Ford launches contest to find most fuel-conscious F-150 driver

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

Ford shocked some of its longtime customers by unveiling the EcoBoost model of the F-150, but so far the experiment has proven to be popular among drivers. Now, the manufacturer is giving motorists in eight cities across the country the opportunity to show how fuel efficient they can be.

On Tuesday, Ford launched the F-150 EcoBoost Challenge, in which drivers from eight cities will be competing to see who can get the best mileage rates in one week.

The winner will receive free Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline for a year, and the residents of the winning city will be given the opportunity to get free gas for two hours and 22 minutes on September 2 in honor of the trucks 22 miles per gallon fuel-efficiency.

"This challenge is a great way to highlight the capacities of the F-150 EcoBoost – a truck specially engineered to deliver the capability people need and the fuel efficiency they really want," said Raj Sarkar, F-150 marketing manager.

Motorists looking to get behind the wheel of a used Ford will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices. 

Mazda dealerships being outfitted with iPads

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Posted in Auto Brands News

The advent of Apple's iPad has made things easier in many areas of life, and car dealerships are about to get in on the action. USA Today reports that Mazda is close to equipping their dealers with the popular tablets so that they can instantly access pertinent information when talking to potential customers.

The initiative has made its way to 50 dealerships across the country, but the company hopes that it will be present in all of them at some point. By outfitting dealers with iPads, Mazda hopes it will provide more transparency and allow them to showcase the benefits of the models. Additionally, it will give dealers the opportunity to back up their claims.

"Customers who are skeptical about a sales claim can get proof, right there on the tablet," sales consultant Wayne Xides told the news source. "We can pull it up instantaneously."

Drivers who want to get behind the wheel of a used Mazda, may want to head to New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Best used cars for carpooling

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Posted in Auto Brands News

As the school year rapidly approaches, many families will be faced with having to bring kids from activity to activity. This can be especially tough if parents are involved in carpools and will need a bigger car to accommodate all the children. Luckily, used SUVs have dropped in price since January, and there are certain models that stand out above the rest.

According to a study conducted by CarGurus, the most cost-effective used SUV for families is the 2008 GMC Acadia. This spacious vehicle can seat eight passengers, making it a good fit for parents who have to take lots of kids from place to place. Additionally, it gets an efficient 24 miles per gallon on the highway, all for under $25,000.

As for crossover models, the 2008 Honda Pilot is an excellent pick, experts say. It can fit eight children as well, while costing drivers under $20,000.

"If you are looking to upsize your car and save money, now is a good time to be shopping for used cars and specifically for SUVs, crossovers, and minivans, which have not seen the dramatic price increases of many compact models," CarGurus CEO Langley Steinert said.

V-6 Ford F-150 a surprise hit

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

Many people were shocked when Ford announced that it would start selling an F-150 with a turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine. Now, five years later, it appears as though the bold move has paid off as sales of F-150s with the V-6 have bested those with the V-8, Automotive News reports.

The reason for the success is due in large part to the fact that the the turbocharged V-6 offers both improved gas mileage (22 mile per gallon on the highway) as well as a boost in horsepower and torque – something invaluable to truck owners.

"We knew 'there's no replacement for displacement,'" Doug Scott, manager of Ford's truck marketing group, told the news source. "That's a very popular saying among full-sized pickup customers – which just shows their love for the V-8 engine. We knew we had a marketing challenge."

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a Ford pick-up truck may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

Analysts: Do research before heading to the dealership

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

Many car dealers often attract prospective buyers with discounts and other incentives, but sometimes they may not be as good as they seem. However, that does not mean that consumers can't get the most out of these deals. Experts say they just need to do their proper research beforehand.

According to the Lansing State Journal, the most important thing for buyers to have in mind is how much other dealers are asking for the particular car that they're looking for. Industry analyst Scott Watkins says that doing so will signal to salespeople that the customer has done their research, and may remove the necessity of the usual negations.

"It's possible for the customer to go in and get a good deal if they know what the dealer is paying for the car and if they know what dealers in that area have been selling the car for recently," Watkins told the news source.

Reading the fine print on certain discount plans is also crucial as well as many customers walk into a dealership thinking they qualify, only to find out they'll have to pay much more.

Drivers looking to get the best deals on a used car should check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Chevy Volt design to be used in Cadillac

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Volt has been at the forefront of the electric car movement, and now General Motors appears poised to use the Volt as a template for an electric Cadillac. According to GreenCarReports, the model would likely be the concept Cadillac Converj, which may be available as early as 2013.

The Converj debuted two years ago at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, but many speculated that the beautiful car would never be produced for consumers. However, the news source reports that manufacturers have received the go-ahead to begin making the electricity-powered vehicle.

Though it's in the very early stages, the move could be a smart one for GM. Analysts at USA Today point out that the Chevy Volt already has a pretty steep price of nearly $40,000, but Cadillac drivers are probably less likely to stay away from an electric luxury car due to big price tag.

Although the Converj may be a few years away, drivers looking to get behind wheel of a fuel-efficient Honda Accord or Toyota Prius can check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

iPhone apps can help save money on gas

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Posted in General Auto News

From playing games to paying bills, smartphones have made almost every aspect of life a little bit easier. That applies to saving money on gas as well, as Forbes magazines recently unveiled its list of top iPhone apps that can help drivers reduce the amount of cash they spend on filling up at the pump.

Perhaps the most useful program is the AAA TripTik Mobile. This easy-to-use app provides drivers with the locations of the lowest-priced gas in the area. Not only that, but it will also give them turn-by-turn directions to make finding the gas station even easier.

In addition to finding the best-priced gas, apps can also help drivers maintain their fuel economy. According the publication, the Gas Manager program can do everything from tracking a car's gas consumption to miles traveled and even its environmental impact.

Along with picking up a few apps for their iPhone, drivers can also save money on gas by getting behind the wheel of a fuel-efficient car such as a Ford Focus or Toyota Camry. Those in the market for a used car can head to New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Ford, SunPower team up to provide solar panels to Focus Electric

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

Ford is on schedule to release its much-anticipated Focus Electric later this year, and thanks to a new partnership it will be one of the greenest cars on the road. The company has paired with California-based SunPower to offer roof-top panels in the Focus.

This system uses the company's SunPower® E18 Series solar panels, which will provide drivers with around 50 percent more energy than conventional panels. By outfitting the Focus Electric with solar panels, it will give drivers a clean alternative to plugging in their car when it needs to be charged.

"By taking advantage of this program, Focus Electric customers can receive the added benefit of installing a SunPower solar system, the highest-efficiency, most reliable on the market today, generating the electricity needed to charge their vehicles," SunPower president and CEO and Tom Werner said.

The Ford Focus Electric will likely be made available to the general public sometime in 2012, and will join similar models including the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf in the push to do away with fuel.

Drivers looking to be more fuel efficient may want to pick up a smaller vehicle at New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

Suzuki unveils new look for its Swift

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Posted in Auto Brands News

The Suzuki Swift is getting a dramatic update for its latest model, and the company recently unveiled the new look in advance of the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in September. The car has an updated, sleek look that will likely appeal to a younger generation.

The company announced that this is the first major update for the model since 2006, when the Swift Sport first launched. While maintaining its compact size, Suzuki says that the car's exterior will have much different appearance.

"It has a more aggressive and dignified exterior look thanks to a ground-hugging form that gives a sense of stability and tension and a big front grille that evokes sporty performance," the company said.

However, the look isn't the only thing that will be different about the new Swift. It will also include a 1.6-liter engine that will offer more power while still maintaining high fuel-efficiency.

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a Suzuki or any other car will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which has plenty of makes and models for sale at an affordable price.

Larger cars still popular despite high gas prices

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Posted in Auto Industry News

In the face of higher gas prices than a year ago, it looks like drivers aren't considering downsizing their cars. USA Today reports that a new study by AutoPacific found that just 16 percent of respondents were planning on buying a smaller vehicle for their next car.

In addition to not wanting to downsize, the survey also revealed that a surprisingly large amount of drivers are sticking with SUVs and trucks. Specifically, 25 percent of those polled said they want an SUV or crossover for next year, and 14 percent said they prefer a pick up truck.

The news source says there may be a few reasons to explain the surprising numbers. Among them is the fact that many manufacturers are rolling out cars that are more fuel-efficient than ever, removing part of the need to downsize. Furthermore, 41 percent of respondents said they're combining trips in a car.

Regardless of whether or not you're looking to get behind the wheel of a smaller car or staying at the same size, New Jersey Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.