“BMW i” to launch in 2013

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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. 

Report exonerates Toyota for sudden acceleration

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Posted in General Auto News, Toyota

A new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and NASA has revealed that electronic systems in Toyota models are not to blame for sudden acceleration in some vehicles, despite widespread speculation.

In fact, the report, which was the result of a ten-month study by the groups, largely cleared Toyota of any wrongdoing in relation to the numerous crashes and accidents blamed on "sudden acceleration." Toyota eventually addressed the issue by recalling and fixing vehicles for sticking pedals and floor mats, but continuously denied any fault in the programming of the electronic systems.

The study found that the floor mats only contributed in one instance, where the mat became dislodged and trapped the accelerator. In the rest of the cases, it was actually driver error – hitting the gas rather than the brake – that led to the crashes.

"The jury is back, the verdict is in," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "There is no electronic-based cause for unintended high-speed acceleration in Toyotas. Period."

Drivers who were holding off on purchasing a used Toyota may want to reconsider, as the report essentially deems the vehicles safe to drive. Those interested in these or any other vehicles may want to visit New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of models at low prices.

Hyundai details lineup changes

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Posted in General Auto News, Hyundai

Hyundai has been enjoying a wealth of success as of late, and the company is looking to continue that with three new updates to its existing lineup.

The South Korean automaker recently showed off some of the changes expected for the company throughout 2011 at the North American Dealers Association (NADA) convention in San Francisco.

Of the scheduled changes, the two-door Elantra coupe could likely be the closest thing to a brand-new model. This car will offer the same performance options and ergonomics as the standard Elantra sedan, but in a sleek two-door coupe shell.

According to the Automotive News, dealers were perhaps most enthusiastic about the redesigned Azera. Hyundai has given the car a stylish facelift for the 2012 model year, but performance-oriented consumers will likely be impressed by the new engine as well. The direct-injection V6 upgrades the horsepower to 260 while also improving on the existing model's fuel economy.

Finally, the Genesis R-Spec is a new high-end luxury trim level aimed at performance enthusiasts. Expected to retail for around $50,000, the R-Spec will reportedly offer 429 horsepower coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Those interested in a new or used Hyundai may want to check out New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide selection of Hyundais and other models in a variety of styles.
 

Sonata Hybrid eschews tradition in quest for mileage

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

The new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid features an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon on the highway, which leads its class and beats out popular models like the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima hybrids. So how did Hyundai's engineers pull it off?

CNET recently profiled the innovative powertrain lurking in every Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Engineers were given a task to maximize the car's fuel economy, so they started by sculpting the body in order to make it as aerodynamic as possible, which reduces drag and slightly increases mpgs.

Hybrids are at their best when the electric motor is powering the car, but many of the strategies for achieving this are patented by the South Korean automaker's top rivals. So Hyundai invented the TMED, a transmission-mounted electrical device. The TMED features the motor and clutch in one package, allowing the car to use an automatic transmission without a torque converter. The system not only lets Hyundai to get the best gas mileage on the highway in its class, but also run up to 75 miles per hour on electric power alone.

Looking for an upgrade to your own mileage? Then it might be wise to trade your vehicle in for a new one, as technology has increased significantly in recent years, leading to drastically increased mileage ratings without a significant dip in power. Those interested may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which features a wide variety of vehicles available for well below Kelley Blue Book value.

Chevy unveils new Camaro ZL1

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

The pony car war between the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro just got a performance boost.

Chevy pulled the lid off its new Camaro ZL1 at the Chicago Auto Show today, revealing a 550-horsepower monster designed to go toe-to-toe with the various special editions of the Mustang that Ford has been rolling out in recent years. The automaker claims that the new ZL1 is the fastest Chevy ever built, powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine and equipped with a "track-ready" suspension and brakes

"Camaro ZL1 is about high-tech performance and design, and is a type of car no one has ever brought to this segment previously," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing in a news release. "It's the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we've chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history."

For those who only came onto the pony car scene recently, the ZL1 moniker refers to limited edition engine offered in some versions of the 1969 Camaro. The Wall Street Journal calls the ZL1 the "Holy Grail" of Camaro engines.

While the sleek and powerful ZL1 certainly wowed the audience, it's unknown when the limited edition car will eventually hit showrooms – or how much it will set drivers back.