Human the cause of Google’s self-driving car crash

The innovative self-driving car launched by Google earlier this year was recently involved in a minor accident in California, and while that's certainly an interesting development, what's most compelling about the story is that at the time the car was being driven by a human being.

Business Insider reports that the specially-outfitted Prius struck another Prius from behind, which caused a chain reaction of three other cars. Nobody was injured in the crash, which might ironically serve as an endorsement of self-driven automobiles.

"Safety is our top priority," a Google spokesperson told the news source. "One of our goals is to prevent fender-benders like this one, which occurred while a person was manually driving the car."

According to NBC Bay Area, Google also pointed out that similar self-driven cars have clocked an impressive 160,000 miles already without an incident.

Though driverless cars are certainly a far way off, for now motorists can get behind of the innovative cars like the Toyota Prius or the Chevrolet Volt by checking out New Jersey Auto Auction.

U.S. car industry on the rise, Ford executive says

Often maligned as being unable to compete with Japaneses automakers when it comes to small cars, GM and Ford say they have caught up. According to the Detroit Free Press, both companies are enjoying positive reviews on their latest compact cars – something which has translated into better sales.

In particular, the Ford Fiesta has enjoyed a solid few months. Most recently, it saw a 58 percent jump in July. However, the Fiesta was not alone as the Chevrolet Cruze also experienced a bump and was the top-selling compact car in July.

"I think we've entered a new era in the U.S. where there is more equity in the brands and the products are really competing on equal ground," Ford executive Jim Farley told reporters recently.

Conversely to the success Ford and Chevy are seeing, Japanese manufacturers Honda and Toyota are suffering in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that hit earlier this year.

Consumers looking to get behind the wheel of a used Ford or Chevy may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of options at affordable prices.

Consumers buying fun-to-drive cars this summer

Although the U.S. is still mired in economic uncertainty, consumers became more likely to buy a new or used car this summer, as several makes and models have enjoyed a good few months. USA Today reports that many fun-to-drive cars are flying off lots.

At the top of the list is the sporty Kia Soul. In July, sales of the care jumped an impressive 26 percent. Even more surprising is that, compared to units sold in January, its figures were up 90 percent. Experts believe the momentum will continue into next year as the manufacturers have worked on improving gas mileage and giving the car a sportier feel.

According to the news source, Volkwagen has also seen a summer sales surge. Specifically, the GTI version of the Golf is especially popular as the GTI model made up 40 percent of all Golf sales.

Also enjoying a resurgent season is the Jeep Wrangler, with a 43 percent jump in July sales compared to 2010.

Whether looking for a fuel-efficient Kia or an attractive Volkwagen GTI, New Jersey Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Couple teams with Shell to shatter fuel-efficiency records

Many drivers may fancy themselves especially talented when it comes to saving on gas, but one couple puts everyone else to shame. John and Helen Taylor, along with their sponsor Shell, recently began a cross-country drive to spread the word about fuel-efficiency.

The Taylors are certainly no strangers to saving on gas. They own two fuel companies and have reportedly set 88 records for their smart driving. According to Shell, they drove through 25 different countries (covering more than 18,000 miles) and only used 24 tanks of gas in the process.

Their most recent endeavor, in which they hope to drive through each of the 48 contiguous states, kicked off from Los Angeles, and just two days into the trip they were already in Texas.

"By setting out for another fuel economy record using practical tips, we're excited to show everyday motorists how they can become more fuel efficient drivers through the Shell Smarter Driving program," said Helen Taylor.

Drivers can get a good start on saving fuel by finding a car with excellent gas mileage at New Jersey Auto Auction.

Chrysler enjoys impressive July

Despite an auto industry that is still feeling the effects of the recent economic downturn, one manufacturer in particular has enjoyed an especially good year. Chrysler recently announced that its sales were up 20 percent in July compared to last year, the 16th consecutive month of improvement.

Though overall sales were up for the company, USA Today reports it was Jeep that led the way. The brand was up 46 percent compared to last July, and the classic Wrangler saw a 43 percent gain.

Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales, as well as CEO of the Dodge brand, attributes the boost in sales to the company's change in focus.

"I think that statistic is the ultimate testament to the progress we have made with our product in the areas of fuel economy, quality and design," Bigland said in a statement.

Whether looking to get behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango or a Jeep Grand Cherokee, drivers should turn to New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers many makes and models at affordable prices.

Vermont county hopes to set Cadillac parade record

Orleans County, Vermont, includes the hometown of Henry Leland, who founded both Cadillac and Lincoln. So, it comes as no surprise that in an effort to create some publicity for the upcoming county fair, organizers hope to achieve the Guiness World Record for the largest parade of Cadillacs.

The New York Times reports that the idea was the brainchild of Lorie Seadale, who decided on giving the record a try after reading the the current record was just 102 cars. The idea also appealed to Leland's great, great nephew, David, who still lives in the area.

"Since there is a record, we feel it ought to be in Vermont," he told the Times over the phone. "It is a great opportunity to recognize some of his accomplishments."

The parade is set to hit Route 5 in Vermont on August 17, and by all accounts the record should fall. There are about 3,200 Cadillacs registered in Vermont, so attracting the number will likely not be a problem.

Cadillac itself has also gotten involved in the parade, as they have said they will put forward the $6,500 it takes to have a Guiness representative come and authorize the record.

Subaru tops Consumer Reports’ list of best small used cars

Used cars are often the best choice for consumers looking to save some money, and with high gas prices prevalent across much of the country, downsizing is becoming especially important. Even still, there are some smaller models that are more fuel-efficient than others, and Consumer Reports recently unveiled its list of top deals on used small cars.

The vehicle that topped the list was the 2006 Subaru Impreza. Not only does this car offer strong fuel-efficiency, but it also is one of the most affordable automobiles out there. The organization reports that most dealers will sell it for around $11,300.

While having a car with high gas mileage is key, that doesn't mean that drivers have to sacrifice style. In fact, Consumer Reports listed the 2008 Honda Civic EX Coupe as one of the best deals as well. With an average price of $16,325, the ride is certainly an affordable way to drive in style.

Whether looking to get behind the wheel of a sensible Subaru or a speedy Honda Civic, drivers should check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models.

Honda Accord tops the list of most stolen cars

Cars get stolen across the United States virtually every day, but some makes and models are much more attractive to thieves than others. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently released its list of the top 10 most stolen cars in 2010, and six of them are made in the United States.

Though domestically-built cars were well-represented on the list, the top three were all foreign-made. Specifically, the 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen, while the 1995 Honda Civic and 1991 Toyota Camry came in second and third, respectively.

As for American-made cars, the 1999 Chevrolet Pickup came in at number four, while the 1997 Ford F-150 rounded out the top five.

The results also highlighted several ways to prevent having one's car stolen. In particular, new technology has helped, as NICB noted that nearly 52,000 Accords were stolen in 2010, and 44,000 of them were made in the '90s.

Additionally, the organization offered up some tips. For example, the NICB recommends investing in immobilizing devices such as fuel shut-offs and smart keys, which can ensure that one's vehicle is not started by anybody but the driver.

Federal Trade Commission looking to crack down on “yo-yo” financing

Over the last several years, some car buyers have fallen victim to the rather unscrupulous practice of "yo-yo" financing. The Baltimore Sun reports that in an effort to help protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission is trying to crack down on the harmful method.

Yo-yo financing is when auto dealers themselves provide consumers with loans. After letting the customer drive off with their new car, the dealer will then call them back and tell them that the financing did not work out – often resulting in the customer having to sign a new, less favorable deals.

"It's a major problem in our state and other states," Karen Straughn, an assistant attorney general in Maryland, told the news source.

Though it may be a large problem, there are certain ways around it. The news provider reports that many consumers are instead turning to the internet to shop around for deals on financing before purchasing their car.

Experts suggest that anybody looking to finance a car should be sure to check their credit first to inform themselves of anything that might keep them from getting a loan.

Chevy hopes to boost production of electric Volt

The Nissan Leaf has drawn a line in the sand when it comes to electric cars, and it looks like General Motors is doing what it can to catch up. Bloomberg reports that the manufacturer is boosting production of the Chevrolet Volt in an effort to jump ahead of Nissan.

It may be tough to do, though. Nissan has sold 3,875 of the fully-electric Leaf, while Chevy is a bit behind at 2,745 Volts sold. As part of its plan to eclipse Nissan, Chevrolet hopes to be building 5,000 Volts a month by January of next year.

Despite the apparent fledgling rivalry between the two electric cars, analysts say it might be too early in the process to tell which car, if any, is better and more popular among consumers.

"It’s too soon to tell any definite direction in the race between the two cars," analyst Ivan Drury told the news source. "Even next year it will be very limited. It’s going to take five to six more years before we see these cars selling over 100,000 a year."

Though such prevalence of electric cars is a few years away, drivers can still check out fuel-efficient options by visiting New Jersey Auto Auction.