Ford recalls F-150s under government pressure

By
Posted in Ford, General Auto News

Ford has announced that it will recall 144,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2005 and 2006 model years for an issue in which the airbag may deploy without cause.

In November 2010, the company was made aware of the issue in a memo from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA requested that Ford look into the issue after it received 238 separate complaints that resulted in 77 injuries.

The government agency recommended that Ford recall all 1.3 million trucks manufactured between 2004 and 2006. However, Ford has limited the recall to a subset of that. According to the company, all of the incidents could be traced to a specific shift at the plant in Norfolk, Virginia. The automaker believes that an airbag wire may have been installed incorrectly, making it liable for a short circuit.

When the vehicle is turned on, it can cause the wire to accidentally trigger the airbag. That means that most of the cases occurred in driveways while the car was stopped, although the NHTSA claims that a few were on public roadways.

The NHTSA has said it will investigate the matter and determine if the limited recall will adequately address the issue.

Drivers interested in a used Ford F-150 may want to avoid the 2005 and 2006 model years for the time being, but they'll be able to find a wide range of other pickup trucks at New Jersey State Auto Auction.

Chevy Cruze to get diesel option

By
Posted in Chevrolet

General Motor's new Chevrolet Cruze just had a successful launch a few short months ago, but it looks like GM isn't content to just rest on its laurels. A new report claims that the car will be offered with a new 2.0-liter diesel engine.

According to GM Inside News, an independent website, sources at the Lordstown, Ohio, factory revealed that workers have been told that they will begin building a diesel-powered Cruze for the 2013 model year.

In addition, test models of the Chevy Cruze have reportedly been spotted on the streets of Detroit, with the cars sporting a "diesel" badge on the rear.

If true, the report is not all that surprising. According to the news source, the Cruze is GM's first truly global vehicle, and is sold in more than 60 different countries. Many of those countries have both gas and diesel-powered versions available for purchase.

A 2.0-liter diesel engine is offered on one version of the Cruze in Australia. That model reportedly gets approximately 34 miles per gallon while producing 147 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque.

Drivers interested in a used Chevrolet or any other vehicle may want to check out New Jersey State Auto Auction.  

Nissan to debut Esflow at Geneva Motor Show

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

Nissan has unveiled some teaser images and initial information about its new Esflow concept electric sports car, which is set to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

The new Esflow is just a concept at this point, although Nissan reportedly has plans to design some version of the vehicle. Using the same technology as the brand's heavily-hyped Leaf, the Esflow takes the philosophy behind the subcompact and applies it to a high-end sports car. The new model would reportedly be able to go from zero to 60 in under 5 seconds while traveling approximately 150 miles on a single charge.

As with any sports car, however, performance is only half the battle. They need to look good, too. Nissan has apparently nailed that concept, as the Esflow looks somewhat like a cross between its 370z coupe and the new Juke SUV. The shape and size borrow from the popular 370z, while the Juke supplies the sharp edges and lines on the front of the vehicle. It's all topped off with two electric-blue lights that make the car appear as if it just warped in from a futuristic sci-fi movie.

Drivers interested in a used Nissan or any other vehicle may want to head down to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a variety of models at prices well below their Kelley Blue Book values.
 

Griffin’s dunk gives Kia Optima national exposure

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

Many automakers focused the bulk of their early marketing efforts this year around extensive Super Bowl campaigns, but Hyundai's budget brand Kia may have just scored a massive coup with a cameo during the NBA's All-Star Weekend.

The Kia Optima was one of the official sponsors of the event, but the model got some extra exposure when it was prominently featured in the finals of the Slam Dunk Contest. Going into the contest, Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin was the odds-on favorite to win the title, as he's dazzled fans with some thunderous dunks on an almost nightly basis.

Griffin did not disappoint with his final dunk of the night. It required a bit of setup, but the Optima was driven out onto the hardwood for the spot. Griffin's teammate Baron Davis then got in the car with a ball. Then, a full chorus took center court and began belting out "I Believe I Can Fly."

It was at that point that Griffin jumped over the hood of the car, caught a pass from Davis in mid-air and slammed it home, cementing his victory in the competition.

Griffin may have won the event, but the Kia's role in the stunt was a marketing coup – as it will surely be featured again and again in countless highlight videos.

Drivers interested in a used Hyundai, Kia or any other vehicle may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide range of vehicles at affordable prices.

“BMW i” to launch in 2013

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, BMW

Luxury automaker BMW has announced that it will be launching a new sub-brand, BMW i, in order to market its upcoming slate of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Unlike other BMW-owned brands like Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce, BMW i will fully acknowledge the BMW name in advertising and marketing. However, BMW executive Ian Robertson says that the new venture will be "an independent brand, but committed to the BMW brand promise of joy through pure driving pleasure."

Initially, BMW i will feature two models, set to be launched in 2013. The i3 is a four-seat battery-powered car aimed at city dwellers. It seems as if nearly every manufacturer with a toe in eco-friendly technology is introducing some variant of these subcompacts, much in the style of the Chevrolet Volt or Nissan Leaf.

However, the new i8 promises to be something that hasn't been seen yet. This hybrid sports car will reportedly be able to go from zero to 60 in just five seconds, while still offering drivers all the fuel efficiency that comes with most subcompact vehicles. The company plans to add additional models over the next decade.

Those interested in a BMW, hybrid or any other vehicle may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which features a wide variety of new and used cars for sale. 

Audi announces carbon fiber partnership

By
Posted in Audi, Auto Industry News

German luxury automaker Audi has announced a partnership with carbon-fiber producer Voith, following in the footsteps of its rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

In recent months, BMW and Mercedes have both announced new manufacturing deals with SGL and Toray, respectively. SGL, Toray and Voith all make carbon fiber, an extremely lightweight yet sturdy material that many believe will be the future of automobile construction.

Many drivers want the best of both worlds – increased performance and fuel economy – but bigger engines mean less miles per gallon. One way to address both is to make vehicles lighter, and that's where carbon fiber comes in. The main drawback is that the material is much more expensive than typical sheet metal at this time, which is why it's usually only seen on high-end supercars.

However, the three German automakers jumping onboard with the material manufacturers seems to indicate that they see a future in mass producing carbon fiber. Audi already uses some carbon fiber parts in the R8, and BMW is building its strategy around the material with the new Megacity electric vehicle.

Extensive use of carbon fiber will likely cause a vehicle's price to go up. Those interested in a luxury car that won't break the bank may want to seek out a used auto at New Jersey State Auto Auction. 

ClearBook hopes to ease trade-in process

By
Posted in General Auto News

When planning to sell or trade your car, it can be difficult to determine exactly how much it's worth. Some websites will quote one price, while others another. And when you finally get to the dealer, rarely is the price in the same ballpark. But is the dealer playing hardball, or are you just getting faulty information?

Used car pricing is a bit tricky because every car is different. Mileage is a good indicator of the general condition of the car, but then there are 100,000 mile cars that run great and 50,000 mile cars with service histories a mile long.

A new website called ClearBook.com is hoping to make things a bit easier, according to the New York Times. Sites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds have strong reputations for providing prices, but the folks behind TrueCar argue that their prices are ultimately determined by editorial guidance and estimates.

ClearBook instead combs the web for millions of used car listings and sorts by make, model and mileage. It then averages out the data so that customers can see the full range of prices that the vehicle is selling for.

In the future, the creators told the news source that they hope to incorporate actual transaction data from buyers and sellers in order to give buyers better context for the price ranges that they quote.

Those interested in trading their vehicle may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers great prices on trade-ins and a wide selection of cars for sale. 

Toyota sells 3 millionth used car

By
Posted in Toyota

Toyota has announced that it has become the first single line manufacturer to sell 3 million used cars backed by a certified pre-owned program.

The Japanese manufacturer is the largest automaker in the world, so it's somewhat unsurprising that it became the first to sell 3 million used vehicles under a factory-backed program. Still, Toyota celebrated the news with some special deals for its 3 millionth customer.

Sara Hirschhorn of Chicago, Illinois, was presented with a check reimbursing her for the $22,500 that she spent on a used Toyota Sienna minivan, essentially giving her the car for free. Toyota also made a donation to the hospital that Hirschhorn works at in her name. The company noted that the Sienna was a "smart choice," as it has been named the minivan with the best resale value by Kelley Blue Book two years running.

"Our sales success in 2010 validates the tremendous confidence that our customers have in the Toyota brand," Bob Carter, Toyota group vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "Our Toyota Certified Used Vehicle program helps our dealers to build a strong portfolio of customers that frequently return to buy a new or certified pre-owned Toyota."

Drivers interested in a used Toyota or any other vehicle may want to check out New Jersey State Auto Auction. They probably won't end up with a free car, but there are plenty of models priced well below their Blue Book value.

Top green car is… gas-powered?

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released its annual "greenest cars" list, and surprisingly, a hybrid or plug-in did not take the top spot.

It was the natural gas Honda Civic GX that ended up as the most efficient vehicle overall, beating out cars typically thought to be "green" like the Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius. The reason? The ACEEE takes into account not only fuel efficiency and consumption, but emissions and the effects on the environment as a whole.

The group pointed out that hybrids and plug-ins, while emitting nothing from the tailpipe, cause a drain on energy when they're plugged in. They also lose points as their batteries cause emissions when made and will eventually end up as waste that's difficult to dispose of.

"As U.S. power generation becomes cleaner, these vehicles' scores will rise," said Therese Langer, ACEEE's transportation director.

The highly-touted Chevrolet Volt didn't make the top 10, coming in at twelfth on the list. Other top finishers included the Nissan Leaf in second, Smart Fortwo in third and Toyota Prius in fourth.

Drivers interested in a green vehicle may want to shop New Jersey State Auto Auction, as they offer a wide range of used vehicles, both hybrid and gas-powered.

Mercedes to take over U.S. Smart distribution

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will take over sales duties for Smart cars in the U.S., after a tie up with Penske Automotive Group failed.

The small and distinctive Smart car is owned by Mercedes-Benz, but the group sold the U.S. distribution rights to Penske rather than market the car itself in the U.S. International Mercedes showrooms include the Smart brand.

Penske, which owns a string of new and used auto dealerships across the country, largely failed in its promotion of the vehicle. In 2010, when fuel efficiency and cost were top priorities for many Americans, the brand reportedly moved less than 6,000 units.

Now, Smart will find a new home in Mercedes showrooms. The move makes sense for the German luxury automaker, as the Smart Fortwo's 41 mpg fuel economy rating will help Mercedes achieve the U.S.-mandated average of 35 mpgs across all fleets by 2016.

A previous deal between Penske and Nissan to produce a larger version of the Fortwo has now been scrapped, Nissan said.

Smart cars may be difficult to find, but those interested in a fuel-efficient vehicle will have tons of options at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which boasts a wide range of new and used cars for sale.