Category Archives: Auto Brands News

Mini Cooper gets a sporty upgrade

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Posted in Auto Brands News

The Mini Cooper has raised eyebrows for being one of the smallest and stylish cars on the road, and a new model of the popular vehicle is about to give the brand a whole new look. USA Today reports the new Mini Cooper Coupe offers a sleek design to appeal to drivers with a penchant for sporty cars.

Though it is smaller, the coupe will include a few more impressive features and also come at a slightly heftier price tag. Among the features that come with the coupe are a 121-horse power, four cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

While the base model is sporty enough, the news source reports there are certain add-ons that can make for an even more stylish driving experience. For a little extra, drivers can also get a boost in horsepower, as well as upgrades such as a USB port and adaptive headlights.

Whether drivers are looking for a powerful sports car like the Ford Mustang, or a smaller model like the Mini Cooper, New Jersey Auto Auction has plenty of affordable used cars to offer.

Prius wagon to be released this fall

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Toyota

The Toyota Prius has been one of the most popular fuel-efficient cars since it hit roads across the world nearly a decade ago, and the company is set to add a new model to the family. According to USA Today, Toyota recently unveiled the Prius v, a wagon-like version of the car aimed at families.

The announcement was made at an event earlier this week, which highlighted the impressive features on the soon-to-be released model. Though it's bigger and offers more space for families are cargo, it still maintains the Prius' impressive fuel economy, getting 44 miles per gallon.

According to the news source, though Toyota is hopeful about the addition of a new model, the name may cause some confusion. To help combat any mix-ups in the name, the original Prius will now be called the Prius Liftback.

Motorists hoping to get into a Toyota Prius, or other fuel efficient cars such as hybrid versions of the Ford Focus and Ford Escape can check out New Jersey Auto Auction which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

New Ford Focus to debut as pace car at Michigan International Speedway

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

Ford will pick a unique way to debut the 2012 Focus this weekend. USA Today reports that fuel-efficient car will be making its first public appearance as the pace car at a NASCAR event as the Michigan International Speedway.

While it may not the smallest pace car ever to lead a NASCAR race, by debuting the Focus in such a widely publicized event, it places the emphasis squarely on the car’s economical design. According to the news source, Ford estimates that the new Focus gets an impressive 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and could finish the 400-mile race without having to take a pit stop to refuel, all while still having plenty of gas left over.

The car will be driven by Mark Fields, the company’s president of the Americas. The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 is slated to begin on Sunday.

Drivers looking for a fuel-efficient Ford Focus or other economic model, will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which carries plenty of quality used cars at affordable prices.

BMW unveils impressive features in 2012 M5

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Posted in Auto Brands News, BMW

For months there had been speculation as to the new 2012 BMW M5, but the rumors and posturing is over. The company recently unveiled the details for its latest model and according to motorauthority.com, it is quite a sight to behold.

Among the most impressive features in the new model is its powerful V-8 engine, which offers an aggressive 560 horsepower. Thanks to its engine, the 2012 M5 can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds, and 124 miles per hour in 13 seconds, all while enjoying an economic 23.7 miles per gallon.

The news source reports that the interior of the car is almost as impressive as its powerful engine. The M5 features luxurious leather upholstery complete with a classy leather-trimmed center console and an aluminum interior trim. The car also includes a number of optional upgrades to take it to the next level, including a glass roof and multifunction seats.

Drivers looking to slip into a classy used BMW will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers quality pre-owned vehicles at an affordable price.

Volvo announces technology to reduce animal collisions

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Posted in Auto Brands News

Several automakers have been leading the charge to reduce collisions between vehicles, but one in particular is taking things one step further. The Independent reports that Volvo has announced it is working to prevent crashes between cars and animals.

The automaker says it will be making use of new technology that will be able to detect the presence of an animal in the road well before a car approaches it. The feature may prove to be an especially beneficial one as collisions with wildlife can not only seriously damage cars, but also pose as substantial threat to drivers as well.

According to the news source, the system will do more than just alert drivers. If no action is taken after an alarm sounds, the car automatically applies its breaks to prevent a collision from happening.

For motorists that do not have a vehicle equipped with such state-of-the-art technology, there are ways to avoid such crashes. Most importantly, they should heed warning signs of animals in the area and pay attention to the presence of animals on the side of the road. 

Toyota expects sales dip in wake of Japanese earthquake

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Toyota

Toyota recently announced grim expectations for its annual sales report, but with the potential for a silver lining. Hurt by the production stalls caused by the Japanese earthquake, Toyota expects sales to drop 31 percent from the year before, but according to The New York Times, the company also believes it will enjoy a quick recovery.

Despite the fact that many of Toyota's plants have been slowed by the earthquake and its aftermath, its officials maintain that they should be up and running at full speed by November at the latest. Although they are optimistic for the future, the news source reports that they will likely be passed as the world's largest automaker by General Motors and Volkswagen. Still, that's not something that's too important to the company.

"We don’t see it as necessary to be the largest automaker in the world," Satoshi Ozawa, Toyota’s executive vice president, told the news outlet.

While it might be in the middle of sales slump, there's no denying Toyota has been among the most popular manufactures in recent memory. Drivers looking to get into a reliable model, whether it be the Corolla or Camry may want to look to New Jersey Auto Auction for their automotive needs.  

Ford expects to triple production of electric cars by 2013

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

In effort to keep up with the demand for more fuel-efficient cars, Ford recently announced plans to triple its production of electric cars by 2013. The Detroit News reports that Ford hopes to build 100,000 electric vehicles a year by then, focusing primarily on making the C-Max an electric-only automobile.

The C-Max, which debuted in Europe in 2003 and is set to come to the United States, is currently only available as a two-mode hybrid. In addition to removing the gasoline option of the C-Max, Ford said that its primary concern would not be to create entirely new eco-conscious cars but to make the ones it already offers more environmentally-friendly.

"We're not electrifying a certain vehicle and making a science project for a few people. We're electrifying our core (models)," Jim Farley, Ford's president of marketing, told the news source.

Ford already offers several hybrid version of their popular cars, including the Fusion, which gets an estimated 41 miles-per-gallon. Drivers interested in a hybrid vehicle may want to consider New Jersey Auto Auction for their vehicular needs. 

Hyundai Elantra to get fuel-efficient upgrade for 2012

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Hyundai

The Hyundai Elantra has been one of the most popular cars on the road recently, but the company is still making some changes for its upcoming 2012 model. USA Today reports that the manufacturers will include a number of upgrades that will focus on improving the car's fuel economy.

In particular, Hyundai will outfit all the compact sedans with the so-called Active Eco System. This upgrade works by smoothing out throttle response, which can help boost fuel economy by as much as seven percent. The move could be a big one, as the car is already among the most fuel-efficient on the road.

The expected changes for the 2012 model will not just be efficiency-related, however. According to the news source, Hyundai will also add some new safety features such as improved fog lights, a louder horn and a passenger-side sun visor extender.

Drivers interested in the purchasing the Hyundai Elantra may want to hold off until the new version is released. However, if one is looking for a used car they may want to turn to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers used Hyundais at an affordable price.  

Nissan, JAF announce electric vehicle rescue service

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Nissan

Though electric vehicles (EVs) offer an eco-friendly way to get from point A to point B, there is always the lingering risk of running out of power. Nissan and the Japan Automobile Federation are looking to allay the fears of drivers with a roadside assistance program that will offer stranded motorists a recharge on the side of the road.

It's no surprise that the Nissan is at the forefront of the so-called EV rescue truck, as the company's Leaf is the first modern fully electric car on the market. According to USA Today, Nissan has sold just 1,200 of the Leaf in the United States, but its production signals a shift in how cars are powered and similar models are likely on their way to the states.

"As EVs gain wider consumer acceptance, it is important to create a roadside assistance system that can help motorists driving EVs which have run out of battery power," said Hitoshi Kawaguchi, a Nissan senior vice president.

Drivers interested in a used Nissan or Honda may want to look into New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of affordable cars for sale.

Ford unveils software to liven up driving

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Auto Industry News, Ford

The U.S. car maker Ford has released a new software called SYNC AppLink, which will make possible hands-free control of certain technologies via Android and Blackberry smart phone applications.

While the software will launch on the 2011 USA Fiesta, Ford said that the software will be made available to older Ford models that run its in-car connectivity system called SYNC. Ford also plans to create a developer community to encourage the development of apps for Ford cars.

Ford said the AppLink will allow drivers and passengers to control some of the most popular apps through SYNC’s voice commands and steering wheel buttons while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Some of the apps that motorists will be able to control include the online radio provider Pandora and the micro-blogging site Twitter.

“The growth in smart phone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market,” Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization, said in a news release.

Studies have shown that the mobile app development, which was a niche market just three years ago, will grow into a $4 billion industry by 2012. Mobile devices will become the No. 1 source for Internet access by 2015, surpassing the home computer.