2003 Honda Civic Ex 1.7 L Vtec, 2 Door, Factory Mags, Sunroof, Cold A/c on 2040-cars

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GoPro learned to hoop from Meadowlark Lemon

Wait, wait, wait. We promise that there's something to do with cars in this story. Really, there is. It also, though, features some basketball antics. And the entire thing is possible thanks to the magic that is the GoPro.
Strategically situated, the little cameras capture David Kalb, a master when it comes to making trick basketball shots. This time, he's showing just what he can do when launching balls through the sunroof of a Honda Civic. That includes dribbling and sinking a layup (although we think he may have traveled when driving to the net).
Take a look below for the video, and let us know what you think of Kalb's tricks down in Comments.

The Honda CR-Z is on the way out, at least in Japan

The poor CR-Z, misbegotten and subsequently ignored by both customers and critics. Sales have been a trickle for years, and despite a few half-hearted attempts to kick-start interest it's clear the CR-Z lacks the goods. We've been thinking about its imminent demise for years, and it's already dead in Europe and Australia. Now, the CR-Z's lackluster run is ending in Japan. Inexplicably, that'll make the US one of the last bastions of CR-Z sales in the world. The 1.5-liter engine and electric motor make a combined 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque in manual-transmission trim. Yes, a manual transmission hybrid. Quite a unicorn, but don't get too excited. It won't blow your socks off, as we found out in our first drive. And the CVT model, with less power, is predictably less thrilling. Like most final edition packages, the Japan-only CR-Z Final Label gets cosmetic changes, like special edition badging, unique alloy wheels, "Final Label" logos embroidered on the seats, and equipment from the higher trim levels. The attention makes sense in Japan, where collectible special edition cars are highly sought after. It seems unlikely that Honda will bother with anything more exciting than a fire-sale promotion in the US, although we've asked the company what its plans for CR-Z in North America are and will report on what they tell us. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Honda Japan Green Honda Coupe Hatchback Hybrid honda crz

Foreign automakers pay from $38 to $65 per hour to non-union workers

As leaders for the United Auto Workers gather in Detroit for their Special Convention on Collective Bargaining to work out the negotiating stance for this year's new labor agreements with the Detroit 3 automakers, what they most want to do is figure out how to eliminate the two-tier wage scale. However, the lower Tier 2 wage has allowed the domestic automakers to reduce their labor costs, hire more workers, and compete better with their import competition. As it stands, per-hour labor rates including benefits are $58 at General Motors, $57 at Ford, and $48 at Fiat-Chrysler – a reflection of FCA's much greater number of Tier 2 workers. The Center for Automotive Research released a study of labor rates (including benefits) that put numbers to what the imports pay: Mercedes-Benz pays the most, at an average of $65 per hour, Volkswagen pays the least, at $38 per hour, and BMW is just a hair above that at $39 per hour. Among the Detroit competitors, Honda workers earn an average of $49 per hour, at Toyota it's $48 per hour, Nissan is $42 per hour, and Hyundai-Kia pays $41 per hour. The lower import wages are aided by their greater use of temporary workers compared to the domestics. Automotive News says the ten-dollar gap between those foreign camakers and the domestics turns out to about an extra $250 per car in labor, which adds up quickly when you're pumping out many millions of cars. That $250-per-car number is one that, come negotiating time, the Detroit 3 will want to reduce, as the UAW is trying to raise both Tier 1 and Tier 2 wages. Another wrinkle is that the domestic carmakers are considering the wide adoption of a third wage level lower than Tier 2. Some workers who do minor tasks like assembling parts trays kits and battery packs already make less than Tier 2, but the UAW will be quite wary about cementing yet another wage scale at the bottom of the system while it's trying to fight a bigger battle at the top. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req., BloombergImage Credit: AP Photo/Erik Schelzig Earnings/Financials UAW/Unions BMW Chevrolet Fiat Ford GM Honda Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz Nissan Toyota Volkswagen labor wages collective bargaining labor costs