“Government wants to keep confidential some vehicle safety data” – Detroit Free Press
According to a recent article in the Detroit Free Press, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to keep certain vehicle safety data private.
From the article:
The proposal, similar to past versions, came in response to a ruling by a federal judge earlier this year that the agency had failed to provide enough notice to comment on an early warning system plan. In the March ruling, District Judge Richard J. Leon sent the proposal back to the agency.
The early warning system was part of legislation approved by Congress following the massive recall of Firestone tires in 2000. It required automakers and other manufacturers to submit data on deaths, injuries, consumer complaints, property damage and warranty claims.
NHTSA said its proposal would consider certain early warning information as confidential, including production numbers not involving light vehicles, consumer complaints, paid warranty claims and field reports.
Apparently the requested disclosures violate a public records law that prohibits sharing information that could result in privacy intrusion.
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Green vehicle guide available for download from their site.
The Environmental Protection Agency posts a guide online called the Green Vehicle Guide that gives data on the environmental impact of vehicles.
They have recently updated their website with information on the 2007 models of popular cars. You can also go to their site to look up specific vehicles, or find the "greener" ones in their database.
The updated version with the cars listed alphabetically or by air pollution score is available in text, Adobe Acrobat or Excel format for downloading by consumers.
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Travel Safety Is Top Priority
The innovation of vehicles with safety features such as side-impact airbags, collision avoidance, and roadside assistance proves that customers want safety first when on the road. The priority for vehicle owners is obvious: safe transportation. Automobile Digest covers this topic in an article inspired by an annual JD Power survey that automobile buyers are looking for safety features and are willing to pay top dollar too.
Not only are vehicles interested in their personal physical protection, but the protection of the automobile is right in line with travel security. Expensive unanticipated repairs can prevent a car owner from ensuring absolute safety when there is no warranty coverage. Lack of warranty protection over a vehicle makes it tempting to fix a problem the cheap way, leaving a car vulnerable on the road as well as its inhabitants. Travel safety is a top priority and one of the most secure safety measures a vehicle owner can take is investing in an extended warranty to put a vehicle back in top shape without draining your wallet.
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An Auto Warranty That’s Right For You
Your automobile warranty should provide you with the specific coverage you need. A warranty with loopholes can add stress to rather than relief the intensity of a break-down, unexpected repair, or a minor collision. Car trouble that is unanticipated is difficult enough without showing up to the mechanic with a disappointing amount of coverage.
Find out if your warranty covers all of the incidents that you desire. Warranties can vary greatly in their specific coverage, so once again tackle that fine print to ensure that what you are buying is what you will be offered should the situation occur. Extended warranties can be deceiving if expected to cover all that a regular warranty doesn’t.
Extended warranties are meant to provide extra security for travelers who would like the peace of mind of having them, but it doesn’t mean all accidents or incidents are going to be completely covered. Ask a warranty sales person about all of the inclusions in the warranty to make an educated decision about your vehicle coverage.
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More Americans Are Steering Clear of Luxury Vehicles
With gas prices up and deep car discounts on the "Big 3" automaker’s vehicles, luxury car sales are down this month.
It seems most people are having trouble paying the exorbitant prices for luxury vehicles these days, especially during the holiday season.
While these numbers fluctuate greatly from month to month, this appears to be part of a trend that surely disturbs luxury automakers.
Interestingly enough, Lexus had a banner year:
Lexus sold 151,226 cars, up 15,000 units, while its trucks (all SUVs) were close to even at 151,669, one-to-one with cars. Thus Lexus exceeded 300,000 for the first time, well ahead of all other luxury brands.
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