Automotive Reporter/Biz News Wk of 6-15-15

Early voting is rolling in on the fourth generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Our brethren with the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA) have dubbed it “Best Small Convertible” at the 2015 Topless in Miami event.

Mazda North American Operations CEO/President, Jim O’Sullivan beamed. “The automotive press has been consistent in its lauding of MX-5’s performance, style and spirited driving dynamics through the years,” he said, calling the award “further affirmation that we’re building the cars people want to drive over and over again.”

The 2016 edition goes back to the taproot of the car, focused on “unadulterated driving pleasure.” The 2016 MX-5 goes on sale this summer starting at $24,915 plus all those other goofy fees.

My wife thinks the Nissan Juke should be named the “puke.” She’s not a big fan, but then, she’s never driven one. The quirky little sport-ute is about to get some serious sex appeal, thanks to a healthy injection from NISMO—the acronym stands for Nissan Motorsport International Limited—and the automaker will unveil the bug-eyed beast at the UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed June 25^th.
They're going to call it the Juke-R NISMO. 

I. Can’t. Wait.

From the “Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Is” Dept., FCA US LLC is being recognized as a “Top Supporter” of Black engineering schools for a fourth consecutive year. U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine took into consideration input from the deans of the nation’s 14 accredited historically black colleges and universities, and from members of the corporate-academic alliance, Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering, in making the announcement.

FCA says it’s all about priming the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) education pipeline. “Identifying and recruiting diverse talent with world-class skills is imperative to our Company’s and our nation’s continued competitiveness and success,” said Georgette Borrego Dulworth, Head of Diversity – FCA US. 

The FCA Foundation has contributed more than $2.1-Million to support FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics teams across the United States and Canada, part of the company’s ongoing commitment to education.

By now you know Porsche won the 2015 running of the 24-Hours of LeMans. In fact, Porsche was first and second this year. Congratulations, and  Ausgescheissnet!

Ford will return to Le Mans in 2016 with the all-new Ford GT supercar to compete in the LM GTE Pro class. The attempt will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ford’s 1966 overall victory. Oh, and they also won in '67, and '68.

Ford is touting the new race car as additional proof of the company’s innovative prowess. And yes, Ford will generate a race version and a production version of the car.

Can’t afford to buy a GT Supercar?
Meh—just print one up in 3-D.

Ford’s online 3D store, 3D.Ford.com, will enable you to download digital images and printable files of the F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST. 

The company promises more models will become available later.

Online store is powered by TurboSquid.com, the leader in providing automotive digital imaging and 3D-printable files.

Juniper Research foresees sales of desktop 3D printers exceeding 1 million units by 2018. Not to be a Danny-downer, but the 3D-printed models available to order are 1/32nd scale...in plastic.

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