Monthly Archives: March 2011

Mazda recall weaves a tangled web

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

Arachnophobes beware: Mazda is recalling 52,000 Mazda6 sedans for problem related to the eight-legged crawlers.

Apparently, a certain species of spider, the yellow sac, is attracted to the evaporative canister vent line. The problem is that these creatures will infest the vent and begin to spin webs, which will in turn block the necessary vapor from traveling through the line, possibly leading to leaks or stalling in the engine. Mazda plans to insert a spring into the vent to prevent spiders from nesting in there.

It's certainly a first to recall a car for a spider problem, but the Mazda6 isn't the only vehicle suffering from the issue. Honda issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) in 2009 for the same problem in 2008-2009 Accords. The TSB is a step down from a full recall because the issue won't effect vehicle performance in the Accord – although it may cause the "check engine" light to come on.

Hyundai similarly issued a TSB for the same vent line, saying that problems with it could be caused by debris or possibly spiders. Again, the Hyundai vehicles don't appear to have any serious ramifications like the Mazdas do.

Drivers who shop at New Jersey State Auto Auction will be able to choose from a wide range of vehicles, which is a good thing – because arachnophobes will probably want to steer clear of these vehicles. 

Gas-powered models beginning to surpass hybrids for fuel economy

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Posted in General Auto News

With gas prices sky-high, many drivers in the market for a new or used vehicle are looking for fuel economy above all else. The conventional wisdom might say to buy a hybrid or perhaps even one of the new all electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt. However, many of the new gas-powered models on the road are actually achieving EPA-rated miles per gallon (MPG) that surpass even their hybrid counterparts.

The Washington Post uses the new Chevrolet Cruze Eco as a prime example of automakers attempting to stretch every last MPG out of a gas-powered vehicle. At 42 miles per gallon, the Cruze Eco actually beats many hybrids, although it falls shy of the 60 mpgs that its brandmate, the Volt, is rated at while running on the combined power of gas and electricity. Still, the Cruze Eco's gas engine is much more appetizing to the American public than worrying about the range limits of the Volt.

"The buzz has been all about electric vehicles and hybrids, but to me, the real buzz should be about the old internal combustion engine," Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds.com, told the news source. "It ain't dead yet."

Other gas-powered models, like the Ford Focus SFE and Hyundai Elantra, have also been able to crack the 40 mpg milestone, largely because automakers have reduced weight and increased aerodynamics.

Drivers who want to switch to a vehicle with more miles per gallon may want to shop New Jersey State Auto Auction, where they can save money on a car that will in turn save them money at the pump.

Car loans contribute to credit growth in January

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

The Federal Reserve is reporting that consumer credit rose by $5 billion in January, the fourth straight month of an increases, signalling a strong shift in the availability of credit for buyers.

Monthly reports from the government agency track both revolving (money charged to credit cards) and non-revolving (money tied up in loans) lines of credit. While revolving credit actually fell by $4.25 billion in January as compared to the prior month, non-revolving credit rebounded in a big way, with an increase of $9.26 billion.

With the spike in loans coinciding with a strong surge in car sales, many analysts believe that auto loans are driving the movement forward.

"Auto sales have been doing well and today’s report is a reflection of that," Neil Dutta, an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York, told Bloomberg. "Credit standards remain tight – we’re seeing that with credit cards – but at the margin we’re seeing some loosening, such as auto finance."

With so many drivers seeking out car loans and lenders being more willing to offer them, it's a great time to be in the market for a new vehicle. Drivers who shop at New Jersey State Auto Auction can select from a wide range of cars for sale and a variety of auto finance options to get in the vehicle of their dreams.

Audi reveals green initiatives for next two years

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Posted in Audi

Audi has detailed some of its plans for diesel engines and electric hybrids over the next few years, promising diesel engines for U.S. models and an all-electric car by 2013.

Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi's American division, said today that the Audi A8, A6 and Q5 will all be getting diesel options within the next 24 to 30 months, according to Car and Driver. Nysschen did not elaborate on the specific engines that would be offered, but Car and Driver believes the A8 and A6 will be getting the diesel V6 from the Q7 TDI while the Q5 will source a four-cylinder from the Volkswagen Golf TDI.

When asked about the Audi A4, Nysschen said that the current iteration of the car was unfortunately not designed with a diesel engine in mind. Fans of smaller sedans with diesel engines will have to wait until the car undergoes a redesign, which is scheduled for 2014 or 2015.

In addition, the company announced that it will have its first electric vehicle on the market by 2013 as well. Audi did not provide any specifics as to what type of car it will be going with for its first foray into electric vehicle technology.

Drivers in the market for an Audi may want to shop New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a number of luxury cars for sale at affordable prices.

Car buyers responding to fuel price increases

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Toyota

The whims of car buyers can change frequently, but one of the biggest influences in purchasing decisions is the current state of fuel prices.

When fuel prices were down throughout 2010, many automakers reported sales gains for SUVs and pickup trucks. However, now that the average price for a gallon of gas is back up to $3.50, shoppers are increasingly looking to hybrids and compacts, USA Today reports.

A recent survey by AutoTrader found that 53 percent of respondents indicated that they were considering switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle as a direct result of rising prices. A similar poll by Kelley Blue Book found that four out of five consumers were influenced by gas prices in February, which was an 11 percent increase over January.

Those trends are showing up in sales figures as well. As compared to February 2010, Toyota's Prius hybrid saw a 70 percent increase in sales last month, according to AutoData. The Honda Civic and Ford Fusion hybrids similarly saw increases of 54 and 12 percent, respectively.

Drivers looking to save money on their next vehicle may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction. The company offers a wide range of a fuel-efficient cars for sale at affordable prices. 

Honda, Chrysler and Toyota announce recalls

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Toyota

Three major automakers have issued recall notices for some popular used car models, with nearly 75,000 vehicles recalled in total.

Honda recalled the most vehicles, with the company putting out a notice for more than 35,000 Civic Hybrids in the 2006 and 2007 model years. The company says that there may be a problem with the cars' voltage converter, which provides power to the motor. Should the converter fail, the engine could possibly stall. Honda claims that seven people have contacted the automaker with reports of stalling, while 82 warranty claims were made with regard to the converter.

Toyota will also be recalling vehicles, specifically FJ Cruisers, Sequoias, Tacomas, Tundras and Land Cruisers made between 2008 and 2010. Approximately 22,000 of these vehicles may have an issue with the tire pressure monitoring system, which may fail to notify a driver when their tires are running low on air.

Finally, Chrysler has announced that it will be recalling nearly 20,000 Jeep Wranglers from the 2010 and 2011 model years, with the issue being attributed to the fasteners on the axle. The company revealed that the fasteners may become loose, which could potentially cause a loss of control in the vehicle.

Drivers in the market for a new or used vehicle should consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide range of vehicles at affordable prices.

GM to unveil new Colorado in Thailand

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

General Motors has unveiled the first teaser image of its new Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, but it may be some time before U.S. audiences get to drive it.

While Chevy's marketing tends to play up the American aspects of its vehicles, the new pickup won't be debuting in North America first – that honor goes to Thailand. The truck will make its world debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show on March 25th.

"Thailand was chosen as the site of the global debut because of the popularity of pickup trucks and the growing importance of the Thai market to Chevrolet," a GM press release says. "In 2010, the pickup truck segment alone accounted for 43 percent of vehicles sold in Thailand. The new Colorado will go on sale in Thailand later this year."

In fact, the truck hasn't even been officially confirmed that it will appear in American showrooms at all, although PickupTrucks.com previously reported that both the Colorado and a new version of the GMC Canyon are on the way.

The new Colorado appears to retain the medium size of its predecessor while also taking some design cues from the Chevy Equinox SUV, which has been a big hit for GM.

Drivers in the market for a pickup truck may want to head down to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a wide variety of makes and models available for purchase.
 

Mercedes shows off C-Class Coupe

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the lid off of its new C-Class Coupe, a model that is sure to go head-to-head with BMW's similar 3-Series offering.

The C-Class is somewhat of a replacement for the company's CLK Coupe, which was discontinued in 2009. However, the new version is both smaller and less expensive than the previous model. According to AutoBlog, the coupe shares many similarities with the C-Class Sedan, with the key difference being the shape and size – the roofline on the coupe is 1.5 inches lower than the sedan, giving it a noticeably sleeker and more aerodynamic look.

Drivers will have a choice between a 201-horsepower four-cylinder or 304-horsepower V6, the same two engines offered on the sedan version. Mercedes is claiming a zero-to-sixty time of less than six seconds for the V6 version of the coupe.

Those who want true power may want to hold out a bit, however, as the C63 AMG version of the coupe is expected to be unveiled later this year and provide a serious upgrade in performance.

Drivers interested in a Mercedes-Benz or any other vehicle may want to shop New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide range of new and used cars for sale at affordable prices.
 

AAA highlights top technological upgrades

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

AAA has announced its biennial picks for the best new technologies in the auto industry, highlighting some of the improvements that manufacturers have made over the past two years.

"Every model year, automakers find new ways to employ technology in their vehicles to enhance the driving experience," said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Repair and Buying Services. "While many of the innovations continue to focus on safety and performance, we're also seeing more new technologies that address the environmental impact of the vehicles we drive, which is evident in this year's list."

Some of the top models that the company highlighted on the environmental front included all-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt. Other companies making strides in envrionmental technology included Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz' clean diesel engines and Mazda's start-stop technology.

In terms of safety, the group praised the inflatable rear seatbelts soon to debut on Ford and Mercedes vehicles. It also liked the new "curve control" on the Ford Explorer, which can sense when the SUV is about to rollover and limit the damage.

Although new technology can make driving safer and more enjoyable, it can carry a hefty price tag. Budget-conscious drivers may want to wait till the new features hit the used car market, then snag them for a discount at New Jersey State Auto Auction.

Cadillac surprises, but BMW still on top in February

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Posted in Auto Industry News, BMW

BMW had the best month among luxury automakers in terms of pure sales figures, but the real surprise was Cadillac, which was able to leapfrog both Lexus and Mercedes-Benz for the second-highest total in February.

Cadillac sold nearly 16,000 cars in February as its sales rose 70 percent from February 2010. BMW was still able to outsell the brand buy about 700 cars, with an 8.7 year-on-year increase. Mercedes came in third for the month with a 4 percent increase, while Lexus' sales remained even and kept it in fourth.

Although the massive sales spike was certainly welcome news for the Detroit automaker, analysts are hesitating before jumping on the General Motors bandwagon.

"GM offered aggressive incentives to employees and friends in February," Jesse Toprak of TrueCar told Bloomberg. "That helped GM and clearly helped Cadillac." Cadillac's incentives in February averaged out to nearly $5,000 per vehicle.

Drivers interested in a luxury car or any other vehicle may want to visit New Jersey State Auto Auction. High-end vehicles are typically pricey when bought new, so browsing through a wide range of used cars for sale can help buyers find the perfect car at a more affordable price.