes place in the region. It also gets national attention and attracts some of the biggest names in golf. Here are just some of the names who have already committed to playing at the event:

Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard – both of these professional golfers have won the Buick Open in previous years.

Woody Austin, Scott Verplank and Kenny Perry – these golfers have also previously won the Buick Open.

Brian Bateman – this is the 2007 winner of the event.

John Daly, J.B. Holmes, Boo Weekly, Fred Funk, Chris DiMarco

But among all of the names committing to the Buick Open, there’s one that everybody recognizes – Tiger Woods. But he’s not only the #1 ranked player on the PGA roster, he’s also the spokesman for Buick. Although he hasn’t officially committed to the event, officials are confident that he’ll be there to compete for the $900,000 first prize. And since he missed last year’s Buick Open, it’s another sign that he’ll be at this year’s because he’s never missed two consecutive years.

Tiger Woods won the Buick Open in 2002 and 2006. I’m happy to say I was at both of those events. And although I’m not a Woods fan, he does generate the type of excitement and interest that golf needs. He also draws more people to the course, which in turn causes more products to be sold by the vendors and increased revenue for the local economy.

While you’re in the Grand Blanc, Michigan area enjoying the Buick Open, why not visit a local Buick dealer, too? They have a variety of cars that is sure to meet your needs. You might even run into Tiger Woods and wish him luck on his short game.

The title of this blog could be misleading. When I said that Nissan is making batteries for green cars, I actually meant “green” in the eco-friendly way that everybody’s using it today. I didn’t mean Nissan was making batteries for cars that are only the color green.

But anyways, Nissan entered into a joint venture with NEC, an electronics company that specializes in mass-producing lithium-ion batteries. For hybrids and the upcoming electric car, these batteries are basically the future of the automotive industry.

By producing these batteries for eco-friendly vehicles, Nissan hopes to be the global leader in vehicles that produce absolutely zero emissions. That’s according to Nissan Motor Executive Vice President Carlos Tavares.

The beauty of the new lithium-ion batteries is that they are more powerful than the current batteries used in hybrid vehicles today. In addition to that, the new bottles are smaller and weigh less, causing the hybrids to be more fuel efficient because of less weight.

The battery plant is set for completion no later than 2009. Its production capacity is going to be about 65,000 batteries and it will run for three years. Nissan is going to use the new batteries in some forklifts in 2009 to test them and see how they do. But their major plans include releasing an entirely electric car in the United States in 2010. These batteries are going to play a major role in that launch.

Until then, you can visit your local Nissan dealer and get a deal on a fuel-efficient vehicle that’s great for the environment and your bank account. Give one a try today and see what’s available for you!

Yesterday, I posted a blog about how the Toyota has just sold more than one million Prius models since 1997. But did you know the Japanese automaker is working on a totally redesigned Prius for 2009?

If you’re excited about seeing these new models at a Toyota dealer near you, here are some of the new features to look for when you take it for a test drive.

More Horsepower
The 2009 Toyota Prius has more horsepower than the preceding models. With a larger 1.8-liter engine, the new model puts out 160 horsepower. That’s 25 more horsepower than the previous model’s year.

Fuel Efficiency
In addition to the increased horsepower, the engineers at Toyota has increased the car’s fuel efficiency by about 10 percent. What does that mean for you? About 55 miles to the gallon! I certainly wouldn’t mind that. With gas prices going up with no end in sight, the car could pay for itself in just a very short time.

More Room
You won’t just find improvements under the hood of the new Prius. The 2009 model has more room and a bigger body than previous models. In fact, some people say the new model resembles a station wagon appearance. But Toyota might also be launching a smaller version for the drivers who enjoy a more compact vehicle. As with any unreleased model, rumors are rampant until the actual introduction occurs.

If you’ve ever had your car stolen, you know the frustration of not knowing where it is or who took it. But sometimes, finding it can be even worse. That’s the case in this young lady’s situation.

Two years ago, just a few weeks after she graduated from high school, Andrea Harris’s 1994 Buick was stolen from in front of her house. A neighbor described two people pulling up behind it in a car and one person getting into the Buick before driving it away. Unfortunately, they never found the person who stole it.

However, police did find the Buick just a few days ago. That was the good news. The bad news was that they found her Buick, along with a dozen other vehicles, at the bottom of the Flint River. If you’re not from Flint, let me tell you just describe the Flint River in two words – dirty and disgusting.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. At first, she was elated when she heard they found the very first car that she ever owned. On the other side, she was distraught to hear that it would cost upwards of $1,000 to get it back. Between towing fees, diving fees and storage fees, she simply couldn’t afford it. Instead, she simply signed over the title. Unfortunately, she felt like the victim again. It felt like her car was taken away from her one more time. That’s they way many people feel when similar situation happen to them.

With GM’s current incentives and cash rebates, you too can get a “steal” at your local Buick dealer. Visit one between now and June 2 to take advantage of the rebate program before it’s too late!

Does anybody else like European Championship Soccer? If so, you’re in good company. Mercedes-Benz is a huge supporter of this popular sport. As a result, the automaker has gone out of its way to prove it.

Mercedes-Benz decorated and laminated ten refrigerated truck trailers with European Soccer symbols and pictures to promote the championship. Five of those trucks have an alpine image that you can see on the TV commercial of “Alpine Adventure.” The other five trailers have collages composed of photos sent in by thousands of soccer fans all over Europe and the world.

The purpose of the grandiose decorations on the trucks is a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and the German Soccer Association. They decided to work together to show their support for the German national soccer team in its attempt to win the 2008 European Soccer Championship. In addition to the trucks, the automaker plans on reaching the thousands of potential customers at the event and watching from home by showing commercials and other advertisements.

The great thing about these trailers is that you, the general public, can rent one for a day or for a longer length of time.

You can show your support for the soccer team by visiting your local Mercedes-Benz dealer and purchasing a luxury vehicle. With the new variety and wide-range of models, you’re sure to find something that meets your particular budget and lifestyle.

I remember the days when the Toyota Prius was just something you heard about on TV. It seemed that only the most “eco-conscious” celebrities were driving these cars around as a way to show that they can about the environment. But times have changed.

Today, Toyota has sold more than one million of its Prius models around the world. That might not seem like a lot, but when you think that it’s only been around for about 10 years, that’s quite an accomplishment. It’s especially impressive when you think of a new model’s first few years and the difficulty in getting it marketed.

The Toyota Prius went on sale in 1997 in Japan. When it was introduced, it was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid that used fuel and electricity together in one car. Today, however, the Prius is available in 40 countries and has been the example for other automakers entering into the hybrid market. And with the gas prices and everything else going on today, that one million sales is going to turn into two million sales in no time!

I remember when I first heard about the Prius. It was while watching Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO. Larry David was driving one. At the time, I had no idea of the phenomenon it would become. But now I’m well aware of the impact it’s had on the auto industry as a whole.

If you’re sick of the high fuel prices and your current car, why not visit your local Toyota dealer and get one today!

The new Nissan Urge is one of the ways that Nissan is reaching out to younger drivers, some of whom haven’t even been issued a license yet.

The Urge is Nissan’s newest answer to the industry’s performance car. It was born from an Internet survey in which Nissan asked thousands of young male drivers why many of them bought a used pickup truck for their first vehicle. Do you know what they dominant answer was? “Because they’re cheap.”

It’s just that simple. So Nissan decided to build on that premise. They then asked the guys about the two most important things in a vehicle. Their answers were almost unanimous – technology and performance.

What they meant by technology was the ability to interact with their everyday gadgetries. Most young males today have iPods, cell phones and other portable devices that they need on a daily basis. With the Urge, Nissan paid attention to these needs and included plug-ins and other ways for drivers to stay connected even when they’re away from home.

But Nissan didn’t stop there. The engineers also created some unique features that young male drivers can undoubtedly use to impress their friends. One section of the hood is made of glass so you can see the engine without ever lifting the hood. And the bottom sections of the doors are made of retractable glass. That means you can be going down the highway and retract the glass at the bottom to get a rush of wind through the inside of the car.

With these and other features that set the Urge apart from the rest, you’re likely going to see more young drivers at your local Nissan dealer. While you’re there, check one out for yourself. You might just get the urge to buy one, too.

A company that has been around for more than 120 years is bound to have some great historical stories. Mercedes-Benz is one of those companies. And now a new monument commemorates one of the automaker’s greatest feats in the auto industry.

Before talking about the monument, here’s a little background on the event. About 120 years ago, Bertha Benz made the history books by taking the world’s first long journey in a car made by her husband, Carl. She took along her two sons and drove from Manheim to Pforzheim, where she was born. A few days after arriving, she returned to Manheim. The entire trip was approximately 160 kilometers. The car traveled the entire distance with only a few minor complications.

That’s a lot of confidence that Bertha put into her husband’s creation. I know my wife wouldn’t trust an automobile that I created to even cross the street!

Today, the town of Pforzheim is commemorating the event with a new monument designed by Rene Dantes, a local artist. The unveiling took place on May 3 because that’s when Bertha was born in the town. Her great-granddaughter, Jutta, attended the celebration. The monument is a beautiful piece that represents Bertha and the car, but it’s more of an abstract representation created entirely from stainless steel.

But this was much more than just a long-distance trip.

Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board at Daimler AG, said this journey was the “start of a triumphant march which the automobile has continued to make around the world ever since.”

Today, you can visit a local Mercedes-Benz dealer and see how far the luxury auto industry has come in the last 120 years. I’m sure if Bertha, Carl or any of the Benz family that were around during the beginning years saw what their creations led to today, they wouldn’t believe it!

Despite his recent knee injury, Tiger Woods has high hopes that he’ll be able to play in the Buick Invitational later this month.

In a teleconference at the Bellevue Country Club, Woods said that his rehab is “going well.” He also said that he’s feeling good and he’s already back to working on his swing. He’s hoping he can work up to his normal practice in the days leading up to the tournament.

Tiger’s last surgery was April 15, merely two days after coming in second in the Masters. He’s had problems with the cartilage in his knee and this was the second time in five years that he’s had to have surgery to clean out the joint. The first surgery was nearly six years ago and it involved draining some fluid and removing a benign cyst.

He’s not fretting about his problem, though. With another surgery on his opposite knee almost 15 years ago, this makes his third surgery. “It is what it is,” he said about the situation. “It’s the nature of playing sports.” It’s good to see that he has a good attitude about it.

This latest surgery has caused him to miss a few important tournaments, though. He couldn’t defend his title at the recent Wachovia Championship and he also missed the Player’s Championship for the first time since he became a pro golfer. The winner of the Players Tournament, Sergio Garcia, wasn’t exactly sad about Tiger missing the tournament. “I want to thank Tiger for not being here,” he said. “That always makes things a little bit easier.”

If you get a chance to catch the Buick Invitational, don’t pass it up. While you’re at it, visit a local Buick dealer and check out the latest models. You can see the best players on the fairways and the best cars on the market in one exciting day!