2008 Mazda Miata receives prestigious ranking

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Posted in Mazda - DO NOT USE

With summer just around the corner, many northeastern car owners are surely looking forward to enjoying some leisurely weekend drives around the countryside. Those who are interested in an exciting, quick and flashy sports car may want to take a look at the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, which was ranked as the most fun to drive new vehicle on the road in 2008 by Consumer Reports.

The 2008 Mazda Miata is the most popular small convertible in production today. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine capable of creating 166 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. When paired with a manual transmission, the Miata can go from 0-60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, while still sporting a strong fuel economy.

However, the hallmark feature of the Mazda’s 2008 convertible is still its pinpoint steering and control.

“Although tuned for a smoother ride than before, the Miata still changes direction with the immediacy of a roller skate and speaks to you clearly through the steering wheel and driver seat,” says Edmunds.com.

In Consumer Reports test scoring, the Miata almost tied the Porsche Boxer, while costing almost half as much.

World’s most valuable car sold at auction

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Posted in General Auto News

Several media outlets are reporting that an undisclosed buyer has agreed to purchase a 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic for between $30 and $40 million, making it the most expensive car ever sold at auction.

The vehicle, which once belonged to late car collector Peter Williamson, has been declared the most valuable car in the world by Autoblog Magazine. The previous record sale for a car at auction occurred last year, when another undisclosed buyer paid $12.2 million for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.

“I am extremely pleased to have found the new buyer for the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the world’s most significant and valuable automobiles that has been in a private collection and rarely seen during the past four decades,” said David Gooding, founder of Gooding and Company, the automotive auction house that brokered the deal.

As with most high-end purchases, the auto auction refused to identify the new buyer. However, Gooding did indicate that he or she is “a devoted connoisseur” of automotive history. The only other 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic in existence today is owned by famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

Economy continues to recover, auto industry on the mend

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Posted in General Auto News

In an effort to track the nation’s recovery from the recession, many experts look to the U.S. auto industry as a barometer for economic improvement. Over the last four months, new and used car sales have steadily risen, giving hope to many that the turbulent economic conditions of 2008 are now behind us.

Since the beginning of the year, U.S. auto sales have increased each month, resulting in 162,610 more vehicles being purchased compared to the same 4-month stretch in 2009, according to Auto Week.

Specifically, Nissan North America had the most impressive April, increasing their sales by 35 percent compared to March. Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai–Kia and Toyota also had excellent months. However, based simply on overall volume of sales, General Motors sported the number one ranking for April.

“We’re seeing the ebb and flow of the market recovery,” Joseph Phillippi, president of AutoTrends Consulting, told Business Week. “We’re still working our way off the bottom. A rising tide lifts all boats, but some are lighter than others.”

Michelle Krebs, a research analyst with Edmunds.com, noted that the car manufacturers that are having the most success are those that sell moderately priced vehicles.

Most teens ignoring new driving regulation

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Posted in General Auto News

Fewer than one in four teenage drivers in New Jersey are abiding by the state’s new law that requires them to purchase and display a red decal sticker that identifies them as a motorist who is under the age of 20.

The legislation, known as Kyleigh’s Law, is designed to help police enforce passenger limits, driving curfews and other provisional license restrictions, according to APP.com.

Teenagers who do not purchase the red decal stickers from one of the State Motor Vehicle Commission’s offices are subject to a $100 fine.
While some support the new measure, which went into effect on May 1, many believe that it may persuade criminals to prey on teenager motorists and will subject them to profiling by police.

“Kyleigh’s Law doesn’t prevent car crashes,” Hal Levy, a 20-year-old member of the board of the National Youth Rights Association, told WCBSTV.com. “It’s more of a feel-good law, at the expense of young people. We oppose the profiling by police and the stalking.”

Several members of the State Assembly are planning to introduce a piece of legislation that would force the governor’s office to rescind the bill.

2008 Hyundai Sonata offers great value

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Posted in Hyundai

With the economic recession still on the mind of many consumers, prospective car buyers are looking for value now more than ever. Those who are interested in a comfortable ride, plenty of standard features and a comprehensive warranty at a competitive price may want to check out the 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

The Hyundai Sonata was completely redesigned for 2008, and is much more attractive and roomier than its predecessor. While it continues to come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque, the 2008 version can also be purchased with a 3.3-liter V6 with 234 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque, according to Edmunds.

However, the most talked-about aspect of the Sonata is its average price point and industry-leading warranty. The ’08 sedan costs at least $1,000 less than its closest competitors and comes standard with a five-year/60,000 mile warranty as well as a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.

The Sonata also boasts a strong fuel efficiency rating, as its 2.4-liter/five-speed manual transmission model generates 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Oprah Winfrey campaigns to make cars a ‘no phone zone’

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Celebrity Auto News

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has launched a campaign to designate Friday as a “No Phone Zone Day” in cars, joining a chorus of private and public transportation safety groups in vowing not to text or make calls while driving.

Winfrey has asked people in the April 30 episode of her show to sign an online “no phone zone” pledge – a promise not to text text while driving, not text and use hands-free calling, or not text or make calls while driving. The campaign had gathered almost 250,000 signatures by late Friday.

“A call or text isn’t worth taking a life,” Winfrey said in a statement. “We must not allow more mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers to die before we take action against distracted driving.”

Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash by 20 times, a report from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded in 2009. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington have banned all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Meanwhile, 24 states have laws banning text messaging for all drivers.

Honda announces free repair of power steering hose for Acura TSX

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Honda - DO NOT USE

Owners of Honda Acura TSX can go to their dealers starting in late May to replace their car’s power steering hose, which has been the subject of a recent recall by the Japanese automaker.

“The recall is being conducted due to the potential for premature deterioration of the exterior surface of the hose as a result of prolonged exposure to high under-hood temperatures,” Honda said in a statement.

The announcement comes a day after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pointed out that high temperatures under the hood can cause Acura’s power steering hose to crack and leak power steering oil.

In response, Honda is recalling approximately 167,000 Acura TSX models with the 2.4L inline 4-cylinder engine released between 2004 and 2008 in the U.S. The free repair involves installing a new power steering hose, O-ring gasket and fluid, Honda added.

Honda spokesman Chris Naughton said the carmaker had received one report of a minor fire connected to the power steering hose, but there have been no reports of accidents or injuries, the Associated Press reported.

This is the second recall announced by Acura in April. Earlier, it announced the recall of 1,850 2010 ZDX crossovers because of a dashboard material that was cut wrong, which can cause the passenger-side airbag to deploy improperly.

BMW launches Motorsport parts catalogs in the U.S.

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Posted in Auto Industry News, BMW

German automaker BMW has released its factory Motorsport parts catalogs intended for track and racing use to customers in the U.S. for the first time.

“Now, for the first time ever in the United States, you can purchase authentic BMW Motorsport parts to offer true BMW performance, available at select BMW centers. It’s the only way to push your track-approved BMW model to its limits,” the company announced in its website.

The launching of the Motorsports catalogs, which were previously available only in Europe, aims to increase BMW’s impact on motorsports as it competes at the American Le Mans Series through a partnership with the Rahal Letterman Racing Team, the company said in a statement.

The catalogs include parts and components for the Z4 (2009 to current) M3 (1995 to current ) and 3 Series sedan (2006 to current). They feature parts from full-on race engines and body pieces to the smallest O-rings and assorted gaskets.

Motor Trend reported that currently only four BMW dealers in the U.S. have been authorized to handle these parts, which included BMW dealerships in Westmont, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Stratham, New Hampshire; and Solon, Ohio.

Car sales in April expected to rise in double digits

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Posted in Auto Industry News

In yet another sign of economic recovery, car sales in the U.S. will likely hit 11.4 million units this month, up from 9.3 million in April last year, a Thomson Reuters poll of 12 economists showed.

Though the 22-percent gain still fell short of the 16 million vehicles that automakers saw before the recession, it has put the American auto industry back on track after last year’s bankruptcy filings by Chrysler and General Motors, Reuters reported.

“Consumer confidence is a little bit better,” Hyundai U.S. sales chief Dave Zuchowski told the news provider. “Credit is loosening up a little bit. And there are more buyers out in the marketplace. We’re certainly benefiting from that.”

The gain was largely fuelled by strong sales from Asian brands Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota, which recalled millions of vehicles in recent months, as well as American automakers Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.

Edmunds.com projected a combined sales increase of 35 percent for Hyundai and Kia this month from a year earlier, 51 percent rise for Nissan and 33 percent for Toyota. It also expects sales for Ford to be up nearly 26 percent, Chrysler sales to increase about 19 percent and GM sales to grow by 4.1 percent.

Last year, the U.S. car market sold 10.4 million units, the lowest level since the early 1980s. Industry experts say it could take years before the country surpass the 16 million units it sold in 2007 before the downturn hit the industry.

Chrysler renames Sebring as Nassau

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chrysler - DO NOT USE

Chrysler has reportedly dropped the Sebring name in favor of Nassau for its updated midsized sedan that will be rolled out later this year, according to the Detroit Free Press.

A company spokesman declined to confirm or deny the report, but industry analysts say this could be one of Chrysler’s moves to improve the image of the Sebring, which was criticized for its poor quality and cheap interior.

“Chrysler is desperately looking to restore its credibility with the public, and dropping the Sebring name, long associated with cheap interiors and spotty overall quality, seems a no-brainer,” writes Motor Trend.

Chrysler has in the past named its models the New Yorker, Fifth Avenue, Cordoba, Saratoga, Windsor, and, most recently, the Aspen and Pacifica. Nassau, the capital of Bahamas, may just be an addition to its string of touristy nameplates, MLive.com reports.

The Sebring dates back to the mid-90s when Chrysler launched the “cloud cars,” mid-sized four-door sedans which includes the Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze.