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On May 10, Toyota opened the first hydrogen refueling station in the United States that's fed directly by an active hydrogen pipeline. Baby steps, absolutely. But when you consider the infrastructure required to actually make this happen it's pretty friggen incredible!

So the Atlanta BMW Seminar is now behind me, as it is Sunday morning and I am choking down my first cup of latte. Choking, as I am not quite over this miserable cold I acquired just before leaving for Atlanta.

This was one of my smallest, but best classes. I had a great class of technicians, and they all left feeling lucky the information they learned, plus were entertained with my sparkling personality. :-)

So now it's on the plane and back home to a house full of Rubbermaid bins that are still not unpacked, organized, eBay'd, put away, or thrown away. Oh fun, fun ladi, da.

Audi announced Tuesday that it will launch a Roadside Assistance application for mobile devices. The application will be available for iOS, Android and some Blackberry devices. Audi's announcement follows the release of similar applications by BMW and MINI. Note that roadside assistance for all three brands is provided by Allstate, and it's more than likely that the mobile application is simply rebranded for each make.

AAA also offers a mobile application for it's roadside assistance.

Here's Audi's Press Release: 

Greeting to all, and I hope everyone is doing well. I myself have been moving the Euro-Diagnostic Resources office to a new location. And boy it's been a fun trip all the way! (insert cynical laughter here)!

I have been in the process to find a little bit bigger of an office, as EDR has grown over the years, and I have too much "stuff" in the office. With all of the computers, software, manuals, and phones...I just grew out of the facility (home).

So I have been rolling around in the attic laying data and phone lines. Painting, painting, painting....then moving, moving, moving.

Holy Cow, Toyota issues ANOTHER recall! This time for 2008 Highlanders and 2007-2008 RAV4's. In these vehicles the curtain side airbag roll over sensor(s) might malfunction.

Now wait just a friggen minute. Did you say FIAT? As in the Fiat that we all know and love from our childhood? The funky little italian jobbies that were always broken down on the side of the road, or waiting hopelessly at the shop for another fruitless repair? Yup, THAT Fiat. Coming back to the US! Starting with the 500 sedan, but rumor has it that a 500 convertible will be here too. Built in Mexico (global economy, remember?), and to be sold in about 150 Chrysler dealerships.

USA Today reports that BMW and Mercedes outsold Lexus in the first quarter, this for the first time in 5 years. The article doesn't offer specifics, but assuming the report is accurate this could mean that Toyota's recall problems are beginning to have an effect on it's luxury car sales.

Add the troubles that Toyota is experiencing from the March earthquake, and the outlook might be dismal for the Japanese carmaker. Toyota just announced severe cuts in production, and it's dealers are bracing for a shortage of cars to sell this spring and summer.

No longer a "chick car"? According to Volkswagen, the redesigned New Beetle should appeal to more men, "without turning off it's female fans". A little over 3 inches wider and 6 inches longer than it's (eleven year old) predecessor, it has a "powerful appearance with muscular tension", according to VW marketing folks. You're playing with us again you wily Germans!

Fun stuff everyone. The new Volkswagen TDI Seminar went well, and we all had a great time. I feel so lucky to find such great techs that are so receptive to learning all the new technology for these newer generation cars. I found that the new VW-Audi Tech, Todd, is a great addition to the group and to the seminar training team. We rocked the house on Saturday, and tomorrow will be the hands-on portion of this class in which I am looking forward to two things: