Archive for November, 2008

Mercedes-Benz now has a new line of clean-diesel vehicles called Bluetec, much like the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.  All of these qualify for the alternative-powertrain tax credit by the IRS.  Previously, only hybrid cars qualified to receive the credit, but the advancements in clean-diesel technology have allowed these German carmakers to get this tax break for […]

More and more cars are being loaded with high-tech gadgets.  In fact, some luxury car models have up to 80 switches and knobs to allow for advanced safety and comfort of motorists.  Yet, there are more high-tech gadgets coming on the market. Soon there will be sign recognition systems that will be able to read […]

Ford Motor Co. is getting on-board the popular small car and crossover markets with a Focus coupe that has been redesigned and the seven seat Flex. Ford’s marketing manager claimed that fuel-efficiency is the main factor driving the market right now.  However, motorists won’t compromise functionality, and the Flex accomplishes fuel-efficiency and function. The 2009 […]

Today, GM announced a loss of billions of dollars for the third quarter, as well as many upcoming job cuts. In addition, GM claims that it will run out of money by February of next year without government help. Yet, it is still planning to produce new car models over the next two years, exactly […]

A couple of months ago Toyota made an announcement saying that it will manufacture a four-cylinder version of the Highlander crossover.  Today, Toyota published several specs about the newer model.  This Highlander has a 187-hp, 2.7-liter four cylinder that has 186 lbs of torque.  It also has a six-speed automatic transmission that is all new.  […]

In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt.  Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety.  Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths.  Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has […]

It may be tempting to use one of the giant retail chains that seem to be popping up everywhere for auto service, but is it smart? Well, there’s something to be said for building a relationship with your auto repair facility, and with a large chain, it probably won’t happen. Think about it, you go […]

In NYC the top taxicab lobby didn’t take lightly Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s attempt at making the taxi fleet hybrids.  After the announcement that NYC would require taxi companies to gradually phase out the V-8 Crown Victoria, which is a gas-guzzler, for hybrid vehicles that are much more expensive, the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade started […]

A big change in the auto industry is coming.  Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are inevitable, and we have been asking for a while: When will they arrive?  However, now a question more appropriate would be: Is America ready? At the Institute of Transportation Studies, located within the University of California, this question has been […]

According to the BMW Blog, the CS Concept that was unveiled at the New York auto show this past spring isn’t going to ever see the light of day in production.  Due to the current problems with the financial market, BMW brass had a change of mind about the possibility of a $100,000-plus-range car. For […]