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Energy Efficient Technology the Key to Automakers’ Future
Ford Motor Companies are betting on hybrid technology to take their vehicle sales out of a slump and into the energy-efficient-car-making revolution of tomorrow. The new Ford Edge was showcased at the Washington D.C. auto show in January as an example of Ford’s advancement.
Ford finds the Washington audience of particular interest in that congressional participants and government leaders fighting for the environment and encouraging safer fuel-emissions practices are readily available for criticism. Ford and like-minded auto companies are working with the government in an attempt to produce energy efficient, significantly less pollutant vehicles for America’s consumers. Ford is even cleaning up their diesel act;
In the U.S., 2007 promises to be a milestone year for diesel vehicles. Cleaner diesel fuel was phased in nationwide in October 2006, enabling a new generation of diesel engines for 2007 and beyond.Ford researchers are developing new concepts to address the challenges with diesel of preserving high torque and efficiency, while reducing noise, smoke and odors.
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Cars.com Reports SUV and Crossover Models are Still In Demand
Cars.com’s bet is in favor of a good year of sales for SUV and Crossover car models over the next year. Many automobile industry leaders were assuming the opposite in practical application of higher gas prices and the reputation of SUV style vehicles to be gas guzzlers. Fortunately for SUV and Crossover sellers, the popular design isn’t going sour due to the cost of gas.
Automakers can thank innovation and the pressure for releasing vehicles with better fuel efficiency for saving their precious SUVs. The public is aware that auto manufacturers are being scrutinized for energy efficiency and SUVs are going in the right direction.
"Manufacturers are doing a good job of making SUVs and crossover vehicles more fuel-efficient, which will be more attractive to consumers," said Patrick Olsen, managing editor of Cars.com.
As long as SUVs are performing more highly on energy consumption tests, their overall design appeal will win over customers ready to drop thousands on a new means of transportation. The SUV is what consumers want to be driving around, and as long as the public is keen on looking good in their vehicle, SUVs and Crossovers will stand a chance.
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2007 Saturn Aura Sedan Repeatedly Beats Competition
The 2007 Saturn Aura is continually proving is top position in competition against other midsized sedans. It is being recognized as the “2007 Car of the Year” by Motoring Television, “Driver’s Choice Award for the Best New Family Sedan” by MotorWeek, the “North American Car of the Year” by independent automotive journalists, and adding to the slew of awards; “Editor’s Choice for Family Sedan” by World of Wheels.
Car buyers can appreciate the extend of GM of Canada’s praise for the Saturn Aura because multiple awards means a much easier decision over competition at the car lot. It’s easy to find some sort of accolade somewhere for nearly every car, but there is substantial value to several straight wins.
The impressively equipped 2007 Aura XE starts at just $24,990 and the up-level 2007 Saturn Aura XR starts at $31,080. This spring, a Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid model will also be offered starting at just $27,290 – making it Canada’s most affordable – and most stylish – midsize hybrid.
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Automakers Not Making Fuel Efficient Vehicles Available in U.S.
A disturbing statement released from CSI/40mpg.org says that their latest research study is showing that while automakers continue to come out with vehicles that boast the increased standards for fuel efficiency, these models are simply not available in U.S. territory. American consumers are feeling gypped, and rightly so.
The ability of automobile manufacturers to create cars that meet fuel efficiency standards are partly due to the demand from the consumer, and an inability to offer the product that the public has insisted upon is irresponsible and unfair for car buyers.
To combat the problem of fuel efficiency unavailability, consumers are going to Congress. The concerned are asking Congress to raise the standards for vehicle fuel efficiency so that automakers must make their energy-efficient products available in the United States like they are in many countries overseas.
CSI President Pam Solo said: "We have to face the unpleasant facts here: America is needlessly losing the race to develop the best fuel-efficient technology and then deliver it to the American consumer, which wants these cars and other vehicles that would use less imported fuel and create less global-warming pollution. The Europeans, Japanese and Chinese are already committed to far more aggressive MPG standards than we are in the United States."
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A Look at Several Crossovers for ’07, ’08
Soccer moms around the country are trading in the standard family taxi – the minivan – for a much improved crossover style that is highly popular in suburbia and, unlike the minivan, envied by highway observers. The auto world hasn’t quite narrowed down a standard title for the new design, not quite a minivan, but not quite and SUV, the term "crossover" will have to do for now.
The main benefit of a crossover model is its ability to seat seven persons in a comfortable setting without boasting the aged-out design of the minivan and the gas guzzling hardship of an SUV.
There are several options for car buyers interested in purchasing a crossover model; the 2007 GMC Arcadia, 2008 Buick Enclave, 2008 Ford Taurus X, 2007 Hyundai Veracruz, 2007 Mazda CX-9, and the 2007 Saturn Outlook.
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Automobile Affordability Continues to Decline
The state of automobile manufacturing and automobile buying trends is more tedious than ever as gasoline prices fluctuate between all-time highs and still-too-steep averages and automakers strive to make up for a recent decline in consumer respect and demand by jacking up prices on every car lot. The public’s basic need for transportation is at the mercy of an auto industry that has turned its production mindset from providing to prospering.
According to a report in Autospectator, the price tag on new vehicles is only getting substantially higher every year, requiring households to fork over amounts they can’t afford in order to get the family from point A to point B.
The purchase of an average- priced new vehicle took 26.2 weeks of median family income in the fourth quarter, according to the Auto Affordability Index compiled by Detroit-based Comerica Bank. That 2.2 rise in the number of weeks of work required to purchase a new vehicle was the biggest one-quarter deterioration in affordability ever recorded by the index.
While automakers argue that as automobile prices rise, so do family incomes, the affordability rate is what financial analysts consider the telltale sign of who’s taking advantage of whom. Fortunately, consumers have options in combating price gauging – whether at the gas pump or the car dealership. Extended warranties can prolong the life of an expensive vehicle and allow buyers to get the most from the thousands put toward reliable transportation.
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Consumer Reports’ Ratings of Fuel Efficiency
If you’re on the hunt for a new vehicle, this is an article you need to read. Consumer Reports has released its 2007 take on the best and worst vehicles in their class for fuel economy. Drivers know there’s no guarantee about gas prices and when it comes to paying at the pump and feeling guilty about those fuel emissions, you’re better off safe than sorry.
As the automotive industry strives to produce automobile transportation that meets the public’s and governmental standards, in the meantime car buyers can support what progress has been made through a little research about the difference in fuel intake between each vehicle.
“With more crossovers, hybrids, and car-based SUVs entering the market, it’s now much easier to find an SUV that gets gas mileage similar to a midsized sedan,” said Consumer Reports’ Automotive Editor Rik Paul. “You can save hundreds of dollars a year at the gas pump simply by doing your research before you buy.”
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The Newest Ford Escape Model
Ford is beginning its publicity launch for the newest Escape compact utility vehicle. Don’t be surprised if the 2008 Escape is even more reminiscent of its brothers the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. It’s style is closer to the two than before.
The interior of the Escape promises drivers and passengers luxury and quietness with versatility. Perhaps one of Ford’s biggest boasts about the 2008 Escape is its interior use of recycled material. In keeping with the “green” automotive manufacturing trend, the maker has used post-industrial materials for its seating.
InterfaceFABRIC estimates that Ford’s use of post-industrial materials, rather than virgin fibers, could conserve an estimated 600,000 gallons of water, an estimated 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, and the equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
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The Chicago Auto Show debuts ZAP Electric XEBRA
Automotive industry leaders are not in question over the emissions efficiency of electric cars, but they are scratching heads over the suggested terminology for electric vehicles such as the ZAP XEBRA. The XEBRA is being debuted at the Chicago Auto Show this upcoming week, innovated by automaker ZAP.
The XEBRA is one of many conservative approaches to answer the plea to the automotive industry from consumers and national leaders to produce modes of transportation that are environmentally conscious. Electric car makers are considering the possibilities of what to call electric power capacity of their creations, and as ZAP suggests with their XEBRA model, perhaps the alternative to Horsepower should be Zebrapower, in keeping with the “less is still more” concept.
Sbragia, owner of Star Motors, aka ZAP of Oak Forrest, Illinois. "The writing is on the wall in the auto industry and green is the name of the game. All the cars at the show this year will be touting MPG, miles per gallon to show how efficient they can be, but here’s a car that has zero miles per gallon. It’s so efficient they will have to come up with a new metric — maybe zebra-power?"
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The Auto Industry Gets a Preview of Nissan’s Newest
Nissan North America, Inc. let spectators have a glimpse at their 2008 models of the Titan full-sized pick-up, the Armada SUV, and the Pathfinder midsized SUV at a press conference in Michigan this week. Next week the vehicles will attend the Chicago Auto Show where they can expect more scrutiny.
The 2008 Nissan Titan is offered in a variety of styles, including the new Long Wheelbase version. The full-sized truck caters to heavy work performance and adventure driving.
The Nissan Armada full-sized SUV model receives several enhancements, including an array of technology capabilities. An impressive Bose sound system is featured, Bluetooth, and an improved XM Navtraffic navigational system come included on the Armada LE.
In 2008 a car buyer looking for towing performance can purchase a Pathfinder with a 5.6 liter V8 engine. Nissan looks forward to another year of producing a popular SUV in its newest version of the Pathfinder.
“The addition of the Titan Long Wheelbase models and the first-ever V8 engine ever offered in the 22-year history of Pathfinder expand the available choices for buyers of these two popular vehicles,” said Larry Dominique, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.
“The extensive makeover of Armada, which has topped J.D. Power and Associates’ APEAL study for the Large SUV class in 2005 and 2006, adds up to an even more attractive, more premium and more complete Armada package for 2008 – one that we think will continue to make Armada stand out in the full-size SUV class.”
Both the Armada and Titan are available with Fuel Efficiency Vehicle capabilities.
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