Carmakers around the world are realizing that consumers are looking for ecologically friendly vehicles.  There are many new car models that provide fuel-efficiency, yet look great.  Here are some of the latest.

The VW Golf TDI Hybrid provides low emissions with longer legs.  This is a compact hatchback that is popular in Europe.  It utilizes a high-tech engine that is diesel and an auto start-stop.  In addition, it has a DSG gearbox that has 7 speeds, as well as an electric motor.  This car gets 69 mpg.

The Audi TT TDI is proof that a great looking sports car doesn’t have to be a gas-guzzler.  This car can sprint from 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds flat with its 170 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.  This car has the power of a sports car with the fuel-efficiency of a compact car.

People are realizing that fuel-efficient cars are a necessity with gas prices nearing $4 per gallon.  Consumers are protecting their wallets with eco friendly vehicles and new car warranties.

According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, there is a great amount of interest in hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles.  In fact, less than 25% of people asked revealed that they would only consider purchasing a car powered by gasoline.

However, there are some misconceptions.  Motorists who purchased a hybrid car expected that they would get a fuel-economy improvement of approximately 28 mpg if compared to a gas-powered vehicle that was similar.  However, in reality, people who bought hybrids only gained an improvement of 9 mpg.  People who bought diesels were similarly disappointed with a 12-mpg improvement, when they actually expected to improve 21 mpg.

A big challenge for vehicles with alternative powertrains is the unrealistic fuel-saving expectations that consumers place on them.  Especially with hybrids, the actual fuel performance of the car doesn’t usually live up to the EPA estimate.  Consumers need to educate themselves about such things as the benefits of technology, maintenance and new car warranties.  Being able to manage consumers’ expectations and lowering the cost of alternative power vehicles will help these cars gain acceptance.

Car dealers have haggled with their customers for years.  This practice has allowed salesmen to con buyers into buying cars and new car warranties, using all kinds of negotiating strategies.  But car dealers have paid for it by being known as untrustworthy.

Some dealers are changing their ways by dumping haggling.  The eighth largest chain of dealers in America, Lithia Automotive Group, announced that they are going to make all 108 of their stores haggle-free within three years.

Toyota’s Scion has implemented a policy for no negotiation from its onset four years ago.  This has prompted dealers who sell Toyota vehicles to apply the one-price approach.

And all over the country, independent dealers who carry various brands of domestic and foreign vehicles are teaching their employees to sell cars like the rest of the retail world.  In other words, cars come with a price tag and a smile from the salesperson.

This no-haggle method will make buying a more pleasant experience for consumers.  Now that people can look up a car’s base price online, they don’t have patience for haggling.  In addition, people are able to compare the prices of new car warranties online.

The shift from traditional SUV’s was noticeable in 2007.  People were more focused on crossovers.  The high gas prices are most likely responsible for this change. People want to put their money towards an auto warranty and maintenance, not fuel. While most car sales were noticeably down in the U.S, the Honda CR-V experienced a 29% increase in sales from a year ago.  It’s no surprise that it is listed as the most popular SUV, according to MSN Autos.

The Honda CR-V is at the top of the list.  It’s sales in 2007 were over 219,000, and it was the tenth best selling automobile.  It has a 2.4-liter, 166 hp incline four engine.  It is pretty fuel-efficient at 20-mpg city and 27mpg highway.

Next on the list is the Toyota RAV4.  It is available in a base model, Limited, or Sport trim.  It can be purchased with a 3.5-liter V6, or four-cylinder engine.  The sticker price is $21,000 for a 2008 version.

Number three is the GMC Acadia.  This vehicle is GMC’s first attempt at a crossover, and they succeeded.  It is available in front wheel drive, and all wheel.  The Acadia has a 3.6-liter V6.

It appears that the trend for crossovers will continue.  People are concerned with fuel prices and don’t want to buy gas-guzzlers.  Instead, drivers are putting their money towards new car warranties.

Would you ever think that a convertible could receive the same safety ratings as its counterpart sedan?  Well it has happened with Saab vehicles.

The Saab 9-3 two door convertible, years 2006 and 2007, that has a fabric retractable roof received the same ratings for side, rear and frontal crash tests as its counterpart with a steel roof.  In fact, it was also named a “Top Safety Pick”.

The crash tests that were performed were the first ever done on convertibles.  They were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t even done tests on the convertibles that the IIHS did, so these scores are the very first indications of the safety of convertibles.

The 2007 version of the Saab 9-3 sedan has a suggested retail of $26,250, and the Saab 9-3 convertible goes for $37,495.  General Motors Corporation is the owner of Saab based out of Sweden.  Saab has had a longstanding reputation for safe vehicles.

No matter how high a car is rated it is important to purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen problems.  Used car warranties will save you money down the road when your car needs repair.  After all, no vehicle is without faults.

Expect some bright lights in the city this summer when the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum edition comes to town. The most recent version of the SUV is lavish and well equipped. It will prove to be the first mainstream automobile featuring LED headlights.

Light emitting diode technology (LED) has several advantages to the conventional auto lights. First of all, LED bulbs last much longer. In fact, they may survive the vehicle’s life. This cuts out the hassle of owners having to replace bulbs. LED lights are also brighter and look clean. The lighting tends to be intense, but it is a daylight color that is natural looking.

LED lights are becoming much more common, but until now they were only used in tail lamps, brake lamps and the interior.

Several European makers that are high-end have used LED headlamps. However, they have only put them in low volume models. With the Platinum series, Cadillac is hoping to sell up to 10,000 Escalades that will feature the new LED headlights.

Consumers have made the Escalade popular in the past, and are awaiting the new version. With the addition of new car warranties, motorists can rest assured that this popular SUV is a wise purchase.

Last week California’s Air Resources Board withdrew its stringent mandates for vehicles with zero-emissions, in favor of hybrids that are charged with main electricity.

California is the biggest and most important vehicle market in the world. In fact, over 2 million vehicles are purchased in the state every year. Consequently, the most new car warranties and auto loans are also sold there. Its pollution stance has had an influence on countries all over the world. For the last 18 years, the board has required GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and VW to up production and sales of zero-emissions cars.

Car manufacturers have tried to fight the rules, which are, and have been tough. They were developed originally to put out 25,000 zero-emissions vehicles between 2012 and 2014, however the board realized that this is an impractical goal. Now, carmakers have been offered a 70% cut in the original figure, with a new requirement to produce 7,500 zero-emissions cars.

In exchange, manufacturers must produce 58,000 hybrids that are plug-in in that same period of time. If they do this, they must in addition produce 25,000 zero-emission cars between 2015 and 2017.

It can be quite a challenge to find a handicap-accessible vehicle to suit your needs.  Also, it can be nearly impossible to sort through newspapers and services online.  This is why Rick Shutes started HandicapAutoTrader.com.  He wanted to help people who are disabled find suitable vehicles.

HandicapAutoTrader.com is great for buyers and sellers.  People who want to buy can search available vehicles at no cost, and contact the website’s staff conveniently through email or phone.  Sellers are able to list their cars, with an addition of three images for free.

This website allows consumers to search cars according to the features that they desire.  In addition, you can search by categories, such as model, make, year, etc.  Also convenient is the feature, “Easy Compare Vehicles”.  This lets people compare vehicles side-by-side to get the features and price that they want.

As with any vehicle purchase, it is necessary to do your homework.  Make sure to research vehicles, used car warranties, and auto loans before making any decisions.  This will allow you to get the best deals.

Volkswagen is hoping that people can find their love of the small station wagon with their launch of the Sportwagen.  This will be available to car shoppers later this year in July.

According to VW executives, the new wagon derived from the Jetta has the appeal of a compact car, and yet sports a European flair.  This should give it some traction in the market, as drivers want to change to smaller wagons.  Consumers are trying to save money by purchasing small, efficient vehicles.  This allows people to spend their money on an auto warranty, and car maintenance.

The new Jetta wagon has many attractive features.  It offers a 2.5-liter automatic or five-speed, as well as a turbo four that has 200 hp in a six-speed Tiptronic automatic or manual.  Towards the later part of the summer the diesel engine TDI will be here.  It has a six-speed automatic that is dual-clutch, without paddle shifters that are common in other vehicles with the transmission.  You can also get a panoramic sunroof, and a Sirius satellite radio.  Depending on the trim level you pick, the car will run you $19,000 to $26,000.

Consumers can expect to see the VW Sportwagen in July.  As with any auto purchase, new car warranties should be purchased to protect your investment.  This will ensure drivers’ peace of mind.

For a very brief moment in 2007, General Motors was actually outsold by Toyota.  This occurred in the second quarter of the year, yet slipped back during the remainder of the year.  If Toyota hits its goal for production plans, it may take the lead again in 2008.

Is this a big deal?  Well, you may get different answers depending on who is asked.  CEO Katsuaki Watanabe at Toyota insists that they aren’t even paying attention.

As for GM, it has been the global leader in the industry for about three quarters of a century.  They have taken great pride in being at the top, but several senior executives at GM claim it no longer matters.  According to Bob Lutz, who is the Vice Chairman, it will help sell newspapers, but it won’t have an impact in their operations.    In fact, he claims that falling behind could be a good thing.

Whoever is at the top, one thing is for sure, Toyota and GM both make good vehicles.  Consumers are going to keep buying new cars, new car warranties, and auto loans, so they can find themselves behind the wheel of a new vehicle.