A group of students from Virginia Tech recently took home the top prize at the EcoCar Challenge, manufacturing a vehicle that enjoys an impressive 82 miles per gallon. USA Today reports the team beat out students from 15 other universities for the honor.

The quest began with team was given the engine of a 2009 Chevrolet HHR and began making several crucial changes. Among the features they included were a battery and electric engine and a tweak that eliminated engine idling.

The competition was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors, and Energy Secretary Steven Chu had high praise for the winning students, saying it bodes well for the future of energy-efficiency in the country.

"With the experience and skills these innovative students have gained through the EcoCAR competition, they will help reduce our nation's reliance on oil imports and keep U.S. industries competitive in the global marketplace," he said in a statement.

The announcement of Virginia Tech as the winner brings a three-year-long competition to an end, and highlights the desire for fuel-efficient cars. Those looking for such vehicles such as the Toyota Prius or other hybrids will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction.

For parents of teenagers, being concerned about their safety while out on the road is among their greatest concerns. However, while it can be near impossible to be sure whether or not they are using their cell phone or paying attention to the road, taking several things into consideration when selecting a car can be paramount in keeping kids safe.

According to The Item, experts say that the safest vehicles for young drivers are mid-sized sedans. While many think that SUVs may be best, sedans are actually better since they are large enough to withstand collision, but small enough so that drivers cannot easily lose control.

However, safety is not the only issue that parents need to consider when shopping around for a vehicle for their kids. Affordability of is crucial as well, and finding the right mix of both cost and safety is easy to do with used cars.

"You want to look for models that are inexpensive," industry insider David Waldkirch told the news source. "Not cheap, but inexpensive with all the safety features."

Parents looking for a good first car for their kids will want to consider models such as the Volkswagen Jetta, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata.

A number of things stood out a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conference in Washington, D.C., but there was one type of safety device that earned the most attention. The Detroit Free Press reports automakers debuted so-called "intelligent vehicle" technology which will help reduce crashes.

Among the most impressive ideas on display was created by manufactures at Ford, who have designed a technology that allows communication between vehicles that is able to warn drivers of impending dangerous situations they may not have otherwise been aware of.

The technology is still in the early stages, and the NHTSA is going to be launching a pilot program in the near future to see if such car-to-car communication is a viable option in a real world setting. Still, others think that the warning technology alone may not be all it takes.

"You would need to have another method I think, a radar, a sensor, to have a threat validated first to be absolutely sure it's really there," director of engineering at Continental Alfred Eckert told the news source. "Until that is perfected, you can't have vehicles taking control."

According to the NHTSA, there were more than 30,000 fatal crashes in the United States in 2009.

A Massachusetts bill aiming to help motorists may actually cause them to be less safe. According to Automotive Body Repair News, the Massachusetts Auto Coalition believes the so-called Right to Repair bill may make it easier for counterfeiters to supply unsuspecting drivers with faulty parts.

The fears are caused by the fact that the bill loosens protective measures put in place to secure automakers' intellectual property. As a result, many mechanics believe that this could hasten the spread of low quality parts that are not constructed with the right materials or in the correct way, something that could have serious implications.

"We constantly are monitoring product quality and rejecting counterfeit parts." industry insider Jamie Godfrey told the news source. "My fear is that this bill could unintentionally lead to even more substandard and inferior parts flooding the market."

To ensure that their vehicles are of the best quality, motorists will want to visit only reputable sellers such as New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers used vehicles at an affordable price.

As a new batch of high school graduates enter either college or the real world, many parents across the country are outfitting them with the best gift of all – a car to call their own. Despite the generosity, there are a number of things that parents should keep in mind when picking out just the right vehicle.

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, while most young adults will want something flashy and youthful, safety should always be the main concern, although it is not the only one. Perhaps almost as important is fuel economy, especially given the unpredictable nature of gas prices.

There are a plethora of cars out there that claim to offer the best gas mileage, but the news source reports there are a few small, compact models that provide the best mix of style, safety and efficiency.

Models such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are all compact rides that offer high EPAs.

Whether one is looking for a Chevrolet, Ford or Hyundai for their recent grad, New Jersey Auto Auction offers used cars at affordable prices.