Monthly Archives: October 2010

Honda named greenest automaker

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Posted in How To

As more people become concerned about global warming and other environmental issues, many drivers consider the eco-footprint of their vehicle to be an important factor in making their decision. While miles per gallon is one way to rate how fuel efficient the car is, it doesn't get to the heart of the issue – namely, how much smog-forming emissions the car produces.

The Union of Concerned Scientists releases yearly rankings that look at all the vehicles that an automaker offers in a particular year, then names which one is the "greenest" overall. It does this by averaging various environmental factors and rolling it into a composite overall score. This year's study looked at cars from the 2008 model year, as it was the most recent year that full data was available to the group. The group only looks at the top eight companies in the U.S. – Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai and Volkswagen – in determining the rankings, as these account for over 90 percent of the vehicles on American roads.

For the fifth consecutive year, Honda was named the greenest automaker by the study, but it just narrowly beat out competitors Toyota and Hyundai, who tied for second place. Just one point separated the three companies, with Honda scoring an 86 and the other two at 87 (lower scores are more desirable).

"It was a photo finish, but Honda is still the champ," said Jim Kliesch, author of the report.

Despite the victory for the 2008 year, Honda will likely drop off once the latest plug-in hybrids hit the market. While Honda has announced two plug-in models for 2012, those will likely come after many competitors have introduced their offerings. Honda believes the plug-in craze to be a stopover before the greenest technology is introduced: hydrogen. As such, the automaker is devoting more resources toward developing those cars.

"We feel that it's the ultimate solution," Honda spokesman Chris Naughton told CNN in July "But the infrastructure is developing more slowly than we had anticipated."

The study noted that many predicted Toyota to take the top spot from Honda this year, but the automaker stalled in adopting carbon-reducing technology. Hyundai, meanwhile, shot up the rankings by emphasizing more efficient vehicles with smaller four-cylinder engines.

The rankings were not good news for Detroit's "Big Three." Chrysler, GM and Ford finished in the bottom three spaces, with Chrysler placing dead last. The study did note that environmental standards were up overall and that the American companies could see their rankings climb thanks to future introductions like GM's Chevy Volt.

Drivers can likely find many of the 2008 models that were evaluated in the study on the used car market. Buying a used hybrid can make sense because the reduced price of the pre-owned market can offset the inflated price that many drivers pay when buying the vehicles new.

DOT unveils tougher safety system

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

The Department of Transportation has unveiled a stricter safety testing system that will lower the amount of stars received for some popular vehicles.

The new system is said to be a lot tougher on vehicles and highlight a greater disparity between the models. Many vehicles in the past were easily able to achieve five and four stars under the old system.

Chief among the changes is a new overall score that weighs various factors into one number. While the test still differentiates for front and side-impact rating, it also takes into account some new features. Dummies representing the average size of women will now be incorporated, as will a test where the vehicle strikes a tall object like a pole or a tree.

"We are raising the bar on safety," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

In an initial analysis of some new models, some vehicles came out looking better than ever. The BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata were the only two vehicles who got a five-star rating in the first batch of 34 vehicles. The Toyota Camry, a previous five-star winner, was rerated down to a three-star car, while the Nissan Versa, previously at four stars, walked away with just two.

Travelers should consider safety features when searching for a car, but they can still get a great value by searching for some of the safer vehicles on the used car market. 

Ford announces Focus rally contest

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

As part of the launch of its redesigned Focus, Ford has announced that it will team up with the "Amazing Race" producers for an online reality show.

The show, named "Focus Rally: America," will follow six teams of two as they make their way across the continental U.S. Along the way, they'll compete in challenges that will also have an interactive component, encouraging fans and followers to get onboard as well. The winner receives $10,000 and 10 Focuses, which will be split among the competitors and randomly chosen fans of the show.

At the Paris Auto Show, Ford executives announced that the Focus marketing campaign would be similar to the successful "Fiesta Movement," which utilized social media to generate buzz for the company's Fiesta hatchback. The new show continues that trend by being streamed online at popular video site Hulu.

According to Matt VanDyke, Ford's U.S. vice president of marketing, the challenges will incorporate the technology available in the car.

"The technology available with the Focus will be demonstrated throughout the course of the rally," said VanDyke. "And fans will see Focus' technology used by the competitors in a very authentic way. Essentially, they will be riding along on a very entertaining virtual test drive of the vehicle. At the end of the day, we are hopeful they will put the new Focus on their shopping list."

Drivers interested in a Ford or any other vehicle can save money by shopping on the used car market rather than buying new.
 

Chevy throws down heavy-duty gauntlet

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

Chevy thought it had a winner with its redesigned Silverado, which at the time of its debut boasted a class leading 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine that got 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque. Then Ford engineers tweaked the SuperDuty's diesel V8 so that it eclipsed those numbers.

But Chevy isn't buying the 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque that Ford rates its boosted engine at. So the company has challenged Ford to a "tow-off," a showdown between the two trucks to see which could tow a trailer up a mountain the fastest.

Ford currently leads Chevy in sales in the pickup class, meaning the company had a lot to lose but very little to gain by accepting Chevy's challenge. So although Ford has declined to participate, Chevy will go ahead and test the two trucks anyways, with the competition overseen by an impartial independent committee of judges.

"Numbers on paper are fine. Let's go work these trucks in the mountains, and may the best truck win," Chevrolet Silverado Marketing Manager Tony Truelove said.

The vehicles are so close in power and performance that what a driver chooses will most likely come down to personal preference and styling. Both of these trucks have been on the market for years, so drivers searching on the used car market will have plenty to choose from. 

Ford posts big gains in September

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Monthly sales totals are rolling in, and the big news is at Ford, where the company posted a whopping 46.3 percent sales increase over September 2009.

Nearly all models posted upticks in sales, but the Focus and Fusion both performed above average. Ford also posted an unexpected 61 percent spike in the SUV department and said its new Transit Connect van, mainly bought by businesses, has been a hot seller.

"The key to our success in the U.S. market is the relentless cadence of new vehicle, powertrain and technology introductions," said Ken Czubay, VP of marketing, sales and service for the company.

Automakers are expected to post big numbers in September because of the aftereffects of the "Cash for Clunkers" program in 2009. While the government-sponsored initiative boosted numbers for August of 2009, it hurt sales in September because many automakers didn't have the supply left to meet demand.

Despite this, Ford has still posted the biggest increase so far out of the major auto brands.

Drivers on the market for a vehicle may want to search for a late-model used Ford, as the company has produced a major turnaround in recent months 

Chevy looking to global market

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

With four new models set to debut at the Paris Auto Show, only one of which is headed to the U.S., Chevy is looking to increase its presence worldwide rather than simply focus on the American market.

Chevy will pull the lid off several new models in Paris: the Orlando minivan, Captiva small SUV, Cruze hatchback and Aveo compact sedan. Of these, only the Aveo is expected to make its way to the states.

The current Aveo is a popular budget vehicle that is available as both a hatchback and sedan. While the new Aveo will continue that trend, it offers a sportier powertrain designed to compete against recent compact "hot hatches" like the Ford Fiesta.

The car is representative of a general shift in the auto industry toward producing smaller vehicles that will be profitable around the world. While small cars were previously only favored in Europe, the recession has meant that many Americans are going smaller in an effort to increase fuel economy.

The debut of new models means older Chevys will likely make their way to the used car market. Patient drivers can often get great deals on cars as compared to the prices from just months earlier. Drivers can likely find a used Chevy Aveo for less than $8,000, a number that could drop even further when the new model makes its official debut later this year. 

Mercedes uses Martin Luther King in new commercial

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz turned a few heads when it appropriated the image of Martin Luther King in a new ad for its luxury SLS AMG coupe.

The SLS AMG is a sleek, $175,000 sports car that is immediately recognizable due to its signature gullwing doors. In the ad, Mercedes cuts together various footage of people over the years raising their hands in triumph, which includes a few seconds of Dr. King raising his hands while giving a speech. Other images of victory, like Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer and other nonspecific people, play as a voiceover describes the history of this pose. Finally, the ad fades to the new coupe, as the gullwing doors raise in a similar fashion.

The use of King raised a few eyebrows, with several commentators pointing out that Mercedes was using an image of a man who campaigned for basic civil rights and equality in order to help sell an expensive luxury car. Despite the complaints, it appears Mercedes will air the ad as intended. The automaker licensed the rights from King's estate for an undisclosed fee.

Drivers in the market for a used car may want to consider a Mercedes, as the low prices make the brand more accessible.

BMW to recall vehicles for brakes issue

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Posted in Auto Industry News, BMW

German automaker BMW is recalling nearly 200,000 new and used cars due to an issue with the braking system that could cause leakage.

The automaker said that over time, a leak could develop in the power braking system that would reduce the effectiveness of it. Mechanical braking would still be possible.

The models range from 2002 to 2010 and all of the cars feature V8 or V12 engines. The models include the Alpina B7 from 07-08, the 745i/Li, 750i/Li and 760 i/Li from 02-08, the 645i and 650i from 04-10 and the 545i and 550i from 04-10.

The BMW-owned Rolls Royce Phantom from 2003 onwards is the final car being recalled. This $400,000 automobile is notable for its inclusion as luxury cars of this caliber usually aren't involved in recalls. The new Rolls Royce Ghost, however, is unaffected by the problem.

BMW will notify owners in the coming weeks and ask them to take the car into the dealer, where technicians will install a replacement part.

Drivers in the market for a used BMW should keep an eye out for these vehicles and get an assurance from their dealer that the fix has been taken care of before moving ahead with the purchase.
 

Sorting out heavy-duty pickups

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Posted in Ford, How To

Some drivers choose pickup trucks year after year for their style – enjoying the feeling of riding high and the utility afforded by the bed in the back. Others have specific tasks in mind when they consider the vehicle, whether that be off-roading for leisure or heavy-duty hauling for business.

These drivers tend to gravitate to the larger versions of pickup trucks for their increased power, towing capacity and size. For years, Ford has been at the top of the segment with the F-150, a perennial best-seller. Yet when drivers upgrade to the next class of truck, Ford has had ever-increasing competition in recent years.

According to the Detroit News, there are only a few brands that drivers should consider when choosing a full-size pickup – Ford, GMC, Ram and Chevy. The news source recently pitted four of the top trucks available against each other in two different categories – three-quarter ton gas-powered and one-ton diesel-powered, to see which one took the cake. These vehicles all have long histories, and while there are changes year to year, drivers will have plenty of options when searching for them on the used car market. The news source ultimately liked all of the vehicles and would recommend any of them for drivers serious about their truck.

Ford's F-150 was cited as having the best engine of the bunch in the gas-engine category, with an updated powertrain that gets 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Ford also has the technically biggest diesel engine at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the news source said that the GMC/Chevy shared Duramax engine delivered a smoother ride, though drivers will sacrifice some power at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.

Although the Ram fell behind a bit in terms of power, the news source praised it as the best-looking truck, which is an important feature for some drivers. Despite that, Ford had the best interior with plenty of room for people and the optional Sync connectivity system.

Overall, the Ford easily took the cake in the three-quarter ton segment and posted a strong showing in the one-ton contest as well. Yet the news source ultimately preferred the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado in terms of performance. Between the two, the Sierra got the nod for its slightly more refined interior, though both trucks share powertrains.

Drivers looking for a truck will have plenty of options on the used car market, and their decision will ultimately come down to exactly what they want to use it for. 

Redesigned Scion tC hopes to attract new drivers

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Posted in Toyota

Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand has been successful in many ways, most notably in creating a number of enthusiasts who are loyal to the brand. Now, with a redesigned version of the brand's coupe, the tC.

The 2011 Scion tC goes on sale October 1st, and Toyota hopes that the vehicle will strike a balance between appealing to the Scion loyalists who have helped the brand get to this point as well as reach a new audience who will help it continue to grow.

Like the tC's brandmate, the boxy xB, the Scion features a styling gamble that may turn many people off right away – an all-glass roof. The other improvements are tough to argue with – improved horsepower and fuel economy over the previous model in addition to a roomier backseat. Although the tC still appears like a two-door coupe, it offers enough room to allow it to compete with more traditional compact sedans.

Scion owners tend to customize their vehicles in various ways, something that Toyota encourages. That could be problematic for buyers on the used car market, who could get a car that has additional accessories or parts that the driver doesn't need or want. Still, drivers interested in the brand might be able to find a few cheaper tCs on the used car market once the new model debuts.