Category Archives: General Auto News

Study: Mismatched bumpers cost big money

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Posted in General Auto News

A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that a lot of car damage could be prevented if cars and SUVs were forced to have bumpers at the same height.

Current federal regulations call for bumpers to be placed 16 to 20 inches above the ground. When two bumpers hit exactly, the damage was found to be minimal by the study.

Yet problems arise when a truck or SUV is thrown into the mix. These vehicles are allowed to have higher bumpers, meaning that rear-end accidents between an SUV and car were found to cause much more damage. In many instances, the smaller car could slip under the larger one and destroy sensitive parts like a radiator.

"SUVs and cars share the road," said Joe Nolan, the Institute's chief administrative officer. "The problem is they don't share the same bumper rules, and consumers end up paying the price."

Automakers say that lowering the bumper wouldn't improve safety and could reduce the carrying capacity of light trucks. The group counters that car-based crossovers and similar vehicles would still be able to lower the bumper with no reduction in functionality.

Those who have their car totaled in an accident might find it cheaper to purchase a used car rather than pay a steep repair bill.

American automakers’ sales spike in November

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

With a rise in demand for trucks and SUVs, American automakers saw their profits spike in November when compared to the previous year.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all posted double-digit sales gains over November of 2009. Ford's profit was up 24 percent, with truck sales specifically up 34 percent. GM had a 12 percent gain, but the figure rises to 21 percent if the discontinued Pontiac and Saturn brands are excluded from the numbers.

Chrysler also had a good month, with its 17 percent sales increase representing the eighth-straight year-on-year rise in totals. The Jeep and Ram brands carried the company as they had a 58 and 67 percent rise respectively while Chrysler and Dodge both decreased.

Across the Pacific, Hyundai and Kia continued their strong sales with a 46 percent increase. Nissan and Honda also enjoyed double-digit gains at 27 and 16 percent, respectively.

Toyota was the only company that truly stumbled, with a 3 percent decrease in revenue. The company has yet to fully recover from the recall scandal from earlier in 2010, which some analysts believe tarnished the brand's previous reputation for quality. 

Cracker Barrel supports electric charging scheme

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

As more drivers make the switch to an electric vehicle, the issue of charging is going to be on everyone's minds. While drivers will certainly buy a charger for their home, on-the-go charging stations are expected to be scarce.

Ecotality Inc., an organization based in Arizona, has stated that it will be attempting to introduce more chargers in commercial locations across the country. One of the first partners to jump onboard with a pilot program is Cracker Barrel, a restaurant modeled after old-fashioned homestyle eateries.

Cracker Barrel will install 24 chargers at locations across Tennessee in an effort to give drivers more options. The company said that 40 percent of its customers are travelers, so the chargers might give them an extra reason to stop in for a bite to eat.

The high-powered stations installed at the restaurants are expected to provide a full charge in 30 minutes.

Drivers who are interested in electric vehicles may wish to hold off on their purchase until they hit the used car market so they can take advantage of discounts. Both the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, the first two electric models to be widely released in the U.S., are expected to retail for over $30,000. 

Two free pairs of jeans with every Focus

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

Ford has announced that it will be providing two free pairs of jeans with every 2012 Ford Focus that is sold. They just won't quite be usable.

The automaker has announced that it will be using a mixture of recycled clothing, mainly denim, in constructing the floor mats and carpet backing in the new version of the Focus. The company says that using the material will help the company reduce material usage and lessen its impact on the environment.

"Ford is continually looking for greener alternatives," said Carrie Majeske, product sustainability manager. "One of our key goals is to use more recycled or renewable materials without compromising performance or durability. Recycled content is a way to divert waste from landfills and reduce the impact of mining virgin material."

The material will include mixes of other cotton-based clothing, in addition to denim. Ford says that the amount of denim used will be equivalent to about two pairs of blue jeans.

The Focus is quickly shaping up to be an eco-friendly option. The company previously announced that it's aiming to achieve more than 40 miles per gallon in the new vehicle.

When a new model is introduced, the previous version usually sees a drop in price. Those who shop for a used Ford Focus once the new one arrives may be able to find a great bargain.
 

Chevy Volt wins two Car of the Year awards

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

The much-hyped and debated Chevrolet Volt has picked up two Car of the Year awards from separate publications.

Both Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine named the Volt the Car of the Year among 2011 models. The first all-electric vehicle from General Motors has already received considerable praise – and criticism – ahead of its release later this year. It has already been named to the shortlist for several Car of the Year awards from various publications, but several other sources have also alleged that the car doesn't actually drive off electric power at all times as GM claims it does.

Still, Motor Trend praised the vehicle for the new technology that allows it to automatically shift between pure EV and hybrid modes depending on which is most efficient.

Automobile Magazine associate editor Eric Tingwall said that the Volt was "genuinely an all-new car, in the most simplistic sense as well as in the greater notion that the Volt is unlike any vehicle we have ever driven."

The Volt is still in the running for the North American Car of the Year, which compiles opinions from a variety of automotive journalists. Other nominees include the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Juke and Hyundai Sonata.

Buyers interested in electric vehicle technology may want to wait until they hit the used car market, as the initial models are expected to be priced at more than $30,000 dollars.
 

Ford, Nissan among top three in taxi design contest

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Posted in General Auto News, Nissan

New York City's fleet of used Ford Crown Victorias functioning as taxicabs is set to be phased out once Ford ceases production of the iconic car, so the city is holding a contest to standardize the taxi used across the city.

City hall recently unveiled the finalists in the contest and all three are van-like in design. Ford, Nissan and Turkish automotive company Karsan each submitted proposals that are roomier than the traditional sedans currently used by drivers, instead looking more like London's taxis.

Ford submitted a version of its Transit Connect van, which is also available as a commercial vehicle. Nissan's entry is a modified NV200, a van that is sold in Japan and Europe. Karsan, largely unknown in the U.S., designed a van that is similar to the other automakers but features more expansive windows.

"Each is promising, but none is perfect," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the designs. "We are not obliged to go with anything if it does not meet our needs."

The winner will be announced in early 2011, with city officials saying it will be four years before the entire city makes the switch. The Bloomberg administration is currently soliciting input from citizens as well as attempting to negotiate its own list of features with the automakers. 

Fun cars on the cheap

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Posted in General Auto News, How To

Just because a driver is limited by their budget doesn't mean that they have to settle for a boring car. In fact, shopping the used car market will give drivers years of options when it comes to vehicle selection.

Popular Mechanics recently listed the most fun used cars for under $3,000. These vehicles might not be running as well as they were new, but if buyers can find a model that's in relatively good condition with reasonable mileage, they can get a great deal on some truly enjoyable cars.

The BMW E30 was a high-end luxury vehicle in its heyday, but drivers searching the used car market will now be able to have these vehicles for less than $3,000. That price range typically means that drivers will be targeting cars from the late 80s or early 90s. For many models, finding running vehicles in this condition can be tricky, but BMW has a large number of fans who continue to support the older vehicles and keep them in good condition. Drivers should try to find an E30 with a 6-cylinder engine. If they find an E60i, they should jump on it quick, as these models are rare but offer increased performance.

The Toyota MR2 was a budget vehicle even when it debuted, with specs that, at the time, challenged high-end sports cars with its 145 horsepower. At the time, that was about half of what many Ferraris could produce. These vehicles can't compete with many modern entry-level cars in terms of pure power, but they still have the sports car handling that made the model famous.

When is a Mustang not a Mustang? When it's the Ford Probe GT. This car, built by Mazda and featuring front-wheel drive, was originally slated to be a Ford Mustang. But Mustang enthusiasts couldn't handle a non-American vehicle that didn't feature rear-wheel drive. Still, the mid-nineties Ford Probe is a fun-to-drive muscle car that boasts a 164-horsepower V6 engine.

The news source points out that drivers who don't pay a lot for their car are less likely to worry about it. Still, drivers should be sure that all the proper maintenance work has been performed so that they can avoid buying a lemon. If drivers already have a primary vehicle and simply want a car to fool around in, any of these vehicles could represent an enticing option. 

F-150 to offer fuel-efficient V6 engines

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

The F-150 has been a top seller for Ford over its lifetime, at times even being the most popular vehicle in the country. And while the truck is currently the best-selling pickup truck in the U.S., that doesn't mean that the automaker thinks there aren't improvements that could be made.

Ford has announced that the 2011 F-150 will come with two new engine option for drivers who don't need all the power that a V-8 provides. The 3.7-liter V6 will be the new base engine for the truck, and Ford says that preliminary tests have revealed the truck gets 23 mpg on the highway and 16 in the city. The automaker also plans to introduce a slightly more expensive 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which will increase fuel efficiency even further.

The new V6 engines are somewhat risky for Ford, as those who buy full-size trucks typically opt for high powered V8s. While Ford will still offer those engines on the F-150, it will offer one less V8 and heavily market the V6.

"Fuel economy is the number one unmet need in the segment," Doug Scott, Ford's truck marketing manager, told the Detroit Free Press. "You are talking about a 20 percent fuel economy improvement, and at the same time we are giving them better performance."

Buyers looking for a used Ford F-150 will have no shortage of options, as the truck is consistently popular among drivers.
 

BMW Z4 boasts high performance – and price tag

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Posted in BMW, General Auto News

The 2011 BMW Z4 coupe/convertible recently hit dealerships, and those looking for a performance-oriented model that also boasts some luxury features may find it to be a nice choice.

According to the Associated Press, the 335 horsepower contained in the Z4 sDrive35is' V6 engine is the most of any non-V8 convertibles on the market. Boasting a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, drivers with a need for speed will likely fall in love with the Z4 sDrive35is. The car is also available with a 255-horsepower six-cylinder for a slightly reduced price.

With a retractable hardtop and eye-catching styling, the Z4 is a luxurious vehicle. The news source points out that it's not a very fuel-efficient one, however, getting 24 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 in the city, putting it below some SUVs. Most drivers likely won't care when they're tearing up the open road with the top down.

All those horses under the hood are nice, but economic drivers may want to wait for the new Z4 to hit the used car market, as buying pre-owned will likely shave off a substantial portion of the $52,000 automobile.

Google outfits self-driving Prius

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Posted in General Auto News, Toyota

Google has revealed that it is testing technology that would allow vehicles to drive themselves using advanced artificial intelligence that mimics the decisions drivers make on a daily basis.

The company is currently testing the new technology around California, using modified Toyota Priuses and one Audi TT. High-powered cameras, similar to those that Google uses for its "Street View" service, are mounted on top of the vehicle in order to detect the situation around the driver. That information is then fed to the vehicle, so that the car can stop, steer and navigate all on its own. According to the company, the technology already makes better decisions than human drivers.

Google says the technology is still years away, but hopes that one day the system will be reliable enough to save lives and cut down on the 1.2 million killed every year on the roads.

"We believe our technology has the potential to cut that number, perhaps by as much as half," project lead engineer Sebastian Thrun wrote on the official Google Blog.

The current vehicles use GPS technology to map a route in advance, but can adapt to situations based on sensors detecting the vehicles and obstacles around it. In limited testing, the team uses a driver who has full control of the vehicle and can take over at any time in case of an emergency. Thus far, the group has only had one accident – when they were rear-ended at a stoplight.

Drivers interested in a Prius or any other vehicle may want to search on the used car market in order to get a better deal.